Author's Notes: I'd like to thank annskieesofresh, Medieval Mystic, The Niki Reid, AshMattXoXo, SandraSmit19, Fozzy-Floozy, shadeana395, Rheya-Goddess, Westfan, littleone999, purplefeather21 and Disco Inferno1 for your awesome reviews for chapter twenty-five. I don't tell y'all enough how much I appreciate every single one of your comments.
Additionally thanks to Gin (Disco Inferno1, USER ID: 339498) and Karen (IMissPadfoot, USER ID: 1133633) for your help with this chapter. You girls are the best!
Warning: This chapter contains mild sexual content that may not be suitable for readers under sixteen. If you'd like a censored version please let me know and I'd be happy to arrange something. (Why you'd want to though, is beyond me!)
Chapter Twenty-six: Inappropriately timed women's issues
When Charlotte arrived at the airport in Columbus, Ohio, she was so excited about seeing Chris that she didn't even notice that her medication had worn off, and that her cramps had returned.
Humming softly to herself, Charlotte collected her suitcase from the luggage carousel, and then headed to the arrivals lounge for the flights from Tampa, Florida – where Chris would be flying in from his apartment in the sunshine state.
Looking around, Charlotte spotted her boyfriend, squealed in delight and then rushed into his waiting embrace.
"I miss you," she whispered, kissing him fiercely on the lips.
"I missed you too, Princess," Chris returned, holding her tightly to him. After a few moments, he broke the embrace and took her free hand – both of their other arms pulling their cases behind them – and gazed at her questioningly. "Are you ok, you look kind of pale?"
"I'm feeling a little under the weather, but I'll be fine once we get back to the hotel," she assured, another wave of pain sweeping over her stomach.
The couple made their way out of the airport, found an available cab, and rode to the hotel Chris had booked them into.
Grabbing her toiletries bag from her suitcase, Charlotte headed to the restroom to freshen up. Despite taking some more pain killers in the taxi on the way to the hotel, she was feeling a little groggy again. Usually, her periods never gave her this much trouble, and Charlotte worried something might be wrong. Vowing to make a doctor's appointment for the next time she was at home, Charlotte tried to put the issue to the back of her mind and enjoy the few days she had alone with Chris.
"Are you sure you're ok, Princess?" he inquired, as she re-entered the room and sat down on the bed. "Tell me if you're getting sick, and I'll look after you."
"Honestly, I'm fine," insisted Charlotte, feeling a little stupid explaining the real reason she was feeling so off. "I just think I need a little nap, if you don't mind? Wake me in a few hours, and we'll get ready to go to dinner, ok?"
"Sure thing, Charlie. Just let me know if I can get you anything," returned Chris.
"Thanks, but I'm good for now," replied Charlotte. "Are you sure you'll be ok on your own if I take a nap? I feel kind of bad for deserting you when we're meant to be spending time together."
"It's fine, Princess. You just get some rest," assure Chris. "We've got plenty of time together, and I'll be right here. I'm sure I'll be able to amuse myself for a few hours with the sports or music channels."
"Ok, thank you," returned Charlotte, kissing him affectionately on the cheek, and then climbing under the covers. "I love you."
"Love you too," Chris said, tucking the blankets under Charlotte's chin and kissing her on the forehead.
When Charlotte awoke a few hours later, Chris was sitting on the bed next to her, gently stroking her hair, as he watched a documentary on VH1.
"Hey," she said, sitting up and wiping her eyes.
"Hey," returned Chris. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah thanks," returned Charlotte, feeling better from the rest, before looking to the clock on the bedside table and inquiring, "What time is it?"
"Just after three," informed Chris, as Charlotte stared in puzzlement at the can of Coke, bottle of pain killers and packet of cinnamon rolls next to her. They hadn't been there before, and for a moment she couldn't work out where the confections had come from.
"Did you get these?" she asked.
"Erm, yeah. I saw your tampons in the restroom, and assumed that's why you'd been feeling so off all day," returned Chris, brushing his fingers through his hair and grinning sheepishly. "So I figured you'd like a little treat when you woke up."
"Bless your heart, that is so sweet," replied Charlotte with a beaming smile, as she pressed her lips to his. "Thank you so much, they're just what I needed."
"It's nothing," insisted Chris, with another sheepish shrug, as he returned the embrace.
When the couple finally broke apart, Charlotte swallowed down two tablets, and then greedily consumed the can of Coke and Cinnamon rolls. For the moment, the pain killers seemed to be doing nothing for her cramps, but the sugar rush was working wonders.
