A/N: Glad everyone is enjoying the story, sending a shout out to my new
reviewer, thanx for the review Silent, look forward to hearing more from
you. And of course Phoenix, Sam, Shelby, Jen and Belladonna, you guys
still rock!! The song in this chapter is (I Hate) Everything About You by
Three Days Grace.
"So I know you got the proofs from the shoot." Shane nudged her.
"Yeah so?"
"So let's see them." Mark prompted her.
"Nothing to see."
"Yeah right." Amy said coming right behind her. "This girl was bad on the set."
"Yeah I heard," Adam said, "That's all Randy as been talking about since you guys got back."
"For the love of heaven." Ray rolled her eyes. "He can be a royal pain in the ass, he can."
"Told you." Trish said.
"I'm going to take a shower." Ray said throwing her stuff across the bed in the hotel room. "The proofs are in the bag."
"Damn." Shane said looking at the photographs, "This is my Ray?"
There was a knock on the door, "What's up John?"
"Is Ray back yet?"
"Yeah she's in the shower."
"What is this?" John asked as he sat on the bed next to the photographs, "Damn, that's my ma?"
"Same thing I said."
"She looks good."
"She does."
"Shit Peter must be a miracle worker."
"Why do you say that?" Shane asked he looked up and saw that Ray had emerged in a towel.
"Are you blind? Look at her. She's fuckin' gorgeous."
"Okay. She always has been." Shane said winking at Ray, she smiled back.
"Not like this."
"How do you think she's going to feel when she hears you say something like that? She's supposed to be your girlfriend for God sakes."
"Well I would much rather date this girl," John told him holding up a picture of Ray. She standing, feet shoulder width apart, her cloak was thrown over her shoulder; she was looking down at the floor her eyes closed.
"I see." Shane looked up at the hurt in Ray's eyes. She turned around and went back into the bathroom. Shane looked back down at Cena; he wanted to punch his face in. He had about had it with him hurting Ray like this.
"Yeah well when she gets out the shower tell her to come see me."
"Yeah okay." He said to his back. He went to knock on the bathroom door; Ray was sitting on the floor, still wrapped in a towel, legs drawn up under her chin. When she looked up at him he saw that she was crying, "Aw, beautiful."
"What's wrong with me Shane?" She asked him, "Am I so horrible to look at the way I am?"
"No of course not."
"Then why is everybody trying to change me? He's no different than Lydia."
Shane winced at the mention of the woman's name. Everything had been pretty quiet since she got her cell phone number changed and switched over into Mark's name.
"No honey. He just," she looked up at him again; those pretty grey eyes swimming with tears. "He just wants you to do this just sometimes."
"Sometimes will turn into all the time. I already know."
"Well change isn't terrible. The good thing about it is you can always change back." Shane told her.
"True."
"But do only what you feel comfortable with. By the way those pictures."
"You like?"
"I love. They are gorgeous girl."
"Thank you. It was actually fun and I got to spend a lot of time with the girls."
"That's good beautiful. Listen," he looked down at his watch. Her birthday was tomorrow and he had a few more things to take care of. "I have an errand to run, are you going to be okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be fine."
He kissed her cheek, "I won't be gone long." He turned back, "By the way Cena wants you to come see him. Please make sure you are with someone."
Fat chance, she thought as she watched Shane walk out the door. I need to by myself for a change.
**************************************************************************** **********
John wondered what was keeping Ray. He walked back to their hotel room and he heard her lacy voice screaming at the very top of her lungs.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
Is she talking about me? I love her. He went to knock on the door but didn't deciding to listen. Perhaps this was an omen.
EVERY TIME WE LIE AWAKE AFTER EVERY HIT WE TAKE EVERY FEELING THAT I GET BUT I HAVEN'T MISSED YOU YET
Why do I keep fighting with him, Ray asked herself she sat in the floor still in her towel, nothing I do is good enough for him.
EVERY ROOMMATE KEPT AWAKE BY EVERY SIGH AND SCREAM WE MAKE
Seems as if there are more screams than sighs. I'm so tired of fighting him. Tired of crying over him. I can't take much more of this.
ALL THE FEELINGS THAT I GET BUT I STILL DON'T MISS YOU YET ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT
Only when I get time to actually contemplate our relationship do I realize this.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU? I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU
EVERY TIME WE LIE AWAKE AFTER EVERY HIT WE TAKE EVERY FEELING THAT I GET BUT I HAVEN'T MISS YOU YET
Why is when I leave you for long periods of time, I don't miss you?
ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT
Oh and boy am I thinking about it. I think about it every time I look at you.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE
ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT YOU I KNOW
I know I hate all this about you, I know I do.
ONLY WHEN YOU STOP TO THINK ABOUT ME DO YOU KNOW?
Do you feel the same way? Come on stop and think about it.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
YOU HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT ME WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?
That line made John stop dead in his tracks. Why did he love Ray? Did he love her or just the image of what she could be under him?
I HATE
Yes I do.
YOU HATE
I know you do. I know you hate everything about me, that's why you trying your damndest to change me.
I HATE YOU
Yet you tell me you love me.
YOU LOVE ME
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I can't answer that question. And that's sad. Her cell phone ringing stopped her thoughts.
"Yeah," she picked up the phone.
"What's up ma, it's me."
"Hey," Ray said her voice dead.
"How was your shoot? I can't wait to see your pictures."
"Well come on over, I'll show them to you." She hung up the phone.
He was so full of it.
**************************************************************************** **********
Ray's dad checked into the hotel right as Shane walked out the front door. He turned his head to look at the boy with green hair.
I watched my baby kick that boy in the jaw, he shook his head. Well there's no way my girl is in here with him, no man wants to be in the same place with the woman that humiliated him.
"But she has got to be in this town somewhere, I know her show is here." He said as he signed the check. He looked up at the clerk, "Say miss, what could a fellow like myself do in terms of entertainment?"
"Are you into professional wrestling?"
"I've been known to watch it a time or two." He smiled.
"Well quite a few of the WWE superstars are right here in this building."
"The hell you say," he acted taken aback. "Really?"
"Well of course I can't tell room numbers and such, but you are bound to spot one."
"I hope so."
"And if not, they are having one of their shows here."
"Where?"
"At the Arrowhead Pond, just a few blocks from here."
"Really? Thank you miss, you have been a great help."
"You're welcome, glad I help." Little did she know she had just helped a murderous, lunatic find his missing child.
Mark looked at the man as he walked on the elevator with him.
I have got to go check on my baby; he thought to himself, this man gives me the creeps.
So she could be here in this building after all. He looked up at Mark. Jesus, he was a mountain of a man. That was going to be a problem if she had men like that guarding her. But he doubted it, why would this busy superstar be looking after his little sunshine.
"Hey darlin'," he called her cell phone.
Ray's father listened unknowingly as the other man spoke to his daughter.
"Hey daddy. What's up?"
"I'm going to need you to do your boy thing while you're here."
"No complaints here, but can I ask why?"
"Tell you when I see you. I'm on my way up."
"Kay good. Want to show you my pictures." They hung up.
"Daddy is on his way up,"
"What are you doing?" he watched as she taped her breast down covering them with a sports bra.
"Daddy says I have to do my boy thing." She told John as she slipped into Corey's sweats and one of John's jerseys.
John rolled his eyes, he was never going to get anywhere with this girl. For every step forward seem like they always took two back.
"Okay ma," he said, "I like when you wear my clothes."
"You do?" she said braiding her hair in one of her trademark braids.
"Yeah, just don't cut your hair."
"Why?" she smiled at him through the mirror.
"'Cuz it's sexy." He said coming behind her kissing the back of neck. He took in her scent, she always smelled so feminine and her scent mixed with his own cologne from his jersey was like an aphrodisiac.
"Glad you like it." She said taking his hat and turning it backwards on her head.
"You look just like a boy." He smirked.
"Good. Because that is the idea."
He grabbed her butt, "Smart ass."
Here we go again she thought as she grabbed him between the legs. "You know it."
"Come here." He said kissing her full on the mouth. He was really turned on by those pictures she took. She looked really hot, the bad ass nasty girl in all the leather.
"Hey you two," Mark said coming in the room, "three feet on the ground at all times."
"Daddy!" She leaped into his arms.
"There's my girl. Let me see those pictures that has got everybody jumpin'."
Ray walked back over to the bed picking up the photo album with her proofs in them.
"Well these are mighty fine pictures, darlin'." Mark told her putting his arm around her. "Mighty fine pictures."
"Why thank you daddy."
"Don't you think so son?" Mark looked up at John.
"I told her I thought they were hot. They are very hot."
"They are nice." Mark told her. "Come on darlin', let's get you out of here. It's time for work."
