A/N: I own nothing but the plot. I have nothing but love and respect for the men I write about. Remember, it's fiction where anything can happen, and people might do things they don't do in "real" life. I have carefully researched the Samoan language and culture, if I have anything wrong I humbly apologize. This is my second attempt at a chaptered story, written by me alone. Hang in there with me on Adam's journey. There maybe some chapters that seem like "filler", but every word has an eventual point. I won't update every day, but as the story is completely written, it will be updated often. The Stars of the story are Adam, Roman, Chris, Hunter, Shawn, Jay and Heath. Co-starring Wade, Bret, Dean, Seth, Mark, Glen, Dave and a host of your favorite WWE Superstars. I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. One last thing, if you would please review, even just one word can be encouraging. Thank you, and enjoy!
Adam Joseph Copeland woke up slowly. He moaned wantonly, a pair of soft, warm lips were kissing their way down his body. It was the best possible way to wake up.
The lips stopped and a tongue started lapping at his naval. Adam moaned even louder. It felt so good. Adam's hands moved down and found their target. They tangled in the mass of long, thick black hair that belonged to his fiancé, Roman Reigns.
A deep rumbling chuckle echoed in Roman's chest, "my mata aulelei is awake I see," Reigns' voice was soft betraying his rough, gruff looks.
Adam laughed, "you think my eyes are pretty?" He had learned a bit of Samoan, it was Roman's heritage and native language.
The two men in the king sized bed were total opposites. One was blond and fair, the other was black-haired and in comparison, dark-skinned. One was a Viking, the other an Islander and together, a very striking couple.
Adam Copeland was 28 years old and was the hottest and most popular interior decorator in Tampa, Florida. He was actually the most popular on the Gulf Coast of the entire state.
He owned Cutting Edge Designs. The company name was a play on his childhood nickname, Edge. He couldn't remember how exactly he even got the name, he was just always called Edge.
The Decorator was six-foot four and weighed around two hundred forty pounds. He bore tattoos on both upper arms. Stars and skulls on his right bicep and a stylized sun on his left. The sun was also used for the company logo. The only difference was, for the company logo there was an "E" in the middle of the sun. Adam's right foot had a maple leaf tattoo to show his Canadian pride.
Adam grew up in a single parent home. His mother, Judy, had sometimes worked three jobs to keep her son fed and warm. He had no idea who his father was and he didn't care to ever know who he was. Judy told Adam when she had told her husband she was pregnant, he got scared and left. She later divorced him for abandonment and never heard from him again.
Judy always noticed that even as a small child Adam liked to make things nice. He would pick flowers and arrange them perfectly and he set the table with flair. At age six he could fold a napkin into the shape of a swan.
The talent stayed with him and when he was nineteen he won a scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated at the top of his class. Adam also studied at the Florence Design Academy in Florence, Italy. The Academy was widely considered to be the cream of the world's best Interior Design schools. He also took top honors in all his classes while there.
He returned to Florida and started working in small firms, then larger ones. When he got more requests than any other Designers, he knew it was time to open his own business. One short year later, he was the best of the best.
The other man in the bed was Roman Reigns. His real name was Leati Anoa'i, but he thought Roman Reigns sounded better for his chosen field of work. He was not ashamed of his Samoan heritage, it just made it easier for his customers.
Roman stood six-foot six inches and weighed two hundred sixty-five pounds. He was solid muscle. He too bore ink. His entire right arm was tattooed in very traditional tribal designs. His ink had been done with traditional tools, by hand. There was no machine involved. The needle sharp tool was dipped in the ink, then tapped into the skin. It had been a very long and painful procedure. It was a right of passage as each year a part of the arm sleeve was done.
While Adam had long, blond hair and green eyes, Roman's hair was long and raven black, it was so shiny sometimes it almost took on a dark blue hue. His eyes were such a dark brown they nearly looked black.
Reigns was twenty-five and owned his own company, a private security firm called The Shield Security. His two best friends, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins also worked for him and owned small shares in the business. Dean and Seth were also involved romantically.
