Chapter 66
CHAPTER 66
HAYES
T his was a conversation I didn’t want to have, but I knew I needed to. I wasn’t sure what my dad and Kathy knew, but I needed to apologize before they did find out. And I wanted them to hear about the baby from me. And with the way my family gossiped, it was only a matter of time before the rumor got back to them. It would often be a game of Telephone. When the story made it to them, they’d think I had three women knocked up with twins and triplets.
It was best to get ahead of things.
I pulled up the long driveway and parked. I was ready to come clean about everything and get started planning for the future. Of course, Kathy was going to be ecstatic to have another grandchild. I walked up to the front door and was about to ring the bell when I saw there was a sign taped over it indicating visitors should knock. That was odd, but whatever.
I knocked on the door and wondered how in the world they were going to hear it. The house was huge. If Kathy was in the kitchen and Dad in the study, they wouldn’t hear.
I was about to knock again when the door opened. “Hi, I?—”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bancroft,” one of the housekeepers said, her tone apologetic. “But your father and Kathy aren’t receiving guests at the moment. They’re… honeymooning at home.”
“I know they didn’t go on a honeymoon,” I said. “They already did that in the Maldives. I need to talk to them.”
“You don’t understand,” she said with another smile. “They are honeymooning. Upstairs. They do not want visitors.”
That was when I understood what she was so delicately trying to tell me.
And I wanted to puke.
“I didn’t need to know that,” I muttered, feeling queasy.
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I tried to keep it vague.”
I didn’t stick around to hear anything else. I turned on my heel and walked back to my car. I couldn’t help but shudder. It was just a little too much information for me. I was happy old Dad was still proving himself to be young and virile but I didn’t want to be anywhere near it.
Since I couldn’t start my apology tour with my dad and Kathy, that meant I would move on to the next person on my list. I pulled out my phone and called Hudson.
“Hey,” I said when he answered. “Can we meet up? I need to talk.”
Hudson agreed. I gave him the address of a shopping district in the city. He sounded confused but didn’t press for details.
When I arrived, Hudson was already there, leaning against his car with his arms crossed. He raised an eyebrow as I approached.
“What’s this about?” he asked.
I took a deep breath. “First, I want to apologize. For how I behaved at the wedding. For taking a swing at you. That was out of line, and I’m sorry.”
Hudson studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank you. And I want to acknowledge how shitty it was of me to even consider giving Dixie the money and cutting ties. That’s not going to happen. Not under any circumstance. It was a moment of weakness. I’m glad you were there to knock some sense into me.”
He clapped me on the shoulder. “Good. That ends that between us. No need to talk about it again.”
I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. “Does Dad know?”
“Not that I know of,” he said.
“I went by their house,” I said and shuddered at the thought.
“Who? Dad?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I don’t recommend you do that.”
“Why?” he asked. “They always say we’re welcome anytime.”
“Dude. No. They’re honeymooning at home. Basically, they put out the Do Not Disturb sign.”
I watched as it dawned on him. His lips curled back, and he did the same thing I did—he shuddered with revulsion.
“Yeah, no,” Hudson said, shaking his head like he was trying to dislodge the mental image. “That’s enough. I didn’t need to know that about Dad. Or Kathy, for that matter.” He paused, then smirked. “Though I guess it’s good they’re keeping things lively.”
I grimaced. “Can we not? I’d really like to move on from this conversation. I need to scrub my ears and my brain.”
“Fine, fine,” Hudson said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “So, what’s next on your apology tour? Who else needs to hear you grovel?”
“Shit, Grayson for sure. I already talked to Isaac. Did I take a swing at anyone else?”
“Not that I know of,” he said. “Did you talk to Dixie? She’s the one you really wronged. You said some rough shit.”
I groaned. “Yes, I talked to her. She’s giving me a chance. We’re working through it.”
“Is this the right time to say congratulations?” he asked with a laugh.
“It’s still sinking in for me. But I’m trying to get my act together. For her. For the baby.”
He nodded slowly. “You better. You’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
“I know,” I said.
“What about her mom?” he asked.
I sighed. “Dixie tried to talk to her, but her mom wouldn’t hear it. They’re not on good terms. I hate that for her, but damn, that woman crossed a line.”
Hudson nodded. “I agree. It’s fucked up. She doesn’t know you. It’s the name. You know how it is.”
“Yeah, people see Bancroft tied with anything and boom! Players. Scoundrels. Rascals. Aside from convincing her mom I am not some asshole going around knocking up innocent women, I think we’ll be alright.”
“Give it time. Dixie’s mom will come around eventually when she sees how committed you are. Just focus on being there for Dixie and preparing for the baby. The rest will work itself out.”
“I just need to prove myself to all of them.”
“You know the whole family will be there to support you both. Kathy’s going to be over the moon about another grandchild.”
I chuckled. “Oh yeah, she’ll be planning the baby shower next month.”