They remained snuggled together in bed for a while longer, happy simply to be together, as they watched TV. Chris idly twirled a lock of Charlotte's hair through his fingers, as she gently caressed his shoulders and arms.
Finally Charlotte sat up and announced, "We should be getting ready for dinner now, so I'm going to take a bath, ok?"
"Sure thing, Princess," returned Chris. "Is there anything you want me to do for you while you're in there?"
"No, I'm good, thanks for asking," she replied, rising from the bed, and taking her robe and a towel from her suitcase.
"Ok," said Chris, taking a change of clothes from his own luggage. "I'm just going to run an iron over my jeans."
"Alright," responded Charlotte, as she slipped into the washroom. "I won't be too long."
Once the bath was filled with warm water, and strawberry scented bubbles, Charlotte climbed into the tub and relished the feel of the hot liquid, as it soothed her aching body. She closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply.
As she lay in the bath, relaxing, Charlotte was suddenly brought out of her tranquil haven by a knock on the door.
"Is it ok if I come in?" inquired Chris. "I need to have a shave and style my hair."
"Sure, the door is unlocked," Charlotte called back.
Chris entered the room, and taking one look at Charlotte in the bath, covered in bubbles, he froze in the doorway.
"Damn," he muttered to himself. "You look good in there."
Charlotte giggled, and shook her head in amusement. What was he expecting that I take a bath fully clothed? she thought to herself.
Looking up at her boyfriend, Charlotte's breath caught in her throat. He was now standing besides the sink, in tight blue jeans, without a top on, as he lathered shaving cream over his face.
"I could say the same about you," she commented suggestively.
Chris turned to face her, his blue eyes sparkling playfully.
"You know, if I wasn't already half dressed, I'd be tempted to join you in the bath," he informed with a raised eyebrow.
"I wouldn't bother," returned Charlotte with a sigh. "The water has gone cold now, so I'm getting out."
"Even better," said Chris with a cheeky grin, as he took her robe off the rail and walked towards her. As Charlotte stood up, he wrapped it around her and lifted her out of the bath. Then, carrying her fireman style over his shoulder, he slapped her ass, strode into the bedroom and set her down on her feet in front of the bed. "Now I have you just where I want you."
Charlotte gazes up at Chris, and was left breathless at the lustful look in his eyes. With an impish smile, she lay back on the bed, and invited him to join her.
"You know, all that's separating your naked body from me is that robe," Chris commented suggestively, his fingers caressing the ties of the garment.
And all that's stopping me from straddling you right now is inappropriately timed women's issues, Charlotte thought ruefully to herself.
"I think you're forgetting one important detail," she sighed in reply, thinking that her period couldn't have come at a worse time.
"That doesn't stop me from looking though, does it?" he whispered seductively in her ear, as his fingers untied the robe, and slipped slowly across her naked stomach.
"I suppose not," she murmured in reply, feeling beyond frustrated with the current situation. If Charlotte had her way, they'd be continuing where they'd left off in the car a few days previously.
"Damn, you smell good enough to eat," Chris growled, his hot hands trailing up Charlotte's body and to her breasts.
Charlotte flinched momentarily, as he lightly pinched her nipples. They were beyond sensitive at the moment, and the action that would have usually made her to swoon with desire caused a renewed wave of cramps to course through Charlotte's body.
"I'm sorry, Princess," Chris whispered, placing light kisses across her breasts. "I shouldn't be so selfish; it's just that you look so good."
"It's ok," Charlotte assured him, her voice husky with lust. "I want this as much as you do, but maybe it's worth waiting until I don't feel like I'm going to pass out from pain."
Chris nodded in agreeance, turned over, propped himself up on his elbows and looked directly into Charlotte's eyes, "You know, if you're feeling this bad, maybe we should leave going out for dinner?" he suggested.
"No, we can't do that," Charlotte protested. "I don't want to ruin our plans just because my periods have decided to be evil."
"Princess, my only plans for these few days was being with you," he insisted. "I only suggested going out for dinner because I wanted to do something special for you. If you're not up to it, I won't mind at all. I'd be more than happy snuggling in bed together, getting some take out and watching a movie."
Charlotte smiled, touched by how much he cared for her. "Are you sure you won't mind? Because, to be honest, I don't really feel up to it and snuggling in bed sounds perfect right about now."
"I don't mind one bit, as long as you're happy," he assured her, placing a light kiss on her forehead. "You go and get changed into something comfy, and I'll order some take out. What do you fancy?"
"You decide," replied Charlotte. "You're willing to stop in for me, so the least I can do is let you pick what we have for dinner."
"Ok, is Chinese alright?" returned Chris, throwing on a t-shirt and reaching for the phone.
