Shadows and Dreams (Dream Series Book 2)

by Braxton Hicks

  “Exactly,” I answered. “Speaking of which, I understand that Caroline's now your sister-in-law instead of mine. Congratulations!”

  This brought more giggling from Tess and I saw her blush. “Yeah, that was all pretty screwed up wasn’t it?”

  “Let’s just say that Trey and I are never bored at a family get-together.”

  “I hear that,” she replied, putting the finishing touches on the centerpiece. “You know, I'm so glad that you're with Trey. You two are perfect for each other—I mean the same way it feels like Nigel and I are perfect for each other. I’m glad that you and Trey discovered it before you had to go through disastrous marriages like he and I did.”

  “Thank you, Tess. I’m glad you're finally happy. Nigel seems so happy too. Are you uncomfortable being around Caroline?”

  “No, not really,” she replied. “We finally came to terms with all that happened. I mean, I’m not proud of what I did, but sometimes it’s like Nigel says, ‘the heart wants what the heart wants’ I guess.”

  I could picture Nigel telling her that. He had a sweetness about him I hadn’t seen when he was with Caroline.

  “Caroline actually seems happy too, now, so perhaps everything did work out for the best,” she said, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Why does she hate me?” I asked, hoping that Tess was privy to the reason.

  “I don’t think that she hates you at all, Tylar. I think she was simply jealous of the relationship and love that she saw you and Trey had. I mean, it was so obvious to everyone. She'd always wanted a baby and there you were all in love and pregnant. She couldn’t be happy for you. She was in a bad place then. We all were.”

  “Did Nigel not want children?” I asked.

  “Oh, I think Nigel would've liked to have had a child or two, but that’s not in the cards.”

  “I know,” I replied with compassion. “I heard about the accident with Derringer.”

  “Oh, it’s not that; I mean it wasn’t in the cards for Nigel with anyone. He’s been tested and has an extremely low sperm count.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “Tess, I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “No, it's fine,” she assured me. “You see, I can conceive, but I'd never be able to carry a baby to term."

  I nodded.

  "Before we married, Nigel got tested simply because Caroline had never conceived. We didn’t know how we would handle birth control. As it turns out, there's no need to use it.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said again.

  “But we sure enjoy spoiling our niece, if that’s okay with you,” she said happily. As if on cue, Clive walked in carrying Preston, who saw me and immediately smiled, reaching for me.

  “I think it’s that time,” I said, taking my leave to go upstairs to our suite.

  We had nearly everything finished for the party. The caterers would be arriving soon to set up. The weather was mild enough that a band was going to be playing outside. There was a fire pit set up to take the chill off out on the patio. We'd helped Susan hang Halloween party lights around the large wooden deck where tables and chairs had been set up already.

  Up in the suite, I stretched out on our bed, switching on the television while Preston curled up against me and nursed. She'd nearly dozed off when Trey came into the room having just returned from the winery with his brothers.

  “You guys did a fantastic job on the house,” he commented, taking his place on the bed beside us. Preston’s eyes fluttered open at hearing his voice and she smiled up at him. “Hey there, baby girl,” he cooed smiling down at her. He put his hands out towards her, beckoning for her to come towards him. “Come over here to Daddy, apple-dumpling,” he encouraged.

  She rolled over onto her stomach and crawled over to where he was laying. He scooped her up and held her up in the air above him, bouncing her up and down. She squealed and laughed.

  “Better watch it,” I warned. “She just finished eating.” I fastened my nursing bra back up and got up from the bed to start my bubble bath. I was going to indulge myself and leave her to Trey’s care for the time being. “So, what did you think of the winery?” I asked, coming back out to the bedroom for clean underwear.

  “Baby, you should see it. You won’t recognize it when you go over there. He has a whole new building under construction that's totally automated," he said, sounding very impressed.

  "Once he gets it in operation, there will be very little for him to do except count his money. He’s planning on expanding his market through a distribution channel that would cover the east coast at a minimum. I’m thinking about buying some shares. What do you think?”

  “Honey, I leave that to you. It’s your money.”

