Photograph
Summary: Jeff, Matt, and Isabelle grew up together and were the best of friends, but will Jeff recognize her after almost 15 years??...JeffxOC
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I'm poor so you won't get a dime!
A/N: This is my first fic on here so please give me some feedback!
The IMAGInation
The pair of friends walked happily towards the exit of the airport. Jeff was only stopped three times by fans wanting autographs, pictures, and anything else they could get their hands on.
"I'm not entirely sure but I think that woman just offered to have you baby."
Jeff laughed and shook his head. "Don't start."
"Oh my god! Are you like really the real Jeff Hardy?!?" Issy said in what can only be described as a 'Valley Girl' voice while pretending to chew gum. Jeff couldn't help but laugh at her antics.
" Did you have sugar today?"
"Yes! And coffee!" Issy said happily while nodding her head.
"Oh God."
Jeff grabbed Issy's bags and placed them in the backseat of the car while she climbed in the passenger side. He climbed behind the wheel and exited the parking lot.
Issy sat quietly watching the scenery whip by out the window while Jeff's fingers drummed in time with the song that was playing on the radio. Issy couldn't help but think of the last time she was here and the memories she had from her younger days.
" What's on your mind Iss?" She turned in Jeff's direction and smiled.
"It's been a long time." He nodded smiling slightly while keeping his attention on the road. "Seems like forever."
"Fifteen years is a long time not to come home Iss." She didn't respond so he switched tactics. "How's your mom doing?"
"She's good." At least I think she is. I haven't talked to her in almost a month. "After the divorce we moved around a few times while I was still in school. Then I moved out on my own to Tennessee. She's remarried now to a general contactor; living on a ranch in Texas."
"Nice guy?"
Issy laughed a little. " I guess…If you're into the whole raising cows and building houses thing." She shrugged. "Not really my thing."
Jeff smiled at her dismissal of her step-father's lifestyle. He'd always liked that about her. Even when they were younger she was straight forward and always spoke her mind.
"What about your dad?" he asked turning his attention back on the road.
Isabelle thought for a moment about the last time she had seen her father. It had been years now since she'd seen or heard from the man who was once in her life everyday. She took a deep breath before speaking. "No clue really. I haven't seen or heard from him in years. He could be dead in a ditch for all I know." Jeff frowned slightly at the twinge of sadness in her voice as she spoke.
A short time later they exited the highway and turned onto a long dirt road leading to the Hardy property. Issy's smile grew as she looked around taking it all in. It was a beautiful place and much different than she remembered. Growing boys need more room to play. she thought to herself as they turned in the direction of Jeff's house.
"I figured we could drop your stuff off at my place first and then head to Matt's if that's ok."
"Sure."
In the distance she could see large ornate statues and other types of artwork scattered across the property. As they pulled into the driveway she noticed the statue surrounding the mailbox and one closer to the house. Was he this crazy in high school??
"Welcome to the IMAGInation, Iss." Jeff said while putting the car in park.
"The IMAGI what?"
Jeff chuckled slightly as he opened the car door. As soon as Issy opened her door she could hear dogs barking happily at the arrival of their owner. Jeff grabbed her bags and headed towards the porch while Issy stood looking around.
"You act like you've never seen a house before." Jeff called back to her from the stairs of the porch. Issy blushed slightly and headed towards the stairs.
"It's so much different. Just taking it all in."
Jeff sat her bags inside the door just as Jack was running to greet them. Jeff lavished the little dog with attention as Issy was coming through the door.
"So this is home, huh?" She said while surveying the living area.
"Yep. This is home." he said smiling with pride. Jack took that as his invitation to greet the newcomer. He hopped up onto the arm of the couch and wagged his tail happily at her as if to say 'Pet me.' Issy obliged him scrathing his ears and ruffling his fur. "That's Jack." Issy laughed slightly.
"That's cute. Jack the Jack Russell." Jeff shook his head at her amusement.
The two stood there for a moment before Jeff spoke. "Well, I'll give you the rest of the tour when we get back. If I don't get you to Matt's soon he's gonna have a heart attack.
"He always was a drama queen." she added as she turned towards the door.
"Hasn't changed much since high school. If anything he's worse than he was back then."
"Oh lord." Both of them laughed and headed for Matt's.
As they were pulling into the driveway Issy noticed a rather short man with blonde and black hair come charging out of the house towards the car. Just as Jeff through it in park the man in question jumped onto the hood and groaned as if he'd been hit.
Jeff rolled down the window laughing at him. "Reject you jackass get off my car." The man smiled widely and slid off the car. Issy looked at Jeff slightly surprised by the other man's actions. Jeff just shrugged and climbed out of the car.
The two men exchanged greetings while Issy climbed out of the car. "Who's the babe?" Jeff smacked his friend on the arm playfully. "Ow."
"This is Issablle." Jeff looked towards Issy and smiled. "Isabelle this is Shannon." Shannon tossed his arm around Issy's shoulder and winked at her.
"Nice to meet ya honey."
"You too." she said laughing.
"I don't know about you two but I'm heading inside." Jeff said while heading towards the door. Shannon and Issy followed suit and entered the house. "Honey, I'm home!" Jeff yelled as he walked through the door.
Matt walked into the foyer with the phone pressed to his ear conversing with the person on the other end of the line. "Hang on a second." he said into the phone. "Come on in guys. I'll be in in a minute."
Jeff and Shannon just rolled their eyes at one another. "Might as well get comfortable. He's gonna be awhile." Jeff said while looking at Issy.
Issy walked into the living room and sat on one of the couches with her hands folded in her lap. She wasn't sure how to act or what to do so she just sat there. Jeff sat next to her and whispered 'Relax' . She smiled and murmured an apology.
About the time Matt was walking into the living room Shannon decided to dive over the back of the sofa causing Jeff and Issy to laugh. "Ten point landing, Punk." Jeff said while still laughing.
"Shannon…"
"Matt, so glad we introduced ourselves." he said laughing. Matt shook his head and turned his attention to Issy.
"Hey!" he sat next to her on the couch and put his arm across the back. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Really?"
"Yeah! How was your flight?"
"Good. I was fine 'til some jackass scared the shit out of me in the airport." she said nudging Jeff in the ribs. He laughed heartily and nudged her back.
"I apologized didn't I?!"
"No!"
Jeff sighed and leaned his head on her shoulder. "My darling Isabelle can you ever forgive me for scaring you so badly at the airport?!?" he said rather dramatically causing Issy to laugh and roll her eyes.
"I suppose. Anyway, after the airport scare everything was great. I still say that woman offered to have your baby." she said patting Jeff's leg.
"I thought that was you." he said teasingly.
"No way! She's having my baby!" Shannon shouted jumping up from his spot on the couch.
"Whatever, Reject!"
Jeff and Shannon continued their verbal assault on one another for a few minutes. This led to Shannon putting Jeff in a headlock in the middle of the living room floor.
Matt scooted closer to Issy and laughed as he watched the two men scuffle like children. "So, what have you been up to?"
"Just working and living in Tennessee." she replied. "In the process of getting a divorce so, I'm dealing with all of the lawyers and crap like that."
"Yeah. Jeff said you were having some problems with your ex."
"Never shoulda married him in the first place. At least I'm free of all that stress for the next week while I'm here." Matt nodded his head in agreement.
A/N: Hopefully this chapter flows well. I wrote it at different times so, if it doesn't…sue me! Haha. Hope you guys like it. As always R&R!!
