'Do you prefer to stay with daddy, or would you like me to take you to school today son?' Brad offered Lyndon the choice.
'Take me to school my daddy. I have to tell Ellie about my baby brother.'
'Okay son, if you're done with breakfast, kiss mummy so we can go.'
'Bye momma. I love you.'
'Where you going?' Tessa was cradling the sleeping Daniel against her bosom.
'To school momma. I have to tell Ellie about Daniel.'
'I see,' Tessa smiled. Give me a kiss,' she leaned towards Lyndon.
'Can I kiss my brother too?'
'Yes off course angel.'
'Let me help you,' Brad gently lifted Daniel into his arms and lowered him towards his brother.
'Bye my brother,' Lyndon kissed Daniel's forehead. 'He smells like a girl momma,' Lyndon pulled his face.
'You smell exactly the same,' Tessa smiled.
'I smell like my daddy,' he rebutted.
Tessa rolled her eyes. 'Have a nice day angel.'
'Let's go son. Darling, after I drop Lyndon off, I'm meeting with Bentley downstairs at the coffee shop. Will you be okay for an hour?'
'Yes,' Tessa reached out to Brad and kissed his cheek. 'I need a nap.'
When Bentley returned to the office, Keri could not tell a thing from his face. She had to wait another agonizing ten minutes, whilst the clerk finished filing executive correspondence, before she could interrogate Bentley.
'Is Mrs. Blakely fine?' she whispered when they were finally alone.
'Yes,' Bentley smiled. He was more interested in taking Keri into his arms and kissing her.
'Bentley,' she pushed his face away. 'Why is Mrs. Blakely in hospital?
'The Blakely's have just given birth to their second baby boy,' Bentley smiled.
'What! OMG. I don't believe it. She went into early labour?' Keri covered her cheeks with her palms.
'Mr. Blakely informed me that he rushed her to the hospital last night and the baby was born less than an hour later. Apparently mother and baby are doing very well. I'm to issue a press release to that effect,' Bentley announced.
Brad had not seen the need for anybody to know what he and his wife had suffered during the agonizing four hours that she had undergone restorative surgery.
'Oh, I wish I could see her, and I would love to see baby as well.'
'Daniel,' Bentley smiled.
'I beg your pardon?'
'The newest addition's name is Daniel Blakely.'
'Aww, he must be so cute.'
'Our baby will be cute too.'
'What!' the dreamy look disappeared from Keri's face.
'If we make a baby,' Bentley corrected, his lips pressed soft kisses against Keri's slender neck.
'I should get back to work,' Keri blushed.
'I have some disappointing news,' Bentley added.
'What's that?'
'Apparently Mr. Blakely wants to work from home for the next month. I am to inform you that Mrs. Blakely will be on leave indefinitely.'
'So I don't have a job?' Keri swallowed nervously.
'No silly. You are going to have to field all Mrs. Blakely's correspondence. Mr. Blakely also said he will ask his wife who she has nominated to act on her behalf until her return. So you will be reporting to that person until Mrs. Blakely returns.'
'That's not so bad then,' Keri laughed.
'You won't miss me?' Bentley gave Keri a wounded look?
'Miss you?'
'I will be stationed there too.'
'Oh---Does that mean you won't sleep over in my apartment anymore?'
'I will,' he moaned. 'It just means, I won't be seeing you the whole day anymore.'
'I think that will be nice,' Keri giggled.
'What!'
'Well,' she boldly draped her arms around Bentley's neck. 'At least then we will look forward to our nights together.'
'I'm already looking forward to tonight,' he lowered his head to kiss her.
'Um---,' she escaped from his arms. 'You have a press release to send out.'
Bentley smiled and got to work.
'Darling, change of plans,' Brad kissed Tessa's temple.
'Huh,' she murmured sleepily. She winced as she tried to turn to look at Brad.
'Joseph and Charlotte are downstairs,' Brad smiled.
'Really,' Tessa tried to smile. 'I thought they will only be here tonight.'
'You need your medication?' he murmured, cupping her face.
'I don't want medication whilst I'm nursing Daniel.'
'You need it Tessa. You can nurse Daniel from next week.'
'I'm fine,' she gave Brad a brave smile. 'So they're on their way, you say?'
'Yes, any minute now,' he smiled. 'Charlotte insisted on coming straight through.'
