The guys got up the next morning. Randy almost freaked out a moment before remembering Destiny was at his parents place still. John told Randy he would prepare breakfast and they could go to pick her up. He dressed for the day and began cooking. Randy dressed and went outside to check mail that his neighbor normally got. He saw a small package and brought it inside. He looked it over as he headed for the kitchen.
John was humming along to a tune on his phone as he cooked eggs and bacon. He turned his head, seeing the younger man coming in. "Hey, Daddy."
"Hey, Babe." Randy sat down with the package. "No return address...should I be worried?"
"Hmm...you never know." John joked as he plated eggs. "Our crazy fans."
"Yeah...exactly...but that shit normally goes to my PO box...oh yeah, have to stop there too." Randy commented as he finally opened it slowly and looked inside the padded envelope. "What the hell?" He tipped the envelope and out came the necklace he took from Stephanie when Destiny was born.
"Why would Sir send that here after he asked for it?" John looked lost at the piece. " He wanted that so damn bad. " He shut off the stove.
"No clue...or maybe he just wanted it away from Stephanie?" Randy pondered.
John picked it up then sat it down. "No clue. We better keep it somewhere safe."
"Yeah...I honestly get the creeps from it." Randy told him.
John shrugged. He grabbed it and stuffed it in his back pocket. "Well, food's ready."
"Okay. Let's eat and hit the road...I miss my princess... I need help." Randy laughed.
"Nah...you're just a good Daddy." John smiled. The guys enjoyed the food. After John cleaned the dishes they got ready for the drive to Bob's home.
The guys of course had some small talk as Randy drove. "So, we have what...four more days...damn, what should we do?"
"Enjoy them...maybe in a slightly more PG way." John laughed. "We could take a walk. It's beautiful."
"Yeah...there's some nice parks." Randy commented.
"Can you see us when she gets older...the zoo...Disney World...the fair." John smiled.
"It will be fun...we can ask some of the other guys for tips." Randy replied.
"Yeah...we'll be a little family." John said. " Well, when Stephanie's not trying to get rid of me. "
"And she can keep on trying untill she is blue in the face." Randy told John firmly. "I won't let you go anywhere unless you tell me you want to."
John smiled and squeezed Randy's free hand. The guys arrived at Randy's parent's home and knocked on the door as it was locked. It was a few minutes before Bob opened the door. "Hey, Boys."
"Hey, Pa." Randy greeted.
"Hey, Sir." John greeted. "How's little Destiny?"
"She's good...come on in. I think she is in the middle of being fed." Bob told them as he moved. John stepped into the house followed by Randy. They followed after Bob. Elaine was in the living room in the recliner with Destiny in her arms feeding her. The older woman was looking down with cooing type sounds.
"Morning, Elaine. Hope she didn't keep you up." John smiled at the sight.
The older woman looked over with a smile. "She was fine, John...a few wake-ups but that's to be expected." She moved Destiny to lightly burp her. "Are we losing her already?"
"We can maybe bring her by another day?" John offered, looking at Randy. " We have four more days off. I know if I had a baby how my mom would be. " His eyes turned sad a moment.
"Well, we can try to make a stop at least one more time before we hit the road...don't know about overnight. We will see." Randy commented.
"Of course, Dear...of course." Elaine replied as she moved to get up, bringing Destiny over towards them. For some reason Destiny seemed to grow a little cranky. "Shh...it's okay." Elaine cooed to comfort her.
"May I take her?" John asked Randy. He knew Destiny loved him.
"Yeah, of course, Babe." Randy told him. When Elaine tried to hand Destiny over her level of agitation seemed to grow. "That's odd." Randy replied. "Okay then...come to Daddy." Randy commented as he went for the little girl who calmed in his arms.
"I'll go make sure her bag is packed for you boys." Elaine told them before leaving the room. John looked worried as he looked over. Destiny had never once acted that way around him. Normally, it was only with Stephanie.
"I'm sure it's nothing, Babe." Randy told John. "I forget did we leave the stroller in the car?"
