*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter they were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much*
I walk up the stairs of the front porch of my childhood home in Phoenix, Arizona. A few memories come flooding back to me as I step onto the wooden porch. I remember the days my twin brother Josiah and I would fight on the porch and the time I pushed him off the stairs causing him to receive 15 stitches to the head. I remember playing baby dolls and Barbie dolls with my sisters Kaylee and Sicily. I look back at the tree in the front yard, the same tree I fell out of and broke my arm when I was 7 even after being told not to climb the tree. I just had to climb it. I did a lot of things I was told not to do like running away from home at 14 years old with my much older boyfriend. I made mistakes and I haven't been back to this house since. It's a bittersweet feeling. I haven't seen my parents since I left for Tampa three years earlier. I was still a kid when I left Phoenix and I came back a woman, a stronger woman, a smarter woman and a better mother. I sent Jonah and Seth out to have lunch together so I could get my time with my dad and talk to him. I think that's the most important thing right now. I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to answer it as I rock back and forth bending at my knee. I try to resist the urge to chew on my beautiful French manicure from the nervousness. My heart stops as my mama opens the door. She looks just the way I remember her. Her dark curly hair pulled up into a messy bun, her dark brown eyes filling with tears as she looks at me. "Jordyn," she says.
"Mama," I say before she embraces me in a hug, holding me tightly. I feel her tears on my bare shoulders as I hug her back and feel the tears burning in my eyes as I cry as she holds me for the first time in years.
"Look at you," she says pulling herself together as she looks at me. "You're so grown up now and you look really good. You look a lot better than you did the last time I saw you. You look healthy, you put on weight. You look good, Jordyn."
"Thanks, Mama," I say with a soft smile. "I am healthy. Three years sober," I say proudly.
"That's great!" she says before she hugs me again. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Thanks," I say.
"Where is Seth and where is Jonah?" she asks. "I thought they were coming with you?"
"They will be back later. I sent them to have lunch together. I thought right now I should use this time to talk to Dad you know?"
"I understand," she says as we walk into the house. "Do you need anything?" she asks me as I take in the smell of my childhood home. It still smells the same, the scent of warm vanilla in the air.
"No I'm good," I say, "where is Dad?"
"He's in his office, I'll get him for you. Make yourself at home in the living room," she says. I head off to the living room as she goes to get my dad. I look around the living room and smile at all the pictures that cover the walls, the quotes about family that cover the wall. I have to admit despite a few issues my childhood wasn't as bad as it could have been my parents did love me. I walk over to the mantle and look at my picture of me when I was 6 years old. My hair was out, curling down to my shoulders, my dark brown eyes glimmering in the flash and my two front teeth missing after an accident playing wrestling with my brothers. I was so cute but I can't deny how much Jonah looks like me. He is my twin.
"Jordyn," says a male from behind me.
I turn around to see my dad standing in the doorway of the living room. "Dad," I say.
"You're here," he says and I can see the tears forming in his eyes as he walks toward me.
"I'm here," I say as I meet him halfway. He embraces me in a hug, holding me tightly. "I missed you too, Dad."
"I'm glad you're here," he says. "You're so grown up," he says. "The last time I saw you, you were a little girl. Now you're a woman. You're beautiful," he says with tears in his eyes. "You taking care of yourself?"
"Yes, Dad," I answer. "I'm taking care of myself. I'm sorry for everything I have done, Dad."
"Sit down," he says pointing to the couch. I walk over and take a seat and he takes a seat next to me. "I'm sorry too, Jordyn. I should have done more as your father to help you. I didn't want to see that you needed help when you needed it."
"Dad, it's not your fault I turned out the way I did. I made my own choices, I made bad choices but I'm still alive today and that's what matters. I learned my lessons and I am never going to be that person again. I should have listened to you but I didn't. I thought I knew everything and I'm sorry. I lost so many years with you."
"What's done is done, Jordyn, there is no going back. You grew up and you learned your lesson. You're a different person now. You don't have to apologize for the past. I just feel that as your father I should have done more for you than I did."