Brad got a beep on his phone. He checked it. There was tight security around the hospital wing the Blakely's were occupying. His security was in full force. Brad had given the hospital's matron the third degree. Only two of the hospital's most trustworthy medical staff were assigned to Tessa Blakely. Brad wanted no surprises. His head of security personally scrutinized all access to Tessa's ward. Perhaps Brad had seen too many movies, he wanted no surprises of reporters dressed in white doctor's jackets or media hounds pretending to be caterers or janitors. His express orders were, the only visitors to be allowed through were Joseph and Charlotte von Biljoen. Not even Bentley Grant or any other employee of GR was allowed access.
'They are here,' Brad smiled. 'I'm going to bring them through.'
'Hi mummy,' Tessa had raised herself up after Brad had left. She put on a brave face now for her parents.
'Darling, are you okay?' Charlotte hugged Tessa. Her eyes were filled with concern.
'A little sore,' Tessa was economical with the truth.
'Hi Tessa,' Joseph, kissed her cheek.
'Hi daddy.'
'He's a big boy all right,' Joseph looked amazed. Tessa's eyes met Brad's. She had earlier told Brad, she did not want to go into the details with her parents about her emergency C-Section birth. He nodded leaving the decision to his wife entirely.
'I bet you're happy it's all over darling,' Charlotte smiled.
'Yes,' Tessa laughed softly. 'Daniel is so adorable mummy, and I am so happy you're here,' Tessa reached for her mom's hand and held it tightly.
'I'm here for you darling,' Charlotte again embraced her daughter lovingly.
'I wish I could get out of here,' Tessa complained to her mother.
'Brad tells me, they're discharging you tomorrow,' Joseph spoke.
'It can't come sooner,' Tessa sighed.
What Tessa did not know was that her husband had rearranged their living quarters in one of the downstairs suites. His wife shall not be walking up and down the stairs after that bit of surgery, especially since the surgeon had informed him that he will only remove her stitches in a week's time. Brad had already instructed staff to move their personal effects downstairs till further notice. Only when he was satisfied that his wife was not in pain anymore, only then, will they return to their upstairs suites.
'What's going on?' Tessa directed a polite but confused smile at her husband when he brought her home.
'We're going to use a suite downstairs, just for a short while,' he tactfully stated.
'I'm not an invalid,' Tessa hissed softly.
'I did not say you were,' he guided her into their new bedroom. 'You need to rest,' he instructed.
'I want to see to Daniel's nursery.'
'All he needs is his cot and his wardrobe---for now. It's all here,' Brad patiently smiled.
'I ---don't want to sleep downstairs,' Tessa hated how she had no control over anything. Brad could see her grasping for the last vestige of power. He took his wife into his arms.
'You have stitches Mounting those stairs is a risk. It may just be for a week hmm. Do it for me, please!'
'Since you ask so nicely,' she relented. 'What's with all the people in and out of your study?'
'I'll be working from home for a month or so.'
Tessa narrowed her eyes at her husband. 'You will not have any meetings in my house Blakely.'
'Yes ma'am,' Brad smiled, running his fingers through her bouncy hair.
'And my children are off limits to any of your visitors.'
His wife's use of the word children was music to his ears. 'If I am not to have meetings, then I will not have visitors,' his eyes twinkled.
Tessa gazed admiringly into her husband's eyes. 'Thank you,' she whispered.
'What for?' He raised an eyebrow enquiringly.
'For caring enough to work from home.'
'I'll do all the bottle feeds,' Brad smiled. 'You do the nappy changes.'
'Typical man,' Tessa teased. Brad had already been changing Daniel's nappies in the hospital.
'I've placed you on official leave,' Brad stated.
'I want to be with Daniel for as long as I can,' she smiled.
'You and I need to have a meeting with Bentley. He would need to know who you're delegating in your absence. An hour, one of the afternoons fine with you?'
'Yeah, that will be fine. Just make sure it's after Daniel's feeding time. I don't want to have a situation.'
Brad smiled. Tessa had told him one evening of her breast's own internal system that just went into delivery mode, even when Daniel was asleep or not needing a feed. Brad's hand carved a path down her shapely waist, tenderly over her slender tummy. He was impressed that she showed not so much evidence now of the remaining baby fat after their rather bigger than normal baby she had carried.
