Keep My Baby Safe

by Bella Grant

“Good evening!” a loud voice called, jarring the couple out of their nearly intimate embrace. A woman in the French attire of the early 1800s descended the staircase, waving a fan daintily as if the house lacked air conditioning. “You must be our special guests! We’re so delighted to have you in our home.”

  The woman, slightly overweight and with hair that added several inches to her height, descended the stairs gracefully to the bottom floor, gesturing grandly towards them. “As you are our only guests, I’ll be guiding your tour myself. I am the foremost expert on Madame LaLaurie and own this house now.”

  Her accent was as fake as her outfit, but the theatrics must have been part of the tour. Diana was both alarmed and charmed by the woman, who spoke about herself as if she were many. She and Travis exchanged a look, and she knew he was thinking the same thing.

  Diana lifted her mouth to his ear and whispered, “Does she think she’s Madame LaLaurie?”

  “I’m not sure, but if she tries any funny business, I’ll protect you,” Travis said.

  “As you will see, the house has been updated somewhat for the comfort of our guests, but the furniture, linens, and wall hangings are all original, some having been restored to their pristine condition.” She turned to the two of them. “Have you any questions before we begin?”

  “Just one. What is your name?” Travis asked. “You know, in case we get lost and need to call for you.”

  “Oh, well, my name is Simone,” the woman replied, her character breaking a little at the unexpected question. “Please, follow me.”

  Diana tittered as the actress gestured for them to follow her as she led them to the back of the house, where the private tour would begin. Diana clasped Travis’ hand tightly, her fear of ghosts a real thing as she skittered along as close to him as possible.

  “Oh, my God! That was such an amazing place to tour! So many interesting antiques, and that attic? I think I nearly fainted,” Diana exclaimed after they climbed in the car and no one else could hear her but Travis, who laughed indulgently. “Oh, don’t laugh at me. You know how excited I get about things.”

  “I do. It merely worries me that death is so thrilling to you,” he joked as he pulled carefully into traffic.

  She jerked as she remembered his joke from earlier. “Jack the Ripper! I get the irony now!” She laughed so long she hiccupped, covering her mouth in embarrassment.

  “You are so damn cute,” he told her, grabbing her hand away from her mouth to kiss it. “And I’m so glad you finally remembered the Ripper remark. I didn’t want to have to remind you, but I certainly would have if you hadn’t.”

  “A good joke,” she admitted, the feeling of his lips still on her knuckles. He hadn’t released her hand, and she didn’t want him to. “So, it’s seven. I’m hoping we’re going to dinner?” He gave her a look that said he was judging her intelligence and found her lacking. “Wipe that look off your face, butthead.”

  “Butthead?” he blurted, his laughter interrupting the words. “I haven’t been called that in years.”

  “I was probably the last person to call you that, but with affection, of course,” Diana teased, squeezing his hand.

  Travis looked at her, a smile on his face. “Of course we’re going to eat. I picked a French restaurant in the French Quarter.”

  Diana smiled and tried to remember the balance in her bank account before she offered to buy dinner. The restaurants—especially the French restaurants—in the French quarter were world-renowned for their cuisine and their exorbitant prices. She didn’t feel it was appropriate, though, that he paid for lunch Saturday, their tour at the LaLaurie mansion, and dinner as well. Her account wasn’t bloated, but she would be all right until payday.

  “I’d like to pay for dinner,” she announced, smiling. His head jerked around, and his mouth opened as he prepared to argue. She put a finger on his lips to silence him. “You’ve paid for everything so far, Travis. It’s only fair that I pick up dinner.”

  “Hmmm,” Travis hummed, eyeing her as they idled at a stop light. “I’ll compromise with you.”

  “Compromise?”

  “Yes. Let me pay for dinner tonight, and the next time we go out, you can plan it and pay for it if you insist on being a free-willed, independent woman.”