"Yeah, I'll go get it." John moved to leave so he could grab the stroller out.
"Don't need it now...just for when we go to the park." Randy called after him. "Just wanted to know if we had to go home first."
John stopped. "Oh, okay. Yeah, it's in the trunk." He walked back toward Destiny. " Hey, Baby Girl. Papa missed you. " He cooed, reaching to kiss her head. Destiny started to wiggle in Randy's grasp when John got closer than arm's reach. Elaine returned with the items and Randy went to put her into her car seat. The actions were not lost on John. He felt a sinking in his heart that she was no longer happy with him.
Randy buckled Destiny in the carseat but left her there as he walked to John. He just had an odd feeling. "Babe, you still have the delivery from this morning on you?"
"Yeah...in my back pocket." John mumbled as his mind was on Destiny.
"Why don't you take her bag and place it in the trunk...along with it...call it a hunch." Randy told John before he went for the car seat. John thought it was crazy but he nodded. He pulled out the necklace and carried it outside along with Destiny's bag. Randy said bye to his parents before he went the grab Destiny and head outside to the car. John's shoulders were slumped as he waited by the car. He looked sad. Randy moved to get Destiny secured inside. He then moved to get in and bring up a nearby park on the GPS. John slid into the passenger's side and buckled up. He was quiet the whole ride to the park.
"Should we stop somewhere to get stuff for maybe a picnic?" Randy asked as a stop light.
"Sounds good." John agreed as he looked out the window.
"What's good picnic food for you?" Randy asked as he kept an eye out for a market.
"Maybe some grilled chicken. I'll splurge and have potato salad or something. Sweet tea." John replied after a moment.
"Okay, Babe...want me to go in and grab stuff or do you?" Randy asked.
"I'll get it. She may cry with me" John sighed. "What do you want, Daddy?"
"I'm sure whatever you pick will be fine, Babe." Randy told him. John hopped out of the car and headed inside. He was trying to focus on a meal they would both enjoy. Randy turned his head to look in the back seat. "Okay, little miss...you going to keep giving your Papa a hard time...or was it that nasty thing he had? Hmm?" Of course Destiny just made little sounds, not really understanding.
John was gone awhile before he returned. When he climbed in with the bags the car filled with the smell of chicken. "I decided to recreate your birthday dinner at the convent. Fried chicken, biscuits, potato salad...sweet tea. Even a little chocolate cake." John told Randy.
Randy lightly chuckled. "Surprised you would want to recreate that...but sounds good." Randy told him as he went to start the car again.
"It wasn't all bad. The picnic was nice." John said. " I got enough we can eat leftovers tonight. "
"Even with your appetite? Just kidding, Babe...will it stay good that long out?" Randy wondered as he headed off for the near by park.
"Fuck, didn't think about that." John paused. " Oops...guess I need to watch the f bombs around her. "
"Just as long as it isn't the first word she says." Randy laughed. "We should start that jar."
"We'll need more dollar bills than a strip club." John groaned. " I mean an arcade. "
Randy shook his head. "Should we up it to ten?" He laughed.
"We'd be broke in ten years." John actually smiled.
"Fine….fine….One dollar." Randy chuckled as they turned down the road to the parking lot. Randy parked and the men got out. John took the bags of food and Randy got Destiny. Randy unloaded the stroller to load the car seat into it along with a blanket he had for emergencies. He loaded Destiny in the stroller before moving to join John. The park was crowded as it was a beautiful day. Children were playing, the sound of happy laughter filling the air.
"Wow...hope we don't get bothered too much." Randy commented as he began walking to find a nice spot for them to lay the blanket out.
"I'm sure it's fine." John stated. They found a partially secluded place and laid out the blanket. John sat the food bags on the end. Randy went to pull Destiny from the stroller and sit on the blanket with her.
John sat beside Randy. "Wonder why she doesn't like me anymore?" He said softly.
