Southern Spirits (The Southern Series Book 3)

by Shelley Stringer

  “I got nowhere when I called them back. I’m going to meet with Reed as soon as we get to N’awlins for our trip. He mentioned testing you and the twins again, which is crazy, there is no point. He has an ulterior motive. I think she’s trying to hedge her bets with involving the military, and Reed jumped on this as an opportunity. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this. You don’t have to talk to them again,” he assured me.

  “Banton, I don’t want the Navy testing one hair on the babies’ heads,” I whispered as he placed his lips in my hair.

  “No, of course not. There is a lot more to this than a simple complaint and paternity test. I’ll get to the bottom of this,” he swore as I turned my gaze to meet his. I was frightened at the implications.

  “Andie, please don’t worry about this. I will handle it,” he assured me, his gaze never wavering. I nodded, giving my best try at being positive. He broke into a smile immediately, and changed the course of the day 360 degrees.

  “What did you do to your hair?” he asked, flipping the braid around my shoulder.

  I laughed at his sudden change. “Ev braided my hair while we were talking, lying in the floor with the twins.”

  He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Y’all just have this ‘girly-talk slumber party’ thing going all the time – what is it with Everett?”

  I giggled and smiled a sly smile. “Ty already knows, you cretins might want to get in touch with your feminine side, if you don’t want some stiff competition,” I teased as he teasingly nipped at my neck with his lips, sliding his tongue along as he went.

  “But can he do this to you?” he demanded in a low, sexy voice as he ran his nose up my neck. My heart rate quickened as his hands slid down the back of my waistband, caressing my skin under the lace of my panties. As my breathing became shallow, he slowly kissed along my jaw and turned me in his arms, covering my lips with his. He breathed into my mouth. I moaned, the sound vibrating into him as his fingers slowly slid under my gown and around my ribcage, his thumbs teasingly caressing under my breasts.

  “Banton,” I gasped. “I…we can’t…”

  He sighed, and then moved his hands to a more modest position, quickly adjusting my gown as he settled his hands back across the heating pad.

  “Sorry. Your braid just turned me on,” he shrugged his shoulders and then playfully slapped my rump.

  “What has gotten into you?” I asked, amazed.

  “I just realized I’m married to one hot, twenty-three year old,” he shot back as I murmured, “twenty three?” Oh, gosh…I’d forgotten! It was October 15th. Today was my birthday.

  “Happy Birthday, Chandler Ann.” His eyes gave him away, sparkling brightly with some delicious secret.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t remember my own birthday,” I said disbelievingly.

  “Well, you have been a little preoccupied.”

  He pulled me into his arms, his hands loosely clasped behind my waist.

  “I wish there was something I could do to make you forget everything that’s going on right now,” he whispered as he pushed a lose strand of hair behind my ear.

  “Well, two bottles of wine last night didn’t do it, so I think it’s probably impossible,” I answered him. “By the way, I’m sorry I did that, and you had to carry me in, undress me…”

  “You were fine, sweetheart. I don’t ever mind undressing you,” he murmured as he pressed his lips against my throat. “I just wish you had been something other than comatose when I finished.”

  “Oh, Banton, I am sorry.”

  I felt him grin against my neck. “Well, you can make it up to me… I was hoping for tonight, but I guess it will be a couple of days, now. I’ve been thinking about those pink lace panties you had on, those pale pink stockings…all day long today.”

  I placed both my hands on either side of his head, bringing his eyes back up to mine. “I promise, I’ll more than make it up to you soon.”

  His eyes sparkled down into mine and I read the love there. As he smiled and flashed his dimple, he kissed the end of my nose. “Now rest. I want you to feel better,” he stated, turning my shoulders back so he could spoon me. As his fingers kneaded my shoulders, I began to relax and to drift.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  After a long nap, I woke to those same, strong hands massaging my lower back. I stretched as I felt Banton’s breath on my neck.

  “How do you feel?” he murmured as I turned to look at him.

  “Better. The cramps are easing up a bit,” I replied. “Are the babies awake yet?”

