A/N: Back with an update! Just got some seriously horrible news right before trying to edit this, so if there are mistakes and typos, I truly, truly apologize. Anyway, I've decided to add even more to this story. It was going to end with 25 chapters, but I've decided to make it possibly 35-40 chapters! I hope you all like that idea as much as me! I just couldn't bare to have the story end so soon, lol. Anyway, enjoy!
Recap:
After Randy left, John found himself not knowing what to do. For starters, he passed out for God-knows-how-long, and once he came to, he had to figure out how to get un-tied from the bed. He had to manage to lift himself off the bed, sore body and all, and bite and tear at the shirt till it finally gave way and let him loose. After he was free, he cleaned his face with the soaked and bloody bed sheets, before shoving them down the laundry chute. He made a note-to-self to go burn the bed linen at a time that it wasn't excruciating to walk. He then dragged himself to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and collapsed in the corner, pulling his knees to his chest. [...]"John, there you are! What are you doing in there?" He sees John sitting in the corner of the shower, knees to his chest, shivering. [...] "On my goddamn hands and knees dressing you like a fucking child. God, you better be lucky I love you." Punk mumbles to himself, mentally cursing himself for letting himself get this deep into this mess. John smiles a bit internally. Punk wouldn't be doing this if he didn't really love him, right? God, John can only hope so. [...] "Philip, do you love me?" John asks, his voice almost inaudible. [...] John sits on Punk's words for a minute, letting them churn around in his head. Satisfied enough, at least for the night, he rolls over into Punk's arms, laying his head against Punk's chest.
Wednesday; John's Bedroom:
"Hey, you're awake!" Punk says, smiling, as he walks into the bedroom. "Yeah. Hi." John mumbles. "And he's talking! Jeez, I actually missed your voice," Punk chuckles, and walks over to the bed, "I made you breakfast in bed, hoping it'll cheer you up!" Punk says, sitting a tray on John's lap. "Gee, a burnt piece of toast, a disproportionate ratio of cereal and milk, and one piece of bacon! I'm such a lucky guy." John jokes, laughing a bit. "I couldn't figure out how to change the dials on your stupid toaster, just scrap the burnt stuff off. I hate soggy cereal, and you should too. And…well you had four other pieces of bacon, but I got hungry. Sorry." Punk mumbles. "I think it's a sweet gesture. Thank you." John smiles, then eats a mouth full of cereal.
Punk sits sideways at the end of the bed, staring at John. He watches as John eats a few more spoonfuls of cereal, scrapes the burnt part of the toast off, and eats it, then eats his bacon. "Is there something on my face?" John asks, wiping at it. "Nope, perfect as ever." Punk replies. "Why are you staring then?" John asks. "Are you okay, John? I'm really, really worried about you." Punk says, rubbing John's leg through the blanket. "Oh…" John mumbles, then eats some more cereal. "Are you going to answer me?" Punk asks, but John just keeps nibbling at his food, avoiding eye contact. "Dammit, John! I found you in the corner of the damn shower, and you were not yourself! Something fucking happened and I want you to tell me what!" Punk demands, snatching the tray from him. "Nothing happened, dammit!" John yells.
He knows Randy's right. If he tells Punk, Punk's going to leave him. He can't risk it. He's just going to have to let the guilt eat at him till it kills him. He can't lose Punk too.
"Why were you crying in the shower then?" Punk asks, not satisfied the least bit with that answer. "I was just going through something personal. Some stuff built up and got to me." John explains. "So what's with that ugly bruise on you?" Punk asks. "I fell in the shower." John explains. "I really hope you'd tell me if something is wrong, John." Punk says, reaching out to take John's hand. "I will. Don't worry, I'm fine now." John explains. "Fine. I'm just going to have to take your word." Punk sighs.
"I'll be fine, I promise. We'll be fine. Can I ask you something though?" John asks. "Yeah, what?" Punk replies. "Would you like to meet my family? I really need to go talk to my Mom, and I'd love for you to meet them." John says, smiling and squeezing Punk's hand tighter. "Sure. You went though meeting my folks. I'll go meet yours. Don't they live in Boston though?" Punk asks. "They have a vacation home here. They're getting the house renovated, so they're here, and my Brother's are here visiting." John explains. "Oh, that's cool. Yeah, sure, sounds fun." Punk smiles. "Good. Can I have my food back now?" John asks, and Punk laughs out, "Yeah, sure."
