A/N: Here is the ETO sequel. This story will be a little bit more angsty and deep than ETO was, but it'll still have some cute moments all the same. I hope everyone enjoys this new journey of AJ Styles and Natalie Michaels. Please don't be afraid to favorite, follow, or review.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY WWE SUPERSTAR THAT IS MENTIONED THROUGHOUT THIS STORY.
HEAD ABOVE WATER
Chapter 1: I Hush My Urge To Cry
Natalie was standing in the gorilla alongside Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Ember Moon, Natalya, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair. All of these ladies were participants in the 2018 women's Money In The Bank ladder match. Natalie earned her opportunity in this innovative match after defeating Lana and Billie Kay in a triple threat match on the May twenty second episode of Smackdown.
The now former Smackdown women's champion waited for her entrance and she was admittedly nervous about how the response would be for her from the Chicago crowd. Chicago was notorious about being very vocal about their feelings. A response was better than nothing, but she just had her fingers crossed that she would get a positive reception and not a negative one.
Her entrance hit and all those fears went away as she was received with an overwhelming positive reception. At least she could put her worries behind her and put all of her focus into this groundbreaking match. Appearing on the stage, she was dressed in a black shimmering bra with hot pink trimming and matching black shimmering shorts with hot pink trimming. Her hair was up in curly half up ponytail and her makeup was done with a pinky smokey eye and hot pink lipstick.
She smiled radiantly and clapped hands with the WWE Universe as she walked down the aisle.
This was her first money in the bank match seeing as how she was injured the previous year and she was more than excited about competing with some of the most talented ladies the world had to offer.
The ladies left their blood, sweat, and tears out in the ring, but in the end, Alexa Bliss became the 2018 Miss Money In The Bank. Natalie had gotten a small laceration over her left eyebrow when she was slammed into the ladder that was set up in the ring courtesy of Sasha Banks. Her back was also sore from being bexplexed onto a ladder by Becky Lynch.
"Congratulations on your win, Alexa," Natalie said.
"Thanks, Natalie," Alexa smiled appreciatively. She gave the slightly taller blonde a hug.
"You're welcome," Natalie smiled. "The crowd was so into the match and I'm honored to have participated in it with you. I missed being in the ring with you even though we didn't interact all that much."
"Hopefully I'll get to face you again one of these days."
Natalie nodded. "Whenever that'll be, I'll look forward to it."
"Me too." With that said, the Goddess walked away, thus putting a finish to their brief conversation.
Natalie had other matters she needed to tend to. One of those things she needed to tend to was getting her laceration looked at. The worst possible outcome would be she needed stitches and that wasn't even that horrid compared to what else she's suffered through. Sighing, she headed towards the direction of the Trainer's room.
The Doctor was stitching up Natalie's laceration as she was greeted with a surprise guest. But, it was someone she was familiar with. The Game made his presence in the locker room, an unreadable expression sustaining his features.
"You okay?" Hunter wondered.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a little boo-boo," Natalie joked. "I've had much worse to deal with."
"So, I know you don't like talking about your personal problems too often, but Shawn was telling me about your Mom."
Natalie's Mom had sustained a fall this weekend and it caused her to be transferred out to another hospital from the Emergency Room where she was treated. Natalie's Mom had a hematoma and was also dealing with a brain hemorrhage. Her Mom had been labeled a fall risk within the last couple of months. Her Mom seemed to be on the road to recovery after her stroke last year, but during the last couple of times being home, she was dealing with taking her Mom to the doctor and regularing checking in on her. Natalie had contacted a home health agency and that contracted a home health nurse to help out with her Mom when Natalie was out on the road. In addition to that, she also supplied her Mom with a life alert button in case nobody was around and she had an emergency.
"She's not doing too well at the moment."
"Shawn, AJ, and I talked to Vince on your behalf because we knew you were trying to keep all your focus on this pay-per-view and Vince gave an acknowledgement that you should take some time off to help deal with your Mom."
A perplexed look came upon Natalie's face. It meant a lot to her that people were looking out for her. She didn't want to miss much more time on the road since she had only been back for a couple of months, but she also knew she needed to be back in Florida helping take care of her Mom. She knew it was more important to do to the latter. "Thank you."
"Of course, Natalie. We understand that this is a serious matter. You have been a workhorse since coming back from your injury and you have done everything we have asked of you. Not only do you deserve this time off; you also need to make sure your Mom is taking care of."
