I'm back! I have not forgotten any of the loyal readers. To show my gratitude, here is my first update of 2020. Better late than never...right?

Things were somber the month after Dusty Rhodes' passing, but all the WWE and NXT Superstars are doing their best to continue with their lives. Today was a normal July day. BB was just coming out of the shower after working out at the Performance Center when he heard the front door slam and Becky start to yell.

"LADDY! Come in here. I have some amazing news." Becky says almost screaming with excitement. BB comes rushing out of the bathroom in shorts and a tank top with a towel on his shoulder. He just changed into clean clothes and he was drying his hair when the commotion started.

"Amazing news? Becky, are you ok?" BB asks trying to get his friend to calm down a little. After a few deep breaths, Becky starts to speak.

"I got a call from Stephanie McMahon earlier today. She said she wanted me to come up to Raw next week. I think I might be getting called up." Becky exclaimed as she started jumping up and down excitedly. BB started laughing and gave her a hug after she stopped jumping.

"That's awesome, Becky! I'm so happy for you. You deserve this. Are you the only one getting called up?"

"Nope. It's me, Charlotte, and Sasha going to Raw. I feel bad that Bayley didn't get the call up too. Think about it, laddy. The Four Horsewomen of NXT dominating the Diva Division."

"It does suck that Bayley isn't going with you, but even though it's just you three on the main roster and Bayley still in NXT, I think the face and status of the Divas on Raw and Smackdown is definitely going to change…with all four of you at the forefront." BB said patting Becky on the shoulder. "When do finish up with NXT?"

"No date has been officially set, but if I had to guess, I would say we'll finish up at the Brooklyn event. I'll be honest, laddy, as exciting as it is to go to the main roster; I'm going to miss the NXT family."

"We'll miss you too, Becks. Think about it, though. If you go up and succeed, you are proving how well NXT is doing. Not just you, but also Charlotte and Sasha and Bayley." BB explained as Becky nodded in agreement. Becky started walking to her room, but quickly turned around to ask BB a question.

"Can I ask you a random question, laddy?" Becky asks as BB nods. "I rarely see you without your hair pulled back. Why do you keep your hair long like that? I've been wanting to ask you that since I've met you."

BB let out a small laugh before answering the question. "It's because I wanted to look like a professional wrestler. No, I'm just kidding. My hair was this length whenever my mom passed away. Part of the reason I don't cut my hair is because it helps remind me of my mom. I also think I look better with the longer hair…and I'm lazy." BB answered started laughing again. Becky rolls her eyes with a smile before heading to her bedroom.

Weeks later at the next tapings, BB was sitting in catering, off in his own world. The higher-ups said that they had something coming up for him in the future, but it's been almost two months since they told him that. He didn't want to harp on the subject because if he got too annoying, they might take that storyline away from him. He was a very patient person, but damn, he was getting very bored sitting in the back doing nothing.

Minutes later, Triple H came up from behind and startled BB.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Blaine. How are you doing?" Triple H asks.

"No. It's completely alright. I was just in my own little world. I'm doing good, thank you." BB replies.

"Good to know. I just wanted to let you know that we wanted to have you be a special guest ring announcer for an upcoming match. Would you be ready in fifteen minutes?"

"Of course. I'll start getting ready right now. Thank you so much!" BB replied excitedly shaking Triple H's hand.

"You're welcome, Blaine. We'll see you out there." Triple H answers as he walks away. BB waits until Triple H is out of sight before jumping around excitedly.

"Yay! I'm finally getting to do something. Ring announcer is better than nothing. At least I'm out in the arena getting seen." BB thought before heading to the locker room to get ready for his appearance.

About thirty minutes later, the country music sound of BB's entrance music started playing as BB made his way onto the NXT ramp as the crowd started cheering loudly for BB. It honestly surprised BB how it's almost been two months since he appeared on NXT and the crowd is still showing so much love.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your special guest ring announcer for this match, BB Cross!" JoJo announced as BB started walking down to the ring and high-fiving fans.

