Another Note: The girls' cousin Troy is the same age as Raquel, 23.
Chapter 4…
The Next Day…
"Thank you very much for coming in today Ms. Davenport," Vince stood, offering Raquel his hand.
"Thank you for having me," Raquel smiled, standing as well and shaking his hand.
"I hope to have the contract drawn up and ready for your lawyers to look at within the next 48 hours or so," Vince said.
"Wonderful," she smiled. "Just fax it over to them and barring any problems it should be signed within a few days."
"You'll be a terrific addition to our family," Vince said.
"Thank you very much," Raquel beamed. "I'll see you soon."
"Have a good day," Vince nodded as she turned, walking out of the office. She closed the door quietly behind her and smiled to the receptionist as she entered the outer office. Troy stood up, looking at her expectantly.
"It went quite well," Raquel smiled. "We can go now."
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John yawned a little, walking through the front doors of the WWE offices. He'd just finished up an interview with and he was ready to get back to the hotel. He hadn't gotten a lot of sleep and he desperately needed some. He was digging his keys out of his pocket, trying to remember where he parked when he thought heard someone calling his name. He shook his head, they were probably talking to someone else.
"John!"
He turned, recognizing the voice. A smile crossed his face when he saw her. Raquel raced toward him and he opened his arms, hugging her tightly. He picked her up, swinging her around before setting her down gently.
"How are you?" he smiled down at her.
"I'm fine," she smoothed her hair. "How are you?"
"Not bad, not bad," John laughed a little. He noticed Troy pretending to look hurt. "Big T, you know I couldn't forget about you."
"You better not," Troy laughed a little, hugging him lightly.
John shook his head a little. He hadn't seen either of them in so long. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed them.
"It's been a while Rocky," John mussed her hair a little. "You still kickin' ass?"
She crossed her arms over her chest, trying not to laugh at his nickname for her, "That was years ago…why do you have to bring that up?"
Troy laughed a little, "Because it's funny."
1998
"Hey Bri," Raquel looked up when her sister walked into John's living room. John's younger brother Sean right behind her.
Brianna dropped her backpack on the floor and walked over to the couch, flopping down between John and Raquel without saying a word.
"So I take it you had fun at school today?" John laughed.
"Oh yeah," Brianna nodded. She stuck out her bottom lip, "Is it still swollen?"
"Why is your lip swollen?" Raquel turned her sister to face her.
"Because Rita Nichols decided that's how it should be," Brianna dabbed at her lip. "She pushed my head into my locker door."
"What the hell did she do that for?" Raquel asked.
"You didn't tell her?" John asked, giving Brianna a disapproving look.
"Tell me what?"Raquel looked between them.
"Rita's been giving Bri shit for a couple weeks now. I asked her if she wanted me to talk to her and she wont let me," John explained.
"Well I'll talk to her," Raquel stood up.
"Please don't,"Brianna insisted. "That'll just get my ass kicked worse."
"Not if I kill her," Raquel said angrily.
"Nobody's gonna kill her," Brianna said.
"I'll be your alibi," John offered.
"Don't encourage her," Brianna glared at John. "I'm 13, I can handle my own issues, thank you both."
"Not too well," John nodded to her lip.
Brianna gave him the finger.
"Has she done anything else to you?" Raquel asked.
"Nothing but shove me in lockers, take my money, and threaten my life," Brianna shrugged.
"Oh hell no," Raquel started pacing. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Because she's bigger than both of us, what are you gonna do?" Brianna asked.
"She may be bigger Bri but we have money..and we're Italian..we can pay to have her knocked off," Raquel joked.
Brianna laughed a little, then winced at the pain in her lip, "Just let me handle it please."
"Fine," Raquel sat back down. "For now."
2 Weeks Later
"Now what exactly are you planning to do?" John asked as he pulled into the middle school parking lot. Raquel had asked him to drive her to the school to pick Brianna up after cheerleading.
"Nothing that doesn't need to be done," Raquel said.
"Alright, as long as I don't go to jail for driving you here," John smirked, parking the car.
"I won't do anything as long as I don't see something I don't like," Raquel insisted, opening her door and getting out.
"And what exactly are you gonna do?" John asked as he exited the car. "You know I love ya kid but...Rita's about as big as I am."
