The pain in my back didn't get any better as I sat in the locker room waiting for Matt to return. I hoped he had Jeff with him. I cradled my son in my arms. Hunter came over and sat next to me.
"You should have told all of us about this." He said.
"It wouldn't have mattered. You guys would have treated me differently." I said. "And Jeff would have hated me all this time."
"You don't know that he hates you." Hunter said.
"Of course he does, me and Matt. He wouldn't say anything to me."
"He needs time to think." He took Matt from my hands. "Beautiful child."
"Thank you." I looked at him and smiled.
"I'm just at a loss for words. I can't believe you did this, and alone."
"Wasn't easy." I said.
"I give you a lot of credit."
Matt returned, without Jeff. I got nervous. Maybe Matt couldn't find Jeff. Maybe Jeff ran off somewhere. I just wanted him to be safe. I meant it when I said I wouldn't leave without him.
"We've got to find him." I said standing up. I squinted with the pain.
"You're staying right here." Adam told me. "I can tell you're not all right."
"I have to look for him."
"Adam's right." Jay said. "You stay here."
"I'll stay with her." Chris said. It was agreed.
"Chris, I know he's mad at me and Matt. I don't want him to be. I don't want him to hate me." I cried.
"Everything's going to be fine." He said comforting me. I rested my head in his chest. "Now, something's not right with you. It's your back. We all saw what happened, and I can see it in your eyes."
"I'm just sore." I said. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Last time you said that you came to us with a child. Now, what's wrong?"
I sighed and looked up at him. Meanwhile, the search was on for Jeff. Jay came around a corner and saw Jeff walking his way. Jay sighed and walked up to him.
"What are you doing? You're driving us all crazy, especially Destiny. She's worried sick."
"I needed to clear my head." Jeff said.
"At least you could have told her that when she tried talking to you." Jay sounded a tad bit mad.
"I don't want to get into this, please Jay just walk away." Jeff told him. "The safest thing for you to do right now is to just walk away."
"No, I don't think so Hardy. I'm not leaving. I'm bringing you back to the locker room."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"We can't leave you here!"
"I'll meet you on the bus." Jeff said. "Now walk away."
"I'm not going anywhere."
When Jeff says he wants to be alone, damnit, he wants to be alone. Jeff walked away and Jay followed. This got Jeff annoyed and he turned hitting Jay hard in the jaw with his left fist. Jay didn't expect it, and in reaction came back with his right fist to Jeff's cheek. The two men just looked at each other before jumping at each other.
Hunter and Dwayne heard the fight and ran over. Hunter grabbed Jeff and Dwayne grabbed Jay. Jay didn't have the intention on hurting or fighting Jeff. Each blow he gave was because Jeff hit him first.
"Guys, get a grip!" Hunter yelled. Jeff tried to get out of Hunter's arms for a few minutes then gave up. Jay just stood there, his nose bleeding. Jeff's was too and his cheek was swelling. "You have got to stop this. Jeff lets go, we're leaving."
Hunter dragged Jeff to the bus. Dwayne said he'd find everyone else and bring them onto it. Hunter tossed Jeff in a seat and looked down at him.
"You've got some nerve doing what you're doing. You're brother and Destiny feel lower than shit because of you. Why are you doing this?"
"I'm sorry if my feelings for Destiny have taken over." Jeff said, wiping the blood from his face.
"I knew it." Hunter said. He sat down. "I knew it." Jeff looked up at him. "Why don't you just tell her."
"She's got Matt."
"If she had Matt, don't you think Matt would have known about his own son? And, wouldn't she have been with him before she left? She doesn't have Matt."
Jeff realized he was wrong and sunk in his seat. Hunter nodded and said, "shouldn't have beaten Jay up either."
"I know."
"He'll live, so I guess it's not that bad."
Dwayne came back to the locker room and said that Jeff was found. I went to get up, and sat back down again. Chris and Dwayne looked at me.
"It's your back." Chris said. "Tell us."
