Hey guys! Here's a bit of a filler but it'll bridge the next few chapters to come! Thank you to everyone reading, leaving me reviews and everything else! It's awesome :) I don't own anything but my character Madison! Anyways, lemme know what you think of this one! (L)

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"Seeing as we're all the way in Ireland and we're viewing this apartment using a phone... Are our expectations high?" Finn asked, planting himself on the couch beside Madison.

She was checking the e-mail Hunter had sent her; going over her new PC schedule and confirming her's and Finn's travel dates for the UK tournament.

She smiled, looking up from her phone. "I think the question should be, are our expectations of Bayley and Sami high?"

"Sort of what I meant," he chuckled, "They'll be lookin' at this place as if they're apartment hunting for themselves."

"I know. I guess all we can do is hope for the best."

"Is that your schedule?" Finn asked.

Madison nodded, clicking on the JPEG. "It's not too bad... When Hunter said they needed me because they were short I thought I'd be in for it. But I'll be in Florida Mondays, Tuesdays at the PC then I'll fly to Birmingham Tuesday nights... Rehab Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday... Fly back Saturday morning and off Sunday."

"Are you sure you won't get burnt out?" Finn asked, concerned Madison may have bitten off more than she could chew. He knew she would be doing Hunter a huge favour helping out at the PC... And it was only till the end of January. But returning to Birmingham on his own and spending most of his days in that house without Madison was unsettling. He knew when it came time for him to return to RAW, it would be the ultimate test. They'd have to deal with the impending travelling coming January 7th, with literally the two of them spread so far apart... It would be just the beginning.

"I'll be okay," Madison reassured. But deep down, buried behind all the positivity, she had the same reservations as Finn. The travelling would catch up with her... There's no way it wouldn't. Madison would basically have two jobs in two entirely different cities.

"I have to be... And you need to be too."

"I know... Just can't stand the idea of being away from you, love."

"At least I'll be able to settle us into our apartment while I'm in Florida... Could you imagine if we had no choice but to leave it up to Sami and Bayley?"

"I guess you're right," Finn chuckled, reaching for his vibrating phone, "Speaking of them..."

"Already?" Madison asked, so surprised, "But I guess it's only three over there... I swear, I'm getting too used to the time difference, being here."

Finn smiled, leaning in and placing his lips on Madison's. "That's what I like to hear."

He answered the Skype call, making a face as Bayley was obviously distracted by Sami. "No, wait... Turn left... Left, Sam."

"Uh... Bayley?" Madison spoke up.

"Oh, hey guys!" Bayley beamed, "How are you?"

"We're good, what about you guys?" Finn asked.

"Spectacular," Sami answered, "But I think I should have taken that left."

While Bayley heard all the happenings in Ireland as Sami U-turned, one thing in particular caught her off guard... A big, sparkly rock in particular...

"Uhm... Wait, are you two engaged?!" Bayley blurted out, putting her eye as close to the screen as if it were a telescope. She wasn't just seeing things... Bayley swore she saw something.

Madison's left hand in particular hadn't gone unnoticed, maybe to Sami who was too busy taking that left. But Bayley had eyes like a hawk especially when it came to sparkly new jewelry shining on her friend's ring finger.

Finn just laughed and shared a look with Madison before peering into his phone screen. "What makes you think that?" He asked like he had absolutely no clue what his friend was going on about.

Bayley pointed her finger at Madison. "... Because Madi's wearing a ring!"

Finn decided he was going to have a little fun with Bayley, which would either earning a few laughs or end with their Skype call cut short. "What ring?" He asked and this time Madison played along. She quickly slipping her ring off, placing it in her lap as she waved her bare hands in front of the screen.

"What are you talking about, Bayley?"

Bayley rolled her eyes and turned her phone to Sami. "Sami!" Bayley's voice could be heard and it startled Sami seeing as he jumped.

"Uh... Yeah?" He asked, brows knit, wondering why his name had been called in such a peculiar manner.

"Did you happen to see the RING Madison was wearing on her FINGER?" Bayley's emphasis made Finn and Madison bite their lips from laughing.

Sami made a face but his eyes never left the road. "Huh?" He mumbled. He may have been one of the smartest, but driving and vital information like his two friends getting engaged like Bayley suspected didn't mix.