"Yeah, sounds good to me," Charlotte agreed, rising from the bed and heading back to the washroom to get dressed.
Charlotte returned five minutes later, wearing her favourite pink flannel pyjamas and fluffy slippers, with her hair pulled into a messy ponytail and the loose strands held in place with a cloth headband.
"All sorted?" she inquired, sitting down at the vanity table with her toiletries, as she began removing the remains of the make up she'd been wearing.
"Uh-huh. They said it'll be here in about thirty minutes," Chris informed and then watched Charlotte curiously, as she toned and moisturized her face. "Do you do all this every night before you go to bed?"
"Yeah, or else my skin would get dry and sore," she informed, throwing the used cotton ball into the wastepaper basket.
"Women," Chris muttered to himself with an amused shake of his head. "You're all very strange creatures."
"What?" Charlotte questioned, turning to him in puzzlement. To her, cleansing, toning and moisturizing her face before bed was simply as much a part of her nightly routine as brushing her teeth was. "It's good for you, honestly. Come here and I'll show you."
"No way. I'm not letting you put that crap on my face, I'll smell like Paulo or something," Chris commented facetiously.
"Paulo smells good," she insisted. "Besides, it isn't scented. Go on, let me cleanse your face, I promise, it won't turn you gay or anything."
Chris shrugged his shoulders and sighed, resigned to the fact she wasn't going to give up on this. "Ok," he conceded.
Charlotte grinned, and shuffled along on the stool to allow him to sit besides her. Then, after taking a clean cotton ball, and dabbing it with cleanser, she turned to face him.
"Ok, close your eyes," she instructed.
Chris did as he was told, and Charlotte gently swept the cotton ball over his face. Then, she applied a little moisturizer to her finger tips, and softly massaged it into his skin.
"See, that wasn't too bad, was it?" she inquired once she'd finished.
"No, I suppose not," Chris replied, rubbing his cheeks that now felt unusually smooth. "Actually, it was quite nice."
Charlotte giggled and shook her head. "Men," she teased. "They don't even know a good thing when they see it."
Chris laughed in response, rose from the stool, and went to find his wallet to pay for the takeout that was due to arrive in five minutes time.
When the couple finally had their food, Charlotte switched the TV on, leaving VH1 to play in the background, as Chris took of his jeans, so that he was more comfortable in just his boxers and t-shirt, and sat down on the bed.
"This is just what I needed," Charlotte commented with a grin, as she hungrily ate her noodles straight from the carton with plastic chopsticks.
"Uh-huh. It's good, isn't it?" returned Chris, as he licked the sauce from the spare ribs he'd just eaten off his fingers.
"It sure is," agreed Charlotte, setting down her empty carton and taking a large gulp from the glass of coke on the nightstand.
The couple then snuggled under the covers, and Chris wrapped his arms around Charlotte's shoulder, as they fell into a comfortable silence.
"Man, I wish I could play guitar," Charlotte said after a while, nodding her head towards where Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses was playing on the TV.
"Well, the next time we're off work, how about you come home to Tampa with me, and I'll teach you to play," suggested Chris, idly wrapping a lock of her hair around his finger.
"Don't you wanna come home to Mississippi with me, and meet my parents the next time we're off work?" inquired Charlotte.
Chris looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "Maybe. I think it'd like to have you all to myself for a little longer first."
"Whatever you want to do, babe. I'm happy either way," Charlotte assured him, with an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
The couple lapsed into comfortable silence again, contented to simply be with each other.
Finally, Chris broke the quietness and said, "Listen, Charlie, about earlier. I didn't mean to rush you or anything. Whenever you're ready to take the next step is fine by me."
"I'm ready now," insisted Charlotte. "Only my body has other ideas at the moment. Believe me, there's nothing I want more at the moment than to rip all of your clothes off."
Chris grinned, and a lustful fire lit up his eyes. "Well, I can't deny that it's killing me to be in bed with you and knowing we can't do anything."
"Believe me, it's killing me too," insisted Charlotte with a frustrated sigh. "I know sex isn't everything in a relationship, but it's still important, so to know that we both want to but can't yet is kind of annoying."
Chris looked thoughtful for a few moments, and then he turned to gaze at Charlotte directly in the eyes.
"Listen to me, Charlie," he began seriously. "I love you, and I'm not planning on going anywhere any time soon, so we have plenty of time to think about sex and all that. What's important to me more than anything else is that we're together."
Charlotte kissed him full on the lips, then grinned and laid her head on his chest. "I know that, and I feel the same way too," she returned. "I guess I'm just being silly because I'm all hormonal."