  “It’s our money,” he corrected me, lowering Preston down so that he could sniff her diaper. “Pee-yew!" he said, making a face. “I think she wants her mommy to change her.”

  “The diapers are next to the bed, Trey. The baby wipes are on the nightstand. She’s on your watch while I get my bath, sweetie.”

  I went into the bathroom, leaving the door open as I undressed for my bath. I could hear Trey rustling around for the baby wipes and diapers. I chuckled when I heard him gag as he unfastened her dirty diaper.

  “No, no Preston, sweetie. Lay still for Daddy—”

  I relaxed in my bubble bath, glad that Trey was spending some quality time with his daughter. My relaxation was interrupted when I heard Trey holler from the bedroom at me.

  “Jesus Christ, Tylar; she’s had a major shit explosion in this diaper!”

  “Don’t blame me,” I called out from the tub. “You were the one who fed her applesauce last night at Morelli’s, saying that she was ready for solids.”

  I heard him gag a couple of more times before he finally had her cleaned up and diapered. He must've taken the toxic diaper out of the room instead of putting it in the trash can. Several moments later, Preston crawled into the bathroom, spying me in the tub. Trey appeared in the doorway just then, relieved to see that she hadn’t wandered down the hall.

  “Man, she scared me,” he said. “That little shit can crawl fast.”

  “That’s why you're supposed to be keeping an eye on her, Trey.”

  He gave me his dimpled grin, scooping her back up into his arms and leaving me to my bath.

  Tristan’s 40th birthday party was in full swing. The guests had arrived; the band was playing outside. Tristan and Libby hadn't yet made their entrance. Everyone loved our ‘Flintstones’ costumes. Susan and Tess continued to gush over ‘Pebbles.’ Tess and Nigel were dressed as Minnie and Mickey Mouse; Preston was enthralled with their costumes. Tess was holding the baby whenever Susan wasn’t.

  Caroline and Landon had arrived as ‘Bonnie & Clyde.’ They were both cordial to everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were dressed as Frankenstein and his bride; Denise and Ray came as Romeo and Juliet; Susan and Clive were dressed as Laurel and Hardy. There were an assortment of other costumes, such as characters from the Twilight saga movies, Harry Potter and a neighbor couple came as George and Jane Jetson.

  Trey looked great as Fred Flintstone; he kept bopping me with his wooden club that was made of soft foam, threatening to drag me back to the cave by my hair. Finally, we saw Tristan and Libby come into the room.

  Oh. My. God.

  Minnie Mouse did a double take as she nudged Mickey beside her.

  Libby and Tristan were dressed as Adam and Eve. Tristan looked magnificent wearing a loin cloth which covered only the bare essentials. He was built to carry it off. His dark hair was longer than Trey’s and Libby had slicked it back to look just like Adam’s looked in the biblical movie. He had that sexy five o’clock shadow thing going like Trey. He had a white sash draped diagonally over his broad shoulder and tied at his narrow hip.

  Libby had nothing more than a G-string on with some fig leaves affixed in a triangle in the front to cover her pubic area. Her butt cheeks were in full view. Of course, she had the perfect ass. Her top was the same, with fig leaves co
vering a bit more than her nipple areas. Her long blond hair cascaded down to the middle of her back in curly waves. Hair extensions—there was no way her hair was that long or curly yesterday. Her breasts were ripe and round—just as one would imagine Eve’s had been in the Garden of Eden. She'd obviously used a self-tanner all over her body as it was sun-bronzed. Again, not the pale skin she sported only the day before. She carried a red apple with a bite out of it as a prop.

  Tristan had a python snake wrapped around his neck, which I was relieved to find out wasn't real. I heard Trey catch his breath as she turned to model for everyone. There were many appreciative whistles in the crowd. I jabbed my elbow into Trey’s rib.

  “Ouch,” he said, finally taking his eyes off of her. “What’s the matter, Wilma?”

  “Cut the shit, Trey.”

  I wanted to laugh, thinking about how Trey had thought my Wilma Flintstone shift was too short and revealed too much leg. Hah! He certainly seemed to enjoy the view Libby provided. The band was playing a slow song outside.

