Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
Anna
Tonight I am seeing my family for the first time since I left Seattle and it's now time for me to get ready and head to my aunts. I put on black jeans, a white tank and a army coloured jacket with white heels and my hair is in a bun.
I arrive at 5 that afternoon and I slowly approach the front door and take a deep breath as I knock on the door a few times. I hear footsteps coming towards the door on the other side. It slowly opens and I see my Auntie's face behind the door. "Hi Auntie Lynn." I smile.
"Serena, baby girl how are you?" she asks hugging me tightly.
"I'm good, I've missed you."
"We've missed you too, please come in everyone is here."
I enter the lounge and see familiar faces. My Uncle Allan, who is married to Lynn, approaches me with a smile. "Hey kiddo." He greets hugging me.
I hug him tightly. "Hey Uncle Allan."
"Look at you, you look beautiful and all grown up."
Next to him now is my other Aunt, Auntie Sue. "Hi Auntie Sue."
"Hello beautiful girl, look at you, you've grown into a beautiful young lady."
I slowly make my way around the room and say hi to everyone. I notice my cousins sitting on one of the couches. "Hey Dani." I greet.
She hugs me. "You look great Rena." She compliments.
"Thanks, you too."
"How's life been?"
"It's great but I still think I'm living my dream."
"Good for you, we are so proud of you accomplishing your dream."
"Thanks, I'm so happy."
"We all have tickets for the show tomorrow." She announces.
"Omg really?"
"We couldn't miss your hometown return."
"Have you spoken to your mom?" my cousin Emily asks.
"I have. I spoke to her just after I got signed to tell her I made it."
"How is she?"
"She's good. I didn't know if it was true but when I saw her I could see it, she has changed."
"Where is she now?" Dani asks.
"She lives in Miami so not too far from me, she's engaged and clean."
"That's good to hear hun." Emily responds.
Later that afternoon we all make our way into the dining room to eat. My Uncle stands up. "I would like to make a toast, to our wonderful superstar Serena, you are living your dream and your father would be very proud of what you have accomplished and you have turned into a beautiful intelligent women." He toasts.
I smile. "Thank you."
"We are glad to finally see you after such a long time and are happy that you could make it tonight, we will all be there tomorrow cheering you on and witnessing you win that championship."
"Cheers." I say picking up my glass and we clink glasses.
After our meal we sit on the couch and talk some more and the night eventually comes to an end. My uncle walks me to the door. "We will see you tomorrow kiddo." He says.
I smile. "I'll be looking out for you."
"We are all so proud of you and as I said before your farther would be so proud of you."
"I know the match is for him tomorrow."
"Get a good nights sleep."
"I will." I respond and leave the house.
I get back to the hotel to April and Celeste asleep. I quickly change into pjs and fall asleep thinking about the day ahead tomorrow.
I wake up on Sunday to the sound of my alarm with a grin on my face. Today is Payback. I climb out of bed and put on some gym pants and a crop top and head to the gym for a final workout.
When I arrive to the gym that I used to work at many, many years ago I walk up to the reception desk and see a familiar black haired young woman behind the desk.
I ring the bell to get her attention and smile. "Long time no see stranger." I alert.
She turns around and her eyes go wide and she screams. "Omg, Serena, your back, we've missed you, and look at you, you look great." she compliments hugging me tightly.
"Thanks girl, how are you Issie?" I ask.
"I've been great, I own the gym now. Enough about me how about you?"
"I'm good. Really good and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
"I'm glad I found you in that ally because you are a special person and I knew you could do great things and now look at what you have done, you are doing amazing." She praises.
"Thanks Is, you coming to the show?"
"Of course."
"I better get to my workout, I'll come talk after I'm finished." After my workout I head back to the reception desk. "So how's it been here?" I ask looking around.
"Lots has changed." She mentions.
"Yeah, I see you got some more equipment, it's bigger, did some renovations too."
After chatting for a while it's time for me to go. "Good luck tonight." She wishes.
