Chapter 51

The next day, Mercedes met with both Stephanie and Paul telling them she wanted to step away from the ring.

"I completely understand," Stephanie said. "I know as a mother."

"Yes," Paul said. "It has been a long two years for you. You did and got everything you wanted. Now you're ready to step back."

"When I was raped, my life changed. It completely changed everything with my career of wrestling," Mercedes commented. "I think everything happened a bit too fast, maybe coming back. But I wanted it. I wanted to have my WrestleMania moment this past year and I got it. I also got the Raw Women's Championship again."

"Well, sometimes we push wrestlers when they come back from injury or for any reason," Stephanie said. "We knew you wanted back in the ring just a few months after Evelyn was born."

"I did. But since all of it has happened, I'm ready to step back. But on my own terms."

Stephanie and Paul looked at each other. They nodded their heads.

"Whatever you want to do, Mercedes," Paul said, looking back at her. "We understand."

"Thank you," Mercedes replied.

"No problem," Stephanie said. "We'll talk more about this later."

"Yes, thank you."

Mercedes walked away then. She went to find her friends. She had not told them yet about stepping away from the ring. Mercedes went to catering and that was where she found everyone—Pam, Becky, and Ashley.

"Hey, ladies," Mercedes said.

"Hey, Mer," Pam said.

"Hey, hun," Becky said.

"Hi," Ashley said.

"Where's my goddaughter?" Pam asked.

"With Julie. Sound asleep," Mercedes said. "She has a cold. I knew she was getting sick over the last few days. She's very congested."

"Well, that sucks," Ashley said.

"Yes. But there is something I need to talk you three about."

"What is it?" Becky asked.

"Can we go out into the hall?"

Becky looked at Pam and Ashley. "Sure," Pam said.

The three got up from the table in catering. They followed Mercedes into the hallway. Mercedes moved over to where no one could hear them really.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you three," Mercedes said, turning to them. The three looked at their friend ready to know what was going on. "I'm stepping away from wrestling with the WWE!"

"What?!" Ashley said.

"Are you serious?!" Becky asked. "Why?!"

"I have gotten everything I wanted the last year: to get back into a WWE ring," Mercedes said. "That happened. Then there was Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. But there has also been Evelyn. I'm a mom and that is one of the greatest things I have ever been."

Tears came to Mercedes's eyes. "And that is all I want to do right now! I just want to be a mom!"

Pam nodded her head. She looked at Becky and Ashley. They smiled at her and looked back to Mercedes.

"That is understandable, Mer," Pam said. "We'll miss being in the ring with you."

"Yes," Becky said.

Ashley agreed.

"Thank you," Mercedes said. "I'm not going anywhere, though. Evie and I are still going to travel with Colby. And if you ever want to tango in the ring with me, we can. I just don't want to be an active WWE Superstar. I don't know if I want to call it retirement."

"You can call it whatever you want," Ashley said.

"I think I'll make a great full-time wrestling wife."

"You're great at everything else," Becky said. "You'll be great at that."

"Thank you," Mercedes laughed. She hugged all three of her friends.

Mercedes's cell phone went off. "It's Julie. I need to take this."

"Of couse," Ashley said.

Mercedes smiled. "Hello," She answered.

"Hi," Julie replied.

"How is she?"

"She's good. She seems in good spirits see looking for you, though."

"All right, I'll be right there," Mercedes said.

"Okay, see you in a Few," Julie replied.

"Bye."

Mercedes turned to her friends. "I'm going to go see my baby."

"All right," Pam said.

"Give her a big kiss for me," Becky said.

"I sure will," Mercedes said. She hugged each of her friends and then headed off to the bus.

As soon as Mercedes got on the bus, Evelyn was calling for her. But it was a good calling.

"Hey sweetie," Mercedes said, taking her daughter for her nanny. "Are you feeling better?"

Evelyn babbled.

"Do you want to go find, Daddy?"

"Dada! Dada!" Evelyn shouted.

"Okay, then. I'm going to take her with me. And if I need to, I'll bring her back if she feels bad a later," Mercedes said to Julie.

"Of course," Julie replied. "I'll pack the little diaper for you to take."

"Thanks."

Once the little diaper bag was packed, Mercedes took it with her and Evelyn. Mercedes was happy to take Evelyn out of the bus. Even if it were for a little bit. She knew Evelyn was still feeling bad. But she wanted to take Evelyn out, even if for maybe an hour.

"Do you want to find Daddy?" Mercedes asked.

"Dada! Dada!" Evelyn shouted. She then began to babble.

Mercedes smiled. Evelyn was slowly working her way to when she could talk with a few more words and not always babble or scream or shout. But she'd be doing that even if she were talking.

"Let's find Daddy. Let's find Daddy," Mercedes said as she began to bounce Evelyn up and down on her hip. It made her giggle.

"Let's find Daddy. Let's find Daddy," She continued to say as she walked and bounced Evelyn up and down. Evelyn giggled the whole time.

When Mercedes was back inside the arena and walking past people, Evelyn said hi to everyone. Everyone said hi back. But a few did stop what they were doing to talk with Mercedes and Evelyn for a bit. Mercedes eventually found Colby. He was on his phone, texting

"Hey hot stuff," Mercedes shouted.

Colby looked up. He smiled when he saw both his wife and daughter. "Hey."

"Dada! Dada! Dada!" Evelyn shouted.

"Hello my princess," Colby said. He quickly took Evelyn from Mercedes once she was in reach. "Are we feeling better?" He asked, Evelyn.

Evelyn babbled.

"I'll take that as a yes," He said. Mercedes laughed as he kissed Evelyn's cheek. "Hello, my beautiful wife."

"Hi," Mercedes replied as Colby wrapped his free arm around her, hugging her and kissing her cheek as well.

"Did you talk to Paul and Stephanie?" Colby asked as Mercedes pulled back from their hug.

"I did. They understand. I also told Pam, Becks, and Ash. They understand."

"Well, that's good. Some of the important people to tell."

"Yes, but there is also the rest of the girls."

"Mercedes, everyone will understand. You want to be with our daughter."

"I do."

Colby nodded his head.

"Plus, maybe a little brother or sister for Evie."

Colby looked at his wife. She had a grin on her lips. Colby grinned. "Oh, is that the reason why, really?"

"A little bit."

"Well, we can arrange that," Colby said with a wink.

Mercedes laughed. She moved forward and kissed him passionately.