I like to put actors to characters so here is a few of them I've chosen:
Aria's Siblings:
Daxton Hayden - Austin Nichols
Taylor Hayden - Danielle Campbell
Nate Hayden - Steven R. McQueen
Toby Hayden - Jackson Brundage
Aria Hayden - Nina Dobrev
Rebecca/Becky - Bethany Joy Lenz
Charlie/Charlotte - Kaylee DeFer
Aria's Shield
We'd been driving for a while. I looked at Dean, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Today was the day Dean was going to meet my family. My family was having a barbeque - not for any specific reason, just for a general get together - and I had invited Dean along.
When I asked Dean, it had just been out of politeness. I'd never expected him to say 'yes' and yet here I was with him driving to my childhood home. I'd never taken this step with a boyfriend before and it was safe to say, I was pretty nervous. At least I knew this was Dean's first time too, so he was nervous as well, although he was trying to hide it.
I knew Dean didn't have much extended family and he had no siblings and he wasn't close to his mom. He'd see a lot of things he wasn't used to today.
It was going to be a huge contrast to him as I had a big family and most of them would be there today. As well as my intimate family, most of my cousins from both sides were going to be there. We were heading to the UK in a few days so this would be my last chance to see my family for the next few weeks.
"Aria," Dean said in reply to my question, "I'm going to be fine."
"We've got your back, dude." Seth said with a little nod. "If Aria's scary father starts something-"
"My dad is not scary." I disagreed.
"I get why we're here as back-up." Roman said, "But why are Maddox and DiBiase?"
I glanced in the rear-view mirror, to the car behind us. Brad saw me looking and waved from behind the wheel. Ted beamed at me from the passenger seat. Charlie and Becky had been stuck in the back.
"My mom invited them." I admitted.
"They talk to your mom?"
"My mom likes to get to know my friends." I groaned, "She's like that." I cringed, thinking about all the things my mum could say to Dean. She didn't have many boundaries.
"What if he tries to give you the talk?" Roman said, looking alarmed, "Her dad, I mean."
"If you hurt my daughter," Seth said, putting on a Southern accent.
"I didn't realize my dad was country." I said sarcastically.
"First step meeting the parents, what comes next, huh buddy?" Roman said, smirking widely at Dean.
I looked at Dean, "I told you that Brad would be the better ride."
"That's what Becky said." Seth said, hitting Roman on the arm. We all laughed. Good one, Seth.
Dean glanced at me before turning his attention back to the road, "I get why I'm nervous but why are you? It's your family."
"I've never had any experience with meeting the family either!" I exclaimed, "And also, I know how embarrassing my family is. You should've seen what we did to Olivia - my sister-in-law - when she first came to our family."
"I hope they show me your baby photos." He said with a wink.
I groaned, hiding my face, "My mom's not that cliché... I hope."
We turned the corner of my street and the familiarity hit me as if I'd never been gone. I could remember all the summers I had spent playing on this street with my siblings and neighbours. We lived on a more affluent street and Dean gave a low whistle as he leant forward to look at my house.
"Nice house." He said, "Is it the one you grew up in?"
"Yep." I said, "Well, here goes nothing." We pulled up and got out the car. "I guess we lost Brad and all of those guys." I said, glancing around, "Should we wait?"
"Do we really want to wait for Maddox and DiBiase?" Dean pointed out.
"Good point... but you have to listen," I said urgently, "my family adores Ted and Brad, so you have to be nice to them in front of my family."
"They've met your family?"
"My mom invited them for Thanksgiving." I said with a little sigh, "And they made quite the impression."
We headed towards the front door, my palms were starting to sweat. I prayed that my family would be cool for once. I knocked on the door.
It opened almost immediately, making me think my mom had been spying through the peephole. My mom threw her arms around me, squeezing me tight and lifting me off the ground. Oh mom. I could see Dean smirking at this greeting.
"Good to see you too, mom!" I said as she put me down.
"Well, sweetheart, it's been so long!" She kissed me on both cheeks before turning to Dean, at first giving him an appraising look before beaming, "Dean Ambrose, you are as handsome as you are on the TV." Was my mom flirting with my boyfriend?
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." He said, holding out his hand.
"Oh, please call me Colette!" She said, smacking his hand away and pulling into him a hug. I cringed at him as Seth and Roman both smirked, clearly enjoying this. "My Aria has good taste. She gets it from me."
"Mom." I groaned.