"Which is why I'm glad I'm a guy," Chris commented facetiously.
Charlotte sat up and looked at him through slightly narrowed eyes. "Men," she muttered. "You don't know how easy you have it. We have to go through this every month and then childbirth too."
Chris laughed and tightened his embrace around Charlotte's waist. "Yeah, but now you have me to look after you," he assured, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
"And I couldn't be happier about that," she returned, running her fingers through his hair.
Slowly the couple drifted into sleep, Charlotte still with her head resting on Chris' chest, and him with his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
The following morning, Charlotte awoke in a very cheery mood. She'd just had the best night's sleep in her life, and had opened her eyes as the sun peeked through the curtains, to see Chris sleeping peacefully sleeping besides her.
Additionally, the cramps that she'd been experiencing yesterday were gone, and she figured she was coming to the end of her cycle for this month.
Felling a lot better than she had since Christmas, Charlotte carefully climbed out of bed, and took a quick shower, before getting dressed and popping down to the hotel restaurant to see if they were still serving breakfast.
Leaving a note for Chris, explaining where she'd gone, Charlotte slipped out of their hotel room and made her way downstairs to find some sort of food. Her stomach was growling, and if she didn't get some coffee soon, she might go insane.
When Charlotte returned to their hotel room – now armed with a tray bearing a steaming jug of coffee, a rack of toasts and two smaller plates of bacon and scrambled eggs – she found Chris sitting up in bed, watching the morning news.
"And what have I done to deserve breakfast in bed?" he asked with a cheeky smile and a coked eyebrow.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe being the best boyfriend in the world," she replied playfully, setting the breakfast try down on the bedside table, and kissing him passionately on the lips.
"Well, I could get use to this," Chris returned with a grin. "If I get this treatment from you every morning, I'll be asking you to move in with me by next week."
Charlotte looked stunned momentarily, but then her face broke into a wide smile.
"Nah-ha, buster. This is a one time only deal, so don't go getting use to it," she teased.
After the couple had eaten breakfast, and then Chris had showered and changed – during which time Charlotte called the divas and Paulo to double check they were still meeting the following day – they decided to head to the mall for a few hours.
"You know, it's Abby's birthday at the end of January," Chris informed as the couple consulted the shopping centre map, and tried to decide which store they wanted to do first.
"Are y'all doing anything special for it?" inquired Charlotte.
"I know Debbie is paying for Abby and some of her friends to go out somewhere, but I want to do something special for her myself," he replied with a thoughtful look.
"Have you got any ideas planned? I could help you out if you wanted?" returned Charlotte.
"That'd be really great, thanks. Although, I'm not entirely sure when I'll be seeing Abby around her birthday, what with school and work and everything."
"Well, when we get back to the hotel, maybe we could think up some ideas, and then when you see Debbie next and arrange when you're having Abby, we can start planning whatever you decide you want to do?" suggested Charlotte.
"Sounds good to me, Princess," agreed Chris, kissing her on the forehead. "I'm no where near as organized as you, so I'd be lost what to do for Abby's birthday without your help."
"I have my uses," Charlotte returned facetiously, with a raised eyebrow.
The couple exchanged a look, and then both of them burst out laughing, as they held each other's hands and headed to the first store they wanted to visit.
Charlotte and Chris spent the morning browsing the various shops in the mall, not really interested in purchasing anything in specific, but just being happy spending time together. Using some money she'd received for Christmas, Charlotte picked up a few CDs and books she wanted, and Chris brought a strap for the guitar his parents had brought him.
Finally, the couple stopped at a quiet little cafe to grab some lunch.
"What do you think I should wear to the New Year's Eve party?" Chris inquired, as they sat chatting over their meals.
"Erm...how about nothing at all?" suggested Charlotte facetiously.
"See, I was going to, but then figured I'd make Orton feel inadequate," joked Chris in reply, before continuing, "Seriously though, do you want to help me chose something after lunch?"
"Hell yeah," agreed Charlotte, excitedly. "Then I can turn you into my own personal 'Ken' doll."
Chris rolled his eyes, but laughed none the less. "Ok, just nothing too gay, alright?"
"Ha, isn't that a bit ironic coming from the man who wore a silver, sparkling waistcoat for his return to the WWE?" teased Charlotte.
"Baby, I looked hot, and you know it."
"Ok, you got me there," conceded Charlotte with a grin, before returning to the last of her lunch.
Once the couple had finished eating, they continued to browse various clothing stores, this time with the intention of Chris finding something to wear for the New Year's Eve party.
"This would look good on you," Charlotte suggested, holding up a red t-shirt that had the black logo of a phoenix emblazed on the front of it.
