Title: Like We Never Loved at All
Author: Adrian Jade
Summary: You never looked so good as you did last night underneath the city lights. There walking with your friends, laughing at the moon. I swear you looked right through me.
Randy Orton stepped out of his new Dodge Ram pick-up truck. He adjusted the baseball cap on his head before walking up the little path to a medium sized house. The house was painted a bright yellow with dark green shutters; there were little kids toys scattered across the lawn. He went to the door and knocked.
"Hey Uncle Randy" Jayson said cheerfully letting Randy into the house.
Randy messed up Jayson hair as he walked by. Jayson ran to the mirror to check his hair. Randy just watched him and laughed.
"Where's your mom?" Randy asked.
"She's in the living room with Braylen and Jon" he replied.
"Ok, I have to talk to her about something"
"Is it about dad?" Jayson asked hopefully.
"Jay, I honestly don't know, all I do know is that I need to talk to your mom about something and it is not for little ears"
"Fine" Jayson relented "did you at least bring us something?"
Randy rolled his eyes and threw Jayson his knapsack that until then had been slung over his shoulder.
"Sweet deal!" Jayson exclaimed before taking off to what Randy believed was his room.
Randy sighed, he knew that Jayson missed John the most out of all the kids, Jayson, the one child that had no genetic relation to John but still called him dad anyways. He was the one who needed John the most and maybe … just maybe John needed him just as much. He shook his head to clear it and then he heading to the living room where Jayson had said Eve was. True to his word Eve was sitting on the floor with both boys.
"Hey Evie" Randy said leaning against the doorway.
"Hey Randy have a seat it's Blue's Clue time" Eve said.
"Normally I would love to but I kinda need to talk to you and our audience is a little too young"
"Ok guys mommy is going to step into the hall for a minute don't go anywhere" Braylen and Jon didn't look up from the TV screen. Eve stood up and moved towards the doorway.
"What is it?" Eve asked stealing a glance at the boys.
"I'm worried about John … he's barricading himself in his hotel room and if he does come out he has no contact with other people and that isn't helping him or Skylar"
"What would you like me to do Randy?" Eve asked starting to get defensive "what John does isn't my problem anymore"
"Are you really going to let the man who you were married to for almost 4 years … not to mention the father of your children die alone in some hotel room"
"Some father he is he, hasn't seen his children in 6 months, the boys call Chase daddy because his ass isn't around"
"Eve if you only knew … you'd understand" Randy retorted almost sadly.
"He's a big boy he can take care of himself" Eve said although Randy could see the confliction in her eyes.
Meanwhile with Zoey and Jayson …
"Zoe … daddy's here" Jayson burst through the door of Zoey's room.
Zoey looked up from her Bratz dolls that she happened to be playing with.
"Where?" she asked.
"I'm not sure but I know he is in town" Jayson responded.
"I wanna see daddy!" Zoey exclaimed.
"Shhh dummie you don't want mama to hear us" Jayson said rolling his eyes at his younger sister.
"What are we gonna do?" Zoey asked.
"I have an idea …"
"Mommy" Zoey yelled.
Both Randy and Eve both carrying a little boy in their arms, came rushing into the room. Zoey had gotten into bed and was now writhing around in what looked to be serious pain.
"Zoey baby what's the matter?" Eve asked instantly concerned.
"My tummy hurts and I feel like I'm gonna fro up" the little girl explained.
"My poor baby … you don't have a fever" she said as she felt Zoey's forehead.
"Maybe me and Chase should stay home tonight if Zoey doesn't feel good" Eve said to no one in particular.
"No mama you spend all your time with us kids … you deserve to go out tonight I can help the sitter take care of Zoey" Jayson piped in.
The little sirens were going off in Randy's head. He looked from Zoey to Jayson who smiled evilly back at him. He knew at that very moment those two little rugrats had something up their sleeves and he had a feeling he was going to be a very unwilling participant.
"Zoe do you want me to stay home with you" Eve asked patting Zoey's arm in a comforting way.
"Jayson will stay with me" Zoey replied sounding as close to near death as she could muster.
"Ok well I'll call Mrs. Wallace down the street and she'll make you some chicken soup" Eve said to her daughter "I'm going to give the boys a bath yell to me if you need anything"
Eve took Jonathan from Randy and then left the room. Randy looked at the kids once more before throwing his hands up in the air.
"I have no idea what you two have planned but count me out" he stated firmly.
"You are going to help us see dad" Jayson said.