  Diana laughed at him as she released his hand and slapped his thigh. “There you go again, pretending to be a butthead. But I’ll accept that compromise. You know why?” Don’t say it, don’t say it, she told herself, but when he looked at her with his eyebrows lifted and a smile on his face, she said, “Because that means you have to go on another date with me.” She wanted to faceplant into the windshield, but he seemed to love her forward behavior.

  “I’d go on ten million dates with you, Diana, and I’d pay for every one of them.” He sighed deeply as if hurt. “But you insist on wearing the pants in the relationship.”

  “Dear God, are we there yet?” she asked as she flopped dramatically back into her seat.

  “Actually, my beautiful drama queen, we are,” he announced as he pulled into a valet station in front of the most famous French restaurant in New Orleans, Antonio’s Restaurant.

  Diana nearly choked on her tongue when she saw the restaurant Travis had chosen. Despite the unassuming name, Antonio’s was one of the oldest surviving restaurants in Louisiana, not just New Orleans. The place had been open since 1840, only a couple of years after the demise of Madame LaLaurie. The prices were exorbitant, though Diana had heard the food was absolutely succulent and worth every penny spent. The restaurant boasted the top French cuisine in the city as well as a wine collection that rivaled any collector’s in France.

  Thankful they’d made the agreement that she would plan and pay for the next date, Diana gulped as she stepped out of the car, thanking the valet. She put her hand in Travis’ and hoped she was dressed appropriately. She had no idea if Antonio’s had a dress code, but when they walked in, the worry fled her mind. The diners she could see were dressed as casually as she and Travis, though the clothes they wore probably cost more than her entire wardrobe. She had noticed Travis’ clothes were of much better quality than he had worn when they were together, and self-consciously, she ran her hand down her shirt and over her jeans.

  “Don’t worry. You are the most beautiful woman in here,” Travis whispered to her while they waited to speak with the maître d.

  Diana looked into his eyes, her eyebrows creasing. “Thank you, but I’m not worried.”

  “Yes, you are.” He chuckled as they stepped closer to the maître d’s podium. “You were fidgeting with your clothes. You only do that when you’re nervous.”

  Her lips pursing as she tried to think of a comeback, Diana took a deep breath instead and looked away from him. “I can’t believe you remember such little things.”

  “I remember everything about you,” he informed her, a secret smile on his face when she looked at him. He broke eye contact as he glanced at the diners and bar patrons and began speaking before she could think of a reply. “Not only are you the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, but every man in the place who can see you has looked, some two or three times, much to the displeasure of their significant others.”

  Diana gasped and shushed him as she peered through her lashes at some of the men in the room without catching one looking at her. “Travis! That is absolutely not true.”

  Travis snickered as he stepped up to the maître d, ignoring her flustered gaze and comment. “Good evening. Travis Hodges, party of two.”

  “Of course, Mr. Hodges, and welcome to Antonio’s. We’re very happy to have you.” The man exuded understated charm with his suit and tie, perfectly coiffed hair, and brilliant smile. Diana had expected a French accent and was somewhat disappointed when he spoke in the New Orleans vernacular.

  “And we are very excited to eat,” Travis announced, smiling as the maître d laughed politely at his dull joke. Diana smirked but said nothing.

  “We have a lovely table for you and your da
te near the second-story window overlooking the beautiful streets of New Orleans,” they were informed as the man handed a young woman dressed in black their menus. “Marie will lead you to your table. Enjoy your evening.”

  “Please, follow me,” the young woman invited, smiling at them as she turned and led them up a set of stairs to the second floor.

  Diana looked around them as they walked, gaping at the opulence of the dining rooms. A quick glance through a partially closed door at the top of the stairs revealed a private dining area which was so fancy her nerves lit on fire. However, the table they were escorted to, while laid out with all sorts of cutlery she had no idea how to use, was pretty but not as daunting as the room she’d peeked into. She wondered if the room was set up for a wedding or bar mitzvah as Travis pulled her chair out so she could be seated.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly, feeling as if speaking at a normal volume was entirely too loud. Travis sat across from her and winked, and her coiled nerves relaxed as she watched him speak to the waiter who had suddenly appeared.