'You look amazing darling,' he murmured, his eyes reflected adoration. Tessa had yet to inspect her own naked body. In the hospital, she had been bathed morning and night by the nursing staff. It thrilled her endlessly now to see that same appreciation in Brad's eyes that had been there before her pregnancy.
'Thank you,' her eyes meshed with his. Daniel's loud wailing put paid to any further scintillating conversation. Tessa laughed softly.
'I'm going to have to get that young man a diary,' Brad laughed.
'I'm afraid Daniel's need has precedence,' Tessa smiled. 'Especially for the next six weeks or so,' Tessa bit on her lower lip.
'I did not have to wait that long after Lyndon,' Brad groaned.
'That was because you were so impatient and refused to wait,' Tessa reluctantly removed herself from Brad's arms and walked to the door.
'We will be able to have ...some fun, right?' Brad pleaded.
'We will continue that discussion tonight,' Tessa chuckled. 'Your son needs his second course of breakfast.'
'You must put him on a diet,' she heard Brad moan, as she closed the door on her way out.
Tessa had mixed emotions when she went into their bathroom that night. She and Brad were sharing the one downstairs. On the one hand she was looking forward to having a luxurious shower and giving her hair a good scrub and on the other hand, she was afraid to undress, afraid to see any scars after Daniel's birth. Very slowly Tessa peeled off her clothes, one item at a time. She kept her eyes closed. She was totally naked now, yet still she kept her eyes tightly shut.
Just get it over with!
As if fearing a time bomb may explode, Tessa opened one eye at a time and was speechless when she looked at her body. The lights were dim. She reached out and turned it on maximum.
OMG! Tessa swivelled in slow motion, looking at the mirrors facing each other. Her hand traced over her tummy. Wow!
The scar was hardly visible!
The incision was expertly and neatly camouflaged beneath the bikini line. She had a bump of baby fat, but that was expected after child birth. That did not bother her. Some rigorous crunches and after the stitches, a few strenuous laps in the pool would get rid of that in a month or two.
Thank you Lord.
She was not vain. She just did not want her husband turning to the arms of another woman because he found her body undesirable.
After her indulgent shower, Tessa eagerly went to Brad in their new temporary bedroom suite. Brad looked up in surprise when Tessa rushed in. He'd already showered before her because she refused to shower with him. He could be a patient man he would wait until she was ready.
'Darling get up,' Tessa instructed.
'What!'
'Come here,' she extended her hand to Brad. He could see her eyes bursting with excitement.
'What's going on?' Brad laughed.
'Undress me,' Tessa urged.
'Darling it's too soon ... for you.'
'No silly,' she kissed him. 'I know we can't make love now, but I need to look into your eyes when you see my body.'
'Darling, I told you, I will love you no matter---.'
'Do it,' Tessa cut Brad off.
Hesitantly Brad obeyed. His eyes were locked on hers as he slowly undid the belt. Tessa could not contain herself. She held her breath. The gown came apart. His eyes were still on her face. Brad became impatient. Even if he could not make love to his wife, he wanted to touch her, caress her, feel her soft, tender flesh against his. Passion ignited inside him. His eyes grew dark with desire, contained desire. Automatically his fingers reached out, brushed her gown off her body. Unable to curb his hungry eyes any longer, they fell to her breasts. They were beautiful, a little fuller but still maintained their beautiful shape. His eyes filled with delight, as it travelled below her breasts and was pleasantly surprised. They widened, but absolute pleasure was evident as he saw the hour glass shape, his eyes flew up to Tessa's.
'Darling,' he hoisted her up carefully and twirled around with her. 'You're beautiful, amazing, hot... sexy as hell.' Brad ripped his own gown off and was removing his boxers.
'What are you doing,' she laughed.
'I need to feel you against me,' he lowered his head and kissed her tenderly, moulding her body to his. 'Let's go to bed,' Brad took her hand.'
A few weeks later, Brad watched Tessa as she covered lap after lap in the pool without stopping for a breath. He'd made sure she'd adequately protected her pelvic area. She was high on something, for after her workout in the pool, she spent another hour in the gym.
He was happy for Tessa. She found her confidence again, and he was most pleased to have his loveable wife back. He will forever remember the joy etched on her face when she found affirmation in his eyes that first night back from the hospital.
She might be an heiress. She might be sex on wheels, but she took nothing for granted.