"Hopefully I wont have to do anything," Raquel said. She grabbed John's wrist, looking at his watch, "It's 5:30, she should be done now, right?"
"I don't know her schedule," John laughed as they walked into the school. "I guess she'll be done. But I don't get it..why would Rita be here? She sure as hell ain't a cheerleader and I don't think the football players practice today."
"Bri comes home every day from cheerleading with some new injury," Raquel said. "The crazy bitch must wait for her."
They turned the corner and entered the hall where the 8th grade lockers were. Brianna was kneeling in front of her locker, pulling out books and shoving them in her dance bag. She was still dressed from practice and didn't seem to notice that anyone else was there. As they were walking, John spotted Rita rounding the other corner. She was very tall so it didn't take her too many strides to get to Brianna's locker. John quickened his pace when he saw Rita nudge the back of Brianna's head with her boot. He was about to say something but before he knew it, Raquel was running down the hall.
Oh shit
Before John could yell for her to stop, Raquel had shoved Rita hard. Brianna was pressed against her locker, looking frightened.
"This isn't any of your business Raquel," Rita glared at Raquel.
"It is when you're attacking my sister, Amazon," Raquel sneered.
"What did you just call me?" Rita stepped closer to Raquel, bumping her.
"Amazon?" Raquel shrugged.
"Look, I'll kick your ass and your sister's," Rita pointed.
"Oh really?" Raquel pushed Rita again.
"Really," Rita pushed her back.
Then, Raquel slapped Rita hard. She almost had to jump to do it because of Rita's height but she hit her damn hard.
"Brianna get over here," John waved as she was almost hit when Rita fell against the locker beside her. Brianna ran over to him and he gently pushed her to stand behind him, "Is your head okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Shouldn't we stop this?"
John looked to where Raquel and Rita were fighting.
"Normally I would say yes," John said. "But Raquel seems to be winning."
Raquel straddled Rita's back, pushing her head into the floor, occasionally punching her in the neck or shoulders. Brianna walked past John and he grabbed her arm, pulling her back, "What are you doing?"
"Stopping them. John, the coaches are still here," Brianna said. "We're gonna get in trouble if somebody sees this."
"Okay, okay, just stay over here," he ordered. He ran over, wrapping his arms around Raquel's midsection. He lifted her off of Rita, kicking and swinging.
"You can stop punchin now Rocky," John said, holding her up. After a few seconds she calmed, breathing heavily.
"Umm..guys," Brianna said nervously. "I think somebody's coming."
"It's great to see you both," John smiled.
Jeff was going to be incredibly jealous when he heard about this. John was gonna have to call him when he had the chance.
"Are you busy?" Raquel asked.
"Not really," John shrugged. "I was just goin' back to my apartment."
"You live out here?" Troy asked.
John nodded, "I moved out here when I started in UPW and I just haven't felt the need to move since."
"That is interesting," Troy smiled. "Raquel and Bri-"
"You should come to lunch with us," Raquel smiled, interrupting her cousin.
"We'd love to have you," Troy added. "And I promise I didn't mean that in a perverted way."
John laughed a little, "I don't have anything else to do..Why not?"
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Brianna closed her planner, not wanting to think about any work for a while. She was exhausted. She couldn't wait to get home. She didn't even know what time it was. She'd been in so many different time zones in the past few months she wasn't sure if any clock in her possession was even close to being right. She'd tried sleeping on the flight to make the time go faster but she couldn't. She was still wondering what Raquel was up to. Whatever it is, Brianna just hoped her sister didn't make a big deal of her coming home. Not tonight. All she wanted to do was go to bed.
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"That was so fun," Raquel laughed as she, Troy, and John exited the restaraunt. They'd just spent the past 3 hours catching up.
"Yes it was," John agreed. "Especially watching Troy's pinkie shoot up when he cut his steak.
"Leave me alone John," Troy laughed, pointing.
"What are you doing tonight?" Raquel asked.
"Nothing really," he shrugged. "Just sitting around my apartment most likely. Why?"
"She's having a party for Brianna and she wants you to come," Troy sighed.
"Brianna?" John stared a little.
Raquel nodded, "She's been on a European tour for a few months and she's coming back tonight...She would love to see you."
"She would?" John asked, confused.