"Nah, I don't like red clothing," protested Chris with a shrug.
"What? Are you being serious? Haven't your new wrestling tights got a red design on them?" questioned Charlotte incredulously.
"Yeah, but they're mostly black, with red patterns. It's not like it's the main colour of them. Red is ok teamed with black or something, but it's too much on its own," Chris justified.
Charlotte giggled and rolled her eyes. "And you say I'm fussy when it comes to shopping."
"Hey, I may be picky about what I wear, but I don't spend half an hour deciding which tacky romance novels I want to buy," he teased in reply.
"I have to get something good, or I'll be bored on the plane," insisted Charlotte.
The couple then fell silent again, as they continued to browse through the rails of clothing.
"Ok, what about this?" Chris inquired finally, holding up a black shirt that had silver pinstripes.
"Oh, yeah, get that," agreed Charlotte, her eyes lighting up as she gazed over at the garment, "It'd look really good."
"Alright," replied Chris, throwing the item of clothing into the basket. "I'm all done, unless there's anything you want to get?"
"I'm good, thanks," returned Charlotte. "So how about we just pay for the shirt and head back to the hotel?"
"Sure thing," said Chris, taking Charlotte's hand, as the two of them strode towards the cash desk.
Once they'd paid for the shirt, the couple headed back to the hotel. After quickly freshening up, Charlotte flopped onto the bed, to join Chris where he was watching some music videos.
"So, what do you wanna do tonight?" she inquired.
"I don't know. Is there anything you want to do?" he returned. "Go out for dinner maybe?"
"Well, I said I'd call Ellie later, so we can arrange when she's meeting me for the New Year's Eve party," informed Charlotte. "But other than that, I'm not too fussed what we do. I'm just happy hanging out up here."
"I know that you mean. It's nice isn't it, being in our own little bubble alone?" commented Chris with a contented sign, as he pulled Charlotte towards him, and lace his fingers through hers.
"Uh-huh. Come tomorrow, we won't get a moment's peace with Paulo and the divas around, and then it'll be back to work," reminded Charlotte.
"Tell me about it. Before we know it, it'll be chaos again, with the Royal Rumble approaching," said Chris ruefully. "We won't get a minute to ourselves."
"No, but I don't think it'd have it any other way," insisted Charlotte. "Before I started working with the WWE, I was a make up artist for a talk show on Cable. Despite the show being televised once a week, it was so boring because there were days on end with nothing to do. At least with wrestling, something is constantly happening."
"Yeah, that's true. I know I'd have gone insane while I was away if I hadn't had my book to write and the band," agreed Chris.
"Y'all got plans to make another album any time soon?" asked Charlotte.
"We've got some stuff lined up, but it won't be until later next year. I just want to concentrate on being back with the WWE for a while," informed Chris.
"Yeah, you don't wanna do too much and burn yourself out," advised Charlotte.
Chris nodded in agreeance, and then asked, "So, what are we going to do tonight?"
"Order out again and see what movies are on?" offered Charlotte.
"Sounds good to me. What do you fancy?" returned Chris.
"I could really go for some pizza about now," commented Charlotte. "As for what movie we watch, I'm not too bothered, so you pick one."
"Alright. How about you phone up to order dinner and I'll see what films are available?" suggested Chris.
Charlotte agreed, and phoned a local pizzeria to order some food, as Chris browsed the movie channels to see what was on.
"Ok, dinner will be here in twenty minutes," she informed as she clipped her cell shut. "Did you find anything good for us to watch?"
"Great. Well Spider-man three is starting in half an hour, if you wanted to see that?" inquired Chris.
"Wicked, I loved the first two. Kirsten Dunst is such a great actress," commented Charlotte. "And I cannot wait to see what happens between Mary Jane and Peter Parker."
"I didn't know you liked comic books?" questioned Chris, smiling in amusement.
"I don't really. CJ was into them as a kid, and I'm kind of interested in X-Men and Spider-man. I love all the comic book movies though," revealed Charlotte with a grin. "Although, X3 sucked big time. I wanted Gambit to come into it, and stop Rogue from taking the cure."
Chris laughed, and shook his head in amusement. "I'd have never had you pegged for a comic book geek," he teased.
"I'm not," protested Charlotte with a pout. "But I'll watch anything with a good romantic storyline."
Chris rolled his eyes and chuckled. "So, you just like the films so you can find out who gets together?"
"Uh-huh, pretty much," giggled Charlotte in reply.
Shortly after the pizzas arrived, the couple snuggled in bed to watch the final installment of the Spider-man trilogy, which told the story of how hero Peter Parker became darker and meaner after boding with an alien symbiote.
