Southern Spirits Read online

  I nodded silently, holding in the tears.

  “I’ll call you as soon as we are done. Since you don’t want to go, I’ll run a couple of errands first.”

  “All right.”

  He rose, and then turned back to me hesitantly.

  “I love you, Banton. I’m here, no matter what the outcome. We’ll handle it together.”

  He smiled at me, the warmth reaching his eyes, making the lines there crease as both his dimples popped. My heart melted as always.

  After I heard the front door close, I rose and drew myself a hot bath. I searched in the medicine cabinet for some Tylenol, and after taking two, I soaked a cold rag in the sink. When it was good and cold, I stepped into the tub and sank down into the bubbles, placing the rag across my eyes.

  I tried not to dwell on what was going on this morning. I let my mind drift. I could hear Constance and Ty laughing in the bathroom downstairs and water splashing. The babies’ belly laughs and giggles made me smile under the cloth. I loved them so much that it scared me sometimes. My mother had told me once you couldn’t understand a mother’s love for a child until you had one of your own…that there was no other feeling like it. It was a love like no other, an unconditional love and bond that could not be broken. She’d gone on to say that there was also no other hurt in the world that you could possibly feel like the hurt in your own heart when someone else tried to hurt your child or your family. Once again, my mother was right. I just wished she was here for me to tell her. The tears gathered under the rag. There were so many things I wished I could talk to her about. I took the rag off my forehead and finished bathing, then rose to dry off and get dressed. I was lucky. I had Aunt Sue and Constance to fill in for my mom. And right now, Constance was filling in nicely downstairs. It was time to go and relieve her.

  After the babies were dry and dressed, Constance and I carried them into the living room. I placed a pallet in the floor, and then proceeded to spend our morning playing and lounging on the pallet with them. When I heard the front door open, I sat up apprehensively, only to find Everett breezing in with sacks under his arms.

  “Bebe…hello,” he called out.

  “In the living room, Ev,” I called out. Beau bounded in, having entered with Everett. He circled the pallet three or four times, and then plopped down beside the babies.

  “I just had to come over this morning and check on my favorite girls,” he gushed as he sat the sacks down on the sofa. “And how are my sweet babies today?” He leaned down and kissed both Constance and me on our cheeks, and then sat down cross-legged in the floor beside the babies.

  “Hey, fruit-loop,” Ty called out as he came through the foyer.

  “Ty, my boy, how are you? I feel like I’m no longer in the circle, now that I’m not living with you all.”

  “Yeah, I kind of miss seeing you every morning, Ev,” Constance said, Everett lounged beside Matty, letting him play with his nose and mo

  “Hum. That’s the kind of comment that might make a fiancée jealous,” Ty joked, glancing at Constance.

  “Well, watch it, baby. A girl could sure learn to love a guy who can cook, decorate, coordinate weddings and parties, and tucks you in with a kiss every night,” Constance shot back as Ev chuckled.

  “Sorry, darlin’. I’ve tried to get these cretins to get in touch with their feminine side but they won’t cooperate,” Everett retorted.

  “I thought you had to bat for the other side to truly embrace those qualities, but I guess I’ll have to rethink that one.”

  Everyone became silent at Ty’s inference as Constance shot a glance at me, and then glared at Ty.

  “Things aren’t always what they appear, my boy. Did I miss something?” Everett sat upright as he picked Elly up and cuddled her to his chest.

  I shrugged my shoulders. Constance tried to change the subject. “Ev, what’s in the sacks?”

  “Oh, I just got off the phone with Laurilee this morning, and I remembered that I have all of Chandler’s things for the wedding. I hadn’t heard back from you, sister, so I went ahead and picked a dress out for you to wear. You are still going to Texas with us?” he asked Constance.

  “I’m planning on it. If we don’t have any more drama or the creek don’t rise,” she said in her best attempt at my Texas drawl, glancing at me.

  “Did I miss some drama?” Everett asked innocently. “I thought I picked up on some tension in the air.”

  “Mmm. You could say that,” Constance said as she rose to look through the sacks on the sofa.