"It's nice to BB Cross back on NXT." Tom Phillips says on commentary.

"We haven't seen BB since he was dumped by Tye Dillinger two months ago. I guess he couldn't take the humiliation." Corey Graves replies.

"Revising history, aren't we? It was Cross who got rid of Dillinger if I remember right." Says Phillips.

BB enters the ring and waves to the fans as he takes the microphone from JoJo.

"Hello, Full Sail!" BB says as the crowd continues cheering. "I hope everyone is having a good time tonight with all the NXT action. It is my pleasure to announce this next match."

The crowd continues cheering as the music starts playing for the next match. Solomon Crowe makes his way to the ring as the bell rings.

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, weighing in at 200 pounds, Solomon Crowe!" BB says as Crowe enters the ring. Crowe comes up to BB and makes a small joke which gets BB to laugh.

"Introducing his opponent…" BB announces as a camera comes up closer to BB.

"Why in the hell is the cameraman focusing on me…that's weird." BB thought as seconds later, he finds out why the camera is focused on him.

BB heard the familiar "TEN" come over the speaker and BB's jaw drops, and he can't keep the look of shock off his face. Tye comes down to the ring with the biggest smirk on his face, knowing that BB got caught.

"Introducing his opponent from Niagara Falls, Canada. Weighing in at 225 pounds, he is the Perfect Ten. Tye Dillinger." BB announces with noticeably less excitement.

"I think I just got ribbed. Let's see how little BB can handle this." BB thought trying to keep his composure.

Tye enters the ring and locks eyes with BB. Tye gives BB a shit-eating grin as BB just glares at Tye as he exits the ring.

"Looks like there is no love lost between the Perfect Ten and BB Cross." Phillips mentions as BB exits the ring.

"Surprised by that? BB is realizing his meal ticket is having much more success without him. I bet Cross is going to try to have Dillinger take him back." Graves replies as Tom rolls his eyes.

BB takes his seat at ringside as the bell rings to start the match. Tye and Solomon lock up and start getting to work.

The match continued and the match is at a stalemate. As much as BB hates to admit it, even though Tye's attitude sucks, his wrestling ability is amazing. Tye is a great wrestler and BB doesn't think that he has ever witnessed him have a bad match. BB has never watched Solomon Crowe wrestle, but BB admits that Crowe is a great wrestler as well. Tye got a cheap shot on Crowe and put him in a facelock for a suplex. Tye then looked over at BB.

"Feast your eyes on this, BB!" Tye yells at BB. BB looks back at Tye with a disgusted look on his face as Tye lifts Solomon up and hits Solomon with his Tye Breaker finishing move. Tye goes for the cover and the referee makes the 3 count. The bell rings and it snapped BB out of his thoughts. It took him a second to realize that he was the ring announcer. He quickly grabs his mic to announce the winner.

"Here is your winner, Tye Dillinger." BB announces as Tye has his hand raised in victory. Seconds later, Tye rolls out of the ring and gets right in front of BB.

"What did you think about that?" Tye yells towards BB. BB looks at him confused, wondering what the hell he wants.

"You won the match. What do you want me to say?" BB asks in return.

"We need to talk." Tye almost demands. BB's jaw drops after hearing that demand.

"I can't believe that he is doing this right now!" BB thought.

"We finished talking months ago. We don't need to talk." BB says trying to get away from Tye, but he steps in front of BB.

"We still have things we need to talk about."

"No, we don't."

"Actually, yes we do."

"No, we don't."

"Damn it, why won't you talk to me? Don't you get it?" Tye says grabbing BB's arm.

At that point, BB has had enough of this whole situation and slaps Tye in the face to major cheers from the crowd. The slap wasn't that powerful, but it was strong enough to shock Tye and get him to loosen the grip on his arm.

"Don't you get it?! I don't want to talk to you, so leave me alone!" BB screams at Tye as he walks away from ringside.

