Again, we disclaim. Although how freaking awesome was Lilian's outfit on Monday? That's the only thing Katy and I will claim! And Katy claims that the Rock can do her anytime he wants. shoves Lilian Ten dollars to the person who can figure out the hidden double meanings (Kristen, you should be an expert at this!)
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Lilian sighed as she sat in the small doctor's office as she waited for a nurse to call her name. She gritted her teeth in frustration when her cell phone vibrated against her hip yet again. She glanced at the number, pushing the button to send the call to voicemail when she saw that it was Dwayne.
A few seconds later, the phone began vibrating again. With an annoyed sigh and a glance at the sign reminding patients not to use their cell phones in the office as a courtesy to other patients, she flipped open her phone.
"Dwayne, I am not in the mood right now! It's your fault I'm sitting in a doctor's office in the first place, so STOP CALLING ME!" With that, she slammed the phone shut, nodding politely towards the elderly lady across the room from her.
"Problems with your husband, sweetie?" the older woman asked in a kind manner.
Lilian smiled and shook her head. "No, he -"
"Lilian Garcia," the nurse called from the door.
She stood up to head for the door, mentally noting to stop wearing a ring on her left hand. The nurse led her to an open office and motioned for Lilian to take a seat.
"Can you tell me a bit about why you're here?"
I'll skip the small talk, Lilian said mentally. "I've having a severe sore throat the past couple of weeks. I don't have a fever or anything, it's just a sore throat."
"Okay," the nurse said. "I'm just going to have to take your temperature." Lilian nodded, not surprised when a few minutes later the nurse said, "98.6. Dr. Andrews will be back with you in a few minutes."
"Okay," Lilian agreed. She sat there for a few moments staring at the poster showing the parts of the human body. She rolled her eyes when her phone vibrated again. She picked up the phone, hissing, "I SAID, STOP CALLING ME!" before slamming the phone shut again. On second thought, she flipped it back open and shut it off, dropping it into the camouflage bag she always used as Dr. Andrews walked into the door.
"Hello, Lilian. How are you?" Lilian shrugged in response, and Dr. Andrews continued, "How's the wrist?"
"It's fine. Everything is fine. I shouldn't even be here," she grumbled.
The doctor did a once over, nodding. "Mmmhm, that voice says you should." He sat down on his chair, sliding the clipboard with her papers on it closer to him. "So how long has your throat been hurting you?"
"A couple weeks, I guess. I haven't really be keeping track."
He scribbled something down on the paper. "Does it hurt more after you sing and announce a show?"
She nodded. "Oh yeah, it really hurts then. I've just been sucking on a peppermint or anything really before I go out there to help relax my throat, but lately, it feels like it hasn't been working."
"Okay," Dr. Andrews said with a nod, setting her chart aside and grabbing his stethoscope. He listened to her breathing for a few seconds before moving his hands up to feel her glands and the outer part of her throat. Then, he grabbed a tongue depressor and said, "Open wide."
Lilian complied, opening her mouth as wide as possible, trying to read the expression on Dr. Andrew's face as he looked down her throat. "Okay, close your mouth, Lilian," Dr. Andrews instructed, settling back to make more notes in her chart.
"What's wrong, doc?" Lilian asked nervously after a few moments of silence.
With a sigh, Dr. Andrews looked at her. "Lilian… it appears as if the polyps you had removed back in 2000 have regrown."
For a moment, she stopped breathing and she could've sworn her heart stopped beating. "What?" she managed to breathe out.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I can tell you that you continuing to sing and ring announce every week is the cause of this, among other things. You stress your voice continually, and that isn't good for it," he explained. "Now, the polyp is quite large so I know just having you rest your voice for a week or two won't help you in any way."
Lilian closed her eyes, trying to regain her bearings. Sighing, she opened them again. "What are you suggesting then?"
"We'll have to go in and surgically remove them."
Lilian nodded slowly, trying to hold back the tears. She ducked her head in embarrassment, ashamed when a tear slipped down her cheeks and splattered on her jeans. "Hey," Dr. Andrews said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's a simple procedure. You have nothing to worry about."
"Why did they grow back if I had them removed before?" Lilian asked softly, wiping away the tear with the back of her hand.
Dr. Andrews sighed, settling back in his chair. "Like I said, you continually stress your voice. You told me when you came in for your wrist that you've been working hard on your album. That combined with your career takes a toll on your throat."
"Is there anything I can do to ensure they won't grow back this time?"
"Other than quitting the WWE or stopping your music career, no. And I know neither of them is an option."
"You know me well," she said, a small smile appearing on her lips. "When do I need to schedule this surgery?"
"As soon as possible. I know you will have to have a reason for being off TV, so I can give you sometime after next Monday. A week from today would be perfect if you're able to do it under such short notice."
She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Alright, let me get a hold of Vince, then I'll call your secretary back to make the appointment."
Dr. Andrews smiled, patting her jean covered leg. "You're being a good sport about this. And just remember, the sooner you get this done, the sooner you can be back in that ring."
"Thank you, Dr. Andrews," Lilian said softly. She followed him out of the office, stopping briefly to talk to his secretary.
