Chapter 4 B

Tyler and Rebeka 6 days ago.

Previous Post:

"I have a feeling you're the only person she trusts."

"Maybe." He rubbed his chin. "Okay."

Heather opened the door. "Ms. Miller, Ty's coming in. He'll stand by your right shoulder. You'll be covered. He won't see anything. Is this all right?"

Rebeka nodded and held out her hand for him.

He took her hand and stood at the head of the bed. "It'll be okay. You'll feel a little discomfort. Heather will talk you through it."

She, again, nodded.

Dr. Sharp described everything she did, before she did it. During the discomfort Rebeka squeezed Tyler's hand and looked into his eyes. He took his other hand and patted hers.

When the exam was over, Heather said, "We'll step out while you dress. We'll be in shortly, and then we'll talk."


TODAY'S POST:

Tyler and Dr. Sharp returned to the room. As Heather sat, she handed Rebeka a photo of her baby's ultrasound. "I have a Valentines Day present for you."

Rebeka studied her baby and smiled. "Thank you for sharing this photo with me."

"You're welcome. Each time I do an ultrasound I'll take a photograph. You'll be able to see the baby's development."

A smile covered Rebeka's face.

Tyler grinned. "There's that beautiful smile, again."

"Okay," said Heather with a smile. "Miss Miller, do you have any questions?"

"I don't think so."

Heather continued, "Then I'll explain my findings and offer some suggestions. Since you were born early, some studies indicate you could deliver this baby early. We'll be prepared for pre-term delivery. I'll keep an eye on the length of your cervix which can be an indicator."

Heather glanced at Tyler and then faced Rebeka. "Preeclampsia is a complication caused by changes in the blood flow to the placenta. It's usually characterized by high blood pressure or swelling in hands and feet. Preeclampsia can be dangerous. Because your blood pressure is elevated, I'll closely monitor this. I'm sure Ty will help with that."

He nodded. "Already on it."

The doctor took Rebeka's hand. "I don't want to scare you but there's evidence that miscarriages are hereditary. We don't know what happened with your mother's pregnancies, but we need to watch you to ensure you have a healthy baby."

Tears welled in Rebeka's eyes as she faced Tyler.

Heather continued, "Now for your gestational diabetes. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a C-section at delivery. The good news, Ty caught it early and has been on top of it."

Rebeka turned toward Tyler. "Thank you."

"A possible complication for your baby includes excessive birth weight. Do you know if you were a large baby?"

"Sorry, I don't. Just that I was early."

"Another risk factor is preterm birth, which we've already discussed. The baby may have respiratory distress syndrome" a condition that makes breathing difficult or maybe a still born baby."

"Is that why some of Mother's babies weren't born alive?"

"Possibly, but we don't know for sure." Heather took a deep breath. "There are some risk factors for you. Some we've already mentioned. Gestational diabetes raises your risk of high blood pressure. It can cause other symptoms that can threaten both your life and your baby's."

Tyler asked, "Do we discuss delivery today or should we wait?"

The doctor smiled. "I'll get to that. Let me finish here. One thing you'll need to be aware of is being at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as you age. So far, your sugar level isn't high enough to start insulin. Hopefully it can be regulated with diet."

"I'll see to it your suggestions are followed," said Tyler.

"As for activity, aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. I happen to know Ty has a beautiful ranch for walking. Another thing, be careful about your weight gain. Any question?"

"There's so much information."

"Don't worry. I have handouts and will always be available." Heather glanced at Tyler. "Will she remain with you for the duration of her pregnancy?"

"Yes."

"But?" said Rebeka.

"Going back to Dallas will cause too much stress. You'll stay with me until the baby's born."

"Good," said the doctor. "I normally don't schedule birthing classes this early, but we need to be ready for this baby and you're already fourteen weeks along. Who will be your birthing coach?"

"I hadn't thought about it. I guess Aunt Beth." Rebeka glanced at Tyler. "Think she'd mind?"

"I'll do it." Tyler shoved his hands into his pockets. "If I get hung up at the hospital, Aunt Beth will fill in on those days."

Rebeka swallowed loudly and caused Heather to ask, "Ms. Miller, are you comfortable with that?"

"I know how busy he is. He's already done so much."

"Ty is busy, but I know when he sets his mind, how committed he is to it. It seems he's set his mind to getting this baby here safely." Dr. Sharp checked her calendar. "I'll schedule your classes for the four weeks in April and the first two weeks in May. That'll put you at twenty-six weeks. We should be safe. Normally this early in pregnancy, I only see patients once a month, but I'd like to see you every other week, earlier if anything changes." She stood and took Rebeka's hand. "It's been nice meeting you." She turned and hugged Tyler. "Take care of her."

"I will. Thank you for fitting her in."

She kissed his cheek. "How could I turn you down?"

He grinned. "You can't, and I can't turn you down either."

"I know. You two take care. See you in two weeks."

*****
Tyler opened the examination room door for Rebeka to walk though. "Why don't we stop at the coffee shop?" When she faced him, he added, "I know they have tea."

They walked through the hospital hallways and people stopped, stared, and whispered. Rebeka glanced at Tyler. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Tyler cupped her elbow. "Since you're living with me, you might as well get used to it." She studied his hand on her elbow, and he added, "I'm going to be your birthing coach. You might as well get comfortable with me touching you."

"I'm going to be getting used to a lot of things, aren't I?"

"You are." Inside the coffee shop, Tyler held a chair for Rebeka. "I'll be right back." He left to order their drinks.

