Hey, all. OK, before I forget about this, this chapter is kinda up and down in terms of the characters' interactions and moods. Like one minute they're fine and the next they're all emotional. It didn't start that way, but I finished this yesterday and May 9th...well, not going to go into details but it's the hardest day of the year for me. So if you guys are sitting there going 'Holy, emotional roller coaster' I apologize.
Gotta thank John's Country Girl for the help with this chapter. Thanks also to: Cena's baby doll, Wolfgirl77769, kakashishot, blackbear1020, deadmanwalking55, Vader23A, and tomwilliams1990.
Wolfgirl77769: Being put back in jail would be the least of stalker boy's worries if Taker ever got hold of him lol.
deadmanwalking55: RKO? Angel wouldn't do that. She's probably pull off the Tombstone, Chokeslam, or Hell's Gate. And that's only if Taker didn't get hold of him before she did. LOL.
blackbear1020: Do you mean do more stories in general? Or do another Daughter of the Deadman story?
I'll see you at the bottom guys.
Chapter 25: Graduation & Plans
It was June and Wyatt was almost six months old. He had learned to crawl and to everyone's surprise, he was quite content to follow Lea all over the house rather then get into anything and everything. However, just to be on the safe side, they had baby proofed the house anyway. The only problem Wyatt had was that he couldn't get up the stairs. Lea had figured that out already and when she got tired of Wyatt following her she'd go upstairs, leaving him to sit at the bottom of the stairs and cry.
Angel and Kristy were doing really well. Kristy had gone back to training and Angel had continued to overdo it and make herself pass out. Taker had told her that it wasn't good for her, but she had just shrugged it off. Kristy and Adam had started going out and Kristy seemed truly happy for the first time in a long time. The girls were getting ready to go to school for their graduation. The house was full of people. Owen, Davey, and Nattie had come off the road to see Kristy graduate. Dean and Liam were planning to go to see Angel graduate so they were there as well.
Angel and Kristy were upstairs getting ready when there was a knock on the front door downstairs. They heard Taker answer it and immediately knew that something was going on. By the tone of his voice, he knew that it was someone that shouldn't have been there. Angel was wearing simple dress pants and a blouse. Kristy had on a blouse and denim skirt. Angel finished braiding her hair and Kristy finished putting her make up on. Then they both put on dress shoes and went downstairs.
When they got there, they saw what it was that had made Taker's tone of voice change. Kristy's mother Diana stood there with a smile on her face. Angel growled under her breath. Diana shouldn't have been there. She didn't give a damn about Kristy before now.
"What are you doing here?" Angel growled.
"I've come to see my daughter graduate from high school of course. And I want to meet my grandson of course." Diana said.
"You haven't given a damn about Kristy in the last seventeen years and you have the nerve to show up here on the day of her graduation?!" Angel snapped.
"Get out, Diana." Kristy said.
"I'm your mother, Kristine. All I want is to see you graduate and meet the boy." Diana said.
"His name is Wyatt. And Kristy is a better mother to him then you are to her! Now, get out of here!" Angel snapped.
"It's alright, Ang. I got this. You are not my mother! You are not Wyatt's grandmother either! Aunt Julie, Aunt Martha, and Aunt Beth are my mothers! So just get your no good ass out of here right now before I tell everyone what caused that fight at Grandpa Stu's!" Kristy snapped.
"Kris, don't go there." David said, "Just let her meet Wyatt. Then she'll leave."
"She doesn't even have to touch him, Krissy. Just let her see him." Nattie said.
Kristy sighed, but she nodded anyway. She bent down and picked Wyatt up. The little guy had crawled to her and sat on her feet. He was staring at Diana curiously. His eyes were kind of wide. Everyone had one eye on Diana and one on Kristy.
"Wyatt, this is Diana...she's well...she's supposed to be your Grandma." Kristy said hesitantly.
"Hello, Wyatt. You look just like your mother did when she was a baby. He has your eyes, Kristine." Diana said.
"I know." Kristy said.
"Do you know if he's deaf or not?" Diana asked.
