A/N: Hi everyone! I'm doing pretty good with the updates, so I hope you're liking the story so far. I'm really enjoying writing this story and I definitely missed the wrestling fandom. Did you guys see the PPV yesterday? It was insane, glad to see Alberto Del Rio back. Anyways, here's another update for you all. This is shorter than the previous chapters, sort of a filler chapter. Hope you guys like this one as well! Let me know what you think!

Thank you for all the love, really appreciate it!


Four

Once Jeff was done at Emerson's house, he went home and found Stephen waiting for him there. He wasn't sure what Stephen was doing there, but it was a good thing he was, he had to talk to him after all.

Jeff slid out of his car, closed the door and locked it. Stephen stood up from his seat on the front porch and nodded his head at Jeff. He returned the gesture before stopping at the bottom of the steps.

"Can't say I'm surprise, are you here to say goodbye before you left?" Jeff questioned, not wanting to be confrontational from the get go.

"Nope, we have a few things to talk about."

"If you're here to tell me to stay away from Emerson, you can fuck off." Jeff walked up the three steps and unlocked his door, not wanting to deal with Stephen right now.

"I'm not going to try and control you, it was wrong of me to do so, I apologize."

Jeff was surprised and closed his door. He turned around and found Stephen at the same step he left him on. Walking over to the chair at his porch, he gestured for Stephen to sit on the other chair. Stephen followed suit as the two men looked at Jeff's front yard.

"I heard you cut your sister off," Jeff started.

Stephen groaned. "Of course she would tell you, she hasn't even been here for a month and it's like nothing even changed." He rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to cut her off, it was just an empty threat. But I guess cutting her off wouldn't be that bad of an idea, she wouldn't be able to last six months if I cut her off."

"You're a piece of shit, you know that?" Jeff snarled. "Why can't you just let your sister live her life? If she wants to live it here, just let her. You never tried running it before, why are you trying to do so now?"

"I'm not trying to run her life, Emerson just needs to relearn everything and she won't be able to do that if she's here by herself."

"She learned everything by herself before, she'll be able to do it again, give your sister more credit than that." Jeff rolled his eyes. "What do you want? I should kick your ass for handling things the way you did."

"You're not going to understand my reasons and that's fine, but I did everything to protect Emerson. I never erased you from her life, she knows who the fuck you are," Stephen was tired of being painted as the bad guy. He did everything for his sister; he didn't need to justify that for the second time today. "It wouldn't help anything if I told her what you two had. It's a need to know basis. If anything she hasn't even remembered shit about your relationship. I don't blame her, maybe she's repressing it so she wouldn't have to remember all the shit you put her through."

Jeff didn't have a reply for that. He didn't need to be reminded that he took advantage of Emerson. He never blamed her, the blame was always on him. The drugs did a number on their relationship and his assumptions didn't help either. He highly doubted that it was the reason Emerson's memories weren't coming, but it could be a factor. That's why he was going to make it up to Emerson, he was going to help her in any way he can. This wasn't about restoring their relationship; it was about giving Emerson a happy life.

"What do you want?" Jeff questioned once more through gritted teeth.

"Just look out for Emerson," Stephen stood up, not wanting to stay any longer with Jeff. The tension between them could explode and the last thing he needed to do was to explain to Emerson why he was hurt.

"Change of heart?" Jeff mocked. "You didn't have to come here and tell me that. I'll look out for Emerson, I always did then, I will now. Don't worry about the money, I'll take care of Emerson."

"What? Are you insane? She's not going to accept your help, she can't live off you forever, Jeff. Wasn't this an issue in your relationship before?"

Jeff stood up as well, but he stayed in front of the chair, afraid that he would end up fighting Stephen if he stepped closer. "I bought her bakery, it's been doing well even though she's been gone. The customers are still coming. I'll give you the information of the account that's under her name, it has the profits of the bakery."

Stephen gave him a confused look. The bakery? Emerson's bakery? That's impossible. He and Vanessa sold it since they didn't think Emerson would need the bakery while she recovered. They wouldn't be able to pay for it, so they sold it. Vanessa was the one who handled the whole process, but she never met the buyer either. They were too busy taking care of Emerson then.

"You bought the bakery? Why would you do that?" Stephen questioned.

"Because that bakery was made through Emerson's hard work. It was her dream to own that bakery, so I saved it, so whenever she did return she would still have the bakery." Vanessa had reached out to Jeff telling him that she would be selling the bakery. He was surprised to hear from her, but before she could even insinuate that he should buy the bakery, he already offered. So now, Jeff owned Emerson's old bakery.

