Time: It's July 11th on Earth.
Place: The living room of Shawn's home in San Antonio.
Shawn was lying on his back in the middle of the living room floor seemingly out of breath. He'd spent a lot of energy in the last fifteen minutes or so. Although tired, he didn't mind one bit.
He was tired because his unrelenting seven-year old son, Cameron, had done quite a number on him.
The day had started out a lot less strenuously. Shawn had kept Cameron home from school, being that it was his last day home, in order to spend as much time as possible with both of his children. After everyone had slept till nine, they'd gone out to breakfast. Shawn was extremely pleased when customers and staff came up to comment on how polite and well behaved his children were.
'At least, somehow in all this craziness, they're being raised well,' Shawn thought.
Then, Shawn had taken his kids to the park. He'd placed his almost three-year old daughter in a baby swing. Her constant giggles and pleas to go 'higha' warmed his heart. He'd also tossed a ball around with Cameron.
At 11:30, they headed home. Shawn fixed lunch and then the three of them sat on the living room couch.
When Shawn asked his son what the seven-year old wanted to watch, Cameron, who sat right next to his father, said that he'd wanted to watch an old film of his dad in action. However, Shawn, who at the time was also holding Cheyenne in his lap, didn't really feel like watching wrestling. The whole incident in which Vince had cloned him without his knowledge still affected HBK.
Shawn had suggested to his son that they watch something more relaxing. Shawn didn't want to come out and say that he didn't want to watch wrestling because Cameron would be devastated. Their love of wrestling had always been a thing that brought them together.
That love was still in Cameron's eyes because soon after Shawn had made his suggestion, his son began to bug him.
"I don't wanna watch somethin' more relaxin'. I wanna watch you daddy."
Shawn couldn't help smile even though his son was beginning to whine. For his son had started to pick up a Texas drawl in his voice.
Despite letting a smile show, Shawn did his best to be stern with his son, "Cam, let's find something else to watch." Anything else, he thought, but did not say.
"But…why?" his son wondered. He stared at his father with huge eyes waiting for an answer.
Shawn thought of an answer. Seeing that Cheyenne's head was now leaning on his chest, he looked back to Cameron and said, "Because your sister is starting to fall asleep. Wrestling is too loud."
"I'll keep the tv low," countered Cameron.
Shawn struggled to respond to that. He thought to himself, 'Come on, you match wits with Bret Hart. Surely you can match wits with a seven-year old.'
"Then, you won't be able to hear the announcers calling the match," said Shawn. Sadly, that was the best he could do.
"I don't need to hear the announcers. I can make my own calls," said his son, besting his father.
'He probably could,' thought Shawn, who was more than a little proud by that.
Proud or not, Shawn didn't want to watch wrestling and said to his son, "I don't want you disturbing your sister."
"I'll be quiet," said Cameron pleading. He didn't understand Shawn. His father loved wrestling.
Then again, things had been really weird at home lately, Cameron thought. First, back in January, his mom had taken him and his sister to Grandma's. When they'd come home, his mom said that his father was going to be busy with work for a while, and unable to come home. Cameron didn't like how his mother had said the word 'busy'.
His mother had allowed Cameron to watch wrestling as usual, but had started saying things like, "That's the only way you'll see your father."
Surprisingly, Cameron had seen both his parents on tv. That was in May at Judgment Day when his father was wrestling Randy Orton. His father had appeared to get really hurt, so hurt that his mother - who'd left him and his sister home with a babysitter to go to the show - had to help him onto a stretcher. Cameron didn't think his father was really hurt because Shawn had said that serious injuries didn't happen often. Shawn's son had also come to think that when his father appeared to get hurt that that meant his dad would come home.
However, his dad didn't come home with his mom. Instead, his mother said that his dad was staying at Uncle Hunter's for a little while. Since January, Cameron had not gotten to talk to his dad.
Even weirder was that when his mother finally said that his dad was coming home, she went to Grandma's…and since being home, his father had been doing everything with his children. Cameron didn't mind the extra attention, but it was weird that his father checked on him so much at night, even coming into his son's room almost every hour or so.
Now, his father didn't want to watch wresting. Could things get any weirder?
As his son's mind tried to make sense of his parent's odd behavior, Shawn tried to figure out what to do with his son. Suddenly, his mind started drifting and he began reflecting on the past fifteen days.
