#{YEET} | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

acute-scary · 2 days

Text

Between the Ropes… a Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley fanfic.

Chapter 18: and Away..

Jey sat on the edge of the bed, tucking Jeyce in tightly under the soft blanket adorned with dinosaurs. The night was quiet except for the sound of the shower running upstairs where his older son Jaciyah was finishing up. Jeyce's curls were still damp from the fun-filled day he’d had with his uncle Jon, Aunt Trinity, and his cousins, running wild on the water bouncy castle. The excitement of the day had finally worn him down, his little body tired but his mind still full of questions.

"Dad, today was the best," Jeyce said with a sleepy grin. "I love the bouncy castle! Uncle Jon said I was the fastest jumper!"

Jey chuckled, his heart swelling at the sight of his son’s joy. "Yeah? You were probably giving everyone a run for their money, huh? I'm glad you had a great time, buddy."

Jeyce wiggled a bit under his blanket, his eyes growing heavy, but his mind was still spinning with thoughts. "Dad... can I ask you something?"

"Of course, little man. What’s on your mind?" Jey asked, brushing a stray curl off his son’s forehead.

Jeyce paused for a moment, his face serious for such a young boy. "Is Rhea my bonus mommy?"

Jey felt a warmth spread through him at the question, his heart catching for just a moment. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked down at his son, who was gazing up at him with innocent curiosity. The thought of Rhea being seen as part of their family, especially through the eyes of his kids, made something deep in him stir—a feeling of peace, of hope, of a future he wanted more than anything.

"I'm working on it, Jeyce," Jey said softly, his voice full of quiet emotion. "I'm working on making her your bonus mommy."

Jeyce's smile widened, lighting up his face. "I hope she stays forever, Dad. I really like her."

Jey felt his throat tighten, emotion washing over him. He had to fight back the tears threatening to spill as his son’s words hit him straight in the heart. He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Jeyce’s forehead.

"Me too, buddy. Me too."

With that, Jey watched as his son’s eyes finally fluttered closed, his breathing evening out as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Jey sat there for a few moments longer, the weight of his son's simple, heartfelt wish settling in his chest. He kissed Jeyce goodnight once more, stood up quietly, and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

As Jey walked down the hallway, he spotted his eldest son, Jaciyah, exiting the bathroom. The steam from the shower still lingered in the air, and Jaciyah, towel draped over his shoulders, looked up at his dad, who was ready to wish him goodnight.

"Night, son," Jey said softly, his voice filled with the usual warmth of a father who’d spent a good day with his kids.

But Jaciyah stopped in his tracks, lifting his hand to halt his father. “Wait, Dad. Tell Rhea thank you for switching out the butter popcorn for the kettle popcorn... and for the extra Jolly Ranchers.” His words were simple, but the small gesture clearly meant something to him.

Without waiting for a reply, Jaciyah turned and headed into the room he shared with Jeyce, leaving Jey standing in the hallway with a smile tugging at his lips. It amazed him how Rhea had managed to weave her way into his children’s hearts with such ease.

Jey felt a flutter in his chest, a mix of pride, gratitude, and love swelling within him. His steps grew lighter as he walked to the guest bedroom, where Rhea was waiting. Pushing open the door softly, he found her curled up in the comforter, her dark hair splayed out over the pillows, the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing a soothing sight. Jey couldn’t help but smile, knowing how much this woman had come to mean to him.

Quietly, he undressed, slipping out of his clothes and climbing under the comforter. He shuffled closer to her, his body instinctively drawn to her warmth. Jey wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her shoulder softly.

"Did you enjoy the day?" he asked, his voice a low murmur in the dim light.

Rhea shifted slightly, her face still half-buried in the pillow as she let out a contented sigh. "Of course," she whispered back, her voice soft but full of happiness. "It was perfect."

Jey swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat as his mind wandered to the small gift he’d been waiting to give her. His heart pounded in his chest, loud enough that he wondered if she could hear it too. It was now or never. He couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Rhea..." Jey’s voice wavered slightly as he reached into the nightstand, his fingers brushing against the small box he had hidden there earlier. "I wanna give you something."

