Shadows and Dreams (Dream Series Book 2)

by Braxton Hicks

  As I approached Trey’s study, I could hear him talking to someone. I peered in, seeing him in his swivel chair, leaning back with Preston in his arms. He was feeding her a bottle. She must've awakened while I was on the phone. I stopped to watch his interaction with her as he fed her. He didn’t see me in the hallway.

  He talked to her, calling her "Bobbin." He told her how much he loved her and what a good baby she was and that she was Daddy’s girl. My heart was heavy with the love I had for him. I thought about all that he'd gone through these past several months.

  The holidays had been one huge fucked-up mess after another. My roller-coaster hormonal pregnancy hadn't helped either. He'd spent many hours of his own time handling my affairs with respect to my missing-in-action mother; negotiating a settlement on the depletion of my trust; trying to uncover the mystery behind the trustor believed to be my natural father, and handling his full-time job as a law partner and lover to me.

  I loved him so much. I needed to show him that it wasn’t always about me and what I wanted. I went into his office. He looked up as I entered and smiled. Preston’s fingers were wrapped around his again as she stared up at him with her big blue eyes.

  “Do you want me to finish feeding her?" I asked softly.

  “No, I’ve got this,” he answered. “I miss her during the day, you know.”

  “I know, sweetie.”

  “So, what'd Mom want to discuss?”

  “Just some last-minute stuff with the wedding,” I replied. “Everything seems to be on track. I have my final fitting on my dress tomorrow. Gina and I are going together, so I’ll take Preston with me since it’s not Jean’s day to be here.”

  “Sounds good,” he remarked, watching the baby with a look of love and amusement on his face as she continued to gaze up at him, draining her bottle. “Hey,” he said, “I’ll go ahead and finish feeding her, then change her for bed. Why don’t you go ahead and take a nice leisurely bath, if you want.”

  “Really?” I asked. “That sounds so good at the moment.”

  “Go ahead, baby. I’ve got this covered.”

  I went over and leaned down, brushing a kiss on his lips.

  “Thank you, Trey,” I said. I quickly left his office, anxious to enjoy some leisure time in the bathroom. An hour later, having emerged from an absolutely lovely bubble bath, I dressed with care in one of my sexiest nightgowns. I blew my hair dry, pulling it up on top of my head with a comb so that it looked tousled and sexy. My breasts were fairly bursting from the plunging neckline of my nightgown. I inserted my diaphragm, coated with the spermicidal jelly recommended.

  I exited the bathroom and headed down the hallway. Trey was in Preston’s nursery, having changed and dressed her in pajamas. He was rocking her, singing to her softly. When he saw me standing in the doorway, dressed as I was, he stopped singing mid-sentence.

  “Is she asleep?” I asked.

  He stopped rocking her and held her from him making sure that her eyes were closed. “Yep,” he answered with a sly smile.

  “Let’s put her to bed then. How much longer do you plan on staying up?”

  “I’m ready now,” he breathed, his gaze burning into me like a hungry flame.

  We tucked Preston into her bassinet in our room. She immediately found her thumb without waking. I leaned down, kissing her soft, chubby little cheek. When I straightened up Trey was right beside me, pulling me towards him and pressing me against him. His lips found mine, possessing them hungrily. We devoured each other with that kiss.

  I felt warm all over, craving something that I'd not had in quite a while. He lifted me up, gently placing me on the bed, his eyes perused me appreciatively. I watched as he pulled the drawstring on his sweats, letting them slide down over his slim hips and muscular thighs. He had no boxers on, so his erection was in full spectacular view. He pulled his tee shirt up and over his shoulders, tossing it to the floor. He put his knee on the bed, leaning over and scooping me up into his embrace. His fingers lightly touched the plunging neckline of my nightie, pulling it lower, springing one of my breasts free so that his hand could caress and massage it.

  I watched as his head lowered, taking the nipple into his mouth and sucking gently while kneading it with his fingertips.

  “Mmmm,” he moaned softly, “breast milk isn’t all that bad,” he breathed, circling my erect nipple with his tongue over and over again. He continued suckling, then moved to free my other breast, giving it a share of his attention.

  “I guess I’d better leave some for Preston, huh?” he asked, giving me his crooked grin as his mouth moved back to capture mine. I laced my arms around his neck, pulling him down on top of me. I was greedily pushing my pelvis against his bulging erection.

  “Easy, easy, baby,” he breathed, kissing my lips again and again softly. "Let’s take our time, okay?”

  Trey sat back on his haunches, pulling me up into a sitting position, raising my arms above my head so that he could slip my nightgown up and over my head. I hadn’t bothered with panties so I was fully naked with him. He lifted me as he positioned himself on his back, settling me down on him, my sex resting against his abdomen. I could feel that I was totally wet down there already.

  His fingers plied my sex, his thumb pressing the outside while he inserted two fingers to gently rub the inside beneath my pubic bone. The warmth spread through me, causing me to tingle in anticipation of my release. My hands were all over him; pulling him closer to me. I wanted him buried inside of me right now.

  “I love you,” I whimpered, lowering myself against his chest, wrapping my arms around him.

  For some strange reason, tears were pouring down my cheeks.

  What's this about?

  Trey was kissing my lips and felt the wetness of my tears as they rolled down my cheeks. He raised himself up into a sitting position, staring at me intently. “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked, totally confused.