"Okay... Never mind Sami over here," She grew frustrated, this time turning her phone towards her, "Fess up... I saw a huge, beautiful ring on Madison's finger and I wanna know if the two of you are in fact engaged... So... Are you and Madison engaged? Huh? Are ya?"

"Well... No, we aren't actually," Finn answered and Bayley's face dropped completely.

"Relax, Bayley," Madison giggled as a glimmer of hope crept back into their friend.

"Technically, Madison and I aren't engaged... Yet," Finn said, earning a huge grin from Bayley. All hope wasn't lost after all. Engagement or not, there was still a ring of Madison's finger as Bayley pointed out; since Madison swiftly slipped the ring back on.

"But it'll happen," he clarified.

"Wait, wait, wait... Engaged? So a ring has been involved? When the hell did this happen?" Sami demanded, all of a sudden tuning into the conversation literally happening before his eyes and ears. But he's been selective on the not so engaged part.

Sami had parked the car just outside "Apartment choice #1" and stole Bayley's phone from her hands, smiling from ear to ear.

"Congrats guys!" He exclaimed, staring into the lens of the phone, "When's the wedding?"

Bayley couldn't contain herself. "Sami? You really have selective hearing, don't you?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, a little offended.

"They aren't really engaged... Finn just explained."

Sami was as puzzled as ever, looking back and forth between the phone and Bayley. "Wha? But there's a ring... You guys aren't engaged?"

"Well, we sort of are but unofficially," Finn clarified carefully for Sami since it was like he was new to the conversation, "That day will come soon... At the moment, it's more of a promise ring."

"Get it?" Bayley laughed as Sami nodded.

"So when did you do this?" She asked as she really was dying to know. Realizing a lot had changed since she spoke to them last was surprising. Just as Madison spoke the words Christmas Eve, her heart had melted into a huge puddle of goo. The look left on Bayley's face hadn't gone unnoticed to Sami.

"What a Christmas gift, huh?" Sami chuckled nervously, "You put all the rest of us to shame..."

Finn shrugged his shoulders, "Nah, I just set the bar."

Bayley and Sami met with the landlord who was quite surprised with such an arrangement; two friends with their cell phone in hand while the couple seeking the said apartment literally watched on. Surely it was not only a first for Madison and Finn but the land lord as well.

"Well, here we go," Bayley said as Sami held the phone this time. She gave two thumbs up before pushing open the door.

The two roamed in and around the apartment, showcasing every square inch for Madison and Finn's viewing pleasure.

So far it had been everything they were looking for. The dinning room and living room was an open concept type. The entirety of the apartment was bright and spacious with siding doors leading to the large balcony outside. But the favourite by census was the beautiful fireplace in the living room that felt like a little piece of Birmingham for Finn and Madison. Out of everyone involved, Sami was having a ball.

The entirety of the video call had been narrated by a very enthusiastic sounding Sami describing what each room was about, where they could hang this and that. He even picked out his room for when Bayley got sick of him. For that, Sami got a nudge in the ribs courtesy of his girlfriend.

"Uh, so where can we put that TV again, Sami?" Finn joked but Sami didn't get it. This time he went on about how great it would look hanging above the fireplace, in front of their couch.

"There's something about that fire place," Finn whispered, nudging Madison, "Doesn't it seem very, very familiar?"

"Very," Madison smiled, just like back in Birmingham. It brought back memories of their very first intimate times in front of the flames.

"So when you two do get married, are we going to be in the wedding?" Bayley asked, imagining what their wedding day would be like. She could envision something sleek, simple and rather smaller wedding than most as Madison and Finn weren't much for dramatics.

Madison's dress would be the embodiment of such a statement too. Creamy lace and satin was all Bayley could think of and it was an absolute thing of beauty.

Bayley needed to stop while she was ahead as she dived deeper into her own fantasies. They're not really engaged, she needed to remind herself. Although she wasn't opposed to the idea of pretending they actually were.

"What? Like a ring bearer and flower girl?" Finn teased.

"Hey, if the position stands," Sami could be seen and heard, shrugging his shoulders as he was serious and all, "I'll make one hell of a ring bearer."

"I'm sure you would Sami," Madison laughed. She envisioned a tailored up Sami complete with his newspaper boy's cap on his head, slinging around a ring bearer pillow as he skipped his way down the aisle. It may have been cute for a four or five year old, but a thirty two year old grown up? Not likely.

"What? Are you doubting me?" Sami asked as if he were offended.

