THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK TO KAKASHISHOT, KEEPER OF OZ, FIRECRACKER, TAMMY, KEPOUROS, MAGBRATTS, LINA MARIE, TANYA2BYOUR21, & SOAGIRLFOREVER FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REVIEWS!

Author's Note: I do believe there is going to be two more chapters and then this story will be over with it. I can't believe it's finally coming to an end. In my last chapter, I stated that my next story would be a Randy Orton story, well my muse and CM Punk helped me decide that Randy would wait. After seeing Money in the Bank and Raw this past week, I decided that CM Punk really needed a story. And he wants one! I promise you'll love it!

P.S. In this chapter there will be a scene between John Cena and Ashley... Please check out story Fifty Shades of Cena By Keeper Of Oz. She's so very talented and this scene will also be in her story... Trust me.. Her story is really good!

Chapter Twenty-One
Calls & Texts

Monday June 3, 2013

"I handed in my resignation. As of this morning, I no longer work at Harley's." She announced to the group of men in front of her.

She waited for their reply, but instead she was greeted with a very loud silence. She waited and waited and then she waited a little longer but they still continued to stare at her in complete shock; their mouths gaping like a fish out of water. They were silent for so long she couldn't take it anymore.

"Um… someone say something." She urged. "Please." She added pleading.

Her dad was the first to speak. Not that she was surprised. "Was this your decision?" He asked slowly, sneaking a glance at Mark who was frowning.

Ashley rolled her eyes at her father. "Yes Dad, this was totally my decision. I can't work there anymore. Not without Eric."

Ben let out a sigh and nodded. "I can understand that. Eric meant a lot to you, but what about your condo and bills and well…" He ran a hair through his hair and sighed again. "Sunshine, cooking is your life. You love it. What will you do now?"

Ashley grinned. "I'm still going to cook. Just not for Harley's."

"I just –" Her dad was cut off by his cell phone chattering away in his pocket and he excused himself to go answer it, stepping outside the room.

John came forward and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Ashley's hip; an easy smile on his handsome face. "You just quit so you could keep me stocked in those ham sandwiches of yours, huh?"

Ashley giggled and kissed his cheek. "You're incorrigible."

Randy pushed against John's shoulder and John feigned being hurt. Ashley giggled again and rolled her eyes. Randy pushed John again and John pushed back but smiled as he did so, getting to his feet.

"She only wants to make those sandwiches for me, Loser. You're not good enough for those sandwiches." Randy said smartly.

John rolled his eyes. "Who are you calling a loser, jerk-off? Let me tell you something, Ashley wouldn't make you any of those sandwiches if you were the last man in the WWE."

"Would you two shut the hell up and get out." Mark bellowed suddenly making Ashley jump. He gave her a soft smile in apology before turning back to Randy and John.

"We don't want to leave." Randy pouted playfully.

Mark growled and they both laughed taking the hint. They each gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek. They both wanted to comment on her quitting Harley's but they knew it was none of their business and Mark would catch them up later. They did tell her that they would support her whatever her decision was. They then said good bye and left.

Mark sat down next to Ashley, holding her hands in his. "Talk to me, baby girl."

She shrugged her brow furrowing. "About what?"

Mark frowned. "Why did you quit?"

"I can't work there every day knowing…" She trailed off tears filling her eyes.

"Knowing what, Ashley?"

She shook her head trying to stop the tears from escaping. She had cried enough in the past couple of days. She was sure she was cried out. Mark reached out with one large hand and cupped her cheek. "Knowing what, baby girl?" He asked again his voice just a little more forceful.

A single tear ran down her cheek and Mark brushed it away with his thumb. "Knowing that I killed him."

Mark swore. "You didn't kill him, baby girl. I thought we discussed this."

She nodded. "I know you told me I didn't kill him, but he died saving my life. I had a little something to do with it."

"Stop that! You had nothing to do with it. Eric knew what he was doing, baby girl. He was your friend and he did what he had to do to save your life. I hate that he lost his life, but I'm grateful that he saved your life."

She shook her head. "I still don't want to go back to Harley's. I can't go there every day knowing that Megan became my friend under false pretenses. Knowing that she was plotting my death every time we laughed together and joked about a certain customer. I can't ever go back knowing that Eric gave up his life to save mine. Knowing that I'm never going to see him again. I just can't do it, Mark. Please understand." She pleaded with him tears now falling down her cheeks.

Mark grabbed a tissue and wiped away her tears. "No more crying baby girl. I can't take the tears."

She grinned through the tears and accepted the tissue from Mark, blowing her nose. "No more crying." She told him wiping away the last of the tears.

