A/N: Thanks for all on the love on this story so far. I hope everyone is enjoying it. I realized that I never gave Natalie an age, so her age is revealed in this chapter. Thank you for reading this new chapter, hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY WWE SUPERSTAR THAT IS MENTIONED THROUGHOUT THIS STORY.
HEAD ABOVE WATER
Chapter 4: You're Like A Dream Come True
The WWE champion and his companion, Natalie Michaels made their way down the aisle, her following slightly behind him. The WWE champion was focused and Natalie in her usual mood, smiled and shook hands with the WWE Universe. He was dressed in his black and dark blue attire from last week complete with his 'run the place' shirt and trademark black vest. She was dressed in a white beaded peplum top with cropped skinny jeans and beige flourish wedges. Her hair was half up with her bangs straight across her forehead. Maroon eyeshadow and thick black winged eyeliner accented her blue-green eyes and maroon matte lipstick accented her lips.
Natalie stood in the middle of the ring beside AJ, whom had a microphone in his gloved hands.
"For almost twenty years..." AJ started. He couldn't complete his statement because the WWE Universe started chanting "AJ Styles." The Phenomenal One smiled at the warm response the WWE Universe was giving him. The blonde standing beside him was cheering too. He soaked in the cheers for a few moments.
"Hey, guys, you know what? I'm blessed," The WWE champion attempted to start his spiel again. "I'm blessed because for almost twenty years I've been able to travel the world and compete against the best talent sports entertainment has to offer. And, I've learned a lot. But, nothing more important than the lesson I learned after winning the WWE championship." He showed off the title that was hiding under his vest. "There's a reason why this championship is so hard to hold. It's because of the pressure of who is holding this championship is put under."
Natalie merely nodded her head in agreement. She's seen firsthand how complicated it's been for AJ, who has faced challenger after challenger since his second title reign started last November.
"Samoa Joe, you hit my pressure points, Dude. I got to admit: you're a mastermind. It all started when you blindsided me in this ring."
Footage from three weeks ago during the contract signing appeared on the titantron and the moment AJ referred to was in motion. The number contender attacked the WWE champion from behind.
"Joe, right when I think I know you; you stab me in the back and then you stab me in the heart." Natalie placed a comforting hand on the Phenomenal One's bicep. AJ pointed to the titantron where footage showed from two weeks ago when Joe cut his promo on AJ where he was attempting to get under the skin of the WWE champion. He mentioned that AJ put being a WWE champion above all else. Everything about that promo caused AJ's blood to boil.
"Joe, you got me right where you want me; you got me to lose my cool. That's what you want?" AJ's question was rhetorical. "Well, you done it."
"You also got me to talk about something very private and very personal: you got me to talk about Natalie." Natalie shook her head in disgust. The blonde thought that Joe mentioning her to get inside of AJ's head was a very underhanded tactic. "I felt as a real man, I had to defend not only myself, but Natalie too and when I did, I got emotional. You got me to go to a place I didn't want to go to, you got me to go to a dark place. It was a place where I wanted to rip your head off."
"This beautiful woman standing next to me sat me down when we got home and she told me: 'AJ, you can't lose your cool like that. You know I support you and I appreciate everything you have done for me, but you can't lose your cool like that, you have to remain focused because you have to'-"
Samoa Joe's theme music blared and interrupted what AJ had to say. The crowd chanted "Joe" in rhythm of the number one contender's theme song as he stood on top of the ramp. AJ and Natalie both had perplexed looks on their faces.
Joe pointed up his index finger telling AJ and Natalie to hold on for a moment. He reached into his gray suit jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of paper followed by pulling a microphone out of the back pocket of his black jeans. "Now, AJ, that is a wonderful tale you're telling these lovely people. But, we both know that what you're saying is just not true." The crowd booed at Joe's accusation about AJ's statements not being true.
"Now, AJ, relax, just relax, champ. I want to help you keep your promise. I don't have anything to say to you, but I do have a letter in my hand that I want to read to you because I thought that you should hear what this letter says."
The number one contender unfolded the letter and started reading it. "Dear Joe, two weeks ago I heard the things you said about AJ Styles. The remarks were disgusting and made me physically ill. Not because they were wrong, but because they were true. I used to be the biggest AJ Styles fan in the world, but now it's clear that AJ does put being the WWE champion above all else. That is why AJ is such a great champion because his whole world is revolved around that championship. At Summerslam, I pray that you win, so AJ can have time for something else besides that championship. My sincerest gratitude, Natalie Michaels."