Stephen knew that Jeff wasn't that fond of the bakery. Sure, he was happy for Emerson, but the bakery put a strain in their relationship. At least, that's what he got from Emerson. For him to save the bakery, still thinking about his sister, it made him think twice about Jeff Hardy. Maybe he wasn't as selfish as he was before. People were capable of changing, he knew that, but Jeff did a number on his sister, he couldn't let go of that just yet. But he was definitely redeeming himself.

Without saying anything, Stephen nodded his head and stuck out his hand. Jeff was caught off guard by Stephen's action, but shook his hand. "Maybe I was wrong about you, Hardy. Let's hope you don't fuck up things with my sister again."

"Don't plan on it."

Stephen nodded his head and walked down Jeff's porch. He turned around and smirked. "I'm guessing you're going to hire her to work at the bakery?"

"It's her bakery after all, if she wants the job, she has it."

"I'm happy for you, Jeff, I'm glad you've gotten your life together." Stephen paused unsure if he should say the next few words, but he decided that it needed to be said. "Emerson would be proud of you."

For once in a long time, Jeff genuinely smiled at Stephen and nodded his head. "Thanks."


Emerson sat by her island counter, staring at her hot chocolate. It was great to be back in North Carolina. She definitely missed home, but she played by her sibling's rules, they wanted her to stay in Texas for a while, fine, she understood, she was still recovering. But she was better now. Not memory wise, but she was better, she could take care of herself. It was frustrating for her because they would talk about vacations they took after the age of eighteen and she didn't remember. She knew they were telling her the story to invoke any of her memories, but it never did. Once in a while she would remember things, but she was never with her siblings, she was with Jeff or Matt. Hell, there were some when Amy was around. She's been meaning to ask where Amy was, but she wasn't sure if she could ask Matt. He was married to a different woman, who Emerson thought was pretty cool. Matt's wife, Amaya, had a really nice smile.

At one point, she wanted to look them up online, but Stephen had advised against it. He reasoned it would confused her and for some odd reason she listened to him. She could do it now, search them up, to see why Jeff was no longer in WWE. But she distinctively remember Matt and Amy telling her that rumors were lies and if she ever had a question, they would tell her, as long as it wouldn't cost them their job. She did watch the Hardy Show and the old wrestling matches, it made her feel connected to them. At first she thought they all had a falling out, it just didn't make sense for them to not be around, considering Matt was Stephen's best friend. But she never dwelled on it, she was focused on other things.

Waking up with no memory was something else. She thought she had just finished getting her wisdom teeth done, but instead, she was eight years into the future. It was like a movie that she didn't want to be a part of. Not having any memories, some people she remembered were no longer around, like her mother. It was difficult. It still was difficult. And she couldn't run away. Where would she go? It was a dumb way to deal with her problems, but it always worked for her.

The only consistent thing in her life was Alex. Even though he had his tendencies to be missing in action, he was there when she truly needed him.

And there was Jeff.

He was never this attentive towards her. Sure, they hung out before a couple of times, but they were never close. What did happen during the eight years she doesn't remember? The way he spoke to her, it was like he knew her well, a little too well. She was always closer to Matt and it was never like that with him. And the way Jeff looked at her, she felt extremely… loved? It was weird. She couldn't have possibly been with Jeff. He was six years older than her and she was certain Jeff must have settled down already. She used to criticize Jeff for changing girls often and it just didn't make sense. Sure, Jeff was good looking, but she never saw herself dating him. Wrestlers were trouble, you don't know what they did on the road, it just wasn't an ideal relationship for her. She always tried to steer clear from an athlete, she just didn't need that in her life.

Coming home, she thought it would answer questions, but it brought on more questions.

Another question would be as to why Jeff and Stephen suddenly wanted to rip each other's throats. They were never the best of friends, but Stephen and Jeff got along well. She tried asking Stephen and he just brushed her off, reasoning they just had a disagreement. Maybe Jeff had slept with a girl Stephen liked or vice versa? She didn't know, but she'll eventually get to the bottom of everything.

She was no longer holding hope that she'll still remember. But maybe if she stopped trying to remember so much, it'll just gradually happened. Seeing a specialist should also help. Her first appointment for her new doctor was going to be next week, should be fun.

"You okay?"

Emerson jumped at hearing a voice. She turned around and found her brother walking in the kitchen, taking his jacket off.

"Sorry," he chuckled. "Mind if I join you?"

Emerson shrugged, turning around once again.

"You still mad?" Stephen asked as he sat down beside her.

"No," Emerson replied. "No reason to be mad."

"Emmy, you know I'm just trying to look out for you no matter how much of a dick you think I am, I'm still going to look out for you."