"Thanks babe, I'll look out for you."
I get back to the hotel to find it empty a note has been left saying that April and Celeste have gone to gym and that they will be back later. In that time I shower, put some new tan on and do my hair.
Around 10am, April and Celeste come back to the hotel. I walk out of the bathroom in a black and gold dress with black high heels and my hair is in waves. The girls quickly get ready and leave the hotel for the arena.
Walking into the stadium already thousands of people have started lining up. I see posters and billboards around the outside and I see many with my face on it.
I pile into the locker room and take a seat to get over my nerves that have been bubbling all morning. Nattie notices and walks up to me. "You look a little nervous." She observes.
"Beyond that I think." I admit.
"You will do great tonight, take a deep breath and just enjoy it." she advises and I nod and take a breath. "These people are here for you, they love you, whether you win or lose tonight they are still going to love you, just go out there and have fun."
"Thanks Nattie for everything."
"Don't mention it, now go to hair and make-up."
I venture to hair and make-up and find Amy waiting for me. "Hey girl." She greets.
"Hey Amy." I reply.
"Nervous?"
"Yes and a little scared too."
"Don't over think it, just go out there like you do every week and just have fun."
"I will, as soon as I get out there I'll have all this adrenaline it will be amazing." After hair and make-up is done I head to Sandra where she is finishing my gear for tonight. "Sandra." I call out.
"Almost done sweetie." she informs me.
About five minutes later she finishes the last stitch and shows me my gear and I gasp. "Wow." My gear has three colours; blue, black and silver and the silver part has diamonds to make it pop out over the dark blue and black. "It's beautiful."
"Here try it on." she says and hands it to me.
I quickly try it on and it fits perfectly. I walk out and take a good look at myself, I look great. Sandra tapes me in and I put on my black wrestling boots and head to catering.
The show starts and my match is coming up. My nerves are insane right now now and I feel like I am going to throw up. I am by the gorilla with April and Celeste and I begin to stretch to keep my breathing normal. "How you feeling?" April asks me.
"I feel like I am going to be sick." I confess.
"Breath, you are going to kill it, we all are and we are going to have the match of our careers tonight."
I nod. "I just need to clear my head."
"Here." Celeste says handing me a water bottle. "Drink this, take a little walk and come back." she orders. I obey and walk off.
I am walking to clear my head and I bump into Colby. "Hey." he greets kindly.
"Hi." I whisper.
"You okay?" he asks noticing my demeanour.
"I feel like I'm going to be sick."
"Come on let's sit down." he suggests and pulls me over to a crate. He takes my hand and pulls my face to meet his. "Take a deep breath, listen to my voice, breath in." I breath in. "And breath out." I breathe out. "Again, breathe in and out." he repeats. I do it again. "Good, how do you feel?"
"Better."
"Good. Now, don't let this get to you, you are going to kill it out there alright."
"I don't think I'm ready for this." I confess.
"Serena, listen to me, you are one of the best female talents here don't start to get cold feet. You are in your hometown for the first time in years, you can do this, go out there and show everyone how far you've come."
"You really think I'm talented?"
"Yes." he answers instantly. "Now how do you feel now?"
"Better."
"Good, now stand up, take this water and kill it out there." He orders.
I smile. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." he responds smiling. "Now I have to go, you are going to do great." he finishes and kisses my cheek and walks off.
I head back to the gorilla after my chat with Colby much better, he made me not think so much and he's right I am in my hometown and I am going to show everyone just how far I have come. I reach the gorilla where Celeste and April are stretching. "Better?" Celeste asks.
"So much better, I'm so ready to go out there and put on a great match." I respond.
"Good to hear cause we are next." April announces.
The other divas come up behind me. "Good luck out there girls." Brie wishes.
"Kick some butt out there ladies and do us proud." Nicole adds.
We all hug each other a last time and get into character. "Good luck ladies." Celeste wishes and we all separate.
We hear Lillian begin to announce the match and Celeste music starts. She goes through the curtain and receives a mixed reaction from the crowd. I'm called to go next, I take a breath and my music starts up and the crowd explodes.
