by ANDREA SMITH
"If you feel that your visual examination didn't warrant anything further doctor, then I don't see the need for anything more in depth. Are you okay with that Trey?"
I looked up at him and saw a look of relief cross his face. He nodded in agreement with me.
The doctor prescribed an anti-fungal cream for her and wrote down some over-the-counter items that would help for bathing and diapering her until this cleared up. He prescribed a decongestant for her congested sinuses.
Once Trey and I got back to our hotel suite we bathed her together. Trey held onto her while I shampooed her hair.
Once finished, Trey lifted her out of the water while I wrapped her in a towel and took her into the bedroom, gently laying her down on the towel that was still on the bed. I softly patted her skin dry.
I applied the prescription ointment on the inflamed skin.
It seemed to soothe her immediately. I sprinkled a little of the Desitin cornstarch baby powder the pediatrician had recommended on her and then massaged baby lotion on her arms and legs.
I diapered her and put her in a clean t-shirt and pajamas. I crawled under the covers of the bed. She was still fussing a bit but it was her tired, cranky cry. I could feel my breasts let down and I was never so happy about anything in my life. My milk supply had responded to her closeness.
I pulled my shirt up, cuddling her against me as she continued to fuss and pull away. She seemed apprehensive about nursing; she squirmed away from me as I tried to guide my nipple to her mouth. I continued coaxing her until finally she latched on to my breast. This was extremely strange behavior for her. She watched me with her big blue eyes. Several minutes into it I think that she finally felt safe and secure again. She let my nipple drop from her mouth and broke out into a wide, dimpled grin, gurgling in contentment.
I leaned over, kissing her head and face, telling her how much mommy and daddy loved her. I would probably never know what the past several days had been like for her, but God willing, if it was bad she would soon forget. She continued nursing from me, not taking her eyes off of me. We snuggled down beneath the bed covers and finally fell asleep.
I was awakened a little bit later when Trey came to bed still damp from his shower. He pulled me close to him wrapping his arm around both of us. Preston was sleeping comfortably against me.
"Have you talked to your family yet?" I asked him.
"I just got off the phone with Tristan. Dad is doing fine; everyone is ecstatic that we got the baby back safe and sound. They want us to pay a visit soon. I said that we would."
"Did you ever get the details on how everything played out today at the bus station?"
"Yes I did."
"Well?"
"Tylar can I fill you in tomorrow? Right now I am exhausted and I just want to fall asleep in our family bed."
I wasn't sure if Trey was trying to be facetious by referring to the 'family bed' after he had given me so much shit about it previously but I couldn't suppress my smile.
"Good-night Trey. I love you."
"Good-night Tylar. I love you."
CHAPTER 15
We had been home several days; Preston finally seemed to be back to normal. Her yeast infection had cleared up and the bruises on her bottom were fading to a greenish-yellow. She was once again smiling for us and playing contentedly with her toys.
Trey had gone back to the firm having had to move several key court dates out. He had no expectation for me to return. I had scheduled an appointment with Karla Hunter for later in the week. I wanted to make sure that I continued to maintain a healthy emotional perspective after the horrific incident with Preston's abduction and the revelation that Daniel had provided me.
Gina was on her way over this afternoon for a visit and I needed to fill her in on the details of what had transpired in West Virginia.
I was dressing Preston at the moment. She was enjoying her thumb as she squirmed around on the bed.
I had dressed her in lavender colored corduroy bibs with a lavender, pink and blue polka-dot long-sleeved turtleneck. I was struggling to get her shoes on as she continued to curl her foot under every time I tried to fit it on.
"You are being bad for mommy," I teased her smiling down at her.
I grabbed her socked foot and tickled the bottom of it. She started giggling for me. I finally managed to get both shoes on her feet and lifted her up from the bed.
"Let's go wait on Aunt Gina, okay?"
I picked up several of her favorite toys and got her settled in her playpen out in the living room.
The doorman buzzed announcing Gina was on her way up. I hadn't seen her in a couple of weeks.
Gina came bustling into the apartment with shopping bags.
"Gina what have you done?" I asked suspiciously.
"I have shopped for my god-daughter that's all."
"Gina - you know you are not supposed to be buying her stuff. You bring her something every time you come over. You are spoiling her."
"So what if I am girlfriend? She's my god-daughter to spoil and by the way, when is the baptism ever going to take place?"
Gina had a point. The purpose of a god-parent was to stand up to ensure that if anything happened to the parents they would see to it that the child was raised in the faith. Trey and I had discussed our religious backgrounds which for me consisted of going to Bible schools at various area churches in the summer because it was free and Maggie didn't have to pay a sitter for those weeks when Bible school was held. Trey had been provided a more solid religious upbringing as a Lutheran.
"I know Gina. Trey and I need to decide on a church."
"You mean a religion don't you girlfriend?"
"I suppose, what do you recommend?"
"Hey Ty, religion is a very personal choice. I don't preach it. I happen to be Catholic so when and if I am ever blessed with a little one that is my religion of choice. I suggest you and the Hot Nazi visit a few area churches and see what feels right. Now where is my baby girl?"
