A/N: Thanks for reviewing! I am currently working on chapter seventeen - writers block is playing havoc though! I am pretty excited for this chapter... so I hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter Fourteen: History
The Wyatt theme blasted around the arena with Bray leading out Erick, Luke and Braun. He didn't hesitate in getting into the ring and was soon pacing about, holding a microphone in his hand.
"Now I know she is here… I saw her… saw her on the screen! She's fooling you all! You all are taking it in! But it's okay… she will explain the truth to us," said Bray frantically, turning to face his three brothers, "Sister Abigail… please, speak with us! We beg you!"
Silence fell around the arena as the four men looked up at the ramp. The crowd began murmuring before the theme of Abigail blasted.
She walked out, a microphone in her hand and made her way down the ramp stopping halfway to speak.
"What do you want, Bray?"
"Where have you been? You-you're different!"
"I took time for myself. I needed a chance to think without being questioned as to what needed to be done all the time," replied Abigail, speaking in a forced calm tone, "The entire time I have been here it has been about orders, of what comes next, of who to bring down – I felt like a… a babysitter! None of you can think for yourselves! It is always about what they want, Bray! You need to break free!"
"No!" yelled Bray angrily, "You've been brain washed Abigail! You've been lied too! Don't be fooled… oh don't be fooled!"
"I'm not being fooled. I have seen the light, the freedom… and it is wonderful."
Bray shook his head, walking to the edge of the ring and leaning over the ropes towards Abigail, "Sister-"
"It's just Abigail now. I'm not a sister of any kind."
Bray's posture tensed, as Braun, Luke and Erick started yelling and making gestures towards Abigail.
"I will save you," vowed Bray before gesturing to the three men behind him, "We will save you."
Abigail simply shook her head and walked back stage, leaving the Wyatt's standing in the ring in silence.
Matilda weaved through the people back stage, reading an email from Carl about her brother, Charlie. She turned a corner and collided into something solid, stumbling backwards but managing to regain her footing, easily. Matilda looked up, surprised to see Colby standing there.
Matilda went to move past him but stopped when Colby spoke.
"I see everything with Jon is all roses."
Matilda looked at Colby coldly, "What business is it of yours? I heard you were back with Zahra… didn't she play the role of home wrecker between you and Leighla?"
Colby pressed his lips together in a thin line but Matilda spoke before he could say another word.
"Let's keep things professional here, Colby. By that I mean not talk to each other. There is too much bad blood between us and it will be a long time before either one of us is ready to be civil to the other."
Colby said nothing and Matilda moved past him and headed up the corridor before Renee spotted her and gestured for her to come over urgently. Matilda hurried over and followed Renee into an empty room.
"They've begun editing the first episode for the new show… the producer wants to include the incident between you and your family," said Renee, "I didn't know they were filming that until he mentioned it to me just before."
"That's my private business! I don't need nor want that splashed all over the media!"
"I can only suggest appealing to Roland personally. He makes the calls in editing but if he doesn't listen try Stephanie."
"Where is Roland?"
"The room next door to where Mark is set up… second corridor from catering."
Matilda nodded and thanked Renee before leaving the room and heading the direction of Roland's room.
"Hey, hey! You don't get to call the shots around here!" came Colby's cool voice from behind Matilda.
Matilda let out an irritated sigh and ignored him as she continued her way towards her destination. It was Colby grabbing her arm and forcing her to face him that made Matilda stop.
"Why shouldn't I?" snapped Matilda, her tone ice cold, "You decided to fuck around behind my back, Colby! I foolishly gave you chance after chance and came out looking like a stupid, naïve little girl."
Colby went to speak but stopped at the appearance of Joe at the end of the corridor.
"Funny how you back down when someone bigger then you arrives," commented Matilda as Joe stood beside her.
"Everything okay, Mattie?" asked Joe, peering at Colby suspiciously.
"Colby was just asking what shows I work this weekend… I let him know it's none of his business and that he needs to keep to himself. Right, Colby?"
"Whatever," muttered Colby before he turned and stalked away.
"Was he bothering you, Mattie?" asked Joe, frowning with concern.
"Just being his usual toolish self, Joe. Thank you though."