  “No, I haven’t heard them yet. I know Constance checked on them a few minutes ago. I saw her go into the nursery. I guess y’all wore them out playing with them this morning.”

  “Have you heard anything from Dr. Lane yet?” I asked, searching his eyes. He shook his head.

  “No. Don’t really think we’ll hear from him until in the morning sometime.”

  “Hmm. Well, I guess I should go downstairs and start something for supper.”

  He pulled back to look at me. “Chandler Ann Gastaneau, do you really think we’d let you cook on your birthday?”

  “Well, I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  “Don’t worry. It’s all taken care of. By the way, I have a compromise for you,” he murmured, placing his lips against my neck.

  “Mmm. What’s that?”

  “Well, if you will accept one of my birthday gifts without a fuss, then I will concede your point.”

  “What point?” I asked warily.

  “I’ll agree not to use any protection and let nature take its course. If God means for us to conceive again, then we will. IF,” he began.

  “If what?”

  “If you will be a good girl, and let me hire a housekeeper and part-time nanny. Let me hire someone to help you with the housework and the babies.”

  “But Banton,” I began.

  “Chandler, you have proven many times over you are supermom! You’ve given up school this semester, and you’re worn out. Just let me bring someone we trust in to help. If you want her to cook and clean, and you take complete care of the babies, then do it. Or if you just want her help a little here or a little there…you are in complete control. Just please, do this for me. If nothing else, do it so I can get my mom and Claudia off my back!” he said with a slight grin.

  “Your momma said something?” I asked. It had never occurred to me.

  “Chandler, she’s been on me since day one. They both think you work too hard,” he said as he traced my jaw with his finger.

  “Okay, I’ll think about it. If you want me to,” I added as he flashed me the dimple.

  “Good, because she’s part of your birthday surprise downstairs.” He rose and pulled me from the bed.

  “What? Who’s downstairs?” I asked as his eyes sparkled.

  “Just a few members of our family and some friends. Feel like getting dressed?” he asked, kneeling to kiss my forehead.

  “Sure, just give me a minute.”

  I flung the covers back, crossed the room, and dug through my closet. Excited, I flipped through my clothes, finally deciding on a pink sweater dress that softly hugged my body. It had crisscross cut outs across the chest and bared my shoulders. I stood back and checked myself in the floor length mirror. I looked rather sexy in it. My hair was still in the loose braid that Everett knotted it in earlier, and even mussed-up, I decided it looked quaint. It was warmer today, so I opted to go bare and lose the leggings. I pulled on a knee-high pair of soft pink suede boots with fringe around them. As I sat down on the edge of the bed to pull the boots on, Banton stepped back out of the closet wearing a pair of ripped Levi’s and a white linen shirt, opened down the front. The shirt framed his chest perfectly, showing off his tanned, finely chiseled six-pack.

  “Wow…” I breathed, watching him button his shirt.

  “What?” he asked innocently.

  “You are lucky I’m indisposed at the moment, or we would never make it downstairs,�
� I murmured truthfully as I stared at him. He chuckled low in his throat, and walked slowly over to the bed as he kept his eyes on mine. He hadn’t shaved today, and he had the sexy dark stubble thing going on. I drew my breath in.

  “If you weren’t indisposed, we wouldn’t be going downstairs,” he answered, his lips covering mine. His kiss was so soft, so sensual that I lost myself in it. As he pulled away, I leaned into him and had to catch myself. He grinned at me cockily.

  “Come on, everyone is waiting,” he urged, pulling me up from the bed. As I stood, he swept his heated gaze down my body.

  “I told you last night that pink is definitely your color,” he murmured, tracing the outline of the cutouts on the sweater.

  “You like?” I asked, twirling.

  “Oh, yeah. I like, a lot. He grinned and tipped my chin up to give me a chaste kiss.

  As we made our way down the staircase, Banton pressed his lips against my neck, “And leave your hair in the braid tonight. I love it like that.”