After the film had finished, Charlotte called Ellie so that they could make arrangements for the New Year's Eve party. As Charlotte was speaking to her sister, Chris' cell also rang, and he headed into the washroom to answer it, so that they weren't talking over each other.
Finally, Charlotte ended her call to Ellie, and then phoned up to book a joint room for herself and her sister on New Year's Eve, just as Chris returned to the room.
"Did you and Ellie get everything sorted out?" he inquired.
"Yeah, Ellie's booked herself onto a flight over to Columbus, and I said I'd pick her up before work and then she can come to the arena with me," informed Charlotte. "I've also booked me and her into a double room for New Year's Eve."
"Oh, won't you be stopping with me then?" asked Chris, looking slightly disappointed.
"Well, there's nothing stopping me sneaking over to your room," insisted Charlotte with an impish grin. "It's just policy at work for any guest of employees to be booked into a room with them where applicable. Also, if you don't mind, I kinda want to get ready with just Paulo and the girls on New Year's Eve – it's a bit of a tradition we have."
"Of course I don't mind, Princess. I don't want you abandoning your friends just because we're dating," insisted Chris. "Besides, while you were on the phone to Ellie, Cena called and I agreed to hook up with some of the guys in the bar before we hit the club."
"Sick of me already, huh?" teased Charlotte, as Chris came and sat down on the bed besides her.
"Never," he insisted, pulling her towards him and wrapping his arms around her waist, before adding with an amused shake of his head, "But I can't have the guys thinking you've got me under the thumb."
"Oh, but I have," Charlotte commented facetiously, as her lips descended on his.
Charlotte strode down to the hotel lobby with five minutes before she was due to meet her friends, humming cheerily to herself. For the second night in a row, she'd slumbered like a peaceful baby. There was something about lying in Chris' comforting embrace, with her head resting on his chest, which made Charlotte feel more safe and relaxed than she ever had in her life.
With a little bubble of excitement and anticipation about seeing Paulo and the girls forming in her stomach, Charlotte pushed the hotel doors open, and stepped from the stairwell into the brightly lit lobby.
Chris was still upstairs on the phone, having received a call from Abby while they were getting ready, and had promised to join her a little later.
Not that Charlotte minded too much. She knew Abby was the most important person in Chris' life, and would never want to get in the way of that. Additionally, she was looking forwards to some time alone with her friends, so that they could have a good old gossip.
Still engrossed in her own thoughts, Charlotte was startled by the sound of amused laughter, and looked up to see Candice and Maria entering the hotel.
"Happy Holidays!" exclaimed Maria, rushing forwards to embrace her friend. "Did you have a good Christmas?"
"Yeah, I did, thanks," returned Charlotte, kissing the petite diva on both cheeks, as Candice joined them. "Did y'all?"
"Yes, thanks," replied Candice with a grin. "It's was just me, mum, dad and Amber, so it was quiet and relaxed."
"How about you, Maria?" inquired Charlotte, gazing curiously at her friend. "Because I can tell by that look on your face you're just dying to share something with us."
"I am," giggled Maria in reply, nodding her head repeatedly. "Josh brought me a puppy!"
The diva said the last with a delighted squeal, as she began bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, while Candice and Charlotte laughed with amusement. However, the brunette got no further with her tale, because at that moment, Kelly and Paulo arrived.
"Happy Holidays," Charlotte greeted, embracing both of her friends in turn. "Did you both have a good Christmas?"
"I had the best time ever," informed Paulo with an excited grin. "Being back home in Puerto Rico, and seeing all my family was amazing. I've got some great photos to show all of your over lunch."
"How were your holidays, Kelly?" asked Candice.
"Pretty good, thanks," the blonde diva replied. "Aiden was actually nice to me for once, so we had a lovely family dinner together."
"That's great," commented Charlotte. "I cannot wait to hear about what y'all have been doing. But first, we need to eat. I'm starving."
"Been working up an appetite with lover boy, have we?" teased Maria. "Actually, where is Chris? You haven't handcuffed him to the bed or something, have you?"
Charlotte burst out laughing and shook her head in amusement. "No, no, no," she insisted. "He's on the phone to Abby and said he'll join us in a bit."
"Oh, right. Ok then," returned Kelly, as the group of friends made their way to the hotel restaurant and found an available table. "So, how are things going with you guys?"
"Really great, thanks," replied Charlotte, as she took her seat and picked up a menu. "We've just spent two amazing days together, and he brought me the most beautiful Christmas present."
