Chapter 4
Once Brixton and I came to the conclusion that we would collaborate on making a baby, it was all gas and no brakes.
The first step was telling our families.
When I wanted to tell them about the diagnosis, I chose to do it in person.
Now, both Brixton and Christian were back in practice, and the pre-season was right around the corner.
There was no time to fly to Virginia. There was barely time to set up the Zoom meeting we’d decided to arrange to get everybody together virtually, so we could tell them at the same time.
“We’ll get to answer all of the questions at one time,” he said, as the two of us sat on the meeting alone before I allowed the other guests into the room. “And deal with the majority of the shit talking.”
I snickered lightly. I couldn’t laugh for real, because the butterflies in my stomach had me feeling like I was on the verge of throwing up.
“Of course, knowing my grandpops, the shit talking is gonna continue for eternity.”
I actually did laugh for real that time. “Stop giving Mr. Bailey a hard time. He’s probably gonna be excited at the prospect of having more grandbabies to spoil.”
“Probably, if we were doing it the old fashion way. You know he calls Genesis’s kids test tube babies.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah. So, I already know he’s gonna have something to say about all of his grandchildren being conceived in a test tube.”
“Oh no,” I said again, as my computer chimed repeatedly. “They’re coming in.”
“You ready?”
I took a deep breath, knowing that I was nowhere near ready. “Yep.”
Slowly, our family members trickled into the meeting. Soon, everyone had arrived. My family—my parents, Ricky, Zyah, Christian, and Genesis (who could actually be counted on both sides). And his family, Mr. Bailey and his twin brother, Beaux.
Since I was the one who requested the meeting, I was sure they were surprised when Brixton started talking.
“Listen, I’m sure you’re all wondering why Ryann asked for this Zoom call.”
“Oh my God!” Genesis exclaimed, a huge smile blooming on her face. “I know what this is—”
“This better not be what I think it is!” Zyah cut her off.
“Oh my Goodness.” My mother’s hand flew to her mouth and my father, who was sitting right next to her, stared at her in confusion.
Brixton chuckled lightly while shaking his head.
“I’mma just say it, since it seems like it’s not a surprise or whatever.
As some of you know, Ryann got some news about her fertility.
Her doctor feels like if she plans to pursue motherhood, then she needs to do it sooner rather than later. The two of us talked about it—”
“What the fuck?” Christian questioned and I honestly couldn’t tell if he was shocked or pissed.
“Brixton agreed that I could use his sperm to conceive. If everything goes to plan, we’re gonna have a baby together.” I spit out.
The meeting erupted into chaos. My anxiety shot through the roof. I wasn’t sure how I expected things to go, but not this way. Everybody was talking over one another. Some people looked shocked. Some people looked happy. Some people looked… unhappy.
After about a minute of everybody digesting the news noisily, Brixton spoke.
“Yo! Yo! Yo!” His voice boomed. “Look, we got y’all together so everybody could have an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns, both negative and positive.
But y’all can’t talk over each other. We know you have questions.
We’ll let you ask them, but let us say what we need to say. Go ’head, Ry.”
“Uhm, Brixton and I didn’t make this decision lightly,” I said, not knowing if that was true or not, because we did make the decision quick as hell.
“We talked about it. We went over the pros and cons. We had a meeting with our lawyers and had a contract drawn up. This is not something we’re deciding all willy-nilly. ”
“How do you plan to get pregnant, Ry?” my dad asked.
“IVF,” I responded.
“So, I’m getting another damn test tube grandchild?” Mr. Bailey threw his hands up.
“Our kids are gonna be cousins both ways,” Genesis said with a smile on her face. “Congratulations. I can’t speak for anybody else, but I’m excited.”
“Me, too!” Zyah squealed.
“This shit sounds crazy to me,” Ricky muttered.
“How is it any different from any brother and sister getting together with a brother and sister?” Genesis asked. “Twins have married twins before. I don’t think it’s all that unusual.”
Christian turned to her, as they were sharing the same screen. “You don’t think it’s weird that your brother offered his sperm to my little sister?”
Genesis’s face morphed into a frown. “You offered your sperm to his little sister,” she reminded him.
“Oh shit,” Ricky instigated. “Shots fired.”
“We got a player down on the court. Man down,” Beaux added.
