CHAPTER 18
Trey, Preston and I were all packed and ready for our flight to Bristol for the Thanksgiving holidays with the Sinclair extended family. We knew that we would see Landon and Caroline since the Andrews family was part of the extended family. They lived close now anyway.
Susan and I had chatted on the phone several days previously. She had insisted that I call my father and invite him to Bristol as well. She said she wouldn't hear of Preston's other granddaddy not being able to spend the holidays with her. She mentioned that her niece Brenda Brooks from Birmingham, Alabama was coming up to spend a couple of weeks with them before and after Thanksgiving. She said poor Brenda had been widowed nearly a year ago. Brenda was her sister's only daughter and her sister and brother-in-law were traveling for the holiday season. She hadn't wanted Brenda to be alone.
"So Mom," I had asked tentatively, "Tell me about Royce."
"Oh," she had gushed, "He is such a beautiful baby boy. I can't decide who is prettier, Reese or Royce so I am going to settle for them being equally beautiful."
She had successfully managed to side-step the obvious issue at hand. I had recalled Susan telling me once that a mother never forgets what each of her babies look like when they are born. She had also admitted that when Trey had been born he had reminded her of Tristan. I was hoping that she might provide some insight having seen Royce right after his birth as to whom he favored between her two sons.
"Well, who does he favor?" I had pressed.
"Honey," she had sighed into the phone, "I know what you're asking but it is just difficult to tell because he has Tess's brown hair which is nearly as dark as the boys' hair. The baby has blue eyes which is typical of all babies at this point. I just can't tell. Wasn’t that the whole point of this?"
"I suppose so," I had replied, disappointed.
"How have you been, Tylar?" she had asked.
"I am doing better. Trey and I are doing better," I had admitted.
"I am so very happy to hear that. Now you call your father and invite him. Promise?"
"I promise," I had replied laughing.
I was surprised when my father had graciously accepted the invitation to fly to Bristol for Thanksgiving. I was glad that he was doing so. He was scheduled to arrive late afternoon on Wednesday. He had booked a room at the Marriott despite the fact that Susan had said there was plenty of room for him at their estate.
There was a limo waiting to take us to Bristol once our flight had landed at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The weather in Bristol was a bit chillier than what we had left in Atlanta.
Preston had been a great traveler so far. She had used the potty on the airplane, to my surprise. I had always been a bit terrified of airplane toilets myself.
Once we were settled in the limo she curled up and fell asleep in Trey's lap. She had her thumb in her mouth. She did that a lot when she slept; not so much during her waking hours unless she was upset by something. She hadn't done that lately. She sensed that the previous stress and tension between Trey and I had dissipated.
I had met with Karla the prior week for my counseling session. The next appointment was scheduled for the Monday after we returned from our cruise. It would be both Trey and me at that appointment.
"Are you okay, Tylar?" Trey asked studying me while he stroked Preston's hair gently.
"Yes," I smiled at him, "I'm just looking forward to next week when we leave for our cruise."
"Me too, baby. Tonya spent the better part of the week rearranging my schedule where possible; getting other attorneys in the firm to handle some of the depositions and court appearances where schedules couldn't be changed."
"Trey, it will be so good for you and I to have this time for each other with no interruptions or distractions."
"I can hardly wait to get you alone in our cabin on that cruise ship, Mrs. Sinclair."
He gave me one of his devilish grins.
"Trey, you know that there are a lot of activities on that ship. We can do what you have in mind in our own room at home," I said laughing, shaking my head.
When the limo pulled up in front of the manor, Susan and Clive were immediately out the door waiting for us on the front porch. Susan squealed with delight as Trey handed Preston over to her. The baby was just awakening from her nap but recognized her grandma right away.
"She has grown leaps and bounds since Grandma last saw her," Susan wailed, holding her out so that she could have a full view.
"Mom, it's only been several weeks," Trey responded, giving her a hug and then moving over to give Clive a pat on the back.
"Gamma," Preston said presenting Susan with her dimpled smile.
Clive came over and hugged me as Susan was chatting away with Preston, telling her about her new cousin, Royce. She handed the baby over to Clive so that she could greet me. She put her arms around me hugging me tightly.
"I'm so glad you are here, my darling Tylar," she said.
"Me too, Mom."
We got settled into our suite. I noticed that Preston's bed was back in our suite. I tiptoed down the hallway to the other wing and peered inside of Clive and Susan's suite. Another baby crib was located there. The suite next to ours had yet another crib. Evidently, that was the suite where Tristan, Gina and Reese would be staying. Apparently Susan wanted Royce in with them. I tried not to feel jealous about it; after all, both Reese and Preston were just a little bit more than an hour's flight away. Royce was clear across the country.
