Miss Independent

Summary: Three-shot part two: While Xander contemplates celebrating his birthday, April contemplates their relationship. Xapril

A.N: Hiya boys and girls! This is fic Numero Dos in the Xapril Trilogy and its Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson from the album 'Thankful'. Tomorrow will be the end of this evil saga, and as always, I'm leaving it as a mystery. Enjoy!

A.N.2: April 'Trinity Delirium' Calaway and Anna 'Dahlia Delirium' Calaway-Levy belong to moi! Scott 'Raven' Levy belongs to himself, Xander Levesque/Helmsley co-belongs to XoX-ShAdAy-XoX and myself, EnternalxInsanity, and Adam 'Edge' Copeland belongs to himself... anyway. Credit where it's due people!

A.N.3: To see Xander's side of what happened during the day of this fic (the end of it anyway), please read Memories chapter 23. ENJOY! For those of you who came here from Memories, you jumped the gun but that's okay, I posted Memories first ;P

November 2007

Back flipping from the top turn-buckle onto the mat, April Calaway, Trinity Delirium to the fans, second eldest daughter to Mark 'The Undertaker' Calaway and reigning Knockout's champion of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (known commonly as TNA), wrenched back as her tag-team partner, Shannon 'Daffney' Spruill, swung her arm for a perfect lariat. They'd been training all after-noon, and were sweaty and tired, but the match they were training for needed to be perfect, since both girls were both high-risk wrestlers. If they screwed something up, their opponents could be seriously hurt. Normally April would be training with her sister, Anna, but Anna was eight-and-a-half months into her second pregnancy and couldn't wrestle. Shannon was a perfect substitute.

April hit the mat hard with a bone-jarring thud, but she slipped from the ring unhurt. Her mind just wasn't in it today. Her beloved boyfriend, Xander Levesque, hadn't spoken to her in three days and her emotions had hit their peak; she feared he'd leave her for someone else, someone far younger and more beautiful then she, but her esteem had always been pretty bad. Ever since Chris 'Jericho' Irvine had played with her heart, Adam 'Edge' Copeland had used and abused her… no, her heart just wasn't in it anymore.

Her problem, she thought, was that she was too possessive of her boyfriends, and they either got scared and ran, like Chris had, or lied to her, like Adam had. Truth be told, she wasn't really up for anymore heartache, but heartache was a prerequisite of love.

When she'd met Xander, she'd just cleared her divorce with Adam and had taken their child, Lara, away from him to a small town in Florida called Maple Falls. She hadn't wanted a relationship with anyone. She alone would raise her child, she alone would fend for herself in the great, big world. She didn't need anyone.

She was, affectionately known by her siblings, as Miss Independent.

Shannon slipped from the ring, waved goodbye then left the gym, just as a severely pregnant Anna stepped into the room and came up beside her sister as April took a swig of her water. The refreshing liquid ran down her throat and revitalized her tired muscles. She was twenty-seven now, the best years of her life, but the wear and tear of the most brutal of sports was starting to get to her.

"Angel," Anna said, sitting on the table. April looked at her once, and then took another drink, indicating that she was listening. Anna smiled. "Is it just me or is your groove out of whack?"

"My groove?" April asked, putting her drink bottle back on the table.

"Are you feeling burnt out?"

April thought about this for a second. The Calaway family had always been one of the most respected families in the world of professional wrestling, but April had lost some respect from her fans for who she was dating. On screen, TNA-wise at least, Trinity and Xander had been playing with getting together for months. But Trinity was a loose cannon, and those closest to her believed she'd hurt Xander, both physically and emotionally, the first chance she got. This stopped Xander from actually making the move to fall for her. In reality, Xander and April had been dating for almost two years. April had made the terrible mistake of falling head over heels in love with him, and given her heart to him completely. By this point, however, April was not surprised at Xander's sudden self-imposed exile. He was hiding, from what she didn't know, but she'd find out if it killed her. This plus her training regime had burned her out mentally, and she was most likely going to hurt someone.

Maybe stopping for a while, taking a long-needed vacation or something along those lines, was exactly what she needed. She'd be Miss Out-Of-My-Way once again, she just needed a break.

All April could do was shrug. Anna scowled and stared at her.

