A week had passed, Leon had his regular labs the day before and his arm was sore from the needle, while Sharon found the perfect gifts for Lola and Lana for their birthday. Sharon was getting ready for the birthday party while she noticed that it took Leon a while to get ready especially considering how sore his arm was.
"Leon, darling. You okay?" Sharon asked out of concern.
"Yeah it's just my arm's being stingy after they poked me with that needle yesterday. But I can still get ready though with no problems." Leon said in response.
"Okay, just wanted to make sure. It's a bit unusual for your arm to be still sore after a lab test, darling." Sharon said with concern.
"I know, Shar-bear. You know I think it's starting to go away." Leon said after flexing his arm.
"That's good, darling. I'll go check and see if Nicole and my sister are ready to go." Sharon said before leaving the room.
"Okay, honey." Leon said with a smile.
Then suddenly Leon's phone goes off and he checks to see that he's got a message from Athena Hart. "Hi, Leon. It's me Teena. I was wanting to inform you that me, Oje and my mother are in you what you call your neck of the woods and we'll be down for a few days. So, we were wondering if you could see us today." The message from Athena stated. Once Leon read the message, he realized he would be in a pickle since Lola and Lana's party was later but however he did remember something that he said to Sharon the week prior in case if he had something come up not to worry about him. This prompted Leon to think of a decent reply to Athena. "Yeah, I'm fine with seeing you guys today. It will be in a short while though because my house is a few minutes away from whatever hotel you guys chose to stay at." Leon said in his reply.
Leon saw Sharon in the hallway and with a sigh motioned for her to come into the bedroom.
"What's the matter, darling?" Sharon said with concern.
"Shar-bear, something came up. Can you tell Rita that I am so sorry that I couldn't make it to the twins' birthday party, but I will make it up to them somehow?" Leon said in response.
"I can do that, Leon. Can you tell me what came up it'll be our secret between the two of us?" Sharon said as she clenched her husband tightly.
"You remember my late friend in the wrestling business, well his widow, daughter and son have come down here for a visit. So, I told them that I would visit them today, but I hope to come back before the party's end." Leon said with a sigh.
"Leon, I admire your honesty and I understand what you are doing. I love you for that. So, have a good time with your friends. See you when you get back." Sharon said before kissing Leon goodbye.
"Have a good time at the party." Leon said before heading out of the house.
Leon then left the house with his car and headed for the hotel that Athena told him that she, her brother and mother were staying at; Upon putting the address of the hotel in his GPS, Leon recognized the hotel since it was the same one he stayed in the first time he visited Royal Woods. Once he arrived at the hotel, Leon had to go to the service desk to find out which room the Harts were in and didn't take long for Leon to find it after the guy pointed it out to him. Then Leon knocked on the door of the room and it was answered by a tall woman who had blonde and white hair.
"Martha?!" Leon said with a smile.
"Leon, it has been so long. Come on in." Martha said after hugging Leon.
"Teena, Oje. You've grown a lot since the last time I saw the both of you, I remember I had to ask your mom or dad's permission to carry you guys. Now it's hard to believe how much time has flew by." Leon said after hugging Athena and Oje.
"It sure has, Leon." Oje said in response.
"From looking at you guys right now, you remind me in some way of your father. I just don't know what exactly, but it feels like it doesn't it to you sometimes, Martha." Leon said in regard to Athena and Oje.
"Yes, Leon. Oje actually has the majority of Owen's personality and Athena has a mix of both." Martha said in response.
"I think that's the way most daughters are especially the one I have." Leon said with a smile.
"You have a child, Leon?" Martha asked out of curiosity.
"Yes, I have one daughter named Nicole and she's about nine years old. She is autistic so me and my wife have to be cautious over some of the things that she does but she's very smart and all." Leon said with honesty.
"I bet, raising a child with special needs is a sensitive subject to talk about and manage. So, how long have you and your wife been married for?" Martha asked out of curiosity.
"Not long, but there's a reason for that. You see me and my wife started dating when I was still a wrestler, and you know how life on the road can be strenuous at times. I guess one day a month or so after a party honoring Stu's induction, I found out Sharon who's my wife now at the time was pregnant with Nicole and I was on an emotional situation because of the fact I finally got my incumbents from WWE through a storyline that line by helping Bret get payback at Vince for what he did to him at Montreal and to me on the inside my payback for you guys for what happened to Owen. So, I told Sharon that we part ways for a while before I found out she got into an accident that nearly killed her, but the doctors thought she died. So, for a few years I thought she was gone until I saw my daughter again and got custody of her which was about a month after my HOF induction, then one day while on a trip to Calgary is when I got to see Sharon again and ironically it was right after I paid my respects to Owen." Leon said in response.
"I believe that my dad wanted to see you happy again, Leon. Wouldn't you agree, Mom?" Athena said with a smile.
"Yes, I believe your dad was looking out for his friend while up above just like he is right now with all of us, sweetheart." Martha said in response.
Leon motioned that he would be right back because he got a call that was missed while he was in the middle of his conversation with Martha.
"Hi, honey. Sorry I missed your call. What's going on?" Leon said with a calm tone once he called Sharon.
"I told your sister what you wanted to, and she was okay with it." Sharon said in response.
"Okay. Why does it sound like there's something wrong, honey?" Leon said with honesty.
"Okay. About a half hour after me, Nicole and Karen show up well you know how it's customary for the birthday people to come up to blow out the candles. Right as Rita was about to do that, I guess Lana got upset at Lola because it was her turn to have the theme of the birthday party, but Lola somehow sabotaged it making Lana upset. So, we're sitting here at the benches near your sister to wait for further information." Sharon said with concern.
"Do you need me to come over there?" Leon said with a sigh.
"That's up to you, darling. I mean everything is being taken care of." Sharon said with a smile.
"Okay, I just wanted to make sure because you know how Nicole can get in these types of situations." Leon said with a calm tone.
"Yeah, but Karen is keeping her busy." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, I'm glad that you guys are there to help keep her busy." Leon said with a smile.
"Yeah, Leon. Having a good time with your friends?" Sharon said with a smile.
"Yeah, we were just mostly catching up on some things so far. Thank you for checking in, honey. I better let you go, love you." Leon said with a smile.
"Ok, I love you too." Sharon said as she hung up the phone.
Leon then knocked the door for the hotel room and this time Athena answered it to let Leon inside. Upon entering the room Leon notices that Athena and Oje were ready to go somewhere while Martha wanted to stay to relax. However, Athena and Oje stepped outside of the hotel room.
"Don't worry, Martha. I'll watch them, you know this isn't my first time." Leon said with a smile.
"Thank you, Leon. I know I could count on you and they've mainly Athena has considered you as a second dad." Martha said with a smile before Leon left the hotel room.
"Yeah, I knew it all along. I mean Owen used to tell me that same thing whenever I got done babysitting them when they were little. Anyway, I better not keep them waiting too long. It was nice seeing you again, Martha and hopefully I get to see you before you head back home." Leon said with a smile.
Leon then left the hotel room and noticed that both Athena and Oje were waiting on Leon and followed him to his car.
"The rental car that our mom got was parked right next to your car, Leon." Oje said with a calm tone.
"Well, she got a good deal on the car though, Oje." Athena said with a smile.
