Peyton listened for the water to stop. She started the coffee, she was up at six a.m. She had unpacked and done Roman's laundry, everything iron starched, and hung.
"Good morning," Peyton felt Roman's arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head.
"Coffee," Peyton turned facing him.
"Yes," he smiled. He seemed happy, hopefully a good night of sleep helped.
They sat at the table eating breakfast in silence. "I need to get new suits," Roman announced. "You will need a dress." Wrestlemania was in three weeks, it was a week of press for him, radio, T.V. meet and greets, make a wish. They were accepted to be at the Hall of Fame. It was their prom, their grammys. Everyone was at their best.
It didn't matter she had a closet full of dresses, half had only been worn once. All where designer one of a kind.
Peyton had tried to stay out if the limelight. But people still found her on line. They posted and commented on pictures, criticized her. She couldn't understand why they liked or hated her. She wasn't famous, she didn't want to be.
"What time are we leaving," Payton asked.
"I am leaving after breakfast, I need to get to the gym. And we have dinner at my mom's," Roman answered.
"Ok," Peyton nodded.
"I have your measurements," Roman stood. He would pick the color the material and style of her dress, and she would like it.
"What do I need to bring to your mother's," Peyton asked. They always had dinner at his family's house, when Roman was home. It would be his family and his cousins. Peyton dreaded it, they sat and talked wrestling. His mother reminded Peyton how lucky she was to be married to her son.
"Just your beautiful smile," Roman stood leaving to get ready for his day. "You know my cousins do the cooking."
….
"How long is he home," Peyton watched the front window.
"Hum, three days," Peyton answered. "I am going out with him for a few days."
"Lucky you."
"Tracy," Peyton laughed. They had been friends since childhood. Growing up they did everything together. That seemed to change when Peyton and Roman moved in together. Peyton had always felt a bit pulled between the two. When Roman was home he wanted Peyton's full attention. Roman didn't believe married woman needed to be out in bars, or spending drunken weekends away from home.
But Tracy still called, stilled visited when he was gone. She wouldn't let him chase her away. Tracy had liked Roman when they first met, but over time he changed, and in turn Peyton changed. Peyton was on edge, worried, always watching hoping Roman wouldn't be upset. Over time the list of what made him upset grew.
It made Tracy sad to think that Peyton didn't see anything wrong with his demands. Peyton had dreams, things she wanted to do. Now it seemed she lived a life of rules, and expectation she would never live up to. She seemed lost. And worse she seemed to be broken, not even the will to see things as they were.
"I like going, I get to spend time with him," Peyton knew that was a lie. Life on the road was non stop. And worse there were always people around. It meant more pressure to be perfect, not embarrass Roman.
No one knew, understood the stress he had. How hard he worked. People assumed many things about him. He just needed things to run smooth, he had a system. He just asked she follow it. It really was for her, it made things easier.
"Ok," Tracy groaned, "but when you come back. I am kidnapping you for the day." Peyton smiled at the idea. As grateful as she was to Roman, but it got lonely. She heard the garage door open.
"I have to go," Peyton ended her call, she put the cell phone in the tray on top of the desk. She went back to the kitchen. "How was your shopping," she called.
"Good," Roman placed his keys down. "Everything will be delivered to the house." Roman found a seat on the sofa, "after dinner we will pack." Roman always had to approve Peyton wardrobe.
"I should get a shower before we go," Peyton called.
"Sure," Roman answered.
Peyton walked into their bedroom, a pair of jeans and button up was laid out on the bed. Peyton found underwear, she was surprised he hadn't picked these out too.
The water felt good beating down on her. The shower smelt of her shower gel. Shower gel Roman had picked. There were certain sense he didn't like. She looked at it as presents. She turned the water off, opening the shower door. She wrapped the towel around her. She wished she could sit in there the rest of the day. But she had to dress and put her smile on.
…...
Peyton found a chair to sit in. Roman was talking to his father and cousins. They had just finished eating, Peyton helped clean up. She hoped it would be a early night. "Hey" Naomi found a sit next to Peyton.
"Hi," Peyton smiled. She liked Naomi, she had been nice and friendly. She treated Peyton like family. Peyton was happy for her and Jimmy. You could see they loved each other. She wonder sometimes what happened at home. People always told her how lucky she was to be married to Roman. She didn't always feel that way. She would never say it aloud. What did she have to be upset about?
"Get away from all the crazy," Naomi wiggled in her set. "You are coming out this run right?"
"Yeah, got to pack when I get home," Peyton grinned.
"You are most organized person I have ever seen." Naomi laughed, there were many times Naomi saw, heard things that made her wonder. She first wrote it off as Roman had a big voice. Couples have fights, it was a big family and could be overwhelming. Peyton was just quiet and shy.
Jimmy had told her not to worry not to pry. Naomi figured if there was something, Peyton would leave. No one would put up with being abused. She never had a black eye, bruising, or broken anything.
This business brought a lot of stress. The schedule was crazy. They always had to be on. Now a days people had cameras and were quick to film and show your faults. There had to be some sense of normal. Yes, there were times Naomi thought Roman was getting upset about nothing. There had been times Naomi was taken back by comments. But Peyton seemed happy. Couples can't be perfect all the time.
"Thank you for helping clean up," both ladies turned to see Roman's mother.
"You are welcome," Peyton answered, "thank you for dinner."
"Well my son needs a good home cooked meal when he is home," his mother answered. Naming could hear Peyton let out a deep breathe. Roman's mother was hard on her. Naomi was sure that no woman would have been good enough.
"How long have you been married," Naomi changed the subject.
"Four years," Payton answered, "we met in school."
"Oh high school sweethearts," Naomi smiled.
"He had dated this great girl," Roman's mother started, "cheerleader honor roll." Naomi noticed Peyton moving in her set. It made Naomi uncomfortable, she could only imagine how Peyton felt. "She went to Mississippi." Peyton looked like she wanted to say something.
"Yes, Mindy Litter," Payton said, "she married her English professor. Excuse me," Peyton got up. Naomi watched her walk toward the house. She was shocked Peyton had said anything. But everyone had limits.
"She is too sensitive," Roman's mother shook her head, "let it go, it was eight years or more ago. Roman did have a life before her."
"Right," Naomi stood walking off to find her husband.
...
Peyton hung her bag, Roman finished locking the house up. "You have a good night," Peyton asked.
"Yeah," Roman answered. "My mom brought up the baby question." Peyton swallowed hard. It always came up. Though Peyton didn't know why. His mother had made it clear Peyton was not good enough for her baby boy. She cried the whole day of their wedding. Always pointed out how Peyton had gained, lost weight. When she came to the house she could find the small spot, piece of dust.
"Told her the five year plan." He came behind her wrapping his arms around her. There was a day where Peyton was overjoyed with the thought of having his children. But fear had creeped in. How would he be as a dad? His father hadn't been home often. And there was a chance Roman wouldn't either. She knew it affected him. In some ways that was a relief. But she doubted what kind of mother she would be. Her best didn't seem good enough now, how could she be the mother he wanted?
"But we could practice," his voice was low. It sent shivers through her. She leaned back into his chest as his lips found her neck. A warm feeling started creeping through her. He turned her toward him kissing her. A one shift motion she scooped her up wrapping her legs around him, moving them back to the living room. He always made her feel safe, he was strong and protected her. He handled her with ease. She knew no other life than the one he had made for them. She did love him, and times like this she knew he loved her too.