"He's not cheating on you," the younger Calaway said, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ears. April smirked then turned away, picking up her duffle, and slipping on her University of Texas basketball jersey. She didn't have a lot of time to talk about Xander or their somewhat-chaotic relationship at this point. Her children were waiting for her back at the hotel.

When she arrived at her hotel, she spotted Xander leaning against a pillar, watching her closely. His dark eyes stared at her intently, almost trying to read her. His dark hair was pulled back into a loose pony-tail and he grinned at her. She was about to go over to him when his sister-in-law, Stephanie McMahon, came over to him, something in her hands. Xander's eyes went to Stephanie and April scowled. When he mouthed something to Steph and looked back at his girlfriend, she gave him a despondent look before heading upstairs. He wasn't going to bend her to his will by using his puppy eyes. She was a Queen, and he would not force her from her throne.

When she got upstairs, Hailie-Jade, her eleven-year-old daughter looked up from her seat on the sofa and smiled. Hailie had only been with April for a few weeks, after being taken from her when she was a month old, then returned to her eleven years later, but April still loved her, more then she had the day Hailie was born. April smiled at her and walked over, kissing her daughter on the head then dropping her duffle bag on the floor and heading for the kitchenette. Lara, her six-year-old daughter was sitting on a stool reading a book. Her beautiful brunette hair shone in the light filtering in from outside and she looked every bit the angel she was. April loved both her girls deeply.

"Afternoon, baby," April said, pulling open the fridge and pulling out a soda, cracking it open. Lara looked up and smiled. She was about to open her mouth to speak when April's phone beeped. The Fallen Angel pulled it free from the loop of her jeans and she read the message that flashed across the screen. Xander.

From: Xander Levesque
To: April Calaway

Thanks for the greasy today, Angel. Just thought I'd stop by to say I love you. See you later.
Xander: Without You I'm A Disaster And You're My Ever After

She wanted to reply but another text broke her train of thought.

From: Ashley Massaro (Pretty Princess)
To: April Calaway

We still on for tonight, Angel? I have some ideas to run by you for Saturday. Also, Alexa wants to know if Lara and Hailie want to come around for a play-date. Call me!
Ashley: Now I'm Caught Between the Devil and The Angel That I Used To Be.

April smiled; Ashley always had that magic way of making her smile. Out of the four women known as the Bratz, Ashley was the one April loved the most besides her sister. Maria Kanellis was a perfect angel, but she didn't get April like Ashley did. They'd been friends since they were fifteen, and that's the way it would stay, no matter what came between them. They were just that close.

April made the decision to meet Ashley in the ballroom of the extravagant hotel in Las Vegas, the hotel known simply as Caesar's Palace. It was there that April and her family would throw Xander a surprise party for his thirtieth birthday. No matter what rift had appeared between herself and Xander, April would still love him, even if he left her.

The mirror on the wall near the balcony window caught her attention as she stared at her reflection. Her dark black hair, green eyes and fair complexion made her stand out from the crowd. All her siblings, except Gunner, had been born with black hair, which they'd gotten from their mother. Abbi had dyed her undergrowth blonde, to mask the fact that she and April were identical, and Anna had dyed it red, simply because she liked the color. Each girl could be told apart by their hair color, while Gunner had been born with deep burgundy hair, which he'd gotten from his father.

April smiled, staring at herself. Miss Almost-Grown is here to stay.

It was a little after four when April reached the ballroom, and Ashley was happy to see her, as always. Hailie and Lara entered the room not long after her, promptly being pounced on by Ashley's seven-year-old daughter, Alexa. They ran off to the other side of the ballroom to play while April planned with Ashley.

"I have some ideas," Ashley said after a hug. April put on the happy-mask she'd gotten so used to wearing.

"Hit me."

Ashley smiled and slapped her across the arm. April winced but laughed, following Ashley towards the stage set up on the far side of the room.