“How is custody gonna work, Ry?” my mother probed. “Where is the baby going to live?”
“Brix and I have drawn up a custody agreement. We’ll have joint custody, but the child will live with me and have liberal visitation with Brix.”
“What if Brix gets traded?” That was Christian. “What if I get traded?”
“That’s a good question,” my father said.
“Damn good question,” Mr. Bailey co-signed.
“If I get traded, she and our child will move to my new city,” Brixton told him.
“And if you get traded,” I said to Christian, “you’ll have to replace me.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t do that, Christian,” Zyah told him.
“Ryann’s life has revolved around yours since she graduated college.
She’s always been there for you. Always made sure you were straight.
When you married Genesis, she started making sure Genesis was straight, too.
No questions asked, no complaints. When y’all had your kids, she adjusted.
Please don’t make it seem like she’s treated you bad. ”
“She’s right, Chris Cross. Ryann has always looked out for you. If she needs to make decisions for her own life, you have to let her.” Our mother’s voice was gentle.
“Just like you would have to do if she was pregnant by a player from any other market. If she met a dude from Charlotte, you would have to let her make her life in Charlotte.” Brixton’s words were logical.
“This isn’t a situation that’s exclusive to her having a baby with me.
Any man could have to relocate for his job at any time. ”
“Facts,” Ricky muttered.
Christian’s face was still frowned.
“What happens when Ryann or you, Brix, meet somebody that you want to get serious with?” my father asked. “How do you plan to navigate that? We’re family. Any discord between the two of you will affect the family dynamic.”
“Ryann and I are two single, mature adults. We’ll navigate any romantic relationships with other people with understanding, communication, boundaries and respect.”
My dad looked exactly how I felt… skeptical.
Later, when the Zoom call had ended and Brixton and I were on a video chat, I let out a heavy sigh. “That didn’t go well.”
He chuckled lightly. “It wasn’t that bad. We sprung it on them. They were shocked.”
“Yeah.”
“You having second thoughts?” His tone was serious.
“No. I’m just wondering why nothing can ever be easy for me.
All my life, it’s seemed like anything I didn’t care about came easily and anything I really wanted, I had to give blood, sweat, and tears.
One thing I’ve always wanted in life is to be a mother.
It’s frustrating that I can’t just do it the normal way.
I don’t get to meet a man, fall for him, give him the ass without protection, and get pregnant.
Nah, I gotta find the sperm, find the doctor, take the medicine, do the retrieval, and all of the other stuff. ”
“I know it’s disappointing. You want me to come through? Take you to get ice cream? Or cupcakes?”
“Ice cream?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Ice cream always made Adrianna feel better. Thought maybe it was a femininity thing.”
“Hey, are you sure you don’t feel a way about doing this with me and not Adrianna? Y’all were together so long, Brix. I’m sure you guys talked about kids.”
“We did.”
“Is it a let-down to be doing this with me and not her?”
After a beat or so, he spoke. “It’s a privilege to be doing it with you, Ry. I’m flattered that you even considered me.”
“Shut up! You already know that I think you’re handsome. Plus, you’re kind, patient, smart, and generous. How many times am I gonna have to blow your ego up?”
He waved me off with a snicker. “Nah, I wouldn’t put Adrianna in your shoes even if I could. I’m doing this with the person that I’m supposed to be doing it with. I have a good feeling about this. And with your family genes and my family genes, this baby is about to be a basketball beast.”
I couldn’t help dissolving into giggles. “Ice cream sounds good. But it’s getting late. You need to get your rest. You have practice in the morning.”
He sighed. “Damn. I’m never gonna be able to make a move without you knowing what’s up, huh? The downside of being connected to CJ’s personal manager. We have the same schedule.”
“Yep.”
“I’mma listen to you, though, and get some sleep. Something tells me that we’re about to be on a wild ass ride and we’re gonna need all the rest we can get. You ready?”
Neither Brixton nor I said a word as I pulled up my shirt and exposed my stomach.
I was on the one shot a day protocol. Brixton and I had already decided that when he was available, he would do my shot for me.
I wasn’t sure how that was going to work.
My doctor wanted me to take the shots at the same time every day, and Brixton’s schedule was unpredictable.
But whenever he was available, I would let him do the shots.
It made him feel like part of the process, and I wanted that for him.