Baby Love (Baby Series)

by ANDREA SMITH

  I started a crock pot dinner so that Jean would have something to eat and wouldn't have to worry about making Trey's dinner. Since I was going out to the new house in the morning, Jean was staying overnight.

  I had to meet with the decorator and select colors for the rooms and window treatments. The flooring in the downstairs was completed. I still had to make my selections for the second floor carpeting and light fixtures.

  Trey and I had discussed a full-time arrangement with Jean. There was plenty of room if she was amenable to being a live-in. Once the horses arrived they would be my responsibility. Trey wanted me to finish college so I had to see about getting my credits transferred to a local university. I would only enroll part-time and hopefully could take a good portion of the remaining classes online.

  I had suggested to Trey that I would like to give riding lessons since we had the horses and the land; possibly offer boarding as well since the stables would accommodate more horses than we intended to move from Bristol. He was amenable to that especially since it permitted me to spend a lot of time with Preston. I had every intention of getting her up on a horse's back just as soon as she was old enough.

  The day seemed to fly by. Too soon I was putting on my tight little skirt and blouse and killer shoes to head down to the club. I only had to work until 11 p.m. tonight as Eddie would close for me.

  Gina had scheduled me to work at the main bar with her downstairs. Eddie was training a new bartender upstairs since it wasn't quite as busy this time in the evening. The downstairs bars tended to get more of the 'Happy Hour' crowd until around seven. Then there was a lull until the band started at nine.

  "So," I said to Gina as she was filling the ice machine, "What did Tristan want the other day when he called in and you had to cut our call short?"

  Gina got a sly smile on her face at my question.

  "Being kind of nosey there aren't you, girlfriend?"

  "Not at all. I just wondered if he was still interested in investing. Trey seemed to think he might be backing out after reading the financials."

  "No I don't think he will be backing out of anything. I think Tristan has some major interest," she said giggling.

  "Hey as a matter of fact, Tristan will be back in town before Thanksgiving. He needs to talk to me about the particulars. I think you will be having one more for dinner."

  "Really?"

  I wondered if he had said anything to Trey about being here over Thanksgiving. "

  Is he planning on staying at the apartment with us?"

  Gina actually blushed for the first time ever in front of me. She stammered a bit with her answer.

  "Well, actually I told him that he was more than welcome to crash at my place. I mean it's closer to the club and all. He wants to talk about making some changes at the club. I'm not sure of the extent he wants to change it but he's offered to put in an additional $100,000 after he buys you out. I'm kind of excited to hear his ideas."

  I was thoroughly amused and thoroughly happy if things were indeed moving ahead with Gina and Tristan. I still believed that they were perfect for one another.

  "Well you do have that spare bedroom at your condo Gina. It makes perfect sense to me that he would stay there."

  "Very funny, Ty. I know what you're thinking. You have a dirty mind just like that husband of yours! By the way - please honor our BFF confidentiality here?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Please don't tell the Hot Nazi where Tristan is staying, okay?"

  "You know I won't if you don't want me to Gina, but what is the big deal?"

  "It's just that I really like Tristan but at this point I think we are going to take the 'friendship' route. At least that is what I am hoping for."

  "I don't understand. You seem to really like him to the point where I swear you are crushing on him. He seems to be charmed by you so what is the problem?"

  "I don't want to be his 'bridge bitch,' that's all."

  "What the hell is a 'bridge bitch'?"

  "You know - it's the chick that gets the guy after his heart has been broken and helps him get through that and then prepares him to meet his next serious relationship which by the way, ain't her! She essentially bridges him from his past relationship to his next serious relationship."

  The bar started filling up so we didn't get the opportunity to discuss Tristan any further. I did find it odd that Tristan hadn't mentioned anything to Trey about coming back to Atlanta the following week. I truly hoped that Tristan didn't resent Trey for being the bearer of bad news through that video he had sent on to him.