The whole time she planned Xander's birthday, April's mind wandered to her boyfriend. He was wandering around the hotel somewhere, probably in the bar with his brother. They'd drifted apart, and that was not solely Xander's fault, as most would think it was. April had been so busy planning his birthday that she didn't have time to spend with him, and his daughter Jodi, and it was putting a strain on their relationship. April loved Xander with all her heart, but her heart was still on a thick chain. She kept her heart protected so she would never have to feel love's keen sting ever again. Xander had promised not to hurt her, but that didn't mean he wouldn't. Men seemed to hurt April in more ways then one. The thought of Xander sleeping around on her or leaving her for someone else was enough to make April lose faith in humanity all over again. After everything they'd been through together, everyone figured they would have split, but they hadn't. They'd both clung to what remained of normalcy, even if it did cause conflict. With Xander being a full-time father, full-time rockstar and full-time wrestler, that didn't leave a whole lot of time to be a part-time boyfriend, let alone full-time. Their travel schedules clashed, so they had very little time to spend together.

When they'd gotten together on that beautiful Christmas Eve in Montreal, it had felt like paradise. Two high-strung lunatics becoming one usually didn't work, but somehow they'd made it through everything; Xander's arrest and conviction of manslaughter charges, April's break-down after Hailie had come back into her life… everything. Then the insults started.

April was accused of cheating, Xander was accused of beating her, and both of them as a couple had been attacked from all sides. Somehow they'd survived it, and April had fallen in love. Little Miss Apprehensive had fallen head over heels for the Cobra, Xander Levesque.

As the day came to a close, April and Ashley finished preparing Xander's party in the ballroom, and the Fallen Angel retired to her hotel room. Hailie was curled up on the sofa, her head resting on Xander's lap. April couldn't help but smile as that warm, fluttery feeling welled up inside her chest again. She couldn't help but love him; he had that magical hold on her, the one that made her melt into his arms, the one that made her drown in his kisses, the one that made her weep with ecstasy when they made love. It was all truly perfect.

As she watched him gently pat Hailie's hair, showing affection for a child that wasn't his own, her heart fluttered that tiny bit. Xander must have felt someone watching him because he turned his head and looked at her, smiling. April smiled back, and then bit her lip. Xander's eyebrow rose as he whispered something to Hailie. She raised her head and pushed herself up so he could get up. He gave her a quick kiss before she resumed watching TV. Xander bounded over to April and took her hand before she could leave the room. She turned away, her tired and stressed body needing to sleep. It had been a hectically long day and she just wanted to relax and crawl into the soft plush of her purple comforter. Xander's fingers were warm against her skin though as he pulled her towards him. His hand cupped her jaw as he gently tilted her head to look at him. She looked into those sea-green eyes and fell in love all over again.

The feelings that welled up inside her every time she looked at him made her believe in love again. Chris, Adam, hell even John, Matt and Bret had almost ruined her chance at happiness. Then she'd found Xander. He'd been the light in her very darkest hour; he'd helped her back from the brink of self-destruction. And she, in a way, had helped him. He'd been just as self-destructive as she was, maybe even worse. Drugs, alcohol and self-loathing had pushed Xander to the point of no return. She'd wrenched him back, and kept him there. So what she felt for him was completely real.

April smiled as those long dormant feelings ran rampant in her head. Hailie, and the miniscule Jodi who had joined her on the sofa, poked their heads over the back of the plush seating and giggled as Xander kissed her, his lips moving against hers in a passion-filled tango. She pulled him closer and kissed him back, her passion tangling with his. The few bricks left in her wall of solitude she'd put up many years ago to protect her fragile heart fell away. Curling her arms around Xander's neck, she cast a quick look at her child and Xander's as they giggled on the sofa. Upon catching the Fallen Angel's gaze, they both mock swooned and fainted onto the sofa, giggling up a storm. April rolled her eyes and pulled away from her boyfriend, dragging him into the bedroom.

Goodbye, Miss Independent, April thought as she and Xander made love for the first time in weeks. Their bodies were a tangled web of arms and legs, and April's body tingled as Xander placed kiss after kiss down her neck and across her shoulders. It was then that she realized she wanted to spend the rest of eternity with the man in her arms, currently making her feel like she had died and gone to an ecstasy-filled heaven. She craved his kisses, his scent, his very presence, like an addict craved the bottle. They were meant to be, in her eyes at least. She simply couldn't exist without him.