"You sure about that?" Randy asked. "Go ahead...test my theory." He told John as he picked her up and slowly shifted to try to pass her to John. John looked almost afraid but he reached to take her.
Destiny made the normal gurgle and coo sounds when John took her in his arms like she always did when being moved around. She looked up at him with her large eyes that were of a deep grey. John smiled at the baby. "Guess you were right. I should have listened."
"Told you that thing is nasty." Randy smirked faintly. "Even not seeing it I guess she felt something nasty. Babies are funny like that."
John kissed her forehead. "I'll have to put it away somewhere. Glad it's not me."
"Yeah. Maybe he sent it here so she won't find it?" Randy wondered as he watched John bonding with Destiny.
"Makes sense. She has your gray eyes." John cooed.
"I think hers are a little darker." Randy commented. "May change as she gets older though."
"They lack your blue undertone." John observed. " They are a unique color though. " Destiny smiled, making John chuckle.
Randy smiled and laughed as he went to dish food for them. John had bought a 10 piece chicken, 6 biscuits, and a 2 pound tub of potato salad for them. There was 2 20 oz bottles of tea. Randy found a couple plates in the bag as well and made up a small plate each. "Well, guess you need to put her back in her seat to eat, Babe."
John reluctantly put her in the seat and turned to take his plate. "Thanks."
"Welcome, Babe." Randy moved to sit with Destiny between them.
As the two men ate John noticed a group of mothers watching them. They were whispering and giggling. "Looks like we have a fan base." John joked.
"Oh?" Randy pondered as he looked in the direction John was looking. "Fans or just curious soccer moms?" he gave a laugh.
"No clue. My money's on soccer moms." John chuckled. " They're eyeing you up like prime rib. " He took a bite of chicken.
Randy chuckled before taking a bite. "Well, I could lean over and give you a kiss."
John swallowed his chicken. "Shit. They're coming over."
Three of the women were heading their way. One was tall and curvy with long dark hair. The other two were shorter and more petite. " Hi. Never saw you two around here. Your baby is adorable. " The tall woman said. She looked similar to Nia Jax. "I'm Tammy. This is Erin and Jessi."
"Hello, Ladies." Randy spoke up. "I'm Randy...this is John...and the little one is Destiny. I have family near by so we stopped here after visiting." He explained, guessing they weren't wrestling fans and just gawking women.
"I'm John. Nice to meet you." John gave a dimpled grin and the smaller women almost swooned. " Is she yours? " Tammy asked Randy. "She looks like you."
"Yeah...she's mine...well, both of ours." Randy told them making sure John wasn't excluded and to hint they were together.
"Both?" The women looked confused.
"Well, mine by blood." Randy told them. "But John is also her father." He felt slightly worried, knowing not everyone was accepting. "We're married."
"Oh." Tammy looked disappointed.
"Told you. The hot ones are always gay." Erin whined. John had to laugh at their faces.
Randy gave a faint smile. "Sorry to disappoint you, Ladies."
"It's okay...you two are adorable." Tammy sighed. They left after a few minutes. John shook his head, chuckling.
Randy laughed and looked over as Destiny gave a giggle. He reached over, playing with her briefly. "Awe...you think we were ignoring you, Sweetie?" The guys played with Destiny and enjoyed the day.
They drove back home around sunset and spent the evening watching movies. "This seems too good to be true." John mumbled as they laid on the couch in the living room. Destiny slept nearby.
"Yeah, feels nice." Randy commented as his phone went off. "Do I really want to answer that?"
John moved to sit up with a yawn. "Go on. Might be your mom."
Randy moved to get his phone but the call ended before he could answer. Before he could check the log John's phone went off. "Oh, Come on."
John sighed and reached to grab his nearby phone. "Hello. Hope it's important. It's my day off." He said, without looking.
"John?" Replied a panicked sounding Cody. "Please tell me Randy's with you."
"He is. We're at his place. What's up, Codes?" John asked.
"Is the baby with you guys?" Cody asked, trying to calm down. Randy looked puzzled as he checked his call log, seeing it was Cody that tried to call.
