Southern Spirits

by Shelley Stringer

  Pulling my camisole over my head, he reached up to support my broken shoulder.

  “It’s good, it doesn’t hurt anymore. Accelerated healing, you know,” I mouthed against his lips as he smiled.

  “I’m so glad,” he breathed as he threw my camisole into the floor beside us. He pulled away, and swept his hungry gaze down my body. My breasts were already beginning to swell; they’d been tender for a while now. The lacy, see-through bra I was wearing was a little tight, and they flowed over the cups.

  Banton whistled through his teeth.

  “Sweet Dixie,” he breathed, burying his face between them. I giggled as I tried in vain to push him off.

  “You are such a guy! Why do boobs fascinate men?”

  He pulled away and slid his hand up my ribcage to cup one as I gasped.

  “Hmmm.” He shook his head. “Beats me,” he said flippantly.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Who on earth could that be?’ I asked as he shrugged. I retrieved my camisole from the floor and slipped it back on as Banton rose to walk to the door. “Maybe it’s the cleaning crew to check to see if we need anything,” he called over his shoulder as he reached the door. I stood to follow him, and as he opened the door someone shouted, “Welcoming committee! Where’s my sweet Bebe?”

  “Everett!” I gasped in surprise.

  Everett swooped in holding Ava with Claudia close behind him, followed by Ty, Constance, John and Brie.

  “What are y’all doing here?’ I squealed as Constance dropped her bag and ran to greet me.

  “Surprise! You didn’t think you were going to get any alone time now, did you sister?”

  I glanced at Banton with mixed emotions. I loved that they were all here to share the excitement of our new beach house, but a small pang tugged at my heart at the thought our “alone” moment had dissipated. Banton smiled knowingly.

  “You had this planned all along, didn’t you?”

  His dimple deepened as Everett placed his hand around Banton’s shoulder.

  “You don’t know the half of it, Bebe. Now, let’s get this party started.”

  Everett sat Ava Grace down, and she ran to me with her arms opened.

  “An Andler!” her squeal could be heard back in N’awlins.

  “Shh, Doodle-Bug, we don’t want to wake the twins,” I cautioned as I hugged her to me.

  “They’re down already? I was hoping for some Aunt Claudia time,” Claudia pouted as she hugged me.

  “They were wrecked. We wore them out on the beach earlier.”

  Noises from next door traveled through the kitchen wall, and I heard patio doors opening next to us.

  “Hum. Sounds like we have neighbors this weekend,” Banton commented as he grinned. I turned to look out the French doors as Cade and Julia appeared, grinning as they knocked on the window.

  I turned and cocked an eyebrow at Banton.

  “Daddy bought the place next door. We have a really big family, you know,” he said as he slid his arm around me. “And don’t cock your eyebrow at me like that, or I’ll have to be rude to the guests and drag you back to our room,” he whispered in my ear as my eyes widened.

  Slapping me playfully on the rump, he stepped around me to let Julia and Cade in. Drew and Aunt Sue soon followed.

  “Chandler Ann, this place is absolutely enchanting! I’m so happy for you,” Aunt Sue gushed, pulling me into a hug.

  “I’m still a little overwhelmed,” I replied. I sat Ava down on her feet, and she immediately ran over to the doors to look out at the ocean.

  “Come on, Doodle-Bug…let’s take Beau and walk on the beach,” Cade suggested as she nodded enthusiastically at him. Taking her hand, he led her out onto the deck and down the steps to the sand below.

  “Don’t go too far. We’ve got etouffee for dinner,” Everett called after them.

  I turned and grinned. “Grandmother Wellington’s?”

  “You know it, sister! They sent two big pots full, along with some bisque and a boatload of gumbo. We won’t need to cook for a day or two, at least,” he said animatedly as he kissed my cheek and then waived his hand at us. “We’ll unload everything. You ladies just go on and take the tour.”

  “He just rocks my world,” I shook my head as I looked at Claudia.

  “Yes, mine too,” she whispered as she blushed.

  I opened my mouth to say more, and then taking in Constance’s expression, I closed it. It was too soon to go there.