"No. He's not. We've taken him to be checked out. He's fine." Kristy said.
"Well, it's about time you managed to do something right." Diana said.
Kristy hung her head. Angel, meanwhile had stepped in front of her best friend and her god son. She was completely livid and fought to get her temper under control before she spoke.
"Diana, what the hell is your problem?! Kristy's your child! You're supposed to love and support her and protect her! You're not supposed to abandon her when she needs you the most! Parents...aren't supposed to leave their children...unless...unless they have no choice..." Angel whispered.
"She more or less didn't want me." Kristy said.
"I don't care about that! Regardless of weather she wanted you or not, she had no right to do what she did to you! A Mom is supposed to love and protect and take care of her children..." Angel said.
"What would you know about that, you little brat?! You never had a real mother!" Diana said.
"I...may have not had my real mother, but I had one who did what she was supposed to until she couldn't anymore!" Angel snapped.
"Alright, that's it! Get out, Diana!" Bret snapped.
"Diana, turn around, go to the airport, get back on the plane and go home!" Owen said.
"Kristy's happy, Diana, and I'm not letting you ruin it." Davey snapped.
"Just leave me alone." Kristy said.
"Fine. I really wanted to be there to see you graduate, but it's obvious I'm not wanted." Diana said.
She turned and left without another word. Davey walked over to Kristy and hugged her and Taker did the same thing to Angel. Both of them were worried.
"Are you two alright?" Davey asked.
"I'm fine, Dad." Kristy said.
"Angel? Are you OK?" Taker asked.
"I...just don't think it's right to hurt your children. Or to leave your children...unless...you don't have a choice..." Angel whispered, thinking of her mother as she spoke.
"I know, baby girl." Taker said.
"I don't think I've ever seen you like that, Angel. You looked ready to snap my sister in half." Owen said.
"Not that it would be a huge loss if you did." Nattie said.
"Nope." Bret said.
"I'm sorry. I...just have strong feelings...when it comes to that stuff. I think it's because of what I've been through, but...maybe not. It might just be me." Angel said.
"It's OK, Ang." Kristy said.
"Look, let's just get going. We'll be late." Dean said.
"By the way, who was that anyway?" Liam asked.
"I'll explain on the way." Taker told him.
Liam nodded. Everyone left the house and they headed off to the school. When they got there, Taker and Davey gave Angel and Kristy hugs. Lea started to get upset when she realized Angel had to leave them. Angel sighed and knelt down and gave Lea a hug.
"Lea, I have to go with Kristy, but you'll see me later." Angel said.
"When?" Lea asked.
"You'll see." Kristy said.
"But..." Lea said.
"It's OK, Baby Lea. You'll see me later. Promise. Right now though I need you to go with Daddy and the others and be a very good girl." Angel said.
"Tay I go wif Daddy." Lea said.
"Angel Baby, is there something you're not telling us?" Dean asked.
"You'll see later." Angel said.
Kristy and Angel walked off. Lea hugged her Dad. Everyone seemed to be staring at him, wondering if he knew. Taker sighed. He tried to not notice everyone looking at him, but after a minute he cracked.
"OK, OK. Angel is singing at the Ceremony. She told me not to tell you guys because she wanted it to be a surprise." Taker said.
"Andel sing?!" Lea asked.
"Yes, Angel is singing." Taker said.
"Will she be able to do that?" Liam asked.
"What do you mean? Of course she will!" Kane said.
"Honestly, Liam." Dean said.
"Angel isn't as shy as her mother, Liam." Taker said.
"I know that. But when she gets up and sings, she'll be the centre of attention and I know she hates that." Liam said.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. She's wrestled in front of bigger crowds then this." Davey said.
"Much bigger." Bret and Owen said.
"Not worry. Andel be tay. She good sing." Lea said.
"I know. It's just...I worry about her." Liam whispered.
"Well, it's about time you admitted it, son." Dean said.
"Look, you don't have to worry. She's perfectly safe. Taker won't let anything happen." Bret said.
"It's not that. I know she's perfectly safe with Mark...I just..." Liam started.
"You're worried she's going to end up like your sister." Dean finished.