When Shawn first got home, he'd wanted to spend every minute he could with his children. Cameron had been excited about that, and aside from leaving his father's side to go to school, had clung to his father for the first few days that Shawn was home. After about four days of that though, Cameron wanted to spend time after school with his friends, which included the next door neighbor's eight-year old son and the neighbor's dog. Shawn had told Cameron that the boy could not go out with his friends. After about two days of this, and Cameron's constant questions about why he couldn't go out – Shawn's son even started to think that he was grounded – Shawn realized that he was confusing the hell out of his son. Cameron was able to go to the neighbor's house, and the neighbor's son was able to come to the Michaels' home. This was only allowed with the understanding that one, Cameron had to ask for permission; two, Shawn had to be able to communicate with the neighbors; and three, Cameron had to be home for dinner and stay in afterwards.
Cameron's time away from Shawn turned out to be a positive thing because for the first few days that Shawn was home, his daughter shied away from him. With a breaking heart, Shawn realized that Cheyenne barely recognized her father. Once Shawn had done a thorough inspection of his home, he understood why. Rebecca had removed every picture of him from the house.
She'd even removed Shawn's pictures from the family photo album. Likewise, the wedding album was gone too. One day, Cameron had come in from playing outside to find his father thumbing through the family album. Shawn had even asked his son where all of Shawn's pictures were. Cameron explained that, according to his mother, Rebecca had taken the framed pictures to the framer's shop to get redone. She didn't like the frames. As for the family photo album, Rebecca had told Cameron that she'd taken out the pictures in order to start creating a scrap book all about Shawn. Cameron was thrilled at the thought of having a scrapbook of just his dad, so that the boy could flip through it and see his dad whenever he wanted. Shawn silently promised his son that he would one day receive such a book.
The day he and his son had the conversation about the pictures was the day that Shawn started to hate his wife. He hated her for her lies, and most of all, for attempting to wipe away his daughter's memory of him. Shawn thanked God that Cameron was too old to forget his dad. However, Shawn thought, Cameron was the right age to begin disliking his father for not being home enough. Shawn would have to try hard to keep contact with his children when he went back on board the SOD. Maybe Sean, with his computer and machinery hobbies, could help him.
'At least my relationship with my daughter is repaired,' thought Shawn. Shawn thought back to the four days that it took to bond with Cheyenne. He'd never felt like such a kid as he did when he was drawing, doing finger paints with her, and helping her brush her favorite doll's hair. It had all been worth it too, as on the fifth night at bedtime, his daughter had said, "Guh nigh daddy." Needless to say, Shawn's heart had melted…
And now, as it was July 11th, his heart was hurting again. He didn't want to leave and miss them growing up. They'd already grown up so much in just the six months he'd been gone. He felt like nothing that he'd done in the last fifteen days had been enough.
To top it off, Shawn was denying his son the joy of watching his daddy work.
"Please daddy," Cameron said a second time. His father's mind seemed to be elsewhere because Shawn had ignored Cameron the first time he'd said please.
Shawn's attention refocused onto his son. By this time, Cheyenne was rubbing her head on his chest, no doubt getting comfortable before falling asleep.
"All right," replied Shawn, "You choose the match, while I put your sister down for her nap."
Shawn headed out of the living room to go to Cheyenne's room. Just before exiting the living room, he saw his son happily going to the Michael's video and DVD wrestling collection. Shawn was surprised Rebecca even kept the collection.
When Shawn returned from Cheyenne's bedroom, he sat back on the couch. His son, who'd already placed the DVD he wanted inside the DVD player - hell the kid knew how to work the machine better than Shawn did - sat back on the couch next to his dad. The controller, which Cameron also knew how to use better than Shawn, was in his hand.
"So, what are we watching?" asked Shawn. He silently hoped that his son's choice did not include: his casket or hell in a cell matches with The Undertaker (those brought back memories of his almost career ending back injury), his Wrestlemania 20 match with Triple H and Benoit (Benoit's incident upset him too much), his Wrestlemania 22 match with Vince, or his matches (or rather his clone's matches) from any of the recent pay per views.
"Your match with Bret Hart," Cameron answered.
Shawn couldn't quite hide his worried face or voice from his son, "Which one?"
