Chapter Thirteen

Author's Note: It's taken me forever to update this, and for that, I'm sorry. Work has upped my working schedule a bit, and I haven't had much writing time, and when I have, I've been fixing previous chapters as well as working on editing Unknown Secrets. So if you see this story or Unknown Secrets has been "updated", but this story has no new chapters, then I just updated an advised chapter. I'm not changing the plot in the story; everything is remaining the same, I'm just proof reading better and fixing a few things. So there's no need to go back and re-read; unless you want to, but that's totally up to you. lol

For those that do not follow the fan page for Roman on facebook(Roman Reigns (Leakee)), so therefore aren't aware, yes Joelle *IS* his daughter's real name. Apparently it was found on google in a photoshoot article that was done with Roman's fiance and daughter. I had many debates in my head about putting her name in the story, but in the end I came to the conclusion that her name is on two public pages and not as hard to find as we initially thought, and I think I've already seen it used in another story, so what's the point in being cryptic about it and using only the first letter? So I bit the bullet.

But yeah, now that I have that squared away, on to chapter thirteen! :)

Jon was back on tour and he hadn't talked to Chasity since he left her apartment in a panicked rush. Colby and Joe sensed something was up with Jon as soon as they met up with him on Friday evening, but neither of them wanted to ask him what was going on for fear it would worsen his mood. However as the night wore on and they got closer to show time Colby had decided he'd seen and heard enough of Jon's moping and bad attitude. "Alright dude, what in the hell is going on with you? You've been a bear to deal with all day. Joe and I have done our best to let it go and let you just stew over it on your own because usually when you show up pissed off you go run around the arena or workout somehow and your fine by show time, but clearly that's not gonna be the case tonight. We're getting closer to show time and I won't let this effect our performance tonight. So let's go, out with it. What is going on," Colby ranted. Joe wanted no part of Jon's wrath, so he'd opted to keep quiet over in the corner farthest away from him as he glared at Colby.

Jon knew he had been tough to deal with, but his thoughts were all over the damn map. He caught the look Joe gave Colby, one that said 'shut up, you idiot! You're gonna make it worse.' Jon sighed. "As much as I don't want to discuss this, maybe it'll help because you're right, I do need to focus for this match. Last thing I want is to hurt myself or someone else because I'm not completely focused." Jon sat down on the bench in the room and started lacing up his boots before he continued. "I told you guys about the girl I went to school with and how I bumped into her in Vegas, right?" His teammates nodded. "I also told you she was having a rough time financially so I was helping her out," he questioned as they nodded again. "Well, what I don't think I ever mentioned was that I bumped into her in a strip club where she was working, and she's pregnant thanks to her no good, piece of shit, former boss forcing her into a three-some."

Jon took a rather long pause as Joe and Colby looked at each other. Jon took a deep breath and pulled the laces on his boots to make sure they were tight enough as he tied them before continuing. "I made the mistake of telling her I would be the 'father-figure' for the baby. I was all for it, and ready for it, until I realized just how stupid that idea was. The other day after we got back to her apartment after her doctor's appointment, where she found out the baby is a boy; I made the mistake of asking her if she had any names picked out. She told me she wants to name him Kaleb Jonathan." Jon paused as the baby's possible name slipped past his lips. Colby eyed him curiously.

"So what's the big deal with the name? It sounds normal enough." Jon glared at Colby as Joe spoke up for the first time.

"I don't think he was completely done with the story yet, dude." Colby took a step back and held his hands up in defense.

"Sorry, continue."

"The Jonathan in his name would be after me. But she doesn't want to do it if I'm not okay with it. I told her it wasn't my choice because it's not my kid, which is true, it's not, so she could name him whatever she wanted. She proceeded to throw the 'father-figure' thing back in my face. I panicked, told her I needed time to think, and left her apartment, and I haven't seen or spoken to her since," Jon explained. Colby and Joe now understood the reason for his mood a little better.

Joe spoke before Colby had a chance. "So, why exactly are you frustrated? Is it the fact she asked you for help naming the baby, or the fact you thought 'father-figure' meant you'd just be there to support her and the kid financially while she made all the actual parenting decisions? I know 'father-figure' sounds like it just means you'd be there for support, but sometimes support means you need to give input," Joe said. Jon shook his head and shrugged.