"Yeah." Liam said.
"No way. That won't happen." Davey said.
"You don't know that." Liam said.
"Liam, look, I've told Angel this and I'm going to tell you. I would never pull the plug on her if she was hurt as long as there was a chance that she would pull through it." Taker said.
Liam nodded. In the school, Angel and Kristy were in the classroom with the other graduating students. A few of the cheer leaders were there and Durim was there too, although he stayed as far away from Angel as he could while keeping her in his line of sight. Angel ignored him. Kristy was more excited then Angel had seen.
"After this, it's off to the WWE and no more school!" Kristy said.
"Krissy, you're really happy about this." Angel said.
"I only went to school because I had to, Ang. It's only because of Dad that I got good grades. I wanted to make him proud. Aren't you looking forward to going back to the WWE?" Kristy asked.
"It's not that I'm not. It's just I'd always dreamed of doing something with my art. Or singing. Or something like that. I never thought I'd be a Diva in the WWE..." Angel said.
"I know, Ang." Kristy said.
"But I have to be there. Daddy's not going to be able to wrestle forever. And someone has to keep him safe." Angel said.
"Ang...it's supposed to be the other way around. He's supposed to keep you safe." Kristy said.
"I know." Angel said.
"So...are you gonna be alright singing?" Kristy said.
"I've wrestled in front of crowds bigger then this before. I'll be fine." Angel said.
Just then, the girl standing directly behind them let out a laugh. Angel turned and glared. The girl had been in her art and vocal music classes and she could sing just as well as Angel could. In fact, Angel had been chosen to sing at the Ceremony instead of her. Angel rolled her eyes.
"They chose you to sing? Over me? You probably can't carry a tune to save your life." she said.
"I can." Angel said.
"You've heard her in vocal music class before. You know she can carry a tune. You're just mad because someone else got picked to sing instead of you." Kristy snapped.
"Whatever, Hart, you can't sing." the girl said.
"Ang, make sure you sing your heart out when you're onstage would you? Just so you can show this stupid bitch up." Kristy said.
"Consider it done." Angel said.
Kristy laughed. Just then, the teacher came in and told them all to get in a line according to their last name. Angel was right near the front of the line, but the teacher pulled her aside and reminded her that she would have to sing, so she needed to be backstage, but that they would have a spot saved for her. Angel nodded. She went backstage and waited. Angel waited nervously as she listened to all the speeches. They seemed to take a long time to get through and she knew she was due to sing after they were over. She pulled out her mother's wedding ring and kissed it. Then she left it hanging out so that everyone could see as opposed to tucking it under her shirt like usual.
"Alright, every year we have a student come out and sing for the graduating class. Everyone please give a hand to Angel Calaway who will be doing the honour of singing for the graduating class this year."
Everyone clapped. Angel took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage. She looked in the crowd and spotted her Dad and the others standing in the back. Lea was on her Dad's shoulders so that she could see what was going on. Lea had a huge smile on her face. The song that Angel was going to sing was "Graduation(Friends Forever)". Angel took a deep breath and waited.
The music kicked in and Angel started to sing. The song seemed to go extremely fast, but about five minutes later it was over. There was complete silence in the auditorium at first and then everyone applauded. Almost everyone stood up. Angel bowed and left the stage. She smiled as she put her gown and hat back on and went and sat with the rest of the graduating class. She caught sight of Kristy who gave her the thumbs up sign. Angel beamed.
After everyone had calmed down again, they started handing out the diplomas. When they called Angel's name, she got up and walked onto the stage. She happened to look toward the back of the auditorium just in time to see her Dad wiping the tears out of his eyes. He wasn't the only one. Kane, Dean, Liam, and Bret were doing it too. Angel waved at them. She walked off the stage and went and waited with the other Honour Role students.
When Kristy went up to get her diploma, Angel noticed that Nattie, David Davey and Owen had joined in the crying and were wiping their tears away. Lea was clapping, but she had a smile on her face. Kristy and Angel saw one of them lift Wyatt up so he could see his Mom. He had no idea what was going on, but he smiled anyway.
