12
The day of the formal event had finally arrived, as planned those who would be attending it had made their way over to Orlando the night before, making sure they had everything they needed before leaving for the journey. Seth and Dean had succeed in finding dates for both Emma and Summer in the form of Dolph Ziggler and Marek Brave, both of which had happily accepted the job that came with it. Marek was also rather delighted to be able to see his childhood friend again, the duo had spent some of their time together catching up and going down memory lane.
"You girls ready for today?" asked Finn already used to the large suite they had. A small smile coming to his lips upon realising both mothers were face timing with their children, where as Paige slowly walking around on the rather generous sized balcony, Summer was happily minding her own business where as Emma was flicking through the channels. Becky on the other hand was outside on the balcony with Paige. Most of the boys knew the two girls had come close, Becky had been there to help Paige whenever she needed it during her recovery process thrust giving all those who worried about the woman they called boss and friend peace of mind. Becky had also informed Seth she had no suspicions when it come to what he had planned on doing at the night's event.
Dean, Seth, Dolph, Roman, Punk and Marek had been force into tux shopping by AJ, since neither of them had listened to her, when she had mentioned it weeks before hand. Although she was aware her brother in law had been a little preoccupied with something else as had Dean, she had let them off the hook put hadn't been so kind to the remaining four men in the group of who hadn't gotten their tux before hand. At this moment the group were in a store that specialised in tux and the matching accessories. Each of them had chosen a few they liked and had gone to the dressing room to try them on, AJ waiting on one of the chairs with a small smile on her lips, especially when she knew the boys would have to show her what it looked like and she would no doubt have to find out the colour of the girls dresses just so they could get the ties in the closest colour to it.
"Come on. You can't hide in there forever" called AJ, pacing around the dressing room area a smile on her lips, especially when she knew Seth would be extra picky due to wanting the moment he asked the life changing question to be perfect. "You know you don't have long to get your tux picked out and then get back to get ready. That goes for you too Seth" added AJ, smiling sweetly at one of the men in the store whom was helping the group out. Punk had explained their situation to him so he knew why she was being picky, but he still gave her the odd look none the less. It wasn't long before Marek made his appearance, a small smile on his lips as he come out in the black tux most of them had chosen. AJ smiled back as she held up a tie for him in the colour of Summer's dress, a powdered lavender colour.
"So Seth plans on proposing tonight. We might be here for a while" spoke Marek, remembering when they were just teenagers, how Seth had all these big things in mind yet none of them involved settling down, so it brought a genuine soft smile to his lips at seeing his childhood friend finally finding that special someone who changed everything for him although he was also aware Seth was also doing something he enjoyed doing when it come to keeping that one special someone safe. "So who is the lucky lady?" asked Marek looking into the mirror while adjusting his tie and spotting Seth exit his cubicle shortly followed by Dean, the older of the two with a small smile on his lips especially since he knew Seth had been getting excited and nervous about the upcoming event.
"Her name is Paige, she's the owner of Knight's Raven and the cousin of your date tonight. Very beautiful and kind, still has her English accent. Raven hair, brown eyes, pale skin. Basically she's Seth's dream girl" responded Dean noticing Seth was entirely in black. Both men soon took the tie AJ held out for them, Seth quickly put his on and with ease a small grin coming to his lips at the idea of being able to call Paige his own. He loved her, he knew he did. Every night when on the run he would look at the bracelet around his right wrist and remember who he was doing it for, remembering who was waiting for him and who he hoped to spend his life with. He had so much hope he would make it home to her, just as he now had so much hope she was say yes to marrying him. He knew the date he wanted to get married on if she happened to say yes, just as he knew who his best man would be.
"I still don't know what you see in her" spoke Roman upon leaving his cubicle and joining the others, Punk following closely behind him. When the Samoan looked up from doing his last button on the jacket up he was met with distrusting looks, apart from AJ who looked more angry than anything else. "What I don't, you could have anyone you wanted yet you chose Paige. Why?" asked the dark haired Samoan, he was still in amazement Seth had allowed Punk to join them and be around after the incident which occurred a few weeks before hand. "Plus you have your brother here, if you loved her that much the man who tried to kill her shouldn't be around or even near her" finished Roman not noticing the look Punk was giving him from behind although he did noticed the angered expression of both Seth and Dean, the latter moving closer to AJ.
"She wasn't my target Roman, Evolution learnt from their mistakes and Paige proved to them, they don't have what it takes to stop her, not even with you at their side. Alright yeah I messed up I hit her by accident, but I stayed and tried to help her even when I knew my life would be in danger. I will spend every day proving to her and Seth how sorry I am for that mistake, I will spend every day trying to show Paige I never meant to take what I did from her" responded Punk watching as Roman turned around to face him, he could still see the anger burning brightly in the eyes of Roman, he knew Roman hated the distrust that was clear to see between them just as he was no doubt conveniently forgetting why Evolution were targetting him. "You turned on us because Seth and Dean made the choice to give you want you had always desired, then you turned on Evolution when you found out Zarah had been with us the entire time. Now you don't have happiness you have tried to destroy it for others, tell me are you succeeding in your plan?" finished Punk not raising his voice but his anger projecting through his body language and eyes. AJ soon went over to her husband, quickly grabbing hold of his collar and all but dragging him over to mirrors the other side of the room, putting his tie around his neck.