Gina lifted Preston out of her playpen gushing over how big she had gotten since she last saw her and how pretty she was. She got a dimpled smile from her as usual.
She had bought her some wind-up toys that were guaranteed to drive adults crazy; and a stuffed ghost for Halloween that screeched a loud "Boo!" when pressed in the middle. Preston squealed with delight when she learned how to make it screech 'Boo.'
"So Ty," she said, sitting down on the couch with Preston on her lap, "Fill me in."
I relayed to Gina everything that Trey had conveyed to me. Maggie had shown up at the bus station as scheduled. She was not carrying the baby when she located Daniel. She was dressed like a guy complete with bib overalls and her hair tucked up in a ball cap. She had a heavy Carhart jacket on that pretty much hid her build from the average glance. She had a backpack strapped on as well.
"Where the hell was the baby?" Gina asked.
"It seems she had convinced a male passenger on the bus that she was escaping with her baby from a very abusive relationship. She convinced this passenger to hold onto the baby until she assessed the situation in the terminal. Once she saw that Daniel was there and that he was alone she gave a signal for the guy that everything was okay. He brought Preston over to her. Then the feds closed in."
"Oh my God," Gina said, "What the hell was that bitch thinking?"
"You know Gina, I'm not really sure. I truly think that losing that baby somehow triggered more craziness out of her. I don't think it was about money. For some reason, she wanted to punish me and at the same time, she wanted to make up for losing the baby that she was having with Daniel."
"What happens now?"
"Well she is fighting extradition from West Virginia back to Georgia so her arraignment is delayed until that process is worked out in the courts. Trey said she is looking at some major time in prison. Additional charges will be filed against her for felony child abuse, endangerment and several other misdemeanors."
"Tell me the truth Ty, how does a
ll of this really make you feel."
"I guess I feel like I may never know the truth about my mother or father. She has those answers but the selfish sociopath that she is will continue to hold the
truth from me. That's what really sucks."
"Did anything happen to Daniel?"
"No - well except he got the reward money that the family had put up. I thought he may have been involved but as it turns out, Daniel was just another one of her victims too. I guess that $100,000 will put him through college and hopefully he can put his past with her behind him."
Gina and I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up. Her divorce proceedings were dragging a bit on account of the Sanctuary and their condo. Gina wanted to keep the business and give up her share of the condo. The problem was that it would not be an even split. Gina would have to buy out a portion of Ian's interest in the club if she wanted to keep it in her name only.
After she left I had fed Preston and then put her down for a nap. Susan called and we chatted on the phone for nearly an hour. She was planning a 40th birthday party for Tristan the following weekend. She wanted Trey, Preston and I to make the trip up. I told her it sounded like a plan and promised to call her later after Trey got home.
I had dinner in the oven and was changing Preston's diaper on the living room couch when Trey came through the door.
"How are my girls?" he asked, coming up behind me and nuzzling the back of my neck.
"We've had a great day together," I replied smiling at my baby as I snapped her overalls back up.
Preston was watching Trey and started squirming holding her arms up so that he would pick her up. He leaned down, scooping her up in his arms, kissing her cheeks.
I picked up her soiled diaper to dispose of it while Trey spent some quality time with his daughter. He had been teaching her how to 'patty-cake' and she loved it.
At dinner I mentioned Tristan's party to Trey.
"Let's do it," he said. "We can fly out Friday afternoon and come back on Monday. We'll make a long weekend out of it."
I phoned Susan later and told her we would be there. She said that Nigel and Tess were coming; and that Landon and Caroline would be there as well.
(Holy shit - that might be a deal breaker with Trey.)
I got off the phone deciding it was best to let him know now before we made our plane reservations.
He was reclining on the living room couch with his I-Pad perched upright checking his emails. Preston was entertaining herself nearby in her playpen.
"I just talked to your mom and told her we planned on being there next Friday. She's really happy," I said.
"Great baby, come sit down next to me," he smiled, patting the couch beside him.
"Well there is one other thing," I started.
He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for me to finish.
"Nigel and Tess are coming. So are Landon and Caroline," I finished.
"Are you shitting me?" he said sitting upright, dropping his I-Pad.
"What is Mom thinking?"
"It will probably be alright honey," I soothed him.
"Are you really okay with still going?" he asked.
"Hey - I am if you are. I'm sure we will be entertained," I laughed.
He gave me his signature smile, pulling me over onto his lap. He tilted my chin upward and his lips found mine, kissing them softly and sensually. I laced my arms around his neck and returned his kiss, pressing myself closer to him; fisting my hands in his thick hair. He smelled so good. He tasted so good. His hands gently rubbed my back and we continued kissing and loving one another.
Our kiss was interrupted by a screeching succession of "Boo's!"
Trey pulled away startled by the loud ghost sounds coming from the corner.
"What the hell?" he asked.
I started giggling watching Preston as she continued to press the spot on the stuffed ghost making it go "Boo!"