Rhea turned slightly, curious, her eyes meeting his in the dim light of the room. Jey pulled out the box but kept it closed for now, reaching in further to retrieve the necklace he’d stashed away. His hand shook just a little as he sat up, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He turned to face her, his eyes locking with hers, the love he felt for her written plainly across his face.

"I need you to know something," he began, his voice low and thick with emotion. "You mean everything to me. I’ve never felt like this before… the way you care for my boys, the way you care for me. I don’t know how to explain it… I just… I love you. So deeply."

Rhea’s eyes softened, her lips parting as though she wanted to say something, but Jey wasn’t finished.

He opened his hand slowly, revealing the delicate necklace that rested in his palm. The small pendant shimmered in the soft light, catching her attention. "This… it has the ashes of our baby. I wanted you to have it. To carry a part of them with you."

Rhea’s breath hitched in her throat, her eyes glistening as they locked on the necklace. Her hand trembled as she reached out to touch it, her fingers brushing the pendant with the gentlest of touches. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she looked up at him, her eyes full of emotion.

"Jey… I…" Her voice broke, but she didn’t need to finish. The look on her face said it all.

Jey leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers, his thumb gently wiping away her tear. "I love you," he whispered again, his voice barely audible. "I’ll always love you. And I’ll never forget them. Neither will you."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other’s presence, sharing the silent understanding of a love that ran deep and the shared grief they carried. The necklace glistened in the soft light, a symbol of both the loss they’d endured and the unbreakable bond they had forged through it all.

Jey's hands trembled slightly as he revealed the second piece he had kept hidden—a ring he had made for himself, containing the ashes of their unborn child. He looked down at it for a moment, the weight of the gesture hitting him all over again. Slowly, he raised his eyes to meet Rhea's, the love and sorrow mirrored between them.

"I wanted us both to carry the baby," Jey whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Forever."

Rhea's eyes filled with tears, her heart aching but so full of love for the man sitting before her.

Without another word, she leaned forward, cupping his face in her hands and kissing him with all the emotion she couldn't express through words. It was soft at first, a gentle meeting of their lips, but soon it deepened-full of longing, gratitude, and the unspoken grief they shared.

Jey kissed her back with the same intensity, feeling the warmth of her lips, her touch, and the connection they had always shared but that now felt even more profound. He could feel her tears mix with his own as their kiss broke momentarily, both of them breathing heavily, still wrapped up in each other.

Rhea rested her forehead against his, her lips brushing his as she whispered, "Jey, do you think... it's possible for us to be intimate tonight?"

Jey's eyes softened at her words, but there was concern lacing his expression. "Rhea, your ribs..." he began, his fingers lightly grazing the edges of her body as though afraid to hurt her.

Rhea smiled, her hands trailing down his chest, resting over his heart. "We'll go slow," she whispered, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "I want to feel close to you... I need you."

Jey hesitated for a moment, still worried about the bruises on her ribs and the trauma she had been through, but the way she looked at him— so full of love, of trust-made his resolve soften. He gave her a small nod, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from her face before gently pulling her on top of him. His fingers trailed down her back, resting lightly on her waist as she settled into his lap.

Rhea smiled at him, her eyes filled with tenderness as she slowly pulled her shirt over her head, revealing the stitches on her lower abdomen. Jey's heart tightened at the sight, the painful reminder of everything they had lost etched into her skin. He reached out and traced the stitches lightly, his touch reverent as though he was afraid to cause her more pain.

"You're beautiful," Jey murmured, his voice full of love and admiration. "You'll always be beautiful to me."

Rhea's breath hitched at his words, and she leaned down to kiss him, her lips soft against his as she whispered, "I want to stay beautiful for you, Jey. Always."

He kissed her back, pulling her closer, his hands sliding up her back as he held her. Every movement was careful, measured, but full of passion. Despite the bruises, despite the pain, they found comfort in each other, taking it slow, just as she had promised.