Roman started out as a police officer when he was nineteen. He worked his way up to Detective in three years, one of the fastest rises to promotion in the department. He got tired of the long hours for hardly any pay. One day he talked with fellow officers and friends, Dean and Seth.
They thought Roman's idea of a private security firm was good. Roman had inherited a sum of money from his grandparents, so along with an investment from Dean and Seth opened his own company. Soon they had the reputation of being among the best in town and they were always busy.
That was how Roman met Adam. Adam had been hired to decorate a new night club in downtown Tampa, called The Loose Goose. The Shield had been hired to do security for the opening night party.
Adam had gone out of the back door of the club to have a cigarette. Though he loved decorating the club, the wild party scene was not his thing.
Roman was doing a routine walk around the outside of the club building and saw Adam come out of the block door. He thought the blond was the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on.
Reigns took a chance and chatted up the pretty man. Six months later they were engaged to be married. The wedding was one month away, June 14. It would be the day Adam would be Roman's forever.
"Yes, I do. The most beautiful eyes in the world. I see other things are awake too," Roman chuckled as he wiggled his eyebrows. His hand has slid down Adam's lithe body and rubbed the very erect cock his baby was sporting.
"Ah! Roman!" Adam cried out, the large, dark hand had started pumping his cock slowly.
"Yes, pele ea, feels so good doesn't it," Reigns cooed softly with his breath hot in Adam's ear.
Adam could only whimper. He tried to form words, but Roman made him feel so wonderful he couldn't speak. Reigns was a god in the bed, at least to Adam he was.
The blond wanted to return the favor. He reached for Roman's ample manhood and followed the same tempo. Roman grunted in pleasure as he captured Adam's lips with his.
They kissed deeply, Viking and Islander lips fit like jigsaw pieces. They rocked as they stroked each other, both men were blissfully happy.
Later, Adam was in the kitchen, freshly showered and fully dressed. He wore an apron over his royal blue button down shirt.
Before he got engaged he could barely boil water without burning down the kitchen. Adam always wanted to learn to cook, but he just didn't have time. After Roman proposed, he made time. Roman could cook but Adam wanted to be able to at least feed his man. He'd just finished the course and he'd graduated second, a broken yolk on a fried egg kept him from first place, but he could live with that.
He was just plating up the ham and cheese omelets as Roman came into the kitchen. The younger man poured two cups of coffee and sat down at the round table in the sunshine filled breakfast nook.
"Hope you're hungry, lo'u au," Adam smiled as he put Roman's plate in front of him. The older man had mastered calling the younger one "my love" in Samoan.
"I'm starving, my angel. Great way to start the day and a good breakfast too," Roman said with a laughing wink as Adam sat at his fiancés left. There was a flush dusting his cheeks.
"So what's your schedule today?" Adam asked as he bit into a slice of hot, buttery, whole wheat toast from bread he had made himself.
"The boys and I are doing our final tux fittings. Then I have a meeting with a new client. Some rock star wants us for a party. What about you?" Roman replied as he happily ate his delicious omelet.
"Oh good. My fitting is the next week. I have a new client too, funny he's a rock star as well. Chris Jericho, lead singer of the group Fozzy. They are good, he sent me a CD in his letter of introduction," Adam answered as he just watched Roman. He licked his lips as every move the Islander made caused a muscle to ripple.
"It's the same guy! A launch party for a CD. Should be fairly routine. Stop that! We don't have time to go back to bed," Roman laughed deeply as he saw Adam lick his lips seductively again.
"I'm also meeting Shawn for lunch. It's the three-month anniversary of Scott's death. He misses him so much. After all they were married for nearly fifteen years. I love you Roman," Adam further explained his day. He never wanted to forget to tell Roman how he felt.
Shawn Michaels-Hall was Adam's father figure and the Pastor of the Church he and Roman belonged to. His husband, Scott had been killed by a drunk driver on the way home from work three months ago.
"I love you, Adam. Give Shawn my best. We should have him over for dinner soon. We need to finalize our vows and scriptures," Roman suggested as he finished his breakfast.