The Cena Sr. Household:
"So do you think meeting your Parents is going to go better than when you met mine?" Punk asks, chuckling a bit as they walk up the walk way to the front door. "I'm pretty sure it's going to go way better!" John chuckles. "Are they going to like me?" Punk asks, genuine fear starting to creep in. "My Parents are pretty accepting. I think they'll accept it…at least on the outside." John replies then knocks on the door.
"John, my boy!" Cena Sr. says after answering the door. "Hey, Dad!" John smiles, and hugs him. "CM Punk! Wow! How you doin'?" He asks, and extends a hand to him. "Very good. How are you?" Punk asks, shaking his hand, and trying to be polite and acceptable. "I'm great. Glad to see you two. Come on in! Carol is in the kitchen, your Brothers are all already here too." Mr. Cena explains as he leads them inside.
They follow him to the kitchen where Mrs. Cena is slaving over the stove, Dan is chopping vegatables at one counter, Matt is in the fridge, Steve is making something on their indoor griller on another counter, and Sean is sitting at the table.
"Hey, Mom!" John says, all smiles as he goes over to her. "Hi, Johnny!" She replies, pulling him into a tight hug. "Uh, you guys all should know Punk, er, Phil. Punk, this is my Mom, Carol. Those are my Brothers Dan, Matt, Steve, and Sean." John points out each one as he explains, and Punk waves at them, "Hi, how is everybody?" He asks, and they all give various positive responses. "Is there anything we can help with?" John asks, looking down into the pot she's cooking in. "No, no, we've got it. Go over and sit down with Seany." She says, and John nods, and pulls Punk over to the dining room table. "What's up, man?" Sean asks Punk. "Not much, man. Just living." Punk replies. "Cool. How you been, Brother?" He then asks John. "I've been perfect, man." John smiles, and Sean nods.
"Hey, guys, I'd actually like to speak to you all about something." John says, raising his voice a bit so they'd all hear him. "Yes, dear?" Mrs. Cena asks, and John wants till he has everyone's attention. "Well Dad, you know what kind of Man I am, and how high I hold my morals and values, so I hope this doesn't change anything, or make me lose any of your respect." John explains firstly. "John, my boy, there's nothing you can do to lose my respect. I know you can take care of any problem you have, and that you'll never let anything change the way you think. I'm very proud of you." Mr. Cena replies, and John smiles.
"Thanks, Dad. And Mom, I know you're very religious, and try to live your life according to every word the Bible says, but I also know that you're a kind, sweet, understanding Woman, and that's why I'm comfortable telling you this." John continues on, and his Mom comes over and takes his hand in hers, "Whatever you are about to say will not make me love you any less, Johnny. You're my baby boy, and I'll always love you." John runs his thumb over her hand as a silent 'thank you'.
"Guys," He calls out, garnering all his Brothers' attention, "I don't really know what to say to make what I'm about to say any easier." John sighs, and Matt comes over and lays his hand on John's shoulder, "Hey, man! You're my Older Brother. I'll always look up to you no matter what you do!" He explains, and John sighs again. "What happened, John? Just tell us what's wrong." Dan approaches the table as well.
"Well, about 3 months ago, some things happened that were totally my fault. That led to, uhm, two months ago…I…I entered into my first and only, I swear, uhm...I entered into a same-sex relationship with Philip." John admits, and for a moment, nobody even breathes. "You serious, man?" Matt asks. "Yeah." John smiles a bit, as he laces his fingers in Punk's, and holds up their conjoined hands. "Johnny, my Johnny," His Mother whispers as she goes around the table to go hold him, "Why didn't you talk to me about this before you two…got together?" She asks. "I had a lot going on, Mom. I'm sorry." He replies, hugging her tightly.
