Sorry for the delay! But here is chapter 55. Thank you for everyone reading and leaving reviews! It's awesome! Hope you like this one. We're getting closer and closer to the wedding and baby :) P.S. I do not own anything but my character Madison!
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October 14th, 2017
"Does this look okay? Jeez, I don't even know why I'm asking any of you... I don't even know exactly where we're going and nobody will tell me a thing!"
Madison checked herself out in the mirror, turning from side to side, wondering if what she was wearing was either too formal or not enough. Her lacy soft blush pink dress was long and hung off her shoulders; definitely a little too fancy in Madison's eyes. But she argued it was the only comfortable thing she could wear while feeling like a blimp.
"You look perfect Madi," Charlotte giggled, looking into the mirror from behind Madison. She combed her fingers through Madison's pin straight hair; smoothing every unruly strand.
"And you look glowing!," she added, "That's important."
"Can you guys at least tell me if I should wear heels or not, depending where you all are dragging me to?" Madison asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Becky popped into the reflection now, giving Madison such a strange look. "As if you'd wear heels while THAT pregnant, Madison! Gimme a break!"
"But in that dress, it'll work," Charlotte offered, "And to answer your question Madison, yes, you can wear heels tonight where we're going."
"But that's all we're sayin' about tonight," Becky interjected, "You're just goin' to have to wait and see for the rest."
Madison expected to share a car with Bayley while Becky rode with Charlotte on the way to wherever they were going but that wasn't the case. It seemed like slowly the night's events were unfolding.
"Oh my God, is this for us? This isn't for us!" Madison gasped once she was out on her front porch, met with the huge white limo in her drive way.
"Oh my God, it's really for us..."
"Of course. We're ridin' in style!" Becky exclaimed.
"Okay, now I'm really, really suspicious..."
Madison followed the girls into the gigantic vehicle; the inside like a long, seemingly never ending hallway. It was stocked with the usual fixings even for Madison. Inside a large, icy bucket were two bottles; one an alcoholic champagne and the other a non-alcoholic one. Glasses were already poured with the bubbly liquid, a marked one left for Madison too.
"Okay, I get what this is," Madison said, putting whatever pieces she had to the puzzle together so far, "Even though Bayley swore she wasn't going to throw me a bachelorette party... And even though Finn is having his bachelor party tonight... And the fact that we're in a giant limo with champagne of all sorts... This is definitely a bachelorette party."
Bayley pulled her glass from her lips and shook her head much to Madison's surprise. "Nope... Not quite."
"What?" Madison gasped and both Becky and Charlotte nodded.
"You've almost, almost got it," Becky said, already pouring herself about her glass of champagne, "But I'm afraid right now you're ice cold."
During the entirety of the limo ride to an unknown, surprise location, Madison tried to have all the girls explain to her the reasons why it wasn't a bachelorette party. She didn't understand as every sign pointed to it being indeed that type of party. Frustrated that she couldn't quite put her finger on it, instead, Madison made only one request.
"Please, for the love of God," she warned, pointing her finger around the girls, "No, and I mean absolutely no male strippers... Like I need to see any of that..."
"What? No Magic Mike tonight?" Charlotte asked, her expression teasing as if she were actually distraught.
"Absolutely not," Madison laughed.
"Nah, I think she means that Finn is enough man for her," Becky began to laugh, "And I really, really don't blame her."
"But no, Madison," Bayley said, "No strippers either... We all promise you that."
Shortly after, the limo had stopped as they made it to their destination. Peeking out the tinted windows, Madison looked up high to see a 'Hilton' hotel sign in huge letters. She didn't bother pressing about a bachelorette party again even though she was dead serious it was just that. Why else would her crazy girl friends arrange for a limo and hotel?
Madison followed the girls through the front entrance as they had a sense of where they needed to go. Eyeing every sign she could, Madison tried to make sense of anything. But before she knew it, Bayley had ushered her into an elevator. She pressed the button that would lead them to the ground floor; possibly where the pool was located. She began to wonder if it had to do with some kind of pool party? Swimming? Even though they all lived literally minutes away from the beach... So again, it made no sense...
