Hey y'all! I'm posting this chapter and I'd like you to review it before I post anymore. I want to know what you think and if adding chapter two is worth it. Thanks in advance – N.d.P
Over One Year Later: Thornton, Colorado
"Give it." Cody said reaching his hand out to Randy as they sat parked in his parent's driveway
"What?"
"Your ring. I'm going to hold on to it while we're here." Randy tugged and twisted at the metal until it slipped past his knuckle
"Looks like it didn't want to come off." The older man said with a smile
"It better not." Cody said stuffing the ring into his front pocket
"Well there's no reason for me to take it off anyway."
"You're right, there isn't so I should never catch you without it."
"Except during this trip."
"Except during this trip."
"Because we went and got married without telling our families."
"All of what you just said." Randy leaned over and kissed his husband of four months. "Still love me?" Cody asked because he knew what the other man's response would be
"More than I did yesterday." He smiled
"Let's go. I can't wait to see my mom and Lucy."
"Ah yes, my mother and sister-in-law."
"Randy." The young man said dryly as he opened the car's door. Randy smiled, appreciating his own joke and opened his door as well. Before they reached the front door, it flew open and Cody's little sister came running out
"CODY!" She yelled. Cody moved around the side of the car and caught the girl as she launched herself into his arms
"Hiya Lucy!"
"I missed you!"
"Aw, I missed you too. Every day I miss you."
"Mama says I can slype you but we never do."
"I think you mean Skype and I'll have to talk to mama about that."
"Okay. Hi Randy." Lucy said with a smile
"Hello Miss Lucy."
"Can you grab my bag, babe?" Cody asked
"Sure." Still holding Lucy in his arms, Cody started up the walkway toward the house and opened the door. He held it open for Randy who wasn't very far behind. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Lucy answered for Cody who laughed as he placed his sister back on her feet
"Mama!" He yelled going toward the kitchen
"My handsome boy." The older woman said smiling
"I missed you, mama." Cody said hugging her
"I know, honey. I've missed you too. You look great." The young man placed a hand on his stomach
"I've gained, like, five pounds."
"What's five pounds on someone who is six foot tall?"
"I'm 6'1", don't gyp me that inch." Cody's mom lightly pushed him to the side and held her arms out for Randy
"Hi, dear. How are you?"
"Wonderful."
"You look great too. I'm glad the two of you are taking care of each other." Randy looked lovingly at Cody who smiled almost shyly
"Of course we are, mama."
"John should be here soon. He called me this morning saying that he needed to clean his apartment before he left."
"He what?"
"I know. It was hell getting him to clean his room here but I'm happy all those years of me yelling at him didn't go to waste."
"I'm happy too because I had to hear it all those years."
"Cody?" Lucy said tugging on his hand
"Yes?"
"Can you paint my nails since you're here?"
"Sure I can. If you go pick the color I'll do it now."
"Okay!" She said running off
"Do not run up those steps Lucy Corrine!" They all heard the little girl's stomping come to a halt
"I'm not mama!"
"She totally was." Cody's mom muttered
"Okay, I know I haven't been home in a while but when did she get that pretty?" The older woman and Randy laughed. "Like, no eight year old should look that way."
"And your father is having a fit. He's praying for her awkward phase to kick in any day now."
"But she'll come out of the awkward phase." Randy said
"Clearly he's not thinking about that. We made some good-looking kids."
"What if she doesn't hit the awkward stage like John?"
"The thought did cross my mind but don't mention that to your dad."
"Wait, so you went through an awkward phase?" Randy asked looking at Cody. "How come I don't remember this?"
"Because you didn't give two craps about John's little brother then and I'm glad you don't remember because it was bad."
"Oh it wasn't."
"It was mama! My hair was in like a bowl cut and jet black for some reason with my big blue eyes," Cody shook his head. "And don't get me started on my teeth before I got braces."
"Maybe I should be thankful I don't remember this."
"Don't even try it Randy and I'm cute now so none of that matters."
"Okay Bowl Cut." Randy and Mrs. Cena high-fived as they laughed. Cody nodded his head
"I'll remember that."
"Aw, babe," Randy cooed wrapping his arms around the younger man
"No. Get off of me." The protesting only made the tall man squeeze harder so to make sure he released him; Cody started to make an exaggerated choking sound
"You lie. I wasn't choking you."
"But you stopped squeezing me so my plan worked."
"I miss you painting my nails Cody. Mama doesn't do it as good." Lucy said walking back in the kitchen
"Well she does her best Lucy. Be nice, okay?"
