Author's Note: Thank you to those of you who took the time to read, review, or add this story to your favorites list. Your thoughts and opinions mean so much.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC's. I am just a huge fan who likes to visit the WWE playground from time to time.

I don't know what I expected from myself or life in general when I left the hospital that day with my family. When I woke up in the hospital, at first I was just surprised to be alive; who wouldn't be after a year in hell – followed by the accident. All that time alone gave me time to wonder, "why me? Why did I survive and where the hell do I go from here?" Then Aunt Stephanie came along with "you're coming home with us!" Like a little child whose mommy had come along to make it better, I let my aunt take over – as child-like relief took over my mind and body. With one simple statement my family solved an argument – I was simply too damned tired to have at the moment.

My aunt and uncle are both wonderful people. There isn't anything the two of them wouldn't do for family. Neither of them said a word about my mistakes or the events leading up to me being hospitalized. They simply brought me home from the hospital, gave me a room, a little space, and most of all I instantly had a place within their family – their daily lives. As the minutes and hours turned into days; neither of them asked even one question. They never pressed for details about the past. I guess I did the same – I never asked about their disappointment in me – at least not out loud at any rate.

I don't see mere words ever being enough to describe how grateful I am to my Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Paul. They made me feel like one of their 'girls' not some wayward niece that needing saving from her own life. I will always be grateful for that – honestly. With that said, I had been home from the hospital for just over a month now and I was beginning to climb the walls. The doctor's all agreed that I was doing fine. These days, my body didn't scream in raw agony in time with my every movement. My bruises had pretty much healed up on their own. At my last check-up the doc was pleased with my progress. I showed no residual effects from my more serious injuries, he was pleased with the way the all of my bruises had healed. He even indicated that in another two-three weeks they would remove the cast from my right arm. As easy as it would be for me to shut the world out and continue to hide away in this big old house; it was time to move forward. I was a grown woman. Before all of this I had dreams, desires, and ambitions to do something with my life. The time for looking back – standing still was over. All that was left was to talk to my aunt and uncle – no easy task.

Raw's live show was nearby, so I knew that it might be late but that they would both be home at some point that evening. I'd spent the early part of the evening watching television with my cousins Aurora, Murphy, and Vaughan. Moments like these reminded me how beautiful life could be. As my hand came to rest unconsciously across my abdomen; life was beautiful and sadly all too damned fragile. Shaking my head, no dwelling on things best left alone; tonight was for fun. Right now – this moment in time – all I needed to know was there wasn't anything in this life that couldn't be made better by watching The Lion King with my three favorite little ladies and eating chocolate ice cream complete with sprinkles. Once the movie ended I wrangled the girls upstairs. Following three short bed time stories, two trips to the bathroom, and one drink of water; I think they were finally settled in for the night.

Changing into my favorite pink flannel sleep shorts and matching tank top, I headed back downstairs. After loading our ice cream dishes into the dishwasher, I headed back to the living room. Laying down on the couch I channel surfed for a while. Finding nothing to hold my interest for more than a few minutes here or there; I must have dozed off. An hour or more later, I heard Aunt Stephanie come home. As I made my way down the hall toward the kitchen, I could hear them laughing as they rehashed the evenings show. I leaned against the doorway watching as they made sandwiches and joked with each other. There's was the kind of relationship every little girl dreams about when their young. Maybe if I'd followed my dreams instead of my nightmares maybe my life wouldn't be such a mess today. "Aunt Steph, Uncle Paul – I gather that the show was a smash success."

They both laughed – but were in complete agreement. I listened to them talk about the show. Uncle Paul talking about his on-screen fight with Paul Heyman. Aunt Stephanie smiled teasing him about being her big strong man protecting their family's honor. I laughed listening to them for few moments longer. As the conversation reached a natural lull, I spoke "since your both here – there's kinda something I want to talk to you about."

As we all took a seat at the table, I realized they were both patiently waiting for me to say something – anything. "I love you guys for everything you've done for me but I think it's time for me to put my life back together. I need to work, find myself a place to live, move forward – I can't stand still anymore."