"Yeah. We're off a few days. Now what's up?" John asked. "Why you calling us this late?"
"Well...um...Stephanie never showed at the arena tonight. She didn't answer calls either. She was found passed out in her room. Sh-she's currently in a coma in the local hospital." Cody tried to explain, his tone growing sadder and more worried as he spoke.
"W-What? Oh my God." John looked at Randy. "Stephanie 's in a coma at the hospital. She was passed out in her room."
"What? Damn." Randy looked shocked. "Good thing Destiny is with us...can you imagine if she was there?"
"Yeah. Fuck. Thanks for calling, Codes." John said into the phone.
"Yeah, sure just glad you three are okay." Cody replied.
John ended the call and looked at Randy. "In a coma...wonder if Kane knows."
"No clue...Cody didn't mention him did he?" Randy asked.
"No, but looks like I got a text from him this afternoon." John looked in his messages. His throat felt tight. "It says 'I know you must despise me for my methods but I do enjoy you. You were a good boy for me.' Were...what the fuck?!"
Randy looked puzzled. "You think he...um...it had a hand in this?"
"No clue...sounds like a suicide note." John actually looked worried. "Of course I hated his methods in the start but I'm worried...He did keep me company a lot of nights you were forced away...tried to stand up for me."
"Want to try to call him?" Randy asked just before Destiny started to cry near by. Randy got up to get her. "I think she needs a change...I'll be upstairs with her." He headed for the steps.
"Yeah...okay." John dialed Kane's number. He knew it by heart by this point. The call rang until it went to voicemail.
"Kane...this is John. Call me." John felt a whirlwind of emotions as he hung up. What was going on? He didn't love Kane but he had served the older man for months. He had been trained to be his faithful pet. He felt confused.
Randy came back down about fifteen minutes later with the monitor when John didn't come up to see him. "Any word, Babe?"
John looked dazed as he shook his head. "Went to voicemail. I told him to call me."
Randy moved to sit next to John. "Well, we either spend rest of our time off here...or we head back and try to find out what's going on."
"We need to find out." John said softly. "We can't be in the dark."
"Well, I guess contact your pilot and see how soon we can get a flight to...damn, where ever it is she is." Randy commented.
John was shaking slightly as he nodded. "Yeah...I'll call Codes. Find out where they are."
"Okay...I guess I'll start packing for us for the road." Randy gave a faint sigh as he got up. John placed the call and wrote down more info. Things seemed to be happening so fast. The men flew out early the next morning to Pennsylvania where Stephanie was hospitalized.
Randy was on his tablet on the flight when a notification popped up from the WWE App. "What the?!" He took a deep breath. Destiny was resting in her secured car seat. "Well...now we know why Kane didn't message you back. They just put a notice out that he passed away last night or early this morning." He went to access the information to look for more details.
John's eyes were wide as he looked. "Passed away?"
"Yeah...don't know details yet, Babe." Randy told him. "It was just a pop-up notification."
John looked down, not knowing what to say. He was not prepared for the flood of emotions he felt. He had despised Kane in the start. Then the older man had filled a sexual need in him to be hurt and used. He had almost been John's ally against Stephanie. He had helped John have time with Randy many times. Every time John called, Kane was there to listen or play. John looked at his phone, reading the final message. #You were a good boy.#
"According to this it was a car accident." Randy commented, still looking at his tablet.
"It wasn't. He knew." John said thickly. Why did he have a lump in his throat? He closed his eyes.
Randy looked over before moving from his seat. He moved next to John, wrapping an arm around him. "It's okay, Babe."
John didn't know why tears were leaking from his closed eyelids. "I'm so fucked up. Why am I crying?" He whispered.
"Because over the last...what has it been...damn it...two years? You got close to him when I couldn't be." Randy sighed.
"He...wasn't all bad. He would listen when I'd vent about missing you and try to help...He did use me but he took my likes into consideration...I was trained to be at his command. Knowing he's gone for good feels wrong." John whispered. He didn't say aloud he felt lost. Randy didn't command him like Kane did.
