Chapter 77

With the passing of Evelyn's birthday, it was Katianna a few weeks later. She turned 12. And a few weeks after that it was Aaron's birthday and he turned 13.

Mercedes and Colby would soon have two middle schoolers on their hands once school started back up. Then one in high school and one still in elementary school. Their children were growing up. It was hard for them to believe that it was fifteen years as being parents. But it wasn't the end of being parents.

The next few months passed by quickly once the kids were back in school a few weeks following Aaron's birthday. Everyone got into the swing of things with school. The kids all did their thing: get up for school, go to school, come home, do homework, go to bed, and repeat. But also, there were extracurricular activities that fell in between that.

Evelyn had marching band practice after school a few days a week. But she also had football games and band competition on weekends. That took up Evelyn's time.

Aaron had his fun with music too. He wasn't big on sports. He enjoyed watching them and playing them with friends and in P.E. But he hated to have been on a sports' team. The only sport he was interested in was wrestling. He enjoyed spending a lot of his time with his dad at Black and Brave.

Aaron was in band class. He had been in it in sixth grade and continued on in seventh. He wanted to join marching band in high school as his big sister had. However, Aaron was gunning for playing an instrument and not joining the dance team. All though, there were a few males on the dance team and color guard with Evelyn and the rest of the girls.

But Aaron loved drums. He wanted to try out for the snare drum on drumline when he was headed into ninth grade. He was really excited with his older sister's boyfriend and his best friend (Andy and Trevor) being on the drumline.

There had been an information meeting on the Thursday evening of the last week of band camp. The parents and guardians of the kids got information on what would be going on with marching band season. It was a basic information meeting. But also, the kids performed what would be their half-time show for football games and band competitions. Mercedes and Colby both went for the meeting and took all the kids. Aaron had loved seeing the drumline. And after the performance, the band director didn't hurry all the kids back to the band room. So, Aaron was able to chat with Andy and Trevor and a few others of the drumline for a little bit. Aaron got to play with them too. He loved it.

"We'll see you in two years, kid," The band director commented to Aaron with a wink.

Aaron was excited from that.

Katianna had taken an interest in volleyball in fourth grade when they were really playing it in P.E. She enjoyed it so much that she wanted to join the volleyball team when she got into middle school in sixth grade. She ended up trying out for the volleyball team and made it.

Aunt Ashley aka The Queen, Charlotte Flair took it upon herself to play coach to Katianna for the next couple years. Ashley had played volleyball herself in school. Katianna gave her aunt a big thanks when she told her she made the team. Mercedes and Colby did as well. Ashley said she was very happy to have help.

Mariah was interested in dance and gymnastics. She wanted to be a cheerleader in the near future.

Mercedes and Colby had no problems with any of the activities their kids wanted to do or try. Sometimes the kids wanted to try something and after trying it, didn't do it again. They had no problems with that.

Evelyn and Andy ended up starting a band with two friends as well. It was fun for them just to get together and play music.

Everything passed from August to January. And in January Colby got the call from Paul that Mercedes had received a year before. It was the call about the inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame that year. Colby already knew that Seth Rollins with Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns as The Shield were getting inducted together. But Paul said it was official.

"I'll see you out here next week," Paul said.

"Looking forward to it," Colby replied. "Lots to talk about with the kids."

"Can't wait. You have a great day. Tell Mercedes and the kids I said hi."

"Sure will. Do the same for me with Stephanie."

"You got it. Bye."

"Bye," Colby said.

Colby gave the news to the kids later night at dinner.

"I will be headed to Hartford next week as your mom did last year," He said. "But you all get to see another one of your parents inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. But three more uncles."

"I love that The Shield is going together as the Four Horsewomen were," Evelyn commented.

"I do too, sweetheart. Uncle Joe and Uncle Jon are as excited as I am."

"But Finn Balor is great as well," Katianna said.

"Of course," Colby said. "He will actually be the very first one announced the night after Royal Rumble this year. The Shield will follow a few weeks later."

"Fans are going to go crazy over both those announcements," Mercedes commented.

"Yeah, I know my Instagram and Twitter will be blowing up from those. I won't mind, though."

"It'll happen just seconds after it is announced. My Instagram and Twitter went crazy just seconds after the Four Horsewomen were announced."

"I like that WrestleMania is in Chicago this year," Colby said. "Just a few hours from home."

"I do too."

"Road trip!" Aaron exclaimed.

"Yeah!" His sisters chorused.

Mercedes and Colby smiled.

"Maybe I'll see to you kids bringing friends with you for WrestleMania as well," Colby said.

"I know who to bring for me!" Evelyn exclaimed.

