Serendipitous Chapter 20 A

Tyler and Rebeka met 122 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:

Roger and Tyler returned to the living room, and Rebeka stood. "It's time for me to go upstairs."

"If you need anything, let me know," said Elizabeth.

"Thank you."

Tyler watched her walk toward the stairs. "Buttercup, be sure to label it with our name, the date, and time. I left some sterile bags in the freezer compartment to put it in."

"Thank you."

Roger watched his buddy. "She's got this."

"I know." Tyler paused. "I'm wondering what during the night will look like. We share the room."

"Hadn't thought of that. Interesting question. I'm sure you'll handle it like a pro."



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 20 A
Jakob is 3 days old

It was early Sunday morning around one-thirty, when Rebeka knocked over her alarm clock. "Darn," she whispered. On her hands and knees in the dark she searched for it.

Tyler rolled to her side of the bed and leaned over the edge. "What are you doing?"

"I woke you. I'm sorry. I tried to be quiet."

"Come to bed. Don't worry about the clock. We'll find it in the morning." He scooted toward his side of the bed.

"You were awake the whole time?"

"Not the whole time, but most of it."

"You need your sleep." Rebeka sat on the edge of the bed. "This isn't going to work. I'll move to another room."

Tyler reached over and put his arm around her to move her closer. "You'll do no such thing. Now, cuddle in and go back to sleep."

She rolled over and faced him. "Ty?"

He tapped his chest. "Shh, cuddle in and go to sleep."

*****
It was close to seven o'clock when Rebeka woke up later that morning. She hurried to the bathroom and opened the door.

There stood a bare-chested Tyler shaving. He glanced at Rebeka. "Buttercup, you're up?"

"I overslept. Why didn't you wake me?"

"You needed sleep."

"Jakob's starving."

"I'm positive the nurses won't let him starve."

"I'm a horrible mother."

"You're a first-time mother, who's trying to be perfect. There's no such thing as a perfect mother. It's a myth." Tyler grinned. "Are you going to stand in the doorway or join me? There's a second sink."

Pink crept across her cheeks as she shut the door. "I'll wait out here." Under her breath she muttered, "You're not completely dressed."

"I heard that. We're married. It's okay."

When Tyler left the bathroom, Rebeka sat on the edge of the bed with the breast pump in her hand. She glanced at him. "Are you going down for breakfast?"

"I am once I'm finished dressing." He removed his sweatpants. In boxer briefs, he walked to the closet and removed a pair of dress slacks. He put them on but didn't fasten them as he reached for a button-down shirt. He paused and grabbed two ties. "Which one do you suggest with this shirt?"

She tried to avoid this half-dressed man, who stood before her but said, "Maybe the one in your left hand."

Tyler studied it. "I think you're right."

After he dressed, he said, "Come down when you're ready. After breakfast, we'll go to the hospital."

*****
Rebeka pumped, showered, and dressed before she went downstairs.

Everyone sat around the table and visited while drinking coffee. When she entered the room, Elizabeth stood. "I'll get your breakfast."

"Thank you, but I can get it."

"Nonsense. Have a sit. I'll be right back."

Tyler stood, held her chair, and teased, "Might as well sit. Nobody ever wins with Aunt Beth."

"You're probably right." Rebeka sat. "After I eat, are we ready to go to the hospital? I'm anxious to see Jakob."

"I think so. I need to check our schedule. First the hospital, then we'll go to church and to lunch. After lunch, we return to the hospital for the rest of the day, right?"

As Elizabeth set the breakfast plate in front of Rebeka, she said, "Thank you. It looks good." Then she addressed Tyler, "Those plans sound good."

She had almost finished her breakfast when Tyler stood. "While you finish, I'll get the breast milk."

*****
At the hospital, they went straight to the NICU. Inside, Rebeka hurried to Jakob's bassinet and picked him up. She kissed his cheek. "I missed you. I hope you had a good night." She glanced at the attending nurse. "Did he?"

"He had a wonderful night, but I think he missed his mommy."

Rebeka giggled as Jakob nuzzled her breast. "I think you're right."

She faced Tyler who lifted the bag containing breast milk. "Why don't I deliver this to where it goes?"

"Thank you."

Tyler returned and grinned when he saw Rebeka facing the back wall, in a corner nursing Jakob. He walked to her. "How's he doing?"

"He's doing great. I knew he was starving."

Tyler grinned. "I doubt it."

Jakob finished and after numerous hugs and kisses Rebeka assured him, "I'll be back right after the church service. Okay?" Tears welled in her eyes as she faced Tyler. "I'm ready. I think."

He used his thumb to wipe her tears and hugged her. "You're a mess." Her eyes met his as he continued, "We'll get through this together."

She leaned against his chest and whispered, "Thank you."

Tyler moved his hand to her waist. "Let's go."

*****
At church, Tyler led Rebeka to their pew. Elizabeth and Lily were already seated, as were Amber and Roger.

Lily jumped up. "I get to sit by Aunt Beka."