"Oh, shush, Aria, I'm complimenting him. What man doesn't like to be complimented?" She released Dean before turning to Seth and Roman, "Well, I don't want to leave anyone out, come here." She hugged both Seth and Roman before leading them into the hallway. "Roman," she said, looking at the big guy, "I must say, you remind me of my husband back in the day! Nigel! Hey, Nigel!"
My dad stepped into the hallway and the boys immediately smiled, thinking it was a joke. I could see why they thought so. My dad was smaller than my mom for a start and a scrawny guy with glasses.
"Hey dad!" I said and the three of them immediately stopped smiling, realizing my mom was serious. Dean snorted. He had no reason to be afraid of my dad, he wouldn't hurt a fly.
"Hey, sweetheart." Dad said, giving me a kiss on the forehead before turning to Dean, his eyes wide, "Jon Moxley," he said, holding out a hand, "I am a huge fan. Been to a lot of your shows, son. I even took Aria to once once."
"Oh really?" Dean's eyebrows went up as he shook my dad's hand, looking at me, "You never said."
"I didn't know how to bring it up." I admitted.
Dean turned back to my dad, "Fan of the independents, huh?"
"Oh absolutely." Dad said, nodding vigorously, "I was almost disappointed when Aria signed to the WWE." The doorbell rang and mom went to get it. I could hear her cooing over my friends, who stepped into the doorway after they'd all been squeezed by my mom.
"Stop bothering the man, Nige." Mom said, putting a hand on Dean's arm, "How about I show you Aria's baby pictures?"
"Mom!"
"What? You were adorable!" She leant towards Dean, putting on a stage whisper, "She had the chubbiest cheeks! Didn't lose them until she was about nine!"
"Mom!" I repeated, "I'm sure he doesn't want to see them."
"Wait," Brad said from the doorway, "we would love to!"
"Oh, Bradley." Mom said, turning to him and pinching his cheeks, "I'm so glad you were able to come! You're doing such a good job as the General Manager!"
At least someone liked Brad!
As she talked to them and dad talked to Seth and Roman, I gave Dean a thumbs up.
"You're doing fine so far." I whispered.
"At least I'm in with your parents." He said back, glancing at them both.
"Now just for my siblings."
"Siblings?" Dean repeated, "Don't you just have an older brother?"
"Yes... as well as, uh, two younger brothers and a sister." Dean's eyes widened almost fearfully but we were interrupted by Brad.
"Oh and may I say," Brad said, "you look even more beautiful than last time I was here!"
"Oh, Bradley!" Mum said, "You'll make me blush."
"What can I say? It's the truth!"
"Get a room." Becky said, rolling her eyes.
"Speaking of rooms, Mrs Hayden, this is a lovely one!" Brad said.
"Oh Bradley, you know it's Colette to you! Now, come on, let's go out back, that's where everyone is." She said, heading out back.
"It's Mrs Hayden to you though, buddy." Brad said to Roman the moment she headed off. We all headed out into the garden, which was full of people.
A gust of wind went by me... until I realized it was just my sixteen year old sister Taylor, who'd made a beeline straight for Ted, a huge smile on her face. "Hey, Ted!" She greeted, beaming at him.
"Taylor." Ted said before turning away, muttering to himself, "Jailbait. Jailbait. Jailbait." Luckily for him, he was immediately abducted by some of my family.
"Nice to see you too, sis." I said.
Taylor turned towards me, "Oh, Aria, I didn't see you there!" She gave me a quick hug. My sister and I were pretty different but we'd never had any major problems. She glanced at the Shield boys, who were standing awkwardly aside, not paying attention to us, "What a hottie."
She went to make a beeline to Seth but I put my hands on her shoulders, bringing her back, "Whoa, girl. He's taken."
"No!" She groaned, "By who?"
"Uh, by me." Charlie said, lifting a hand.
"Maybe he wants a younger model!" Taylor suggested.
"I'm twenty-four!"
"Which is ancient!"
"Taylor." I said, giving her a nudge.
"Oh fine." She said, crossing her arms and pouting, "There's always Dean..."
"Don't even go there." I said with a smirk, before sensing him come to my side with the Shield on either side of him, "Dean, this is my baby sister, Taylor."
"I'm eighteen." She said, flicking her hair.
"She's sixteen." I corrected,
"Hey." Dean said, kind of awkwardly.
Taylor looked at the three of the Shield, "You know, I read a great fanfiction about you guys. Seth and an OC." She winked at Seth, who looked confused, "Although, you know, there's a lot of gay ones about you guys." She nudged me, "Watch out, Aria, they share a room, don't they?"
