I'm on summer vacation! And hopefully that will mean I'll be able to update more often during this month (hopefully!).

This chapter was so hard to write just because it had been so long since I last picked up on this story - which is really a shame! I love writing Leah and Jody. Also, Jon won't be getting the results back this chapter.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter and stay tuned!

Thank you for all the support, love to read your reviews so please keep on leaving them.

- Reese

"Here you go." Ted handed Jody a mug filled of cereals and milk as the boy sat in front of the TV, morning cartoons having him over the moon. He mumbled a quiet, muffled thank you to his uncle, his eyes never completely leaving the new episode he hadn't seen yet.

Leah watched the little display attentively, a mug of hot coffee held in between her hands as she leaned against the counter. Jody was hardly paying any attention to anyone with his focus solely on the animated cartoons, still she was loving the little interaction between her older brother and her son. Jody had always been very close to his uncles and Leah appreciated that they always managed to give Jody their attention since he hadn't really another man's figure around.

Ted made his way back to her, taking a sit at one of the stools in the room and getting a go at his breakfast. "You're leaving tomorrow morning?"

Leah shook her head, "No, after RAW tonight actually. We're making the drive during the night."

Ted nodded, "How's training going? I haven't asked you yet about it."

Leah smiled, she was delighted at the perspective of possibly be getting back in the ring soon – not too soon though. "It's going good. I'm actually going to Orlando next week. I'm going to the Performance Center."

"Sounds good!" Ted nodded, happy his sister was finally getting what she wanted and getting back in the ring. "You're gonna swing by dad's won't ya?"

"Yeah, of course! Jody is excited to see dad and mom." Leah nodded her head in direction of the young boy, taking a sip of her coffee in the meantime.

Ted kept on eating and silence took over the room – well, Jody's cartoons had still the loudness expected but other than that – for some time. Despite keeping his attention on his food, Ted wasn't oblivious to the thoughtful expression on Leah's face. He could read the brunette like the back of his hand, in some ways, she was still the same scared seven year old girl that had walked inside his house all those years ago.

"You haven't heard anything from him yet?" He asked, knowing it would be the last time he'd get to ask her about it in person.

Leah sighed, running a fast paced hand through her messy morning hair. "You know, DNA results take a while. My answer is still the same it was yesterday and the same from three days ago."

"You're nervous?" Ted pressed on the issue.

"Ted, we don't really have to do this."

"Le, we kinda do. I've been here for three days, I'm leaving this afternoon." Ted reminded her, like she didn't fucking know already that she was about to lose one of her biggest supporters after only a three-day catch up. "We've only talked about this with Jay, Phil and Lay in the room."

"My answers don't change because they're not in the room, you know that." Last thing Leah wanted was to discuss Jon all morning. She felt like that was all she did recently and quite honestly, she was sick of talking about him.

"No, I know. I just want you to talk to me now, freely. They all have pretty different opinions from the one I've got." Ted told her, quite annoyed as he brought up the differences of thoughts about the current issue on Leah's life. Their three best friends had pulled for her to tell Jon the truth, Ted however had always been pretty against Leah opening up her mouth. Sure Ted hadn't been there for the last month and didn't know how it was to hide something so big when working side by side with Jon.

"Yeah, well – look where all these opinions got me." Leah told him straight, voice low despite how much she actually wanted to scream. She couldn't forget her son was sitting just a few meters away from her.

"Are you regretting it?"

"This is exactly what I didn't want to happen three years ago." Leah sighed, taking a seat in front of Ted. "How much of a fucking asshole does someone need to be to ask me for a DNA test? He knows he's the dad, so what exactly is this?"

"You know what I think it is." A way to try and avoid the responsibility. Deep down, Jon wants to not be the father. Not have his life change and take on such a big responsibility. "Have you told dad about this?"

Leah shook her head, "He's gonna tell me exactly the same you did."

"We're not giving you a lecture here Leah." Ted sighed, knowing how much all these outside thoughts messed with her head. At the end of the day, his opinion or Phil's or Jay's, they didn't really matter. Leah was the one who had to choose what she thought was best for the situation. "We're on your side. We just want to help."

"I should have told him straight away." Leah looked up at him, her eyes meeting up with his for the first time since Jon's name had been brought up in conversation. "If he walked out then I could have just prepared right on what to tell Jody."

