She had been enjoying her time off and she had finally gotten to do some things that she had been putting off for so long. Her house was being neglected from her time on the road and after a shopping spree, she finally livened the place up from drapes and curtains, to towels and new bathroom decor.
She was able to get together with her family and friends, which she hadn't gotten to do too often. Only on holidays and some special occasions, did she get the opportunity to spend time at home and she was really enjoying the freedom she was tasting now.
She hadn't been thinking too much about returning, just enjoying her time off, her time spent with loved ones and her time alone. Her thoughts weren't racing, like they were on the road. For once, in a long time, her mind was clear, she had no headaches, busy days or hectic demands to meet.
She hadn't got to make it to the Supershow like she had promised Jeff, but she made up for it. She invited him to stay the weekend with her after the show and they went out for two dates that weekend before he had to return that Sunday for the pay-per-view.
She only had three days left on her vacation and as her time was winding down, she finally sat down to contemplate her future. She hadn't let herself think of John too much and without thinking of John, Liz was far from her mind.
She missed John. There was no denying that fact. There was no way getting around it, either. He was always on her mind, no matter how apparent it was. She couldn't push him from her thoughts too much. Her heart was still breaking and she was trying to find every way possible to mend it and get back their friendship they once had.
She wasn't sure if Liz would stand for that, but she knew, above all else, John at least wanted that friendship with her. No matter how many days, weeks, months or years they went without talking. He shared the same thoughts and feelings she did. They wanted the same familiarity of their friendship, the same comfort and the same support. They needed that from each other.
As she sat on the couch, devouring her bowl of popcorn and her large Diet Sprite, she couldn't come up with a decision about returning to the road. She was tired of people butting into her life, no matter how much they were right. Randy was apparently the only one who picked up on her feelings. He was dead one every single time and it shook her to the very core thinking he got her so well and John didn't.
Was he that blind?
She had talked to Randy a few times, and he continued with the same lecture he had every time she had seen him recently. He was pushing, tooth and nail to get the pair together, but she knew she couldn't and wouldn't but into the John and Liz's relationship. Especially with a new baby on the way; a life that was completely innocent in the whole situation and didn't deserve to be brought into a world of chaos and confusion.
She knew her heart lie with the WWE. She had no idea what she would do if she were to quit her job. She had nothing to fall back on – no college education further than secretarial skills. She was lucky to have the job she did. If it weren't for John, she wouldn't, either. It paid her well, met her needs, gave her things she always wanted. She was damn lucky.
She knew she would return. It was never really at terms for debating. She knew for her own livelihood, she had to. She couldn't afford things for herself if she were to quit and end up at a dead-end job for the rest of her life. She had vowed to make something of herself from a young age and she was doing that now.
As she flipped the channels on her television set, she was surprised to hear a knock at the door. She looked at the clock and after seeing it was nearly midnight, she stood and grabbed the bat from the hall closet before inching towards the door.
She looked through the peephole and sighed as she opened the door.....
*36 Hours Earlier *
He sat in his dressing room, ready for the show. He was completely alone, for the first time since he could remember in the past month. Liz had been around him 24/7 and if he hadn't suggested she get something to eat a half-hour ago, she would still be ripping his ear off. He was happy about the quite moment alone, but he couldn't help but wish that Adaline was there with him.
He missed her and he realized there were a few things he should apologize for. She had pushed him away, but he never tried calling her, either. He felt extremely guilty about that, and hoped she would return to the road so he would get the chance to tell her how sorry he was.
He still battled his feelings about her. When Liz had told him she was pregnant, he thought he did the right thing by purposing. He hadn't for once thought about his own feelings, just that of his unborn child and the mother of his child. After the fact, he was left to think to himself on many restless nights and every time, he thought of her. Adaline.
He figured it was a crush, that it would go away with time, especially since he was getting married. Even if they hadn't set a date, it was pretty much set in stone that it would happen, unless something unforeseen happened. He realized the one true chance he had have getting his soul mate, the girl he had loved his entire life, probably went out the window when he asked Liz to marry him.