"The one at Wrestlemania 12," said Cameron.
Relieved that it was not the infamous Survivor Series match, Shawn said, "Why that match?" He was curious as to why his son wanted to see him wrestle Bret. It wasn't like his son didn't know about his dislike for the Hitman. 'Former dislike,' Shawn reminded himself.
"Because I like you entrance and you win the title," Cameron cheerily answered.
"I like those things too," said Shawn smiling. He'd have to tell Bret about this.
Cameron started the DVD – the Wrestlemania 12 DVD from the Anthology set – and selected the Ironman match.
Watching the match actually put Shawn in a better mood. Watching himself counter and outmaneuver the Hitman took his mind off his problems temporarily.
Both Shawn and his son were absorbed in the old match. His son was more active, as he was jumping up and down during the match's most exciting parts – like when Shawn dove from the top ring rope onto Bret who was standing outside the ring.
Towards the end of the match, when the younger HBK first applied sweet chin music to the Hitman's jaw, Cameron stood straight up on the couch. Cameron knew what was next. At the point when HBK applied the second sweet chin music, Shawn (the present day one) saw something out of the corner of his eye…the bottom of Cameron's Spiderman sock enclosed foot. The foot made light contact with Shawn's jaw.
Shawn realized that his own signature move had been applied on him by his own son. On cue, Shawn fell to his right. First hitting his head on the couch's armrest, Shawn continued to react to the move by rolling off the couch. Shawn ended up on the floor between the couch and the coffee table.
Cameron climbed off the couch and stood on his father's chest. Then, the seven-year old laid himself across his father's chest, covering his father, who pretended to be out.
Cameron counted, "One…two…three…"
"Ugh, you got me," said Shawn weakly. "Ladies and gentlemen, your new champion, the Little Heartbreak Kid Cameron Michaels."
"I'm not little," Cameron protested excitedly, "I'm big like you daddy. I'm gonna be just like you one day."
Shawn thought, 'I hope you get the chance.' Out loud, he said, "I'm sure you will be."
"Bet I can beat you again," said Cameron.
Shawn moved his son off of him. He got into a sitting position, and started moving backwards with his hands across the floor. He stopped when he'd gotten to a more open area of the floor. He had made space for himself and his son…before one of them cracked themselves on the coffee table.
Instead of letting his son know that what he was doing was out of concern for safety, Shawn said, "Oh no, Heartbreak Kid, I want nothing more to do with you. Please, spare me." He changed to a kneeling position, but continued to pretend to act for mercy.
Cameron did not grant his father mercy. He granted Shawn with a running spear – one that in Shawn's mind Edge would have been jealous of – that made contact with his father's chest. Shawn went down for another three-count.
And that's how Shawn had gotten into his current position on the living room floor.
Cameron was right back on him too. This time his son dropped three elbows on Shawn – not flying elbows, for which Shawn was thankful.
When Cameron went for his third pin fall, instead of just letting his son beat him, Shawn decided to play dirty. Cameron laid across his father and counted, "One…two…"
Shawn reached up and tickled his son. Cameron immediately broke into a fit of giggles and got off his father, breaking up the pinning attempt.
"That's cheatin' daddy," Cameron said through his laughter.
Shawn had gotten back to his knees, "Just using my opponent's weakness to his advantage." His son was terribly ticklish.
Unfortunately, so was Shawn, which when Cameron ran back into his father, the kid used to his advantage. What had started as a one-sided wrestling match had turned into a tickling war, with each opponent giving and taking punishment.
The end of it all came when Cameron jumped onto Shawn's chest, tickling his father relentlessly. Shawn went down on his back and Cameron continued tickling.
"You win! You win!" cried Shawn.
Cameron got up and stood on the ground. Shawn thought it was over, but no, his son suddenly splashed him and pinned him. "One…two…three," shouted Cameron.
Shawn replied weakly, "Your winner and still champion…" Shawn moved Cameron off, kneeled next to him, and raised his son's arm. "The Heartbreak Kid Cameron Michaels." Shawn then wrapped his son up into a huge hug.
"I love you daddy," said Cameron.
"I love you too." Shawn continued to hold his son. He didn't want to let go.
A sound from outside made both father and son let go. It was the sound of car pulling up into the rock filled driveway of the Michaels' home.
