Southern Spirits

by Shelley Stringer

  “Well, you are holding Banton Matthew Gastaneau IV. Matty. And this is your niece, Ellyson Marie Gastaneau. Elly.” Banton held her up as Ty moved over to hold her.

  “They’re perfect, Chandler. I can’t believe they are finally here. Wow, I want a baby!” Constance looked up at me as Uncle Lon cleared his throat behind her in the doorway.

  “Um, no you don’t. You can wait…you can wait, a lot!” he answered. Then he moved behind Ty. “Ty, it’s so good to see you, son. Sue and I are beside ourselves you are safe and home.” Uncle Lon placed his hand on Ty’s shoulder.

  Matty began to squirm and whimper. Constance shot me an alarmed look, and quickly handed him back to me.

  “See, you can’t do that when you have one of your own.” Uncle Lon chuckled as she turned to him.

  “Uncle Lon, would you hand me one of those diapers in the bassinette please?”

  Uncle Lon located one and then handed it to me.

  “You know how to do that, Andie?” Ty asked, handing Elly back as Banton chuckled.

  “Are you kidding? Andie’s watched every baby video that exists, and can spout home remedies for any ailment you throw at her,” Banton replied. I untaped the tiny diaper around Matty’s waist. The minute the diaper was pulled away from him, he pee’d a stream across the side of the bed into the floor.

  “Oops, equipment works, man!” Ty laughed as I quickly covered him back up.

  “You have to be quick, Chandler. Here, let PaPa Lon do it.” Uncle Lon walked over and took Matty’s little legs in one hand, pulled the diaper quickly, and slid the new diaper under his little butt. He then unfolded the front and covered him in one motion, taping the tabs firmly at the sides of his little legs.

  “All done. It’s all in the wrists!” he grinned, pulling the blanket back up around him.

  “Wow, you are good at that,” Constance commented.

  “You had two little brothers, remember? It all comes back to you.”

  Banton rose to place Elly in my other arm, and for the first time I held them both at the same time.

  Constance sat down in Banton’s chair and pulled up close to the side. “Wow, Chandler, you’re a mom. I can’t believe it,” she whispered as she played with my hair.

  “Yeah, my life sure has turned around in the last seventy-two hours. I went from being a widow, to my husband alive, and two babies. It still seems so surreal.”

  “I know what you mean.” She glanced up when Uncle Lon put his arm around Ty.

  “You know, son, we felt like we lost three of our own children, when the three of you went missing. Now, we almost feel complete,” his voice choked up as Aunt Sue walked into the room.

  Constance watched him in wonder as he continued to hug Ty.

  “Well, I’m glad you feel that way, sir, because we have something to tell you,” Ty answered, gazing at Constance. She rose, walked over and held her hand out to Aunt Sue. As Aunt Sue took Constance’s hand, she gasped. There was a stunning diamond ring on the third finger of her left hand.

  Uncle Lon looked back when Ty cleared his throat.

  “I’m sorry. I should have spoken to you first. After I came home last night, I decided that ring was going on her finger before the world turned one more time. Mr. Lon, Mrs. Sue…I’d like to ask you for your blessing.”

  “You’d just better be glad, son, the shock of your homecoming hasn’t worn off yet. You have a couple of days before this sinks in, and then you’d better start running,” Uncle Lon said seriously as Aunt Sue slapped his shoulder.

  “We couldn’t be happier, Sweetheart. Of course you have our blessing. We’ve learned over the past months, love and relationships are so much more important than any life plans you might have laid out for yourself.” She smiled through her tears at Ty. Constance looked back at me, and I nodded my head for her to move closer to me as I leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  “I’m so happy for you. I just knew you two would get married!” I exclaimed as Banton hugged Ty.

  As I thought about another wedding in the future, I remembered my promise to Laurilee and Dan. “Wow, I’ve got to call Texas! Laurilee and Dan will be pissed if they find out the babies have been here for fourteen hours and I haven’t even told them yet.”