As Rhea shifted their positions, gently flipping them over, Jey found himself gazing down at her with a mixture of love, desire, and tenderness. He kissed her even more deeply, his lips capturing hers with a passion that left both of them breathless. Rhea responded eagerly, her hands tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer.

Between kisses, Jey murmured softly against her lips, "I love you… so much." Each word carried the weight of everything they had been through together-the love, the pain, the unspoken bond that had only grown stronger.

Feeling the intensity of the moment building, Jey reached to the nightstand where he kept the condoms, his fingers brushing the drawer.

But before he could grab one, Rhea gently placed her hand on his, stopping him. He paused, looking down at her with a mix of surprise and concern.

"Rhea… are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice thick with both longing and hesitation.

Rhea's eyes met his, filled with trust and something deeper—a desire to feel closer to him than ever before. "Just pull out," she whispered, her voice soft yet certain. "I want to feel all of you, Jey."

For a moment, Jey searched her face, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this was a big step, but the way she looked at him-the love and vulnerability in her eyes—made his decision easy. He nodded, leaning down to kiss her again, his lips brushing against hers as he murmured, "Okay… if you're sure."

Rhea smiled softly, her hands sliding down his back as she pulled him closer. "I'm sure," she whispered against his lips, her voice filled with both love and anticipation. Jey kissed her again and he felt her push his boxer briefs down. Rhea adjusted her self to slide off her underwear, she was already wet with anticipation, the two had not been intimate in a while and it felt like the first time. Jey broke the kiss to suck on her sweet spot as his hand came up behind Rhea to unclasp her bra. Rhea moaned with ecstasy as her soft scratched his back, Jey nibbled on her neck as he felt that scratch of her fingernails. Jey made his way to her ears where he softly tugged at her and licked her lobe and she giggled, the little bites he would give her made the moment a bit more loving. "Is it bad that I miss your favorite position?" Jey said as he put his hand on her right breast to fondle with it as he kissed her neck softly.

"You know my... flexibility... we could do it again.." Rhea said as she felt Jey felt his member against her, he glanced at her and she smiled. Jey adjusted himself up a bit and Rhea flipped over, she lifted up her right leg and then her left and arched her back up very slightly. She moaned softly as he felt Jey rubbed his two fingers on her to make sure she was really wet and she sure was.. only for him. Jey positioned himself and he slowly entered Rhea. "Jey..." She gasped and Jey stopped, "Let me know when I can move.." He said and fuck he really wanted to move. Rhea took a couple of deep breaths and she slowly pushed into Jey. Jey looked down, he admired her tattoos, her beautiful behind, he believes this position got them in trouble.

"Jey....." She moaned as Jey picked up the pace more, he couldn't control his movements. Jey had his hands on her hips as he went deeper into her, he could see his member covered in her wetness as he pulled out and went back in. "Go harder.. fuck..." Rhea said as she fully let herself go to the man she was in love with. Jey pulled her hair as he let himself go and smacked her ass.

As they moved together, everything else seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, their connection so strong that it felt like nothing could come between them. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word was a reminder of how deeply they loved each other how far they had come and how much they still had to look forward to. Their bodies in perfect sync as they shared this intimate moment. It wasn't just about physical closeness-it was about trust, love, and the promise that they would always be there for each other, no matter what.

—

The next morning, Rhea woke to the sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand. Still half-asleep, she squinted at the screen, seeing an unfamiliar number but answered anyway.

"Hello?" she mumbled, her voice groggy from sleep.

"Hi, this is Stephanie from Wells Fargo. I’m calling to let you know that your loan has been paid off, and we’ll be mailing you the title to your car. You should receive it in 5 to 7 business days."

Rhea blinked, sitting up as the realization hit her. "Wait… the title to my car?"

"Yes," Stephanie confirmed. "Everything is all set. Have a great day!"

Rhea hung up the phone, staring blankly at the screen for a moment. How could she have forgotten about her car? It seemed absurd that something so simple had slipped her mind, but with everything that had happened recently, she wasn’t surprised. The trauma she’d gone through, losing the baby, the emotional toll, the constant worry—it had consumed her.

