"Hey, girl," Stephanie said, walking up next to Lilian, who was intently watching the match between Rob and Kurt on a backstage monitor. Shelton and Charlie stood next to Lilian, waiting for their cue to run down to the ring. However, when the owner made her way over, the two gentleman respectfully left, allowing the two ladies to talk.
"Hey," Lilian replied, flicking her gaze to Stephanie for a brief moment. "Great show tonight."
"Yeah," Stephanie agreed, thinking about the classic match that Shawn and Chris had given the fans, with Chris barely getting the win with a rollup. Stephanie thought the best part of that match was when the two friends had shook hands, showing the ultimate respect to each other and the fans. She also thought the women's tag team championship match went well, which saw Trish and Lita win over the team of Ivory and Molly. She shook her head, breaking her thoughts as she said, "The best part is yet to come. Imagine the reaction from the Philadelphia fans when Rob finally wins the title."
"I know," Lilian said. "The roof's gonna blow off the place. Philly fans are awesome as it is, but imagine the reaction when Rob wins."
"Yeah, well, if anyone deserves that belt, it's Rob," Stephanie said. She glanced at Lilian, noticing the small blonde looked nervous. "You okay? You look nervous."
"Huh?" Lilian asked, seeing the worried look on Stephanie's face. "Well, yeah, a little. But it's natural, I guess."
"Yeah," Stephanie agreed, looking at her broken hand encased in her pink cast. "You sure you'll be okay out there with your hand in a cast?" Stephanie asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine, Steph," Lilian insisted, taking a deep breath, her nerves spreading with each moment. "I've been worse off than this before. Kurt, Shelton, and Charlie talked to me before the match and said they weren't going to target it. I'm gonna use it in one spot, but otherwise, it's like the cast isn't even there."
Stephanie nodded, turning her attention back to the television monitor. "Well, it looks like it's your big moment," Stephanie said, patting Lilian on the back, the two ladies nearly laughing at the dramatic gasp the ruckus Philadelphia crowd let out when Kurt crashed into referee Mike Chioda, sending the official crashing to the mat. Lilian herself winced when Mike's head slammed off the turnbuckle, making the token ref bump look that much more convincing. "Go have fun out there."
The crowd's nervous buzzing turned to boos when Charlie and Shelton ran to the ring, their obvious intent being to beat down Rob so they could help Angle win. After about a minute, Lilian left the backstage area and ran down the long ramp way, her heart fluttering nervously as the crowd popped loudly at her appearance.
She slid into the ring easily, ducking when Shelton took a wild swing at her and went sailing across the ring. Lilian ducked again when Charlie made a grab for her, pushing him in the back and sending the athlete crashing into his tag team partner. The pair fell together to the outside of the ring. Lilian stood at the ropes, laughing along with the crowd at the two men who had yet again been foiled by the little blonde.
Lilian nearly screamed when she felt Kurt's hand wrap in her hair, pulling her to him. She turned, hearing Kurt yell that he was going to snap her ankle in two. Lilian reared back, whacking Kurt in the side of the face with her cast with enough force to make it look convincing yet not hurt him. The Olympic champion let go, turning around in time to catch the WWE Championship belt that Rob tossed to him, setting up the Van Daminator.
Kurt crumpled to the ground in perfect position for Rob to gracefully leap to the top of the ropes to hit the Five Star Frog Splash. Lilian knelt down next to Mike Chioda, who was beginning to stir, desperately shaking the shoulder of the senior referee. Mike shook his head, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head, crawling slowly over to the spot where Rob had hooked the leg of Kurt Angle. Lilian leapt out of the ring, watching as it seemed to take forever for Mike to make his way over to make the count.
"One… two… three!" Lilian counted along with the crowd, jumping when Mike signaled for the bell to be rung and the crowd erupted into cheers. "Yes!" she shouted, climbing back into the ring and grabbing the title belt from the mat, handing it to Rob as his music began blaring through the sound system of the arena. Rob stayed on his knees, simply staring at the golden belt that had eluded him for the majority of his long career until this very moment. Lilian wiped a tear from her eyes, simply allowing Rob to soak up the joy of the moment before he finally stood, smiling tearfully at Lilian.
Mike Chioda walked up to the pair, standing between them. The referee raised one of each of their hands in victory, gently guiding the two so they could pose for each side of the packed arena. He let go of their wrists, grinning at Lilian and Rob as the two hugged for a long time, unaware of the fact that Kurt, Shelton, and Charlie were making their way to the back. Mike patted Rob on the back in a symbol of respect and congratulations as confetti began dropping from the ceiling.
