Roxanne was a nervous wreck, but it wasn't obvious at first glance.

She'd been sitting by the window sill of her hotel room, watching the rain patter against the glass frame. Tonight was the night. The night she thought would never happen again. The night John and her would spend together and alone. Alone. Like a date. Though, she vividly remembered him saying nervously it didn't have to be called a date. With her sweaty palms and the heavy pounding in her chest, her body was reacting otherwise. It obviously was a date. They'd gone out of their way to find a baby-sitter for Remy, after all. Luckily, Eve and Cody offered without hesitation. They figured a five year old would be a refreshing addition to their night with the newborn. A helper, even. For Roxanne, however, nothing felt refreshing or of any help. Her lush bubble bath didn't even do the trick.

How could someone she'd been denying the past few days suddenly make her feel this way? Who was she kidding. It was John Cena. They guy she'd been in love with for over half a decade now.

She stood up and shook her head, running her sweaty palms down the seams of her blazer. She was wearing a black one over a nude form-fitting dress with rosy heels. She might've been over-dressed but knowing John, he probably was too. He always tried too hard every time he took her out, and she figured this night was no exception.

She was in the middle of examining herself in the mirror when a knock came at the door.

"Shit," she cursed. She glanced at the knob nervously, before grabbing her purse. She took one last look at the mirror then opened her door in one full swing.

In front of her was John, dressed in a crisp gray button up and black pants. She nodded her head in approval, "You remembered how I much I loved your sleeves rolled up."

John looked at his elbows and chuckled. He appeared just as nervous, if not more.

Roxanne couldn't believe this, she had to laugh.

John, with his hand tucked behind him, raised his eyebrows. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. This…it's so…oh…I don't know."

"Sudden?"

"Eh…"

"Awkward?"

"Um…"

"Perfect?"

Roxanne smiled. "Perfection is unattainable."

"You know, I thought so too but then I met you."

"Uhh..." Roxanne laughed nervously. Since when did his cheesy lines start to phase her? To cope, she rolled her eyes and casually pushed John back to allow enough space for her to shut the door.

John smiled contently then drew his hand from behind his back. He presented something that looked like a fat lollipop wrapped in plastic. "It's called a cake pop. There's red velvet in there."

Roxanne took the treat from his hand. "You're making me eat dessert first?"

John placed both hands into his pockets and shrugged. He stared at her, and possibly for a second too long because he found his nerves right back to him. Then he began walking her through the hall way, careful to keep a friendly distance. His shoulders were so tense, he epitomized a frozen statue.

"You look beautiful tonight, by the way." He turned towards her awkwardly, stopping to press the button for the elevator.

She stared as the door slid open, then said, "Tonight? Did I not look beautiful the other nights?"

John felt his cheeks flush. Idiot. "No…I didn't mean…I…"

Roxanne laughed as she entered the elevator. She placed a hand around his arm, a simple gesture she'd done numerous times during the time they were together, but it seemed momentous now. John felt it right through his shirt. "Chill, John, I get what you mean."

He flashed a toothless grin. A nervous toothless grin. For a guy who'd been in numerous television segments, he appeared more flustered now than ever. Realizing why wasn't hard at all. He finally had another chance with Roxanne, and he didn't want to fuck up. It was that simple, but he had a lot of pressure.

When she first answered his question of what she wanted, it took him a full minute to allow her words to register. It was so simple yet it packed a punch: you. She answered with one word, with three letters, and it meant everything to him. He was what she wanted. Of course, that answer was followed up with her reluctance speech and her extensive list of worries and concerns. That's when John formed a smile and was hit with the sudden realization that he had a chance. A chance!

He assured her they'd take it slow.

And that, they certainly did.


At the end of the night, right as John was ready to drop Roxanne back into her room, he moved towards her with an intimate demeanor for the first time. "I had a really, really good time."

Her eyes twinkled. "Me too. It was nice just talking to you again. Exactly like when we first met."

John stared at her with an involuntary smile across his face. "Well…"

"Well…"

He drew his shaky hand to the back of his nape.

"How about I make this less awkward and much easier?" Roxanne offered.

Before John had the chance to wonder what she meant, he found her lips placed over his in a matter of seconds. His surprise kept him motionless, but once he allocated all thoughts, he deepened the contact. His mouth moved over hers, passionately and hungrily.

He began working his tongue into her mouth until common sense had him pull away, while he was still in one piece. Take it slow, he reminded himself.

Roxanne opened her eyes, alerted by the way her body seemed to protest the end of their kiss. Even though she initiated it herself, the intense heat that it generated was a complete shock. Then again, she should've expected this. John and her had always been good in bed. She began running through the countless times their kisses, like the one they just shared, led to discarded clothing and loss of sleep. She ached so bad to run her hands over his bare shoulders and across his chest again. She'd been brittle and alone for a long time now.