She sighed, feeling a bit stupid for letting such a basic thing slip through the cracks. But who could blame her? She had been through hell and back.

Rhea turned to look at Jey, who was still peacefully asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling with soft, steady breaths. Her heart swelled at the sight of him, his presence bringing her comfort. But then her mind drifted to a more pressing matter—the car itself. It was still at the house she had shared with Matt, a place she had no desire to return to.

The thought of stepping foot in that house again made her stomach turn. It was too soon. She wasn’t ready to face the memories, the pain, or the ghosts of what had happened there.

She bit her lip, unsure of how to ask, but she knew she had to. "Jey?" she whispered, gently nudging him awake.

Jey stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he turned to look at her, a sleepy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Morning, babe," he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.

Rhea returned the smile, but there was something weighing on her mind. "I need to ask you something," she said softly, her voice hesitant.

Jey immediately picked up on her tone and sat up, giving her his full attention. "What’s up?"

She swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "Can you… retrieve my car? It’s still at the house I shared with Matt. I—I can’t go back there, Jey. I don’t think I’m ready. I just… I can’t face that place right now."

Jey’s expression softened as he took her hand, gently squeezing it. "Of course, I’ll get your car," he said without hesitation. "You don’t have to worry about that, Rhea. I’ll take care of everything."

Rhea let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as the weight of her anxiety lifted slightly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice full of gratitude.

Jey leaned in and kissed her forehead, his touch comforting. "You’ve been through enough," he said softly. "I don’t want you going back to that house unless you’re ready. I’ll go today and get your car, okay?"

Rhea nodded, feeling the familiar warmth of his love wrap around her like a blanket. "Okay," she whispered, her heart swelling with appreciation for the man by her side.

After Jey had showered and gotten dressed, he returned to the bedroom, asking Rhea, "Hey, where are your keys?"

Rhea looked up from her phone, smiling softly. "They’re in my purple suitcase," she said, pointing to where it sat at the foot of the bed.

Jey unzipped the suitcase, rifling through it until he found the keys. He straightened up and turned to Rhea, jingling them in his hand. "I’m gonna take Jon with me to get your car. We won’t be long."

Rhea nodded, a small wave of relief washing over her knowing Jey had it covered. "Thanks, babe," she said.

Jey walked over and kissed her goodbye, his lips lingering on hers for a moment before pulling away. "I’ll be back soon," he promised, giving her a reassuring smile before heading downstairs.

Jey descended the stairs, the smell of breakfast filled the air. He stepped into the kitchen to find Trinity at the stove, serving pancakes to Jon’s kids and his own. The scene was warm and comforting, a brief respite from the chaos that had marked their lives recently.

Jeyce, sitting at the table with his cousins, perked up when he saw his dad walk in. "Daddy!" he called out excitedly, his little face lighting up with a grin.

Jey couldn’t help but smile as he crossed the kitchen to kiss his son on the head. He then ruffled his older son Jaciyah’s hair, who tried to act like he wasn’t as thrilled, but Jey caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Where’s Jon at?" Jey asked Trinity as he glanced around the kitchen.

Trinity poured more orange juice into a glass and replied, "He’s in the gym, working out. You know him—couldn’t skip leg day even if the world was ending."

Jey chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course."

Just then, Jeyce piped up again, his big eyes wide with excitement. "Dad, are you and Rhea gonna come to the Science Center with us today?"

Jey raised an eyebrow and glanced at Trinity. "Science Center?" he asked, curious.

Trinity smiled at Jeyce, then turned to Jey. "Yeah, we’re taking the kids to the Science Center later. But I’m not sure if Rhea’s up for it after everything. She might need to rest."

Jeyce frowned at that, clearly disappointed. "But it’s just walking, not running," he reasoned, as if that would change things. He looked up at his dad with pleading eyes. "Please, Daddy, can you come? Please? And Rhea too? We won’t run or anything!"