Trey was hauling our luggage into our suite when I came back in.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"Just looking around," I replied.
"What time are Tristan and Gina getting in?"
"They're driving - it will be later this evening. Nigel and Tess are already here I guess. They took Royce over to spend the day with Tess's family. Royce is their first grandchild since Landon and Caroline haven't blessed them just yet."
I stretched out across the bed pulling a pillow to me.
"I can certainly see that this Thanksgiving is going to be all about Royce," I commented resting my face on the pillow.
"Come on Tylar. You know Mom and Dad are crazy about all of their grandchildren. Preston is still their only grand-daughter, and the first to boot. If anything, it will be Reese and Royce that have to compete for attention."
"Doubtful," I replied, shrugging.
Trey sat down next to me on the bed. He was studying me carefully.
"Are you seriously thinking my parents would play favorites?"
"I guess not," I sighed. "I don't know why I'm so out of sorts about this. I'd say it was sibling rivalry except I don't have any siblings so there is no point of reference."
"Sweetie," he said stretching out next to me, "I think it is exactly one of those things you mentioned when we discussed our loss. It is a family gathering for the holidays. A family member is missing."
I looked over at Trey. He was right, of course. I was feeling the loss right now. He pulled me close to him. He stroked my hair gently.
"We'll get through it, Tylar. It won't always hurt this much."
"I know, Trey."
Trey's Blackberry chimed in his pocket.
"It's your dad," he said answering it.
Dad was at his hotel and wondered what plans Trey and I had for this evening. We invited him to eat with us at Morelli's. Tristan and Gina arrived by four o'clock that afternoon. They were going to join us at Morelli's. Gina was dying to meet my father. Nigel and Tess wouldn't be back until later in the evening. Clive had driven to the airport to pick up Susan's niece Brenda. Susan had insisted she would watch Preston and Reese while we joined my father for dinner.
Gina came to our suite as I was getting dressed for dinner. Trey and Tristan were downstairs.
"So Ty, have you seen Royce yet?"
"No. Nigel, Tess and the baby have been over at her parent's house all day. I tried to get Susan to open up when I talked to her on the phone last week as to what her thoughts were on the subject."
"And?"
"And she says she doesn't have a clue. She said she absolutely cannot tell if he is Tristan's or Trey's and that was the whole point of this anyway."
"Yeah, Tristan has already warned me to let it go. It just is weird, you know?"
"Uhh … Yeah," I said. "But hey, let's not let it ruin the holiday okay? I've already kind of got the blues."
"I know, girlfriend," Gina said. "I kind of thought that you would."
"Hey listen," she said, lowering her voice as if someone might be eavesdropping, "I did kind of find out a juicy tidbit from Tristan."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah - it seems that this cousin of Tristan and Trey's - what the hell is her name?"
"Brenda?"
"Yeah, Brenda - it seems that Susan is doing a little matchmaking. She is just a few years younger than your dad and is a widow. From what Tristan said, she is quite an attractive widow."
"What?"
"Yep. I think Susan is trying to hook your dad up. Kinda cute, isn't it?"
"Adorable," I answered, chuckling.
My father met us at Morelli's. It wasn't far from his hotel. Gina was immediately taken with him. She didn't waste any time sharing her opinion when we excused ourselves to visit the 'Ladies' room.
"Girlfriend - you didn't tell me your dad was hot!"
"Gina, for crying out loud - I don't look at him that way!"
"Just sayin," she replied, putting lipstick on and blotting it with a tissue. "He's got that whole 'George Clooney' thing going on; and he is funny, too. I mean, I guess I thought he would be some stodgy old judge-type. He clearly is not what I expected."
"I don't think you are what he expected either, Gina," I remarked with a laugh. Gina had pummeled him with questions all through dinner; asking if he had ever sent someone to the gas chamber or the electric chair; or if anyone he sent to prison had made threats to get even with him.
My father had handled her questions good-naturedly. He was amused with her tenacity.
After dinner, on our way out, my father pulled me aside telling Trey he needed a few moments with me.
"How have things been between you and Trey since you reconciled," he asked me. "I don't want to pry Tylar; I just need to know that you are okay."
"Yes Dad, we are doing fine. I had a bit of a meltdown finally when the reality hit about losing Marley. I don't know why I had kept myself in denial. Then Trey blamed himself for allowing me to remain in denial. We are working it out along with other issues."
"I am glad to hear that," he replied, putting his arm around me and squeezing me. "I know it takes work from both parties to make a marriage succeed. I know that you and Trey have enough love to make that happen. I do have something to share with you."
"What is it Dad?" This sounded like a prelude to more bad news; I had my fill of that for the year.
I looked up at my father and saw a hint of a smile pass over his face.