  “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hodges. I’ll be yo—”

  “We aren’t married,” Diana automatically interrupted, correcting his assumption.

  Startled by the interruption, he inclined his head. “My apologies. I’ll be your server tonight. My name is Charles. Would you like to hear the specials?”

  “If you don’t mind, we’d like to peruse the menu before hearing the specials. Everything here is so good, we need time to make up our minds,” Travis told him smoothly, though Diana had seen the look he’d shot her when she’d interrupted.

  “Of course. A bottle of wine, perhaps?”

  “Ah, yes. What is your recommendation?” Travis asked, sitting back to listen as Charles spouted off the top reds and whites.

  Diana let her mind and eyes wander. She didn’t know five-dollar wine from five-hundred-dollar wine, though she’d had fifty-dollar wine once. Two glasses had nearly knocked her on her ass. She couldn’t imagine what the most expensive wine would do to her, so she made a deal with herself to have only one glass, water, and maybe one more after she’d eaten.

  Once Travis had selected a wine, the waiter hurried away, and she caught Travis staring at her. “What?”

  Hurt was clear in his eyes. “So, um, did you change your name back to Brooks?”

  Diana tilted her head, confused by his pain. “Well, yes, I did,” she said slowly, deciding it was best to defend her decision. “We were divorced, Travis. Most of the time, that means forever. We didn’t have children, so there was no reason for me to continue as Diana Hodges.”

  “I see.” Travis looked everywhere but at her, so she reached across the table and took his hand.

  “I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but please try to understand. That part of my life was over, or so I thought.” With the next sentence, she wanted to cry, and her voice cracked a little. “I couldn’t have the reminder of your last name every time I introduced myself. My heart was broken.”

  Travis blinked, looked away, and returned his gaze to hers. He turned his hand over and clasped hers tightly as if he couldn’t stand the thought of letting her go. “My heart was broken too. I do understand why you changed your name. I just wish you hadn’t had a reason to.”

  A single tear slipped down her cheek as she reached for his other hand. They sat quietly, holding hands, until he glanced down and let his mouth fall open. When he looked at her again, his face was filled with astonished glee. “Is that the sapphire ring I bought you?”

  Diana’s laugh was a half sob as she pulled her right hand away and held it up so it the ring faced him. She wiggled her fingers. “I decided tonight was the perfect night for this ring to come out of hiding.”

  “You’ve never worn it?”

  “I couldn’t,” Diana answered with a shrug. “Another reminder of you. I’m so sorry our marriage was such a hot mess.” Another quiet sob escaped, and tears ran down her cheeks as she watched him. She remembered her promise and decided to tell that part of her mind to shut the hell up.

  “I’m sorry.” Travis rose and walked around to kneel. He reached up and touched her face, wiping her tears away with his thumb. “We were both so fucking stupid.” Diana nodded, unable to speak. “I really want to try again. Put the past behind us. What do you say?”

  Diana nodded again, fast, her tears spilling with happiness as hidden love swelled in her. “Yes. I want to try again with you. No mistakes this time.”

  “That’s exactly right,” Travis agreed as he rose and returned quickly to his seat after glancing around them.

  Diana also looked at the tables closest to them, and several of the diners were staring at them as if waiting for some announcement. Her eyes shifted back to Travis, who was fighting hard not to laugh. “What’s so funny?”

  “The irony!” he exclaimed through stifled laugh.

  “What the hell?” she asked, her tears dry as she looked around again. An older woman met her eyes, and smiled hugely, nodding her head. Her husband lifted his glass towards her in a silent toast. Frowning, she looked at Travis again, who was no longer attempting to hide the guffaws. “What is so damn funny?”

  “They thi—” He stopped to laugh. “They think I was proposing!”

  Diana gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh, shit!”

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Hodges?” Charles asked as he returned at that moment. His eyes shifted to Diana. “Miss?”

  “I’m Diana, and everything is fine. We’re just insane,” Diana said as she giggled. Travis’ laughter was renewed, and the waiter stared between them, smiling at their merriment.