"Hehe, I like her." Brad said, putting an arm on her shoulder. Taylor immediately shrugged it off.
"You know," Roman said, sounding amused and smirking slightly, "you and your sister are very alike."
"No we aren't!" Taylor and I immediately yelled together before looking at each other.
"Why are you offended?"
"Why are you offended?" Taylor shot back.
"Because, whilst I love you, you are a brat!"
"Well, you're a bitch!" Taylor said, smiling widely.
Mom made an appearance, putting an arm around Taylor, "Don't worry boys, she's going through that older-men phase." She looked at Seth and Roman pointedly, "She's harmless."
"Moooom!"
"Nate!" Mom said, grabbing my brother as he passed by, "Look who's here?"
"Sister." Nate said, giving me a nod.
"Brother." I replied, grinning.
Nate glanced around at my friends, "Dude," he said to Seth, "what's with your hair?"
"Thank you! Roman, I told you." Brad said, looking pleased with himself.
Roman glared at Brad, "Is there a swimming pool or something I could throw you in?"
"Yes, actually at the end of the garden." Nate said.
Brad's eyes widened in fear but luckily for him, a cousin spotted him, squealed and dragged him away.
"Dean, this is Nate." I said, "The college boy."
"Hey, man." Nate said, shaking his head, "Think you guys should take out Cena next."
"Nooo." A small voice said, "Not Cena."
The Shield all looked around in confusion before we looked down to see the baby of the family, eight-year-old Toby. He took after dad and was small and skinny and definitely the most adorable.
"Toby!" I said, crouching down to hug me. He squeezed me back before turning to Dean, holding out a little book I recognized. "Oh, no, maybe you shouldn't-"
"May I have your autograph?" My brother asked, super-politely, holding out his treasured autograph book, "Right next to John Cena, please." He held out the book.
Dean looked at me but I just grinned. "Uh... yeah, sure." He said, bending low to sign in the book.
Toby studied it closely, seemingly satisfied before going towards Seth and Roman. "Let me just get to the tag-teams." He said before licking his finger and flipping through to another section of his little book.
Dean turned to me, grinning, "He's killing me."
I laughed, "He has that effect on most people. He's the cute one."
"Hm." Dean said, putting an arm around me, "I'm not sure I agree."
"Dude." Nate said, screwing up his face.
Toby beamed as they signed it before coming back to stand in front of Dean and I. "You're my favorite." Toby said, looking at Dean.
"Really?"
"Well. Next to John Cena." My little brother said with a nod.
"A Cena fan, huh?" Dean said, grimacing slightly.
"Urgh, tell me about it." Nate said with a little groan, "I've been trying to wean him off him but he just won't have it."
"No way." Toby said, looking at him reproachfully, "He's the best in the world."
"Excuse me?"
We all looked up to see CM Punk leaning against the doorway, grinning. Toby's face lit up before he bolted towards him, "Punk!" He said.
"Time to go to sleep, Toby." Punk said, going towards him.
"Nooooo!" Toby squealed in delight before Punk grabbed him and swung him onto his shoulders.
"Hey!" Nate said coming towards him, "Is it my turn next?"
"You know it." Punk said before grabbing him in a headlock. "Good to see you, Nattie boy." He raised an eyebrow at my approaching sister, "Taylor? You're next."
"Bring it." She said before cracking her knuckles and swiping out a nail file, "I don't mind wrestling a little." She threw a pointed look at Seth.
"Come on, boys, play nicely!" Mom said, "Phillip!"
I whispered to Dean, "She's the only one who gets away with saying that."
Punk let go of Nate but kept hold of Toby, even whilst he hugged my mom. He nodded at the Shield before grinning at me.
"I hope you're taking care of my Aria on the road." Mom said, poking him in the ribs.
"Of course!" CM Punk said.
"That's Dean's job now, honey." Dad said, putting an arm around my mom.
"You know guys," I said, "I can look after myself."
The Shield all immediately burst out laughing, causing me to turn and glare at them. "That sounds about right." My dad said with a little smirk, "It's a family trait to find trouble, unfortunately."
"Come on, Punk," Taylor said, "Rob's been waiting for you to get here!" She led him off, taking Punk and Toby with her.
"Hey," I said, turning to Dean, "want to see my room?"
"Sure!" Brad said, having been released by my Great Aunt's.
"I was talking to Dean." I said.
Brad nudged my mom, "Who said I was talking to you?"
My mom laughed but dad narrowed his eyes, "Brad."
"Oh, you know I'm only joking, Nigel."
"Mr Hayden."
"Oh come on, Nige-!"