  “Oh, they know already. I texted them three baby videos last night while you were sleeping. I realized you hadn’t told them about me being alive when she texted back wanting to know who the proud father was who took the video. I think I scared her at first,” Banton chuckled as he sat back down beside me. “I had some explaining to do. Texting kept me busy till about 2:00 am.”

  Banton played with my hair as I continued to gaze down at the babies. After both babies were sound asleep on my chest, Dr. Lane and the nurse came back into the room.

  “I hate to run everyone out, but the Pediatrician is back, and we also need to draw blood on Chandler and take her catheter out.”

  “Chandler, we’ll be back later this afternoon.” Constance leaned over and kissed both the babies and me.

  “Banton, you did good, man. Congratulations!” Ty gushed as he kissed me on the forehead.

  “Banton did good? Who carried those big babies around in her tiny body for eight months, did the morning sickness thing, went through labor…” Constance berated Ty all the way down the hallway as we all laughed at her.

  Aunt Sue moved toward us. “We’re going to go too, Chandler. We need to get back home and check to see what kind of damage we have at our house. If you will let me, I would like to come to your house and stay the first few nights after you bring the babies home, to help you until you’ve healed. I know your mother would do it if she were alive.” She smiled at me and kissed my forehead. “I’d love to do it for you, if you want.”

  “Of course. We’d love it,” Banton answered her as he helped the nurse take the babies from me.

  “Sweetheart, we are so proud of you. We love you.” Aunt Sue leaned over and hugged me.

  “I love you both so much,” I replied. Uncle Lon reached to touch my foot as he rounded the foot of the bed to leave the room.

  Banton sat and watched the nurse draw the vials of blood from my arm, and then silently stepped out as Dr. Lane removed the catheter.

  “Chandler, the nurse will help you in the shower,” he offered as the door opened.

  “Won’t be necessary, she can go,” Banton stated as he came back with two glasses. “I’ve got this. Here, Chandler, I brought you some ice water. They’re getting you something to eat. It’ll be here in a few minutes.” Banton set the glasses down on the nightstand, and then came around to the side of the bed as Dr. Renault slipped out the door.

  “You are awfully bossy, mister.”

  “I’ve done this before.” He leaned over and kissed me as he pulled the covers back to help me from the bed.

  “Yeah, I seem to remember a shower in a hotel in N’awlins.”

  “But I didn’t have the privileges I do now, Mrs. Gastaneau. Now, stand up slow, I’ve got you, just take it slow and easy.” He steadied me and guided me to the bathroom, pulling the IV pole along with us.

  After he’d tested the water in the shower, he untied the hospital gown I had on, and as it dropped to the floor, I remembered my saggy baby tummy and stitches. I hadn’t even had a look at it yet, I’d just felt it under my gown. I certainly didn’t want Banton to be the first to see it.

  “Banton, wait, I…” I hesitated as he took my shoulders in his hands. I was so self-conscious and nervous.

  “What’s wrong, Chandler?” he asked, kissing my shoulder.

  “I don’t want you to see my stitches, and…everything,” I muttered.

  “Sweetheart, turn around,” he urged as I slowly turned. He pulled my hands away, and looked down at me, and then looked back up at my face. “Sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about. Those stitches look mean, but Doc assures me, the swelling around them will go down, and the scars will shrink in no time. He called it a bikini cut. It will be well below your bik
ini line, so no scars at the beach.” He smiled reassuringly as I looked down. The skin did sag a bit, but it was so much smaller than what I was used to, and I was almost back to a normal size.

  “It’s just…I thought it would be so flat. I’ve been dreaming about wearing belts again, and then when I tried to turn over last night, I had no feeling down there. I had to hold my stomach to turn over!” I teared up as Banton chuckled.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “Oh, Chandler. You are perfect. You just gave birth to two big babies, and half of the women in this country would kill to have your body just like it is right now. Would you please quit worrying? You’ll get the feeling back in your abdomen, and you will be swimsuit ready in no time. Now, come on, I’ve got you,” he urged, kissing me. He guided me into the shower and helped me to wash my hair. He squeezed body wash out on a washrag, and washed my back as I let the water hit my face. I began to tremble and shake. I felt weak, and the pain in my abdomen was getting worse by the hour.