"Look, this really is my decision and my business, and mine alone, but it affects all of you too and that's why I told you. I'd really like for you to accept me, and to accept us, because…I don't see either thing changing for a long time to come." John speaks up after his Mother pulls away. "You're my baby and I'll always love you, no matter what." His Mom says, and hugs him again, becoming overly emotional. "John. You're a grown man now, and you make your own decisions. You're mature enough, and man enough to make only the best and smartest decisions for your life. I trust you know what you're doing, and therefore I fully support you on this," He says to John as he approaches the table, then turns to Punk, "Welcome to the family, son." He sticks out his hand, and Punk smiles and shakes it, "Thank you, Sir." Punk replies.
He immediately wonders to himself where all this 'sir' talk is coming from. God, this house is a madhouse! It's like the moment you walk in, you become one of them!
"Guys?" John turns to Sean being that he's the closest one to him. "I mean, hey! You're our Brother? You're our blood! We're not going to just abandon you because you wanna be with him. That's not our business. I, for one, still love ya, man." Sean explains, and they hug. The rest of his Brothers fall in line, and Punk sits there thoroughly disgusted.
He's, however, disgusted with himself, and with his family. He has the most fucked up family ever. His Dad is so fucked up in the brain. He's turned his Mother into a fucking spazz. His Brother's are both douchebags. His Sister's ain't going no one quick. And one Sister damn near tried to rip his entire heart out! Why couldn't his family be like the fucking Brady Bunch over here? Why'd he have to get such a fucked up life?
"You okay?" John asks him, and Punk notices the family has gone back to whatever they were doing before, making Punk wonder how long he was in his own world. "Oh, uhm, yeah. Just thinking and stuff." Punk replies, his voice distant. "Thinking about what?" John asks, wondering what's wrong with his boyfriend. "Your family and my family. The differences and stuff between them." He explains, and John's face scrunches up. "My family is yours now too, okay? Are you going to be alright?" John continues his interrogation, and Punk just nods, deciding not to even respond, sick of the topic. John gives him a soft smile and a quick kiss on the lips, before holding his hand tightly in his. "Everything's going to be fine."
After Dinner; Family Room:
"Hey, Mom. Can we talk?" John asks, as they all sit around the den. "Sure." She smiles. "I'll be right back, okay?" John says to Punk, but Punk just flicks his hand towards John, too into the card game he's playing with Steve and Dan. John smiles at him getting along with the family so well, then follows his Mom into her bedroom.
"I need some advice." He says, walking into the room. "About what?" She asks, sitting on the bed. "My love life." He sighs, sitting next to her, laying his head on her shoulder. "Is something wrong between you and Philip?" She asks. "No! Everything is seemingly perfect! That's the problem." He sighs again. "Well tell me what's wrong. I'll try to help." She says.
Regardless of her son's sexual orientation, Carol is determined to always be there to help her son through whatever. No matter how uncomfortable it may make her.
"Okay, so everything is really great between Punk and I, right?" He says, and she nods, "I, uhm…I cheated on him." He mumbles, and Carol smacks his arm, "John Felix Anthony Cena Jr! What have I told you about people cheating? And how could you do that to him after what that filthy girl did to you?" She asks. "I know, Mom. I'm sorry." He sighs. "Who was it with?" She asks. "Orton." He answers. "Randy Orton? My little Randy?" Her eyes are wide with shock. "Yeah." John replies.
"Well gosh, John! Is everyone in that company gay?" She asks. "No, Mom. I'm pretty positive Punk and I are the only ones. And Randy." John mumbles.
"Well how'd this happen? Why'd you cheat?" She asks. "Well Randy basically tricked me. We had a fling of sorts in the past, and when he found out I was with Punk, he tried to make it seem like he wanted me. I stayed with Punk though. Well anyway, yesterday, he came over and was saying all these bad things about Punk and I. He was saying that Punk's using me, and laughing at me behind my back, and all these other terrible things. He said that he's the only one that cares about me, and basically tricked me into sleeping with him. Afterwards, he kind of made it clear he was only in it for the sex." John explains. "And does Philip know you cheated?" She asks. "No," He replies, and Carol cuts her eyes at him, "I mean, not yet. I wanted to talk to you first." He quickly says.
