Beautifying Bernadette: A BBW Romantic Comedy (The Jackson Tribe Book 1) Read online

  She heard the guest door banging in the hall and her mother’s voice. “Bernadette? Honey? Where are you?”

  The handle of the door started rattling, Bernie looked terrified at the door and Levi held up his hand. The door didn’t open. Gladys started knocking frantically. “Is everything all right in there? What’s going on?”

  Levi calmly walked over to the locked door and spoke through it. “Everything is fine, Gladys. We’re just talking through some stuff. I am sorry we woke you. We will be out for breakfast in a few moments. I was going to fix Belgian waffles.”

  While he was speaking, Bernie was rocking back and forth trying to not make any noise, but her ass was on fire… actually the fire wasn’t as bad now as it had been a few minutes ago. She was able to calm a bit. She tried to stand still and wait for Levi to handle the mom situation and come back.

  Gladys sounded disgruntled. “I really wish you’d unlock the door so I could check on her. She wouldn’t be yelling for no reason.”

  Then, Bernie heard Bill’s voice low and rumbly. She couldn’t make out what he was saying, but Gladys let out an “Oh!” and then hurriedly said, “Never mind, sorry to bother you.”

  Then, the noise in the hall dissipated.

  Levi came back over and rubbed her back again asking quietly. “Is it any better now?”

  Bernie nodded. “Yes, sir, but what is it? Devil juice? Fire of hell in a bottle? Acid, in diaper ointment form?”

  Levi gently lowered her arms and turned her to face him, kissing the tears off of her face. “Have you have of capsaicin? It’s that component of hot peppers that makes them so spicy? Well, this an ointment, a cream, made with capsaicin oil. It’s intended for arthritis, but I had heard it is very motivating after a good spanking. I had also heard it was good all by itself. So, it’s good to know that, even almost twenty-four hours after a spanking, it can have such a good effect on my girl.”

  Bernie’s eyes bugged a little. “It was definitely… intense. If you’re going for inferno of pain and ‘I didn’t know if I’d ever breathe again’—sure it did its job, but you said I’d feel it all day and…” She almost seemed reluctant to admit to him, “It feels like it’s kind of worn off.”

  She looked scared. “You’re not going to reapply it are you?”

  He shook his head. “No, unless you give me a reason today, I will not reapply it. But from what I’ve heard, and read, once you get dressed for the day, your underwear will add heat of their own. Also, the heat supposedly comes in waves. Where you’ll feel fine and then it will burn. Also, sitting. Sitting is going to be a whole lot of fun today.”

  He gave her a sadistic smile.

  Bernie started to pout. “Levi this is—”

  He interrupted her. “This is because you made some very bad choices and, while we are at my parents’ today, I want you to be motivated to make better choices. Also, when you sit across from Ginny, I want you to remember all of the trouble I am sure you got her into, and lastly…”

  He pulled her into his chest and kissed her head. “I want you to remember that I love you. Every time your ass starts to burn today, I want you to know how deeply loved and cherished you are. I love you very much.”

  She giggled and melted into him. “I wish you didn’t love me so hard sometimes.”

  He patted her bottom. “I know, but it’s necessary. Now, go get dressed. Contrary to yesterday where you were commando, today I need you to wear ‘big ol’ granny panties.’” He used the phrase that she and Ash coined for ugly, full-coverage underwear.

  She scowled a little, but nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  After he hugged her one last time and left to start breakfast, she went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of patriotic blue panties with bright white stars and red squiggles.

  “I might as well match my panties to my ass.” She had planned a pair of shorter shorts today, but partially because of not wanting extra pressure on her butt, and partially because the marks from yesterday went down almost to her knees, she chose a red and white polka dotted maxi dress and a white headband.

  She looked in the mirror and grinned at herself. There was something about having a man who constantly wanted to touch her that made her feel better about herself, sexier and desirable. But, damn he was right about the heat in her panties; she felt like he had reapplied the crap. She was never ever doing anything to earn this stupid cream again.

  She walked out to the kitchen and gave her dad a peck on his cheek and her mother a side hug. “Oh, babe, it smells amazing in here! Did you put vanilla in the batter?”