After they finished handing out the diplomas, it was time for the honour role students. Angel hadn't even told any of them before hand that she had made the Honour Role for the fourth year in a row, so when she walked up on stage, they were shocked. Suddenly, Lea yelled loud enough to make herself heard over the applause.
"YAY ANDEL! LOVE YOU!" she yelled.
Everyone got a laugh out of that. Angel just smiled and went back to her seat. The principal came up and made closing remarks. Then everyone in the Graduating class took off their hats and threw them up in the air. Everyone clapped. Angel and Kristy found their hats and then fought their way through the crowd and ran to the back of the auditorium. Taker took Lea from his shoulders and hugged Angel.
Davey and the rest of the Harts hugged Kristy. Dean and Liam hugged them both. Angel looked around and saw her mother standing there. Tears were rolling down her face, but at the same time she was smiling. Angel nudged Kristy and pointed. Kristy smiled.
"Bethany is very proud of the two of you." Taker said.
"She's not the only one." Bret said.
"I'm just glad I never have to go back to school again." Kristy said.
"You never were a big fan of school. You only went because you had to." Owen said.
"And you only got good grades to make me proud and to try and do something right in your mother's eyes." Davey said.
"Which didn't work, obviously. She hates Kristy no matter what she does." Angel said.
"Are you alright, Angel Baby?" Liam asked.
"I guess." Angel said.
"She's still mad about my mom showing up." Kristy said.
"Nah. It's not that. Don't worry about it though. I'm OK." Angel said.
"Is it something to do with WWE? Do you not want to go back?" Bret asked.
"Well, I...kind of want to go to College first." Angel said.
"College? Ang, haven't you've had enough of school? I mean we've been through four years of hell already! But college?!" Kristy said.
"Kristy, don't." Owen said.
"Why the hell would you want to go to college?!" Kristy asked.
"Just one year, Kristy. I want to learn more about art." Angel said.
` "One year wouldn't hurt anything, Kristy. I mean, it would be good for the both of you." Davey said.
"No. No way. I'm done with school. Uncle Bret said I could train full time now that I'm out of hell. No way in hell am I going to college." Kristy said, taking Wyatt from Bret and leaving the auditorium.
"I knew she wouldn't approve. She never approves of anything I try to do on my own. That's why I kept my mouth shut till now!" Angel said, feeling hurt.
"It has nothing to do with that Angel. Kristy has always wanted to be in the WWE. College was never something that she wanted to do. She can't stand the thought of it. School has always been hard for her." Owen said.
"I know that! But that doesn't mean she has to get all pissed off at me! It's me that wants to go to college. She doesn't have to come with me! I'll be fine on my own." Angel told him.
"We know, baby girl." Taker said.
"Kristy is selfish." Liam said.
"She does seem a bit—for lack of a better term—selfish when it comes to Angel." Dean said.
"I can't believe you two!" Taker said.
"Mark...we know Angel is Kristy's only best friend, but it seems every time Angel tries to do something on her own or handle things herself...Kristy gets mad at her." Dean told him gently.
"Owen..." Bret warned.
"KRISTY HAS DONE EVERYTHING FOR ANGEL AND NOW YOU'RE ALL TURNING YOUR BACKS ON HER BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE! TO HELL WITH ALL OF YOU!" Owen yelled, leaving the room.
Angel burst into tears, wishing she hadn't said a word about wanting to go to college. She did think that both Owen and Dean were right. Kristy had done a lot for her and she knew she'd never forget it, but she knew that she needed to do things on her own now. Taker reached out to give her a hug, but Angel just shook her head. Then she ran. Taker told everyone to go and wait at the car and that he'd meet them when he found Angel. They all left the auditorium. Taker walked all over the school before he found Angel on the roof.
"Baby girl..." Taker said.
"I'll never forget everything that Kristy has done. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her and I know that. But...if I don't start trying to do the things that I want to do, I'm going to lose my mind, Daddy. I want to be in the WWE don't get me wrong. I love it. I get to go to all sorts of places...and I love the fans...but before I was reunited with you...I had dreams of going to college. I just want to try...please..." Angel said.