"Good. I can't take it when you're crying." He kissed her forehead, both of her cheeks and then the tip of her nose. "What do you want to do now? Want to travel the world with me?" He teased her grinning.

Ashley giggled. "I was thinking about that…"

Mark cocked one eyebrow. "About what?"

"About my future and I'm pretty sure I've come to the right conclusion."

"What's that?"

"There's a place down town that's been trying to get me to work for them so I think I'm going to work part time for them and start planning."

"Start planning what?"

"Opening my own restaurant. I can't wait forever so the sooner I get started the better."

Mark smiled. "I like that idea. What kind of restaurant you want?"

"I want to be able to cook my Gran's family recipes, but I want to put a twist on them to make it fine dining and healthier as well."

Mark nodded. "You told me that the first night we met, baby girl."

She frowned. "I did?"

He nodded again. "You did."

"I don't remember that."

He ran a fingertip down the slope of her nose. "I remember everything you tell me and that includes you telling me that you were secretly in love with me."

Ashley looked shocked. "When did I tell you that?"

Mark cupped the both of her cheeks and leaning down he brought her face closer to his. "The first night we met. When I had to wake you up every hour and ask you questions. You then admitted to me that you totally loved me and you could never ever live without me." He touched his mouth with hers, a brief contact but Ashley felt it down to her soul.

"I told you that huh?" She whispered against his mouth.

"You did."

She reached up and wound her arms his neck. "I would never lie to you." She muttered before pulling him closer to her and covering his mouth with hers. Mark wasn't still for long and quickly took over the hard kiss, taking possession of her tongue he sucked and nibbled and she moaned.

They kissed long and hard until they heard a throat clearing behind them. Mark slowly pulled away and turned towards the noise. Dr. Hines stood there grinning which made Ashley blush.

"Is my patient ready to go home?"

Ashley's eyes widened and she was practically bouncing on the bed. "Yes!" She exclaimed and quite loudly.

Dr. Hines chuckled as she approached the bed. "As you know we drew more blood this morning and the tests we performed show that the infection in your system is completely gone. You are free to go home."

Ashley beamed at her. "Thank you! I'm so ready to go home."

The doctor nodded. "I bet you are. You've been here for a while. We were starting to get a little worried we would never get rid of you."

Ashley laughed. "I was feeling the same way."

Dr. Hines laughed. "Now you still have to clean and re-bandaged the gash in your side. Upon cleaning it this morning, the nurses stated that it too was healing very well so I'm just going to give you a few instructions on how to clean it. I'm sure you can do it but if not then I've already talk to your dad and I'm sure your friend Mark here won't mind cleaning it either. It's not messy or anything. Let me show you."

She proceeded to show Mark and Ashley how to clean and dress Ashley's wound in her side. Ashley wasn't worried at all. It was easy and simple and she was determined to do it herself. She didn't want to bother her father with this and well, she really didn't want to bother Mark either. She hadn't thought about since that day, but it still hurt when she thought about the look on Mark's face when Dr. Hines called him her husband. He looked almost disgusted at the thought and that really hurt Ashley's feelings. She now knew it was only a matter of time before Mark told her their time was over. But she didn't want to think about that. Not yet. Denial land was a wonderful place.

Friday June 7, 2013

She'd been out of the hospital for almost a week and she was enjoying every second of her bed and her kitchen and her condo. She had really missed it. She hadn't even realized how much she loved her little place until she had been gone for so long and until she was almost killed. When she got home Monday evening, the sheets still smelled like Mark and sex and Ashley had moaned with desire and annoyance. The doctor had told her she couldn't have sex until after the stitches were removed and that wasn't until June tenth. She was going to go crazy by then. She wanted Mark with such longing she didn't even realize she had. She didn't understand this longing but she wasn't going to ignore it either. Go with the flow. That was what she was going to do.

She was alone in her condo and she was in the kitchen, eating yogurt and drinking orange juice. Mark had left early yesterday afternoon for California. He had an interview today on the Conan O'Brien show and wouldn't be back until Tuesday, the day after her doctor's appointment. Ashley crinkled her nose in aversion. She didn't really care for Conan, but she would watch the show just to see her Mark. She wondered what he was going talk about. Probably Wrestlemania and his injury. Although one really couldn't tell that he had injured his leg at all. He walked without a brace or a cast. He was tough as nails.

What in the hell did he want with her? She was a small town girl with no job and a woman who was her mother out for her blood. She was small, weak, and insignificant. She was average to look at and boring as hell. So what did Mark see in her? She was sure he was probably getting bored with her, especially now that they couldn't have sex until after June tenth. Although he was going to be gone until the eleventh, but she didn't know what the doctor was going to say. She didn't think Mark was that type of man, but he was a red-blooded male who was probably used to sex in a relationship and right now she couldn't even give him that. Yeah yeah yeah... she was thinking too far ahead.