I dragged Dean away whilst they were all distracted. I led him through the house, up the stairs and then into my old bedroom.
It hadn't changed since I'd left, since I still stayed here over the holidays and stuff. Dean looked around before picking up a photo frame off the chest of drawers. It was of me from my gymnastics days.
"I'm sorry to bombard you with my family." I said, "They're nice people, really. And you haven't even met the extended ones yet."
"You have a nice family, Aria." He said, looking around my room, "It's the one thing I've never had."
"You've got one now." I said, "Roman... Seth... me... Brad..."
He gave me a look at that last name and I just grinned. "It's just weird to be around a family that like each other." He admitted.
"I don't really like Taylor." I said, grinning.
"I don't like her much either." He said.
"Hey!" I cried, "That's my sister!"
He laughed, "I'm kidding." He paused before looking at a photo. It was of me when I was six and I was sitting proudly on eighteen-year-old Punk's shoulders. "He really is part of your family, isn't he?"
"Yep." I said with a little shrug, "Toby used to think he was actually our brother." I looked at Dean, who was still looking around at everything, "You know, I really am kind of surprise you came today."
"Well," he said, "I figured if I tell a girl I love her, this is the next step."
That made me feel all good inside. "Will I ever get to meet yours?" I wondered.
He immediately stiffened and fell silent for a moment. "I don't know, Aria." He said after a while. "They're not like your family."
"I don't think anyone is." I joked, trying to break the tension on his face.
"It's not even a family, Aria." He said, turned away from me, "It's just my mom. I can't remember the last time I spoke to my dad."
"Family doesn't end with blood." I said softly, going over to touch his shoulder, "I mean, if Punk ever finally brings a girl home, it'll be to us."
"Well in that case," he said, turning to wrap his around me, "you've met my family. Seth and Roman. That's it."
"And Aria." I coughed.
"Right, you've met yourself, that makes sense." He said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes before going in and kissing him. "You know..." he said, "we are in your old room."
"No," I said, grinning, "we are not doing it with my family downstairs."
"You've got a lock on your door, right?"
"That's not the point." I said with a little laugh "Come on, my dad will be lighting the barbeque in a minute and that's not something you want to miss."
"I'd miss it for that." He smirked.
"Trust me." I said, "It's a family event. We even take photos." I took his hand and led him downstairs. We went back outside.
"-Cena doesn't even like kids!" Brad insisted.
"You're lying!" Toby exclaimed. "You always lie! You said you were the General Manager of Raw!"
"I am the General Manager!" Brad insisted, outraged, "Look, kid, he doesn't want them! He said so on Total Divas!"
"I'm not allowed to watch that show." Toby sulked.
"Well, you should because it's excellent. I'm going to be on it soon."
"Well, at least you'll be on something! I haven't seen you for weeks." Toby said, crossing his arms, "In my books, Triple H is making all the calls!"
"You know, I really like that kid." Dean muttered in my ear, making me laugh.
"You should see him rap."
"He raps?!"
"No doubt he'll put on a performance later." I said, leading him by the hand towards the barbeque area.
Dad put his arm around me and handed Dean a beer. Dad immediately began to ask Dean about his days on the independent circuit whilst I looked around. My friends were talking animatedly with my family and even the Shield boys looked relaxed and were chatting away.
"You and Drake had some of the best matches I've ever seen." I heard dad say. "You still keep in touch?"
"Oh, yeah, he's like a brother to me."
"See," I whispered, "more family."
My dad lit the grill - which was a defining event where everyone came over to watch - but, as always, almost set himself alight. Usually he asked Punk or Daxton to do it after a couple of failed attempts. This time, however, he looked up at Dean.
"How about it, son?" Dad asked.
Dean handed me his beer and then lit the grill. My family cheered, because that's just the kind of people we were. Dean looked oddly pleased.
There was a sudden wail. We turned to look and saw that it had been Eden in Daxton's arms, wriggling to get free.
"What are you doing to my poor niece?" Nate said indigently.
"Here, bring her here." One of my aunts said.
Eden reached out her arms but not at my aunt. To Dean.
Everyone immediately awww-ed. "Well, I'm her daddy but that doesn't seem to matter." Daxton said, rolling his eyes and handing her over to Dean.
Dean looked surprised, but took Eden, looking amused. She immediately stopped wailing. "This doesn't surprise me," I said, "when we looked after her before, she had a soft spot for Dean."
"Give her here," Brad suggested, coming forward, "I'm great with babies." However, as he came in close, Eden immediately started crying and snuggled close to Dean. Dean gave Brad a smug look.