"Still at least it's decent rental car. It's better than the ones other places try to give you for half price and rip you off believe me that's happened to me a few times." Leon said in response.
"Is that why dad was considered a thrifty guy whenever you or anyone else traveled with him, Leon?" Athena asked out of curiosity.
"Well, that was a bit of running wise tale some of us used to say over time. However, for your dad he only traveled lightly because you guys know big of a connection Calgary is to anyplace else well it was for that reason so he could get back to see you guys and your mom quicker. You know your mother probably has mentioned this time and time again, but your dad was indeed a family man. He deeply loved you guys more than anything but his passion for the business kept him from leaving at the time he originally wanted and that was something he'd told me many times." Leon said with honesty before he got in the car.
"See, Athena. Mom was right, Leon was Dad's best friend and he trusted him more than anything else. Come along or else we're going to get lost." Oje said with a calm tone.
"Yeah, I'm glad for that, Oje. That's why Leon is like the second dad who was deeply there in my life even though we were so young since the last time we last him." Athena said in response.
"Yes, Athena." Oje said once he started the vehicle.
Leon drove on ahead with Oje and Athena behind him. So, Leon decided to turn to the park where the twin's birthday party was supposed to be, and he kept an eye on Oje and Athena through the rear view and noticed that they were still there. Realizing that a bunch of cars were parked at the park this was good sign for Leon and parked in one spot and signaled for Oje to park in the spot next to him.
"Hope my parking was alright for that car next to us, Leon." Oje said with a calm tone.
"Oh, don't worry about it, Oje. Besides it's my sister-in-law's car and if she says something I'll take care of it." Leon said in response.
"Okay." Oje said with a calm tone.
"So, what's in this park, Leon?" Athena asked out of curiosity.
"I'm glad you asked, Teena. Well, I am trying to see if a birthday party is still going on involving two of my nieces who are turning seven." Leon answered as he, Oje and Athena walked through the park.
"Hmmm…why do I smell a garbage like odor?" Athena said after smelling something nasty.
"Hold on. Is that, yes unfortunately we found the place we're looking for but the people I want you guys to meet first are not here." Leon answered boldly.
Then a couple of seconds later, Leon sees a familiar hand waving a few yards from where he was standing and away from the garbage. Leon motioned Oje and Athena to follow him to where the hand was to see it was Sharon standing at a bench.
"Hi, honey. Oh, there's a couple of people I want you to meet. Sharon, the young man is Oje Hart and young woman next to him is his younger sister, Athena Hart. They're the children of my good friend Owen Hart. Oje Athena, this is my wife Sharon." Leon said with a smile on his face.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Sharon said with a smile on her face.
"The pleasures ours, Mrs. Sharon." Oje and Athena said with a smile.
"Their mother came with them, but she wanted to stay back at the hotel that they were staying at since they were busy you know traveling most of the day and all. Don't worry you'll get to meet her one day." Leon said with a smile.
"I'm okay with that. You're probably wondering about the…." Sharon said with calm tone.
"Yeah, what's the garbage setting." Leon said in response.
"That's what Lana wanted as the theme for the birthday party and once it came mostly everyone stayed over here because of how powerful the stench was." Sharon said in response.
"Okay. If you'll excuse us there is a few people that I want Oje and Athena to meet." Leon said before signaling Oje and Athena to accompany him to meet more people.
Sharon had a huge smile on her face when she saw her husband introducing his late friend's children to his family. "Even though we've never met, Owen. But you're probably looking down at your best friend right now watching your children and being proud of the person he's been." Sharon thought to herself while looking at the scene in front of her. Then a familiar tap touched Sharon's shoulder about a few seconds later.
"Seems your husband's all happy introducing his friend's grown children to everyone, Shar." Karen said with a smile.
"Yes he sure is, Karen. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time and I am happy for him. I know he's been looking forward to this for so long." Sharon said with a smile.
"Shar, you're crying…..Are you okay?" Karen said upon looking at the tears Sharon had on her face.
"Yeah, I'm okay, Sis. It's just moments like these touches the heart you know." Sharon said upon wiping her eyes.
Leon along with Oje and Athena came to where Sharon and Karen were standing at. Then the group decided to take a seat at a nearby table that was clean. However, Oje was getting up as he was getting ready to head back to the hotel and Athena got up to hug her brother goodbye. This surprised Sharon and Karen until Leon motioned his hand because he knew what was going on.
"You know your way back to the hotel from here, Oje." Leon said with honesty.
"Yeah, Leon and my mom's fine with the plans you talked about. See you later and it was nice meeting you ladies." Oje said before leaving the park.
"Leon, darling. What did you do?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"Sharon, you know that empty room that we have in the house. Well, I had the thought of having Athena stay there until she can find a place around here of her own. I know you what might be thinking why I am going all loony with this. Just hear me out, Athena's a dual citizen in both Canada and the USA so this is legal. Not only that but…" Leon said with a smile on his face.
"You're feeling that the special bond that my mom told me you had with me when I was a baby has returned and you want to owe not only her but my dad for being their friend for many years. Also, it is a way to say thanks for my family for training you as a wrestler all those years ago. I hope that is what you were looking at to saying, Leon." Athena said before noticing the nod from Leon.
"I'm supportive of your decision, darling. I know how much Athena means to you." Sharon said before hugging and kissing Leon.
"Thank you so much, Sharon. By the way where's Nicole?" Leon said with honesty.
"She wanted to spend time with her cousins and rode with your sister when you went to the bathroom earlier." Athena said in response.
"Oh, okay. I know she'll be there for a while." Leon said in response.
Sharon and Karen left the park in Karen's car, while Leon and Athena stayed in the park for a while longer.
"Your wife's very nice and pretty, Leon." Athena said with a smile.
"Thank you, Teena. Sitting here at the park reminds me of the times your dad told me about how he used to take you and Oje to the park when he wasn't on the road. I miss him every day but now I see parts of him in you." Leon said with honesty.
"Yeah, I miss him too. But I'm happy that he's looking down on us, my mom and Oje every day." Athena said with a calm tone.
"You know I admire everything your mother's done for you and Oje. I mean after everything that happened I never realized she became a stronger person and advocated for everything she's done over the years and done it her way to protect and preserve your dad's memory and legacy. I'd wish there were more people like her on this planet you know." Leon said with honesty.
"Thank you for those impacting words, Leon. I mean didn't your wife do something similar before reuniting with you, if that is what you told us earlier." Athena said with honesty.
"As a matter of fact, she did. I guess there are some parallels in my life and your dads after all. I mean the way I raise my daughter was based on watching on what your dad did to you and what I did to you when your parents let me babysit you and Oje." Leon said with a smile.
"Okay…Leon." Athena said with a nervous tone.
"What I'm making you nervous because I keep referring back to the days when I babysit you and your brother? Okay, I'll quit it." Leon said with a smile.
"Thank you, Leon. Is there a place to eat around here because I am hungry?" Athena said upon feeling hungry.
"Well, there's some leftovers at my house. Hope you still like spaghetti, Teena." Leon said as he and Athena were leaving the park.
"Yeah, I eat on some occasions. But I try to watch what I eat." Athena said in response.
"I'm in the same boat but it is for a medical reason, though." Leon said with a sigh before he and Athena got in Leon's car.
