Seth was laid across his king-sized bed at home, he yawned stretching his arms when a block bounced off his head. "Trying to take out your old man bud?" He grinned over at Rhys, dressed in just a diaper the toddler chewed and banged the blocks babbling happily next to his dad. His teeth had finally popped through and he was back to his babbling self. Hunter had sent Seth home a day early so he could deal with Seamus and Rusev and Seth could spend sometime with Rhys and his family. He sill couldn't wrap his head around what had happened and if it weren't for the glaring bruises that colored his ribs he would have swore he imagined it all. "Whatcha wanna do today" Seth asked the toddler pulling him onto his chest, grinning as he giggled happily his little legs kicking and his brown eyes gleaming with excitement of being in his dad's arms. His fingers pulled through the toddler's soft brown hair smiling as he curled into his touch "Daddy loves you champ, never doubt that" He loved moments like this just him and his little boy.
Making it downstairs Seth made himself some eggs for breakfast and cooked some oatmeal for Rhys. Taking a bite of his breakfast Seth put a spoon full of oatmeal into Rhys's mouth watching as he mashed his tongue around trying to chew it. His big brown eyes wide as he tasted the strawberry in it. "C'mon kiddo you just got two brand new teeth test them out" Placing another spoonful into the toddler's mouth wiping the corner with a wash cloth. "That's my boy eat up, we're going to go see Grandma, Grandpa and you'll get to meet Uncle Brandon"
Seth pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans, a black t shirt and threw his hair in a high bun pulling his snapback over top of it. He quickly dressed Rhys in his black jeans and a black and white baseball shirt sticking his little cubs' snapback on backwards just like his. The drive to his moms was short Seth singing in the front seat to the radio and Rhys babbling and wiggling to the beat. Brandon's blue Subaru sat in the driveway next to Holly and Bob's vehicles but it was the black Chevy parked on the street that made Seth growl low in his chest. "Looks like your meeting more then just Uncle today" Seth sighed lifting Rhys from the seat and into his arms. Sensing his dad's apprehension Rhys curled into his chest tucking his little face into his dad's neck nuzzling it. "I love you to champ" Seth smiled squeezing him tight. Knocking on the door Seth came face to face with his mom who looked less then impressed "Your..." She began only for Seth to cut her off "I know I saw his truck it's okay mom" He murmured "Say hi to Grandma" He whispered to Rhys who babbled happily padding his little fist against Holly's cheek. "Oh sweet boy how I missed you" She cooed lifting the toddler into her arms. "How's your ribs" She asked softly pulling her son into a one-armed hug, he had called to fill her in on what had happened and it boiled her blood to no end but at least Hunter and Stephanie were handling it. "Just bruises Ma we're okay"
Walking into the living room Seth wrapped his arm around Brandon's neck squeezing it pulling him into a headlock "What's up jerk" Laughing Brandon shoved Seth back knocking him in the arm "Not much man" He paused looking at his brother before sighing "I'm really not into small talk man just let me meet my little nephew. I've waited long enough" Seth smirked walking back into the kitchen where Holly had Rhys tucked into her arms showing him a book she had bought for him. "Rhys buddy come see daddy" Seth murmured catching him as he basically lunged from his Grandmothers' grip. "This is your Uncle Brandon, daddy's brother. Can you say hi?" Brandon looked a lot like Seth, just smaller and slightly older looking with out the beard. Rhys eyed the man in front of him before babbling softly and flicking his wrist. Brandon grinned at the toddler, waving back at him causing Rhys to giggle and latch onto Seth's neck.
