“Banton?” Elaine answered.
“No Ma’am, it’s Chandler. How are you?”
“Oh, Chandler, everything is fine. How are you, sweetheart? How did your finals go today?”
“Great. All done. Thank you so much for taking Ava, I really did breeze through studying and tests. How is she doing?”
“She’s doing fine, and she is such a joy! I can’t imagine loving a child more than we love her already. Claudia is absolutely smitten! She has called William every hour to tell him what she is doing. Ava has been missing you though, dear. I told Banton this afternoon she would like to talk to you.”
“Yes, I’d love to talk to her too. And to Claudia and Julia. And we absolutely want Claudia to come this weekend, or whenever she can, to spend some time with us. I think it is a wonderful idea.”
Mrs. Gastaneau took the phone to Ava.
“Hewoo?”
“Ava, sweetie! It’s Chandler.”
“Mommy Andler! I miss you! Aba cwied.”
“I’m sorry. I miss you too! Are you having fun? What have you been doing?”
“Aba and An Jewey swept in Jewey’s room wif Mommy Cwadia! Mommy Cwadia weeds me stories wike Mommy Andler! An Jewey and Mommy Cwadia are pwetty wike Mommy Andler too! An Mimi and Pop take Aba to see fishes!”
“Mimi and Pop took you to the aquarium? To see the fishes? Did you see the dolphins?”
“Yes, and ...” she continued on, telling me about everything she’d done with Banton’s family. I was so glad she was already calling Claudia Mommy too. I could hear everyone laughing in the background as Ava continued to talk to me animatedly.
“Ava Grace, you be a good girl and I will see you this weekend, all right? I love you so much!”
“I wuv you too, Mommy Andler!” She gave the phone to Claudia.
“Chandler? This is Claudia. I’m so sorry the first time we are meeting is over the phone. I want you to know how grateful we are to you for bringing Ava into our lives. She is so wonderful.” I could hear the joy in her voice.
“Yes, she is.” I smiled, and fought back the tears that threatened every time I thought about Ava’s leaving.
“I know how difficult this has been. Are you all right?” she asked, the concern evident in her voice.
“Yes, I will be. I’m so glad everything has worked out this way, really. I just let myself get too attached, that’s all. But I will be more than happy to be her aunt. And that is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you. Banton and I talked it over at dinner, and I want you to be my matron of honor.”
“Oh, Chandler. I would love to. You have made me so happy!” I could hear the emotion in her voice, and my heart was suddenly so full.
“If you are here Saturday, we’ll include you in our dress fitting Saturday morning. And Julia too, is she there?”
“Oh, yes, just a minute…”
By the time I got off the phone with Julia, we’d had several squeals, tears, and loads of animated conversation. Julia and Claudia were definitely on board with the wedding thing.
The next call I had to make was Laurilee. I knew that conversation was going to need my undivided attention. She was upset with me for moving to Louisiana and more concerned every time I had mentioned Banton. I knew she would love him like I did when she finally got to meet him.
“Laurilee, did I catch you at a bad time? Are you studying for finals?’
“Just finished for tonight. I only have one tomorrow, and then I have two Wednesday to finish. How are yours going?”
“Done. I had one early last week, and the rest were today and tomorrow, but I talked my profs into taking them all early today. I told them I sort of had a family emergency.”
“What happened?” I heard the urgency in her voice.
“It’s a long story, but Banton was hurt during a mission. He’s going to be fine, but he’s here recuperating.”
“He was wounded?” she asked, alarmed.
“Yes. A clean shot through the shoulder. He lost some blood, but he’s okay now.”
“So, you two are still together? Everything is going well?”
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling. What are you doing the week after Christmas?”
“No plans, really. Dan wanted to go skiing before school starts in January, but I told him that money would go a long way on a down payment on a small house.” Laurilee, always the practical one.
“How about coming to Baton Rouge for a week or so?”
“You know I want to see you, but I don’t know…”
“Well, I’d like for you to meet Banton, and well, I’d really like it if you would be my maid of honor.”
