Baby Love (Baby #2)(11)
Susan returned momentarily with Preston cradled in her arms. She had fallen asleep for Tess, sucking her thumb. She was dressed in a pale lavender ruffled dress with matching booties. Susan had put a matching lavender bonnet on hear head that had silk ribbons tied in a bow under her chin. She had a lavender receiving blanket to match.
"She looks precious doesn't she?" I asked.
I knew there would be no disagreement from the proud grandma.
"She reminds me so much of Trey as a baby," Susan crooned, rocking her gently in her arms, not taking her eyes off of her.
"Tylar," Susan started, raising her gaze from the baby to me.
"In case I haven't told you lately Clive and I love you like one of our own. We couldn't have picked a better wife for our son; a better mother to our grandbaby; and a better daughter of our own. It would please us both if you called us 'mom' and 'dad,' but we will both understand if you are not comfortable with that."
I was filled with emotion. The truth was, Susan and Clive both already seemed like family and had from the moment Trey had introduced me to them.
"Oh Susan - I mean mom - nothing would please me more."
I moved towards her, wrapping my arms around her and the baby. She kissed my forehead raising her hand to brush a tear that had rolled down my cheek. I was glad that Gina had insisted on waterproof everything.
Our mother-daughter moment was interrupted when Clive came to the door informing us our limo awaited. He took the sleeping baby from Susan so that she could assist me by holding my train while we made our exit to the waiting limousine.
CHAPTER 4
I was facing Trey on the porch of the colonial mansion at Le Vie Belle. Soft violin music was playing in the background. Wedding guests were seated on the lawn. Tristan and Ray stood off to the side of Trey; Gina and Denise stood off to the side of me.
At this moment there was only Trey and me. My hands were placed in his; I stared up into his magnificent blue eyes as he recited the vows he had selected for me in his smooth and silky voice.
"I Trey, choose you, Tylar, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will protect you from all harm; I will trust you and respect you. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."
It was my turn and I swallowed nervously. Trey had it all over me when it came to public speaking of any kind. He was a litigator; he was comfortable in the spotlight. I wasn't.
I felt him lightly squeeze my fingers and our eyes locked. He smiled down at me, giving me a slight nod of encouragement before I began.
"I, Tylar, take you, Trey to be my friend, my lover, the father of my children and my husband. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want; in times of sickness and in times of health; in times of joy and in times of sorrow. I love you with all of my heart; I promise to cherish and respect you; to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you for all eternity."
Tristan stepped up to Trey's side, handing him my ring. Trey gently slid the wedding band onto my ring finger, lifting my hand and brushing it with a kiss when he finished.
Gina stepped up to my side, handing me Trey's wedding band. I slid it onto his finger, gazing up into his eyes as he smiled down at me.
The minister spoke.
"By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss."
Trey lowered his face to mine, his hand tilting my chin upward to meet his kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as we kissed for the first time as husband and wife.
The minister interrupted our kiss with the introduction.
"Ladies and gentleman, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Trey Sinclair."
There was applause and shouting; I heard a champagne cork pop in the distance. We were immediately surrounded by family and friends, giving us congratulatory hugs and kisses.
Hand in hand, Trey and I made our way to the horse drawn carriage that would take us over to the reception area on the other side of the plantation. Susan handed Preston over to Trey once he had settled me into the carriage. He climbed in next to me, cradling the baby against his chest. He looked magnificent in his tan tuxedo.
Preston was ready to nurse right then and there. I looked over at Trey as her fussiness escalated into full-fledged wailing. Trey leaned up and directed the driver to take us to the reception hall. Once we got moving, I quickly pulled one side of the bodice of my gown down far enough so that she could latch onto a nipple and nurse. Within moments she had quieted down and was content once again. I looked up at Trey. He was watching us his eyes full of love and warmth.
"I love you, Trey."
"I love you Mrs. Sinclair," he replied, pulling me closer against him.
We had a sit down dinner followed by a reception complete with live music and dancing. Susan had taken full responsibility for Preston once she had finished nursing after the wedding ceremony.
I allowed myself only one glass of champagne. Susan insisted that she would bottle feed Preston through the night.
Trey and I weren't leaving for Tybee Island until the following day. Our official wedding night was to be spent in the bridal suite at the Marriott. Trey had insisted on this and I suspected I knew the reason. As long as we were at the house I would want to have Preston with us. He had put his foot down.