"Oh um... I forgot. He's coming tomorrow with the boys, he enjoys Dean's arguments, so be sure and warn Seth," Adam said with a laugh. Shawn and Dean argued a lot about politics and religion, but always in a friendly way.
Roman laughed and said he would. He kissed Adam goodbye and headed off to work. Adam quickly washed the breakfast dishes, then got his own things together.
Adam had moved from the house he shared with his mother into Roman's pretty bungalow situated close to Lake Jackson. It was a very small, the house had one bedroom, one bath, a kitchen/dining room and an airy living room. They were shopping for a bigger home, but there was no rush. It was a perfect love nest.
Adam picked up his brief case and a wall paper sample book and went to his car. He drove a Ford Mustang, but not just any Mustang. It was a fully restored, baby blue 1967 Mustang. The car was his baby and her name was "Rita". He wouldn't trade her for anything. She was perfect and ran like a race horse.
As he drove towards downtown to his office, his cell phone rang. He pressed the button on his ear piece, "Copeland" he answered. "Oh, hi Heath... yes... no, I don't mind... okay... yep... on my way... that early?... yes... about twenty... okay... bye," Adam ended the call.
The person on the other end of the phone was Heath Miller-Reso, his brother-in-law. He was married to Jason Reso, Adam's adopted brother.
When Adam was 11, and still living in the small town of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, he met William Jason Reso. At the time they shared a love of art. Adam was thrilled to find another boy his age who liked the same things he did.
In school they formed a tight bond. After all it was hard to be eleven and know about art. Instead of hanging out at the malls or comic book store, Jason and Adam went to yard sales, junk shops and Mrs. Abernathy's Antique Store.
Mrs. Abernathy taught them a lot over the years, and Jason developed a fantastic eye for antiques. He could get lost for hours looking at pottery marks. He majored in art in college and now worked for Adam as his buyer.
Jay became Adam's legal brother at age twelve. Jason's parents were killed in a plane crash. They had been on a long-awaited second honeymoon to Jamaica. Jason at the time was staying with Adam and Judy.
When the news came, Judy held the young boy together. Jason had no other family, so Judy battled in the courts to legally adopt him. It took two years and all her savings, but in the end she won. Jason was thrilled and loved Judy with all his heart.
Cutting Edge Designs was located in the 601 Ashley Building. It was built in 1925 and since its renovation it had won several Building of the Year Awards.
The building was perfect and Adam knew he had to have his business there when he laid eyes on it. The building was artistically finished to reflect its past, complete with Pacheco paintings depicting the building's and Tampa's history.
His business was one half of the 12th floor, which was also the top floor of the building. It has three conference rooms, a bathroom, small kitchen/break room and private offices for both Adam and Jason. Heath sat in the lobby of the business. It was open and airy and the red-head had a great view from the large window, and the waiting area was there as well. Heath ran a clean and tight ship.
When Heath had called he told Adam that Chris Jericho was already there and waiting. He was nearly an hour early for his appointment. Adam hoped he wasn't going to be the typical rock star type prima dona.
Adam parked "Rita" in his spot in the covered parking area, grabbed his things from the back seat and headed to his office.
Adam dressed nice, but casual. His royal blue button down was neatly tucked into his black trousers and black cowboy boots covered his feet. He kept a jacket and tie in the office but seldom wore them.
When Adam arrived on the top floor he went directly to his office. He had a private entrance. He didn't want to run into Jericho before he had a chance to settle in.
When he entered the office it was like slipping back into the 1920's. Adam favorite style was Art Deco and his personal office reflected that. His desk was a perfect rectangle of dark teak wood. It had geometrical carvings that were perfect. The piece had been fashioned after an Erté design.
Erté pictures and small statues hung on his walls and stood on the book-case behind his desk. In the center of the room was a large library table where he could lay out plans and samples for his clients to look at. The office was his showplace.
Next to his big office was another office where he actually worked. Clients never saw this space as it was mess but in that organized chaotic way of an artist. He had a large slanted architects table and a comfortable office chair from a big box store.