I walk out from behind the curtain and the crowd explode onto their feet. "Introducing the challenger, Seattle's own, Sarah." Lillian announces.
The crowd is chaotic as I wave from the top of the ramp and slowly walk down. "This place just erupted." Cole exclaims.
"It's Sarah's hometown, they are certainly rooting for her." JBL responds.
"And doesn't she look great." King finishes.
I make my way down the ramp smiling as I take in this moment. I look out into the crowd and see many signs saying 'Welcome home' 'Go Sarah' and 'Marry Me's.'
I make it to the apron and do my usual taunt and blow a kiss to the crowd. I stand down and watch Kaitlyn closely. I sit on the corner of the turnbuckle and wait for AJ.
AJ's music starts and the crowd boos her immediately. She doesn't seem fazed as she skips down the ramp, around the ring and climbs in. She comes to a stand still and kisses the title before handing it to the referee.
I watch the title go above his head and the referee asks us if we are all ready and we nod and he rings the bell. I slowly get down from my spot and the crowd roars as I stare at my two opponents.
Kaitlyn and I circle each other and wait for the first person to make the first move and I decide to just go for it and charge at AJ. I start unloading on AJ and before she can even move I throw her outside of the ring and let out a huge scream to the crowd. The crowd cheers loudly as I turn my attention to Kaitlyn. "Did you just see Sarah chuck AJ out? AJ didn't even get a chance to run." JBL exclaims.
Kaitlyn and I lock up and she pushes me into the corner and starts kicking me to the floor. She gets pulled away as I crawl away. "Kaitlyn really wants to win tonight, she's really trying to take Sarah out." Cole notices.
"Sarah is tough it's only the beginning of the match." JBL adds.
I use the ropes to stand up and she runs at me but I bend over and use my strength and flip her over the apron and she lands on the ground floor. I yell out to the crowd. "Come on!" and they cheer loudly.
I see AJ starting to get to her feet, so I roll out of the ring and attack her from behind. I pull her up and ram her back first into the barricade. "Ooh." the crowds echoes. "AJ goes back first into the barricade." King winces.
I then pull her up and wind her up and send her into the ring post. "Sarah really wants to take AJ out of this." Cole comments.
"It's a good strategy, she's keeping her opponent weak." JBL approves.
I see Kaitlyn running at me and I dodge her close line and deliver a kick to her gut making her hunch over and I roll her back in the ring. I make my way inside and before I can get her out of nowhere she delivers a massive close line.
"That close line by Kaitlyn almost chopped Sarah's head off." Cole exclaims.
I crawl into a ball on the floor and try and gain some energy back. I see Kaitlyn get out of the ring and pull me up and she throws me into the steel steps. "Ooh." the crowd echos and they start to boo Kaitlyn.
"There's been a whole lot of action outside of the ring and not in it." Jerry comments.
I lay on the ground breathless and try to gain my strength back. I notice Kaitlyn and AJ enter the ring and it's just the two of them. "Looks like Sarah is out of the equation for the time being." Cole notices.
"It's a good tactic, take out the favourite early." JBL praises.
AJ and Kaitlyn begin to brawl in the ring. Kaitlyn delivers several hard punches and AJ and Kaitlyn both run the ropes and Kaitlyn delivers a close line to AJ. "Kaitlyn is really dominating this match." King mentions.
I start to gain motion and sit up and look in the ring. I see Kaitlyn measuring up AJ for the spear. AJ stands up and Kaitlyn delivers a huge spear that almost chops her in half. The crowd love the impact. Kaitlyn covers AJ but I run into the ring and I break it up by diving on Kaitlyn's back and the crowd roar with cheers. "Sarah breaks up the pin." Cole exclaims.
I pull Kaitlyn up and deliver a suplex and follow it by a second. I roll her out of the ring and she lands on her stomach. I then begin to work on AJ so I put her into a sleeper hold. "Sarah has the champion in a sleeper hold." Jerry announces.