It was a Saturday morning. Tessa was sleeping in. Brad brought young Daniel upstairs to their bedroom. He loved this morning session with his new son, cradling the young man on his chest. His wife, bless her soul, refused for Brad to do the night shifts with Daniel. She insisted he needed his beauty sleep at night more than she did, as she could rest with Daniel when he slept. So Brad enjoyed his undisturbed sleep, whilst Tessa snuck out of bed to attend to Daniel. Luckily the blighter was getting good with his night time routine. He only needed one early morning feed around one or two in the morning, then he allowed Tessa to rest until daybreak. Her biological clock was now stirring her, for Daniel's feed.
'Morning darling,' Tessa moaned sleepily. 'Quick ... , I need to feed Daniel.'
As Tessa timeously dipped her nipple into Daniel's mouth, like synchronised automation, the little blighter's cheeks began moving rhythmically as he thirstily gulped down his mummy's nectar. Daniel's eyelids fluttered. Charcoal eyes gazed up into mummy's emerald green eyes. Tessa smiled down at her baby adoringly. She cushioned him on her pillow, angled herself on her side, admiring the way her son's tiny hands clasped her breast with both hands.
'Oh you're such a big boy today,' she laughed softly. Tessa looked up and saw Brad's eyes trained on her face.
'So its five weeks since Daniel was born,' Brad's fingers traced lightly up Tessa's thigh.
'Four,' she corrected without looking at her husband. She knew where he was going with the count. Dr. Leighton had advised she could resume sexual relations with her husband whenever she felt comfortable. Tessa still felt a slight sensitivity around her pelvic area. She wanted to be cautious rather than adventurous, but in the last week, Brad was becoming persistent.
'Would you like to burp him for me please,' Tessa attempted to slip away from Brad. His fingers gripped her thigh more tightly.
'Darling let go,' Tessa laughed.
'I want to,' his hand moved seductively around her thigh, over her well shaped bottom.
'Tonight,' she whispered. 'We will try tonight,' she leaned over Daniel and brushed her lips to Brad's.
'Yesss!' Brad lifted his hand in a victory salute into the air.
'Lyndon is a bad influence on you Blakely,' Tessa tipped Daniel on his back and gently tapped him.
'I'll do that my love,' as Brad offered his services, Daniel let out a loud burp.
'He needs to learn some table manners,' Brad complained.
'My baby has not even sat at a table yet,' Tessa defended.
'Quit wrapping him in cotton wool,' Brad admonished.
'Daniel's only one month old!'
'Well the sooner he learns some etiquette, the better,' Brad nagged.
'Bradley Blakely we shall make love tonight and get rid of your sexual frustration.'
'I'm not!' A guilty scowl appeared on his face.
'Oh my word,' Tessa laughed at her husband's inflamed face. 'You look so adorable,' she carefully crossed over Daniel and straddled her husband. He searched her face, his eager hands raked over the bare flesh on her back. Tessa lowered herself and covered Brad's body with her own.
'Can you hold on till tonight?' she whispered as her lips captured his seductively.
'Yes,' he answered, when he was able to speak again.
Daniel turned three months old. Tessa was enjoying the extra hours she got with Lyndon. Each afternoon, she picked him up from school. Occasionally they went out for an ice-cream, whilst Daniel slept under Stacy's watchful eye. Sometimes Tessa treated Lyndon to a movie. He was loving having those special afternoons with his momma.
Tessa had sat Lyndon down with a calendar and very tactfully pointed out that she would only be with him for another three months, then she would need to return to work. He seemed to accept the arrangement and expressed his delight that he still had three more months with her. Tessa had been pleased it had gone down rather well.
The one afternoon when she collected him, Lyndon insisted his momma stop at the horse riding school they occasionally passed on their way home.
'Perhaps we should come here with daddy,' Tessa suggested as she stopped the car.
'No,' Lyndon unbuckled his seat belt. 'Ellie and the other girls ride here,' he smiled.
'Lyndon Blakely are we here to ride horses or check out the girls?'
'Ellie said they teach you how to take care of yourself when you ride so you don't get injured,' he justified.
'I still think daddy should go with us,' Tessa resisted.
'We are here now momma. Let's talk to her.'
"Her?" Tessa repeated.
'The lady who will train me.'
