Serendipitous Chapter 19 A

Tyler and Rebeka met 121 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.)

Previous Post:

Before long Tyler cuddled in beside her.

Rebeka felt Tyler's arm go around her. "I probably shouldn't get used to us sharing a bed."

"Why? We've done it for months."

"When Jakob comes home, I'll have to feed him during the night. We'll wake you. You'll have to go to work the following morning and will need your sleep."

"Buttercup, that's a few weeks away. We don't need to worry about it now. Besides, I'm used to getting by on only a few hours of sleep. Get some sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 19 A
Jakob is 2 days old

The nurse had just returned Jakob to NICU after his midmorning feeding when Tyler's phone rang. He grinned. "It's Roger." He answered and directed Roger and Amber to Rebeka's room.

Inside the room, greetings and hugs happened before Rebeka asked, "Would you like to see Jakob?"

Amber grinned. "Of course. And tell me everything about childbirth."

"I doubt you want to know everything, right Ty?" teased Roger.

"I'd give Beka a few weeks to heal before you discuss it."

Rebeka smiled. "Honestly, it was a wonderful experience. Ty was the perfect coach. I couldn't have done it without him. He never left my side."

Tyler mouthed, "Thank you."

"From this information, I'd say it's not that bad if you have the right person by your side. Am I correct?" asked Amber.

"I'd say so." Rebeka's eyes met Tyler's, as she stood. "Let's see our adorable little boy."

At NICU Tyler stepped into the room and asked for Jakob to be brought closer to the viewing window.

Roger and Amber stared at the tiny, pink, wrinkled skinny baby. He wore a small, blue knit cap on his head. Everyone was silent, until Amber said, "I think I just fell in love."

"I can't believe how tiny he is. How much does he weigh?" Roger faced Tyler. "Aren't you afraid you'll break him?"

"He's not as fragile as you'd think. He's a fighter." Tyler chuckled and then teased, "His fighting weight at birth was three pounds two ounces."

Rebeka leaned in closer and put both hands against the window. "I can't wait until he's home."

With his arm around her waist, Tyler said, "Neither can I."

"Oh. That reminds me," said Roger. "Lily called yesterday and asked me to start the paperwork for her adoption."

"No!" Rebeka's hand covered her mouth. "She's mentioned it. We agreed to discuss it, but we've been too busy."

"Sounds like Missy has taken it upon herself to see that it happens." Tyler gave Rebeka's waist a squeeze. "I guess we'd better hurry and have that discussion."

"You're right."

Amber touched Rebeka's arm. "The only problem I see is this marriage is only supposed to be temporary. Has it become permanent?"

Tyler and Rebeka stared into each other's eyes, neither wanting to address Amber's question.

A nurse opened the NICU door, "Mrs. Butler, it's time to feed your baby. Are you ready?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll go back to my room." She glanced at her friends. "Why don't you get something to drink. I'll only be busy about twenty to thirty minutes."

Tyler glanced at his watch and then held her hand. "We'll walk you back to the room and then get some lunch. What would you like?"

"You know what I like. Whatever looks good. Thank you for asking."

Roger asked, "Beka doesn't have to eat hospital food?"

"Not when I'm the head of ER, she doesn't."

*****
When Roger, Amber, and Tyler returned, Jakob was back in NICU and Rebeka had fallen asleep.

"She's completely worn out," whispered Tyler.

Roger's eyes met Tyler's. "I have a feeling so are you. Having a baby must be hard work for all involved. I've never seen you look so tired."

"You're probably right."

"You haven't left the hospital, have you?" asked Amber.

"I can't leave her alone."

"I'm not an expert at this, but I'd say that's love." Roger watched Tyler for a response.

"You could be right." Tyler pointed to a corner of the room. "I hope you don't mind, but let's go over here and visit. Beka needs sleep."

*****
Almost an hour later, Rebeka woke up. "I'm sorry. I've been a horrible host."

"Far from it." Tyler handed her lunch. "Ready to eat?"

"I shouldn't eat in front of you."

Amber smiled. "We've already eaten, and you haven't. Please eat."

