A/N: Part 2! One part left to go before Christmas!
Many hours later after night had fallen over Birmingham, John stood in the window of his hotel room staring out into the darkness. It was a bit past midnight, officially Christmas Eve and while he had gotten some good news from the doctor, the news from the storm in St. Louis was still bad.
John sighed as he moved his neck around in circles, mimicking the exercises Dr. Andrews had told him to continue for his stiff neck. He walked back over to the bed and threw his body on it, grabbing the remote off the nightstand before he did. The television flickered on and another holiday movie greeted him. John groaned loudly and changed the channel. He stopped on a news station and groaned even louder as the reporter spoke of the massive storm pounding the Midwest. Angrily turning the television off and launching the room into total darkness, John grumbled, "I can't even find something good on the damn TV! This Christmas sucks ass."
A loud ring from the bedside table distracted his complaining and John reached his hand out to grab it, certain of who it would be. "Yes, Randy,"
"I knew you would be up. How you doing, baby?"
Not even his husband's smooth drawl could cheer him up, John realized and he sighed. "Same as I was before. I'm miserable."
"Johnny, please don't be. You got great news from the doc. Nothing is wrong with your neck. Don't let this Christmas thing bring you down. You'll get home when you can and…"
"And nothing, Randy! I want to be home with you and my family now! Everyone I love is in St. Louis this year for our family Christmas and I'm not. I hate this!" John closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to control his rising voice and temper. Randy remained silent on his end, unsure of what to say and John's guilt at snapping at him multiplied.
"Ran, it's not your fault; it's no one's fault. I shouldn't be screaming at you; I'm sorry. I just wish this weren't happening."
"We all do, Johnny. Everyone wishes you were here, baby but as much as I hate that you aren't, I can't help but be happy you went to see the doctor. The last thing I would want is for you to be hurt and not know it. Your health is the most important thing always. You have so many people who depend on you, number one being the little girl asleep in the next room right now."
John sighed. "I know it was the right thing to do. I would never jeopardize my health. It just sucks this happened at Christmas."
"I know, baby." Randy sighed softly in John's ear. "Try to distract yourself. Watch TV or something."
John smiled. "I can't watch anymore holiday movies or news reports on the snow. I'm just gonna try to get some sleep."
"Wanna try phone sex again?"
John's smile turned into laughter as he heard the teasing tone in Randy's voice. "I think I'll wait for the real thing, baby. I love you for offering, though."
"Anything to make you smile. I love you, Johnny."
"I love you, too, baby." John ended the call and placed the phone back on the nightstand. He closed his eyes and tossed and turned until a restless sleep claimed him.
The next morning John awoke to a bright and sunny day but his gloom prevented him from enjoying it. The only glimmer of happiness he had was when he'd turned on the morning news and discovered it had stopped snowing in St. Louis. However, a quick phone call to the airline quickly bought his mood back down.
"I don't understand. If it's not snowing, why can't I fly in?"
"Sir, even if the snow has stopped, there is still much clean up to do. No planes are landing or taking off from Lambert. You'll have to wait until we receive clearance."
John sighed in frustration and ran his hand over his head. "Look, its Christmas Eve. Do you not understand that, lady? I have a family to get home to…I have a daughter who won't understand why I'm not there! You have to get me home!"
"Sir, there's nothing I can do."
"I'll fly private! Can I fly into St. Louis that way? I don't care what it costs."
The woman sighed in John's ear. "Sir, all airports are closed to flights both commercial and private."
John clenched the phone in his hand in frustration. "What's the nearest airport then? Could one of them be open?"
"Evansville would be the closest but they are also closed, sir. You'll have to wait."
John groaned loudly and ended the call as the operator still spoke in his ear, tossing the phone onto the bed. His aggravation was at a boiling point like never before. He took a deep breath and counted to ten in his head, one of the many anger management techniques he had seen Randy use a number of times.
After he felt his anger dissipate slightly, John began to pace the room. His floating screensaver on his laptop drew his attention and he walked over to it, quickly logging onto the internet. There had to be a way home, even if it meant riding overnight on a Greyhound bus or an Amtrak train.
Much to his surprise there was a bus leaving at Noon that day which would get home to St. Louis at 2am Christmas morning. John smiled happily and quickly booked a seat on the bus. He printed his ticket out and ran to the closet, pulling his small luggage onto the bed. As he threw his clothes inside, not bothering to fold anything, his cell phone rang loudly on the bedside table. John abandoned his task and moved towards it quickly, his smile widening when he saw Randy's face on the screen.
"Hey, gorgeous! Guess what? I'm gonna be home tomorrow morning when Ally wakes up!"
Randy laughed softly in his ear. "Well, please tell me how you pulled off that miracle because according to the news every airport in the Midwest is buried in snow."