"You need to schedule a surgery, dear?" the older lady asked kindly.
"Yes, ma'am," Lilian replied politely. "But I need to speak with my boss first."
"Okay, dear, just give me a call when you know when you can do it," the secretary said kindly. Lilian nodded, stepping out of the office and sitting down on a bench, watching the busy New York streets before picking up her phone and dialing Vince McMahon's office number.
"Mr. McMahon's office," his secretary greeted politely.
"Yes, hello Suzy, this is Lilian Garcia. May I please speak to Mr. McMahon?" Lilian asked, closing her eyes and tilting her face up to the sun.
"Yes, he's been expecting a call from you, Hold, please."
"Lilian?" Vince's voice boomed from the other side.
"Hi Mr. McMahon," Lilian replied, playing with the fabric on her shirt.
"How'd it go?"
"I need to have surgery, again. He wants me to do it as soon as possible. Do you know when I can be written off the show for a week or two?" Inside, her heart was breaking. She hated being away from RAW and the WWE.
"We can do it this coming show if you'd like."
"Yes, sir, I'd appreciate that," Lilian replied. "I just want to get this over with as soon as possible."
"I can understand that," Mr. McMahon said softly. "This also gives us the chance to reshape the angle between Viscera and Charlie and you." Oh, here we go, Lilian thought glumly, thinking that Vince was going to talk her ear off for an hour about the difference between love triangles today and back when he first started in the business. However, she was pleasantly surprised when Vince simply said, "If you have no objections with taking a bump from Nelson, I think that will be the perfect way to write you out."
"No, sir, it's not an issue. I really appreciate you helping me out so quickly."
"It's not a problem, Lilian. Your health is the most important thing to us… we can't have our star singer without a voice!"
She laughed slightly, trying to prove she was fine. "Okay, thank you very much. I'll see you Friday at the house show."
"Don't worry about that," Vince said. "Just come for Monday. I really want you to rest your voice as much as possible."
"Well, okay if that's what you want me to do."
"It is." The way he said it, she knew he was smiling on the other side. "I'll talk to you more on Monday, okay?"
"Alright, thanks again Mr. McMahon, bye."
"Goodbye."
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"Just stop! Please, stop!" Lilian cried, standing up from her chair as she watched Nelson miss a big splash in the corner. She knew all eyes were on her now as she clomped up the steps to the ring. "You really don't have to do this!"
She watched nervously as Charlie and Nelson stopped fighting, continuing, "I just want to be… friends with the both of you."
"Friends?" she heard Charlie scoff. "But I don't wanna be friends!"
"Whatchu talking about friends?" Nelson asked angrily, not prepared for when Charlie raked his eyes, letting out a yell when he was blinded.
"No! Stop!" Lilian yelled.
When Charlie started to walk away, she quickly rushed to help Viscera. He grabbed her small frame, tossing her behind her while she screamed. Her screams were silenced when he slammed her into the canvas.
Charlie and Nelson began laughing as the medics stretchered Lilian to the back. Once backstage, Lilian sat up, rubbing her throat.
"Ya alright?" she heard one of the medics ask.
"Yeah, I'm great, thanks." She smiled at him to prove her point, and then slid off the stretcher.
"You sure, babe?" Nelson asked nervously as he and Charlie watched Lilian stand, rubbing her still injured wrist carefully to make sure she really was okay.
"I'm fine, Nels," she said with a small smile, hugging him gently. "That was actually kind of a fun ride!"
"Yeah, well I didn't like doing it," Nelson grumbled, hugging her back. "Are you sure you're okay? Your throat-"
"-is fine. Thank you for your concern, but I've had enough pity today. I appreciate you being careful with me out there."
"It's not a problem, girl."
Lilian nodded to them, saying goodbye before turning and walking down the hall, her intent on getting out of there before any fans crowded the exit. She just didn't feel like talking to anyone. Lilian turned the corner, rolling her eyes when she saw who was leaning against the wall.
"Don't even," she snarled, breezing past him.
"Lil," he pleaded, catching her arm.
"Fuck off, Dwayne!" She ripped her arm away from him, glaring into his eyes.
He thought about letting her off, but decided against it. "No. I want to know what is going on. You haven't returned any of my calls, you hang up on me - I just want to know what is wrong."
"You," she spat. "You are what's wrong. Now if you'd kindly let me go, I will be on my way, I have to get packed and get home seeing as how I have surgery tomorrow morning." And with that, she left.
Dwayne shook his head, choosing to follow her instead of listening to her demands. "Lily-" he said timidly, stopping quickly when she turned around rapidly, taking a menacing step towards him, jabbing her finger in his chest as she spoke.
"No. Don't even use my nickname! Only my friends, people who I can trust NOT to rat me out to my boss can call me that!"
"Lilian-"
"You know, even Trish, who has been bugging me to see a doctor for the last few weeks, didn't betray me like you did! She never ONCE went to Vince about something personal like this!"
"Lilian, I was just-"
"You have some nerve, Dwayne! What, do you think you're some hot shot movie star now that you've had a few big roles?"
"Lilian!"
