Chapter 13
TRAVIS
Two days later, I asked my family over to my place for dinner.
"Well, I, for one, can't wait to find out what the occasion is this time," Declan said.
I made it a habit to gather the family whenever I had something to announce. I'd done it when I decided to sell my business, then when I decided to start a new one, not to mention all the parties in between, celebrating the sale of said business.
The whole gang had gathered, minus my cousin Kimberly and Sam, of course. Sam was already back in Honduras. Kimberly was living in Paris.
I wished they were here for this occasion, too, because it wasn’t about work.
It was intensely personal. I'd already shared it with both of them before the family arrived because I didn't want them to be blindsided and find out from someone else.
One thing I could bet on was that this was going to be the top gossip subject in the family for weeks.
My living room was huge, and everyone was spread around, enjoying the pizza I'd had delivered. Mom was looking at it disapprovingly. Whenever we gathered at my parents' house, she had us all cook together. She said cooking was a bonding experience. I was far too practical for that.
Tate was sitting on the couch with Lexi and Paisley. Declan and Liz were next to them. Liz had brought cupcakes for everyone. Tyler and Luke had come without their better halves; they couldn't make it, since my invitation was too short notice.
"So, I'm betting whatever it is, it's business related," Tate said.
Declan was just looking at me intently. He was probably weighing the situation, trying to gauge if I was involved in any shit.
"Whatever it is, I'm warning you. You're not going to move away. It's enough that Sam and Kimberly aren't here," Reese said.
I totally agreed with that. I had no intention of moving away from Chicago.
Luke narrowed his eyes at me. "I bet it's something completely different."
As the second oldest and the brother who riled us up to no good more times than I could count, he could definitely read a room.
Not as well as Sam, but his skills were still unparalleled by anyone else here, except perhaps Gran.
It was how Luke always knew if Sam and I would join in on his ideas or not.
He rarely wasted his breath asking us if he thought we wouldn't get on board.
"I agree with Luke," Reese said. She and Gran were sitting with my parents on the opposite couch. "You look tense. It must be serious. I have about five scenarios in mind."
"Let the man talk," Gran said.
My parents had been completely silent the whole time.
I cleared my throat, putting my hands in my pockets. "When I was in Oceanwell Bay, I met someone. Her name is Bonnie."
Tyler jumped to his feet. "Holy shit, you got married in secret."
Luke groaned. "Don't be ridiculous. That would be too fast for Travis. I bet he just wants to introduce us to her."
I cleared my throat again. Tyler sat down. Declan went completely still.
"Actually, she's pregnant," I said.
The whole room was silent.
Luke chuckled, then looked at me and froze. "Jesus, you're serious."
I stared at him. "You think I’d joke about something like this?"
Everyone started talking at the same time.
I couldn't make out what anyone was saying.
Why did I think it was a good idea to tell everyone at the same time?
I could've just called them individually or in small groups.
Now that I was facing the mayhem, I could think of at least ten other ways I could've managed this better.
"Who is she?" Mom asked, strolling toward me. "When can we meet her?"
"All in due time," I said. “But I will tell her how fast you asked that."
"Of course I asked that. She's your girlfriend."
"She's not."
The room quieted down at that.
"Wait a second. What do you mean?" Reese asked.
"We had a good time in Oceanwell, but we were open with each other that we don't want anything serious. Now that we've reconnected, Bonnie says it's best if we co-parent and stay friends."
"What do you mean, reconnected?" Tate asked. His eyes were hard.
"We lost contact after I left," I replied, "which is fucked-up, I know, so I don't need anyone else giving me shit.”
Declan stood up. "I'm going to draft up papers for custody."
"No, brother, you will not do that, okay? The last thing I want is for her to feel threatened by any contracts or legal stuff that you come up with."
"It's important," he emphasized.
"We can deal with it later."
"I'm going to be a grandmother again," Mom said, hugging me. I hugged her right back. "My goodness, Travis, what a surprise. I never thought I'd hear you say that."
"I'm just as surprised as you are, Mom."
Dad shook my hand, patting my shoulder. "Congratulations, son. It's a privilege to be a father."
Gran came up to me next, putting her hands on her hips. "Young man, we taught you better. You do not leave the mother of your child in a lurch."
"Gran, it was a technology failure."
"Don't you 'Gran' me. You owned a technology company. Are you telling me you had no other way of finding that poor girl?"
"Yes, I could have," I admitted. "I was very focused on the hotel, and time got away from me."
"Well, now I hope you're going to rethink your priorities. Having a child and raising it is one of the most important jobs in this world," Gran said.
"I'm going to try my very best," I assured her. "Any other words of advice?"
"Plenty," Tate said. "I'm going to share them with you over whiskey."
"Not wine?" I joked.
"Nah, this conversation needs something far stronger."
