The Good Life

AN. 2 more chapters to go...


Chapter Twenty-Nine – The Time Is Now


Maryse's eyes were closed as she was driven into Avidian Lane the next morning. Initially she thought she might run a trained eye over the houses from the passenger's seat – a quick moment to try and ease herself back into the role of Queen on the street – but she was simply too tired to focus right now.

She was also barely aware when Ted came to a stop, so she was definitely surprised when a sharp rap at her window had her jolting upright and awake. Eve and Tiffany were smiling down at her through the glass window with their arms full of goodies; clearly they were the welcome home parade. Once out of the car and onto her feet, she gave them a warm smile. "All of this isn't necessary. I'm only coming home from the hospital..."

"Oh please, we all know how much you love getting pampered and spoiled."

"Yeah we do," added Ted with a knowing smirk on his face as he came around from the driver's seat to support his wife.

Both ladies laughed and Tiffany continued with her mini-speech. "So we thought what better way to welcome you back than by buying your favourite cosmetics and jewellery. We do love you, Maryse—"

"Even if you are a pain in the ass sometimes, Frenchie." Eve felt it essential to add.

"And we're glad you're okay. Layla is too, even if we have no idea where she is right now."

Still feeling as though she was one more nap away from getting all of her strength back, the French-Canadian housewife rested a hand on her pregnant friend's shoulder. "It means a lot, girls. I'm lucky to have you in my life."

"I think you're lucky that you have a strong husband who's about to carry you upstairs to bed." Maryse's eyes flickered over to her husband, somewhat surprised, while Tiffany continued. "In the state I am now, Drew would break his back if he tried to do that with me."

"Come on then." Effortlessly, the Millionaire lifted his frail other half into his arms and carried her towards the front door. Emily was leaning against the open door in her nonchalant young adolescent way. "Go and help Eve and Tiff bring in the goodie baskets."

"But I've just painted my nails, Dad."

"And this is the second day in a row I've let you stay off school. Now go."

Maryse thought it odd that her tomboy daughter was so concerned with newly-painted nails – that they were even painted at all – but didn't bother to ask. She felt comfortable enough in Ted's arms and besides, she was aware Emily had broken up with Tyler to be with Logan. Maybe that was reason enough for the change in girly attitude.

As she was being carried it occurred to her that she could hear noises coming from somewhere. The back yard, maybe? "What's the noise?" She asked. Her head almost – but not quite – bumped against Ted's chest while they ascended the stairs.

"I hired some gardeners." He only partially lied to her. "They're fixing things up but will be out of your hair soon. You just focus on getting some rest."

She found this easy to do. As soon as she was lowered onto the bed and her head hit the pillow, it was some feat not to drift off straightaway. Maryse was vaguely aware that her husband was saying something about a surprise in store for her when she woke up, but it might as well have been a low whisper as she was already shutting down.

Instants later, she was asleep.


It was unorganised chaos inside of Eve's house – and particularly in the living room – where it had undergone a big change. Dresses were strewn over the television screen; a make-up station was set up on the coffee table; three bunches of gorgeous flowers were placed neatly across the couch. It was definitely a different atmosphere than either she or Logan was used to.

The teenage boy wrinkled his nose at the smell of the flowers as he trundled downstairs. His bottom half was covered in a smart trouser suit and his top half in his scruffiest top. "It's too girly in here." He commented to his mother and Tiffany, who were excitedly choosing hairstyles for tonight's event from a catalogue.

The brunette shook her head at him. "There's always something to complain about with you. Be thankful I gave you the day off school for this."

"Yeah about that... I can't find my tie. Do I really have to wear it?"

"Of course you do, it makes you look smart. Don't you want Emily to find her new boyfriend handsome?"

At his mother's grin, Logan grew embarrassed. How much of a mistake had it been to return home from the basketball courts that one evening after his first kiss with Emily and – having been too excited to stop himself – spill the beans to his mother? Now, he hoped he wasn't blushing. That would be lame. "You're the worst, Mom."

