Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with TNA. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination.
Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings:

Chapter 15

Joe pulled his rental onto the road that led to the Jarrett mansion the following morning. He could see some yellow crime scene tape still clinging to a tree near the site of the murders, and glanced at Ella. She stared down at the pair of white wooden crosses and pink roses she bought at a flower shop in town. She'd gotten them as a memorial, planning to place the crosses by the road where they died, and leaving the roses with them. She intended to go to her parents' graves later in the day and spend time with them—with or without Jeff's, or Joe's, permission. She had waited long enough to say goodbye to them. And it was important for her to go by herself.

"Are you okay," Joe asked, as he slowly coasted down the winding road.

Ella looked at him and nodded silently. He could see the shadows under her eyes had grown even darker despite the makeup she wore.

"Ella, honey, how much longer will you deprive yourself-"

"Stop," she exclaimed, tugging at her seat-belt. "Joe, please—stop the car!"

Joe slowed down and pulled the car to a stop, unsure of whether she was anticipating what he was going to say and was desperate to shut him up, or if she had seen something. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"This is it," Ella spoke softly as she opened the door and hurried out of the car. Joe got out and followed her to the side of the road. "They died here, I know it." She looked down at the ground and knelt down. "This is where Daddy fell," Ella recalled in a whisper, patting the ground. "And Mama was in the car—not very far from Daddy." She jabbed each of the crosses into the earth then, and using a rock, tapped it further into the ground. Then she placed the two roses in front of the memorial. Shakily, she stood to her feet and felt Joe's arm settle around her shoulders.

"As soon as Jeff feels it's safe, I'll take you to their graves," he promised her.

Ella managed a wan smile. "Thank you." Truthfully, she felt guilty about her plans to go to the grave site behind her uncle's back, as well as Joe's, but it was something she just had to do. And nothing would change her mind.

He kissed the top of her head. "You're welcome, honey. Now, speaking of safety, how about we get you home?"

She nodded and allowed Joe to lead her back to the car. Then seconds later, they were heading further down the road and Ella spotted her 1968 Ford Mustang GT convertible in the large circle driveway. The car had been her eighteenth birthday gift from her parents only months before. The Robertses had surprised her with it at her party that night.

Ella unwrapped a tiny gift box and found a turquoise toy car inside—a replica of the 1968 mustang convertibles which she loved so much. Puzzled at finding a child's toy as a gift for herself, she looked up at her mother, "What's this?"

"Well, you don't think we could fit the actual car in the house, did you," her mother teased.

For an instant, Ella froze. "No way," she finally managed to whisper. "You're messing with me—you have to be!"

Andrea chuckled, while Nathan replied, "Nope. Go to the garage."

"Oh, my God," Ella squealed, hurrying through her large crowd of friends—who all followed close behind—and ran for the kitchen where the entry to the garage was located. Immediately flinging the door open, she found her dream car parked next to one of the family cars. Her friends gasped at the beauty of the classic car.

It was custom-painted a deep turquoise color with a thick, white, double sport stripe down the center of the hood. With the top down, Ella could see cream-colored, leather upholstered seats. "Oh, my gosh! It even has the original two-spoke steering wheel!" She hurried up to it and opened the door. "Can I sit in it?"

"Even better," Nathan grinned, holding up a set of keys. "Start her up."

"I can't believe this," Ella giggled as she caught the keys her father tossed to her. She carefully placed the key in the ignition and paused in anticipation before turning it. The engine rumbled to life and purred. "I love that sound," she sighed dreamily, running her hand over the smooth dashboard. She honked the horn and giggled again. She killed the car and then jumped out, hugging her parents closely, "I can't thank you enough! I love you!"

"You're very welcome, baby," Nathan said, hugging his daughter in return.

"We're so happy you love it," Andrea smiled, also returning the hug.

"Hey, can I bum a ride to school Monday," one of Ella's school friends joked.

"Are you okay?"

She snapped out of her daydream, and turned to see Joe staring at her with concern on his face. He'd parked and killed the car behind the mustang.

"Y-yeah—I was just…remembering something…"

"You were staring at this mustang. Did it belong to your parents?"

Ella shook her head, "No, it's mine."

"Wow, you own a classic mustang?"

"Yes. Classic mustangs are my favorite type of car. I'm most partial to the '68s. So Mom and Daddy bought me this '68 Ford Mustang GT convertible for my eighteenth birthday a few months ago."

"Oh."

Joe knew she must have been remembering the day she received it. It hurt to know she would never be able to look at one of the things she had loved in life, and forever have the gift marred by a terrible memory.

"Well, it's a beauty. Maybe when things calm down, you could take me for a ride in it. Maybe go for a picnic or something," he said, hoping he could help her keep the car associated with happy times.

