Baby Love (Baby #2)(109)

"I've got her," I said, scooping Preston up in my arms.

"Please tell my father that we will be down shortly.

"Of course Mrs. Sinclair," the servant responded taking her leave.

I quickly freshened up and then gathered my baby into my arms ready to face the father I had only seen once in a crowded court room when I had not been at my best.

I looked at Preston adorable in her royal blue velvet dress and tights.

"Showtime," I said to her, kissing her brow gently.



CHAPTER 43



My father was in the drawing room as Preston and I were escorted there by the frigid midget. I clutched my baby girl close to me.

"Tylar," my dad said coming to me and embracing me warmly.

"Forgive me for not being able to come to the airport but I think you will be pleased with what I have found out. Is this my grandbaby?"

"Yes, dad. This is Preston Michaela Sinclair. She is actually seven months old today."

"May I hold her?"

"Of course," I smiled.

He held his arms out and Preston immediately gave him her dimpled grin and reached for him. He took her from me talking to her and telling her what a beautiful little girl she was just like her mother.

"Actually Dad, she resembles Trey considerably."

"Nonsense daughter," he replied, "I can see Marley and you in her just as plain as day."

"By the way, Trey is joining us here tomorrow - I hope that's okay?"

"Absolutely," he answered, "I was remiss in not including him in the invitation initially. I presumed he had a busy schedule with his firm."

"Being a senior partner has its perks I guess."

Dad carried Preston over to a birdcage in the corner where a couple of parakeets were chirping and flapping around.

"Preston those are 'birdies'," he said annunciating the word, patiently pointing and repeating it several times to her.

She spoke some gibberish and then leaned over closer to the cage to get a good look. She became excited as she watched the birds squawk and lift their tail feathers and flutter around the gilded cage.

She looked over at me her eyes shining and pointed to the cage.

"Berty, mamma," she said, smiling, "Berty."

"She is quite intelligent," my father responded.

"Again," I replied, "She gets that from Trey."

He looked over at me quizzically; his expression was one of surprise. He soon realized that he had been exposed to some of my dry humor. He smiled.

"Ah yes," he said, "I recall getting a glimpse of that sense of humor of yours the first time I saw you in court when Mr. Louderdick wouldn't shut up."

I chuckled at my dad and the way that he seemed so normal without his judicial robes; not the stodgy judge with the intimidating expression that had glared at the windbag attorney that day.

Just then Ms. Deeny came into the room carrying a silver tray with an ornate teapot and delicate china cups and saucers. There was a platter in the center with tea biscuits, biscotti and graham crackers.

My father motioned for me to sit down in a high back chair. He was still holding Preston in his arms as he sat across from me. Ms. Deeny set the tray on the coffee table between us.

"Will there be anything else, Judge?"

"Not at the moment. Thank you Ms. Deeny."

He turned from her dismissively. It almost seemed as if he wasn't all that fond of the frigid midget either.

"She's not very warm and fuzzy is she?" I commented as I poured our tea.

I handed him his cup on the saucer.

"That's an understatement," my father replied, stirring a sugar cube into his tea.

"She was very committed to my wife. She doesn’t like the fact that you represent my infidelity to Olivia while we were engaged. I believe that my wife likely took her into her confidence early on when the 'negotiations were being conducted behind my back between your

Uncle Matthew and Olivia."

My father set his teacup down as Preston squirmed against him spotting the graham crackers on the tray. That was yet another word she had learned in the last few weeks.

She leaned over toward the tray, her little hand clasping and unclasping as she repeated, "Cacker, cacker."

"Of course darling, Grandpa will get you a cracker."

Dad reached for a graham cracker handing it to her; she immediately started chewing on it.

"Dad - she will have that cracker a soggy mess all over you within a few minutes."

"That's not a problem Tylar," he laughed.

"I want to enjoy all the things that I missed with you."

I sipped my tea as my father filled me in on what we were going to do the following day. My dad's P.I. had located Trinity LaFleur. We would be going to Vidalia to visit her at a pre-arranged time. It was less than a two hour drive.

I told him about the key and the note from my mother instructing Trinity to give Maggie an envelope that had been in the other blue velvet jewelry box's false bottom.

"How strange it is," he said, "When I gave those to your mother I had no clue that the boxes would prove to be more valuable than the jewelry itself."

"That brings a question to my mind about your gift," I said.

He looked over at me waiting for me to continue.