"Dad, the best thing you could have done for me is when you sent me to Florida to be with Grandma. I didn't think it was a good idea at the time and thought you were sending me away to get rid of me because you didn't love me anymore but I realized you did it because you loved me, well because you love me. You and Mama did what was best for me. I went down a path of self-destruction for over a year. I got into bad things and I got involved with all the wrong people. You helped me make a better life for myself one that you knew I wouldn't have if I had stayed here. If I stayed here I probably would have lost Jonah forever and I probably would have been back out on the streets because I would have been surrounded by the same people and the same setting as I was in before I left. You did what was best for me and I am grateful for that because I'm doing so well because of you and all the help you gave me so yes, Dad you did do enough for me. You got me out of a bad situation and put me through rehab. Even though it was a 3 month rehab it still helped me get clean, sober up and be the person I needed to be for my son. It helped me go back to school, get my GED, go to college and get a job, it helped me be a mother, the mother my son deserves. Because of you and the help you have given me my life is much better than it was three years ago. Thank-you, Dad."
"Jordyn," he says, "I just wanted to see you grow up and be something, be someone. I wanted to see you do something with your life. I needed to help you get out of Phoenix as much as it hurt to send you away it makes me feel better knowing that you are where you are now and that you're raising your son."
"Yes," I say with a smile. "I am raising my son to the best I can."
"I'm sure you are, Jordyn. I'm very proud of you and everything you have accomplished so far. I know you're going to accomplish a lot more."
"I plan to," I say with a smile, "and I have things coming up in my life that I want you and Mama to be a part of. If I have more kids I want you two to have a relationship with them just like I want you to have a relationship with Jonah and if I get married I want you to walk me down the aisle and give me away. I want you to have a part in my life. I want you to have a big part in my life. I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, Jordyn," he says before he kisses the top of my head. "How do you like Florida?"
"I love Florida," I say. "My entire life is in Florida but eventually I might move out of Florida."
"Back to Phoenix?" he asks.
"No Iowa," I answer.
"What's in Iowa?"
"My boyfriend's family," I say. "He is only in Florida right now to train for WWE he's actually in NXT and he's going to start traveling with WWE soon to make his debut but he doesn't plan to stay in Tampa forever. We have been talking about possibly moving to Iowa once he gets his career started in WWE."
"So it's pretty serious with you two?" he asks.
"You could say that. He's a good guy, Dad. He treats me really well and he is wonderful with Jonah. I love him, Dad."
"And he treats you well?"
"Yes, why do you think he came with me to Phoenix, he wasn't going to allow me to go see Kris by myself. He wants to protect me and make sure I am safe."
"That's a good man," he says, "and he's in the wrestling business?"
"It's something he has always wanted to do," I say. "He really loves the business and he knows a lot about it. He has been training for years to get here."
"That's good," he says, "but you know how I feel about my daughters getting involved with wrestlers. You know that's a crazy life to live."
"I know but I love him and I support him and his dreams. I want to see him make a successful career in WWE and be the champion I know that he is. I know I am not a huge fan of the wrestling business but I am a fan of my boyfriend and I will support him no matter what. He's not a bad guy trust me. After everything with Kris he is like an angel."
"I'm glad that you found someone that will treat you well and give you the respect you deserve. How is he with Jonah?"
"He LOVES Jonah. Jonah loves him. He calls him Daddy and everything. They are best friends."
"That's good," he says, "Am I going to get to meet my grandson?"
"Yes, Dad," I say. "You're going to meet your grandson. He's actually going to be here in a little bit with Seth. He is my entire life, Dad," I say proudly. "He's so smart and sweet. You'll love him."
"I can't wait to meet him," he says with a smile. "I bet he's awesome."
"Very," I say with a smile. My dad hasn't changed at all. He still looks as young as he did when I last saw him as if he hasn't aged at all, he has a couple more tattoos and some of his beard is turning grey but other than that he still looks young. "How is your career going? Are you still making movies, going back to WWE?" I ask.