"Just for that I'm making you eat a ton of broccoli for dinner. You're only getting broccoli in fact."
"Mama!" Lucy whined. "I want some basketti too."
"It's spaghetti."
"Ooh, we're having spaghetti?"
"Yes."
"That's exciting. What color do you want?"
"Um," The little girl placed a finger on her chin as she thought long and hard about what color to have her nails painted. Pink was still her only option
"Should I come back next Thanksgiving for your answer?" Cody asked making Lucy giggle
"No. We can do this one."
"Okay. I like this color."
"Hello?" The foursome heard coming from the foyer. Cody smiled when his best friend popped into the kitchen
"Ev!" He said getting up
"Cody!" The two boys hugged long and hard after not having seen each other for months
"You look great." The taller of the two said getting a good look at his friend
"Thanks. I've been into yoga and a lot of strength training."
"Well it's working for you."
"Thank you. You look good too...definitely moved up a weight class or two for wrestling."
"Yea, five pounds of solid muscle. Working at a gym has its perks."
"Hi mom." Evan said giving Mrs. Cena a hug
"Hello dear."
"Hi Randy."
"Hey. How's it going?"
"Well. How are you?"
"Good. How's Wade?" Randy blurted out. He received a stare-down from Cody and his mom. "Sorry." He apologized
"Oh no, it's fine. He's fine...we're fine actually."
"Soo..." The tall man trailed off
"He and I are together again. He should be here in an hour. His job made them all do mandatory holiday overtime."
"Oh." Randy said with a sigh. Evan chuckled. The group chatted about random things just catching up with each other while Cody beautifully painted his sister's nails with a color OPI called Be a Dahlia Won't You. In all these years Cody was still amused by the names that company came up with
"I'm gonna walk Frankie before John gets here. Do you want to come with me?"
"I'd much rather crash on the couch."
"Suit yourself."
"I'll go with you Codes."
"Okay." He whistled for the dog who met him at the front door, clipped on his leash and the three of them headed out for their walk. "So what's really going on with you and Wade?"
"God Cody, we're not even a good fifteen feet away from the house."
"What does distance matter? What's up?"
"Nothing is up. What I said in there was the truth."
"I guess what I'm really asking is when this reconciliation took place and how come you didn't tell me? I talk to you practically every day."
"A little over a month ago. I missed him."
"Okay but,"
"Sometimes you just have to forgive Cody."
"But he,"
"I know what he did and I believe him when he says he's sorry. I believed him before we broke up but I did it anyway to make myself clear when I said I wouldn't tolerate any of that bullshit."
"Is that why you're super built now?" Evan laughed
"Kinda...I started learning yoga to clear my mind because my heart was broken and I just could not stop thinking about it. Yoga got me centered and some people in my class hooked me up with this amazing trainer, I started eating cleaner and taking better care of myself than I ever did. This is the result. I even did some modeling if you can imagine that. I'm ripped...you should see me naked."
"That's okay. I'll take your word for it."
"I wasn't offering to get naked for you."
"Yea, I get it. Just tell me that you're happy."
"I'm happy. I'm happy with Wade and I'm happy without him so he and I aren't together because I can't live without him...we're together because I don't want to. I love him and despite what he did, I never stopped."
"Okay." Cody said with a nod. "As long as you're alright but tell Wade not to fuck up again or I'm taking you back to Colorado Springs with me where there are guys who'd worship you."
"I will let him know. How's Randy?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know."
"Oh! He's good. Once he got out of the hospital it wasn't so bad...well except for the PTSD."
"He had PTSD?"
"Yea. That was tough to deal with especially at night because he'd wake up in a cold sweat out of a dead sleep if there was any type of sound or light near him. At one point I even took the lamps out of our bedroom or if I got home late and he was sleeping, I'd shower in the dark so I didn't disturb him with the bathroom light."
"How the hell did you do that?"
"Muscle memory basically. All the things in our bathroom stay in the same place so I knew exactly where to reach when I needed something."
"Wow. That's crazy."
"Yea." Cody said reaching into his pocket for his phone. When he pulled the device out the forgotten rings flew out and clattered to the ground. "Shit!" He cursed bending down but between holding a phone and the dog's leash he wasn't fast enough
"What are these?" Evan asked standing upright and holding the rings out
"Rings."
"No shit Cody. What the hell are rings doing in your pocket and not on your fingers – oh my God."
"What?"
