Baby Love (Baby #2)(61)

"Excellent," Gina cheered.

I beamed happily at her praise. I had managed to remember that particular drink from her hint. It sounded a helluva lot better than that 'Grateful Dead.'

"Make me an "Adios Mother Fucker," she ordered.

"Adios Mother Fucker," I repeated.

"One part gin, one part light rum, one part tequila, one part vodka, one part blue Curacao liqueur and one ounce of Sprite."

"Ty," she said grinning, "I am so f*cking impressed with how well you absorbed the recipes for those drinks in such a small window of time. I think you may just be a natural at this!"

We went over a few other popular drinks like Cosmopolitans, the various Martini families like apple-tini, skini-tini, and f*ckin-tini. It was the best I had felt in a couple of days. The distance between Trey and I had left me feeling empty and lonely. I hadn't shared the extent of it with Gina. I didn't want to bum her out because she was clearly happier than I had seen her since all this shit had gone down with Ian.

"Okay girlfriend," she continued as if mentally confirming her checklist.

"You have your uniform, your name tag - you know to be at the club by five-thirty, right?"

I nodded.

"Because I need to show you how to work the computerized register at the upstairs bar."

"I know, Gina."

"Well I just want to make sure that all bases are covered. It is our first night as partners you know?"

"I know Gina," I reiterated.

"How are you going to wear your hair?" she asked me.

"I hadn't really thought about it. Is there any certain requirement for hair?"

"I would prefer you wear it either up in a ponytail or tied back or even in a french braid. We are going for a classy look here."

"I can handle it Gina. Please calm down. It's all good," I reassured her.

"I hope so Ty," she said, looking unusually vulnerable.

I got it. This was Gina's big opportunity to shine and to do it all by herself. She needed to know that she could do it without Ian. I would be with her every step of the way.

She gave me a hug and told me she would see me at 5:30. She went to kiss Preston good-bye who had been playing in her playpen the whole time like the good baby that she was.

"It just dawned on me," Gina said.

"Who will watch Preston for you?"

"Not to worry," I replied, "Jean will be here by 5:00."

"I'm so glad," she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know Trey is not on board with this and well - I just hoped you had a "Plan B" which it sounds as if you do."

She hugged me and was gone in a flurry. I knew she was nervous. I knew she was anxious. This was going to be Gina's solo flight tonight and I was going to be there to spin the props.

I got myself ready as Preston napped. I put my make-up on very carefully so that my eyes stood out. Having light brown or amber eyes made it difficult to find a good color pallet with black. I opted to put my hair back in a french braid.

The short, tight skirt fit fine. I supposed the idea of the outfit was to give a professional but form-fitting look.

I put my dark thigh high stockings on along with my heels. I outlined my lips in a new shade of lipstick I had found at the drug store. It was called "Amaretto Raspberry." It was a good color for me. I looked in the full length mirror in Trey's closet one final time. 'Showtime," I thought to myself as I turned the light out and headed out to the living room.

As I passed Preston's room I heard her jabbering baby talk in her crib. She must have awakened as I was getting ready. A pang of guilt hit me for having to leave her tonight and in the nights to come. Had I really thought this out thoroughly or was my decision based on Trey's dismissive attitude towards my idea of investing?

I looked in on the baby. She had pulled herself up into a standing position along the rail of her crib. Oh my God! She was peeking over the top rail and when she spotted me she broke out into a wide grin as if to say, 'Look at me, mommy.'

"Preston," I said, smiling and heading in to her.

"Look at you big girl; you are standing up!"

She was all smiles as she listened to my praise. She held her arms up for me and I lifted my precious baby up and into my arms. I changed her diaper and then carried her out to the living room to wait for Jean to arrive.

Preston was squirming and rooting for my breast. I was surprised again but this sudden resurgence in her needing to breastfeed. I had cut way back on nursing her since she had started on the pureed foods and seemed to be doing very well with it. I was dressed and didn't really want to go through the hassle of taking my vest off, unbuttoning my blouse and unhooking my bra since I wasn't wearing a nursing bra. I was immediately flooded with guilt over my resistance to accommodate her.

I pulled my vest off, unbuttoned my white blouse and lifted my underwire bra up over my breasts so that she had full access.

She immediately latched on and started nursing. I cuddled her closely to me, running my fingers through her dark hair and talking to her.

A few minutes later the doorman buzzed that Jean was here. I would have to get her a new pass and key so that she didn't need to go through the crap with security any longer since she was back to a routine with us.

Jean had been ecstatic to see Preston again. It had almost seemed that Preston remembered Jean from all of those months ago. She had taken to her immediately over the past few days. She didn't fuss a bit when I pulled her from my breast and re-clothed myself while Jean was on her way up.