  I turned to stare at him, just as I heard a chorus of voices downstairs, “Surprise! Happy Birthday!”

  Everyone I could think of was in my living room and foyer. Aunt Sue, Uncle Lon, Cade and Drew…the SEALs, Olivia and Patrick, Banton’s Mom and Dad, Everett and Mr. Philippe…even Stephen stood silently in the background. Brie and Constance came forward and both kissed me on the cheeks.

  “No one was going to let this birthday slide like last year, baby-girl,” Uncle Lon exclaimed as he hugged me.

  “Did you suspect anything?’ Julia bounced through the crowd to hug me.

  “No! I didn’t even remember today was my birthday until Banton reminded me upstairs,” I answered truthfully.

  “Well, I just had to make sure everything was done just right for my best friend in the whole world!” Everett gushed, taking me in his arms and swinging me around. “So I called Miss Astrid, and told her we needed another little-ole southern celebration, complete with the most beautiful birthday cake she could come up with.”

  I turned to Banton with tears threatening. “You weren’t here this summer to celebrate yours…I feel so guilty,” I began.

  Banton kissed me on top of the head. “We’ll make up for it tonight. I have so much to celebrate with you,” he murmured.

  “Well, shall we get this party started? I have food ready in the kitchen, just make your way through buffet-style,” Miss Astrid instructed. Everyone formed a line down the hallway.

  “Miss Astrid, thank you. It smells wonderful.”

  “Everett and Banton instructed me to make all your favorite dishes, so maybe you would eat something. You are wasting away to nothing.” She pinched my shoulder. “Maybe after I’m working here, I can get some meat on those bones,” she admonished. I glanced at Banton. He nodded slowly.

  “Miss Astrid is who you have hired to help me?’ I asked disbelievingly.

  “Well, Everett suggested it, when I mentioned it to him. He reminded me we would have to have an Aldon or Sange-Mele, because of the babies. And she would be extra protection at the house, if we should ever need it again,” he added.

  “But do you really want to do this?” I turned back to Miss Astrid, thinking that working for us might be beneath her.

  “Oh, Chandler, nothing would give me greater pleasure! I just work to stay busy, and catering is something I like to do. But like Everett, working is something to pass my time. I would love to come and help you with your house and your babies! It would be a welcome distraction from what I’ve been doing these last few years. And I can still take the occasional catering job, now and then,” she winked at me as she started back down the hallway.

  “Bebe, Miss Astrid told me a while back when we were still battling the Orcos, if we needed her she would be more than willing to help. She tells me she used to be ‘in the middle of the fray,’ so to speak, many years ago. She is like me. She sees herself as the protector of humans. She wants to do this.”

  “I think it would be a good move, and I think it will be a good move for the babies when they’re older,” Banton added.

  “Well, I guess we have a housekeeper, then,” I said apprehensively. Banton hugged me close.

  “That’s great, Bebe! Now, let’s go and eat.” Everett and Banton both urged me into the kitchen.

  After we sat down in the living room with our plates, Banton’s cell rang. He rose to answer it. Remembering Dr. Lane, I looked up at him. His back to the door, he was nodding his head as he talked. After a few moments, I heard him say “Thank you, I’ll be in touch,” and then he hung up. He stood with his back to me for several minutes, gazing out the window on the front door. I realized I hadn’t taken a breath since he’d left the room. I put my fork back down on my plate as he slowly turned back to look at me. I couldn’t read his expression.

  Trembling, I placed my plate on the coffee table, and as everyone continued to chatter around us, I made my way to him. As I reached him, I placed my arms around his waist.

  “Was that Dr. Lane?” I asked softly. He nodded.

  “Did he give you the results?”

  Banton nodded and pulled my hands from around his waist, and then pulled me back into the dining room. After he had me around the corner, he took a deep breath. “Chandler, Sweetheart, they had to send the swabs to another lab, some complication or something. It’s going to be a few days before we know anything.”

  I sighed and nodded.

  “Chandler, I’m sorry. I was hoping I could tell you this was all over with tonight.”

