Robyn was curled into fetal position on the hotel bed Monday morning as Roman sat up. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing," she quickly wiped her eyes.
"Nothing is an odd reason to cry," he replied. "Did you get another call from the oncologist?"
"No, I was browsing Twitter this morning and one of the kids we visited at the hospital during Mania weekend has died," she choked back a fresh set of tears.
"What?" Roman exclaimed in shock.
"Yeah," she passed him her phone. "Her family posted a picture of her with us that day and then shared the news."
"Wow, that's sad," he shook his head.
The harsh reality was slowly setting in. She knew that taking on such a campaign had the risk of death but being confronted with it left her devastated. "I don't want to do this anymore. I can't give any more kids false hope."
"We aren't giving them false hope," he replied quietly. "We're just conveying a positive attitude, giving them our support and role models who were in the fight to look up to."
"Personally, I think this is a right message, wrong messenger situation. We walk in there like look at us all famous, rich and attractive. We did it, you can do it too!"
"And they can," he said confidently.
"But what about the ones that won't, like this little girl?" she argued. "It's what I was telling you that day in the car. Everyone won't be as lucky as you were, Joe."
"If we can reach one kid fighting for their life and they can somehow use us as an image, give them something to work toward and give them the strength to keep going, then we've done our job. Even if things take a turn for the worse, by visiting them, we made their dreams come true. Just look at how happy she was in that photo with us. Us dropping by that day probably meant everything to her!"
"I guess you're right," she acknowledged with a nod. "So, what do you want to do? I can't go to a child's funeral. It's too sad but I guess we can write the family a letter and remember to send them a Christmas card at the end of the year to show that we still care."
"That's a good idea with the Christmas card. Christmas, along with her birthday is going to be the hardest times for them. WWE has also set up a foundation to help with funeral expenses and lingering hospital bills if needed so there's that," he said. "Are you feeling better now?"
"A little," she replied, still knowing that this would only make things harder. "Do you know where you're going yet?"
"Going?" he raised a brow.
"The shakeup, silly," she laughed.
"No, not yet. There's been talk of Fox wanting a few top stars on Smackdown for the move in October."
"Top stars? Well, if that's the case you're definitely going to Smackdown and I'm staying on Raw," she snorted.
"Not necessarily. They can't send everybody to Smackdown because then Raw's ratings would plummet so someone's going to need to stay and hold it down," he said.
"Seth and maybe whatever top star Smackdown sends over can do that. If we get separated, we'll never see each other. It's been hard enough spending time together since you haven't been on the road all this time."
"We're not going to get separated, babe. Are you forgetting we're partners?" he asked.
"That doesn't mean anything. We don't necessarily have to visit together. In fact more ground would be covered that way. Like today, we're going to a children's hospital at 2. Once that's over, that's it for the week. If we get separated, they'll send me to the one in Raw's city and you to another in Smackdown's city. It's happening, I can feel it," she dived face first into her pillow.
He rolled on top of her back. "You're so negative."
"And you're so positive which is why we work. We balance each other," she smiled.
Laying fully over her, he pushed her hair aside, licking her neck and shoulders. She writhed and squirmed beneath him, thrusting her ass up against him in a silent plea. He ground against her in return, but would not enter. Using only the tip, he teased her opening before plunging all the way into her and they both gasped at the feel of it.
She arched her back slightly to give him more access. He grabbed both of her hands and locked his fingers in hers, holding them down as he positioned himself better.
She was wild beneath him now. Panting and whimpering, she squirmed and shoved back against him. He was sweating as hard as she was.
He released one of her hands and snaked his hand underneath her. His fingers found her clit and gently touched it. Then he started to grind and plunge into her. He slid in and out at an easy pace, letting the movement of his thrusts create the friction against her clit as he filled her ear with whispers.
By this point she could only groan. He began to move faster against her. She could feel herself clenching around him and he altered his movements to push longer and harder into her, forcing her to come.
Breathing hard, they both collapsed still entangled with each other. He kissed her neck and rubbed her sides lovingly.
Pulling away he looked at his phone. "12:40. It's time to make moves if we want to be on time for this appearance."
He stood while she remained on her pillow admiring his wide shoulders and back. In July he would officially be hers. He was such a man and it showed in everything he did. That was one of the reasons she loved being around him. Actually, the more time she spent with him, the worse she felt when he wasn't around which is why she'd be crushed if they were separated tonight. "Joe?"