"I am actually taking an early retirement," he says. "Your mama and I will be home alone in a few months so we want to enjoy retired life. We're going to do some traveling and go to places she hasn't been before. We're going to enjoy just the two of us. I mean after raising all of you we want to enjoy us."
"Are you selling the house?" I ask.
"Well, we have thought about moving to Florida but your mama likes it here so we're going to keep the house and stay here we're just going to do some traveling for a little bit."
"Did you do enough traveling in WWE?"
"Most of my traveling was for work," he says, "this time I want to go to Europe and enjoy it with your mother."
"That sounds nice," I say with a smile. "She'll enjoy that I'm sure."
"I know she will she has always wanted to go to Italy and that's first on our list of places to go."
"Awesome, Dad," I say. "You two do deserve this."
"Thanks, Jordyn," he says.
SETH's POINT OF VIEW:
"Where are we?" asks Jonah as we arrive at Jordyn's parents' house after having lunch together to give Jordyn time to talk to her mom and dad. I get him out of the car and put him on the ground walking to the front door as I hold his hand.
"These are your grandma and grandpa," I answer, "this is where your mama grew up."
"Oh," he says as I walk up onto the porch and ring the doorbell. I have never been more nervous in my life. I am meeting my girlfriend's mom and dad for the first time. I want to give them a good impression and I want them to like me. I need them to like me if I plan to marry their daughter one day. I smile as Jordyn opens the door. "Hey, Baby."
"Hey," she says with a smile before I give her a kiss on the lips. "Come in," she says as she scoops Jonah up into her arms.
"Everything good?"
"Yeah," she says. "Come with me," she says taking my hand and leading me to the living room where her parents are sitting on the couch. "Mama, Dad," she says, "this is my boyfriend Seth and this is my son Jonah."
"Oh my goodness!" says her mom as she gets up and makes her way over followed by her dad.
"Seth," says her mom, "I'm Alex, it's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," I say with a soft smile before I shake her hand. "Mr. Batista," I say with a nod.
"Seth," he says nodding back at me before shaking my hand, with a tight grip, the intimidation of his grip makes me nervous as he lets go.
"Is this Jonah?" asks Alex. "He is adorable, Jordyn he looks just like you."
"He's her twin," says Dave. "How are you doing, Buddy?" he asks Jonah.
Jonah buries his head into Jordyn's shoulder. "Jonah's a little shy," she says, "Jonah, that's Pop Pop," she says with a smile. "Say hi to Pop Pop."
"Hi," Jonah whispers.
"I'm not Pop Pop, I'm G-Peezy," he says with a smile. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Jonah. I'm glad I can finally meet you," he says before Jonah buries his face again.
"He's precious," says Alex. "I just want to keep him. He's adorable."
"Thank-you," says Jordyn as I wrap my arm around her shoulders. "He'll warm up to you guys soon. It takes him a little bit of time. This is all new to him."
"Jonah," says Alex, "how about you and mama come with me into the kitchen? I have cookies and milk. Would you like that?" she asks.
"Yes," says Jonah.
"Okay," she says, "come on." I give Jordyn a quick kiss on the lips before she leaves to go to the kitchen with her mom. She mouths to me that it will be okay and blows me a kiss.
"She seems to truly love you," says her dad. "Have a seat," he says. I take a seat on the couch and he stays standing. "What are your intentions with my daughter?" he asks.
"Nothing but the best, Sir," I answer. "I love your daughter very much."
"As I am sure you already know Jordyn has been through a lot in her life. She made some bad choices, got caught up with the wrong people."
"I know," I say. "I know she made some bad choices but I also know that she has made good choices now. I think she has done pretty well for herself after everything she's gone through. I commend her every day on her strength."
"I do too. I just want to make sure your interest in my daughter is pure that you're not with her for the money and that you're not with her because of who I am. She really loves you, Seth and I really love her. I failed to protect her before I won't fail again. I need to make sure you're the right guy for her."