"Stephen, I'm not putting malice towards your actions. I just want you to give it a shot, if I don't get anything accomplished in six months, I'll go back to Texas, no bullshit." Emerson laid out. "But if it does work out then it's fantastic. I have to learn some time."

"Yeah, you're right." Stephen sighed. "I watch you grow up once and I had a hard time. Having to live through it again, it doesn't get any better."

Emerson laughed. "God, imagine when Maggie grows up? You're screwed." She was referring to Stephen's youngest child, Maggie. He had two boys, Drew and Drake, then their little princess, Maggie.

"Don't remind me," Stephen groaned. "It's going to be hell."

"You'll be fine, you did well with me," Emerson pointed out. "It's going to get hard, but just remember that no matter what, she loves you."

"You still love me? Even though I'm a dick?"

"Eh, on a good day," she teased, shrugging.

Stephen laughed. "Have you spoken to Alexander?"

"Yeah, he's coming in a week," she smiled. "Don't give me a look, Alexander is my best friend, I'll smile if I want to."

"Hey, no problem here, no judgment." Stephen held up his hands. "So nothing still? No ounce of memory hitting you?"

"Nothing too intense, just fragments of a house, I've never been to that house before though. At least, I don't recall being at that house. It's a nice house, I'm painting a room and I was arguing with someone about my paint choice." Emerson took a sip of her hot chocolate. "It wasn't you, but I was with a guy. Might have been Matt, but it didn't sound like him. It actually sounded like Jeff, but why would I be painting with Jeff?"

Stephen wanted to shake his sister at times. It wouldn't help her remember things, but it might rattle her brain. She was obviously helping paint their house together. It was crazy how she remembered certain things, but she never associated it with Jeff. Was it that farfetched to think that she could end up with Jeff?

"Yeah, you were helping him paint a room in his house." Stephen confirmed for her.

"Really? Jeff and I were close?" she questioned.

Stephen nodded. That wasn't a lie. They were extremely close. It was simple enough. "After mom died, you and Jeff got much closer. Not sure how it happened, might have something to do with you living with Matt after I moved to New Orleans, but either way, you and Jeff got really close."

"But he hasn't been around for the last two years," Emerson replied.

"That was on me, Emmy, don't blame Matt and Jeff, they didn't know you got into a car accident." Stephen sighed. "I made a mistake, I'll admit that to you because you're my sibling. Jeff and Matt took care of you since the summer before your freshman year in college. I truly stopped becoming a brother to you when I moved for my own selfish reasons." His eyes were beginning to mist and he hated crying, especially in front of his sisters. "I was just worried about you because you woke up, basically a blank slate, and I didn't know what to do. I even blamed myself because we had argued before you went out that night. But I'm just so happy you're alive." A few tears fell from his eyes, he wiped it quickly as he sniffed.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Emerson questioned.

"I didn't want to complicate things, I figured you would remember or eventually just regain your memories." Stephen replied. "After mom died, I moved to New Orleans and initially I was going to take you, but you were adamant about staying here. We gotten into an argument, you ran to Matt and he offered his home to you. At first you were reluctant and so was I, but I knew Matt would take care of you, so you stayed with him. You attended school at Chapel Hill as you know since you did get accepted there." He had gone over her background, but he never told her about staying with Matt. "You stayed at the dorms, coming home to Matt's during the weekends."

"So, you basically downplayed how important the Hardy's have been in my life since I was eighteen?"

Emerson wasn't angry. At this point, she was just glad that her brother decided to come clean. He most likely didn't want her to hear all of this from the boys and she would be clueless.

"In a way, we were going to do it in a need to know basis. If you remembered, we would be truthful and answer." Stephen wasn't going to give her a full disclosure. But he was at least going to cover some aspects of her life. "So yes, you and Jeff are extremely close; you even traveled with him during the summers. Not often cause at times you would take classes, but you and Jeff are definitely close."

Emerson nodded her head, unsure of what to say. It's not like it's impossible for her and Jeff to get close, but it was Jeff. He was Matt's younger brother who she saw in passing or when she hung out with Matt and Amy. Jeff was always nice, but she just never thought they would be all that close.

"Emmy, are you mad?"

"No," she shook her head. "You had your reasons, I understand that. Thank you for telling me. Are you trying to make up for something?"

Stephen laughed. "I guess I just need to prepare you the best I can, they'll be here for you, they always have been."

"Don't sell yourself short, you're an asshole, can be unreasonable, and a pain, but you're amazing brother, I wouldn't change you for the world." Emerson patted his back.

"If you need help, you're going to call me right?"

"Who else would I call?"