"No, I'm just trying to visualize and it's very hard for me."

Bayley began to laugh. "I already have the image inside my head, you guys... But instead, I'm picturing like a mini Sami as if he were a five year old ring bearer rushing down the isle doing his little jig."

"Five year old sounds about right," Finn agreed and immediately Sami's middle finger shot right up.

"Enough of Sami," Bayley said as she wandered off into the master bedroom with her phone in hand, "I want to hear all about this unofficial proposal! Was it romantic? Please tell me Finn got on one knee! Oh my God, tell me!"

"It was Christmas Eve in the middle of a cottage overlooking the beautiful mountains of Ireland... Of course it was romantic," Madison laughed.

"Yeah I guess I should have already known... But who could blame me?" Bayley sighed, looking over at Sami, "I'm a hopeless romantic at heart."

"I think you've put some ideas into Bayley's head," Madison said, nudging Finn, "Way to go."

"Yeah, I can agree," Sami pipped up, clearing his throat, "I guess all I can blame is you and your overly romantic ways, huh?"

Finn nodded. "Yup... Sorry Sam."

"Slow and steady," Sami shrugged, wrapping his arms around Bayley's middle and pulling her in.

"A the tortuous wins the race," Bayley laughed.

"See Bayley? There's your romance," Madison said.

"Well... What do you guys think of the ol' homestead?" Sami asked, taking the phone from Bayley and showing them around the place once again.

Madison looked at Finn who smiled. "Looks like home, doesn't it?"

She couldn't agree more. "It does... So, is it ours?"

"Definitely."

"Is that a yes? Do you say yes to the apartment?" A way too enthusiastic Sami asked with hints of game show antics.

"Yes Sami," Finn shook his head, "And we couldn't have done it without Bayley, mainly."

"Aww," Bayley could be heard while Sami's face came into the shot.

"What about me?!"

"Okay, okay," Madison laughed, "Thanks to you too Sami... Finn and I have a lovely, new apartment... How's that?"

"Better... But keep it coming."

"Not a chance, man," Finn said, "I think I have some celebratin' to do before we ring in the New Year before all of you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I would like everyone to meet the very wonderful, the very beautiful Madison Reed... Say hello, love."

"Hi."

"She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"So... 2017... How do you feel about that, Mrs. Madison Reed?"

With only a short amount of 2016 left, Finn decided to pass the time with playfully filming Madison with his cell phone. His hand could be seen in the shot, flicking strands of hair from out of her face and she smiled, kissing the inside of his hand.

"How do I feel about 2016 coming on so quickly?" She asked, putting her finger to her mouth inquisitively, "Excited. There's lots to look forward to for us anyways... Like moving, the U.K Tournament and April. 2nd."

"Hmm, April. 2nd? Can you explain?"

"Well... I'm really, really looking forward to a certain somebody making a big return at this year's Wrestlemania."

"Who's that?

"Mr. Finn Balor."

"Oh yeah? Tell me about this Finn Balor."

Madison giggled, peering into the camera once again. "Well for starters, he's this really cute and handsome Irishman... Probably my favourite on the roster but please, don't tell Sami... He'll already be upset once he finds out he's being demoted from my dresser."

Finn turned the phone to face him for a quick moment. "Sorry Sami."

"He'll never forgive me now."

"If Sami ever wanted a Chris Jericho gimmick, the list would do just fine 'cause I think we'd be the first ones to grace his."

"We might need some matching scarves to complete the look... Maybe something flannel."

"Oh God," Finn laughed, letting Madison steal his phone. This time she was the director.

"So... Finn... What can we look forward to in the year 2017?" She asked, smiling just as he did.

"Well, you did say something about matching scarves, didn't ya?"

"Besides that," she could be heard giggling in the background.

"You," Finn answered plain and simple. All that could be seen in the shot was Finn's body lunging towards the camera; onto Madison as they fell back into the bed, wrapped in a heap of arms and lips pressed together. Somehow Madison ended up straddling Finn; her dominate side peeking through. She picked up the phone again, continuing their video.

"You know, we could have a lot of fun with one of these... Especially when you're on the road again."

"I would need a little piece of you wherever I go," he agreed. His hands roamed underneath the back of Madison's shirt, caressing her perfect skin. He could feel her shivers, taking great pleasure in the effect he had. A "love tape" of sorts got him going just as it did for Madison.