"So this is the kid my son fathered with some ring rat, nice" Ron muttered walking into the room Bob following behind him. Seth glared back at his father, Rhys burying himself deeper into his dad's arms feeling the tension in the room. "Don't talk about my son your grandson like that" He said flatly eyes narrowing. Ron scoffed dropping into the chair at the kitchen table. "How do you even know he's yours and where is his mother huh? That child could have all sorts of issues he's clearly a liability" Seth growled his body going rigid with anger as the blood surged through his ears. Beside him Brandon lowered his head glaring at Ron who stared blankly right back. "Watch it" Seth hissed. Holly gently pressed her hand into Bob's rib cage pushing him back from Ron knowing he was seconds away from defending his boys. All three of them. "I am your father you don't speak to me that way" Ron snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You have a career to think about Seth" Shaking his head Seth let a low growl out squeezing his son tight in his arms. Rhys was the only reason this hadn't gotten physical yet. "My son comes first" He said slowly eyes meeting Brandon's who nodded "Just because you play part time fucking dad doesn't mean I'm going to. If you choose not to be apart of my child's life you can write yourself out of mine to. My career, everything especially the money." He said coolly watching Ron's eyes bug out as he slammed the chair back getting into his sons' face. "I am your god damn father you'll speak to me with respect" He roared in Seth's face, Rhys whimpered clutching at the neck of his t-shirt.
"You're my biological dad at best, that man over there is my father he raised us and took care of us. That's the man my son Is going to look up to so do yourself a favor and get bent" Seth snapped turning and heading for the door as he felt Rhys begin to shake. "Your okay baby daddies got you" He soothed rubbing his hand up and down the toddler's back. "I love you He whispered against his cheek as Rhys clutched his shirt tight. Holly followed Seth to the back deck rubbing her temples as she sat down next to him "Seth if I had known he was going to do that I would have never let him in my home" She said sadly brushing her had over Rhys's back as he curled into Seth. "I know that mom it's okay" Seth smiled leaning against his mom's shoulder "I didn't figure he'd be okay with Rhys, he was never a dad to us. Not exactly grandfather material"
Seth spent a few more hours with his family before heading out, he needed to get some groceries and diapers before the tour started next week. He walked the isles of the store Rhys sat in the child seat eyes wide as he took in the view around him. Babbling Rhys pressed his little face into Seth's chest making him laugh softly and kiss the top of his head. Tossing a box of diapers into the cart Seth headed for the cashier noting the time and how his son's eyes took on a sleepy glaze. He stood in line checking his phone and brushing his hand up and down the toddlers' back as Rhys curled into him. Busy with his phone Seth failed to notice the cart that pulled into the register beside him.
"Hi" Leah said softly pressing the toe of her shoe against the wheel of her grocery cart. Seth's head snapped up startling Rhys who whined softly "Sorry champ" He whispered kissing his head and brushing the hair from his eyes. His gaze met Leah's as he nodded at her "Hey" He mumbled after all the bullshit with his dad this was the last thing he needed. "I heard what happened at your hotel are you okay" Leah asked and Seth could see she was being sincere he just didn't get why. "Not to be a dick or anything but why do you care" Seth asked flatly choosing to ignore the hurt that flashed through her eyes. "I still love you Seth…. I still care I never stopped" Seth snorted as he unloaded his groceries onto the belt "You bailed on me in one of the hardest moments of my life. You love me? Sure" Seth growled his patience dwindling. Leah lowered her head loading and paying for her groceries, she'd deserved that but she couldn't help but watch him pull Rhys into his arms as he let out a soft whine rubbing his eyes from what she guessed was exhaustion. Rocking back and forth on his heels as he pressed the buttons on the keypad pressing kisses to his face she heard him whisper "Daddy's got you champ"
A surge of regret washed over her, he was such a good dad and she hadn't given him a chance. By the time she collected her thoughts she could see him through the window he had already loaded his groceries loaded into the Jeep. She had made a mistake.
A:N (So it's clear when it's me talking ;) )
Poor Seth, can't catch a break! Hopefully Leah doesn't stir up trouble for our boys!
Thank you for your reviews and investment in this story! Thinking about maybe adding songs for each chapter. Not sure yet though!
Keep reviewing!