"Hmm?"
"I really, really like you," she said.
"I really, really like you, too," he extended his hand in invitation. "Come shower with me."
"What?" Roman asked when he saw Robyn staring at him as he got dressed.
"I've never been inside your closet at home but I'm pretty sure you only own ring gear, plaid suits and athletic wear like sweatpants and basketball shorts," she joked.
"That's not entirely true. I own a few pairs of jeans, too," he shot back.
"Oh, my mistake. How can I forget your jeans and the plain white and black t-shirts you wear with them."
"I'm a simple man with simple taste," he replied.
"I know and it works. I can't imagine you wearing the latest male trends. Half of the guys who do it, look try hard. Also, I hope I'm not included in your…simple taste," she questioned.
"No, you're extremely high end," he saw a smile forming on her lips but it faded when he slipped his wedding band on. "Don't worry. We only have a few more months before it comes off."
It was too early to call what he felt for Robyn love but there was an energy, a happiness, and a hope she'd brought out of him when they were together.
Roman preferred the hospital visit during Mania weekend. It felt more candid than today where there were WWE cameras rolling in their faces trying to collect footage. As always the children waiting for them in the hospital playroom were happy to see them. The kids seem to love the attention and fully embraced being superheros, little fighters. Robyn was friendly to kids but he could tell she was a bit more reserved than usual. He understood her point of view but at the end of the day they still needed reassurance that they could do this.
"I know you guys aren't going to individual rooms because everyone is here and set up in the playroom but my son is a big fan," a mom told them. "He has a terminal cancer and has only been given months to live."
"Okay," Roman agreed.
"We're in room 303 on the other end of the hall," she said.
A cameraman began following but he turned to them. "I think this should be private."
Robyn grabbed his arm to stop him as they trailed the mom down the hall. She shook her head. "I can't do this. I can't go in there and smile and pretend like everything is okay when it's not. I'm just going to sit this one out."
"Rob..." he sighed, running a hand down his face. "She asked both of us."
"She probably didn't want to be rude by asking only you when I was standing there too. He probably won't care if I'm there or not," she shrugged.
He shook his head in disappointment as she walked away. He didn't even respond as he continued his path to the room.
"What happened to Robyn?" the mom whispered when he approached the doorway.
"Robbie wasn't feeling very well so she had to step out to get some air," he lied.
"I hate that. He was really excited to see both of you win at Wrestlemania. It made him feel good to see two people like him come out on top. His name is Harvey."
"That's why we do this," he smiled. He followed her into the room. The boy was facing away, looking out the window. Roman cleared his throat. "Harvey?"
"Roman Reigns!" Harvey's first reaction was excitement and then he broke out into tears. Roman went over and hugged him. "You came."
"Of course I did buddy!"
"They told me that you were here today but I thought they were playing a trick on me. Where's Robyn?"
"Uh, she's…" Roman started, trying to think of an excuse.
"...right here!" Robbie finished his sentence from behind.
They talked to him for about 20 minutes. He was sad to see them leave and honestly they were sad to go.
"You surprised me back there," Roman said as they rode the elevator down.
"Yeah, I felt like shit when you walked away. That's when I realized that the kid didn't deserve my bitterness. They need someone to assure them that they're stronger than the disease and that they have the ability to fight it...even if it's not true sometimes," she mumbled the last part under her breath. "If us being there and spending that time with him made him feel better, great!"
WWE posted a picture of them with the kids earlier on Instagram and tagged the hospital so fans were gathered outside. Robbie practically ran out of the door ahead of him to create distance between them. The less contact they made with each other in public the better.
Roman was summoned to Vince's office when he made it to the arena. He knocked before entering. On the desk in front of him was a list and he found his name under Smackdown. Since his debut, Raw had been his home. He as well as his family had gotten accustomed to the Friday through Monday schedule. Now he'd have to get used to Saturday through Tuesday while they were still on USA and Thursday through Sunday when they moved to FOX in October. He looked over at the women's section. Robbie's name was still listed under RAW.
"Is this list official?"
"It is," Vince confirmed. "We worked on it all weekend. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, for the sake of our pediatric hospital visits, I think Robyn should go where I go," Roman replied.