"I've got this sharp pain on my lower back." I confessed. "It won't go away and I can barely move."
"I'm taking you to a hospital." Chris said. "Something might seriously be wrong."
"I'm sure it'll go away." I told him. "Used to get pains like this his before. Look, if I want to go to a doctor, I'll tell you."
"I don't know." Dwayne said.
"I swear to God that I will tell you if I need a doctor."
Chris sighed and agreed. They helped me up. Once I started walking, the pain wasn't that bad. It was masked by my fear or facing Jeff and what he had to say. Adam and Matt were walking back to the locker room, we caught up with them.
"Hunter's got Jeff on the bus." Dwayne told them. "We're heading back there."
"Boy, do I have a few things to say to him." Matt said.
"Matt, don't be too hard on him." I told him.
"Why not?" Matt asked. "He deserves the yelling."
"It won't solve anything."
"She's right." Chris said adjusting Matt on his shoulder.
Big Matt shrugged and we continued to walk on. Dwayne helped me onto the bus and into a seat. Jeff sat across from me. Matt stood behind me. Chris took my son to the back of the bus with Dwayne. Adam wanted to hear what was going to happen, but Hunter and Jay pushed him along.
"I'm sorry." Jeff said. He didn't look up.
"You don't have to be afraid to tell any of us what's on your mind." I told him.
"You're my brother, Jeff."
"I know I made the two of you feel bad, I didn't mean it. I just had to think about a few things."
"Like?" Matt asked.
"What do you think? Your son." He answered. "Didn't expect it. It hit me off guard."
"Hit everyone off guard." Matt said.
"I needed to think about that, let it sink in." Jeff said. "I'm sorry. And, congratulations."
"Thank you." Matt said. "Sure that's everything?"
"When I feel like spilling my soul, I'll come to you. Until then, that's it." Jeff answered. He got up and went to Adam.
"More than that." Matt said.
"He said he'd come to you. There's no need to worry."
"I'm worried about you." He said. "That move, I know it hurt. You can't hide that. The rest of the match you were off."
"Just sharp pains. Nothing worry about. I told Chris if I needed a doctor I'd ask for one."
"You promise? You're not good on asking for help."
"I promise." I answered.
"All right, I'm going to join the guys in the back." He bent down and kissed the top of my head. I smiled and sat back in the seat. I heard the guys in the back joke around.
I feel asleep on the ride to the airport and woke up on the plane. Matt was next to me, holding his son. A smile was on his face, a big one. It was a picture perfect moment. Matt noticed me.
"He's got Jeff's eyes." Matt said. "My nose."
"He's deffinatly a Hardy." I replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. "Did you not know who the father was first?"
"Actually, no." I answered. "That was a reason, I didn't want to worry three people. And, I didn't want the extra attention."
"I find that hard to believe."
"I like good attention. I wouldn't have been able to make my last three months good ones."
"True. If I knew I wouldn't let you wrestle at all. I'd have you at ring side."
"I'd fight anyway." I said.
"You probably would." He smiled. "Hope your hunch about your back is right."
"Trust me, Matt, if I need a doctor I'll tell you."
The plane landed. This time I wouldn't be alone in my room. I have Matt with me, and no not big Matt. I watched my son sleep for a while. Thinking about what Matt and Jeff were talking about. Thinking about how my life will be forever changed because of him, and how I felt bad for Matt because I had screwed him over because of having his child.
"So, what's the deal?" Matt asked. "About you taking off."
"I told you when the time is right." Jeff said.
"No better time then now."
"Guess you're right." Jeff said. He sat next to his big brother and sighed. "It has to do with Destiny. You've probably figured out that I like her, a lot. And, just the fact that she had a kid with my own brother freaked me out. I began thinking that she didn't feel the same way I felt about her, and she was with you. I was pissed because I thought my own brother would go against me like that."