"What's wrong, Leon?" Athena said in response.
"I have an issue with my thyroid which was discovered about a year ago after my metabolism was not behaving like it should. So, I have to get routine lab tests every six months to check on my thyroid levels. It's nothing that should scare you, Teena. I'm glad that it isn't a concussion like most of the others, sorry if I insulted your Uncle Bret because his ended up being an issue which caused his strokes and luckily for me I chose not to fight the SOB excuse my language that caused the injury in the first place." Leon said with a sigh.
"I'm sorry for asking that, Leon." Athena said in response.
"Teena, it's okay. I know that you were curious, cheer up okay." Leon said with a smile.
"Thank you Leon. Ooh is this your house." Athena said with a smile.
"Yes, it is. How do you think of it?" Leon said as he and Athena got out of the car and entered the house.
"It's lovely, I can tell you that. Hard to beat the Hart House." Athena said in response.
"Of course, no house can't out beat the house your grandfather made famous in Calgary. Oh right, the leftovers come along the dining room's over and it should be about a few minutes before its all done." Leon said while motioning Athena to the dining room.
"Hmmm. That's odd I thought your wife and sister-in-law would be here already, Leon." Athena said with a curious smile.
"That's odd indeed, Teena. I'll be right back." Leon said as he went upstairs.
Leon checked his bedroom to see if Sharon was there and no signs of her there which led him to check Karen's room and no signs of her either. Then Leon went back down to the kitchen to heat up the leftovers and Athena saw the distraught look on Leon's face.
"Where do you think they might have gone to, Leon?" Athena said with a calm tone.
"Hmmm…. I don't know, Teena. Unless hold on you might have given me an idea." Leon said before pulling out his phone.
"I have? Okay I'll see how this plays out." Athena said with honesty.
Leon then called Rita while pacing back and forth in the kitchen.
"Hi, Sis. I don't…" Leon said once the call came in.
"Hi, Leon. You're not sounding like yourself. What's wrong?" Rita said in response.
"Have you guys seen Sharon and Karen? I just got home, and they are not here." Leon said frantically.
"Of course, they're over here picking up Nicole. Oh, umm Sharon told me to tell you that she wants you outside because she didn't like your tone and they're on their way. Think about what you did, Leon." Rita said before ending the call.
Leon then put his phone in his pocket and went outside. By the time he got to the front steps, Leon saw Karen's car pulling in the driveway, Karen took Nicole inside while Sharon got out and stood directly at Leon.
"Leon, I am so ashamed in you right now. You should have figured out that me and Karen were going to pick up Nicole. But instead, you had to throw a hysteria fit because we weren't back before you did." Sharon said with an upset look.
"Sharon…" Leon said before he got grabbed in the arm by Sharon to Leon's car
"I can't right now. Just go somewhere…" Sharon said with tears dripping on her face.
Then Leon drove off and headed to the nearest sports bar. While Sharon who was still teary eyed went back inside the house and saw the looks on everyone's faces. Then Athena found napkins to help wipe off the tears coming down Sharon's face. Karen motioned Nicole to go into her room for a while.
"Thank you for the napkins, Athena." Sharon said while sniffling.
"You're welcome." Athena said with a smile.
"Are you going to be okay, Shar?" Karen said as she comforted Sharon.
"I think so, Karen. I don't know what's gotten into Leon today." Sharon said with concern.
"Yeah, I don't understand it either. I mean he explained to me why he's cautious about his eating and suddenly he compared it to a concussion. That's when his demeanor started to change because my uncle's career was ended due to a severe concussion and Leon is very bitter about it to this day. Then when we came here I noticed he was anxious all over the place especially with the phone call and I thought that would help calm down, but I guess it didn't. I'm sorry if I had any part of this, I was trying to help out." Athena said with concern.
"It's not your fault, Athena. But I admire your honesty though and I thank you for telling me this. Now I am the one at fault for taking it out on Leon because I didn't understand he had so much pain and resentment still buried inside of him. I'm going to find him and apologize face to face. I'll be back." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"Okay. So, Karen was it do you want some of these leftovers with me since Leon heated up the whole bowl." Athena said with a smile.
"I love to." Karen said in response.
Sharon then got in Karen's car and traveled around Royal Woods until she found Leon's car parked at the sports bar. Upon entering the bar, Sharon noticed that Leon had a few sodas and sat across from him.
"You don't drink alcohol when you're down. I'm proud of you for that, darling. But that's not the reason why I am here to talk to you." Sharon said with concern.
"What's your reason then?" Leon said in a gloomy tone.
"I understand that you are hurting still deep inside with resentment from what happened in your past Leon and you take it out on the wrong people. Don't shut yourself out let me help you and tell me what's bothering you." Sharon said as she held her hands on top of Leon's.
"You're right, I'm hurting with a lot of bitterness and things that happened to me in my life that haunt me. It's like what you said I wound up taking it out on the wrong people and that hurts them along with me. To me that's not right, I just want to do good things not only for me but for you, Nicole and the rest of my friends and family." Leon said all shook up.
"It'll be okay, darling. I am sorry for having our argument earlier. Will you forgive me?" Sharon said while embracing Leon.
"Yes, Shar-bear. Let's go home." Leon said with a regained smile.
"Did you have lunch yet?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"I had it heat up before all this happened, but I left at home with Athena, Nicole and Karen. Oh, shoot I don't know there will be some left for me." Leon said after face palming himself.
"I'll check on it with Karen while you have to apologize to your…." Sharon said as soon as Leon pulled out his phone.
"I'm on it." Leon said as he dialed Rita's number while he and Sharon were sitting on the bench outside the sports bar.
It didn't take long for Leon's call to Rita to go through.
"Hi, Sis. I am calling you to apologize for my behavior earlier because I thought about what you said hard and long. I am sorry." Leon said to Rita.
"That's all what I wanted to hear, thank you Leon. By the way since you are on the line, what idea did you have in mind for the twins as spending time with them since you weren't there for most of the party." Rita said out of curiosity.
"Oh, shoot what's the name of that amusement park that they always like going to." Leon said in response.
"Dairyland?" Rita said in response.
"Yeah, that place. I was thinking about spending a whole day with them there." Leon said in response.
"Perfect, it will work out good since Lana likes the rides and Lola is so-so on them. Can one day this weekend be good?" Rita said in response.
"Of course, Sis. See you then." Leon said before ending the call.
"I'm guessing you have a special birthday playdate with Lola and Lana this weekend. I'm happy for you, darling. I know you'll have a great time at Dairyland." Sharon said with a smile.
"Well, I kept my promise about giving the twins a gift didn't I." Leon said with a smile.
"Yes you did. Oh, by the way, Karen notified me that the leftover spaghetti was all gone because after we were gone I guess Nicole decided to get herself a plate similar to the other day and I told her to tell Nicole to take a bath immediately. I'm sorry if you were looking forward to leftovers." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"It's okay. Well since it's you and me, we're in town. Want to go out and eat?" Leon said with a smile.
"I'm down with that, darling. Hmm what about your brother-in-law's restaurant?" Sharon said in response.
"I'm okay with that. It's been a while since I have eaten there." Leon said with a smile.
"Do you think he will be there?" Sharon said curiosity.