"What in the world was that about? I thought BB made it clear that he didn't want anything to do with Tye and then Tye pulls this. What a scumbag Dillinger is." Phillips remarks.

As BB made his way backstage, Becky quickly found him and stopped him.

"Laddy, are you alright? Do you have any idea what the hell that was?" Becky asks.

"I'm ok. I probably look a lot worse than I actually am." BB answers with a small laugh. It was then that he noticed that his hand was shaking.

"Are you sure? What happened out there looked much more than a storyline confrontation. I mean you are literally shaking…come here laddy…and don't argue with me." Becky says as she pulls BB into a hug. BB quickly returned the hug and they stayed that way for a few seconds before Mr. Regal came up to them.

"Blaine, you handled that situation well considering your inexperience. If you're ok with this, we were going to have a backstage segment between you and Tye. Is that ok?" William asks. BB takes a deep breath and locks eyes with Becky—silently asking if he will be alright with it.

"Yeah…I'll do it. I do have one request, though. Is there any way I can have another person be with me in the segment? It's not that I can't do it, but due to personal reasons, I would just feel more comfortable with a third person." BB asks quietly. William looks at BB with serious consideration of his request. After a moment, William smiles and pats BB on the shoulder.

"That should be no problem. I'll get a superstar now. You have about two minutes to get your head focused before we go back." William says before walking away. BB and Becky look at each other and give each other small smiles.

Minutes later, BB is off to the side talking to Chad and Becky—who they decided would also work in the segment. They were talking about Becky's number one contenders match from last week. They were deep in conversation when Tye walks up and gets in BB's face.

"What the hell was that? Where do you get off slapping me in the face?" Tye yells in BB's face.

"What part of leave me alone don't you understand, Tye? I have nothing more to say to you." BB replies.

"All I have been trying to do is try to tell you that I am sorry, BB. That's all I have been wanting to say to you." Tye says trying to sound sincere.

"Ohhh. That changes things. That's all you've been trying to do is say you're sorry?" BB asks and Tye nods. "What exactly are you sorry for? Sorry for lying and treating me like crap or sorry that you got caught?" BB asks. Tye takes a second too long to answer the question and BB gives him a knowing look.

"That's what I figured." BB replies somberly, but not at all shocked.

"I apologized, BB! What more do you want for me?" Tye asks getting frustrated.

BB rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Tye, have you ever heard of the saying 'don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining'?" Tye looks at BB almost grossed out, but ultimately shakes his head no. "You need to watch more Judge Judy. Simply, it means cut it out with the bull crap."

"Wait a second, BB. What…." Tye tries to say before BB cuts him off.

"Let me finish what I have to say. This isn't the first time in my life that something like this has happened to me. I'm still very angry with you, so I'll make myself clear about this whole damn thing." BB explains as Tye nods.

"Use that brain of yours to truly think about what you did. I mean truly think about everything. Then and only then should you apologize. It's the least I deserve. I'll see you guys later." BB says to Chad and Becky before walking away. Tye has a look of disbelief on his face as he looks at Chad and Becky.

"I know what you're thinking and don't ask." Becky answers Tye's silent question.

A few weeks later, BB is on the phone with his mother while sitting in his car—since he just got home.

"Come on, Mom. Everything happens in wrestling for one reason or another. There's going to be times where we look like stars and there will be other times where we look like idiots." BB said getting out of the car and walking up to the apartment. As he started walking up the steps, he saw a car that looks very much like Kaitlyn's car.

"It couldn't be…could it?" BB thought before he shook his head and laughed. He remembered that Kaitlyn was in San Antonio for a live event. BB continued up the stairs as he continued talking to his mother…but she hung up.

"Mom? MOM!" BB rolled his eyes and put his phone back in his pocket and continued up to his apartment. When he reached his floor, BB set his bags on the ground as he fumbled for his keys. When he finally unlocks the door, BB grabs his bags and walks into the house. As far as BB knew, he would have the apartment to himself since Becky wouldn't be back from RAW until early tomorrow. Tonight, BB was just going to relax.