Matilda gave Joe a pat on the arm before continuing her search of Roland's room. She managed to find it where Renee had stated it was and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Matilda opened the door and recognized Roland to be the producer who was on her farm filming that day.
"Matilda," said Roland, "I'm guessing Renee spoke with you."
"She did," nodded Matilda, sitting in the spare seat opposite Roland, "I would really appreciate if the altercation with my family was kept out of the episode. It's not something the fan's need to see, given the fact I was hit. It really is private, family matters."
"Matilda, it is part of your life. That is the entire point of this series."
"Okay, let's reverse roles here. What if I were filming you and filmed something of that nature – would you like the world to know that is happening in your life?"
Roland sighed, "Look, I get where you are coming from but when you signed on to do this series you signed saying you were happy for whatever was filmed to be utilized in the episode as WWE Network deems fit."
"And you clearly signed away your sense of morals when you took on the series," spat Matilda angrily as she stood up, "Thank you for fucking up my life even more, Roland. But don't go thinking you've won and struck a ratings winner. This isn't over by a long shot."
Matilda was let into Stephanie's office for the night and gestured to an empty chair.
"What can I help you with, Matilda?" asked Stephanie politely.
"When the network were at my property filming the new show… they filmed an incident between my father, brother and myself. It resulted in myself being physically struck by my father," explained Matilda with a gesture to her healing lip, "I've been made aware that Roland plans on including it in the episode. I have spoken with him and asked him to leave it out. I get the show is about my life but the situation with my family is just not something that needs to be involved… not to mention the fans would want to know if charges were laid… and… please, Stephanie, I want the situation to be kept private as it should be."
Stephanie looked at Matilda silently before nodding, "I will need to review the footage – are you okay with that?"
Matilda nodded, hastily wiping a stray tear from her face.
"I will get back to you on this as soon as I can and thank you for feeling comfortable enough to come to me about this."
"Thank you for letting me meet with you without notice," replied Matilda, "I truly appreciate it."
Jon woke with a start the night after Smackdown as Matilda bolted to the bathroom. He slowly sat up and checked the time on his phone to read it was ten past four in the morning. The sound of vomiting caught Jon's attention and he left the bed and went to the bathroom as Matilda flushed the toilet and moved to the sink to rinse her mouth out and wash her hands and face.
"You okay?" he asked as she turned to face him looking pale and as if she hadn't slept a wink.
"I-it's been a rough night for me."
Jon took hold of Matilda's hand and led her back to the bed, holding Matilda to his side, "Want to talk about it?"
Matilda bit her lower lip and breathed out slowly, "It's a long story."
"I've got nothing but time."
January 6th 2012
Matilda hopped out of her ute and grabbed her bag from the back tray. She raced to the main houses entrance and ran up the steps and into the house.
"Mattie!" greeted her grandfather, giving her a hug, "How did the show go, love?"
"Brilliant! Check this out," replied Matilda, pulling the shoulder of her shirt down to display the dark bruise, "Copped that one going through two tables."
Her grandfather laughed, "Don't let Nan see it, eh? She will have you in bed till next Sunday!"
Matilda grinned, "I promise, Pop. How have things been here?"
Her Pop led her to the kitchen, where Matilda greeted her Nan, who was cooking dinner.
"Everything's been find here, hey Rosie, love?"
"Of course," replied Rosie, her light brown eyes crinkled in a smile, "Sit Mattie! You must be famished!"
Matilda was soon served up pork chops, fresh vegetables her grandmother had picked that day with a small serving of sweet potato chips.
"Wait until you meet the new farm hand your Pop hired," said Rosie to Matilda as Matilda helped with doing the dishes.
"Oh yeah?"
"Mmm hmm. Quite the handsome fella."
Matilda instantly knew what her grandmother was getting at and sighed, "Nan, I don't want a boyfriend."
"Who said anything about a boyfriend?" replied Rosie, a look of innocence on her face.
January 7th 2012
Matilda walked into the shed to get her dirt bike out. She needed to check the pump in the south-east paddock. With the weather being warm, if the pump stopped and water didn't go through, the cattle in the upper paddock would suffer.
"Oi, who are you?"