Work went on as usual that day. Torrid defended her title and escorted The Undertaker and Kane to the ring. It was a normal night.
My birthday is coming up tomorrow, Ray thought as she lay beside Shane in bed.
Her birthday is tomorrow, Shane thought as he stroked her braid. I want to make it special.
My baby's birthday is tomorrow, her father thought sitting just feet away from where his daughter lay safely in her bed. Finally I'll give her what she's always wanted.
**************************************************************************** **********
"Surprise!" The superstars leaped out of the locker room.
"Oh hell!" Ray screamed.
"Happy Birthday darlin'." Mark
"Thank you daddy."
"Okay everybody, gifts." Shane called.
"Well we all know the boyfriend goes first." John said handing Ray a big box.
She shook next to her ear before opening the tube top dress. What the hell?
"It's nice." She said quietly.
She looks like she really is enjoying that. Shane thought.
"You can wear it tonight when I take you out."
Shane watched as her eyes nearly rolled out of her head. Oh yeah, that's going to happen.
"Next gift, where's the uncles?" Mark called out.
All the men she called uncle came to offer her a gift, Adam got her a pair of sneakers, Shawn had a custom HBK hat made especially for her, and Glenn brought her an oversized Kane jersey.
"Now this is my style." Ray said laughing holding the jersey out in front of her.
I swear to God, John thought, they all know how I feel about her and big clothes and I'll be damned if they don't buy them anyway.
"Glad you like." Adam said.
"Okay ladies."
Trish had brought a cute mesh shirt with thumbholes cut in the sleeves and Lita had brought a pair bondage pants full with chains.
"This is hot." She said holding up the pants.
"Well not as hot as it will be with these." Matt said holding up a pair of boots. "These are from Jeff, Shannon and I."
"Kacey sent this." Jeff said holding up the Commencement CD by Deadsy. "And this." He said giving her a flamed anklet.
"Oh, tell your wife she kicks ass." Ray screamed putting the CD in the stereo blaring Gremercy Park.
"Well I can see she likes those." Mark chuckled. "Shane, you're up."
"Here you go." He handed Ray a small bag, "Not much, but I thought you might like it."
Ray pulled out the Green Lantern tee with her nick name on the back.
"Shane." Ray squealed throwing her arms around his neck. This was the best gift he could've gotten her.
"Yeah it's nothing fancy, but this way I figured I could have mine back."
"Oh now this is nice. How did you know I wanted one of my own?"
"I keep telling you Citizen Ray. It's all because of my Hurri-powers."
"I am a humbled woman." She said kissing him on the cheek.
Everyone laughed, John seethed in the background. She did not act like this when he gave her his gift. It was clear that he would never live up to the expectations of her relationship with Shane. He was everything to her, everything he obviously couldn't be.
"Well I would give you my gift now darlin', but why don't I wait until after the match?"
"Okay, I have no valet orders tonight. You guys are on your own."
"Yep, we asked that you not be allowed to work on your birthday. That's part of your gift from Vince."
"What's the other half?"
"This." Mark said holding out the issue of Raw with Torrid on the cover. Her head was thrown back she was reaching back for her ankles her chest risen. The caption read, The Destructive Force, Is the WWE ready for Torrid Heat? "He had one printed especially for you."
"Wow." Was all Ray could manage to spit out. She couldn't believe that was her face she was looking at.
"Yeah, double wow." Adam said. "Is this my niece?"
"That's her." Mark said. "My little darlin'."
"Mark," a tech said, "you're on next."
"Okay, Randy's on look out, where ever the hell he is."
"Daddy, I can handle it. Go."
"Okay, well I'll give you my gift after the match."
The locker room soon emptied. Ray sat in the middle of all her gifts by herself. She smiled busying herself with packing the many gifts in her duffle bag. No wonder Shane told her to pack light. She undressed and prepared to get in the shower. She turned the water on letting the heat engulf her. This had indeed been a good birthday.
Ray's father walked through the arena with no problem. That Randall Orton was a good kid. Told him exactly where he could find his little ray of sunshine. And true to his word he heard her voice singing in the shower.
"There's my birthday girl." A voice called behind her.
Ray, who was bending down to adjust her new anklet, stood up to her full five foot eleven inches. But she was frozen where she stood. She didn't turn around. She recognized that voice. That was the same voice that called her a few weeks ago. This is it, Lydia has finally found her.
"Well aren't you going to turn around sunshine?"
