Authors Note : Update ladies and gents. I hope you enjoy. Okay, so I need some opinions. I have three chapters left to write of this story, at least that's as many as I originally intended to write. However, none of those chapters involve 'The Wedding'. As my third story (which I'm already working on mwahaha) begins with them already married, I was wondering if you guys actually wanted to see a wedding chapter in this story?
I hadn't planned on writing one, but that was before I thought up my third story. So I open to your input. Do you want me to write their wedding, or are you okay without one? Let me know? So it means you have to read and review, which you all know how grateful I am when you do. As ever I disclaim :)
Trish sighed deeply as she relaxed into the familiar surroundings of the 'New World'. It was known amongst its patrons one of the best kept secrets when it came to dining that Los Angeles could claim. It was intimate and secretive, perfect for romantic rendezvous, such as the one Randy and Trish were having. Letting her eyes travel the length of the restaurant, Trish couldn't help smile the goofy grin that tugged at the curve of her mouth. She hadn't been in here for over a year, and it hadn't changed a bit. From the warm intones of red across the walls, to the gentle oriental music twinkling delicately in the background as the diners ate, it was exactly as her memory dictated it should be.
Placed in Randy's favourite table, Trish smiles across to her relaxed fiancé, who responded by taking her hand across the table. Feeling the flush of colour in her cheeks, Trish dipped her eyes, letting herself giggle softly, sending Randy's heart rate through the roof.
As always, Trish found herself trying to figure out what was going with Randy Orton. After Vince had made that announcement at RAW, Randy had handled himself surprisingly well. He hadn't flown off the handle like she thought he would, or stormed to Vince and demand that Trish be taken out of the match. Well, if Trish were honest, Randy hadn't really said that much…at all. He had woken her this morning with gentle kisses over her face and neck, whispering about spending the weekend together.
And true to his word, Tandy had booked them both on a plane to Los Angeles, where they could simply relax like any other young couple in love and enjoy themselves. The blonde Canadian had found it more than relaxing. It was a blissful few days away from the circus that had become their lives together.
Both would admit that the past few months in their relationship hadn't been the easiest. But they had worked out their differences and stayed together. If nothing else, it had proven at least to Trish how far they had both come since being in their relationship.
This weekend was just another example of how much Randy had changed. Trish's happiness had become the paramount objective in his life. Over the past 12 months, Randy had realised just how deeply he had fallen for Trish. Sure, sometimes she was stubborn and she took risks that he thought weren't worth it, but he had stood by her, and made sure she knew how he supported her. That was his biggest lesson it seemed - compromise. He had bowed down and let Trish have her way on more than one occasion, for which Trish would be eternally grateful.
Randy had learned to deal with not being number one, and was still more than thankful that he had Trish in his life. She was perfect, more than Randy could have ever dreamed of. And it was his mission to make sure she felt happy with him for the rest of her life.
And Trish found that he wasn't doing to badly at it at all. Apart from being whisked away for a weekend with her lover, to top it all off, Randy had insisted on bringing Trish back to this restaurant.
Even if the amazing cuisine provided wasn't a factor, the restaurant held a romantic nostalgia for the pair. A year ago, after the outcome of a dubious bet, this is where the couple had shared their first date.
Perhaps it hadn't been so much of date as it was the pair of them playing a game of manipulation, trying to outdo one another, the culmination of which being Trish storming out of the restaurant and as far away from Randy as she could possibly get.
From that moment on, they had been inspirable, although neither had really acknowledged it. Trish smiled wistfully, wondering if a year ago she would have entertained the idea of being engaged to Randy Orton. The throaty chuckle of the greying owner of the restaurant brought Trish out of her thoughts.
"Mr. Orton! Ms. Stratus! Such a pleasure to see you again!" Both Randy and Trish smiled broadly as they noted they had been joined by the restaurant's owner, Ling-Mai, "It has been too long since I have seen you in my establishment. Is everything to your liking?"
Ling-Mai turned her head from side to side, gauging the couples individual reactions.
"It's wonderful Ling-Mai. It's wonderful to see you again too. I hope you've been well." Trish smiled warmly as Ling-Mai shuffled closer, pulling her into a brief embrace.
"Business is well Ms. Stratus. You two sit comfortably, and I will bring you some delicious food. Just sit, sit, sit." Chuckling heartedly, to which Randy and Trish joined in, Ling-Mai barked a few orders to two nervous looking young Chinese girls, before shuffling towards the kitchen and out of sight.
"I like her." Trish sighed, smiling after the vanishing Chinese woman.
"Me too." Randy agreed. Grabbing the bottle of red wine, he carefully filled Trish's glass before pouring some of the liquid into his own.
"This has been really nice baby," Trish grinned, sipping at the wine, "it's just been awesome to get away from…everything. Between Vince McMahon and both our mothers, I thought I was really going to have a meltdown."
Randy chuckled softly as he watch Trish delicately place a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry I haven't been much help with the wedding plans. But I do suck at that stuff. But that aside, I'm assuming you're seriously going to go through with the match on Sunday?"
Trish found his questioning eyes pushing a little deeper than she was comfortable with. Nervously fiddling with the napkin between her fingers, Trish dared to look back into his crystal blue gaze.