"I kind of wish that my Mom had a husband or she had another kid so I had some help with her," Natalie confessed. "I don't mind taking care of her business at all, it's just that it can be stressful at times especially when I'm on the road. And, when I get home, I don't have much time to relax because I am over there taking of her. I have a new house and I haven't been able to enjoy it." Natalie started feeling guilty about saying what she was to Hunter. It wasn't her Mom's fault that she was in the predicament. All those years of being in the Marine Core had taken it's toll on her: physically and mentally. "I sound so selfish right now. I am a terrible person."
The King of Kings could tell that Natalie was fixing to cry, so he softly placed his hand on her back and started rubbing it, in hopes of soothing her. "Natalie, you are not a selfish person. You are just stressed out from everything that is going on in your life. You have a career where you're always on the road and you have family back home who need you. I know you do everything from the bottom of your heart. You're an absolute genuine person."
"Thanks, Hunter. I appreciate that a lot."
"Just to let you know, you're time off starts as soon as this pay-per-view is over."
"That's good to know. I'll probably try to catch the earliest flight I can and head out to Florida."
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
"Thanks. I really appreciate you, Dad, and AJ talking to Vince for me; you didn't have to do that."
"You need the time off, Natalie," Hunter decided.
"You're right. I need to see what I can do about Mom as soon as possible."
"While I'm in here with you: there's something else that I would like to discuss with you."
Natalie nodded. "Absolutely. What's up?"
"Some of the creative team had mentioned about putting you into a storyline with AJ and someone else who is yet to be determined."
"What was basis of this idea?" Natalie wondered.
"You and AJ have become a couple that the WWE Universe have come to adore and the idea of having you two onscreen together would be an interesting sight."
Natalie smiled at the thought. It would be fun to be partake in a storyline with her significant other. "Working with AJ onscreen would be amazing and it would add more layers to my character."
"I'm glad you like the idea."
"Is there any suggestions on who would be feuding with AJ?"
"Samoa Joe is the number one pick at the moment."
"Nice." Natalie thought that Joe would be a good foil for AJ. The two have always made excellent opponents and shared such great chemistry in the ring. AJ and Joe go way back too, so they are very familiar with one another.
"Since you are going to be gone, we were going to have Rusev feud with AJ for the title for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view to stall the WWE title picture until you make your return."
Rusev was someone Natalie thought should be in the WWE title picture. The guy was hilarious and he was over with the crowd. Even if it was temporary, Natalie was glad Rusev was getting his title opportunity nonetheless. "Rusev is a great choice. I am glad he is finally getting an opportunity."
"So, you're good with the storyline plans? I wanted to get your opinion before I told the creative team just in case the idea was vetoed and they needed to come up with another storyline plan."
Natalie nodded her head in approval. "I am okay with the storyline plans. If you don't mind me asking: when you did have me primed for a comeback?"
"We were going to have you return on the August eighth episode of Smackdown," The Game answered. "But, if you need more time off, then we will come with a plan B for the direction of the storyline."
"I should ready to come back by then. But, thank you."
"No problem. If you need the extra time, please just shoot me a message and we'll take care of everything."
"Thanks, Hunter," Natalie smiled.
"You're welcome, kiddo." He ruffled her hair before exiting the locker room. That just left Natalie alone in there with the Doctor and her thoughts. She sighed as she was processing all of this newfound information. She knew when she got done getting her stitches, she needed to find a red eye flight to Florida.
The WWE champion, much like his girlfriend, had to end up getting stitches. He'd been on the receiving end of a laceration too, but his was to his left cheek. His eyes flickered to the doorway of the Trainer's room and coming in was Natalie. She was changed into her street clothes which consisted of a white lace crop top and white pleated lace shorts and white braided strappy sandals on her feet. All of her hair was now down in her natural beach waves and her face was clear of makeup with her stitches above her left eyebrow visible. She was still radiating to him though all the same.
"Hey, Handsome," Natalie greeted.
"Hey, beautiful," The WWE champion responded. "Looks like we both got battle scars from our wars." He gently stroked her left eyebrow with his gloved hand.
"I know," Natalie laughed. "So, I haven't had a chance to see you since we arrived to the arena, so there's some things I need to discuss with you."
"Okay. Everything alright?"
"Not sure. Hunter approached me earlier in here whenever I was getting my stitches and he told me that I was given time off because of the circumstance with my Mom. I have got to head back home and make sure everything is alright with her. I'm catching a red eye flight and I won't return until the August eighth episode of Smackdown." Natalie had to catch her breath because she just said a mouth full. She motioned to AJ that she had more to say. "I was wondering, how would you feel about you and I being in a storyline together?"
