Dear readers,
If any of you are interested, I have posted a new story called Hunter's Web.
I've decided to try a new pairing.
HHH and Charlotte.
Love Works in Mysterious Ways
First to ever pair Triple H & Renee Young.
I think I'm the only one actually, but that's only because my mind works in mysterious ways :)
Enjoy reading :) and please feel free to share your thoughts.
Special thank you to: Levesque-Rollins823, AttitudeEraChick, EverythingHHH, Jeri252, jcott3, princessg101, esha, chaka1967, margaux, Renee-is-awesome, Hunter's Homeland, Tuggy08, GoodOne, kim and every person that ever read my stories. You ROCK!
Corey's Kitten - You have helped me and taught me so much. THANK YOU!
Chapter 50
As I put the coffee mug on the table and sat down, I couldn't help but notice the bridal magazine peeking from under the newspaper. I smiled to myself as I remembered her mocking me for still reading the newspaper and telling me I'm old. The magazine was filled with colorful bookmarks and little post-its with a very familiar handwrite. I loved that Rory was helping her with the wedding plans. I loved it even more that they seemed to do everything together.
I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes as the memories took me back to my first wedding. "Why is it that I can walk in a store and leave with a perfectly good suit 10 minutes later and you need magazines and designers and appointments?"
"I need options, honey." She smiled. "Don't you want me to look beautiful?"
"Baby, you're already the most beautiful woman in the world. It doesn't matter what dress you'll wear."
"To you." She kisses me softly.
"I thought only I mattered."
"Oh, honey, you're so cute." She smiled. "I don't know what you've been taught about weddings, but the bride is the only one that matters. You men do what you're told anyway."
"And I'm sure I speak for all men when I say we are totally fine with that."
"Lean." She whispered as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and drew her close. The heavy sigh that escaped me as she leaned back against my chest made her turn to look at me. "Honey, I asked you to go see the doctor."
"I'm fine, babe." I assured her, but she didn't buy it. "I promise."
"Well, you can say you're fine and promise you're fine, but those marks on your body and the sounds you make when you lie down or get up, say otherwise."
"It will take a few days to heal. Hell in a cell isn't the Gymboree."
"Nothing in our business is Gymboree."
"Exactly. So why are you complaining?"
"I'm not complaining, honey. One of the reasons I love you so much is you being so strong and tough. I'm just worried, because I don't like it when you're in pain."
"I know, baby."
"You just make sure you don't hobble down the idle."
I started laughing as she leaned against my chest and kept looking at the dresses. "I'm sure if you asked your dad, he'd tell you that he thought of a few angles for the wedding. Hobbling should be the least of your worries. You better hope he's not planning something for that day."
"He wouldn't dare mess with our special day."
"Oh really? Have you met your dad?"
"Now you're scaring me." She chuckled..
Putting the magazine aside, she kissed me. "I love you, Hunter." She whispered against my lips.
The doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts and I put the magazine back where it was. I needed a few seconds to shake off those memories and walk to the door. Shawn stuck his head in when I opened the door and looked around. "I'm looking for the scary dude that used to live here. Have you seen him? Tall, bald, mean look on his face?"
I rolled my eyes as he smiled. "Get in and stop messing around."
"I swear, I didn't believe it at first. I had to see it with my own eyes." He said as he walked in. "And why is the door locked?"
"The girls left before I woke up."
"Ah ha! I knew it!" He pointed at me. "She kidnapped her! I knew there was no chance in hell you'd let her take Rory to New York without your supervision."
"Supervision…" I started laughing as I followed him to the kitchen. "So you really came for the food." I said as he opened the fridge and took out eggs and milk.
"Hey, my wife left without making me breakfast. Call child services. This is straight up neglect and they stole our kids."
"Sit down, drama queen. I'll make you breakfast." I ignored his mannerism. "The last thing I need is you making a mess in here."
"So you really did agree to this?"
"Agree to this? It was my idea."
"Your idea that someone who isn't you will take Rory to New York? Unsupervised?"
"Unsupervised? Renee loves her just as much as I do. She's going to be my wife and her step mother. I trust her and I trust your wife."
"Seriously, first you tell me you're getting married, then you tell me Renee is pregnant, then you tell me you want to go back on TV. What's next? You want to wrestle too?"
"Too fast for you?"
"Yep." He nodded. "Can you make some pancakes too?"
"Sure. I could go for pancakes myself."
The suspicious look he gave me made me chuckle and then an idea jumped into my head.
"So it's just you and me today." He jumped on a stool and finally relaxed.
"Yep. Just like old times."
"So what's the plan?" He asked and his smile reminded me of all the pranks and the fun we used to have back when we were younger.
"I actually thought we could just hang out and talk a little." I smiled back as I put his favorite box of juice on the counter.
"I knew it. I'm dying, aren't I? Is that why you told the girls to take the kids?" He asked in concerned as his smile faded.
