Chapter 8 - Relocate

November 23rd, 2020 (4 hours later)

Rebecca

"Ok. Thank you so much, Steph. I'll... I'll try to keep my head up."

"Good luck, Rebecca. Please take care and stay safe."

"You too." I hit the end call button and just wanted to lie back and let loose. "Ugh...goddamn it."

"Hey, not too loud now. Remember, my nephews are here."

"Sorry, Pam. Just thought that call would never end." I said as I accepted a glass of water from her. "Thank you." After last night, it was easy to believe I had nowhere to call home after Colby found out about my infidelity. I assumed he has our Los Angeles home all to himself. Thanks to Pamela, however, I've been able to find some peace and tranquility in her San Jose home. She's been living with her family after her breakup from her fiancée, (how ironic is that?) but bless her heart, she was more than happy to let me stay with her.

"How did it go? Sounded like they were pretty gentle with you."

"They were. I felt like they were being really careful with me. Especially Steph."

"That's good. Steph was always good to you since you announced you were pregnant. The last thing you need is more stress." Pam giggled sarcastically. It prompted a small smirk out of me.

"No kidding. I honestly thought I was gonna get the good ol' McMahon verbal thrashing."

"Vince, Stephanie, and Triple H reprimanding a pregnant woman and that woman being you. Yeah, I seriously doubt even they would think about going there."

"Fair play!" Fair play indeed to Pam. Those three may be a powerful family, but they do have hearts. Especially Stephanie and Hunter. "Long story short, they called Joey this morning to get his side of what happened at Survivor Series. He told them everything from confronting Matt to Colby attacking him. Both of them got punished!"

"What?! How bad?"

"$10,000 fine for Riddle and Colby got fined $50,000 and suspended indefinitely!"

"Holy shit!" To be honest, I was even shocked by how big a fine they were given and Colby being punished. I'd be lying if I said I thought the punishments were unfair or too extreme. Screw you, Riddle… "That is some insane justice right there. Did Joey get anything?"

"Yeah. A week off to recover from Colby's attack, and told him to keep things super private right now."

"Wow! Just...wow! He actually got away with it. Well...all bruises and cuts aside thanks to Colby." I didn't like Pam's choice of words there, but I was shocked as well; and honestly, I was more relieved Joey didn't get any real punishment as I feared. I guess his professionalism during the men's Survivor Series match last night didn't go unnoticed. "So...safe to say, Joey told them...EVERYTHING?"

"Yep, and I confirmed everything he said. They expressed their disappointment in me… Rightfully so, I guess." I said as I took a big gulp of water. I know I said I'll take everything that's coming to me, but I can't help but wonder... I've been in constant, extreme mental pain since last night. Can I catch one break...please?

"I can't help but wonder, though, Bex. You think Joey got the verbal thrashing?"

"Stephanie told me...that when Joey explained everything, Vince expressed his disappointment, but it was Hunter that laid into him pretty hard."

"Ooh. How'd he take it?"

"Not good…" I took a second to answer as I started to choke up. "You heard me ask about Joey, right?" Pam nodded quickly with a look of wonder. "I asked Steph how he was doing, she said it was obvious he's a mental wreck, still trying to keep his cool. She did get to speak to him one on one and help him out a bit...but she thinks he still needs a shoulder of his own."

"Oh...wow. Oh, god." That was all Pam could get out. She was as stunned as I was.

"I'm... I'm worried, Pam. The thought of him...hurting so much...all alone..." The bandage on my heart was slowly peeling off again. I couldn't help but worry about Joey since last night. Now Stephanie tells me he's not doing so great… It hurts...so much.

"Take it easy, big mama. Shh...it's ok." Pam moved closer and held me in a hug to comfort me. The tears wouldn't stop rolling...but I greatly appreciated Pam trying to help. "You said Steph helped him out?"

"Mm-hmm. So Vince giving Joey time off to recover? Stephanie turned into a full paternity leave." Pam's jaw dropped hearing that twist.

"No freaking way!"

"Yep, and I think that goes with the second part Stephanie told me. That Joey and I have some important things we need to discuss."

"Holy shit… OOP! Sorry, Roux!" That little slip of the tongue from Pam brought some giggles out of us. Well needed giggles, I think. "It sounds like Stephanie actually wants you two to work it out. Holy crap, you two have a McMahon on your side pretty much!"

"Ha! If this were a storyline on TV, I'd be worried like hell." More laughs were coming along, lifting the mood in the room. But I couldn't help but still ponder. Stephanie wants us to work it out? "So I got a dumb question incoming…"

"Should you and Joey work it out? Yes. You absolutely should. In due time, though. I think, for now, you and baby Roux should remain in a peaceful, healthy environment where you can laugh and smile." She was right. My health and Roux's health was top priority right now. I just need to keep a cool head and keep thinking positive thoughts.

"Excuse me, ladies!" Our attention was diverted to the hallway where Pam's sister, Brenda, stood with her two boys. "So sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to say goodbye! Gotta take the kids to school. Rob's outside waiting for us."

"Oh, no problem at all! I'll walk y'all out! Excuse me, Bex?"

