Chapter 56: A Final GoodbyeLuke glanced at Bella in the rearview mirror. She was watching him, so he winked. She smiled that lazy smile of hers that never failed to arouse him. If he'd had any apprehension about how she'd be able to transition into being his submissive, their time this morning reassured him. Afterward, he'd held her for a long time, and then soothed her stinging behind with her favorite lavender body lotion. He sighed with contentment.Tre was prattling on about something, but Bella wasn't listening. She appreciated Luke's wink. This morning had been startling, but it had also been amazingly erotic, and she'd thoroughly enjoyed herself. Now, though, she was feeling that familiar dread as she thought about seeing Daddy again. He's dying, she told herself. Just suck it up and go with it.She looked down, suddenly unsure about her choice of outfit, jeans with a red sweater and grey cardigan. Tre and Cornelia were hosting a barbeque in the afternoon and she'd t
Chapter 57: An Elegant BarbequeWhen they arrived at the house, preparations were well underway. The party had been planned for months, so even with their father in the hospital, canceling it had not been considered. Cornelia was, of course, having the event catered. Bella couldn't imagine why that fact surprised her so much, but it did. When Tre had mentioned a barbeque, she'd pictured them outside grilling. But of course, creating events was Cornelia's forte.A giant white tent had been erected on the back lawn. It was filled with large round tables covered with red and white checked tablecloths. A dance floor was placed in the center and a DJ was setting up at one end. Big Daddy's BBQ had been hired to provide the casual fare. They were set up discreetly off to the side under a smaller white tent and the aroma of roasting meat along with hickory smoke filled the air. Bella went to find Cornelia to see how she could help. Tre and Luke found the beer and settled on the back
Chapter 58: Saba InsteadLuke looked across at Bella and through the window on her side of the DeHavilland Twin Otter. Below them, the turquoise water of the Caribbean sparkled like a jewel. They'd flown commercial from Birmingham to St. Maarten and had booked the connecting flight to Saba.While on St. Maarten, they'd shot the intro for the episode. "Hello! I'm Bella Grant and we're on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Maarten. This, however, is not our final destination. Today on Two Streets Over, we're actually heading two islands over, to the small island of Saba. We're about to board a little bush plane for the final leg of our trip, and I don't mind telling you, I'm a little freaked out."During the brief flight, Bella kept up nervous chatter with their pilot, Rick, who as it turned out, was Canadian. He told her that he had grown weary of the long cold winters five years before and had moved his flight service to the Caribbean. Luke dutifully shot the conversation,
Chapter 59: IntimacyThey made their way back to their suite, managing to close the door before wrapping each other in deep passionate kisses. Luke pushed her up against the door and lightly nipped the side of her neck. She moaned, luxuriating in his touch."I want you, Cowboy," Bella whispered against his neck."Let's see about that jacuzzi," Luke murmured.Stepping back, he said, "I want to watch you take off your clothes, baby girl."She smiled at him and slowly undid the tie of her halter dress and let it fall, uncovering her full breasts with their erect pink buds. He groaned. "Oh, baby girl…" She lightly moved her palms down her sides and slid the dress down over her hips. It pooled on the floor around her feet and she stood clad only in black lace panties. He took in the sight of her, his desire growing more intense with each passing moment.Luke stepped toward her and stopped, not quite close enough to touch her. "On your knees, baby girl," he quietly instructed. "I'm
Chapter 60: Finding the StoriesThe next day, Bella and Luke spent the morning getting footage around the island of Saba, venturing into the capital, known locally as The Bottom. The town of about five hundred was home to government offices, a few churches, a handful of shops, a hospital, and a medical school.Bella had diligently tracked down Connie de Jong, owner of a company that produced and sold famous Saban lace, a major export of the island. Connie took them on a tour of the small factory, describing the history of the fabric and the process by which it is currently produced. Off-camera, Bella purchased a set of tea towels, thinking they would make a perfect Christmas gift for Cornelia.As they left the lace works, Luke turned to Bella. "We have about an hour to kill before we meet the botanist at the reserve. Let's get something to eat." She quickly agreed and they found themselves at the Saba Coffee House, enjoying sandwiches and fresh-brewed coffee. Naturally, Bella str
Chapter 61: So It's Back to Birmingham"Shit, Bubba!" Bella exclaimed. "What do you mean the funeral is tomorrow morning at 10:00? How did it get arranged so quickly?""You know Daddy," Tre said. "He had it planned for months. He specifically wanted his funeral scheduled for the morning after he died.""Well, we're working. I just got back out on the road. I can't simply…"Tre interrupted, "Sissy, you can be here less than twenty-four hours. It would look bad if you didn't come home."Bella couldn't care less how it looked, but she didn't say so. She realized it would add to Tre's stress and she knew that wasn't fair. God knows, he'd been the one who'd had to deal with their father while she'd been off pursuing her career. "Alright, Bubba, I'll see what we can do. I'll call and let you know." They disconnected.Bella called Rick, the shuttle pilot, and made arrangements for them to be picked up at 4:00, an hour and a half away. She was getting ready to call the airline to
Chapter 62: Luke On His OwnLuke returned to the suite after seeing Bella off at the airport. He wandered around feeling a bit lost, aware of the deafening silence. Not that she's noisy, he mused. She's just so…full of life. Her absence left a void not simply in the room but in his soul."You really do have it bad, Cowboy," he murmured to himself.He sat on the terrace smoking a cigar, watching the sun drift lower in the sky, ever closer to the water. In his mind, he replayed some of their recent conversations. He thought about the firm way he'd dismissed the idea of marriage. Why had he done that? Not that he thought he was ready for so big a step. But now, if he ever was, clearly, she'd refuse.He shook his head. I wanted to avoid complications, he thought. Bella was nothing but complications. Yeah, but not necessarily in a bad way, he thought to himself. She was the perfect sub to his Dom. They fit together flawlessly. He sighed. "I'd have been a shit mother anyway,"
Chapter 63: Those Odd RitualsPoole Funeral Chapel, which had buried Grants for generations, was located only a few blocks from Bella's townhouse. As they drove up, it was clear that the place was packed.Bella gripped Tre's hand before they entered the building. "How are you, Bubba? Really?" she asked him, concerned.He looked down at her and sighed. "Really? I'm tired. And," he looked down before continuing, "I'm relieved. I can't say that to anybody but you. It's been a long haul. And you and I both know he was a son of a bitch."She hugged him tightly. "It's just you and me, Bubba. I love you so much.""Thanks, Sissy," he said, emotion causing his voice to crack slightly. "I love you, too."Tre walked Bella into the room dedicated to their father's remains. It was actually three expanded adjoining rooms, befitting the status of the dearly departed. Bella thought to herself that the wake more resembled a high-end cocktail party than a funerary ritual. All these design