"You're not dying." I rolled my eyes.
"So why are you being so nice to me?" He pushed the box away.
"I'm always nice to you."
"Please." He mocked me. "I forgot the last time you even said the word nice."
"Just drink your juice and chill, alright."
Suspiciously, he grabbed one box as examined my face. "Can you make it scrambled?"
"Sure."
"Okay, now you're really scaring me."
"Would you like some coffee?"
"Alright, that's it!" He jumped out of the stool. "You tell me what is going on here or I'm leaving and I'm not coming back! Ever!" He pointed a threatening finger at me.
I started laughing again as he crossed his arms to his chest and waited for my answer. "When did you become so paranoid?"
"Right after you agreed to make me pancakes." He answered straight up and I couldn't help but laugh at him. "You forget that I know you better than anyone. I know something is going on."
"What? A guy can't hang out with his best friend anymore?"
"I'm calling Renee." He took out his phone.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because she will tell me the truth."
"Put the phone down." I laughed. "Alright, I'll tell you what's going on."
"Ah ha! I knew it!"
"Sit down and stop being such a drama queen."
"If I'm dying I want you to know that I left my gun collection and my gold Rolex to you."
"You are not dying, but thanks I feel so special. The gun collection. I'm honored." I teased him.
"So if I'm not dying, why are you being so nice to me?"
"Finish your breakfast first." I put the plate in front of him.
"No! Tell me!"
"Alright, fine. Sit down."
As he sat down, I poured some coffee for myself and drank a little, just to annoy him a little bit. "Talk!"
"Is it wrong that I want to pick your brain about stuff? You used to love it."
"Pick my brain about what? I will not rat out on a certain someone taking a certain something from a certain jacket."
"I told her to take my credit card from my wallet you backstabbing asshole. When did you switch teams? You're supposed to be my friend."
"When I realized she's a lot nicer to me than you are."
"After everything I have done for you, this is the thanks I get? You ganging up on me with my girlfriend."
"You should watch your words. I don't think she'd appreciate you calling her your girlfriend."
"You little…" I tried to grab him by his shirt but he managed to escape just in time as he started laughing.
"I never thought I'd say this, but for some strange, twisted reason, I missed your mean face."
"I can't believe I actually considered taking you with me to the rumble." I mumbled just enough to let him hear me and waited for his reaction.
"Rumble?" He locked eyes with me and his jaw dropped. "What rumble? 30 men inside a ring rumble? Pat's rumble? 2 feet must touch the floor rumble?"
"You're such a baby." I rolled my eyes as sat down and started eating.
Rushing to my side, my once road wife sat down and put his hand on my shoulder. "I can tell you what she's doing when you're not home." He winked.
"You mean watch my matched with you, cook, pick Rory up from school, eat and watch some more matches with you and Rory until it's time for her to start on dinner and wait for me?"
"Well, she is kind of obsessed. Both are!"
"Says the guy that started hyperventilating when I mentioned the rumble."
"Hey I won that thing twice! Need I remind you that one of those times was from the number 1 entry?"
"I remember, Mr. Showstopper."
"And I didn't take a nap mid match or hid under the ring like others."
"Fuck you! I didn't hide under the ring. I fought the entire match."
"Yeah, but you didn't enter number one."
We both started laughing as I smacked the back of his head lightly.
We finished eating and after I did the dishes, we went to the living room and Shawn immediately turned the TV on.
"Turn it off. I want to talk to you about something." I said as I opened a drawer and took out a notepad.
"Only if you're really taking me to the rumble."
"Yes, Shawn." I rolled my eyes again. "I'm really taking you to the rumble."
"Front row or do I have to be nice to people backstage again?"
"Front row and you still have to be nice to people backstage."
"Fine. What do you need?" He smiled as he started drinking.
"So you watch Raw, right?"
"And Smackdown."
"Right, so you watch."
"Every week."
"Every week?" I asked in surprise.
"Well yes. I got nothing better to do."
"Fine. So you know the wrestlers."
"Of course."
"Who do you think will make a good match up with me?"
"Sweet mother of Jesus, I think I'm about to cry."
"Shawn!" I gave I'm a hard stare.
"I can't…" He got up and held his hand to his chest. "I just… need a minute."
"Knock it off already." I said as I sat down. "I know when you're mocking me. Stop it."
"My boy is growing up… right in front of my eyes. I can feel the tears."
"That gun collection and Rolex are starting to look like a pretty good deal."
"Alright, I'm sorry, I'll be serious."
"Good." I sighed as he sat down next to me. "I'm just doing some research, I'm not sure if it'll happen or not. I don't know any of the new guys and I'm not about to go back for an old timer. If I do this I might as well put a young talent over, don't you think so?"
"Honestly, don't tell Vince I said so, but none of the new guys can hang with you in a promo. They are talented and all, but something is just missing."