"I'm not going to stop you, Baby Girl, but it's not going to be easy. Vince is expecting the two of you back in the company." Taker said.
"I know, Daddy..." Angel whispered.
"What's bothering you?" Taker asked.
"Kristy is. I just don't get it. Every time I try to do something for myself she gets all mad..." Angel whispered.
"It's the guardian in her, baby girl." Taker said.
"Well, if that's the way they act, I wish I only had one." Angel said with a sigh.
"Baby girl, there's something you need to know. Kristy doesn't have control over her guardian side." Taker said.
"Is that supposed to make me feel guilty or make me feel better?" Angel asked him.
Taker didn't say anything. Angel just sighed and let him take her back to the car. When they got there, Owen was there with Kristy. Angel didn't say a word. She just got in the car. When she got home, she went upstairs and changed into her pyjamas. She heard Kristy come up the stairs. She changed too. Angel was about to get into bed when Kristy spoke.
"Ang? Are you going to talk to me?" she asked.
"Are you ever going to let me do anything on my own?" Angel asked.
"Ang..." Kristy said.
"Don't, OK? Let me finish. Every time I try to do stuff on my own or fight my own battles, you get mad at me for it. Daddy says it's because your guardian side takes over, but I don't care. It still hurts like hell when you do it! If I had have known that my desire to go to college was going to make you so angry, I would have done what I do best and kept my big mouth shut!" Angel said.
"Fine. Go to college. Leave the company. Do whatever the fuck you want." Kristy said as she got up and left.
Angel sighed and got into bed. She burst into tears again and when Kristy came up to go to bed, she pretended she was sleeping so she wouldn't have to talk to her again. It was a few minutes later when Taker came into the room. He walked over to the bed and touched Angel's shoulder.
"I know you're awake and I know you've been crying this whole time, baby girl." he said.
Angel sat up. Her cheeks were tear stained and her eyes were red and puffy. Taker got up and took her downstairs. Bret and the others were sitting around the table. Taker sat down too. Angel stood in the doorway, knowing that if she sat down, she would get an earful from all of them.
"I don't need a lecture." she said, starting to walk away.
"We're not going to lecture you." Bret said.
"Krissy is coming back to Calgary with me. She's bringing Wyatt with her." Owen said.
"It's time you and Kristy to be apart Angel. She needs to live her life and you have to live yours." Davey said.
"So you're all leaving now?! You know what? Forget it. I'll go to the WWE! Forget college and my art and all that. I'll go, OK?" Angel whispered, tears rolling down her face.
"Baby girl, you and Kristy need to learn what it's like to not be with each other all the time. You need some time apart." Taker said.
"Not if it means everyone has to leave!" Angel sobbed.
"It'll be fine, Angel." Owen said.
"Did Kristy say something to you earlier, Angel?" Bret asked her.
"She just said for me to go to college and to leave the company and to do whatever the f-k I wanted." Angel said.
"I told you her being here would do this." Owen said.
"Oh, I knew it would too. It always does." Bret said.
"Diana can't stand to see Kristy happy even for a second." Davey said.
"She's always getting to Kristy one way or another." Nattie said.
"I never should have let her in." Taker said.
"You didn't know." Owen said.
"Angel...if you want to go to college, then go. It doesn't matter what Kristy wants or what I want or what your Dad wants you to do. You do what you want. It's your life, sweetie." Bret said.
"Thanks. And if you're going to take Krissy back to Calgary...keep her hidden so Diana doesn't find her." Angel said.
"Don't worry. She's going to mine and Martha's place. Diana won't find her there." Owen said.
"And make sure you go early in the morning...so I don't have to watch Kristy leave. And so Lea doesn't see it either...she'll get upset." Angel said.
"We will." Davey said.
"If she doesn't change her mind in the morning." Nattie said.
Angel nodded. She went upstairs and went to bed.
The next morning she was surprised when Kristy shook her awake. She sat up, looking worried. Then she sighed. She felt bad for what had happened the night before. She was sure Kristy was going to yell at her again.