"Oh hell no your mother would kill me … no way she'd kill me then cut my body up into little pieces …" Zoey crinkled her nose in disgust.
"Mama isn't that bad and besides Uncle Randy depriving two children of their father could scar us physically and emotionally, we could develop a stutter … p….please Uncle Randy"
"Yeah … p….please Uncle Randy" Zoey added batting her little eye lashes at him.
"You guys are little monsters" Randy said "fine whatever but if you get caught you two snuck into the back of my truck"
"Yes I knew you would help us!" Jayson exclaimed.
"I'll meet you in front of the house in 30 minutes please be careful" Randy said before leaving the room.
He went to go find Eve, which wasn't hard, all he had to do was follow the sounds of laughter and splashing water.
"Evie I'm going to head out but think about what I said"
"I can't promise anything" she said. Randy rolled his eyes at her stubbornness.
He exited through the front door and met Chase about halfway up the path leading toward the house.
"Hey man" Chase said extending his hand "how's life?"
"Can't complain" Randy said shifting a little uneasily.
He had no personal issues with Chase but he did feel like he was betraying his best friend every time he talked to the man that was now playing the role of "husband and father" to John's family. Chase was a very nice guy and Randy could tell that he truly cared about Eve and her children but he wasn't about to tell that to John. Nor was he going to do anything to help progress Eve and Chase's relationship anymore that it already was.
"Eve and the kids home?" Chase asked.
"Yeah Eve is bathing the twins and Jayson and Zoey are watching a movie I think, Zoe isn't feeling well"
"Poor girl" Chase said.
"She'll be back to her normal self soon enough"
"Oh you know it" Chase grinned.
"Well I gotta go to work it was nice talking to ya" Randy said making an excuse to leave.
"Ok it was good talking to you then"
They shook hands again and then parted ways. Randy hopped into his truck and drove away. When he turned the corner her stopped her car and killed the engine and began to wait.
Chase entered his home and was welcomed with what had become so rare in his life now … silence.
"Eve … where are you?" he called.
Eve chose that precise moment to emerge from the back room with the two towel clad toddlers.
"Hey baby" she kissed him softly on the lips "grab a boy"
Chase took Jonathan from her and followed her to the twin's bedroom.
"Zoey is sick" she informed Chase while trying to get pajama pants on a squirming Braylen.
"Boat" Braylen decided to yell at Chase.
Chase looked at Eve confused. She just rolled her eyes at him.
"The boys watched Pirates of the Caribbean with Zoey and Jayson this morning" she explained "they were excited to see the boats"
"Oh ok … so what do you want to do about tonight I don't want to go out if you feel uncomfortable leaving Zoey at home while she is sick" Chase said.
"I asked Zoey if she wanted me to stay home with her and she said no … besides I really need some adult time"
"Ok then we'll go out" Chase said placing a now pajama clad Jonathan on the floor. Eve did the same thing with Braylen and the boys took off into another room to create mischief.
"How about you go shower and get ready and I'll call the sitter and keep the twins from destroying the house and then we switch" Chase suggested.
"Fine" Eve agreed.
As she stepped into the shower she couldn't help but think about the differences between Chase and John. John was hot and passionate, he pushed Eve to her extreme and she welcomed the challenge. They complemented each other so well and if he hadn't screwed everything up Eve was sure that they would have been together forever. Chase on the other hand was calm and serene most of the time. He never got mad and went out of his way to make sure Eve and the kids were comfortable and well taken care of. But sometimes Chase got on Eve's nerves because he would do anything she suggested, and that annoyed her because it would be nice every once in a while to have someone to fight and make up with.
She got out of the shower and towel dried her hair. She got dressed quickly and began to work on her hair and male up. She decided to leave her hair down and decided to curl the bottoms to give it a pretty wavy look. As for make up she put on some blush and lips gloss figuring there was no need to go all out because Chase thought she looked better without makeup. She gave herself a once over in the full length mirror of her bedroom, she was wearing a jean mini skirt and a light blue tank top. She settled on light blue flip flops and the look was complete.
"You look nice baby" Chase said as she emerged from the bedroom. He had Jonathan in his arms.
"Hey there big boy what were you doing wrong?" Eve asked taking the toddler from Chase.
"Destroying everything as usual" Chase replied for him.
"Where's Braylen?" Eve asked.
"He's watching a movie with Jayson and Zoey"
"Oh ok" Eve said "well Jonny let's go call the sitter"
"Ok see you in a few minutes" Eve said as she hung up the phone.
