NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Whelp, this one blindsided me, and I love those kinds of stories! I'm still working on Sacrifices, so don't worry. I'll get to it when I have another creative spurt on that one.
Anyway, we're traveling to IMPACT Wrestling for this one, and if you're an IMPACT fan (I'm slowly becoming one, because they actually have decent storylines), this story takes place during the Braxton Sutter/Allie/Laurel Van Ness/Maria Kanellis Bennett/Mike Bennett storyline of 2016-2017. I strongly recommend that you look up that storyline on YouTube or Dailymotion or you'll get lost. I also put the storyline together in a video that I'll share the link of, if anyone is interested.
This story kicks off with a wedding. And you know what they say about wrestling weddings never ending well. Let's just say I like to change things up.
DISCLAIMER: Not my characters (except for my OC's). They're the property of IMPACT and WWE, and I'm using the kayfabe characters as opposed to their real-life counterparts. Dialog for the first two chapters, wedding vows, etc. was culled from episodes of IMPACT wrestling during January and February of 2017.
PS: If anyone can help me with a title for this story, that would be awesome!
Chapter One
"Sienna," Maria advised, as Sienna was applying her makeup in the dressing room reserved for the Ladies Squad. "I'm expecting you to help me make everything perfect on Laurel's special day, so we have to—"
Laurel poked her head into the dressing room. "Ladies? You're not gonna believe how amazing this dress looks on me," she grinned. "The wedding planner spared no expense. We got this thing shipped in from Italy, on Daddy's private plane, of course. And it looks fabulous!"
"Well, come on!" smiled Maria. "Don't tease! Get out here, let's see it!"
With her hair still in rollers, Laurel appeared, wearing a stunning white silk dress that had a tasteful peek-a-boo cutout and a belt covered in Swarovski crystals. She turned this way and that to show off a sheer embroidered back, pearl buttons and a simple white bow. Maria grinned in delight.
Sienna shook her head. "It's so... white!"
"You look beautiful!" Maria gushed. "Oh, my gosh! Today is all about you and Braxton. And I'm so proud of you for being so tall, and beautiful! And just wait until you see those rings! Oh my gosh! And speaking of rings, where's Allie?"
"I haven't seen her today," Sienna said, taking a sip from her champagne glass.
"I haven't seen her either," Laurel shrugged. "Why do you care?"
"She's the ring bearer, Laurel," Maria explained, with a smirk. "She's the one that's gonna be handing you and Braxton your rings that's gonna bind you together for the rest of your lives." Maria paused, and an irritated expression crossed her face. "And I told her to be here early! And this is completely unacceptable! I—"
"Hey, it's okay," Sienna said, calmly, setting her champagne glass down and picking up her smartphone. "Don't get worked up, Maria. I'm gonna text her right now. If she knows what's good for her, she'll be here in two minutes flat."
"That's right," Maria nodded, turning back to the bride-to-be. "Because it's all about you, Laurel, and how beautiful you look. And I can't wait. I just can't wait."
~~~B&M~~~
Backstage, Braxton sat down and pulled out his phone. "I can just call her," he told himself. "I can just call her and tell her what's going on. And you know what's gonna happen if you—"
His reverie was interrupted as Maria's husband, Mike, plunked down next to Braxton, invading his personal space. "Hey, buddy!" Mike pulled up a folding chair and straddled it. He was grinning like the Cheshire cat.
"Not now. Mike." Braxton shook his head.
"You ready for the big day?" Mike continued, undaunted.
Braxton took a swig out of one of the bottles of champagne Mike was holding. "As a matter of fact, Mike… no. No I'm not. This is a little bit too much for me to handle right now."
"I know exactly what you're going thru, because I felt that, the day I tied the knot. Those butterflies in your stomach. But look. Marriage can be tough. It's a work. It's a process, you know. You have to admit when you're wrong, even though Maria never admits when she's wrong. You have to share everything, even though she doesn't share anything with me. But hey!" Mike picked up a bottle. "Marriage. It's majestical." Mike took a long cold swig and continued. "But hey, think about it this way! When you get Laurel back to the hotel room, and that wedding dress slides to the floor—"
"No, no, Mike! This has nothing to do with anything like that. It has everything to do with Allie."
"Allie?" Mike snorted. "No, Maria already told me that she would take care of Allie. Because tonight is about you and Laurel. And hey. Think of it this way. Things get tough for me … " Mike opened a second bottle of champagne and handed it to Braxton. "I try this. You try it. I know it'll work for you." And with those last words of advice, Mike got up and walked off, singing, "going to the chapel…"
~~~LVN~~~
Meanwhile, in Laurel's dressing room, the Ladies' Squad sipped champagne and chatted away. "Laurel, is this wine from Bordeaux?" Maria asked.
"Oui, Oui!"
The bridal party was so preoccupied that they almost didn't hear Allie sneak into the dressing room. Almost being the operative word.
Maria was the first to notice. "Well, well, well," she said, stalking over to her personal assistant. "Look who finally decided to show up. What part of Be here early did you not understand?"
"Miss Maria, I don't… I just don't… " Allie shook her head and looked away, heartsick. "I don't wanna be here…"
"Being here isnot an option, Allie."
"Oh, Allie!" Laurel gazed into the full length mirror in such a way that it looked like she was staring at her rival. "Are you sad that Braxton chose me over you?"
"That's it, isn't it? Somebody's heartbroken." Maria drew closer to Allie and put an arm around her. It looked like a kind gesture, but it was more like a boa constrictor wrapping itself around a mouse. "Well, you're gonna be there tonight. Front and center, as the ring bearer, handing Braxim nointon and Laurel their wedding bands. And they're gonna be together forever. How do you feel about that, Allie?"
