Southern Spirits (The Southern Series Book 3)

by Shelley Stringer

  “And your daughter just thinks your funny,” I added. Elly cackled again and dropped her bottle as she sat up in my lap.

  “Ellyson Marie, come here and see Daddy. Can you say ‘Daddy?’”

  “Mommy!” Elly grinned and held her hand out to Banton. He kissed it and urged, “Say Daddy!”

  “Mommy!” Elly cackled again and threw her head back against my chest. I winced. My breasts were more tender than ever.

  “Chandler, is it your ribs? Sorry, here, give her to me,” Banton urged as he reached to take her. As he placed her in his lap, she flipped over and began to climb up on his chest.

  “No, my breasts,” I whispered. “They’re already sore and swollen,” I said as his eyes widened.

  “Wow, that’s really kind of …hot,” he murmured as he raised an eyebrow at me. “Mmm…bigger boobs!” He grinned devilishly.

  “Banton,” I scolded as the front door opened.

  “Chandler! I’m glad to see you up, baby-girl.” Uncle Lon came through the doorway with Mr. Matt. “How are you feeling?” He leaned over me and kissed my forehead.

  “I’m good…much better today. Another day or so, and I think I’ll be human again.”

  “And how are my grandbabies today?” Mr. Matt asked, leaning over and touching Ellyson on the cheek.

  “They’re hungry as usual. Here, Mommy, this one just yelled at me as I was going upstairs,” Julia stated as she came down the hallway. Banton placed Elly in the floor at my feet and then took Matty from her along with a bottle she carried.

  “Come here, big guy. Let’s eat breakfast,” Banton said, moving over to the sofa.

  “Can you say Daddy?” Banton urged as Mr. Matt chuckled.

  “Mommy!” Matty yelled as he held his hand toward me.

  “What, not you too? Don’t I rate anymore,” Banton pouted as everyone laughed.

  “Well, everything is squared away just like we wanted,” Mr. Lon said as Banton shook his head at him and glanced over at me.

  “What?’ I asked.

  “Nothing for you to worry about. Dad, I’ll talk to you later,” Banton said conspiratorially. His dad nodded.

  Mr. Matt patted Uncle Lon on the back, and they both headed for the kitchen. I raised an eyebrow at Banton, and he grinned and then looked down at Matty as Matty sucked his bottle dry. After he’d finished, he threw the bottle in the floor and proceeded to wriggle out of Banton’s arms and down into the floor to play with Elly.

  “Why don’t we take them back upstairs and let them play in their cribs while I help you in the tub,” Banton offered as his eyes twinkled.

  I nodded, and he rose to pick them both up from the floor. He grasped them both around their chests under their little arms, their legs dangling as they giggled. I shook my head and followed him up the staircase.

  “You doin’ okay?” he turned back to watch me as I climbed the stairs.

  “Yes, but I will let you wrap my ribs today. It helps,” I said as he nodded.

  After he’d placed the twins in Elly’s crib with a basketful of toys, Banton joined me in the bathroom.

  I sat down at the vanity and dropped my robe to the floor as he started the bathwater. As he added bath salts and bubbles I cocked an eyebrow at him.

  “Well, I remember when our relationship was new, and you were afraid to go into the bath alone…you felt safe after you were all covered in bubbles,” he grinned down at me as I lifted my face for a kiss.

  “You’re very thoughtful, Lieutenant,” I murmured against his lips. Drawing back, a serious frown crossed his brow as he reached down to grasp my gown. I nodded, and he lifted it over my head as he held my arm to support my shoulder. I stood and worked my panties down with my good hand and kicked them into the corner. Banton helped me down into the water.

  “Mmm. This feels so good,” I murmured, sliding down into the bubbles. I let the warmth wash over me, soothing my aching ribs and shoulder.

  “Andie, you seem much more at ease with me,” Banton whispered close to my ear. I opened my eyes to find him seated in the floor beside the tub, his legs crossed as he sipped on his coffee.

  “I am. It’s getting much easier. I think it’s being home, knowing about the new baby…and you. You make it easy,” I murmured, raising my hand from the water and tracing his lips.