"I'd love that," she said, taking his hand.

"It's a date then," he winked at her.

"We're doing things a little out of order, aren't we?"

"What do you mean," he asked.

"Well, we fell in love... but we haven't even gotten to go on a date yet," she told him.

"Don't you worry about that. There'll be plenty of dates," he said, kissing her hand. "Now, what do you say we get you inside and let you rest a while?"

She nodded as Joe exited the car, and hurried around to her side to help her out. Then they were heading toward the mansion's large entryway. The doorbell chimed loudly as he pressed the button in. A few seconds later, Nina opened the large door and ushered them inside.

"Come in, come in," she smiled gently, and hugged Ella close. "How are you holding up, sweetheart?"

"I'm okay, Aunt Nina," Ella said softly, hugging her aunt back.

"You look exhausted. Why don't I show you up to your room, and you could take a nap?"

Ella nodded, but Joe knew better.

Jeff entered the room then, and tugged her into his arms. "Sorry I wasn't able to greet you right away, sugar. I was on the phone with Dixie."

"Is everything okay," Joe asked. Jeff nodded, "Yeah…She's starting to need you for some shows. I asked her if it would be okay for you to have another week or two to help Ella get adjusted before you do some shows. If it's okay with you, of course."

Joe nodded instantly. "I'm totally fine with that. I'll do whatever I can to help."

Jeff smiled. "I'm glad to hear it." He looked at his niece then. "How are you feeling, pumpkin?"

"I'm fine," she told him. But her actions told another story as she sleepily rubbed at her eyes.

"Breakfast is going to be in a while, Jeff," Nina said. "Ella looks exhausted. Why don't we let her get a nap first? And then we can talk over breakfast."

"Yeah, of course. Good idea. Why don't you go up to your room and get some rest," Jeff suggested to Ella. "Joe said you've been having trouble with sleep."

She nodded apprehensively, "Y-yeah, I have. But I don't really feel like taking a nap."

"Well, why don't you just lie down for a bit, and I'll come up in a few minutes after I've talked to Jeff," Joe tried broaching the subject from another angle.

Ella nodded, "Okay."

The two men watched as she then allowed Nina to lead her upstairs.

"Is she okay," Jeff asked, when they were out of earshot.

"Do you have decaf coffee," Joe asked, ignoring the question. Before Jeff could even answer, he was already heading for the kitchen.

"Yeah," Jeff said, hearing the urgency in the Samoan's voice. "But we only have instant for the moment."

"Okay," Joe said. "That'll work." He grabbed a cup from the cupboard and began heating some water in the microwave for the coffee. "Do you have some Benedryl? That stuff would knock out anyone. I know from experience," he managed a light chuckle.

Jeff grinned. "Yeah, I remember. You had an allergy attack from those wildflowers that Taylor got backstage from her boyfriend. You took a couple Benedryl, and the next thing I know, you nearly missed your match because you were passed out in the locker room."

Nina walked back into the kitchen chuckling then, "Are you two talking about the Joe-Benedryl Debacle?"

"The Joe-Benedryl Humiliation, you mean. And don't remind me," the young wrestler grumbled with a smirk as he got the coffee cup out of the microwave and began adding some coffee to the steaming hot water. Jeff went to get the allergy medicine then, and Joe turned to Nina. "How's she doing up there?"

"She's sitting up in bed. Waiting for you. Trying not to fall asleep," she sighed. "I can't imagine what she goes through every time she closes her eyes."

"I know. But she's got to sleep. She got a little last night. Very little," he added, remembering their passionate activities the night before. "But it wasn't near enough. She kept waking up and crying."

Nina nodded and started to reply, but Jeff returned with the allergy pills. Then Joe was breaking open three of them and emptying the white powder into the coffee.

"Has she been drinking it with creamer," Jeff asked.

Joe shook his head, "Nope, straight black. I'll take it up to her. Hopefully she'll be asleep soon," Joe said quietly as he headed for the stairs.

"She's in the last room on the left," Nina called after him.

He hurried through the living room and across the foyer to the stairway. He took the steps two at a time, and went to the room that Nina directed him to. Knocking on the door, he called softly, "Ella?"

"Yes?"

He took that as an invitation to go in, and opened the door, finding her huddled on the bed. Her head rested on her knees.

"Hey, baby. I brought you some coffee," he said as he entered the room.

"Oh, thank you so much," she said, smiling slightly and rubbing at her temples. "I was beginning to have caffeine withdrawals I think."

Joe could not let himself smile back as he handed her the cup. He felt horrible about lying to her. He did not like it. Not at all. But, it was for her own good.

