Thank you all for the great reviews. I am glad you are enjoying the story. Hope you like this part. Happy reading
"So where are we going?" Ari asked as they walked down the sidewalk.
Distracted Randy answered her without thinking. "I need to drop you off."
"What?" Ari yelled coming to a complete stop.
Realizing what he had done Randy tried to backtrack. "You are not going to social services. I promised you wouldn't and I keep my promises. But I have to leave town tonight and I can't take you across state lines. It's illegal."
"So what are you going to do with me?" She asked warily, poised to run if she didn't like the answer.
"Your father," Randy stressed, "suggested that I take you to your grandparents, his family."
"But I don't know them at all." She complained, anxious about being deserted.
"Haven't you ever heard about the good thing about grandparents?" Randy asked as he knelt down to her level.
"No what?" She asked eyeing him warily.
"They spoil their grand children as much as they can." He said grinning widely.
"I still don't know them." She said with a stubborn look on her face.
"Well then it's time to get to know them." Randy said as he grabbed her hand, his patience at the end of its rope.
"Besides," He continued, "Today's Friday. That leaves only three days you have to be there."
"What happens if they don't let my father out of jail?" She asked softly.
"That's not going to happen." Randy answered confidently. "In fact I can almost guarantee that John is going to get out soon." He told her thinking about the phone number his friend had given him.
"So are we ready to face what's ahead?" He asked.
Sighing deeply she nodded. Grinning at her theatrics he waved to the nearest taxi.
Twenty minutes later they were pulling up in front of the large four story house where John had grown up. Arianna stared at the sight in front of her in awe before turning to Randy.
"I've changed my mind. I'm not going in there." She said stubbornly.
"Why not?" He asked confused.
"I don't belong here. They're rich and I'm white trash." She answered, turning her back on the house.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again. You are not white trash." Randy stated gruffly, frowning down at her.
"I look like white trash." The little girl persisted, tugging at her once while tee shirt and too short jeans.
"Where you live or how you look does not make you white trash. Monica was white trash because she used drugs and black mailed people. You just had the misfortune to live with her. Now are you ready?"
"No" she answered but offered no resistance as he lead her up the walkway.
Charlotte Cena opened the door and stared in askance at the couple standing on her doorstep. As she continued to stare at them through the storm door Ari tugged on Randy's hand.
"See, we look so bad she won't even talk to us." She said in a loud whisper.
Randy motioned for her to keep quiet. "Ma'am my name is Randy Orton and I am a friend of your son John. I am sorry about our appearance. We got into some trouble last night and haven't had a chance to clean up."
"What can I do for you?" She asked, making no move to invite them in.
"This is John's daughter Arianna. John asked me to bring her here until he can take care of her himself." Randy said slowly, concerned about the way she was acting toward them.
"What kind of trick is this? John does not have a daughter. What do you want from me?" She asked shrilly.
Randy stared at her in disbelief. "You're kidding right? You can't be serious."
"Actually I am afraid she is." Tony Cena said as he came up behind his wife. "I haven't got around to telling her the good news yet. Come in its chilly out this morning. It's only September and it feels like it could already snow."
Arianna and Randy looked at each other warily before stepping through the open door and passing the glaring older women.
"Why don't you two go into the kitchen? Beth, our housekeeper, will fix you something to eat while I let my wife know what's going on." He said indicating the way. As they walked down the hall they heard her comments.
"How could you let them in? They are filthy." She hissed.
"They'll wash." He said calmly before shutting the study door on their conversation.
Ten minutes later Tony Cena came into the kitchen. Beaming he sat down beside Ari and held out his hand. "Hello, I am your grandfather."
"Hi" She answered, leaning back from him.
"I am glad you are here. Don't mind your grandmother. She doesn't like surprises."
Randy smiled at the understatement of the comment. "I need to make a phone call. Would you mind if I used your phone?"
"Not at all. You can use the one in my study." Tony Cena relpied.
Smiling his thanks Randy walked to the study and picked up the phone. Taking a deep breath he dialed Paul's cell phone.
"Hello?" The voice on the other line barked.
"Paul? It's Randy?"
"Paul?" Randy asked when several minutes went by without a sound.
"Are you in the hospital?" The older man asked in a flat voice.
"No" Randy answered.
"Are you in jail?" Paul asked next.
"No." Randy responded.
Paul became silent once more. Randy could hear his angry breathing through the phone.
"Paul, Steph has to be going crazy. Why don't you catch a plane home now and Dave and I will follow later." Randy suggested.
"The next plane doesn't leave until two in the afternoon. That means I have four hours to tear into you ass." Paul threatened in a strangely calm voice.
"And Randy I mean that literally." He added before hanging up.