  I was making a couple of skinny martinis for a table of young women clearly having 'happy hour' after work. I was reaching for the shaker when I heard Gina.

  "Holy shit. This can't be good."

  I followed her gaze and saw a very pissed-off Libby approaching the bar. We didn't have bouncers at the club this early as it was just a little after six.

  Libby was dressed in dark purple leather. Leather pants, a leather jacket, and leather boots covered her tall, thin body. She was making fast, angry strides to where Gina was standing at the bar. I moved closer to Gina to let her know that I had her back.

  "You bitch!" Libby shouted at Gina, causing the patrons at the bar to look over quickly.

  "I know that you video recorded out conversation the other day and gave it to Tristan. What the hell were you hoping to accomplish?"

  I stepped up to the bar before Gina even had a chance to respond.

  "Hey, it was me Libby. I'm the one that told Gina to send the video to my phone so that I could show it to Trey. It was Trey's decision to share it with Tristan. They are brothers you know?"

  "Oh and like you give a shit about Tristan's feelings?"

  I wanted to slap her right then and there because Tristan was my brother-in-law and a very sweet one at that.

  "You were just pissed Tylar. You wanted revenge because you were afraid that I would fuck your husband better than you ever could!"

  (Oh hell no the bitch didn't just say that!)

  "Hardly," I responded calmly to Libby.

  "The truth is that Trey and I were privy to your nasty goings on in the bedroom next to ours in Bristol. I believe Trey's exact words were that you were a freak he wouldn't take home to his own mama!"

  "Hah! I doubt that very much. It seems to me that maybe 'Ken" is getting just a little bored with his 'Housewife Barbie' these days. Perhaps all he really needed and wanted was to take a dive under my fig leaves at Tristan's birthday party last month."

  I could hear Gina cuss under her breath, instructing me to bitch slap her. That's not how I rolled.

  "Sweetie," I said, leaning over the bar and smiling at her.

  "I can guarantee you that what you had under those fig leaves last month held no interest at all for my man. You see he actually prefers 'Housewife Barbie' to 'GI Jane' any day of the week. My only concern is that Tristan had the foresight to properly armor his manhood while he was in the clutches of a whore like you. I'd hate for my best friend Gina to catch any of your crotch rot!"

  "Why you uppity little bitch!" she snarled. "Someone needs to put you in your place and maybe I'm just the person to do it!"

  Libby drew her arm back to swing full force into me just as Gina pushed her way in front of me. Libby's hand never found its mark because at that point Trey had come up right behind her. He grabbed her arm on the upswing staying it motionless to reach its target.

  She turned immediately to see who had stayed her hand.

  "Libby," Trey said, "I think it’s time you left and found someone else to torture."

  She squirmed out of his grip; her face was red with humiliation and anger. Some of the patrons at the bar were looking over at her and snickering. She looked pathetic.

  Finally, Libby turned on her heel and stomped out mumbling about how much better she could do than Tristan and she hadn't wanted to keep his goddam ring anyway.

  I looked over at Trey and saw a trace of amusement in h
is eyes.

  "What did she mean about all that with the ring?"

  Trey smiled.

  "It would appear that Tristan had the foresight to get the ring from her bedside table where she had left it before she went to shower that evening. He packed it, along with the rest of his stuff and left her a note. He signed it 'Lucky Seven.' He wasn't about to let her add his ring to her collection."

  Things calmed down once Libby had left. I wasn't sure that we had seen the end of her; she still harbored a lot of anger and ill will towards Gina and me in particular. I didn't quite get it. It wasn't like she had been with Tristan all that long. I probably shouldn't have made that statement alluding to Gina not catching any of her crotch rot from Tristan.

  Trey was seated watching me.

  "Yes sir, what can I get you?"

  "Hmm, let's see. How about a "Kiss on the Lips?"

  "Sure thing," I replied leaning in and kissing him.

  "Uh, Tylar, I kind of meant that I would really like to try the drink?"