  “No, Banton…it’s all right. I know you are still worrying. I know you. You had already started making plans for him…now you feel helpless,” I said as he nodded at me. I placed my hand on his cheek, so full of love for this man.

  “Part of me will be relieved if the tests come back negative. But if they do, part of me will worry about Reece,” I whispered truthfully, gazing into his eyes,

  “God, Chandler…that’s one of the million reasons why I love you so much,” he said, pulling me in tightly.

  Cries from the nursery broke in on our intimate moment.

  “Well, the two who are mine are demanding some attention. What do you say we go up and get them, Mommy?” he asked as he wiped a tear from under my eye.

  I nodded at him as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

  No sooner than we had the twins downstairs, they were swept up into the waiting arms of grandparents. I was overwhelmed with all the love in the room as I made my way through the crowd of our close friends and family. Brie cuddled Elly close to her as John played with her over Brie’s shoulder. I smiled as I watched them.

  “Well, Bebe, are you all packed for our little trip day after tomorrow?” Ev asked as he came up behind me.

  “I will be, I just have a few more things to do tonight,” I said, shaking a finger at me.

  “Oh, noooo, Bebe…there will be no time for that tonight.”

  “What do you mean,” I asked. Banton picked me up and swung me around.

  “Everyone, may I have your attention?” Banton announced as everyone quieted down.

  “To celebrate my beautiful wife’s birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a trip. Those plans fell through, so I’ve improvised. I’m sure you will excuse us because I need to whisk her away to her second surprise.” His eyes twinkled as he looked down at me. “We have babysitters for the night, so if you will step this way and wish everyone here goodnight,” he said grandly, sweeping his hand toward everyone in the living room. Everyone chimed out, “Happy Birthday,” and “Goodbye, Chandler,” as Banton pulled me down the hallway and into the kitchen.

  Miss Astrid turned and grinned at Banton as he raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Everything is as you ordered,” she said conspiratorially.

  “Okay, Mrs. Gastaneau, for the rest of your surprise, no peeking,” he said as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around my eyes, securing it in the back. I couldn’t help myself. I grinned like a fool when he
led me out the back door.

  “Watch your step, just hold on to me,” he whispered into my ear. Music wafted across the yard, becoming louder the further we walked. I could feel a soft breeze blowing on my face, and then a soft fabric brush softly across my cheek. The smell of fresh flowers overwhelmed my senses.

  “Banton, where are we going?” I asked as he turned me around.

  “Since I couldn’t take you to an oasis, I brought the oasis to you,” he said, removing the blindfold.

  I blinked in disbelief. We stood in the open French doors to the greenhouse, which had been totally transformed. Gossamer and twinkle lights were draped from the ceiling and every corner, and a beautiful four-poster canopy iron bed sat toward the back in the center of the room, adorned in white gossamer and silks. The bed was piled with thick comforters and pillows in shades of white. A white limestone fireplace stood just outside the open French doors, and a fire blazed inside, the wood popping and crackling, inviting us into our own little piece of heaven. Soft piano music played in the background, and candles were lit around the room, sparkling and bouncing off the wavy thick glass of the windows. Every available surface was covered with white roses and gardenias. I turned back to the fireplace and noticed our fur rug had been placed in front of it on the stone patio. Everything seemed to twinkle and sparkle in the darkness.

  “Banton, did you do all this?” I whispered, barely believing my eyes.

  “With a little help from Everett. He’s trying to get me in touch with my feminine side,” he said, rolling his eyes. I threw my arms around his neck as he buried his face in my hair.

  “It’s perfect,” I murmured as he breathed into my hair.

  “Well, the trip I’d planned would have been perfect, if not for all the drama the last couple of days,” he sighed.

  “So, where were you going to take me?” I asked.

  “Well, that’s the other part of the surprise. Here.” He handed me an envelope with my name on it. I looked up at him curiously as he scooped me up and carried me over to the bed, placing me in the center. He sank down beside me as I crossed my legs and opened the envelope.