"You didn't?! I know you did! And you didn't invite me!" The small man said slapping his friend on the arm repeatedly
"Shut up! Shut up!" Cody hissed. "No one was there okay?"
"What do you mean...Cody? Cody. Cody...what the hell did you do? Why? Did you change your last name? Where did you do it?"
"Chill out. I'll answer all your questions in a minute."
Johnny: are you home yet?
Cody-Boy: yes. Ev and I are walking Frankie right now
Johnny: okay. Cool. Should be there in 20
Cody-Boy: see ya
Johnny: later
"I'm waiting." Evan said after Cody had slipped the phone in his pocket
"Randy and I drove to Iowa four months ago and got married. Legally my last name is still Cena but eventually I'd like to have it changed to Orton."
"Why did you do it though? Because of what happened?"
"That's part of the reason but we did it mostly because what happened made us realize that we don't want to be with other people. I didn't sleep for days afterward from being sick with worry. What if I had lost him, Evan? Every part of my life is in order but when Randy was in the hospital it was like I had nothing. I didn't know what to do...I was a mess. Thanks for driving out there by the way."
"Of course."
"Promise me you won't say anything to anyone."
"Before I do I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you're happy and you didn't pressure Randy into doing this and he didn't pressure you."
"I'm beyond happy and neither of us put pressure on the other. We just decided one night while we were eating dinner to do it, looked up the state closest to us where it was legal and set everything in motion. Was Iowa the ideal place to get married? No but that's my only regret." Evan stuck his pinky finger out so Cody wrapped his own around
"I pinky promise I won't tell a soul." The boys walked back to the house and once inside both their stomachs growled from the aroma of homemade sauce
"Was Frankie good?" Randy asked when Cody sat next to him
"Yes. He didn't go though."
"Oh, okay. Maybe I'll take him out for another walk later."
"Okay." Cody said taking the remote
"I was watching that."
"I just want to see what's on the guide. I'm not changing the channel."
"Well now the guide is blocking my show."
"Randy."
"Seriously." Evan laughed quietly at the secret newlyweds
"I'm home!" Everyone heard John yell as he entered
"JOHN!" Lucy screamed
"She is turned up." Randy commented making Cody and Evan laugh
"Hi Luce." John said kissing his sisters cheeks over and over. "You're getting so big!"
"I know...mama how tall am I?"
"I don't remember at the moment Lu."
"Hi mama."
"Hi."
"Where's dad?"
"Working late. He'll probably be home in an hour or so."
"Baby Cody!"
"I'm not a baby, Johnny."
"You are to me. Get over here." The two brothers embraced. "Nice car Orton." John complimented referring to the 2014 blacked-out Nissan Maxima parked in the driveway
"Thank you. I kinda had to go through hell to get it." The shorter man nodded
"Respect. What are you smiling about?" He asked his brother
"Nothing."
"He's grinning because I bought him one too."
"Oh really?!"
"Yea. His Jeep was starting to give him problems which in turn gave me problems because I worried about him so I just bought him a new car."
"You're handing out cars; meanwhile I'm driving my beat up Subaru."
"Shut the hell up. I know a roaring engine when I hear one and I know that didn't come from a Subaru." Randy went to the door and checked one of the windows on the side. "Looks like a BMW...is that a 5 Series?"
"5 Series Gran Turismo."
"Subaru my ass. That's nice though."
"Thank you."
"Work is good then?"
"Work is better than good. You?"
"Great. I'm 24 and making ridiculous bank. I don't know what to do with myself."
"God, does it ever feel good, right?" Randy smiled and nodded
"Hell yea." John looked at his brother
"And just what are you doing? Moochin' off your man? I know you're cute enough."
"Johnny."
"Well Moochie-Boy?"
"Aw, stop it, John." Randy said
"That's cute that you're defending him against his brother."
"I'm not mooching off anyone. I still go to work and school full-time. I'm on the Dean's List."
"I know." John said with a smile. "Ma told me."
"And the gym where I work promoted me to trainer which is nice because I can make my own schedule when it comes to clients and they pay me more."
"That's great Codes! Congratulations."
"Thank you. They were saying that maybe after I graduate I can have my own space there for exercise rehab."
"No shit?"
"None."
"I'm proud of you little brother. The two of you are flourishing out there in the Springs."
That Night
Randy crawled into bed then leaned down and kissed Cody
"I love you." He said kissing him again
"I love you too." Cody responded turning to his side and kissing the protuberant part of Randy's shoulder where he'd broken his collarbone in the accident
"Still kissing it better?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell Evan?"
