Chapter 25… Everything Changes

Shannon's POV

November 11 2002

Today I was getting married to my blushing bride Crystal. Everyone was getting back together for the first time in years. So many things had changed in all of our lives.

I joined WCW in 1999 working with my long time friend Shane Helms. Just recently the WWE purchased the WCW, which means I now work for the WWE.

Matt and Jeff are still working for the WWE and going strong, they actually just signed new contracts in September. They have won the Tag Team Titles multiple times together and they are now beginning to work on their singles careers. Both of my friends have been in great long term relationships for the past 3 years.

Melissa is living in New York now. She graduated college a few years ago and is now a personal trainer and physical therapist. She's bringing her boyfriend of about 6 months today so we can all meet him.

We are having the wedding at Matt's house. He has a beautiful house on a large piece of land that works out great for parties and in this case a wedding.

The ceremony was long and boring, but I'm a guy what do you expect. Now it's time for the reception. The party begins!

"Melissa!" I ran over and grabbed her in a huge hug. I haven't seen her in so long. She's gotten more tone, but still has her sexy curves.

"Hey Shan, you look good! How you doing?" she responded with the most beautiful smile plastered across her face.

"Great! What about you?"

"I'm doing real good. Oh by the way, this is my boyfriend Mike." She said pointing to the guy sitting behind her. "Mike this is my friend Shannon."

He shook my hand, staying seating. Not a real good first impression to me.

"Where's Matt and Jeff?" she asked me with that same look in her eyes she had years ago when she talked about Matt.

"They went to go change. They'll be at your table in a few minutes."

"Oh really? Awesome! Thanks Shannon!"

"No problem babe. I gotta go change too. See you in a few ok?"

"Ok Shan." She said still smiling. I can't remember the last time I had seen or heard her this happy.

We all kept in touch over the years, but this was the first time we all took the time off to get together.

Jeff's POV

"Hey Matt, Beth and I are all changed so we're gonna head to our table ok?" I asked my brother. He took forever to get ready.

"Ok man, Amy and I will be out there in a second." He responded as I was already on my way outside.

As I approached the table I saw Melissa. She looked great.

"Hey Melissa!" I said sitting down at the table.

"Jeffy! She said jumping out of her seat and giving me a hug.

"How are you doing?" I asked her. Even though I knew the answer. Her body language spoke volumes. She looked happy on the outside, but inside he eyes looked dead.

"I'm great! How are you? Is this Beth?" she asked. I felt like a jerk forgetting to introduce my girlfriend, but it had been so long since I had seen Melissa I was in shock over having her right here in front of me.

"Yes, this is Beth, Beth this is Melissa." I said introducing the two girls to each other. Beth knew a lot about Melissa from the calls I had received. At first she had been jealous, but once I explained our friendship she no longer minded.

"It is so nice to finally meet you Beth." Melissa said. Her words genuine. Melissa actually had become friends with Beth from conversations they had over the phone in the past few years.

"Yes it is." Beth responded politely. "Is this Mike?" she questioned Melissa.

"Oh yeah, sorry, Mike this is Jeff and Beth." Melissa said with a stunning smile. I swear she has gotten more beautiful over the years.

We fell into casual conversation for the next few minutes. Then I could feel the air change. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. I looked around and saw my brother heading to the table with his girlfriend Amy. It was clear that Mike knew something about Melissa and Matt's past from the look in his eyes. Matt had told Amy the short version, but even that had made her jealous.

"Hey guys!" Matt said as he approached the table.

"Hi Matty." Melissa responded. The look in his eyes softened with those words. No one called him that nickname, no one except Melissa.

"Hey Melissa, how are you?" he asked. You could tell the moment was awkward. Neither one of them attempted to hug. Neither one of them left their significant others' side.

"Good and you?" she simply responded.

"Great! This is my girlfriend Amy, and Amy this is one of my oldest friends Melissa." He introduced the two women, but neither one had needed introductions. You could tell from the look they gave each other that they were both aware who they were.

"Hi Amy, it's so nice to meet you." Melissa said with a slight sarcastic tone. "Matt and Amy this is my boyfriend Mike." She said accentuating the word boyfriend as if to say she didn't care who Matt had around his arm because she was taken as well.

"Nice to meet you both." Mike said.

Author's Note: Hope you all had a great weekend! Happy reading! Please review.

xoxo Melissa