Chapter 11:

"So how long is this drive going to be?" Dave asked, as Haley finished packing brownies she had made early that morning into the back cab of the green GMC Sierra.

Normally Haley would make this particular trip in her little Saturn sedan, but with Dave's imposing size, she figured he'd be more comfortable in the half ton pick up truck. Besides, with the increase in her salary since becoming the Women's Champion, she could afford the gas.

"About a half hour, forty minutes depending on traffic." She climbed into the passenger seat while Dave put the key in the ignition. "It's not a bad drive at all, especially once we get on route 24."

"Sounds good to me." He smiled over at her. She looked so cute in her strapless white sundress. She left her dark hair cascade in loose waves to her shoulders, only held back when her sunglass weren't on her face. Although she wore white sandal heels, he knew she had stashed white flip flops in the truck as well.

Dave had gone with a comfortable pair of khakis, his timbalands and a royal blue polo shirt. Wanting to impress her family, he chose to look casual yet still nice. Haley had assured him what he chose was perfect for the occasion, so he went with it.

Haley reached forward and began to fiddle with the radio. After several stations, she sighed in exasperation and began to dig for a CD; meanwhile, Dave pulled out onto 495 and settled into the middle lane.

"Here we go." She slipped a CD into the player and sat back in satisfaction. Seconds later, the sounds of Gavin DeGraw washed over them. "Gavin is perfect for car rides and my entrance to the ring."

Dave chuckled, as she began to sing along with his ballad titled "Belief". "You're something else, Haley, you know that?"

"Hunter reminds me every day." She grinned broadly. "I drive him crazy."

"Maybe." He conceded. "But, he loves you anyway."

She scoffed. "Of course he does. I'm totally loveable, how could he not?"

"Good question." He merged into the left lane to pass a slower moving car, before pulling back into the middle lane. "So, you going to give me a run down of what I'm walking into here?"

"I'M GONNA LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYONE!" Haley belted out before giggling. "Sorry, this song makes me think of you."

He reached over with one hand and squeezed hers. "I'm going to love you more than anyone too."

She flushed in pleasure, before deciding to answer his earlier question. "Well, my parents will probably be the first to greet us. Like I've said before, beware Erin Mariano and her critical gaze. My father; however, is really cool guy. He's always supported me when my mother couldn't interfere. It's just hard to fight with her; she's one of those people that always has to be right."

"Okay." He gave her hand another squeeze, hoping to distract her from further thoughts of her overbearing mother.

"My older brother, Rafael Jean Mariano, we all call him RJ, is pretty cool. He was the only one out of the three of us who got cursed with a full Italian name, but like I said, he's been RJ forever. His wife Christine is the sweetest person on the planet." Haley smiled. "They had a beautiful daughter, Mary, who just turned five in February. She's a firecracker though. She'll put you in your place if you cross her."

"Just like her Aunt." Dave brought Haley's hand to his lips.

She laughed and continued. "My younger brother, Lucas is okay depending on what mood he's in. We never really got along as kids, but learned to be civil and sometimes friendly as adults. I think we'd be closer if it weren't for his wife. He married a Hartford Society bride and she comes from old money. She has a stick up her ass that rivals the Punjabi prison."

Dave laughed at her comparison. "I'm sure she's your biggest fan."

Haley snorted. "Hardly, but I've learned to ignore her. My aunts and uncles are all nice and polite, so I don't see any problems there."

Dave hit his right directional and merged onto Route 24. "So then it's just your mom and possibly your sister-in-law that you're worried about."

"The rest of my family is pretty laidback. While they don't understand my career choice particularly, but they don't ridicule it either." She shrugged. "As long as you're nice and polite, you'll be approved by them as well."

"Your mom's actions really bother you." He stated as a fact rather than a question.

"For the longest time." She nodded. "Wrestlemania was the kicker though. I got her and my father front row tickets and I paid for their flight. She sent them both back, unused. The biggest night in my life so far and she couldn't put her pride aside to be there for me. My goal is to just stop caring, so it doesn't hurt anymore. Nothing's going to change her mind, or her opinion on my life. That's why I have Dwayne, Hunter, you and all my other freidnds. I don't need them anymore."

"I'm sorry baby." He told her sincerely.

"Yeah, me too." She let her gaze wander out the window. "They never ordered one pay-per-view. I don't even think they've watched me on cable. It used to break me up inside."

"How come you never said anything?" He asked.

"I was embarrassed and mortified that I let her get to me. This is what I love and nothing should make me ashamed of what I do. But, she did." Haley explained. "But, now that I have the gold, it doesn't matter. That belt tells me all I need to know; I'm supposed to be here, doing what I love."

"Damn right you are. You belong with the WWE. You belong with me." He squeezed her hand again. "You've become my world, Haley Mariano. I won't let anything hurt you if I can help it; that includes your own mother."

The corners of her mouth curved upwards. "I love you so much Dave that I don't know what to make of it half the time."

He chuckled at that. "That makes two of us, baby."

"You just coming with me is enough to protect me from that hurt." She informed him. "Your love and support always makes the worst of situations seem obsolete."

"Good." He said in satisfaction. "Because you're always going to have it."

"We belong together." Haley sang along. "Like the opens seas and shores. Wedded by a planet force, we've all been spoken for."

Dave moved his hand to her thigh and used his thumb to rub soothing circles for the rest of the trip. He simply relaxed and enjoyed his girlfriend's singing as he drove up the ramp onto 195 East. He would make today a good day for Haley, since she had dreaded it so much earlier. He meant what he'd said. He would protect her, even from her own mother.