'I am beginning to suspect your motives Master Blakely,' Tessa accused. 'We have to run this by daddy first. We have our own horses remember.' Tessa could just hear Brad's high handed instruction that he would hire a trainer.
'Let's just check it out momma please.'
'Very well,' Tessa jumped out of her vehicle, casting a cursory glance around. She went around and helped Lyndon out of the car.
She could tell it was a well run school. The place was neat, well equipped and the horses looked in great shape. Tessa was no expert, but the beautiful looking horses were testament to that. They scouted the place looking for somebody in authority. There were many children in splendid riding gear, about Lyndon's age being led and guided by trainers. Tessa was pleased to see each child had a dedicated trainer.
'There she is momma,' Lyndon whispered.
'Who?'
'The lady who trains. I saw her picture in Ellie's riding book. You even get homework.'
Tessa followed her son's gushing eyes and met the young lady, actually she looked like a girl really. She was diminutive and seemed to move with admirable agility, as she inspected two horses.
'Are you sure Lyndon? She looks about sixteen years old.' She was extremely beautiful. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail. Her heart shaped face looked angelic. She had fair skin and rosy lips.
'It's her,' he smiled, not taking his eyes off the young girl.
'I am asking one more time Junior. Are you here for girls or horses?' Tessa spoke softly. She needed clarity, what with her son's penchant for girls and making marriage proposals.
'Horses, momma,' he dragged his eyes away to convince his momma.
'Good afternoon. May I help you?'
Tessa had been focusing on her son, she had not noticed the young lady walk up to them.
'Good afternoon,' Tessa smiled. 'I apologise, I do not have an appointment. My name is---.'
'You are Tessa Blakely,' the young lady smiled shyly. 'Most people in Surrey know who you are Mrs. Blakely. Welcome to James Equestrian School. I am Stephanie James.'
"James" ... Tessa vaguely heard of the name. She must have read somewhere of the famous husband and wife team that competed in racing events in the country. The daughter Stephanie must be following in the parents' footsteps. She had the loveliest personality to match her striking beauty and such beautiful grey eyes.
'Hello Stephanie,' Lyndon was too impatient to wait for the introduction. 'I am Lyndon Blakely,' he announced, lifting his shoulders, yet he barely reached Stephanie's knees. 'That's a lovely horse,' Lyndon rushed towards a gorgeous white mare.
'Lyndon no!' Tessa sprinted after Lyndon and scooped him into her arms. 'Darling don't ever run in front of a horse.' Tessa clutched Lyndon against her chest.
'Sorry momma,' he apologized awkwardly.
Stephanie observed Tessa Blakely with a keen eye. She was so much more beautiful in person. Magazines and the media did her an injustice. What amazed Stephanie was the excellent shape the mother of two was in, in striking designer denims, dressed down with comfortable pumps. Stephanie wished half her students were as fit and in as excellent a shape as this woman who she knew to be close to thirty. Clearly she was a hands on, doting mother as well. The way she so instinctively reached out to protect her son. Tessa Blakely was correct, horses should not be surprised, but all the horses at the James Equestrian School were child friendly. She would not say anything in front of the young man, but later she will assure Mrs. Blakely of their child friendly animals.
'Stephanie, my son is keen to take up riding classes,' Tessa smiled.
'It will be a pleasure Mrs Blakely. Has Lyndon ridden a horse yet?'
'No ... we do have horses. I just have not let him venture on one yet.'
Stephanie nodded. The protective mother was evident in Tessa Blakely. 'How about we give Lyndon a feel on Misty; one of the young fillies. She is very child friendly.'
'Does Lyndon not need any safety gear?'
'We have spare helmets,' Stephanie smiled. 'He will just go on a trot right here in the yard.'
'Please momma. I'm a big boy,' Lyndon appealed.
'Okay angel, but not for long,' Tessa pleaded. 'You're still mummy's baby,' she whispered in his ear.
'Yesss!' Lyndon threw his familiar victory salute.
Stephanie caught the attention of one of her trainers. Lyndon was put on a gentle looking filly. Tessa watched in awe. Her stomach was churning at hundred knots to the hour. She could not wait for Lyndon to get off the horse.
'Please can I go one more time momma, please?'
'We will come back tomorrow,' Tessa lifted Lyndon into her arms. 'Should we draw up some paperwork Stephanie?'
