(Hello! Welcome to my first ever WWE fanfiction, Lucky you! Anyway, obviously feel free to comment any feedback/thoughts! Just a few notes to let you know before you read - This takes place in a world where Kayfabe is reality.. sort've? The idea is that Brie and Stephanie actually hated each other during 2014, so as long as you know that, the rest makes sense as you go aha. Also, there are references to Stephanie's daughters. I know she has 3 young girls. But
for the purposes of this story - she has two teenage girls. But I think that's it! Enjoy the story ❤️)
Returning to WWE wasn't necessarily part of the plan, even if it's only a few matches. But Lord knows how good Brie felt putting Maryse in her place tonight. Besides, the pop from the crowd when her entrance music hit was the biggest adrenaline rush she's had in ages. While being a part time business woman and full time mother was a very fulfilling job, nothing could compare to the excitement of WWE.
Once her brief return was over, Brie's only plans were to go back home and live her simple, cosy life; she'll have to make the most of being in the ring while she still can. Besides, it's more than likely that this will be her final stint with the company as an in-ring worker. Her husband Bryan was desperate to have another baby with her, he has been ever since their first daughter, Birdie, was born. Of course, the idea of never stepping in the ring again upset her - but she'd promised Bryan a second child, so that's the way her life was destined to go.
At the moment, Brie was standing backstage with her twin sister, Nikki; they were talking about Brie's upcoming match at 'Hell In A Cell', tactics for winning and such the like. Nikki was happy to see her sister acting so smiley, being back with the WWE has seemingly done wonders for her. If it wasn't for her neck injury, Nicole would undoubtably be in the ring with her.
"I can't wait to see you win, I get so pissed off when Maryse is on screen nowadays.." Nikki says.
"That makes two of us.. Bryan's glad to get his hands on Miz too.." Brie replies.
Speaking of Bryan, the sisters see him walking up to them, still in his wrestling attire and also a little sweaty from his match. Brie and Bryan have been married for years, and been a couple for even longer - the novelty of seeing him shirtless and sweaty has almost worn off. But she does always remember how it used to be, how attractive she found him in this state, or any state for that matter.
Bryan leans in and kisses his wife. "Hi sweetface.." she says, kissing him back.
"Hey.. I'm gonna go and get a shower, do you mind waiting?" He asks.
"No, it's okay. Gives me a chance to catch up with the girls.."
"And when we get home, we can start making baby number 2.." Bryan chuckles, nuzzling Brie's neck.
"You guys are disgusting." Nikki jumps in, giggling.
Brie stays quiet. As much as she loves Bryan, and being a mum to Birdie.. having a second child isn't at the top of her own priority list. In her ideal world, Brianna would stick around in WWE for a little longer, have some dream matches, even sneak in a women's championship reign; when it naturally comes to an end, maybe start thinking about a second baby, but prioritising the success of BirdieBee and the Bella brand as a whole. But, the world doesn't comply with Brie's wishes - she's made promises to her husband and gone down a certain path. Besides, no one can have everything.
Walking up to the trio and interrupting their conversation, Stephanie McMahon stands tall in her body hugging, corporate, red dress and black heels. Strangely enough, she was smiling - something that's comforting on most people - but nice Steph was almost scarier than evil Steph. After all, her attempts at kindness in the past have typically for her own gain.
"Hi guys.. Brie, I just wanted to come over and say that you did great in the ring tonight, you honestly couldn't tell that you'd had time off.." Stephanie says, resting her hand on Brianna's arm.
Brie shakes her arm away. "Thank you?"
Granted, it might seem harsh for Brie to do this, especially to a seemingly happy face - but Brie's family and Stephanie's family have some complicated history to say the least. During the years of 2013 and 2014, Stephanie and her husband Paul (who's ring name was Hunter) did all they could to strip Bryan from his WWE championship. When Brie attempted to stand up for her husband, Stephanie took her anger out on Nikki, but unarguably treated Brie the worst. It may have been a long time ago, but there's always been animosity between them since.
"What do you want Stephanie?" Nikki shoots.
"I just wanted to congratulate Brie for doing a good job..?"
"You've never been nice to any of us. Especially Brianna. So if you're going to tell us that our match at Hell In A Cell has some crazy stipulation that'll put us at a huge disadvantage, just get it over with." Bryan says angrily.
"No.. I honestly just wanted to be nice.." Steph defends herself.
"Makes a change." Nicole fires back.
"I.. I-I'll leave.. I know when I'm not wanted.." Stephanie says, almost deflated. "I mean it though. Well done Brie." She adds before walking off.
Bryan and Nikki watch Stephanie leave with very cold eyes, but Brie looks at her almost sympathetically. Of course, there's still bad blood between them, potentially nothing would ever warrant forgiveness. But on the same token, Stephanie did seem genuine. Plus, she has nothing to gain from giving Brie a single compliment, and it wasn't in public either so maybe it was just uncharacteristic kindness? Although, it still begs the question as to why Stephanie would ever be kind to Brie, she's made it obviously clear on several occasions that she hates her?
"What a bitch." Nikki spits.
"Really Nicole? Give her some credit.." Brie responds.
"Credit? Brie, have you forgotten what she did to us?"
"No, but if I remember rightly, you were her best friend at one point, after you punched me in the face at Summerslam?" She shuts Nikki up. "Look, if you don't want me brining up your wrongdoings, maybe don't bring up hers?"
"To be fair, Nicole's had a lot less wrongdoings than Stephanie.." Bryan steps in.
"Guys, I'm not defending what she's done to us! But I've spent my whole career fighting against her. I'm happy to just take the compliment and move on."
Ever since the Bellas came to WWE, it was apparent that The Authority only cared about you if you were willing to help them. Considering Brie and Nikki wanted to build their own Bella empire, they were never taken to kindly. Also, Brie's marriage to Bryan only fuelled the fire, with him being the fan-favourite anti-authority superstar, it made the Bella twins guilty by association. So it's fair to say that the two families have experienced some turbulence in their coinciding careers.
But as Brie says, she'd much rather smile at the compliment and forget about it than make a huge deal out of it. Besides, she wouldn't even be with the WWE for much longer - only a month or so and she'll be at home, potentially pregnant with a second child, and Stephanie McMahon being so far back in her mind, that she might as well not even exist. If Brie can somehow convince Bryan and Nikki to stop picking meaningless fights with Steph, their lives would simply become mildly easier.
"I'm gonna go get that shower.." Bryan announces.
"Okay.. I'll be in the car sweetface" Brie replies, puckering her lips for Bryan to kiss her, but he walks straight past her.
Nikki chuckles to herself. "He doesn't like you defending a McMahon.." she says.
"I didn't defend her!"
"Whatever.." Nikki brushes her off, before leaving to go and find her friends.
Brianna stays where she is, leaning against the wall, twiddling her thumbs. She didn't think taking a compliment would cause so much drama. All she wanted was for her probable last time in the company to be happy, but instead, she just feels left alone; Brie knows that they aren't exactly Stephanie's cheerleading team, but calling her a bitch and creating pointless arguments only makes them equally as bad. Hopefully, soon enough, they'd realise that.
Regardless on when they realise it - if they ever do - Brie's still alone now, and she's always hated being by herself. Maybe it's a twin thing? Literally from the womb, Brie's had someone with her, so anytime she's completely alone feels odd. So now is simply one of those times.
Her head hanging low, Brianna begins walking towards the car to wait for her husband. With a bit of luck, he'll be more affectionate when he comes back. Because if there's one thing Brie definitely hates more than an angry Stephanie, it's an angry Bryan.