Jey looked down at his son, seeing the hope in his little face. His heart melted a little at how much Jeyce wanted them both there. "Alright, alright," Jey finally said, ruffling his hair again. "We’ll come, but I gotta do something real quick with Uncle Jon first, okay?"

Jeyce’s eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together excitedly. "Yay! Thanks, Daddy!"

Jey smiled, glancing over at Trinity, who gave him an approving nod. "Good luck dragging him away from the gym," she teased with a grin.

Jey chuckled, "Yeah, I’m gonna need it." With that, he headed toward the gym to grab Jon for their quick trip.

As Jey stepped into the garage, he saw Jon pushing through the last of a heavy set, sweat dripping from his face. The clanging of the weights echoed through the space, and when Jon spotted Jey, he set the barbell down with a grunt.

“What’s up?” Jon asked, wiping his face with a towel.

Jey exhaled. “I need you to drive me to Rhea and Matt’s house to get her car. She doesn’t want to go back there… and I don’t blame her.”

Jon gave a quick nod. “Got it,” he said, tossing his towel onto a nearby bench. Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys and the two of them headed to the car.

The ride was quiet at first, both of them lost in thought. Jon knew where Rhea and Matt lived—the house wasn’t far from their own. Jey, on the other hand, had never been there and didn’t know what to expect. As they pulled onto her street, Jey’s eyes widened slightly. The house was bigger than he had imagined, and the yard was sprawling, with a well-kept garden that seemed to stand in the turmoil Rhea had been going through.

“She’s got a nice spot,” Jey muttered, more to himself than Jon, as they pulled into the driveway. He couldn’t help but admire the garden—it was clear she’d poured a lot of care into it. He remembered Rhea mentioning how working on it helped her feel grounded, like it was the one thing she could control.

Jon parked the car, about to make a comment on how peaceful the house looked, when suddenly both brothers froze. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed and glaring at them with a venomous look, was Matt.

“What the…?” Jey muttered, eyes narrowing as he saw the man who had caused so much pain.

Jon, still gripping the steering wheel, gave a low whistle. “Looks like the bastard made bail,” he said, his voice tight with disbelief.

Jey’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t expected to see Matt here—not after everything that had happened. “I don’t believe it.” Jey’s voice was low, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Jon shot a glance at his brother, tension thick in the air. “Look like he is up for a game of whoop ass..”

Jey’s fists clenched at his sides, the urge to confront Matt almost overwhelming. He didn’t know what Matt’s game was, but seeing him standing there, at Rhea’s house, set off every protective instinct Jey had.

“We’ll get the car and go,” Jey said, trying to keep his voice steady, though his body was coiled with anger. He didn’t want this to escalate, but Matt’s mere presence felt like a challenge.

As they sat in the car, Jon’s hands still on the wheel, Jey stared back at Matt. For a moment, neither of them moved, and the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Let’s handle this,” Jon said, his tone serious, ready to back Jey up no matter what happened next.

As soon as Jey and Jon stepped out of the car, the tension between Jey and Matt was poison. They stared each other down in silence, until Matt finally broke it with a venomous sneer.

“How does it feel to break up two marriages, Jey?” Matt spat, his words sharp and full of bitterness.

Jey held his tongue, unwilling to give Matt the satisfaction of a reaction. But Matt wasn’t done.

“Do you even know if Rhea really loves you?” Matt pressed, stepping forward with a mocking smirk.

Jon stepped in, sensing the rising heat. “We’re just here to get Rhea’s car, man. That’s it.”

Matt shifted his glare to Jon, his expression darkening. “Oh yeah? Like when you and Trinity pulled up with the cops to take my animals?” His voice dripped with resentment.

Jey, fed up with Matt’s antics, finally spoke up. “We just need the car, Matt. That’s all.”

But Matt let out a maniacal laugh, the kind that sent a shiver down Jey’s spine. “Bring it!” Matt growled as he stormed toward Jey, fists clenched, his eyes wild with anger.