"I've been telling him that Jon's at work and that's why he hasn't come up yet to see him. He's really hopeful Jon will come around sometime now – and with his birthday next month, he's even more excited about that." Leah reminded Jody telling her about Jon coming to grandpa's when she mentioned they'd be celebrating with everyone like they usually did. "What do I do if Jon decides he doesn't want to be a part of his life? What do I tell him?"

Ted hated to see his sister in the state she was in more than anything and if it was up to him, he'd be having a conversation with Jon this very minute. Of course, Leah had been very strict when it came to him going anywhere near Jon for the last three days. Ted just didn't really want to make things harder for her and add another problem to her life right now or Jon would be lying on his back, maybe even sporting a black eye.

"You're thinking ahead of yourself – and it's not like you'll be able to keep Jon and Jody away from each other. Sooner or later Jody will spot him backstage and go to him. It won't be really Jon's decision anymore if it comes to that."

"Or mine." Leah reminded him. "I don't like that. It's just giving him space to break Jody's heart. I'm not gonna let him do that – I didn't spend the last three years lying so he can just snoop in and break his heart."

"Leah, we both know I have a very poor opinion on Jon." Poor opinion wasn't quite enough to describe the way Ted really felt about him. "But you need to stop thinking ahead. We don't know what's going to happen – you can't control it."

Leah looked down, her hands were resting on her lap, nervously playing with each other. "Not being in control is what you don't like Leah."

Jody walked into the room then, seemingly abstracted by any sort of words he might have heard. He handed Leah the empty mug, smiling at the two people sitting. Leah asked him if he wanted anymore to which Jody simply shook his head, watching Ted eating instead.

"You want?" Ted asked the little boy, earning a huge laughter and an incoherent few words in reply. Leah, who had gotten up to leave his mug by the sink, sat back down again and picked the boy up sitting him on her lap.

"Cartoons over yet?" Leah asked, pressing her lips to the side of his head as he stood watching Ted in front of him, making funny dumb faces.

"Dunno'." Ted kept on making faces while finishing his breakfast, Leah laughing along with her son as the two discussed Ted's dumb looks. Their moment was interrupted when Jody heart the song to some show he really liked and waved his arms around for his mom to put him down.

Just as Leah did, Jody was in no sight, running towards to the couch in front of the TV. Leah chuckled happily as she listened to her boys' soft voice trying to sing the words of the fast paced song. Ted got up, leaving his dirty dishes by the sink as well before returning to his seat.

"Your issues are showing."

"What?" Leah asked in surprise.

"Your abandonment issues." The older DiBiase specified. "Leah, there's no way you'll always be in control like you want to – you should have realized that by now."

"Ted…"

"I love you Leah. Whatever you need, you can count on me! You're my sister, you're family." Ted started, slowly and easy, showing his support and love for his only sister. "You've been through a lot and feeling abandoned after that… it's completely understandable." Ted extended his arm, his hand waiting to meet with hers. "But you're starting to project."

"I'm not projecting." Leah quickly shut it down. "That's not what this is about."

"Leah, what you went through was tragic and it was completely out of your control." A few tears formed on her eyes, threatening to fall. "This, it's completely out of your control. You did your best back then and now, it's not in your hands anymore." The brunette looked down, wiping her tears away with her free hand. "This is all on Jon not. And as much as I hate that kid, he had a tough upbringing, we know that. Just like you, he knows all about being abandoned."

"He knows all about it – that's why it's so hard to be close to someone. To let someone in knowing they could leave you. Jody is not different from anyone who could hurt him eventually. Do you understand?" Leah asked, a tone of hopefulness in her voice, wanting more than anything for someone to understand the concerns playing on her mind.

"It was as hard for you and you let someone get closer."

"And look how well that turned out." Leah snapped, quite sarcastically.

"I was talking about us." Ted said catching her attention, "Dad, mom, Phil, Jay, Layla… – it took you a while but you let us in and then you started wrestling and that helped a lot. And look at you now, you have Jody." Leah smiled, looking in the direction of her little boy. "I'm so proud of you Leah. Don't let a boy screw you over – again."