The elevator doors sprung open to reveal their floor. Charlotte was out first and then Becky and Bayley. Madison was eager to follow but even more so once they reached a closed white door that was clearly marked 'Ballroom.'
"What is happening?" She whispered to herself. As she looked around her, Bayley, Charlotte and even Bayley were now standing from behind her, smiling so brightly like everything was absolutely great.
"I'll give ya a clue," Becky whispered, "Open that door."
With her brows knit so tightly it felt the slightest bit painful, Madison placed her hand on the handle. She pressed the square button and pulled the handle to open the door; at first, met with a blackened room.
Madison was confused from start to finish; terrified it was some kind of prank of scare tactic. But before she could even look back and question her friends, the lights flashed on, followed by a chorus of very exuberant and excited voice belting out a 'Surprise!'
And it was a surprise to say the very least. Standing all around the beautifully and elaborately decorated room were so many faces; some familiar and some very missed once Madison actually stepped foot into the room to look around. The shock of it all was truly overwhelming but so incredibly amazing too.
Madison's family, some of whom she hadn't seen in ages stood front and centre; from her cousins that lived all the way back in Ohio, her Aunt from San Diego and her mother and grandmother. There were many of her old co-workers from the Performance Centre and those from RAW... Even her's and Finn's friends like Kevin and Neville and their respective wives. She even spotted Noam, Luke, Karl, Sami and even Hunter and Stephanie. But it didn't even register in her mind that Finn's friends, who should have been with him at his bachelor party, were in front of her smiling from ear to ear. She didn't have the time to question once and finally Madison spotted Finn in the middle of the huge crowd, walking towards her.
"Oh my God! What're you doing here?" Madison asked, wrapping her arms around Finn as he hugged her.
"I had no idea either," he laughed, "I just got here moments before you and I was surprised just like we surprised you... So... Are you surprised?"
Madison's giggles were so light, as if they were filled with air. "Of course I am!" She said, "I can't believe this! Who's responsible for all of this?"
Hunter walked towards them and Madison shook her head. She should have known better that it was him all along. "Of course it was you! Hunter, this is beyond anything I could have ever expected..."
"Well, with that, welcome to your joint Baby and Wedding Shower," Hunter introduced.
"You did all of this?" Madison asked.
Hunter shook his head, "Not without a lot of peoples help... First and foremost, Sam."
Sami, the cheeky bastard that he was, waved his arm around like it was flailing as he waved from where he stood. Surely he was Hunter's secret weapon... Now it made sense to Madison as Sami tried to convince Finn about having a bachelor party. It was Hunter's secret Wedding/Baby shower all along. Now she knew Bayley's "simple girls night out" was just an extension of that; a ploy to have Madison and Finn brought to the same place, at the exact same time.
"And the girls and the guys, our PC staff, your family members, Steph," Hunter continued to list, "But there's two specific people I'd like to thank for coming all this way. Now, can you believe that I've got one last surprise up my sleeve?"
"What the hell!" Finn exclaimed so excitedly yet so shocked, laying eyes on his parents who appeared from behind the large group of guests.
Madison covered her mouth with her hands, again in shock and now hysterics she'd have to blame on pregnancy hormones. The smiles on her soon to be in laws faces just melted her heart and the fact that they made the eleven hour flight to be with them and to celebrate was such a blessing.
"You guys are clever," Finn chuckled, hugging his father as his mother enveloped Madison.
"Sorry we couldn't say anythin'. It needed to be a surprise," his father explained, reaching Madison.
"You look beautiful, darlin'. It's so good to see ya," he said, hugging Madison.
"Thank you, it's so good to see you too," Madison whispered.
"November couldn't come any sooner," Finn's mother had said, "But we really wouldn't have missed this for anythin'... Our son is finally gettin' married and havin' a baby."
"We honestly didn't think this day would ever come," his father began to laugh, "So it was more than enough of a reason to jump on a plane and come celebrate our newest grandson and daughter in law."