"Well, it's a possibility for Lynn to do that if his restaurant on the other restaurant and house is about similar commutes like us." Leon said with a calm tone before he got in his car and Sharon followed up in Karen's car.
Then around a few minutes later Leon and Sharon got to Lynn's restaurant. It didn't take them long to be served and seated.
"Sharon, thank you for letting me vent out my emotions back there." Leon said with a smile.
"No problem, my love. You know I am not the only one that we should be thanking." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"What do you mean?" Leon said in response.
"Your friend's daughter, Athena was the one that told me what happened, and I understood once everything was explained to me." Sharon said honestly.
"Teena as I like to call her, she's got a caring heart and just like her dad tries to make sure I don't get myself into trouble." Leon said with a sigh.
"Why call her Teena instead of her birth name, darling?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"Ok, Athena was born in the mid 90s so that was when my career was starting out. So, it's Christmas time and Athena were about a couple of months old, I took some time off to visit the Hart family as I used to every year after I completed my training up there. Well Owen had told me a little bit about the birth of Athena and such a few weeks before I gone up there. Anyway, this was my first-time seeing Athena, so Owen had told me some things even his wife did too by the time I went to their house after visiting Owen's mom and dad. Once I saw Athena for the first time, I was in awe and Owen let me hold her for a while before I saw a bond forming between us. Then one day when Owen and wife wanted to go out somewhere and asked me to watch Athena and Oje, I played around with Athena in her stroller and the name Teena came out of my mouth. That's how it's been ever since." Leon said with a smile.
"That's a great story, darling." Sharon said that once the food came to their table.
"Yeah, it is, honey. Out of all of my stories that one is my personal favorite." Leon said with a smile.
"I can see why." Sharon said in response.
While Sharon and Leon were eating lunch, Leon gets a call from a number that he barely recognizes and decides to answer it.
"Hello?" Leon said in response.
"Hi, Leon. It's me, Martha. I got your cell number from Athena." Martha said in response.
"Oh, hi, Martha. What brings you to call at this hour?" Leon said in response.
"Oh, yes. I was wanting to let you know that Athena still has her suitcase here at the hotel and I took care of the flight arrangements where its just me and Oje heading out like planned." Martha said in response.
"Okay, listen to me Martha. I'm actually at town right now with my wife on a lunch date. So, I'll stop by and grab Athena's suitcase and whatever she left at the hotel from you and Oje on my way home." Leon said with honesty.
"Sounds like a plan, see you soon, Leon." Martha said before hanging up the phone.
Leon then put his phone in his pocket and Sharon who had gotten done eating looked at him curiously. After taking a bite or two of his food, Leon looked at Sharon with a calm stare.
"I'm sorry for taking that call, honey. I should have known better." Leon said with honesty.
"It's okay, Leo. So do you have to do an errand?" Sharon said in response.
"If you put it that way, yes. I have to get Athena's things from the hotel room where her brother and mom are staying in. If you want to tag along, I don't mind." Leon said with a smile.
"You know me too well. I could have ridden with you, but I drove up here in Karen's car and…." Sharon said in response.
"You don't want it get sent to the pound and have Karen pay a hefty ticket plus a court date. Good thinking." Leon said as he rubbed Sharon's head.
"Yeah." Sharon said with a sigh.
"Man, I am stuffed from eating this food. What about you, Shar-bear?" Leon said as he rubbed his stomach.
"I'm full as well, darling. Gosh it will be brutal to burn the calories of this food later." Sharon said with a sigh as she and Leon were leaving Lynn's restaurant.
"You could say that again, honey. I don't know how they do it but like you said its going to be one heck of a calorie torture day for us both." Leon said with a smirk.
Sharon smiled before nudging at Leon and got into Karen's car while Leon got into his car. Then they headed off for the hotel which was only four blocks from their present location. Once they got to the hotel, Leon and Sharon got out of their cars, but Leon motioned Sharon to stay put for a moment while he went on ahead to the hotel room. After knocking on the door, Leon noticed that Oje was the one that answered and let him inside.
"Hello, Martha, Oje." Leon said with a smile.
"Hi, Leon. Here's Athena's suitcase and her purse. Oje will put it in your car." Martha said as Oje did exactly what she instructed him to do.
"I didn't think that she would make a decision like this in a short of time, Martha. But you can count on me on watching over her on your behalf, I know this transition will be hard for all of us." Leon said with a calm tone.
"Thank you, Leon. I appreciate it, you know Athena is still my little girl and I know I have to let her go and explore the world outside of the country that me and Owen were raised in. I know she'll find many opportunities here to follow her dreams. Just promise me one thing." Martha said with a calm tone.
"Anything I can do it, Martha?" Leon said with honesty.
"Make sure Athena sees me and Oje one more time before we head back home." Martha said with conviction.
"You got it, Martha. I can tell Teena that once I see her." Leon said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Leon." Martha said with a smile.
"Oh, Martha. There's someone I want you to meet." Leon said as he motioned for Sharon to come into the hotel room.
Once Sharon came into the hotel room she was calm and poised.
"This is my wife, Sharon. Sharon, this is Dr. Martha Hart." Leon said the introductions.
"You're Leon's wife, I am proud that he has someone like you. It's a good thing." Martha said with a smile.
"Why…thank you. Leon's told me so much about you and your husband mainly how they were close." Sharon said in response.
"Yes, Leon and Owen were close almost like brothers in arms. I have a foundation that is in my husband's memory which devotes to the kind of person he was, and your husband remembers him the most by." Martha said in response.
"That's unique. I mean your son was explaining to me a little bit about it, but I didn't understand what it was until now." Sharon said in response.
"Oh, Oje helps out with my foundation when he's not busy with his job as a lawyer." Martha said with a smile.
"That's helpful." Sharon said with a smile.
"Sorry if I'm rushing your guy's conversation but me and Sharon have to get going. See you later, Martha." Leon said with a calm tone.
"Goodbye, Martha. It was nice meeting you." Sharon said as she followed Leon out of the hotel room.
"Goodbye Leon and Sharon." Martha said with a smile.
Leon and Sharon had made it to the parking lot before Sharon had a curious look on her face.
"Leon, darling. Did something happen?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"Well, it appears there's a problem back at the house involving Nicole and Karen tried to diffuse it, but Nicole slammed the door on her face and luckily Teena was outside doing yoga when this happened, and she notified me about a couple of minutes ago. Quite frankly I am not happy with Nicole for doing this, but we do need to have a long talk with her." Leon said in response.
"Okay, darling. But try to remain calm on the way home for me." Sharon said in response.
"Alright, Shar-bear." Leon said before kissing Sharon and taking off for home and Sharon was right behind him.
Leon throughout the drive back to the house took deep breaths in order to prevent him from getting angry. Once he pulled in the driveway, Leon waited until Sharon came into the driveway with Karen's car before entering the house. Upon entering the house, Leon and Sharon noticed a gloomy Karen in the living room before they went up to Nicole's room.
"I know you're in there, Nicole Ann. Let us in, we need to talk NOW." Leon said with retaliation.
Suddenly the door opened, Leon and Sharon saw that Nicole was sitting on her bed a few inches away from her stuffed animals.
"What's the point in talking?" Nicole said with a calm tone.
"How dare you talk to us like that, young lady?" Sharon said in response before Nicole stuck out her tongue.
