Chapter 27 #2
“It’ll be nice to see your parents again. I haven’t seen them since your dad ran for the state senate our senior year of high school,” Turtle said, trying to sound optimistic.
“Did you have a falling out?” Stone asked.
“Yes. No. Kinda. They wanted me to move to Columbia with them, but I didn’t want to leave Shadows Landing.
This was my home. I hate politics. I shook hands and stood by, smiling at nothing while Dad shook hands.
It just wasn’t me. They were disappointed and kind of mad when I didn’t go with them, but I think they thought I would eventually show up wanting money or something.
I never did. I go up a couple of times a year to see them for their birthdays, but they haven’t been to Shadows Landing since they left. ”
The sound of a car approaching and then turning off stopped Gator from saying more.
Everyone turned to the side of the house.
A minute later, a man and woman, both dressed in suits, came around the corner.
The Honorable George Mercer IV, governor of South Carolina, looked just like Gator if Gator trimmed his hair, shaved his beard, and put on a suit.
“Baby!” his mother cried before dropping her husband’s hand and hurrying over to Gator, her sensible heels clicking on the patio. She yanked him down and hugged him tight. “I’ve missed you!”
“Hi, Mom.” Gator hugged his mother and then straightened to shake hands with his dad. “Dad.”
His father shook his hand and the smile on his face seemed genuine. “So, these are your friends?”
Gator nodded. “You know Skeeter and Turtle. And then I’m sure you remember the Faulkners.
” His parents shook hands or hugged everyone there, including the Townsends after being introduced to them.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but what brings you to Shadows Landing?
You haven’t been back since my high school graduation. ”
His parents looked ashamed, which surprised him. “I know. We’ve been so busy with climbing the ladder of government we forgot where we came from,” his father said, surprising Gator even more.
“We saw the video from today,” his mother said, reaching for Gator’s hand. “And that beautiful woman you were defending.”
“You used your real name, George, for the first time in over a decade. You used my name too,” his father said, not accusatory, but with relief.
“I’m sorry for any embarrassment, sir.”
“Oh, honey, no!” his mother cried. “We aren’t embarrassed.
We were thrilled. You were always so embarrassed by us.
You hated what we did and being in the public eye.
After some distance from it and seeing how you were with that lovely woman and your friends here, we came here to tell you we understand it now.
I’m sorry it took us so long to accept your wishes for a private life. ”
His father cleared his throat. “We tried to force you into, well, doing what we do…politics. And we should have known better. That was never you. No matter how many manners classes we gave you or dance classes. You always preferred to be outdoors with Owen and Kemp.”
“I’m sorry,” Rowan said, interjecting. “Who is Kemp?”
Turtle shuffled his feet around where Tank was wandering between them. “I am. My last name is Ridley and my parents thought it was cute to name me Kemp because of the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles found here.”
“Oh,” collectively sounded from most of the guys now that Turtle’s nickname made sense.
“You all hung out so much you even picked up their accent,” his father said with a chuckle. “And we tried to come between you and your real friends. This is where you felt you could be yourself and I’m sorry we didn’t understand that.”
Rowan watched as Gator cleared his throat, trying to stay in control of his emotions. It was clear this meant a lot to him.
“We also came,” his mother said, pulling out a deep red velvet box from her purse, “to give you this.”
Gator’s eyes snapped to the box, his mouth dropping open in surprise. “Gammy’s ring?”
His mother opened the box and there sat a beautiful antique diamond ring. “It’s been in the family for five generations. Your father gave it to me and now I’m giving it to you.”
“How did you know?” Gator whispered.
“Oh, baby. I saw the love in your eyes in that video and we were on the road within ten minutes. All we’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.
We thought staying away was the answer to that, but we don’t want to stay away anymore.
Will you let us come back into your life more?
We’ll only be here when you want us to be and we won’t try to change a single thing about you. We so hope you’ll let us visit more.”
“What about Edward?” Gator asked.
“Who’s Edward?” Rowan whispered to Trent Faulkner.
“Gator’s younger brother. The perfect politician’s son. He’s currently a state senator and the rumor is that he’ll run for governor in the next election after his father’s last term is up. He’s engaged to a woman from another political family in the capitol,” Trent whispered back.
“He knew this ring was always going to you. You are the eldest son and it’s your birthright. We hope you’ll come to his wedding. I know it’s not your scene, but I think Eddie misses his big brother. He asks about you every dinner and tells his fiancée all about you,” his mother told him.
“He doesn’t want me around. He told me that.”
“He told you that when he was sixteen and you were eighteen,” his father said with a sigh. “I think we can all agree that we’ve changed a lot since then. We want you back in the family, Gator, but on your terms.”
Gator smiled. “You called me Gator.”
“It’s my understanding that’s what you like to be called,” his father told him with a father’s grin, not a politician’s smile.
Gator took a deep breath and hugged his parents.
“I guess you should meet your new grandson.” Gator turned and motioned for James Avery to step forward.
James did and clung to Gator’s leg, unsure of the situation, but trusting Gator to keep him safe.
“This is James Avery. Jamie has already approved of me asking his mom to marry me. Jamie, these are my parents. When we get married, they’ll be your grandparents. ”
His mother dropped to her knees in the grass and his father quickly did the same. “Can I tell you a secret, Jamie?” Jamie nodded, still looking uncertain about Gator’s mom. “I’ve always looked forward to being a grandmother and now, because of you, I will be. You are my greatest wish come true.”
“Really?” he asked.
“Really,” Gator’s dad replied. “Now, think hard on this, but what would you like to call us? I always thought Pop Pop sounded fun, but maybe too much like a cereal.” James giggled.
“You should discuss it with Tally and decide, just like what you want to call me,” Gator suggested.
James looked up at Gator with big eyes full of excitement. “Can we do that now?”
Gator smiled down at him. “Sure. I’m sure Gam Gam and Pop Pop would love to meet your mother and sister.”
“More than anything!” his mother said, holding out her hand for James. James took it and Gator’s father’s hand in his other. He began talking nonstop as they walked toward the car.
“Wait,” Gator said, stopping the rest of the group from following. “Now that I have this ring in my hand I can’t wait to ask Ellie to marry me. How long do you think it would take to get the ship ready?”
“Give us two hours,” Skeeter answered and everyone sprang into action. Ryker was snapping orders into the phone. Rowan and his brothers were raiding Wilder’s house and calling in supplies from WET. Turtle was off to collect wild flowers then they were on the way to the ship.