Brianna steps behind the curtain, her head hanging low - losing to Maryse and Miz wasn't how she planned to end her WWE comeback story. Worst of all, Brie's the one who got pinned; this is most likely her last match with the company, and she got pinned.
Running up to her with open arms, Nikki hugs her sister, wanting to give her some reassurance. The twins walk to a small corner together, in hopes that they could talk out the emotions quietly. Nikki knew how much this would crush Brie; she's never known someone have such a passion for the business, and now it might be finished with a loss. For any superstar, that's crushing. But especially for Brie, considering there's basically no hope that she'll be in the ring again after tonight.
"Bryan's going to be so mad at me.." Brie says under her breath.
"He better not be.. a dumb question, but how're you feeling..?" Nikki asks.
".. I don't know how to describe it, but I feel kind've lost.. I mean, that's it. My career is basically over. What do I do now?"
"Be a mother.. Aren't you and Bryan wanting a second baby anyway?"
Supposedly, yes, they are wanting a second baby; in reality, Bryan wants a second baby. Without question, being Birdie's mother was the most important part of Brie's life, and nothing could ever come close. But she's perfectly happy with one child, and thinks she'd be even happier if it stayed that way - being a mother whilst still being able to focus on WWE and her businesses with Nikki. With that being said, it's a fairly long story for a simple question that would only spark even longer conversations, so Brie just nods her head in agreement.
Saving Brie from falling down the spiral of thinking, someone walks up to the pair - a very professional looking Stephanie McMahon, wearing a pretty navy blue dress, her hair in loose, graceful curls. As expected, Nikki looks highly annoyed that Stephanie's there, but Brie decides to listen before giving the evil eyes.
"If you're here to make fun of Brie losing, don't bother." Nikki says bluntly.
"What? No.. no, I had no intention of doing that." Stephanie responds. "Although.. I was hoping I could speak to Brie alone for a few minutes?"
"Like I'm going to leave her with you!" Nicole gets protective.
"Nikki, honestly, it's fine.." Brie steps in. "I'll come find you after.."
Begrudgingly, Nikki leaves the two to speak. Naturally, Brie was unsure what to expect from this conversation; it's safer to not presume with someone like Stephanie. Catch her on a good day, she might just compliment you - catch her on a bad day and it's preferable to flee the country. Besides, Brie has to be extra careful, given their history. Granted, Brie doesn't live in the past, but it pays to be weary sometimes.
Stephanie sits down next to Brie, then clears her throat.
"Well, first off.. are you okay?" She asks.
"I mean, I've been better but.. life moves on I suppose.." Brie replies vaguely.
"You do know how Maryse pinned you, don't you..?" Steph asks to obviously curious eyes. "She used the ropes as leverage, she cheated to beat you."
Instantly, Brie starts tearing up again. Maybe some people would take comfort in knowing how people needed to cheat in order to beat them - but this was different to normal circumstances. Unless Bryan miraculously decided he didn't want a second child anymore (something so unlikely, it isn't even worth thinking about), this was going to be Brianna's last match. If Maryse had beaten her fairly, perhaps she could move on from that. But knowing that her last match will not only be a loss, but an unjustified one.. she just feels so cheated.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.." Stephanie says, noticing the tears in Brie's eyes.
Brianna does a double take. "Did you just apologise?"
Steph chuckles. "Yeah.. I've been trying to be a little smilier recently.." she explains. "But that's actually what I wanted to ask you.. me and you obviously have a past and, even though it was years ago, I know it never really settled and.. well, I was wondering if you wanted to get a coffee together or something? A way of clearing the air?"
Again, Brie does a double take - is this a mind game? Stephanie McMahon is inviting her out for a coffee? The weirdest part is that she seems perfectly genuine; obviously, that makes Brie more inclined to say yes, but given what happened between them, it seems rather odd. But then again, Stephanie complimented her the other week, and that too seemed genuine. Maybe she's actually worth giving a second chance?
Before Brie has the chance to respond, Bryan walks up to the pair, his fists clenched and overall appears angry. He instinctively grabs Brie's arm and pulls her away from Stephanie, assuming they'd be arguing or something of the like.
"Bryan, calm down, she's being nice to me.." Brie explains.
"She doesn't have the capability of being nice." Bryan spits. "Besides, how can you tell me to calm down when you just ruined the match for us!" He yells.
"Hey, leave her alone, Maryse used the ropes, it wasn't Brie's fault." Stephanie says, standing in between the married couple. "Seriously Bryan, it's not okay to yell at her that way."
"How dare you? Go and fix your own wreck of a marriage before commenting on mine." He says angrily.
For whatever reason, Bryan's comment strikes a chord in Stephanie. She was attempting to reach a hand out to Brie, and she gets attacked about her own husband. Of course, she understands that tensions are high between herself and Bryan, but it still seems like a step too far. Wreck - that's how he described her marriage to Paul. Perhaps it hurt so much because it was partly true..?
"I.. This was a mistake.. I'm sorry Brie, I'll leave you two alone.." she says, clearly a little upset, before swanning off down the hall.
Brie looks sternly towards her husband - she isn't Stephanie's best friend either, but at least she has it in her to be civil. Wether they like it or not, Stephanie's their boss, and insulting her marriage can't exactly do wonders for their career. Besides, even if it is the first time, she was being very kind. Firstly, she offered to clear the air with Brie, then did her best to stop Bryan from yelling at her in a public corridor. Whichever way you look at it, Bryan took things to a level they really didn't need to go.
"What?" He asks.
"What do you think?" Brie replies. "I think you really hurt her feelings.."
"Why do you care? She hurt your feelings when she threatened to fire you, when she paid off someone to claim they had an affair with me!"
"All things I can't excuse, but they were about 4 years ago.. If you want to be hung up about it, then go ahead, but it's much easier to just let it go, trust me." Brianna lectures before turning around, walking off and beginning to search for Stephanie.
Tell Brie a year ago that she'd be actively looking for Stephanie McMahon, and she would've shaken with the thought. But wether it's sincere or not, Steph is offering a way for everyone to move on, something that's long overdue. If Brie has to take that up alone, then so be it.
Eventually, she stumbles across the authority figure standing alone, her back against the wall and her eyes looking towards the floor; it seems as though she's deep in thought, but about something not so happy. Maybe it's what Bryan said that's getting to her? After all, it would be understandable, what he said was completely out of line. Although, Brie has never pinned Stephanie down as the emotional or sensitive type.
"Hey.." Brie says softly.
"Oh.. Hi Brie.." Steph answers, a little startled.
"Look, I'm sorry about what Bryan said, it was completely uncalled for.. and for how Nikki talks to you, for that matter.."
"I get it.. your family has no reason to like me, it's okay."
"It's not okay though, they're just being mean for the sake of it.. but, if you're still offering, I'd quite like to get that coffee with you?"
"You're serious..?" Stephanie asks, a glimmer forming in her eyes.
"Yeah.. give me your phone, I'll put my number in. We can work out a time.."
Brie curiously gazes at Stephanie's smile as she reaches for her cell phone; it was actually fairly rare to see Stephanie smile, unless it was a version of the conniving grin/smirk that she does. But a genuinely happy smile? It was new, but very welcomed to see.
Smiling herself, Brianna takes Steph's phone and begins to type in her number.
(Bonjour all, how're we all diddily doing? What're we thinking thus far?)