"Kristy...I..." Angel started.
"I'm sorry, Ang. My mother...she...well, somehow this got past everyone." Kristy said, handing Angel a folded up piece of paper.
"Something tells me I don't want to read this. Give me the gist of it." Angel said.
"She told me in her own witchy way that you were going to leave for college and that you'd make new friends and forget all about me. I'd be left all alone. Everyone would turn on me. Even Adam. Then I'd go to her begging for her to take Wyatt and I in." Kristy said.
"WHAT?! So instead of telling me what's wrong you just get all mad?" Angel said.
"I...didn't mean to." Kristy said.
"Well, first of all, as long as your Dad, my Dad, Owen and Bret are here, you'll have a place to go. Second of all, I'm only going to College for a year and even if I make friends, no one could ever take your place as my best friend. I'm well aware that if you weren't there for me, we wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation because I'd be with Mom. Besides, I'm not going there to make friends. I'm going there so I can study." Angel said.
"Don't tell anyone, but I got into Springfield College." Kristy said.
"But...that's in Boston...right?" Angel asked.
"Yeah...I applied when John and I were together." Kristy said.
"Are you going to go? Or did you do it to please Cena? And how come I never knew?" Angel asked.
"I want to go...but when I showed Vince the letter and told him I had plans to go to college, he said I'd never be able to set foot in the company again!" Kristy said..
"What?! But that's not fair!" Angel said.
"Yeah, I know." Kristy said.
"Great. Now what am I supposed to do?" Angel asked.
"What do you mean?" Kristy asked.
Angel reached over and opened the drawer to her night stand. She pulled out an envelope and handed it to Kristy. It was a letter from Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas. Kristy opened it and read it over. Then she squealed and gave Angel a big hug.
"Shush! Daddy doesn't know. I didn't want to tell him in case I decided not to go. I want to...but now I'm scared..." Angel said.
"Why?" Kristy asked.
"Because...Vince will say the same thing to me that he did to you...and I do want to be in the WWE after I'm done College..." Angel said.
"What if we talk to Steph? I'm sure she'd agree to let us go to College." Kristy said.
"But what about Lea...and Wyatt?" Angel asked.
"Looks like we gotta do this the old fashioned way. I'll get the box." Kristy said.
She left the room for a minute. When she came back, she was carrying a big cardboard box. Angel was curious. She had no idea what Kristy was planning. She wondered if there was art stuff in it or something.
"Did I miss something here?" Angel asked.
"Remember when we were in junior high and we wanted to do two things at once, so we put the two things in a box and whatever we pulled out was what we chose?" Kristy asked.
"Yeah...I remember...so what are you going to put in it?" Angel asked.
"Our college letters and our WWE Belts. If we pick the letters, we go to college, if we pick the belts, we're ring bound." Kristy said.
Angel nodded. She watched as Kristy put the things in the box and shook it. Then she pulled the lid off and closed her eyes. Angel watched as she pulled out her WWE Belt. Angel sighed. She took a deep breath and put her hand in. When she opened her eyes, she saw that she had pulled out her WWE Belt too. She smiled in spite of herself.
"Well, that was easy. I think someone is trying to tell me something."Angel said.
"Oh?" Kristy asked.
"Yeah. I belong in the WWE weather I like it or not." Angel said with a laugh.
"Looks like we're going back to the company." Kristy said.
Angel nodded. She got up and ran downstairs. Kristy followed. When she got downstairs, Lea was helping Bret and Taker make breakfast. Wyatt was sitting in his high chair. He had apparently just realized that if he banged his hands on the tray, it made sound. He was hitting it and laughing, which was making everyone laugh.
"I knew they'd make up." Nattie said with a smile.
"There...was something I didn't tell you...Mom somehow got this letter past you all last night." Kristy said, holding up the note.
"Do I want to know?" Davey asked.
"Here's the summary: I go to college, make new friends, abandon Kristy. You all turn on her. She goes to Mom begging for a place for her and Wyatt to live since everyone else hates her guts." Angel said in a whisper.
"Told you." Bret and Davey said to Owen.
