Chapter 1: Acceptance Speech
A/N: I'm done with OC stories for now, so here's the new story I've been working on since "I Won't Tell If You Won't". I really hope you like it. Please review! xoxo—Macy!
Summary: Love and family usually go together. Sometimes the lies along the way tear both apart. When Randy returns home with his husband, everything changes... at least that's what Randy thinks. Will love and family prevail while Randy and Stephen each keep secrets?
"We have to be there in an hour, Stephen! What is taking you so long?!" Randy asked as he rushed around the house in his three piece suit.
"Calm down, fella. I'm just fixing my tie." Stephen answered from the bathroom.
Randy found him and laughed. Stephen was struggling with the necktie, so Randy helped.
"You know you could have asked me to help you," Randy said softly as he untangled the mess of fabric.
Stephen chuckled. "I know, but I know you're already nervous," he said as he wrapped his arms around Randy's waist and pulled him close.
Randy glared at him. "We're already running late, babe. Let's not start something we can't finish," he said as he fixed the tie.
"Who ever said I was looking to start something?" Stephen asked seductively.
"All done! Let's go!" Randy said to change the subject as he tore from Stephen's strong arms.
Stephen grabbed Randy's wrist and pulled him back into his own personal space. "I never got to thank you." He said just before softly pressing his lips to Randy's. Randy moaned into the kiss and deepened it. As he wrapped his arms around Stephen's neck, he glanced at the time on his watch. His eyes widened as he pushed Stephen away.
"We're late! We need to leave right now!" Randy said in a panic.
Stephen chuckled and grabbed Randy yet again. "I want to give you something first," he said as he reached into his pants pocket. He pulled out a small, blue, velvet box.
"I was saving this until our anniversary, but I just can't wait any longer," Stephen opened the box to reveal a 20k white gold wedding band decorated with 10k of black diamonds round it.
Randy gasped and covered his mouth in shock. "Stephen! It's beautiful!" he said in awe.
Stephen smiled and took Randy's left hand in his own and slipped off the four year old plain platinum wedding ring and replaced it with the new one. Randy took the old ring back and put it back on.
"This one means so much more to me than the new one. The new one is stunning, but I love the plain one so much more; it has more sentimental value. Thank you, baby." He said. Randy pressed his lips to Stephen's for a short kiss.
"I love you so much, Randy. I'm so proud of you and everything you've accomplished. I can't tell you how happy I am to be your husband," Stephen said.
Randy smiled and pecked Stephen's lips. "I love you, too, babe." He said with a smile. "But we need to go!" he said pulling Stephen through the house and to the car.
Randy and Stephen sat at the beautifully decorated round table in the center of the room. Randy shook nervously as he reviewed his acceptance speech. Stephen gently placed his hand on Randy's knee to calm his husband's nerves. "S'okay, love. Don't be nervous; you'll do just fine."
Randy smiled and nodded, thankful for Stephen's comforting words. They both turned their attention to the stage.
"Please welcome our next presenter! He's the owner of this very modeling agency and his own fashion line. Please give a warm welcome to Cena Modeling Agency and Ring of Respect clothing designer, founder, and owner, John Cena!" the emcee announced. There was a standing ovation as the agency owner made his way to the stage. The crowd roared in appreciation for the man.
"Oh come on guys! That isn't necessary; have a seat." John spoke into the microphone. The crowd finished their ovation and soon sat down.
"This next award goes to one of the most hardworking models in the business today. He travels thousands of miles a day at least 3 days a week. He loves this job and I wouldn't want anyone else in his place. It's like he was made for every piece of fabric I stitch together. For the last 10 years, this man has been more than just a client or employee. He's been like a brother to me; a best friend. Stephen is a very, very lucky man. Without further ado, I present the Model of the Decade award to Mr. Randy Orton-Farrelly!"
Randy stood with his handwritten speech and walked nervously onto the stage as the crowd stood and applauded him. He held his head down the entire way to the stage; Randy's a very shy man, but he never wanted anyone to know.
When he got to the podium to accept the beautifully designed award, Randy took a deep breath and unfolded the sweaty piece of paper.
"Um. Thank you, John." Randy said into the microphone as he looked toward his boss and good friend. Randy cleared his throat nervously before he spoke again, this time to the audience. "I never thought I would win such an award. I never even intended on modeling. I came into the modeling world as a freshman in college as an intern looking to fill a few credit hours so I could graduate early. It was John's idea that I start modeling. He had only just started his design line when I started as an intern. He said he was looking for just about anyone to model in a look book. He told me he would pay me, so I jumped at the chance. A year later, I was in Paris for fashion week modeling John's spring line. I'm so grateful for the opportunities he gave me. If it wasn't for John, I wouldn't have been able to travel the world and experience so many great things. I've only been modeling for ten years, so I'm extremely honored and flattered to be presented with an award that is given every ten years. I'm awfully lucky."
Randy sighed shakily, but continued. "They say a model's career dies when he or she turns thirty. I'll be thirty in two years and even though the last ten years of my life has been a marvelous journey, I have decided to retire from modeling."
There was a loud gasp and whispering around the audience. Even Stephen was shocked; the announcement was unbeknownst to him. He and Randy had always argued about Randy quitting the business, but Randy was too strong-willed and stubborn to do what Stephen told him.