'No need to today,' Stephanie smiled. 'If you feel comfortable, tomorrow morning Lyndon can have a thirty minute session with me personally. If you are then satisfied, we can schedule lessons for him after that.'
'Thank you,' Tessa breathed a sigh of relief. 'You're so young,' Tessa laughed softly. 'You've being doing this for long?'
'"Young?'" Stephanie laughed. 'Thank you. I am twenty four.'
'I don't believe it,' Tessa laughed. 'You look sixteen,' Tessa accused, 'and I feel old at twenty eight.'
Stephanie smiled. 'I compete occasionally, so I have to follow a strict diet. Jockeys have weight restrictions,' she grinned. 'As for you feeling old, you have nothing to be concerned about. I wish my students were in as great a shape as you, Mrs. Blakely.'
'Thank you,' Tessa smiled. 'Are your parents involved in the training school as well?'
'No. I love working with children. My dad gave this to me as a twenty first present.' She waved around indicating the Equestrian School. 'They don't have the time. They are on the road so often. 'My dad oversees the admin aspects and hires all the trainers I need though. Protective father syndrome,' Stephanie laughed.
'I am sure you find that a welcome source of comfort.'
'Yes though I love horses, I am not so business savvy.'
'Well it was lovely meeting you Stephanie. We shall return tomorrow morning.'
That evening Tessa was dressing up for dinner. Lyndon came running into her bedroom howling blue murder. Tessa spun around, her eyes widening like saucers. He was holding a toy sports car in one hand but bent over and bawled loudly.
'Baby what's wrong?' Tessa lifted him into her arms. She got not a word out of Lyndon, he just howled even louder.
'I can help you, if you show me where it hurts angel.'
After much cajoling, reluctantly Lyndon pointed to his mouth. When Tessa tried to look into his mouth, Lyndon would not allow it, holding his mouth tightly shut.
'Lyndon,' Tessa laughed softly. 'Let me see.'
'Mmm-mmm,' he shook his head negatively.
'Baby, don't you want mummy to help you?'
'Yes,' he mumbled still trying to keep his mouth tightly closed. Tessa cradled Lyndon in her arms and walked to her bathroom. She gently placed him on the counter and removed a bottle of aspirin from the medicine chest.
'This is for pain,' Tessa washed her hands and fed one into Lyndon's mouth. 'Drink some water darling.' Obediently Lyndon took the glass Tessa offered him.
'Thank you momma.'
'Now Master Blakely, I think I know what the problem is.'
'I'm not going to the dentist momma--- I'm not,' he began to howl again.
'Perhaps we should reduce the sugar content in your diet Lyndon Blakely.'
'I'm going to tell my daddy about you,' Lyndon sobbed even louder.
'Tell me what?' Brad was standing at the door, his jacket hooked on one finger over his shoulder. He studied the picture of his wife, her one hand on Lyndon's upper leg. She was gingerly looking at their son. Tears were streaming down Lyndon's blood shot cheeks. His ears were just as red.
'My daddy---,' Lyndon hiccupped, reaching his arms out to Brad. Tessa used her thumb to wipe away Lyndon's tears.
'Hi,' Brad kissed his wife.
'Hey,' she kissed Brad back.
'What's up tiger?' Brad lifted Lyndon into his arms.
'I have a pain my daddy. I have a pain.'
'Show daddy where it hurts,' Brad's eyes filled with concern.
'Here,' Lyndon submissively opened his mouth. He tilted his head back and pointed to the back of his mouth.
Rascal! Tessa put the aspirin away, and rinsed out the tumbler. She walked out of bathroom with the intention of making an appointment with Lyndon's dentist.
'Take momma's phone away my daddy,' Lyndon howled.
'I'm doing no such thing son,' Brad spoke sternly. 'Is the tooth sore?'
'Yes,' Lyndon sniffed, lowering his head.
'If we don't have it attended to, you are not going to be rid of the pain and you're going to create a bigger problem with the rest of your teeth.'
Lyndon draped his cheek on Brad's shoulder and sobbed quietly. He looked at his momma from the corner of his eye.
'Are we going to be a big boy and go to the dentist without a fuss?' Brad murmured.
'Yes,' Lyndon breathed, 'you must come with me, my daddy.'
'How was your day?' Tessa draped her arms around Brad's neck, after Lyndon was pacified enough to be put down.