The two broke apart, Lilian raising Rob's hand in victory again. Mike joined the pair again, raising Rob's hand, allowing the new WWE champion to bask in the glory to the sound of the fans chanting his initials in unison.
Lilian wrapped her arms around Rob's waist again, pulling the new champion to her. "Congrats. The biggest moment of your career has finally arrived," Lilian whispered in his ear, stroking his sweaty back with her left hand.
"Yeah, of my career, but the biggest, best moment of my life is still coming," Rob replied, stepping back a little, keeping his hands on Lilian's arms.
"What do you mean?" Lilian asked, somewhat confused when Rob tossed the title belt to Mike, the referee grinning as he easily caught the belt, looping it through his arms, leaning back against the turnbuckle.
"This is the best moment of my life," Rob replied, gently pulling Lilian to him, pressing his lips to hers to a massive pop from the crowd. His arms encircled her waist, one hand moving up her back to the back of her head, his palm resting on the base of her neck as he gently kissed her.
Lilian was surprised at first, then closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his lips pressed against hers. She absently pressed her hand to the back of his head, kissing him back. After several long moments, the two finally broke apart, the crowd of 25,000 strong cheering the two along as they smiled sheepishly at each other.
Rob grabbed Lilian's hand, raising the little blonde's arm in victory. Mike handed Rob the WWE championship back, finally stepping out of the ring so the pair could continue soaking up the glory of being on the top of the wrestling world. Rob held the championship between the two of them, Lilian holding on so the two of them raised the belt together, signifying their unity as a team.
Rob and Lilian watched as Bubba, D'Von, Chris, Shawn, and Billy all made their way from the back, smiles on their faces. The five men entered the ring, each taking time to congratulate Rob. Bubba, D'Von, and Chris had all been in ECW with Rob, and knew what this moment meant to Rob, to finally win a major championship. Shawn and Billy stepped up, too, each shaking Rob's hand in respect.
Bubba and D'Von lifted Rob on their shoulders, Chris and Shawn doing the same to Lilian. Again, they raised the title belt together in victory, noticing that many in the crowd were wiping tears from their eyes. After several minutes of more celebrating, Lilian and Rob finally made their way to the back together, pausing at the top of the ramp for a few more moments before entering the backstage area.
Once they went through the curtain that separated fiction from reality, Lilian and Rob were met with the majority of the locker room standing there, applauding Rob on his hard fought victory. Stephanie stepped up, hugging Rob and Lilian. "Congratulations," she whispered. "In more ways than one, apparently!" Stephanie added, glancing towards Rob and Lilian's entwined hands.
"I am so proud of both of you," Trish said, hugging Lilian before turning and doing the same to Rob. "I can't believe you held out this long from kissing her!"
"Well, we kept trying but we'd get interrupted… by Sable, then by the police, then by Steph," Rob pointed out, winking at Stephanie when she blushed. "It's pretty funny the most convenient place to share our first kiss was in a wrestling ring surrounded by 25,000 screaming fans!"
"Yeah, and as for you, Mr. Chioda, did you have something planned with Rob?" Lilian asked, raising her eyebrows at the referee who had taken the belt from Rob so they could kiss.
Mike grinned, shaking his head and holding his hands up in surrender. "I claim to know nothing."
The group laughed. "Come on, I know a great bar on Broad Street," Rob said. "My treat. It's time we celebrate!"
The group cheered, all going their separate ways, leaving Lilian and Rob standing in the gorilla together. Lilian merely grinned shyly at Rob, ducking her head slightly before speaking.
"I want to thank you for everything you've done for me these past few weeks. You accepted me when I came crawling back, you stuck with me when John and Sable tried to hurt me and you, and you've made me feel like I'm loved. So thanks," Lilian stood on her toes, kissing Rob on the cheek.
"It's not a problem," Rob replied softly. "Because I love you."
"I love you, too," Lilian whispered. Rob encircled his arms around her waist again, guiding her toward him so they could kiss. Before their lips met, however, a voice spoke up.
"Is this the point where I interrupt a sappy moment?" Shawn asked, a sly look on his face when Lilian and Rob hastily broke apart.
"Shawn, you ass! Leave them alone!" Lita exclaimed, pulling her fiancé away. "Sorry. Please, continue," Lita added, pulling Shawn away and preparing to lecture him.
Lilian and Rob laughed, shaking their heads. Rob pulled her back towards him, kissing her in their second of many kisses.
End Part 17/18