Matilda whirled around to find a fit built man with dark brown hair and grey eyes. He stood at roughly six foot two and had broad shoulders, "I'm Matilda Harrison… James and Rosie's granddaughter."
"Oh, sorry. I'm Chris… I started here last month."
Matilda nodded, "I sort of got told about you last night. Anyway, I'm going to check the south-east paddock. That pump usually mucks up in the heat."
"Err, sure."
Matilda gave him a smile and moved her bike from the shed. She climbed on, ignoring the fact Chris was watching as she started it.
"You don't need a helmet?" asked Chris curiously.
"I learnt to ride one of these before I could walk," replied Matilda before she drove off.
Three hours later saw Matilda returning, her top wet with sweat and her hands dirty. She parked her bike to the side of the driveway and headed for the tool shed, passing Chris on her way.
"The spark plugs gone on the pump," said Matilda as she rummaged through a box after spotting her grandfather in the shed also, "Pump was still warm so it's just happened, luckily."
"Yeah I want to replace it but I'll wait till winter. They'll be cheaper then."
Matilda nodded and took the tools and needed on a tool belt and headed back to her bike.
January 26th 2012
It was tradition for Matilda's grandparents to host a big barbeque dinner, in which neighbouring farmers would come along to. Matilda had kept busy with helping out on the farm and training in the shed with her grandfather whenever possible.
"Wow, big turnout," commented Chris as Matilda grabbed a beer from the esky.
Matilda smiled, "It's like this every year. Everyone knows us Harrisons can party."
Chris laughed, "What like keg stands?"
"Amateur. No man, we bring out the Twister. Once that comes out, you know shit just got real."
Chris grinned and sipped his beer. Matilda stayed by his side and the pair chatted, getting to know one and other better. Chris found it hard to believe Matilda was a wrestler. He remained in denial until Matilda grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house and showed him her grandmothers wall of fame.
"That there is my first real show," explained Matilda, "Three and a half years ago. Everything is going up… this here is from three months ago."
"You're bleeding," stated Chris.
"You do that in hard core matches. The chick I versed is awesome… reminds me, I need to send Tennille an email to see how she is going."
Matilda continued explaining the types of matches before she and Chris went back outside. It was another two hours before Rosie pulled out Twister. Matilda dragged Chris over to join in on the game.
"Alright," said Rosie an hour or so later, "Mattie, left hand to blue."
Matilda laughed and moved her hand to between Chris' legs, "Excuse me for this."
Chris chuckled as he was made to move a foot under Matilda's arched back.
Soon the contestants dwindled down to Matilda and Chris.
"Mattie, right foot to red."
Matilda groaned as she shifted her body to the right, bringing her leg up and over Chris'. Matilda let out a cry as she lost her balance and toppled down, bringing Chris down with her.
Everyone burst out laughing at the startled look of Matilda as she sat atop of Chris who looked up at her, just as startled.
February 14th 2012
It was early in the evening and Matilda was taking a stroll up the driveway, enjoying the cool summer breeze instead of the stifling dry heat of the day.
"Mattie!"
Matilda looked over her shoulder and smiled at Chris, "Hey. I thought you had a date? You know, being Valentine's Day and all."
"No… no," said Chris shifting from foot to foot.
Matilda gave a nod, "Ooh, I have a show next week in Brisbane. Nothing hard core, I assure you."
Chris smiled, "Brilliant. I wanted you to be my Valentine."
"It is bril-" Matilda paused, catching his words after, "What?"
Chris sighed and quickly closed the distance between him and Matilda with a searing kiss. Matilda responded eagerly, clutching onto Chris by his shirt until he broke the kiss and smiled down at her.
"I've been wanting to do that since the day I met you."
"Really?" murmured Matilda.
"Really."
April 16th 2012
"Happy Birthday!" greeted Matilda holding a wrapped present out to Chris.
He grinned and kissed her lightly on the lips before unwrapping his gift to reveal a new pocket knife.
"Thanks, Mattie… how did you know?"
Matilda smirked, "A little birdie."
"Rosie."
Matilda chuckled and instead of saying anything kissed him gently, "I have a dinner planned for us… a picnic in the north paddock."
"Hmm, I like the sound of that."