Frustrated, she shook these intrusive thoughts away and stared into the gentle, warm eyes of John. He'd been watching at her patiently, giving her time to recuperate. He asked, "You okay?"

She nodded her head. Take it slow, she reminded herself. And calm down.

John moved forward to wrap both arms around her waist. This hug did nothing for her already racing libido. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to melt into his embrace. Before he pulled away, she felt his lips make contact with her temple, which instantly got her even weaker. Like it always did.

She closed her eyes to regain composure then opened them again. "Good night, John."

"Good night, Roxanne. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Immediately, and desperately, Roxanne took the key card to open the door of her hotel room. There, she spent the rest of the night dithering of their kiss and wishing he hadn't left her alone.

She sat up in frustration and let out a deep sigh. She couldn't believe how much spark ignited in one night. Allowing her head to crash back against the pillows, she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.

John, who was literally only a door down, was mentally evaluating their date. He was more than satisfied. Although he longed for her touch, he was proud of the way he stayed a true gentlemen. Right before their split, he vividly remembered her saying they'd jump into their relationship so fast. He'd be damned if he made that mistake again. Not that it was a mistake for him, but it obviously left Roxanne with apprehension. He didn't want that. He was going to take this slowly, steadily, and carefully.

Still, he couldn't deny how pleased he was that she'd taken the initiative to kiss him. Although it made taking things slow a harder challenge, he was satisfied to know she still wanted him just as bad. He sensed her surge of possession and hunger and need and want, on top of her reluctance and loneliness and hurt that seemed to be all tangled up in one.

John smiled up at the ceiling at the thought of them trying to sort things out together. Finally. Together again. He miraculously found a way to slip under her guard, and he was ready to do anything he could to protect her. Even from himself.

A knock echoed through his room, causing him to shuffle lightly. He got up and opened the door, surprised to see who was standing there.

"John?"

"Hey."

"I'm sorry, I thought this was Roxanne's room," Eve apologized.

"It's okay, it's okay," John assured. He lowered his eyes and saw Remy nuzzled protectively against the diva's side. "Everything okay?"

"Well," Eve's voice forced him to look back up. "Remy was scared and couldn't sleep so she asked if she could go back to her mom."

"Your mom might already be asleep. Do you mind sleeping here?" John offered.

Remy rubbed her eyes and answered by walking herself slowly into his room.

"Goodnight you guys," Eve said.

"Goodnight," John closed the door behind them. He knelt beside Remy and placed a hand behind her back. "You okay, angel?"

She had just finished rubbing her eyes when a mischievous smile appeared on her face. "Yeah, I'm okay."

John furrowed his eyebrows when she began to giggle. "Whatchu laughing for, huh?"

"I tricked Eve into bringing me to your room. I mean, I wasn't really scared, Jay. I haven't been since I met you." She tip toed as if it would prove her claim. "I wanted an excuse to see you, to ask how the date went."

John dropped his head and began to laugh. This little trickster. She surprised him just like her mother had earlier. "Wow Remy."

She grabbed his hand and yanked it towards the bed. So flopped on the soft cotton and looked up at him wonderingly. "So…tell me!"

John placed both hands over his waist and made a face at the little girl that was sitting on his bed. "Isn't it past your bedtime?"

She shrugged and brought her hands up. "I dunno and neither my will mommy."

John looked around for a chair and pulled it up for himself to sit on. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "Well, what'd you wanna know?"

"Does mommy have a crush on you, too?"

"I think so."

Remy smiled. "I think so too."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! You guys look at each other all googly eyes." Remy titled her head and formed her fingers into a circle over her eyes to demonstrate.

John began to laugh but he stopped immediately when she stumped him with a question.

"Does that mean you're gonna be my dad now?"

Caught off guard, John leaned back and put a hand on his neck.

Remy began swinging her legs that dangled over the bed. "It would be cool if you became my dad!"

"Uh…have you ever…" John struggled with his words. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to hurdle through such a sensitive topic.

"Nope," Remy shook her head abrasively. "I never had a dad. Mom said I'll get one when she finds the right one."

John felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. This little girl was talking as if she had a choice of who her father was. She didn't, but Roxanne was making it seem as if she did. Of course, he'd come to understand Roxanne's reasons for keeping Remy astray from men. Miz and Dan proved to be dangerous for the little girl. But still, John couldn't ignore the nagging question of who was Remy's biological father. Didn't Remy deserve the right to know? Or was ignorance really bliss in this case?

John observed her once more. Looking into her eyes was like looking into a mirror. Was he the father? If he was, he wouldn't know how to react, how to respond, what to do, what to say. Frankly, he wasn't sure if he could handle it.

However, he knew the only way to find out was to ask Roxanne. And he was going to do it sooner than later.