Thursday rolled around and April and Shannon were standing in their locker room, stretching their muscles. It was the night of their big match-up and they were pumped and ready to go. Down the hall were their opponents for the evening, Christy Hemme and Gail Kim, two up-and-coming Knockouts ready to make a name for themselves. Xander would be watching them from the back, while Anna's fiancé, Scott Levy, would be watching from the sidelines, cheering his girls on.

Just as April was about to stretch her hamstrings, her cell-phone buzzed. She rolled her eyes at the ring tone. Begging, again. She grinned, and Shannon caught it and giggled, going back to her stretches. Let's make him work for it. She picked up her phone and put it to her ear.

"Hello?" she said casually, holding her phone between her ear and shoulder as she pulled her thick hair into a pony-tail. Anna would braid it for her later.

"Hello beautiful."

April inwardly laughed but smirked on the outside at the sound of her ex-husband's voice. Adam Copeland had been calling her for months, begging to see Lara, his daughter. She wouldn't allow it. He wasn't the right parent to raise her. He'd cheated on her, over and over again, with someone she'd once considered a friend. And he hadn't even had the decency to tell her to her face; she'd found out from Matt Hardy, Amy Dumas' now-ex boyfriend. He'd been shattered too when he'd found out about Amy and Adam. Once April had found out on the cold, windy February day, she'd gone straight home and confronted him about it. Adam had denied it, until Amy had called his phone not five minutes after, demanding to see him. April had flipped and thrown him out, with a bag of his stuff and an unhappy goodbye. She hadn't heard much from him lately though. Or maybe she'd been too busy worrying about her relationship with Xander and his upcoming birthday to care.

"Why hello, handsome," she said sarcastically. Shannon looked at her with a quizzical look on her face. April mouthed 'Adam' before returning to her stretching. "What can I do for you this fine, November evening."

"You can let me have my daughter back, or at the very least see her. You owe me that much."

April laughed, a hearty laugh that ricocheted up from her soul. He'd been direct at least.

"I don't owe you anything, Adam. I don't owe you a damn thing. I let you talk to her on the phone; I don't even legally have to do that much."

Adam was about to protest when Scott came into the room, indicating they were on soon. The girls nodded in unison, and April finished up her conversation.

"She doesn't even love you anymore, Adam. She's found a new Daddy, one she cares about."

"WHAT?!"

April laughed, an idea popping into her head. She grinned mischievously, following her partner and brother-in-law out the door. "Watch Impact tonight and you'll find out." She pressed the end-call button and threw her phone onto the sofa, pulling her 'Rock Royalty' t-shirt over her head completely.

At the entrance ramp, she ran into TNA's owner, Jeff Jarret. He smiled politely at her. They'd always had a good relationship; her father and Jeff had worked together in the WWE, then called the WWF. And when April had worked there, she and Jeff had gotten along wonderfully. He'd started TNA in 2002 with his dad, and had automatically offered April a spot on the roster. She'd declined of course, but he said she was welcome any time she pleased. When she'd left WWE in 2006, when Xander was put in prison, she'd called Jeff and asked if the offer was still open. Wrestling, after all, was her drug, the one thing in the world she did better than anyone (holding a ten year Undefeated Streak was no easy feat). He'd said yes before she'd even finished speaking.

"Hey, Jeff," April said, giving him a quick squeeze. He smiled and pat her head as she pulled away. "I need a favor."

Jeff grinned. "Anything for you, my dear."

"I'm changing the ending of my segment. Trinity and Xander are supposed to argue then Trin leaves, right?" Jeff nodded, keeping up with what April was saying, considering the pace she was speaking in. "Let's have them get together. Trin needs a fuck-buddy anyway." With a giggle, April kissed Jeff on the cheek and took off after Shannon.

"I'll let Xander know!" Jeff called after her, heading off to find the younger Helmsley Brother.