After BB turned on the lights, tonight's plans were going to change.

"SURPRISE!"

BB looks around in shock at all the people in his apartment. At a quick glance, he saw Evan and Dana along with a few others from the Performance Center. He was surprised to see that Crimson was here…Crimson has been very busy lately and they haven't had much time to talk. He was even more surprised to see Becky peeking from behind the wall…along with his parents and Kaitlyn.

"That explains so much." BB thought as Kaitlyn comes up and gives him a hug.

"Happy Birthday, Blaine." Kaitlyn says as he hugs his mom and dad. Then it hits BB.

"Ohh shit! Today is my birthday! I'm too young to be forgetting about it already." BB thought again with a smile as Becky grabs him in a headlock.

"Happy Birthday, 3B." Becky says as she releases BB from the hold.

"I'm surprised you're here, Becky. I wasn't expecting you until later tonight." BB says in reply.

"I was able to get an earlier flight. They were in Tampa when I arrived, so I just rode with them. Much cheaper than getting a rental car." Becky laughs. BB turns around and walks up to Crimson.

"Hey, squirt." Crimson remarks as he quickly hugs BB.

"How have you been? It's been too long. I hope things have been well."

"They have been great. Still doing the Impact Wrestling thing right now. I'm signed until the end of the year, so I know where I'm staying at for the rest of 2015. How has the NXT thing going?" Crimson replies. "By the way, Gail wishes you the best."

I think it has been going well. I'm excited to see how this new storyline that I am in is going to be so much fun." BB says. After about twenty more minutes of talking with more people. The lights go out and Kaitlyn comes in with a birthday cake and everybody starts to sing.

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Blaine! Happy Birthday to you!" Everybody sings the song as Kaitlyn puts the cake on the table. BB looks at the cake and it says 'Happy Birthday, Blaine. You made it to 23'. BB rolls his eyes as his mom asks him to make a wish and blow out the candles. BB takes a second to think about his wish before he figures it out and blows out the candles.

"What did you wish for?" Dana asks which gets BB to laugh.

"If I tell everyone the wish, it won't come true." BB replies still laughing. "Alright! Enough about my wish. Now let's eat cake!"

Becky starts cutting the cake as the conversation starts picking up again. As people started breaking off into groups, BB decided to take a moment to step back and sit down on the couch to just absorb the moment.

"This is awesome! If you would have told 10-year-old Blaine that he would be working for the WWE as an NXT Superstar with some awesome friends…he would have told you that you were nuts. Mom…I miss you so much. I just hope you are proud of me and what I've accomplished." BB thought leaning back and smiling.

Hours later, after taking a shower, BB is talking on the phone with his brother Chance. Chance wanted to come to Florida to celebrate his little brother's birthday; he couldn't come along due to a last-minute emergency at work.

"Chance, you don't have to feel that bad. I understand stuff happens at work. The life of a businessman, always going." BB says laughing.

"I know, but I was all set to come up to Florida. Then I got that damn call. It was too good of an offer to pass up. You know how long I've been working on getting that real estate. Besides it's not every day that my baby brother turns 23." Chance replies.

"Believe me, I know. You've only been working on getting that property for the better part of a year and a half. There's always another time we can get together and celebrate. I'm still recovering from when you took me out for my 21st birthday." BB answers hearing Chance laughing.

BB remembers…well kind of remembers that day. Chance took him bar hopping that night. BB wasn't much of a drinker, but some of the drinks were free and BB didn't want to be rude. It was just after the numerous beers and mixed drinks that BB experienced extreme gravity. It got so bad that Chance had to literally carry him back to his truck. The next day…oh boy did BB feel the pain of his first major partying. He didn't leave the bed that whole day…except to throw up.

"You never were a party boy, were you? Good ole BB the DD." Chance replies laughing even harder. BB rolled his eyes remembering those times. After recollecting a few moments, BB finally started to laugh along with his brother.

"Oh, the stories I could tell driving your drunk ass around. Some would make mom and dad either blush or rip us a new one." BB replied sitting on the bed drying his wet hair.