Putting down the menu momentarily, Charlotte looked up at her friends, and then showed them the necklace Chris had brought for her.
"Oh my god," squealed Maria in delight. "That is the sweetest thing ever."
"Yeah, it's really gorgeous," added Paulo. "And looks so good on you."
"Thank you," replied Charlotte, with a grin, as she reattached the pendant around her neck. "So, tell me about your holidays. Maria, I want to hear all about this puppy."
As they waited for their meals to arrive, the friends exchanged news, and just before the food was brought over, Chris joined them.
"Everything ok?" Charlotte asked her boyfriend.
"Uh-huh," assured Chris. "Abby just wanted to say hi. I think she's just a little bored at her aunt's. Both of her cousins are still in diapers, so she hasn't got anyone to hang out with."
"Aww, the poor girl," commented Candice. "It's such a shame she can't come on the road with you more often, we could have looked after her."
"Is Debbie still working a lot then?" questioned Charlotte.
She'd never met Chris' ex-wife, and despite the fact the woman had been married to him, Charlotte held no resentment towards her new boyfriend's former partner. From all that Chris had told her, they'd simply broken up because they had married at a young age and then drifted apart. However, whenever Abby was brought into the equation, Charlotte couldn't help but feel a little tense. From everything the eleven-year-old had said, her mother wasn't at home very much, and cared more about her career than she did her daughter. This bothered Charlotte immensely, as she knew for a fact, when she had children of her own, she'd give up working without a moment's hesitation.
"Yeah, apparently, she has an important contract coming up, so she can't take much time off," revealed Chris. "I suppose it'll be easier for her once Abby is back at school though."
"Hopefully," agreed Charlotte with a slightly far away look. She was still thinking about Abby, and how hard it must be for her to not only getting use to her parents' divorce, but then being passed from one relative to another. Charlotte wished there was some way she could help out, but it just wasn't her place to interfere, and so she remained silent, and would let Chris deal with it in his own way.
The group of friends fell silent once their food arrived, but when the meal was finished, they chatted over a few glasses of wine, and continued sharing holiday news.
Maria told them about how Josh had brought her a husky puppy, and that he was keeping it at his house, while she was on the road with the WWE. She also told them about meeting Josh's parents for the first time – just after Christmas – and how they'd accepted her into their family like one of their own. From everything Maria said, Charlotte could tell it was only a matter of time before Josh asked Maria to move in with him.
Paulo's Christmas was equally as exciting, and he'd caught up with family members he hadn't seen in months, as well as finding out he was about to become an uncle for the first time. His older sister, Roberta was expecting, and the baby was due in early July. Charlotte couldn't be more thrilled for her friend, as he adored children, but because of certain adoption laws in the U.S, he might not ever be able to become a father himself.
While Candice and Kelly's time with their families hasn't been nearly as eventful as those of the other two, they'd both still had a really good time. Candice had enjoyed catching up with her fourteen-year-old sister, Amber, who had recently started dating the son of a family friend. Kelly had also had a nice time, for once getting along well with her difficult step-father, Aiden.
Finally, the conversation turned to their return to work the following day.
"How do you think the moderation sessions with Beth will go?" inquired Paulo. "You mentioned that the last one ended well, and that she'd even wished you happy holidays."
"Well, we made good ground in the last session, and both talked about some issues that had been bothering us," revealed Charlotte. "So, hopefully, when we continue with the meetings, things will get even better. I can't see us ever being more than work acquaintances, but at least the hostility seems to be behind us."
"That's really good, Charlie," commented Candice. "With any luck, life at work will be a lot calmer now."
"Yeah, until someone gets fired or something," Kelly said facetiously.
Taking more drinks outside with them, the group of friends gathered around the hotel swimming pool. Despite it being late December, the pool was housed inside a large glass dome - that was fully central heated – so it was actually quite warm, and they all found it very relaxing as they spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting.
Finally, all of them deciding they need an early night, if they were to be fully refreshed for their return to work, and the New Year's Eve party the following day, Charlotte and her friends decided to call it a night.
"Do you wanna come with me to pick Ellie up before work tomorrow?" Charlotte asked Paulo as they made their way back to the hotel lobby.
"Is that your code for 'I've promised my sister a ride, but I can't actually drive'?" returned Paulo with a smirk and a cocked eyebrow.
"Uh-huh. Pretty much," confessed Charlotte sheepishly.
"Sure thing, doll. What time does her flight arrive?" asked Paulo.
"Just after one," informed Charlotte.
"Ok, no problem," agreed Paulo. "Shall we all meet for breakfast in the morning?"
"We can do if you want to, but the divas and I have a pre-show meeting," informed Chris. "So we'll have to leave earlier than you two."
