Chapter Fourteen
Saturday
John woke up and stretched then looked over to see Randy staring at him
"What are you doing?"
"Today is Saturday." Randy said his fingers ghosting over one of John's nipples
"I'm aware of what the day is. What's your point?" He said moving Randy's hand. He just moved to John's other nipple
"Today is the housewarming party for Cody and Evan. Are we going?"
"You really want to go to this don't you?"
"It's not that I really want to go but I think that we should go. We'll look bad to the neighbors if they're all there and we're not."
"Fine, we'll go but not because I care about the neighbors. What about a gift?"
"I just happen to have one."
"Just happen to have one huh?"
"Yes. I like to be prepared." John leaned over and kissed Randy
"You're full of shit."
"Johnny."
"Want to go out for breakfast?"
"Sure. The kids will love that."
"Because they don't get to climb all over restaurant booths enough."
"They live for the little things John."
Later
"Why do you look so nervous Cody?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You seem nervous and I'm asking you why." Cody shrugged
"I'm not. I didn't realize I looked that way."
"Is it the baby? Is he okay?" Evan said scratching at his beard. Cody smiled and held his slightly distended belly
"He's fine, Ev. We're both fine."
"Okay."
"Did you know that Cody could have a baby?"
"No I did not. I was blissfully unaware."
"I wonder why he never told you."
"Because he and I didn't have that sort of relationship. He was cool to hang out with for a time but it's not like I would have called us friends. Besides, wrestling is a macho sport, we didn't go around talking about our feelings or you know, talking about whether or not any of us could give birth."
"I see your point. Are you ready to go?" Randy sighed
"Yea, let's go."
"Wait – why are you sighing?"
"I don't know. I feel a little unsure about this but I want to be neighborly and try to somehow gain closure by doing this."
"We don't have to go. I can send Lily and Felix across the street to drop the gift off and we'll stay home."
"John."
"What?"
"You are not going to send my six and four year old across a street for a damn gift."
"I was kidding. You'll be fine, Ran. If you get really uncomfortable then we'll leave. We only live across the street."
"Okay." The family of four left their house and walked across the street. Spotting a sign, they let themselves in through the front door. Randy nudged John
"What?"
"They have the built-in shelving I wanted John."
"This house wasn't for sale when we looked and you wanted our house because of the kitchen."
"I know but the shelving would have been nice."
"I'm sorry this house wasn't for sale when we looked and that you don't have a gourmet kitchen and built-in shelving."
"I accept your apology." They walked toward the loud voices they heard in the kitchen
"What's he doing here?" Evan said quietly to Cody
"They live across the street."
"And that's why you looked so sick this morning."
"We can talk about it later Evan."
"Damn right we'll talk about it later. I know you're going through a phase but try to keep your hormones at bay while he's here, will you?" Cody rolled his eyes
"Whatever you say Evy."
"Hey it's the Cena's!" Someone shouted. Felix turned to John and lifted his arms and John picked him up
"Did I scare him?" Phil said walking over
"No, he just likes to pretend to be shy around people. Say hi Felix." Felix peeked at Phil and quietly said hi. "You're such a faker Felix Anthony." He smiled
"He's cute John."
"Thanks Amy."
"How old are you Felix?"
"Four."
"Oh, you're talking now? He must like you."
"I'd better watch out then."
"No offense to you Phil, he drives all the women wild."
"I thought you had two kids."
"I do. Lily is," John scanned the room. "Over there with Randy talking to Chris."
"She's so big now."
"She's six."
"Already?"
"That's what we said."
"Where's the gift?"
"I stuck it with the others."
"So you didn't actually give it to either of them?"
"No. I'm not ready to approach Cody and Evan gave me the stink eye when I walked in so I'm not sure what's going on there."
"He probably knows about you and Cody."
"Well then he should save his stinky looks for Cody because that was him being all weird and creepy. I didn't stalk him."
"I know but you know how people can have misdirected anger towards other people."
