Three different planes. Three different people. All linked by job, and romance. One of them needed to make a decision. Problem she was yet, she needed more time. She looked over at the sleeping twins she had, and then the daughter that she thought her own. She was giggling at her SpongeBob DVD. She wasn't hers biologically, she was hers in every other way. She been through enough, and she deserved more. It was what she wanted both men to understand. It wasn't just about her anymore. She wasn't a prize. She was a person, and the four of them deserved to have that happiness.

He sat looking out the window. He knew what it was she wanted. Finally. He just didn't know what to think about it all. Walking away. It was a lot to take in. He knew this career wouldn't last forever. Maybe that's why she went the direction she did. Dating him, and she couldn't blame her. He was The Rock. He had movies, many title runs, and wrestling under his belt. He had it all, looks, talent, and business sense. He left, and when he had an itch to come back, he did, but he could walk away without second guessing it. He didn't know if he could do it. He didn't have anything to fall back on. This was it. Or was it? Maybe this is what Randy and Steph hinted to him.

"What wrong with having a life outside of the ring?"

The other sat looking at his script, trying to concentrate. It was tough. It wasn't this hard when his marriage was over. It was done, but this time, he was growing to love her. He didn't get the chance to say it, but he thought she knew. She loved the fact he wasn't wrestling full time. It was a part time gig. He could stop acting at anytime, and return when he wanted. So why did she have that magnetic force back to him. He knew that part of it was they were parents. He never asked her to choose. He asked her to move on. Either she would work it out with him, or walk away to be with Dave. He wanted the chance to prove to her that he was the best choice. He just didn't know at this point if she would give it to him.

The three descended into the airport, knowing this month would be very important to all three of them, no matter what the results were.

Stephanie was in Tampa to visit with Emylee and the kids. She and Nick loved when Aunt Emylee was visiting, and she thought it was her turn to visit her. Trish wanted to, but this pregnancy was taking a toll on her more than she thought.

"Next time, I promise".

She was resting when she heard Randy and Nick enter. Randy was on leave for a surgery, and he was healing nice. A change in scenery was a great idea, and he wanted to see Emylee and the kids too. He never thought any of them would be parents, but it meshed well with them. Instant playmates, and it brought the friendships closer.

They got a key from Emylee on the road, and were waiting her and the kids to come home. He saw Steph resting, and if it wasn't for the fact they were at Emylee's house, and Steph wasn't so tired, she would be naked by now. As they got older, they began to know when one was tired or needed a break. Nick also was a good way to make sure they were pacing themselves in the sex department. She needed the break from the business, he just wondered if she would not bring the work with her. So far, she was doing fine. Only time would tell.

"You think she'll ever tell us who he is?" Randy entered the room.

"If she values her life, she will", she answered, still eyes closed.

"So what's on the agenda?"

"Well, John said we'll be in town in a couple days, Trish went back home to visit family, and be near them since she's been so tired. I hope she's ok".

"Yeah, I've never seen her like that, and she's a tough midget".

She chuckled at the statement. He always gave her the toughest time, but at the end of the day, they were like brother and sister, and he was genuinely concerned.

"Next time I'm off, I'll have her stay with us at the house".

"Sounds good".

They heard the commotion of the foursome walk through the door. Nick sat straight up.

"Oh you heard them too buddy? Well lead the way", Randy joked.

The family made their way down the stairs, to a hyper Anna, and talkative pair of twins. Emylee looked very tired and dishelmed. She politely grinned at her friends, and Nick.

"Home. Look at you, Orton in training. You are getting so big", she said.

"Emylee!, It's Nicky!", Anna exclaimed.

"Yes, you four go at it. The rooms are ready for you four. Give mommy a little break, and I'll make lunch, ok".

The four tore down the hallway, and Stephanie laughed at them, then her friend. Randy hugged her first, and just blurted out the topic of conversation.

"So, who is he?"

"Huh?"

"They guy. Who is he. Just tell us, cause you know Steph, she'll get all CSI on you if you don't".

"DJ", she sighed.

"What?" they shrieked.

"Well, was".

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. DJ as in The Rock?", she asked.

"Yeah".

They walked into the den area, and she grabbed water. She proceeded to fill them in on the past months events, including yesterday's blow up. Faces ranged in shock, to happiness, to shaking of their heads showing they were following along.

"Em, you know you can't ex Dave out of the kids lives", Randy said.

"Oh I know, I wasn't planning to. Just mine".

"You can't do that either, you tried remember", Stephanie said.

Randy got a text from Dave. He sighed at the text after reading. Stephanie motioned him to go.

"Duty calls. Woman that pussy better be worth all the drama you bring on yourself", Randy grinned.

"It's not on purpose", she answered.

"I know Em. I'm not picking sides either. He loves you. I don't know DJ that well like you two do, but I know Dave. Before writing him off, let him thinking about it before any one makes any decisions", he said hugging her, and exiting.

Stephanie waited until he left the room, before continuing.

"So what is your plan? Who do you want?"

"I honestly don't know. They are both being fuckers about everything".

