The Old South
SS by Tiina

 

Prologue and authors note:

 

This story is a time before and during the civil war. Britney is an a southern Belle from LA,who's father runs a plantation with many slaves. Her family is very well known well and Respected throughout the south, and so is a certain someone's family. Justin Timberlake. He's a charming young man from Tennessee who's practically won all the ladies hearts. He helps his father run the plantation. A story wouldn't be a story without a little disappointment now would it? Justin is married to a woman 5 years his senior named, Lauren Barrings.She doesn't quite have beauty because she has buck teeth, is a little on the fat side and has rough skin. But her father is rich so he had to marry her. It was mostly an arranged marriage. But what Justin doesn't know is that he'll meet a charming young southern belle that is quite the opposite with her looks and emotions. But will he get to meet her before it's too late? Will he change her life in a 360 degree turn? Read to find out.
 
Chapter One:
"Britney darling how was your tea session with Miss Margaret?" Lynn said to her daughter in a thick southern voice
"Oh mama is was amazing...first we had tea biscuits wit our tea and then we went for a stroll along the river. When we got back one of her helpers made us some lemonade. It was delicious. You know the first time in a while I've had lemonade that good" Britney said with the same thick accent.
"Oh darling I'm glad you had a good time" Lynn said as she smiled at her daughter."Oh Jinny will you get that?" She said as she asked one of the helpers to get the door for her (A/N:I'm not comfortable with saying slave so I say helper)
"Yes mas'a"Jinny said. A few minutes later she came back with a telegram" Miss Lynn I think this is for you"Jinny said handing the letter to Mrs. Spears
"Thank you Jinny,you are dismissed" She said while opening the letter
"Who's it from mama?"Brittney asked excitedly scrambling up to her mother off the floor. Not much luck because of all the hoop skirts she had on
"Oh it's from your Aunt Maggie, seems your grandmother had taken ill and we should go up to Memphis to see her. Here why don't I read it?" She said shooing Britney away. Just then Jamie Lynn came into the sitting area and sat down next to her sister where her mother was sitting in her rocking chair.
 
Dearest Sister,
I regret to inform you that mama had taken ill. The doctor says she has the white fever and that she may not live very more long. Come as soon as possible for I fear the worst.Oh and bring the rest of the family to. I don't think mama could stand to go without seeing her grandchildren. You know her. She has been sick for a few weeks now and it's getting worse. We thought it was just a case of pneumonia but I'm afraid so it's not. We think it might be for when she came to visit her friend Miss Ginny Timberlake. She said that when she got here she was fine but just a week or so after that she fainted and woke up with a high fever. It has been getting more worse as I have already informed you. I think mama might be leaving us soon so please do hurry. We would very much like it if you would be here for when mama goes. She looks as if she might be passing within the next week. So please do hurry.
 
Your loving sister,
Virgina Nicole Fremont
 
"Mama what's gonna happen to Gran mama?"Brittney asked her mother tears running down her cheeks
"I don't know baby, but we should go today or tomorrow if it's serious." She said running her fingers through her daughter golden locks.
"I hope she doesn't leave us, I'd miss her terribly so" Jamie Lynn said crying
"I know honey but see everyone has a place with the great lord and when he wants you to go he wants you to go. No questions asked." She said holding her daughters
"But she's suffer'n mama" Jamie Lynn cried.
"I know but soon she won't"Brittney told her little sister
Just then her father and brother Jamie and Brian walked in
"What's wrong darlings?" Jamie asked walking into the sitting room
"oh mother has taken ill and we must go to her now" Lynn said walking up to her husband
"Well....I guess we should go then? I never liked that woman much" Jamie said as he walked out of the room."Jesse,Jimmy and Kyrone get in here!" He yelled outside. In a few minutes they came scurrying in "Yes mas'a?"Kyrone said
"Go upstairs to me and the Mrs. room and pack my stuff, I'll send your wife up their to pack my wife's stuff. Hurry we might have to go to a funeral" He said turning around to yell for some more helpers. But they were already on their way to start packing the family's belongings for what they would be needing.
"Oh papa what are we gonna do if gram mama moves on?" Jamie Lynn said running up to her father having him pick her up. It was easy to pick her up because she didn't have to wear the hoop skirts. She was 10 and had to wear knee length mini hooped dresses.
"I don't sweety but we'll make it"
"Promise papa?" She asked looking at him as he held her
"I promise" He said kissing her nose
 
5 hours later 4:46 p.m.
"Oh and Tommy make sure they all keep in line." Jamie said to his son from his other marriage. He was 4 years older than Brian.(28)
"Yes papa. Have a safe trip." He said to his father as they loaded the carriage
"Yes I know we will" He said helping Britney in
"bye"
"Bye" They all said in unison
 
6 days latter
"We are only a few minutes out of Memphis. The Timberlake's are good friends of mine and said they would be happy to host us for 6 months till we go back." Jamie said as he read the letter he got in Georgia while at a hotel
"Thank God we get to sleep in actual beds" Brian sighed as he looked out of the carriage window
Everyone laughed at this
"Oh I am so scared mama will leave" Lynn said while drying some tears with a white handkerchief
"It will all turn out for the best darling." Jamie said as he comforted her
"Oh I know I know." She said as she wept into her husbands shoulder
 
