Serendipitous Chapter 8 A

Tyler and Rebeka met 11 days ago.

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His eyes met hers and he grinned. "Please don't look so frightened. I'm not going to hurt you, ever. I'm just sharing scientific information." He exhaled. "Breast size is no indication of successful breastfeeding. The size of one's breasts is based on the amount of fatty tissue they contain. Women with smaller breasts have less fatty tissue, than those with larger breasts. Fatty tissue doesn't make breast milk. Breasts' glandular tissue produces the breast milk. If one gets rest, nutritious meals, plenty of fluids, and relaxation then breast feeding won't be a problem. I'll be here to help." He paused. "I've given you the quick version. We'll cover the details later. I hope this helped."

Rebeka stood. "Thank you."

"You can't get away from me fast enough, can you?"

She quickly sat again. "Sorry."

"I understand." He chuckled. "Go ahead and leave, but don't run up those stairs. I'm serious. I'm afraid you'll fall."

"Can I go into the kitchen?"

Tyler set his jaw. "You're free to go anywhere you want, inside or out."

She nodded, turned to leave, then faced him. "Thank you. I mean it."


TODAY'S POST:


Chapter 8 A


Just after midnight Monday, Tyler spoke on his phone, paced his bedroom floor, slipped on a pair of sweatpants, and then went downstairs through the living room toward his den. He stopped when he saw Rebeka sitting on the floor petting Zeke. "Buttercup, what are you doing up at this hour?"

She stood. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't. Sit." When she did, he continued, "I need to make a phone call, but I'll be right back." He continued to his den.

It wasn't long until he returned and noticed she had moved to the couch, so he sat beside her. "I got a hospital call and had to take care of it. Problems sleeping?" He noticed she avoided looking at him. "Still struggling with our earlier breastfeeding conversation?"

Rebeka shook her head. "No."

"You're studying your hands." He hesitated for a few moments. "I'm not wearing a shirt. It's the way I sleep. Sorry, I wasn't planning on seeing you." He stood. "I'll get one and be right back."

"Don't. You have a right to wear whatever you want in your own house."

"True, but I don't want you uncomfortable while you're here."

"You and your family have been very accommodating. I appreciate all you've done. It's not your fault I was raised in a different environment."

A silence followed before Tyler sat. "What's keeping you from sleeping? Does it have to do with your and Roger's conversation?"

"Yes, and no." He waited for her to continue, so she did, "I'm okay with everything except I'm not sure what I want to do with my apartment." Rebeka put her hand over her stomach. "I know I don't want this baby raised in Dallas, but I'm not sure where I'd go."

"You can write anywhere, correct?" When she nodded, he continued, "Amber and Roger will take care of the business part. I'm sure you'll remain close enough that Amber can visit whenever needed."

"That's true."

"My suggestion would be for you and me to go to Dallas..." he thought for a moment, "Maybe around the first of March and you can show me what furniture you want, and then we'll make arrangement to store it until the baby's born and you're ready to be on you own." He glanced around. "We have some extra space here. Roger has a five-bedroom townhouse and right now is only using two rooms. He has plenty of space and has already offered storage space. I'll talk with him tomorrow."

"I don't want to cause any problems."

"You're not." He grinned and watched her for a few moments. "Is that all you're worried about?" When she didn't answer, he asked, "There's more?"

"Maybe." Rebeka looked at him and met his striking eyes. "You're waiting, aren't you?" He grinned, and she whispered, "I'm pregnant and unmarried. I've sinned. I've lost favor with God and..."

"And Pastor Ben preached about sin and forgiveness." She nodded, and he said, "Your father didn't preach about God's forgiveness, did he?"

"He didn't."

"Nobody's perfect. That's an unrealistic expectation. We'll always fail. God knew this and sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus died on the cross to cover our sins with forgiveness and grace. All we're required to do is believe and ask for forgiveness. Our faith helps us remain on the right track, but because we're human we mess up, often."

Tyler watched Rebeka, then added, "God has already forgiven you."

"Father never will."

"I'm hoping once he sees his beautiful grandchild, his heart will soften." Tyler paused. "You also need to forgive yourself. I'm sure if you do, your stress level will lower. God can help with that."

Moisture welled in her eyes but didn't spill out. "I'm not sure I can."

"What part are you struggling with?"

She reached over and petted Zeke, who had put his head in her lap. "I knew drinking was a sin, but I succumbed to it." She put her hand over her stomach. "Because of it, I continued sinning and got pregnant."

Tyler laid his hand over hers. "Let's stop right there. During my undergraduate years, I did my share of drinking and dumb stunts. I eventually realized I couldn't keep it up and reach my goals." He glanced toward his den. "The reason I got a call tonight is because an emergency appendectomy is needed, and the on-call surgeon has the stomach bug. The backup had been drinking, so I had to find another available surgeon or do it myself."

"You do surgeries?"