  “Well, are you going to fill me in? What have I missed?” Everett urged as he sat up and scooted closer to me.

  I sighed, and then decided he might as well know. “A lot, actually. Banton had an old girlfriend show up here day before yesterday, wanting to see him. He called her and invited her over to find out what she wanted, and she showed up with a little boy, about two and a half years old or so. A little boy with curly black hair,” I almost whispered, the tears gathering once more in my eyes.

  “Oh sweet Jesus,” Everett exclaimed as Constance nodded.

  My cell phone rang, interrupting my explanation. I scrambled to retrieve it from the coffee table. Banton’s name and number lit up.

  “Banton,” I breathed out in relief. Everett had risen and was seated beside Constance on the sofa. Evidently she was finishing the story, explaining where Banton was.

  “Hey, sweetheart. I told you I’d call when I was finished. Dr. Lane just finished with the buccal swabs, and he said he would call me later tonight, tomorrow at the latest, with the results.”

  “Buccal swabs?”

  Constance and Everett both watched me silently.

  “Yes, a cheek swab. Evidently they’re just as accurate as blood tests.”

  “And did Alexandra cooperate? How was Reece about the test?”

  “Yes, at first she balked. She seemed to be stalling, and she pulled the “tug on my heartstrings” thing, but I reminded her I wouldn’t do anything else without the tests. She cooperated in a huff and then took off.”

  “Oh. Did you make arrangements to meet with her about the results?” I asked, dreading the answer.

  “No, surprisingly she left before I could talk to her about it. I was going to ask her if Reece needed anything…clothes, medicine…but when Doc had swabbed her cheek and Reece’s, she gathered him up and left. When I realized she’d left out the front door, I ran out into the parking lot but she was already gone.”

  “And Doc said he’d have the results tonight?” I’d already looked it up on my I-phone, and most websites had said three to five days, depending on the laboratory.

  “He’s got the inside track on the lab, and he said he’d oversee this personally. Chandler, I’m on my way home, almost there. I’ll see you in ten.”

  “Good. Okay, bye.” I hung up and looked up at Ev and Constance. Ty stood silently in the corner, having listened to our conversation.

  “Well?” Constance asked, glancing at Everett.

  “Tests are done, we’ll know something tonight or tomorrow,” I answered.

  “And the ho?”

  Everett laughed as I shook my head.

  “Alexandra took off right after the test. She didn’t even stick around to make arrangements to meet Banton, if…” I trailed off.

  Constance crossed her arms smugly. “Of course not, because she already knows the results!”

  “Bebe, you are certainly calm about all of this. Are you all right?” he asked. He rose and crossed the room toward me.

  “Yes, I am. Or I’m gonna be, anyway,” I murmured. I sat my phone down on the coffee table, and then turned to lie back down on the pallet between the twins. Everett sank down beside me and pulled me over into his arms. He hugged me tightly, and then I rested my head in his lap. Everett absent-mindedly began to braid my hair as I patted Elly’s back. She was tired, and her little eyelids almost drooped completely shut.

  The house phone ringing in the foyer startled me. I s
at up as Everett and I glanced at each other…no one called on that number unless I’d let my cell die. I rose and went around the staircase to answer it.

  “Hello?’

  “This is a representative with Navy family services. I’m calling on behalf of Commander Reed’s office. Is Lieutenant Gastaneau there?”

  “No, I’m sorry. I’m his wife, Chandler. Did you try his cell?”

  “No Ma’am. It is our policy to try a home number first. We have received notice of a situation with Lieutenant Gastaneau. A formal complaint has been filed with us by a Miss Rhoades. Our office has been asked to set up medical tests to be run here at the medical facility on your family.”

  Alexandra Rhoades is up to more than we know, I thought. “You will need to speak with my husband. I can’t speak for him. He will be home shortly, and I will have him contact you immediately.” I was furious. This wasn’t going to be as easy as a private genetic test. Now she wants tests on my children!

  I slammed the phone down, and then turned toward the front door to find Banton’s stunned gaze on me.