Ella gulped the hot coffee down as quickly as she could and then Joe sat the cup down on her bedside table.

"Thanks for the coffee," she said softly, looking down at her hands.

"You're welcome," he said, sitting down beside her on the bed. "Do you want anymore? Or do you need something else?"

She shook her head, "Not right now. But would you mind if I took a bath and was alone for a while? I just kind of want to get used to my new surroundings."

"You won't try to eat some breakfast?"

"I'll try to eat at lunch," Ella assured him. "I've never been big on eating breakfast."

"Okay," he replied reluctantly. "Just—uh—come down when you're ready."

"Okay. I will," Ella smiled softly at him.

It was that smile which brought Joe down on to the bed beside her, and had him pulling her into his embrace. "Before I go—are you doing okay," he asked. "I mean, really—are you all right?"

Ella thought carefully on her reply before answering, "I'm not…really what you would call 'all right', but when I'm with you…you take some of the pain away."

Joe pulled her closer. "Honey, I wish I could take it all away."

"Just caring that much is enough for me, Joe," she whispered, reaching up and stroking her thumbs over his cheeks. She smiled, and for the first time since New Year's Eve, he saw the smile reach her eyes.

"I love you," he said softly, pressing his mouth against hers in a tender kiss.

"I love you too," Ella said, a blush creeping to her face. "From the first moment I saw you. I looked into your eyes and I knew—even then—you'd be someone special in my life. I just didn't realize how special, till I was older."

"I've known I loved you for a while," he admitted, shyness overcoming him for the first time in his life.

"Yes, I'm sure a month was a long time to go without being able to tell me how you felt," Ella said sympathetically. She smiled then, "I'm just so happy you feel the same way about me."

Joe ran his hand nervously over his hair and spoke softly. "Actually Ella—Looking back…I think I knew it even before I saw you on New Year's Eve." He chuckled then, and pulled out the jewelry box with the pendant which he'd never gotten to give her on New Year's Eve. "I wanted to give you this at New Year's but…I just didn't find the right timing."

Ella could have sworn she saw Joe flush slightly as he slowly placed the box in her hand.

"It's a late Christmas gift," he said.

"Joe…you shouldn't have," Ella said. "I didn't get you a gift. I'm so sorry." She felt horribly guilty that he had thought of her even when they had somewhat fallen out over the years.

He shook his head, "It doesn't matter, Ella. Being with you is gift enough for me. I had wondered if I'd ever see you again."

She hugged him close, stroking her fingers over the back of his neck, "You're gonna spoil me with this romantic side of yours." She felt his lips graze over her neck and a soft sigh shuddered throughout her body.

"Open your present," he smiled softly, enjoying her reaction to his attentions.

Ella nodded dazedly, and looked down at the box. She gently lifted the velvet lid and saw a sparkly, silver pendant in the shape of a sixteenth note with a rose winding up around it.

"Oh…Joe…" She was aware of a lump forming in her throat and felt incapable of speaking another word as she traced over the ornament with her finger.

"Do you like it," Joe asked, taking the box from her and gently taking the necklace out of it.

"I do. I love it. It's so...perfect," she managed to say. She then turned herself so Joe could fasten the necklace around her neck.

"This will probably sound crazy, but it's true," Joe said softly. "The last time I saw you, you were basically a kid with braces, who'd just started high school. I didn't feel romantic toward you. But…you were—are—such a sweet person. We always hung out and could tell each other anything; how you liked school, how my training was going, our favorite books and movies, literally everything." He looked down at his hands and popped his knuckles. "We have a lot in common and we were such good friends. I never thought anything would develop between us. But as Jeff's New Years party neared, something nagged at me to get you a gift. I looked at perfume stores, shoes and purses, but nothing seemed right. I came across a little jewelry store…and I was apprehensive because I was afraid that giving you jewelry would give you the wrong idea. It's confusing…I didn't think at that point anything would happen between us, but yet…I feel like part of me did know. Otherwise why would I feel so compelled to buy a gift like that, for someone who was just a friend? Especially when none of us really got to celebrate Christmas this year anyway, what with work and all." He chuckled nervously. "Crazy, huh?" He glanced up to find Ella staring intently at him.

She shook her head. "No, not crazy. Not at all. I believe sometimes we can sense things coming into our lives. Maybe you just saw this coming without realizing it for what it was."

