“John, please go home to Brie. She must be beside herself. I know what it feels like when you guys are away, and not know what is going on with you. It’s stressful, to say the least.” I frowned at him.
“Yeah, I could use a little Brie face time.” He grinned at me and stood up as Banton came back in the room.
“Can I bring anything back in the morning, brother?” he asked Banton.
“No, I’m good. If she does well, I might come home tomorrow and clean up and change. We’ll see,” Banton smiled down at me.
“We’ll be back to check on you tomorrow, Chandler. Rest, sweetheart, and get well,” Claudia said, bending to kiss my cheek.
After she and John left, Banton carefully slid onto the bed beside me, and pulled me back into his arms. I snuggled in for the night, taking in his earthy, spicy smell and his warmth, and a sense of peace enveloped me.
* * *
At midnight, Dr. Lane woke me. “You’ve kept everything down, Chandler. Could you try some soup, or some Jell-O?”
I pushed up into a sitting position as Banton woke and sat up beside me.
“Sure, let’s try.”
He pushed a tray over to my bedside, and placed a bowl of chicken soup on the tray. I took three or four spoonsful as Banton urged me to eat.
“Slowly, we want it to stay down.” Banton smiled as he placed some crackers on the tray. I took a couple more spoons full of the broth, ate a couple of crackers, and then I lay back on the pillows, not wanting to push things.
“Just see how that suits, and I’ll come back and check on you.” Dr. Lane walked over to check the IV and the monitors, and then left, leaving the door ajar.
“Andie,” Banton whispered in my ear. “You said you thought you might be pregnant, and took a home pregnancy test. When?”
“Yes, I suspected…the afternoon you woke me from the nap, before Aunt Sue and Constance left, remember? I’d just checked my pills before you came in, and realized I was a little over two weeks late starting.”
“Why didn’t you tell me then?”
“I started to, but I wanted to be sure. You were so against us trying to keep Ava Grace, and I know you weren’t ready for this…that you wouldn’t be happy.”
He took my face in his hands. “Don’t ever be afraid to tell me something like this. I needed to know! You have to know I love you…that I’m thrilled to be having a baby with you,” he assured me, stroking my cheek with his thumb.
“Then, when I took the test, I didn’t get the chance before…” I was so sad, knowing I didn’t get to tell him like I’d planned.
“What is it?” he asked, playing with my hair.
“I feel…kind of cheated. You know that special moment, when you get to tell your husband you’re pregnant. It’s kind of like when you are proposed to. It’s one of those times you want to be perfect. None of this was supposed to happen this way!” I was very angry, and it embarrassed me.
“Okay, calm down. I promise, I’ll let you retell me, and I’ll be totally surprised!” He grinned at me and shot me the dimple.
“I know I’m being silly. Hormones or venom? Who knows? I have all kinds of excuses for being emotional!” I crossed my arms across my chest, and Banton laughed.
“So, if you were fifteen days late that Sunday, then that would mean…”
“What? Are you trying to make sure you’re the father?” I asked, outraged. Okay, it was another hormones or venom moment.
“Oh, come on, Andie, don’t be absurd. You know what this means?” he asked, smiling down at me.
“No, what?” I asked, warily.
“You had to have gotten pregnant the first time we were together, the night we got engaged. That was the only time we were together before your next cycle should have started.”
I tried to count back, but my brain was still too muddled to think that hard. “Maybe, I’m not sure. Everything is such a blur, and my cycles have been so come and go, even on the pill. That’s why I wasn’t sure,” then my eyes widened. “Oh, no, now what am I going to say, to Everett, to Laurilee…”
“About what?” Banton asked.
“Both of them assumed that was the reason we were getting married so soon. I assured them it wasn’t, and wondered why everyone kept asking me that. Now, guess what?” I rolled my eyes.
He pulled me closer, and kissed me. “If that is all we have to worry about in life, we’re blessed!” He smoothed the worry lines on my forehead. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. And if it bothers you, we’ll get married now, before I even take you home.”