  Levi nodded. “Can you set the table, please? I got the special mini flavored syrups that you like and put them in the pantry.”

  Bernie moved to obey, a happy grin on her face.

  Her mother gave her a worried look up and down and then said in a neutral tone, “Are you sure you want to wear that, Bernadette? You know long dresses aren’t really flattering for big-boned women.”

  Bernie faltered for only a second and her face went stony. “Yes, Mother. I am aware.”

  She walked into the other room and started putting things on the table.

  Levi flipped the waffle maker and set the timer for three minutes and walked after her. “Hey, are you okay? That was totally uncalled for from your mother.”

  Bernie shrugged. “It’s okay. I am used to it. She is just trying to help. She knows I’m gro—”

  When Levi pressed a hand against her ass and pushed, her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare say it. You look amazing, honey. You are cute and flirty and patriotic. Do not let your mother’s careless words ruin your day, understood? Even though I know it’s her fault, if I hear you bad mouth yourself at all today, you’re going right to the corner. I don’t care if your parents are here or not, got it?”

  Bernie nodded. His firm words actually helped her feel better. In the past, her mother’s admonishment would have played in her head all day until she went and changed, and she still would have felt like a cow. But Levi’s words and tone centered her. And she felt okay again… mostly.

  Chapter Eighteen

  They pulled up to the ranch, and saw that everyone had really outdone themselves with the decorations. There were banners and streamers, balloons and handmade signs, and all of the staff and residents were wearing matching, but handmade and individual, tie dye shirts that said “Redemption Ranch” on them. Bernie was really proud to show her parents, not only Levi’s home and his family’s ministry, but where she was going to be investing her time and gifts. She hoped her mom would be kind—her harshness seemed to only come out in relation to Bernie’s weight, but there was always a first time and Bernie hoped it wouldn’t be today.

  Maggie met them at the car wearing a red white and blue tie dye and a billowy denim skirt and a multi colored bandanna on her head—she looked like the quintessential “over decorated holiday mom”—but Bernie felt such warmth when she saw her. She hopped out of the truck and wrapped her arms around her and squeezed.

  “Oh, Maggie, happy fourth, and I’m so sorry about—”

  Maggie cut her off. “Shh… it’s all forgiven, but let’s talk later, okay? I love you and we’re all good, okay?”

  Bernie nodded and opened the back door for her parents. “Maggie, these are my parents Bill and Gladys Douglas, Mom, Dad, this is Levi’s mom, Maggie.”

  Maggie gave Gladys a warm hug and shook Bill’s hand with both hands. “So happy to meet both of you. Bernie-girl has become one of our favorite people around here. Y’all have raised such a compassionate, strong, sweet, kind and amazing young woman. We just adore her.”

  Bernie bit her lip and grinned, blushing. Her parents looked pleased and her mother said quickly, “Well, since they are getting married, I guess you’re going to be stuck with her.”

  Shit! Bernie looked at Levi and her mouth dropped—in all of the excitement of her folks coming and the court case and the “big spanks,” they had forgotten that her parents knew about the engagement that t
hey had planned to announce today.

  Maggie took it graciously and in stride though and said genuinely, “And there is no one else we’d rather have Levi spend the rest of his life with.”

  The only indication she gave that she processed this was new news, was when she laughed with a smile and said, “Bernie and Levi, don’t forget we have that meeting later—there are so very many things on tonight’s agenda!”

  Bernie’s stomach sunk, but Maggie didn’t seem pissed.

  Thankfully, Saul ran up to them at that moment and pulled Bernie into a huge bear hug, distracting everyone from the potential faux pas.

  “Country Club! They set me up in my own room and there’s tons of stuff to do and everyone is the shit—I mean, uh, really nice.”

  He looked at Maggie sheepishly and she waggled her finger at him lightly. “I got to go help with the decorations and stuff, but I’ll see you later, k?” He ran off again and Bernie grinned, so happy he was here.

