Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1)

by Shelley Stringer

  “Hey, why do they want to meet with y’all today? Is something up?” I asked, apprehensive.

  “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, they may want to update us on Sam, or they may have news about Jonah. We’ll find out when we get there, but they wouldn’t be starting anything major this close to the holidays, and they know I’ve got leave coming up.”

  “Are you going to tell me where we are going on our honeymoon?”

  “Not on your life. I’m keeping that secret till the very end.” He kissed me on the nose, pulling the bathroom door open.

  “There you are! I should have known,” John grinned at us from the hallway. “Did you get a call too?”

  “Yeah, can you be ready to leave in about an hour?”

  “Sure, brother, just let me clean up, I’ll be ready.” John passed us in the hallway, and went into the bathroom and shut the door.

  After the guys left, I fixed myself a cup of coffee and popped some sweet rolls in the oven for Claudia, Ava Grace, and Brie. About eight o’clock I heard the pitter patter of little feet as Ava bounded down the stairs and into the living room.

  “Aba’s foop loops!” Ava called, swinging her little body on the couch beside me.

  “Well, good morning, Princess. How about a sweet roll instead?” I rose, and took her by the hand to the kitchen to fix her little plate and pour her milk. She’d downed two of the sweet treats by the time Claudia got into the kitchen.

  “My, you two are up early! Did you leave any for me?” She smiled, bending over Ava to plant a kiss on her cheek. Ava lifted her little hand, and placed a bite of her roll in Claudia’s mouth. “Mommy, wook. An Andler made us brefast!”

  I smiled. She was finally calling me Aunt, and Claudia Mommy. Claudia smiled at me over her head, and I saw tears glistening in her eyes. “Well, if you two will see if you can get Brie up and fed, I’m going to the doctor, and then I’ll meet you at Philippe’s at eleven o’clock for our fittings.”

  “Do you want us to ride to the doctor with you?” Claudia inquired, pouring her morning cup of coffee. “I’d be more than happy to go.”

  “No, I’m good. I’ll call you if I’m running late or anything.” I grabbed my coffee and purse, and kissed Ava on the head.

  * * *

  Two and a half hours later I sat in the parking lot of Dr. Lane’s office, staring out the window. I was numb. Numerous thoughts were running through my mind, so many unknowns, complications…I realized I’d been sitting there for ten minutes, and hadn’t even put the key in the ignition. I had no idea how I was going to put the stone face on and go on like there was nothing out of the ordinary, but I had to. Every time I began to think about what the doctors had said, tears gathered in my eyes. Why couldn’t I have just one emotion without crying in the process? I had to talk to Banton about everything first, before I could talk to Claudia, or Everett. Get a grip on everything, Chandler. You have to get this emotional thing under control. I angrily wiped the tears out of my eyes as I drove down the interstate. I was so absorbed in my thoughts, I missed the turn to take me down to Philippe’s. When I finally arrived I realized I was thirty minutes late, and as I sat silently in the parking lot my cell started ringing. I pulled it out of my purse to answer it.

  “Where are you, is everything all right?” Claudia asked, alarmed.

  “I’m right outside; I’ll be in before you blink.” I shut my cell, and then texted Banton, everything is good, just some minor complications, call me later. That was one conversation I would not have on a cell phone. I walked into the store.

  Everett met me at the door. “We were about to send the Cavalry out, Bebe! Where have you been?”

  I storied a little bit, “Well, they were running a little behind, and I stayed and visited a while.”

  “Well, come on, and let’s get this dress on you. He ushered me back to the dressing rooms, and Brie and Claudia were just coming out modeling their dresses. “Chandler, did everything go well?” Claudia asked.

  “Everything’s fine. We’re good,” I replied simply. I hadn’t told Brie yet about the baby, and I didn’t know if John had or not, so I didn’t say any more.