"I know but he and Cody weren't even together when all of that happened."
"Weren't they?" Randy looked at John
"Say what?"
"They were together. It was sort of a secret but it wasn't."
"How does that make any sense?"
"I don't know. Everyone knew but no one talked about it and they didn't either."
"Was I the only one who didn't know?" Randy felt Lily tugging on his hand and picked her up
"It appears that way."
"And you didn't bother to tell me?"
"What difference would it have made?"
"Hmm, I don't know."
"It wouldn't have. If Cody didn't respect Evan enough to not do what he did then there was really no point in involving him. Clearly he wouldn't have been able to do anything about it."
"What did he do daddy?"
"Nothing Lily. Did Evan say anything to you after you um, b.e.a.t h.i.m. u.p.?" John stood there thinking about what Randy spelled
"No, he didn't."
"That's not very loyal."
"Perhaps he thought that he deserved it."
"Perhaps but still. You worked him over pretty good."
"And if I had to do it all over again I would."
"Oh Johnny." Randy said batting his eyelashes
Randy was standing outside of the powder room waiting for Lily to finish when Cody walked up to him
"Hey."
"Hey." Cody took a deep breath
"I just wanted to say thank you for coming."
"Uh-huh. They make cards for that and you know my address."
"Okay, I really wanted to apologize for what I did, you know, before. I've had years to think about it and I honestly can't come up with a reason good enough. I'm sorry." Randy let his body relax then did something he never thought he'd do
"I accept your apology." Cody looked up at him
"Wow. I really didn't expect that." Randy shrugged
"I've changed a little. You'll see, fatherhood does that to you."
"How did you handle your first kid?" Just then the bathroom door opened and Randy looked down at Lily
"Did you wash your hands?" She turned back and went to wash her hands. "I don't know. It's strange to admit it but I'm rather maternal…and paternal."
"I'm nervous."
"Don't be. It'll come to you, trust me and if you're ever having any trouble I'm right across the street."
"Really?"
"Yea…as long as it's okay with Evan."
"You saw that huh?"
"The stink eye he gave me when I walked in? Yes, I saw that."
"It's not really you, it's me. I was horrible to him too. I was with him all that time, you know."
"Yea, John just told me."
"You were probably the only one who didn't know."
"So I've been told." Lily came out and wrapped her tiny hand around Randy's fingers
"Daddy I'm hungry."
"Okay Li. I have to get her something to eat, Felix too."
"Yea, sure; there's plenty of food. Help yourself."
"Thanks." Randy started to walk back to the kitchen when he stopped and turned back to Cody. "Did you cook or have it catered?"
"Catered. Evan hates when I cook…because I can't."
"Oh boy. I'll have to give you a crash course." Cody laughed
"I'm terrible in the kitchen."
"Then I'll come to your house. I don't want you ruining my kitchen."
"I'd appreciate it."
"You got it."
"Where have you been?"
"I took Li to the bathroom and while I was waiting Cody approached me." John started to get out of his seat. "Relax John, he apologized to me."
"Oh. Did you accept?"
"Yes. I can't be angry about it forever. It's not good for me."
"No it's not."
"He's also nervous about the baby so I told him if he needed any help that I'm right across the street."
"That was nice."
"Uh-huh. I said I'd give him a crash course in cooking too."
"Shit Randy, did you offer him a guest room should he and Evan get in a fight and he needs a place to go?"
"No John. He just seems so lost on the domestic front so I said I would help…as long as it's okay with Evan." John looked at him. "You would be okay with it right?"
"You've already offered so I can't say no."
"Yes you can. If you don't want me to then I won't."
"I'm fine with it Randy. I trust you and that you know what you're doing. And if he apologized then I'm going to look at him as a new Cody, not that old jackass." Randy laughed and kissed one of John's ever present dimples
"I love you Johnny."
"I love you too."
"And me." Lily said speaking up
"Me too!" Added Felix