  “Come on Drew, we’ll help Mrs. Sue and Mr. Lon unload their car and help Everett get all this food squared away,” Banton called. Drew followed him and Ty out the door.

  “Okay, give us the grand tour, Andie!” Brie said excitedly. I grabbed her hand, pulling her down the hallway as the others followed.

  “Two bedrooms here,” I motioned to the left, “and one here, all with adjoining baths. And this is the master,” I announced as I pushed the double doors open. Everyone followed me in as I checked the twins in the corner to make sure they were okay. They both slept like hibernating bear cubs.

  “Chandler, this is beautiful,” Constance breathed, stroking the gossamer draping the four-poster bed. Aunt Sue peeked around the corner into the bathroom.

  “Ralph Lauren would have designer envy in this place,” she noted, stepping back into the bedroom. Constance disappeared where Aunt Sue had just been, and then emerged with an incredulous look.

  “You have a private sunbathing deck? Holy shit!” she exclaimed as Aunt Sue whirled to face her.

  “Constance Clarice LeBlance, I swear if you don’t get control of that mouth, I’m going to wash it out with soap,” she admonished as Brie giggled.

  Julia wandered around our big master suite, and then asked off-handedly, “So, where is everyone going to sleep?”

  “Your mother and I have discussed that, and you and Claudia and Ava Grace will stay next door with us. We’ll let Ty and Constance, Brie and John, and the boys and Everett stay here with Banton and Chandler,” Aunt Sue answered her as Constance rolled her eyes. I noted Julia’s shoulders dropped a bit as she followed us back down the hallway.

  The night had turned into the circus it usually did with both families and our friends around. I smiled at Banton from across the room. He stood in the kitchen with Everett and John as they laid out the food for dinner. It all seemed so wonderfully normal--our first family vacation together. Tears pooled in my eyes. I was so overcome with relief…with love…with gratitude. A little over a week ago I was resigned to death, my only hope was that the twins survived the ordeal and found their way back to Banton. Banton noted my emotions, and hastily made his way through the throng of family in the living room to where I stood. He folded me in his arms and pulled me into one of the bedrooms off the hallway.

  “Andie, what is it?’ he asked as he stroked my hair.

  “I’m just so happy. Everything just kind of hit me at once. Just a few days ago I thought my world was ending, and now everything is so blissfully normal,” I choked out as the tears threatened to spill over. “I’m being silly,” I said as I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

  “I know this is all a little overwhelming, and you have every right to be emotional. You know what venom and pregnant hormones do to you,” he teased, kissing me on the forehead. “Everyone just wants to celebrate having you home alive, most of all me,” he continued as he wiped my tears away with his thumbs. He lowered his lips to kiss me, enveloping me in his arms. I sighed as sweet contentment washed over me.

  “Sorry our alone time has been curtailed, but we do have that big master bedroom all to ourselves. I’ll make sure I let everyone know you are tired, and we need to go to bed early,” he whispered playfully in my ear. I smiled against his neck.

  “Promise? You be sure and do that. I’m countin’ the minutes.”

  We joined the rest of the family and ate our dinner, everyone scattered around the great room and out on the deck. As the sun set, Banton lit the fireplace, and Ty and Constance left ou
t the back doors to take a moonlight walk on the beach. Brie and John decided to follow them. As the house emptied, Aunt Sue and Uncle Lon and Banton’s parents opted to go next door to play dominoes, and Everett, Claudia, Julia and Cade settled down in front of the fireplace to watch a romantic movie. Banton grinned at me and started down the hallway, my hand tucked in his. Before we could make it into the bedroom, little wails greeted us.

  “Oh, man…the babies are up,” he said in an exasperated voice.

  “They have been down for more than four hours, Banton. They’re probably hungry again.”

  “Can’t we contact Renault about starting them on some solid food?” he asked, reaching down to pick Matty up.

  “Ddaaadddy,” Matty blubbered as he touched Banton’s face with his hand.

  “I know big guy. We just can’t seem to get you full these days. Let’s go and get you a bottle,” he murmured, planting a kiss on Matty’s forehead.

  Elly held her little arms up to me and then snuggled down against my breast, her eyelids heavy. She didn’t seem that hungry, she just woke when Matty did. Banton warmed their formula up in the microwave as Claudia came in the kitchen.