That name, it struck a chord deep within her. Sunshine, she hadn't been called that since..Oh my God!
"Daddy?" she turned around.
"Happy Birthday Sunshine!"
"So I know you got the proofs from the shoot." Shane nudged her.
"Yeah so?"
"So let's see them." Mark prompted her.
"Nothing to see."
"Yeah right." Amy said coming right behind her. "This girl was bad on the set."
"Yeah I heard," Adam said, "That's all Randy as been talking about since you guys got back."
"For the love of heaven." Ray rolled her eyes. "He can be a royal pain in the ass, he can."
"Told you." Trish said.
"I'm going to take a shower." Ray said throwing her stuff across the bed in the hotel room. "The proofs are in the bag."
"Damn." Shane said looking at the photographs, "This is my Ray?"
There was a knock on the door, "What's up John?"
"Is Ray back yet?"
"Yeah she's in the shower."
"What is this?" John asked as he sat on the bed next to the photographs, "Damn, that's my ma?"
"Same thing I said."
"She looks good."
"She does."
"Shit Peter must be a miracle worker."
"Why do you say that?" Shane asked he looked up and saw that Ray had emerged in a towel.
"Are you blind? Look at her. She's fuckin' gorgeous."
"Okay. She always has been." Shane said winking at Ray, she smiled back.
"Not like this."
"How do you think she's going to feel when she hears you say something like that? She's supposed to be your girlfriend for God sakes."
"Well I would much rather date this girl," John told him holding up a picture of Ray. She standing, feet shoulder width apart, her cloak was thrown over her shoulder; she was looking down at the floor her eyes closed.
"I see." Shane looked up at the hurt in Ray's eyes. She turned around and went back into the bathroom. Shane looked back down at Cena; he wanted to punch his face in. He had about had it with him hurting Ray like this.
"Yeah well when she gets out the shower tell her to come see me."
"Yeah okay." He said to his back. He went to knock on the bathroom door; Ray was sitting on the floor, still wrapped in a towel, legs drawn up under her chin. When she looked up at him he saw that she was crying, "Aw, beautiful."
"What's wrong with me Shane?" She asked him, "Am I so horrible to look at the way I am?"
"No of course not."
"Then why is everybody trying to change me? He's no different than Lydia."
Shane winced at the mention of the woman's name. Everything had been pretty quiet since she got her cell phone number changed and switched over into Mark's name.
"No honey. He just," she looked up at him again; those pretty grey eyes swimming with tears. "He just wants you to do this just sometimes."
"Sometimes will turn into all the time. I already know."
"Well change isn't terrible. The good thing about it is you can always change back." Shane told her.
"True."
"But do only what you feel comfortable with. By the way those pictures."
"You like?"
"I love. They are gorgeous girl."
"Thank you. It was actually fun and I got to spend a lot of time with the girls."
"That's good beautiful. Listen," he looked down at his watch. Her birthday was tomorrow and he had a few more things to take care of. "I have an errand to run, are you going to be okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be fine."
He kissed her cheek, "I won't be gone long." He turned back, "By the way Cena wants you to come see him. Please make sure you are with someone."
Fat chance, she thought as she watched Shane walk out the door. I need to by myself for a change.
**************************************************************************** **********
John wondered what was keeping Ray. He walked back to their hotel room and he heard her lacy voice screaming at the very top of her lungs.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
Is she talking about me? I love her. He went to knock on the door but didn't deciding to listen. Perhaps this was an omen.
EVERY TIME WE LIE AWAKE AFTER EVERY HIT WE TAKE EVERY FEELING THAT I GET BUT I HAVEN'T MISSED YOU YET
Why do I keep fighting with him, Ray asked herself she sat in the floor still in her towel, nothing I do is good enough for him.
EVERY ROOMMATE KEPT AWAKE BY EVERY SIGH AND SCREAM WE MAKE
Seems as if there are more screams than sighs. I'm so tired of fighting him. Tired of crying over him. I can't take much more of this.
ALL THE FEELINGS THAT I GET BUT I STILL DON'T MISS YOU YET ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT
Only when I get time to actually contemplate our relationship do I realize this.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU? I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU
EVERY TIME WE LIE AWAKE AFTER EVERY HIT WE TAKE EVERY FEELING THAT I GET BUT I HAVEN'T MISS YOU YET
Why is when I leave you for long periods of time, I don't miss you?
ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT
Oh and boy am I thinking about it. I think about it every time I look at you.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE
ONLY WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT YOU I KNOW
I know I hate all this about you, I know I do.
ONLY WHEN YOU STOP TO THINK ABOUT ME DO YOU KNOW?
Do you feel the same way? Come on stop and think about it.
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
YOU HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT ME WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?
That line made John stop dead in his tracks. Why did he love Ray? Did he love her or just the image of what she could be under him?
I HATE
Yes I do.
YOU HATE
I know you do. I know you hate everything about me, that's why you trying your damndest to change me.
I HATE YOU
Yet you tell me you love me.
YOU LOVE ME
I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
I can't answer that question. And that's sad. Her cell phone ringing stopped her thoughts.
"Yeah," she picked up the phone.
"What's up ma, it's me."
"Hey," Ray said her voice dead.
"How was your shoot? I can't wait to see your pictures."
"Well come on over, I'll show them to you." She hung up the phone.
He was so full of it.
**************************************************************************** **********
Ray's dad checked into the hotel right as Shane walked out the front door. He turned his head to look at the boy with green hair.
I watched my baby kick that boy in the jaw, he shook his head. Well there's no way my girl is in here with him, no man wants to be in the same place with the woman that humiliated him.
"But she has got to be in this town somewhere, I know her show is here." He said as he signed the check. He looked up at the clerk, "Say miss, what could a fellow like myself do in terms of entertainment?"
"Are you into professional wrestling?"
"I've been known to watch it a time or two." He smiled.
"Well quite a few of the WWE superstars are right here in this building."
"The hell you say," he acted taken aback. "Really?"
"Well of course I can't tell room numbers and such, but you are bound to spot one."
"I hope so."
"And if not, they are having one of their shows here."
"Where?"
"At the Arrowhead Pond, just a few blocks from here."
"Really? Thank you miss, you have been a great help."
"You're welcome, glad I help." Little did she know she had just helped a murderous, lunatic find his missing child.
Mark looked at the man as he walked on the elevator with him.
I have got to go check on my baby; he thought to himself, this man gives me the creeps.
So she could be here in this building after all. He looked up at Mark. Jesus, he was a mountain of a man. That was going to be a problem if she had men like that guarding her. But he doubted it, why would this busy superstar be looking after his little sunshine.
"Hey darlin'," he called her cell phone.
Ray's father listened unknowingly as the other man spoke to his daughter.
"Hey daddy. What's up?"
"I'm going to need you to do your boy thing while you're here."
"No complaints here, but can I ask why?"
"Tell you when I see you. I'm on my way up."
"Kay good. Want to show you my pictures." They hung up.
"Daddy is on his way up,"
"What are you doing?" he watched as she taped her breast down covering them with a sports bra.
"Daddy says I have to do my boy thing." She told John as she slipped into Corey's sweats and one of John's jerseys.
John rolled his eyes, he was never going to get anywhere with this girl. For every step forward seem like they always took two back.
"Okay ma," he said, "I like when you wear my clothes."
"You do?" she said braiding her hair in one of her trademark braids.
"Yeah, just don't cut your hair."
"Why?" she smiled at him through the mirror.
"'Cuz it's sexy." He said coming behind her kissing the back of neck. He took in her scent, she always smelled so feminine and her scent mixed with his own cologne from his jersey was like an aphrodisiac.
"Glad you like it." She said taking his hat and turning it backwards on her head.
"You look just like a boy." He smirked.
"Good. Because that is the idea."
He grabbed her butt, "Smart ass."
Here we go again she thought as she grabbed him between the legs. "You know it."
"Come here." He said kissing her full on the mouth. He was really turned on by those pictures she took. She looked really hot, the bad ass nasty girl in all the leather.
"Hey you two," Mark said coming in the room, "three feet on the ground at all times."
"Daddy!" She leaped into his arms.
"There's my girl. Let me see those pictures that has got everybody jumpin'."
Ray walked back over to the bed picking up the photo album with her proofs in them.
"Well these are mighty fine pictures, darlin'." Mark told her putting his arm around her. "Mighty fine pictures."
"Why thank you daddy."
"Don't you think so son?" Mark looked up at John.
"I told her I thought they were hot. They are very hot."
"They are nice." Mark told her. "Come on darlin', let's get you out of here. It's time for work."
Work went on as usual that day. Torrid defended her title and escorted The Undertaker and Kane to the ring. It was a normal night.
My birthday is coming up tomorrow, Ray thought as she lay beside Shane in bed.