"Oh that's a toy that Gina brought over today for the baby," I replied.
"That figures," Trey replied rolling his eyes.
He went over to the playpen and tried to get Preston interested in something else. She was having none of it. She held on to her plush ghost and took it to bed with her that night. Trey and I could hear the sound of 'Boo' every so often coming from the nursery. We could hear her giggles too. We wouldn't be getting that toy away from her anytime soon.
CHAPTER 16
Karla was scribbling her notes as usual during my session with her. So far I had done all the talking; relaying all that had happened from the time Maggie had taken Preston to the present. I took a drink of water when I paused giving her time to catch up.
"Tylar - I need to ask you how you and Trey interacted during the period when Preston was gone."
"Well - I mean we were both emotionally drained but we were there for each other. He was angry when I took off for Indiana on my own but other than that we were strong for each other."
"Good," she replied. "Since the baby has been home how are things between you and Trey?"
Why was she asking so many questions about Trey and me?
"They've been fine. We are very happy."
"What about your return to work?"
"That isn't going to happen."
"Why not?" she pressed.
"Because there is no one to watch the baby and because Trey realizes that it was not a good idea. I mean come on, look what that caused."
"So you believe that you going back to work directly caused Preston to be abducted?"
"I'm saying that it certainly gave my wacko mother, aunt - whatever the hell she is to me the opportunity to snatch my baby, yes."
"Who is watching Preston right now?"
"My best friend Gina."
"Have you considered searching for a babysitter in the future in case you choose to do something outside of the home?"
"Karla I'm not sure why you are posing these questions to me. I know that Maggie is locked up and that she can't get access to the baby or me any longer. We
are safe."
"Tell me how safe feels, Tylar."
"For me it feels as though I don't have to worry about when or where Maggie might pop up in my life; or what further pain she has planned for me."
"Why do you think Maggie wanted to hurt you?"
"Because she hated me. Isn't that obvious?"
"What would have caused her to hate you?"
I was getting impatient with her questions. Where the hell was any of this going?
"I don't know. Maybe because I wasn't really her child; maybe because she resented having had to raise me; maybe because I cramped her style. There are numerous possibilities I suppose. Perhaps she had been jealous of my mother. She certainly seemed to be jealous of me as I got older."
"Do you still worry that you might be like her now that it's likely she is not your birth mother?"
"I stopped worrying that I would be a whore like her after I had sex for the first time. It was with Trey and I loved him. I knew that I could never want any other man other than Trey. I knew that love was the important component in intimacy - not physical sex. Trey and I were intimate long before we had sex."
"And what about other characteristics Maggie had that you felt you might have inherited?"
"I worried that I could be abusive like she was. The dreams were a reflection of that."
"What do you feel guilty about Tylar?"
"What makes you think that I feel guilty about anything?"
I could feel myself getting defensive. She was scratching the surface for something. It felt like she was picking at an emotional scab.
"What did you feel when you saw Preston's bruised bottom?"
"I felt angry; I felt ashamed," I snapped.
"Who were you angry with Tylar - who?"
"Trey," I hissed, tears spilling out, running down my cheeks.
"He made me go to work; he made me leave my baby when it was not safe to do so. My dreams were a warning; I shared most of them with him bu
t he didn't want to hear about them anymore. They pissed him off!"
I was sobbing now; she had managed to wrench my guts out with her questions.
"Tell me about the shame you felt."
"I felt shame that any blood relative of mine could have left bruises on an innocent baby girl's bottom," I cried, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.
Karla handed me a tissue from the box that sat on top of her desk. I took it from her wiping my cheeks.
"Now tell me what you feel guilty about?"
My throat was closing up; I couldn't breathe in her office. Why was she badgering me like this? I would never hurt my baby. I could never be the person that Maggie had been. She was still waiting for me to answer her question.
"Because," I finally sobbed loudly, "Maybe if I had been a better person; stronger and braver back then, Maggie would have never had the opportunity to touch my baby!"
"Back when Tylar?"
"Back when she used to beat me!" I screamed.
"I should have told someone! My teachers knew and they wanted to help. They asked me over and over again how I got my bruises. I lied to cover up the truth. I lied to all of them just to protect that fucking monster!"
Karla was on her feet and by my side in an instant. She hunkered down next to my chair, taking my hands into hers. I was forced to look at her; I saw the compassion. She had suspected there was more to my story all along. She wanted to help.
"Tylar," she spoke softly to me, "You were a child. You loved that person that you thought was 'Mom'. You loved her unconditionally the same way that Preston now loves you. You didn't deserve to be mistreated. You can't
blame yourself for not turning Maggie in to the authorities all those years ago for what happened to Preston recently. You were a frightened child believing in some way that you needed to protect your mother even though she didn't protect you."
I nodded, wiping my eyes with the tissue. Karla handed me a fresh one as she settled back at her desk. I blew my nose and tried to get my composure once again.
"I know it was painful for you to come to grips with this today Tylar. You've repressed this stuff for a long time but you have to believe me when I tell you that it's healthy that you came to terms with this finally."