Harlee hurried home to freshen up and try to make it on time for her first class . She loosened grabbed her tiolets and moisturizers in an aggressive manner due to her frustration about last night.
" Sometimes I wonder what the hell is wrong with me . I can't seem to do anything right " she zipped her pouch and slammed it on to her bed . " Damn it … " she held her knee and moaned due to her sensitive area . Harlee wanted to punch herself for giving into temptation so easily and the fact that she was hitting 21 years old and taking her first experience like a teenager would . She took a moment to reenegerize and then stood up to head into the shower. Harlee ran the water and allowed her towel to slip down as she stood infront of the mirror , she wanted to look at herself for a moment and ask why no one ever wanted to be with her " Is this what I am supposed to feel like ? " she ran her hands down her bare belly and slowly shook her head " … I just hate everything " she sucked her teeth and stepped into the shower . The warm water against her skin allowed her to relax and reduce her level of frustration , she shut her eyes and leaned up against the wall to enjoy the feeling.
Flashback to Sept 3rd 2001
Harlee held her hands against her chest as she cried , Joe protected her in his arms and rested his bare chest upon her back " You don't have to cry Harlee … it's fine " he whispered in her ear " I'm so sorry , I keep doing this " she shook her head " Doing what ? besides being gorgeous ? " he cuddled her playfully and was able to get a laugh out of her " You are silly " she chuckled and began to wipe her eyes " I'm sorry that I cried again … and I'm sorry that I got scared of taking it that far " she smiled halfway and tapped his hands . Joe kissed her cheek and took her in closer " Don't be sorry for being afraid or unsure … even if someone tells you that it's okay , the only thing that matters is how comfortable you feel … princess " he released her in order for her to turn to him . Harlee's curls had fallen flat and her dress was now hanging off of her shoulders " Thank you Joe … but I'm not a princess " she tried to adjust her dress and smiled away " Damn sure you are Harlee , if I was Link I would be your hero of time " he pinched her wrist and puckered his lips in a charming manner " Come on little lady you know you wanna laugh " he tickled her a bit and she pulled back playfully " Oh Joe you are such a geek " she giggled " … but that's okay … I have to admit I never imagined you played Legend of Zelda though " she poked out her bottom lip and smiled at his charming aura " Baby , three words … Ocarina of Time " he raised his eyebrow and gave her a wink " Very impressive Joe …. I love learning new things about you " she nodded " Likewise baby girl and trust me if Hyrule was a real place I'd take you for a nice ride on Epona " he stroked his chin and smiled lovingly " I will always protect you … always " he kissed her forehead and began to massage her shoulder " I'll protect you too … because you are my best friend " she took his hand and pulled him in closer for a loving kiss.
2007 Christmas Eve , Pensacola Florida
Joe woke up sweating bullets , he had soaked his white t-shirt and looked around his room " Good lord what time is it ? " he asked himself and slowly sat up . He pulled the hair plastered to his face out of the way and took a deep breath and grabbed his phone to check the time " Shit it's 12pm already " he wiped his head and rolled out of bed . " I hate that vanilla ass Christmas music " he rolled his eyes and went to grab his tooth brush from the drawer in his room . There was some laughter from a small girl inside of his room " What the hell …. who is that ? " he frowned and decided to investigate a bit , sure enough his 6 year old niece was at the foot of his bed flipping pages of a red book , she was full of enthusiasm . " Leary ! " he shouted out and quickly grabbed her " Why aren't your parents watching you good grief … sheesh " he shook his head and sat her on the bed " I'll take this back " he quickly shut the book and noticed his niece was still laughing " hahaha uncle these people are kissing , they are gonna catch cooties " she leaned back highly amused and holding a piece of paper in her hands " … Oh jesus , give that back to me Leary " he grabbed her hand and took the picture back " I have to find a better hiding space for this stuff " he placed the photograph inside of an a4 sized envelope where it more than likely dropped from. " I'm sorry uncle Joe …. are you mad at me ? " she pouted her lips knowing that he wouldn't stand a chance " … No I'm not mad at you , I could never be mad at one of my favorite girls in the world " he poked her toes before taking a seat next to her " Sorry if I am a little grumpy … uncle just has alot on his mind " he twisted his lips " It's okay ! Maybe you should come downstairs and bake cookies with me , we always have fun doing that " she leaned on her uncle's muscular arm and swung her legs " I sure do , come on short stuff lets get our bake on " he rubbed her head and helped her slide off of the bed " Yay ! Come on ! " she grabbed his hand and lead him along . Joe was very close and protective of his niece , his misfortune with Harlee made him want to watch over the important females in his life and much like his father , Matt was often on the road now that he was a full time WWE Superstar so Joe felt the need to be there for his niece whenever he could .
