Chapter 37 Adoration and Reservations
Disclaimer – I only own the plot and my OCs. The characters of Roman, Dean and Seth etc. belong to WWE. My OCs – please see the end of the chapter for a quick summary :)
"Do you remember Levi's daughter, Alison? She came to Kels' birthday party last year," Michael said, after telling his wife about his upcoming business trip Ohio, where the Palmers resided. Since he needed to be there for more than a week, Michael wanted Priya and Kelista to come along as well.
"Perhaps Kels could visit her school." Priya turned to her daughter. "Would you like that, sweetheart?"
Eight year old Alison Palmer went to a prestigious school in Cincinnati, Ohio. Priya saw this as an opportunity for Kelista to experience a regular school day with other children since she wanted to home school her daughter.
Kelista nodded. "Can Seth come too?"
"I can't, Kels." Seth's shoulders drooped. "I have school here and mum won't let me miss a day,"
"Oh," Kelista hugged him tightly.
"It's okay, Kels, the days will go by fast and we'll see each other again soon," Seth promised, returning her hug.
Kelista was still too young to travel often but Michael dropped by Davenport once in awhile to see Seth; visits that the future Shield affiliate eagerly looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Kelista was very excited to see the new city and the school. She met up with Alison and her grandparents. It was very strange staying with a Black American family and their ways were very peculiar. Alison's grandmother wasn't too keen on the god lamps Priya brought with her but didn't object (her mother later put them away).
Kelista didn't like Alison's company very much either. The Black American child was very loud and unladylike for the Helmsley Princess' liking. Nani and her mother always taught her to be conservative and watch her speech. But Kelista chose to keep quiet on those occasions Alison acted less than Kelista thought she should and with a cheerful (and grateful) smile accompanied Alison to her school. The arrangement was to spend a day with Alison and to experience being in a school environment to which the Helmsley Princess thoroughly enjoyed. But perhaps the most significant experience was after school when Alison and Kelista noticed a peculiar boy hanging around just outside the gate.
"Hi, there," Alison said politely to the boy.
Kelista felt uneasy about the new boy. He looked older, around Seth's age most likely. Surely he didn't come to this school. His untidy strawberry-blonde hair to his scruffy shoes wasn't too bad. But the Helmsley Princess stayed well behind Alison because he was unlike any kid she's ever met. There was nothing cultured or even childlike about him.
The boy considered them for a moment. Usually the kids at this school were very snobbish. They often called him names and said he didn't belong here. Well with his fists he taught those boys. The girls still stuck their nose up at him though.
But not this one. She didn't seem to notice his torn clothes and dirt-streaked face.
"You're very pretty," he said.
"Oh, thanks," Alison said. "What grade are you in?"
"Four, I don't go to this school though," he said. "I live on the other side of town,"
"I'm sure your mummy must be worried about you," Kelista commented after a quick glance around. He didn't seem to be with anyone.
"She's not around much to know where I go," he replied nonchalantly.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Alison said sincerely before she saw her transport. "We have to go now, my grandmother's here. Bye."
As she turned to walk away, he called out to her:
"What's your name?"
"Alison Palmer, what's yours?"
"Dean," he replied. "Dean Ambrose,"
~oOo~
For one brief heady moment, Alison's lips softened beneath his and Dean moved to deepen the kiss.
Alison pushed him back with great effort. "Dean, stop! Let go of me!"
"Why?" Dean demanded; his pride stung. "You kissed me back!"
"Actually...I didn't. I was taken by surprise. Don't ever do that again. " Alison shook her head. "By the way, if you thought I was married, why were you flirting so much with me?"
Dean gave a frustrated sigh. "I just...I like you, okay? I like you a lot! And there's no crime with flirting is there?"
Alison shrugged as she bent slightly to pick up her books. "Depends, I guess."
"So...would you...like to go out for dinner?" Dean asked, trying hard not to picture Seth laughing at him (mostly because of the Lunatic Fringe teasing him about Kelista).
"...Dinner?" Alison repeated, stunned. You stop a guy from kissing you and he still asks you out…well she was used to it; she just never imagined the Lunatic Fringe being so determined that its borderline desperate.
"Yeah...I've never made reserva-" Dean pursed his lips to stop himself from admitting that he has never made a restaurant reservation before or even knows how to. A woman of Alison's social wealth and stature was used to those kinds of formal, classy scenes. How was the Shield affiliate going to impress her?
"I'm not surprised; I'm sure you'd find those places way too prim and proper for your taste." she said, wondering why the Lunatic Fringe seemed so embarrassed. "I can just picture your temper sky rocketing because the host has denied you access based on the lousy excuse that you're not wearing a jacket or something," she illustrated to make him feel better. "He would be very thankful if Roman and Seth are there to hold you back,"
Dean sighed in relief. "So I guess those restaurants aren't your thing either, huh?" he grinned.
"Well, actually, they sort of are," Alison shrugged as they entered the lobby. "But yes, they can be way to prim and proper," she added with a chuckle.