"Well we're very happy to have you here," Finn said, hugging both his mother and father again. Finn truly was ecstatic. Even though he'd be seeing his parents in a few weeks, there was nothing better than having them front and centre for such an unexpected but exciting occasion. They got to meet all of Madison's family before the wedding; learn all about where she came from and all the loving people who had a part in her upbringing. It was beginning to feel like two families coming together.
"You have such a wonderful daughter, Kathryn," Finn's mother complimented, "I knew from the moment I met her, she'd be a part of our lives in some way... And let me tell you, this is the best possible way imaginable."
The compliment alone left Madison's heart a melted puddle on the floor below her. Finn's mother was always so sweet.
Given it was Hunter who was behind the entire celebration, extravagant wines and food surrounded the whole room. There was even a beautiful three tier white cake topped with berries of all colours and white macaroons, too beautiful to even eat.
The night was nothing short of gratitude. Finn and Madison were lucky to have such supportive friends and family. Aside from new kitchen gadgets and trinkets for their home, Callum had already been spoiled and he hadn't even born yet...
After the last box was unwrapped, the bride and groom to be's parents stood front and centre; their turn to say a few words.
Finn's parents insisted Kathryn go first, leaving Madison with her hands nearly covering her face. Finn got a quick glance of red that swept across her cheeks and smiled, rubbing her back in time as her mom began to speak.
"This beautiful woman sitting across from us all is such an important part of my life. First and foremost, I am so incredibly happy... Maybe even beyond the limits of happiness for my daughter and the perfect example of the man I had always dreamed my daughter would marry... I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Finn in person until a few months ago, although I feel like I've known him for many years... Finn is such a warm, caring man. The love that I see in his eyes for my daughter makes me so thrilled for that the rest of my life, I know she'll be in good hands... And my first grandchild will be the luckiest kid in the world to have such an amazing man to look up to... So I celebrate their love for one another and the impending birth of Callum for today I gain a son in law and a lifelong Prince Charming for my little Princess Madi... I love you both," Kathryn spoke so, so beautifully that nearly had Madison weeping. She tried her best to keep herself composed, biting her lip throughout the majority of the speech to keep her tears at bay. For the most part, she succeeded... But Madison was still left swiping a few tears that fell from the corners of her eyes as she stood up to walk over to her mother and embracing. The room erupting into echoing applause, the two left giggling through happy tears. "I love you baby girl," Kathryn whispered into Madison's ear and she squeezed her mother a little closer.
"Thank you mom. I love you too," Madison whispered back, hesitant to pull away and face the room again as well as Finn's parents impending speech. But once she did, Finn swooped his soon to be mother in law in his arms and embraced her.
"Thank you so much for the kind words," he said, "They truly mean a lot."
"You're so very welcome, Finn. Always," Kathryn said as she kissed him on the cheek. She slipped away and let Finn's parents take the floor, the room falling quiet again. Finn and Madison stood together; his hand on the small of her back as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"It's great to look around this room and see many, many familiar faces and some that are new to us," Finn's father began, "But regardless of where we've all come from, we're all here for one reason and that is Madison and Finn... When we first met Madison, it was during a tough time for our son. But after that initial meeting we knew Finn would be in great hands. Here was this carin' and lovin' woman step into his life and pull him outta the dark. I look at my son today, and I know his mother would agree, but we see a different version of Finn. He looks as though he radiates a light about him, like an aura and I know it's all because of Madison. She was the light to surround him during his darkest months and for that I am grateful. 'However long it takes, I'll be there' were the words Madison said while Finn was in surgery... A year later and she's still by his side... My boy has been doin' somethin' right."
The room erupted into giggles and chuckles, lightening the emotional mood. Meanwhile, Madison was already wiping the tears from her eyes like she'd been doing all night so far. She could remember so clearly speaking those exact words to his parents after learning four months had turned into six, or possibly more. As time went on, it wasn't just something she said to put his parents minds at ease. After a few weeks, she'd fallen in love with the man she was assigned to care for. Through every up and down imaginable, here they were standing tall and stronger than ever before.