Jay watched him intensely while Jon finished his workout, phones on his ears blasting some rock music, probably louder than he needed it to be. He looked like shit, absolutely like shit. Jon wasn't oblivious to Jay's presence or the way the Canadian had been, probably for so long as the last ten minutes, watching him. The Ohioan native wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone else – he had been through a great deal to avoid Colby and Joe all morning and he wasn't about to get dragged into talking by Jay.

The last couple of days had been hell. Jon had successfully managed to avoid Leah, Phil and any of her friends up until this point but still, he couldn't really avoid the thoughts filling his head. He had sent the two pieces of hair, both his and Leah's son, to a lab the morning after his last talk with Leah. He had discussed it with Joe even and while his best friend had been very supportive, Jon knew his thoughts about the way he had acted weren't the best ones.

Jay watched him, get a hold of his towel and water bottle, baseball hat placed backwards on his head, hiding away the sweaty hair on his head. He was making his way to the door, ready to put an end to his train and possibly heading back to his room. The Canadian followed him in a hurry, he desperately wanted to catch up with him; there was a lot that needed to be said and not a lot of time to say it. Ted was going home this afternoon and Jay had lunch plans to meet with his friends.

"Jon." Leah's best friend called out when he got closer to the younger wrestler. He could hear Jon's agitated breathing and his muffled words, not quite able to make out what he was saying, but still able to get the boy to stop. "We need to chat."

Jon sighed, turning around to face the Canadian wrestler. He was so not in the mood to have Leah's name and her story thrown down his throat. He just wanted a break from all of this – it had all gone to hell since Leah's big revelation and Jon, honestly, wasn't sure on how to deal with all of it. They had been so good in Australia; he even thought that, maybe, they'd get through their issues and finally be able to pick up where they left off three years ago.

Now that he knew what those issues were however – that wasn't really an option anymore. As much as Jon liked the brunette, he couldn't see a future where he'd be able to get through this. It was too soon for him to even be discussing it with her friends.

"You guys are fucking ridiculous." Jon snapped. "You've known me for almost two years and now you want to talk?" The Shield member found it incredible of how both Jay and Phil didn't seem to realize how betrayed and how affected he felt by the lies he'd been fed over the years. "I'm getting sick and tired of all of you pretending like she didn't do anything wrong and I'm the one in the wrong here."

"She's my friend Jon, despite what I thought was the best, she was the one who had to decide and my job was to support her as a friend." Jay calmly reasoned with him. Of course he could understand where Jon was coming from, especially now that he knew Taryn was pregnant. He would have lost it if the blonde hadn't told him the truth and just disappeared for three years – hell, he would be pissed.

"You should have done what was right. Not what she wanted."

"The reason she didn't tell you was because she was scared Jon, she was afraid. She had no idea what to do! It doesn't justify her actions but it doesn't make her a heartless bitch." Jay wasn't wrong and Jon knew it. Leah was twenty-two at the time and they weren't exactly in a relationship, he could understand her being scared and with no idea of what to do. He couldn't wrap his head around her hiding and disappearing for three years though. "Her not telling you wasn't some twisted way to hurt you on the long run." Jon rolled his eyes, reminding himself of his last words to Leah, when he told her something exactly like that about his DNA test request – and what a load of crap that was.

"I'm thinking that's crap." The Ohioan native turned his back on the older man, taking a few steps away from him, ready to end the conversation.

"It wasn't because you're not the father either." That statement put an end to his movements. His legs had failed him completely when reality hit him. Deep down Jon was scared, he was scared shitless. He hadn't even taken a minute to stop and think about whether or not he truly wanted that kid to be his.

He knew it was a big possibility. The timeline from the events was exactly right, her pregnancy and the kids' age connected to the time they had slept together that one chilly February night in Chicago. However, she was a single hot young woman, she could have been sleeping with all of Chicago as far as he knew.

"Dude, the kid is yours there is no denying that." Jay told him, hoping to reason with the younger man, Jon's back still turned to him, head hanging low. "You know Leah! You know you were the only guy she slept with back then. Plus, Jody looks so much like you."

Jon let his words sink in. He was mad, mad as hell that Phil and Jay hadn't told him all the truth when they had met him. Jon had been closer to Phil than to Jay for sure – he had known Phil for longer, Phil had been very supportive of his career and a really good mate. Jay and Jon were on good terms, they were close, they enjoyed working together – it just wasn't the same as with Phil. That was why Jon had felt a lot more hurt by Phil than by Jay and why the accusations against Phil had rolled off his tongue with such ease.