  “I’m not sure. I just know that I love you so much and maybe I've not been conveying that properly the past several weeks. I feel like I’ve neglected you,” I wailed.

  He immediately sat up, pulling me with him.

  Lovely. Cleared for sex and my hormones are a bitch.

  I was on his lap; he had his arms wrapped around me tightly, rocking me back and forth. I think perhaps the “baby blues” I'd read about in my book were showing their ugly head.

  “Sweetie, you’ve not neglected me at all, okay? I’m so proud of what a great mother you are to our baby; you’re going to be a fantastic wife and lover to me, as well. This is all new to you, sweetie. I can see how much Preston loves you; the way she can’t take her eyes off of you whenever you’re in the room. I feel like I’ve expected too much from you. I’m sorry, really sorry. I’ve been selfish, I know.”

  “But I wanted this evening to be special and now I’ve ruined it with my tears. I’m sorry I even suggested we wait until our wedding night. That should've been something we discussed together. Let’s get back to it,” I said, brushing the tears from my cheeks.

  “No…No, baby. How about just you and me cuddle for now? We just need to feel close in a non-sexual way. I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on you these past few weeks. I need to feel close to you, but it certainly doesn’t require sex in order for that to happen.”

  Trey got up and put a pair of boxers on. He returned to our bed. He scooped me up in his arms and cradled me. He gently ran his fingers along my cheekbone, planting soft kisses on my cheeks. He murmured his love for me, kissing my ear lobes, and brushing his lips across mine gently. He pulled the sheet up over us, wrapping his arm around me protectively as we relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

  Sometime later, I awoke. I heard Preston fussing nearby. I felt Trey rise up, leaving our bed and lifting her out of her bassinet, talking softly and soothingly to her. He brought her into bed with us as I rolled to my side. Trey placed her next to me and she nestled against me. Preston and I fell asleep in Trey’s protective arms, comfortably ens
conced in our family bed.

  Chapter 3

  Our wedding day in southern Virginia dawned sunny with surprisingly low humidity for early July. The ceremony was to take place at seven in the evening at the ‘Belle.

  I stretched languidly in our bed in Trey’s suite at his parents’ house. We'd been in Bristol for two days now, helping with the final preparations. The clock read 8:33 a.m. This was the first full night of sleep I'd gotten since Preston had been born. Susan had insisted the baby stay in the portable crib she'd purchased in her and Clive’s suite. She was adamant that I be a well-rested bride. Even Trey had been banished from the manor to honor the tradition of not seeing his bride before the wedding. I missed both of them. Trey had honored my request of abstaining until our wedding night, despite the fact that I had, on more than one occasion, insisted all bets were off. As usual, his stubbornness had won out over my whining.

  I reclined back against the soft pillows, chewing my lower lip thoughtfully. I had a wonderful soon-to-be husband and the most beautiful and lovable baby in the whole world. I thought back to the rehearsal dinner the previous night over at Le Vie Belle. Gina and Ian were there; Ray and Denise; Tristan, Nigel and Tess, of course, along with Clive and Susan.

  We'd made a last-minute change to the ceremony. Ray would be walking me down the so-called aisle to Trey. Denise had suggested it and I loved the idea. He was as close to a father figure to me as anyone had ever been.

  I had until early afternoon to call my own. After that, Gina would be here ordering everyone around and assisting me in being the most beautiful bride since her marriage to Ian. At this point in time, I needed to rid myself of breast milk since Susan had been bottle-feeding Preston, compliments of my breast pump. I needed to pump a supply for her bottles, since Trey and I would soon be gone for our brief two-day honeymoon. That was the longest I was willing to be apart from my daughter, right now.

  I pulled my robe and slippers on and padded down the hallway towards the master suite. Clive had evidently already gone downstairs to start his day. Susan had Preston on top of their bed, fastening her diaper while talking to her.

  “Good morning,” I greeted them as I walked in. Preston immediately recognized my voice, turning her head towards me. Her eyes watched me as I approached the bed; her face lit up with a smile.

  “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's 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. "Susan, I’m going to take her back to my room to nurse for a bit.”

  “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. Want me to bring some breakfast to your room?”

  “That'd 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 and, once there, I switched the television on and climbed back into bed with her, getting her situated. I took her tiny hand into mine, kissing her little fingers, massaging them gently. She looked up at me and smiled. 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, his hair damp from the 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 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'd 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'll see him this evening," 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.

  Gina and Denise arrived promptly at 2:00 p.m. to get started on my wedding day toilette. I was bathed, shaved, waxed and coifed. I'd been given a manicure and pedicure. Denise had been nearly as pushy as Gina in preparing me for my walk down the aisle. The day had passed in a flurry of activity. Before I knew it, Gina and Denise were helping me into my wedding gown. 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 eighty-eight 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 gown 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 affixing my veil. She had our bouquets.

  “Oh my,” she said, her eyes welling up, “you girls look so lovely. Tylar, I've 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 wasn't 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. Susan returned momentarily with Preston cradled in her arms. She'd 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 her 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.

  “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, or a better daughter of our own. It would please us both if you called us ‘mom’ and ‘dad,’ but we'll understand if you're not comfortable with that.”

  “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 that o
ur limo waited. 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'd 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'll cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I'll protect you from all harm; I'll 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'll 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.”