Disclaimer: Still don't own anyone but Brailiegh.

Chapter 2: I'm Back

Maria had laid Brandon down to bed early tonight, because she was expecting Kazarian over for dinner. She wasn't thrilled about him coming over, but in the spirit of Christmas she allowed him. Christmas, that was something she was looking forward to. Christmas Dinner with Roode. That was going to be fun. She smiled happily to herself and walked around the kitchen. Thankfully TNA wasn't too far off from the house last night so they hadn't gotten home too late. There came the dreaded knock on the door and she sighed and mustered up enough strength to answer it. Kazarian stood there. He had a weak smile on his face and his hands were stuffed in his pockets.

"Afternoon Ria." He greeted.

"Just come in." She said standing aside to let him in. He stepped inside and looked around before letting out a relieved sigh.

"It uh..it looks the same." He said. This house used to be their house. They use to share almost everything in it. That was until he walked out and left her alone and pregnant.

"Minus a few things, but yea, pretty much the same." She said. He didn't miss the hint she threw with the first bit of the sentence and he hung his head again.

"We should probably go ahead and get this out of the way." She said quickly. She began making her way to the kitchen and Kazarian followed closely at her heels. He looked at the spread before him and it looked enticing. They both took their seats at the opposite end of table and the awkward tension rose immensely.

"So are we going to talk?" He asked breaking the silence.

"Sure." Maria responded keeping her head down and playing with the food on his plate.

"Well first off I'd like to say that I apologize." He started.

"For what?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what part are you sorry for?" She stated more firmly.

"Maria..I'm sorry for all of it. I know that I hurt you and I'm sorry, but I swear I didn't mean to." He sighed.

"Frankie you left me all alone and 7 months pregnant with your baby. Our baby! After promising you'd do the right thing and stand by me!" She exclaimed.

"I was scared! I'd never had a baby before, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't ready to settle down." He told her.

"Frankie you're a 35 year old man! It's past time for you to grow the hell up and settle down!" Maria tossed her napkin over her plate and stood.

"This was a terrible idea. You should go." She said pointing in the direction of the doorway.

"Ria please, I'm sorry okay. Don't-don't make me leave. We can work this out. I'm ready now." He pleaded.

"Now's too late. Get out." She said. Kazarian slowly stood. He licked his lips and ran a hand over his short hair. Of course he hadn't come here and expected her to just throw herself at him, but he would've accepted anything over this. He started towards the exit and stopped to look back at the redhead he was once again leaving behind.

"Maria, I know that you don't want me here, but the thing about is that I am here. I'm going to be there for my son regardless if you like it or not. Face it Ria, I'm back."

…...

Brailiegh and Jeff were in their hotel room. They were supposed to be watching a movie, but instead the two were making arrangements for their Christmas Dinner. Since Maria had opted out of spending it with them they had decided to invite someone else to replace her.

"What about Mickie and Storm?" Jeff asked.

"Ya know, they make a really cute couple." Brailiegh said.

"Yea, but we look better together." Jeff stated.

"I don't know. Mickie has a really great bod and James has some of the prettiest man hair I've ever seen." The blonde smiled.

"Oh so you like his man hair now?" Jeff frowned.

"Eh what can I say? I'm a hair whore. I fantasize of shaving all their pretty little heads and making a bed out of it." She grinned.

"Yea okay there's another one of those jokes that we just shouldn't say." He muttered. Brailiegh laughed at him and set herself down in his lap. She kissed his cheek and smiled happily at him.

"We really need to work on this joking thing don't we?" She asked.

"We do, but first I have a solution to our Christmas screw up." He offered. She nodded her head as if to say continued. "Why don't we..invite...Roode to the dinner?" He bit out.

"I can't believe you! You're willing to toss your differences aside for your sister and invite Roode to our holiday feast?!" She jumped and pulled him down to the floor by his arm and placed him a headlock.

"What the hell are you doing Bray!?" He yelled confused.

"Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend? There's no way in hell he'd ever offer to be in the same room as Bobby Roode. Not in a million chances." She growled. Jeff sighed and tossed the tiny woman off his back. He rubbed his neck frowning at her.

"Yea well this time it's different. Maria's my baby sis and she's had it rough these last couple of years. If she thinks he's good for her then I guess it couldn't hurt to be a little supportive." He said.

"I guess." She sighed lying down on her elbows. "He hasn't done anything to make himself look like an ass. Well to her at least."

"Exactly, and as long as it stays that way, they can flirt or whatever all they want." He said. Brailiegh smiled at the tv.

"Okay, so it's a deal. We'll invite Roode to chow down with us."

…...

"Hey Micks!" Someone called. Mickie looked back to see Velvet Sky trotting up to her from down the hall. She stopped and waited for the woman smiling as she approached her.

"Hey there Vel. What's up?" She asked.

"Oh not much, just wanted to say that I am so glad to see you again. You look great by the way." Velvet smiled. She placed her hands on her hips and watched the short brunette as she smiled shrugging as if she were thinking of what to say.

"Thanks Vel, James and I were just heading out. It's great to see you again too." She told her.

"Oh yes, so how are you and the cowboy doing?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows to add effect.

"Ha! We're great actually. Thanks for asking, have you found anyone special?" Mickie asked.

"Nah not yet, but don't worry bout me. I'll find someone eventually." Velvet nodded.

"Mickie." Mickie and Velvet turned seeing James Storm ahead of them waiting for his wife next to an elevator.

"Coming hun." She called. "Well, I have to go. It was great talking to you, I'll see you later." Mickie said hugging the woman and leaving with her husband.

"That was Velvet Sky right?" James asked as the doors shut. Mickie giggled at the man shaking her head.

"Yes, yes that was Velvet Sky." She said.

"She looks different." He said.

"Really? I didn't notice." Mickie said pursing her lips.

"Hmm, maybe it's the outfit. I've never seen her in that long of a dress." He pointed out.

"James!" Mickie laughed.

"Well it's true. She wears really short dresses." He said again.

"So do I." Mickie smiled.

"Yea, but I like your short dresses. Their fitting." He said.