"Come on. Let's go find your tie." Eve gave him a playful tap to usher him upstairs. "Maybe you can tell me about how you finally got the girl, such a classic love story, while we're looking."

Tiffany was left laughing to herself as she turned back to the mirror. The blonde allowed for a moment of serious thought; she loved the smile currently adorning her lips, as it was an expression she'd missed having on her face.

"Sorry I'm late!" Layla burst through the door with her hair up in curlers, her face unusually free of make-up.

"Eve and I were wondering where you were. You missed Maryse's homecoming."

"Well I'll see her tonight so that's not a problem. Have you got the dresses?"

The blonde pointed towards the television. "Over there. Aren't they stunning?"

The British woman agreed silently after sauntering over and running a hand over the soft cream designs. A light smile pressing on her lips, she turned back around to say, "I can't believe how ridiculous today has been... how sudden things can change..."

"You're telling me," said Tiffany. Her stronger-than-ever marriage to Drew McIntyre was the thought that crossed her mind in that instant.

"So how long do we have?"

"Let's see, right now it's... almost 11:30. We have until six to get ready and make our way over there."

"Oh, this is just so exciting!"

"You act like nothing exciting happens on this street. Have you forgotten where we live? There are twists and turns at every corner."

Only a knowing look was given. "That's true. So, where's Eve? Upstairs?"

"Helping out Logan. She'll be back down soon—"

As if on cue, the Latina hurried downstairs, her heels click-clacking across the wood beneath her feet while she went. "That boy will be the death of me. Oh hey Lay, when did you get here?"

"About two minutes ago. Sorry I'm late by the way, but I'll use the next few hours to make sure we're all looking amazing."

"Sounds like a plan to me. So are we ready for a full day of pampering and getting ready?" When the others murmured their agreement, Eve went into the kitchen to turn on the CD player on her windowsill. When she returned to the living room the faint sound of Britney Spears was playing for the three. "Then let's make ourselves beautiful, ladies!"


"If I said my heart was beating loud... if we could escape the crowd somehow..."

Alex lifted his head from his pillow in what had once been a comfortable sleeping position and struggled to open his eyes. It took him a couple of minutes to get it together and realise what day it was and whether it was morning or afternoon. Arrived home from the night shift three hours ago... got in and slept... haven't had enough sleep...

"If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?"

"Britney Spears... really?" If he wasn't so tired, Alex might have rolled his eyes. Instead he shoved the covers back and got up to head downstairs and into the kitchen for a glass of water.

Maybe it was a good thing his next door neighbour had woke him with a bit of loud music. He would have to be up in a couple of hours anyway. He would be making his way over to Ted's before tonight's big event to get ready with the guy. It was strange when he thought about it. They didn't know each other that well, but he had a feeling it would be easy to bond with the wrestler. After what his "friend" The Miz had done to him, he was simply grateful he was getting a chance to make amends on his behalf.

Soon enough, he was drawn to the window and this time he did roll his eyes. Eve's kitchen window was wide open and on the windowsill was the device playing the awful music. Maybe if he had a rock or something – no, something softer which would cause less damage – he would be able to get a perfect shot on the damn thing and stop it from working.

But of course he wouldn't do it – not now that he and Eve were finally on speaking terms again. It had been a tough journey to get to where they were now... her rejecting him, her going out with Cena, him asking out Carly... and he didn't want to lose it over a stupid argument. God knows we could battle it out over the most stupid things. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled to himself. They were definitely an explosive pair.

"Anyone in? The door's open." He made it out into the hallway in time to see Ted casually walk in with a black suit bag draped over his right arm. A friendly smile was on his lips. "Hey you're in. I thought you'd be asleep. I was just going to leave this here for you."

"I would be sleeping," said the doctor-in-training as he took the empty bag and put it over the back of the couch, "but unless you're deaf and can't hear the music playing next door to me, there's my reason for it."

"I think the whole street can hear it. I love Eve but the woman's always been the loud one on the street." Ted chuckled. "I think it's contagious... either that or she got it from Maryse, because when those ladies get together it's a good idea to get out of the house as soon as you can."