  “You might want to return that call to Commander Reed. Your …whatever she is to you…has filed a formal complaint with the Navy against you, and they’re demanding testing on us now,” I managed to choke out as I flew up the staircase.

  “Chandler, wait,” he called out. The bedroom door slammed behind me. I’d reached my limit. That limit where understanding wife meets bat-shit crazy. Flinging myself on the window seat, I pulled my knees up to my chest. What was this woman up to? Oh, Reed would have a field day with this. He and Banton weren’t exactly on good terms, and Banton and Ty had managed to push for an investigation into the way that their last mission had been handled.

  It hadn’t occurred to me that Alexandra could make trouble for Banton with the Navy. The SEALs were held to all kinds of moral codes…but surely an unmarried fling from his past wouldn’t be the first the Navy had ever seen. Maybe she’s after garnishment, benefits? Why would she want me and the babies to be tested? The fact that she was involving my children made me furious! And the fact that they called the house…that they talked to me at all…it didn’t make sense. It certainly didn’t seem professional.

  “Chandler, hey.” Banton was standing in the doorway watching me. “I’m sorry you took that phone call. It never should have happened,” he murmured, crossing the room to me and reaching out to pull me into his arms.

  “Why are they involved all of a sudden?” I relaxed with his arms around me. He always had that effect on me.

  “They shouldn’t be. That phone call wasn’t even protocol, even Ty said so,” he replied. “I’m so sorry. I’m going down right now to straighten this out. Just stay up here and rest. Ev and Constance just put the babies down and they’re asleep. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He kissed me on the forehead and then left the room.

  I couldn’t shake the feelings of anxiety. Why did this woman have to show up now? And why involve the military? One complication after another seemed to threaten my happiness. I sighed…maybe our lives would always be like this.

  I decided to take Banton’s advice and rest. As I pulled the comforter back and curled up on the bed, I noticed a dull ache in my lower back. I’d been running with Constance in the early mornings a few days a week, but most of the soreness from that was gone. After a few minutes, my abdomen began to cramp. Worried, I rose and crossed to the bathroom. When I pulled my sweats down, I realized I’d started my period. I stood there, shocked. It had been so long, I wasn’t even keeping up with when I should start. I’d even accepted the fact I probably would never have another normal cycle again, since I’d transformed. I stripped down, and started the shower. Wow, that’s a lot of blood, I thought as I picked my panties up and placed them in the sink to wash them out. After I’d stepped into the shower, I mentally counted back. The babies were three months old…and I’d stopped bleeding immediately after I’d given birth. Three months was a long time to go…it certainly explained the amount of blood. The tears started when I clipped my braided hair up on my head, gazing at myself in the mirror. I’d been depressed thinking I couldn’t conceive again, but I hadn’t really realized how important this phase of my life was to me. Then it occurred to me… maybe I could get pregnant again after all. Just the fact that I had my cycle again somehow made me feel more normal…more like a normal newly-married bride. I smiled …I hadn’t realized how much I’d let the whole thing affect the way I felt about myself.

  A knock at the bathroom door brought me out of my musings.

  “Chandler, baby…can I come in,” Banton called through the door.

  “Sure…I’m in the shower.”

  I heard the door open, and then close.

  “Andie, are you okay? Banton asked. I could see his outline by the shower door.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be right out,” I called out. I finished rinsing the soap off my skin, and then as I started to open the shower, a towel appeared over the top.

  “Mmm…Wow, thanks!” I called out, drying off. Opening the door, I spied Banton sitting on the corner of the tub. Embarrassed, I remembered the panties I’d left in the sink. I glanced over at the sink and then blushed when I met Banton’s eyes. He gave me a soft, hesitant smile, and pulled me into his arms.

  “So, you’ve started bleeding again?” he asked as he studied my expression. I just nodded. It occurred to me, this was the first time I’d had a cycle since we’d been intimate.

  “Does this mean that we might be able to get pregnant again?” he asked, still serious.

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Dr. Lane. I guess there is always that possibility. I’m just shocked…I didn’t think I could.”

  “Are you upset?” he asked softly, pulling me down into his lap.