  “Well, I’m glad the pair of you are enjoying yourselves,” Charles said, his eyes shining with suppressed laughter. “Sir, would you like to sample the wine?”

  “Oh, yes,” Travis answered, wiping his eyes free of laugh tears. Charles poured a small amount into the glass, and Travis, eyeing Diana as he did so, swirled it around in the glass, sniffed, and sipped. Diana choked and pretended to cough so she wouldn’t erupt into laughter again. “Perfect. Please pour the lady a glass.”

  “And may I have some water as well?” Diana asked after Charles had finished pouring for both of them.

  “Of course. Have you had a chance to glance at the menus?”

  “Oh, no, sorry. Too much fun to be had at this table,” Travis joked as he picked up the menu. “We’ll look now and have our meals decided when you return. I do know we’d like an appetizer.”

  “We do have some of the best appetizers in New Orleans, sir,” Charles boasted. “Have you eaten here before?”

  “I have, and luckily, I know this lovely woman and her taste buds well.” He smirked at Diana as he ordered in perfect French. “Chair de Crabe au Gratin, as well as Crevettes Remoulade.”

  “Excellent choices, sir. Two of my personal favorites,” Charles said, his smile perfect. “I’ll take this order to the kitchen to give you a few more minutes before deciding on entrees.”

  “Thank you,” Travis said, watching Diana. “Surprised?”

  “Do you actually know French, or just enough to order so you can impress your dates?” Diana asked, impressed but trying hard not to show it.

  “I had to pick it up when Michael and I were working with a French couple who wanted to invest in several stand-alone ERs in Texas.”

  “Ok, so that is impressive,” Diana conceded, waving her hand at him.

  “Thank you. The two of them knew some English, so when I learned some French, we managed to get the job done to their satisfaction and ours,” Travis said with a smarmy smile. “We made a pretty penny.”

  “I bet.” Diana loved seeing him so happy with his success. “I’m so proud of you, Travis.”

  “I am too, though I hate that my success cost us our marriage,” he admitted sheepishly.

  “I caused problems too, don’t forget,” she reminded him, then waved her hand again, dismissing the ugliness. “But that’s the pas
t, and we’re putting it behind us.”

  Travis lifted his glass, his hair and eyes shimmering in the ambient lighting of the restaurant. “To a new beginning.”

  “And a happily ever after,” Diana added, her heart blooming as she felt hope for a future with the man she never stopped loving.

  Chapter 10

  An hour later, with full bellies and big smiles, Travis and Diana walked along the French Quarter as they had when they’d dated and during their early marriage. After checking that his car could remain in the valet parking while they explored, Travis handed the guy a twenty to be sure. He held Diana’s hand in his, enjoying the feel of normalcy she brought to his life in the short time she’d been back in it. Talking to her, walking with her, made him feel as if they had never parted, and he wanted to capture this feeling and hold onto it for the rest of his life.

  His thoughts scaring him, he asked her what she would like to do. She tilted her head as if listening and said, “Do you hear that?”

  Travis tilted his head as well, wondering why people did that when it really didn’t help them hear any better. “I just hear the cars and people talking.”

  “No, there’s music,” Diana told him, smiling up at him. “Sounds like a jazz band in the square.”

  “How can you hear that over all this noise?” he asked, astounded as he gestured to the cab honking and the two men yelling as they carried a sofa into a building across the street.

  Diana shrugged. “Well, I read once that while men have better eyesight, women can hear better. Though I’ve always wondered if that’s because women are actually listening, and men are too busy staring at something.”

  Travis chuckled and said, “What?” hoping to get a rise out of her. She narrowed her eyes at him and growled. He lifted his hands defensively. “Sorry, sorry.”

  “Whatever,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

  “So, do you want to go listen?” Travis asked, wanting to make her happy.

  “Of course I do! And maybe we can do a little dancing,” she hinted, dancing a little jig that included a shake of her ass that made Travis’ mouth water.