Alex laughed. "I'll make a note of that."

"Anyway I was just dropping this off. Make it round to mine for about five?" After a moment, the wrestler continued. "Is it weird for me to be nervous? I shouldn't be... right?"

"I think it's a good idea to be nervous. It's a sign you're doing the right thing."

"Sage advice. I'll see you later." Nearly on his way out, Ted seemed to remember something and turned back to voice his concerns. "Alex? I'm not suggesting anything in particular, but tonight might be the perfect time to tell someone how you feel." Then the door was shut and he was gone.

Left alone, he traipsed back upstairs and into his wardrobe to get out the one suit he owned. When it was spread across his messy bed he took a moment to simply stare at it and lose himself in a daydream – one where he thought about all the possibilities that could come out of tonight.

Alex smiled. Maybe it would be his lucky night.


Her eyes fluttering open quite suddenly at the sound of Emily's voice in her ear, Maryse's first glimpse was of a stunning white dress being held up before her. Something about it reminded her of the wedding dress she had wanted her designer to make for her, but this one was much more simple... much more elegant... and absolutely perfect. Still mesmerized, she sat up in bed and clasped her hands together. "It's beautiful."

"And you will be too once you're in it." Her daughter grinned at her.

It was then that the blonde noticed Emily's appearance. Much unlike her normal attire, the teenager was dressed in a black ponte dress, with a thin gold belt cinching it in at her waist and the same colour heels to match. With her make-up done perfectly along with her nails, she finally looked like the mini-me Maryse always wanted to have.

"What's going on, Emily?"

"Dad told you he had a surprise for you, but here's the hitch: we were all in on it. Now, my instructions are plain and simple and I want you to follow them precisely. Go and take a shower, get dressed in this and then we're going to go into my room to get your make-up done. Don't worry, not by me—" She added hastily. "We have a make-up artist for that."

The housewife was weak in her argument that she hadn't had enough sleep, as after checking the clock on her bedside table and finding it to be just after five-thirty, she realised she'd been asleep for at least six or seven hours. After her feet touched down on the fluffy rug and she made her way into the en-suite bathroom for a shower, she felt awake enough to start to wonder what was in store with her.

An odd collection of racing butterflies in her stomach, a very pleasant feeling to have after all this time, attacked her when she re-emerged fifteen minutes later. She changed gingerly into the sweetheart dress and took her hair out of the loose bun she'd put it into earlier as not to get it wet. Her blonde waves fell over her bare shoulders and when she looked in the mirror, Emily staring over her right shoulder, she knew it was the best she'd looked in a long time.

Feeling like a princess, Maryse was whisked into her daughter's tidied up room for her make-up to be done by a professional. Now more than exited, she had no choice but to wait – totally unmoving so her mascara wasn't smudged – until it was time to go downstairs.

"Emily, are you going to tell me what's going on now or do I have to guess? And where's your father?"

The answer to her second question came just moments later. Emily advised her mother to wait in her spot and then rushed forwards to open the patio doors with a flourish. When the thin drapes were pushed aside, Maryse saw her husband waiting for her. In fact, she saw everyone waiting for her... Eve, Layla, Tiffany, Alex... and all staring at her.

Other details soon caught her eye. The long piece of elegant white silk that led to Ted, who stood ahead with his hands folded in front of him, his eyes sparkling. Were those tears in his eyes? She saw the seats set up on either side of the path with the guests awaiting her presence; the flower petals scattered across the floor; the soft music playing in the background; her girlfriends lined up as if in the pose of bridesmaids, just as she imagined them to be on her wedding day. If she didn't know any better...

Turning, unable to speak and gripped with emotion, Emily did the rest of the talking for her. "So Mom, are you ready?" She held out a hand for the mute woman to take. Once it was firmly grasped, she led the shaking housewife out into the spotlight. "Maryse Ouellet, welcome to your second wedding."


So there's the next chapter. Please review :)

Coming up: Maryse gets her happy ending, but is it time for another housewife to get hers?