"I'm home, Randy." John called as he closed and locked the front door. He tossed his belongings on the credenza and walked into the kitchen where he knew his lover would be.
Just as John predicted, Randy was at the counter, chopping vegetables faster then he thought possible. Randy didn't hear John enter the house or the kitchen, so he didn't make any move to turn around.
Right away John knew that Randy was pissed. Randy has been pissed ever since he got injured. His collar bone was healed, now all he wanted to do was get back on the road and do what he loved doing the most, wrestling.
When Randy put the knife down, John cleared his throat, causing Randy to jump and turn around.
"Damn, John!! A warning would be nice." Randy snapped, glaring at John.
"I did give you a warning." John smiled.
"And what warning was that??"
"Technically, I gave you two warnings. The first one was when I walked in the house and called for you, and the second was when I just cleared my throat. I don't think you would have responded well if I walked up behind you and wrapped my arms around you when you thought you were alone. You were holding a knife a couple seconds ago."
Randy rolled his eyes and turned back to the counter. He began dropping the vegetables in a pot full of boiling water.
John had gotten quite impressed with Randy's cooking lately. When they first got together, Randy could hardly toast a piece of bread without it getting burnt. Now Randy was cooking full-course meals.
"What are you cooking tonight for dinner, babe??" John asked, sitting down on the chairs at the island.
"Chicken, rice, and steamed vegetables." Randy answered, not looking back at John.
"That sounds delicious. It smells even better, too."
Randy didn't say anything. He continued to prepare their dinner. Just when Randy was about to walk to the pantry, John wrapped his arms around Randy and pulled him close. Randy was tense at first, but he soon relaxed and leaned again John.
"Three months, Randy. You just have to wait three more months." John's voice was low and gentle. He knew how much Randy hated being away from his dream job, and most importantly, away from John.
"That's ninety plus days, John. That's fifty plus days away from you." Randy said in a sad voice.
"I know it's hard, baby. I hate being away just as much as you do." John said, kissing Randy's cheek when the pulled apart.
"Then let me come with you. I hate being in this big house all alone. I miss being with you."
"You know Vince doesn't want that. He thinks it'll tempt you into coming back earlier then you should. You need to rest and heal. Randy, you broke your collar bone then broke it again in a motorcycle accident three months later. The last thing you need right now is to come back early when you haven't healed fully yet." John explained, hating the look that Randy has on his face. It was like he had lost everything.
"I'm going to finish getting dinner ready." Randy mumbled. He pulled away from John and went to the pantry.
John sighed quietly and continued to watch Randy. He hated that he had to leave Randy alone most of the time. If it were up to him, Randy would never be away from him. Unfortunately, it wasn't. John was going to have to leave Thursday night, which left them with two and a half days with each other.
The dinner that Randy had prepared was better then John thought possible. He enjoyed every single bite, and even went up twice to get some more. Randy gradually started to come out of his bad mood. He was glad that he did something or made something that John loved. It made him smile, and when Randy smiled, John smiled all the more.
John insisted on doing the dishes, but Randy would have none of it. After the dishes were washed and dried, the floor swept and mopped, Randy and John made their way into the living room. Nothing was on the television that they found interesting, so they talked instead. John told Randy all about what had been happening backstage. He told Randy that Cody and Ted said hello, and that they missed him. Hunter and Shawn wanted him to hurry back. Jack, Evan, Morrison, and Mike were driving each other crazy, so they wanted Randy to get well so he could straighten them out. At that, Randy laughed. Christian was doing great with Justin. They wanted him to make a speedy recovery. Daniel, Drew, Adam, and Chris sent kisses and hugs.
"Wow. That's . . . wow." Randy laughed. "I miss them all, too."
"They are driving me insane, Randy." John smiled. "Christian, Justin, Daniel, and Drew are the only sane ones out of the group. Oh, and Shawn, too. Hunter is just as crazy as Cody and Ted."
"What do you expect?? Cody and Ted are contagious."
"That is true."
John and Randy fell into a comfortable silence. Randy leaned against John and put his head on John's chest. John wrapped his arms around Randy and held him close.
John knew the moment was right. After finally getting the nerve, he gently nudged Randy.
"Baby . . ."
Randy sat up and looked at John.
"What??"
"There's something I need to ask you." John said, biting his bottom lip.
"Okay." Randy nodded. "What is it??
"Hang on."
With that, John jumped off the couch and ran upstairs. He went over to his coat and pulled out the little box. John couldn't help but smile. He felt his heart leap at the thought of the engagement ring on Randy's finger. The thought of Randy's beautiful, angelic smile was enough to send him running back down the stairs.
Randy jumped up, thinking something was wrong. When he saw the look on John's face, his confusion and worry grew.
"John, are you okay?? Why do you look like a crazy person??"
John laughed. He fell on one knee in front of Randy.
"Damn it. Did I miss something when I was cleaning?? We need a new vacuum cleaner." Randy shook his head in annoyance and got down on his knees in front of John, looking around the floor.
John laughed again and opened the box. Randy froze completely. He looked from the ring to John and back again.
"So, I was walking around a mall a couple weeks ago, just trying to buy some time before Raw started, and I came across this store. There was nothing really special about it. I glanced at a couple watches in the window and continued on my way. I think I took about five steps before you called. In that second . . . I knew that it was meant to be. You were pissed because Becky accidentally dropped her wedding band in the sink here. She was going ballistic and you were losing your cool." John laughed. Randy's shocked expression hadn't left him. "After I finally calmed you down, I found Cody by the comics and I dragged him back to the jewelry store. I told him what happened and he helped me pick out this ring."
"Are you proposing??" Randy whispered.
"Stand up, Randy."
Randy stared at John for a minute then slowly got to his feet. John smiled and took Randy's left hand. He looked up at Randy, smiling even more when he saw the tears building.
"Randy Orton, I know for a fact that I can't live a day without you. Your strength keeps me going through the toughest times. Your smile touches me in ways I can't imagine. When you look at me, my heart skips a beat. The love I have for you is greater than anything. Marry me, Randy. Make me the happiest and luckiest man in the world. Be mine forever."
"Oh my, God, you are proposing." Randy somehow managed to get out. The tears were falling freely now.
John laughed softly. The smile could not be knocked off his face. Randy looked so beautiful to him.
"Say yes, baby." John whispered.
Randy couldn't say anything now. The tears were streaming down his face. He nodded and wouldn't stop.
John slid the ring on Randy's finger. He stood up and took Randy in his arms. Randy wrapped his arms around John's neck and cried all the more. He was so happy.
"I'll marry you." Randy said after a good ten minutes of crying.
John smiled at Randy. He had tear stains on his face, his eyes were red and puffy, but he looked as perfect as he did the first time John had ever laid eyes on him. John pulled Randy's even closer, capturing his lips with his own.