"All good! Hey, it was good to see you again, Brenda." I stood up for a brief moment to hug Pam's sis goodbye.

"Aw, likewise Rebecca! I wish you nothing but the best."

"Thank you so much. Take care now!" Brenda and her boys waved goodbye and took off. Pam and I watched them get into their van, with Rob in the driver's seat. What an adorable, happy little family they looked. Seeing them all together though... I couldn't help but imagine…

"Alright!" Pamela rushing back up the stairs knocked me out of my little daydreaming. "So! I haven't seen the new episode of The Mandalorian yet, but did you see Mercedes' episode?"

"Oh shoot! I haven't! Oh my gosh, I already know she's gonna kill it! You got popcorn?" Pam side-eyed me and gave me the cockiest of smirks.

"Always, girl. Always!"

Nighttime, 3 A.M.

It was another one of those nights for me. You know, the kinds of nights everyone has and complains about. Where you and your body want to sleep, but your mind won't shut up and let you. I wanted to...close my eyes and keep them closed so badly. But I just couldn't…Here I am lying in Pam's guest bed, still wide awake. Wide awake because I still had that image in my head. When I saw Brenda with her family outside today, I imagined I was her. I saw myself in her place, holding hands with my little Roux, securing her in the back of this beautiful blue SUV. I get into the passenger side and I kiss the driver, my husband, Joey. His long hair was much shorter. His goatee was replaced by a full but well-kept beard. He had his infectious smile as he looked at me and our baby girl. He was so happy...and so was I.

"Damn it." Was all I could say. I had this sudden urge, this drive to get out of bed and pick up my phone. I opened the flight app that I still had from before the pandemic hit. "Come on. There's gotta be one. There's gotta be." I was looking for the soonest and quickest flight to LaGuardia. To New York… "Yes!" My eyes lit up as I saw there was an available flight at 5:15 A.M. I immediately booked it and secured a good seat. Only a few hours away. No rush, right?

The next step was to book an Uber. You can mostly find them active during the day, but there have been Uber drivers known to have the night shift. I just gotta pray I was lucky to nab one to the airport. As I pressed my screen to find a fare, my thoughts went back to Pam. She's the one that gave me a safe haven since I can't go back "home" anymore. I couldn't just leave and let her worry after seeing an empty guest bed. I searched the room for paper and a pen. I had to leave her something.

"Dear Pam,

I'm sure you're freaking out after seeing that I'm gone. I am so sorry to scare you and leave like this. But I couldn't wait any longer. I had to leave and take care of things. I'm sure you already know what that is. Please don't worry about me. I promise you I will be OK and so will little Roux. I will call you as soon as I can. Thank you so much again for everything you've done for me this whole year, Pam. You've given me so much of your love and support, even though I never deserved any of it. I'll always truly be grateful, and I will return that kindness one day. You have my word on that. I love you, sis."

*Phone vibrates*

"Oh my god. Thank you." I knew it. A driver was out and actually accepted the fare and would be here in 5 minutes. I guess it's somewhat of a blessing I only had my purse, my clothes from yesterday and these sweats Pam lent me. No hurry to pack if I got nothing, right?

I quickly cleaned up the guest bed and left my letter to Pam right on the pillow where it can be seen. I gathered my belongings and tried my damnedest to be as quiet as possible while leaving. As I made it closer to the front door, I took one last glance down the hall at Pam's door. Ugh, I felt so damn dirty about this. After everything she's done for me...but this was something I had to do alone. I refused to have anyone else be affected negatively by my problems. No more. I quickly and quietly closed the front door and noticed a car coming down the street. I checked my phone to see if that was my ride, and thank the heavens, it was.

"Good morning, mam. May I help you with the door?" The driver came out and opened the door for me. I was taken by surprise but truly flattered.

"Aw, thank you so much. Good morning to you, too." I was able to get into the car smoothly and quickly adjusted myself to make Roux and I as comfortable as possible. The driver closed the door after I was settled in and hopped back in to take off for the airport.

"Are you comfortable, mam?"

"As I can be. Thank you so much. I was afraid I wasn't gonna find anyone this late."

"Well, that's why I do the night shifts. You never know who'll be in need around this time, and I like the quiet rides. Congratulations, by the way!" He says, motioning toward little Roux.

"Oh, thank you! My little munchkin is on her way. Real soon."

"I'm sure the father is as excited as you are." That...was a tough statement to respond to. I do believe, though...he is looking forward to seeing our daughter face to face...very much. "I hope you don't mind my concern, mam; but is it really safe for you to travel in your state? Especially if you say your daughter is coming soon." I should've expected this so soon. He was right. What I'm doing is incredibly stupid and dangerous, not just to me but dangerous to my little girl… But this is something I had to do.

"I appreciate the concern. But I know what I'm doing. I've had a...really rough 48 hours. Let's just leave it at, things not going to plan at all. And as a result, my man had to depart for New York. That's where I'm going now. To be with him." Calling Joey my man before even working things out… Interesting, Rebecca... But that's my mission and why I got to go now. I'll be damned if I'm gonna give birth and Joey is not there with me to see his daughter and be with her. Look out, New York, The Mom is paying a visit.