"That's uncalled for, Nicole. You know better than not to do that especially towards your mom and slamming doors at your aunt. She's downstairs all upset because of what of you've done already. You know what something's got to be done, Nicole, you're grounded from stuffed animals for a week." Leon said while taking a bag and putting Nicole's stuffed animals in it before hiding it in his and Sharon's bedroom.
"Daddy…" Nicole said as she was about to cry.
"Leon, that's a bit harsh for a punishment. I saw the point you were trying to make but that's not how you do it." Sharon said to Leon once she met him in the hallway.
"What do you suggest then, Sharon? Look I was thinking about it if was my dad and what he used to do to me when I was her age. I tried your advice on the way home and stress got me with each deep breath I took." Leon said with a sigh.
"Let me talk to her and try to reconsider on having her stuffed animals back to her." Sharon said in response.
"Alright, I trust you. Once you get done talking to Nicole can you bring her in here." Leon said with a smile.
"Yeah, I can do that." Sharon said before she went back to Nicole's room.
Sharon upon entering Nicole's room saw that Nicole was wiping tears off her face.
"Nicole, sweetheart. Can I talk to you?" Sharon said in a motherly tone.
"Hmm-Hmm." Nicole said in response.
"Sweetheart, how come you are acting like this, I have never seen you like this?" Sharon said in response.
"It's all of the changes that are going on around here and your argument with Daddy earlier, Mommy. Those things got me upset and I wasn't like myself. I was a meanie and I'm sorry for that. Also, I caused a mess with my lunch like I did with the spaghetti dinner the other day and I am sorry for that as well." Nicole said in a sympathetic tone.
"Nicole, sweetheart. I accept your apologies but I'm not the only one you have to say sorry to. I just don't want you to act out like this again, okay." Sharon said in response.
"Okay, Mommy." Nicole said as she hugs Sharon.
Then Sharon escorted Nicole to her and Leon's bedroom where Leon was waiting for her. Nicole then took a seat next to Leon on the bed while Sharon went downstairs.
"Nicole, sweetie. I was deeply hurt at what you did. I know you're better than this, why act out all of a sudden?" Leon said with honesty.
"I'm not used to the changes around here and the argument you and Mommy had earlier. That is what caused me to be bothered and upset at myself but instead I took it out on the wrong people. I'm sorry for my behavior and causing a mess at lunch, Daddy. I know you might be mad at me for what….." Nicole said before she noticed that Leon touched her shoulder.
"Nicole, sweetie. I'm not mad at you, instead I am proud of you for owning up to your mistakes. Also, don't let anything that happens between me and your mother affect your mood, we want you to be happy. I am sorry that you had to see the argument and me lashing out at you. I had been under a ton of stress today. Before I give you back your stuffed animals, I think you ought to apologize to your Aunt Karen." Leon said after hugging Nicole.
"Ok, Daddy." Nicole said as she waited for Leon to escort her down to where Karen was.
Once Leon took Nicole to where Karen was, he noticed that Sharon was standing right there as well. So, Leon went outside to the backyard to find Athena sitting on the patio chair.
"Hi, Teena. Your things are in my car if you want go get them." Leon said with a smile.
"How was my mom?" Athena said in response.
"She was alright, just a little saddened about your decision. But I assured her that everything was going to be okay since I'll be around. Also, she asked me that you should see her and Oje at least one more time before they go home." Leon said in response.
"Yes, I can do that, Leon. How's your kid doing after that message I told you earlier?" Athena asked.
"Well, me and Sharon gave her a long talk and she apologized for her actions. Thank you for letting me know, Teena." Leon said in response.
"It just came out of nowhere; I was halfway through my yoga workout when I heard a big thud. I'm surprised you could hear that all the way out here." Athena said in response.
"Yeah, you never know what you might hear, Teena. Especially within this neighborhood, but I'm saying it to be honest because my sister you know the one you met back at the park, her house is actually two blocks right where my index finger is and sometimes the things they do over there can be heard all the way from here." Leon said in response.
"Oh, really?" Athena said in response.
"Yes, in reality, Teena. My nieces and nephew can be a bit of a handful or at least it was until my oldest niece moved off for college a few months ago. But to be honest their lives haven't changed much since." Leon said with a calm tone.
Then Leon notices that Nicole was coming out and pulled out the other chair. However, Leon saw that Nicole went to Athena and realized the reason why, so he sat back down.
"Miss Athena, I am sorry for my behavior earlier if it caused any disruption with what you were doing." Nicole said with a sympathetic tone.
"I accept your apology, Nicole." Athena said with a smile.
"I pulled out a chair in case you wanted to sit out here with us, sweetie." Leon said to Nicole.
"OK, Daddy. I did apologize to Auntie Karen and she graciously accepted it." Nicole said once she sat down.
"I'm proud that she accepted your apology. Are you starting to feel a bit better now?" Leon said with honesty.
"Yes. So, Miss Athena, how do you like the backyard?" Nicole said out of curiosity.
"Well, it's spacious, I can say that much. Your dad was telling me how noisy the neighborhood can be even if you're out here." Athena said in response.
"Hmm-Hmm. Most of the time it's my cousins that make the racket and sometimes I sleep through it and others well that's a different tale. Isn't that right, Daddy?" Nicole said with honesty.
"Even though I don't like admitting it but you're right, sweetie. I mean it bugs your mom sometimes to where she has to wake me up and do something." Leon said with a sigh.
"Yikes, that bites for you guys." Athena said in response.
"I know, Teena. It's something that I have told my sister a few times already and I guess it's hard to get it through a bunch of kids heads that there are people who are trying to get sleep. But hopefully with the additions we have here, I better hope those kids change their ways at night." Leon said with honesty.
"I hope you're right." Athena said in response.
"What about me?" Nicole asked.
"No, sweetie. Just be yourself and don't change your mind set. That's the one thing I want you to remember for today. Even though the world is ever changing but you can make the decision whether or not to change not be influenced by someone else, okay." Leon said with a smile.
"That was two things, but I will remember them, Daddy. Oh, I think Mommy wants me to help her with dinner because she told me that before I came out to apologize to miss Athena." Nicole said before heading back into the kitchen.
"Okay, sweetie. Just tell us when dinner is done." Leon said with a smile.
"Alright, Daddy. I will." Nicole said with a calm tone.
Then Nicole headed back inside, while Leon put the chair Nicole sat on back to its original spot.
"Your daughter really loves you and looks up to you, Leon." Athena said based on observations.
"Thank you, Teena. I know Nicole looks up to me a whole lot and loves me. She's like her mom. Despite the setbacks she has to face every day with her condition, she's improving little by little which makes me and my wife immensely proud of her. I think it's more of a fighter's mentality which I think she definitely got that from me." Leon said with a calm tone.
"It sure seems like it to me, Leon. Well, I better get my things from your car before they get wet because it looks like it's about to rain soon." Athena said upon looking at the sky.
"Oh, you're right it does look like the weather is about to do something, Teena. I better cover up the car. I'll follow right behind you." Leon said as he and Athena went back inside.
"Hi, darling. You guys came back inside for something." Sharon said while cooking dinner.
"It looks like it might rain at any moment. So, I am going to cover up my car and roll up the windows. Speaking of which, did you leave any windows open in Karen's car." Leon said in response.