"I want to help her, and I want to make sure the kid is cared for, but I never had a father, so I have no idea how the hell I'm supposed to play one?" Joe shrugged.

"You don't have to have a father to be a good father, Jon. I had a father in my life, and I still had to learn to be a good father when Joelle was born. He couldn't teach me that beforehand. You learn as you go." Joe confessed. "If you think you want to be the father-figure for this little boy then do whatever you can to make sure she has whatever she needs for him," Joe finished, zipping his tactical vest before looking at Jon. "You said this kind isn't yours, so you're right, you have no actual obligation to name him; which also means you have no actual obligation where he's concerned at all, if you don't want it." Jon shook his head.

"I didn't see her again until she was three months along, so it's definitely not my baby. But with that said, I don't want to lose contact with her again; however, I'm afraid if I stick by her and try to be a parental unit for him, I'll end up screwing him up psychologically." Joe dumped half of a water bottle over his head before passing it to Colby as they listened to Jon's concerns. He looked back at Jon and shrugged.

"I've seen you with Joelle as well as some of the other kids that have been here to visit their daddy's, and I can tell you without a doubt that your fear is an irrational one. You'll do just fine as a father, but as I said earlier, this isn't your child, so if you really feel like you'll screw it up, you have no actual obligation to help raise him," Joe reiterated. "Look, I'm not trying to steer you away, or discourage you, from taking on the father-figure role. All I'm saying is it's your choice. Talk to your friend and explain your fears. See what she tells you about your fathering skills. I bet you she agrees with me. But if you honestly think you can't do it then don't. You two can still be friends without you being a parental figure to her son." Jon nodded.

"Alright, I'll talk to her when I get home on Wednesday." Joe smiled.

"Good. But that's Wednesday. For right now, we have a match to go perform, so let's go," Joe said leading his teammates out of the locker room.

Jon tried to get into character mode, but for the first time ever he struggled. He managed to survive while in the ring, but on the apron, waiting for a tag, had a lot of spacing out involved. Usually he'd be cheering for whichever guy was in the ring, or taunting the crowd or their opponent, but today he was totally lost in his own thoughts.

As soon as Roman pinned Daniel Bryan they got out of the arena. Jon had never been happier to be performing at a house show where there were no cameras to catch any of his mistakes, or spacing out. It was also the first time he could ever recall being happy to be done with a match and out of an arena. He hated being distracted from the one thing he ever loved, but this whole situation with Chasity and the baby had him totally flustered.

Jon was so beyond frustrated and when he got back to the locker room he let it be known as he kicked the door open and threw his water bottle across the room and watched it hit the wall and sink to the floor below with a thud as he screamed. "HEY," Joe shouted. He had watched Jon act out and knew it could spell big trouble if he didn't get himself together quick. Jon whipped his head in his friend and stable mate's direction at the sound of his outburst. "Look Jon, I know you're frustrated about what's going on at home, but you cannot go around kicking doors open and throwing water bottles across the room at walls." Jon glared at Joe.

"I don't need a fucking lecture from you," Jon responded, tossing his US Title into his open bag that lie on the bench in the locker room before he angrily began ripping the black medical tape from around his hands. Joe shook his head again as he unzipped his vest.

"I'm not lecturing you. I'm just trying to help you. I get you're frustrated, I've been frustrated before, I know how bad it can be, but destroying the locker room or breaking things isn't going to help you. In fact it'll only end up likely costing you money, and in a worst case scenario, could cost you your job. How would you support Chasity then? If that is still what you want to do," Joe pointed out. "All I'm saying is you need to calm yourself down before you get yourself into big trouble." Jon glared at him again.

"Fuck off," he grumbled as he headed for the shower room located in the back corner of the locker room. Colby walked past him in the shower room door way and shook his head as he looked at Joe.

"Clearly he's still a fucking bear, despite you talking to him earlier. This is going to be a long five days. I'm going to find Claudio to give him a heads up," Colby whispered as he pulled his still wet two-toned hair back into a ponytail. Joe nodded, letting him know he heard him as Colby exited the locker room in search of their other co-worker and regular travel companion.