A/N: A special thanks goes to Elite27, BreakTheWalls and Guest for the wonderful reviews. I appreciate each and every one of you readers. This is a very special chapter and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Let me know what you think.
**Lyrics in the chapter belong to Beyond The Black. If you haven't listened to the song 'Wounded Healer' I would suggest you do. It's a perfect song for this chapter.**
Chapter 15:
Wounded Healer
Priya
I haven't stepped foot back inside Daily's Place in over three weeks. It was hard for me to want to go back after everything that went down with Cody and Brandi. There was so much confusion running through my head, especially when it came to Lance. We both opened up about our feelings for one another; but that was the furthest our relationship has gone.
He occasionally messaged me, asking how physical therapy was going and such; but there wasn't much else that was asked. I think he understood that I'm still hesitant in taking anything further than where we are currently.
"Priya…" Karina called.
I looked up from my cup of coffee to meet her gaze. We were sitting in her kitchen going over ideas for the cover album she wanted to put out to the world. After singing one song with her, she had been adamant on me being a part of the band in some capacity. Family was everything to her and I was learning this more and more everyday.
"Sorry, my mind is elsewhere." I answered.
"I can tell. Do you want to talk about it?"
"There really isn't much to tell. I have a guy who wants a chance with me and I'm so fucked up that I can't just let myself be happy."
She sat her cup down on the counter and walked around the island to stand before me. Even with no shoes on, I was still slightly taller than her. Before anything was said, Shay entered the room. Her long brown hair was pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head. "Oh hey, Priya." She greeted warmly, moving to embrace me.
"How is school going? Excited that you are about the graduate?" I asked, pushing the earlier conversation to the back of my mind for the time being.
"Absolutely. I'm stoked to get my knowledge in the music industry."
Karina once said that her little sister wanted to get into wrestling; but that quickly died down once got more hands on in Celestial's music. Either way, she had grown up into a wonderful young woman. "I'm thrilled for you." I said, turning to lean against the edge of the island.
"Considering who our father and uncle was, I'd say we grew up to be quite successful women." Shay said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and then walked back out of the room.
"She's right, we are all successful in our own ways. You may have known who he was; but I'd say you were the lucky one."
"I guess; but he prevented me from ever knowing who my father was and I still can't find him because our grandparents are still running the show in Mexico."
Her blue orbs connected with mine as she placed both of her hands on my shoulders. "One day, you will get to meet him. I don't know when or how; but I promise you, that you will get to. Now to bring back up the previous conversation...you are not fucked up. You have every reason to be hesitant in another relationship. Lance knows this. He's not pushing. He is waiting patiently for the time you are ready."
"How do you know? A person can only be patient for so long before giving up."
"Have you seen the way he looks at you? That man is head over heel for you."
My mind went back to the way he kissed me in his hotel room. Everything about that moment was perfect and then I had to ruin it by leaving. My heart raced just thinking about Lance. I didn't want to hurt him and the only time I didn't feel pain was when I was with him. I needed him.
"I think I've got an idea for the band." I said randomly.
"Alright, let me hear it."
"Do you think Celestial could do a stage show at Daily's Place for the AEW crew and talent? We could have it be a stream for fans and donate the proceeds to help people during this pandemic."
"That's actually a really good idea. I'll call Kenny and see what he can do."
Karina immediately grabbed her phone from it's resting spot on the counter. It didn't take long for Kenny to answer. "Hey sweetheart, what's up?" He greeted, while on speakerphone. I smiled at the tender show of affection between them.
"Do you think Tony would let us do a stage show for crew and talent while letting it be a stream for fans. We could donate the proceeds to help people affected by the pandemic."
"Well, I just walked into the meeting room. Ask him yourself, I just put you on speakerphone."
"Oh, hi Tony." Karina greeted.
There was a shuffle of noises; but we did hear him return the greeting. "So I have an idea to pass by you. Well it was actually Priya's idea."
"Is she there with you?"
"Yes, I am." I answered, not allowing Karina to answer for me.
"How is recovery going?" Tony asked.
"I'm right on track for an August return."
He was happy with that answer and then was willing to listen to what Karina had said. It didn't take much convincing for him to agree to the show, especially when we said it was for charity. It was set for the following Wednesday right before Dynamite. We had a little over a week to publicize it.
Karina hung up the call and turned to look at me with a wide smile. She was happy with the turnout, not that I blamed her. I was happy too. "Are you going to accept my offer from earlier?" She asked.
I didn't need to ask what she meant. She had offered me a permanent spot in Celestial as a co-singer with her after the few times we've sung together. I wasn't going to lie and say the chemistry wasn't there because it damn sure was. Shay was supposed to have the spot; but declined the offer after getting accepted into Full Sail University, for music production, after graduation.
"I do accept; but I do have a request." I answered.
"Which is?"
"Ease me into the full time position."
"I can do that."
XXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXX
July 1st
It was such a crazy day already. I've been avoiding people all day, so I would remain a surprise for the show. The virtual ticket sales were very good. Karina was happy with the number. Her other band members, Jayson, Hayley and Landon were busy setting the stage up with their equipment. Shay even made her appearance with keyboards in tow.
It made me smile to know that I was accepted to the family, not just from Karina; but from Shay as well. Kenny even had warmed up to me. Shifting to sit down in a chair, I pulled my phone out of my back pocket. There was a text message waiting for me.
"How are you doing today?" Lance's message asked.
"I'm doing okay today. I'm about a week or two away from being able to train for an in-ring return." I quickly typed and sent.
I leaned down to open my travel bag. Inside, there were probably five different outfits since I couldn't decide what I wanted to wear before coming to Daily's Place. There was no one in the room to help me decide. Karina was busy getting herself ready and keeping people away from her door so as not to ruin the surprise of my appearance.
Finally opting on a pair of distressed black skinny jeans and a baby blue vinyl tank corset, I quickly got dressed and slipped into a pair of black open-toe booties to complete the look. I kept my make-up simple with a blend of silver and blues.
My phone vibrated against the metal of the neighboring chair. I turned to pick up the device and opened the message. "That's great! I miss you."
I didn't know what to say, so I just didn't answer. It was better if I didn't say anything, he would see me seen enough anyway. Now it was the waiting game as I mentally prepared myself for the event while praying everything went according to plan.
Lance
I found my spot near the barricade on the left side of where the ramp was positioned. Karina's band Celestial was performing a charity show, which was for a great cause considering everything the world is going through. We all were tested prior to being allowed inside the building for tonight's events.
The lights dimmed and the cameras were in position to capture the moments for the streaming fans. An eerie intro started, then one by one they all made their way onto the stage. Karina's bright teal hair shimmered against the lighting and it made me think about Priya's ginger red hair. It also shimmered against lighting at certain angles.
Her voice made contact with my ears and I was sucked into her world. The same could be said about everyone else in attendance. Every song that I had heard on the radio was played and some that I hadn't been familiar with. Chris Jericho even made an appearance for a song, which was pretty damn awesome.
"Thank you all for allowing us into your home. The world is different and there are so many unknowns. This was the best thing we could do to give you some sort of peace of mind, while helping others struggling. We've got one more song for you and it's a cover that will be featured on our new cover's album coming soon. It also marks the debut of our newest member of the band. Trust me you'll approve. Let's do this." Karina announced.
A smokescreen was released as the sound of a keyboard hitting odd notes started. A shadow started to walk through the smoke with wings on her back. A soft hum was heard and then Priya emerged with a microphone in her hand. At that moment, she really was a Valkyrie. Karina smiled as her beautiful cousin opened her mouth to sing.
"You take me down to this sacred place
Keep my secret, don't leave a trace
Set my heart free from time and space
Come hear my sorrow
You stick around through my hardest days
Lead my way through this tangled maze
I believe in you to embrace
My soul, so tortured
I find relief
You give me peace
In silent grief
You'll find the answers
Come be my wounded healer
Sing your blissful melody cause
I believe in
The wonders of your medicine
You're the preacher
I feel it through my skeleton
Wounded healer
Save my soul from darkened nights"
I never imagined her voice to sound this way. I wanted to reach for her, hold her and protect her from the wounds she spoke of. Everyone around me started to talk about her voice, not that I blamed them. It truly was beautiful just like she was.
Cody hovered out of the way with his arms crossed. Brandi stood beside him with a little more distance between them than usual. It made me wonder if there were more problems than what was shown on the surface.
Karina moved closer to Priya to sing her verse and then they both sang together, which was goosebump worthy. Once it was all over, Karina held Priya's good arm up in the air while we clapped and cheered for her. She mouthed 'Thank you' before taking a bow before us.
The camera's stopped rolling and I immediately left my spot to get backstage as quickly as I could. Priya's bright hair stood out, so I instantly called out her name. She stopped walking and turned to look at me. The wings were still attached to her back, giving her a very mythical edgy look.
"You killed it out there tonight." I commented.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't answer your message, I was trying to keep my presence a secret."
"Nah don't worry about it. This was so much better. You really do look like a Valkyrie dressed like that."
I could see the heat on her cheeks. Was her heart racing like mine? Before I could open my mouth to speak. She took a step closer to me and twined her fingers through mine. "I don't want you to chase me forever. The chase is over, you caught me."
I froze for a moment, really understanding her words. It didn't take me long to comprehend them. She was giving me a chance to show her that I'm not like Cody and I wasn't going to waste it. Leaning down closer, we met in the middle for the official kiss of her being my little Valkyrie.
"Oh thank god!" Karina stated.
Priya smiled against my lips and held onto me tighter with her good arm while moving her other one to flip her cousin off. Once we broke apart, a low chuckle erupted from my throat. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You better be good to her." Karina stated, narrowing her brows.
"I will be."
I felt Priya curl her fingers into my waist and rest her other hand on my chest. There was a smile on her face and for the first time, I knew that she was happy. It was a smile I was determined to keep on her face.