  “Let’s get you out and back to bed. You need to eat something.” He turned the water off and wrapped me in a towel as he swung me up in his arms, soaking himself in the process. I leaned my head over on his shoulder while he limped back over to the bed. I removed the towel and handed it to him. After he sifted through the contents of the bag Everett had packed for me, he came up with a gown and robe and brought it back over to the bed.

  “These look new. I bet Fruit-Loop went shopping, didn’t he?” he asked, drawing the gown up over my head. It was white lace with wide lace halter straps, and a soft satin that draped down to mid-calf with a matching lace robe.

  “That’s beautiful, Chandler,” he murmured, leaning over to kiss me. He slid his lips slowly back and forth across mine, making my pulse quicken. He pulled back as a slow grin spread across his face. “Plus, it has quick access!” He reached up and flipped a hidden snap, and the right panel fell down, exposing my breast.

  “Banton Gastaneau, that’s for nursing the babies.” I slapped at his hand as I grinned up at him.

  “So you say…” He smirked back as he helped me snap it back. The door opened without warning, and Everett stuck his head around.

  “Can I come in, Bebe? I don’t want to disturb.”

  “No, come in Ev. Where have you been?” I asked as he walked over and sat down on the bed next to me.

  “Oh, I left late last night after I knew you were all right and checked on Mother and Grandmother. Then I went to check the shop. We lost our front windows, so I’ve been boarding them up and sweeping up glass.”

  “I’m sorry, Ev. Was anything damaged?”

  “Not really, just some things close to the front of the store. We’ll just have a hurricane sale next week. Now, where are our babies?” He looked around as Banton handed me my brush and comb.

  “The Pediatrician is with them. They’ll bring them back shortly.”

  I lay back into the pillows, exhausted already from just getting up and showering. Banton handed me my water, and then sat down in the chair beside the bed.

  “You need to drink something, Chandler. I don’t want you to get dehydrated,” he urged as he watched me. “I know you are in pain. Let me get Doc to give you…”

  “No, Banton. I’m fine, really. I’m just tired.”

  “You just had major surgery, darlin’, and gave birth to two babies. It’s going to take a day or two for you to get back to normal. You’ll heal quickly, you little half-breed, you.” He grinned, and picked up the brush. “Now, where is your hairdryer? Let Ev get you all fixed up.” He retrieved my hairdryer from the suitcase, and then found a plug next to the bed.

  “Just relax back into the pillows and let Uncle Ev work his magic.” He had my hair dry in no time. Banton sat in the chair watching, chuckling as he watched Everett fuss over me. When he finished, the nurse came in with my tray.

  “Here’s your lunch, Chandler. I’m afraid it’s only liquids, this time.” She set the tray down on the table and then left.

  “That’s all right; I’m not hungry, anyway.”

  “Chandler Ann, eat something. You haven’t had anything since yesterday,” Banton urged as I took a couple of spoonfuls of soup. I ate some crackers and managed to drink half of the juice before I lay back into the pillows. Before I knew it, I was sleeping.

  * * *

  I woke to the sound of both babies crying at once.

  “Boy, those babies sure have some lungs on them!” Everett picked Elly up and brought her over to me. I pushed up in the bed and took her from Ev as Banton picked up Matty. As they continued to shriek, I noticed the front of my gown was soaked, evidently a reaction to the babies’ wails. And I felt huge!

  “Please tell me I can nurse them?” I looked up at Dr. Lane as he came back into the room and he nodded.

  “Do you need instruction?” he asked as I shook my head. “All right, well, if you need her, buzz the nurse.” He left the room as Everett rose to leave.

  “I’ll just step out, and leave you two alone for this. Call me when they’re done. I need to get some Unca Ebret rocker time in.” He grinned and waved as he pulled the door closed.

  “Sweetheart, how do you want to do this?” Banton asked. I unsnapped the panel under Elly’s head.