"I might have left the driver's window down halfway. Hold on. Sis, can you give Leon your keys so he could roll up your windows because it's going to rain." Sharon said in response.
Karen gave Leon her keys and then he went outside to roll up the windows on his and Karen's vehicles. Then Athena was waiting on Leon after he got done with the windows and he showed her the room where she would be staying at and placed her bags in a spot in the room.
"I know it doesn't look like much right now, Teena. But it'll be a while before all your things get here. So, if you ever need any help on clothes, you can ask my wife even my sister-in-law and if it's anything else you can always ask me." Leon said once Athena got done sorting her stuff in the room.
"Thank you for everything, Leon. I don't know if I've ever told you this, but you've been like a second dad to me." Athena said with a smile.
"I've always known, Teena. I'm glad that you feel that way about me. Your mom and dad knew I could be like your second father because of the special bond we have. You just made my day by saying that you know." Leon said while embracing Athena.
"I'm very happy to hear that as well, Leon." Athena said with a smile.
Then Nicole came down from the hallway and tapped on Leon's leg to get his attention.
"Yes, sweetie." Leon said once he turned around to see Nicole standing there.
"Mommy wanted me to tell you guys that dinner time is closely approaching and she wanted you for something Daddy." Nicole said in response.
"Okay, I'll be right over." Leon said with a smile before heading to the kitchen.
Nicole saw that Athena wanted her to come by where she was at. Noticing that Athena was looking at a picture, Nicole decided to sit next to her.
"You sure do look like him a bit based on looking back at this picture, Nicole. You're probably wondering what this photo is about." Athena said while holding the photo in her hand.
"A little bit, Athena. Who's the guy and the little girl he's holding?" Nicole said out of curiosity.
"The guy is your dad when he was younger and the little girl he's holding is me. It's a picture that was taken by one of my uncles when I was a toddler and your dad used to babysit me and my brother when my parents were out. Your dad and my dad were the best of friends, my father was one of your father's mentors in the wrestling business and in life. Whenever they were on the road together, it was something special." Athena said before putting the photo next to the bed.
"It sounds like you have a special kind of bond with my daddy." Nicole said in response.
"Yes, Nicole. It's been that way since I was born. I believe that the way your dad raises you is based on his interactions with me as a child and watching how my parents raised me and my brother. Don't take away at anything your dad does for granted, he's doing it because he knows how much he loves you and cares for you just like any parent would for their child." Athena said in response.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Nicole said before heading to the kitchen.
Athena took another look at the photo and smiled before heading to the dining room. By the time she made it to the dining room, Athena noticed that a plate was made for her right next to Nicole and she smiled before taking her seat. Leon who was sitting at the end of the table noticed the smiles on both Nicole and Athena which made him feel at peace. "They're getting along. I feel incredibly happy. My daughter and Teena. Only if you were here to see this….." Leon thought about Owen while eating dinner.
"You okay, Daddy?" Nicole said after taking a bite of her meal.
"Yes, I'm okay sweetie. Just thinking was all." Leon said while rubbing Nicole's hair.
"So, Athena. How did you think of the dinner, it was one of my favorite things that I like to make is what we had?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"It's pretty good, Sharon." Athena said in response.
"Thank you. Sis, you're not talkative. Is something wrong?" Sharon said out of concern.
"I'm not feeling well, Shar. I don't think I can eat anymore. I'm sorry. If you need me I will be up in my room taking a nap." Karen said with an uneasy feeling on her face.
"Ok, Karen. I'll put your plate in the microwave in case if you're hungry later. Hope you get to feeling better." Sharon said in response.
"Thank you, Shar." Karen said faintly before heading upstairs to her bedroom.
Then Leon notices a sad look on Sharon's face and motions Nicole who had gotten done eating to head up to her bedroom. Athena on the other hand decided to clean up the dishes out of the kindness of her heart which put a smile on Leon while he tended to Sharon.
"You okay, honey. You seem to be down in the dumps about something." Leon said with concern.
"I'm worried about Karen. She didn't want to tell me that she wasn't feeling well until dinner time. Why?" Sharon said in a gloomy tone.
"It's because she probably didn't want you to get stressed out and is doing her best to protect you because she's your sister and she loves you a lot, Shar-bear. Look at it this way, it might be that Karen was stressed out from something or had a bad headache and needed rest. Wouldn't she have done the same for you?" Leon said with a reassuring way.
"Yes, she would have. Leon, darling…." Sharon said in response.
"You are strong willed, Sharon. I know that it's that your feelings can get the best of you." Leon said with honesty.
"If you want to say that, then I can take it. Thank you for cheering me up, Leo. It looks like we don't have to do dishes." Sharon said in response.
"Yes, Shar-bear. I noticed that myself. Thank you, Teena for doing that." Leon said in response.
"Well, I figured you'd be helping out with your wife and if you would have done dishes the thought of your wife's dismay would have distracted you. So, I did it as not as an act of kindness but as for letting me be here, Leon." Athena said in response.
"That's very thoughtful of you, Teena." Leon said with a smile.
"It sure was, darling." Sharon said with a smile.
A short time later, Sharon went upstairs to check on Karen while Leon and Athena went to the living room after pouring four glasses of tea. After knocking on the door, Sharon heard a noise coming from the other side and she went into Karen's room. Upon entering Karen's room, Sharon noticed that she had woke up her sister and was about to leave the room.
"Shar…. you need something." Karen said as she noticed Sharon in the doorway.
"I was just checking to see if you're feeling better, Sis." Sharon said with a gloomy look.
"Yes, I'm feeling a lot better now, Shar. I probably had a headache and needed to rest it off. Oh Shar, you are feeling sad because of me again." Karen said with curiosity.
"Yeah, Karen." Sharon said with a sigh.
"Come here, Shar. Why are you letting yourself get down every time when someone close to you has a minor issue?" Karen said with curiosity.
"I don't know, Sis. It's part of who I am I guess." Sharon said honestly.
"Well, what did Leon tell you about this?" Karen said sensing Sharon was hiding something.
"He said that I am strong willed, and my feelings can get the best of me sometimes." Sharon said in response.
"I think he's right on what he is saying to you, Shar. I want you to think about that seriously because he meant every word of it knowing your husband." Karen said as she was getting up from bed.
"Thank you, Karen." Sharon said with a smile.
"No problem. Is that tea I'm smelling." Karen said with curiosity.
"Yeah, Leon brewed a pot of tea just before I came up here." Sharon said in response.
Then Sharon and Karen went downstairs to the living room to see that Leon saved them spots for them to sit down based on the glasses of tea.
"What happened to Athena, darling? "Sharon said with curiosity.
"She went upstairs to take a shower and she'll join us afterwards. So, your headache is gone Karen." Leon said with a smile.
"Yes, it is, Leon. Sorry for bailing out on dinner because of it." Karen said in response.
"It's okay. Your leftovers are still in the microwave." Leon said with honesty.
"Okay, Leon. I'll probably eat it later tonight." Karen said in response.
"Did Nicole go to bed already because we haven't heard a peep from her in a while?" Sharon asked out of concern.
"I think so because when you were checking on Karen. Nicole popped out of her bedroom and said she was going to bed. She must have been tired from having fun at the birthday party today and her little episode which we got under control. Hopefully, she'll have a better day tomorrow." Leon said after sipping his tea.