"Yes."
"Why? I thought we weren't. I believed that you wouldn't."
"And I wasn't but when I pulled my phone out of my pocket our rings went flying and Ev picked them up. I said they were just rings and he instantly knew."
"Oh."
"So don't be mad at me."
"I'm never mad at you, babe."
"He asked me if we did it because of your accident."
"My accident was part of it."
"That's what I said." The younger man said with a sigh
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I'm okay."
"Babe?"
"No really...you know how I get when I talk about it."
"I'm fine now." Randy said then lay on his side. "I'm not going anywhere." The younger man took a deep breath that was shaky when he exhaled
"That's exactly what you said when you left the apartment that night."
"Did I?"
"Yes. Remember I told you not to go out because it was raining so hard and dark? That I could go to the store in the morning?"
"I don't recall much before the accident and for a few days after to be honest with you."
"Well it doesn't matter now. You're here and that's what's important. I can't think about almost losing you."
"You didn't almost lose me. I'm so much harder to get rid of."
Almost six month prior, Randy had decided to make a quick run to the store during the rather heavy downpour but that quick trip turned out to be very long. While driving, he had slowed down for a particularly large puddle in the road but the semi-truck behind him did not and rear-ended his car sending it hundreds of feet down the road where it flipped twice and landed in a ditch. Luckily, passing motorists had seen the accident and called 911 and probably saved the man's life. In the collision his collarbone was broken and he was knocked unconscious which is how he stayed for a full 24-hours.
Back at the apartment Cody paced around, along with Frankie, waiting for his boyfriend to come walking through the door soaked and carrying a loaf of bread. An hour and a half into his pacing he finally picked up his phone to call and see where Randy was but the phone just rang and rang. After the sixth call a police officer answered the phone and told Cody where Randy was and it sent him into hysterics. Cody had never been hysterical in his entire life. He took a shot of vodka to calm his nerves before driving to the hospital. Where he stayed until the 24th hour when he heard what he had been hoping to hear for an entire day. Randy's voice and the words he croaked out
"I love you."
"Oh my God," Cody said as he cried
"What are you crying for? Do I look that bad?" Randy joked
"You're so stupid." The crying man said leaning over and kissing his boyfriend. "And I love you too."
Cody leaned in and wrapped an arm around Randy, pulling him into as tight a hug as he could
"Stop it, Cody. Stop doing this to yourself. I made the decision to go out in a storm for some bread."
"I should have picked it up,"
"What did I say? Neither of us is at fault. You're human so you forget. It's okay that you forgot the bread. I obeyed traffic laws. I drove at a safe speed. The truck driver was to blame. He followed at an unsafe speed. He had been on the road for almost an entire day which is against the law. I don't give a fuck that you didn't get the bread and I don't blame you. I never did, okay?"
"Okay."
"No. I want you to mean that because I don't want to have this discussion with you again."
"Then I take it back." Randy chuckled
"You're a jerk."
"I know. Do you love me?"
"More than I did yesterday." Cody smiled as he released Randy from the tight hug
"Goodnight." He said and punctuated it with a kiss
"Goodnight."
Next Morning
"Oh my god," Randy breathed after Cody pulled away from their kiss. "You're a pro now. I don't think the headboard hit the wall once." Cody chuckled as the climbed off the older man
"It's all about isolation. I can move my pelvis without rocking the rest of my body."
"Remind me to thank your kinesiology professor."
"What're you thanking him for? I had to learn all that stuff."
"Thank you Cody."
"You're welcome. Hey, do you want to continue this in the shower? Everyone's still sleeping and we'll be killing two birds with one stone."
"You know how much I like killing birds."
...
"What about that one?" Cody asked placing Randy's breakfast on the table
"No."
"Why?"
"Did you see the price? We're staying under $400,000. I'd prefer it if we kept it under 350."
"How much were we approved for again?" The younger man asked sitting down with his plate
"$450,000."
"Click on that one."
"It's not under 350."
"Randy." The older man tapped the screen of the tablet then handed it over so he could get started on his food. "You're not going to look?"
"I will but I want you to go through the pictures first. You know whether you like a house or not after looking at three photos and that saves me from having to look at a bunch."
"I feel so used." Randy laughed. "You have to look at this one."
"Do I?"
"Yea...it's really nice. I want to say perfect but I don't want to get my hopes up." The older man pulled his husbands chair closer to his so they could view the iPad together
"Oh." He said
"See?"