"You'll be getting more than just a piece," she whispered, beginning to unbutton his shirt; one button at a time. He was about to put his phone away but Madison stopped him.

"Leave it on. You'll need a little momento," her voice was smooth like silk. Madison finished with the last button and finally she got to run her hand down his chiseled chest, all the way down to his abs. The further she crossed, Finn held his breath. As soon as she grabbed his belt buckle, breathed out heavily and ragged.

"Come here," Finn muttered, his voice a heavy and sexy husk. Madison set the phone in a way that it leaned against the nightstand table, still recording them perfectly in frame.

Finn had a vice like grip on her sides as he ravished her body with his lips; Madison grinding against his pelvis. He moaned, throwing his head back onto the bed in bliss. He was succumbed by the sensation of friction Madison created and the camera recording it all... He'd never done such a thing before, even though he thought he'd done it all when he was living his life as a playboy. But he was wrong... Oh so wrong. The taboo that was recording a sexual act of the two of them drove Finn insane.

"Goddamn... You're one for surprises, aren't ya?" Finn nearly choked out as Madison "surprised him." It was kind of a shock though as her hand slipped easily underneath his pants, caressing him gently. His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head as Madison's hand ran up and then painfully, slowly downward. Breathing didn't come easy as pleasure left him impaired.

"You tell me," she whispered, nipping at his neck and enjoying the sounds that came with it.

"This is about the sexiest thing you've ever done..."

"I like to keep it interesting... Plus, it's not everyday I get this kind of reaction from you. Usually it's the other way around."

"Mhmm... God, Madison..."

She retracted her hand and begun lifting her shirt off, over her head. Chucking it to the ground, Finn caressed her breasts through her bra. His nimble fingers expertly unhooked the back and it too joined Madison's shirt.

"I think this is the best way to cap off 2016," he breathed but quickly turned to frustration by the sudden and unexpected sound of his ringtone.

"Jesus..."

Finn began to chuckle, looking between the tent that his pants had become and the name spread across the screen of his phone.

"It's my mom..."

"Oh my God," she laughed, "Should you answer it?"

"I don't even think I can speak to her clearly," Finn mumbled as he did have trouble catching his breath through the excitement that was a couple seconds ago.

"Madison... You're really somethin' else, I swear."

"Maybe if you're a good little boy, we can ring the new year in properly later."

"Baby, don't tease."

Smiling, Madison leaped off the bed and continued to discard her clothing much to Finn's enjoyment. She reached into the closet and pulled out a pair of black sweats and turquoise camisole- dressing in front of a nearly salivating Finn.

"Well... That only took up eight minutes," she said, peeking over at the clock, "There's still twenty four minutes of this year to go."

"Is the opportunity to attempt what we just did a possibility?" Finn was hopeful.

"Not quite... I'm afraid it's been spoiled."

"Damn," Finn chuckled, leaning over to the nightstand to grab Madison her wine.

"Thank you... But no amount of wine will make me change my mind," she teased.

"Don't worry, baby... I don't ever need wine to make you change your mind."

"Oh Finn..." she laughed, taking a sip from her glass.

Finn took the opportunity to change; only into a pair of grey sweats for now. He was still open to the idea of picking up where they left off as he climbed back into the bed, half naked.

"You know, I can't help but wonder what's in store for us in 2018 even 2019," Finn said, "I guess I'm looking way into the future when it's not even the start of the new year coming up."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Madison shrugged, "I sometimes think about it too... There's so many possibilities in our future."

"Tell me, love," Finn urged, wrapping his arm around Madison as she placed her glass onto the table beside her. She rested her head on his chest and left hand cradling over his heart; the two staring up into the ceiling as if it were a screen about to showcase their future together.

"I guess I'm going to be a typical girl here, but it's always the norm."

"Marriage, which is a given now," he confirmed, his fingers brushing over her ring, "What else?"

"Kids... If we have any."

"I've always wanted kids," Finn was honest, "It's just something I've avoided for so long... Sleeping around just seemed more important to me."

"What about now?"

"I've finally found the right person... So yes, I would like to start a family one day... I mean, I'm not getting any younger. I'm sure at thirty five, people would have expected me to be married with one or two or even three kids by now."

"Finn Balor, the super hot dad... I can just imagine it now and it definitely will live up to all the hype," Madison teased although she was dead serious. Picturing their daughter or son snuggled in their dad's bicep was one hell of a fantasy...