Mid-way through her match, April was taken down with a rather hard clothesline from Hemme, one that sent a flash of pain up her back. Hemme was about to drop an elbow on her when Daffney pulled her out of the way. April flipped back to her feet as Kim came in to help Hemme. The ref backed away as April and Daffney, as a unit, hit a double corkscrew drop-kick, hitting both of their opponents square in the jaw before they dropped to the ground. April landed next to Shannon, which set them up for Shannon's favourite move, a Death-Valley Driver. She hit Kim with it and flung her out of the ring, the younger Knockout following soon after, which left April alone in the ring with Hemme. Christy stood up and held her jaw, facing away from April. The older Calaway grinned and dropped to a knee, waiting patiently for Christy to turn around. She did this, and April leaped, kicking Hemme in the stomach. Hemme doubled over, which gave April the opportunity she needed. She grabbed Christy's arms, wrenched them behind the red-head's back and pulled her up into a power-bomb position. She held her there for a second then dropped to her backside, slamming Christy down with her. Christy screamed, as she was supposed to, and held her back. April swung herself into the pinning position and got the three count.

Just as her music started, it switched to Riot by Three Days Grace, which signalled the arrival of Xander. Anna, who had been at ring-side, and Scott slipped into the ring to celebrate with April just as she spun around, her hair flipping with her. The dark look on her face suggested frustration, but her eyes gave away how she really felt; relieved. This would all be over soon, and April could return to the hotel with her boyfriend, to her babies, and curl up on the sofa in his arms, watching her favourite chick-flick, Notting Hill. In her mind's eye, she was grinning like the Cheshire Cat; Adam would be watching this at home, and it would drive the final stake into his coffin.

Xander slipped into the ring as a psychotic grin crossed April's face; of course, she was in character, but the next thing she was about to do was absolutely true, and Adam knew that, so did Xander. April never entered into a storyline that wasn't even remotely realistic or something she was going or went through. She'd feuded with Trish Stratus over Chris Jericho, which had sparked from her real life arguments with Trish. She'd then gone on to feud with her father, then Adam and Amy. She'd had minor feuds in between, but those, to her, were the ones that mattered most. Everything she did in the ring, whether she was in character or not, was true.

She grabbed a microphone from Jeremy Borash and giggled darkly into it.

"Hello, Xander," she said, her voice low, seductive and full of evil. He smiled and brought his own microphone to his lips.

"Well done on the victory, Trinity," he said, his voice laced with temptation. April bobbed her head and looked at him dreamily, her smile never leaving her face.

"Thank you."

"Have you thought about what we discussed a few weeks ago?" Xander's perfectly shaped eyebrow rose in curiosity and she bit her lip, cute smile gracing her lip.

The discussion he was referring to had occurred backstage, with the cameras filming it all. He'd ask her why she didn't want to go out with him. She'd said she hated the idea of men in general, but they could still be friends. His temple had started throbbing and he'd blown up, going as far as calling her Jaded before leaving the room. She'd stared at the floor before heading off in the other direction.

"Yes, I have." She walked up to him, that dark smile crossing her face again. Xander leaned down to look at her.

"And?"

April smiled, said 'catch!' into the mic before throwing it away and jumping into Xander's arms, kissing him hard on the lips. They kissed for the better half of thirty seconds before April pulled away and, in all seriousness, said, "I don't wanna be jaded."

Xander smiled and put his arms around her, hugging tightly. As had happened the first time he'd admitted he loved her, he looked her in the eyes and muttered those words that made her melt inside, and she could tell me meant them;

"Te amo, mí ángel hermoso."

She smiled and kissed him again, pouring all her passion, all of her undying love, through the channel that was her soul. He could feel it, she supposed, because the kiss intensified, even as they returned backstage.

As they made their way back to the hotel, Hailie, Jodi and Lara asleep in the back of Xander's car, April slipped her hand under his, just after he shifted gears. He turned his head to look at her and smiled, holding onto her fingers. Removing her seatbelt (after all, she trusted him not to crash his car again after what happened two years before hand), she leaned over and rested her cheek on the shoulder of her true love.

Her one true love.

Friday went by in a haze; Hailie, Lara and Jodi went off to play with Lainey, Anna's four-year old daughter while April went downstairs to finish setting up for Xander's birthday. Xander himself stayed upstairs, continuing to write music for the band he was the front man of; The Rejects.

Ashley came over to sit beside April as she sat on the stage, waiting for some more decorations to finish off the ballroom. The blonde grinned and parked herself right next to her best friend, handing her a sandwich. April nodded and took a bite. Ashley smiled back at her.