Rebeka looked toward Tyler for guidance as he said, "Buttercup, eat."

They visited while Rebeka slowly ate. Around two o'clock the nurse knocked on the door. "Your baby's hungry. Your friends need to leave while he's in the room."

Tyler's eyes met Rebeka's. "We'll get a cup of coffee while you feed Jakob."

"Sounds good."

"I'll bring back a cup of tea." He gave her a brief hug.

*****
When the three of them returned, Amber suggested, "Rebeka, you're going home after the next feeding, why don't the guys watch the ball game in the waiting room, and I'll help you get dressed?"

Both men agreed. Amber and Rebeka visited while Rebeka changed from the hospital gown to the clothes Elizabeth had left for her.

It wasn't long before Tyler and Roger returned. A little after four o'clock, the nurse stood at the door with Jakob's bassinet.

Roger grinned and offered his hand to Amber. "That's our clue to leave." He patted Tyler's back. "We'll meet you at the house."

Tyler glanced at Rebeka. "What maybe forty-five minutes or so?"

"Probably."

"There's no need to rush. I'm sure Aunt Beth and Lily will keep us busy."

"That's true."

*****
The nurse came and returned Jakob to NICU. Tyler glanced around the room. "I'm glad we sent the flowers and your bag with Amber and Roger. Are we forgetting anything?"

"I guess not."

"Buttercup, your eyes tell me something's wrong. Talk to me."

"I miss Jakob. Can I say goodbye to him, again?"

"Of course." Tyler held out his arm for her to take. They walked to NICU.

Tyler knocked on the door. When a nurse opened it, he said, "My wife would like to say goodbye to our son."

"Of course, Dr. Butler." She led the way to Jakob's bassinet.

"Can I hold him?" asked Rebeka.

The nurse lifted Jakob and handed him to his mother.

In almost a whisper, Rebeka said, "I already miss you, but I'll be here first thing in the morning and feed you." She kissed his cheek.

Tyler brushed his finger along Jakob's cheek. "Goodbye, little guy. I'll see you then too."

Dr. Hobson walked up. "Dr. Butler, your wife is coming tomorrow morning to feed the baby, right?"

"She is and she'll bring bottles of breast milk so it can be fed to him during the nights."

"Good. Can you fill out a few papers?"

"Beka, I'll be right over here. Finish saying your goodbyes."

As Rebeka laid Jakob in his crib, she noticed his wet diaper. She motioned to a nurse. "Is it okay if I change him?"

The nurse nodded. "His diapers and things are at the foot of his bed."

"Thank you." Rebeka removed his wet diaper and reached for a new one and some wipes. As she did, Jakob decided it was time to initiate his mother. Her eyes widened as she said, "Sweetheart, that's not okay." She sighed. "I guess it's good to know your water fountain works."

Tyler and Dr. Hobson chuckled, as Rebeka quickly covered Jakob. "That's not happening again."

Tyler stepped closer to Rebeka and addressed the nurse. "Please help my wife with dry clothes. I'll finish changing him." He nodded toward Rebeka. "Go with her, she'll help you. I've got this."

*****
Rebeka returned wearing scrubs. "Ty, is this okay?"

"We'll return them tomorrow. Don't worry about it."

"I've decided before this little guy comes home, we need to get more diapers."

Tyler's eyebrows rose before he chuckled and hugged Rebeka. "Buttercup, you're priceless." He held her and lifted her feet off the ground.

"Ty, stop it. We're in public."

He kissed her cheek and whispered, "It's okay. We're married, remember?" Her frown caused him to chuckle again. "I told you I'd never attempt to change your ways, but no wife of mine is going to spend all day washing and hanging up cloth diapers. Jakob will use disposable ones. You have plenty."

"They're so expensive."

"Believe me we can afford them." He glanced at the baby. "Kiss our son goodbye. We'll discuss finances on the way home."

Rebeka kissed Jakob goodbye and promised she'd return. Tyler slipped his arm around her waist as they left NICU.

~~~~~
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.

Jakob Tyler Butler - Rebeka's baby from a forced pregnancy.

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