The Good Life

AN. Thank you to livelaughspear, BigRedMachineUK, ThatGirl54, xsostarstruck, xHalosandwings, gabrielxdivaa, StephanieMcmahon101, xTwistedxImperfectionx,BestyLovesMickie, WrestlingObsessedGirl & keepthefaithx for reviewing the last chapter.

Thanks very muchly! :)


Chapter Seven – Double Trouble


It was a known fact that Tiffany McIntyre (nee Terrell) liked to cook. In fact, on many occasions her house was chosen for a special day with the girls, if only to taste whatever she had baking in the oven. The newlywed was quite domesticated already in the kitchen, and she was thankful to have the gift to use whenever she pleased.

The scent that wafted through the housewives nostrils when they walked through the door this time was simply mouth-watering. Layla was the first to comment, a huge grin curving her lips upwards. "Is that banana bread I smell? Ah, it's gorgeous."

"Don't get me wrong, Tiff, I hate that you weren't able to enjoy your honeymoon for longer than two weeks... but I love the fact you're back even more. Your food needs to be a slave to my taste buds more often."

"Always so eloquent, Eve." Maryse rolled her eyes playfully. She shook her head when offered a piece from the proffered plate. "I'm watching my figure – thank you, but I need to be able to fit into my dress a month from now."

"Frenchie, you're going to look thin and fabulous like you always do."

"Latina, I think I'll stick to my own diet. Sorry, Tiffany."

"I can honestly say I'm not offended." The young woman gave a giggle. Sitting down at the head of the kitchen table, she tried to contain her smile. It was almost impossible to do.

"You look... happy." Screw almost impossible – Layla already had her sussed out. "Well you look happier than usual, if that's even possible. Are we going to have to make you drink a few glasses of wine before you can spill all your deepest darkest secrets?"

"Remember that time we were at the bar, a couple of weeks after she got engaged, and she was so ashamed to admit to that little crush she had on Evan Bourne when she started out—"

"That she drank three apple martinis and had sips of our drinks—"

"Until she was brave enough to say it out loud!"

As the girls laughed and let out the occasional "It was so adorable" comment, the blonde rolled her eyes. The downside to being the sweetest housewife of the bunch was also being the shyest. "Okay, we all remember it – moving on please?"

"Sorry." Maryse sobered first, giving a cheeky smile that suggested the topic might be brought up again later. "Were you going to tell us something?"

"Yeah sorry, Tiff. Go ahead."

"Thank you, Lay – and I really don't think I'll need a glass of wine for this conversation. In fact," she could barely hold her grin for any longer, "I won't be able to drink alcohol considering I'm pregnant... with twins..."

Well that certainly shut them up. At least it did for a few moments of stunned silence until they were jumping up from their seats and engulfing her in a big group hug. Trapped in the middle, Tiffany couldn't tell one comment from the other and eventually had to tell them to settle down, giggling all the while.

With wide eyes, Eve looked far from troubled about her love life issues. Sitting around the table with the girls again, she leaned forward and rested her weight on her elbows. "So how far along are you?"

"About eleven weeks, nearly twelve – I went for a scan at St. Andrews a couple of days ago and Katy, my doctor, told me. Insane, isn't it?" She bit down on her bottom lip as the other three stared back with warm smiles. "It's just... twins... wow."

"You know we're happy for you. So, so happy." Layla moved forwards and pressed a hand over Tiffany's briefly. "This is big news – double trouble, huh? How did Drew take the news?"

The question was bound to be brought up into the conversation at some point. Having trained herself for this moment, she kept up the perfect smile, feeling slightly sick – and not from expected nausea – as she lied to the group and said, "Let's just say we celebrated. Twice."

"I bet you did," smirked Maryse.

The memory of crawling into bed, her face tear-stained, was refreshed in her mind but she quickly shoved it out. This was neither the time nor the place. "And you know what?" She decided to move on to a brighter subject. "I think I'm already starting to feel some of the symptoms."

"You've certainly got the glow about you," said Eve, at the same time Layla commented, "Oh, you poor thing."

Mrs. Regal was turned to with a mixed reaction of amusement and disbelief. "What?" The former Diva defended herself, half pouting to get them on her side. "Like I said, I'm really happy for you... I just... kids to me are..." The sentence was finished with an almighty shudder.

"Anyway, carrying on the conversation about the demon children growing inside of you right now..." Maryse rolled her eyes in Layla's direction, and then settled for another smile. "So, what symptoms are you going through?"

"Well I've felt tender for the past couple of days, there's the usual morning sickness... except it seems to be any time in the day sickness, and my sexual drive has increased. Considerably." It hadn't – rather the opposite, but it sounded like a good cover for Tiffany and their crumbling marriage.