  “I think I’ll go ask Tristan for a birthday dance,” I said, heading away from the group towards where Tristan and Libby stood front and center. I immediately felt Trey’s arm hauling me back next to him.

  “What’s the matter, Fred?”

  I looked up at him coquettishly.

  “I’m your dance partner tonight,” he said, all caveman style. “Come on, woman.”

  We went out to the dance area that wasn’t too crowded yet. The fire pit going just off to the side of it kept the area fairly well-lit and warm. He took me in his arms and pulled me against him as we danced to the soft melodic tunes of the song. The song was called, “Beautiful Tonight.” Just then, Tristan and Libby came on to the dance floor. Holy Shit! How in the hell are they going to manage dancing without revealing more than they already did?

  It was then that I saw Tristan had on skin colored long johns under his loin cloth. Libby had no such protection. I was glad to see that at least Tristan hadn’t completely lost his mind. I'd been right. Tristan was all about her. I could see it as he held her closely, rubbing her back. I tried to watch under semi-closed lids so he wouldn’t know I was staring. I was sure at one point he whispered ‘I love you’ in her ear.

  I then saw that she had a full few of Trey and was watching him intently with her eyes wide open. My eyes locked with hers and she didn’t bother to look away. She was sending me a message loud and clear.

  After the song ended, we went back inside. Tess was holding Preston, who was starting to get fussy. It was probably time for her to go down for the night. I took her from Tess and told Trey I was taking her upstairs to put her to bed, relieved to get away from the party. Tess followed me upstairs, taking off her Minnie Mouse head.

  “God, it feels good to get that thing off,” she said. “I don’t know what Nigel and I were thinking getting costumes that required pulling a head on over our own,” she chuckled.

  “Enjoying the party?” I asked her, as we headed into our suite.

  “Probably about as much as you are,” she replied. “Some costume, huh?”

  “Oh, it’s not just that,” I said. “Last night, Trey went downstairs to get his cell phone off of the kitchen counter and she was there. He said she ‘accidently’ brushed her hand against his crotch.”

  “What?” she sat up where she'd been reclining on the bed.

  I laid one of Preston’s blankets on top of the bed, placing her on it. “Will you watch her for a sec while I gather her stuff for bed?”

  “Sure, no problem,” Tess said, smiling over at Preston who was sucking her thumb. I returned to the room and started undressing the baby. She was squirming around turning her head so that she could continue to watch Tess who was no longer ‘Minnie Mouse’ to her.

  “Yes. Trey told me that when he came back up to our room. He was bothered by it, I could tell, but then he convinced himself it was an accident.”

  I shared with her the rest of it about the apology and then about what I'd observed on the dance floor while I got Preston ready for bed.

  “I can see that she craves male attention. Nigel said that the whole time they were touring the winery expansion, it was all about her. Did you know that once Tristan gets his staff hired, he's moving to Atlanta to live with her?”

  “No,” I said aghast. “It must be way serious.”

  “Hmm—on Tristan’s part maybe, but certainly not on hers.”

  “Thank you,” I said, “That's exactly what I told Trey; Tristan's all about her; she’s all about something else.”

  “I agree with you.”

  Just then there was a tap on the door.

  “Who is it?” both Tess and I called out together.

  “It’s Bonnie,” the voice slurred. Caroline!

  “Come on in,” Tess invited. “It’ll be okay,” she said quietly to me.

  Caroline came in with a glass of wine in her hand. “I have one question,” she slurred. “Who in the hell is that bitch that's all but naked down there shaking her fig leaves at every guy in the room?”

  Tess and I both snickered. Libby’s ears had to be burning. It was kind of comical to see Caroline appearing to be just a normal drunk, jealous wife. “She’s got Landon out there dancing now. She’s already been shaking her booty out there with Nigel and then with Trey,” she said.

  “What!” Tess and I both shrieked at the same time.

  “Yep,” she said, shaking her head up and down then taking a gulp of her wine. “Just thought you girls would want to know. I’m headed back down to make sure my man isn’t pruning her fig bush. I suggest you two do the same.” She walked out of the room, keeping her staggering to a minimum.