  ***

  Levi had bought a huge warehouse side of ribs for the fire pit, and Bernie had made a fruit salad in a cut out watermelon. They took the food inside while her parents chatted with Maggie. The counters were overflowing with food. There was every type of salad you could imagine, including types Bernie did not think should even exist—Jell-O and marshmallows did not belong in any sort of salad. Several kinds of casseroles, and probably five different sorts of baked macaroni and cheese dishes. Raw vegetables, piles of corn on the cob still in their husks, also ready for the fire pit, and a cornucopia of other cooked vegetable dishes.

  What really caught her eye though were the desserts. There were, of course, the famous Maggie pies, but there were also cookies and brownies and puddings and cakes and… it was a dreamland.

  She spotted Ginny outside the kitchen window and raced to the deck. “Ginny!” she ran towards her waving frantically. Ginny stopped and waited with a small awkward smile.

  Once she got close enough, Bernie pulled her into a hug. After she let go, she asked anxiously, “Are you okay? Were your parents really upset? Are you in trouble? Oh my God, I am so sorry!”

  Ginny looked a little relieved when she started the interrogating and laughed. “Yes, I am okay. Yes, they were pretty pissed, and yeah, I got in serious trouble. I was scared you were going to be mad at me though! Levi looked ready to kill you when I left. Did you make it out alive?”

  Bernie searched Ginny’s face for a moment wondering Does she know? And then decided to play it safe. “Yeah, he was ‘pretty pissed’ too, but it’s not your fault. I’m the one who gave you booze. Levi and I talked a lot and we’re okay now. As long as you are?”

  Ginny snorted. “Talked. Right. I am sure Levi used words for that one.” She threw her hand over her mouth. “That was really rude! I’m sorry, Bernie. I shouldn’t meddle or dig.”

  Bernie looked at her and spoke slowly, “Do you… have a reason to think that maybe Levi spoke with more than… words?”

  They just stared at each other’s eyes, both girls blushing, both uncertain if it was okay to say what they were thinking to the other.

  Ginny broke the staring contest first. “Well, I know that I am the youngest of a lot of brothers. Brothers who are all super bossy and like to control situations. Who are very protective of the girls in their lives. Who have all, at one point or another, thrown their poor helpless sister over their knees and who have done so to others in their lives, girlfriends, girlfriends, my friends… It would shock me if Levi didn’t bust your butt, after letting me drink last night.”

  Bernie sighed in relief, not only did she not have to worry about Levi’s sister, but she now had a friend who knew Levi and the family better than her. Who could help her figure him out.

  “Oh, Ginny, I am so glad you opened that door. I have no idea if I’d have ever gotten up the courage or known if it was appropriate. So, um, yeah. Levi ‘busted my butt’ good. A lot. I won’t be offering anyone underage alcohol for as long as I live. And, actually, I’m not permitted to drink any myself for a long time either. I wasn’t supposed to be getting drunk if he isn’t around, and I had told him the apartment was already clean. So we had a lot to ‘catch up on.’”

  Ginny’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s intense. My boyfriend and I have—”

  Bernie squealed. “Your boyfriend? Your boyfriend! Levi said you couldn’t—”

  Ginny shook her head frantically. “Shhhhh! I can’t believe I said that! I haven’t told anyone yet. Mama and Daddy barely know. Please, please, don’t tell Levi—or anyone—we’re still getting to know each other and, I swear to God, if my brothers try to run him off, I’ll shoot someone.”

  Bernie danced in place screaming with her hands over her mouth for a second. “OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod!” Then calming down, she asked in a more moderate tone, “So, I want to hear all about him, but a second ago you were trying to tell me something?”

  Ginny tried not to smile at Bernie’s obvious excitement, but she let it out and said sweetly, “I swear I’ll tell you all about him later, not today. But yeah, what I was going to say was…” She lowered her voice, “We are trying to incorporate some domestic discipline into our relationship, but it’s hard because we are so new and trying to be super chaste and stuff. So far he has just swatted me over my jeans a few times, and once he tried to make me go to the corner. We both started laughing so hard it never went anywhere, but, yeah, we both kind of want it. I think.”