Her cell phone rang and she smiled at the sound of John Cena's entrance music. She would bet anything he was calling to ask her for advice. She answered it with a cheery hello.

"Hey Ashley, its John."

She giggled. "I know."

"How did you know it was me?"

"The ringtone is your entrance music."

John chuckled. "I guess that would give it away. I just wanted to check in and see how you were feeling. I know Taker's in Cali."

Ashley sighed. "Yeah, he is." She replied sadly. "I'm feeling so much better now that I'm actually in my own home and in my own bed. Still a little pain when I move too much, but definitely loads better.

"Damn, that's good to hear. It's also really nice to hear your voice. You gave us all quite a scare. I've known Taker a lot of years and never have I seen him so worried about anything or anybody as I did when you were kidnapped and in the hospital fighting for your life."

Ashley didn't know how to respond to that so she chose not to. "He's still a little worried about Megan being out there, but he's being so caring, attentive, and really sweet. He's been taking care of me this past week. Driving me a little batty, but he's so sweet that I can't help but let him."

John laughed. "Never thought I would hear the word sweet and Mark 'Undertaker' Calaway in the same sentence, Ashley. Can't wait to tell the guys about that." He gave another chuckle and then changed the subject. "How are things between Mark and your dad?"

"I'm not really sure. Dad got called away on Monday and he's been out of town ever since. I talk to him every night but he's so tired that we don't talk about much. I've tried to ask Mark and he says they've worked it out. So hopefully that's true."

"Yeah I hope it is. It bothers Mark that your dad doesn't like him."

"I know." She replied wistfully and then she changed the subject. "So John earlier at the hospital you mentioned a girl...wouldn't happen to be the same girl I met at Extreme Rules would it?"

"That's right I forgot that you met Cedes at Extreme Rules. She loves your ham sandwiches by the way."

Ashley giggled. "Not as much as you do I'm sure." She teased him.

"Yeah not as much - your right." He replied laughing.

"She seems really nice John. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Now there's a loaded question Sweetheart."

Ashley frowned. "So what's the loaded answer John?"

"She's HHH's freaking niece." He muttered hotly.

Ashley snapped her fingers. "I knew I saw something familiar about her when we met. I just knew it." She heard John grumble. "Okay so she's his niece. I still don't see the problem here, John."

"I'm not the one with the problem Ashley, he is. He figured friendship nothing more, not what it is." He told her.

"You obviously care about her, right? So what is this?" She asked concerned.

"Hell yes I care about her! But H is damned stubborn to see that. Thinks because he's her uncle he knows what's best for her and shit." Ashley could tell he was getting a little peeved. Poor guy. She knew the answer to his problem. She couldn't believe he didn't. Men!

"Tell me, John, do you love her?"

He choked and sputtered. "Do I what?" He snapped out.

Ashley giggled softly. "Do you love her?" She asked again.

"I don't know." He barked, getting defensive. "Do you love Mark?" He snapped at her.

She inhaled sharply. "Do I love Mark? Well... He makes me laugh, he loves my cooking, he's sweet, funny, lovable, sexy, and he's just amazing all the way around. Yes, I love him very much, John."

"Oh. Well, I don't know, Ash. I love her hair, her smile, her laugh, her stubborn personality, her can-do attitude and I love that she sees me as a man and not as the wrestler." He sounded almost sad.

"Of course she sees you as a man because that's what you are. Wrestling is just your career, John. That would be like me dating Jordan just because he was a doctor. It's crazy."

"Why did you date that man?"

Ashley sighed... "Temporary insanity." She muttered. "My point is… do you love her?" She asked again more forcefully.

"I love everything about her so maybe…" He trailed off.

"You love her, John. You can't deny it." She pointed out what he couldn't see.

She heard him sigh. "Then what do I do to make H see that."

Ashley took a deep breath. "Put up your job." She said quickly.

"I'm sorry? Did I hear that right?"

She rolled her eyes. "You love her, John. You just said you did. You want to be with her. Prove it to H. Put up your job. Show H that you're serious about her. Do you honestly think Cedes or for that matter, H is going to let you walk away from WWE. No, they won't but it will show H that you care deeply for her and love her without any doubts. And if you don't have any doubts, then H won't either."

John was silent for the longest time and Ashley wasn't sure what he was thinking at all. In fact, she was getting kind of worried.

"Ashley?"

"Yes?"

"I think you're a genius, Sweetheart. In fact, I'm going to have to get you something in gratitude. A car maybe. Or a house. You're amazing Ashley! Thanks!"