"What do you mean? What's missing?"
"I mean, some of them are good, in the ring, but on the mic and you know what, not just on the mic, the ring psychology, the characters, even the creative, something is just missing. You know?"
"No, I don't know, Shawn, I don't watch the product. That's why I'm asking you."
"Alright, how can I explain this to you?" He paused for a few seconds. "Alright, you remember back in the day, we used to have these conversations and you always said this business is like a puzzle. You said the more pieces of the puzzle you have the better chances you have of succeeding."
"Right." I nodded.
"So, some of the guys and girls, most of them have charisma, but something is off. It's like they lack direction. The small things that make it a whole package."
"Okay, I think I'm starting to understand." I smiled. "Do you and Renee tape it?"
"Tape it." The degenerate mocked me. "We record it. Tivo it. Progress, Hunter, get down with it."
"Cut it out. Do you have raw saved on this thing or don't you?"
"Let me check." He snatched the remote from my hand. "I can't believe I'm about to watch wrestling with you. When Renee hears this she's going to flip."
Right before we started watching, the little menace jumped suddenly, almost giving me a heart attack. "You just sit here and don't move. I'm going to get us some popcorn and drinks. You want something for this special occasion?"
It's been a while since I've watched wrestling with Shawn. I won't lie, I had fun, but annoying Shawn kept staring at me, watching me watching wrestling. By the end of the show, the amount of ideas in my head almost gave me a headache as I wrote down a few things on the notepad.
It was clear to me that something needed to change, but what was most clear was that I had to come back. Wrestling was always my true passion. It began that day when I first saw Chief Jay Strongbow on TV and continued with finally signing my WWF contract. Nothing ever meant more to me than wrestling.
Nothing, except Steph. When I lost her, I lost a big part of myself. Everyone around me wanted Triple H back. I didn't know if I could ever be that guy again, but I knew deep down that she would want me to keep doing what I love. And I did love wrestling. I loved WWE and everything about it. I even loved the crazy old man.
I noticed Shawn smiling as he watched me scribble on and on which resulted in me instinctually rolling my eyes at his juvenile smile. "What?"
"I can see those genius wheels turning in that head of yours." He nodded. "Whatcha writing there?" He asked in excitement as he tried to peek.
"Have some more juice." I handed him another box. "Do you have some more stuff here?"
"Sure. Your little blond never deletes anything."
The car lights outside made me turn the TV off quickly. "Shawn, go see if they need help? They probably bought the entire Bloomingdale's store. I need to check something in my office."
"Yes, boss, Mr. Helmsley." He saluted and ran outside.
Putting the notepad on my office's desk, I texted Vince real quick before heading out.
I need a few hours of your time on Monday. Can you clear your schedule?
Waiting anxiously for his reply, I could hear Rory and Renee laughing.
A few hours? This sounds serious. I can come to your house tomorrow. I miss my granddaughter very much.
Damn it, Hunter. You just couldn't wait until tomorrow with this brilliant idea! Sure. Bring Linda with you. We'll have lunch and then talk in my office.
See you tomorrow. He replied quickly right when Rory stormed into my office.
"Daddy!" She hugged me. "I had the best day ever!"
"You did?" I smiled as I took her in my arms and tightened my arms around her. "I'm really glad to hear that."
"We bought so many things, daddy. We even bought you a few things."
"Yes, daddy." Renee smiled as she walked in. "We brought some surprises with us."
I kissed her lightly and put Rory down. "I have to go give Uncle Shawn his present before he leaves." The excited girl said right before she ran out the door.
We both smiled as we watched her run. "Hi, honey." My gorgeous blond wrapped her arms around my neck. "I missed you."
"Me too. Did you have a good time?"
"The best." She kissed me.
"I heard you had a good time too today. You want to talk about it?"
"Wow, that little menace keeps breaking records."
"Honestly, the way he pulled me aside. I thought something happened to you."
"He's such a drama queen."
"So, is it true?" She asked as she led me to the couch and sat down.
"Is what true?"
"Are we really going to the royal rumble?"
"Seriously, I'm never telling him anything ever again."
"This is so awesome, baby. Next week Beyoncé, the royal rumble at the end of the month. You are so good to us."
I smiled as she kissed me and caressed my beard. "I need you to focus on that, because I need to tell you something."
"Oh no." She pouted. "What did you do?"
"I invited Vince and Linda for lunch tomorrow."
"That's great." She said in excitement.
"It is?" I laughed.
"Yes. I think it's great. Rory would be so happy."
"Am I the only one who thinks the old man is annoying?"
"Oh stop it, honey. You love that old man."
"If you ever tell anyone, the wedding is off."
"Don't worry, my tough, strong, knight in shining sweats. Your secret is safe with me."
Thank you for reading.
I would love to get your thoughts :)
