Wow, another chapter in under a week. I must have been feeling good. But to be honest I was saddened by the death of Eddie Guerero and felt like writing. He was a good wrestler and will be missed by all his fans. My sympathy to his family.
Thank you to everyone who review the last chapter.
Cenasoldier and Rko's wife—I am glad you are enjoying the story.
Myth—Glad you like it. Wish I could have been a fly in the wall for the bedroom scene.
Latisha—They're basically like brothers. I couldn't let them get away without teasing. Gotta have some fun. ;)
Insane Zula—"make your blood pressure rise?" The author asked smiling evilly.
Wed morning
"When did John get home?" Laney asked looking over at Randy.
"Yesterday." Randy answered curtly, stopping for a red light. Sighing he turned to look at the girl sitting next to him. "John might not be too happy to see us."
"Why do you say that?" She asked frowning.
"He wants to see you." Randy amended quickly. "He's just been apprehensive about you and Ari meeting. And I didn't exactly tell him we were coming."
Laney rolled her eyes. "Smart, and if he's anything like you he's going to be very grumpy about having to get up at eight am."
Randy gave her a small smile. "It wasn't up to me to get up this early. Your dad wanted you occupied this morning."
"Yea they wanted me out of eaves dropping distance when they had their big meeting." She informed him.
Randy's lips thinned at the mention of the meeting. "Yea, well be nice to Ari okay? I can't deal with any more complications right now." He said pulling into his friend's driveway.
Walking up the sidewalk he pulled the teenager behind him so John wouldn't see her right away.
"You're awake." He said in surprise when John opened the door at the first knock.
John smiled wryly. "Randy, I have a eight year old daughter. Sleeping in is no longer an option. She's too noisy." He leaned lazily against the doorframe. "The question is what got you up at this ungodly hour?"
Laney popped into sight. "Hi John." She said giving a little wave. John narrowed his eyes at her before turning to his friend.
"Randy what the hell?" He demanded angrily.
"Daddy, no cussing." A small voice called from the kitchen.
John bit off a second curse and held the door open wide. "Come on in." He invited in a cold voice.
Laney raised her eyebrows at Randy. "You should have told him we were coming."
"Don't start." He said sourly pushing her through the door.
"Hi" A voice spoke up. Laney turned around to see a small dark haired girl. "Why is daddy so mad at you? Whatcha do?" She asked looking between the new visitor and her father's face.
"She didn't do anything midget. It's all my fault." Randy admitted. He ruffled her hair as he walked past her into the kitchen. "Hey John you have anything to eat? I'm starving."
John growled, torn between wanting to strangle his friend and needing to make sure the girls got along okay. "Laney this is my daughter Arianna. Ari this is Delaney Calloway."
"You have the horses." Ari realized, her voice high with excitement.
"Yea." The older girl answered.
"I want a horse but daddy says no." She said shooting him a look.
"And where would we put it, the living room?" He asked crossing his arms.
Laney laughed as Ari imitated his stance. "Next time you come to Texas I'll take you riding." She promised.
"When are you going home?" Ari asked eagerly.
"This afternoon."
"Daddy, can we go to Texas tonight?" The young girl asked turning on her big puppy dog eyes.
"We just got home. Can we at least get unpacked first?" He asked exasperated.
Ari's eyes opened wide suddenly as if a thought had just occurred to her. "Wanna come up to my room?" She asked the teenager. "I need to pick out a color to paint but daddy doesn't like my choices." She finished grabbing Laney's hand and dragging her up the stairs.
"Did you finish your breakfast?" John called after them. Neither girl paused in their conversation to answer him. John shook his head in amusement and relief before heading for the kitchen. "Thanks for the warning." He said punching Randy in the shoulder.
Ignoring his friend Randy continued to shovel cereal into his mouth.
"So how did you get Laney duty?" John asked trying again.
"The elders are having a meeting that they didn't want her to hear." Randy answered sourly.
'What kind of meeting." John asked curious.
"The secret kind. Top secret. No kids allowed." He answered bitterly. "We're included in that statement."
"We are?" The older male asked amused by his friend.
"That's how they're treating us, or at least me." Randy replied, throwing his spoon on the table.
John watched as milk splashed over the surface. "Do you think maybe it's a reflection on how you've been acting lately?" He asked carefully.
"They treat me like a kid so I'll act like one." Randy said determinedly.
"Which came first the chicken or the egg?' John asked dryly. At Randy's look he continued. "So is this where your affection for pulling pranks come from?"
"They drove me to it. Though I do have to admit its fun." He grinned suddenly. "How'd you hear about it?"
John shrugged. "I have spies everywhere." He said dramatically. Sobering he continued. 'I've also heard a lot of grumbling going on. You're pissing off a lot of people. Water fights are okay and even small pranks on certain people are okay, but when you publicly humiliate them by airing the results during a meeting, that's just bad stuff."
Randy shrugged, unwilling to meet John's eyes.
"Now I've known Shelton a long time and I know how much he loves a good prank. But never once have I known him to do something that low." John continued relentlessly.
Randy had the grace to look ashamed. "He didn't want to go that far but I kind of pushed him into it." He admitted.
