“John?” I called to him as I entered the living room. He was stretched out on the sofa, watching a sportscast on TV.
He turned and grinned at me. “What’s up, Andie-girl?”
“I have a favor to ask. It’s a bit much, and kind of awkward…” I trailed off.
“Anything for you, lady. Ask away.” He grinned bigger, moving over for me to sit.
“Well, there is this charity fundraiser Aunt Sue is working on. It’s a calendar they’re putting together…different pictures for each month. They’re going to sell them, and the proceeds go to the charity.”
“Sure, I’ll buy a few,” he agreed hurriedly.
“No, that’s not…I don’t need you to buy them. I need for you to pose for the pictures.”
“Huh?” His jaw dropped. I remembered his aversion to having his picture taken when we’d done the photo shoot in our dresses before Mardi Gras, so I rushed on.
“I would ask Banton, but he’s not here. Sam’s agreed to do it, and I need one more. Aunt Sue talked Cade into doing a football athlete kind of thing. You would do a Navy SEAL Mr. September pose…nothing too revealing. It will be tasteful. Just some chest-bared glamour shots…” I trailed off, so embarrassed I wished the floor would open up and swallow me. Remember, Chandler. This is for Brie. Brie needs this.
“And Sam’s already agreed?”
“Yes.” Shoot, I’d have to talk to Sam and clue him in to my plan so he would go along.
“I…I guess so. Who is taking the pictures?”
“A photographer who is a part of the charity. Then you will do it?”
“Sure. I’ll do it for you,” he agreed grudgingly as he leaned over and kissed me on top of the head.
Why do I feel so guilty? This is for Brie…
“Great! Thanks, John. I knew I could count on you.” I jumped up and bounded up the stairs, relieved I had that big lie out of the way.
Everett’s accusatory gaze met me in my bedroom doorway.
“And just what, may I ask, are you up to?”
“What?” I asked innocently. My face gave me away; I was sure it was crimson.
“You know what. Photo shoot, Mr. September?’ He cocked an eyebrow at me in the most dramatic fashion.
“How did you hear that, all the way up here?”
He rolled his eyes at the absurd question. Of course he heard me.
“Oh, yeah…I forgot. With those big Aldon ears,” I retorted as I pushed around him into the room.
“You haven’t answered my question.”
He followed me over to my desk. I opened my laptop to fire it up, and then glanced up at him.
“Okay, it’s a ruse. I need some sexy pictures of him to give to Brie,” I whispered, glancing toward the door.
“Oh?”
“I figured she might need some visual aids. I thought some pictures of him might help. And I thought I might buy her a toy or two,” I almost whispered as Everett’s eyes widened.
“Hmm. Better than a John blow-up doll. I see. This might actually be a good idea, Bebe.” He smiled and then bent down to kiss me on top of the head.
Everett was on board, giddy with anticipation.
“I know just the photographer…a friend of mine. We will clue him in on the secret. You’d better talk to Sam, though. We don’t want to blow our cover.”
I grinned at him and nodded as I picked up my cell.
* * *
Four days later, I held the eight by ten envelope in my hands. I waited until I was upstairs alone in my room, and then pulled the photographs out slowly. Holy Crap! He is serious male-model material. There were several poses of John--shirtless, in cutoffs walking in sand, lying back on pillows, his hands under his head. All of them showing his tanned chest off, his jeans unbuttoned, hanging on his hips. I blushed, appalled at my own bodies’ reaction to the photographs.
I looked down at myself. “Stop that, you are a pregnant, married lady!”
Yeah, these would definitely work. Now, I just needed something else for the senses. I snuck into the spare bedroom, hoping John wouldn’t come home before I was through. Rifling through his drawers, I finally found what I was looking for. I spritzed some of his cologne on one of his t-shirts, and then folded it and placed it in the envelope with the pictures. This is perfect! With the purchase I’d made for her at the lingerie party store, I was all set.
I was a woman on a mission. I just had to get Brie ready for her reunion with John. The more time I spent with him, the more my heart hurt for him. I was determined I would push her progress and end this before Banton got home.
