Chapter 72
CHAPTER 72
HAYES
A few weeks had passed since the spa getaway. Every day since had felt like I was living in someone else’s life. How in the world did I go from being a bachelor who had zero desire to settle down and have a family to this man I was now? I was the man reading pregnancy books and counting down the days until I could hold my baby in my arms.
Dixie was staying at my place most nights. We had not talked about moving in together, but I was sure that was the assumption. I wasn’t going to bring it up just yet. She was an independent woman. I loved that about her. We were still easing into this new reality we were living in. The reality of being a family. Parents.
But I knew I was looking forward to more moments like this. I found myself standing in my bedroom, watching Dixie with amusement and awe. She was in front of the full-length mirror, wearing a floral dress that ended just above her ankles. The dress was pastel blue, yellow, and pink, and she looked stunning in it—like a watercolor painting of my perfect woman. I might have been wrong, but I was pretty sure I’d spotted a tiny swell of her tummy, and I was addicted to it. To her.
She always told me she wasn’t showing yet, but I knew her body. I knew every inch and I was certain it was there. Barely noticeable but it was there. I envisioned her with a blooming belly. I couldn’t wait to put my hands on it and feel my child moving.
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind. We’d been immersing ourselves in each other’s lives, spending almost every night together. I wanted to know she was safe. Hudson had already started taking cracks at me, saying I was a protective dad. He caught me browsing a website that sold all the child-proofing stuff we would need once our little one was here in the world.
I smiled as Dixie put on a light sweater over her dress. “You look beautiful,” I said, my voice soft.
She turned to me with a pretty smile. “Thank you.”
Tonight was a big night. Most of the family still didn’t know about the baby, but we were telling everyone tonight. We were also introducing her parents to my family. Dixie and I knew we were endgame, and since we were giving our folks a grandbaby, we wanted everyone to meet now.
Her mother had agreed to come. That was a big step. I hoped it was the start of healing the relationship between Dixie and her mother.
“Ready?” I asked her.
“No,” she groaned.
I laughed and pulled her into my arms.
“What if my mother does something stupid? Says something rude?”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “My family is not a bunch of shrinking violets. Trust me, we’ve been insulted a million times. Each of us is very aware of the rumors about us. We know the truth. Yes, we’ve got a whole lot of baggage, but we’re still standing.”
“I feel like I should just apologize now,” she said. “A preemptive strike so to speak.”
I chuckled, running my hand down her back. “No need to apologize for anything, Dixie. Your mother’s choices aren’t your responsibility. And if she does say something out of line, we’ll handle it together. My family isn’t going to judge you based on her. They love you because I love you. They got to know you already and know your character.” I gave her a soft smile and cupped her face in my hands. “You’ve got this. And I’ve got you. Always.”
She sighed, pulling away slightly to smooth her dress. “Okay. Let’s do this before I talk myself out of it.”
I took her hand, lacing our fingers together. “It’s going to be fine. The worst that’s going to happen is you will be hugged at least thirty times. They’re all going to be thrilled to know you’re pregnant. You see how us Bancrofts like to multiply. It’s kind of our thing.”
She laughed. “You are all born to breed apparently. Clearly fate made you all so pretty so you would have no problem finding women to have your babies.”
I flashed a cocky grin. “It’s our superpower.”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go Superman.”
We headed to the Bancroft estate. I glanced at Dixie, one hand resting on the steering wheel and the other on her thigh. “Do you think your mom will be ready to welcome you back into the fold? Give you the acceptance you’re looking for?”
She sighed and looked out the window. “Cautiously hopeful. It’s been a weird few weeks, but she came around a few days ago and admitted she’s been a bad parent for a long time. She’s starting therapy, and that’s more than enough for me to want to try to move forward. I’m still going to watch my back. With my hormones all over the place, I can’t afford her to say something that’s either going to make me cry or angry enough to do something stupid.”
Dixie had been through so much, and she was handling it with grace and strength.
“I think that’s smart,” I said. “You set your boundaries. I’m sure she’s going to hear that word a lot more often in therapy.”
The Bancroft estate loomed ahead. I squeezed Dixie’s hand as we pulled up to the front driveway. “Ready or not,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile.
There were cars parked all over the driveway, typical of a Bancroft family gathering.
She took a deep breath, smoothing her dress once more. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We were greeted with warm smiles and hugs. The house smelled amazing. Hannah led us into the large sitting room that was used when we were all gathering. My brothers, cousins, and sisters-in-law were all sitting around drinking cocktails.
Colt’s wife, Maisie, came into the room with a tray of mocktails, something we often did in solidarity with Hudson’s sobriety. And with at least one of the women in the family generally pregnant, mocktails were a safe option.
“Can I help with anything in the kitchen?” Dixie asked Adelaide, who walked in with a tray of appetizers.