  At that moment, a group of little girls raced up to Ginny, and started hugging her and chattering at her. Bernie looked around and realized the amount of food she had seen was probably because this was a very well attended event. There were people milling about everywhere. Kids playing tag, it looked like there was a pick-up game of soccer, some ultimate Frisbee, and a group of preteen looking girls were all sitting on blankets and talking very animatedly.

  Bernie and Ginny exchanged a look and mouthed “Later”. Then Ginny ran off with the girls towards the barn, and Bernie headed back to the house to find her parents.

  She found her mom in the kitchen with Maggie. They were filling large glass beverage containers with iced tea, water, and lemonade. They were involved in detailed conversation and didn’t seem to need her help, so Bernie wandered off looking for the guys. The men were all out at the fire pit. Along with some other men from church, she saw Levi, her dad, all his brothers, and his dad. They all seemed to be having a good time, drinking beer and roasting meat. She decided to leave them to their “manly pursuits” and just opted for a stroll around the property.

  She ended up at the pond. The Jacksons had some canoes and paddle boats, and there was a decent swimming area roped off as well. Every boat was in use and the pond was full of bobbing heads. Sitting on the edge of the water was Toni. She quirked her a mouth slightly at Toni’s long sleeves under her tie dye tee. It had to be ninety-five degrees out here, so the girl must be sweltering. But she was in long sleeves and long pants and her long black and purple hair was hanging down over her face like normal.

  Bernie went over and sat next to her. “Hey, Toni. Getting a break from the crowds?”

  Toni started and then nodded a little and spoke in a very gentle tone. “Mmhmm. I like quiet. It helps me think.”

  Bernie nodded, matching the girl’s subdued tone. “Me too. Sometimes. Sometimes I am a chatterbox, but other times it’s just nice to sit and enjoy the view and the breeze. People watching can be fun too. Check out that little guy over there, the one who looks like he is like standing on the rock. Want to take bets on how long before his parents pull him down—oh too late, there he goes.” She giggled and Toni did too. “Would you like to be alone or is it okay to sit and chat a bit?”

  Toni looked at her a little surprised. “You can stay. It’s okay.”

  Bernie played with a blade of grass. “So, how are things going for you here? Are you settling in well?”

  Toni stared intently at her fingernails. “Oh it’s fine. Everyone is very nice.”
<
br />   “Okay, so everyone is nice… but how are you doing? Really?”

  Toni shifted looking uncomfortable. “I’m fine. The Jacksons let me come and aren’t charging me anything. I’m fine.”

  Bernie sighed. “Fine can mean a lot of things. It can genuinely mean that you are doing well, that nothing is wrong, that nothing bothers you. It can mean ‘Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional.’ It can mean something more in the middle, or it can mean ‘Bernie, would you leave me the heck alone, I came out here to think.’”

  Bernie smiled. “Which is it for you?”

  Toni kept staring at her nails. “I said I’m fine. You don’t need to leave. But I am fine. I don’t need anything.”

  “Okay.” Bernie picked some more grass and rubbed it between her fingers. “Well, if anything is ever not fine, please know you can talk to me. I am going to be counseling here in an official capacity soon, but, more than that, I just want to be your friend. You seem like you need one.”

  Toni nodded. “Thanks. I need to go help Mrs. J with the food now. Have a good day.” She got up and left without giving Bernie a chance to talk further.

  Bernie laid on her back and looked up at the sky. It was really peaceful out here. She closed her eyes. It was so peaceful just enjoying the laughing people in the lake, the wind blowing, and the birds singing. It was hard to believe that an oasis like that was less than an hour from her apartment. Everything around her felt so chaotic and busy, but this was amazing. She drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  When she woke up, she was stiff and sunburned. Thankfully, she had put on some sunblock but apparently not enough, and her stomach kept growling. She pulled her phone out of her bra and was shocked to realize that she had slept for almost two hours! She couldn’t believe no one had woken her up. Levi must be frantic. She looked at her phone again, but there weren’t any missed calls or texts. She stood up, stretched, and then hurried back to the house. People were sitting everywhere and eating. Large picnic tables punctuated the grounds and blankets lined every inch of the ground to the side of the house. Bernie didn’t think she had ever seen so much red, white and blue in her life.