"Business wise, you just made me a happy woman. You know Paul will be in contact with you. I'll make sure he talks to me, and me only. Personally, I get it. I get why you told him that. One thing I wish was Randy didn't get injured. It takes a toll on everyone, and it's like a depression comes over the whole family when he's going through rehab. Difference is he younger. Dave, isn't getting any younger. Not to mention, I planted the seed too".

"What do you mean?"

"Randy and I talked to him a while ago about his plans after he retires. I mean I know he can't go on forever, but we wanted to know what his plans were after leaving the ring".

"What did he say?"

"He would think about it. Randy made his. Dad is grooming him to work backstage more. In two years, he's going to run the backstage talent relations department. I thought maybe Dave would catch on it, but he didn't say anything either way".

"Interesting".

Randy knocked at Dave's door. Dave answered, while he was on the phone. Walking in, you saw he was changing the house from bachelor pad to family friendly. It was a slow process since he wasn't home as much, but you could see the changes. No more white fur carpet, or dark furniture. Bright colors went up, and wood floors were exposed.

"Yeah, I need kid friendly furniture. Along with kid furniture. Yeah Tuesday would be great. 2pm? That works. Thanks, I'll be there".

Hanging up the phone, he sat down on the other couch across from Randy.

"Alright, what's up?"

"She's seeing DJ".

"I know".

"How you know?"

"She told me and Stephanie".

"OK, what else she say?"

"Everything. Even how you were being a jackass".

"I didn't even for it to come out like that. You tell me how you would feel if Stephanie was seeing a close friend of yours?"

"I'd be pissed too. Nothing you can do about it now. I told her that she could keep you away from the kids".

"She wouldn't I knew that".

"What you really need to figure out is what you are going to do about her request. It's a legitimate one. You need to think past that belt, and past all the glitz and glam. You may have heart, but Dave face it, DJ has her security. She knows in the acting business, even if he does his stunts, they have went over the scene a billion times before he does it, if he doesn't use his stunt double".

"I know….I….I just get tired of her walking away. It hurts ya know? Then I'm running out of reasons to tell Anna of why we aren't together".

"Tell her the truth. She's scared, and you're a procrastinator".

"Oh, so you're telling me you and Steph had this talk before you ran and got married?"

"Yeah actually. I know I'm not going to do this forever. Before I knew she was the one, I thought I would retire on a ranch somewhere. Then we got married, and now Vince is grooming me to take over with her and Shane".

"Oh wow. Well, I've been thinking about it. The agent role or working at OWF both work out well. I just need to talk to her".

"I'll tell her".

"Cool. Where y'all staying?"

"Em's house".

"Fuck my life…ok".

He laughed and they parted ways. It could work, they just needed to talk. He knew exactly how to go about this now.

Dwayne arrived just as Randy did too. They shook hands. Even though he was Dave's friend, he actually had nothing against DJ, they were alike in many ways, and their paths took different routes.

"Listen, I'm not here to fight…"

"Dude, they are my friends. I don't hate you. I need them to get it together and figure out what they want".

"I agree. Alright, I'll see you around then".

Emylee walked into the living room seeing them talk. She wasn't ready to talk to either of them yet. She wanted to sleep, but she saw they don't listen.

"why can't I be with someone who honors my request"

"Well, I'm going to leave you two alone, I'm hungry".

"There are leftovers from lunch, and everyone is passed out. Help yourself".

It left the two standing in the room. The silence was killing him. Even with all they were going through, she looked beautiful to her, including the stained shirt.

"Looks like the twins were making a collage with your shirt", he chuckled.

"Yeah, it's not as bad. Dave has been working with them as much as I have".

"Can we take a walk to the lake?"

"Sure, let me change".

She went to change. It was something she accepted. She heard from Dave, if she was going to be fair, she needed to hear from him too. As they walked, he talked about the storyline first. He didn't think she had a chance to read over anything and she just listened as he explained the feud, and how it would come together at wrestlemania.

"That's about it".

"Sounds good".

"Tell me something".

"Something".

"No seriously", he grinned, "What do you want from me?"

"I want us to be happy. At least that's what I thought. Now, I don't know. I love him…..and I love you".

He heard it. She loves him too. She also loves Dave. Messy. He didn't like Messy. Would he want to put up with that to see what happens? Honestly he wanted her, even if it meant he had to wait to see her figure out her feelings.

"I love you too".

"Could you do it?"

"What?"

"Walk away? Could you deal with Dave being a part of our lives?"

He looked at her. She never really saw her so vulnerable until today. She meant it too. It was a serious question. He could walk away from the ring if needed, but dealing with her ex being in her life all the time, was something else. He had to share. Sharing wasn't something he was willing to consider.

"Emylee, I honestly don't know. Walking away, sure. I love wrestling just like he does, but I don't trust him. He loves you, it's clear. I even get why, cause it's the same reasons I do. Thing is he's not going to let you go. I trust you, but he'll play on the fact you two share kids together. Can I think about it?"

"I guess that's fair. Thing is you know it was eventually going to be like this. He's not going anywhere, and you aren't either. I have to realize that, all I have to say is you two are grown men, and I thought these questions I'm asking would have eventually crossed your mind. Call me when you're ready to talk".

She kissed him on the cheek, and got up the left.

'why do they have to be so difficult'