"I think this is absolutely horrible, Miss Maria. Why are you doing this?" Allie managed to break out of Maria's grasp and all but bolted for the door. "I just, I can't do this, I'm going!"
"Don't go too far."
Laurel couldn't help herself. "Hey, Allie. Don't forget about my hotel room. I have a marriage to consummate," she called out after her rival.
Allie fled from the dressing room, and almost ran into Braxton. She was about to brush past him, but she stopped him instead. "Braxton, is this really what you wanna do?" she asked desperately. "Do you actually love her? Do you love her, do you wanna marry her?"
"Allie, I'm… you don't understand. I'm really sorry. I have to do this."
Allie shook her head and shoved past Braxton, about ready to cry. When she was out of earshot, Braxton turned and punched the wall.
"Dammit!"
~~~B&M~~~
Maria sidled up to Braxton, who sat backstage with his head in his hands. "So, are you ready?" No response. "Hello? I asked you a question. Are you ready? Or are you having second thoughts? Because if you are, I'm here to remind you why you're doing this."
"I don't need you to remind me, Maria. It's the only thing that's been going through my head for the past couple of weeks. This has spiraled so far out of control. It has to stop."
"Oh, it will stop. Just as soon as you and Laurel are married. And then you'll never have to think about Allie again. Because if you don't marry Laurel, you know what will happen. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes."
"Great. Now let's get you married." Maria raised her wine glass. "Cheers!" she chirped before taking a ladylike sip.
~~~LVNSMBA~~~
The ring was transformed into a wedding chapel, complete with a white arch, red carpeting, and royal blue ribbons. The ramp leading towards the ring was carpeted as well. Soft instrumental music played in the arena. Even the video walls were tastefully transformed, with Laurel & Braxton in elegant script against a soft yellow background.
Braxton, looking handsome but stoic in his tux and boutonniere, arrived first. He was accompanied by Mike Bennett, who had gotten the festivities started early and was carrying a bottle of champagne in each hand. He looked considerably less casual than the groom; his tux was unbuttoned, and instead of dress shoes on his feet, he wore sparkly tennis shoes.
"We're here in the Impact Zone as we're…" Josh Matthews announced. "It looks like the Miracle Mike Bennett has popped the bottles a little early, Pope."
D'Angelo Dinero (aka Pope), Josh's co-announcer, nodded in agreement. "He's already celebrating this grand occasion, Josh."
"Well, weddings are meant to be a joyous occasion for everyone involved, including the best man. The Miracle Mike Bennett, he's double-fisted with very expensive champagne that I'm sure Laurel Van Ness's father provided."
"Yeah, but who's getting married here, Josh?" Pope asked, as Braxton helped Mike, who was already buzzed, up the stairs to the ring. "Look at the Miracle, he can barely walk up the ramp there."
"He's the best man, Pope. It's a good thing the decorators took the ropes off. I don't think he could have made it into the six-sided ring." Mike offered the wedding officiant, who politely refused, one of his bottles. " But everything looks beautiful here in the Impact Zone, as we get ready for the nuptials of Laurel and Braxton."
"This is great! How beautiful."
"What a night."
The music switched to the Hallelujah Chorus. Aron Rex, decked out in a luxurious faux fur robe that he named Beatrice, and Rockstar Spud, resplendent in a blue suit that made him look like a chauffeur, strutted joyfully down the ramp. Spud held a container of white rose petals, and he scattered them across the carpet. "Josh!" Pope exclaimed. "There's the flower girl!"
"Well, it's Spud and Aron Rex!" Josh smiled. "Talked to these two earlier, and they love weddings. Aron Rex said he wouldn't be anywhere else. He said the only role that they could provide for Rex and Spud would be typically what goes to the flower girl, and they took it."
"Yeah, and I talked to him as well, Josh. And he told me they be here, Rex, and he'll be here with Spud, and of course, Beatrice, his robe."
"Spud, doing a great job of setting the scene here, with the flower petals. Aron Rex in full gear!"
"Snow white petals, Beatrice."
"Guess Aron Rex and Spud will stand and be a part of this with Braxton Sutter. How about the shoes on the Miracle? And somebody brought us a bottle of champagne! What a night! I can't wait to see the bridal party!"
The Ladies' Squad, Maria and Sienna were the next to appear, as the music switched back to the elegant instrumental. They looked stunning in their two-piece indigo blue dresses. Maria wore a tiara in her carefully coiffed hair and a feather boa that coordinated with her dress.
"The first lady of professional wrestling, Maria always looks stunning," Pope smiled. "But tonight, more so than ever. And look what she did for Sienna, she looks gorgeous in her own right as well. I'm getting a little choked up here, Josh."
In the ring, Mike leaned over to Braxton. "Isn't she gorgeous?"
"She's something, alright," Braxton sighed.
Maria bestowed a beautiful smile upon her tipsy husband and a gracious one on Braxton. Her eyes, however, were hard and flinty. The look in them said, You know what you're supposed to do, Braxton. And you better not screw it up!
Meanwhile, the color commentary continued in the broadcast booth. "Well, get it together, Pope," Josh admonished his co-anchor. "And somebody should tell the Miracle Mike Bennett to get it together, because when we come back, it's the arrival of the blushing bride! Laurel Van Ness makes her appearance next!"
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This was a bit of a departure for me, since I'm not familiar with IMPACT stars yet, so feedback is appreciated! REVIEWS = LOVE