After I’d worked on Everett, he agreed to take me to see Brie.
“Bebe, are you sure about this? She has made a lot of progress since you were here last, and there were extenuating circumstances last time that caused her reaction. But I think I need to be with you.” He paused and looked at me as we began our descent down the stairs.
“I can already sense her emotions. She is calm and in control today,” I assured him.
“I will be just outside the door if you need me,” he replied.
I paused at the door to her little basement apartment, watching her as she sat alone staring at a book.
She turned, sensing my presence.
“Hey, Chandler! I was just thinking about you, and then I smelled you and Ev as you entered the house. How have you been?” She crossed the room and then stopped abruptly about two feet away from me. She held her hand out tentatively, and then her face broke into a smile as I took it.
“I promise, no attacks today.”
“I know. Everett says you are doing really well, and he thinks you are passed that hurdle,” I assured her.
“Where is he?” she asked curiously, knowing he would never let me come to see her alone.
“He’s just in there, in the other room. I told him I had to see you in private,” I whispered conspiratorially.
She cocked her head at me, wondering what I was up to. Taking her hand again, I pulled her over to the sofa and sat down beside her. I took a deep breath, and then went determinedly where I thought this prim and proper Texas girl would never dare to venture, even in a conversation with a best friend.
“Brie…I want to help you, and I think we need to drop all the barriers. You and I are probably as close as two friends could possibly get, emotionally, I mean…am I right?”
“Yes. You are my best friend. Now as a vampire…and before, when I was alive.”
“This is going to be hard, but you and I need to go there. We have to have a heart-to-heart discussion about sex.”
“Oh. Chandler, I’m a freak now, but I’m just not attracted to you that way. Sorry,” she said, just as serious as she could be.
“You are a freak! No, I’m talking about you and John!” I exclaimed as she laughed. “I think I actually like you better as a vampire. You have such a dry sense of humor!” I shook my head when she continued to laugh at me.
“John loves you, Brie. He loves you on so many levels. If all he could have was your touch, your companionship…I know he would choose that in a heartbeat. What you have to do is imagine being with him up to the point you would normally become intimate, and then stop yourself. Stop yourself at intervals until you can grasp your level of control. Am I making sense?”
“Sort of. But how are we supposed to do that without him here?”
“Well, hear me out. I’ve given this a lot of thought from the perspective, of course, that it was me and Banton.”
“Of course,” she chirped at me as she grinned. Almost human again…
I took another deep breath, and then continued, “Have you, I mean, did you ever, when you were human…have an orgasm, well…alone?”
“Haven’t we all?” she grinned at me, and it all became easier.
“Well, it just so happens I have your own special visuals, made just for you. I’m going to leave them with you, along with a tape of his voice, something with his scent… and you do with it what you wil
l.”
I pulled the portfolio out of my purse and dropped it on the table for her. “And just so you know, I told him he was taking these for a Navy SEALs Mr. September sort of thing, to raise money for a charity. He would have never agreed otherwise. You and I are the only ones who have seen these.”
She stood motionless, suddenly serious. “I’m afraid. What if I can’t do this? What if I can’t control…it’s not like there will be someone real there, with a beating heart to resist.”
“I didn’t say this would be easy. Just work with it, and then we will talk tomorrow. Bring yourself to the brink and stop. Take it all the way, test your emotions. But no matter what, talk to me about it. I know you can do this, Brie. You have to. For John,” I added as she looked back up at me with tears in her eyes.
“So what made you think of this? How did you…” she began.
“Banton’s absence. I miss him so much, and I am so lonely at night. I was staring at his picture the other night, and then I sprayed some of his cologne on his pillow…well, you get the picture. It has me thinking, maybe we could work you up to something.”
“Chandler, thank you. Thank you for being my friend. I don’t think anyone else would…could get this close to the problem with me. I love you, you know. I owe you so much,” she said. I pressed my finger to her lips. She drew her breath in, and as she did, I pulled her to me and held her closely. We held each other several seconds, my being aware of her face only inches from the artery in my neck. I was confident she could handle it-- I was becoming so good at feeling her emotions. As I pulled away she smiled at me, the biggest I’d seen her smile since she’d transformed.
