Thea got home from work to find Joey dressed in her dress up clothes. Roman was seated at the small plastic table with a tea set on it. Thea laughed softly.
He smiled. He looked funny seated at the small play table.
"I have a hard time saying no to her", Roman said.
"Yeah, Dean and Seth say the same thing", Thea said.
He stood and kissed the top of his daughter's head. Thea set her bag down in the kitchen and removed her heels.
"So um, is there anything I can borrow that has memories of us? I finished the photo album", he said.
Thea looked at him.
"I have a few things", she said.
He nodded.
"How was work?", he asked.
"Went by fast because of the assembly the kids had. Then I got a surprise visit", she said.
He smiled.
"How was yours?", she asked.
"Great. Till I ran into Sasha", he replied.
"Oh", she nodded, trying not to let it get to her.
"Was never my type. My mom introduced her to me", he added.
What did he want her to say to that? She hated it of course, but she wouldn't admit it. So, she just nodded.
He could tell from her facial expression she didn't like what he said. He wouldn't either if roles were reversed.
"I'm going to go get that stuff you want.", she said.
He nodded. Thea passed him and went upstairs. She found the video of their wedding and a few extra videos they had taken while they were dating. She took the shoe box downstairs, Roman stood again and met her at the bottom of the steps.
"These are videos we took, birthdays, anniversaries, random moments", she said.
He nodded and took the box.
"Thank you", he said.
"Please don't lose them", she said.
He met her eyes.
"I won't", he replied.
She nodded and looked at Joey.
"Hey kiddo, what should we make for dinner?", Thea asked her.
"Sloppy Joes", Joey said.
Thea nodded. Roman looked down at the dvds. They were all named and in his handwriting. He went up to his room and set them on his bed, before going back downstairs. He watched Thea and Joey talking in the kitchen.
"We need the sauce mommy", Joey said.
"Write it down for me", Thea said.
Thea looked over towards Roman.
"Sloppy Joes okay with you?", Thea asked.
"I love them", Roman said.
She already knew that.
"Well, Joey and I need to go grocery shopping. Would you like to come with us?", Thea asked.
"Let me get my wallet", he said.
He went back to his room and grabbed his wallet and cell phone. His mom had called him and so did his dad. Today was his day with Joey, he would call them back tomorrow before class.
Getting downstairs, Thea grabbed her bag and held onto Joey's hand.
"We can take my truck", he said.
She nodded. They locked up the house and he held the door open for her so she could place Joey in the back. Then he opened her door.
"I did this for you when we were together, right?", he asked.
"You did. You never stopped doing the small things Roman", she said.
He smiled.
"Good", he said.
He closed her door, before walking around his truck to get in. They drove to the grocery store and bought what they needed. Roman was in the candy aisle with Joey.
"Your mom said only one Joe", Roman said.
Joey couldn't decided between the chocolates. Thea was paying when she saw Roman's mom walk in with her daughters. They saw Thea, but didn't say hi, they ignored her like they always did.
"Will this be it Thea?", Charly asked.
"I'm waiting for Joey", Thea said.
Roman and Joey found her and she set the candy on the counter. Charly grabbed it and scanned it.
"Good choice Joey", Charly said to her.
Joey smiled proudly.
"Roman", they turned to see his mom and sisters.
He looked from them to Thea and Joey.
"Mom", he said.
He covered his daughter and Thea with his body and from his families view.
"What's going on Roman? Why are you with...", she stopped and looked at Thea.
"That's my business", he said.
She looked up at her son.
"We told you what happened the first time you were with that woman. She forced you to give up your job in New York, all because it was too far from her family. She made you hate us, because she knew we didn't like her. You had such a bright future Roman, and she convinced you how bad it would be. She's sucking you in again with lies", his mom said, making sure Thea couldn't hear.
"Mommy, who's that?", Joey asked.
Patricia and his sisters looked over at the little girl.
"That's my daughter, Joey", Roman said.
She looked back at her son.
"Are you sure about that? She's lied before, she could be lying again", she said.
"I heard your side to this story, now let her tell her side", Roman said.
"Your father isn't going to like this", Patricia said.
She walked away with her daughters, but not before glaring at Thea. Roman looked back at her.
"She never did like me", Thea said.
"Its not that", Roman said.
Thea paid Charly before grabbing her bags.
"Stay close Joey", Thea said.
Joey grabbed onto her mom's sweater and followed her out. Roman followed out as well.
"Thea, I don't know what's going on. Why you two can't stand each other. She blamed you for so much, but Dean was always there to change things. He said I should hear your side too and I am", Roman said.
"I won't be the reason why you don't talk to your parents, again", Thea said.
"Again? What do you mean by that?", Roman asked.