Natalie appeared bewildered by the letter while AJ was livid. He wanted nothing more than to go up there and rip Joe's head off before Summerslam. AJ was getting ready to exit the ring to get him a piece of Joe, but he was stopped in his tracks by Natalie, who put her hands on his chest to keep him at bay. The number one contender's music hit and a cocky smirk appeared on his face as he was happy with the latest scheme in his plan.
AJ and Natalie walked through the curtain into the gorilla. "I've got to head out to the parking garage for a WWE dot com exclusive segment with Joe. I have to act like I want to rip his head off." AJ handed his title to Natalie. "Can you please take this back to my locker room?" Natalie nodded and smiled. "Thanks." He gave Natalie a quick peck on her lips.
"We won't keep him too long," one of the producers teased Natalie.
"Happy birthday, Natalie," Joe said.
"Thank you, Joe," Natalie smiled. Today was indeed her birthday. She would be turning twenty-eight years old. She still had so many more years ahead of her. She hoped she could be like her boyfriend and age like fine wine. She wanted to stay graceful and crisp in-between the ropes like him too. It had intimidated her during AJ's promo when he said he'd been in the business for nearly twenty years. He had started his wrestling career when she was just starting out in middle school. He never worried about their age difference, even though she had. But, that was something that was left far in the past.
"I'll be back shortly," The Phenomenal said as he gently squeezed Natalie's shoulder passing by her. He walked alongside Joe so they could do their last segment together for WWE dot com before both men called it a night.
She took her boyfriend's title and headed towards his locker room. She arrived in his locker room and gently placed his WWE title in one of the seats that was near the lockers. She went to her suitcase and pulled out her iPhone. She hadn't checked her phone since this morning. Her eyes widened as she saw her phone was blew up with notifications.
She first opened up the Instagram app. She saw she had been tagged in photos by Carmella, Lita(she felt incredibly starstruck at being mentioned by her), Stephanie, Hunter, Charlotte, Nikki, Dolph, Seth(she honestly felt honored to be tagged in a photo with him because he didn't do that for many people), Nattie, Charly, Kelly, Michelle, and the love of her life.
carmellawwe: Happy birthday to my best friend in the whole world! Natalie, honey, you deserve the whole freaking world for your birthday. I love you so much and thanks for being the best friend I could ever have. Hope your birthday is #fabulous much like yourself. Carmella had posted five pictures with them. The first one was of them back at NXT when they were goofing off in the locker room. The second one was a picture of them where Natalie had on a gray crop top that said: that's my boo and the arrow pointed to Carmella and Carmella had on a gray tanktop that said: that's my bae and the arrow pointed to Natalie. The third picture was a selfie of them at the beach. The fourth picture a picture of them at Wrestlemania right after Natalie won the Smackdown women's title and Carmella posed with her. The fifth picture was taken on the Smackdown Live after Wrestlemania when Carmella just cashed in her Money In The Bank onto Natalie and the picture was of Natalie hugging Carmella who just won the Smackdown women's title.
Natalie remembered telling creative that she wanted to put over Carmella by letting Carmella cash in the Money In The Bank on her. Natalie felt that she didn't need a title to define who she was. She was popular without it. She thought winning the Smackdown women's title at Wrestlemania made for an excellent moment, but she knew there was other women who deserved a run with the title. After all, Natalie was still young and would have plenty more opportunities.
machetegirl: Kenzie and I wish you a happy birthday! Lita has a picture posted with Natalie, who is holding her dog, Kenzie.
stephaniemcmahon: Happy birthday to one of the women who has contributed to the women's revolution. She's just as wonderful outside of the ring as she is inside the ring. Steph has a picture posted of her and Natalie from the Royal Rumble.
tripleh: I have known her for a long time. She is one of a kind. She is one of the most down to earth people I've ever encountered. I am proud of her. Happy birthday, Natalie. Enjoy your day, kiddo. There was a picture of her and Hunter from when she debuted on Smackdown Live back in 2016 and a picture of her and Hunter right after she wont the Smackdown women's title at Wrestlemania.
charlottewwe: Happy birthday beautiful! Charlotte posted a selfie of her and Natalie during a time they were backstage goofing off. Charlotte appeared to be disgusted by Natalie, whom was acting like she was going to lick her face.
thenikkibella: Happy birthday to someone that I'm proud to call a good friend. She was my road wife during my last stent with the WWE and she is someone who spreads so much kindness and joy everywhere she goes. I love you, Natalie and I hope you have the best birthday. Nikki posted a picture of her and Natalie from when Natalie impersonated Dolph Ziggler and Nikki impersonated AJ Styles. There was also a selfie of them that was taken backstage in the women's locker room.