"I do know you like her, and I would never do that. I had no idea about the child. I didn't know what the hell was wrong with you and naturally I worried. If you like her so much, why don't you tell her?"
"I don't know how. I'm kinda scared to."
"You? Jeff Hardy, scared to ask a girl out? I thought fear was only a four letter word?"
"It is, just not in the case." Jeff said. "This is different, completely different."
"I know." Matt said. He smiled. "You know it's right, so do it."
Jeff nodded. Matt turned the light out and went to bed. The next morning was crazy. I was back on TV. Back doing the TV show. Cole was taking me to the local station to tape it. He was going to be talking about how it was without me and I knew he'd ask why.
"It's good to have you back, Destiny." He said.
"Good to be back."
"You said you had personal reasons, care to share?" He asked.
"No, not really. It was, personal." I answered.
"Fine with that." He said. "On your day back the eight man power trip was able to take home all the gold."
"Hell ya. The impossible has been done."
And so on. Typical show. He mentioned my match against Crash Holly tonight. An important match for me. A chance to prove to everyone I can fight men, and well.
"Destiny, can I talk to you for a second?" Jeff asked once I returned.
"Sorry, not now I have to get Matt from Stephanie and feed him." I answered. "I have to change him and get ready to leave for the match myself."
"Oh, well it can wait."
I ran to get Matt. While I was feeding and changing him I thought, tonight's the night. Tonight I'd walk into the center of the ring with my belt and tell the world about Jeff. This was the perfect time. There was a knock.
"Hey, Chris." I said letting him in.
"Hi, Destiny. I didn't see you all day and wanted to know how your back was."
"It's still sore, but better." I told him.
"You sure about tonight?" He asked.
"Don't worry." I said. He walked over.
"He's so adorable." He looked at him. "You look nervous."
"I'm going to make that statement."
"Which one?"
"The crush."
"Oh!" He said. "This I have to see." He smiled. "By now I'd imagine it being more than just a smile crush."
"You got it."
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
He left the room. I finished getting ready for tonight. I met up with the usual seven in the lobby. We talked for a while, then went to the bus to go to the airport. Taking off, Matt cried. But, he calmed down once we got in the air.
"Tonight is a major match for you, isn't it?" Jay asked.
"She's got more in mind than just a match." Chris said. Jay looked at him. "You'll see."
"Maybe you should play it safe tonight." Jay said. "Stay at ring side until you know you're back is 100%."
"I'll be fine. You guys wrestle with aches and pains all the time." I said.
"I know, but."
"But what? Don't say it's different because it's not."
"Sort of is." Jay said. "We fight with hurt arms and legs. Not backs, that's different."
"I am just fine." I told them. "I just got back, can things be nice and smooth for a while?"
If only they were. I looked over to Jeff. He smiled, then looked the other way. I wondered if everything with him was fine now. They better be, because I was serious about telling everyone. And, my way of telling wasn't just telling him; it was getting up in front of the arena, and world, and telling him.
The plan landed shortly and we all got off. I made the attempt to carry my son and his things. Chris came up from behind me and took the bag and my son.
"Thank you." I said.
"You need the help." He replied. "Hey, Hunter! Can you grab Des's things?"
"Course." Hunter called back. He picked up his things as well as mine.
All I had was a hand bag I carried onto the plane. I walked through the airport, with a small limp. Everyone knew I shouldn't be fighting now. It was too dangerous. But, I was on a come back and no one could stop me.
"Hey, Jeff." Matt said. Jeff stopped and turned to face his brother.
"What's up?" He asked.
"We have a match against the Dudleyz tonight, our belts are on the line." Matt told him. "I need to know that you're completely focussed on this."
"Of course." Jeff said.
"I'm being serious."
"So am I." Jeff said.
Jeff caught up with me. "You're looking better than yesterday."
"Feel a little better." I said.
"You better, you've got Crash tonight."
"I know." I replied. "I'm ready."
"I never doubted your talent since the day you came into this federation." Jeff said. "Talent isn't everything. Attitude is a major part of this gig. You've got the perfect attitude."