"Airports may be out of commission but Greyhound buses are still up and running and I am officially booked on one leaving in a couple of hours. We travel all night and according to the schedule I should get to St. Louis at midnight. It's perfect, baby! Just when I had given up hope…" John zipped up his suitcase and moved it towards the door. His smile faded when he heard the silence on the other end of the call. "Ran, you still there?"
"Yeah, I think I'm just in shock."
John frowned and lowered himself to the bed. "Why? I thought you would be happy…"
"You thought I would be happy that you're traveling all day and most of the night in a Greyhound under one of the worst storms the Midwest has seen in years? How many reports of bus crashes have we watched in the news lately and the weather hasn't even been bad? Are you insane, John?" Randy's voice rose with anger and John's eyes widened in surprise. That wasn't the reaction he was expecting.
"Ran, the buses wouldn't be running if it wasn't safe. This is the only way I can get home to you and Ally, baby. I want to do this. I'll be fine,"
"John, yesterday you flipped out when I said I would start heading towards you in our bus. You didn't want me to risk traveling in this weather. What the hell makes you think I want you traveling today?"
John sighed and shook his head. "I want to go home, Randy. I'm willing to risk it. Please, baby; don't ruin my good mood."
"I don't know how you thought I would be OK with this, John. This is the dumbest thing I've heard of from you in a very long time. Don't do it."
John frowned angrily and stood. "You're actually calling me dumb? Me wanting to spend Christmas with my family is dumb to you? I don't believe you, Randy."
"You traveling in a bus under a snowstorm is dumb to me, John. Don't twist my words and make me out to be the crazy person here," Randy's voice lowered to a menacing tone.
"You're being ridiculous, Randy. I'm going home and that's the end of this discussion. I want to be there for my daughter and the rest of my family members who want to see me, even if that doesn't seem to include you now." John paced around the room, opening drawers to make sure they were empty and then slamming them shut. His frustration level was at an all time high and he could feel his blood pulsing through him.
"John, I am asking you to…"
"This conversation is over, Randy. I'll see you tomorrow morning." John ended the call and threw the phone on the bed, closing his eyes as he tried to push away the anger that was consuming him. He finished emptying the drawers and took a few seconds to sit, his head cradled in his hands. The morning had officially gone from bad to worse. The excitement he thought he was going to get from Randy had been nonexistent and it had ruined his mood. His wonderful idea had tanked and he now faced a miserable trip back home alone.
John sighed as he stood up. A glance at his watch told him he had more than an hour before his bus left the Birmingham station but he still walked towards the door. With the weather as bad as it was, he figured being early wouldn't be such a bad idea. He grabbed his backpack and threw it over his shoulder as his hand gripped the small rolling suitcase containing the rest of his belongings and walked out of the hotel room.
Hours later as the Midwest was lit only by the moonlight bouncing off the snow lining the sides of the highway, John lay in his seat watching the night go by as the bus traveled up towards his destination. Despite the bad weather, the highways had been cleared well enough for the bus to remain on schedule. They were making good time and the driver had assured them, even with the few rest stops they would be making, they should arrive at St. Louis at their assigned time of 2am. The bus was mostly empty. Besides John, there were only 5 other people traveling up to Missouri that night. It allowed them all to spread out and get as comfortable as they could for the time.
While the other 4 passengers got to know each other and lamented their travel woes that forced them to travel on a Greyhound the day before Christmas, John ignored everyone and focused his attention on the road speeding by. His anger had returned full forced as the day wore on. He had been on the road for almost 10 hours and Randy had not bothered to call once. Despite the argument the men had before John left Birmingham, he expected Randy to give in and call him to ensure he was OK. The younger man's stubbornness, however, was winning at that moment. When Randy put his foot down, it usually remained until John made him give in. This time, though, John would not be giving in first. He hadn't done anything wrong and he would be strong and force Randy to admit he was wrong.
"Excuse me, dear,"
John's head swerved over to meet the smiling face of an older woman. She looked down on him hesitantly, her hand gripping the seat in front of her in an effort to keep her balance. "I don't want to bother you but…"
John smiled and shook his head. "You're not bothering me."
The woman's face relaxed slightly as her smile widened. "We were just wondering if you wanted to come up front with us and talk for a bit. We bought some cookies and eggnog at the last rest stop and we're keeping each other company. You're all alone back here, though."
John sighed and lowered his head. "I haven't been in the mood to talk to anyone today. I don't mean to be anti-social."
"We're making excellent time and the roads are pretty decent so we'll get to St. Louis in time. I hope that's not the reason you're down." A frown crossed over the woman's face as she stared down at him. "We all have a reason for being on the bus tonight. I'm sure someone very special is waiting for you just like are waiting for all of us. Trust me, we'll make it."
John smiled as he lifted his head and nodded. "My entire family is in St. Louis. I can't wait to see them, especially my daughter and husband."
