Looking back on my life, like everyone else, I have regrets. Not speaking up, not knowing when to stay quiet, and not seeing through lies, all the regular things that people regret. But I regret nothing more than when I missed my chance to tell the man I had loved my entire life that I wanted to be with him. I watched him get married, I watched him have a child with someone else because I kept my mouth shut. I had my reasons for staying quiet. He's 13 years older than me. And only for the last three years have I been even legal for him to date. I shut those feelings down when he got married and I focused on school. I focused so much on school all the time that I had to get a GED to move onto a level of schooling that was a challenge; at 14 I started college.

I finished college when I was 18; I finished with a doctorate in sports and exercise medicine. I was offered a job with Doctors Without Borders immediately after my graduation and I hadn't seen any of my family in four years. I could not have been happier to get away from the man I wanted most, though. I couldn't watch him with someone else anymore. To my surprise he was divorced just a year before I came home to St' Louis, MI. Who is this man? None other than Randy Orton. The Randy Orton. WWE Superstar, Apex Predator, whatever you want to call him. I grew up with him. He actually babysat me with my older brother, Darrien. My brothers were best friends with the Orton boys, Daniel and Randy were inseparable, as were Darrien (my younger older brother) and Nathan (Randy's younger brother); and I was the annoying little sister that always wanted to tag along.

My name is Maria Kavanagh and this is my life.

I stepped out of the taxi that had parked in front of the oh-so-familiar house that I grew up in. The taxi driver helped me haul my three large duffel bags to the front step then left so fast he almost left flames on the driveway. I sighed and turned to face the dark wooden door. Before I could even knock my mother had swung the door open and wrapped her arms around me in the tightest hug I'd ever had.

"Oh, my baby! I missed you so much," my mom told me quietly as she hugged me. My mother, Laurel, was always a very affectionate person. She was always talking to me and asking me questions about everything and hugging me and kissing my cheeks, just the sweetest woman in the world. I think the only person who comes close to my mom would be Elaine, Randy's mom. After about five minutes my mom let me out of the hug. Behind her was my dad, although they separated when I was six they kept living together because it mutually benefitted both, and it allowed them to very effectively co-parent me and my brothers. My mom did all the housework and cooking and grocery shopping, while my dad worked and provided money and a roof over their heads. It worked for them and they didn't feel the need to change it.

"Good to see you, kid!" My dad said as he hugged me even tighter than my mom did. He was a man of few words, but could jabber your ear off if you got a few beers in him.

"We're throwing you a party tomorrow, to let everyone know you're home!" I groaned I never did like being the center of attention. My dad let me go and gave me an affectionate pat on my shoulder then left to go sit down. "By the way, sweetie, you got some mail from WWE yesterday. It looks important." I was confused that I'd be getting mail from them but intrigued as to what it might be about. I lugged my duffel bags inside and closed the front door, and then I went to my pile of mail on the kitchen counter. The top piece was exactly what I was looking for. I ripped open the envelope and began to read out loud.

"Dear Maria Kavanagh,

We are pleased to inform you that we have received recommendations for you to fill our new open position of lead Physician for our athletes. It seems you have friends in high places.

If you would like to discuss matters further please contact myself Stephanie McMahon at the earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Stephanie McMahon, OH MY GOD!" I screamed. I couldn't hold it in. I'd been a wrestling fan for so long, it was my dream to be a part of the WWE, and I had an in!

My mom walked into the kitchen casually, asking what all the fuss was about. "Mom, Stephanie McMahon pretty much just offered me a job in the WWE!"

"That's great honey. You should probably call or email her so she doesn't think you don't want it. I guess your party will be a welcome home/congratulations party!" I hugged my mom and ran upstairs to my room, it had been left unchanged for four years and was spotless- I'd have to remember to thank my mom later. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and got on my email.

Dear Stephanie McMahon,

Thank you so much for this opportunity, it could not have come at a better time. Please let me know what we need to discuss before I can begin working.

I appreciate this chance so much. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Maria Kavanagh

I took a deep breath and let it out. Life was pretty much perfect. I ran back down stairs to grab my luggage and haul it upstairs.

The next morning my mother woke me up bright and early, 7 in the morning bright and early. I took a shower first thing and got my hair ready for the party that was starting at 4; it seemed like forever to wait. I helped my mom clean, cook and set up for the party, my party. At 3:30 she finally let me finish getting ready. I pulled on a little black number that was about knee length and had beading around the waist right before it flowed out away from my hips. I checked myself in the mirror once more before I heard the doorbell ring. I heard my mom answer the door, and then I heard footsteps thundering upstairs and my bedroom door flew open to reveal my best friend, Sarah. We immediately squeezed each other and started squealing. It had been so long since I'd seen her, since I'd seen anyone, in fact. I didn't get vacations while I was in Doctors Without Borders.

"How excited are you to be home?" She asked after we let each other go.

"I'm so glad I'm home. I loved being in Africa, but nothing beats home." We linked arms and walked downstairs to find my brothers and their families waiting for me.

It wasn't long, maybe an hour, until the house was full and everyone spilled out into the backyard. It was a nice, sunny, warm day. Kids were running around playing tag and parents were laughing as they watched and socialized with each other. Family and friends I hadn't seen in years came to welcome me home. I was in the kitchen sneaking in some bites of random appetizers when I heard the doorbell ring again. I hurried to the door and opened it, sure to keep a welcoming smile on my face for whoever lay behind it.