  “He’s always so much hungrier than Elly. Switch with me, and I’ll nurse him first. Maybe you can pacify her until he finishes.” We switched babies, and he picked up a pacifier from her crib and offered it to her. She took it immediately and closed her little eyes as he rocked her back and forth. Banton sighed, and then watched me as I worked to get Matty to nurse. After several tries, he finally got the hang of it and I let my breath out, relieved.

  “Are you all right?” Banton asked as he watched me.

  “Yeah. That’s better already, I feel like I’m about to pop.” He grinned as he continued to watch Matty nurse, seeming to be fascinated by the process.

  It took him forever, but Matty finally seemed to get full and drifted off to sleep. Banton rose and handed me Elly as he took Matty back and sat back down.

  “Wow, I can feel his little tummy sloshing around…he’s really full.” He said as I worked to wake Elly up to nurse her. It took a lot longer to get her to nurse, and I was about to give up when she caught on. She nursed hungrily, and seemed to take as much as Matty did. Banton watched silently for several minutes, and then rose and sat down on the bed next to me, pulling me over against his shoulder. He placed his hand gently on her head and then stroked her cheek.

  “Banton, you don’t have to babysit us constantly. I know you probably want to go home, and change, shower…I’ll be fine here.”

  “Are you kidding? I don’t want to miss a minute of this. I could watch you with them all day. This is…it’s so…” He didn’t finish his thought. As I watched him, a tear slid down his cheek.

  I reached up with my free hand and wiped it away. I was touched he was so emotional.

  “I love you so much. My life began again, when I heard your voice on the phone day before yesterday,” I whispered.

  “And I love you. My life began the first time I kissed you. I didn’t think it got any better than that, until you said you would marry me. Then my heart actually hurt…skipped a beat when I found out you were pregnant. It just got better when you told me we were having twins. But the sweetest moment of my life was when the doctor pulled them both from inside you, and wrapped them up and handed them to me. I held them both at the same time, and it was like a bright light came on in the room. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.” He caressed Elly’s cheek again, and then slid his finger down beside her mouth, trailing along my breast as she continued to nurse. I lay my head back against his chest and watched his eyes, still brimming with tears. He drew his breath in sharply and shook his head, embarrassed by his emotional display. Then he grinned down at me and chuckled. “No, really…I’m just jealous. I want my turn.” He leered at me, and as Elly finished and drifted off, I snapped the gown shut and grinned up
at him.

  “Oh, you are such a guy!” I leaned my head back as he lowered his mouth to mine and moved his lips slowly.

  “Hey, hey now…that’s how you got in this mess in the first place, remember?” John knocked softly on the door and pushed it open as he came into the room with Brie in tow.

  Banton stiffened as he looked at John. My apprehension grew at his reaction to John’s presence, and I knew he was still bothered about the kiss John and I had shared. I wondered if I should have stayed silent, but I knew that was never a choice for me. I had to tell him, even though John and I hadn’t acted on our feelings beyond the kiss. The mood in the room shifted, and Banton rose and placed Matty back in my empty arm, and then turned to hug Brie. “Gabriella, it’s really good to see you! You look wonderful!” He pulled back to look her over. “How are you? Are you adjusting all right?” he asked as he pulled her back into a warm hug.

  “Yes, I’m better than I ever dreamed I’d be. John makes it easy for me. He’s been wonderful.”

  “I’m so happy for both of you.”

  The awkwardness in the room was palpable, and as I watched John, I knew he sensed Banton knew about our closeness while he was gone. After a moment, Banton squared his shoulders and took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry, John, about knowing about Brie and not being able to tell you. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

  John relaxed. “I know, brother. Chandler told me. And I need to apologize to you. I really let you down the night Chandler broke her promise to Everett and finally told me about Brie. It was one of the darkest days of her life, and I turned on her, cursed her, and left her alone. I’d give anything if I could take it back now. I was angry about being kept in the dark, and I took it out on her. I can’t believe she forgave me for what I said to her, but she did.”

  Banton walked back over to the bed and sat down beside me, drawing me and the babies in to his side again. “But she told me you were there for her all the rest of the time. I owe you for holding everything together for me.” He reached out and shook John’s hand. I was so relieved he seemed to be at ease with John, even when he mentioned our closeness during his disappearance.