This is my 3rd version of this chapter. The 1st was drafted long before Corona complete with Mania week crap. The 2nd was after it was relocated to the PC. The 3rd after Roman pulled out. So this is not what I originally envisioned but hey, I tried to make it work.


Robyn's reaction to the chemotherapy and radiation was getting progressively worse by the week. It was hard for her to eat or even drink at times. She lost even more weight and her hair was thinning. Her days mostly consisted of sleeping and throwing up. She had to send Midnight to live with the children because she wasn't able to keep up with him anymore. Joe provided most of her care when he was home which was more often these days due to the Corona pandemic.

"How was your appointment this morning?" Robyn's mother asked on the other end of the line. "Is the treatment working?"

"My doctor says he sees a little progress."

"That's wonderful so it is working?"

"Evidently…" Robyn sighed.

"Why don't you sound happy?"

"I am but I'm not going to react until a little turns into a lot. Even then it won't mean I'm out of the woods yet so I don't want to get my or anyone else's hopes up until I can get a more definite result. A little can go either way, you know?" Robyn explained. "I don't want to put anyone through thinking I'm doing better only for things to take a turn."

"You know my job is closed due to COVID-19 and while I'm not willing to get on a plane, I can get in the car and make the drive down there."

"Mom, you're in New York. Walking out of the front door up there is too much of a risk. Imagine having to go to a gas station and all the stops in between that 16 hour drive. I'm alright. I don't know who worries the most, you or Joe…"

"Speaking of which, where is Joe?"

"He's downstairs right now, either cooking or working out since that's pretty much all he can do to pass time at this point and in between that, he'll drive across town to see the kids," Robyn replied.

"So, I heard about what happened, or shall I say, what's not happening…"

"Yeah, it wasn't an easy decision to make because he's so dedicated to WWE. However, the only people we know for sure are safe is us, Galina and the kids. We don't know where the other Superstars have been and who they've been around. Some even had to take flights to get to Orlando. Better safe than sorry was the only way to protect his loved ones," Robyn said.

"Good for him! Anyway, I'm going to let you go enjoy the rest of your night. Love you."

"Love you, too, Mom," Robyn returned before hanging up.

Leaving the bedroom, she stood at the balcony above the stairs. "Joseph?"

"Joseph? That's new," he poked his head out from the kitchen.

"In times like these, we have to keep trying new things or else we'll get bored to death," she laughed, starting to descend the stairs.

"You don't have to come down. Just give me about 5 minutes and I'll be up there," he said, stopping her in her tracks.

"Alright," she sighed, parking herself on the top stair.

"Here?" he asked a few minutes later as he climbed up with 2 plates in hand.

"Yep," she nodded. "I see the inside of the bedroom too much these days. If you won't allow me downstairs, here will have to do."

"It's not that I don't want you downstairs but you had to wake up early, take the ride to Orlando, make the ride back. I don't want you over exerting yourself," he reasoned. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm not going to lie, I was super tired when I got home earlier but after sleeping for a few hours, I'm feeling as good as one could feel during a time like this," she picked up her fork, ready to address the elephant in the room. "Now, how are you feeling? Everyone is still talking about it."

"You know how much I wrestled with the decision but at the end of the day, I'm going to do all I can to protect myself, my children and especially you since you're the most vulnerable. I just hate it for my fans though. Some were already upset about the venue and now this," he shook his head.

"If no one else will understand this, your fans will. You did the right thing," she assured him.

"Who would've thought both of us would be sitting this one out. I did feel guilty back in January when I learned the news that I'd get my big moment and possibly win my title back while you had to watch on the sidelines as someone had your Wrestlemania moment," he said. "But I guess there's a silver lining in this…we can both make our Wrestlemania comebacks next year."

"Yeah," was her barely audible mumble.

"Wouldn't have been the same anyway at the PC and I'm not just referring to no crowds. There's a Mania vibe in every city we find ourselves in. You wake up in a hotel, run into all of your fellow Superstars and their families on your way down, you walk outside to screaming fans lined up on the street waiting for you to come out, get driven through towns seeing your face all over posters and billboards, the backed up traffic thanks to people from all over the world that came, the chills you feel when you pull up to the stadium" he stared off into the distance as if he was visualizing it. "It was here in Tampa so the hotel part is out but the rest still stands."