Cameron walked away from his father. He went to the living room window that looked out to the driveway. To look out, the seven-year old had to push himself up on the window sill with his arms. His feet dangled a few inches off the floor.
"Mommy's home," said Cameron. Shawn thought he could hear sadness in the boy's voice.
Shawn supposed he was only imagining things. He was sad. Sad and angry. 'It's too soon, damn it. I'm not ready.'
But Shawn had no choice. He went to Cameron. He looked out the window and saw that Rebecca was out of the car removing bags from the back seat.
Shawn acted quickly. He picked Cameron up and placed him back on the floor. The boy turned to face his father. Going to one knee, Shawn said, "Cameron, I want you to go upstairs, and clean your room. You left a few toys and games out, and you know how your mom is about things being out of place." His son stared at him with sad eyes. Seven-year old eyes should never be that sad, Shawn thought. "Please."
Cameron answered after a moment, "Okay daddy." Cameron hugged his father once more. It took Shawn a moment to hug back and when he did, Cameron thought that his father might start crying.
Shawn's heart was breaking, but he let go of his son. Cameron slowly headed for the stairs, which he even more slowly started climbing...just as the front door handle started to turn.
"Go on Cameron," said Shawn more urgently, for he wanted his son upstairs before Rebecca came in. Cameron ran upstairs as quickly as he could.
The front door opened and closed. Rebecca walked through the hall and into the living room where Shawn stood. She placed her bags down and eyed her husband. Then, she looked around the room.
"Where are the kids?" she finally asked.
"Upstairs. Cheyenne's napping and Cameron's cleaning his room," answered Shawn.
"Good. That makes things easier."
"Makes what easier?" asked Shawn. Before Rebecca could answer, Shawn heard a heavier vehicle pull up in the driveway. He waited for the sound to cease. Then, he looked out the window. There was a black van beside Rebecca's car.
"Right on time," said Rebecca.
"Vince's goons have come to take me away, is that it." Shawn was still looking out the window. So far no one had gotten out of the van.
"To take you back."
"I was back," said Shawn, turning angrily to face his wife, "I was back where I belonged. This is where I should be."
"Not anymore," replied Rebecca. "You should know that I didn't want you here these past fifteen days. But Vince paid me to let you come home. He paid me well."
"I'm sure he had to. After all, you'd gone to so much trouble to take my children away from me." Shawn was getting angrier by the second. "Where did you put all my pictures?"
"You found out about that, did you?" She smiled nastily, "Some went in the trash. Some were burnt. A few I keep in the attic, you know, in case your parents visit their grandchildren. Don't want them wondering what's going on."
'No wouldn't want that?' Shawn said sarcastically before groaning inwardly as he'd just realized that in the days he'd been home, he hadn't called his parents. He'd been too busy with his kids.
"So," said Rebecca, interrupting Shawn's thoughts. "you ready?"
"What, no men in body suits this time? No tranquilizers"
"I told Vince's men that the tranquilizers weren't necessary as long as you came out quietly."
"What? Don't want the kids to see their father being dragged out against his will?"
"I think we both want to spare the kids from seeing that," Rebecca said. "So, unless you want Vince's men to come in here after you and be the reason why our kids need therapy in the future, I suggest you leave."
"I need to grab my things first," said Shawn.
Rebecca crossed her arms impatiently. "Things?"
"Yeah…I'm not leaving without my things this time."
She huffed, "Where are they?"
"Packed up in a suitcase in the bedroom."
She raised an eyebrow, "Our bedroom?" Shawn nodded in reply.
"Did you sleep in there?" she asked and Shawn again nodded. "Why…Why didn't you use the guest room?"
"Because I didn't want to confuse the hell out of the kids. Cameron still likes to sleep in the big bed with his parents, and I sure wasn't going to disappoint him." He smiled at the thought that he'd done something to get back at Rebecca. He remembered that just before he'd been sent to the SOD, Rebecca and he had argued about letting Cameron sleep with them. She'd thought their son was too old. Now she'd have to disappoint Cameron when Shawn left and she knew it. That's why she was now glaring at Shawn.
Satisfied, Shawn started going upstairs. Before heading into the main bedroom though, he entered Cheyenne's room. She was still asleep in her little bed. He kneeled at her bedside, and kissed the top of her head. He whispered, "Don't forget me. I'll be back, I promise. Just don't forget me."
