Disclaimer: I only own Alexandria Noles (Alex) and a few other lesser characters. Any wrestlers mentioned do not belong to me (no matter how much I wish!!) the only belong to themselves.

Shannon was sitting in the living room with Destiny playing in the floor. He looked at his watch for the eighth time in the last 10 minutes.

"Alex! Would you come on! We were supposed to be at Matt's like half an hour ago!" He called out down the hall as he tried to not let his aggravation show.

Alex had cried for close to an hour before she finally fell asleep, and Shannon had allowed her a few hours of rest before he woke her up to get ready for the BBQ. He ran his hand through his hair. Obviously he should have woken her up earlier, since it didn't seem like the hour he had allowed for wasn't enough.

"I'm coming Shan, hold your horses!" Alex's voice drifted back to him from the bathroom where she was messing with her hair. Shannon let out a small 'Hmph' in response but knew she didn't hear him. Finally he heard her footsteps coming towards him. The blonde man stood and raised Destiny to his hip before turning to grab the diaper bag, catching a glimpse of Alex. Her hair was straightened for the first time in a long while, falling about two inches above her shoulders and framing her face. She had put some makeup on, a rarity for her, but the smokey eyeshadow made her eyes pop. And the clear lip gloss he could tell she was wearing fit her, as well as helping set off the outfit she was wearing. She was wearing a pair of low cut jeans that fit her curves and a fitted black tee with a purple outline of a heart. Her black and purple DC shoes matched. It was her normal style, comfortable & casual, but cute. Alex had never been one to just wear a dress unless need be, but despite her casual appearance, she looked very good. Shannon finally peeled his gaze away when he realized he was staring.

"Ready?" Alex mused grabbing for her keys, and walked toward the door.

"Honey, I've been ready for forty-five minutes." Shannon smiled at her, with her right in front of him, it was impossible to stay irritated.

Matt stood as he noticed Shannon and Alex walking out onto the patio.

"It's about time you guys got here! You're just a lil late." He joked as he took hugged Alex.

"Yeah, it wasn't my fault. Someone took way too long to get ready." Shannon chuckled as he pointed towards Alex. She feigned ignorance.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, I did not take too long." Matt looked his sister in law over, glad to see she was trying to be herself again. Her clothing choices and her hair was a change as she had seemed to live in baggy clothes and kept her curls in a pony tail since the accident. Gil emerged from the house and immediately made his way to his granddaughter. He lifted the little girl to his lap before addressing Shannon or Alex.

"Hey there boy. And Alex, you look good sweetheart." The young brunette smiled a little at the compliment.

"Well, c'mon, join in the fun." Matt motioned to the rest of the people in attendence before handing Shannon a beer and offering one to Alex. She shook her head.

"Nah, better not. I'm a mommy now, remember?"

"If you want Alex, I could keep her tonight. It'll give you a little break, and let you cut loose tonight. Just switch the carseat over to my car. I was gonna leave a lil earlier anyways." Gil looked up to the girl and waited on her answer.

"Are you sure pops? I mean, I don't mind if you really want to, but I can go without drinking." Gil ended the conversation when he stated.

"It's settled then, boy give the lady a drink."

Alex looked around the yard. This was the first time she had been around most of these people since Jeff's funeral. And some of them had not been there for that, so the awkwardness that was felt on everyone's part was slightly annoying. Taking another sip from her beer, Alex looked around for a comforting face. Her options had dwindled since Gilbert left with Destiny about an hour prior. She knew that when all else failed she could make her way to the seat by his side and relax without questions. But now, with her fail safe gone, she was sitting alone away from the festivities. She could see both Shannon and Matt milling around with their friends. A few people from the WWE were there for the party, such as Ashley, Mickie, Shane, Randy and a few others that she had been lucky enough to avoid. The other four had all taken their chances at talking with her. Ashley and Mickie had both come together, which ended up being a blessing in disguise since Mickie had stumbled over her words and was successfully making the new found widow feel horrible. But Ashley had been a saviour by pushing the other girl out of the conversation subtly before she could cause any more harm. The blonde diva held a normal conversation with Alex, but it had seemed strained on both ends resulting in relief when Ashley was called away by Matt. Shane had pretty much left his encounter to only a hug, whereas Randy had joked around with her. He seemed the most at ease with her, but he too had been demanded elsewhere. So now here she was, sitting just out of the circle of light on a bench, alone. Alex turned up the brown bottle to find out it was nearly empty. The sound of a popping twig caused her blue gray eyes to raise.

"Hey. I was wondering what happened to you." Matt took a seat next to her.

"Ah, just decided to catch some me time." Alex lied. "Shouldn't you be visiting with your guests?"

Matt laughed.

"I've visited alot with everyone already. Figured I just catch some 'me' time too."

"Haha smartass." Alex responded to his joke about her excuse. She didn't really think he'd buy it, but she didn't expect him to call her out on it.

"Now, really... Why you sittin' over here all by your lonesome?" Matt placed his arm around the back of the bench and Alex rested her head on his shoulder.

"Just thinking. Everyone seems so weirded out by me anyways. I didn't see a point in making everyone else totally uncomfortable because of me."

"They just don't know what to do or say yet. It's not their fault, but it isn't yours either. They will get over it. Hell Alex, I didn't know how to act around you at first. But I got better, right? And look at Shannon. He's gotten better. Dad was never lost, he's just wise like that though." The older man smiled down on Alex.

"Yeah, I know." The two sat in silence for about ten more minutes before Alex broke it.

"Ya know what? I remember the last time I was at one of your 'parties'. Destiny had just been born about a month earlier. It was our first time out without her. It was so nice to just be a couple again, just Jeff and I. I mean, I loved it when we were all together as a family, but there was something special about just me and Jeff time too, ya know? His smile as he passed me another beer, his laugh as ya'll joked about something... Him pushing you into the wall..." Alex laughed as she enjoyed the memories.

"I remember that! I scraped my arm up bad! That's not funny!" Alex shot him a playful glare. "I remember how proud he was to show you off though. It kinda threw some people off since... well you know."

"Yeah, the circumstances. I know." Matt patted her arm.

"Ya know you never trapped him, right? He was happy with you. He loved you."

Alex's eyes lowered for a moment before she looked back up at him.

"Ya know I love ya, right Mattie?" She forced a happy looking smile as she reached for a hug.

A/N: Another longish chapter! I'm proud of myself! Haha. Thanks muchly to my readers, and of course, my loyal reviewers: 68 stones; BlackSuicideAngel; KaraAlissa && Inday. Again, ya'll just keep this story going!!! As always, please review if you like the story, hate the story, or just wanna hit the lil review button! It's always nice to get feedback about it all!!! Em.