"Agreed. Wouldn't you think so, Shar?" Karen said in response.
"Most certainly." Sharon said in response.
Then Athena came down after taking a shower and was in nightwear, decided to join Leon, Sharon and Karen in the living room.
"Find everything okay in the bathroom?" Leon said with curiosity.
"Yes, the shower was pleasant." Athena said in response before taking a sip of tea.
"Speaking of pleasant…" Karen said with a smirk on her face.
"Karen Louise, are you trying to embarrass me." Sharon said in a nervous tone.
"No, I am not, Sharon Michelle." Karen said in response.
"Oh, boy." Leon said as he had his face looking at the ceiling.
Athena stared off into space while Leon was in the middle of a standstill between his wife and sister-in-law.
"Ladies, please. Let's try to remain calm and sip on our tea." Leon said in a calm manner.
"Oh, okay. It was silly for us to fight over nothing." Sharon and Karen said in response.
"Hmm….is it like this all the time, Leon?" Athena said with curiosity.
"Not really. I mean we all get along pretty well and there is hardly any fighting among us at all. We're a happy and loving family." Leon said in response.
"I knew you would say that because it's true. Right, Shar?" Karen said in response.
"Definitely, Karen. Do I know my husband or what?" Sharon said before nudging at his hair.
"Ok, honey. Not too hard." Leon said in response.
"Now this I can see happening on a regular basis." Athena said in response.
"Hmm-Hmm. It's a never-ending thing for them and that's the way it will be for a long time to come." Karen said before looking at the window and taking her last sip of tea.
Then Karen sat back down with a smile on her face. Sharon proceeded to collect all of the tea glasses and washed them off in the kitchen. Leon then went upstairs to head off to bed since he was feeling tired.
"I'll be right back." Sharon said to Athena and Karen as she went upstairs to the bedroom.
Sharon entered the room to see that Leon was taking his medication and was getting ready for bed. After taking his pill, Leon noticed Sharon was in the room.
"You are feeling okay, darling?" Sharon said out of concern.
"I'm feeling alright, honey. Just that today got me all worn out is all." Leon said with honesty.
"Oh okay. I was wondering because I was worried that you were coming down with something." Sharon said in response.
"Thank you for checking in on me, Shar-bear. I don't know what I could do without you." Leon said before kissing Sharon and leaning his head towards her shoulder.
"Yeah I have been feeling the same way about you, darling." Sharon said that with a smile.
A few seconds later, Leon started to fall asleep, and Sharon moved him onto the bed before she went downstairs. By the time Sharon made it back to the living room, she noticed that Karen and Athena had poured out a glass of water for her.
"Sis, that's nice of you to check on your husband. I mean he did look like he was about to pass out." Karen said with curiosity.
"Yeah, he was exhausted from today was all and hopefully he'll feel better by tomorrow." Sharon said feeling optimistic.
"That's good to know. I mean Leon looked like he needed some rest for sure." Athena said in response.
"Athena, so how do you like it here so far?" Karen said with curiosity.
"It's going good. I like it here and I appreciate the help Leon's doing for me. Even though all of this came to fruition today." Athena said in reply.
"That's great you like the area and such." Karen said in response.
"Hmm-Hmm. I am guessing Leon gave you advice on where to go to on things." Sharon said to Athena.
"Yeah, but I'm uncertain about going to everything to him though. I want your guy's advice on things besides the thing he suggested. But I didn't want say that exactly to him though without the fear I might lose his faith in me." Athena said in response.
"No, I don't think he would his faith in you. He understands things differently than most people but if you have the time to tell him that I believe he'll understand you. I understand where you are coming from just by telling me and my sister this, we'll help you in any way possible." Sharon said in response.
"Thank you Sharon for understanding and supportive." Athena said in response.
"No problem, Athena. It was like that for me when I first started dating Leon and once our relationship grew I started to understand the kind of person he was. Still, he's a good man who has a decent heart for anyone and does his best for anyone." Sharon said with a smile.
"That's why you fell for him, Sharon. You know he learned much of his helping heart from watching my father." Athena said in response.
"Yeah, he's mentioned a few stories about him and your dad helping out people when they weren't pulling ribs on people." Sharon said with a smile.
"Oh, ribs aren't that what they call…." Karen said with curiosity.
"Yes, pranks. Leon has told me that Athena's father was a very notorious prankster while they were on the road during his wrestling days. Some of them are legendary that their colleagues recalled some of them in interviews over the years." Sharon said in response.
"That's right. Even my Uncle Bret, one that you guys met several times was close with my dad remembers a couple of my dad's pranks that occurred on the road. One involving my grandfather at a hotel during a pay per view event and the other was at a European tour in the Vatican involving money. Your husband knows the tales too since my family told him on as cooler talk." Athena said with a calm tone.
"Oh, really. That's awesome, we'll ask him about it sometime." Sharon said while looking at both Athena and Karen.
Athena got up and proceeded to head to her room for the night as she was feeling tired and needed to sleep from all the traveling and activities she did today. Sharon and Karen waved Athena off before Karen decided to refill her and Sharon's glasses of water.
"Gee, Sis. Are you trying to make me feel like peeing like a racehorse or something?" Sharon said once Karen came back to the room.
"Shar, would I ever do that you come on. Besides, I wanted us to get hydrated for the exercise routine in a while if you haven't forgotten about that." Karen said while nudging Sharon.
"Oh, thank you for reminding me about that, Sis. Hold on, let me move the table and get the mats from the corner." Sharon said as she got up from the sofa.
Once Sharon got everything organized for the workout, she motioned for Karen to stand on the mat farthest from the door.
"I'm glad you're doing this alongside with me, Sis. Anyway, for what I am about to do is the beginner modification to the actual exercises that I will be doing but it will help you feel comfortable to watch me do a round of the routine beginner style; then you will do it like how I just showed you while I go to the level where I am at. Does it sound like a plan to you?" Sharon said with a smile.
"Sure thing, Shar." Karen said in response.
Then the workout went exactly like Sharon designed it to be, once it came for Karen to do the same thing she wounded up impressing Sharon. By the end of the routine, both Sharon and Karen were completely spent and looked at each other with smiles.
"I'm impressed, Sis. You knew what you were doing once you got started. I am proud of you." Sharon said with a smile.
"Thank you Shar, I guess I've learned a bit or two from you." Karen said in response.
"Yeah I guess you have indeed. You know something." Sharon said in a calm tone.
"What's that, Shar?" Karen said with curiosity.
"The more time we spend together doing this and being mindful of our health will help us set goals we've yet never seen. My goal is to fit into an elegant dress that Leon would love and also to maintain my cardiovascular conditioning. How about you, Sis?" Sharon said as she got up from the floor.
"Well, other than to lose weight. I would have to say trying to improve my mental and emotional health before going back out there to find love, you know what I mean, Shar." Karen said with honesty.
"You're serious…., Karen, I am happy for you. I know what you mean and it's going to be a long road believe me. What motivated you to come with the idea about love again after everything that's happened to you?" Sharon said in response.
"By watching how you interact with Leon and reflecting back on what mom and dad told me the other day. Look Shar I know what happened to me in the past scarred me for years, but I am gradually healing from that based on all of the love and support you guys have given me. Besides if any man who wants to be with me brings that up around me well they're going to be in a world of trouble." Karen said with honesty.
