Serendipitous Chapter 23 A

Tyler and Rebeka met 129 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:

Elizabeth stood on the other side of the crib. "Ah, he's perfect. Beka, I know you must be very proud of him."

"I am. I can't wait to get him home." Rebeka glanced at Tyler. "I'm sure he's anxious to get his life back to normal."

"Not true. I'm enjoying the extra time we get to spend together." Tyler slipped his arm around her waist and squeezed."

Their eyes met, as Rebeka smiled.

The NICU head nurse, Nancy, walked in. "Dr. Butler, I have no clue how you pulled this off. Children are not allowed in NICU, and only immediate family with a limit of two visitors at a time. You know this. There are four people around your baby's bassinet."

Lily frowned. "I am family. Jakob is my baby brother." She held up her hand. "My hands are sanitized and I'm wearing a special coat."

"Of course you are," said Nancy. "I'll give you five more minutes, then everybody out but the mother and father." Her eyes met Tyler's. "Right, Dr. Butler?"

His eyes twinkled. "Of course." He hugged Lily. "We'd better say our goodbyes."


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 23 A
Jakob is 10 days old

Sunday morning, when Rebeka walked down the stairs, she went straight into the kitchen. "Aunt Beth, where's Ty? I thought he came down earlier?"

"Lily needed him in her room. They should be down in a minute."

"Good. Is everything ready for Ty's Father's Day dinner?"

"Should be. It's his favorite filet mignon and shrimp in lemon sauce. While you and Ty are at the hospital Lily and I'll make one of his favorite cakes, a German Chocolate. Yesterday, Lily made him a special card. I can't wait to see his face when you give him your present."

"It's not just from me but from Lily and Jakob. I hope it's not too much. I wanted to do something special. Ty does so much for us. Thank you for doing the extra work for this dinner. I wish I was around to help."

"It's not your fault Jakob needs his mommy." Elizabeth waved her hand. "They're coming. Get to the table. Breakfast is done. I just need to set it out."

"I'll help."

Elizabeth and Rebeka walked in carrying the place settings and breakfast.

Tyler waited until Rebeka was ready to sit and held her chair. "After breakfast and the hospital, we'll go to the church, right?"

"That's the plan." Rebeka smiled.

"Ty, I was thinking," said Elizabeth. "Because today's Father's Day the restaurant will be busy. Why don't Lily and I come home, and you and Beka can pick something up at the hospital? I'll make dinner."

"Why do I feel you have something planned? You know I don't like surprises."

"I wouldn't think of it." Elizabeth sipped her coffee.

"I don't want you going to any trouble."

"I'm sure there are plenty of leftovers I can reheat."

Tyler took a bite of bacon. "I'm not sure about this."

"I am."

Lily and Rebeka watched the banter, remained silent, and smiled.

When breakfast was over, Tyler and Rebeka left for the hospital.

*****
Just before the organist started playing, Tyler and Rebeka sat beside Lily and Elizabeth.

Pastor Ben welcomed everybody, and the first hymn, 'This is My Father's World' began.

The sanctuary was silent for a moment before Pastor Ben said, "Fathers, please stand." He waited. "Look around at how many fathers we have in this congregation. The Lord has blessed us."

He stared at Tyler. "Tyler, you're not standing. Please stand." Tyler stood with the rest of the fathers, and the pastor continued, "Thank you. I want to make it clear that a father is a person who raises a child, not necessarily the person who donated DNA." He motioned for the men to sit.

The pastor held up his Bible. "I want to talk about Joseph. He was Jesus's stepfather, and he made that choice. It wasn't popular at that time in history." He continued sharing scriptures and the choice Joseph made to be a stepfather. The service ended singing 'Faith of Our Fathers'.

In the parking lot, Tyler helped Elizabeth and Lily inside the SUV and then helped Rebeka inside his pickup. He sat behind the steering wheel. "Ready to see our son?"

"Of course." Rebeka got silent, then said, "Ty, since Jakob was born, you've called him our son. You are his father. You're raising Lily. You're her father. She wants you to adopt her."

"You're mistaken. She wants us to adopt her, and we're going to have to give her an answer. She's not going to forget this."

"I know. We've told her we'll give her the answer after Jakob's home."

Tyler nodded. "I know. We need to discuss it."

*****
It was close to six-thirty when Tyler and Rebeka arrived home. Tyler opened the front door for Rebeka and then said, "Aunt Beth, dinner smells good but doesn't smell like leftovers. What are you up to?"

"Nothing. Be ready to sit down to dinner in about fifteen minutes."

"Beka, do you know anything about this?" asked Tyler.

She hurried toward the stairs. "I have a couple of things to take care of before dinner. I'll be down in a few minutes."

