Chapter Fifteen: Welcome Home

Dave sat on the plane, closing his eyes as he felt it take off. He hated that part, it made him feel like he was being his head was being pushed in. He only opened his eyes after the plane began to level out and then peered out his window. Below him were the sparkling lights of Anaheim. He felt the pain of regret fill him as he thought about Kali. He couldn't believe he had told Randy about that night in Vegas. He knew Kali would be hurt when she found out. Part of him was almost glad he wouldn't be there when she did, he couldn't stand the thought of hurting her or the fact that he had broken her trust. And another part wished that he could have found the courage to at the very least tell her good bye, but he didn't. And now, he was on a plane, flying two thousand miles away from her, and all he could feel was the regret.

He slid the window cover shut and settled back in his plush, first class chair, shutting his eyes. He wanted to sleep this night away, maybe wake up tomorrow to find that everything, all of it, had been a bad dream. 'Wishful thinking' he thought to himself as the exhaustion of non-stop traveling suddenly hit, and he drifted off to sleep.

xxxxx

Early the next morning the plane landed with a hard bump, jarring Dave from his sleep. He opened his eyes, and groaned at the pain he felt in his neck. It was stiff from having slept on it wrong. He quickly grabbed his carry on bag from the over head compartment and was the first off the plane. His next stop was baggage claim where he found his duffle and his suitcase, and left the airport.

The crisp DC air welcomed him upon stepping outside, it was still pretty dark out. He looked at his watch, it wasn't quite six o'clock yet. He breathed in the air, feeling happy to be back. He flagged down a cab, and gave the driver his address. During the ride, Dave engaged in as little conversation as possible with the pudgy, balding driver, not really feeling up to answering questions on how make the man's life long dream of becoming a wrestler a success.

When he did get to his house, he thanked the cab driver and gave him a hefty tip, declining the offer for help with his bags. His house felt strange. He walked in and felt like he was in someone else's home. He had gotten so used to hotel rooms, that he had forgotten what home really felt like. Spending another month with out coming home for at least a day was not something he planned on doing again.

He set his bags down by the front door, and trudged slowly up the long staircase to his bedroom. He collapsed on his bed and let out a loud sigh. The familiar feeling of his own bed comforted him. He was feeling tired again, though not physically but emotionally. He couldn't stop thinking about Kali, and he couldn't stop feeling guilty. He knew he should call her to explain or at least check to see if she was okay, but he wouldn't. It was the simple truth, and he knew it.

He spent a moment debating on whether or not to call his daughters to let them know he was back. He decided to wait a day, just to give himself some alone time .

He forced himself up, and went back downstairs and into the kitchen. He opened up the refrigerator, and nearly gagged at the smell that wafted out. The food he had bought the last time he came home was still in there and nearly all of it had gone rotten. "Oh, shit," He gasped, shutting the door as quickly as he had opened it. He went to the pantry next, deciding the rotting food was just not something he wanted to worry about right then. He pulled out an unopened package of Oreo cookies, practically the only thing that hadn't gone stale, and settled back against his center island. 'Welcome home, Dave,' he thought to himself, before popping the first of what was sure to be many cookies into his mouth.

xxxxx

"Daddy!" cried Dave's oldest daughter running into his arms for a hug.

"Hi sweetie," Dave said, holding her close and kissing her on the top of her head. He hugged his other girls after her. Angie, who was standing behind them, simply raised her eyebrow at him.

"I almost thought you were lying when you said you were here," she said coldly.

"Nice to see you, too, Angie," Dave replied, shaking his head at her and turning his attention back to his girls.

"How long are you here, Dad?"

"Two weeks," Dave said, "And I want us to spend as much time together as possible."

A/N: I just literally did a dance around the room. I have more than 60 reviews! How is that even possible? I love you guys so much for reading, it means so much to me that you do. I really hope you're enjoying this. I'll try to have another chapter by tomorrow, but until then please continue to read and review.

Tanfalath

P/S: Johnlooked incrediblyhot in those tight jeans in the video, you have to admit.