  After we were all pronounced the most beautiful wedding party ever, the dresses were re-hung for one more steaming, and put away. Claudia and I took Ava Grace Christmas shopping, and I bought small gifts for her and Will, Ava Grace, Banton’s parents, and Julia. I stopped at the jewelry store Banton used to check on the present I’d ordered for him, to make sure they had the inscription right. I’d ordered him a beautiful white gold waterproof watch with a sable brown face circled with small diamonds. I had them add a simple inscription on the back. After everything was stowed away in the car, we returned home to find the house empty.

  “I really thought Banton and John would be back by now. I hope nothing is wrong.” I chewed on a fingernail, glancing at the clock in the entry hall. It occurred to me Banton never texted me back, and hadn’t called. That was very unlike him.

  “I’m sure everything is all right, they are probably doing some last minute Christmas shopping! Banton is like dad, he has to one-up himself on the present thing. So I’m thinking he is out trying to find the perfect diamond!” She smiled at me as she hugged my neck. Claudia pulled me over to the sofa in the living room and we sat down together. She picked up the diamond solitaire I wore around my neck, my birthday gift from Banton, and rubbed her thumb across the stone.

  “He loves you so much; I’ve never seen him like this with anyone. Mother and I are so happy he’s chosen you. You are like a gift to all of us. You are already a part of our family, you know that, right?”

  I nodded, noting the sparkle in her eyes as she studied my face. “When are you and Banton going to tell everyone about the baby?”

  “I’m not sure. Everything has happened so fast, and we really wanted to wait till after the wedding. Things seem to get more and more complicated, and I feel like we just need to tell everyone. But with all the medical concerns, I just hate to tell everyone and then have something happen,” I sighed.

  “You’ll know when the time is right. Take care of that in your own time. And we won’t let anything happen! The doctor didn’t say anything today, did he?” she asked, concerned.

  “Well, yes he did, actually. I haven’t had the chance to tell Banton yet,” I whispered, a tear slipping down my cheek.

  “Chandler Ann, what is going on?”

  “Oh, the pregnancy is fine for now. There is another complication, and he still wants me to take it easy. They are afraid of the placenta detaching, but for now, everything is fine. I’m just upset, I wanted to…I’m so…”

  “What is it, Chandler? You can tell me anything, you know.” She brushed my hair back away from my face just like my mother used to do.

  “We haven’t been together since I came home. I really wanted to, but he wouldn’t until I went to the doctor again. And then today…” another tear slipped out.

  “The doctor told you not to be intimate, and to take it easy.” She reached up to cup my cheek in her hand. “I’m sorry, Chandler. I know you must be disappointed. But I know my brother, and he will certainly understand!”

  “He will! He’s wonderful about it. It’s me who’s upset! My hormones are raging, and with the transformation, it’s all I can do to conduct myself like a lady when I’m alone with him!”

  She was trying so hard not to laugh, but she finally couldn’t contain herself any longer. I shot a look at her, and she hugged me close and rocked me back and forth, as she kissed the top of my head.

  “I’m so sorry, Chandler. It just hit me as funny, that’s all. I haven’t forgotten what it’s like, when you are first married. There are times when I practically attack Will after we’ve been apart. You have to remember, Banton is my brother. I still remember him making farting noises and giggling with his friends behind the couch when Will and I were dating. It’s weird to think of your little brother as somebody’s…”

  “Sex to
y?” I asked, laughing through my tears.

  “Oh, no! Now I will never get that image out of my head! It’s almost as bad as thinking about your parents…” She shook as we laughed together.

  “Ok, what’s so funny?” Banton rushed through the front door, and over to the couch. “I’m sorry I haven’t called, my cell went dead, and John rode back and drove Sam’s truck.” He came over and pulled me up into his arms. “You’ve been crying. What is it, is everything all right?” he asked, concern apparent in his voice.

  “Oh, you know me and the hormones,” I smiled at him.

  “Come on Ava Grace, let’s go start some supper, okay?” Claudia took Ava’s hand, and discreetly led her to the kitchen to give us some privacy.

  “Chandler, what did Dr. Lane say today? Is everything all right, did he do a sonogram?” he asked, as we sat down on the sofa. He held both my hands in his.

  “Yes, they did the sonogram.”