"So," she said, running her fingers through her hair. April looked at her. "You and Xander fixed everything, obviously."

April swallowed the bite she had in her mouth and smiled. "Yes indeed we did. I went back to our hotel room after dropping the girls off at Anna's room and he pulled me onto the balcony and kissed me. I felt fireworks."

Ashley giggled. "You felt fireworks last night too if the rumors are true."

April smirked. "Maybe. Let's just say I changed my misconception about men and decided to take a chance."

Ashley's eyebrow rose. "On Xander? Considering his past?"

April nudged her and got up from the stage. "Everyone has a past, Ash. You of all people should know that." Ashley nodded and her best friend continued. "Sometimes its easier to trust someone, despite their past, then scrutinize them for things they've done and can't change."

And that was the end of that conversation.

April returned to her hotel room that night and yawned. She was tired and sore all over. But her spirits instantly rose when she saw Xander sitting on the floor in the living area with a crayon in his hand, scribbling away with his daughter and her best friend. Upon hearing the door open and close, Xander's head shot up and he smiled, gesturing for her to come over. Lara jumped to her feet and showed her mother her drawing, just as April sat down. Five stick figure people, four of them wearing skirts of all different colors, were standing in the sunshine, with smiles on their faces. Under it said 'My family.' Under the two biggest was 'Mommy & Daddy' while the three smaller ones had 'Hailie,' 'Me,' and 'Jodi.' April smiled and pulled her daughter onto her knees, giving her Eskimo kisses.

As the impromptu family sat and made art, April couldn't help but keep looking at Xander. That buzz of electricity sparked between them and she couldn't help but smile. It was the sign of a deep and meaningful connection, one she couldn't deny. And when he caught her eyes, his deep-sea green ones staring into her emerald ones, she fell in love all over again.

Saturday night, the night of Xander's surprise party, came and a buzz of apprehension ran through April as she waited for the guest of honor to arrive. What if Xander hated her for this? Showing off their actual relationship to their family and friends? Adam had hated her, Chris certainly had. What if Xander did? She couldn't take that. Her heart had been through too much, enough heartache to put cracks in her psyche, already damaged by her mother's death. When she'd walked away from relationships in general, she'd taken her child and hidden herself away from the world, the only ones knowing where she was being her father, sister and brother. She didn't have time for anyone, let alone a new boyfriend.

~X~Flashback- June 2005, Maple Falls, Florida~X~

The sound of running water could be heard around the two bedroom house in Maple Falls, echoing through the empty hallways. April Calaway, who lived at the home with her daughter, splashed water across her wrists to hide the bloody mess she'd made. Her wrists, much like her stomach and her inner-thighs, were dotted and criss-crossed by thin scars, some fresh, some not. Blood washed down the drain like red ink and tears slipped from April's eyes like droplets of rain. Her life was a mess; she felt like she couldn't do anything right. Her father was disappointed in her, her brother wasn't speaking to her, and Anna... Geez, Anna was furious. She'd pleaded, left right and center, that April had brought the heartbreak on herself by the way she'd behaved while married to Adam.

April looked into her reflection, a memory of something her mother used to say floating into her head; 'The mirror shows the truth, nothing more and nothing less.' If that was true, then the Fallen Angel truly was fallen. She'd fallen from heaven and landed ass first in front of Satan himself, who'd dragged her through the very bowels of hell before spitting her back out. She was a physical and emotional wreck.

Another round of tears slipped from her eyes and she rinsed them away with water. She didn't want Lara to wake up and see her cry, but more importantly she didn't want to see herself cry. She was stronger then this, she had to be. Who else could go through everything she had and still be standing?

Staring into her own eyes, the reflected pools of green, she said to herself, 'What happened to Miss Unafraid?'

No answer came to her, so she sniffed, turned off the water and went to bed with bandages wrapped around her arms. Let her demons rest for the night, to eat away at her soul again tomorrow.

~X~End Flashback~X~

April smiled to herself. That was a memory long since dead, a memory she'd locked away in her subconscious mind forever. That was the old April, the one who had no one to rely on. Now, she'd fixed every broken relationship with her father, her siblings, and even Chris. She was a new April; The Phoenix that had arisen from the ashes of a fallen Angel.