"I already say Andy, Trevor, and Christina can come, sweetheart."

"Me too," Mercedes said.

"I am so glad I am in sync with you two."

Mercedes and Colby laughed, looking at each other.

About a week later, Colby flew from Moline to Hartford. He was very excited when he saw Joe and Jon. It had been awhile since they all saw each other. The three were also happy to have their meeting with Paul. Not only did they talk a little bit about business. They talked about family.

"Is it all right if my kids bring one or a few friends?" Colby asked. "Evie's wishes for three or even five."

"Five?" Paul asked.

"Her three friends, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend's best friend, who is also dating one of Evie's friends. But maybe just her boyfriend, a friend and that friend's boyfriend. The other kids don't want to bring friends. They prefer Evie's friends to their own for WrestleMania. Especially Aaron with Andy and Trevor."

"Yeah, bring them all," Paul replied with a smile. "I know they'll be good and won't cause mischief anywhere."

"Oh, no. Trevor and Andy will be really excited, but they won't overdue it like some people do. And Evie's girlfriends will enjoy the experience of it all, plus get to hang out together."

After their meeting with Paul, The Shield went out to lunch to catch up just the three of them.

"How are you doing with Evie dating?" Jon asked. He and Renee had two sons.

"Yeah, how is that for you?" Joe asked. "I know I was a bit nervous when JoJo started dating. And its hard to believe that was a long time ago."

Colby smiled. Joe's daughter, Joelle or JoJo was twenty-five years old now. He remembered when she was just a little girl. Just like he did with his own daughter.

"I'm doing great with it. Andy is a great kid. He hasn't pressured my daughter into anything, so I'm good."

"Oh, yes, your teenage daughter remaining a virgin as a young teenager," Joe said.

"I can't vouch for my daughter. But I hope she waits a few more years before anything happens in that category."

"But we all know that didn't happen with you, young Colby," Jon commented.

"Yes, I had sex the first time I was sixteen," Colby replied. "But I wore a condom that time and many times following."

"Clearly you didn't remember at least five times to wear one," Jon teased.

"Those five mistaken times resulted in five of my beautiful children, thank you."

"Two for me."

"Two for me too," Joe added.

"Let's drink to our wife and kids, gentlemen," Colby said, grabbing his drink.

"To our wives for putting up with us and our kids loving us," Jon said.

"Here, here," Joe said.

The three tapped their drinks.

A few nights later…

"So, Fergal already has the person picked out for who wants to present him," Mercedes commented as she and Colby were lying in bed.

"I'm guessing Becky," Colby replied.

"Yes. But he also wants Ashley and Lexi to escort him out from backstage. Then he had the idea for Jaime to dress as the Demon. He wants Jaime to come out before him and do the Demon entrance. Then Fergal and the girls will follow."

"I love that. Very creative."

"I do too. Fergal loves Becky and their kids as much as you do me and ours."

"You have that right," Colby said, kissing his wife.

"And I love you all too. I love my life!"

"I will be mentioning in my speech that I am so proud some of my former trainees at Black and Brave made it all the way to the WWE."

"I'm proud of Andy and Trevor. Those two love training. I think they truly want to be wrestlers."

"Yes, and as a tag team," Colby said. "Those two work as hard as their older counterparts of trainees."

"Guess what Evie told me yesterday," Mercedes said.

"What?"

"That Andy told her he loves her."

"Oh, damn!"

"Yes."

"What did she say?" Colby asked.

"She said it back," Mercedes replied. "Our daughter is in love."

"I'm glad. They are a great young match."

"They are. And oh, my God, I have seen the way Andy looks at our daughter and I know for sure it is love. I see the look, because I see it with Fergal, Rami, and Aaron with Becky, Ashley, and Pam. Plus, it is the same way I look at you."

"Me too, Mer. I've been in love with you for sixteen years. Almost seventeen. Damn, if you think about it seventeen years ago I was out with my knee injury."

"Oh, my God, yes," Mercedes replied. "That's crazy."

"But I came back stronger than ever."

"You redesigned, rebuilt, and reclaimed your spot as the Man."

"I did."

"I love you," Mercedes said.

"I love you too," Colby said. "You and the kids changed my life for the better."

"Same here. And it all started with Evie."

Mercedes thought for a quick second. Her eyes began to water.

"Don't think about it, baby!" Colby said. "Don't."

She was thinking about her attack.

"I can't help it at times," She said, wiping away tears.

"I know. Don't think of Evie in a bad way."

"I don't. I haven't since the days I found out I was pregnant!"

"I know too. I'm sorry for…"

"…I know what you meant. Just hold me and make me feel better."

"Always," Colby said. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.