"So, dinner tonight?" Dean pressed. He would have to ask Sierra to make a reservation for him at one of Davenport's finest restaurants (the Lunatic Fringe wasn't going to risk being teased/ laughed by his brothers).
"It's Friday, there's usually Youths," Alison said, as her phone pinged notifying her of her text.
"We could have lunch now," Dean gritted his teeth and promised himself this was the last time he would ask her. Who does she think she is for the Shield affiliate to beg for a date?
"Sounds good," Alison took out her Smartphone and swiped the screen. "Oh, look. Grams is also reminding me to eat." she chuckled.
The Shield affiliate froze at the mentioned of Alison's grandmother.
Noticing his expression, she asked, "Something wrong?"
"No..." the Lunatic Fringe quickly composed himself. "Just can't wait for our date, beautiful,"
"Aunty Priya, Kelista's mother, is here," Alison smiled as she read the text. "I suppose we could have lunch first to give Kelista some time with her mother,"
Dean gritted his teeth; he was getting tired of her indifferent attitude. "Still playing hard to get?" he asked, trying to keep his voice light. It didn't even occur to him Alison was talking about a woman that he thought was dead.
Alison arched an eyebrow. "Playing? I don't. I am hard to get. In other words, I'm not easy and cheap. Thanks by the way for thinking that," she finished sarcastically before turning towards the lifts.
"What? No, I do not think you're easy or cheap!" Dean strode after her. "I never did!"
"Yes, I know. I'm just kidding with you. So which restaurant?" Alison asked casually and they got into the lift.
Dean was taken aback. "Er..."
"Royal Palms? It's the closest to the roof top where Kels is,"
"I haven't exactly made reservations," Dean admitted.
"No worries; I got connections you know," Alison winked at him.
Dean could just barely return her smile. He had almost forgotten about their grandparents. When he thought his past would come back to haunt him, Dean never thought it would be screwed up like this.
~oOo~
Hotel rooftop
Kelista swallowed hard, barely feeling the hard thuds of her heart against her ribs. She stood frozen a few feet from the elevator unable to move.
The Helmsley Princess had not known that last night her mother (after meeting with a very much pleasantly surprised Hunter and Stephanie) had sat by her bedside, affectionately stroking her daughter's hair as she slept.
"My baby!" Priya covered the space between her and her daughter in two quick steps.
Seth hung back as the emotional reunion continued. He lost count of how many times Priya had hugged and kissed her daughter.
"Oh, this belongs to you," Kelista reached behind her neck and unhooked the clasp of the necklace.
"Mere mungala sultra," Priya whispered her voice tight with emotion as Kelista handed the necklace to her father.
Michael once again tied the mungala sultra around his wife's neck. Priya looked up at him, tears sparkling in her eyes. Michael took her in his arms and kissed her.
Priya giggled. "Michael...the children are watching,"
Michael laughed. "What children?"
"So where are they?" Priya looked around Kelista and Seth.
Michael closed his eyes in dismay. Of course Priya would assume Seth and Kelista were married. Priya thought she was coming back to one big happy family. All he could offer her was Kelista distressed emotionally and Seth, who Michael had excluded on purpose from the Helmsley family. At least Michael could tell her was that their daughter will soon be marrying into a loving and traditional Indian family.
"Where are the children?" Priya asked eagerly. "Are they with your parents, Seth?"
"Children?" Kelista repeated, perplexed.
At that moment, the elevator chimed and the doors opened. Out bounced excited little Kayla, Hunter's youngest daughter, followed by her nanny. Chewing a marshmallow, the youngest Helmsley Princess made a beeline for her uncle, excited that Michael was finally visiting again.
The three year old did not look like her two older sisters, who had their father's blonde hair. She had black hair like her Uncle Shane's and brown eyes.
"Oh, she is so beautiful!" Priya gushed.
Kayla beamed at her aunt, already knowing about Priya's life status beforehand from her parents. She had heard a lot about Aunty Priya before, and was quite excited to meet her.
"Priya-" Michael began. He did not want his wife to get too attached to Kayla, thinking that their niece was Kelista's daughter, thus their grandchild. "Kayla, sweetie, go to Kels, Aunty Priya and I will speak to you just now okay?" Michael gave Kayla to Kelista and took his confused and disheartened wife aside.
"Kayla is Hunter's daughter. Kelista doesn't have children, because-"
"How long have they being married for?" Priya's eyes went wide. "Is Kelista having difficulty falling pregnant?"
Michael blinked. "You're just like your mother."
He and Priya were hardly married for a few months, when her mother started asking when the baby is coming. Same question a year after Kelista was born. Priya laughed and told him she wouldn't stop asking until they had at least three or four children. Michael cringed at the thought – Kelista and Seth were like having ten children around the house!
Seth. Always a part of the Helmsley family...
With difficulty, Michael forced himself back to the present and explained why Seth wasn't in Kelista's life all these years. But Michael had always cared about the Shield affiliate, always wanted the best for him. And since the Architect's father was responsible and loving while Seth was growing up (Michael had always checked up on the Rollins') and Seth now had his Shield family, Michael assumed that was all the Architect needed to be happy.