"Good morning. What are you guys looking at all huddled up?" Mrs. Cena asked
"Houses."
"Why?"
"Because it doesn't make any sense for us to pay rent when that money can go toward a mortgage."
"Cody."
"What mama?"
"A house? That's a major undertaking."
"We know but so was moving an hour away from our families and into an apartment together."
"Yea but,"
"Randy's paying $1300 a month in rent...that's mortgage money. I pay trash, cable, car insurance and I buy our groceries. That only comes to about $635...sometimes it's a little less and sometimes it's a little more. With me doing the personal training I'm bringing in about $1400 a month. We have plenty of money."
"It's not about the money, Cody. You're barely 20 years old."
"Either I am or I'm not."
"What?"
"You said I'm barely 20 years old. I'm either 20 or I'm not."
"Do not get smart with me because you understand what I'm trying to say. Why don't you just move into a less expensive place?"
"Because those look like crap. Mama," Cody sighed. "Economically, staying in an apartment or any place we have to rent is stupid. We're wasting money that way."
"I just told you it's not about money. Are you listening to me?"
"I'm not going to fight with you about this."
"Cody." Randy said
"You're damn right you're not going to fight with me about this."
"What's going on in here?" Cody's dad asked walking into the room
"Cody and Randy are over there house shopping."
"They're what?"
"Oh God." The youngest man groaned. "Dad it doesn't make any damn sense for us to stay in our apartment when a mortgage is just about the same."
"You need to relax." Randy said quietly. He'd been with Cody long enough to know when he was ready to let loose
"How can I relax right now?"
"Look at me." Cody huffed and looked into Randy's eyes. "Calm it down."
"I'm calm."
"Okay, since no one else is saying it, I'll be the one: are the two of you rushing into this because of the accident?"
"We're not rushing. We've been together the better part of two years. I don't understand how this is a cause of concern when me moving from here and into an apartment with Randy wasn't. He and I weren't even together a year at that point. We're in a stable and years long relationship and now everyone is like, oh my god! What are you doing?!"
"Well let's see, smartass," Mr. Cena said folding his arms across his chest. "The two of you moved into an apartment that you're leasing but now you want to buy a house. That's a major fucking difference Cody. I'm not sure if you're aware."
"Okay, so now you're going to talk to me like I'm stupid. It's nice to know where this is going."
"You didn't even talk with us about any of this."
"Talk about what?" John asked joining the conversation
"Your knucklehead brother wants to buy a house with Randy." John took a step back and looked around the room. Both Randy and Cody felt uncomfortable when his eyes landed on them
"Hmm," He hummed scratching his chin. "I mean they already live together."
"Be quiet, John."
"Huh?"
"Cody didn't even discuss this with your father or me."
"Why should he? Is he asking you for money or anything?"
"No."
"Then help me understand the problem. I agree that buying a house is a big deal and if it turns out to be a mistake then that's a lesson they'll have to learn."
"Go to your room."
"I am 24 years old. That doesn't work anymore. How much were the two of you approved for because I know you've already gone to the bank?"
"$450,000." Randy said. "But I'm trying to keep it 350 or less." He added looking pointedly at Cody
"Damn. Is a network engineer paid like that?"
"I am."
"Excuse me!" John's mom barked
"A house is a lot. Sure you have the money now but what about any problems that arise? Home inspections, roof leaks...a termite problem? Shit happens."
"Even with paying rent and bills, Cody and I have managed to save a substantial amount of money. We don't live beyond our means in any sense. We use our money for what's absolutely necessary and hardly spend it otherwise."
"You guys don't go out to eat?" John asked stirring his coffee
"Once, maybe twice a week and even that's a stretch. Both of us are busy so a perfect night for us consists of Cody cooking, which allows us to spend time together, us eating and watching a movie or one of our shows. Our biggest splurge was me buying us cars and I did that with my settlement money which I still have 90% of so, Mr. Cena, if we do run into some problems with a house, I have the money to take care of it." Cody's mom wanted to continue the argument but there was really nothing she could say after that. "I'm sure the two of you are worried about Cody and you love him in a way that I never could but the fact is I do love him and care about him and I worry about him too. Cody's the best thing going for me so I'd never put him in a position to fail or be hurt and if that did happen I'd do every damn thing I could to make it right."
"Come on, how can you go against that?" John chimed in
"I can't." His dad said. "I feel like you're about to ask for his hand in marriage or something." He said with a chuckle. Cody and Randy laughed along nervously and neither noticed John studying them through the steam billowing from his coffee