“WHAT?”
“Banton sort of proposed, Thanksgiving day, in front of my family.”
“Chandler, you don’t just sort of propose! You just met him in August. Then you move in together as roommates, and now you’re engaged! Why the rush…WAIT, you’re NOT…”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? Of course not. We’ve only just been together that way, since he put the ring on my finger. He was sort of old-fashioned in that sense. He’s so much older and he has been extremely protective of me. It’s really sweet, actually.”
“How much older, Chandler?” I could hear her mother-mode kicking in.
“Calm down. He’s thirty. Eight year difference.”
“That’s quite a difference, right now. Has he ever been married before?”
“No. Why would you ask that?”
“I just want to make sure he’s not one of those Casanovas who hops from wife to wife.”
“All your fears will be put to rest when you meet him, I promise. Now, can you be here or not?” I was getting impatient with her.
“Of course I’ll be there. Dan and I will drive up for Christmas, and we’ll stay till the wedding. Hey, have you picked out dresses yet?” she asked, sounding more positive.
“I told you about Everett, right? Well, he’s in charge, of course. He and a friend who owns a boutique are meeting with me Saturday to pick out dresses. I’ll let you know what we decide.”
“Chandler, I cannot believe you are getting married! And to someone I haven’t even met yet! I’ve got to call Dan!”
“Process, and call me back Saturday.”
“Okay. I love you, Chandler, and I miss you.”
“Yeah, me too. Love you too. Bye.”
I was so homesick to see Laurilee, I was glad she was coming soon. I flopped back on my pillow and sighed. I wanted to go to Banton, but I sensed when he went to bed he needed some alone time. I could imagine him just on the other side of the wall, sleeping on his side like he always did, with his arm thrown over a pillow…it would be me if I was in there…
I got up, and threw on a camisole to sleep in, shut my lamps off, and crawled between the cold sheets. I had the loneliest feeling, like Banton was gone. I missed him. I was just going to have to be a big girl while he was going through this rough spot. I turned over and punched the pillow on his side, and pulled it to me as I curled up in a tight ball.
Sleep finally found me, and my dreams turned into a haze: Banton was kissing my neck. I turned over to him, and he ran his hands down every inch of my body, sliding his bare leg in between mine, pressing my hips into his… I came fully alert, and this was no dream. I felt his warm body sliding over mine. Banton had slipped into my room and between the sheets with me. He kissed me slowly, and I answered him slowly, caressing his lips with mine, breathing carefully in and out. I was so apprehensive, not knowing how to respond. I didn’t want to push him beyond his limits, and I didn’t know what he expected. He explored my mouth with his, and our tongues played chase as we tasted each other. I breathed out into his mouth, and his kiss became more intense, tasting me deeper and deeper, like he did that first afternoon.
He was afraid of losing control, he’d told me. But I was the one losing control. I slid my hands down to his hips, and there was nothing but bare skin. He must have undressed before getting in
bed with me. He pulled my camisole up over my head, raising my arms and then pinned them there. He slowly caressed my arms, coming back down to my breasts, and down my ribcage, and then to the lace at my hips. He slowly removed the strings down the sides of my legs, and I kicked them off under the covers.
I whispered into his neck, “Are you okay with this? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I can handle this, I’m in control…” He smothered my questions with his lips.
He was as gentle as when we’d first been together. I was amazed at his control - he almost made me crazy with his slow pace. He smoothed my hair into the pillow, propping up on one elbow to look into my eyes.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked.
“No, it was perfect.” I smiled at him. “Are you all right?”
“Better than all right. I was lying over there in my room, and I couldn’t get you out of my head, and I couldn’t go to sleep. I kept imagining you in here curled up on your side, all alone. I knew the only way I was going to relax was to come to you. All your patience with me tonight at dinner, when you helped me, gave me the courage. Everything is control, mind over matter,”
“I’m so relieved. I thought it might be weeks.” I smiled at him. He was so gorgeous, his dark hair shining in the moonlight and his eyes twinkling with his smile, his dimple peeking at me. I drew him back down to me for another round of his phenomenal kisses.