The United States Champion turned back to face the older wrestler, anger featuring on his face. "Really? How do I know that? Because I don't think I really know her anymore and I have never seen this kid."

"She is not the girl that you're trying to accuse her to be – Jon, she's not you." Jay reasoned, slightly angered at the way he was trying to portray his best friend. "And if you want to see Jody, all you have to do is ask." Jon sighed, deep down knowing he was right.

Ted was leaving after only three days and Leah was considerably upset. Despite the support from her best friends – which Leah highly appreciated because they had always been family to her – Ted was her brother and a constant in her life. He had been there for her through some of the toughest times in her life and Leah just couldn't help but feel protected by his presence.

To Ted, three days were not enough to do what he wanted. Three days weren't enough to lift Leah's spirits and to reassure her of his support and love. He knew she knew all of that, but considering the situation she was going through at the moment, Ted desperately wanted to be there for her.

The former wrestler couldn't really extend his stay for longer. He had Kristen and Tate back in Tampa waiting for him. There was a little family vacation planned for the last couple of months that he couldn't really delay. Leah understood that, she was thankful he had even taken the trip to come and check up on her. She knew she couldn't really ask more of her brother – he had a life to live as well.

After saying his goodbyes, not only to his sister and his nephew, but to the other three people who had been pretty much his family throughout his entire career with the WWE, Ted left the hotel bag in hand. Jay had insisted in helping him get to his taxi who'd drive him to the airport. Ted knew there was a different reason for that other than being the helpful little Canadian sunshine he always was.

"What is it?" Ted finally asked him when the doors to the elevator closed.

"What's what?" Jay looked at him and Ted shook his head. Was he really gonna play this delay game? Like Ted didn't know him so well he could clearly pick up on his reasoning.

"C'mon Jay, it's only four floors down. We don't really have much time for you to be delaying whatever it is that's on your mind." Ted chuckled, his eyes reading over the number 2 in red lights that indicated they were already on the second floor. "I know you, spit it out!"

Jay sighed, like he was still reviewing on his head if it was the right move. "I talked to Jon earlier today."

Ted was taken aback by that piece of information. Sure he knew it probably had something to do with his sister but it didn't cross his mind Jay could have spoken with Jon; not after hearing all about the fight he had gotten in with Phil.

He was dragged out of his trance when Jay slightly pushed him out of the elevator. Immerse in his thoughts, the father of one hadn't even realized the doors opening. "Well? What happened?"

Jay shook his head, walking with him through the lobby. "Nothing much. It was a short conversation. We talked about Jody being his." Ted scoffed. The former wrestler couldn't help but feel his blood boil at the audacity of Jon to even consider Leah was lying about the fatherhood of his nephew. "He's still very upset she didn't tell him back then."

Ted rolled his eyes. He knew Jay's opinion – and Phil's for that matter. They had always held back when it came to Leah not saying anything but were always very supportive nonetheless. After meeting Jon and growing closer to him however, the two men had revisited the issue with Leah once. She immediately shut it down, not needing anymore stress adding up to her life with a ten month old at the time. The two had never spoken about it again, up until she returned that is.

"I know he's the dad... I just really wish he wasn't." Ted stopped in front of the hotel door. He could see his taxi, stopped in front of the place, its back door opened already with a man in his mid-fifties standing by the door. "Look after her alright?"

"You got it!" Jay reassured him, giving a quick hug to one of his best friends. "She's like a sister to me, you know that. I've got her back."

"I know. That's why I know I can go back home without worrying much. She's got you guys!" Ted told him, patting him on the arm before starting to make his way to the taxi. He said his hello's to the taxi driver, putting his bag on the back seat before turning to look back to Jay, still standing by the hotel door. "I'm glad she's got you around."

Jay smiled, watching him get inside the car and the taxi drive away. He would honor his promise and support Leah, obviously. That wasn't really something Jay felt like an obligation to a friend, a promise he had to keep. Leah was like a little sister to Jay, he couldn't help but feel protective towards the younger girl and her son. And even if he hadn't agreed with all of her decisions up until this moment, Leah was stuck with Jay for life.

Leah was running around backstage, this was the last RAW before SummerSlam and everything seemed quite chaotic. The brunette was trying to get a hold of Brad, completely focused on her phone after having called him for the last five minutes and having probably sent him ten texts in the last hour.