Randy moved to look at John. "That's part of it...he trained you...were they really your likes...or just what he made you think you liked?"John felt even more confused. When he opened his eyes he looked lost, near panic attack. He felt years of training suddenly called into question with Kane gone. Who would guide him? "I'm sorry, Babe...it wasn't the right time." Randy told John as he went to wrap an arm around him again. John shook slightly. He couldn't form words. He felt back in the cage all over again. Lost. Abandoned.
"Do you need to go lay down, Babe?" Randy whispered. John nodded. He slowly stood and walked on shaky legs to the sleeping area. He remembered how lost Randy had been after Hunter passed. How he longed for a Dom to guide him too. He laid down and closed his eyes. Randy looked unsure if he should join John or if he needed time alone to think. He just stayed in his seat for now keeping an eye on Destiny. He picked up his tablet, sending a message to Cody. #You still in area or moved to next town?#
A reply came shortly. #Still here. You guys okay?#
#Honestly no. John's is a wreck, long story. I need to talk to you soon. Let me just start by saying I'm sorry.# Randy replied. He figured with Kane and Stephanie gone there was nothing holding him back. He wanted to come clean with Cody and pray the younger man would still be there for them. He had a feeling they would both need it, maybe more so John.
There was a pause before Cody wrote back. #No need, Buddy. I know there's been a lot. We can talk anytime. Hey, you hear about Kane?#
#Yeah I did...that is part of what is messing John up. Once again long story.# Randy replied.
#What the fuck? Okay, you can tell me later.# Cody wrote. #They say Stephanie is pretty much gone. She's brain dead for hours.#
#Damn...so I take it she is on support and Vince won't give the word?# Randy asked. After he sent that he wonder if it read as cold as it sounded in his head.
#Actually I heard they are supposed to pull the plug today sometime. Vince and Linda wanted to say their goodbyes.# Cody wrote.
#Oh yeah...forgot Linda isn't on the road.# Randy replied. He wondered if they would get there in time, Did it matter though?
#Fuck, this is crazy. She was so healthy. I'm glad Destiny has you two.# Cody replied.
#Me too. John loves her to pieces. So did Ma. She almost didn't want to give her back.# Randy laughed to himself after he sent the message.
#Good to hear. Will John be okay? You said he's a mess.# Cody was confused.
#Hopefully with time and a lot of support. I may need help.# Randy replied.
#What the fuck? I thought he hated Stephanie.# Cody wrote.
#Same words...long story. Not Steph. Yeah we are shocked, but that is not what has him messed up.# Randy replied.
#Wanna give me the short version? I have time.# Cody told him.
#We been sadly hiding things from you since the honeymoon. We were being, controlled by those two and couldn't say a word.# Randy worked the cliff note version the best he could.
#Can't say I'm too shocked. But shouldn't John be thrilled they're gone?# Cody wrote.
#Stephanie yes, Kane had his claws in deep with John. Kane oddly helped us at times. I think he is confused and unsure without that influence.# Randy replied.
#Damn poor guy. Well, at least you guys will be free. Broke my heart seeing you two sneaking around to see each other. I hate to say it but karma got Steph.# Cody replied.
#Can't say I fully disagree with you.# Randy replied. #Well, want to check on John. He went to lay down. I will contact you later.# Randy got up from his seat to make sure Destiny was still resting comfortably.
#Laters.# Cody wrote. John was on his side resting. Tear tracks were visible on his cheeks. Randy moved to lay behind John in the bed wrapping his arm around his waist.
John was in a fitful sleep. "Need a Sir...need to please." He mumbled.
Randy lightly nuzzled the back of John's neck. "You will be okay, Babe...you will see...relax...I have you." Randy whispered to him.
"You be my Sir...guide me?" John said before snoring again.