"Evie you ready" Chase yelled waiting by the front door. He was dressed in a dark blue short sleeved dress shirt and a pair of jeans.
Eve had gone back to their bedroom after calling the baby sitter to do her hair and make up which took her about 30 minutes. She had her strawberry blonde locks pulled back into a simple ponytail which she had then curled. She wore light make up giving her the very natural look and instead of the glasses she normally wore she opted to for her contacts.
"You look amazing" Chase complemented her.
"Thanks" Eve said slightly blushing.
"I fed both boys while I was waiting for you and put them both to bed. Braylen didn't want to sleep so Mrs. Wallace is upstairs rocking him and I gave Jay some money to get pizza if he wanted to" Chase explained.
"I'm just going to check on Zoey one more time before we leave"
Both adults decided to check on Zoey. Jayson was just shutting his door was they approached.
"She's asleep now so I decided to watch TV in the living room" he told them.
"We should let her sleep" Chase said.
"Keep an eye on her ok" Eve said before kissing Jayson on the forehead.
"Yes mom" Jayson rolled his eyes.
"Be good" Chase told him.
"I always am" Chase patted his shoulder.
"Have fun" Jayson called to them as they were leaving.
Five minutes after they left Jayson went back into his room.
"Come on lets go"
"Hold on Jayson" Zoey was having trouble putting her shoes on.
Jayson rolled his eyes and helped his sister put her sneakers on the right feet.
"Now move it"
Randy pulled up in front of the house as soon as Eve and Chase left. Zoey and Jayson came running from the back of the house.
"Shit we need a car seat" Randy nearly shouted.
"It's in the garage wait here and I'll go get it" Jayson assured him.
"We are going to be in so much trouble"
Jayson came back a few minutes later holding a small booster seat. Randy sighed as he got out of the truck. He took the seat from Jayson and put it in the back seat as quickly as possible. Once he was done he helped Zoey into her seat and strapped her in.
"What about the baby sitter won't she check in on you?" Randy asked once they where on the road.
"No, Zoey and I keep to ourselves when she is around cause all she does is pinch our cheeks and then she makes us hold her yarn for her while she knits blankets" Jayson explained with a hint of distaste.
Randy was still skeptical but he went with Jayson's explanation. They arrived at the arena.
"Wait here for 2 minutes then walk through those doors but I can't promise that you won't get caught by security" Randy said.
"Zoey will take care of that" Jayson grinned.
"Be careful"
Randy walked into the building but he didn't go too far because he wanted to make sure the kids got in alright. Zoey and Jayson walked into the arena hand in hand.
"Zoey here's the plan I need you to throw a fit and pretend to be lost so I can sneak away and find dad"
"Otay" Zoey said before beginning to scream. Every adult near the little girl with the exception of Randy came running. Randy just shook his head as he watched Jayson walk away from his sister.
"Kane … no … Chris Master … come on where is dad's locker room" Jayson was passing a bunch of doors. He was reading signs as he went. "cool Stone Cold is back … finally" he found his dad's locker room. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. A nervous tingly feeling began making its way through his body from his spine. He began rocking back and forth on his heels.
John had just finished getting ready for his promo with Shawn Michaels at the beginning of the program. He heard someone knock. He looked over at Skylar who was still sleeping peacefully in her pack and play.
"Wonder who that could be" John had decided not to answer the door when someone knocked again this time a little harder. He decided that the only way to get the person on the other side of the door to go away was to see what the person wanted. Boy was he in for a surprise when he opened up the door.
"Jayson" John chocked out in shock.
The young boy stood there for a moment staring at the man who had once been his step-father. He wasn't sure what to do, part of him wanted to hug John and cry his little eyes out but the other part of him was still really mad at John for not even attempting to make any contact with them. John decided for him as he enveloped the boy in a tight hug and didn't want to let go.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Me and Zoey his in the backseat of Uncle Randy's truck because we missed you and wanted to see you"
"Zoey … where is your sister?"
"Come on we need to get her" Jayson grabbed John's hand.
"Hold on a second" John let go of the boy's hand and went to grab Skylar.
Jayson saw Skylar for the first time and the resentment began to set in. It was her fault that his mom and John weren't together anymore. It was her fault that they had to live in a different house and never got to see John anymore. It was her fault that Eve had a new boyfriend. Jayson suddenly wanted to be anywhere else in the world right now.
"You ready?" John asked holding out his hand.
