The alarm went off, pulling me out of my blissful sleep. Sarah groaned, threatening under her breath its electronic life as I reached over and turned it off.
"You look better." I noted.
"So do you. Don't see those bags under your eyes." Sarah said.
"So what are you thinking about? Staying with me for a while?" I asked, bypassing her comments.
"I'll need to speak with a lawyer at some point and start the paperwork. But I'd like to stay as long as you'll have me."
"How did I get to be so lucky to have the best selling author, Sarah Coleman, babysitting my kids?" I teased.
Sarah smacked me with a pillow in response. I pounced on her, tickling my younger sister. We rolled around on the bed before dissolving into giggles. Shannon and Amy came rushing into the room, jumping on the bed.
I grabbed Shannon, tickling her under her arms. Her delighted squeal rang in my ears. I laid her down on her back, blowing raspberries on her belly.
"Stop, Momma!" Shannon cried out and giggled.
Amy jumped on me to defend her sister. I let Shannon up and we both ganged up on Amy. The four of us laughed and wrestled around until Amy got clear and jumped off the bed.
Shannon curled up on my lap and rested her head against my chest. I smoothed back her shoulder length brown hair, sighing contently.
Sometimes it still takes me by surprise the two little miracles that Phil and I had created. Both of them favor me in nearly every way. A memory in the back of my mind caught me by surprise. Was it really just seven or eight months ago that Phil and I were talking about having a son? How on Earth did we get here?
The events of the last several weeks ran through my mind. I quickly pushed it away, focusing instead on my family in bed with me.
As soon as we arrived to the building, a delivery man approached me with a bouquet of roses.
"Jessie Coleman?" He questioned.
"That's me." I stepped forward.
"For you, ma'am." He said, presenting the dozen red roses.
I didn't even need to check the card to see who it was from. Phil.
"And this is for you too." The delivery man gave me a single purple tulip.
Sarah took the roses from me so I could accept the tulip.
"Who would give just one tulip?" Sarah asked.
I felt like skipping into the locker room. I knew exactly who it was and my heart soared.
"Back when Jon and I were dating, John Cena had to have surgery." I began to tell the story in my interview segment for the reality show. "Jon accompanied me to the hospital. His room was filled with various arrangements of flowers from well wishers. I commented how I actually hate roses and the social convention behind it. Jon asked what I preferred and I said this: If you want to show your love through flowers, a single tulip would do. Purple if available. It's my favorite and I don't need to be overwhelmed. The presentation of just a one sends the message loud and clear."
It struck me as being incredibly funny. Phil always said that he knew me better than anyone else. Yet this simple act proves him wrong.
Now wasn't the time to straighten everything out. This was business. I had an idea that I finally felt confident enough to speak to Mark, one of my bosses, about. It was unusual, but he did eventually agree. I couldn't wait to tell my other divas and offer one an opportunity that she wouldn't believe.
"I've got an idea." I announced. "JoJo, how would you like to sing with me tonight?"
JoJo looked flabbergasted. Before she could recover, Eva stepped in.
"Do you really think that's a good idea, after she messed up live before?" Eva asked.
"That was just nerves." I responded. "Nerves only go away the more you do it. I think it'll be fun."
"I didn't know you could sing." Nikki said.
"Oh, music runs in our family." Sarah said as she held Amy in her lap. "Our sister, Anna, is the lead singer in a rock band."
"Your sister...girl, how many sisters do you have?" Ariane asked.
"Three." I told her.
"Yep. Jessie and Leslie are the oldest. Then me, then Anna." Sarah said.
"Wait, you have a twin?" Brie asked, looking astonished at the news.
"Leslie Coleman." I replied.
"The director?" Trinity asked.
"Girl, if you have a twin, why isn't she here?" Nikki asked.
"Yeah, we could have done so much together!" Brie stated.
"We're fraternal twins." I told them. "We don't look alike."
Looked over at JoJo, who looked frightened. I wrapped my arms around the tiny girl's shoulders, giving her an encouraging hug.
"It will be before we go live nationally, so it's just the fans in the arena. Don't focus on cameras or the WWE Universe out there. Just you and me." I told her.
"You think I can do it?" She meekly asked.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't." I told her.
JoJo looked over at Nattie for encouragement, who sweetly nodded. "Alright, I'm in."
We went into one of the private rooms in the arena to practice the song I had in mind. Several hours later, one of the assistants alerted us that we had ten minutes.
"So, you're good?" I asked her.
"I think so." She tried to sound confident, but was shaking like a leaf.
"Don't worry about it. Like I said, we aren't on Raw. No cameras. Don't look at the audience unless you are comfortable. It's just you and me having fun in the ring, got it?"
She let out a deep breath and began to relax. "Let's do this."
I held her hand as we walked down the ramp to my music. Once we were in the ring, we were both handed microphones before the music started to play.
"Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the Gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?"
I started off. As soon as I started to sing, the crowd was on their feet, both for love of the song and surprised by my voice. The look on JoJo's face was priceless. The nerves started to leave her as she began the next stanza.
"Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need"
We continued our rendition of, "I Need a Hero."
An indescribable feeling came over me as we continued. When I got to the line "I could swear that there was someone, somewhere watching me." I looked up to where The Shield typically makes their entrance. Sure enough, my eyes locked on a particular tall, blue eyed blonde. I held his gaze until JoJo touched my shoulder and pointed to the main stage. Sure enough, sitting Indian-style at the top of the ramp, was Phil, who was watching the performance with a mixture of amusement and lust in his eyes.
We finished our performance and hugged in the ring. I couldn't have been prouder of her, overcoming her fear of being in front of the live crowd.
Phil was gone by the time we made our way up the ramp. As soon as we were in the back, we were both surrounded by our friends talking very animatedly with their praise.
"Did you get my roses?" I heard Phil's voice from behind once the group dispersed.
"I did." I said, turning around to face him. "And I think it's time we had a talk."