  “Do you want to wash your hair?” he asked. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

  “No, I’m good. I might get Constance to put it up for me or something,” I replied, leaning my head back to gaze at him.

  “What?” he asked as my eyes began to twinkle.

  “I was just thinking about a night not too long ago, when we sat like this and you gave me quite a massage in the tub,” I said as he grinned at me. “I’m wondering if that is the night you got me pregnant again.

  “Hmm…our first night together after the babies? I must be a stud,” he teased, his grin deepening. Then he chuckled and took another sip of his coffee.

  “What’s so funny?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “I was just thinking about something my grandmother used to say about my grandfather. “Every time he hung his pants on the bedpost,” when she talked about their eight children.

  “Eight! Holy cow. I think we’ll do something to stop before that. Three will be quite enough, especially if they are all faders,” I retorted.

  Banton raised his head to listen as we heard something hit the wall, and then giggles erupted in the next room.

  “Mommy!” Elly called out.

  “I’m thinking Matty is throwing toys, and Elly is tattling on him,” Banton guessed as he stood and strode into then nursery. When he returned, he carried both of them under their arms, their legs dangling.

  I giggled as he rounded the corner with them, and Ellyson cackled out loud.

  “I was just thinking, we might dunk them in there with you, and kill two birds with one stone,”

  “Or clean two babies in one tub?” I quipped. “Sure, bring them here,” I grinned as he placed them in the floor to strip their clothes off. Elly was cooperative as usual, and he quickly handed her in to me. I pushed up, and placed her in my lap in the water. She immediately began to squeal and giggle as she splashed me.

  Banton cursed under his breath as he chased Matty’s naked butt across the bathroom floor.

  “He’s like trying to handle a greased pig when he wants to get away,” Banton muttered as I giggled. When he finally had him corralled, he leaned over and sat him down in front of Elly and sank down on his knees beside the tub. He helped me wash them with their baby-wash and rinse their hair. He then gently picked them up out of the tub, first Matty, then Elly, and wrapped them up in towels.

  “Knock knock…Banton, it’s Aunt Sue. Can I help with the babies?” she called through the door.

  “Perfect timing, Mrs. Sue…here.” Banton rose with them in his arms and opened the door. As he took them into the nursery to help her dress them, I finished bathing and then rose to get out. I managed to dry off by myself and stepped into our bedroom to find something to wear. After donning a short sweater dress and ankle boots, I wadded my hair up in a loose bun in the back and secured it with a clip.

  “Chandler, I’m sorry, I got tied up with the babies,” Banton began, pushing around the door into the room. He stood looking at me for several moments.

  “You look great,” he commented, walking around the bed to where I was standing.

  “You say that all the time,” I replied. He shook his head.

  “No, really. You do! Almost back to normal,” he added as he slipped his arms around me.

  “I am almost back to normal, thanks to you,” I said as I nuzzled into this chest.

  “Well, if you’ll be okay on your own for a bit, I think I’ll slip into the shower,” he murmured.

  “I’m great. I think I’ll go find the twins.”

  Banton picked my sling up off the bed and placed it around my neck, helping me work my arm through.

  “J
ust don’t overdue and let everyone else pick them up and hand them to you,” he cautioned as he placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

  “Yes sir,” I retorted as I left to search for Aunt Sue.

  I could hear Aunt Sue’s voice in the kitchen as she and Mrs. Elaine and Claudia fussed over the babies. I smiled in contentment. My children would never lack attention as long as our families were around.

  “Bebe, how are things with you today?” Everett’s voice called from the living room. I rounded the large pillar at the base of the stairs, and found him sitting in front of the large windows, gazing at the trees outside.

  “What are you doing in here by yourself?”

  “Just enjoying a moment of peace and quiet, Ma Petit. Recent events have made me a bit introspective,” he murmured, gesturing to the sofa beside him. I sat down and gathered my feet under me.

  “It’s a sunny day outside…it seems we are to have a few days of Indian summer before fall weather sets in,” he commented off-handedly.