As we waited for the barbeque to heat up, Dean was interrogated by my extended family. None of them were unkind or anything, they just bombarded him with question after question, although at least he didn't have to concentrate on Eden as Olivia took her away to feed her.
I slinked up to Seth and Roman, "Shouldn't you be helping him out there?"
Seth and Roman both looked at each other before laughing and saying, "Nah!"
I rolled my eyes but then Taylor appeared at my side, smirking at Seth, "Hey, Seth. Want to see my room?"
Seth looked at me for help. "Nah." I said on his behalf before going over and standing next to Dean, "I hope you're not giving my man a hard time."
"Oh, no, not at all honey!" One aunt said, "Dean here was just telling us about how his little team were all about stopping injustice. That is just so honorable!"
I gave Dean a look, "That's one word for it!" I said, thinking about what my family would think if they knew the sort of 'injustice' they fought against. It was pretty clear that this part of my family were not wrestling watchers.
"Haha, yeah, remember that time you beat me up?" Brad said sourly.
"And who came out and rescued you?" Toby piped up, "John Cena."
"Funny that he waited until later to do it." Brad muttered.
"Haha, yeah, remember that time I threw your ass in a pool?" Roman said.
Brad frowned as he tried to think about it, "No?"
"Oh." Roman put his hands together, "We must change that." And then he grabbed Brad and dragged him off. Toby followed at his heels, looking delighted.
"Mrs Hayden!" Brad yelled desperately as Roman took him away, but mom was way too busy whispering with Becky, Charlie and Ted, "Mrs Hayden! Colettteee! HELP!"
"Where's he taking your friend?" One of my aunt's asked, looking concerned.
"Uh, just for a little game." I said before Charlie suddenly appeared at my side.
"Can you please get your sister away from my boyfriend?" She groaned. I followed her gaze to see Taylor tossing her hair and fluttering her eyelashes at the poor man.
"Send Ted her way." I suggested, "Or tell her that he's looking for her... he's written a poem or something. Trust me."
She looked pleased and went off as instructed. As my family wandered away to talk to someone else, I put my arms around Dean, going in my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
"Smile!"
I turned quickly but it was too late, the flash had gone off. I turned to see mom standing there, looking very pleased with herself.
"Do you think if I put this on twitter, I'll get some more followers?" She asked.
"Your mom has twitter?" Dean asked, amused.
"Ten thousand followers." Mom said proudly. "With a little help from a certain Bradley and Theodore. Speaking of..." Mom looked around, "Where is Bradley?" She went off to go and find him.
Barely a minute later, Roman and Toby appeared, both looking very amused.
"Guys..." I said, "Where's Brad?"
"Brad?" Roman looked around, "I don't know. Toby, do you know where Brad went?"
"I have no idea." Toby said and they both smirked and fist-bumped each other.
"Okay," I said, "if he doesn't turn up in the next hour, I am going to be very worried."
Half an hour passed and Brad appeared, his hair ruffled, his face streaked with dirt. "Where the hell have you been?" Becky asked.
"Roman and your demon brother locked me in the shed." Brad said, scowling.
I smothered a smile, "How did you get out?"
"Your sister found me when she tried to drag Ted in there." Brad said, readjusting his collar. Toby appeared at my side, beaming. Brad glared at him. "I am so telling your mom about this."
Toby immediately scrunched up his face and put on the crocodile tears, "Brad hit me!"
"No, no, no." Brad said quickly as a family member turned around, "He just misses me so much when I'm gone." Brad dismissed, laughing quickly, "It's okay, little buddy, I'm right in here." He pointed at Toby's heart before lowering his voice, "All right, what do you want?"
"A John Cena t-shirt." Toby said immediately, "Signed. Please."
"You know," I said amused, "I could get you one of those easily."
"But I bet Brad couldn't." Toby said, smiling almost evilly.
Dean snickered, his arm around my waist, "I know where you get it from."
"What can I say?" I said, "It's a Hayden family trait."
"Fine." Brad said through gritted teeth.
"You know," Dean suggested, "you might as well go for the hat too."
"Good idea!" Toby said, pointing at Dean, "You hear that, Maddox? And I want one that John Cena actually wore." He mimed adjusting a cap before looking at Dean, "Anything else?"
"The dog tags?" Dean offered.
Toby nodded, "Those too!"
Brad looked at me, outraged, "Are you going to let your brother get away with extortion?"
"Absolutely." I said, "You heard the kid, John Cena merchandise."