Jayson walked away. John made a mental note of this, Jayson wanted nothing to do with him the moment he saw Skylar. But John didn't have time to think about it at that very moment … he wanted … no he needed to see Zoey.
Before he even got close enough to see her he could hear her hysterically wailing. All he wanted to do was run to her but that wouldn't be good for Skylar. So now he was choosing between his children and it made him feel horrible for doing it. Jayson was the first of the two to reach Zoey, John was a little ways behind.
"I want my daddy" Zoey's face was all red by now. There was a crowd of people around her, most of them knew who was they were just tripping over themselves to get her to stop crying that no one thought to go get her father. Jayson put his arms around Zoey and she stopped crying. The crowd moved as John approached.
"Daddy" Zoey squealed happily immediately hugging his leg.
John kneeled and wrapped his free arm around Zoey.
"I did good daddy … I pretended to cry so Jayson could find you"
"You did real good baby" John said standing up so he was holding both Skylar and Zoey.
"Missed you" Zoey said resting her head in the crook of John's neck.
"I missed you too baby"
They walked back to John's locker room. Jayson seemed to have withdrawn himself from the world.
"Jayson are you mad at me?" John asked.
"Yes" Jayson replied. Jayson's answer nearly tore John's heart to shreds.
"You chose her over us … you love your new baby more than you love us" he crossed his arms over his chest and John swore he looked so much older than he actually was. It was at that moment John knew that he had hurt Jayson more than anyone else.
"Jay, that isn't true I love all of you the same … it's just hard I hate that your mother doesn't even want to look at me and I guess it was just easier to let myself believe that after what I did that I didn't deserve to be in your lives anymore, I screwed up big time buddy"
John went over and kneeled down in front of Jayson "But that doesn't mean I love you or Zoey or the boys any less because I love you all and you know as well as I do that I would take a bullet for any one of you"
"You still should've came to see us or at least call"
"I know I should've but I'm here now and I'm not going to let anything keep me out of your lives more than I have already been … I promise"
"Don't make promises you can't keep John" Jayson said.
"That's dad to you little boy and this is a promise that I can keep. Six months is too long to be away from my kids"
"I love you dad" Jayson said hugging John.
"I love you too buddy"
Zoey had been watching this whole scene play out but she decided that she had enough watching.
"I wanna hug too" she complained.
John just laughed and opened his arms to her too.
"I love you both so much"
"Dad there is one thing I don't understand" Jayson said once John had let both of them out of the hug.
"What's that Jay?" John asked.
"Well my friend Tommy told me that his older brother Brad told him that if you kiss a girl that's how you get a baby … but mommy and Chase kiss all the time and I don't see any new babies" Jayson's face was full of confusion by now. John could tell he had been planning on asking someone this question for a while.
"Well kiddo there is a little more too it than just kissing"
"Well what else is it?" Jayson asked.
"Well you need to call the stork too" John improvised.
"So you are telling me a bird brings the babies" Jayson remarked amazed.
"Yeah, you see the stork is magical and he brings the baby to the parents and then he places the baby in the mommy's stomach until the baby is ready to come out"
"That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life … I mean how is a bird gonna put a baby in the mommy's stomach"
"It's magic remember"
"Ok well then how come you and Skylar's mommy called the stork if you were married to mama?" Jayson asked.
'Damn this kid is way too smart' John thought.
"Well you see sometimes people dial the stork's phone number by accident and once you call the stork there is no changing things" John lied.
"Well why did you kiss Skylar's mommy in the first place … I mean that is what starts the whole process of having a baby"
"You know what I'm hungry … is anyone else hungry"
"Me" Zoey chimed in.
"Well Jay let's go get something to eat before your sister throws a hunger fit"
"But she's not even close to throwing a fit … she's to busy playing with Skylar"
"Well I'm gonna throw a fit soon if I don't get some food … we'll discuss this again when you get a little older … say in about 10 years"
"But I'm almost 9" Jayson whined.
"So in 10 years you'll be almost 19 and I can tell you then" John said.
"Dad I want you to adopt me" Jayson said.
John really couldn't think of anything to say to that. It had never occurred to him that Jayson would want him to adopt him. He has always thought of Jayson as his son anyways but now that the idea was put into his head he liked the sound of it.
"We'll talk to your mother about it ok" he messed up Jayson's hair.
"Speaking of your mom she's gonna freak out when she finds out you guys are missing … so we should go let her know where you guys are"
"I agree with you completely dad" Jayson said grinning.