"Oh, I know what you mean. I remember when I was pregnant with Emily and I just couldn't get enough of Ted. Back then it was just... God, so sexy."

There was a moment of silence as they all stared at the blonde, who seemed to be staring at the wall herself, a faint smirk curving her glossed lips. Eve waved a hand in front of her face to distract her. "Back then? Don't tell me the Million Dollar Couple aren't so active anymore? From what I remember back in our wrestling days—and trust me, I do remember because you'd never stop telling me—you guys were at it. Like rabbits. Yeah, that was the exact term."

"Nothing has changed." The blonde shrugged, leaning back in her seat and acting casual. It was a good thing she could work wonders with a lie. "Unless you want to hear about it. We do have the parent-teacher conference tonight. I could tell you on the car ride over."

"Oh, don't remind me. Chris has promised to come and pick me up ten minutes early – as if that will magically get him on my good side."

"Don't worry. If things between you get unexpectedly friendly, we'll always be here to remind you what a mega douchebag he is."

"I appreciate it, Lay."

"It would be my pleasure to demean him for you. Guys are always the enemy, remember?" A brief image of John Cena flashed into her thoughts, proving her right. Perhaps it wasn't his fault that he was the enemy, messing with her emotions and such, but he was the enemy. "But back to Tiff. We can talk about our men anytime we like but we've just found out about twins..."

"I'm still trying hard to take it in myself."

And she was. As the four chatted away, impressive at wasting decent amounts of time, Tiffany had an inner battle with herself. How much longer could she hold in her secret? How long would it be before she had to confront the issues between herself and Drew? Better yet, how long would she have until the talk with her husband became inevitable to have?

It was a comment from Layla when they were clearing up empty dishes that made her stop for a moment to think. "I am really happy for you, Tiff. I know you girls think I hate children... but I get the feeling yours are going to be precious." She grinned. "Just think: you and Drew are going to become a proper family. That's got to be special."

"Special. It sure is," replied Tiffany, smiling back, but only briefly.

Of course it was special – just not in the right way.


"Well... this is pure torture."

Standing at the back of her son's massive school gym with Ted DiBiase, Eve happily ignored the disgusted looks coming from the other parents due to her loud comment. She had no problem being her normal self, and not conforming to the expectations of the rich and famous surrounding her.

Smirking, Ted nodded his agreement. "You're right." Unscrewing the lid of a bottle of water he'd brought with him, he waited a moment, speaking first, before he took a sip. "Maryse looks like she's about to kill the teacher... or Emily."

Both trained their eyes on the housewife for a moment, taking in her posture. Though she had her back turned, it was clear to see that Maryse was in a foul mood while she tapped her foot against the ground and her fingers against her arms where she had them folded across her chest.

"That's just Maryse." The brunette laughed. "Do you think Mr. Brookstein is telling her that Emily's only averaging a B in Math?"

"God forbid she isn't the highest scoring girl in class." He nudged Eve lightly, and then laughed. "What about Chris?" They moved their focus slightly to the right, where her ex-husband looked to be in deep conversation with their child's English teacher. As usual, Logan looked bored, sneaking peeks at Emily every so often. "Maybe Miss. Flowers is telling him he's doing exceptionally well and Chris is discussing which present would be more suitable for the occasion."

"That's actually spot on. He's either thinking about his next gift or wondering if she's smart enough to know he's a man-whore and, if not, whether he should ask her out..."

They exchanged a smile, knowing that without their partners in crime they were allowed to have this witty sort of repertoire. Despite being involved in feuds over the WWE years—Ted and Maryse vs. R-Truth and Eve most often—the two had built up a friendship when he decided to propose to Maryse. With Ted trying to plan the perfect engagement, and Eve and Maryse's feud having simmered down to them almost being friends at the time, he figured she would know everything about the woman. And she did.

Years on, they were able to rely on each other for such things like this. It was nice to have a break from the serious things in life.

This next topic, however, was verging on just that: seriousness. "Hey, is everything okay with you and Maryse?" Eve ventured, feeling slightly cautious for doing so. "She hasn't said anything obviously... but that's sort of the problem. She doesn't really talk about you as much as she used to."

"We're fine – we just go through our rough patches sometimes, you know?" He felt comfortable talking about it. Shrugging, he added, "She's probably too busy talking about the wedding to think about me though."

She was able to nod before Maryse and Emily made their way over. "That is true," she said discreetly. "Everything okay?" This comment was aimed at the new arrivals.

"Mother seems to think a B plus is not a suitable grade." Emily rolled her eyes, but was instantly reprimanded for the gesture. "Dad – or even you, Eve – could you please try to get through to her and tell her I'm trying my best?"