  “Hey, she’s right; we need to get back down there, Tylar,” Tess said.

  “I’ve got to feed Preston and get her down for the night. You go ahead.”

  “Okay,” she said reluctantly. “Just know that I have your back.”

  “Thanks, Tess,” I smiled as she left.

  I lay Preston on the bed while I slipped out of my costume and pulled the covers back on my side of the bed. I lifted her up and into my arms, snuggling beneath the covers with her. I flipped the television on and nestled her against me. She nestled into me. I looked over at the bedside clock. It was only ten-thirty.

  Of course, everyone was drinking alcohol except me. I’m sure it made for a great party. It pissed me off to know that Trey had danced with her, drinking or not. I looked down at Preston and her little brows were furrowed, as if she sensed I was upset about something.

  “It’s okay, baby girl,” I said to her, smiling. “I warn you though, Mommy better never find out that you were in public wearing nothing but fig leaves. Do you hear me?”

  She gave me a sleepy smile. I kissed her forehead and we both drifted off to sleep.

  I wasn’t sure how much later it was when Trey stumbled into our bedroom, flicking on the overhead light. “Why the hell didn’t you come back down to the party?” he asked, slightly inebriated.

  “Shhh, Trey,” I cautioned. “You’re going to wake the baby up.”

  “What the hell is she doing in here? Her crib's in my parents’ room.”

  “We fell asleep,” I said, irritated with his attitude about Preston being in here with me.

  “Here baby,” he said, reaching for her. “Let me take her on down to their room. They’re getting ready for bed, so they'll be in there with her.”

  “Are you drunk?” I asked.

  “I’ve had a few,” he admitted, “but no, I’m not drunk-drunk, just a little buzzed-buzzed is all.”

  If I hadn’t been butt naked under the sheets, I'd have carried her down. As it was, I felt he could manage getting her there in one piece. I climbed out of bed, got into my nightgown, and finished up in the bathroom before he got back. When he returned, I was still under the covers.

  “Jesus Christ,” he commented, getting out of his costume and into his PJ pants and a tee shirt. “Mom and Dad are fit t
o be tied about Tristan’s girlfriend. I had to listen to them go on for a full ten minutes or more.”

  “Why are they fit to be tied?”

  “Why do you think? They didn’t exactly appreciate her costume.”

  He went into the bathroom where I heard him brush his teeth. Once finished, he climbed into bed with me. “Hey, you missed the best part of Tristan’s party,” he commented, pulling me next to him so that he could caress my breasts.

  “Oh? What part was that?”

  “When they sang Happy Birthday and toasted him. Then he made a toast and announced his engagement to Libby.”

  “What?” I sat up in bed. “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah,” he grinned, “you should see the rock he gave her. I told you they were all about each other.”

  “I’d rather have seen your mother’s face after the announcement. How did she take it?”

  “I don’t know. I mean I wasn’t specifically watching everyone’s reaction. My brother is happy. I think we should wish them well.”

  “Whatever. Goodnight.”

  I wasn’t going to argue with him. I wasn’t even going to bring anything up about knowing he danced with Libby. What was the point? I either trusted him or I didn’t. Anything outside of that was simply drama.

  “I don’t want to sleep, baby; I want to fuck.”

  “Go next door,” I answered, rolling over onto my side with my back to him. I heard a mumbled curse. He turned on his side, pulled the covers up, and went to sleep. A short time later, Trey and I were both roused out of our sleep by the noise next door.

  “Oh yes, baby!” Libby was screaming. “Keep fucking me Tristan; just like that. Pull the ass beads out now—oh yeah, aarrrgghhh!”

  “Good God…not again,” Trey groaned, pulling the covers up over his head. The headboard was slamming against the wall in a steady rhythm that seemed to go and on. It continued at a slower pace as Libby’s orgasm apparently was winding down. Someone was now knocking on our door.

  “What the hell now?” Trey grumbled, throwing the covers off and going to the door. It was Clive asking that Trey and I keep it down.

  “Jesus Christ Dad, it’s not us," Trey snapped. "It’s Tristan and that god damn nymph he’s engaged to.”