Page 72 of Heal
"Beau, good to see you." His father stood and came around his desk to give Beau a hug.
"Dad, it's good to see you too." He smiled as he quickly hugged him back.
"So what's so important that you'll suffer coming here to talk to me? Usually, you'd tell me to go to Hell if I said we had to meet here." His father sat back down.
Beau took a seat in front of the desk. "How's Mom?" He wasn't going to play his dad's games. He'd do this his own way.
"She's good. Getting everything ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You know how she is, one party after another."
"I have a fundraiser on the nineteenth of December I'd appreciate it a lot if you and Mom could come and support me." Beau knew his father wouldn't pass up a chance to mingle with the rich, no matter the cause.
"Oh, what kind of fundraiser? Something for the hospital again?"
Beau shook his head. "No, this is for the Children's Center. The old building is overcrowded." He went on to explain his plans and what he needed to get things done.
"You've got some big names involved in this. I'm impressed, Son. Shows me I was right. You have good business sense. You should be here, running Maddington Textiles with me."
"You know that's not going to happen, Dad." Beau took a deep breath. "So can I count on you and Mom being there for the fundraiser?"
"I'll have to check with your mother about the date, but I'm sure we can make it. If she has a party that night, she can change her plans. This is more important." His father relaxed back in his chair. "I see you're still dating thatman." His voice left no doubt on his feelings about that.
"None of your concern, Dad." Beau's voice held warning that his father shouldn't push things.
"Okay, so I know the fundraiser could have been discussed on the phone, so what else do we have to talk about that was important enough to have a face to face?"
Beau refused to show how nervous he was. He really wanted his family to accept his kids and not use them as a pawn in any way. He wanted his parents happy that they would have grandchildren. "I needed to let you know that I won't be coming alone to Thanksgiving dinner."
"You're not bringing that man into my home."
Beau gritted his teeth. "No, I respect Parson more than that. I wouldn't make him deal with you and your hatred. I'm working on adopting two children. Lisa is sixteen and Jeff is ten. I'm fostering them now, but I have my attorneys working on adoption proceedings."
"You've done what?" His father sat forward, eyes wide.
"I am bringing them to Thanksgiving dinner to meet everyone. This is something I needed to do. I love these kids and I hope once you get to know them, you will too."
"Beau, you’re a single man with a flourishing career. How do you intend to be a father also?"
"I'm cutting back on my volunteer work so I can be with the kids. I'll still work at the hospital, but most parents work. I'm no different than them. I've hired a wonderful nanny who is with the kids when I can't be."
"Beau, this will ruin your life. You don't know what you're doing." His father shook his head. "I get that you've always been sympathetic to children. It's why you became a pediatrician, but adopting? That's forever. Are you sure this is what you want to do?"
"It's already done, Dad, and I've never been surer about anything in my life." Beau stood. "I just wanted to let you know. I'll drop by the house and tell Mom so you don't have to break the news to her." Beau was sure his mother would be excited about the kids. She'd begged for grandchildren for years.
"Beau…"
"No, Dad, don't do this. We've never seen eye to eye on much of anything. This is what I want for my life. This makes me happy. The kids and I will be there for dinner, but if you show any hatred toward them or make them feel anything but welcome, I will walk out and you will never see any of us again." Beau gave a nod. "Pleasure seeing you today, Dad." He turned and walked out the door, fuming that his father could be such an asshole.
As he walked out to his car, he wondered if he was making a mistake bringing the kids to Thanksgiving dinner. He trusted his mom and sister to be nice, but there was no telling how his dad would react. He doubted he'd say anything rude to the kids, but he wasn't sure he'd give off a welcoming attitude.
They could do Thanksgiving at his house, maybe invite Noam and Kasey over since they didn't have family around, but he really wanted the kids to know his parents. He wanted them to have grandparents who loved them and cared about them.
He glanced at his watch, seeing it was earlier than he thought. Warren had taken the kids to a movie, so there was no point in going home. With nothing to do, Beau headed over to the STK house. He'd stayed away after Bryon had cut him from the team, but it was time to sit down and talk. He missed the weekly meetings, the friendly banter, and every night he hoped that no one got hurt because he was sure Bryon wouldn't call him unless it was life or death now.
The others on the team had called and texted him several times, and he'd talked to Xander and Matt a lot because he was always picking up or bringing Faith home from her visits with him or Lisa. They'd all told him to just give Bryon time, but he wasn't sure that was going to work. There was a good chance that he wouldn't be a part of the team again.
He made the short drive to the house, parking in the driveway, trying not to wonder if it would be his last time. Carter and Matt's cars were there alongside Bryon's and Becca's bike sat back beside the garage.
At least he wouldn't be facing Bryon alone, though the others would stay out of it unless it got too heated between them.