"Your mother raised you better than this." Brad said, "Colette deserves better than this!"
Toby crossed his arms, "Just for that, throw in the wrist-bands too." I leant down and whispered in his hear.
He nodded vigorously before saying, "And front row tickets! You're the General Manager of Raw... apparently... time for you to prove yourself."
"Fine." Brad growled, "consider it done." He then quickly hurried away before anything else could be added onto the list.
Toby immediately turned and high-fived Dean.
Food was served and everyone went out and helped themselves. It was hardly the warmest day of the year but everyone was in good spirits.
"Your sister is creeping me out." Seth said as he and Charlie came over and sat with us.
"She creeps everyone out." I dismissed, "Even Ted. Although I think that's more to do with her age."
A moment later, Toby appeared at Dean's side, "Brad stole the last piece of cake." He looked at Dean hopefully, "Don't you think that's injustice?"
I burst out laughing. Brad went by, saying loudly, "Mm, this piece of cake is so nice! I feel really sorry for anyone who didn't get any." Throwing a smirk over at Toby.
"I think he deserves another trip to the shed, what do you think, little man?" Roman asked. Toby nodded vigorously so Brad practically sprinted over to stand with my mom.
"You can't stay there forever!" Toby yelled.
"Just gotta buy our time, little man." Roman said.
"Can't you just spear him?"
"Haven't you seen the 'do not try this at home' messages?" Seth said sternly.
"Like we ever listen to them!" Toby dismissed, crossing his arms.
"And who broke their arm that way?" I reminded.
"... you."
"No."
"... me." Toby grumbled.
We stayed for a few more hours before everyone started to drift off. As we got ready to leave, Taylor suddenly jumped on Seth, hugging him. "Follow me on twitter!" She said before blowing me a kiss. As she passed by Ted, she whispered, "Two years."
"Typical." Ted said as she swaggered off, "The two Hayden women want me." Dean cleared his throat, so he said, "God, I meant Colette, obviously."
"You wish."Brad said defensively. Daxton and Olivia bought Eden to say goodbye to us all.
"Say goodbye to Dean!" Olivia said, gently taking her wrist and waving. Eden, however, immediately started crying.
"Bad idea." Daxton said, giving me a kiss on the cheek, "Take care of yourself." He and Nate both then went and shook Dean's hand.
"Nice to meet you, man." Nate said.
Toby raced over and threw his arms around Dean, "You are so cool!" He said, "Come back again." He then hugged me. He went over to Roman, fist-bumped him and then stopped in front of Brad. He lowered his voice menacingly, "I'll be waiting."
"It was lovely to see you too." Brad grumbled.
Toby pointed two fingers at his eyes and then at Brad before skipping off happily.
"Don't you dare break up with him, Aria." Dad said, giving me a hug, "My friends aren't going to believe it. Jon Moxley!" He shook his head in amazement before wringing Dean's hand, "Excellent to meet your, sir. Look after my little girl."
"Will do." Dean said, looking amused.
Mom finished hugging all my friends before going to Dean, "It was lovely meeting you Dean. You're just the guy Aria needs. And you're welcome here any time." She smiled warmly before hugging me. However, she didn't say anything. I recognised the look on her face.
"Uh, why don't you guys go out to the car?" I suggested, "I'll be there in a second."
Dean gave me a curious look but nodded and they all headed out. I looked at mum.
"Thank you," I said, "for being so welcoming to Dean."
"Not at all," she said, shaking her head before she leant close, her mouth near my ear, "I heard you talking in your room. If Dean's missing a family, we're more than happy to be one." She grinned over at Punk, who was chatting with Daxton and Rob, "We're used to picking up strays."
I squeezed her hand, "Thank you, mom."
"I love you sweetheart." She said, kissing me on the cheek.
"Punk, no!" Toby suddenly ran towards Punk, jumping at him, "I haven't showed you my collection! It's been updated since last time you came!"
"Okay, buddy, let's see." Punk caught my eye and winked before crouching down as Toby showed off.
"Look, there's Dean Ambrose, right next to John Cena! And here, let me just go to the tag-teams..."
As he showed Punk, I hugged my siblings all one last time, kissed Eden on the head, hugged my parents again and then headed out to join the others. I climbed into the car but instantly realized something was amiss.
Brad was sitting in between Seth and Roman.
"Well... how did this happen?" I asked.
"The others drove off without me." Brad said, pouting, bunched up between the two.
"Why...?"
"On the way here they said that we couldn't listen to One Direction on the way home." He crossed his arms, "Traitorous bastards."