Frowning Randy walked back into the kitchen and approached Arianna.
"Hey little bit. I have to leave now." He said, nodding his thanks as John's father gave them some privacy.
"Do you have to?" She asked.
"Yea, but you know you can call me at any time okay?" He said, pulling her into a hug. "Now your father is counting on you. No running, he needs to know that you are safe."
Randy walked into Journey's apartment to find all four occupants sprawled out in front of the TV. He stood there silently waiting for them to acknowledge him and the yelling to begin. Two minutes went by without even a glance in his direction.
"Do you want me to stand here for the rest of the day as some sort of punishment?" Randy asked finally. "Otherwise I am going to grab a shower."
When no response was forthcoming Randy rolled his eyes and walked to the bedroom to grab clean clothes from his bag. Watching him out of the corner of her eye Nikki shook her head and got up to follow him. Shutting the door quietly she stood there with her arms crossed.
"So are you going to be the first one to jump on me?" Randy asked without turning around.
"Are you not even sorry about what you did?" She asked amazed at his attitude.
Thinking about the nice warm shower Randy sighed and slumped into a chair to hear her out.
"You know Randy I was probably the one who was the most worried about you." She started angrily.
"I have spent time out on those streets doing research for my book. Plus I write murder mysteries. I have a very vivid imagination. All night I set out there playing scenes through my head." Nikki sneered at him. "And I bet you didn't think about us at all."
Before Randy could work out what had happened she held up her hand cutting him off. "Nothing you could say would make it better. And I don't think I am ready for this kind of relationship, especially not with someone who doesn't care enough about me to call me and let me know that he's still alive." Grabbing her overnight bag and her lab top she walked out of the room and the apartment, leaving Randy staring after her.
"Gee Randy how was your night. How did you get hurt? Have you had any sleep?" He muttered to himself. Angry now he stormed out of the room and planted him self in front of the couch.
"You know, I have had a pretty bad night. So if you are going to yell get it over with."
"I don't think you are in any position to make demands." Dave gritted out, not taking his eyes off the TV.
"Why am I the one in trouble here? I am the one that was out all night searching the scum of the city." Randy cried.
"Randy do you have any idea how easily you could have been killed?" Dave asked frustrated.
"She's seven Dave. I'm sorry but her safety was a little more important to me." Randy spat out.
Dave growled as he pushed himself off the couch and grabbed his jacket, intent on leaving.
"Dave man, you can't just leave. We need to finish this." Randy said, moving to stop him.
Grabbing the younger man by the shirt Dave lifted him up and drove him into the wall. "Not until I have calmed down and not one minute before." Setting him carefully back on his feet Dave turned and walked out the door, taking care not to slam it.
Paul glanced up at the hurt lookon Randy's face and felt most of his anger drain away.
"Randy do you know why I am mad?"
"Because your wife gave you hell about not being home and now you're taking it out on me. I didn't ask you to stay." Randy said belligerently, flopping into the nearest chair.
"I know. I stayed because you are a part of my family and I was worried about you." Paul informed him quietly.
"No you were worried about Steph, the baby, about John being in jail, and about being responsible or his daughter being on the streets. I just happen to b the only one available." Randy said sullenly.
Paul closed his eyes in frustration. "Randy you know how you felt about Ari being out on the streets alone? Well that's how I felt about you being out there."
"I am not a kid."
"No, but once you care for someone you never stop worrying about them." Paul stated patiently.
Randy stared at the ceiling, not offering a comment.
"How hard would it have been for you to stop for a minute to call us and let us know that you were all right? That you were still alive." The older man question, shaking Randy's arm to get his attention.
"How was I supposed to call? I didn't have my cell phone on me and in case you didn't notice, there were no pay phones in the area." Randy yelled, angry that this was dragging on.
"Randy you're not listing." Paul said sighing.
"No you aren't getting it. I risked my life to save someone else's. Instead of being treated like a hero I'm getting yelled out. No one has asked how it went or what happened along the way." Randy dropped his head into his hands. "Instead my girlfriend leaves me and Dave's going to kill me."
"Randy you are tired and not thinking clearly. This is not getting us anywhere. Why don't you get your shower then get some sleep. The plane leaves at two." Paul advised, seeing that Randy was near his breaking point.
WhenRandy show noinclinationto move Journey walked over from where she had observed the argument.
"Come on, let me clean that cut on your forehead." She said taking his hand and leading him to the bathroom.
"You know this seems like old times, wait that was only a month ago." She teased as she dabbed the cut with a wet washcloth.
"Journey" Randy started but was cut off when she leaned down to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you"
"For what?" He asked confused.
"For saving her and for caring." Journey said softly as tears came to her eyes.
"How do you know I found her?."
"You wouldn't have come back until you did."