“You trust me. You really trust me?” she asked incredulously.
“More than you trust yourself. That is the problem. Trust yourself, Brie. Trust yourself, and love John enough to trust you too,” I whispered.
* * *
Upon arrival at home on Rue Dauphine I found visitors. Recognizing Claudia’s car, I grinned, jumped out of my new SUV, and hurried up the steps of the front porch, Everett right behind me.
“Where’s my Doodle-Bug! Ava, Claudia!” I yelled out breathlessly as I kicked my shoes off right inside the front door. Ava came running down the hallway, followed by an ecstatic Beau.
“An Andler! Aba came to see you!” she exclaimed. I knelt to hug her. Beau immediately sped the cadence of his tail beats, licking us both in the face as we tried to hug each other.
“Beau, get back! I can kiss you anytime,” I admonished him. Ava Grace giggled.
“Where’s your Mommy?” I asked her as I stood up.
“I’m here. Hello, you…Oh my, Chandler…you look as if you are about to pop!” she exclaimed, moving toward us, wearing my apron.
“And just what are you up to?” I asked.
“I just thought I’d try out a new recipe on you tonight. You always cook for us when we come, so I thought I’d return the favor. Sorry we dropped in unannounced, but Will had to fly out unexpectedly for a three-day trip this morning, so I thought we’d get a little sister-in-law time in,” she smiled as she leaned in to kiss me, placing her hands on my belly. She leaned over and spoke to the babies, “Aunt Claudia is ready for you to come out now, hurry it up!”
“Mommy, can my babies hear you inside An Andler’s tummy?” Ava asked. Everett chuckled behind us.
“Yes, I think they can, Ava. You need to start talking to them, so they will know your voice when they get here.”
Ava placed her mouth against my tummy and yelled, “Hewoo in deair! Aba’s weady to see you!”
“That’s good, Ma Petit! The babies will love you,” Everett exclaimed, picking her up and swinging her around. “I’ve been waiting for you to come and visit, Miss Ava! I have a surprise for you.” Everett swung Ava up on his shoulders and then skipped down the hallway with her. “Uncle Everett made a tire swing in our tree, just for you,” he told her as they made their way outside.
Claudia laughed and shook her head.
“So what are you cooking for me?” I asked as I tucked my arm in the crook of Claudia’s.
“It’s a meat pie, much like a chicken pot pie, but with different cuts of beef and pork with a homemade crust. I thought with your new cravings and all, the meat would be appealing to you. Ev said you still struggle with eating enough for the babies,” she admitted as I frowned.
“The doctor has me on shots, but one of the babies isn’t gaining like they would like,” I said as we entered the kitchen.
“What do you hear from Banton?”
“He called a few nights ago, the day they took the yacht back from the pirates. He sounded…I don’t know…tired and discouraged. He said they had a couple of loose ends to tie up.”
“Are they still trying to get at the leader coordinating the attacks against you?’
“I’m afraid so. The longer he is there, the more I worry about his safety. It’s time for them to come home to us,” I said as I sighed. “But I’m so glad you are here! Your visits help pass the time.”
“Chandler, you should call me when you get lonely! You know I’ll come whenever you call.”
“I know, but you need to be home when Will is there. How is everything with the new house?”
“It’s coming along. We are still at Momma and Daddy’s right now. You know them, they would be happy with us just staying there forever. But I’m ready to have my own house again.”
As I watched Claudia putter around my kitchen, I began to feel a dull ache in my lower back. I pulled a chair out at the bar and sat down. Claudia turned, watching me as I rubbed my hip and lower back.
“Chandler, is something wrong?”
“No, my back is just a little tight. Probably been on my feet too much today.”