Her birthday is tomorrow, Shane thought as he stroked her braid. I want to make it special.
My baby's birthday is tomorrow, her father thought sitting just feet away from where his daughter lay safely in her bed. Finally I'll give her what she's always wanted.
**************************************************************************** **********
"Surprise!" The superstars leaped out of the locker room.
"Oh hell!" Ray screamed.
"Happy Birthday darlin'." Mark
"Thank you daddy."
"Okay everybody, gifts." Shane called.
"Well we all know the boyfriend goes first." John said handing Ray a big box.
She shook next to her ear before opening the tube top dress. What the hell?
"It's nice." She said quietly.
She looks like she really is enjoying that. Shane thought.
"You can wear it tonight when I take you out."
Shane watched as her eyes nearly rolled out of her head. Oh yeah, that's going to happen.
"Next gift, where's the uncles?" Mark called out.
All the men she called uncle came to offer her a gift, Adam got her a pair of sneakers, Shawn had a custom HBK hat made especially for her, and Glenn brought her an oversized Kane jersey.
"Now this is my style." Ray said laughing holding the jersey out in front of her.
I swear to God, John thought, they all know how I feel about her and big clothes and I'll be damned if they don't buy them anyway.
"Glad you like." Adam said.
"Okay ladies."
Trish had brought a cute mesh shirt with thumbholes cut in the sleeves and Lita had brought a pair bondage pants full with chains.
"This is hot." She said holding up the pants.
"Well not as hot as it will be with these." Matt said holding up a pair of boots. "These are from Jeff, Shannon and I."
"Kacey sent this." Jeff said holding up the Commencement CD by Deadsy. "And this." He said giving her a flamed anklet.
"Oh, tell your wife she kicks ass." Ray screamed putting the CD in the stereo blaring Gremercy Park.
"Well I can see she likes those." Mark chuckled. "Shane, you're up."
"Here you go." He handed Ray a small bag, "Not much, but I thought you might like it."
Ray pulled out the Green Lantern tee with her nick name on the back.
"Shane." Ray squealed throwing her arms around his neck. This was the best gift he could've gotten her.
"Yeah it's nothing fancy, but this way I figured I could have mine back."
"Oh now this is nice. How did you know I wanted one of my own?"
"I keep telling you Citizen Ray. It's all because of my Hurri-powers."
"I am a humbled woman." She said kissing him on the cheek.
Everyone laughed, John seethed in the background. She did not act like this when he gave her his gift. It was clear that he would never live up to the expectations of her relationship with Shane. He was everything to her, everything he obviously couldn't be.
"Well I would give you my gift now darlin', but why don't I wait until after the match?"
"Okay, I have no valet orders tonight. You guys are on your own."
"Yep, we asked that you not be allowed to work on your birthday. That's part of your gift from Vince."
"What's the other half?"
"This." Mark said holding out the issue of Raw with Torrid on the cover. Her head was thrown back she was reaching back for her ankles her chest risen. The caption read, The Destructive Force, Is the WWE ready for Torrid Heat? "He had one printed especially for you."
"Wow." Was all Ray could manage to spit out. She couldn't believe that was her face she was looking at.
"Yeah, double wow." Adam said. "Is this my niece?"
"That's her." Mark said. "My little darlin'."
"Mark," a tech said, "you're on next."
"Okay, Randy's on look out, where ever the hell he is."
"Daddy, I can handle it. Go."
"Okay, well I'll give you my gift after the match."
The locker room soon emptied. Ray sat in the middle of all her gifts by herself. She smiled busying herself with packing the many gifts in her duffle bag. No wonder Shane told her to pack light. She undressed and prepared to get in the shower. She turned the water on letting the heat engulf her. This had indeed been a good birthday.
Ray's father walked through the arena with no problem. That Randall Orton was a good kid. Told him exactly where he could find his little ray of sunshine. And true to his word he heard her voice singing in the shower.
"There's my birthday girl." A voice called behind her.
Ray, who was bending down to adjust her new anklet, stood up to her full five foot eleven inches. But she was frozen where she stood. She didn't turn around. She recognized that voice. That was the same voice that called her a few weeks ago. This is it, Lydia has finally found her.
"Well aren't you going to turn around sunshine?"
That name, it struck a chord deep within her. Sunshine, she hadn't been called that since..Oh my God!
"Daddy?" she turned around.
"Happy Birthday Sunshine!"