"Damn, it. I forgot about the meeting, and said I'd collect Josh from the airport," commented Maria with a sigh.
"What time were you due to collect him? Because Paulo and I could always meet him when we pick up Ellie," offered Charlotte.
"Just after two, so it would mean you hanging around for an hour," returned Maria.
"That shouldn't be a problem," insisted Paulo. "But what will he and Ellie do while we're all at work?"
"I'm sure, with it being New Year's Eve, no one will mind too much if they go with you," assured Candice.
"Yeah, it'll only be for a couple of hours," added Kelly.
"Ok, you call Josh and let him know Paulo and I are collecting him" said Charlotte. "And then we'll all meet at the arena to arrange getting ready and stuff."
"Sure thing," agreed Maria. "And we're all meeting for breakfast in the morning, right?"
"Uh-huh," returned Chris.
With the arrangements for what was due to be a hectic day all sorted out, the group of friends said good-night, and then headed up to their respective rooms for the evening.
Charlotte and Chris, still feeling full up from their massive lunches ordered room-service sandwiches for supper, and then cuddled in bed, watching TV, until they both fell into a deep and contented sleep.
The day of the New Year's Eve party could not pass quickly enough for Charlotte and her friends.
When they'd all met up for breakfast that morning, every single one of them were in high spirits and buzzing with excitement.
After a quick breakfast, Charlotte, Chris, Paulo and the divas had gone to get ready, before the wrestlers had to depart for their meeting, and the beauty employees rode to the airport to collect Ellie and Josh.
"So, have you given any thoughts on if you're going to say anything to Jeff tonight?" inquired Charlotte as they climbed into the Latino's rental car.
"No, not really," returned Paulo. "I figured I'll see if anything happens at work today, and then play it by ear at the party."
"Fair enough," agreed Charlotte. "Well, if I hear anything that might interest you, I'll let you know."
"Thanks, doll," replied Paulo.
Ellie arrived in Columbus a little after one, and she was so excited, she was practically bouncing off the walls.
"Oh my god! The party is now only seven hours away," she squealed in delight.
Charlotte shook her head, and laughed in amusement. "Which is why you need to calm your ass down. You'll burn yourself out before we even get to the arena at this rate."
"I can't help it, I'm so excited about tonight," insisted Ellie.
"Excited about seducing Cena more like," teased Paulo with a sly smirk.
"You're a fine one to talk, I hear you're going after Jeff Hardy at the party," countered Ellie.
"Jeez, you two are terrible," joked Charlotte. "I'm so thankful I know who I'll be kissing at midnight."
"Kissing and then some," Paulo whispered to Ellie, causing them both to burst out laughing.
"Damn it, y'all. Calm down. Josh is gonna think we've gone insane when he gets here," commented Charlotte.
"Erm, he is dating Maria, right? She's the most hyper person I know," joked Ellie.
However, when Josh arrived just before two, the trio had calmed down enough for him not to think they were high or something.
The four friends headed back to the hotel, so that Ellie and Josh could drop off their cases, and allow Charlotte and Paulo to collect all they needed for work, and then the quartet went down to the restaurant to grab some lunch, before it was time to head to the arena.
Predictably, on the night that everyone in the company was so excited, the show seemed to drag on and on.
Josh got chatting to WWE photographer, Mitchell Henderson, and the two acquaintances spent the majority of the evening chatting in the crew lounge.
Charlotte and Paulo were inundated with superstars and divas needing their make up doing or their hair styling. Thankfully though, Ellie was there to lend a hand, causing Charlotte to worry that soon her sister would be after her job.
Finally, after what seemed like hours later, the show came to an end, much to the relief of almost every employee in the WWE.
Before leaving the arena, Charlotte had enough time to quickly run around to Chris' dressing room, where she kissed him fiercely on the lips, before telling him she'd see him in the club later that night.
Charlotte then raced back where Paulo, Ellie and the divas were waiting for her. Maria was just explaining to her friends that Josh had gone ahead to the hotel with Mitchell and that she'd arranged to meet him later.
The group of friends then climbed into Paulo's rental car, and made their way back to the hotel, each of them buzzing with excitement about the evening to come.
Finally, with work out of the way, it was time for Charlotte and her friends to get ready for the New Year's Eve party. She and Ellie said good-bye to the three divas and Paulo in the hotel lobby – arranging to meet in the make up artist's room in a few hours – and then they climbed into the elevator.
TBC...
A/N2: Just a quick heads up for y'all, there's only two more chapters of this story left now!! Though, I'm am still 'working' on the sequel!