Randy sighed faintly. "I'll try my best." Randy replied. He faintly remembered when John tried to do the same for him. John seemed to calm and slept deeply. The men rested until the attendant lightly knocked on the door, saying they would be landing soon. John was quiet after he woke. There was just so much to process. The plane landed and they took a rental to a local hotel where the WWE talent were staying. John booked a suite and once they were settled Randy inquired about the hospital.
Randy looked conflicted as he took in different information. "I feel odd taking Destiny to the hospital. Not a great place for a newborn...and not like she knows what is happening. But I don't feel right leaving her with a hotel nanny."
"I can stay with her. I had no ties to Stephanie but you should go. To talk to Vince about Destiny if nothing else." John said to him.
"Yeah...okay, Babe." Randy replied, moving to give John a kiss. "You sure you'll be okay?"
"Of course. It gives me something to focus on." John said honestly.
"Okay, Babe...I should go...we don't know...well, anyway." Randy grabs his things, heading out after another quick kiss. He put the hospital information into the GPS and took off.
Destiny slept peacefully when Randy left. John sat nearby and thought over the events. Their lives had been shaken in only a few hours. Randy reached the hospital and parked. It took him a while to find where Stephanie was as they were careful because of press. He tried to keep his cool as he knew the time wasted debating with security Vince and Linda could already be up there. Luckily for him Shane was just stepping off the elevator. "Randy?"
Randy looked over with a shaky smile. "Hey, Shane."
"I'm not sure if I should be surprised or not." Shane replied.
Randy gave a faint look with a cranking of his neck. "Am I too late?" He asked faintly.
"Um...no...not exactly. Mom's flight just landed a few minutes ago." Shane replied.
"Mind taking me up?" Randy questioned.
"Um...no...come on." Shane motioned him to follow him and they headed up on the elevator. They went back into the CCU. There was a guard posted outside a room that had the door mostly closed. Shane walked over with Randy and inside the room. Stephanie laid still on the bed, hooked up to a ventilator and other machines that kept her body functioning. Randy looked, shaking his head. Even if Cody had not told him it was a lost cause something in him already told him that. He didn't see the woman that made his life hell for years in front of him. All he saw at this point was an empty shell.
"Do they know what happened to her?" Randy asked out loud.
"No...They are suspecting an overdose of some kind. They said they documented the beginning signs of depression after she gave birth." Shane told him.
Randy slowly nodded. "Yeah...She didn't seem to bond with Destiny well at all." He admitted. He lifted his eyes up some with a sigh before closing them. "Well, if you're still around, Stephanie…I may not have liked how things went...but I do thank you for our little angel...I will make sure she is taken care of." He slowly lowered his head.
John did not know what was wrong with him. How many times had he cursed Kane and wished to be free? Maybe part of it was suspecting deep in his heart Kane had somehow sacrificed himself to rid them of Stephanie when they were too afraid to try. He had to pull himself together and be grateful for the gift. "If you did this for us...thank you." John said softly to the empty air. "You chose a bad path but you were good to me in the end. I hope you rest in peace." John could almost feel the hairs on the back of his neck wanting to raise for an energy in the air around him.
John had not expected to feel anything like that. "I feel you." He said out loud but not loud enough to wake Destiny. " Thank you...we wanted free of her but were too scared. Daddy said he'll try to guide me now." There was a warm brush to John's cheek.
John closed his eyes at the feeling. It felt so real. "Sir?" He whispered.
"Be careful, John." John heard a harsh whisper in his ear or was it in his head.
"Careful, Sir? She's gone...well might as well be." John whispered.
"True...just need to remember what it is like for you...to be...strong again." The voice whispered. "Can't...stay long."
"I need someone to guide me...feel lost." John admitted. "You controlled me so long."
"He learned...so will you...in time." John felt another warm touch to his cheek. "So long, John."
"Goodbye, Sir." John whispered harshly. Tears once again wet his eyes. "Thank you." The energy in the air seemed to fade, leaving the room as it was. John sat in the quiet room for what felt like hours. Destiny was asleep as if nothing happened.