  I shook my head. “Actually, I’m happy. I’m relieved…I feel normal again.”

  “Oh, baby,” he murmured as he pulled my head into his chest. “I know this has been worrying you. I’m glad you feel things are normal. But I have to ask, do you want me to start using something now?”

  “No! If there is the slightest chance I can have another baby, I don’t want to miss the opportunity! What if I’m bitten again, and the next time it stops my cycles completely?” I realized my outburst took Banton by surprise. I couldn’t tell by his expression how he felt.

  I stood, finished drying off, and then shrugged into my bathrobe. Banton remained silent as he watched me. After I’d had time to process, I turned to him.

  “Banton, I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to think about another baby this soon after the twins. I just want the option. I don’t want the twins to be it…for it to be so final.”

  Banton rose and walked over to me and pulled me up into his arms. “Chandler, I want nothing more than to make you happy. But we have all we can handle right now, and what you had to go through with the twins and all the attacks…I don’t think I could stand to put you through that right now. I forget sometimes how young you are. You haven’t even finished college yet. Let’s just see what happens. Your body has been through so much. I would feel better if we used something. I think you should make an appointment and talk with Dr. Lane about our options.”

  I busied myself with washing my lingerie out in the sink, avoiding his eyes. He finally walked over behind me and pulled me around, placing his finger under my chin.

  “Chandler, please don’t cry. Talk to me,” he murmured as he kissed a tear that rolled down my cheek.

  “I’m sorry, I just got so emotional when I finally started my period. I haven’t had time to process yet. I know you are right. I’m just not sure I want to take any precautions. It’s almost like we might be passing up our only opportunity,” I whispered as he looked back and forth into my eyes. “It’s probably a moot point anyway, this is probably a fluke, and I still won’t be able to get pregnant,” I murmured, wringing the lingerie out and placing it in the hamper.

  Banton walked back into the bedroom as I rummaged t
hrough the drawers in the bathroom, finally locating my nightgown. My cramps were getting worse by the minute, much worse than before I’d had the babies. After I’d pulled my gown on, I entered the bedroom. Banton had the comforter pulled back on the bed, waiting on me.

  “You don’t look like you feel well, I thought you might want to lie down,” he said as I crossed the room. I nodded and crawled into the bed as he pulled the comforter up over me. He kissed me on the forehead. “Andie, are you cramping?” he asked softly, leaning his forehead against mine.

  “Yes, pretty bad. I’ve never had them this bad before.”

  He pulled back and nodded. “What helps? What can I get for you?”

  “There is a heating pad in the hall closet, and some Ibuprofen might help,” I murmured as he nodded. No sooner than he’d left the room, he was back with both items, plus a cup of hot tea. After he had the heating pad plugged in and pressed to my tummy, he urged me to take the medicine and some of the tea.

  “Now, how about some company? Will it bother you if I lay with you, maybe rub your back, or would you rather I leave you alone?” he asked sweetly.

  “Wow. Just when I thought you couldn’t be any more romantic…of course I want you here. Spoon with me?” I asked, smiling up at him.

  He grinned back as he pulled his boots off and then climbed under the covers with me. He pulled me into his body, and then placed his hands across the heating pad, cradling it to my tummy.

  “So the babies are down for their afternoon nap?” I asked after a few moments.

  “Yes. I left our door cracked, so we could hear them when they wake.”

  “Did you call Commander Reed’s office back?” I asked, dreading what he’d found out.

  “Yes. Evidently Alexandra has made a formal complaint asking for paternity tests, full benefits, and the works. I think she was hoping that by going to my superiors, I would offer to buy her off and make her go away quietly. She doesn’t know that I don’t intimidate easily.

  “She obviously went to them before the tests today,” I reasoned.

  “I got nowhere when I called them back. I’m going to meet with Reed as soon as we get to N’awlins for our trip. He mentioned testing you and the twins again, which is crazy, there is no point. He has an ulterior motive. I think she’s trying to hedge her bets with involving the military, and Reed jumped on this as an opportunity. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this. You don’t have to talk to them again,” he assured me.