'However long it takes, I'll be there' felt more like a vow Madison had taken before meeting the love of her life... Before the crazy rollercoaster that was their love.
"We feel very honoured to welcome Madison into our family and very, very lucky that we get to welcome a grandson all in the same year," Finn's mother spoke, "With that being said, we're absolutely thrilled to have you marry our son. I knew from the beginnin' you'd be apart of his life, for the rest of his life. We love you, dear."
The applause filled the room again and the embrace between everyone in the middle of the room marked the coming together of two people, surrounded by the support and love of family and friends.
"You okay, love?" Finn whispered into Madison's ear as he wrapped his arms around her. He'd never seen her so emotional. But Madison nodded and bursted into giggles, reassuring him she was definitely okay.
"I promise I am... I'm just, pregnant."
"I love you so much," he added, earning a smile and blush.
"And I love you, handsome," she whispered just as Hunter took the floor now.
"I hope, after the heartfelt and beautiful words, that everyone is very hungry," Hunter chuckled, pointing to the beautiful selection of food set up behind the tables, "But if you will, please help yourselves after the bride and groom and parents to be..."
Afterwards, as everyone sat down with a plate of food and drink in hand, Madison and Finn easily had a look around the room. They were surrounded by so many caring people that touched their lives in one way or another. The gratitude would forever flow and after dinner and cake was the perfect time for Finn and Madison to take the floor amongst their large group of supporters and offer some words of their own.
"If you'd let me, now I'd like to say a few words," Finn began with a champagne glass in his hand and Madison by his side. The room quieted down and all eyes were on the couple; Finn with his arm around his wife to be.
"Firstly, I just want to say how grateful I am to have so many of our friends and family here to celebrate such up and comin' joyous moments in our lives... To be welcomin' a son and to become a husband are truly blessings and two things I would have never thought possible until I met this beautiful woman by my side."
Finn's hand slipped to the small of Madison's back and he took a glance over at Hunter. "But this man who put all of this together," Finn began, pointing his finger to where his boss stood, "I owe a lot to him... Forever I will be grateful that in my time of need, he brought Madison into my life... He is responsible for me falling in love with the woman I'd been dreamin' of; this light that truly woke me from a dark place and has kept a smile on my face ever since... Hunter has been so gracious to us in many ways as you can see and as I've said, so right now, I'd like to raise my glass in his honour... Cheers to not only one hell of a mentor, but to the man I can easily call my friend."
Finn rose his glass as did the rest of the guests; leaving Hunter shaking his head with a little smile on his face. He stood up from his seat and came over to where Finn and Madison stood; shaking Finn's hand first.
"Thank you... You're a good kid, Finn and you deserve all of this... Especially her," he said quietly, directing his attention to Madison, "You take care of her... And you take care of that little boy... You're going to make a spectacular husband and an equally as great father to your son."
"Thank you, Hunter," Finn whispered as Hunter embraced him.
"You're a lucky man, Finn," Hunter whispered into his ear a statement Finn only reminded himself daily. He was lucky indeed... The room was packed with loads of people who cared for not only him but Madison too... But more importantly, the woman by his side loved him through thick and thin... For better or for worse as the last year had proved. He was more than ready to read his vows and pledge his love in front of every single person in the room that would join them in Ireland for the wedding. For that he was grateful... And looking over at his beautiful fiancé, glowing and radiantly pregnant with his son, Finn became overwhelmed. Many times over the last year he thought he had lost her but the first time would always sting. A week of uncertainty and fear that Madison had left for good had really scared Finn. But she loved him enough to give him another chance; their rekindled love for one another resulting in a little boy due in less than two months. Losing her a second time was sheer stupidity he'd never Iive down... But somehow their love prevailed and now they were less than a month away from their wedding... From finally being able to call Madison his wife.
Finn had it very good... His life had fallen into perfect place. Madison was head over heels in love and Finn... Finn was grateful.