Pens, pencils, colored pencils, paint tubes and brushes, rulers, French curves, protractors and other tools hung neatly from a peg board over the drawing table or sat in boxes and jars on top of the three, six drawer filing cabinets. It was also the only place he smoked because it was well ventilated and when at work the large window was always open. There was also a coffee pot which was kept going most of the day.
The Decorator sat down at his large "formal" desk and smiled. He had three framed pictures on top of the desk. One of his mom, one of Heath and Jay on their wedding day and one of himself and Roman taken not long after their engagement.
Adam looked lovingly at his engagement ring. It was a simple quarter carat round cut diamond on silver band. It was elegant and beautiful. They had already picked out their wedding bands. The rings were sitting in a box in Roman's locked weapons case under their bed. The two sliver bands were of matching Samoan tribal designs. Harts swirled around the center while bands of stripes and zigzag's surrounded them. They were beautiful and neither man could hardly wait to wear them.
Adam shook himself back to reality, he did have a client waiting. He pulled some forms and a contract from a drawer in his desk along with a blue file folder. He neatly wrote JERICHO, CHRIS, on the folder's tab. The designer then took out a brand new spiral notebook, also in blue. Each client would have their own notebook kept in a binder which Heath would later emboss with the client's name.
The blond took a deep breath and picked up the phone on his desk as he turned on his lap top computer that sat on the desk. "Heath? I'm here and ready to see Mister Jericho and would you bring some coffee soon... okay... thanks," Adam hung up the phone. He stood, ready to greet the rock star.
Soon his outer office door opened. Adam smiled and walked over to his brother-in-law and the rock star.
"Mister Copeland, this is Chris Jericho. I'll bring some coffee shortly," Heath said professionally and to Adam's surprise a bit of anger as well. Heath handed the designer a blue, three-ring binder, he'd already ran it through the embossing machine.
"No coffee for me, sweet cheeks, but I will have some orange juice," Jericho said with a "chuck" of his fingers under Heath's chin.
Now Adam understood Heath's attitude, "Thank you Heath," Adam said with an apologetic look. Heath nodded and left.
"Nice to meet you Mister Jericho, please have a seat," Adam said as he indicated to one of the two leather library style chairs in front of his desk.
Chris whistled low as he followed behind Adam. He appreciated the view in front of him. Jericho, who was wearing faded jeans and a black muscle shirt under a leather jacket, plopped down in one of the chairs. His left ankle rested on his right knee and he pushed his sun glasses up on top of his head. It looked like his hair hadn't met a brush in a while and his eyes were red and tired looking.
Adam bristled when Jericho whistled but he ignored it. He laid the binder on the desk and sat down in his leather office chair.
"Nice to meet you Mister Copeland. I've seen your work. I need the best so I came here. Glad I did. You are very beautiful, sweetheart," Chris spoke with a flirting tone and a matching sideways smirk.
"Thank you for the compliment on my work. I'm sure my fiancé thanks you for the other one. You'll be meeting him later today in fact," Adam said nonchalantly.
"Oh really? How do you know?" Jericho asked as he picked a string on the leg hem of his jeans.
"He told me at breakfast. He's Roman Reigns. He owns The Shield Security Agency," Adam said with a smile as he turned the picture of he and Roman around to show the rock start. He was trying to politely make the point of not to flirt with him.
Jericho cleared his throat in embarrassment, the point had been well made. "I'll look forward to meeting him. Yeah, I'm hosting a launch party at our studio club a couple of blocks from here. Now, let's talk about my house," Chris quickly changed the subject.
"Of course. So what is the address? And What exactly are you going to need?" Adam picked up a pen and the consultation form.
"332 Lana Avenue, here in Tampa. I need all eight thousand, nine hundred square feet redone. The previous owner had the taste of a... a... space monkey," Jericho said in a disgusted tone.
Adam pulled up the address on his computer. He was stunned, the house was still listed on a real estate web site. It was marked as recently sold, the price had been six million, seven hundred fifty thousand dollars.