"Why would she?" said a small voice behind Shawn. Shawn turned. There was Cameron standing in the doorway of Cheyenne's room.
"Come here, Cam." Shawn said, stretching out his arms.
Cameron came over, but instead of hugging his father, he stood there and said, "Why would she forget you?"
Shawn put his arms down and sighed.
"You're leavin', aren't you?" said Cameron, hurting.
"Cam, I don't want to go."
"Then don't," Cameron cried out. "Tell mommy, you're not goin'."
Shawn wondered if his son had heard any of the earlier conversation he'd had with Rebecca, "If I don't…things will get worse."
"Things are already worse. You're leavin'," said Cameron.
"I know it looks worse…bad…I know…" Shawn didn't know quite how to talk to his son at this moment. "But things will get better."
"How?"
Shawn thought how to answer the question, "Because I'm going to fight this. I'm not giving up. You can't give up."
"I won't. I'll fight too."
"That's the spirit," said Shawn. "Look, I've got a job for you. It's very important."
"What is it?" Cameron said with a touch of excitement at the thought that he could help his father.
"Put your hand out." Then, Shawn took out something from his pocket and placed the object in his son's waiting hand.
"Daddy?"
"You know what that is?"
"It's a wallet, like yours." Indeed it was, except it was smaller. A kid's wallet.
"Look at the front."
Cameron did as told and read the three letters engraved on the wallet, "CKM."
"Those are your initials," said Shawn, "Cameron Kade Michaels. I had a guy who makes wallets make it just for you."
"Thank you daddy."
"That wallet's very important Cameron. It's got your job inside it. Go on, open it."
Cameron did. Inside, he saw a picture of himself along with his father and sister. It was one of the pictures they'd taken all together in a photo booth during a trip to the mall.
"I have one just like it," replied Shawn. "I'll look at mine, often. I'll always think about you and your sister."
"I'll think of you dad."
Shawn said, "I know you will. And I want you to show that to your sister, so she never forgets."
"I'll show her. I'll never let her forget. I promise," said Cameron.
"Come here." Shawn held his arms out again and this time Cameron hugged his father tightly, while also clutching onto the wallet.
Eventually, Shawn did have to let go. He did and left Cheyenne's room, where his son remained holding onto the wallet.
Shawn left the room. He went to the main bedroom and grabbed his luggage. He'd tried to pack light this time and managed to get everything he wanted to bring into a large duffel bag and two big suitcases. Granted, it was still a load.
With the duffel lifted over his shoulder and the two suitcases in his hands, Shawn walked downstairs. Rebecca had not moved from the spot he'd left her in.
Seeing the luggage, Rebecca remarked, "Is there anything left of you in the bedroom?"
Shawn said, "Not much. Suppose you'll do away with what's left."
"We'll have to see, won't we?"
Shawn wasn't going to let her have the last word. "Yes, we will."
He put down a suitcase to open the door. Then, he picked it back up and walked out of his house for what he hoped was not the last time.
Shawn walked down to the driveway towards the black van. He decided to turn and glance up at his house. When he did, his attention became focused on a window on the second floor. It was his daughter's bedroom window. Looking out of it was his son. Cameron looked at his dad and raised an arm. Shawn nodded back.
With new strength, Shawn turned back to the van. He walked to it with his head held high. He would be strong for his son…and he would fight when the time was right.
As Shawn approached the van, its side door opened. Shawn saw the men in their body suits and masks. One moved towards him, but was not threatening. He simply told Shawn that he would take the luggage. Shawn set his bags down, and as directed - and on his own power – got into the van.
After the luggage and Shawn were inside, the van pulled away from the Michaels' home.
End of Chapter 1
Hope you don't mind that I went back to a narrative style. It was easier to write this chapter in that style.
Some of my readers may think that I'm hard on Shawn. He's just one of the easier characters to write for, and I wanted to give him a major problem to deal with.
I can actually relate to Cameron's problem (how to deal when your parents separate – though granted not to this extreme). When I was young, my parents argued. I used to hear it. They did separate, and my mother used to make my dad out to be the 'bad guy' in the whole thing. My dad, who I did live with (it was my mom who'd left), to his credit, rarely said anything bad about my mom.