"You ain't lyin'." Chance says. "Enough about drunken pasts. We really haven't talked lately. How's the wrestling thing still going?"

"It's going pretty good, actually. It's the experience of a lifetime."

"Mom said that you were having to deal with some asshole. Do I need to come down here and whoop some ass?" Chance asks.

After BB and Chance's mother passed away and the situation with their father happened, Chance became very protective of his younger brother. They didn't always have the best of relationships, but in his own weird way, Chance showed that he cared.

"As awesome as it would be to be a tag team with my brother, I think I can handle Tye. He has a bad attitude, but I think it will eventually work in my favor." BB replied.

"Alright, Blaine. I'll hold you to that. Anyways, I've got to go. Happy Birthday, Blaine. Love you."

"Love you too, Chance. Bye."

BB hung up his cell phone and fell back on his bed. Minutes later, Becky walked by and stood in BB's doorway.

"Overdose on cake, laddy?" Becky asks laughing.

"Maybe a little bit…I was actually just thinking about how much my life has changed in the last ten years."

"I bet it has changed a lot."

"Most definitely. Ten years ago, I was in court getting ready to testify in two different court cases."

"You mean you had to go to court and testify against your father?" Becky asks in shock. BB shook his head.

"No. I did have to appear in court against his girlfriend for what she did…long story. The other case, since I was only 12 at the time, they just had me write a testimony to spare me having to see him again."

"That's a lot to go through as a kid. Have you seen him ever since that all went down…if you don't mind me asking laddy?"

"I don't mind. It's easier to talk about now. Honestly, I haven't called him my father since I was adopted by my aunt and uncle at 14. To answer your question, I did see him once in jail when I was 16." BB said pausing to take a breath before continuing the story.

"Chance and I went to Oklahoma City to see him. Until then, neither one of us could bear to face him. Along with the abuse he did to me and Chance, he also got arrested for his part in felony embezzlement. He was the fall guy, so he got 13 years in jail. During that visit, he went through his jailtime epiphany and apologized for the torture and torment that he did since our mother passed.

"What did you do after that?"

"I couldn't forgive him. At least not at that time. Everything was still very fresh to me and I wasn't ready to forgive him. It's harsh to say, but I think I made the right decision.

"I can respect that, laddy. Do you think you will ever forgive him?" Becky asks. The question kind of caught BB off guard.

Whenever everything was first going on, BB told himself that he was never going to forgive his father for what he put Chance—and especially him—through. He had to deal with nightmares for almost a year after moving away. He has trouble trusting certain people. His self-confidence was destroyed…and it's something he's still working on to this day.

Now that it was ten years later, he honestly has started having a small change of heart since things have changed for the better in his life. His aunt and uncle have become loving and caring parents, he has amazing friends, and now he is working for the company he had been dreaming about for many years.

"Kind of like the words made famous in the professional wrestling business, never say never." BB replies with a smile. "Alright, alright. Enough of the sentimental discussion, Becks. If I remember, we still have a bunch of crap to do before we fly to Brooklyn. We better get to sleep."

"Good point, laddy. I'll see you in the morning. Night." Becky answers with a small yawn as she walks to her bedroom.

BB smiles as he walks over to his nightstand and opens the nightstand drawer. He pulls out a gold picture frame and stares at the picture enclosed—a professional photo of a six-year-old BB and his mother. BB looks down at the photo and smiles. After a moment of looking at the picture, BB puts the frame back in the drawer before getting into bed and turning out the light.

"There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss you, mom. I wish you were here every day. I know you're looking down on me and Chance and you are smiling proudly. I used to ask for signs to know that you were watching…and over the last year, I received the biggest sign of my life. Mom…I love you." BB thought as he trailed off into a deep sleep.

A good way to end a chapter. Happy Birthday to BB! I bet his mommy is very proud of him. It seems like Tye is trying to apologize, but BB isn't buying it...at least right now anyway. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!