"Hmm…" Vince sat back in his chair. "First it was the battle royal and now this. I've been in this business since before you were born. You don't think I know what's going on? This isn't the first affair I've witnessed and it definitely won't be the last. I must say I'm very disappointed in you. You're in the position you're in because I thought you were a responsible guy. You were someone I could trust that I knew wouldn't say or do anything controversial, knew wouldn't get arrested for DUIs or something stupid, and knew wouldn't land himself in a sex scandal. We've worked hard to market you as a good, clean, wholesome family man. Now you're going to jeopardize that for Robyn? I should've known when you called that meeting between me, Hunter and Steph to pitch the idea about you two working together that this wouldn't end well especially after Stephanie tried to include another cancer survivor, Zack Ryder in on it and you protested. She's a beautiful girl but she's not worth the risk. I can't allow it. You will go to Smackdown, she will remain on Raw and that's final."
Roman planned on telling Vince about the divorce eventually but now that he was on to them he had no other choice. "You're right about me and Robyn but it's not an affair. My wife and I are separated and will be filing in July. With me getting ready to go back on the road, I'll be away from my kids more often than not and if Robyn stays on Raw I'll be away from her too. She needs to be with me so I can devote every second of my time off to my family."
"Will this be a messy divorce?" Vince inquired. "I'm talking custody battles, infidelity, money disputes?"
"No, my wife and I are very amicable and we've got it all figured out. There will be no need for a custody battle. When I'm off, I'll spend time at her house until it's time for bed. During the summer they'll spend those three days at my house. There was no infidelity. There will be no money disputes. She won't get half but she's getting a lump sum, plus child support every month," Roman informed.
"Very good deal," Vince nodded. "If Cena's reputation survived a divorce, I guess yours will too. You and this girl have to be very, very careful about how you-"
"We're way ahead of you there, Vince," Roman interrupted. "The only reason you were able to figure it out is because I've come to you multiple times about her. We got this under control."
"If you say so," Vince reluctantly replied. "Just let me know a few weeks prior to filing so I can notify the PR team to help you draft a statement."
"I'll do that," Roman gripped the handles on the seat, preparing to stand. "Like last time, this conversation never happened. As a matter of fact, I don't want her to know that you know at all and just because we're dating doesn't mean she should receive preferential booking."
"The top guy's girl not receiving preferential booking? That's a new one," Vince snorted. "If that's the way you want it, I will respect your wishes. I did enjoy her performance last Sunday. I didn't take into account the crowd's reaction to her because she was local but the fans online who are never happy with anything received it well so if the smarks like her, she has something."
Roman returned to the locker room to get ready for his match tonight. He made sure to say his goodbyes to everyone he'd shared a bond with who were staying behind on Raw.
"Is there some kind of clause in your contract that says you can't be on the same brand with us?" Jey jokingly asked him.
"Nah," Roman chuckled. "They just know how wild we'd get if the 3 of us were together."
Roman went out for his match with Seth and Raw's newest pick, AJ Styles vs Corbin, McIntyre and Lashley. He would not miss those 3 opponents and the freshness of Smackdown was something he'd look forward to.
The match ended with them coming out on top and Roman looked around at Raw for the last time before exiting the ring.
Back at the hotel, he showered and waited on the bed until Robbie entered. "Where did you end up?"
"Smackdown, but I'm sure you already knew that," she mumbled.
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
"Somehow, someway, Alexa got a copy of the official draft list. She was told that it was final and there was nothing anyone could say or do to change it. My name was still listed under Raw while you were listed under Smackdown. Then, before the show is over, I get told not to fly home tomorrow morning because there's been a change. Every single person on that list went where they were assigned...except me," she said. "Why do you think that is? Did you say something?"
"Yes," he admitted and she scoffed. "What? You sat in this room earlier pouting about us being separated. It happened and I took care of it. If that's what you call interference, so be it. It's better than the alternative."
"True, and I'm actually glad you took care of that but now I wonder what else you've taken care of. I'm going to ask you again, did you have something to do with my battle royal win or anything else?"
"No!" he replied knowing she'd be upset about the battle royal win and livid if she found out about how their campaign came to be.
She gave a relenting sigh before smiling. "Okay, I believe you. Smackdown, here we come!"