"Do you think the things Randal said about Philip are true? Do you think he's using you?" She asks. "Well…after Randy left, I kind of started to have my doubts about Punk and I. I was kind of thinking of different ways to prove that Punk didn't love me. But…the more I think about it…I think Randy's lying. I do think Punk really loves me. I mean, he's made it quite clear." John smiles a bit. "So then what's the problem?" She asks. "I don't know," He sighs, "I just…I kind of don't know what to think anymore." He explains.
"Well for starters, have you talked to Randy? Did you explain that what happened between you two is a mistake, and that you're happy with Philip?" She asks. "Yeah, uh, Mom, I'm pretty sure Randy and I will never, ever speak to each other again." John mumbles. "Why is that? You two have had too great of a friendship to end over you dating Philip." She says, rubbing his back. "Mom, you wouldn't understand. I highly doubt you'd want to hear it. And I don't want to tell it. Trust me, I don't need to ever speak to him again." John explains. "Well that's your decision. I'm sure you're making the right one. As for you and Philip, are you going to trust him enough to keep this going? You're moving in with him, John. You need to make up your mind before you move in with this man and sell your house." She mentions. "Oh, yeah. Well…I don't know, Mom. I'm pretty sure we're going to be fine, though. I'm the happiest I've ever been, being with him. I love him." John says, smiling and shrugging to himself. "Then you need to stay with him and continue being happy." She replies.
"Thanks, Mom. So…do you like him?" He asks, glancing up at her with curious eyes. "I do. I like him a lot. You two seem to keep smiles on each others faces. As for his character on TV, and what I've seen go on between you two, none of that carries on into your personal life, right? ...That's just for show, right?" She asks, and John laughs, "Yeah, it's just for the show, Mom. We don't actually feel that way about each other in real life." He explains. "Oh, okay. Then good. Yes, I like him a lot, and I approve. Johnny, no matter who you're with, male or female, I just want you happy. If you're happy with a man, all I can be is supportive." She explains. "I know it's hard for you to take in, Mom. And I'm sorry for just dropping it on you. But he really does make me happy." John smiles. "As long as he keeps you happy. Now let's go back out with the family. There's no telling what those boys have broken out there playing cards. They're so intense when it comes to those kinds of things." She says, laughing and shaking her head as they walk back out to the den.
Later:
'This family really is the fucking Brady Bunch,' Punk thinks to himself as he sits on the couch in the den. For dinner they had a big, hearty, upper class, rich, White folk meal, and afterwards they retired to their den to watch home movies of John and the other boys from when they were younger. Everything Punk has ever imagined going on in this house of doom, did and is going on. Punk doesn't want to complain too much though. At least they accept him. They accept that he's dating their son/brother. They don't glance at him sideways, or give him funny looks, or exclude him from the conversation. They really are genuinely nice people! Punk just doesn't like their kind. It's nothing personal to them specifically. It's just everybody that's their kind.
"Hey, you alright?" John leans over, and whispers to Punk. "Yeah, I'm fine." Punk replies, a little irritated. This is probably the 14th time they've had this conversation since announcing their relationship to John's family. "You ready to go?" John asks. "Whenever you are, babe. I'm fine." Punk politely replies, cursing himself for it afterwards. "Let me know when you're ready to go, okay?" He says, and Punk just shrugs, "Anytime is fine."
Punk tries to think of a way to politely say he wants to get the hell out of there, and quick! "Hey, Mom? Dad?" John calls out, standing up. "Everything alright?" His Mom asks, pausing the home video. "Yeah, it's just late. We've got things to do tomorrow. Gotta go see my real estate agent, and all that. We're going to call it a night." He explains, knowing Punk's ready to go home, and Punk quickly stands up too, "Thank you for dinner. I've never eaten so good in my life!" Punk chuckles, patting his stomach for emphasis. "Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed it!" She says, getting up as well, "Boys, get up. Let's walk them to the door." She announces to the rest of the family, and they all head to the foyer. "I'm glad we got to see you, John! It was great seeing you too, Philip. I'm sure we'll be seeing you both soon enough." She replies, hugging them both. They all gives their goodbyes, and quickly leave.
A/N: Ohemgee, guise! John's family loves Punk! Yaaay! But...ya know...that doesn't mean there won't be drama! T'hehe. I'll update again Wednesday! Leave reviews! Thanks! Hope you enjoyed!