Tyler and Luke seemed too stunned to say anything. Reese was silent, which was unlike her. But I knew whatever they had to say wasn't for parental ears to hear.
The benefit of being the fifth one in the family was that I got to see my older brothers go through every life phase before me. They liked to flaunt their knowledge like it was an absolute truth. Granted, no one had been in my situation, but I was sure they’d weigh in, nonetheless.
Dad took me to one side. "Son, I have a piece of advice. Don't mess this up."
"I won't. It's not my intention. I want to be there every step of the way. You know me."
"Good, good. We raised you to do well." He narrowed his eyes. "You know I don't like to butt in."
That was true. Mom and Dad didn't like to give their opinion on everything.
"I'm listening," I said.
"Figure out what you want, how you feel about Bonnie. Don't tell me, just be honest with yourself. If you want more than friendship, then go ahead, guns blazing. No apologies."
"Thanks, Dad. This is good advice."
He patted my shoulder.
“But this kid is yours. He’s a Maxwell and accepted unconditionally. Know that and act accordingly, you understand?”
“Yes, I do.” This child would be a part of the family, no question, and Bonnie would be too. Everyone would embrace her. Friendship was a solid basis on which to raise a child.
But I couldn’t help the nagging feeling that Bonnie and I couldn’t be just friends.
"You can call me any time you need more advice. I'm going to grab a slice of pizza."
After he left, Tyler came up next, along with Tate and Reese.
"So I couldn't help but eavesdrop," Tyler said, "and Dad is right."
I looked at the three of them. "Bonnie is still processing everything. I mean, hell, I'm processing everything, but she's going through it all. I'm just a bystander."
Her words still rang in my ears. She was right. We’d both made it clear we weren’t looking for anything serious, and we were still the same people. But I’d meant it when I told her that I did want to see her after she returned to Chicago.
I’d fucked things up by not contacting her, damn it. I’d gotten completely sidetracked with work. No wonder she wanted us to just be friends.
I’d never had a long-term relationship. There were a million ways for me to fuck one up. Maybe she was right—friendship was better.
"Not to mention, she was probably preparing to be a single mom," Reese said. Her voice dripped with disapproval.
"Exactly. She thought I didn't want to have any contact with her."
Reese winced. "Oh, Travis. I can only imagine what she went through. I want to talk to her. I want to make sure you're spoiling her from now on."
I grinned at my cousin. "That was the plan.”
“Which part?”
“To spoil her and put her in contact with you."
Reese smiled. "Good to know."
"I actually don't agree with Dad," Tate said.
"What?"
"Look, my first marriage didn’t work out, but we decided to stay together because of Paisley. It was a disaster. So, believe me when I say that trying to make a relationship work for the baby is not a good idea."
I'd never heard my brother talk so seriously.
"That's a sobering point of view."
Tyler looked around. “Declan is out of earshot, but I do think he has a point about sorting out the legal stuff."
I shook my head. "That isn't something I want to bring up with Bonnie right now."
"Since when are you so insensitive, Tyler?" Reese asked. "Don't put any ideas in his head. He's got a good head on his shoulders right now and great instincts. I thought I’d have to shield him from Declan, but it seems I have to do the same with you."
Tyler held up his hands in self-defense. "Was just trying to be helpful. By the way, when are you going to introduce her to us?"
"Soon, but obviously not to everyone at once," I replied. Looking at my cousin, I added, "I'll start with Reese.”
"Ha. I love you even more," she said. "Now, come on. I want to ask you a few things about Bonnie. Let's get some pizza."
I walked with her toward the table.
"Does she have any family here?"
"No, she came here for college, so she has friends, but her family isn't in the city."
"Oh, poor girl. So she's alone. I can definitely make a plan to spoil her." She looked up at me. "Do you need instructions on how to do that?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, thank you very much. I can come up with some ideas on my own."
"Just putting it out there, but I'm here for you if you ever want to brainstorm. Oh, I can imagine what Kimberly will have to say when I tell her."
"I already told her and Sam."
Reese's eyes bulged. "You told them first?"
"I didn't want them to find out from anyone else, and I was sure the second I gave you the news, someone would tell them."
"Okay, you have a fair point," she admitted.
"Reese, I think Bonnie is going to need support these upcoming months." I was going to have a chat with Mom about this too.
"Got it," she replied. "I am on it."
Luke came up to us and folded his arms across his chest, glancing at me. No, wait. He was studying me. I knew that look. My brother was going to drop a bomb on us.
"Let's do a test," he said.
I blinked. "Okay."
"Imagine three months from now, Bonnie introduces you to a random dude. She's together with him. He'll co-parent as well. He'll marry her."
"No fucking way," I exclaimed.
Tate widened his eyes. Reese burst out laughing.
Luke nodded. "I rest my case."