"This is a great match." Cole expresses.
"Indeed it is. These three divas are all fighting for the same thing." JBL agrees.
AJ starts to gain momentum and elbows me in the stomach and I hunch over. This allows AJ to run the ropes and locks me into the black widow. "Oh no. AJ's got the black widow locked in this is not good." Cole announces.
I move to the side and she begins to pull tighter. "Come on tap." She shouts.
I shake my head vigorously. "No."
"Tap, just tap you will never take my title from me, tap!"
The crowd begin to cheer me on and that gets me to keep fighting. I use this as motivation and use my strength to pick her up over my shoulders and deliver a back breaker. "Backbreaker out of nowhere." Cole exclaims.
"Did you see the strength of Sarah?" Jerry asks.
"This girl never gives up." JBL adds. I cover AJ "1, 2." but Kaitlyn makes the save as I roll out of the way to the corner.
Now it's AJ and Kaitlyn again. They both turn to me and it looks like they are about to double team me but AJ jumps onto Kaitlyn's back and puts her in a sleeper hold.
I start to regroup and see Kaitlyn fading. I stand up using the ropes and deliver a drop kick to Kaitlyn which brings her and AJ down. I grab Kaitlyn and deliver a DDT and she rolls out of the ring. "What a nasty DDT." King shouts.
I turn my attention back to AJ and she charges at me but I duck and deliver a round house kick to the skull near the ropes. "Holy shit, holy shit." the crowd chant.
"That was a huge kick." Cole exclaims.
"This may be over we may have a new champion." JBL exclaims.
I cover AJ "1, 2 and." before the ref hits the three count AJ lifts her foot onto the ropes and the ref sees it. "How on earth did AJ kick out of that?" Cole wonders.
"Come on." I shout as the ref points to the rope.
The crowd begin to chant. "This is awesome, this is awesome." which gets me back in the game.
I stand up and pick up AJ and put her into the position for the kiss of death. I fling her up over my shoulder and fling her face first to the ground. I look to the corner and start to climb it. "What is Sarah doing?" King asks.
"Looks like she needs some height." JBL answers.
As I am about to get to the ropes Kaitlyn pushes me off and I fall out of the ring and land on the floor and the crowd instantly boo. "Did you see the impact of that fall?" Cole asks shocked.
"Sarah has got to be down and out." JBL shouts.
After a few seconds I start to get up and everyone is cheering me on. "How is Sarah still moving?" Jerry wonders.
I get to my feet and don't notice that Kaitlyn has followed me out of the ring stalking me. I turn around and before I can move Kaitlyn charges at me and spears me back to the floor. "Ouch." I mumble as the crowd boos again.
Kaitlyn climbs back into the ring and AJ and Kaitlyn are going at it again. I lay motionless for a couple minutes trying to regain my strength. I finally make it to my feet and start to climb the corner from the outside. "How is Sarah standing and even climbing right now?" Cole wonders in shock.
"It's the crowd they are keeping her motivated." JBL answers.
I make it to the top rope and watch as Kaitlyn throws AJ out of the ring. I stand up and jump at Kaitlyn who isn't facing me and in the air I grab Kaitlyn by the head and deliver a bulldog and from the impact the noise echos around the arena.
"OMG!" the commentators shout.
"A bulldog from the top rope." JBL shouts.
"That takes skill." Cole adds.
I recover quickly as the crowd are cheering for me to cover. "1, 2." but Kaitlyn kicks out. "Come on." I shout banging my hands against the mat.
"Sarah is getting frustrated." JBL notices.
I start stomping on Kaitlyn angrily working around her body. This is it, I have to do my new move but I have to get rid of AJ first. I crawl out of the ring and use my speed as AJ gets to her feet and deliver a huge close line and AJ flops back to the floor. I stand up smirking at the crowd. "There's that devious smirk from Sarah." King announces.