"Nice exit. You're incapable of lying, so you left." Tyler plopped into his favorite chair. Zeke came over for a pet. "You're a male, but your listening skills aren't great." He continued to pet the dog. "Buddy, I live with three females. Nobody listens to me. I don't have a chance."

"Ty, quit whining. You love all three of us and wouldn't change a thing," called Elizabeth from the kitchen. "Admit it."

He answered back, "True, but I wish at least one of you would listen occasionally. I know you've been up to something and probably convinced Missy to be in on your scheming."

"To be honest this was Beka's idea, and she enlisted us." Elizabeth stood in the dining room doorway. "If you're as smart as I think you are, you'll be careful with your belly aching."

"Beka?"

"Yep." Elizabeth watched her nephew study the stairs, before she asked, "That changes everything, doesn't it?"

"It does," whispered Tyler. "Why would she do this?"

"You're capable of coming up with that answer." Elizabeth turned toward the kitchen. "I need to finish up."

It wasn't long before Elizabeth called everybody to the dining room.

Tyler held Rebeka's chair as he checked the table. "Everything looks great. You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?"

Before Rebeka could answer, Lily said, "Uncle Ty, Aunt Beka wanted you to know how good of a dad you are. She wanted us to thank you." She paused and threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Thank you!"

He returned the kiss to her forehead. "You're welcome."

He took Rebeka's hand. "Thank you, but you didn't need to do this."

"I wanted to. You do so much for all of us."

Tyler held up his hand. "Please stop. I don't do anything special."

"That's what you don't understand. You do."

"Ty, please say prayer, so we can eat before it gets cold," said Elizabeth.

Tyler and Rebeka were almost silent during the meal only answering questions Elizabeth and Lily asked.

The meal finished, and Lily shouted, "Let's clear the table so Uncle Ty can open his presents."

"Presents?" Tyler's eyes widened.

Rebeka picked up the plates and hurried into the kitchen. Elizabeth put her hand on her arm. "Ty doesn't like the spotlight."

"I've messed up."

"No, you haven't. You've touched his heart. He's not sure what to do with that. It's new to him." Elizabeth took Rebeka's hand and led her farther into the kitchen. "I don't want Ty to hear. Ty has females falling all over him, but none have ever been sincere and touched his heart. You've done that."

Lily rushed in, waving her card. "It's present time. Aunt Beka, get your present."

"Okay sweetheart, give me a minute." Rebeka went upstairs to her room.

*****
A few moments later, Rebeka returned with a wrapped present. Tyler stood and held her chair as she sat.

When Tyler sat, Lily crawled up on his lap. "I made you something. I hope you like it." She handed him the card. "Aunt Beth helped me with spelling."

Tyler opened the card and read, "Daddy, thank you for always being there. I love you, Missy." His arms around Lily squeezed her tight. "Thank you. This is very special." He paused. "I'll always be there for you."

"I know that." Lily cuddled into his chest. "My favorite place to be."

They sat like that for a few moments, before Lily wiggled down. "It's Aunt Beka's turn."

Tyler turned and his sapphire blue eyes met Rebeka's.

Rebeka held out the wrapped package. "I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will." He carefully removed the wrapping paper and often glanced at Rebeka. He stared at the picture frame which contained photographs of both Lily and Jakob and each of their handprints under their photos. Then he read the saying, "When I put my hand in yours, I'm as safe as I can be." He noticeably swallowed and almost whispered, "Thank you."

"It will look wonderful in your den," offered Elizabeth.

"This is going to be hung in my office. I've been wanting a family wall there." Tyler glanced at Rebeka. "The one thing missing is I don't have any pictures of you."

Elizabeth smiled. "I have a solution to that. You know I keep an album. I have some great photos of your wedding and a few others. I'll frame some and make a collage with some others."

"How did you get photos of me?" asked Rebeka.

"Aunt Beth has her secrets. I've never figured out how she does things. I think she has stealth qualities."

"I think it's cake time. I've made one of your favorites." Elizabeth stood and left for the kitchen.

After the cake was eaten, Lily needed to go for her bath and get ready for bed.

Elizabeth and Rebeka began picking up dishes.

Tyler stood. "I'll help carry things in then check on Missy."

They almost finished carrying in dishes when Rebeka stiffened and took a breath.

Elizabeth noticed. "Your milk came in, didn't it? Go pump. I've got this."

"You did all the cooking. I can't leave you with the cleanup."

Tyler stood by the counter. "Beka, I'll check on Missy, then help Aunt Beth with the dishes. Do what you need to do."

"But."

"Get." Tyler grinned. "Seriously, I got this." He watched Rebeka walk up the stairs and called after her. "I'll be up later."

~~~~~
This is My Father's 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.

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