Bittersweet

Chapter 52

As always, I own nothing except my characters and the plot that's been circulating through my brain these last few years. Once again I apologise for the long updates and the fact this story is still not done. The last year has been particularly difficult for everyone and part of the delay in updating is due to the pandemic. Working through it and also getting COVID hasn't been easy.

Any errors, I apologise for. I really hope the next two chapters posted today have been worth the wait. I feel I'm getting back into this again.

"How many times? It's left, right left…LEFT!" Amy's face was matching her hair colour as paused the music on the stereo.

"I'm trying!" Maria huffed as she sent Amy a death glare. "You know how hard it is! I'm easily confused."

"Allllllrighty!" Melina stepped between the two women and clapped her hands. "I think we need a break then we pick things up again."

The women had been practicing their routine for the last few hours in Alana's living room. It was Friday afternoon and the girls had arrived earlier that day. They had squealed when they were shown their costumes and now they were figuring out what they could perform at the bachelor party.

The girls were still struggling with what they were going to sing and had been practicing a routine to several different songs.

"I feel like they should have just hired a stripper." Ashley muttered from the sofa, she was sitting beside Trish and Alana.

This earned a chuckle from most of the girls – even Amy cracked a smile.

"We can do this! We're natural performers!" Maria huffed once more as she tied her hair away from her face.

"I still like Lady Marmalade, I felt that was a good one?" Melina said looking at her friends.

"I can't keep it together if Alana does the Little Kim part." Trish remarked as they all laughed when she exaggerated her accent and rapped along.

"Hey!" Alana cried out in protest despite grinning. "That's discrimination!"

"I really think if we're dressed in wedding attire we should play on that." Amy said seriously.

Alana got up and scanned the various CD's the girls had brought with them. She found one and popped it in.

Soon the sounds of "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie!" by ABBA filled the living room. All the girls grinned as they listened to it.

"Trish want's Jeff, he's a man, it might be after midnight when we perform this, et volia!" Alana beamed at her friends.

"Trish and you both want a man." Amy teased making the Scottish Diva blush.

"How did we not think of this?" Trish grinned.

"I've never really listened to them but this is good. Didn't Madonna sample this?" Amy asked them.

Maria nodded. "I like how we can break it up and all sing the chorus together! I feel this would be better than like a virgin…even if that's where we got the inspiration from."

"Okay so we have our song, we kinda have a routine, so let's make sure we give the guys the performance of their lives!" Ashley got up and the girls laughed and continued to practice.

"Right, we'll head to the store and pick up the wine. Can one of you gals call for pizza?" Ashley pulled her leather jacket on as she Melina and Amy decided to get the supplies in.

Maria pulled her cell out. "On it." She went into the kitchen so she could order their dinner.

Trish was sitting on the couch with Alana as the front door shut.

"I think we're pretty much there! You nailed that note near the end!" Alana said in awe at her friend.

"I'm feeling excited but nervous about it. I wonder how quick the rest of the guys will figure out that it's us." Trish replied as Amy had told the girls that Matt was sworn to secrecy about their plan.

"Depends on how drunk they are." Maria teased as she re-joined her friends.

Alana smiled "Well except for Phil." Her voice went all soft at the end of her sentence.

"Have you heard from him?" Trish asked with a small smile.

"Yeah, he said we should meet up at some point while he's in town. I was thinking maybe after RAW he could come over or something."

"That's good, you need to clear the air." Maria replied. She has no idea how he feels. I really hope they just admit it to each other then that's one down and one more to go. She looked at Trish when she finished her thought.

"I'm just scared." Alana's voice was small and shook slightly. Oh crap, here comes the tears. "What if I fuck things up and then that's it?" Tears rolled down her face. Trish put an arm round her and pulled her close. Maria leaned from her seat and gently touched her arm.

"Hey…why would you fuck things up?" Maria asked gently.

Alana sniffed as she rested her head on Trish's shoulder. "I don't know. He's the only guy well apart from Drew that I trust and love but it's different with Phil, I just can't explain it."

Trish sighed and tried to keep her composure but it was as if Alana sensed how she felt. She looked at Trish and wiped her eyes. "The same way you feel about Jeff! I wish he'd just tell Beth to do one."

"I think you need to tell him how you feel at the party Trish." Maria said sadly.

"But he's getting married. If I told him I loved him, would it make any difference?" Trish's eyes watered.

"You need to tell him. You'll hate yourself if you don't. What if he's with Beth because he feels you've moved on or don't want to go back?" Alana replied.

Trish smiled through the tears as she wiped her eyes. "Look at us." They all laughed. "Being a girl sucks so much sometimes."

"Being in love you mean." Maria teased.

The other two smiled at their friend. "Except for you Mrs Cena to be." Alana sing songed making Maria blush.

"I can't wait for your wedding…you'll be absolutely beautiful." Trish said.

"We're not in a rush to plan anything, you know what it's like with our schedules but John was saying maybe a year or so gives us plenty time to let Vince and the others know."

The sound of a car braking interrupted their chat.

"The cavalry has returned." Maria grinned as she heard Ashley's laugh as their friends got closer to the door.

"I'm here for you, if you ever need anything." Trish squeezed Alana's shoulder.

The two women had calmed down and no one would have known they'd been upset. It wasn't that they didn't want their other friends advice it was just they didn't want to ruin the jovial mood of the weekend.

"Thank you." Alana mouthed back as the door opened and their cheery friends rejoined them.

"We got free wine!" Melina cheered.

"The perks of being a Diva!" Ashley hollered.

Amy rolled her eyes as she followed them into the kitchen. "Crack open that red. I need a drink…I feel like I took the kids out."