"I'm not worried about money and I honestly never knew you were her father until after we were together. I love your daughter. She's a great woman, she's beautiful, she's smart, she's caring, she's a great mom, she's just all around a great woman and I love her. I just want the best for her. I want to marry her someday. We've talked about marriage and getting married. I love her. I want to marry her. I want to be her husband, maybe have another kid with her but most importantly I want to see her reach her dreams, I want to see her be the person she wants to be and I want to support her in every way that I can. I want to make her happy and love her the rest of my life."
"How do you feel about her past? And how do you feel about her having a son?"
"Her past is exactly what it is, it is her past. Has it helped shape her into the person she is today? Yes but I don't hold anything against her. That was a time in her life where she was lost and confused. I accept it and who she is. I love her. I am helping her deal with her past and I love her son, or more likely our son. I have known him since he was a baby, I have always been there for him. He calls me Daddy and I call him my son. Hopefully after this trip we can make him my son officially so I can adopt him so he can carry my last name. I love everything about Jordyn. My intentions with her are to make her the happiest woman in the world and support her and stand by her side through everything."
"I just want to make sure you don't hurt her and that you love her enough."
"I think I love her beyond enough," I say. "In fact I love her more than enough, way beyond enough and I would never hurt her. I could never hurt her."
"Okay," he says, "I think you seem like a good guy. I know you're into the wrestling business and you know how hard it is to keep a relationship while being in the business. Are you sure you can give Jordyn the life you wish to while being a full-time superstar."
"Of course when the time comes Jordyn and I will have to make the arrangements we need to for our relationship or marriage. Everyone is different and we have to do what works for us because what works for us may not work for someone else. Jordyn and Jonah are my number one priorities and I am going to provide for them so they have the life they need to have. We will work everything out the way it will need to be done."
"I see," he says. "And you've been training for how long?"
"Probably since I turned 17," I answer. "Wrestling is something I always wanted to do and before you ask I do have a college degree. I went to college to please my parents so that I would have something to fall back on in case I didn't finish my career. I have a back up plan and I plan to open up a wrestling school and a few gyms. I have it all figured out."
"It sounds like it but can you make Jordyn happy?"
"I plan to make Jordyn happy the best that I can. I love your daughter, Mr. Bautista and I will never stop loving her. She is one of the best things to ever happen to me. She's my best friend and I wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else but Jordyn. So I guess I am kind of asking you if I can marry your daughter."
"So soon? Didn't you two just start dating?"
"We're moving in together soon too but I think we are moving at our own pace. I'm not saying I am proposing to her tomorrow but some day in the future I want to ask her to marry me and I need your permission to do so."
"You're classy," he says, "I like that and respectful. I'll tell you what. You prove to me that you love my daughter like you say you do and then come back and ask me when the time is closer. How about that?"
"Okay," I say, "that works for me."
"Good," he says, "and if you ever need any advice about running a wrestling school or about the business in general you can come to me. I'll help you out in fact if you would like you can come with me to my wrestling school here in Phoenix. I'll show you around and give you some ideas. Would you like to do that?"
"Sure," I say with a smile. "That would be awesome."
"All right," he says, "let me get ready and we'll go to my wrestling school so I can show you around get you familiar with it."
"Okay," I say and once he is ready I spend the afternoon with her dad at his wrestling school. He shows me around and he asks about my goals as a WWE superstar. I would say that for the first time of meeting each other he seemed to like me but that remains to be seen.
*A/N: What did you think of Jordyn's visit back home? What did you think of her conversation with her dad? Do you think it all went well? Has she grown since the story began? What did you think of Jordyn introducing Seth to her dad? How did you think Dave took meeting Seth for the first time and Seth meeting Dave? What did you think of Seth's answers to his questions were they enough to win over Dave? What about him asking permission to propose to Jordyn? Do you think they got along well? Please review and thank-you for reading.