"Thanks, Jeff." I said. "But, this sounds like something negative is coming up."
"Sorta." He replied. "You don't know when to quit. Maybe that's your fault. Even I wouldn't attempt to step into the ring with anything wrong with my back."
I sighed. "Everyone is so concerned with that. I am fine, I'm walking, everything is OK."
Jeff shrugged and walked on. "Hey, Jeff." He turned around. "You're in for a surprise tonight."
He looked at me weirdly. I walked past him and caught up with Chris. He smiled at me. Matt was asleep in his arms. Chris didn't mind a bit. He'd make a great father someday, I can tell.
"He sleeps." Chris said. "Kids don't usually do that."
"He has to get that from his father."
"I still don't know how you did it." He said.
"It wasn't easy." I told him. "It wasn't easy at all."
"I can't even imagine what you went through." Chris said. "Maybe I don't even want to. I give you so much credit for doing it, so much."
This child is a major reason Chris and I get very close. Chris went on about me, giving me more complements then I deserve. I kept telling him to stop. But, he kept on going.
Soon enough we went to the arena. We had a day off after this! I was really happy, I needed one. I was going to go out first and say what I had to say.
"You look very nervous." Chris said to me.
"Wouldn't you be?" I asked.
"No, because I wouldn't do anything like this." He answered. He started rubbing my shoulders. "You'll do fine."
I nodded. My music started. I walked out in a pair of black jeans and one of Matt's button down black shirts. I kept it open with a black sports bra under. Very black today. For my match I'd be a tad more colorful. Anyway, I was shaking as I raised the mic.
"I've got something major to say to everyone." I said. "No, it's not dissing on Vince again, it's not dissing on anyone. I'm sorry, I promise next time I talk I'll diss someone. I'm not out here to brag about the belts. Mine does look good tonight, doesn't it? Right, not here to brag. Anyway, I'm her to make a very important statement to someone. When I started here I told everyone that I had a crush on someone and promised to make that public. Well, over the year, a year today actually, well in that year that crush has gown to something more than just a harmless crush. That crush is-"
"If you smellllll what The Rock is cooking?" The music said. I turned and faced the ramp and there was The Rock walking down. "I'm sorry to have to do this, but I just wanted to tell you something."
"What, Rocky?" I asked.
"I just ran into Crash backstage and he's pumped for his match."
"You came out here to tell me that? You interrupted my important announcement for that?"
"Yeah, pretty much." He answered. "As you were, I'll just stand here."
I knew he'd do something like this. He told me he was going to find some way to piss me off tonight. And, he succeeded. I continued with what I had to say. "Like I was saying, I had the pleasure to work with this person from day one. He's been there for me in ways I can't pay back. That person is....Jeff Hardy."
The crowd freaked. Freaked in a good way. But, nothing happened. No music, no Jeff. I started getting that weird feeling in my stomach. I looked to Dwayne and he didn't know a thing. Just when I was about to give up on it, the Hardy Boyz music started and Jeff walked into the ring. He took a look at me and then kissed me.
"Sorry, I was tied up backstage." He told me. I smiled and kissed him back.
"That is just so sweet." Rocky said. "Where's my camera?"
"Rock." I said to him.
"Well, what a great way to kick of Smackdown." Michael Cole said.
"I'll say." Tazz said. "In the back of everyone's mind, they were wishing it was them. Even you Cole."
"Everyone." Cole replied.
"Well, well." Hunter said once Jeff and I got backstage, and Dwayne. "I knew one of you would do it."
"I made the promise." I said. Hunter smiled.
"What now?" Jay asked.
"What do you mean what now?" Jeff asked.
"What could possibly happen tonight that could top that?"
"Jeff and I beating the Dudleyz and keeping the belts." Matt answered.
"No, we know you can do that." Jay said.
"Me beating Crash." I said.