  "Oh, okay," I laughed.

  I fixed Trey his drink and then waited on a couple of other patrons before returning to him.

  He had a serious look on his face and I knew that there was something he wanted to share with me.

  "Tylar I had a call today from Judge Tylar."

  I immediately stopped wiping the counter of the bar to look at him.

  "Judge Tylar? Why was he calling you?"

  "He had my contact information from the case file. It seems he wanted some information on you since he obviously saw that we were together."

  'Trey," I breathed, my heart racing, "Does he think he's related to me?"

  "Well honey, it's complicated. He saw the extreme resemblance that you apparently have with your mother. He noticed the antique pearl drop earrings and teardrop necklace that he had given to a girl named 'Marley' that he had known briefly years ago. He was wondering if your maiden name was 'Renaud,' though he hasn't quite drawn a direct connection to you and him. If I had to guess, I would say that if he is your father he had no idea that you even existed."

  "What did you tell him?"

  "I told him that your maiden name was 'Preston,' and that your heritage was sketchy at best."

  "Trey it's time you took me to see Maggie. I will know the truth even if I have to beat it out of her."

  "That might be difficult if she has had legal representation assigned or retained. I'm sure the guards would take issue with your beating her but maybe not."

  He smiled and put his arm around me.

  "I'll make some calls in the morning."

  CHAPTER 30

  I had just gotten home from spending the morning at the salon getting trimmed, highlighted, waxed, and manicured when Trey phoned from his office. Jean had watched Preston while I was out and managed to clean the apartment while she was there.

  "Hi sweetie," I said when I answered the phone.

  "You won't recognize your wife when you get home. I spent the morning getting a major overhaul."

  "Tylar I have some news for you. With all that has happened recently I'm not sure if you will consider this bad news or not."

  Immediately my heart dropped to my stomach. What could it possibly be now? I sat down on the couch waiting for Trey to continue.

  "I talked to the Deputy D.A.'s office this morning to see what the status was on Maggie's arraignment. It has been postponed twice. I found out the reason."

  "What is it Trey?"

  (Did I even want to know this?)

  I was afraid that he was going to tell me that she had escaped from the jail; or perhaps she had gotten bonded out because of some administrative error. With Maggie just about anything was possible.

  "Maggie has been in the jail's infirmary. They moved her this morning to St. Matthew's. She is in the intensive care unit of the hospital. She is extremely ill and it is life threatening."

  I didn't know how I felt about what Trey had just shared with me. Part of me wanted to feel happy; to hope that any threat she posed to me or my family was on the verge of being snuffed out like a candle that has burned too long. The very selfish part of me wanted her to linger long enough for me to interrogate her and gain the information that she owed me after the years of lying and deceit.

  "Did you hear me Tylar?"

  "Yes. I'm sorry Trey. I was kind of lost in thought there for the moment; trying to absorb all of this. Do you know the particulars of her illness?"

  "Apparently she had an extremely high fever when she got here from West Virginia. No one is sure how long she had been ill but my guess is that since extradition was imminent, the authorities there didn't seek the necessary medical assistance for her. They probably preferred having it picked up on Georgia's tab since she was coming back here ultimately. The information I was given was that it likely started out being a low grade viral or bacterial infection that affected her internally. It may be somehow connected to that unassisted stillbirth. They just don't know for certain. They suspect she has been bleeding internally for awhile. It has now manifested itself into a major bacterial infection that has gotten into her blood stream. It could be fatal if she goes septic."

  I didn't pretend to understand the medical terminology. It sounded to me as if Maggie could be on borrowed time. I needed some of that time. I was determined to have it.

  "Is she coherent Trey?"

  "I don't know about that. They started her on intravenous antibiotics at the infirmary. The jail chaplain went with her to the hospital and she is to contact me as soon as Maggie is stabilized. She understands that you are a relative so it is possible you will be permitted in on the ICU."

