Baby Love (Baby #2)(10)

"Well good morning Tylar," Susan answered. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes except for missing Trey and Preston," I replied, scooping my freshly diapered baby up into my arms, holding her closely against me.

"Well grandma just gave her grandbaby a nice bath and she is ready for the big day ahead," Susan said, smiling.

I kissed her forehead and cheeks softly. She nuzzled against me, squirming until I lowered her down against my breasts. She was making no bones about wanting to nurse.

She preferred breastfeeding to the bottled breast milk. I hated that she would have to suffer through being bottle fed for the next couple of days.

"Susan, I'm going to take her back to my room to nurse, okay?"

"Well of course, Tylar. You go right ahead. I know using that breast pump has been a pain these last couple of days. We've got a good supply in the refrigerator going. You probably will only need to pump another two or three times today and we'll be set while you're gone. Want me to bring some breakfast to your room?"

"That would be great if it's no trouble. Give me a half an hour or so?"

"Sure thing, sweetie. You go on and spend time with your daughter. She misses her mama I can tell."

I carried Preston back to our room cradled against me as she continued to root for a breast and fuss. Once there, I switched the television on and climbed back into bed with her. Within moments, she was latched onto a nipple, nursing contentedly as she watched me with her big blue eyes.

I took her tiny hand into mine, kissing her little fingers, massaging them gently. She looked up at me and smiled dimpling like Trey. Within a moment, she was back to nursing again. I missed Trey. It felt strange to be in his room without him.

Any second I expected him to come out from the bathroom, towel draped around his hips with his hair damp from a shower. He was staying at Ray's. Tristan and Nigel were staying at Tess's house with the Andrews'. That had to be somewhat strange for Nigel I would have thought. Perhaps not. The two families had seemed to survive the drama at Christmas with no lasting ill effects.

I laughed out loud when I thought about family holidays at the Andrews' house. Landon and Caroline? Nigel and Tess? How weird was that going to be?

Trey said we would avoid those gatherings at all costs. He had received no argument from me.

Lost in thought I hadn't noticed that Preston had stopped nursing. I looked down to find her watching me intently. Her sapphire blue eyes once again brought Trey to mind.

"Do you miss daddy?" I asked her as if I fully expected an answer.

"Well I miss him, Preston. But guess what? We will see him this evening. Yes we will," I said to her.

"And guess what else? Preston has a brand new dress to wear this evening when mommy and daddy get married. Everyone's going to be looking at Preston tonight, aren't they?"

I was smiling down at her while talking.

She broke out in a big grin watching me, and then unceremoniously burped. I snuggled down in the bed with her and both of us promptly fell asleep.

When I awoke Preston was gone and my breakfast tray was on the nightstand next to the bed. Susan had taken possession of my daughter once again. I ate some of the fresh fruit and a muffin.

I was able to use my hands-free breast pump twice before Gina and Denise arrived at 2:00 p.m. to get started on my wedding day toilette.

I was bathed, shaved, waxed and coifed. I had been given a manicure and pedicure. Denise had been nearly as pushy as Gina in preparing me for my walk down the aisle. Susan had brought Preston to me one more time to be nursed prior to getting her dressed for the ceremony.

Gina had made sure that I had something old (Trey's grandmother's locket) something new (diamond stud earrings); something borrowed (Trey's grandmother's locket) and the something blue was the

garter, which she insisted, had to be removed by Trey using his mouth and teeth.

(What the??)

The day had passed in a flurry of activities. Before I knew it, Gina and Denise were helping me into my wedding gown. Gina had helped me pick it out in Atlanta. It was gorgeous.

My gown was ivory. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and a drop asymmetrical waistline. Below the waist the skirt fell into soft scalloped layers made of taffeta and tulle. It had a chapel length train. I was wearing a mantilla bridal veil in ivory with a cut edge in an 88 inch layered length.

As matron of honor, Gina was wearing a full length, strapless mint green sheath; Denise as my bridesmaid was wearing a matching down in light apricot. Our bouquets were ivory colored roses and baby's breath.

Susan knocked on the bedroom door just as Gina and Denise had finished up affixing my veil. She had our bouquets.

"Oh my," she said, her eyes welling up, "You girls look so lovely. Tylar, I have never seen a prettier bride in all of my life."

She gave me a motherly hug and for the moment I felt a flicker of pain that my own mother had for whatever reason, never felt any love for me.

"You look lovely Susan," I replied.

She was wearing a summer suit of pale yellow with matching pumps. Something was missing though.

"Where's Preston," I asked, suddenly aware that I was not used to seeing Susan now without my baby in her arms.

"Oh sweetie, Tess has her downstairs. She was rocking her while I got ready. Let me go get her before we leave."

Gina and Denise exited with her as they were going in a separate limo from the one that Ray, Susan, Clive and I would be taking.