“The chef has a full staff tonight,” Adelaide said.
Dixie frowned. “Kathy?”
“No, an actual chef.” I smiled. “With dinners like this, she sometimes hires help.”
“She’ll be in shortly,” Adelaide said before moving on.
“That will be our moment,” I said to Dixie.
“I’m nervous,” she murmured.
“Don’t be. It’ll be fine.”
A few minutes later, Kathy and Dad breezed into the room. I hated to think it, but they were both glowing. Their stay-at-home honeymoon apparently worked well for them.
“Oh my.” Kathy smiled. “Look at everyone. I’m so glad you’re all here.”
I put my hand on Dixie’s lower back, a signal that it was time. This was our moment to announce the pregnancy.
“Everyone, can we have your attention for a minute?” I said, cutting through the many conversations in the room. “We have some news.”
That got their attention. All conversation stopped and we had all eyes on us.
I took a deep breath. “Dixie and I are expecting.”
“Congratulations!” Kathy said, her eyes filled with tears.
Dad clapped me on the back, his smile wide. He gave Dixie a hug. “Welcome to the family, Dixie. You’re blood now, ring or no ring.”
Kathy cleared her throat, her smile playful as she looked at me. “But a ring is always nice.”
Dixie blushed, but I just grinned. They were just a little old-fashioned, but considering their unconventional relationship, there wasn’t much they could say.
As expected, we were descended on by my brothers and their wives.
Maisie enveloped Dixie in a warm hug, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “Oh, Dixie, this is wonderful news! You’re going to be such an amazing mom.”
Colt clapped me on the back, his grin wide. “Another little Bancroft running around. Just what this family needs—a bit more chaos.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Like we don’t have enough already.”
Dixie was soon surrounded by my sisters-in-law, their chatter filled with advice, stories, and questions. She looked a little overwhelmed but happy, her smile genuine as she answered their questions and accepted their congratulations.
Just as things were settling into a comfortable rhythm, Dixie’s parents were escorted into the room by Kathy.
“We just shared the news with the rest of the family,” Dixie told her parents.
“We’re all so happy,” Kathy said. “Such joyous news.”
“Mom, Dad, you met Kathy. This is her husband, Armand, Hayes’s father.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” her father said and shook hands with my father.
We introduced them to more of the family. I imagined they were probably pretty overwhelmed. Everyone was.
“I don’t think I realized how big your family was,” her mother said.
“We’re a lot, but we love big,” Kathy said. “We’re so happy for your Dixie. We’ll have to get together, just the four of us so we can talk.”
“I’d like that,” her mother said.
“I’ll get you guys a drink,” Dixie said.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to check with the cook and see when dinner will be ready,” Kathy said.
It was just me and Dixie’s parents. I wanted Dixie and her mother to have the best shot at healing their relationship. But after my last encounter with Mrs. Holland, things were awkward.
“So,” I began, shifting slightly on my feet and forcing a relaxed smile. “Dixie told me you were going to be working on the backyard.”
Mr. Holland nodded. “That’s the plan. A few flowers can really add color to things.”
“Dixie mentioned you both like to garden. She’s got a bit of a green thumb herself, though she claims it’s all luck.”
Mr. Holland chuckled softly. “Sounds like her. She always was modest about her talents.”
Mrs. Holland’s gaze softened for a moment as she glanced at Dixie again. “She’s always been… determined. When she sets her mind to something, she sees it through.”
Dixie returned with two drinks and Kathy was right behind her.
“Everyone, dinner will be served shortly. We can move on to the dining room.”
As we headed to the dining room, I was surprised when Dixie’s mother pulled me aside. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked softly.
“Of course,” I said. “Dixie, I’ll bring your mom in.”
She nodded and gave me a nervous look before walking away.
Mrs. Holland wrung her hands. “I wanted to apologize for how I cornered you. I shouldn’t have told you about the baby when it was Dixie’s news to share. Mostly, I’m sorry that I almost messed everything up for my daughter. I’m so glad you chose to stay with her even after I made such an ass of myself.”
“I appreciate that,” I said. “Apology accepted.”
“I have a long way to go when it comes to growth,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I’m trying. I want to be a better mother to her.”
“That’s all she’s ever wanted,” I said quietly. “Dixie’s strong, but she’s also forgiving. If you’re sincere, she’ll see that. Just take it one step at a time.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Hayes. I mean it.”
I offered her a smile. “Let’s get to dinner. Tonight’s about celebrating the future, not dwelling on the past.”
I put an arm around her shoulders, leading her to the dining room to join the others. If Dixie could forgive me, I could certainly forgive her mother.
“I think you’re going to like me,” I said, my tone light. “I grow on people.”
The table was already bustling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Dixie looked up from her seat, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity as I guided her mother to the chair beside her. I gave her a subtle nod, hoping to reassure her, and took my place at her other side.