Randy waited for the crowd to die down before he spoke again.
"Four and a half years ago, I married the most amazing man I have ever met. Stephen means the world to me and I want to spend every moment of my life with him. In modeling, I would be away from home for three or four days at a time. I don't want that kind of marriage. I want to go to bed next to him every single night and wake up next to him every single morning. I don't want to have conversations via Skype while I'm in Tokyo and he's here in America. I want to have dinner in our dining room every night and talk about the events of the day. I know there's no such thing as perfect, but I want a perfect marriage. The best way for me to get that is to be the best husband I can be. So with that being said, I would like to thank John, his photographer Seth, his shoot director Roman, and his assistant Dean. I'd also like to thank the one person who deserves so much more appreciation than I am able to show: my best friend, my supporter, my rock, my strength, my husband, Stephen Farrelly. Stand up, Stephen."
Stephen stood proudly and smiled at his husband before waving to the audience that applauded him as he stood; Randy applauded as well. Stephen eventually sat and the crowd calmed down to let Randy finish his speech.
"This has been an amazing opportunity and this award is one I will cherish. I am so grateful. Thank you and good night." Randy finished his speech.
The crowd stood once again giving Randy a roaring applause. When he made it back to his seat, Randy hugged Stephen tightly and kissed him deeply.
"You didn't have to do that, babe." Stephen said with a small smile.
Randy returned a bigger, brighter smile. "I wanted to. I meant everything I said up there. I promise you, babe, I'm done with modeling. I'm yours 24/7," He said.
Stephen nodded and sat down; Randy followed. The rest of the ceremony featured a small fashion show that gave the audience a sneak peek at John's new collection. Randy enjoyed the moment of seeing other fresh faces modeling the clothes he once strutted in. It was different, but Randy enjoyed it nonetheless.
After the ceremony concluded, John was able to find Randy just before he and Stephen left.
"Randy! I'm so glad I caught you before you left. Why didn't you come to be about retiring?" John asked.
Randy shrugged. "It was a last minute decision. I didn't really have time to tell you," he answered. Stephen loosely wrapped one arm around Randy's waist.
John sighed. "I had a job lined up for you, though. I already told the designer you would be face of his line."
"You should have told me sooner, John. I'm sorry, but I made a promise to my husband that I was done with modeling. You'll have to find someone else," Randy said as he leaned closer to Stephen.
John snorted in disbelief.
"It was good seeing ya, Johnny Boy." Stephen said as he offered his hand for a handshake.
John rolled his eyes at Stephen and turned his attention back to Randy. "If you change your mind, Randy, you know where to find me," he said.
Randy nodded. "Thanks, but no thanks, John. I'll see you around," he said.
John nodded and walked away. He couldn't belief that Randy had really let Stephen dictate his life like that. John knew better than to discount Randy; he knew Randy would come crawling back to the agency once he got tired of being with Stephen all the time. Who in their right mind could stomach some red-headed dork like Stephen anyway? John wasn't worried at all. As long as Randy was breathing, modeling was always an option.
"I'm sorry about that, baby," Randy apologized on John's behalf after he walked away.
Stephen shrugged. "S'okay, babe. He's not even worth it." he said. Randy sighed.
John and Stephen never got along. Even upon first meeting seven years ago, John and Stephen clashed. Randy never really understood why; John and Stephen simply hated each other for some odd reason.
As Stephen drove back home, Randy sat in the passenger seat and recalled first meeting Stephen; they ran into each other in Florida after one of Randy's shoots for a cologne commercial on the beach.
Flashback
Randy had just wrapped the shoot when he was walking back to his hotel. He and Stephen literally ran into each other, but Stephen caught Randy before he could hit the pavement. "Sorry 'bout that, lad," Stephen said with a thick Irish accent.
"It was my fault. I guess I was so anxious about getting back to my hotel room for some sleep that I wasn't watching where I was going." Randy admitted.
Stephen shrugged. "I wasn't watching where I was going, either. How about I take you out to dinner to properly apologize for crashing into one of nature's precious gifts?" Stephen asked.
Randy blushed. "I'll think I'll have to take you up on that offer, Casanova," he answered.
Stephen smiled. "Good. I don't think I could have accepted a 'no'. I'll pick you up at seven. What hotel are you in?" Stephen asked.
Randy was skeptical about giving the stranger the location of his hotel room. "How about I just meet you somewhere? That way, you won't have to make the extra trip." Randy suggested.
"If you don't want me to know where you're staying, you could just say so." Stephen said with a knowing smirk.
Randy chuckled nervously. "I, uh, I just don't know you and anything could happen." He said.
Stephen nodded. "It's okay. I understand. Just meet me right back here and we'll just walk. The restaurant isn't too far from here." He said.
"Okay. I'll see you at seven." Randy said with a flirty smile.
End of flashback
Ever since then, Randy and Stephen had been an item. Randy casually reached across the car's console and laced his and Stephen's hands. Stephen smiled and guided Randy's hand to his own lips and kissed it gently.
Randy still blushed at small but sweet gestures like that. He was truly lucky to have Stephen in his life. No one could ever replace him.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it! Please review! Reviewers get unique opportunities to participate in the production of this story, so please take advantage of the opportunity to review!