  “And…were there any changes, any problems?” He searched my eyes.

  “They…suspect there may be a tear in the placenta,” I answered, not wanting to alarm him. And for some reason, I couldn’t tell him everything, not yet…

  “Chandler, can they do anything?”

  I smiled, and placed my hand on his cheek. “The pregnancy is fine, no problems, they aren’t too concerned yet. It may repair itself. People can go throughout an entire pregnancy with a partially detached placenta. But they still want me to take it easy, absolutely no physical activity, and as much bed rest as possible,” I sighed, tearing up again. “I want you so badly…” I caressed his cheek as he smiled down at me.

  “Everything is going to be okay, I promise. I’m going to take such good care of you, and I’m going to prove I love you in so many other ways, you won’t want for anything.” He leaned down, and kissed my lips softly, holding my face in his hands. Pulling back, he tilted my face up to look into my eyes.

  “Don’t bet on it.” I smiled at him through my tears. “I have a really hard time controlling myself around you, especially since all the changes.”

  He smirked back at me, and flashed the dimple. “Yeah, I still have a problem with that myself.” He picked me up and carried me up the stairs two at a time.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  I couldn’t believe after all this time I could just lie in Banton’s arms and kiss him for hours, or what seemed like hours. He was lying beside me, his head propped up on his hand, running his fingers through my hair. Just about the time I would have my heart in an even rhythm, he would lean in and place slow kisses on my neck where my pulse was beating, and it would quicken, sending little shivers down my spine. I tried to stay in control but it was so easy to lose myself too far into his touch. I remembered all the times when he’d first been bitten, and I would kiss him too forcefully, or touch his bare skin. Now I knew what an effect it had, and a new understanding dawned about what great control he’d had at the beginning.

  While he traced patterns with his fingers under my shirt (he seemed fascinated with my rapidly growing bust line) I tried to concentrate on what I was asking him.

  “Why did you have to go in this morning? Um…did you find…um… out anything new?” I finally had to hold his hand to stop the torture.

  He gazed down at me with a cocky smirk.

  “Sam is going to get to come home for a time. They’ve released him from medical care for now.”

  “Oh, that’s great, Banton. How is he?” I asked warily. I knew a week was a very short time to be able to heal mentally from what he’d been through. I wasn’t sure I was all right, and I was only held captive one week.

  “He’s doing amazingly well, considering. He’s really surprised everyone. He’ll be at the engagement party, here for Christmas, and for the wedding. Ty got him some wheels, and we picked him up today. John drove him home. He can’t drive himself just yet, but it won’t be long.”

  “Did you find anything out about Jonah?” I asked hopefully.

  He shook his head in the negative. “Not really, we know from some underground informants that the main core of the Somalis and their thugs have boarded a ship bound for Somalia. Intelligence fears Olivia’s brother was among them, but they aren’t sure.”

  “So what now?”

  “Well, I know this sounds harsh, but the Navy doesn’t have an official position. My commander feels like we do, but they can’t just launch some kind of attack or mission to bring back a lone vampire teenager, albeit a good one, who isn’t even an American citizen. We have to bide our time. He thinks after the first of the year, we may launch an operation to hit them at the source in Somalia, and clean them out. We may have a chance to find him in the process. The Navy has some new weapons in their arsenal, some super-powered lasers they are dying to put into action. The lasers can actually be fired for hundreds of miles, and the intensity can be controlled, to blind and disorient, or totally disable a ship.”

  “So you may be leaving after our honeymoon?” The tears gathered in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine him leaving with everything that had gone on. But I knew this day would come.

  “I don’t know. A lot could happen between now and then. But yes, it is a possibility. I don’t want you to worry.” He leaned back in to me, and kissed my lips gently and slowly. I totally lost myself in the kiss, concentrating only on his soft lips, the way his shoulder muscles rippled under his shirt as I rubbed my hands across them, The way his breath smelled, so clean, so his scent.

  “Knock, knock. Don’t you guys ever do anything else?” John grinned from the doorway.