"We debated about leaving him here." Dean said, "But he got in before we could stop him."
"Don't worry, guys." Brad said, brandishing a CD from his bag, "I've got us covered."
Roman immediately snatched the CD from him and snapped it in half. Brad's mouth hung open and he glowered at him resentfully.
We headed out. Barely ten minutes in, I received a text from Becky. He's your problem now.
I laughed and read that out loud.
"Bitch." Brad grumbled, "Well, somebody ain't getting any tonight."
"I don't think she wants any." Seth sneered.
"Ha!" Brad waved his hands up and down his body, laughing. "Says the guy who only attracts sixteen-year-olds. Whoaaaa!" He lifted up his hand for a high-five, "Anyone?"
"Charlie." Seth reminded.
"Have you seen her ID?" Brad pointed out, his hand still up. When no one high-fived him, he folded his arms, "I miss Ted."
"Ted who ditched you?" I pointed out.
"At least he would've high-fived me. None of you get my humour, I'm so overlooked!" He took out his phone and dialled a number, "Hello? Nikki? It's me!" There was a pause, "Um, Brad. Maddox? Ted's friend? Yeah, that one!" He said, sounding pleased, "So, what's happening girl." He put a hand over the phone, "It's the Bella's." He looked at Seth, "Do you want the name of my hairdresser's?"
Roman and Seth both stared at each other. "How long until we're back?" Seth demanded.
"Uh... in this traffic... probably about four... five hours." I said innocently.
There was a collective groan in the car. Brad sighed, "I don't know what you guys are moaning about! No, not you Nikki, just some... fools."
After his phone call, he rubbed his hands together. "So, who wants to hear about how I got into the WWE?"
"No one." Roman said immediately.
"Don't lie." Brad said, "Well, it all started when..."
I rested my forehead against the window and closed my eyes.
"... and that's when I got the call from the WWE, saying that they wanted me! Best day ever!"
I sat up, yawning slightly. I looked at the clock on the dashboard and realized I'd been asleep for a lot of the journey. "Has he been talking this entire time?" I asked before realizing that Seth and Roman were fast asleep. I looked at Dean.
"You," he said in an overly-calm, forced voice, "are not the one who has had to remain awake for the whole story."
"Now come on, Dean," Brad said, "don't you feel like we've bonded now? I mean, after you saw Maddox Junior, I did wonder how much bonding there was left to be done but now... well." He shrugged, looking very pleased with himself, "You too, Aria! I mean, I know you've been lying awake thinking about it when you're with Dean-"
Suddenly the car screeched to a halt as Dean swerved to the side, waking up Roman and Seth in the process.
"Get out."
"Whoa, dude, I was just kidding!"
"Out."
"Now come on, let's not do something we're going to regret later."
"Believe me, I'm not going to regret this."
"Dean," I said, trying not to smile, "we can't leave him here."
"Sure we can."
"Becky will kill us." I pointed out, "And you don't want to mess with her."
"Eh, I can take her." He eyed me, "Just get her to come and pick him up."
"Dean, there's only one more hour left."
"One hour too long."
"I can't help but think that this is your fault." Brad muttered to Roman.
Roman immediately lifted a hand in the air, "I'm all for kicking him out."
"Guys, come on, one hour. We can last!"
"Exactly! And I mean, you haven't heard about my start at the WWE." Brad said, nodding vigorously.
"Urgh," Roman groaned, "don't make me lock you in a shed again."
"There's no sheds in a hotel." Brad said smugly.
"There are utility rooms." Dean reminded. Brad suddenly gulped and stayed quiet.
He didn't say another word on the journey home. We got back to the hotel and he immediately raced off. Dean and I headed inside to our room and he collapsed down onto the bed.
"Remind me to never volunteer to drive ever again." He said, groaning.
"Well, you'd have to let someone else drive your car then." I said, falling down next to him and snuggling up to him, "Maybe a certain brunette..."
"Remind me to never let Maddox in my car again." He said, his eyes closed, "No matter how cute my girlfriend is being."
"I have to live with him." I reminded.
"How?"
"It's a question I ask myself every day." I admitted grinning.
"So," Dean opened his eyes, pulling me close, "you saw Jon Moxley wrestle, did you?"
"I was only nineteen." I admitted, "You'd only just started there."
"Hmm," he said, "that's funny."
"What?"
"I definitely would have noticed you in the crowd." He said.
"You liar."
"Nope." He said in that way he did, before smirking, "I would probably have tried to seduce you."
"I was with my dad!"