"No, Dwayne!" she said, bringing her hand up to her throat when it exploded in pain at the use of her loud voice, ignoring the group of WWE superstars who had silently converged to watch the altercation. "I want you out of my life!"
His mouth that was open as he was about to say something, snapped shut. "What?"
"You heard me," was all she said. She shook her head, pushing some hair behind her ear. "Do you know how bad you hurt me? I mean, I thought you were one of, if not my very best friend, but I guess not."
"I was trying to help you," he said softly.
"Help me," she scoffed. "Please, here's how you can help me - don't call me, don't try to come see me, just stay away from me and leave me the hell alone." Her eyes seared into his before she stormed off to the women's locker room, slamming the door behind her. She collapsed onto a bench, bringing her hand up to her face to cover her eyes as she began sobbing.
Trish and Maria entered the room slowly after the outburst they and most of the superstars had witnessed, Maria going to get some tissues and Trish settling down next to her friend on the bench and wrapping her arms around her, guiding the Latina's head to rest on her shoulder. "Shh, Lily, it's okay," Trish soothed, smoothing Lilian's hair down. "It's gonna be okay."
"How do you know?" Lilian sobbed, clenching Trish's shirt. Trish didn't answer, instead just holding Lilian tightly as she continued, "One of the risks with this surgery is permanent vocal loss. What if that happens to me?" she asked.
"You know you'll be just fine," Maria answered, handing Lilian tissues. "It'll be okay, you'll be back in no time better than ever."
Lilian sniffed, using the tissue to wipe her eyes. "I don't understand!"
Trish rubbed her friend's back. "I know girl, but you just have to know you're going to be perfectly okay. You're in good hands. And just think about all the flowers and gifts you're going to get." The Canadian nudged her friend, earning a slight smile.
"I feel so bad now for yelling at D like that," Lilian admitted. "I can't believe he went to Vince, though!"
Maria bit her lip, but Trish sent her a nod to continue. "Lil, Dwayne wasn't the only person that went to Vince."
Lilian paused for a second, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked between her two friends, who were now looking ashamed of themselves. "What?"
"Lil, Maria and I were going to meet with Vince when we bumped into Dwayne. We made the decision to talk to Vince as a group," Trish said softly, waiting for the explosion that was sure to follow. Instead, Lilian merely sighed, dabbing at her eyes.
"Okay," she finally whispered, standing up and walking to her locker for the night, opening it up and angrily shoving stuff into the bag, not even bothering to fold her clothes or organize anything. She was so mad right now…
"What are you doing, Lil?" Trish asked softly, standing so she was next to Maria.
"I have a flight to catch soon," Lilian said miserably.
Trish and Maria frowned. "We'll come visit you tomorrow okay?"
"Whatever," Lilian said, shrugging. She grabbed her bags and walked out of the room.
"Lil, can we talk?"
She spun around to face Dwayne again, tears spilling over on her cheeks. "No, we can't. And I'd be quite happy if we didn't talk for a long fuckin' time." She sniffed and started to turn around.
"I'd really like to talk with you before you go," he said softly.
"Oh? You would?" Using her free hand, she wiped her cheeks. "I would really like for you to leave me the hell alone, but that's just too damn bad because you know what? Sometimes people don't get everything they want!"
"Lily," he said cautiously, relieved when she didn't freak at the use of her special nickname. "I'm sorry. I really want what's best for you. I'm sorry for invading your privacy and going behind your back, but Lily… even if it means losing our friendship, I'd do it again."
"How can you say that, Dwayne?" she asked softly, not bothering to wipe the tears away.
Dwayne sighed, bringing his hands up to cup her cheeks, using the pads of his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "Lilian. You know that if you waited too long, you could have caused permanent damage to your voice. And I know that would have killed you. This business and your singing is your life, and I know you would be crushed if you couldn't do either anymore. I only want what is best for you."
Lilian stood silently for a few moments, stepping back. "I have a flight to catch," she whispered hoarsely, her voice almost gone from the screaming she had done tonight.
"Hey," he said, pulling her back to him for a hug. "I'll be there when you wake up, I promise."
She relaxed in his arms, against her will. "K," she said shortly.
He let her go reluctantly, watching her walk out of the arena.
"Man, you got it bad," Paul Levesque said, clapping him on the back.
"What?"
"Lilian," The Game said, chuckling.
"No, I don't," Dwayne defended.
"Yes, you do," Shawn Michaels said, the Showstopper stepping up next to his DX teammate and friend.
"Guys," Dwayne said with a laugh. "My divorce isn't even complete."
"Does it really matter?" Paul asked with a shrug.
"We all see how Lilian is with you and how you are with her," Shawn added.
"You need to tell her how you feel," Paul continued, "Before it is too late."
"What do you mean by too late?" Dwayne asked angrily. "It's a simple surgery-"
"Slow down, Rocky," The Game interjected smoothly. "I meant before someone else sweeps her off her feet."
"What do you mean?"
"Dwayne, Lilian's a very pretty girl. She has several guys running after her, willing to kiss her feet if she snapped her fingers," Shawn said softly. "So a word to the wise: don't wait."
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End Part 2