Joe carried his niece down the stairs full of garland and holiday lights and noticed his father standing at the door with what appeared to be relatives of theirs. " Hey maybe the twins are here , lets go check it out " he quickly made his way over to the door way and was rather excited , but that didn't last very long " Joe , look who stopped by . Alfonse and his lady friend Delila " Joe held Leary close to him and bit into his bottom lip trying to shield his disgust " Oh , he's the football player right ? " the young red headed woman smiled " Yes Delila , my talented and handsome cousin Joe " he gave a cold gaze that only Joe could read " …. What brings the two of you here " he poked his inner cheek with his tongue " Well Alfonse is in town doing charitable work , but he mentioned his family living nearby so we decided to drop by " she leaned into her partner " I cannot tell you how much joy it brought to my seasoned heart to see them photographed together and making people buzz … very proud of them " Sika was pleased to brag about their interaction considering their past " I always had to pull these two apart because of their unnecessary fights , but you two are on the right track … like I said so very proud " Joe had to put on a front because he had Leary in his arms but his father was doing way too much in his eyes " Well Merry Christmas to the two of you , excuse me but I have something I need to take care of .. nice meeting you Delila " he nodded and took Leary into the kitchen . " Joe seems very moody … but I suppose it's the holiday frustration . Do you mind if I follow ? " Alfonse asked " What kind of question is that ? you are family , the two of you make yourselves comfortable " Sika held his nephew's hand " You are the best uncle , I'll be right back " he unbuttoned his jacket and headed into the kitchen .
Fort Worth , Texas
Harlee rested her head on the window seat of the bus, she had quite sometime left before arriving in Dallas and was honestly dreading it . Harlee loved her aunt and uncle but she knew that this would be another year of her being coddled and having them pressuring her into certain things . Nothing exciting had happened in her life and she knew she was bound to get an ear full because she had made the decision to reject the next semester . She yawned and decided to listen to her iPod and shuffle her music , luckily one of her favorite tracks " It's Whatever " by Aaliyah came into play and helped her relax and get a nice amount of shut eye for the remainder of the ride.
Flashback to Sept 4th 2001
" I want to believe that mommy will understand why I left … " Harlee tapped her knees as they continued on the road " I'm so afraid … I don't want to see Mark ever again . " Joe slowly blinked and kept on the road " I know … don't worry about anything Harlee . Let's keep positive , we have each other … right ? " he smiled " That's right " she held her seatbelt " I have to grab a few things from the bodega , we are about a mile away from it . I bet you must be hungry anyway " he wandered his eyes over to her . " Well I have my leftover dinner … and it's enough for the two of us " she pulled her hair behind her ear . Joe waited for the light to change patiently and noticed something interesting outside of the window " … What is he doing ? " he whispered to himself " .. You said something ? " Harlee touched his shoulder " … Oh .. I was just talking outloud " he looked at the rearview window once more before riding ahead and it seemed as if someone was pointing towards his vehicle " Lets go …. " he swallowed nervously and continued ahead once the light changed " … Are you sure you are okay Joe ? " she asked " … I'm good … " he rolled his tongue across his lips and suddenly had a strange feeling in his veins .