"Yeah, that could be one." Adam replied. "But, it can't top it. Damnit Des, you ruined the night!"
I laughed. Edge and Christian had a match against X-Factor. Since Jericho was off tonight, well Vince just wouldn't give him his match, he walked out with them. Jericho wanted to take on X-Pac and put his belt on the line, but Vince wouldn't have it and put E and C against him and Justin Credible. So, Jericho walked out with Edge and Christian just to get a shot at X-Pac.
Jericho did get a shot, a nice one. But, Albert saw and came after Jericho. Jericho managed to survive a few blows from Albert. But in the ring, Christian was killing X-Pac and Albert went to save his partner. Christian tagged Edge and X-Pac tagged Justin. The two went after each other, but Edge and Christian remained on top.
Jericho came into the ring and put X-Pac in the Walls Of Jericho. Edge and Christian made sure Albert and Just didn't get involved. The ref got Jericho to let go and the three walked back stage.
The next match with the Eight Man Power Trip was the Hardy Boyz match. The Dudleyz wanted double gold, badly. But, the Hardyz showed no sign of giving it up. The high risk moves and amazing footwork got the best of the Dudleyz.
Then, The Rock had his shot against Big Show. A great match. Both men didn't want to back down. Rock gave it all he had and picked up the victory. There were a few other matches, none involving the Eight Man Power Trip.
Then, my match. Jeff told me to be careful a million times. I told him I would, but wanted him out there. He agreed. His left leg was a little sore for the Dudleyz match, but he didn't care. I walked out with Jeff by my side and my belt around my waist.
Crash came out with Hardcore Holly. I got ready for him. He came up the stairs and the match began. I started off with a bang. I figured if I can wear him down in the beginning I could get this match over with sooner and I wouldn't do anymore damage to my back.
I think everyone was surprised on how I was starting this match off. Even Crash. Jeff was cheering for me outside the ring. He and Hardcore didn't bother getting to each other, not unless they tried to interfere. Crash got a cheep shot behind the refs back and the tables turned. Jeff got pissed and started yelling. Hardcore ran over and the two had it out for a while, didn't help Jeff's leg.
In the ring, I was able to counter Crash's moves. I nailed him with a perfect head scissors. I went up to the top rope to do my finisher, but Hardcore pushed me off and I landed in the ring on my back. I let out a scream. I laid there awhile. Crash picked me up and started doing some moves. He threw me into the ropes and I bounced off and got him with a closeline. This time I went to the top ropes and did a corkscrew Moonsault.
I thought I had the match. Hardcore knew it too. He got a nice move to Jeff's leg and he went down. Then, he grabbed my leg as I bounced off the ropes. I landed face down, just in time for Crash to get back up. He started kicking at my back. Each time his foot him my back I cried. After enough blows I gave up and laid there. I basically couldn't move. Crash went for the cover and win.
I still couldn't move. Jeff got up and limped to me. He rolled me over and I screamed. Hardcore stopped Crash and told him to get the medics. Hardcore ran back into the ring to help Jeff out.
"Don't move." Hardcore told me.
"I can't." I replied.
"Something is seriously wrong with Destiny." Michael Cole said.
"I haven't heard someone scream like that ever." Tazz added. He got up and came in. I was crying now.
The medics rolled me over to put me on the backboard. I was screaming and crying the whole time. I just got back from a long nine months off. I couldn't afford to be out some more.
Jeff rode with me to the hospital. Hardcore told everyone else where I was going. Adam was real nervous. They all piled into cars and drove to the hospital. Jeff was waiting in chairs.
"How is she?" Matt asked.
"Don't know. Haven't seen her yet." Jeff answered.
"What exactly happened?" Jay asked.
"Crash's blows were too hard." Jeff said. "Hope she's OK."
The suplex and the kicks caused some swelling. Not enough for me to have surgery, but I had to have to slits cut into my back, one on each side of my spinal cord. It was covered by "plastic". For one month I had to lay on my stomach in a hospital. This was torture.