"So do you still want to go back to Calgary, Kristy?" Owen asked.
"And leave Angel, Uncle Taker, and Lea? Are you crazy, Uncle Owen?" Kristy asked.
"I told you she'd change her mind by morning." Nattie said.
"I decided I don't want to go to college right now. I want to wrestle. Someone has to keep Daddy safe." Angel said.
"Are you positive, Baby Girl?" Taker asked.
"Yeah, we're positive. And anyway, we can do classes online." Kristy said.
"Alright, then after breakfast, it's training time." Bret said.
"Bret!" Angel said.
"You girls need to put in serious training before SummerSlam." Bret said.
"Hello, I've been training to the point of passing out for the last month!" Angel said.
"And if I have to be put in one more Sharpshooter, my back is going to snap." Kristy said.
"Try being stuck in Hell's Gate so long, you come out light headed." Angel said.
"All you have to do is tap the mat, baby girl, and I'll let you out." Taker said.
"No way!" Angel said.
"You think being in Hell's Gate is bad? Try being power slammed twice and then again three times. I'm going to need back surgery before I'm thirty if this keeps up." Kristy said.
"Girls..." Bret said.
"We're not fighting. We're just having fun, Uncle Bret." Kristy said.
"At least one good thing came from my training. Doing top rope moves has all but gotten rid of my fear of heights." Angel said.
Everyone laughed. Lea looked up. Everyone saw the worried look. She wasn't allowed in the basement when they were training because Taker didn't want to upset her, but Angel always came up extremely sore and sometimes her Daddy would be carrying her. Kristy had tried to explain Angel and Taker were practice fighting, but Lea had gotten upset and was now convinced that Angel was being hurt when she went down there.
"Andel not go basement! She get hurt!" Lea said with tears in her eyes.
"No I won't Lea." Angel said.
"Daddy hurt you there. You not go." Lea said.
"Oh, Lea. Daddy's not really hurting me. We're just practice fighting." Angel said.
"And your sister doesn't like to listen to her body when it tells her she's tired. She goes until she can't stand and is in pain." Owen said.
"Yep." Bret said.
"I want see." Lea said.
"No." Taker said.
"I want watch!" Lea said.
"LeLe, your Daddy doesn't let you watch because he doesn't want to upset you." Kristy said.
"I want watch." Lea said.
"Maybe we should let her watch, Taker. Then she'll know you're not hurting Angel." Davey said.
"I don't know..." Taker said.
"Pease Daddy?" Lea asked.
"Oh...alright...but you have to be a good girl." Taker said.
"Tay. I be good. At watch too?" Lea asked.
"Sure. Wyatt can watch." Kristy said.
"I don't know if it's safe for him downstairs..." Davey said.
"We'll put him in his play pen and give him some toys in case he gets bored." Kristy said.
Davey nodded. Everyone sat down and ate breakfast. Wyatt made a huge mess, but he was having a lot of fun and making everyone laugh. When they were done eating, Kristy took him upstairs and gave him a bath while Angel and Lea helped Taker to clean up. Bret took Wyatt's playpen downstairs and set it up and put some toys in it. When they were done cleaning, Angel and Taker headed upstairs and changed. Lea was excited by the time they came back. Angel looked at her and Taker caught the look on her face.
"You OK, baby girl? You look nervous." Taker said as they headed down to the basement.
"Just worried about Lea." Angel said.
"Not worry. I be tay, Andel." Lea told her.
"OK." Angel said.
They spent the whole morning training. Wyatt sat there, playing with his toys and Lea watched in fascination as her sister and Daddy trained. As usual, Angel ignored her body's warning that she was getting tired and wound up passing out. It was then that Lea let out a scream. Wyatt looked up from his toys and started to cry. Lea ran for the ring. This had been happening a lot and Taker should have been used to it by now, but he wasn't. Every time it happened, he worried about her. Kristy sighed.
"Why is she doing this to herself?" Bret asked before Kristy could speak.
"Because we both want to beat those bit...uh, I mean, those mean girls at Summer Slam." Kristy said.