He checked the clock again and realized Liz had been gone for almost an hour. He sighed, deciding to go into catering himself and eat something before the show. He was relieved that in a few days he would be returning home for a week, before another bout of traveling and schedules. At least Liz wouldn't be going with them and perhaps Adaline wouldn't quit, which would give them time to talk and hopefully work things out.
As he rounded the corner, he heard Liz talking on her cellphone. He continued walking until he heard her talking about the baby. Something forced him to stop, and as he did, the words he heard next would anger him for years into the future....
"John, what the hell are you doing here?" Adaline asked, putting the bad down into the foyer.
"Addie, can I please...."
"Yeah, John, come on in." she said, stepping aside and looking at him.
He looked God-awful. His eyes were read and puffy, like he had been crying, his shoulders hung and his usual, casual smile was no where to be seen.
"John, are you alright?" she asked, leading him into the living room and turning off her movie.
"Addie..." he began, stepping closer to her and grabbing her small hands into his own.
He looked down, not wanting to look up into her eyes. He had just had the worst night of his life and after getting clear from Vince McMahon to leave early, he flew to the only place he knew he would be welcomed and understood.
"John look at me." she pleaded.
John didn't budge, instead, he caressed her hand with the back of his finger, stroking it gently. She shiver as he pulled her close. She collapsed into his chest, realizing she herself at missed that. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, wanting to remember the moment forever.
"Honey, come on, look at me." she urged, pulling away from him and looking into his eyes. "Now, what's wrong."
"Addie, she lied." was all he managed to say before a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Adaline wiped it away as she cupped his face in her hands and shook her head, not clearly understanding.
"John, what happened?" she asked.
"I dumped her. She faked it all. She was never fucking pregnant!" he said, pushing away from her, causing her to stumble slightly, as he sat in the nearby chair.
She caught her balance and was taken aback from his attitude. She had seen John upset, but never to this instance. She sighed and knelt down in front of him, wanting him to look at her.
"John, I'm sorry." she said the only thing that came to mind.
"No, you're not. You wanted this the entire time. You wanted us apart." he growled.
"John, let me ask you something?" she said, ignoring his tone. "Are you more upset that you two aren't together or that she was never pregnant?"
He looked at her then, realizing he was off base by his attitude towards his friend. He did the only thing he knew was comforting at that moment. He pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly as he hugged her close.
She stroked his hair as she felt his warm tears hitting her bare chest. She sighed and held him close, letting him get his sorrows out.
"Addie, I was more upset that I lost you." he replied, pulling away from her.
"John, you never lost me." she replied, smiling sweetly.
"Yeah, I did. When was the last time me and you were... me and you?" he asked, placing his hand on her knee.
"John, I could have called you." she said, shaking her head.
"Yeah, but I let you down. I was suppose to come on the road with you that Sunday. We were suppose to leave early, remember? Just you and me."
"Yeah, we were. You can make up for that. I forgive you for that. Maybe I wasn't as understanding as I could've been." she replied.
"Addie, I don't wanna lose you again." he said, stroking her cheek and brushing the hair from her face.
"John, you won't. Ever." she said, hugging him again.
"Promise?" he asked.
"Pinky swear." she said holding her pinky out.
He locked his pinky with hers and finally smiled, displaying his trademark dimples. Adaline melted on the spot and returned the smile.
"There's that smile I've missed." she said, kissing his cheek and laying her head on his shoulder.
"I'm gonna crash here, if that's okay. I took Liz to my place so she could get her shit. I told her I wanted her out before I got back."
"And when did you tell her you'd be back?" she asked.
"I didn't give her a time." he answered, smiling.
"Good, because I'm going over there instead." she said, rising from his lap and grabbing her car keys.
"Addie, please..."
"John, she is not getting away with this. The dumb bitch isn't pregnant anymore and finally...finally I get to give her what I've wanted to for a long time." she said, before slamming the door behind her.