heelziggler: Happy birthday, Showoff! Dolph posted one of the same picture's that Nikki did. It was when she was impersonating him.
wwerollins: Happy birthday! I suppose you're cool enough for me to post about on my social media. Seth posted a picture of him and Natalie right before they did their crossfit workout. That was taken the same day as Takeover: Philadelphia earlier in the year.
natbynature: Happy birthday, my name cousin! Nattie had several selfies posted of her and Natalie.
charlyontv: Happy birthday to this gorgeous human being. Charly posted two pictures of picture of her and Natalie. The first was taken during backstage during RAW's twenty-fifth anniversary. The second one was a selfie of them during the Wrestlemania afterparty.
thebarbieblank: Happy birthday beautiful! Kelly posted a picture of them during RAW's twenty-fifth anniversary and one of them during the Royal Rumble.
mimicalacool: Happy birthday, Natalie! Hope you have an amazing birthday! Michelle posted five selfies of her and Natalie throughout the years.
ajstylesp1: Happy birthday, youngin! You're most incredible person I have ever known. Thanks to you, my heart is not missing that missing piece anymore. You complete me. I hope I get to spend many more birthdays with you. AJ posted four pictures of him and Natalie together. The first one was during the 2017 hall of fame. The second one was during a Georgia Bulldogs football game. The third one was one of them together at the beach. The fourth picture was taken during the Wrestlemania after party where she held onto his WWE title and he held onto her then Smackdown women's title.
Natalie teared up at the posts. She was grateful to have so many people in her life that cared about her. She didn't know how she was so blessed, but she didn't take it for granted. She composed herself fairly well until she read the Phenomenal One's post. She thinks that's the post that did her in.
Speaking of the Phenomenal One: he walked into the locker room. He noticed Natalie was looking overwhelmed by emotion. "What's wrong, Baby?" He asked with concern. "It's your birthday, you're not supposed to be crying."
"I am just so overwhelmed with these Instagram posts that are in relation to my birthday." She stuck her phone in her back pocket for the meantime. She would check twitter and her messages later. She got up and wrapped her arms around AJ, breathing in his scent. "Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday post. I couldn't contain myself much longer after reading your Instagram post."
"I guess I should be less sappy next time so I don't make you cry," The Phenomenal One joked.
Natalie laughed. "Your post was perfect."
AJ leaned back slightly so he could look at Natalie. "We should get changed. We have somewhere we need to be after the show ends."
"Okay." Natalie wasn't going to question AJ because she trusted him.
"I'm going to get showered really quick." He gathered his clothes from his suitcase and headed towards the shower stall.
Meanwhile, Natalie rummaged through her suitcase and found something she thought was suitable enough to wear. She liked what the WWE glamsquad did with her makeup tonight, so she wanted to keep it that way.
AJ lead a blindfolded Natalie into a club. He has hand entwined with hers, their fingers interlaced with each others. He was wearing a black crisp linen shirt with blue jeans and his trademark boots he was somewhat associated with when he was wearing street clothes onscreen. Natalie was wearing a maroon lace midi dress with black peep toe pumps.
Natalie heard an echoing "surprise" from wherever she was at. Her boyfriend took off her blindfold and her jaw dropped. There was a surprise party just for her. Carmella, who was dressed in a short halter black dress and black strappy sandals, ran up to her best friend and hugged her tightly.
"Happy birthday, Sweetie!" Carmella exclaimed.
Majority of the Smackdown roster was there to help celebrate with her. She felt her heart swelling. "Thank you. I can't believe that there is a birthday celebration for me."
"You deserve it."
"Y'all are so good to me."
"That's because you're so good to all of us," Carmella pointed out. She pointed to the bar behind her. "There's an open bar, why don't you help yourself?"
"Well, it is my birthday and it is a day of celebration, so why not?" She kissed AJ's cheek and whispered thank you to him before grabbing Carmella's hand and leading her best friend to the bar.
The WWE champion watched his girlfriend with amusement. He didn't drink, so he would gladly be her designated driver. He didn't want to be a burden to Natalie, so he found Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E and joined them.
Natalie found herself being surrounded by Carmella, Peyton, Billie, Lana, Zelina, Naomi, Becky, and Charlotte. The girls each had a shot in their hand and clinked each others glasses while they yelled, "cheers."
Natalie heard 'One Kiss' by Calvin Harris and Dua Lupa play in the club and she grabbed Carmella's hand and she motioned for the rest of the women to join her on the dancefloor. This song was most definitely her guilty pleasure song.