  “Ev, there are some things I need to talk to you about,” I began as he turned his full attention to me. He reached over and grasped my hand tightly, our connection stronger than ever before.

  “What is it, Bebe?” His beautiful Aldon eyes sparkled at me.

  “Something has been worrying me. The story you told me about your father…about him never being the same after he attacked Lucien and his family, and drank human blood,” I began.

  “Yes?”

  “The Orcos gave me formula to feed the babies on board the ship during our capture. I asked Noah about it. I knew it had blood in it. He confirmed to me that it wasn’t animal blood,” I whispered. A sick feeling overwhelmed me. Just talking about it brought all the horror and anxiety back to engulf me.

  “Bebe, it’s okay. If it had been a prolonged period, they would have developed a craving for it, but I’m sure, at their age and no more than they consumed, they will be fine. It wasn’t the consumption of the blood which changed my father, but rather the hunt and giving in to his baser, animal instincts. It’s hard for the transformed to relapse and then recover.”

  My shoulders sagged in relief. Everett chuckled. “You’ve been worried, Ma Petit, about your precious little ones. You should have asked me sooner,” he replied. “I still feel your unease. Tell me, what else is bothering you?”

  “When Dante attacked me,” I whispered. His eyes widened and then began to glow. “Ever since then, I’ve had trouble with people touching me. Even Banton…I was unsure if it was the venom, or if it is a reaction from the rape.”

  His eyes brightened in intensity as he pulled me into his arms.

  “Oh, my dear, sweet Chandler. I’m consumed with a feeling I can’t even describe. I hate and despise Lucien and Dante’s followers with an intensity that has re-kindled brighter than ever after these hundred and fifty years. I would give all that I am, all that I have to wipe this from your memory,” he murmured, stroking my hair. “Yes, part of it is most definitely the venom, and I’m sure it had to have affected you more if it was done…as part of the act. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to put this behind you.” He pulled away and held my head firmly with both of his hands as he gazed into my eyes.

  “It is getting easier. I couldn’t even bear to let Brie touch me on the ship, and I was terrified to let Banton touch me. I think I was afraid he would be repulsed by what happened to me. But I’m mostly past that, now.”

  “Sweet Bebe, whatever we need to do for you, whatever it takes…we will do it. You know the depth of Banton’s love for you? He is like a man possessed, determined to make everything right for you.”

  I nodded at him, unable to speak.

  “Do not let this thing dull the bright light that is your spirit, my dear. I’ve never known a kinder, brighter, more joyful soul than yours. Yours is the light that draws everyone near…this group of family and friends that make up your world.”

  Everett drew me into his arms once more and held me, placing a kiss in my hair. I snuggled in beside him as we watched the Spanish moss sway gently in the trees on the lawn.

  Banton cleared his throat behind us, and as we turned, he moved slowly around the sofa and sat down in a chair opposite us.

  “Thank you, Everett. I heard part of what you said to her.”

  Everett nodded at Banton, his eyes still glowing brightly.

  “That’s the other thing I need to ask you. How do I control this new quirk I’ve acquired,” I said as I gazed at him.

  “Your eyes?” he asked as he looked deeply into mine. “Can you feel it when you are doing it?”

  I shook my head. “Banton and Constance have told me. It scares me I might do this around others,” I murmured as I looked down.

  Everett took my chin in his hand and tilted it back up.

  “Ma petit, it makes your eyes even more beautiful. You’ve been glowing the whole time we’ve been talking, although they’ve faded a bit. I want you to look at Banton, my dear, and pour your love…all your feelings for him into your gaze as though you were sending all of your love for him in one look.”

  I did as he requested, and Banton gasped, I was sure in reaction to my eyes. I could sense it…a feeling that somehow connected to my heart, a feeling that felt strangely like the aching hole that opened in my chest whenever I was hurt or mourning.

  “Now, try to calm that feeling, such as you do when you try to calm your heartbeat. Try to find your emotional peace,” he instructed. “Sometimes it helps to shut your eyes for a moment or two and find the peace.”

  I closed my eyes and relaxed my body. When I opened my eyes again, Banton smiled at me.