"Honey are you sure you're ready for all that? You haven't been home from the hospital all that along? If this is about you staying here; your family you can stay here as long you need or want." People could say whatever they wanted about the 'billion dollar princess' but you could never say that she didn't love her family; or that she wouldn't do everything her power to protect them. I smile deep love and affection for my aunt painting my face. Stephanie and I traded thoughts and ideas for another five or ten minutes before I realized that Uncle Paul had been unusually quiet during all of this. "Your awfully quiet over there Uncle Paul, I know you must be thinking something over there. Let's hear it."

I watched the pensive look passing across his face. Paul Levesque was a man of deep thought; anyone with half a brain should be able to see that. The question was what was he thinking? Uncle Paul did not give his trust easily, but once you had it – you had it until you proved otherwise. Uncle Paul loved his life both personally and professionally; he surrounded himself with those he trusted; those he felt had something to say. With all my uncle as accomplished with the WWE, I respect his thoughts, opinions, and his advice. Although after a moment, I questioned whether or not he would answer my question – if he was ready to answer my question. "I don't disagree with anything you've said here tonight Mercedes. You are a grown woman. If you feel it's time for you to start moving forward – who are we…" he asked gesturing between him his and wife "to interfere in your plans. However, if you're open to one or two suggestions, I might have an idea that works for you."

I don't know caused me the most worry; the honest but slightly quizzical look in his eyes or the tone in his voice. Whatever it was, it certainly gave me reason to pause. "I'm all ears Uncle Paul – what are you thinking?"

After a moment of further thought, he spoke "I respect you wanting to move forward; it makes perfect sense. But if you're willing to be a little open minded I might just have a proposition for you. Whattya say Mercedes you willing to hear me out; be open minded with me here for second."

The mischievous glint in his eyes coupled with his words should have made me a little wary; it didn't which given her current situation should have made her more wary.

Taking my silence as a go ahead he pressed forward "Continue living here – take a job working as my full time on road admin."

I wasn't the only who was genuinely surprised. I could tell that Aunt Stephanie had no idea this was what Uncle Paul was going to propose. Work as a WWE admin – I'd been to WWE HQ, his secretary had been with him for a damned long time – he didn't need me. "That's a sweet offer, but you have a secretary, you don't need me."

"Your right I have an admin assistant – in the office everyday Monday – Friday. I'm not talking about here in Stamford; I'm talking about on the road. I need someone to help coordinate things between the road and the office. You're well aware what my travel schedule is like – on the road more often than not. If you accept, you would be on the road too – that much travel time finding a place wouldn't be a real pressure right away."

I was a little taken aback. I don't know what I expected him to say, but a job offer sure as hell wasn't it. I hardly knew what to say. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he was serious. I started to give voice to my thoughts. The expression ghosting across his face gave me pause. He was serious. Could I do it – could I go on the road with the WWE?

WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE WWE

Two weeks later, dressed in my favorite dark wash jeans, a new deep crimson sweater (thanks Aunt Stephanie) and a great pair of leather boots ( "borrowed" from Aunt Stephanie). I was sitting in my first arena office in Detroit Michigan preparing for my very first Monday night Raw. The office was relatively quiet compared to the pre-show hustle and bustle I could hear rumbling just outside. Doing my best to shut out the noise I turned my attention to my laptop. After a few minutes I'd managed to turn out the outside world and concentrate on my tasks at hand.

I guess I'd been working nearly twenty minutes, when I heard a firm brief knock at the door. The noise so brief, I wondered if I'd simply imagined it. With no further knock came, I went back to work. A beat or two later, I heard the knock once more as the door opened. Watching the door open in walked a man that I've seen easy a thousand times if not more on television, but never the opportunity to meet him person. As he stopped in front of my desk, the first thought racing through my mind was that the camera did not do him justice. Standing from the desk – I smiled "John Cena I presume?"

Author's Note: Special Thank you to Taker Always….Shamaness1177…..My time is now….and ThatGirl54…. Thank you for reading and reviewing I love your thoughts and idea and opinions -

NEXT CHAPTER - more interaction between John, Mercedes, and the rest of the roster. HAPPY READING!