"Shh." Tyler's finger crossed her lips. "We're in church."

"I know that."

Tyler slipped into the pew, Rebeka next, and then Lily on the outside. He mouthed, "Hi," to Roger and Amber.

The pastor welcomed everybody and then said, "I see Tyler and Rebeka are here today. Tyler, please stand and give a report on this new baby boy."

Tyler stood. "Jakob's doing great. I'm sure you already know he's premature and will remain at the hospital for a few more weeks. He's struggling to maintain his body temperature."

Rebeka reached up and held Tyler's hand.

An elderly lady said, "I understand that problem. Right ladies?"

Tyler winked. "Carol, Jakob's problem's a little different, but similar." He faced Rebeka. "As you can see, my wife's doing great. Please continue to pray that Jakob will be home soon. Missy can't wait to be a big sister."

Pastor Ben continued, "Thank you, Tyler for the update. We'll be sure to keep Jakob in our prayers.

Tyler sat and patted Rebeka's hand.

After the service, they met in the parking lot. Roger said, "Ty, I have a feeling you've been busy and forgot to make lunch reservations for all of us. I took care of it."

"Thank you, I did." He took a moment. "Let's meet at the restaurant."

"Ty?" asked Rebeka. When he acknowledged her, she continued, "I need to feed Jakob. Why don't you drop me at the hospital and then have lunch with your family and friends? You can join me when you're finished."

"You'll need to eat. It might be later this afternoon when I get there. It depends on how busy the restaurant is."

She opened her purse and held up half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "I have lunch."

"That's hardly a nutritious lunch. You just had a baby and are nursing."

"It's just one meal. I'll make up for it at dinner."

"I'm not happy about this, but...I'll go along with it this time." He cupped her elbow and led her to his pickup.

At the hospital, Rebeka suggested he drop her off at the front door, but Tyler insisted on walking her to NICU.

At Jakob's bassinet, Tyler hugged the infant. "I told you I'd return your mommy. I need to leave for a little while but will be back." He handed Rebeka their son, hugged, and pecked her cheek. "I'll see you later, too."

She touched her cheek. "I know. Please be careful." She watched Tyler leave NICU. He's a special man. Too special for me.

Rebeka spent time talking with, reading to, holding, and feeding Jakob. Jakob took a nap, so she went to the food court, got a cup of hot tea, and found a place to eat the half a sandwich.

Before she finished, Tyler walked up with a sack in his hand. "I know that PB&J won't be enough. I brought you lunch." He handed her the sack and then studied her tea. "I need to give you my code so you can add your purchases to my account."

"You don't need to do that." His look told her different. "Okay, it'd probably be a good idea."

"I'm glad you agree. How's our little guy doing?"

"He's napping." She opened the sack. "Thank you. Are Roger and Amber on their way to Dallas?"

"They're right behind me. They wanted to say goodbye and see Jakob again."

*****
It wasn't long before Roger and Amber arrived at the cafeteria. Amber sat beside Rebeka. "I'm glad you're eating. Ty was right. PB&J isn't a decent meal."

Tyler asked, "Did you stop by NICU?"

"We did but were directed here." Roger continued, "Jakob's napping. We're in no hurry."

As Rebeka ate lunch, Tyler got everyone coffee and Rebeka another tea. It wasn't long before they headed toward NICU.

When Tyler opened the door, the nurse had just finished changing Jakob's diaper and moved him to the viewing window.

They admired the infant, then hugged goodbye, and promised to visit as soon as Jakob was home.

Rebeka watched them leave and then went into NICU to feed Jakob.

Tyler walked them to their car.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Tyler and Rebeka enjoying being with each other and their son.

*****
It was about six o'clock when the couple held hands and walked to the hospital's parking garage. Inside Tyler's pickup, Rebeka asked, "Ty?" He acknowledged her before he put the key into the ignition, and she continued, "Can I ask a question?"

"You can ask me anything."

"This morning, you..." She paused.

"I wondered if you were going to comment on that situation." Tyler watched for a reaction and got none, so continued, "Last night you cuddled beside me. Your arm laid on my chest. Your leg rested on mine. You seemed very comfortable. Am I wrong?"

"I was comfortable."

"You walked into the bathroom, while I shaved. Before you would've slammed the door. You didn't. All of this tells me you're beginning to trust me."

"You changed in front of me to test your theory?"

"That's one way to put it." Tyler took a deep breath before he continued, "I want us to be a family. I care about you and our son. I'm going to fight to keep us together." He inserted the key into the ignition. "I hope you'll agree."

"Our marriage is only supposed to be temporary. Only until I can get back on my feet."

"That was our original agreement. I feel that's changed."

Rebeka sat silently for a while. "After dinner and Lily's in bed..." she paused, "and I've pumped, can we view the stars?"

"Is your hero in trouble again?"

"No. I need to think through some things."

He brought her hand to his lips and lightly kissed it. "Of course."

~~~~~

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