"Is... this your house?" Adam asked as he turned the computer around for Chris to see.
"It sure is. They don't show what the inside looks like now! One of the bed rooms has purple walls and lime green shag carpet! I want it done right from roof to boat dock. Can you do it?" Chris asked, his brow raised.
The house was a classically inspired Mediterranean design. It had ninety-one feet of property on Tampa Bay. The listing said there were six bedrooms suites, a gym, library, game room with a bar, wine cellar, butler's pantry, private theatre with 3-D viewing, a garage for up to fifteen cars, and a roof top deck with elevator access to all levels. A gourmet kitchen, and enormous tropical pool with a water fall and swim up bar. There was a fire pit, six hole putting green and a covered boat house with a winter lift. In total there were six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, family room, formal dining room, breakfast room, another kitchen/family room combo, a complete kitchen outdoors pool side and a utility room. It would be the biggest home Adam had ever done.
"I would love to do it. The house is... stunning. I'll have to see it, of course. Take measurements, go over construction, that type of thing. Tell me what you are looking for style wise," Adam spoke in a professional tone. Inside he was nervous. It was a very prestigious property. If he screwed this up, it would destroy his reputation.
"Yeah, I figured that. I had it all inspected. The house is only five years old. I want to fit the style to the house. Mediterranean with an Asian flair and classy. I may look like a... a... rocker, but I like elegance. My home is the real me," Chris said trying to sound serious and not stupid.
"Sounds good. Now, I need to tell you, I can start as early as next week with the set up work and on property inspections. However, our wedding is in one month, on June 14th. We will be gone for two weeks. When I return, you will have my full and undivided attention. If you are agreeable to than we can talk further," Adam said flatly and honestly. Nothing was getting in the way of his wedding and honeymoon.
"Congratulations, sweetheart. That's fine with me. I'll be busy until then anyway. We always take July off. A couple of my band mates have kids, so they like time off to spend with them before school starts. So what's this going to cost me?" Jericho asked the decorator.
"Good. Lets say we'll start full-time on July first?" I can't know the cost or even make an estimate until I see the property. What kind of paint, carpeting, drapes and other things you want. I mean a lot depends on your choices. Some paint for instance can be fifteen to one hundred fifty per gallon. You can spend what your budge allows. To sign the contract will be five thousand as initial retainer. It will be applied to the job. Is this acceptable," Adam said as he slid the standard contract across the desk for Chris to take.
Chris picked up the paper. He was used to reading contracts so he made quick work of the legalities. He signed the paper with a flourish. He then pulled out his check book and wrote out a five thousand dollar check from his private bank account.
Adam took the contract and paper clipped the check to it and put it in the blue file folder. Next he pulled out his thick day planner.
"Now, when can I come to the property?" Adam asked, pen in hand.
"How about Monday afternoon, about two?" Chris was also looking at a small pocket-sized day planner.
"Okay fine. My brother will be with me. He helps with measurements. I appreciate the opportunity, Mister Jericho. I look forward to helping you make your house a home," Adam said as he stood and held out his hand.
Jericho stood and shook Adam's offered hand, "Me too. I think you'll do a great job. You have a good day," Jericho said as he turned to leave. Adam walked out with him. He saw the man out of the main door. He then turned to Heath.
"So um... what happened to our coffee and orange juice?" Adam asked his brother's spouse, with a touch of humor. He knew full well why, the juice would have wound up on Jericho's head.
"You know why. Did you take the job?" Heath replied in a saucy tone.
"Yeah I do know. You are a vixen. Oh yeah. I'll show you the place. It cost over six million dollars for the property. Total roof to basement redecoration. My biggest private home ever. I'm excited about it. He's a jerk, but get this, Roman is doing security for him. He's going to meet Roman this afternoon," Adam said with a laugh. He knew Jericho wouldn't dare cross Roman.
Heath laughed, "Jay will be here after lunch. He's doing some buying for the Brooks house."
"That's fine. I'm meeting Shawn for lunch. You know, I can't imagine his faith. I would die if something happened to Rome," Adam said sadly.