They had opened the show with Brad officiating a match between Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett and Leah going out there to put an end to him trying to screw Daniel. After that, they had gone their separate ways with Leah having some stuff to go through with Triple H before needing Brad again.

She was slightly distracted by the time she run into a stronger, taller body. Randy Orton himself stood in front of her, hands on each side of her waist to stop her from falling on the floor. "Hey!" He quickly pulled her up, steadying the two of them.

"Hi!" Leah smiled. Randy was distracted by her. Even when she was in a simple black dress, that covered everything up till her knees, he found it hard to focus. Leah looked up at him – the difference in weight was quite terrific – and looked back down, catching his attention to the fact his hands were still steady put on her waistline.

"Sorry." He cleared his throat, trying to disguise his embarrassment. Taking a step back, his hand quickly traveled to his neck, rubbing it instantly as a way to give him some sort of reassurance.

"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it." Leah dismissed it quickly with an easy smile, pulling down at the sides of her dress in order to compose herself.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She smiled sincerely, a quick blush creeping up on her cheeks. "I have to go find Brad. But I'll see you later!" She got on her tip toes, pecking his cheek quickly before turning away from him.

Randy liked that. He liked her childish embarrassment and the way she'd just smile like a little kid. He liked how sweet and loving she was and how protective of her friends she could get if she saw they were wronged in any way. He liked how she had to get on her tip toes and hold onto his arm to peck his cheek. He liked the way her long brown weaves fell back down on her back looking perfectly put as she walked away from him. He liked the way she was with her son and the way she looked at him with such pride and joy.

Randy truly noticed her. He always had but now that he was divorced, it was like he was truly looking at her. Looking at her like the beautiful and strong woman she was. "Leah!" He called out, running after and stopping her when his hand wrapped around her wrist pulling her back to face him.

"Yeah?" Leah smiled – that perfect easy smile of hers.

"Go out with me." Randy said, slightly out of breath.

"What?" Leah asked, her eyes widening.

"Go out with me. I want to take you out on a date. An actual date." The older man said and Leah smiled slightly, unsure of what exactly was the right thing for her to say.

"You're serious?" Leah asked, quite taken aback with the direction the conversation had taken on.

Jon was surprised too. He was just on his way to meet up with Joe and Colby, soon having to join commentary for a battle royal which would determinate who would be facing him at the biggest event of the summer. Coming across the two though, Jon had to stop and listen in on the conversation.

"I think you're a fantastic girl Leah. You're beautiful and sweet and just overall easy to be around." Randy told her, an idiotic smile on his face as Jon would put it. The champion held back, not wanting to be caught listening in on their private conversation, his fist closed probably doing a lot more damage than needed. "I like you, I do. And I'd like to see where this could go between us. No pressure."

Leah took a second to think it over and the anticipation was killing not only the man standing in front of her but Jon as well. He was vividly hoping she'd say no. "Yeah, okay! No pressure."

"Leah!" A voice from behind Leah called out for the brunette. It was crazy busy backstage and the CO-General Manager was needed. She looked behind her, nodding to the person before facing The Viper again.

"Uhh, you've got my number. Just text me?" Randy nodded immediately and she smiled at him before hurriedly following in the direction where she was being called seconds before.

Jon watched her walk away from Randy. The stupid smile on the man's face made his blood boil and Jon could feel the veins in his neck growing salient. The anger he was feeling and the reaction he was having to her agreeing on a date with this guy even though he was completely pissed off at her was idiotic. Not even he could understand how this girl had managed to crave her way inside, because truth was, everything she did seemed to get under his skin.

Jon was pissed, truly pissed. Sure he had been just that since he found out about the possibility of having been a father for the last three years. It broke his heart that she had hidden it from him and it broke his heart that he couldn't get past it.

Jon's feelings for Leah had run deeper three years ago than they both realized. She was never just one more girl to him and he would never say he was in love with her – the same way she wouldn't say she was in love with him – but there were feelings between the two of them and all he had wanted was to be with her.

Now, as sadly as it all seemed, he just plain and simple didn't want to deal with her. Not until he had the results and he was sure about him being the father.

Next chapter:

Leah makes her first appearence on RAW since SummerSlam.

Randy asks Leah out for a second date.

Jon gets the results back.

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