"Of course she would," Raquel smiled. "John, you two can't go forever not speaking to each other just because she moved away."
Raquel couldn't understand why John wasn't jumping at the chance. She knew he wanted to go, she was just a little irritated at his reluctance.
"I uh...I'm not sure I wanna crash the party," John said.
"Oh come on," Raquel pushed his shoulder.
He seemed to consider it for a second and then shook his head, "Trust me..Brianna wouldn't want me there."
"But John," Raquel looked up at him. "Don't you wanna see her?"
He sighed, "Yeah I do but..."
"I'll just give you the address and the time," Raquel offered. "If you want to come, then you're more than welcome. If you decide not to..that's fine."
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7:30 P.M.
Brianna was struggling with her bags when she heard her name.
"Brianna!"
She turned around, smiling when she saw Troy and Maya rushing toward her.
"Hey!" Brianna hugged Troy tightly when they reached her. She picked Maya up, hugging her as well.
"We missed you," Maya hugged her.
"Did you?" Brianna laughed a little. "I missed you too. How have you been?"
"Good," Maya smiled.
"That's good," Brianna brushed the young girl's hair off of her face. She looked over at her cousin, "I thought you were gonna be out with Raquel and Gi."
"Raquel's at her apartment," Troy said quickly.
Too quickly.
"Doing what?" Brianna asked, suspicious.
"Nothing," Troy insisted.
"Maya?" Brianna eyed her suspiciously.
"Nothing," Maya insisted with wide eyed innocence.
"Okay," Brianna sighed, putting her down to pick up a few of her bags, only to have Troy take them away. She rolled her eyes, he always did this to her when she came home. He never let her do anything. "Where's Nick?"
"At home," Troy and Maya both said quickly.
"Oookay," Brianna rolled her eyes, picking Maya up again. "I guess we can go."
"Good," Troy started walking ahead of them. Brianna shook her head. Something was going on. She could tell. She was too tired to push it though. She just hoped it wasn't anything too stressful.
"So you're going to a party at Raquel Davenport's house?" Jeff asked.
"No..I'm going to a party at Brianna Kavner's house," Johns said. "Maybe...I don't know. I don't think it's a good idea."
"Why?" Jeff asked. "Still in love with her?"
"Of course not, I haven't seen her in years," John said. "It's just..I don't know, I'm not sure about it."
"What if I go with you?" Jeff suggested. "I'll make sure you don't do anything Paula wouldn't approve of."
"And hit on Raquel?" John smirked.
Jeff laughed, "Maybe a little."
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"You invited John Cena?" Dr. Frank Kavner stared at his daughter. "Raquel, you know how I feel about Brianna being around him."
"I know Dad," Raquel rolled her eyes, opening a champagne bottle. "But let me put it in a way you'll understand...who would you like her with more: John, who has a damn good job making more than six figures a year...or Officer Nick the has been boxer?"
"She has a point," Gia said, eating a strawberry from the bowl Raquel had just placed on the counter.
"You realize that Brianna is going to be furious with you when she realizes what you're trying to do," Frank pointed out. "Damn temper..Got it from her mother."
"She'll get over it," Raquel said. "She was in love with John..she wants to see him again whether she admits it or not."
"Why must my daughters have such horrible taste in men?" Frank looked up at the ceiling.
"I don't," Raquel pointed out.
"Neither do I," Gia picked up another strawberry. Raquel and Frank both eyed her incredulously. "Okay, Raquel doesn't."
"Can't she just find herself a good doctor or lawyer or something worth while?" the doctor asked.
"She dated that one doctor, remember?" Gia asked.
"Yes but then he proposed to her too early and she realized that he wanted her to be a trophy wife," Frank rolled his eyes. "As if he's wrong for realizing what a prize she is."
"Dad, you two are never going to see things the same way," Raquel said. "You're just going to have to face it..I have...And while we're on the subject of bringing people who'll upset Brianna...I notice we're being joined by the lovely Audrea."
Raquel's eyes were fixed on the young blonde. Audrea Lindley was a former Lakers Cheerleader whose father was a patient of Dr. Kavner's. They met at one of her father's appointments and soon the 22 year old and Dr. Kavner were an item, despite his marriage to Kathleen Grant. Raquel, Gia, and Brianna all hated Audrea with a passion. Raquel couldn't explain how disturbed she was that her father's girlfriend was younger than her.