The crowd begin to chant. "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah." and I send them all smile as I roll back in the ring not noticing that Kaitlyn is on her feet and hits me with another spear. When I land I let out a scream as it was hit wrong. "Another spear to Sarah and it looks like that one hurt." Cole notices.
"She's really taken a beating." JBL adds.
I hold my gut tightly that felt bad. I lie on my stomach in pain. I bury my head beneath my hair so no one can see. Celeste notices this and breaks character. "You okay?" She asks.
"I was late, it's just my ribs keep going." I respond.
We get back into character and Kaitlyn covers me "1, 2 and" but I kick out. "Omg, Sarah kicked out." Jerry shouts as the crowd start chanting. "This is awesome, this is awesome." for the second time as I roll out of the ring and hold my stomach.
"The crowd is right this match is awesome." JBL agrees.
AJ and Kaitlyn are back in the ring and it's just the two of them. The pain in my ribs starts to ease and I make it to my feet as the crowd chant. "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah."
I use that as motivation and slowly crawl to the steps in pain. "It looks like Sarah is hurt." Cole notices.
"Yeah that last spear didn't look good." King adds.
"But she's still fighting." JBL reminds everyone.
I start to make it to my feet and see AJ run the ropes and lock the black widow on Kaitlyn. It takes a lot of guts to make it through the pain and Kaitlyn starts to fade.
I use a boost of adrenaline from the crowd and run into the ring before Kaitlyn can tap and make the save as the crowd cheers.
I start unloading on both of them and throw Kaitlyn out of the ring with the new boost of adrenaline. "Where did this boost of energy come from?" Cole asks shocked.
"It's the crowd Michael." JBL answers.
I then start to fight AJ. We both throw hard punches back and forth. When I punch the crowd cheers and when AJ punches they boo. I finally get a double punch in and use this as a chance to run the ropes and deliver a closeline. I cover "1, 2." but she kicks out.
I put her into the position for the kiss of death and fling her over my shoulder and fling her face first into the mat for the second time. I then start to drag her body to the corner. "What is Sarah doing?" Cole wonders.
"Looks like she isn't finished." King answers.
I start to climb the ropes and push through the pain. I make it to the top rope and face the crowd but Kaitlyn jumps up and throws a punch. I throw one back and it's back and forth until I head butt her and use my remaining strength to lift her up over my shoulders into a suplex off the top rope. "Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit." the crowd chant.
"Suplex from the top rope." Cole shrieks.
I feel some pain but keep moving. Kaitlyn rolls out of the ring and AJ is still down. I kick her stomach several times and climb the ropes again slowly. "Sarah is climbing the ropes again." JBL announces.
I climb facing towards the crowd and they get up off their seats as they see me make it to the top rope. I look behind me and see AJ still lying on the mat. I look out to the crowd I see my family watching me closely with wide eyes. I smile at them then look up and point. "This is for you." I whisper.
"What did she say?" King asks curious.
"I'm not sure." Cole answers.
I then prepare for my new finisher. I jump high and do a double back salt star splash to AJ. "Omg." The announcers shout.
"That was a double back splash, The Sarah Splash." Cole exclaims.
"That was awesome, that was awesome." the crowd chant.
I quickly recover and cover AJ pulling her leg up further "1, 2 and 3." I won!
The referee rings the bell as I scream in excitement. "Sarah did it she's the champion." Cole shouts.
The crowd explode into cheers as Lillian announces. "Here is your winner and the new WWE Divas Champion, Sarah."
The crowd still cheer in excitement as I sit for a moment and start to break down in tears. I make it to my feet and the referee raises my hand as the crowd erupts more. "The roof on this place just exploded." JBL exclaims.
"There you have it folks your new Divas Champion, she told everyone she would win and she did just that." King announces.
I make my way holding my stomach to the ropes and stand in the middle and blow a kiss to the crowd. I point to the sky and smile. I climb out of the ring and walk over to my family and hug them crying. I then walk around the ring and clap fans hands as they cheer me on.