"Maybe next year, if we're lucky... I'll be thirty six by then... More than ready for babies, even marriage."

"What's the saying? Practice makes perfect?"

"And loads of it," Finn chuckled, "The fun part."

But the mood soon turned serious as Finn played with Madison's hair. "But I've got to tell you... Being a husband and father one of these days will be the scariest thing I'll ever do in my life."

"I know..."

He laced his fingers with hers, staring at their hands. He needed to get some things off his chest.

"I wish it wasn't because of the reason that it is... I guess my old lifestyle has kind of defined me, in a way. But before I even met you, I was goin' down this downward spiral that was my life as you know... If it was just me in Birmingham, I wouldn't have accomplished as much as I did... It would only be about me and feedin' my habit... It's crazy, but I often wonder where I would be without you... And it's kind of a nightmare to think about..."

Madison squeezed his hand a little- a bit of positive reassurance even though it was hard to hear what life would be like without Finn.

"I wouldn't have ever thought about the possibility of settling down... I literally thought I would live out the rest of my days lonely and never truly feelin' what love is."

"You don't have to worry about that anymore," Madison whispered.

"I know, love... But thats just the tip of the iceberg in terms of my fears," Finn sighed.

Madison sat up a little. "What else is bothering you?"

"The more we talk about settling down, the more worried I get."

For a moment, Madison's heart became disheveled but Finn explained himself.

"I worry about being a husband and a father... I'm just scared I won't be good at either one. There's always been that glimmer of failure hanging over my head when it came to settling down, if it would ever happen. I guess that's why I've shied away from it," he shrugged, unable to wrap his head around his own fear. He figured marriage and fatherhood would come naturally but what if it didn't? He'd gone thirty five years without it so far that he felt as if it now it were too late... Like he missed the boat or something else metaphorical.

"Finn... There's absolutely no way that can ever be true," Madison was beyond certain. She couldn't believe what had come out of his mouth, actually. The doubt that he feared alarmed her. He was such a caring and loving man... How could he feel such a way?

"But it's something I can't go without thinkin' about..."

"You're the sweetest man I know... I would be so happy to be your wife, you know that... And I'd be so proud for you to be the father of my children... I know in my heart you'll never let me down that even thinking about it is beyond mad... You'll be the best husband and father I could ever hope for, Finn."

She placed a kiss on his lips, peeking her eye open for the time. "11:48," she read from the alarm clock beside them. "I have a proposition for you," she proposed, more than ready to shift the conversation into a lighter direction.

"When the clock strikes midnight, how about we leave all of this in 2016?"

"You're right. There's been a lot of good and also a lot of bad this year... There's no need to start the new year with any negativity whatsoever..."

"Totally agree," Finn said, as Madison hovered over him, "I'm sorry I brought all of that up."

"It's okay... It's something we needed to talk about, right?"

"Yes," Finn agreed, "Just know that I don't have any regrets about giving you that ring... Or one day proposing and having a family with you."

"I won't hold it against you, Balor," she whispered, slowly leaning in and kissing Finn, "Promise."

"Good," he breathed, pulling her in and rolling them over so he could hover her this time.

"It's 11:55... Only five minutes left," Madison commented, looking over at the clock once again, "Can't believe this is the end of the year... You know, this totally beats watching New Year's Rockin' Eve while bombed with Bayley and eating junk all night long."

"Are you sure?" Finn chuckled, his hands sliding underneath Madison to caress her skin, "Don't you remember when you were a little drunk the last time around?"

"Yes... If only I met you a long time ago, huh? And knew you loved the sight of me eating strawberries in front of you..."

Finn chuckled, completely losing himself in Madison's touch- her hands running up his shirtless back and even gently grazing with her fingernails. "It's 11:59, love," he whispered.

"Mmm... Looks like we'll be starting off 2017 just right," Madison suggested, tugging at Finn's sweat pants.

"Madison, how I fuckin' love you," Finn said with such a throaty tone that the vulgarity of his statement turned her on even more.

"Show me," Madison challenged just as the clock struck midnight- the start of the new year and new ventures for the pair.

A new apartment, trip to the UK and Finn's impending return to the main roster awaited but for now, Madison happily indulged in Finn's everything... His touch, his taste, his feel, his love... Everything she loved from 2016 carrying over to the new year and for the rest of her life.