Joe shrugged. "Maybe so. I remember finding the music note pendant, and I knew it was the gift for you. I know how much you loved music and singing, so I thought I couldn't get anything more perfect for you." He paused and let out a long sigh. "The party finally came along, and I was walking up to AJ and some of our friends…I spotted Kevin hugging a girl and didn't think much of it. But what got my attention was—I couldn't recognize her. She faced away from me, but I could tell she wasn't one of the Knockouts. Then AJ started pointing at her and signaling to me that she was…you. Then you turned, and I saw your face. That's when I really got a look at you. You weren't the same girl anymore. You weren't a girl at all. You were a woman. You didn't wear braces anymore, you'd filled out, and you were graceful. You had—have—become so beautiful. I was afraid maybe you'd changed inside as well…that you'd become egotistical. But when we started dancing and talking, I could see you were still my Ella. If anything, you seemed even more kind. You almost glowed with happiness. And that's when I realized how deeply in love with you I'd fallen." He looked at her again, surprised to find tears shining in her eyes.

"Joe…" she whispered, and wiped at a tear spilling down her cheek. "That's so…beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me." She gazed up into his face and sighed softly. "Even now, it's hard to believe this isn't a dream. I never felt pretty before. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think you would finally see me in that way."

"Like I said, honey…the only reason I wasn't attracted to you years ago, is because you were only a kid. I think you need to realize for yourself you don't look like that little girl anymore. You're as beautiful outside as you are inside."

Ella smiled at him again. "Well, I got the best of both worlds where you're concerned. You're the sweetest guy ever, but strong and brave, you're loyal and devoted…and you are absolutely gorgeous."

"No," Joe shook his head. "If I was loyal, I'd never have treated you the way I did."

"I've forgiven you for that," she replied instantly and without any hesitation. "It's behind us. I don't care about it now."

He gazed into her eyes and lightly kissed the tip of her nose. "You're too good to me, Ella. I don't deserve you." Then he pressed a kiss to her mouth, brushing his lips over hers softly.

"Mmm, and did I mention you're an amazing kisser," Ella asked, before kissing him back.

"Oh, yeah," he teased. "How do you know? I think you may be a bit biased. Since I was your first kiss, that is."

Ella snuggled against his chest and felt his hand stroking her hair. "I don't need a comparison to know. I'll be more than happy to go through my entire life kissing no one else."

"Well, I think that can be arranged," she heard Joe whisper softly.

She froze. He sounded serious. She pulled back and gazed up at his face, seeing no humor in his black eyes. Only stark seriousness.

"W-what," she stammered. "What do you mean?"

He smiled softly at her, but the earnestness remained in his eyes. Reaching toward her throat, he traced his finger over the necklace. "What if…we make this a promise necklace, instead of you wearing a promise ring," he suggested, taking her hand in his.

"Promise—? You mean—" She was almost afraid to say what she was thinking. "You mean like…a-a promise necklace…as in—the promise of…"

"Loving no one but you. Thinking about no one but you when I'm on the road. Wishing every moment I'm away from you, that you were with me. And, the promise of asking you to marry me as soon as things calm down," Joe finished for her with a flash of his dimples. "Yes. That's exactly what I mean. As long as it's what you want," he clarified.

"Oh, my God. Joe…" Shock was on her face, while tears mixed with sheer hope in her eyes.

"Okay, I really hope that's a reaction of happiness," he chuckled.

Ella nodded frantically and threw her arms around him. "Oh, my God," she exclaimed again. "Yes, yes it's happiness!"

She felt Joe pull her closer and nuzzle her neck.

"So it's official," he said softly, trailing his lips up to her jaw, "We're engaged, to be engaged."

"I love the sound of that," she said contentedly. Her voice was thick with tears as she pulled back to look him in the face. "But, what if—"

Joe chuckled and shook his head as he placed his finger over her lips. "Oh, Ella… What am I going to do with you," he whispered. "There are no 'what ifs' for us. We're in love with each other. That's all we need to know."

In the next moment, he closed the small gap between them and brushed a feather light kiss to her mouth. Bound and determined to kill any doubts she had of his love for her, he teased her lips with his own.

Ella felt her senses come alive as Joe dipped his head to kiss her. She felt his lips trace lightly over her mouth. Her breath trembled as he continued kissing her. His mouth slanted over hers and applied a final bit of pressure as he broke the kiss.

"Now do you have any more doubts," Joe whispered, staring into her eyes.

She could manufacture no sound. The only thing she could manage to do was shake her head.

"Okay, then," he smiled. "I'm going to leave you alone for a bit because I think we need a little space." At seeing the dazed confusion on her face, he elaborated, "I'm really wanting us to make out like we did last night." He smiled at her blushing face, and added, "But I don't know if doing that under your uncle's roof is a good idea."

"Oh, I see," Ella said softly, nodding. "That's true," she chuckled.

"Get some rest," Joe told her, kissing her forehead. "I'll come check on you a little later."

With that he left the room, closing the door behind him.