“No, I’m just being melodramatic. I just hope we can keep everything on track.”
“Which reminds me- I had Claudia bring your cell. Mrs. Sue and Constance have been burning it up trying to call you. You need to tell them something. They are going to know something is wrong.”
“Oh, wow. I hadn’t even thought about calling them. I’ll think of an excuse, let me sleep on that one,” I answered him, yawning.
“Go back to sleep, Andie. Only sweet dreams…”
Dr. Lane woke me up at 6:00 sharp, with oatmeal, toast and juice, hoping I could keep some more food down. I managed to eat everything, and convinced Banton I was well enough for him to go home and change.
I decided I’d better call Aunt Sue because my cell had rung twice since breakfast. I hit redial on Aunt Sue’s missed call.
“Chandler Ann, where have you been? I was about to get in the car and drive over there!”
“Aunt Sue, I’m sorry. I…I have something to tell you. Something has happened.”
“Oh, I just knew it. What’s wrong?” she demanded. I could hear uncle Lon in the background.
“Well, I’ve been in sort of an accident. I’m fine, but I was attacked a couple of days ago.” It was a stretch, but not a total lie.
“Chandler, where are you?”
“I’m in the hospital, in a clinic, with Banton’s family doctor. I’ll explain everything later, but there isn’t a need for you to come, I’ll be out by morning.” I had no idea if that was true, but I didn’t want them trying to come.
“How badly were you injured?” She was getting more frantic by the minute.
“I’m really dehydrated, and I’m bruised up, but otherwise, I’m fine. No broken bones or lasting injuries.”
“How on earth did this happen?” she demanded.
“It was stupid, really. Ava got away from Claudia so I went looking for her. I walked too far from the house in the dark, and someone grabbed me.”
“Oh my gosh! Chandler, did you find Ava?” she panicked.
“Yes, she’s fine. And I’m fine too, I promise. Banton is taking good care of me, and he is taking me home tomorrow. Claudia is still there at the house, and Banton’s parents are there, too. I’ll call you when I get home.”
“Chandler, are you sure you’re telling me everything? How did this man, I mean, how were you attacked?” I knew what she was asking, and my story sounded thin, even to my own ears.
“He just beat me up. Banton got to me and pulled him off before he could do any real damage.” At least that wasn’t a lie.
“Did they catch him?”
“Um, no, he got away.” I had no idea what had transpired after I was rescued, but I was sure nothing would ever be published in the newspapers, or be able to be corroborated. The entire incident was top secret military stuff. If we told them anything, they would want to see a police report.
“Chandler, I think we should come. Where are you?”
“I’m at the Lane Clinic in Highland Park. Dr. Lane is Banton’s family doctor and a close family friend. I promise I’m in good hands. But the doctor said I’m better, and if I continue to keep everything down and stay hydrated, he will release me in the morning. So you would be coming for nothing. I promise I’ll call you in the morning when I get home.”
“Well, all right dear. We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
I hung the phone up, totally exhausted from tryi
ng to keep them at bay until I could recover and get home.
* * *
By the time Banton returned late that afternoon, I’d consumed another bowl of beef broth and half a sandwich. My stomach seemed to be finally accepting food, and both Dr. Lane and Banton seemed relieved.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you eating.” Banton smiled at me as he dropped my suitcase inside the door.
I studied Banton’s face as he returned to take his spot on the side of my bed. He looked a little more rested than he had when he’d left me this morning. “I hope you were able to sleep while you were home.” I touched his cheek, running my thumb across the dimple at the corner of his mouth.
“I actually did rest, after I took a bath. Claudia packed some things for you and then made me lie down. I slept about four hours.”
“You needed it. I’m worried about you, you don’t need to stay here with me twenty-four seven,” I scolded him.
“No way am I leaving you here alone for very long. Besides, I can sleep when you sleep. I’m fine. And, with all the construction going on at home, who could sleep anyway?”