"You didn't tell me I couldn't bring her," Dr. Kavner smiled.
Raquel returned the smile, "Well you didn't tell me I couldn't treat her like crap."
Frank's smile fell.
Raquel extended her hand to her youngest sister, "Come on Gi..let's go say hello."
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"Bri, you're back."
"Yes I am," Brianna laughed, a little out of breath from carrying her bags up the stairs. Of course, the day she came back the damn elevator was broken. Nick ran down the stairs, pulling her into a hug.
She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his cheek quickly, "Can I assume that someone missed me?"
"Maybe a little," he kissed her.
Brianna couldn't help but notice the huge smile on his face. Nick wasn't typically a smiley type of person. She knew he was happy that she was back but there seemed to be something else.
"What are you so excited about?" she asked as they walked up the stairs.
"Nothing baby," he smiled, taking her hand. She was about to pick up one of her bags but he pulled her, "You can get them later."
Oh Jesus
She could hear Troy and Maya coming up the stairs behind her.
Damn, they've got me surrounded
Once they reached the door to her apartment, she reached into her pocket for her keys but Nick stopped her, placing his hand on the doorknob. Brianna rubbed one of her temples, looking down at the floor, bracing herself. He opened the door and there were at least 20 people in her apartment yelling 'Surprise!'
I knew it...I knew it
"Surprise little sister," Raquel walked over, hugging her tightly.
"I'm going to kill you big sister," Brianna smiled, her teeth locked together as she hugged her sister back.
Raquel smiled back, "Not while the party is going...there's too many witnesses."
Brianna glared at her sister. Raquel knew damn well how much Brianna hated surprise parties. She'd only had one good one that she could remember...and it was a memory she'd tried many a time to wipe from her mind.
"I can't believe you tricked me," Brianna hit John hard in the arm as they walked outside. "I thought you forgot my birthday."
John smiled, he'd made sure everyone knew the surprise he was planning for Brianna and to make her think they didn't know what day it was. He'd gotten all of her friends and family to make a bigger deal out of New Years' Day, knowing how much it would bother her. Since she was born on January 1st, she was always expecting someone to forget her birthday. He'd told her he was taking her to a New Years' party and then surprised her with a birthday party at the sports bar his aunt and uncle owned and she worked at part time.
"Bri, I've known you for eight years..have I ever forgotten your birthday?" he smiled.
"I guess not," she pouted. "But there's a first time for everything."
They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Brianna's heels clicking on the sidewalk and the music from the party inside providing the only noise. He could tell she was thinking about something. He had a feeling he knew what it was but if she wasn't going to bring up her father, he certainly wasn't going to.
"So...did you not invite my father?" she sighed, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Or did he just decide not to come?"
"He said he couldn't make it," John answered.
She didn't respond right away. Things had been incredibly strained with her father for the past couple months. They'd always had a tense relationship but never as bad as it was now. John always felt guilty when they talked about it because he knew it was his fault. Brianna insisted that she didn't care but...he could see that she did.
"Raquel flew in from New York even though she has a photo shoot in the morning and he couldn't make it," Brianna rolled her eyes. "Gotta love that...You would think a neurosurgeon could come up with a better excuse."
John had tried his best to talk Dr. Kavner into coming to Brianna's birthday party. Unfortunately his daughter's 17th birthday was overshadowed by her disobedience. He'd informed John that he would celebrate Brianna's birthday when she got the hell away from him. The conversation had escalated into an argument with John pointing out that he obviously cared about Brianna more, thenDr. Kavner hung up on him.
"Just try not to think about it," he put an arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. "It's my job to make sure you're happy on your birthday and you're making it very difficult for me."
She laughed, "Forgive me."
"I can forgive but I'm afraid I don't forget," he laughed, leading her to a bench and sitting down.
She arched an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms over her chest as he patted the seat next to him.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"John, it's January in Boston, I'm wearing a miniskirt, and you want me to sit on a bench?" she stared.
He laughed a little, "Then sit on my lap."
"I'll take the bench," she rolled her eyes. She was about to sit beside him when he grabbed her, sitting on her on his lap.