"From today, I don't think he would have minded." He chuckled. He then hesitated slightly before saying quietly, "Your dad told me that if I wanted to marry you someday, that'd be okay."
"Nooooooo!" I gasped, vowing to kill my dad.
"I told him I'd keep it in mind." He said, looking amused.
Oh god! Why father, why?!
"Dean-" I blushed, looking away from him.
He chuckled and pulled me on top of him. His muscular frame easily supported me. I lowered my head and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "You're too easy." He teased.
"I'm not." I sat up, straddling him.
"Well," Dean said, staring up at me. "This gives me ideas."
Luckily I was saved from these ideas as my phone beeped. I picked it up and saw that it was from my mom. Got five thousand more followers! xxxxx
"Oh god, what has she done." I groaned, checking her twitter. As I suspected, she had put up the photo of Dean and I from earlier. Underneath she had written 'Met Dean Ambrose today. Lovely young man. Welcome to the family!'
"Lovely young man?" Dean grumbled, "She's ruining my rep."
I laughed, "I can tell her that, if you want."
"No, no, no," he said quickly, "I'm in her good graces. Best to stay that way."
"I can tweet that you're a real bastard if you want." I offered.
"You'd do that for me?" He teased.
"If you follow me on twitter, yes." I said.
"I don't use twitter."
"But the tweet would make more sense." I insisted, "Your fans are always tweeting me to get you to tweet." I nudged him, "You could tweet me lovey-dovey tweets! Roses are red... violets are blue..."
"I want to fuck you?" He suggested, smirking.
I whacked him on the arm, "No! My mom would not appreciate that!" Actually, as I thought about it, I realized that my mom would find that hilarious. But still!
We cuddled in bed together, my head buried in his chest. "Please. Your parents are practically marrying us off already."
I looked up at him, "Wow! Dean Ambrose can say that without running away."
Dean shrugged, "I'm not commitment-phobic. I just never found a girl worth it."
I grinned at him, "Maybe so but I still can't believe you came today."
"I'm just full of surprises." He said, smirking.
"You know," I said, "it would really surprise everyone if you tweeted."
He tutted, "Not gonna happen."
"To my boys, Seth and Romes, I love you dudes." I suggested, "See, it's not that hard! And how about... to my cool girlfriend, I love it when you drive my car... I consider Brad Maddox a close, personal friend and if anyone messes with him, I'll mess with you."
"Well, now you've gone too far." Dean disagreed.
"Oh come on," I said, "you have to have a soft spot for him. Even if it's the teeniest tiniest one. Even I do."
"Nope. I only put up with him for you."
"Liar. You have to admit he provides some entertainment." He just glared at me, so I stroked the side of his face and said, "Nice seeing little Eden again?"
He chuckled, "I don't understand why that kid likes me so much."
"Because you're cuddly." I said in a cutesy voice, "Hey, I should tweet that."
"No." He said, tightening his grip around my waist, "Absolutely not."
There was a knock on the door and then Seth called through, "Aria, did you give your sister my number?"
"No!" I exclaimed, "Ted probably did it to get him off her back."
"Fine." He said, "I'll just text her his number... what is his number?"
"Ask Charlie." I called back.
"Got it. Thanks."
"What do you think of my siblings then?" I asked.
"I like the little one a lot."
"But not the others? Ouch!"
"I didn't say that," Dean argued, "I just talked to the little one more. He gave me a high-five. Are your whole family into wrestling?"
"My parents and sibling... yes, although Taylor probably wouldn't if Punk and I weren't in it. But my extended family, not so much. Rob, obviously, a couple of other cousins but otherwise they only watch for mine and Punk's important matches." I grinned, "And now yours."
"I'm honored."
I whacked him gently, "Way to go on telling them you fight for justice! If only they knew what kind of justice."
"How about saving their Aria from Ryback?" He reminded, grinning.
"I was handling that perfectly." I lied.
"Mmhm." He said, before lying down properly on the bed, readjusting me so that I was still cuddled against him, "Urgh, I have Brad Maddox's fucking voice going around in my ears." He yawned and was still yawning when he said, "I like your family Aria."
"They liked you too."
"Why wouldn't they?"
"I didn't like you before we met properly." I laughed.
"Come on, you wanted me." He murmured.
"You'll never be able to prove that." I teased, turning to face the wall. My eyes were feeling heavy, despite the sleep in the car. He turned to his side, pulling me against him, spooning me.
"Justice always prevails." He said sleepily
Thanks for all the reviews, alerts, favourites and tweets! Wanted to explore Aria's family a little more!
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