“Now I can sleep,” he smiled, his head on the pillow beside me.
“Me, too. Now we’re engaged, with the wedding only weeks away, will you just move in here permanently?”
“I’d like nothing better.” He pulled me close, wrapping both arms around me and cradling my head just under his chin. It felt like a safe place to be.
* * * * *
I woke to an empty warm spot beside me. Rising up, I looked around the room. Banton sat in the floor with a blanket around him, rocking back and forth, holding his head in his hands.
I quietly went to him, sinking down beside him. He raised his head slowly, and his tortured eyes met mine. He was in pain, his face beet-red and every hair on his body seemed to be on end.
“Banton, what is it? I asked him softly.
“It’s like my nerves are on fire, my flesh is crawling. One minute I’m fine, the next, like I want to climb out of my skin.” He raised his eyes to the ceiling, and then back down again, holding his head in his hands.
“What can I do? Can I call Dr. Lane for you? Maybe he can…”
“NO!” Then his voice calmed. “I’m sorry, no, I’m taking the medicine he prescribed, and he said it might take a week or more to get into my system.” He continued to rock back and forth.
“What about the valium? Have you tried it?”
“No, I hate to start that.”
“Just one. I’ve taken them before, they’re mild.” I looked at him pleadingly.
“Okay. They’re on the bureau in my room.”
“I’ll get them for you.” I slid a t-shirt and jeans on and went to retrieve the bottle from his room. Just as I eased my door shut, I turned to find Brie was sneaking out of John’s room, blushing a deep crimson.
I just smiled at her and placed a finger to my lips to say “shhhh.” I winked, and then opened Banton’s door and went in. So she spent the night with John.
I took the medicine back to Banton, and found him propped up on the bed. He swallowed one of the pills with the glass of water beside my bed, and then smiled at me.
“I’m sorry, I’m not being a cooperative patient, am I?” he asked, as he reached for me.
“I just want you to take the medicine when you need it. Do you have these episodes often?”
“Less and less. There were three or four the first day, maybe two yesterday. They are bearable, if I’m alone. They are worse if I’m around a lot of people.”
“What is it like?” I thought it might help if I could understand.
“Well, I would describe it like this: I was hooked on some strong pain pills once, when I got hurt during basic training. When I realized I was taking it because I had to, not because I was hurting, I quit cold turkey. The withdrawal from that drug…that’s the closest feeling I can relate to this, it was a feeling like someone was shooting electric currents through my body randomly. My buddies and I used to call it the zzzrrts.” He shook all over, like something was shocking him.
I laughed at his visual interpretation. He grinned back at me, leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
That day and the next were filled with long, calm cuddling sessions, warm baths, and naps. He worked out both days with John, trying out his new found strength, and working out some of the frustration. The following week, he and John met with Navy command for a de-briefing. He came back from the meeting highly agitated. I knew there was trouble when I heard the front door slam. Hurrying down the hallway, I dried my hands on a cup towel I’d slung over my shoulder.
“I told you, nothing to command about the attack. They didn’t have to know I’ve been infected. John, we discussed this already!” Banton shouted.
“You were withholding vital information. The rest of the unit needs to know what you are going through,” John reasoned.
“They knew I’ve been wounded, and recovering. That’s all they needed to know.”
“Banton, I understand why you wanted to keep this under wraps. But you know as well as I do, withholding anything about your medical condition, or any detail that might be of vital importance to the safety of our group – your new found strength, abilities – can have a great impact. You know this. You can’t expect me…”
“I did expect it! Your telling them today was a betrayal to me! I don’t want to talk about this anymore!” Blind with his anger, Banton charged around the corner to go up the stairs, not realizing I was standing just outside the living room door behind him. He slammed into me, knocking me against the banister. Tripping over the bottom stair, I fell onto the floor.