"Same with me and Jay-Jay. Give Shawn our love. You know, maybe... you should... oh maybe not... " Heath spoke with hesitation.
"What? Find someone for him? Maybe, eventually... I think it's too soon, plus he may not be open to that. I don't think... No, I know if something happened to Roman, I'd never fall in love again. I'll ask Shawn sometime. Okay, I'm going to get some work done. Oh, Jericho's retainer is in the file, five thousand. Deposit it will you?" Adam asked as he turned to go back to his office. Heath said he would and went back to his own work.
At his drawing desk, Adam was working on the layout for an office redecorate. This time the job was for a friend. He was redoing the office of his lawyer, Hunter H. Helmsley. He needed to finish because Hunter was going to meet him at the café before his lunch with Shawn.
Adam worked hard and finished the last drawing just in time. He rolled up the six drawings and put them in a cardboard tube. He tucked the tube under his arm and left to go to the cafe down the block.
The decorator happily strolled down the street. Café Jim was his favorite place. The sky was clear and for once the air was fairly dry. He lost himself thinking about plans for the wedding. All the important details were done. He just had to start making the final confirmation calls for the flowers, photographer and bakery.
"Hey Adam! Stop!" Shawn's raspy voice penetrated his brain. He had almost walked past the café.
Adam laughed as he sat down with the older man. Shawn had chosen to sit in the outdoor eating area in front of the café.
"I was lost in thought. Hey, you're early. I was supposed to meet Hunter Helmsley first and give him these," Adam explained as he put the tube on the table and adjusted in his chair.
"I know I'm early. I was just... anxious. Helmsley? Oh he's your lawyer, right?" Shawn asked as he sipped his glass of iced tea.
Shawn was dressed more like a rancher than a preacher. Old, dusty cowboy boots, well-worn but, clean blue jeans and a plaid cowboy shirt with the sleeves cut out made up his wardrobe. He also had a very well-worn and loved cowboy hat, but it rested in one of the empty chairs at the table. Shawn was in his mid forties, but looked younger.
The preacher was ruggedly handsome. He had long, nearly coppery blond hair. It was pulled back into a neat pony tail. His face had a rough stubble and his Texas accent was deep and raspy.
"Yes he is. I'm redecorating his office. Here he comes now," Adam said as he waved to a tall, muscular man headed towards them.
Helmsley was forty and will built. He hung around the gym a lot and the results showed. His blond hair was long and pulled neatly back. His face bore a well-groomed and trimmed beard and mustache. He wore a dark gray, three-piece pin striped suit that fit like a glove.
"Hi Hunter. I'd like to you meet Shawn Hall, my pastor. Shawn, Hunter Helmsley, my attorney. Have a seat, Hunt," Adam politely introduced the two men.
Hunter and Shawn shook hands. As soon as they touched, electricity coursed through their bodies. The lawyer thought the preacher was beautiful. The look Hunter gave Shawn made the preacher blush.
"Nice to meet you Mister Hall," Hunter said as he sat down at the table. He was mesmerized by Shawn's turquoise colored eyes.
"You too, and please, do call me Shawn," the preacher's voice was soft and almost shy.
"Only if you call me Hunter," the lawyer replied. It was almost as if two souls, who were lost suddenly found each other. They belonged together.
Adam noticed this. Maybe he should work to get them together. He got an idea. He'd invite Hunter to the BBQ tomorrow night, maybe Heath was right.
Both men had lost their husbands to a drunk driver, maybe this is what could finally help heal their broken hearts.
Additional Author's Note:
I will now give you a list of the Samoan phrases used throughout the story.
Llo'u au: my love
Lo'u tava nau: my desire
Pele ea: precious
Oute alofa la te oe: I love you
Mata Aulelei: Pretty eyes
As I stated before, I carefully researched these "pet names", but if I have them wrong please feel free to correct me. Also as things from the Samoan culture pop up, I will explain in further Author's notes. I will keep it as brief as possible, but I want you to be able to enjoy the story and not spend time wondering what a word is or means. Thank you once again.