Home for Christmas
Madison Rayne spends a long Christmas Eve hoping her husband Jake Reed can make it back home in time for Christmas Morning. What crazy situations did Jake find himself in?
Yes this is Jake Reed story. Truth is I don't know where I am going next with a wrestling stories. As much as I like Riley's stories I am worried about pushing to many of them out. I loved doing Jake but the more of his stories I did the more interaction dropped. But I know many of my longest term viewers still love Jake. So here is a short side story. Truth is this story has been in the head for years.
Chapter 1
It was Christmas Eve. For Impact Knockout/Locker Room leader Madison Rayne this a time she love. Her two Children were sound asleep. She and her husband the long retired Jake Reed were relaxing on the sofa enjoying Christmas movie. Most of the gifts were wrapped and waiting but they would soon get the Santa gifts from there hiding place. "Don't eat those," Madison says as Jake reached for the first cookie on the plate. "We don't want to leave them out to long," Jake says. "Do you remember last year? Hope came down saw you eating the cookies they were the last ones we had in the house and I had to bake cookies because she was scared Santa would leave," Madison says. "One, what are the odds that happens again? Two, I know for a fact we have a full package of chips ahoy in the kitchen. Three just to be safe I bought package of pre made just separate and bake cookie," Jake says.
Madison leans back. "Good because last year was the most stressful Christmas ever. Trying to bake cookies so Hope would be calm down. Trying to quite so as to not wake JJ or my parents or your mother. Than trying to finish setting up for the morning. Not helping was you not being able to finish building that bike and I told you to pay the extra money to have the store do it," Madison rants. Jake laughs causing her to give him a look. "I got the bike the built. And in like ten years we be telling story lauging and missing the days when Hope and JJ believed in Santa," Jake says. "Oh I know, Hope was already asking me about the tooth fairy not that long ago," Madison says.
"And I know last year was hard. But do you not remember Hope's first Christmas?" Jake says. Now Madison laughs. "Its not funny. I still have nightmares about that. Do you know how bad I would have felt if I had missed our daughter's first Christmas?" Jake asks. "Well you did make it," Madison says laughing again. "Barley," Jake recalls.
Years Earlier
Hope Reed in her high chair watching her parents. "I still say it should be two out of three," Jake says. "No because two of out of three is to easy to turn into three out of five and than best of of seven. One flip that is it. Heads my parents for Christmas tails your mother's," Madison says. "Alright here we go," Jake says before he flips the coin and catches it. "What are you doing?" Madison asks. "I'm going to do that thing where you catch it and put the coin on your hand," Jake says. "Wait that's fair we should let drop on the floor," Madison says. "Okay we are going nuts. Either way someone is going to be disappointed. I am going to open my hand and what ever it is that is the result," Jake says. She nods. Jake opens his hands it's tales. "Hope you are spending Christmas in Omaha," Jake says happily.
The little girl claps happily seeing her father smile. "Okay Christmas in Nebraska," Madison says smiling as well. "Okay lets start checking for flights," Jake says. "What about hotels?" Madison asks. "Oh come on let's just stay with my mom. Have a tree with presents. All that stuff. Give this one a real first Christmas," Jake says. "The classic Irish Catholic midnight mass," Madison says. "You know how lapsed I am we will do an early four thirty mass," Jake says.
Weeks Later Impact Zone
Jack was backstage after finishing his match for the night. Having just gotten out of the shower he pulled on a t-shirt and his jeans. Opening his bag he was looking for a comb to take care of his hair. Just when he found it his phone started to ring. The number was one he hadn't seen in a while so he figured he might want to see what was up. "Well well well and did I say well? Mike Quackenbush calling me," Jake says taunting. He and Quackenbush had an intersting history. Jake had been a star for CHIKARA Pro as a member of the Kings of Wrestling. That put him against Quackenbush plenty of times. Yet he drew money so he kept getting bookings for the company. Until he is outside the ring issues got to strong. His last trip off the wagon had been really bad. Quack had sworn he would never book him again. Yet here he was calling now.
"Look Jake I'm desperate. I need someone for a show in Chicago on December 23rd," Quackenbush says. "Well good luck," Jake says. Picking up an Indy date could be good money. But that close to Christmas in a major city not a chance would he take it. "I got this kid named Morgan you might like got some potential," Jake says. "Jake I would really like if it was you. You have always drawn well for CHIKARA," Quackenbush says. "Look Mike I actually am grateful for another chance. CHIKARA has a special place in my heart. But its my daughter's first Christmas I want to enjoy as much of it as I can," Jake says. "I understand that but this is an important show. You know CHIKARA never runs events this late in the year," Mike says.
"So why are you doing it now?" Jake asks. "Its a fundraiser for Larry Sweeney's family," Quackenbush says. That stops Jake. Larry Sweeney had been a good friend who was gone now. "The the twenty third?" Jake asks. "Yes and it's an afternoon show. And Jake I have checked the flights. You can hop one back to Omaha. Its a direct flight from Chicago," Mike assures him. "And this is for Larry's family?" Jake asks. "Yes. Jake look we had a big injury this show really needs a big name. I am desperate," Mike says. "Let me talk to Madison," Jake says. "I understand. But I need an answer quick as you can," Mike says. "I will get back to you tonight," Jake says somberly. Once the call is disconnected he pulls up an old photo on his phone of he and the Kings of Wrestling. In it he stands right next to Larry Sweeney with a big smile on both there faces.
Later that night on the drive home
"I think you should do it," Madison says after Jake gets done explaining everything. "I want to but its also Christmas," Jake says as he stops at a light. "Jake its one night. You will fly into Chicago and fly back," Madison says. "You won't feel awkward me just leaving you and Hope alone with my mother?" Jake asks. "A little but your mom and I get along well when we talk on the phone. Plus I can see you want to do it. Larry Sweeney was your friend," Madison says. "Yeah he was. Guy could make me laugh no matter what. I mean we would annoy so many of the boys in CHIKARA, IWA and other places as we would just be cracking each other up," Jake says.