"And the purpose of that was to make yourself look stupid?" He inquired looking up from cleaning the mess Randy had made.
"I don't know. It just seemed that the more Dave disapproved of me the further I had to go?" The younger man declared.
"Now that I've rattled the rocks in your head are you ready to give up your little game and stick with good old fashioned harmless pranks?" John requested.
Randy grinned. "You have to admit that they are fun. When they're harmless." He added quickly at his friend's look. "Which they will be from now on."
"Wow Mark was right. I am a good influence on you." John said in awe.
"Ah but I still have on prank that's going to happen." Randy said smiling evilly. "Want to help?"
"Who's it on?" John asked semi interested.
"Dave." Randy answered with relish.
John stared at his friend in disbelief. "You're out of your mind. Crazy. I want no part of this. Pretend like you don't even know me." He said holding up his hands.
"I have to do this." Randy defended himself.
"But don't you think pulling a prank on him is going to affect him whether it's harmless or not?" John asked tuning around from the sink to find that he was talking to himself.
Hospital
"Hey Steph." Journey said walking into the hospital room. She smiled when she saw the invalid sitting up in bed. "You look like you're feeling better."
"I feel great." She answered grinning. "Days like this make me believe everything's going to be okay."
"If this is the result maybe they should have put you in the hospital months ago." Journey teased.
"Don't even joke about that. The only bad thing in my life right now is how bored I am. Sometimes I think I'm gong to go out of my mind." Steph gave a little scream as the two burst out laughing.
"So I take it things are going good in another part of your life?" Journey asked delicately after they had calmed down.
Steph nodded, not embarrassed at all. "Paul's been here every night. He brings dinner, we watch TV together and then we fall asleep holding hands." She smiled. "He even apologized for the pink roses. Said there was a mix up at the florists. Today they sent the right ones. Aren't they beautiful?" She asked.
Journey grinned, delighted in the situation. "Very beautiful." She agreed.
"So how's school?" Steph asked.
"Uhhh." Journey groaned. "I have this huge paper due and its not going good. I need four more pages and I have o more sources to pull from."
"What's it on?' The pregnant girl asked curious.
"Sexual predators of children."
Steph stared at her with her mouth open. "You're joking right?" She asked.
"No" She answered, stunned when Steph started laughing.
"Talk to Jayden." Steph said between gasps. "You'll have enough material for ten papers."
Journey stared at her friend in continued confusion. Jayden chose that moment to slide her head in the door. "Sounds like you're having a party in here."
"No actually we were talking about you." Steph admitted.
Jayden raised her eyebrows. "What'd I do that was so funny?"
"Journey was telling me about a paper she's writing."
"I don't have enough sources. It's based on the monsters that prey on children, most importantly on sexual abusers." Journey supplied.
Jayden looked at the young woman intently, her expression serious. "What caused you to pick a topic like that?"
"We had to pick something that was a social problem. I couldn't find a bigger or more serious one." Journey admitted looking grave.
Jayden smiled. "In that case I can definitely help you. Why don't you come over to my place later?
"That would be so great." After confirming the time and writing down the address Journey left for her second class of the day, relieved that one problem was solved.
Steph smiled over at her friend. "Its strange how things work out isn't it?"
Jayden raised her eyebrows in question. "What do you mean?"
"That girl is for all intent and purposes Dave's daughter." Steph explained.
"Really?" The other girl asked staring at the closed door.
"So?" Steph asked when the two had sat in silence for several minutes. "How was last night?"
"What about last night?" Jayden inquired innocently.
"Un uh, you're not pulling that. I want details. So spill." Steph said sternly.
Jayden shrugged. "It was okay."
"Just okay?" She asked disappointed. She started laughing when Jayden lowered her head to hide her blush.
"Actually it was great." She admitted filling her friend in on all the details.
"So are you going out with him again?"
Jayden nodded. "Tonight in fact. We're going to the movies." She answered smiling shyly.
"What about your anti men statement from the other day? Are you ready to give that up?" Steph asked.
The other girl shrugged. "It's not really changed. I like him but I just can't be in a serious relationship." She bit her lip undecided. "Maybe I shouldn't go tonight. I don't want to send the wrong signals.
Steph sighed in frustration. "Okay lets go over this again. You like Dave right?"
"Yea" Jayden admitted grudgingly.
"And you enjoy being with him right?" She continued.
The other girl nodded.
"And it hasn't reached a point where you have to make a decision about becoming serious or backing off?" Steph asked obstinately.
"No but….." Jayden tried to clarify. Steph cut in ruthlessly. "Would it kill you to enjoy yourself and have some fun?"
"It's not fair to Dave." The redhead protested.
"Why don't you let him decide that?" Steph said reaching for her friend's hands.
"I can't go through anything like that again." Jayden cried out.
"He's not asking you to." Steph squeezed the clammy hands she held. "You have to learn to live again."
Jayden reached up to wipe the silent tears from her eyes. "I know that. Sometimes I just need a little reminder."
The pregnant girl smiled. "I will always be here to give you the kick in the butt you need." She said causing them to laugh. "So are you going on the date?"
Taking a deep breath she nodded. "And I am determined to enjoy myself." She quoted seeing the militant look in her friend's eyes.
"Good.