Before Jey could react, Matt swung at him. Jey dodged, narrowly avoiding the blow, and the two men immediately erupted into a full-on brawl. Punches were exchanged in a chaotic flurry, both men fueled by years of bad blood and unresolved tension.

Matt’s rage gave him a terrifying strength, and at one point, he managed to wrap his hands around Jey’s throat, squeezing tightly. Jey gasped for breath, feeling the world start to blur at the edges, but before Matt could do any more damage, Jon rushed in. He tackled Matt hard into the side of the house, the impact sending a loud thud reverberating through the air.

Matt crumpled to the ground, dazed and winded, while Jon stood over him, breathing heavily, ready to intervene again if needed. But Matt was done, his energy drained from the brutal scuffle.

“Let’s get out of here,” Jon said, his voice low and urgent as he wiped sweat from his brow.

Jey didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly unlocked Rhea’s Jeep and jumped inside, his adrenaline still pumping. As he started the engine, he glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see Jon getting into his own car, prepared to follow.

They pulled out of the driveway in tandem, the tension from the fight still thick in the air. As Jey drove, he felt a sharp sting above his eyebrow. He reached up and touched the spot, realizing he was bleeding from where Matt had landed a punch. With a sigh, Jey wiped the blood away, his mind racing.

As they drove away from the house, the memory of Matt’s crazed look still fresh in Jey’s mind, his thoughts drifted to Rhea. He couldn’t wait to get back to her, to tell her it was done. They had her car, and now they could move forward—away from the chaos, together.

Jon said as soon as the two approached the Jon’s house and got out of their cars. “You good, Uce?”

Jey let out a breath, his heart still pounding. “Yeah,” he replied, his voice rough from the fight. “Just a little cut.”

Jon chuckled, though there was concern in his tone. “Glad I was there, bro. He had his hands around your neck.”

Jey smirked despite the situation. “Yeah, he tried. But I’m not going down that easy. Not for him.”

—

Jey and Jon walked back into the house, the air still thick with tension from the fight. As they entered, Trinity immediately noticed the cut on Jey’s eyebrow, her eyes widening in concern. But before she could say anything, Jey gave her a quick shake of his head, silently telling her not to ask. He wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.

Without another word, he headed upstairs, feeling the weight of the day pressing on his shoulders. As soon as he entered the room he shared with Rhea, she sat up from the bed, her eyes locking onto the cut on his brow. Her concern was immediate, and she moved toward him, her mouth opening to ask what had happened.

Before she could say anything, Jey stopped her with a quiet but firm statement. “We’re getting the rental in Pensacola or anywhere other than Orlando,” he said, his voice low and determined.

Rhea frowned but didn’t push further. She could see the exhaustion and frustration in his eyes. Without a word, she walked over to the vanity, rummaging through the drawer until she found some Neosporin and a small blemish bandage. Carefully, she returned to Jey and began tending to his wounds, dabbing the ointment on his eyebrow and applying the bandage with a soft, practiced touch. Her fingers lingered as she found other small cuts on his face, gently cleaning each one.

Jey watched her in silence, the tender care she gave him easing the tension he’d been holding onto since the encounter with Matt. When she was done, he cupped her face and kissed her deeply, pouring all of his emotions into that single moment. Rhea kissed him back, just as deeply, her hands resting on his chest as if trying to steady him.

Pulling back slightly, Jey looked into her eyes and said, “I’m gonna change, and we’re gonna have a good day with the family at the Science Center. I’m not letting anything ruin today.”

Rhea smiled softly, her worry still present but muted. She nodded in agreement. “Okay,” she said. “We’ll have a great day.”

Jey kissed her one more time before moving toward the dresser, already feeling lighter just knowing they were moving forward. He wasn’t going to let Matt—or anything else—take away from the time he had with his family today.

—

Rhea sat down on the bench, her body sinking into the cool metal as she watched the kids dart around the DinoDigs exhibit, their excited voices echoing through the room. She hadn’t expected to feel this tired, but the whirlwind of emotions, combined with the physical toll her body had taken recently, was catching up to her.

