Serendipitous Chapter 24

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:

Tyler took her hand. "Come here." He drew her into a hug. "Don't ever be shy about hugging me. Your hugs are always welcome. I understand in your culture; the women don't show affection. I disagree with that."

"Men are the ones who initiate touching."

"Not in my home. Let's work on changing that, agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Good." He glanced at the bathroom. "I need to get ready for bed." He headed toward the bathroom.

"Ty?" When he faced her, she continued, "Do you think stars have anything to do with us meeting?"

"Why do you think I keep humming 'Keeper of the Stars'? There's a line in there that says, 'It was no accident me finding you, someone had a hand in it'. It was meant to be."

She smiled. "Thank you."



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 24
Jakob is 21 days old

Thursday morning at the breakfast table, Rebeka could hardly eat. Elizabeth smiled. "Sweetheart, pause and take a breath. We're all excited that Jakob's coming home. Lily struggled sleeping last night."

"She wasn't the only one." Tyler chuckled as he placed his hand over Rebeka's. "Was she?"

Pink tinged Rebeka's cheeks. "Sorry. I didn't mean to keep you awake."

"You didn't. I'm anxious to get the little guy home, myself." Tyler glanced at his watch. "Unless something happens, I have an easy day. We should be able to leave around four or four-thirty. His discharge papers will be ready by then."

Lily shouted, "Aunt Beth, let's make Jakob a special dinner!"

Tyler touched Lily's hand. "Jakob's only food is the special milk his mother's body makes. He's too young to eat regular food." Lily tilted her head, so he continued, "You've watched Gabby feed her babies. Human babies eat the same way."

"When I have a baby, will I be able to feed my baby?"

"You will. All human mommies do," agreed Elizabeth.

Tyler set his coffee cup down. "Just make sure you don't become a mom for about twenty years, okay?"

"You're silly, Uncle Ty. I'm only going to first grade."

"Glad we agree."

Elizabeth smiled. "I think we'll still make a special dinner. We need to celebrate Jakob's home coming."

It wasn't long before Rebeka and Tyler headed toward the hospital.

*****
Early afternoon, Tyler rushed into NICU. Rebeka held Jakob and glanced up. "Ty, what's wrong?"

"Sorry Buttercup, but I might not be able to leave around four. A surgery came up."

"Not a problem. I'll call Aunt Beth, so she can warn Lily."

Tyler hugged Rebeka and kissed Jakob's forehead. "Thank you for understanding."

"Good luck with the surgery." Rebeka watched Tyler leave NICU. "Your daddy's a very busy person."

*****
Rebeka had just returned from the cafeteria with iced tea, when somebody tapped on her shoulder. When she turned, it was Richard Stuart. He said, "Rebeka, I heard this is where I'd find you."

At a loss for words Rebeka searched for her voice, "What do you want?"

"I need you to do something for me." He pointed to some chairs. "Can we sit and discuss it?"

"If you need something, you need to speak with my lawyer, Roger Whitmore. I have nothing to say to you."

"This is simple. We don't need to involve lawyers." Rebeka started to walk away. He reached out and took her arm. "You just need to listen for a minute."

She yanked her arm away. "Don't touch me. Contact my lawyer."

He removed his hand. "I need you to name me as your baby's father."

"No! You'll have nothing to do with my son."

"If I don't have an heir by my thirty-fifth birthday, I'll lose my trust fund. I have an heir. I just need to prove it. Nothing will change for you or your son. I'll stay out of his and your life. It'll be just a name on the birth certificate."

"Not going to happen. We're done. Contact my lawyer. Goodbye." Rebeka ducked into the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, tears flowed. What should I do? Ty's in surgery. He'd know what to do.

She removed her phone from her purse and clicked on Roger's name. When he answered, she sniffed and whispered, "Roger?"

"Beka, you're crying. What's wrong? Is it Jakob or Ty?"

"No...my agent...he's here."

"Stuart's at the hospital?" Roger waited. When he didn't get an answer he asked, "Where's Ty?"

"Surgery."

"Where are you?"

"In the bathroom."

"What does Stuart want?"

"To be listed as Jakob's father. Something about a trust fund."

"What did you tell him?"

"No and to leave. He wouldn't leave."

"Stay put. I'll call hospital security and Sheriff LeRoy. Jakob leaves the hospital today, doesn't he? I'll call back in a few minutes. Don't worry. It'll all work out."

*****
Rebeka remained in the bathroom until Roger called back. "Beka, hospital security escorted Stuart out. Sheriff LeRoy will be there in a few minutes and take you and Jakob home. I've called Pete and he'll make sure Stuart doesn't bother you there. I've left a message for Ty to call me. I've contacted Stuart's lawyer. We'll discuss everything tonight with Ty." He hesitated, before he added, "Amber and I can be there in about two and a half hours."

"Thank you, but you don't need to. I've bothered you enough. I'm sorry."

"Stop right there, I'm glad I could help. I'd be upset if you needed help and didn't ask. Understand?"

"Yes," she almost whispered.

"Good." There was a few silent moments before Roger said, "Get your son ready to go home."

"Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome. 'Bye."

"'Bye."

*****
Tyler rushed into the house. When Rebeka saw him, she ran to him and went into his open arms. "I'm sorry I wasn't available when you needed me. I'm glad you called Roger."

"It's not your fault. I didn't know what to do."

"You did the right thing. Where's our son?"

Rebeka stepped back from his arms and pointed to his den. "Your den's become a temporary nursery during the day. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not." He tilted his head. "What's he sleeping in?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Come in and check. I found Lily's old bassinet. Jakob fits perfectly."

"I didn't want him to be so far away. I hope it's, okay?" asked Rebeka in a near whisper.

He put his arm around her waist. "Why would I mind? I want what's best for him and for you."

Next to the bassinet lay Zeke. Tyler grinned. "I see Zeke has made it his job to make sure Jakob's safe." He petted the dog. "Good boy, you seem to sense who needs you, first Missy, then Beka, and now Jakob."

Lily and Peter entered. Elizabeth put her finger over her lips. "He's sleeping."

Peter grinned at the infant, then said, "Ty, can we talk for a minute?"

The two men walked outside.

*****
When they returned, Tyler said, "We need to call Roger. Why don't we go to the kitchen? I don't want to risk waking Jakob."

Once Roger was on the phone and greetings ended, Peter said, "A car parked outside the gate for about a half an hour but never came down the lane. Don't know who it was, but it seemed strange."

"I agree," added Tyler. "Roger, what did you find out from Stuart's lawyer?"

"He told the truth. He won't inherit any more of his trust fund unless he has an heir before his thirty-fifth birthday, which is August fifth. He has a little over a month to find one. Jakob's his only chance. He didn't want the lawyers involved because he wanted his name on the birth certificate, but didn't want to take any responsibility, like child support. He hoped Beka would cave."

"I'm proud of you, Buttercup." Tyler faced her, as his eyes narrowed. "I need to ask. Are you positive this is what you want?"

She stared into Tyler's sapphire blue eyes. "I've never been surer of anything in my life. Jakob is our son."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for saying that."

Roger chuckled. "Now that's settled. I already relayed that message to his lawyer. Unless Stuart chooses to go the legal route and forces a DNA test, this is over. I doubt he'll do that because I'd go after him for a hefty child support sum. Jakob deserves at least half that trust fund, right?"

Rebeka covered her mouth. "Oh my."

Tyler grinned. "Right."

"I'm going to let you guys enjoy your baby. Talk with you later. Let me know when Amber and I can visit. Bye"

"Will do. Bye." Tyler hung up.

~~~~~
After today's post there are only three posts left of this story.
~~~~~

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