  “You amaze me, sweetheart.”

  “Why?”

  “Because everything just seems to come so easy to you,” he replied as he grinned at me.

  “Chandler is exceptional at connecting with others as she seems to be with controlling her feelings. She is much stronger than she knows,” Everett praised. I felt myself flush. “If anything, I think your heart has grown with all the attacks and venom…your transformation is one that continues to inspire Dr. Lane, Dr. Renault and me.”

  “What does not kill us makes us stronger?” I asked as I cocked an eyebrow at him.

  Everett chuckled and patted my knee. “Something like that, Ma Petit. Just work on the control thing. Now you’ve made the connection, you will be fine.”

  Banton nodded and held his hand out to me to pull me up. “Let’s go and see who is spoiling the babies now,” he suggested as Everett followed us.

  We spent the day playing with the twins and a relaxing afternoon with our families. Banton disappeared after dinner for a bit, and when he returned, he was placing his cell in his pocket.

  “Who was that?’ I asked curiously.

  “Just some business I needed to take care of,” he answered nonchalantly.

  I shot him a questioning look as he sat down beside me and drew Elly up onto his lap. Cade and Ava chased Matty around the coffee table in the floor with Beau close on their heels, wagging his tail furiously. I was amazed at the speed at which Matty was crawling.

  “Banton Matthew, I think you’d better start baby-proofing all those cabinets and doors at home right away. They will both be walking in no time,” Mrs. Elaine warned as he grinned and nodded at her.

  Elly garbled her little baby jabber at Matty and he paused, sitting back and turning to look at her. Cade hid behind Julia’s chair as Matty’s attention was drawn away. Turning back, Matty looked for Cade.

  “Boo,” Cade jumped out at Matty as Elly cackled in Banton’s lap.

  Matty immediately faded as I knew he would.

  “What on earth,” Aunt Sue gasped. Uncle Lon stood up in alarm.

  “Wait, it’s all right,” Banton held out his hand.

  Beau sniffed at Matty and began to whine, upset by his sudden disappearance, and the fact he could still smell and feel him.

  “Where’s Matty?” I called out. “Where’s my Matty?’<
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  Ellyson laughed again and called, “Maaatty!”

  Banton looked down at her in surprise. “That’s another first,” he said in wonder as he kissed her on top of her head.

  “Matty, fade back!” Banton called more sternly this time. After several tense moments, Matty finally faded back.

  “Holy crap, Chandler! When you play with these two you’d better be on top of your game!” Cade said in wonder as he picked Matty up.

  “Chandler, should you encourage them to do that?” Uncle Lon asked in concern.

  “I’ve worried about it, but it’s something that comes naturally to them. We scolded them at first, and Elly seemed reluctant to do it again. But when we were…” I stopped as I glanced over at Banton. He immediately reached up and smoothed my hair back and placed his hand on my neck under my hair.

  I continued, “The Orcos were coming for the babies, when the ship began to sink. I got them to play hide and seek and encouraged them to fade. It kept the Orcos from finding them – I convinced them Noah had taken them. That bought me enough time until Banton and the SEALs found us,” I was whispering now as I finished. Everything was still too fresh, too painful to talk about. “Their fading saved them. I somehow knew it would be useful. I don’t want to discourage them. We just have to teach them to use it appropriately.”

  I looked up into the horrified faces of Aunt Sue and Mrs. Elaine. As it dawned on them just how much danger the babies had been in, Mr. Matt walked over and bent down, placing a kiss on my forehead as he whispered, “Thank you, Chandler. Once again, your faith and strength cause me to be forever in your debt.”

  I blushed and glanced at Banton. He sat silently watching me as he held Ellyson against his chest. I could see the pride and love in his eyes.

  “Well, one thing is for sure. These kids will kick butt on the playground,” Drew said with pride, picking Matty up out of Cade’s lap.

  “I think it will be a while before we can put them in school…at least until they can control their eyes and the fading,” Banton said, rising with Elly. “It’s been a long day. Chandler, are you ready to go up…I know you are tired.” He held his hand out to me.