Jey came over and sat beside her, his eyes immediately scanning her face for any signs of discomfort. “You okay?” he asked softly, his hand resting on her knee.

Rhea took a sip of her water, feeling the cold liquid soothe her parched throat. She nodded but didn’t say much at first, letting the noise of the exhibit fill the silence between them. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she finally answered. “Just more tired than I thought I’d be.”

Jey glanced over at the kids, making sure they were still within sight, before turning his full attention back to her. “We’re almost done here. Just a few more things the kids wanna see, then we’ll head out,” he reassured her.

Rhea gave him a small smile, feeling a bit guilty. “I’ve gotten lazy, haven’t I? I need the exercise,” she joked lightly, though the fatigue in her voice was hard to miss.

Jey shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’re not lazy, baby. You’ve been through a lot. It’s okay to take it easy.”

Rhea leaned back on the bench, her eyes following Jaciyah as he pointed out something to Jeyce, both boys completely absorbed in their adventure. “I know,” she sighed. “I just hate feeling like this. Like I’m not... me.”

Jey slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a gentle side hug. “You’re still you, Rhea. You just need time. We’ll take it slow, like we always do. No rush.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, grateful for his steady presence. “Thanks,” she whispered. “For everything.”

Jey kissed the top of her head. “Anything for you.”

—

As Trinity switched cars with Jon, the kids and Jey all piled in the car. Rhea kissed Jey goodbye and then Trinity turned to Rhea with a smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Alright, girl, I’ve got a treat for you. How about a facial and massage at this amazing spa downtown? I promise, by the time we’re done, you’re gonna feel like a whole new woman."

Rhea managed a small smile, appreciating the offer. "You’re too good to me, Trin."

Trinity waved it off. "Please, you deserve it after everything. Plus, that place is heaven on earth. You’ll thank me after."

As they drove toward downtown Orlando, the soothing hum of the car ride gave Rhea a moment to reflect. The day had been emotionally exhausting, and now that they were away from the chaos of the Science Center, her thoughts started to catch up with her.

"Trin," Rhea said softly, her voice hesitant. "Can I... can I rant for a bit?"

Trinity glanced at her briefly with a smile. "Of course, babe. Go for it."

Rhea exhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts. "I’m so thankful for everything you and Jon have done for me. You’ve opened up your home, made me feel like family, but... I don’t know. I still feel like I’m intruding. Like I’m this fragile thing that’s just taking up space in your lives. And I hate that feeling."

Trinity’s expression softened as she listened, keeping her eyes on the road but fully present in the conversation. "Rhea, you’re not intruding at all. We love having you with us. And after everything you’ve been through... it's okay to feel fragile. You’re healing. But trust me, you’re stronger than you realize. It’s okay to lean on us, we want you to."

Rhea stared out the window, watching the city blur by. "I just don’t want to be a burden, you know? I’m trying to be strong, but sometimes it feels like I’m just breaking apart."

Trinity reached over, placing a hand on Rhea’s. "You’re not a burden. Not even close. We’ve got you. And you don’t always have to be strong, Rhea. It’s okay to let others carry the weight sometimes. That’s what family does."

Rhea blinked away the tears threatening to form. Trinity's words were comforting, but the feelings of guilt and fragility lingered. "Thank you, Trin," she whispered, squeezing her hand back.

Trinity smiled warmly. "Anytime. And trust me, after that spa treatment, you’re gonna feel a whole lot better. This is your time to reset. You’ve earned it."

Rhea nodded, feeling a little lighter, if only for a moment. "Yeah, maybe I do need that reset."

Trinity grinned as she pulled into the spa parking lot. "That’s the spirit. Now let’s get pampered!"

—

Jey and Jon made the drive to Titusville with ease, the road clear as they chatted about everything from the kids to plans for the weekend. The kids had been excited for the trip, especially since they’d get to spend some quality time with their grandpa, Solofa, but Jeyce had been clinging to Jey, reluctant to let him go.