  "Trey sweetie - please do your best. I have to talk to Maggie. This may be my last opportunity."

  "I understand baby. I will call you just as soon as I hear from the chaplain. I'm not letting you go up there by yourself though. Do you have someone to watch Preston?"

  "Jean's just finishing up here. I'll see if she can stay over."

  "Okay sweetie; make those arrangements and wait to hear back from me. I love you Tylar."

  "I love you Trey."

  I busied myself with getting dinner prepared. I had gone online to a great website called, 'Pinterest' and found all kinds of great tips for cooking. I was all into making crock pot stuff so I found a recipe for roasted chicken and dressing that could be made in the crock pot. I prepared it according to instructions and went about my usual business.

  Jean had finished the cleaning just as Preston awoke from her nap. She went ahead and changed her while I showered and dressed. Preston was in her playpen playing when I emerged, Jean had dressed her so cute in blue jeans and an Atlanta Falcon's sweatshirt. Trey had purchased the sweatshirt for her awhile back. Jean had piled her baby hair into another 'Pebbles' ponytail.

  She scrambled to her legs holding onto the netting of the playpen as she pulled herself up. She was smiling and gibbering at me.

  "Hi sweetheart," I gushed at her going over to where she was. "Did mommy's baby have a nice nap?"

  "Maamaa"

  I looked at her and she was holding her arms up.

  "You just called me 'mama' Preston. What a good girl," I crooned scooping her up.

  We settled back on the sofa. I switched the television on and channel surfed for something other than any of the multiple ESPN channels Trey subscribed. Preston was tugging at my blouse with her little fingers. I unfastened the buttons, and unhooked my bra giving her access. She eagerly cuddled up against me and began nursing.

  Jean came into the room and asked if I wanted her to puree some of the boiled turkey and sweet potatoes that I had cooked.

  "Yes Jean I would appreciate that. I also want to thank you for all of your help these past few weeks."

  "I love caring for Preston and for you and Trey too for that matter," she said with a smile.

  "I was telling my daughter Cathy just last week how much I was going to hate it when you moved out to the county in a few weeks."


  "Jean - Trey and I have been meaning to discuss that with you. I apologize that we haven't done it sooner. Would you consider moving out there with us? The house is plenty big and you would draw a full-time salary."

  "Why Tylar I don't know what to say," she said, starting to get a bit choked up.

  "I'm so honored that you would ask me. Of course I would love that. I love my daughter Cathy - don’t get me wrong but sharing an apartment with her and her husband Hank these past few weeks hasn't been the ideal situation."

  "Fantastic," I said. "Then its official and I for one couldn't be happier Jean."

  I finished nursing Preston and got her settled in her playpen. I was showing her how to put a ten piece wooden puzzle together when Trey called on the landline.

  "I've been trying to call your cell," he said.

  "Sorry Trey - I must've have left in the bedroom after my shower."

  "Good you're ready then. I'm on my way to the apartment. I should be there in five minutes so walk out front and I will pick you up there. We're on our way to the hospital. Maggie is lucid and this might be the best opportunity you will have to talk to her."

  I made haste to let Jean know that I was leaving. She had been perfectly willing to stay as late as I needed her to stay. I had filled her in a little bit on the details. She was a compassionate person.

  I grabbed my jacket and gave Preston a kiss and was out the door. Once on the elevator I had a few moments to reflect on all that was happening.

  I realized that I had no clue how I would react when I saw Maggie again after all of this time. I had no idea what emotions would rise to the surface. I hadn't seen her for more than a year though it appears she had never been far from me at times. There was a possibility she would not give me the information I wanted knowing the depths of her hatred. Trey had just pulled his Mercedes up to the curb when the doorman opened the door for me and I stepped out onto the sidewalk.

  "Hi baby," he said as I got in and fastened my seat belt. "Are you ready for this?"

  "I've been ready for this for a long time Trey. I'm scared and anxious. I'm not sure what to expect."