“What construction?” I asked, pushing up to a sitting position.
“Well, you know John,” Banton replied as he fluffed the pillows behind my head. “He already had this plan in the back of his head, and when he found out we were expecting, with everything that has happened to you, he decided you needed a master bath.”
“What?”
Banton continued as he caressed my cheek, “So, yesterday while he was here with me, Everett brought in two contractors and a plumber to take out part of that huge closet in my old room, and they found some dead space between the closet and your room. So, now you have a space large enough to accommodate a small tub and shower, and vanity. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand up in there, but you will.”
“You’re kidding. They’ve already started?” I asked, incredulous.
“Not only started, but they already have it plumbed, and are installing the toilet and vanity today. He assures me by the time you’re home, they will be through with all the noisy stuff, and you can pick your fixtures and tile. How’s that for a homecoming present?” He leaned in to kiss me.
“And I suppose you had absolutely nothing to do with it.” I cocked an eyebrow at him as I withheld his kiss.
“Maybe a little.” He smiled in anticipation, so I raised my lips to meet his. He held the back of my head and molded his lips to mine, his kiss slow and gentle. When he finally pulled away, I opened my eyes slowly, and found him still with the grin on his face.
“So when is he going to decide he’s through renovating our house?” I laughed.
“Well, I asked him that. He said he still has to do something with that greenhouse, and then there’s my old room to convert to a nursery.” He grinned even wider, and my favorite dimple appeared. “He’s hoping we’ll let him continue to rent his room until he can convince Brie to move in together.”
“Oh. This is all getting really interesting!”
He smiled down at me.
“Now, what can I get for you, now that I’m here?”
“Well, I think I would feel better if I could clean up a bit, if there is a shower here.” I wasn’t even sure if there was one. I hadn’t been out of the bed to explore my surroundings.
“Of course, I’m sorry I haven’t thought of it before now. Claudia packed you some things to help.” He rose and strode toward the door. “Just let me check with Dr. Lane.”
I pushed myself up higher in the bed, and then threw the covers back and slid my legs over to the side. Just as Banton walked back into the room, I noticed the huge black bruises at the top of my legs running from my pelvis down the top of both legs, almost to the knees. I remembered the crushing blow my attacker had given me when he thrust himself on top of me. I threw the blankets back across my legs so Banton wouldn’t notice.
“Chandler, Dr. Lane said he has a nurse coming to help you in just a little while, and after he takes the IV out, you can shower. But he does want you to get up and walk, do you think you are up to it?” He held his hand out to me.
“Um, maybe in a few minutes,” I stammered, not wanting him to be upset by the bruises I’d just discovered.
“Come on, I’ll help you.” He smiled at me as he pulled the covers back. The sound of his sudden intake of air startled me.
“Chandler!” The look of horror on his face embarrassed me. He pulled my gown up, and of course the bruises didn’t stop at the top of my legs. My worst fears were confirmed as I watched the myriad of emotions cross his face.
Dr. Lane entered as Banton examined higher up my hip. “We x-rayed her, Banton, but nothing seems to be broken. She has some deep-tissue bruising, and it will take some time to heal.”
Banton blocked Dr. Lane’s view as he pulled my gown higher, and revealed the dark bruises covering my abdomen. He slowly raised his eyes to mine, and the tears threatened to spill over from his eyes as he gently put my gown back down and replaced the blankets.
Dr. Lane removed the IV from my arm, and checked my vitals just as the nurse he’d mentioned arrived. He urged Banton to leave the room with him, and the nurse helped me into the shower adjacent to the small room I’d been in. After helping me shampoo my hair and lathering my entire body, she helped me to sit on a stool while I let the hot water soak my sore muscles. Although it felt good, my nerves seemed to be in overdrive, and the water felt like needle pricks on my skin. After a few minutes, I couldn’t stand the feeling any longer, and I asked her to please help me out and dry off.