Absentmindedly, a finger curled within her already-curled ebony locks and she smiled, remembering the way Xander used to treat her, and still did. She was a Goddess, his Goddess and he worshipped the ground she walked on. True, relationships were double-sided, but April and Xander were happy with the way they were. They weren't a normal couple, and that was how they liked it. Their love was a beautiful triumph of the human race versus hell, and everyone knew it. Even they did. She'd seen couples and her father's relationships and knew she and Xander were meant to be.

The white dress she was wearing was the same dress she'd worn on the masquerade ball that Stephanie and Vince McMahon had thrown in late 2005 to raise money for Americares, and she and Xander had shared their first dance that night. If she was lucky, he'd be wearing the same prince costume he'd worn then too. And tonight would be perfect bliss.

It was almost nine when Xander finally made his entrance. The entire ballroom of the Caesar's Palace hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada had been decked out in full balloons, streamers, blacklight-art on the walls and a big disco ball. The room looked perfect, and so did he. He pushed his way through the double doors and stopped half-way through when everyone yelled 'Surprise!' His eyes widened into shock as he walked over to the stage, where April was waiting for him.

Panic crossed her face as she waited for her honey to step onto the stage. He smiled up at her and her heart welled with joy. He was happy, truly happy. She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face as he stepped up beside her, taking the glass of champagne she offered.

"You did all this for me?" he whispered, clinking his glass with hers.

"Of course! Do you know any other broody rockstars I just happen to be in love with?" she said with a smug smirk. She was proud of herself. It took so little for so big a feeling these days, but it made her feel practically flying inside.

Xander grinned back at her. "Bret Michaels, Matt Tuck, Axl Rose…" Xander stopped then laughed as April hit him.

"Very funny Mister Know-It-All," she cooed, swatting him on the shoulder. He smiled.

"I love you, Miss Independent," he whispered, nudging his nose against hers as he pulled her close, his hands gently tracing her hips. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you too. And Happy Birthday."

Xander smiled and kissed her, long and sweet, sending every single nerve ending in her body into the stratosphere.

~X~

April lay curled up on the sofa of their hotel room, staring at the fire as it crackled and burned in the fireplace. She was sitting in her beloved's basketball jersey and her pajama pants, but she'd never felt more beautiful. As she stared at the fire, the light caught the diamond ring on her finger and she looked at it. It was twinkling up at her, a beautiful beacon of the love she and Xander shared. The real kind of love. The love that lasted forever. And the ring symbolized that bond. And soon, she didn't know when, the silver ring would be joined by another silver ring; a wedding band. She smiled. Mrs. Xander Levesque. It definitely had a ring to it.

April let out a content sigh as she felt the fire's heat against her. Today had been a wonderful day. She'd planned Xander's party for months, and it had gone off without a hitch. And Xander had proposed. That's all she could ever have asked for.

Xander flopped down into the seat beside April with a beer in his hand. He was wearing nothing but his sweatpants, and April could smell his body-wash. He smelled wonderful, so she curled into him and relished that beautiful smell.

"You right there?" Xander asked quietly, curling his free arm around April's shoulders. She mewed happily, tucking her feet beneath her.

"I'm so happy right now," she said, looking up at him. He looked at her and winked, taking a sip of his beer.

"I'm glad I make you happy." He kissed the top of her head and stared into the fire, his fingers drawing gentle circles on her exposed arm.

It was almost two in the morning when April and Xander curled into bed. Xander climbed in first and relaxed on his back while April curled into his side, her arm draping over him and gently drawing hearts on his pecks. Xander smiled.

"A guy could get used to this," he whispered, as not to wake the sleeping girls in the rooms beside them. April grinned and gently pinched him.

"Get used to what?"

Xander smirked and reached up to gently stroke his fiancé's hair. "This." He kissed her head and pulled her close. April smiled; she knew exactly what he meant. She cuddled close to him.

"Good-bye old you," April whispered to herself. Xander looked down at her.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, mock-appal on his face.

April looked up at him and grinned. "Nothing, my love."

Xander grinned and kissed her nose, closing his perfect eyes and drifting off to sleep.

April hummed to herself and continued cuddling into Xander before drifting off to the land of nod.

This love was definitely true.