Serendipitous Chapter 18 B

Tyler and Rebeka met 119 days ago. (I put this here because I only post once a week or twice a week, so it seems much longer. This will NOT be in my manuscript.)

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Moments later a nurse wheeled in the bassinet holding Jakob. Rebeka leaned closer. "He's perfect, isn't he?"

Tyler ran his index finger across the infant's cheek. "He is."

Heather smiled. "Let's get this baby fed." Her glance went between Rebeka and Tyler. "Beka, you'll need to lower your gown exposing your breast."

Rebeka frowned. "Ty?"

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 18 B
Jakob is about 9 hours old

"I'll go over here until you're ready." The ladies watched Tyler cross the room and stare out the window. "Is this good?"

"Thank you," answered Rebeka.

Heather helped Rebeka get in a comfortable position and then she handed Jakob to Rebeka and showed her how to help the baby latch onto her breast. Once mom and baby were set, she covered the baby and breast with a light blanket. "See nothing shows. Ready for daddy to return?"

Rebeka smiled. "I am."

Tyler sapphire eyes sparkled as he turned around. "You're gorgeous."

Tears welled in Rebeka's eyes. "Thank you."

Silence continued a few moments, before Heather said, "Jakob's stomach is only about the size of a walnut. He won't eat much at one time but will eat often. Probably about every two hours. Your milk supply will increase as he grows. What you need to do is eat healthy."

"You'll also need to drink plenty of water." Tyler stood by the bed and admired Rebeka and Jakob.

Heather's eyes met Rebeka's. "Nursing is a time for you and Jakob to bond. Relax and enjoy it."

"What happens when I'm released from the hospital and Jakob has to remain?" asked Rebeka.

"Good question," replied Tyler. "I've thought about that." His eyes met Heather's. "This isn't my area of expertise, but what about breast pumps? Beka can pump during the night, save the breast milk, and bring it to the hospital. They can give it to Jakob during his nighttime feedings."

"I can set that up," responded Heather.

"During the day," continued Tyler, "you can come in the morning with me and spend the day with Jakob. I plan on checking on him every chance I get. We'll have lunch together and then come home together."

"People will think we're married."

"We are, Buttercup."

Heather smiled. "Ty, check the window again. It's time we switch sides." She helped Rebeka. Once Jakob had latched on, she added, "Some babies prefer one side over the other. If that happens, you'll need to encourage or be more stubborn than your baby. He'll need to nurse both sides."

It wasn't long before the nurse returned to take Jakob back to NICU. As Rebeka watched her baby being wheeled from the room she frowned.

Tyler sat beside her. "Buttercup, he'll be home before you know it." His eyes met Heather's. "Is she ready for a walk?"

Rebeka's eyes widened. "I'm not dressed."

Heather smiled. "Aunt Beth brought some things. She included a robe and slippers. People are always walking the hospital hallways in hospital gowns. It's a thing and very stylish. You need to walk."

"She's right," responded Tyler. "I'll be right beside you."

"I'll embarrass you."

"Buttercup, you could never embarrass me."

"But..." When Tyler tilted his head, Rebeka quieted.

He grinned. "Good."

Heather's pager sounded and she glanced at it. "I'll let you two settle the walking issue. I'm needed elsewhere." She hugged them both before she left.

Tyler went over to the closet where Rebeka's bag was stored and removed her robe. He held it up. "I'll help."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Not really. You'll recover faster the sooner you're mobile.

Rebeka slipped her arms into the sleeves and scanned the bed. "Can you..."

"Why don't I move over here while you get yourself adjusted?"

"Thank you." Rebeka stepped from the bed, adjusted her hospital gown, and then secured the robe around her body. "My stomach is smaller but not back to normal."

"Give yourself time. I'm sure it'll be flat again."

"How do you know it was ever flat? When we met, I had a baby bump."

His sapphire eyes twinkled. "I have a great imagination. I can't envision you with anything less than a flat stomach, even if you had twenty babies."

"Twenty?"

He held out his arm for her to take. "Yep."

The couple strolled through the hospital hallway. Rebeka glanced at Tyler. He doesn't seem to notice the nurses glaring at me. They know I'm not good enough for him.

They came to a visitors' lounge. Tyler pointed. "Buttercup, have a seat." After she sat, he sat beside her and took her hand. "You can't allow these nurses to upset you. If I wanted to be with one of them, I would. I'm where I want to be, with you."

She studied her other hand in her lap.

A hospital volunteer walked by, and Tyler said, "Ma'am, would you mind getting my wife a cup of tea and me a black coffee?" When she agreed, he handed her some cash. "Thank you and get yourself something."

Rebeka's eyes met his. "Thank you."

"Are you thanking me for the tea or for saying I'm where I want to be?" asked Tyler.

"I guess for both."

"I feel our relationship moves forward, then something happens, and you step back."

"I'm reminded how special you are."