"Mania being here in Tampa would've been the perfect arrangement especially since you'd get to come home at night after a full day of interviews, autograph signings and events. Plus I wouldn't have had to leave the house…"

"Nah, I would've definitely gotten you out of the house," he replied.

"Unlikely and if you loved me you wouldn't have made me go."

"I do love you which is why I would've done it. I wouldn't have made you do anything of course but it would've been good for you to get out of this house. For the last two months, the only place you've gone is to treatment and back home again. I've been doing this social distancing thing for only a few weeks, just driving across town to see my kids and I'm going crazy. Plus if you didn't go anywhere, the women's division would've piled up here because you don't post social media updates anymore and barely answer texts. I have to deal with the fans and the girls harassing me for news on you…"

"I'm not ignoring them on purpose. Most of the time I'll wake up to a screen full of notifications and I'll clear them without even opening and fall back asleep. Right now I want to text someone so bad for spoilers but it's going to look weird for them to hear from me now that I want to be nosey. As for the social media updates, there's a reason for that, I've lost 15, maybe more pounds. I know I don't have to post a photo to go along with whatever I have to say but that's what they want."

"What you lost was mostly muscle but you don't look sickly or unhealthy. Modelesque if you ask me," he complimented.

"Would you even tell me if I did look bad?"

"With what you're fighting up against, I will never view you as anything less than the most beautiful woman in the world," he said with sincerity.

Smirking, she twisted the engagement ring on her finger. "You and your flattery."

"Not flattery. Praise."

"What's the difference?"

"Praise is actually true."

"Ah, I see," she chuckled. "Thanks."

"I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes," he instructed, standing to his feet. She did and heard his footsteps retreat into their bedroom.

"The last time you had me close my eyes, you came back with a ring. What could you possibly have now? A wedding gown?"

"Close."

"I guess it's safe to open my eyes?" she asked, squinting to see him standing there holding a black floor length gown. "Jesus Christ, Joe. I know I'm not a virgin bride but this is a little extreme. It's beautiful though."

"No, it's not that. Do you remember back in January at the oncologist's office when you showed me the dress you were eying for the Hall of Fame? It's not the exact one but it's the same color and a similar style, close enough…"

"And people say men don't pay attention!" she exclaimed, very impressed at the gesture.

"I pretty much remember everything about that day from sunup to sundown, unfortunately," he replied. "Oh, and I had you some accessories to go with it."

When he said accessories she thought he meant jewelry but he walked back into the room and returned with two bags, pulling out of the 1st a pair of elbow length black gloves and a black face mask that both matched the fabric of her dress. Her mouth dropped. "No you did not!"

"I did. The dress arrived at Galina's house before we had our first confirmed case here in Florida and I think the total in America was like 10. I knew it was serious but I didn't know how bad it'd get so I decided to take the dress to a local shop to have the mask and gloves custom made. But of course then things got bigger than just wearing protective gear so here we are," he shrugged before reaching for the other bag. "And I knew you'd have another excuse to not go lined up so I bought you this."

Robyn watched as he pulled out a wig and handed it to her. She ran her fingers through it, not able to meet his gaze. In the last few weeks her own hair was shedding and thinning. She was pretty sure she had a bald spot in the back but was too afraid to check. "So...you've noticed."

He waved it off. "You know I don't care about all of that and given the situation I doubt the fans would've either but I bought it just in case you weren't comfortable. I know how you are sometimes."

"You did good, real good. If I had to pick out a wig, this probably would've been it. Who helped you because I know you didn't do it on your own?"

"I went to one of those hair stores and showed your picture to the woman behind the counter and asked for something that resembled your real hair," he revealed. "It was expensive, more than I think hair should cost but of course I'm a man and have no idea about what makes a quality wig."

"Thank you," she hugged him. She knew he'd be there for her but he managed to exceed any expectation she might've had.

"Now what?"

"We try it all on!"

"Why?" he tilted his head in confusion.

"So it won't go to waste."

"How will it go to waste? I'm pretty sure dresses don't have an expiration date…"

"Yeah, but unfortunately life does," Robyn stated frankly and he froze. She grabbed his hand. "Now come on."