I hold my ribs in pain as I walk back up the ramp and turn around walking backwards. When I get to the top I raise my title above my head and the crowd explodes again.
As soon as I am through the curtain I am bombarded by divas and I break down. "You did it, your champion." Brie squeals with tears.
"Congratulations Serena." Nattie continues.
"That match was amazing." Trinity adds.
"You killed it." JoJo finishes.
I sniffle. "Thanks."
Walking backstage I head to the locker room and am congratulated on my win by people as I walk by. I walk past Paul and Stephanie who approach me. "That was an amazing match Serena, and a well deserved win good job." Paul congratulates me.
"You were great out there you should be so proud it looked fantastic and all the hard work has paid off and social media is blowing up." Stephanie adds.
"Thank you." I respond as Stephanie hugs me.
"Now go get checked out, that spear looked bad."
"I will."
Celeste and April walk up to me and they hug me. "Well done Rena, you were great and I'm so sorry." Celeste says.
"Don't be, it was my fault I was late and didn't brace myself." I respond.
"Just go get checked out after you're done with your interview and photo shoot."
"I will."
"You did it." three familiar voices echoe from down the hall.
I turn to see Jon, Joe and Colby walking fast towards us. "Congratulations champ." Colby congratulates.
"Thank you." I thank.
"How does it feel?" Jon asks.
"Hasn't sunk in yet."
"It will after the adrenaline wipes off." Joe assures.
"How's the ribs?" Colby asks.
"Sore, but I am going to go see Doc after my interview." I respond.
"Well done again."
"Thanks, I couldn't have done it without these two though." I say pointing to April and Celeste.
"You all killed it, everyone was glued to monitors." Jon mentions.
"Really?" We all question.
"It was a match worth watching." Joe responds.
"Serena you are needed at set." a worker announces.
"Alright." I respond.
"Well done again and congrats." the guys repeat and walk off.
I make it to my post match interview with Renee. "Congratulations lovely you deserve it." She congratulates.
"Thanks Renee, I'm beat though." I admit.
"We won't be long." she assures and we get given our directions and the director shouts action.
"Ladies and gentleman with me at this time, the new WWE Divas Champion, Sarah." Renee introduces me and I appear on screen, the crowd explodes into cheers. "Congratulations."
"Thank you Renee." I thank looking at my title
"What's going through your mind right now?"
"To be honest I feel like I'm still out there, it still hasn't sunk in yet, but I am incredibly happy, I did what I came here to do and I am over the moon with the support that I've received."
"How did it feel when that title was placed in your hands?" Renee asks.
"I thought I was dreaming and when I grasped it tighter it was a dream that came true, I'm just over the moon with joy."
"When you were staring and pointing upwards who were you pointing to and what were you saying?"
"I was pointing up to my dad I knew he was watching me and I said this is for you
"Any last messages?" Renee asks.
"I just want everyone to know that now that I have this title it isn't leaving me and that's a promise, and tonight in my home town was the first of many memorable moments to come." I finish and walk off.
After the interview I head to hair and make up for my photo shoot. After the shoot I quickly post a photo to twitter and Instagram: I told you I would walk out of Payback the champion. And now I am YOUR DIVAS CHAMPION. Thank you to everyone for the support. I will be the best Divas Champion I can be. #Future #onlythebeginning #WWEPayback #NEWDIVASCHAMP #dreamsdocometrue
I walk into the locker room and the girls are still there. April comes up and hugs me again. "Well done again." She whispers.
"Thank you." I thank.
"How's your ribs?" Brie asks me.
"I'm going to get them checked now."
"It was a great match, us girls were on the edge of our seats." Nicole add.
"Thanks." I respond putting my stuff down and head to doc to get checked out.
I walk into Dr Sampson's room. "Hey doc." I greet.
"I saw what happened let's check your ribs." he says and does some tests and feels my ribs and I hiss a little when he does. "You are bruised so take it easy, no matches but you can be in the ring."
"Thanks Doc." I thank and he wraps some ice in a bandage.
He then tapes me up and I leave.