“Speaking of which, when are you going to break the news to Dad and Kathy?” Hudson asked.
“As soon as they’re done with their… honeymoon activities,” I said with a grimace. “I wanted to tell them today but I wasn’t about to interrupt that.”
“So, you have everything under control,” he said. He looked around the parking lot. “So, why didn’t you just talk to me at the office? This feels like a weird place. Why did you bring me here, precisely?”
I turned and pointed across the street to a pregnancy information and doula office. Hudson followed my gaze, then chuckled.
“What?” he asked, his tone amused. “Are you going in the stirrups? Because I sure as hell won’t be playing the role of your pregnant girlfriend.”
“Very funny. I know I’m the definition of clueless when it comes to all things child related. I have no idea how to be a good father or how to take care of a kid. But I figure I’d better prepare for what’s coming first, and that’s pregnancy. I need to know how to show up for Dixie. She told me she wants to hire a doula. Heard of it?”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” he said.
“I did some Googling last night while she slept. I decided to book an appointment online to come in for an information session. I need all the help I can get if I’m going to be the partner Dixie deserves. I figured you could use the information.”
Hudson stared at me for a moment, then laughed. “You’re already on your way to being a great dad.”
I felt a surge of emotion at his words, but I pushed it down.
“Thanks,” I said. “But I’ve got a long way to go.”
“We all do. But you’re taking the first step. Does she know you’re coming here?”
“No. I figured I would find out what this stuff is all about. She said she doesn’t have morning sickness. That’s the only thing I’ve heard about. She keeps telling me the hormones make her cry. And, well, the hormones also make her want a lot of sex.”
Hudson chuckled. “Yep, sounds about right.”
“Was Diana like that?”
“I’m not talking about my sex life,” he said.
“Whatever. That means yes.”
“Come on, let’s go learn about the birds and the bees,” he said.
“Already know the birds and the bees, now I need to know how the little birdie or bee grows. Although I have never understood that metaphor. Who’s the bird?”
Hudson chuckled. “Let’s not overthink it. Come on, future dad, let’s go get you educated.”
We walked across the street to the pregnancy center together. A bell chimed softly as we entered. The waiting room was painted in soothing pastel colors, with comfortable-looking chairs and a variety of parenting magazines scattered on side tables. Posters depicting fetal development and breastfeeding tips lined the walls.
A friendly looking woman behind the front desk greeted us with a warm smile. “Welcome! How can I help you gentlemen today?”
I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. “Uh, hi. I made an appointment online for an information session? I’m Hayes Bancroft.”
Her eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh yes, Mr. Bancroft! We’re so glad you came in. Is this your partner?” She gestured to Hudson.
Hudson choked. “No. Brother. I have a wife. A pregnant wife. He’s got one, too. Well, not wife.”
I rolled my eyes at his sudden nerves.
The receptionist smiled, checking her computer. “Right this way.”
She led us to a small conference room, where a woman in her forties was waiting. She stood as we entered, her smile kind.
“Hi, I’m Sarah,” she said, extending her hand. “I’ll be leading your session today.”
I shook her hand, feeling a little out of my depth. “Hayes Bancroft. And this is my brother, Hudson.”
Sarah nodded, gesturing for us to sit. “Welcome. Let’s get started.”
“Wait,” I said. “Is this weird?”
“Excuse me?”
“Us, two guys. You’re not going to start telling us about things guys probably shouldn’t know, right?” I asked.
Sarah smiled. “Did you impregnate a woman?”
I nodded. “I did.”
Sarah smiled reassuringly. “Then there’s nothing you shouldn’t know. The more informed and involved you are, the better support you can provide. Let’s start with the basics of pregnancy and what to expect trimester by trimester.”
Sarah started to walk us through the stages of pregnancy, common symptoms, and ways partners could help. She explained the role of a doula and the benefits they could provide during pregnancy and childbirth. I took copious notes, asking questions whenever something wasn’t clear. There were so many words I didn’t understand, but I had asked so many questions, I felt completely ignorant already. I would look them up later… if I dared. I wasn’t sure I wanted those words in my search history.
I hesitated, then decided to just ask. “Is it normal for pregnant women to be, um, more interested in sex?”
Sarah chuckled. “Absolutely. Hormonal changes can increase libido for some women, especially in the second trimester. It’s completely normal and safe, as long as there are no complications with the pregnancy.”
“She’s going to get friskier in the second trimester?” I asked the question out loud but had meant to keep it to myself.
“This is too much information.” Hudson groaned.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Sarah said, her tone understanding. “But the fact that you’re here, wanting to learn, is a great sign. It shows that you’re committed to being an active and supportive partner.”
I nodded, feeling a small sense of pride. “I want to be there for Dixie. For our baby. I just… I don’t want to mess this up.”
Sarah smiled. “Just keep communicating with Dixie, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Now, I have some slides to show you. You boys might want to brace yourselves.”