It'd been a week since their first date and although Roxanne had major reservations, she couldn't deny how happy she was with John.

She'd fallen asleep and woken up with his right arm placed around her shoulders. Looking up and meeting his eyes left her speechless. All she could do was smile sheepishly with twinkles in her eyes. John, who'd been awake and alternating between watching TV and Roxanne, smiled back at her.

The two stared in silence until he leaned down to kiss her.

"Did you have a good nap?"

"Of course." She wrapped her arm around his stomach tightly, relocating her vision to the foot of the bed. "I had a dream and it made me think."

John began brushing her hair that draped over her cheek. "Talk to me about it."

"You were in the delivery room. I couldn't see who was giving birth but it made me think of you as a father."

John began getting the shrinking feeling again.

Roxanne met his eyes and asked, "I'm sure you're a great father."

He shrugged, which in return caused her head to slightly bobble. "I'm no real dad though."

She shook her head in disagreement. Then averted from him again. "The way you love and take care of Logan makes you a real dad, John. The DNA doesn't mean anything if you don't have that."

"Is that why Remy's convinced she doesn't have a dad at all?" The words came out so fast, John had no way to get a hold of them. He closed his eyes, hoping his question hadn't messed anything up.

It took Roxanne awhile to respond. "You could say that."

"So…does that mean no one knows who her biological father is?"

"Whoever he is, it doesn't matter. Who matters is the man who'll play the part."

John grabbed Roxanne's hand and placed it protectively over his chest. He squeezed it. "But you didn't answer my question."

Roxanne squeezed his hand back then she stood up and faced the side of the bed.

He looked at her.

"I don't know who her biological father is, but I have a pretty good idea."

John's heart beat started rising. His previous calculations were going to be confirmed- had to be confirmed. How could she not know? She was sexually active with him during the time Remy was conceived. On top of that, he's felt this instant connection with the little girl. She had to be his daughter. He just hadn't pushed for instant confirmation because he thought it'd be best to take it slow. His life was changing in so many ways, he had to ease down somehow.

John continued to stare at Roxanne. "Well…you're not gonna do anything with that information?"

She shrugged. "I told you, who he is doesn't matter. Besides, I'm not even a hundred percent sure."

John sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He was right in front of her now. "Can you tell me why you're so unsure?"

Roxanne opened her mouth then closed it right away. She realized she'd missed to tell him what had happened that night. The night Remy was conceived. Or the night she thought Remy was conceived.

John began with the questions. "Five years and nine months ago, you were with me."

"Yeah, I was."

"But if you're not a hundred percent sure who the father is, that means…"

"It's not what you think, okay? I didn't go behind your back or anything-"

"Then how-"

"I was drunk," she stated flatly. It explained everything; although, the both of them knew John was still missing details. Details he may not want to hear.

This was enough to cripple him of all words.

Roxanne sighed. She sat beside him on the bed and stared straight ahead. She began to tell the story, with no hint of emotion in her voice. "I didn't tell you because I was already having trouble accepting what happened myself. I still don't know all that happened, but I was told the gist of it. Do you remember the night before Eve's wedding, when you found me drunk in the café? I'd asked you for more drinks but you wouldn't get me any."

"I remember…"

"Miz overhead and decided to buy me drinks himself. That's the last thing I remember and the rest he told me about the next day. Apparently, we did stuff with this blonde chick."

"Are you sure that really happened?"

"Well…I don't know, John. I didn't believe him but I bumped into the girl and she told me the same thing."

"She could be making it up too…"

Roxanne shook her head. "She talked about some of my distinguishing scars."

John was silent. He was hoping, wishing, wanting for her to break into a fit of laughter. He expected her to turn and say this was all a joke. That it was pretend and that he was the father of Remy.

"I don't remember that night at all but I don't have to remember anything to know that Miz didn't use a condom."

"Are you sure he even did anything that could've caused your pregnancy?"

"You never really know with Miz. But there's a chance he could be the father. Just the thought already haunted me. So I never cared to find out the truth."

John shook his head. "He had one chance to get you pregnant, I had so much more. Don't you remember those nights?"

Roxanne allowed herself a few seconds to smile. "Of course I do."

"I could be the father too. Isn't it worth finding out?"

"I'm not sure it'd be a good idea John…"

"It'd give everybody a peace of mind."

"I already have a peace of mind."

John sighed, allowing his hands to rest flatly on his knees. He didn't say anything for awhile. "Well, I don't."

Roxanne looked at him. After a few seconds, he still wasn't looking at her. "We'll take a paternity test first thing tomorrow then."


So…are you readers/reviewers happy campers? Reference to Chapter 19 and 20 of If We Ever Meet Again if you need reminders of the night Roxanne told John about. Who do you guys think is Remy's real dad? Hmmm. Shoutout to my awesome reviewers!