"I had a visit from Danny Duvall last week. It appeared he had been roughed up a bit."
(Good! He turned out to be a sorry asshole anyway.)
"Okay - why should I care, Dad?"
"No reason, I suppose. He seemed to think that your husband may have arranged it."
(What??)
"What? Are you serious? Trey would never - "
"That's neither here nor there Tylar. He asked that I pass along a message to you at my earliest opportunity. His message was very precise. He wanted me to make sure that I said it exactly the way that he instructed me to convey it. He said that he is deeply sorry that he took advantage of you. He knew full well that you were grieving, confused and vulnerable; he had no right to touch you, or any other man's wife for that matter and he will never do so again."
(Oh my God . . . that was sooo Trey!)
"Wow. Okay, Dad. Thanks for passing that along, I guess."
"You will make sure that Trey is made aware of the apology?"
I looked up at him my confusion evident.
"Apparently Mr. Duval is concerned he will be paid another visit by some hired goon if the message did not reach you. He acted extremely . . . paranoid."
I nodded. "Yes, I will make sure that I let Trey know."
"Good," he said smiling. "Now give your old man a hug. I will see you and my beautiful grand-daughter tomorrow."
When we returned to the house Nigel, Tess and the baby had returned. Susan was feeding Reese a bottle; Preston was sitting on a woman's lap. I presumed that this was Trey's cousin Brenda. She was reading a book to Preston. Seeing that Preston was totally comfortable where she was I turned my attention to Tess who was holding Royce.
"Tess, congratulations to you and Nigel, both," I said, "May I see your son?"
"Of course, Tylar," she replied, moving the receiving blanket back off of his face. "He's fallen asleep it seems."
It didn't matter that his eyes were closed. He was a carbon copy of Reese when he was a newborn. I smiled at him noting that he didn't have the chin dimple that Trey had and that Tristan didn't.
"Oh Tess, he is beautiful," I said realizing that I meant it. "Gina, come see Royce."
Trey took me by the arm and led me over to the corner where his cousin was still reading to Preston. He wanted to introduce me.
Brenda looked to be in her mid-forties. She was extremely beautiful with dazzling green eyes, dark blond hair that was shoulder length and a very congenial personality.
"I am so happy to meet you, Tylar," she said smiling. "Aunt Susan just went on and on about you. Your daughter is quite adorable. She has chattered away since I got here. She is extremely intelligent. I work as a pre-school teacher in Birmingham; I can tell you her speech and vocabulary both, are at an advanced level for her age."
I could feel Trey beaming as he stood beside me. I felt proud as well.
"Well thank you, Brenda. It's nothing I can take credit for; I read to her and she seems to enjoy it."
"That is the best thing you can do, Tylar. She is utterly precocious which makes learning something that gives her satisfaction. I would bet she is a bit of a perfectionist at ordinary things she does?"
"Well, yeah. I've noticed how she arranges her stuffed animals in a circle when she plays. She gets extremely upset with herself when we went through potty training if she had an accident."
"Yes," she said delightedly, "She sets high expectations for herself already. Just make sure that you reinforce to her that everyone makes mistakes, has accidents, occasionally makes bad choices. She will work it out."
"Do you have children?" I asked.
"I have a son Jackson. He is a sophomore at University of Alabama. He plays football for them. He is also a Psychology major."
"Well, you must be very proud as well."
"Oh I am; I'm only sad that his daddy can't be here to see his achievements. He died a year ago next week. He suffered from a rare form of blood cancer. Unfortunately, he suffered for the last seven years. I still miss him though."
My heart went out to this woman. She had endured a lot yet remained so positive and outgoing. She clearly had bonded with Preston and I bet she bonded with most children.
__________________________________________
As Trey and I got Preston ready for bed my heart suddenly felt light; I was happy and content. I couldn't explain it yet I knew what it was.
We got her settled in her crib for the night. Trey and I then showered together. It was very intimate for us. It was hard to explain. We got dressed and cuddled in bed; Trey put the flat screen on finding ESPN to watch. I was all over him. I kissed him, fondled him and basically wouldn't allow him to do anything but pay attention to me.
He finally broke away from my umpteenth passionate kiss looking at me with laughter in his eyes.
"What the hell has gotten in to you, Tylar?"
"I'm just happy Trey; I know - and don't ask me how - that I am the ONLY mother of your child."
He cocked an eyebrow at me as he lay back on the pillow watching me.
"May I ask how you have come to this conclusion?"
"Mother's intuition," I answered him plainly. "It's always right."
Trey and I made love that night and if by magic it seemed as if all of the worrisome baggage was finally lifted. He was mine; I was his; Preston was ours. That's where it began; that's where it ended - for now.