July 7th 2012
Matilda shook her head tearfully as she looked at her grandfather as he told her the news of his illness.
"You can't leave me," sobbed Matilda heartbrokenly, "You can't!"
"Mattie, love," he said softly, "I don't want too."
Matilda stood and ran from the house and to the shed. She started her bike and sped out of the shed and through the gates, taking the bumpy trail to the furthest paddock. Her driving was reckless but she didn't care. Her grandfather was dying, leaving her and there was nothing she or anyone could do to prevent it.
Reaching her destination, Matilda dumped the bike and picked up an axe and began slamming it into the wood, continuously splintering the wood into clean halves. She didn't know how much timed passed by but it was two arms circling around her from behind and forcing her to drop the axe that made her break down.
Chris held her tightly, letting Matilda cry until she had nothing left.
"I can't lose him! I can't! I can't!" cried Matilda, clutching onto Chris' shirt, "What am I going to do?"
"Shh… hun, I will help you through this, I promise… I love you, Mattie and I won't let you deal with this alone."
August 15th 2012
Matilda woke to the beeping of her alarm. She dressed in her worn jeans and pulled on her favourite flannelette shirt, throwing her jacket on over top. As she pulled her boots on she heard her grandmother cry out in distress.
Matilda ran from her room and into her grandparents to find Rosie kneeling beside the bed clutching her grandfather's hand and sobbing heartbrokenly.
"No!" screamed Matilda sinking to the ground in disbelief, "NO! NO!"
It was Chris coming into the house looking for her that saw action happen. Chris alerted the right people and managed to move Rosie and Matilda to the living room while the funeral home and authorities came in to do what was needed.
Matilda stared blankly out the window for hours until she spotted a four wheel drive come into view.
"Get fucked," growled Matilda, startling a silent Chris beside her.
Matilda stood and marched out of the house, grabbing her grandfather's pig hunting rifle from the cabinet on the veranda. She shoved in two bullets and held the gun to the side as her father, mother and brother stepped out of the car.
"Get in the fucking car and leave," growled Matilda furiously at them as Chris hurried out, along with a few other farm hands.
"Excuse me?" replied her father.
"You heard! You were called THIS MORNING! It is ten past five and you are only NOW showing your fucking face?" shouted Matilda, "YOU DON'T GIVE A SHIT THAT POP DIED! YOU ONLY WANT THE FUCKING WILL!"
"I'm here to see my mother!"
"NAN DOESN'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE! GO HOME! GET LOST AND DON'T COME BACK!"
Her father made to moved but Matilda lifted the gun up, pointing it towards her father.
"You are now trespassing on property that isn't yours. I suggest you leave before I remove a threat from posing harm to myself or Nan," spoke Matilda in a deadly calm whisper.
With furious glares the three left. Matilda turned to the house, not seeing her grandmother move from the window with a look of relief on her face.
October 10th 2012
"Nan, I'm back," called Matilda pulling her boots off, "Gee it's warming up this spring. I reckon it will be a season for storms."
Matilda hung her Akubra up and walked into the kitchen, expecting to see her grandmother getting lunch ready.
"Nan?" called Matilda glancing into the living area only to gasp to see her grandmother slumped in her seat as an episode of Dr Phil played, "NAN!"
Matilda ran forward, kneeling to the ground with a slight slide. She lifted her Nan's head up to see her eyes closed and her skin deathly pale.
"Nan, answer me please!" begged Matilda feeling for a pulse and not finding one, "No, no, no, Nan!"
Matilda shook Rosie by the shoulder's desperate for a response but not receiving the one she wanted.
"Nan! Please!" cried Matilda as tears leaked down her face, "Not you… no! Nan, please talk to me! NAN!"
Her yells brought Chris and two other farm hands running in. Chris and the other two sprang into action, calling an ambulance and beginning CPR. Matilda sat to the side, crying silently as her friends and Chris worked on trying to revive Rosie until the sounds of a helicopter landing in a nearby paddock sounded.
One of the farm hands ran out and led them to the house. Matilda clung onto Chris not wanting to hear the truth, which came minutes later.
"I'm sorry but she is unresponsive and has been gone for some time," said the medic gently.