Tyler grinned. "I do and have delivered my share of babies." When Rebeka's eyes widened he rubbed her stomach and teased, "I'm not planning on delivering this little one."

"I hope not."

"Back to the previous subject. One glass of champagne isn't a sin, but the Bible does warn about abuse and intoxication."

"I became intoxicated after one glass. I don't think I finished it."

"I can scientifically explain how that happened. From the picture you showed me from the ceremony you don't weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet. You're petite and have very little fat. The less you weigh and the less fat you have the faster alcohol absorbs into your blood stream. When was the last time you'd eaten?"

"I had a banana for breakfast and didn't have time for lunch. There was a problem with the caterer, so the awards were announced before dinner."

A sigh escaped Tyler's lips. "Buttercup, you didn't have a chance. This wasn't your fault."

Tyler set his jaw. "You've briefly told me, but I'm guessing you've never discussed it with anybody. It might help you forgive yourself if you did. It's completely up to you."

"Richard suggested that he take me to my room before I embarrassed the publishing company. I let him." She took a few deep breaths.

"Take as much time as you need."

"Okay." She exhaled. "He put his arm around my waist and led me to my room. I fumbled while opening my purse to get the room keycard. I got it and tried to unlock the door but couldn't. He took the keycard from me and then unlocked the door."

Tears welled in Rebeka's eyes, and Tyler put his arm around her. "It's okay."

"Inside the room, he kissed me and led me to the bed. He motioned for me to sit. I did. As he raised my skirt, he kissed me, before he pulled my panties off."

The tears flowed heavier, so Tyler drew her into a hug. "You don't need to continue."

Time passed before Rebeka's crying lessened. Tyler stood. "I'll be right back. I'll get some water."

He handed it to her, and she took a few sips. "Thank you."

He nodded, took her glass, and set it on an end table.

"He kissed me as he unzipped his pants." After a couple of deep breaths, Rebeka said, "I can't."

I hope I meet this guy alone. Roger had better destroy him. "It's okay." Putting his arms around her, he, again, guided her face to his chest. "You don't need to say anymore. I want to remind you none of this is your fault. You're a victim." She calmed some, so he asked, "The next morning, did you discuss what happened?"

"When he finished, he pulled up his pants and left. We haven't spoken since. We've only communicated about work through e-mails."

"How did you get back to Dallas?"

"In the morning, a bell hop brought my plane ticket to the door. I flew home by myself. I don't know when or how he returned."

Tyler reached over to a chair and grabbed an Afghan and put it round her. "You look a little cold."

"I am. Thank you." She cautiously leaned into his arm.

When Tyler put his arm around her, she cuddled into his chest and sighed.

Silence continued, until she said, "Thank you for listening and not judging."

He squeezed her a little tighter. "I have no reason to judge you. I've made plenty of mistakes and still do. You did nothing wrong." He moved slightly away. "Think you can forgive yourself?"

"Maybe."

His arm squeezed her tighter. "Good."

Her hand rested against his bare chest. He placed his hand over hers. They remained like this for a few moments, before Rebeka moved away. "I'm sorry." She stood.

Tyler reached for her hand. "Buttercup, get back here. You're not getting away that easily. I'm your birthing coach. You'll need to be completely comfortable and relaxed with me. Tonight, we've made progress."

After she sat beside him, he put his arm around her and moved her head to his chest. "Just sit here and relax. Take slow, deep breaths. Nothing wrong is happening or will happen. We're two friends enjoying each other's company." Rebeka did as he added, "Good. That's not hard, is it?"

"Not really." After a few moments Rebeka said, "Thank you for tonight and the firepit. I had fun. Also thank you for the S'more. I'd never had one before."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." He patted her stomach. "After you have this baby, I bet you can have a few more."

"I'd like that."

"I'll make sure that happens." A few moments passed. "Take slow deep breaths and relax."

It wasn't long before Tyler looked down at Rebeka. She's fallen asleep. That's good. He grinned and whispered, "She's getting comfortable with me." He laid his head against hers. I won't be going anywhere until she wakes up.

*****
Predawn lit the sky, as Rebeka woke up. "I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened."

Tyler shook his head. "Buttercup, it's okay. The only thing that happened was you became more comfortable around me. That's a good thing."

She nodded. "Think so?"

"I'm sure." He glanced toward the stairs. "We should probably go to our rooms." He hesitated. "Try to fall back to sleep. You were up late last night and need your sleep. Don't worry about being down in time for breakfast. I'll see yours gets put back." He stood, offered his hand, and grinned when she accepted it. "I'll walk you to your room."

At her bedroom door, they said goodnight.


~~~~~
I am still on vacation. I'm having a wonderful time with family. I'm in St. Louis and have a small break and am attempting to post. Hope I don't make any mistakes. I'm hurrying. I only got about half of it edited today before the girls returned.

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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.

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