"Karen, wow. I've never seen this much passion in you until now." Sharon said in amazement.
"Well, Shar. I am your older sister after all and that is one subject I get gung-ho about. Also, you have my permission to give men a scolding if they mention the dark day of my past. Whew, I never knew that adrenaline could do that to a woman by making statements like that." Karen said as she felt her heart rate rising.
"I can do that for you, Sis. Also, welcome to the last stage of the workout, cool down where our bodies tend to find adrenaline and makes us have extra energy we've had in reserve per say." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"Okay, thanks for the tip." Karen said before she headed off to take a shower.
Sharon went into the bedroom after putting the mats up and table back in the living room. While Sharon was grabbing nightwear out of the dresser, she noticed that Leon was turning around in the bed and saw him wake up still laying in bed.
"It's alright. What happened, darling?" Sharon said as she rushed to Leon's side.
"I had a bad dream, honey. It was leading me back to the day when Owen died, however I was on the harness alongside with him." Leon said before crying.
"There, it's going to be okay, Leon. It's only a dream, hush now. I've got you." Sharon said in a reassuring way while holding onto Leon.
"Okay, Sis. Bathroom's all yours now." Karen said as she peered her head.
"Thank you Karen." Sharon said in response.
"Shar-bear, I feel better now. Thank you for comforting me." Leon said with a smile.
"Of course, Leon. Sorry if my sweaty palms got all over you." Sharon said in response.
"It's okay, honey. You can tell me how your night went once you get done with your shower." Leon said as he laid back down.
Sharon along with her nightwear went into the bathroom to take a shower. "I know that Leon's been having a lot of things going on his mind lately and I can tell it's stressing him out more than usual. I'm worried about him too I mean he's going to realize he can't handle everything all on his own or like he used to during his career. I'm doing my best to help him out by doing things he wouldn't necessarily do and try to be more involved in Nicole's life. Hopefully, all of this will be improved soon." Sharon thought to herself while she was in the middle of her shower.
Then a few minutes had passed, Sharon got out of the shower and changed into her nightwear before heading to the bedroom. Upon entering the room, Sharon noticed that Leon was looking up at the ceiling.
"Shar-bear?" Leon said once Sharon got into bed.
"Yes, darling. What is it?" Sharon asked out of curiosity.
"I want you to be honest with me. Is it just me or am I getting overwhelmed with everything that's going on lately?" Leon said in response.
"Well, I was thinking about that earlier and it could be that you might be stressing yourself out lately, my love. How come you ask this now?" Sharon said while touching Leon's arm.
"It's that I was doing some thinking while you were in the shower and I wanted to figure out why I have been feeling the way I am lately." Leon said with honesty.
"I know, darling. At least we've figured it out together and going find ways to help you out." Sharon said with a smile.
"You're right, Sharon. So, how was your night with Teena and Karen?" Leon said after kissing Sharon.
"Well Athena seems to like the area and she had some doubts about interpreting the advice you gave her earlier, but I told her that she would tell you about it. What else oh yes, after she went to bed me and Karen did a workout together. I was impressed with her skills on the first day and we talked about goals we want to accomplish with our health and lives. Well, I was proud of what she told me…." Sharon said in response.
"You mean Karen wants to go get back out there?" Leon said in response.
"Yeah, but I told her it's going to take a long time especially with her mental and emotional health. Wouldn't you agree?' Sharon said with concern.
"Most definitely. You told her the right thing which is what we can do right now is not rush into these things." Leon said in response.
"Thank you for being supportive, Leon." Sharon said in response.
"Of course, Shar-bear. Anyway, just out of curiosity, what exactly did Teena get confused with regarding my advice if it's what I'm trying to think of?" Leon said with honesty.
"The part about always going to you for anything. She seemed to be troubled in saying it because she wants to get me and Karen's advice too on things. I think it's that…." Sharon said in response.
"Teena wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if she went to you guys for advice as well. I can see why it is a misunderstanding because I should have said it better. Because I know she will come you guys for things that I don't even understand. That's what I am going to tell her tomorrow. Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Leon said with honesty.
"You're welcome, Leon. Oh, I almost forgot we did mention the fact that Athena says you know a couple of notorious prank stories about her father." Sharon said in an enthusiastic way.
"Oh man, I knew those memories were coming back to creep up on me. You know what I'll tell them to you first and then I will repeat it again in the morning during breakfast. There's a reason for this." Leon said with a sigh.
"Oh, okay. One of them would have to be censored for Nicole's sake." Sharon said upon looking at Leon's nod.
"Okay. The first story was told to me during my training in Calgary since it happened oh in the late 1980s during a pay per view in New Jersey. This was during Owen's first stint in WWE, Bret was part of a tag team with their brother-in-law Jim Neidhart was on the card. Anyway, as a result Bret brings their father, Stu who rooms with him and his daughter oh gosh which one is oh that's whom it was, Jade. Now here's where the prank per say comes in, Owen knowing which room Stu was in phones him and pretends to be an old friend of Stu's, Reg Park. I don't have the best Stu impression, or I could have reenacted how worked up he got in the phone conversation to the point he hung up. Upon hanging up the phone is when Stu knew that Owen got him really good." Leon said with a calm tone.
"That's kind of borderline funny, Leon. The other story was something about the Vatican." Sharon said in response.
"Oh gosh and this one I've had the privilege of being able to see it all break down. So, this European tour occurs just about a couple of months after I signed my contract with WWE. I was in the same group as Bret, Owen, a few others including a couple of notable agents. Anyway, one day we were sightseeing at the Vatican, I am standing by Owen and a couple of people that he knew, Bret pulls me aside and says to watch what you say because of obvious reasons since one of the road agents was stuck with us on the sightseeing tour. A short while passes before someone who had the audacity to waive out a 100-dollar bill and Owen motioned to me to see if anyone was looking, and I shook my head. Basically, I stood there as I watched Owen take the 100-dollar bill from the person and a few minutes later the person winds up swearing at the Vatican. Ironically, the person who did the swearing was the same person that told Bret to tell me to watch my swears and after that Owen returned the money." Leon said while looking down.
"Golly, Leon. It seems that the pranks Owen's had you in or not were legendary." Sharon said with a calm tone.
"Oh, believe me that's only touching the surface, Shar-bear. I mean he would literally wait for people to head up to their hotel room before coming up with a prank varying from food delivery to charging people. I tell you he got me good one time we were in I have to say Houston, we weren't far from the arena and the police pulled me over for some odd reason. As I was trying to get my ID and stuff out, Owen decides to flip off the cop and looks at me with the you're screwed look. Now I look at Owen telling him to cut it out and then the officer never gave me a ticket. That's when I added the two and two together, looking at Owen before looking at the road before thinking he'd got me. Because I'd knew he pulled the same thing earlier except it was him and Davey getting Lex Luger pranked. So, I did ask him if he got the idea from the Lex rib and nodded before I nudged the bejesus out of him." Leon said with a sigh.
"Wow, that's interesting, darling. I'm feeling sleepy if I…" Sharon said before her head went on Leon's chest and she fell asleep.
Then with a smile and a kiss on the forehead to Sharon, Leon fell asleep with his right arm on top of her.