Tyler returned with his coffee and Rebeka's tea. As he sat, he said, "I have a feeling you have questions about the appointment with Heather. Please ask. I'll answer the best I can. Since, I'm an ER doctor, I might not know the answers, but I'll find them."

She removed the teabag and set it on the saucer. "So much was said and so many medical terms used, can you give me the Cliff Notes version?"

"I'll try." Tyler chuckled. "Because of your high blood pressure and glucose level, you're going to have a difficult pregnancy. It may be hereditary, but that doesn't mean we can't do things to make it easier. First, we'll do everything to keep your life stress free. That'll help with blood pressure."

"That may be impossible."

"Roger's working on solving the problem with your agent. I'll help with your dad. We can do this."

"Thank you."

"With the right diet and some mild exercise, we'll get your glucose levels down." He checked the time. "Excuse me. I need to make sure Missy made it home."

After Tyler verified Lily was at home, Rebeka asked, "Why do you call Lily Missy?"
He grinned. "That's easy. She has just the right amount of a sassy attitude." He studied Rebeka over his coffee cup as he took a drink.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"I need a nickname for you. I think I just figured it out. Beka."

"Beka, why?"

He finished his coffee and stood. "From now on, you're Beka." He held her chair. "We have another stop."

"Where?"

"You'll see." He held out his arm for her to take. When she did, he grinned. "Thank you, Beka."

*****
After Tyler parked on Main Street, Rebeka asked, "Why are we here?"

"Your dress is getting tight, and you can't wear Aunt Beth's sweats and my shirts for your entire pregnancy. You're going to need maternity clothes. So, let's do some shopping."

"I don't have enough money. It'll have to wait until Roger gets my finances squared away."

"I want to do this. This'll get you started."

"Tyler?"

He got out of the SUV, walked around, and opened her door. "If I'm calling you Beka, you can call me Ty or anything else you want."

Her eyebrows rose. "Really?"

"Maybe I need to put parameters around that." He chuckled.

She, again, accepted his arm. "Ty, it is."

"Thank you. Now let's get you some new clothes."

Inside the store, they walked over to the maternity section. A salesclerk in her mid-forties came to them. "Can I help you?"

Rebeka's eyes met Tyler's, as he said, "We're looking for maternity dresses."

"I'm Janie and I'll be happy to help you." She studied Rebeka. "What are you, sweetie, about a zero - two?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Rebeka's cheeks tinged pink.

Janie walked to another section of the dresses. "Follow me. Will you be looking for the slacks too?"

"No, Ma'am," replied Rebeka.

A few minutes later, Rebeka held up three dresses, "May I try these on?"

"Of course." The salesclerk led the way and pointed. "The dressing rooms are right here." Then she went to a chair and put her hands on the back of it. "Sir, you may wait here."

Janie sat beside Tyler, and she asked, "Is this your first?"

"Yes, it's her first." Tyler stood and searched for additional dresses. He chose four and handed them to Janie. "Would you take these to Rebeka? I think she'd like them."

"Sure." When Janie returned, she said, "She'll be out in just a moment with the first dress."

Rebeka had tried on six of the seven dresses when Tyler chose one more dress. "Janie, please take this to her. She might have a reason for something dressier."

When Rebeka came out wearing that dress, Tyler grinned. "You look very nice."

"I doubt I'll have an occasion for a dress like this."

He tilted his head. "One never knows. Aunt Beth has mentioned numerous times a female can't have too many clothes."

Janie agreed, "Aunt Beth's a wise woman." She stood beside Rebeka. "All these dresses have openings for nursing. Are you planning on nursing? Should we look at nursing bras?"

Rebeka turned bright red and rushed into the dressing room.

With wide eyes, Janie asked, "What was wrong with what I said?"

Since they can't swim in mixed company, I'm guessing certain subjects aren't discussed in mixed company. Tyler rubbed his hands together. "I'm thinking that's a topic not discussed in mixed company."

"That's still a thing?"

"For some people it is."

*****
Rebeka studied the eight dresses before she chose three. Hesitantly, she asked, "Ty, are three too many?"

"Why don't you get them all?"

"No, that's way too many." She laid one down. "I'll get these two. I'm very grateful for these."

Tyler took the two dresses from her and the one she had put down and carried them to the cash register. "We'll get these."

Janie rang them up. As Tyler paid, he glanced at Rebeka and noticed something else had caught her eye and he whispered, "We'll take the other five dresses too. Please have them delivered to my ranch tomorrow afternoon."

She smiled. "Yes, Dr. Butler."

At the door, Tyler took a deep breath, put the packages in his left hand, put his right arm around Rebeka's waist, and drew her close. "Beka, I don't know how they found out we're here. Don't make eye contact. Look at the sidewalk. I'll help you maneuver the crowd."

"Thank you."



~~~~~
Rebeka Miller - our heroine, she's twenty -two, a romance award winning author, extremely old fashioned

Dr. Tyler Butler - 'Ty' an ER doctor, raising his niece, Lily.

Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and rich spoilt brat, a not nice person

Amber Wilson - Rebeka's personal assistance and best friend

Peter Dawson - Tyler's friend and part-time ranch hand

Elizabeth - 'Aunt Beth', helping raise Lily and helped raise Tyler after parents died

Christina - Elizabeth's close friend

Lily - 'Missy', Tyler's niece, 5 years old

Lori - Tyler's deceased sister and mother of Lily

Zeke - Golden Retriever mix, family dog

Roger Whitmore - a lawyer and Tyler's best friend

Dr. Heather Sharp - OB/GYN and Tyler's childhood friend