“Well, why don’t you go upstairs and lie down, and we’ll come and get you when dinner is ready,” she urged, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“Okay, I think I will.” I rose and slowly made my way back up the hallway to the staircase. I started up the stairs and a sharp pain radiated across my lower abdomen, seeming to pull straight through to my lower back and tailbone. I gasped, clutching the banister. I took a deep breath and it subsided. Just as I took the next step, it hit again, only twice as intense. As I sucked my breath in trying to control the pain, I fell to one knee.
“Chandler!” John called from the doorway, having just entered the house. “What’s wrong?” He was quickly at my side on the stairs.
“I can’t catch my breath, the sharp pains…Ah-ow!”
John picked me up and carried me the rest of the way up the staircase. Pushing the door open with his foot, he carried me to my bed and sank down with me.
“Do I need to call Doc?” he asked worriedly.
“Yes. I’ve never felt anything like this, since our honeymoon,” I whispered, still holding my breath trying to control the shooting pain.
“Is his number on your cell?”
“Yeah. It’s on the table in the foyer.”
He rushed out of the room as he called over his shoulder, “I’ll be right back.”
God, please…don’t let the babies be in danger, I thought silently over and over as I waited. After a couple of moments, I could hear Claudia and Constance on the stairs.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Constance called out as she rushed into the room.
“Chandler, is it the babies?” Claudia asked worriedly.
“I don’t know, I just started having pains,” I breathed as John came back into the room.
“I’ve called Dr. Lane, and he’s on his way here. He said for you to lie still and take it easy.”
I nodded silently, my eyes closed.
“Sweetie, can I get you anything? How about some tea, maybe something warm would relax you. Or some water?” Claudia asked, feeling helpless.
“Some hot tea would be nice, thanks.” Claudia hurried from the room.
“Did this just start?” John asked. He moved over beside me and sat down on the edg
e of the bed.
“Yeah. I thought maybe I’d been on my feet too much today. But when Claudia suggested I might need to lie down, that’s when the pains really started…when I started up the stairs.”
“Okay, just rest,” he murmured, leaning over to kissed my forehead. Here is your phone. I’m going to put it here beside you. Doc should be here in less than thirty minutes.”
Constance sat down at the foot of my bed, watching me helplessly. I could hear Everett and Ava as they came in from the yard downstairs, and Claudia’s voice as she told Everett where we were.
“Do you want me to call Momma?” Constance asked. I shook my head.
“No, not yet. There’s no need to worry her until we find out what’s wrong,” I answered as John brushed my hair from my eyes.
After Claudia brought my tea to me, John helped to prop some pillows behind me. When the pains finally began to subside, Dr. Lane arrived.
“Hey, Doc…thanks for coming,” John rose to greet him as he walked into my room.
“Well, Chandler…what’s all the commotion? You just didn’t want me to play my nine holes this afternoon, did you?” he teased, placing his bag down on my bed. “Let’s see what is going on with you and those babies. If everyone will step out for a moment, I’m just going to check her.” He motioned everyone out of the room.
“I need to give you a thorough exam. I know this is awkward, without my nurse here. Would you feel better if we asked Constance to come back with you?” he asked in a fatherly tone.
I blushed and nodded at him. He smiled and stepped out into the foyer. “Constance, could you come back in with her a moment?”
“Sure,” Constance replied. She appeared through the doorway ahead of Dr. Lane.
“Want me to hold your hand?” she joked as she stood by the head of the bed, taking my hand in hers.
I just nodded at her, the tears beginning to pool in my eyes. I was terrified Dr. Lane thought the babies might be in danger with his having made a house call.
Dr. Lane pulled the covers off the end of the bed into the floor, and then helped me scoot to the end. He opened his bag as Constance helped me place the sheet so he could examine me. She discretely turned her back to Dr. Lane, facing me so I could look at her. After hearing him snap his gloves on, he placed one hand on top of my tummy, while he pushed two fingers inside to check. I gasped. The examinations before this had never hurt like this one. After a moment or two of prodding and feeling, he removed his hand, and snapped the gloves back off. He then felt over my abdomen, and then checked the babies’ heart rates the old fashioned way with a stethoscope. He then removed the ear pieces and pulled the sheet back down over me.
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