AJ kept his eyes on Natalie as she was dancing with the women on the dancefloor. Dancing was a secret talent she possessed. He found out firsthand after Wrestlemania how talented she was at dancing. He was lucky enough to get a live show.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he saw Natalie go up to the DJ booth and then look in his direction. The WWE champion saw her motion for him to come to him and he started walking in her direction. She met him halfway on the dancefloor. "You're going to be all mine for the next four minutes," she said to him as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he placed his hands on her hips.
'Back At One' by Brian McKnight started playing and AJ and Natalie started swaying along to the song. Rusev and Lana and Jimmy and Naomi were inevitable in joining them on the dancefloor.
"This is a surprise song pick," AJ said. "But, I'm not complaining because this song is a classic and I get you have you close to me."
"When I hear some of the lyrics to this song, I think about you, so it was the perfect pick for me." She looked up at him and smiled. "You're really a dream come true to me."
"Well, I just want to be with you and you're the only one for me."
Natalie felt her heart flutter. "That's so sweet."
"Yeah, I can be a romantic guy when I want to be."
"You most certainly have your moments."
AJ smiled. "Are you having a good birthday?"
"It's been one of the best one's ever."
"Well, you've only had twenty-eight birthdays so it shouldn't be that hard to determine your best birthday's ever."
Natalie scoffed. "Alright, old man. You've had forty-one birthdays so it might take awhile for you to decide which birthdays were amazing for you."
"That's easy," AJ laughed. "My forty-first birthday was my best birthday ever."
"Why?"
The Phenomenal One moved Natalie's bangs to the side so he could look into her blue-green eyes. "I got to spend it with you. You did everything you could to make it special for me." AJ's birthday was June second and it fell on a Saturday, so he was able to spend it at home with Natalie. It started with her making breakfast in bed for him. Then, she hooked him up with preordered Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs football game tickets. The last present she got for him was custom made Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs jerseys with Styles and P1 written on the back.
"It was your birthday. You deserved the freaking world, Handsome and you still deserve the whole world."
"Now it's your birthday and you deserve the world."
"I'm not that special."
"Bullshit," AJ scoffed. "You're so dang special to me. No one else can compare to you."
"I was intimidated by my feelings for you at first," Natalie confessed. "I was twenty-six years old whenever I came to the main roster and you started talking to me. I thought that maybe you saw me as a little sister. But, after our first conversation together, I already had a crush forming on you. I thought that you would want someone more mature and older than me. But, Nikki and Carmella and some of the other roster members started saying that you liked me too. I honestly thought that was some cruel joke. Then, there was all that mess with my Dad. All of that is in the past and now here we are."
"I know our age difference can be intimidating because you're not even your thirties yet and I have already surpassed my thirties," the WWE champion stated. "But, I was hooked after our first interaction together. I knew right then that I had to talk to you as often as I could. I genuinely enjoyed your company. When I would have a bad day, you would somehow make it better. When Wrestlemania thirty-three came upon us, I finally grew a pair and was gaining the confidence to ask you out. But, you got injured. I could definitely tell you weren't around and it sucked. Then, I heard that Shawn was peculiar about who you dated, so that was another obstacle for me to overcome, but I was going to win in the end. And, I did because here we are."
Natalie looked at AJ mesmerized. She loved him even more now and that was becoming real hard to do because her AJ love meter was already at one hundred percent. "Is it possible for me to love you even more?"
"Yes, cause I love you more everyday."
Natalie felt her heart flutter and her cheeks turn red. "Okay, put a bow on your head or something because you're going to be my birthday present when we get back to the motel room."
"You can unwrap me, Baby. I don't mind that at all," he whispered in her ear. She felt goosebumps on her arms at his breath in her ear.
As soon as they arrived in their motel room and took off their shoes, Natalie wasted no time pouncing on AJ and unbuttoning his linen shirt. He pushed her against the wall and placed butterfly kisses along her jaw and neck.
Natalie moved herself from against the wall and crashed her lips on AJ's. He placed his tongue in her mouth and she eagerly responded. He slid his hands down and slid up her dress and underneath her dress revealed a lacy maroon bra and lacy maroon thong. Things were getting heavily heated like the last time they tried to have sex, but Natalie wasn't feeling frightened by the intensity this time.
"Are you okay?" the WWE champion breathed.
"Mmmhmm..." Natalie muttered.
AJ and Natalie passionately kissed again, walking towards the bed. Natalie leaned back on the bed and AJ crawled towards her, their lips somehow staying connected to each others.
"Are you sure you're okay?" AJ wondered.
"I'm sure."
They stripped each other of the rest of their clothing and AJ and Natalie didn't waste anytime getting to the point. The rest of Natalie's birthday night was already planned out.
What a great way to end in what was one of the best birthday's ever. It was as if she was in a dream.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.