a few minutes later they arrived at the Timberlake plantation.
"Oh it's gorgeous Jamie Lynn said as she was the first one to be helped out of the carriage
"I know isn't it?" Lynn said as she was the 2nd to be helped out. The men were the first to be out for they didn't need any help. They were already socializing with the other men. All but one. Justin.
"Thank you Sir" She said to the older gentlemen who was Justin's father
"You're welcome Young lady" He said as he helped her off her step.
"He's an old charmer honey...I should know I married him." Lynn Timberlake chuckled as her and Lynn went inside chatting. Just then Justin came into the carriage arrival thing(A/N:Don't know what its called:)).
"Hello miss." He said taking Britney's hand and kissing it."Oh would you take Las into the barns Niles?" He asked his assistant
"Yes mas'a"He said taking the horses ropes.
"Hello to you sir" She said smiling and knelling a little
"Please call me Justin" He said smiling at her. He never before had seen such a more beautiful creature than this.
"OK...Justin" She said giggling lightly. What a beautiful laugh
"And you are?" He asked her taking her arm and leading her into the house
"Britney, but if you want you want call me Bitty or Britt" She said smiling as she walked with him into the house
"OK,you can call me J or Justy...actually no you can't call me Justy because well that's and embarrassing family name" He said blushing a little as he met his family and hers into the sitting room
"isn't J a little informal?" She asked as she took a seat beside him on the sofa
"Well yes but it's what all my friends call me" He said in a sweet southern but strong accent
"OK then...J"She said giggling.
"I see your daughter has met your son" Jamie said chuckling with Paul.
"Yes I see he has" He said chuckling together
Just then Lauren walked" Good after noon ya'll"She greeted them with a friendly smile
"Good evening" They all said in unison
"This everyone is my wife Lauren" Justin introduced her to the Spears family.Brittney at that moment felt something hurt in her. She wasn't sure but she felt sad.
"This Lauren is Mrs.Spears"He introduced her to Lynn
"Please call me Lynn" Lynn said while shaking her hand
"This is Mr.Spears"He said while Lauren shook his hand.
"Jamie....Jamie" Justin said trying to remember her name
"Lynn" She with a fake smile towards Lauren
"Jamie Lynn...I'll just call you kiddo alright?"He said smiling at her
"Alright"She said pouting. everyone laughed.
"Just like a Spears" Paul said while everyone laughed
"And this is Brittney"He said introducing the two. For some reason both of them felt vigor and Lauren felt a little threatened. Well for one...Britney had the most gorgeous golden curls she had ever seen. Her skin was smooth, it was a honey color and she was thin. Basically she was perfect to Lauren. But she knew she shouldn't feel threatened because Justin was her husband and they had 2 children. So they both put on fake smiles
"Nice to meet you Miss Brittney"Lauren said as she and Britney hugged like young ladies there age would do
"Nice to meet you to Miss Lauren"Brittney said as she hugged her back.Brittney couldn't help but feel noxious because Lauren stunk. But soon they pulled away
"Oh and darling you should introduce them to the children" She said with a smile.
"OK"Justin said. He actually hated the fact that they were married and most of all had children
Soon a little girl with natural blond curls and a little boy a few years younger came into the sitting room.
"Children these are the Spears's"He said to his children
"Spears these are my children Dolly and Justin Jr."he said to them" Dolly is 5 and Justin Jr. is 3."He said as they all said there hello's
"Papa call me J.J..!"He whispered to his father. Everyone laughed as he hid behind his father's tall figure
"Oh excuse me...J.J.."He said smiling down at his son. He picked him up
"well it nice to meet you to young man" Lynn said her and Mrs.T laughed
He blushed" You to ma'm"He said walking over to her and giving her a hug
"Awash said hugging him back. Everyone but Lauren laughed.
"Children why don't ya'll go play while we all talk" She said hoarsely
"Alright mama"
"Jamie Lynn?" Lynn asked her daughter
"Alright"She said getting off the sofa and walking off after the children
"Little darling" Lynn said smiling" I remember when my children were like that" She said laughing
Everyone but Britney and Brian laughed"Mama"They said in unison
"Oh I'm only joking."
"oh"they said again
 2 hours later
"Dinner's ready"Mrs Timberlake yelled. Everybody came into the elegant dining room.
"Children you know where you are to eat" Lauren said sternly
"Yes mama" Dolly and J.J. said as they went into the kitchen
"I'll go with them"Jamie Lynn said following them
"Honey would you read prayer?"Paul asked his wife.
"Sure"She said while everyone bowed their head
"Dear heavenly father we pray that you bless this food and that you bless our guests here that are staying for 6 months.We pray you help Lynn's mother for she has taken ill heavenly father.Blessed be thy name.Amen"
"Amen"They said in unison
They ate their meal chatting about things that certainly Justin wasn't interested at this precise moment.All he could think about was Brittney.Though his wife was beside him he could only think about Brittney
They finished their meal
"Should we all have a stroll?"Paul asked as he looked over the table
"Yes that would be lovely"Jamie said as they all got from the table
They were about to go outside when Lauren pulled Justin aside
"Darling I will be seeing you in 1 month"
"I know"He said.He knew why she had to leave.Her mother just passed in New Jersey
"I love you,bye darling"She said stepping into the carriage
"Bye"Justin said.He was taking Dolly and J.J. with her
He walked back into the house.He saw Brittney by the garden entrance.He had never seen such a beautiful sight.The moon reflected off her face setting a glow upon her
"Brittney?"He said as he walked up to her
"Yes?"She said turning around
"Mind taking a stroll with me?"
"Why I would be honored"She said smiling taking his offering arm
They walked and talked as if they'd known each other forever.All to soon it was over
"Well goodnight Brittney"He said walking her to the stairs.
"Goodnight Justin"She said turning around and walking up the stairs to her room.
 
Too bad that wasn't the only reason Justin would feel unhappy within the next 48 hours
 
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