Not entirely listening, Maryse shook her head. "I just can't figure out why your grades aren't better. Is it because Logan sits in front of you? Are you distracted by him?"

Eve tried not to laugh. She loved her son to pieces, but it was fairly obvious that Emily didn't share the desire he had for her.

"Please don't take this the wrong way, Ms. T—" The young girl held her hands up in defence at her mother's friend. "—but eww."

"No offense taken. I better go, Chris is calling me over. Wish me luck."

"Good luck." Ted smiled, watching her leave... and then turned into the unamused expression belonging to his wife. "What?" He grimaced.

"Try to care, Ted. I just told you she's averaging a B—a B—and you didn't even flutter an eyelash."

"Why would Dad flutter an eyelash?" Emily laughed, earning a quick high-five from her father.

Maryse remained undeterred, at least until he finally decided to answer her. "Hon, would you calm down? She's not failing, and I'm guessing she's doing well in her classes. Now what's next? Can we hurry this along so I can get an early night?"

"Oh sure, don't worry about your daughter's future. You should be more concerned with your own."

"Mom, chill. Okay? I don't mean to take Dad's side – well yeah, I actually do – but he does need an early night. He's going away on tour tomorrow, remember?"

"To the UK. Yes, I remember." The former Diva gave a strict smile. "How could I forget when it's all he ever talks about? And won't it just be wonderful for your father to wake up tomorrow and realize he gets two whole weeks away from us?"

While Emily rolled her eyes, walking away to go and talk to her friends, Ted stared at her in disbelief. "Since when do you think that I'm looking forward to going away?"

Once again it had happened. A subject that had nothing to do with their unsteady marriage but paralleled in emotions had been brought up, and traded for the former topic.

She shook her head, blonde extensions twirling with her and then reframing around her face. "I know you don't like being around me anymore. You complain about the wedding arrangements I'm making for us... and you always talk about work like it's the most important thing in the world."

"I married you because you're the most important thing in the world to me – you and Emily. You're my family." She failed to answer, not quite forgiving enough, and he shook his head. "But wrestling is one of my greatest passions. WWE is my family, too."

"I gave it up for love."

Silence fell over them for longer than necessary. When she looked up at him again, she was surprised to see an emotion she hadn't registered before on his face: pure anger. He'd been frustrated at her before, maybe even disappointed... but nothing like this. "You keep giving me that sentence and it's like one comment of destruction. You know I can't possibly compete with it – and it pisses me off that you're making yourself look better by making me seem like I don't care. You know I do; you just always have to be the centre of attention."

"That's a lie."

"I really don't think it is." He shook his head again. Backing away, Ted seemed stuck for words. Eventually he gave up. "We have to see the World History teacher next. Are you coming or am I doing this solo?"

"I'm used to being 'solo', so maybe you should be too."

He didn't answer; transfixed, he noticed something in her eyes. He thought it was the reflection of something shiny at first but slowly came to the realization that there were tears in her eyes. Real, proper tears. Something tugged at him but his pride came first, causing him to come out with, "You're really putting on the act tonight, aren't you? Fine, I'll go on my own. One more to go and then we can go back home. Happy?"

"Happy? Of course I'm not. You should know that." She stuttered in the middle of her sentence, having to catch her breath after the emotions threatened to choke her. Maryse glanced upwards briefly, towards the ceiling, shaking her head slightly. This was just perfect. "Hurry up. The sooner we leave here, the sooner you can go to sleep and wake up nice and early to catch your flight tomorrow."

With nothing left to say, she slipped through the throngs of people, unwilling to stop and make small talk with some of the parents she knew well. The fire exit was open and she quietly made her exit. After spotting a trail of benches alongside the back of the building, she took her pick of the nearest one and simply sat there.

The weather tonight was chillier than usual. This didn't seem to bother her as she swallowed down her fear and straightened out her winter coat; no matter of the way she was feeling, it was always mandatory to look the part. This was the one straightforward rule of Maryse Ouellet's: it was crucial to keep up appearances.

Emily found her mother outside just five minutes later. She could tell that this certain appearance wasn't okay and, taking a seat beside her, she struggled with the option of holding her hand to show her support or not. She eventually decided on not. "Tell the truth, Mom." Staring ahead, the teenager let out a breath in the cold air; it formed in a small cloud in front of her and then dispersed just as quickly. "Even with this second wedding stuff going on... are you and Dad happy together?"

The answer was simple. Unexpected for Maryse's character but simple. "No. We're definitely not, Emily."

And it was in that moment that Emily DiBiase showed her compassion—usually such a Daddy's girl—and pushed her smaller hand into her mother's, wrapping her fingers around Maryse's.


So there's the next chapter. Please review :)

- In the next chapter: Layla runs into John at the local wrestling centre, while Maryse and Mike form a strange bond.