Before Tyler could respond the volunteer brought their hot drinks. "Dr. Butler, here's your drinks."

He scanned his blue jeans and T-shirt and then tilted his head. "Thank you." He hesitated. "How did you know who I was?"

"Sir, your sparkly sapphire eyes and hunkiness are legendary. Women anywhere would recognize you." Her eyes met Rebeka's. "Sorry, Mrs. Butler."

"Don't worry about it. I'm aware of his effect on women." Rebeka took a sip of tea. "Thank you for the tea." She watched the young lady walk away. Setting her cup on a side table, she added, "It's not my imagination."

"What is your imagination is my response to it."

Lily came running up and threw her arms around Rebeka. "Aunt Beka, I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. I'm happy to see you."

She handed Rebeka a sunflower. "I got this for you because you remind me of sunshine."

"Thank you but you didn't need to."

Moments later, Elizabeth and Christina walked up. "Sorry, she saw you from down the hall and took off."

Tyler put out his arms. "Aren't I missed, too?"

Lily climbed onto his lap. "You're always missed." She cuddled into his chest. "Can I see my baby brother?"

Everybody glanced at Lily, not sure how to respond.

Tyler was the first to recover. "Why don't we walk to NICU and view Jakob. You can only see him, not touch him yet."

"Aunt Beth told me he's little and has to stay at the hospital for a few weeks."

Tyler set Lily on the floor, stood, and took her hand, but his eyes met Rebeka's.

"Hurry with Lily. She can't wait. I'll be a little slower." Rebeka cautiously stood.

Elizabeth took Rebeka's arm. "I walk slower. I'll walk with Beka."

Christina took her other arm. "Me too."

As they walked, Elizabeth said, "I set a bouquet of flowers in your room. I couldn't hold them and Lily's hand. I'm not sure it was a good idea to bring her."

"It was a great idea," answered Rebeka. "She needs to know just because Jakob's here, he's not going to take her place with Ty."

"I agree," said Christina.

*****
At NICU, Tyler stepped inside the door and requested Jakob be temporarily moved to the viewing window.

"I understand he's early and small, but why's he got to stay here?" asked Lily. "I'll take good care of him at home."

"I know you will. He has to stay because he was early, he struggles to control his body temperature."

"My teacher said frogs can't control their body temperature." She hesitated. "She called them coldblooded. Is Jakob a frog?"

Tyler's eyes widened. "No Missy, Jakob isn't a frog. He's human. When he gets a little older, he'll be able to control his body temperature. As soon as that happens, he can come home."

The three ladies stood beside Lily, and Elizabeth asked, "Lily, what do you think of Jakob?"

"I think he's great. I'm glad to know he's not a frog."

Their eyes widened as the ladies looked at Tyler. He released a deep breath. "I'll explain later."

It wasn't long before they went to Rebeka's room.

Walking into the room, Rebeka headed straight for a bouquet of buttercups. She faced Tyler. "These are from you, aren't they?"

"They are. I couldn't imagine getting you anything else. They're innocently beautiful, like you."

A tear dripped from Rebeka's eyes as she whispered, "Thank you." She walked over to Tyler and went into his arms.

Tyler kissed the top of her head.

Lily grabbed Rebeka's hand. "Aunt Beth and Ms. Christina got you flowers too."

Rebeka turned and saw the other colorful flower bouquets. "They're gorgeous. I love them, but you didn't need to do this. Really." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm not used to..."

"Being treated like you should be treated." Elizabeth squeezed her hand.

"I guess."

Tyler slipped his arm around Rebeka's waist. "You're getting tired. I'll help you back into bed." He checked his watch. "It's almost time for Jakob's next feeding."

As he said that, a nurse stood at her door. "Excuse me, but only the parents can be present when the baby is in the room."

Christina, Elizabeth, and Lily gave Rebeka a hug and told her they'd return tomorrow afternoon.

As we continue, please remember that Rebeka's upbringing was totally different that what we're used to. It seems almost foreign to us but it does really exist in today's world. It's almost a parallel world.

~~~~~
Rebeka Miller - our heroine, she's twenty -two, a romance award winning author, extremely old fashioned

Dr. Tyler Butler - 'Ty' an ER doctor, raising his niece, Lily.

Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and rich spoilt brat, a not nice person

Amber Wilson - Rebeka's personal assistant and best friend

Peter Dawson - Tyler's friend and part-time ranch hand

Elizabeth - 'Aunt Beth', helping raise Lily and helped raise Tyler after parents died

Christina - Elizabeth's close friend

Lily - 'Missy', Tyler's niece, 5 years old

Lori - Tyler's deceased sister and mother of Lily

Zeke - Golden Retriever mix, family dog

Roger Whitmore - a lawyer and Tyler's best friend

Dr. Heather Sharp - OB/GYN and Tyler's childhood friend

Ruth and Elijah Miller - Rebeka's parents