Priya nodded. "I understand,"
Michael sighed in relief.
"But, love, you... didn't have to keep yourself away from Seth," Priya pointed out quietly. She felt horrible saying this to him, but it was for Seth's sake. "He loved you, Michael. Seth adored you,"
Michael looked away. "I-I don't know what to do. Sometimes I can't even look at him. He surely hates me now."
Priya shook her head firmly. "No, Michael. Seth still loves you. I know you never meant to hurt him." She tenderly cupped the side of his face. "We'll fix this. Together."
Michael swallowed. "I could never do anything right without you,"
Priya's heart broke at the despair in her husband's voice. "You did a fine job of raising our daughter,"
"Your parents actually raised her," he admitted.
Priya chuckled. "That explains a lot,"
Michael smiled, "Kelista is actually getting married soon." he happily went on to explain who Aryan was, his remarkable character and his loving and traditional Indian family.
Unfortunately this did not please Priya in the slightest.
"Look," Priya said, her eyes flickering towards Kelista and Seth.
Michael didn't have to turn to realize what Priya was getting at.
"This was, in most part, Kelista's decision." Michael assured her.
"Alright," Priya nodded, giving her husband a weak smile. "I'll meet Aryan,"
~oOo~
Kelista looked at her parents talking quietly on the other side of the rooftop. She couldn't remember feeling this happy in a long time. This topped every moment she saw her Papa again after he came home from a business trip.
"Kelista...could we talk, please?"
Kelista turned her head briefly to look at her childhood best friend. With Seth being here, it just made this day all the more special.
"Sure, Seth,"
"Are you a hundred percent sure about marrying Aryan?" the words were out of the Shield affiliate's mouth before he could stop himself. Even in his head the question sounded stupid.
Kelista blinked in confusion. "Well...no one can be one hundred percent sure about something like marriage, I guess." Her attention went back to her parents. "Wow, my mum's really beautiful and she's-"
"You're beautiful, Kelista." Seth said softly, reaching out and smoothing her hair back. Seth remembered touching her gorgeous hair. The locks were silky soft and smelt sweet. Of course, he just touched the curls that were necessary to plait Kelista's braids. But ever since then the Shield affiliate imagined running his fingers through her soft hair as he kissed her.
Seth watched as Kelista's cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink at his comment and took a step closer to her. He decided to just take Roman's advice to go ahead and admit his feelings for her. The Architect wanted to believe his big brother's words that Kelista's love for him was deeper than friendship.
"What if we could have a happy future together?" he asked softly.
Kelista looked up at him, her divine light brown eyes widening in surprise. And Seth saw it. All the love Kelista had for him. All the emotions bottled up. Everything he had felt and suppressed right there in the eyes of the woman he would give anything for.
Quickly she dropped her gaze and swallowed hard. "Seth...it can't happen. Our lives...we're worlds apart..." she tried to explain, wanting him to understand, wanting him to let go... so she could let go.
Seth gently rested his index finger under her chin with his thumb just below her bottom lip and guided her face back to him. "I love you, Kelista," he said huskily.
The Helmsley Princess' heart sped up and for one enchanting moment it felt like there was no one and nothing else in the world...except for her and Seth.
The elevator chimed pulling Kelista back down to reality and she quickly stepped back from the Shield affiliate.
"Miss Helmsley," Rizer greeted.
Kelista was still trying to mentally compose herself that she even forgot to get annoyed at her bodyguard/ long time family friend for not addressing her by her first name.
Michael's attention turned towards the elevator as he narrowed his eyebrows, mentally prepared for action. Rizer would never disturb his family time unless it was an emergency. If it was Hanovi, Michael was going to kill him.
"Please excuse the interruption, but Mr. Aryan Pariwar is on his way now." Rizer announced as Michael and Priya walked towards Kelista and Seth.
"He's on his way to India," Seth almost snapped.
"Well, to meet one's mother-in-law-" Rizer began as a helicopter sounded in the distance.
The Shield affiliate's heart sunk at the logo made up of intertwined letters of AP on the black rotorcraft became clearer.
It was Aryan's helicopter.
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Rumor Has It Main OC Character List
Helmsleys
Kelista (Triple H's niece; Seth's childhood friend and love interest)
Michael & Priya (Kelista's parents; Triple H's brother)
Rivana (8), Emma (5), & Kayla (3) - (Triple H's daughters)
Edward & Clarisse (Kelista's paternal grandparents)
Raichands
Raj & Nirvana (Kelista's maternal grandparents – Nana & Nani)
Rollins
Jake & Nina (Seth's parents)
Anita (Seth's paternal grandmother)
Palmers
Alison (Dean's friend and later love interest)
Levi (Alison's father)
Reigns
Sierra (Roman's wife)
Sarah Hannah (9), Raquel Sarisha (6), Koda Pahana (3) - (Roman's children)
Aryan Pariwar (Kelista's betrothed and Seth's friend)
Catori Village - Hanovi (main antagonist; kidnapped Priya; murdered his father; biological father of Koda)
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