Serendipitous Chapter 20 B

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:

"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."




TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 20 A
Jakob is 3 days old

After dinner and Lily fell asleep, Rebeka and Tyler went into the bedroom. Tyler adjusted the telescope, and Rebeka searched through the book for the night sky in their area.

Tyler glanced at his ringing phone. "Sorry, I need to take this." He walked toward the bedroom door.

"Not a problem." Rebeka watched him close the door.

*****
Close to thirty minutes later, Tyler returned. "I'm sorry."

"Do you need to go back to the hospital?"

"No, but I told you we'd spend this time together."

"You can't help something coming up at work. I understand." She gazed through the telescope again, before she turned and touched Tyler's arm.

He followed her to the edge of the bed and sat beside her.

Rebeka stared at her hands folded on her lap.

"I'm guessing you have something you want to discuss," said Tyler. She nodded and he held her hand. "Maybe this will help."

"It does. Thank you." A few moments of silence followed. "While growing up, I never saw my parents hold hands, hug, kiss, or show any signs of affection toward each other. I doubt they even shared a bed. A few times in the mornings, I went to talk with Mother, and she was folding blankets from the floor. I think she slept there."

Tyler raised her hand and lightly kissed it.

"You hold my hand, hug me, kiss my cheek, hand, and forehead. You cuddle me during the night."

"Is that a problem?"

"No." Rebeka glanced at the door. "You not only do it privately, but in public." He grinned, so she continued, "I've seen you hug Aunt Beth, and kiss her cheek."

"Aunt Beth is like a mom to me. After our parents died, although we were older Aunt Beth finished raising Lori and me."

"I'm glad she's part of your life and mine." Rebeka studied her hand in Tyler's. "You hug, carry, hold Lily's hand, and kiss her cheek. Father never did that. Mother only did it when Father wasn't around. I'm not used to receiving affection. I grew up believing I wasn't worthy of love. I'm damaged goods."

Tyler gritted his teeth. "You're not damaged good. You deserve to be loved."

"What if I don't know how to love Jakob?"

"You already love him. I've seen you hug and kiss him. He knows he's loved."

Tyler put his arms around Rebeka and drew her into a hug. "Don't ever think for a second you're unworthy. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Rebeka gasped. "I'm sorry. My milk just came in. I need to pump."

"We'll continue this conversation later. I'll shut down the house, then return."

*****
Rebeka pumped and then got ready for bed. As she lay in bed, she heard a ball bouncing on the driveway. From the window she saw Tyler bounce a ball and then shoot it toward the hoop. He did this repeatedly. Why's he doing that?

She slipped on her robe and went into the living room. Elizabeth was leaving the kitchen. "Beka, I thought you'd gone to bed. Do you need anything?"

"No. I heard Ty outside. Why's he out there?"

"Not sure. I've known him to shoot hoops to think through things he's not sure about. I wouldn't worry if I were you. I think I'll go to bed. Goodnight, dear."

"Goodnight." Rebeka, with Zeke by her side, opened the front door and walked to the driveway. She watched Tyler shoot hoops.

He held the ball and removed his jacket. "I'm surprised you're out here." He put the jacket over her shoulders and roughed up Zeke's ears. "You'll get cold. I see you have your trusty dog."

"Aunt Beth said you do this when something's bothering you."

One eyebrow rose. "She did, did she?"

"Yes. I'm guessing, I've upset you."

"Buttercup, you haven't. I don't like the thought of you feeling unworthy of anything. You're special. I want you to believe that. I'm trying to figure out how to make you believe it."

"It's not your problem."

He took the basketball and put it in the garage. "You're wrong. It is my problem. I'm your husband."

"You didn't cause the problem."

"True. I'd like to help you heal if you'll allow me."

"I'm not sure anything can be done."

"There are a few things I can do. I can always respect you. I can make sure you're complimented."

"You already do both of those."

"I try but probably fall short." Tyler tilted his head. "I can be patient and make sure I listen." Tyler put his hand on the small of her back. "Come on, Zeke, let's get this beautiful lady inside, before she freezes."

"It's nowhere close to freezing out here. It's June and we're in Texas."

"True but three days ago, you delivered a baby. You should be resting."

"Sometimes you're like an old mother hen."

"Get used to it. I like taking care of you." Inside the house, he locked the door. "Do you need anything before going upstairs?"

"Maybe some water."

"Go on upstairs. I'll bring a bottle of water."

"Thank you." Rebeka headed toward the stairs.

*****
In the bedroom, Tyler handed Rebeka a bottle of water. After she took a drink, she set it on her nightstand and lay down. "Goodnight."

"I'll be there in a few minutes."

Once Tyler was in bed, Rebeka scooted closer, cuddled in, and asked, "Is this okay?"

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" When she didn't answer, he kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight, Buttercup."

Rebeka sat up in bed. "Tomorrow, you start back to work. Maybe we should go over the schedule so there's no misunderstandings."

"We'll get up, eat breakfast, like we always do. I try to leave around seven o'clock. After I check on Jakob, I'll go to my office. Whenever I have any downtime, I'll check on you two. Sometime around noon, we'll have lunch together. I normally try to leave around five o'clock, but I'll stay until after Jakob's six o'clock feeding. If you need anything, you have my number. Text me, I'm serious about that. Also, you have my code, so if you need anything to drink or get hungry, get what you want."

"I won't abuse your code."

"It never occurred to me you would."

"Are you sure I'm not causing a disruption to your life?"

"To be honest my life has changed since you're in it, but only in a good way. I wouldn't change a thing."

"Really?"

"Honestly. Now, go to sleep. Goodnight."

"Ty?" When his eyes met hers, she said, "Goodnight."

Tyler put his arm around Rebeka and drew her closer. "Goodnight. We'll talk in the morning."


~~~~~

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