“Chandler! I’m so…God, I’m so sorry!” He knelt beside me, picking me up into his lap. My upper arms hurt from his grip, it was so tight. He still shook with the fury pent up inside him, and he struggled to control his emotions.
“Andie, are you all right?” John rushed to his side, trying to help as well.
“I’m fine, you didn’t mean to. I’m okay.” I stood up quickly, not wanting Banton to know he’d hurt me in the least. “I shouldn’t have been standing behind you like that.” I smiled at him, and then looked at John, who seemed to relax. “Do you two need a time-out?”
“No, just me.” Banton looked back at John, and then after he released me, bounded up the stairs and instead of going into his room, entered mine and slammed the door.
I absent-mindedly rubbed the spot on my upper arm where he’d grabbed me to help me up. I turned, and John was watching me carefully.
“Andie, he doesn’t know his own strength. And he’s having trouble controlling his temper. None of it is aimed at you, believe me. Are you really all right?” he asked, pulling me into a hug.
“I’m fine, really. I know he isn’t mad at me. He’s coping amazingly well, and he’s been great with me. I think I’ll just go up and check on him.”
“I’ll try to talk to him later when he calms down.” John shot a look up the stairs as he went down the hallway.
I ran up the stairs and entered our bedroom. Banton was standing at the window seat, with one knee propped on it, looking down into the yard. I crossed the room and slid my arms around his waist.
“Don’t be upset with John, I know he has your best interests at heart.”
“I know, Chandler. I just wasn’t ready to tell them yet, I wanted more time.” He turned to me, and put his finger under my chin, turning my face first one direction and then the other as he looked me over. “Are you sure I didn’t hurt you? God, I’m so sorry. That is the one thing I’ve been afraid of – of over-reacting and accidentally hurting someone, especially you.” He had a look of absolute torment in h
is eyes.
“You didn’t hurt me. It was an accident, and it could have happened to anyone. It had nothing to do with your transformation.”
“My temper has something to do with it,” he murmured.
“Okay, maybe so. We’ll work on it, okay?” I tiptoed up to kiss his lips, and then whispered against them, “Let’s go down and finish supper, I’m eager to move on to a quiet, intimate dessert.”
We ate quietly that night, just John, Banton and me. I insisted Banton and John go on, and let me clean up the kitchen. Beau slept quietly on a rug by the kitchen door while I dried and put away the dishes. As I gazed out the kitchen window, I made out a figure walking down the alley. It was a girl about sixteen years of age. She walked slowly, and then stopped by my gate close to the greenhouse. I could see her features pretty clearly, for Banton had installed a floodlight at the back of the yard since the night of the murder. Her skin was dark, and she had dark hair, braided down around one shoulder. She was dressed in jumpsuit that hugged her tiny frame.
I was suddenly frightened for her, thinking of all that had transpired around the glass structure. I raised my hand to wave at her, and she peered at me in the window, narrowing her eyes. They abruptly glowed a deep, dark green and I froze, shocked at what I’d just seen. She was an Orco. This was the first female I’d seen, and I was mesmerized. Looking at the crack of the door, Beau was growling a low, chesty growl.
“Andie, what is it?” John came up behind me. I pointed out the window to the young girl.
“Just there, in the alley. Do you see her?”
“Yes. She’s so young,” he trailed off, studying her. Then suddenly, she darted quickly down the alley, startled. It was so fast my eyes barely caught it.
I turned and studied John’s face. He seemed to be making up his mind about what he’d seen, and what he was going to do. He finally met my gaze.
“Don’t say anything to Banton, all right?” I don’t think she’s coming in here tonight. But that’s the first sign we’ve seen any movement since the night of the raid.”
I shuddered, and nodded at him. Beau relaxed, and followed close on my heels as I went up the staircase. Banton was already asleep in my bed, and as I undressed and slipped in beside him, I couldn’t shake the feeling the female creature I’d seen wanted something from me, like she needed my help. It was a long time before sleep finally found me.
Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1) Page 32