As Jon said his goodbyes to his kids, Jey knelt down to Jeyce’s level. The little boy looked up at him with wide eyes, his lower lip jutting out in a pout.

"Dad, I wanna go with you and Rhea," Jeyce whined, glancing over at his older brother, Jaciyah, who rolled his eyes in response.

Jey smiled softly, placing a hand on Jeyce’s shoulder. "I know, little man, but I need you to stay here with Grandpa for a bit. It’s only for a few days, and then I’ll come get you and Jaciyah, and we’ll all go to Universal together on Friday, okay? You’re gonna have fun with Grandpa."

Jeyce wasn’t entirely convinced, but he trusted his dad. "Promise you’ll come back?" he asked, his voice small and uncertain.

"I promise," Jey said, pulling him in for a tight hug. "And we’re gonna have so much fun at Universal. I’ll be back before you know it."

Jeyce hugged his dad tightly, finally letting go with a sniffle. Jey stood and looked at Jaciyah, who just gave him a nod, his emotions more complicated. The older boy still held some resentment over everything that had happened, and Jey could see the pain in his eyes, even though Jaciyah wasn’t ready to talk about it.

Jey didn’t push. He just nodded back and said, "I’ll see you soon, alright?"

Jaciyah nodded again, arms crossed over his chest, still not ready to bridge the gap between them. Jey understood. He knew it would take time.

After saying their final goodbyes, Jey and Jon got back in the car, the mood more somber as they made their way back to the house. Jey glanced out the window, deep in thought, his mind drifting back to Rhea and what he wanted to do for her tonight.

"Kids, man," Jon said, breaking the silence as they drove. "They love us, but when stuff happens, it’s like they carry that weight with them."

Jey nodded. "Yeah, Jaciyah’s still not over everything. I don’t blame him, though. It’s been tough on all of us."

Jon glanced at him. "Give it time, Uce'. He’ll come around. He is only 17... that is the hardest time to go through something emotional. He's graduating next year, he already has a lot on the plate. You’re doing the best you can."

Jey appreciated Jon’s words but remained quiet. He was determined to make things right with his boys, with Rhea, with everyone. Tonight was just the start of trying to rebuild what had been fractured, one step at a time.

As they drove back, Jon broke the silence with a grin, glancing over at Jey. "So, what’s the plan, Uce’? What are you gonna do for Rhea tonight?"

Jey chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "I don’t know, man. What about you? Where are you takin' Trinity?"

Jon shrugged, the same uncertainty in his voice. "No clue. You’d think I’d have it figured out by now."

Jey raised an eyebrow. "You don’t know? You’ve been married how long?"

Jon laughed. "Hey, you don’t even know what you’re doing for Rhea either."

"Touché," Jey admitted.

Jon smirked, looking out the window before throwing another question at Jey. "Do you even know her favorite food… besides pizza?"

That’s when it hit Jey, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Pizza! That’s it!"

Jon raised an eyebrow, watching as Jey grew more animated. "Uh… what?"

"We’ll make pizza together! Like, from scratch!" Jey said, now fully invested in his new idea. He turned to Jon with a wide grin. "It’ll be fun, man. We’ll get all the ingredients, and we’ll make it together. Rhea will love it."

Jon rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t help but smile at his brother’s enthusiasm. "Alright, bro, whatever makes you happy. Just save me a slice, okay?"

Jey laughed, nodding eagerly. "I got you. You’ll get the first slice."

Jon shook his head with a smirk. "You better make it good, then."

As they pulled into the driveway, Jey was buzzing with excitement. The idea of making pizza together with Rhea felt perfect—simple, fun, and something that would make her smile. He was determined to make it a special night, and this was the first step.

#fanfic #jey uso #rhea and jey #rhea ripley #wwe #fanfiction #wwe raw #wwe smackdown #the judgement day #yeet #wwe damian priest #damian priest #wwe jey uso #wwe fanfiction #wwe monday night raw #jimmy uso #jimmy and naomi

18 notes · View notes