"Just forget it Rome, okay", she said.
He sighed, but nodded. Someone had to fill in the blanks for him.
Dean was watching a movie with Joey. Roman walked over and sat beside him.
"Hey Joe, dinner is almost ready. Go wash your hands please", Roman said.
Joey nodded. He kept his eyes on the movie.
"I need to know. She won't tell me, but I know you will", Roman said.
"Know what?", Dean asked.
"Why didn't I talk to mom and dad? Thea said she didn't want to tell me because she didn't want to be the reason why I didn't talk to them again", Roman said.
Dean sighed.
"Dean", Roman said.
"The job in New York, you took it and asked Thea to go with you. Your future boss, Ric Flair, invited you to a party to get to know your coworkers and clients.", Dean said.
"Nervous?", Thea asked.
"Just a bit. I don't want to mess this up you know, our future is counting on this", Roman said.
She smiled. He always included her in future plans.
"You won't mess this up. You, Mr. Reigns are a charmer. They are going to love you", Thea said, fixing his tie.
He bent down and kissed her.
"Thank you for coming with me", he said.
"Of course, what are girlfriends for", she said.
"Shall we?", he asked, holding out his arm.
They drove to the office party. Getting there, Ric introduced him to a few other lawyers who worked there. Roman introduced Thea.
"I'm going to go get a drink. Want one?", she asked.
Roman nodded. She left his side and walked over to the bar. She ordered the drinks. Ric joined her and she smiled at him.
"Roman's a great addition to our firm", Ric said.
"He's very intelligent and hard working. He would do anything to help someone", she said.
"And you? What would you do to help him make partner?", Ric asked.
She looked at him confused.
"Excuse me?", she asked.
He laughed.
"Oh come on, a woman like you would do anything to make sure her man got ahead in a firm like this", he said.
"I love him, but I would never do something like that, ever", she said.
She grabbed the drinks once they were set in front of her. She thanked the man, feeling Ric's hand on her butt. She moved away and threw her drink at him. Everyone stopped and stared. Roman was trying to push his way to get to her.
She sighed and left. Getting to the elevator, she pressed the button.
"Thea, baby. Wait", he called.
The doors opened and she walked in, pressing the first floor button over and over again. Roman caught the doors and they opened again. He walked in and they took the elevator down.
"I'm sorry, I think I might have just ruined your job", she said.
"I don't care about that. You don't do things like that unless provoked. What happened?", he said.
She bit her lip.
"Thea", he said.
"He asked me what I would be willing to do in order for you to make partner", she said.
"He wants to sleep with you", Roman said angry.
"He didn't exactly say that. Anyway, when I told him no, he grabbed my butt and that's when I threw my drink in his face.", she said.
"He touched you", Roman almost shouted.
She nodded. Roman paced the small box before punching the wall, making Thea jump. He stopped the elevator and pressed the floor where the party was.
"What are you doing?", Thea asked.
"I'm going to teach that son of a bitch a lesson", Roman said angry.
"No, Ro. You are angry right now", Thea said.
"I'm also going to tell him I'm not taking his damn job offer. I won't work for someone who thinks its okay to be a pervert", Roman said.
The doors opened and Roman made his way through the crowd. He found Ric and walked over. Thea behind him trying to stop him.
"Flair", Roman called.
Ric turned and Roman punched him.
"You can take your job and stuff it. Don't you ever touch my girl again.", Roman yelled.
Ric rubbed his jaw.
"You're going to believe her. Wait till I tell your dad, you are going to regret this Roman", Ric said.
"No, I won't. No job is worth keeping if I have to force her to sleep with you in order to make partner. You are disgusting", Roman spat.
He turned and took a hold of Thea's hand. They left the party and went back home to Florida.
"Ric called mom and dad and told them that Thea hit on him. He lied to them. I know the truth because you called me and told me that you two were on your way back home early. That you weren't taking the job in New York.", Dean said.
"Why did you believe her?", Roman asked.
"Because Thea isn't that kind of woman. She had you on your toes and you loved it. That night in New York, that was the first night you two made love. You made her breakfast the next day at your place when you got home. You never did that for any woman, brother", Dean said.
Roman nodded.
"When you spoke about the future, it was always our or we. Thea was always included", Dean added.
"I believe you", he said.
"Mom and dad called her every name in the book and even then you didn't believe it. You stayed with her. After a year of you not talking to them, Thea convinced me to help convince you to finally talk to them", Dean said.
Roman stood.
"What?", Dean asked.
"I'm going to go and talk to mom and dad", Roman said.
He grabbed his jacket, stopping by the kitchen to watch Joey and Thea. He smiled as his daughter laughed and Thea smiled.