'I had one meeting after another,' Brad sighed. 'I'm starving, no time for lunch today.'
'We can have dinner right away,' Tessa smiled as she watched Brad place a kiss on the sleeping Daniel's cheek.
'He's always sleeping,' Brad complained.
'At least there are longer intervals between feeds,' Tessa sighed appreciatively.
'Dinner right now is a great idea, thank you. How was your day?' Brad gently rocked with his wife in his arms.
'Interesting,' Tessa smiled.
'Oh?'
'I visited our neighbour who runs the Equestrian School.' She omitted to inform her husband of the salient fact that the owner was a female.
'Oh,' Brad repeated ominously.
How did she meet the neighbour?
It's not like their neighbour's home was twenty feet away. Their own property was enormous. Brad himself did not even know the neighbour. The vast Blakely estate stretched so far out, the nearest neighbour was literally miles away.
'Lyndon's having his first riding lesson tomorrow,' Tessa announced, but I'll tell you about it later,' she promised, as she put Brad's jacket into his closet.
'Tell me about this neighbour,' Brad demanded, 'and we have our own horses, why does Lyndon need to go to the neighbour?'
'Riding horses can be dangerous,' Tessa stated. 'I want Lyndon to be adequately trained,' she walked out of their bedroom with Brad in tow.
'I can train my son,' Brad's voice became strained.
'I've no doubt you can Blakely,' she looked at him slyly as they walked down the stairs. 'But as I have a lot of time on my hands now during the day, Lyndon can have his lessons before he goes to school, each morning.'
'You should have run this by me first,' he argued.
'Why, because I'm not competent to make informed decisions?' Tessa's voice was soft and tolerant. She knew the reason behind her husband's facade.
'I'm coming with you tomorrow, and if I'm not happy ---I will give my son lessons,' Brad instructed.
'Suit yourself Blakely,' her eyes held amusement. 'Lyndon we're having dinner,' Tessa called out to their son playing with his race cars.
'Don't leave me momma,' Lyndon sobbed clinging to Tessa's neck.
'Ssshh, I'm here sweetheart. Mummy is not going away,' Tessa patted his head gently. 'Is the medication working?' she whispered, whilst Brad and Daniel slept soundly.
'Yes, I'm feeling tired again,' his eyes closed, his gorgeous long lashes covered his cheek.
'Can I get you a glass of warm milk?' Tessa murmured closed to his ear.
'No thanks momma. Just hold me tight.'
Tessa looked at Lyndon's wall clock. It was four twenty in the morning. After Daniel's two o' clock feed, she had been tiptoeing back to her room, when she'd heard Lyndon's soft sobs in his sleep. Clearly his toothache resurfaced. He now had a mild temperature. She paced around his room for more than an hour, trying to pacify him. He did not want to be put down. Just when Tessa's arms started to ache, he wanted to sleep. Gladly she lowered him back on his bed, but he clung to his mummy, not wanting her to leave. After tapping him and rifling through his hair in the hope he was asleep, Tessa tried to leave, only to have Lyndon cling to her, begging her not to leave. Tessa slipped under Lyndon's duvet, and hoped to catch some sleep.
Brad woke up to an empty bed and felt guilty at the hours of sleep his wife lost at night. He would have to chat with her. It was not on that her sleep pattern had to be altered whilst he enjoyed undisturbed sleep. They will start doing shifts over Daniel. He showered and walked to Daniel's nursery and was taken aback to find Daniel fast asleep and Tessa not there. He walked to her bath suite, she was not there either. She could not be in Lyndon's room. It was far too early to get him up, but he walked there anyway and found his wife protectively cradling Lyndon in her arms. Lyndon was snuggled up against his mummy. Brad felt another stab of guilt, Lyndon's face was tear stained.
Damn it, his poor wife seemed to have spent the night seeing to the needs of both their kids last night. Brad rushed back to Daniel's room and prepared a bottle of formula. He will have the bottle ready, before Daniel's cry disturbed Tessa. Hopefully she would get an extra hour of rest.
'Morning, what are you up to?'Tessa greeted her husband with a kiss.
'I want you to go back to bed,' Brad carried Tessa back to their bed and tucked her under the sheets.
'Darling, I'm awake. I can see to Daniel,' she resisted
Brad knelt down next to Tessa. 'Just rest for an hour, I've got Daniel covered,' he kissed her one eyelid then the other. 'Just rest my love.'