She started laughing and was about to tell him that he didn't need to do anything of the kind when she realized that he had already hung up. She laughed harder and tossed her phone onto the table. She picked up her forgotten yogurt and took a bite, still grinning.

"You love him?"

Ashley jumped at the sound of her dad's voice and looked up. "Dad!? I didn't even hear you or the elevator. How did you do that?"

Her father shrugged. "You love him?"

Ashley tried to calm her racing heart and nodded. "Yes, I love Mark. I'm in love with Mark. He's my world and although I don't know how much longer I'll have with him, I'm going to treasure every second."

Her dad grabbed his own yogurt and sat down next to his daughter. "Why do you love him?" He asked seriously.

"He's just perfect, Dad. He's funny and down to earth. Although he's a large man, he doesn't use his size to get what he wants. He doesn't use his status as a celebrity to pull strings or to get what he wants. He loves my cooking and he's always willing to be my guinea pig when I want to try something new; whether or not it's a dessert or an entrée or an appetizer. He can make me smile just by looking at me with those green eyes of his and when I'm feeling sad or angry, he can make me laugh. He knows pretty much everything about me, but he still likes me."

Ben shook his head. "As I was driving over here, I was determined to talk to you about this thing with Mark. To make you see reason that he isn't right for you."

Ashley gaped at her dad. "What?"

He nodded, taking a bite of his yogurt. "But I'm not going to do that now."

Ashley shook her head. "You're not?"

"Nope. Instead I'm going to give you my best and demand grandbabies soon. I want a little boy that I can teach football to and watch wrestling with."

Ashley shook her head harder. "Dad, what are you talking about? Mark doesn't love me. I love him. I'm not going to marry him. You seen for yourself how he reacted to being called my husband." Ashley was almost in a panic.

Her dad pulled her into a hug. "Shh. Calm down, Sunshine. You'll see that everything will turn out just fine." He told her, pulling back to look into her eyes. "You'll see. Everything will be just fine."

Still shaking her head, she tried to get her dad to see reason. "Dad, you don't understand –"

He cut her off, changing the subject. "Can you believe that his friends had him drugged?" He asked, chuckling.

Ashley grinned thinking about it. "No, I can't believe they did that. I bet Mark was really mad."

Her dad nodded. "Oh he was pissed."

The laughed and ate their yogurt, but Ashley's mind was still on Mark and how much time she had with her knight in his black shiny armor.

Saturday Morning June 8, 2013

She woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing in her ear telling her that she had a text message. She reached over and grabbed her phone and hit the correct button. Mark's face popped up on the screen and she couldn't help but laugh. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he had just woken up. Underneath the picture, he wrote, 'I really do look like the DeadMan'.

She giggled, took a picture of herself and sent it to him. His reply was almost immediate.

Are you trying to kill me, baby girl?

She frowned and responded.

What do you mean?

Once again his reply was instant.

Look down baby.

She frowned harder and looked down. She started to laugh when she noticed one of her boobs had popped out of her pajama top.

Lol! Sorry I didn't see that.

She hit send.

I love your perfect breasts, Baby, but I wasn't quite ready for that image this morning.

She took another picture, this time she stuck out her tongue.

Put that tongue back in your mouth. Since I'm not there to show you how to use it, I don't want to see it.

She frowned.

You're grouchy this morning.

:-( I'm sorry baby girl. I just miss you and I want to hold you.

Awww… I miss you too Mark.

About an hour later, her phone went to buzzing again. It was another picture of Mark, but this time he was sitting down, slouching in his chair, his legs spread. The look in his eyes made her tummy tighten and her panties damp. The words he added, made her gasp.

Fuck! I've been hard for you since I left. I can't wait for the 10th, baby girl. I'm gonna rock your little world.

That was when she noticed the bulge in his pants. Damn! She wasn't sure how to respond, but she was definitely interested and aroused. Her breathing was coming fast, her nipples were hard and she was definitely wet. She took a minute to think before making up her mind. She grabbed her phone and headed towards her bathroom. She turned the water on super-hot until the glass door fogged up. She turned back the hot and turned on the cold and quickly stripped. Mark was going to kill her for this, but she knew the reaction it would get from Mark and she wanted him and that raw reaction.

She pressed herself up against the glass and snapped the picture. She looked at it before she sent it, giggling. He was going to be able to tell she was naked behind the shower glass door, but only the shadows hinted at her naked nipples and the hair between her legs. It was going to drive Mark crazy!

She typed, 'I'm ready and willing, Mark,' and then hit send.

His reply was instant and she almost came on the spot.

Baby Girl, paybacks are a bitch! I'm going to fuck you until you're screaming at me to let you cum. My tongue, my fingers, and my cock, baby girl. I'm going to drive you insane!

Oh My!