"ANDEL! ANDEL WAKE UP! BE TAY! PEASE!" Lea yelled, tears rolling down her face.
"LeLe, it's alright." Kristy said.
"She's hot to the touch...and covered in sweat. It's almost like she's got a fever, but I know she doesn't." Taker said.
"Come on, let's get her upstairs so she can shower." Kristy said.
Taker nodded. He shook her, trying to wake her up. It took about ten minutes, but finally Angel's eyes opened. She looked around and seemed shocked to find herself flat on her back on the ring mat. Taker helped her sit up so she could drink some water. Lea started to cry and threw her arms around Angel's neck.
"I...did it again...didn't I?" Angel asked quietly.
"Yep." Kristy said.
"Angel, why are you doing this to yourself? Is it because you want to beat Jen at SummerSlam or is there something else?" Bret asked.
"I...have to make Daddy proud." Angel whispered.
"Baby girl...you don't think I'm proud?" Taker asked.
"Yes. I mean no. I mean...well, sometimes I wonder..." Angel said.
"Oh...Angel, of course I'm proud of you, baby girl. Why wouldn't I be?" Taker asked.
"I don't know." Angel said.
"Daddy love you, Andel. He poud of you! You silly when think he not poud." Lea said.
"Ang, there's got to be a reason. Are you having strange dreams again?" Kristy asked.
"No." Angel said.
"Angel, is there a reason?" Bret asked.
"If there is, you can tell us what it is." Owen said.
"I just want to show Jen that I'm through with her once and for all so she'll stop thinking I'm a coward." Angel said.
"So you're practically killing yourself?" Taker asked.
"It's not...I know it's not smart OK?" Angel whispered, trying not to cry.
"Ang, we've battled Jen and that group of bit...um, I mean witches. We can handle them. Don't worry." Kristy said.
"I know we've fought them...but Jennifer is convinced I'm a coward. I have to show her I'm not." Angel said.
"Baby girl, there was a time when you were...well, you'd run and hide at the drop of a hat...but you're not that way anymore. Jen will figure that out when you're standing in that ring with her and you don't back down or run." Taker said.
"Or when you do turn the lights completely out. But no lightning." Kristy said.
"But I've done all that to her before. She still thinks I'm a coward." Angel whispered, tears still running down her face.
"You're not a coward, Ang." Kristy said.
"What that?" Lea asked.
"What's what, LeLe? A coward?" Kristy asked.
"Yeah. What that?" Lea asked.
"It's a person who always runs away." Taker said.
"Oh. That not Andel. Andel not run way. Den stupid. Andel never run from her or run from fight!" Lea said.
"I used to, Baby Lea. And Jen is sure that I still do." Angel said.
"Well, you don't." Kristy said.
"I know that and so does everyone in this room, but she doesn't. And I've got to prove it. Even if it means I train to the point of passing out." Angel said.
"No! No more do that! Not good! Andel be caful more!" Lea said.
Angel nodded. Taker helped her up and took her upstairs to the washroom. Angel got in the shower and then went to rest in bed. When Taker checked on her a couple of hours later, she was sound asleep, holding her teddy bear. Taker walked in and pulled the blankets up so they were over her shoulders. Angel stirred.
"It's alright, sweetheart. It's just me. You OK?" Taker asked.
"Tired...Daddy..." Angel whispered.
"Alright. You sleep. I'll come and get you when supper is ready." Taker said.
"Thanks...Daddy...did you really mean it? Are you proud?" Angel asked.
"Of course, baby girl. You make me proud every day and you don't even know it." Taker said.
Angel nodded. Taker watched her as she drifted off again. He kissed her cheek and she smiled in her sleep. Taker walked over to the window and stared out.
He said a silent thank you to Bethany for having Angel and he said another thank you for having been given the chance to actually be her father. He left the room and headed back downstairs. He could only hope that Angel would tone down the training a little bit, so that she didn't wear herself out completely.
Alright, guys that's it for now. I hope you liked it. Next chapter is back to the ring for the girls! YAY! And I am open to suggestions/help for the next chapter. Read/Review guys. Bye!~Taker's Soul Girl