The woman's eyebrow arched slightly at John's mention of a husband and he smiled discretely. He was used to the reaction and barely saw it anymore.
"I'm sure they're dying to see you, too." The woman laughed softly and shook her head. "I'm sorry, dear. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Agnes and the reason I'm on this stupid bus is because I assumed I would beat the snowstorm and didn't!"
John laughed and nodded. "Well, at least you knew one was coming. I stayed in Birmingham one extra day for a doctor's appointment and then couldn't fly out because of the storm. I'm John, by the way."
Agnes extended her hand and John shook it firmly. "Well, it's nice to meet you, John. So, instead of sulking back here, can you come up front with all of us? None of us really wanna be here but since we are, we may as well make the best of it."
"I don't mean to sulk. I'm just a bit annoyed, I guess." John's smile faded as the argument with Randy replayed in his mind. Agnes noticed and leaned on the seat, a compassionate look on her face. "It's Christmas time, dear. There should be no annoyances. Just keep thinking of the loved ones you're going home to."
John rolled his eyes and turned to look back out the window. "Yeah, I guess you're right. My daughter's reaction will be worth it, no matter what."
Agnes nodded slowly. "They're always the reason for everything we do, aren't they? I can't wait to get home to my grandkids." She laughed softly and shook her head. "My daughter was so upset I was making this trip. She thought I was insane to travel in this weather but for my grandkids I would do anything."
John slowly turned over and nodded. "I understand the feeling. My husband is so angry with me for doing this, too. We had a huge argument before I left Birmingham and haven't spoken since. I hate it. We don't really argue..." He smiled as a blush crept over his face. "I usually just give in and let him have his way but I couldn't this time."
Agnes laughed and nodded. "There's always one like that in a marriage. Why don't you just pick up the phone and call him, John? Give in one more time! It's Christmas and loved ones shouldn't be arguing!"
John sighed and leaned his head back onto the seat. "I might as well, right?"
Agnes nodded encouragingly. "Then, when you're done, come up front with us for some snacks, OK."
John smiled and nodded. "I will. Thank you, Agnes."
Agnes smiled and walked back down the aisle of the bus towards the other passengers as John reached for his cell phone. He slid it out of his pocket and sighed, spinning it around his fingers. Randy was infuriating and as stubborn as they came but at that moment John realized he didn't care. He wanted to hear his voice.
John pressed the call button for his St. Louis home and listened to the phone ring in his ear. It was answered after a few rings and his smile widened when he heard his daughter's sweet voice come through.
"Daddy! I'm so happy you called! Are you almost home? I miss you!"
"My beautiful girl! I miss you so much to, Ally. I'll be home soon but you'll probably be asleep, princess. I'll see you in the morning, though. We can open all the presents Santa bought us." John's mood was instantly elevated at the excitement in Alanna's voice and he was certain he had made the right choice in traveling through the night.
"I wish you were here for dinner now. Daddy doesn't look happy and Grandma says its because he misses you,"
John's sighed. "I miss him, too, baby. I miss all of you and wish I were there right now. At least I'll be there tomorrow, though. Can you put Daddy on the phone, please?"
"OK. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you!"
"I love you, princess. Can't wait till tomorrow," John smiled as he heard the phone clatter onto the surface Alanna set it on and call for her father. Seconds later Randy's voice replaced the silence in his ear. "Hey,"
John closed his eyes and sighed. "I know we argued and you're mad at me but I don't care. I can't regret making this trip, though, Ran. I'm dying to be home with all of you."
Randy remained silent for a few moments before finally answering, ignoring John's sentiment, his voice still tense. "How's the bus trip going? Are the roads decent?"
"Yeah, we're making good time. I should arrive at the station at 2am, just as scheduled. Roads have been cleaned and we have a great driver. He's being safe," John slowly opened his eyes. "I'll be fine, baby. Stop worrying,"
"Don't tell me not to worry about you, John. I will always worry about you," Randy's voice finally softened. "I hate that we argued. I'm sorry I flipped and that I haven't called. I've been so worried all day but I was still so angry you were out in this weather..."
"It's OK. I already know how hard headed you can be, Orton," John smiled as he teased Randy, anxious to put their fight behind them. "I'm sorry I said what I said, too. Can we just be friends again?"
Randy laughed softly in his ear. "Who said I want to be your friend, Cena?"
John rolled his eyes but smiled. "You're such a dork, babe. I can't wait to be with you. I miss you so much."
"I miss you, too, Johnny. I can't wait till you get here. I'll pick you up from the bus station, OK,"
"Thanks, baby. Be careful while driving. I love you," John smiled as Randy's voice finally radiated calm back to him. "I love you, too, baby. See you soon."
John ended the call, a happy smile on his face. He slowly stood and walked down the aisle towards Agnes and the other passengers, determined to make the final hours before he was home with his family fly by.
A/N: Will John make it home? Review to find out!