'Lyndon's not feeling well...,' her eyes shut, her speech halted.
Brad checked on Lyndon he was still asleep, hugging a teddy. Brad smiled. His mummy probably provided the pacifier.
Brad could hear Daniel's early warning signal before his threatening howl. He picked up the blighter and fed him his bottle. After a satisfied sigh and a loud burp, Daniel would be out for the next four hours. Brad called the kitchen for a pot of coffee. He was busy on his laptop forty minutes later when Lyndon woke up, calling for his mummy.
'Morning, son. Mummy is resting, can daddy help you?'
'Momma! Momma!' Lyndon's cries just go louder. He fought his daddy away and shrunk back in his bed, kicking at his duvet and wrestling with his pillow.
'I'm here sweetheart,' Tessa came rushing in with a towel around her body. She probably rushed out of the shower. She sat down and pulled Lyndon into her arms. 'What's wrong my baby?' she kissed his temple.
'I woke up and you were not here.'
'Daddy was here darling. Mummy was in the shower.'
'You finished?' Lyndon asked, wiping the water dripping off Tessa's shoulder.
'I just got out of the shower when I heard you crying.'
'Are you taking me horse riding momma?' He pressed his palm over his mummy's mouth
Tessa kissed his palm and shifted it. 'Perhaps we should schedule if for another day. We must have your tooth looked at Lyndon, before it gets worse.'
'But I want to go horse riding, please.'
'What about your tooth?'
Lyndon looked at his father, before answering. 'I will go to the dentist, after my horse riding.'
'Why don't we have your tooth checked, then you can ride?' Brad suggested.
'No,' Lyndon was adamant to do it his way.
'Can daddy bath you, whilst mummy gets dressed? Brad offered.
'Yes my daddy,' Brad got a smile.
'Good, we're getting somewhere this morning,' Brad grinned.
Lyndon was in better spirits after his bath. He only wanted liquids for breakfast. Tessa allowed it just for today. She spent a few minutes with Daniel, then they were off for Lyndon's first ride. Tessa again tried to dissuade Lyndon from riding, but he was determined to get on his horse today. Tessa directed Brad to the James Equestrian School.
'I want Lyndon to have his lessons in the afternoon,' Brad instructed.
'Why?' Tessa demanded. 'He's fresh in the mornings. It's a better time than when he's tired in the afternoons.'
'I would like to be there.'
Tessa wanted to scream and tell him he could be there in the mornings, but she knew Brad's mornings were hectic.
'Turn left through those gates,' Tessa directed.
As Brad cut out the engine, Lyndon was opening his door. Brad stepped out and cast a critical eye around, looking for faults with the place. Finding none, he went to open his wife's door.
'Come here son,' Brad instructed. He helped Tessa out. She deliberately kept her distance from Brad, trying to stay closer to Lyndon. Brad was having none of it. He reached for Tessa's hand and in a show of possession, laced his fingers through hers. He continued looking around trying to determine who the unsavoury owner was that had caught his wife's attention.
'Morning Mrs. Blakely,' Stephanie smiled politely, her eyes drifted to the tall, rather good looking man next to Tessa.
'Good morning Stephanie. My husband wanted to check out your riding school.'
'Brad, this is Stephanie James. Stephanie, my husband, Brad.'
Her Riding School! A girl owns this establishment. Good Lord, I feel like kicking myself.
'Good morning Mr. Blakely,' Stephanie extended her hand.
'Morning,' Brad smiled charmingly. 'This is an excellent set up you have here,' he complimented sincerely.
'Thank you,' she smiled.
'Good morning Stephanie.'
'Morning Lyndon. You ready for your ride?' She smiled at Lyndon spontaneously.
'Yes,' he reached out for Stephanie's hand. 'Am I riding Misty?'
'Yes,' Stephanie turned to Tessa and Brad. 'You may watch from the visitors lounge,' she pointed. It has a glass enclosure, with a view to the track. You can watch Lyndon from there. Help yourself to tea, coffee or other refreshments.
'Thank you,' Tessa acknowledged, as Lyndon enthusiastically led Stephanie away.
'You could have warned me,' Brad looked at Tessa sheepishly.
'Why? It's not too often I get to see you make an idiot of yourself.'
end chapter thirty five