Jeff smiled as he read the text on his cell from his brother. Jeffro, drinks tonight with the guys? Meeting downstairs at 8. Be good to see you bro. The guys had decided to have a few beers at the hotel bar that night seen as their girlfriends were having a sleepover.

Jeff hadn't had many guys nights out since Beth had returned. She flew out to New York 2 days ago for last minute wedding preparations and work commitments before she finished for their wedding and a few weeks for what was meant to be their honeymoon. He decided to call his brother rather than text back.

"It won't be a late one or a wild one. Promise." Jeff chuckled as he listened to his brother.

"Sounds good man. I've missed hanging with you and the guys. Will do me good."

Matt grinned. "Will I swing by, in a half hour?"

"Sure Mattie. See you soon." Jeff hung up and made his way to the shower.

"I still can't get used to seeing you with one hair colour no! Let me rephrase that…a normal hair colour." Matt reached out to touch his brother's hair but was swatted away by Jeff.

"I swear if I hear another hair comment I'm gonna shave it off!" Jeff huffed but couldn't stop grinning at his brother's face.

"Beth would kill you…you know that right?" Matt drawled as the elevator reached the lobby.

Jeff said nothing just rolled his eyes with a small smile in response.

"Plus, you've got a big ass squished up head, at least the hair hides that fact." Matt teased and ducked under his brother's fist as they made their way to the bar.

"Hey!" Matt held his hands up as he walked beside Jeff. "There's photographic evidence. Don't be hatin'"

"God we could hear you from the elevator!" John grinned as the brothers joined their friends.

Matt scoffed and gave him the finger as they greeted the rest of the guys.

"Hey man! Good to see you." Jeff hugged John and the others.

"Well, well, well! Someone's had a makeover!" Chris' voice boomed from across the bar later that night as Phil appeared. Phil had cut his hair and slicked it back. He had grown his beard and it was nice and groomed.

"I like it man." John smiled as Phil sat across from them.

"Thanks, I figured I needed a change, something new."

"To go with your new found singleton status perhaps?" Chris' teasing earned him the finger as Phil sat between Jeff and John.

Randy and John decided to go to the bar and get the first round of drinks in.

"So what's the occasion for this boys night? Girls finally seen the light and left you?" Jeff joked.

"You wish." Chris smirked. "Nah, they're crashing with Alana….speaking of Alana. How is she?" Chris wiggled his brows towards Phil who blushed.

Matt playfully scuffed the back of Chris head. "Can you take one night off?"

Chris pretended to look hurt. "What? I am merely making conversation is all?"

Jeff chuckled as he got up to help John who brought over the first tray of drinks.

"Thanks man." John beamed. "Let me guess Jericho being a jackass as per?"

"Ha ha." Chris rolled his eyes as he accepted a beer. He turned back to Phil. "Don't think you're off the hook."

"God you are worse than Ria." John teased making them all laugh.

Randy brought over the rest of the drinks and the guys all got comfortable around the table. It was great to just catch up with each other.

"In all seriousness…" Chris cleared his throat. "We just hope she's okay."

"Yeah, she's good. I'm going to see her after RAW." Phil replied with a small smile.

"Does she know about you and Mickie?" Jeff asked and all eyes went back to Phil.

"Yeah. I figured I'd give her the heads up. I need to do this. I can't keep pretending I'm okay when I'm not or lying to myself or her. I just hate the uncertainty of it all." Phil said honestly.

Matt snuck a glance at his younger brother after hearing Phil's words, wishing he would just do the same.

"You'll never know if you don't take that chance." Jeff replied quietly.

Phil smiled sadly at Jeff. "You'll just end up hating yourself."

"Well, here's to taking chances then." Chris raised his glass as did the others and they cheered.

"Are you all set for your wedding?" Phil asked diverting the conversation from him to Jeff.

Jeff drank some of his beer before replying. "Yeah man, just a waiting game now. Looking forward to the bachelor party next week."

The guys all chuckled. "So are we man…will there be any entertainment?" Chris looked at the elder Hardy who smirked.

"Your mom said she was busy."

The table erupted and Chris couldn't hold back the laughs either.

"Aw man!" Jeff wiped his eyes as he looked as his brother before high fiving him.

The fell into general chatter and laughter as they continued their night out.

Trish was brushing her hair when someone knocked on her room door. Alana popped her head in.

"Hey, just wanted to say thanks for earlier."

Trish smiled as the door shut. The rest of the girls were still in the living room. Trish sat on the bed and Alana joined her.

"Anytime. You're doing the right thing." Trish replied.

"I just hope he feels the same way." Alana whispered.

Trish reached out and squeezed her young friend's shoulder. "He does. Phil's crazy about you."

"If he does stay after RAW…" Alana's face went red. "Should I…we…I mean will he expect…"

"Listen. I think you should just see what happens. There is no right or wrong way about this." Trish replied seriously.

Alana relaxed slightly. "Thanks. I just don't want history to repeat itself."

"Phil is not Liam. You don't need to worry." Trish replied softly.

Their friends laugher cut them off.

"I know Jeff loves you. I can see it. We all can. I think he's trapped with the whole Beth thing."

Trish sighed. "I hope so. I just keep thinking if he did then why is it still happening?"

Alana was the one comforting her friend now. "Honestly? I have no idea but it's not over yet and maybe he just needs to realise what was right in front of him all along? That you never know what you had until you lost it?"

Trish didn't reply, she just hugged Alana.

"Right, come on. We need to forget about those boys and just enjoy ourselves!" Alana cried as they pulled apart and went back downstairs to their friends and enjoy the rest of their weekend.

A.N. The next chapter will include RAW and Alana and Phil finally have a heart to heart. After that will be the Bachelor party, Jeff and Trish finally admit their feelings to each other before the wedding of the year begins!

xXxArwenxXx