January 15th 2013
"What happened to your face?" cried Chris as Matilda arrived home from a show.
"A knock to the face. It's all part of the role," shrugged Matilda before kissing Chris on the lips, "And hello, I'm great thanks and yeah I missed you too."
Chris sighed and kissed Matilda again, "I did miss you, hun. I just hate seeing you beat up."
March 9th 2013
"Two weeks?"
Matilda nodded, "Two weeks, eight shows. It's a brilliant gig and pays well. Oh, and there will undoubtedly be scouts."
"If it's want you wanna do-"
"It is," stated Matilda firmly.
Chris nodded and pulled Matilda towards him, "Just what am I going to do without my woman?"
Matilda jumped up and hooked her legs around Chris by the waist, "Get your fill of me now?"
June 29th 2013
"How did that happen?" yelled Matilda furiously, running down the steps and over to the cattle yards, "I fucking trust you with this when I am away! Look at them!"
The cattle had cuts over them from breaking through a loose fence and had trampled through a field of growing wheat.
"The vet bill is going to cost a fortune!"
"I already apologised, Mattie," said Chris in irritation.
"Chris, the rain and frost is wreaking havoc on the crops and now this? I have wages to pay, amongst other bills… FUCK! Call the vet, now."
Matilda jumped over the fence, examining the cattle and talking with her friend Carl whom she had recently hired. Chris watched the pair in annoyance as he pulled out his satellite phone to make the call.
September 9th 2013
Matilda locked the shed and turned around, surprised to find Chris waiting for her.
"Hey bub," smiled Matilda slowly walking over to him, "Is everything okay?"
"Mattie… I want you to step away from wrestling."
Matilda frowned, "What?"
"Look at you! Bruised… cuts… you come home sore and tired and I hate seeing it! You look like someone's punching bag!"
Matilda shook her head, "Wrestling is everything to me, Chris! I- I cannot live without it… it is my passion, my life goal. I have worked my arse off for years to get to where I am… you cannot ask me to leave it behind. That's like asking me to cut off my arm and manage to live without it and run a farm!"
"Mattie-"
"No, Chris! I love you but no… no I won't give it up and if you love me, you would understand that and how and why it means so bloody much to me."
"I know your Pop-"
"Yeah, he taught me everything I know and he gave me his legacy to carry on and I will… but it is part of me and who I am."
Chris sighed. He knew it was a losing battle to ask Matilda to walk away.
October 22nd 2013
Matilda knew it was late. She had gotten caught in road works on her way home from a show in Newcastle. Chris would be irritated, especially given it was her birthday. Thankfully it was just her twenty-sixth birthday and not a major milestone.
Matilda found it odd that none of the house lights were on, not even the veranda light. Matilda pulled her phone out to use as a torch and lit up the porch so she could get inside without tripping. Matilda dumped her bags by the door and switched the lights on, finding a bouquet of roses and a folded letter beside them.
Matilda smiled to herself as she breathed in the scent of the roses and picked up the letter.
Mattie,
I can't do this any more. I'm sorry.
Chris.
Matilda frowned at the letter and quickly hurried through to her room. She switched the light on and yanked open the closet. All of Chris' clothes were gone. Every last item of his, missing.
November 10th 2013
Pregnant.
Two lines that changed everything and with no way to contact Chris.
Matilda rubbed her face tiredly and left the bathroom. She may be pregnant but there was still a farm to run.
December 23rd 2013
Matilda gave a laugh and said goodbye to her old school friend as she headed to her car. It had been a fun Christmas party at the North Star Pub. Matilda hummed to herself as she set about unlocking her ute until she was shoved hard from behind and slammed against the car.
Matilda slid down to the ground dazed, crying out as she was booted around the abdomen hard. Matilda screamed out to the person to stop but they were relentless until a yell broke out, startling them away.
Carl was suddenly by Matilda's side and helped her up.
"The baby," whispered Matilda to Carl tearfully, "Carl, the baby!"
"Come on. Let's get you home. I'll call my Mum to come check on you. You know she's a doctor."
Later that night, it happened. Matilda lost the baby and she finally let herself fall apart.
A/N: So there you go, some background information on Matilda and her life before WWE. Review!