"I know you're not crazy about me doing this Randy," Trish admitted, "more so than me going up against Kane. But this is it now for me. It's like it's my last chance y'know? It's so hard to explain how it feels. It's like…everything I've ever done in my life, before wrestling and during it…meeting you and getting engaged…trying to prove that I'm good enough to the fans and even myself…it feels like its led me here…to this match. I am pretty much scared to death about going into this. It can't end well, not least because it's a 'Chamber' match…but I have to do this. It's not even an option anymore"
Trish looked back up into Randy's eyes, surprised at the smile held there. "I figured there was going to be no way I could talk you out of doing this. You're much to stubborn to even consider it."
Randy's rueful grin caused Trish to giggle softly. "When I realised that, I decided that all I could do was support you in this. So I talked to Stephanie, and she let me on who else is going into this thing on Sunday."
Trish's attention caught, she sat up straighter in her chair, eyes focused on Randy. "Who are we up against?"
"Cena, Edge, Kane…and Hunter." Randy chewed the last word through gritted teeth. Trish exhaled, slumping back into her chair. Any wild hope she had of winning the WWE Championship evaporated in an instant.
"That's…that's not good." Trish stated, resting her hand against her head.
"No. It's a fucking joke. But I talked to John," Randy continued, "and he said as far as he can, he'll have your back going in the match. He'll try and protect you from getting the shit kicked out of you if he can…but he isn't going to let you walk out with that belt. Don't forget that."
"And what about you?" Trish blurted, not entirely sure why she was bringing the topic of fighting her fiancé into conversation. Randy sighed slowly, as if he had been expecting this.
"Trish," he started taking her hand in his, "I love you. I would do anything for you, you know that right? I've fought your corner since day one, even when everything in my body told me I was making a huge mistake. I did everything I could for you."
"But?" Trish offered, not really wanting Randy to finish what he was saying.
"It kind of dawned on me recently…I've been trying so hard to protect you, to shield you from anything that wanted to hurt you…but you don't need my help. You've stood up to everyone who's ever got in your face and you've stared 'em down. I've just been along for the ride. That to me is amazing. It's why I love you so much. You're fiery and independent. You don't need me, but you want me. Which is why, I've decided that I'm not going to pull any punches in that match. You'll just be one person standing in my way to becoming the Champion again."
Licking his lips, Randy took a sip of wine before continuing on. "Don't get me wrong, while I can, I will make damn sure no-one puts their hands on you, and I'll break any fucker who thinks they can. But it could very well come down to me and John being eliminated, and I can't do anything to help you then. I know you'll fight your hardest, but depending on who's left in the match…"
Trish considered his words as he trailed off, leaving so many unspoken concerns and fears for Trish's safety. It was a possibility that she could be alone in the Chamber with Hunter, Edge and Kane if both John and Randy were taken out. Feeling her stomach sink to her toes at the realisation, Trish was soothed by Randy rubbing his thumb across the back of her palm.
"But…it could come down to me versus you. That's how I want it. If I can, I want the deciding fall for the belt to be me against you. I figure that's how it should be. I want you to finish that match facing someone you know who respects you, and isn't going to lay down for you just because you're a woman. Do you understand what I mean?"
Trish nodded softly, finding her own voice, "As much as this match means to me, I know it means a hell of a lot to you. You want that belt, you've been hungry for it for a long damn time. You derailed your dreams to help me achieve mine. And that means so much to me. I don't know how much competition I will be if it is just me and you left. But I'm not going to let you beat me Randy. I swear, you will have to pound the crap outta me, because I won't give in to you. I will fight you until I physically can't anymore. Are you prepared for that? Can you smack your first into my face and not care that you're hurting me? Can you go back to being the unfeeling Legend Killer you were before I met you, and break me with your own two hands?"
A glint of fire reflected from deep inside Randy into his eyes. "You know I can baby girl. I don't want to, but I will. And it will hurt. You think you can take it?"
"Willingly," Trish grinned, "because I wouldn't want it any other way. And when I walk out of the Chamber the new WWE Champion, I'll be sure to give you first rematch shot. Hell, I may even let you carry my belt back to the hotel."
Randy chuckled, leaning across the table as he did so. His lip found Trish's, melting them into a gentle, searing kiss that stole away Trish's breath.
"Whatever happens in the match," he whispered, "stays confined to that match. No matter what happens Trish, don't forget that I love you."
"I love you." Trish smiled, kissing Randy's bottom lips between her own. Begrudgingly, Randy returned back to his seat, his eyes focused on Trish as he chest heaved, trying to find a regular pattern for breathing.
He noted from the side that a collection of waiters were making their way to the table, armed with dishes and plates of delish food. As they laid out the platters before him, Randy couldn't help but grin at Trish. This match was going to be anything but pretty. Randy fully expected that he was going to get his backside kicked from pillar to post in that match.
And he felt as though he would do anything to spare Trish the pain of going through the same. Everything in his body told him that Trish could get seriously hurt on Sunday, and more than likely at his hand. And conversely, he couldn't feel anymore proud of Trish that he did right now. No matter what happened, no matter who walk out of the ring with title, Randy was going to enter and leave the ring engaged to the most courageous girl in the whole world.
In comparison, what did a tawdry piece of gold really mean in comparison to that?