  “Can I feed them, please? I’ve missed having them around,” she said as tears gathered in her eyes. Her loneliness at William’s loss was palpable.

  “Sure, we’ll bring them in to you,” I said.

  After we’d handed the babies off to Claudia and Julia, I went to make sure the bedrooms had everything our guests would need before they returned from their walk on the beach. When I’d finished I wandered out on the deck. Everett stood, muttering to himself and scowling.

  “Everett, is something wrong?” I asked him softly. Everett was never in a bad mood.

  “Oh, everything is just divine! Everett’s everybody’s best friend…” he flipped his hand out in the air as he turned to me, his eyes fiery. “I’m the happy go-lucky, gay, everybody’s best friend--Everett will fix it--fairy godmother, right? Everybody loves Everett! Everett, let’s snuggle! Well, it’s all warm and fuzzy, the spooning thing…until somebody gets a hard-on! I should have stayed blissfully in my make-believe closet,” he muttered to himself disgustedly.

  I pressed my lips together hard, trying not to laugh, and failed miserably. As he turned to glare at me, I heard another chuckle in the darkness, evidently John and Ty had returned with Constance and Brie from their walk on the beach.

  “I need a little baby time,” he muttered, returning to the living room where Claudia and Julia had the twins.

  “Is it just me, or is Ev having a hard time adjusting to the hetero twenty-first century?” Ty asked as John chuckled.

  “You could say that, and don’t tease him whatever you do,” I warned in a serious voice.

  “It’s obvious he’s in love with Claudia,” John asserted. Ty’s jaw dropped.

  I sighed. “I guess it was obvious to everyone but me. He doesn’t want to push her. Will’s death is too fresh and painful. He’s in love with her, but he just wants to be there for her right now.”

  “That’s a hard position to be in,” John answered and then shot a glance at me. Brie blushed, and placed a hand on John’s shoulder as she slipped inside the French doors. After a moment of awkward silence, Ty followed her, leaving me with John and Constance.

  “Well, is someone going to address the five-thousand pound elephant on the deck?” Constance quipped.

  “NO!” John and I both exclaimed at the same time.

  Constance looked back and forth at us, and then shook her head and followed John inside. I stood for a few moments, trying to shake the sad memories John’s comments stirred. I leaned on the railing, enjoying the cool breeze wafting in from the water and the sound of the waves lapping on the shoreline. Flashlights fanned back and forth down the beach, moving to and fro as some kids chased sand crabs.

  I returned to the living room to retrieve the twins, but Claudia and Everett had already taken them to our bedroom. As I entered, Claudia was watching Everett as he leaned over and placed a kiss on Matty’s head, and then Elly’s.

  “They’re down, Bebe.” Everett crossed the room and kissed me on the forehead.

  “Thank you for feeding them and getting them back down for us,” I responded as Claudia hugged me.

  “You are entirely welcome. We both love doing it. We needed a little bonding time with them,” she whispered as she kissed my cheek.

  “Okay, back to our movie, my dear. We’ll have to rewind,” Everett fussed, waving his hands in the air as Claudia rolled her eyes at him.

  “Oh, where is Banton?” I called to them down the hallway.

  “He took Ava Grace out to catch sand crabs. They should be back in a minute,” Claudia called as I smiled. The flashlights I’d seen on the beach were Banton and Ava Grace. Banton was just a big kid at heart.

  I decided to use the time in the bathroom. I slipped out of my clothes and stepped down into the tub, taking the time to pin my hair up on top of my head. I used some sugar scrub to exfoliate and bath oil to make my skin glow, hoping to distract Banton’s attention from the faint bruising which still marred my skin. After I’d bathed, I rubbed some lotion on, and then spritzed on some of the insanely expensive perfume he’d bought for me on my birthday. After applying a bit of mineral makeup to give me a soft glow, I pulled my hair down and brushed it out, then flipped it back to make it look fuller. Some soft pink lip gloss finished the look. I stood back and looked in the mirror…perfect. Now, to find something sexy to sleep in. Surely Everett had packed something for me. I searched through the suitcase and found just the thing…see-through lace panties with a sheer camisole to match, with delicate white crewel work embroidered on it. I slipped the panties on, and then looked in the mirror. You could see everything but my colon in this lingerie. Good. Then I slid the camisole on, and my breasts strained against the fabric, my nipples looking rather large under the sheer fabric. A year ago, I would have been mortified at this outfit. Now, knowing I would have to persuade Banton to make love to me, it was perfect. As I gazed at myself in the mirror, doubt began to creep in. Could I do this? Was this too brazen, after everything that had happened? Would it put him off?

