Stay Close To Me

Author: And

Pairing: Maria/Jeff Hardy

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All belongs to Vince and the WWE.

Rating: T

Summary: Maria's pregnant with her best friend's baby. Will she be able to tell him or will she pretend it's just a storyline. Maria/Jeff fic.

Chapter 1

Maria Kanellis paced nervously backstage, she was about to make her first appearance since being drafted to Smackdown in June. At the request of Vince McMahon she'd been kept off television and was about to shock the wrestling world, according to Vince anyway. Maria wasn't so sure but it was too late to back out now. She'd committed herself to the storyline. She looked at herself in the mirror and adjusted the baggy grey tee shirt she was wearing. It matched the baggy jeans that did a great job of hiding her expanding stomach. It wasn't something she normal wore on screen but wearing her usual ring attire was no longer suitable. Not when she was four months pregnant.

Any minute now she was going to come face to face with the father of her baby. A man she hadn't really been in contact with for months. Sure they had sent a few text messages back and forth but a lot had happened to the man she once regarded as her best friend this passed few months. He'd been suspended for sixty days after failing the wellness policy for a second time. His house had been destroyed in a terrible fire and he'd gotten back together with his long term girlfriend Beth. That was the real kicker for Maria. It really didn't help that they had gotten back together immediately after she had slept with Jeff back in March. Not that Jeff even remembered it happening. It wasn't surprising really with the amount he'd had to drink that night. That and Maria had later found out he'd also been high on painkillers. Another kick in the teeth for the beautiful redhead.

A knock at the door made the diva jump, "Ten minutes, Maria," a voice called out.

"Thank you," Maria called back. She checked her appearance again in the mirror and took a deep breath. "You can do this," she said to herself as she walked towards the door. Once in the hallway she headed towards Michael Hayes' make shift office. As she arrived outside the office, Maria steadied herself as she came face to face with the man she was madly in love with.

"Hey stranger," Jeff Hardly greeted her with a grin. He was dressed in his usual black ring attire, casually leaning back against the wall.

"Hey yourself."

"I heard a rumour that you were back. Welcome to Smackdown."

Maria rolled her eyes, "Thanks Jeff."

He studied her appearance closer, "New look?"

"Kinda," Maria paused for a moment, "You don't like it?"

"Yeah, it's cool, man. Just not really your usual style. On screen anyways."

Maria shrugged, "People change."

Jeff frowned, "Is that why they've kept you off tv? So your character can change?"

"Not exactly," Maria admitted. "You don't know?" She was confused now, she was sure that someone would have told Jeff about the storyline.

He pushed off the wall, jamming his hands in his pockets and came closer to her, "Know what?"

"About our new storyline?"

Jeff shook his head, "Not really. They told me that I was starting a new storyline tonight with a returning diva … which I presumed was you." He smiled at her briefly, "Glad I was right."

"Oh wow, you're in for a surprise then. They haven't told you anything?"

"Nope, you care to let me in on the big secret?" Before she knew what was happening Jeff was right in front of her, "What's the matter? It can't be that bad right?"

"You're right. It's not that bad and it's just a storyline. If it doesn't go well I'm sure it will be dropped like a hot potato."

"And it's …"

Maria took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."

Jeff's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "You're what now?"

"Pregnant. I mean I'm really pregnant, that's just not a storyline."

"Since when? I know we haven't exactly been in contact lately but I didn't know you were dating anyone."

The redhead sighed heavily, "I'm not. One night stand, I'd rather not talk about it if it's okay with you."

Jeff held his hands up in defense, "That's fine, I'm just like surprised that's all."

"Shocked the hell out of me when I found out too. I really thought Vince was going to fire me but he was really pleased and wanted to use it as a storyline. That's where you come in. They want you to be," she made air quotes with her fingers, "The father."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Not like I really have a choice," Maria replied. "Are you okay with that?"

Jeff smiled, "Why not. Are you sure you're okay with that? You look like you could use a hug."

Maria gave him a tiny smile, "Is that an offer, Mr Hardy?"

"Of course," He opened his arms, allowing her to step into his embrace.

Maria melted into his arms, Jeff gave the best hugs. He always made her feel so safe. So why was she lying to him?

"I hate to break up this little love fest but are you two ready?" Michael Hayes asked from behind the two.

Maria reluctantly pulled away from Jeff, "We're ready as we'll ever be."

"If you can make your way to the gorilla position. We're shooting in five minutes."

Jeff nodded, "Whatever you say, boss." He turned his attention back to Maria, "So how many months pregnant are ya?"

"Four."

"Oh …" Jeff trailed off as they started to head to the gorilla position.

"What?"

"I didn't realise you were that far along. I thought you'd be a couple of months at most," Jeff admitted.

Maria frowned but said nothing. At first she thought that Jeff had twigged and remembered something but that obviously wasn't the case. He had no idea that he was in fact the real father.