"But I'm pretty sure the Hall of Fame is going to happen eventually. If not at a later date this year, at next year's Mania…"

"Okay and then I'll buy another dress then. I'd hope to have gained all my weight and muscle back by then so I won't be able to fit this one anyway," she said and he stopped. "What?"

"After that morbid 'unfortunately life does,' comment it's nice to hear you expressing interest in the future," he replied.

"I haven't given up or anything Joe. It's like I told my mom, I don't want to get myself excited right now. I think when a person makes plans and something happens where they don't get fulfilled, it makes things worse. 'She was supposed to be here for this' would hurt but 'she was supposed to be here for this, she was so happy about it, she talked about all the things she wanted to do, wear, see, etc.' would sting so much more. I wouldn't want to put you through that," she finished.

"Hopefully you won't have to," he said following her into the bathroom.

"Get out of here!" she playfully shoved him. "It's not going to be special if we look at each other get ready."

About forty-five minutes later, he was beating on the bathroom door. "Robyn! You don't have to do whatever you're doing in there just to walk around in the bedroom!"

"If we're doing this, we need to do it right. And I don't know how much you paid for this wig but she should've charged you more. This lace front looks so real, like it's growing from my head. If there was a hall of fame and I showed up like this in full hair and makeup, I'd get those horrible 'faking it' rumors, too," she took a step back to admire herself. "Alright, I'm ready."

"About time," he muttered on the other side.

"Oh wait! I forgot my lashes!" she joked.

"Rob!" he exclaimed impatiently.

"Okay, okay," she opened the door and gasped at him standing there in his suit. "Look at you."

"No, look at you," he replied alluringly, giving her a quick once over from head to toe.

"Look at us," she shot back.

"I look like myself again," she twirled around.

"You never stopped looking like yourself," he leaned down.

"Oh yeah?" she asked, meeting him halfway until their lips touched. He pulled back half an inch and looked at her before going back in. The kiss was slow and gentle, a testing of each other's wants. His arms encircled her waist and gently slid down to her ass, pulling her against him as their kiss deepened. Unsurprisingly this did nothing for her but Joe on the other hand was stabbing her in the hip. He must've realized this and began disconnecting but her hand behind his neck kept him in place.

With one hand, she loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt and jerked the material out of his pants. Her lips moved to his neck and then down to his exposed chest leaving light kisses that caused him to moan and catch his breath.

"What are you doing?" he managed to ask. "I'm not going to have sex with you if that's what you're aiming at."

"God no! I can't imagine having your weight on top of me and it's been a while so you'd probably break me in half from urgency," she cringed. "But since you actually complied with this crazy idea, I'll reward you with the bare minimum."

"You don't have to do whatever you're trying to do, Robyn."

"I know but you've been taking care of me so I wanted to return the favor and take care of you. It's not going to take much effort, believe me. Lay down."

She felt bad when he eagerly plopped down on the bed. Poor thing hadn't been touched in so long, he needed this. She pulled his zipper down and freed him. When she wrapped her hand around him, he felt like hard steel covered by baby soft skin.

She remembered the leftover lubricant from Christmas and grabbed it from the drawer to lather him up. Slowly, Robyn began to slide her hand up and down the full length of his dick, twisting her hand back and forth as she stroked him.

His eyes were half closed. She could hear the squishy sounds inside the palm of her closed fist.

"So…are you thinking about anything or just laying there enjoying the feeling?" she giggled.

He gave a little panting laugh. "Right now I'm just thinking about you in that dress!"

"Imagine how my ass would look in it if I still had weight on me," she said and he groaned.

Her other hand reached under to cup his balls as her hand continued to work his shaft.

"Keep doing that," he breathed and she felt him pulsing. "I'm almost there."

With that, she leaned in closer and parted her lips over the tip as her hand pumped. Joe let out a final grunt as his back arched off the bed. She swallowed after he flooded her mouth.

Robyn moved to rest her head on Joe's rising and falling chest.

He cleared his throat. "That was unexpected but much appreciated."

"I can tell. I thought I was going to choke it was so much. You must've had that built up for a while," she laughed. "I love you."

"I love you, too, and thank you," they kissed.