  My heart began to pound as I heard Banton’s voice in the living room. Too late now, sister, I thought. This will just have to do. Instead of standing here waiting for him, I’ll dim the lights and get into bed. Yeah, that’s a plan.

  This is so stupid! He’s your husband, you’ve been married for almost a year, and you’ve had two babies together. Why are you so nervous?

  My heart’s pounding increased, flooding in my ears as Banton opened the door. I was nauseated, thinking he might reject me again, afraid it was too soon after the attack.

  “Chandler? Sweetheart, are you ill?” his voice sounded worried as he crossed over to the bed. The only light in the room was moonlight bouncing off the ocean outside the long French windows. He sat down on the bed beside me and leaned over to switch the lamp on.

  “Hey, do you feel okay?” he asked as I turned over to face him. The sheet slipped down my arm, exposing part of my chest. Banton’s eyes darkened, his pupils dilating as he gazed down at my breasts straining against the fabric of the camisole.

  “Chandler, you look beautiful,” he whispered as he reached up to stroke my arm.

  “Come to bed, please, Banton! Before something else calls us away,” I whispered. He nodded and strode over to the bathroom and shut the door. As the seconds ticked away, my nerves became more jangled and raw. Finally the bathroom door opened and Banton came out, wearing only the white silk pajama pants I loved. He walked around to the dresser and switched the music system on, and then cracked the French doors so we could hear the ocean. After he’d checked the babies, I threw the covers back as he eyed me warily. He slipped into the bed and slid across the sheets, pausing as he propped up on an elbow.

  He gazed at me for several moments as if he were making his mind up about something. I drew my breath in. I wanted him so ba
dly. I felt once we were intimate again, we would put everything to rest. I wanted him to put his hands on me, his mouth on me, to erase what had happened. I knew in my heart I was ready, but I was anxious about how Banton would respond. I could see him clearly in the moonlight. I searched his eyes, wide with what? Uncertainty?

  “Chandler…you are breathtaking. I’m a lucky, lucky man,” he murmured as he leaned in to place a kiss on my lips. My breathing was shallow as I held my emotions in check. I wanted him to take the lead and take us where he wanted to go. I wanted to make sure he wanted this.

  He placed his fingers under my chin, tilting it up so he could study my face in the moonlight. As the melodic piano music played softly in the background, Banton caressed my chin, and then ran his thumb down my neck to the dip at the base of my throat.

  “I can hear your heartbeat, and you’re shaking. Chandler, please don’t push yourself. I know you aren’t ready for this. I understand. You were attacked viciously in the worst possible way. It will take time for you to heal, and I will wait as long as it takes,” he murmured as he bent again to place a soft kiss on my lips.

  I shook my head at him. “Believe me, I want this. I’m just nervous about your reaction. I need to know you still want me,” I whispered, tears gathering in my eyes.

  Banton gazed down at my ribs, grasping my waist with his hand. He slid the fingertips of his other hand into my hairline, pulling me in to his lips.

  “Don’t doubt my desire for you, Chandler. I need this too,” he whispered. I’ve never wanted you more. I want all of you, to be inside you.”

  His kiss was fierce as his tongue invaded my mouth. I responded fervently, our tongues twisting and dancing as we melded as one. His hands explored my body, gently at first, and then when I didn’t shy away, he became bolder, pushing the camisole I wore up under my arms as he stroked my chest, my breasts…every inch of my skin felt alive. Placing slow, languid kisses beneath my earlobes, his hands continued to stroke, to massage…lower until he hooked his thumbs in the lace at my hips.

  “Please tell me if anything feels wrong, if I hurt you,” he murmured, his concern evident in his voice.