Drama? Perhaps babies, perhaps.

I received 11 wonderful reviews in total for Chapter 53, thank you!

No more review quota, but the more you give, the sooner I update! And if you have any requests for chapters, give me ideas! I love your feedback!

Disclaimer: I do not own John Cena or Randy Orton (Damnit) Or anything affiliated with the WWE. Vince owns all, superstars own themselves. I own the OCs and the ideas. Sue me and you will get negative dollar amounts in the form of a Student Line of Credit.

Song Credits: Falling by The Civil Wars (I suggest you listen to this whole song) -Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars

ENJOY!


-Haven't you noticed me drifting? Oh, let me tell you, I am-

The ground crunched under Laleia's feet as she walked across the hard, cold ground of the Mount Pleasant Estates. Resting on the promontories overlooking the Missouri River Valley, the venue was a gorgeous combination of magical scenery as well as much needed privacy. The wedding planner that Giselle hired had gone all out, decorating both the outside reception area as well as the indoor area.

"So, Giselle tells me you've chosen black and white as your wedding colors?" The planner asks. Laleia nods, wrapping her arms around one of Randy's.

"With deep purple accents." Laleia clarified. At first, she had chosen red accents. But Giselle eventually convinced her that red would be too harsh of an accent color, even in the wine shade that Laleia had originally desired. She fought her on it at first, but after seeing how a deep purple sash seemed to suit her dress, she gave in to the change.

"Very nice," The planner smiled, "Classic with a slight hint of color."

"That's the plan," Laleia smiled. She had to hand it to Giselle; regardless of whether this wedding was going to be indoors or outdoors, the venue was exquisite. Sometimes it scared her that Giselle almost knew what she loved better than she did herself.

"We have arranged a small cake tasting for you both as well, if you have the time."

Randy and Laleia looked at each other and smiled. It was as if all the hard decisions had already been made for them. The couple sat side by side as four different samples of cake were placed in front of them. These samples ranged from a simple white cake with butter cream frosting to a complicated, multi-layered chocolate cake with fudge ganache and raspberry filling in between the layers.

As Randy and the planner talked about some details of the wedding, Laleia zoned out. Her eyes flicked up and down Randy's body. He was a beautiful man, that was for certain. Watching him smile and chat up the planner made Laleia smile slightly, yet something just didn't sit right with her. Touching her cheeks, they were normal temperature, almost a little cold. Her stomach was calm and unwavering. Everything within her being was undisturbed in Randy's presence. For some reason, that did not sit well with Laleia.

"Leia?"

Laleia blinked and shook her head. How long had they been staring at her for? Embarrassed, blush began to creep up her neck. Sliding her hand over to Randy's, she smiled softly.

"I'm good with any flavour, you choose."

Randy raised a brow at her, "Actually, we were wondering what flowers you wanted. Are you alright?"

"Oh," Laleia pulled her hand back as both Randy and the planner's eyes bore into her.

"Why don't we leave that to another time?" Randy suggested. Laleia cast her eyes downward and nodded. The tone in his voice seemed almost disappointed at the lack of her attention being available at the moment. She felt a little guilty, but there was time. She didn't want to fret over anything to any excessive degree for this wedding.

"I can take you for a more extensive tour of the grounds?" The planned piped up.

"Well - "

A vicious vibrating from Laleia's purse made her jump mid sentence. Rummaging through her sizable bag, she retrieved her phone and checked the caller ID. Concerned, she looked from Randy to the planner, then back to Randy.

"One moment, I need to take this." She said softly. Randy nodded and the planner motioned to a nearby door that led to a balcony where she could have some privacy.

Walking across the marbled floors, Laleia slid the answer bar on her iPhone.

"Mama?" Laleia answered.

"Pet, I know you're busy, but how fast can you get to Boston?"

Laleia's breath caught in her throat, "Why? What's happened?"

"I've only gotten bits and pieces of information, Pet. How fast can you get a flight?"

Laleia's eyes welled in tears as Belle filled her in on the situation. Pacing, she tried to catch her breath as they finished the conversation. Within seconds of ending the phone call, she was already searching for available flights. She used up what air miles she had saved on a one way flight to Boston then slipped her phone back into her purse. Wiping her face, Laleia scanned around the grounds to see if she could spot Randy. Thankfully, he was easy to spot with his height and she jogged over to him.

"Oh, babe, there you are," Randy smiled, "look at this view!"

"I have to leave for Boston."

Randy raised a brow, "You what?"

"I've already booked my flight, it leaves in 2 hours."

"Whoa, whoa," Randy pulled Laleia aside, "and why are you going to Boston?"

"There's an emergency," Laleia's voice cracked.

"Then I'm coming with you." Randy nodded.

"No."

Randy pulled back, "What do you mean, 'no'?"

"It's personal; I have to do it on my own."

"So it's for John then.."

The disdain in Randy's voice almost made Laleia physically retch, "It's for my family."

"You're really leaving, in the middle of planning our wedding, for Boston."

"Randy, I'm sorry. It's an emergency."

"Fine." Randy relented. He released her hands from his and stood from her, "Take all the time you need."

If it was just the fact that she could not give him details on what was happening that made him upset, that wouldn't have bothered Laleia as much. What caused her such pain was the fact that he knew who it would involve and could not support her with it. Albeit the fact that he'd promised to give John a chance, Randy was never going to trust him. Moving in opposite directions, both Laleia and Randy's judgement had become clouded by emotions.