After I was dry with my hair in a towel, she went to explore the contents of the suitcase Claudia had packed for me. She returned with a beautiful chocolate brown satin gown and lace boy-cut panties I’d never seen before, evidently the product of a shopping trip either Claudia or Banton had taken.
After she had me tucked back in bed, she went to get me a fresh drink, and to find Banton for me. I gazed out the window waiting for Banton to return, watching the cold rain drizzle down the panes and listening to the thunder roll in the distance. I longed for the cold of a North Texas winter, and the snow I knew might be falling this time of year. That was one thing Louisiana rarely ever saw, a beautiful white snowfall.
Banton pushed the door quietly open, and walked over to my bedside, never taking his eyes off mine. He sat gently down beside me, and took my hand in his. He sat in silence for several minutes. I knew he wanted to talk, and he was taking the time to decide how to begin.
“I know the force that must have made those bruises, Chandler. You…” his voice broke on the words, and he paused. “You seem to be doing amazingly well emotionally for someone who was attacked so violently. Dr. Lane wants you to talk to Dr. Renault about it, before you leave here. Do you think you can?” he asked, smoothing the back of my hand with his fingers. I realized he doubted the story I related to him, and the location of the bruising made him suspect I might have been injured more than I’d told him.
I reached up, and took his face in both my hands. “Banton, I’m really all right. I told you everything, last night. He did hurt me, physically, when he pushed me down, put his weight on me. But that must have been when you and Sam and the others got there. I don’t remember much after he bit me, but I know that’s all. I’m sore, but I’m going to be fine. Please believe me.” I pulled him into my arms, as he gently kissed my neck, hovering there.
After a few moments, he pulled my face back to look at my eyes. “If you say that’s all there is, then I believe you.” He smiled down at me.
“I promise. I would tell you, if there was more. No secrets between us, remember?” I leaned up to kiss his lips, and for the first time in days we shared a deep, intimate kiss that promised everything I dared hope for.
After an evening meal of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, Dr. Lane returned with Dr. Renault.
“Well, Chandler, you look amazingly well for someone who has been through what you have. Dr. Lane and I h
ave been going over your chart, and your blood tests. For now, everything looks good. He thinks, and I agree, that you can go home tomorrow as long as you follow our instructions.”
Dr. Lane spoke up then. “We want you on bed rest for the next couple of days. Walk a bit, and test your strength. But above all, rest. Your body has been traumatized. Since you have been bitten, and the venom introduced, you will heal amazingly quickly. Your bruising will disappear faster than normal. But you have to remember, the effect the venom might have on the pregnancy is still an unknown. We think the difficulty you’ve had keeping food down this past thirty-six hours was due more to your dehydration and just simple pregnancy hormones. But we can’t be one-hundred percent sure of that.”
“So,” Dr. Renault spoke again. “At the first sign anything, anything at all might be wrong, fetal distress, pains, bleeding, we want you to call us. You will have Dr. Lane’s number, as well as my private line. We want to see you here again in one week, and we’ll run another sonogram to check on the baby’s progress.”
“I promise I’ll be the best patient ever!” The thought of finally going home and getting back to normal excited me beyond belief. I smiled up at Banton, and he squeezed my hand.
After both the doctors left for the evening, Banton slid into the bed next to me. “It doesn’t hurt you for me to be here with you, does it? I had no idea how badly bruised and battered you were.” He seemed afraid to touch me anywhere.
“I promise they look worse than they actually are. I’m just sore, like playing a new sport for the first time. I smiled at him as he fingered the silk on the new gown. “By the way, where did this come from? I don’t remember it in my things.”
“Everett. He dropped some things by, and said for us to bring them to you, along with the world’s largest hug and kiss. He said he’d drop by tomorrow, so I guess he’ll have to come to the house now.”
I shivered, as he stroked the silk down my side.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, alarmed.
Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1) Page 39
