After smack down Seth, Roman and Dean headed to the airport Rhys and bags in tow. It was almost midnight in the terminal as Seth paced back and forth gently swaying Rhys trying to settle him down. "It's okay champ we'll be on the plane soon and then daddy will give you your bottle" Rhys whined pressing his face into Seth's shoulder. Roman chuckled at the less the impressed expression on the toddlers face. He was hungry and he was hungry now. "I know it's a major pain in the ass but trust me the plane ride will be much smoother if you wait it out" Dean slumped further in his seat turning his earphones up.
Once Dean and Roman had left for their flights Seth sat by himself at his gate with Rhys on his lap still fussing. When the boarding call rang out through the airport Seth rushed through quickly getting in his seat and setting up what he thought he'd need. The lights dimmed as the plane began to taxi down the runway. Seth laid Rhys against his chest offering him the bottle and chuckling when he hungrily took it. The plane ride was quiet with Rhys nodding off in his dad's arms and sleeping the entire flight.
Juggling Rhys and his bags Seth cursed as he fumbled his way through the airport. Finally making it to his car he fought with the car seat for almost 20 minutes while Rhys whined from the front passenger seat. Once Rhys was buckled in and the car loaded Seth began the 20 minute drive home. His nerves were taking over knowing he'd have to face Leah. The porch light was on and her red Honda Civic parked in the driveway. Parking his Jeep Seth lifted Rhys from his seat and grabbed the play pen so he could lay him down inside. Opening the door he heard the television going and quietly made his way through the hallway. "Baby!" Leah squealed jumping from the couch to run and jump into her boyfriends arms. She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of the sleeping toddler. Her eyes widened as she took in his dark brown hair and his little features. She thought back trying to remember Brandon having a child but he looked just like... "Seth who? What?" She blinked watching Seth sigh. "Just give me a minute to set this up and lay him down okay?" Nodding she watched as Seth one handed set up the play pen and gently lay the toddler down. "Night champ"
"Okay he's in his crib now who he is" She demanded watching as her boyfriend nervously flexed his fingers. "Do you remember when we broke up for that few months? All the things we got into?" He asked softly gripping her hands his thumb rubbing over her palm. "Seth what are you getting at!" She hissed yanking her hand away glaring at him. "He's my son Leah" He murmured. "What? He can't be yours how could you" Leah croaked the man she loved had a child with someone else. She was devastated. "Hey we both did some shitty stuff back then okay? I didn't know he even existed but he does and he needs me. He's had a horrible life so for Lee and now I am going to make damn sure he has the best one" He pleaded reaching for her wincing when she backed up shaking her head angrily. "No Seth what the hell did you think I was going to do? Play mommy to a child that's not mine? Fuck Seth" Lowering his head Seth felt defeated already. "We could be a family Lee, you're great with kids come on baby we can do this" He pleaded pulling her into his arms burying his face into her neck. "No Seth No" She snapped pushing him away "I can't do this if your keeping him then I'm leaving" Seth blinked replaying her words repeatedly "Leah he's not a god damn dog of course I'm keeping him he's my son"
"Then I'll have my stuff out by tomorrow afternoon" She muttered storming off to their bedroom. Seth sunk to the floor next to the playpen. 6 years down the drain and just like that she breaks it off. His sadness slowly turned to anger as he gently lifted Rhys into his arms and folded the pen back up. "I'm going to my moms" He said slowly glaring at Leah "When I get back tomorrow night you better be out of my house" And with that he slammed the door and climbed into the Jeep.
"Well I did threaten but Jesus child you could have went home and slept" Holly laughed guiding Seth inside. "Leah broke up with me and she's moving her shit. Couldn't watch" He muttered snapping the play pen together and laying Rhys down again. "Oh baby" Holly whispered gripping her son tightly. He explained what had happened his anger flaring again. Holly hugged him tight she knew how much he loved Leah and hated her for putting him in this situation. "I'm glad you set her straight, but I'm truly sorry it had to go this way" Seth shrugged as he gazed down at Rhys sleeping soundly his blanket wrapped around him. "He's beautiful looks just like you when you were that age"
"There's my son" Bob boomed clapping Seth on the back bringing him in for a hug. "Ah and my grandson isn't he something" He murmured leaning over the rail of the play pen. "Come on son have a drink with your old man rest a bit" Pouring up two glasses both men relaxed in the living room while Holly got the guest room ready. "So fatherhood huh? It's quite an experience" Bob chuckled remembering all the times with Seth and Brandon when they were small. "It's been three days and I swear I've had him forever. I just wished he didn't have to suffer as much as he did. Poor kid has so much baggage" Bob nodded shaking his glass watching the ice bump against the glass "He went through terrible things he did but he has you now and you can change his whole life. You'll be a great dad...hell you already are. I mean he's quietly sleeping in that play pen, fresh clothes he's fed and happy. Not much more to fatherhood then that son" Seth looked up at his step father nodding as he thought about all the times Bob had bee there for them when Ron wasn't.
"I never have thanked you for being there have I?" Seth said quietly he appreciated him now more then ever. Bob grinned at him pointing to the play pen in the corner "You have by being a good daddy to that boy and giving me one handsome grandson"
"Well he looks just like his daddy" Holly laughed walking into the room "The guest room is set up for the night you'll just have to carry the play pen upstairs. Then tomorrow we'll go shopping for your house!"
Both men groaned and leaned into the couch while Holly laughed.
So they didn't exactly get to meet Rhys. Next chapter though!