It was him, tall, tan, handsome, blue-eyed Randy Orton, with an equally as handsome John Cena at his side. My breath got caught in my throat. He had grown to be even more mouth-wateringly gorgeous in the four years I'd been away. He had a slight beard and a graceful smile on his face. "Maria! Your mom told us you were coming home! It's so good to see you again," Randy said. He wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up in a huge hug. That was the closest I had ever been to him in my life, besides when he used to change my diapers.

"H-hey, Randy! It's uh good to see you too." Randy put me down and I gave John a light hug. "Hey, John. It's good to see you too."

"You too, Maria. How have you been?" John asked. I was beginning to tremble, like I always did when Randy was near.

"I've been alright; just really busy doing the whole doctor thing. I actually just got a job at WWE."

"We know, we're the ones who recommended you for the position," Randy informed me.

"Wow, thank you guys! Come on in, the party is out back." I caught Randy's eyes as I turned around and the look in them wasn't one I'd ever seen directed towards me before. It was almost like he was surprised, what he was surprised about I had no clue. As I was the leading the two tall men into the backyard I ran into my brother Daniel, who greeted his close friend warmly with a handshake hug thing. They chattered for a minute before Daniel asked to have a word with me, alone in the living room.

"Hey, what was that look you were giving Randy?" he asked.

"What look?" I replied, hoping he wasn't about to bring up the fact that I'd been making googly eyes at Randy for the last ten minutes.

"The 'ohemgee I'm so in love with you' eyes. He's a player. Stay away from him." Daniel's warning struck fear in my heart. Could sweet, funny, handsome Randy have turned into a player after his divorce?

"Don't worry. I wouldn't have a chance even if I wanted one."

"Good, keep it that way," he said after he popped the top on a new beer and walked away. I left the living room to go find Sarah; she was in the backyard next to the grill, chatting up John Cena. From the look on her face I decided to let her have some one on one time with John and his charming ways. I leaned against the side of the house and watched all my loved ones conversing with each other.

"There sure are a lot of people here," said a smooth, deep voice from behind me. I jumped and turned to see none other than Randy. He stood tall in a white button up and black slacks.

"Yeah, I guess I'm just that awesome. How've you been, Randy?" I asked as I leaned back against the house.

"I've been alright. Sam and I got divorced, actually. That's been kind of tough."

"Divorce is not an easy thing."

"No, it's not. Especially not when you have a child involved."

"How is Alanna?"

"She's doing great. She's so smart, and funny. She has the most beautiful blue eyes."

"Just like her daddy, huh?" The comment flew out of my mouth before I could stop it. I turned beet red as Randy smiled and looked down at his feet and chuckled.

"Yeah, just like me. Anyways, I hope you have fun. I'm gonna go find John and grab a beer." Randy walked off and left me internally punching myself.

"What the deal, toots?" Sarah asked me once she walked up to me.

"I'm just retarded. I totally just hit on Randy and made it super awkward and then he left."

"Well, in other news, good news: John Cena asked me out on a date!" I was happy for my best friend but also extremely jealous and wishing I could get a date with the man of my dreams. Apparently my stupid brain would rather have me embarrass myself. What a great way to begin my new life at home.

The party went on and my family and friends who came with kids left, until it was just me, John, Sarah, and Randy left. We sat in a circle around a fire pit in the back yard, laughing and drinking. I had lost count of how many beers I'd had at that point.

"So, Maria, tell us about Africa," Sarah said. She'd been dying to know how it went, but I never told her anything through letters or over the phone.

"To be totally honest, it was sad. So many people over there needed medical help. I dealt with everything from Malaria to broken ankles. There was never enough food for the locals, but they always shared with us as thanks for helping them." I looked down at my hands and realized that my beer was empty.

"I'm sorry it wasn't rainbows and butterflies," Sarah said.

"Nah, it's okay. I did the world good. I helped people." I smiled and looked at Randy. He was smiling too. Something about the way his blue eyes sparkled in the firelight as they watched me made my heart feel warm and safe, that feeling spread throughout my entire body. I knew then that I couldn't live without this breath-taking man.

"Hey Randy, wanna help me grab us some more beers?" I asked him.

"Yeah, alright." He stood and walked with me to the cooler in the kitchen. We both reached to open it at the same time, causing our fingers to brush. His were warm but rough and strong. They sent that warm feeling through my body again. I looked up into his blue eyes and felt like I saw into his soul. I couldn't help it; I grabbed his cheeks and brought his lips to mine in a fiery kiss. He immediately kissed me back and wrapped his long tattooed arms around my waist and picked me up with ease. His tongue teased my bottom lip as he set me on the nearest counter. One of his large, warm hands felt its way up to the back of my neck and pulled me deeper into the kiss. Before I knew it he had pulled away from me, and rested his forehead on mine. He still had his eyes closed as he began speaking.

"I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry." He picked up the beers and left the kitchen.

I scooted off the counter and sighed to myself. "I should've known better," I told myself. How could he ever have feelings for someone like me? I brought Sarah her beer and then took mine back to my bedroom with me. I finished it as I gazed off into the darkness of my closet, thinking about my first kiss with Randy. I soon fell asleep and dreamt of the gorgeous man with blue eyes and tattooed arms.