"Hey!" she squeaked, hitting him on the arm again.
"Be nice or I'm not giving you your present," he warned.
"Honey, it's too damn cold out here to be all perverted," she laughed, taking his Red Sox hat off and putting it on her own head.
"Get your mind outta the gutter," he laughed, turning the hat backwards. "I meant an actual present."
"You already gave me a present," she reminded him.
John smiled, reaching into his pocket, "I'm sorry, is there a rule that I can only give my woman one present on her birthday?"
"Well what is it?" she smiled excitedly.
He pulled the small ringbox out of his pocket, laughing a little as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too serious," he laughed, handing her the box. She opened it quickly and smiled when she saw the ring. It was a thin silver band with a very small round cut diamond. It had taken a little overtime at work to get it but it was worth it to see her smile that way.
"Thank you," she hugged him tightly.
"Yeah you better thank me," he laughed.
She pulled the ring out of the box, sliding it onto her finger. "How did you know what size to get?"
"I called Raquel," he laughed. "She knows your ring size and Gia's."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Brianna laughed. She giggled, looking down at the ring, "John, I love it."
"I love you," he gave her the cheesiest smile he could manage.
"And I love you," she laughed. "Corny ass."
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9 P.M.
"So how are you feeling?" Gia asked, putting an arm around her sister's shoulders.
"Gi, I'm just tired," Brianna sighed, resting her head on Gia's shoulder. "I want everyone out so I can go to sleep."
"Poor thing," Gia patted the top of her head.
"I really do appreciate them being here but...I wish I'd had a night to rest before I got all of this sprung on me," Brianna yawned. "Raquel told me I have another wonderful surprise coming...I'm just waiting for it."
"It'll certainly be a surprise," Gia said, finishing her glass of champagne.
"What do you know?" Brianna sat up straight, eyeing her sister.
"What do you mean?" Gia's face remained expressionless.
Brianna jumped when she heard the doorbell ring. Raquel rushed over excitedly, smiling from ear to ear, "Nobody get the door...the guest of honor has to answer it."
"No she doesn't," Brianna said, leaning back against the couch..
"Yes you do," Raquel grabbed her hand, pulling her up.
Brianna rolled her eyes, yawning as she walked over to the door, "I am so not in the mood for a stripper Raquel."
Brianna turned to glare at her sister but Raquel had retreated to where she could not be seen.
Oh that's a good sign
Brianna felt a strange anxiety as her hand touched the doorknob. She didn't like surprises but they didn't usually make her nervous. She was tempted to just turn around and make someone else answer it but then she had a vision of Raquel running at her, insisting that she had to do it. She shook her head, taking a deep breath, and opened the door. Her heart stopped when she recognized the blue eyes staring back at her.
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All the words John had prepared left him when he saw her. She looked more beautiful than he remembered. Her hair was curled, flowing past her shoulders, her green eyes wide and confused.She wore a blue sweater that was sliding off her shoulder and a pair of jeans that were torn at one knee.
"John," she said softly. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
John couldn't bring himself to speak until Jeff nudged him a little.
"Raquel invited me," he forced out. "I uh..I figured she would have told you."
"She didn't," Brianna tucked her hair behind her ears. They stood awkwardly, neither of them uttering a word. John didn't know if he should leave or not and he was about to suggest it when a tiny young girl with a mess of auburn curls and wide hazel eyes ran over, smiling.
"Brianna, who is this?" she asked, taking Brianna's hand.
"This is...this is John," Brianna said nervously.
"Hi John," the young girl smiled.
"Hi," John smiled down at her.
"Is John your friend?" the girl asked.
"Uh..um..yeah," Brianna shrugged, running a hand through her hair.
"Will you be my friend?" she looked up at him, smiling brightly.
"Of course I will," John laughed a little. He knelt down in front of her, "What's your name?"
"Maya," she beamed.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Maya," he extended his hand. "I'm John."
"I know," she giggled, shaking his hand. "You told me."
"We old people forget sometimes," he laughed.
Then, a tall young man walked over, putting an arm around Brianna and kissing the side of her neck.
John tried to ignore it but jealousy took over as he watched this man touching Brianna. He tried to seem non chalant when he spoke, "Who's this?"
"This is my boyfriend Nick," Brianna said. "Nick, this is John."
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