"Babe, I know that you have to take care of your Mom and as far as this storyline goes: if you're okay with it then so am I."
Natalie placed one of her hands on his. "I know you, Dad, and Hunter all talked to Vince about me getting time off. I appreciate you three looking out for me."
"You know that I'm here for you. You need to get home. I know what happened with her this weekend has ate you up inside even though you didn't say anything else about it; all your emotions spoke for you."
"You know me too well," Natalie laughed. "So, you're okay with you and I possibly being in a storyline together?"
"Of course I'm okay with it," The Phenomenal One assured.
"Hunter said that Joe was the number one pick for being the villain for you to feud with."
"Joe is a great choice. Him and I go way back and we always have great chemistry."
"It's always fun to work with your best friends," Natalie said. "I always have the most fun with Carmella whenever we battle."
"That's true," AJ agreed. "Whatever creative has planned for us, it should be very interesting."
"Hunter told me that you and Rusev would be temporarily feuding for the WWE title for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view and then after that, this new storyline will begin."
"Rusev is an intriguing opponent choice."
"I concur," Natalie agreed. "I will enjoy watching the feud between you two."
"Finished, AJ," The Doctor said.
"Thanks," The WWE champion responded. He plopped off the trainer's table. Natalie grabbed his WWE title from the counter and followed the Phenomenal One out of the Trainer's room. "I appreciate you grabbing that for me."
"No problem." The two walked down the hallway talking about mundane topics until they arrived to his locker room. She gently laid his title on one of the chairs in his locker room.
"I knew you said you were catching a red eye flight, but when are you heading out?" AJ wondered.
"I'm heading out early in the morning. That was the latest earliest flight I could find; if that makes sense?"
"I understand what you're saying,"AJ chuckled. "Do you want to grab a bite to eat at a sit down place before heading to the motel?"
"That sounds like a wonderful plan. Carmella is leaving with Seth, so it'll just be you and I."
"I know, that's why I asked about us going to a sit down restaurant."
Natalie smiled and nodded. "Gotcha."
"It's been awhile since you and I have done something like that."
"I know," Natalie sighed.
"You going to follow me into the shower stall? I know how much you like to ogle me when I'm in the shower," AJ teased. He laughed as his girlfriend's cheeks turned a bright red color. "I was teasing you, but you're so adorable when you're embarrassed.
"I was caught off guard by that statement." Nonetheless, she followed the WWE champion into the shower stall. They started talking about mundane topics again. This current predicament became somewhat of a routine for them.
AJ and Natalie were finally sitting down at a restaurant. They found this restaurant named Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse that closed an hour after midnight, so they were able to sit down and enjoy their food. It seemed to be a fancy etiquette restaurant too which made it even better.
The Phenomenal one settled on the T-Bone steak with fries and broccoli while Natalie settled for a filet mignon with fries and broccoli. Natalie took a sip of her water. "Thanks for bringing me here. We could've easily ordered takeout."
"It's been awhile since we've done something like this. I think it was overdue." AJ took a sip of his water.
"Yeah. With all this going on with my Mom, there hasn't been much time."
"That's okay," the WWE champion assured. He grabbed Natalie's hands. "I know you've been busy. She is lucky to have a daughter like you."
"I appreciate that," Natalie smiled, but then she let out a sigh. "I was sounding selfish earlier to Hunter. I shouldn't have said what I did."
"What did you say?"
"I said that I wish my Mom had a husband or that she had another kid. I also mentioned the fact that I haven't spent much time in the new house." Natalie felt her lip quivering. "What kind of human being am I to say that?"
"Baby, that doesn't make you a horrible human being if that's what you're thinking. I know you're a genuine person and you don't mind help take care of your Mom."
"Then, why would I say something like that?"
"It's just stressful thoughts. I know you've been stressed out lately. You haven't said anything, but your emotions and actions have spoken for you."
"I'm hoping that during this time off I'm able to get something accomplished."
"You will."
Natalie felt herself becoming mentally exhausted talking about this current topic. "Can we please talk about something else now?"
"Sure, it's our specialty to talk about mundane topics," The Phenomenal one joked. "So, we can talk about whatever you want."
Their food arrived and the topic was changed and Natalie felt herself becoming more at ease. There was something about AJ that made her feel so comfortable and at ease. She already didn't like the fact that they weren't spending as much time together even with them sharing a house and now she wouldn't see him as much until August.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Hope you all enjoyed it.