  “Would you, if you had Brie on lockdown, ordered by the doctor to be on complete bed rest? Would you be playing checkers?” He smirked at John, raising one eyebrow.

  “Touché, Brother. You got me there. Claudia said to come and get y’all, dinner is served.” He turned, and ran back downstairs. Banton sighed, and rolled over and jumped up off the bed. He held his hand out to help me up. “Do you want to go downstairs, or do you want me to bring ours back up here?”

  “Downstairs, please.”

  “Okay, but I’ll carry you. No stair climbing either way for you.” He swung me up into his arms.

  After dinner, Banton left to pick up Laurilee and Dan at the airport. I was really nervous, anticipating her reaction to everything that had happened. I decided since I had been placed on bed rest, I had to be at least partially truthful with her. I planned to tell her about the attack, but leave out the time frame and the gory details. I would tell her about the baby and the latest complication. I just had to leave out the part about Somali pirates, half-breeds, and blood-drinking Orcos. My Texas friends weren’t ready for that yet.

  John had graciously offered again to stay with Brie so my friends from home could stay with us. With them in the house I couldn’t keep many secrets, but I would have to try.

  I could hear them as they climbed the stairs to the front porch.

  “I can’t believe she’s remodeling houses, getting married…” Dan’s voice drifted in from the front porch, and my heart leapt at the thought of a voice from home, from my happy past.

  “Dan, Dan, the Rodeo Man!” I called to him as I heard the front door open.

  “Chirpy Chandler!” He dropped their bags in the foyer, ran into the living room and scooped me off the sofa into a bear hug.

  Laurilee was close behind him. She looked beautiful, having put on the usual freshman ten since she’d been away, and she finally had some curves. She’d cut her hair in a chin length bob, and she looked very sophisticated. But once she started the twenty questions, she was the same old Laurilee I knew and loved.

  “Okay, Chandler Ann. What is going on? Banton says you’ve been in the hospital, and you are on bed rest?”

  “Yeah, I guess we need to start off with a little talk. Um, Banton, could you show Dan up to their room and help him with the bags?”

  “Sure, come on, Dan.” Banton grabbed both their bags, and started up the stairs in front of Dan.

&n
bsp; Laurilee turned back to me. “I couldn’t believe it when Banton met us at the airport without you. He said you had to take it easy, that it was all complicated, and you would explain everything to me when we got here.” She came over and sat down beside me on the sofa. “He’s gorgeous, by the way. The pictures you sent of him and the house didn’t do either one justice.”

  I smiled at her and then began, “Well, I know this is going to sound a little crazy, but I was attacked a couple of weeks ago. Banton found me, and he saved me. I really can’t talk about everything yet, but I’m okay. I was in the hospital for several days and…” I was having a hard time telling her about the pregnancy. Telling her felt distressingly like telling my parents.

  “Chandler! Why didn’t you call me?” she asked disbelievingly.

  “Everything has been a mess, and really complicated. But Banton’s sister has been here, and his parents too. They have all been wonderful, and have taken good care of me.”

  “Why are you still on bed rest? Are you injured seriously?” she asked, looking me over.

  “The day I was attacked, I’d just found out…I’m pregnant,” I almost whispered the last part, not wanting to admit it to her.

  “Oh, Chandler…” She whispered in a horrified tone.

  “Yes. I didn’t even have time to tell Banton. He found out in the hospital, when the doctors filled him in on my condition.”

  “Is the baby all right?” she asked softly.

  “Yes, for now. I had a sonogram yesterday, and there are a couple of complications, one of which is the placenta is torn. The doctors think it might heal itself, but that’s why I’m on bed rest, no heavy lifting, no physical activity.”

  “How does Banton feel, about the baby, I mean,” she asked, glancing up the stairs.

  “He is really happy. I was kind of shocked at first, because I was on the pill. And I wanted to just die every time I thought about having to tell you, after assuring you that wasn’t the reason we were getting married so soon…But now, after surviving everything, knowing I was carrying Banton’s baby, I can’t imagine not becoming a mother. It’s like it was meant to be.”