Randy looked back for a moment as Laleia hailed a taxi. Within seconds of her being gone, he leaned back against a nearby railing and dug into his pocket. He popped open a small prescription pill bottle and slid two oval white pills into his mouth: Vicodin. Swallowing them with a gulp of water, Randy turned back to the planner and smiled.

"How about the rest of that tour?"

o0o0o0o0o0o

-Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound-

Hospitals. The smell of alcohol sanitizers permeated every crevice of this place. Laleia could not bring up one positive thought in relation to hospitals. They'd brought her nothing but pain over the years. Yet here she was, walking across an all too familiar threshold into another painful situation.

"Oh, Pet, thank God."

Laleia's legs burned as she burst in a run at the sight of her mother. She held tight onto Belle the moment she came in contact of her body. Tears seeped from her own eyes as she felt her mother's tears fall on their shoulder.

"Where is everyone?" Laleia whispered. Belle pulled back, wiping the tears from her own face before wiping Laleia's.

"The waiting room in the ER; it's absolutely packed. He's still in surgery."

"Still?" Laleia's eyes widened. Her entire journey took over seven hours. When she had last spoken to her mother, he was being prepped for surgery.

"It's a delicate procedure, Pet." Belle explained as she led Laleia to the waiting room. As upset as she was on the trip over, nothing could prepare Laleia for the sight she was about to be exposed to.

There was not a seat left in the waiting room. Some of the men were pacing, while most of the women occupied the seats. Dark circles were a common occurrence under the majority of people's eyes. Empty tissue boxes were strewn haphazardly around the room. Laleia's heart broke as she caught sight of a familiar, middle-aged man with his face in his hands. Squeezing Belle's hand, she separated from her and walked straight to the man who was like a second father to her.

Kneeling down in front of him, she grasped his knees gently, "Hi."

John Cena Sr. looked up gingerly. Sliding his glasses back on his face, a fresh batch of tears sprout in his eyes as the adjusted to the sight before him.

"Well, isn't this a sight for sore eyes," he choked out as he dabbed at his eyes, "literally."

Laleia's chin wobbled, "How are you holding up?"

"As well as one could be in this situation," John Sr. embraced Laleia, "we'd been preparing for this for a long while."

"How long?" Laleia embraced him back then pulled back to look into his eyes. John Sr.'s eyes registered confusion.

"John never told you?"

Laleia shook her head, "Mama called me this morning."

"Laleia," John Sr. took her hands in his as Laleia kept his gaze, "he's been undergoing treatment for months."

The dull pain Laleia felt in her stomach could not be described. She experienced a mix of sadness, anger, guilt, and betrayal. These people were like family to her. She always felt as if John was some sort of natural extension of her body. This revelation felt as if this natural extension had been brutally severed from her body.

"Where is he?" Laleia prodded gently.

John Sr. looked up and around the room. "Air," he stated simply.

Following his eyes, Laleia turned to see an Exit sign at the end of a hallway beside her. Embracing the man she considered family once more, she then stood and made her way down the hall. Bursting through the door, Laleia paused after a few steps into a secluded lot. She sighed upon realizing that it was empty. Turning on her heel, she tried to reopen the door she had come out of. Unfortunately, it had locked behind her.

"Oh for fuck's sake.."

"I learned that the hard way the first time I came out here."

Sucking in an uneasy breath, Laleia turned to her left. Emerging from a blind corner of the lot, John stood somberly. His eyes were dark blue, brought out more so by the fact that the whites of his eyes were completely bloodshot. His lower lids were puffy and lined by dark circles. Sleep had evaded him for more than a day or two, which was for certain.

"I hadn't really thought how they lock like that," Laleia said, taking a few steps toward him. Both she and John's pace quickened to close the gap between the two of them. Just before they could embrace, John's jaw tightened as his chin trembled.

"I.. I was going to tell you."

"Hey now," Laleia reached up both her hands and cupped his face tenderly, "I know now. That's all that matters."

Without warning, John fell to his knees. Gasping, Laleia tried to prop him up as best as she could. John clung to Laleia's standing frame for dear life. He openly wept into her abdomen as she stroked his head.

"Oh, J," Laleia whispered, "Shh, honey. It's going to be alright."

John could no longer form words. His grip was becoming almost painful on her small body. But still, she let him hold her and cry. There were so many things she had wanted to say to him: how upset she was that he hadn't told her, how they were practically her family too and she deserved to know sooner, how disappointed she was in him for not talking to her sooner. And yet, all she could do was stand there. It was a rare sight to see John cry. It caused her immense pain to see such sorrow in him.

"I'm here." Laleia murmured, holding him closer.

She did not know how much time had passed. The sun that was formerly mid-height in the sky had now set over the trees. Her body was beginning to burn from how long she was standing. But, she would not move; not until he was ready.

"Bambi." John whispered, pulling his face from her stomach. Laleia rested her hands on his shoulders and locked eyes with him.

"Yes?"

John pulled her down to his level, dipping her gently across his legs. Laleia's eyes did not leave his for a second.

"Stay," He choked out. Laleia's eyes filled with tears as her lips contorted into a sad tremble. She nodded wordlessly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Propping one knee underneath her, John balanced on the balls of his feet and held her tightly.

"I needed you today." John admitted.

"As soon as I found out, I knew I needed to get to you." Laleia replied.

Bathed in the deep pink light of the sunset, John and Laleia just sat together. No words were spoken as no words were needed. The comfort they found in each other was more than expected. Opening her eyes slightly, Laleia caught the glare from her engagement ring. With her right hand, she slowly turned the jewel around and out of sight.

"I love you, Ley."

At the moment, she knew it was true. And she no longer feared the fact that he meant it.


Thoughts?