"There now you boys actually look descent, we better get back to the suite" spoke AJ helping Roman with his own tie although she had no clue who he was going with. She knew at least Corey was expecting some kind of trouble as was Finn due to AJ, Luke and Karl being on watch at the ball as they had been the last time Paige had entertained one of the formal events. "You guys have a few hours to spend doing as you like, including ruffling the girls feathers" added AJ seeing the cheeky grin to pass over Dean's features upon hearing they could wind up the girls as well, he had found amusement in playing silly sods with Summer and Emma, although he knew one day they would retaliate. "Well you can ruffle the feathers until the hair and make up artists arrive" finished AJ a small smile coming to her lips as she watched each of them nod to her words before heading to the front of the store to purchase what they had tried one, once they had changed back into their normal street clothes.
"I followed my heart" spoke Seth seeing the cheeky grin Dean had on his lips turn soft upon hearing his words as did both Punk's and AJ's. He could also see the confusion of both Dolph and Marek as well as Roman's although he was sure Roman knew what he was on about he just didn't want to admit to it or even acknowledge it. "The answer to Roman's earlier question. I chose Paige because that's where my heart lead me, to her. She makes me feel alive, free and loved more than anyone else before her. I have no intention of letting her go not when I know she feels the same" continued Seth finally answering Roman's question on why he had chosen Paige. He had followed the advice Dean had given him, and that had lead him to the safety and loving embrace of the raven haired princess. He knew she loved him as much as he loved her, the smile whenever he entered the room gave it away or her warm tight hugs, even her soft kisses and her happiness to spend time with him.
With Kane and Mark both men had a rare day off, with Kane happily spending time with his wife and talking to both of his daughters whom he knew were with the small group who came up from Tampa, he was also aware both girls had dates for the evening. Mark, Michelle and Kaia had also joined the pair, this being the first formal event Kaia would be attending and unawares to her the first time she would likely to see her sister since the day she left the Calaway residents in tears. Michelle knew from her husband, Paige was likely to be at the event although this was the first time she had her own invite without the need of her father to drag her along to it.
"Are the girls okay?" asked Crystal knowing Kane had spoken to all three girls, she could always remember herself and Kane looking after Paige while Mark went on work trips and other things. Just as she could remember how heartbroken she was to learn what her brother in law had done to someone he had once claimed to love. Crystal had taken Paige's side and had happily kept the secret of her residence when she worked it out a few weeks after Summer had returned from her first visit to Tampa. "I know Summer has been excited about this formal event, saying there is something special going to happen" added the mother of two, her blond hair up in a small ponytail as she pottered around the house she called home with her husband, the pictures of her loved ones on the mantel of the fireplace, including one of Saraya when Paige was just over a year old.
"They're fine, currently in a suite at an upscale hotel. Emma has been talking with Zack who told her last week he couldn't attend the event with her due to family issues in Long Island. She mentioned Seth and Dean found her a date in response and they put him through a whole bunch of tests to make sure it would be fun for her. I believe Paige will be in attendance tonight, Summer mentioned she went dress shopping with Emma, Renee, AJ and Paige. Although she has been concentrating on her health as well" responded Kane knowing his wife was always interested to know what their daughters and nieces were up to. He could remember her telling him they had to let each of them find their own way and discover who they were in their own time.
"Would be nice to see Paige again, I think the last time I seen her was the last formal event she attended" spoke Michelle, trying to recall when she had actually seen her step-daughter last, she had so many questions for the dark haired beauty yet never had the chance to ask them, she highly doubted whether she would ever get the chance. "I'm sure Kaia would be excited to see her big sister again, despite everything that's happened in the past" added Michelle, recalling how excited her only daughter was upon hearing Paige would most likely be at the event, although she knew there was also a chance Kaia would have left by the time Paige arrived at the event. She could still recall her daughter asking Mark whether he had made things right so her sister could come home, although she knew he was working on it, both woman knew there was something he wasn't telling them.
"I agree, although I know she's busy with her company to run and helping with getting others on their own two feet. She helped Summer with her jewellery store, made sure there was someone there to help in case anything went wrong" responded Crystal remembering how happy her oldest daughter was when Paige gave her the loan she needed to start up her little jewellery business, the smile was still on her lips and would return whenever someone mentioned the little store. She knew for the time being Emma was happy with her own little job as a model although she was aware her youngest wanted to go on to other things and try out different career paths. "Maybe this time Mark will accept Paige's decision instead of forcing her away more" added the blond woman, she could recall Kane telling her of that, just as she could remember wanting to knock some sense into the older man so he would realise Paige wasn't a little girl any more, she was grown woman and one who was more than capable of looking after herself and making her own choices.
"Its hard accepting them. He loves her and fear losing her. He's afraid she will go down the same path Saraya went" replied Michelle remembering when Mark had told her the story of Saraya or at least a version of it, she knew there was likely to be things he missed out yet she also assumed they would be less important details. When Michelle looked over to the duo of Kane and Crystal she could see the confusion painted on their features upon hearing Mark was afraid Paige would go down the same path as her mother. "Why are you both looking at me in confusion? You two knew Saraya surely you would know what he's afraid of" finished Michelle her curiosity getting the better of her, she knew the two before her would have known Saraya just as they would have known most of the secrets Mark had kept over the years.
"He's afraid she will go down the same path we went. When Saraya found out she was expecting Paige, she made sure everything was in order so she would have a good life, so Paige wouldn't grow up the same way she had done. She turned Knight's Raven from just another illegal business to the biggest one in Europe, made sure Paige had everything she needed growing up and left everything to her in a will. The only thing she and Mark disagreed over was when to tell her the truth. Mark wanted to keep it hidden from her until she was twenty one where as Saraya said she wanted Paige to know the truth on who she was and what empire she would one day inherit. They were both in the illegal side of things but Mark mainly did it for the money where as Saraya was for her family and to give her children a better childhood than she herself had" responded Kane, revealing Saraya's motivation in the illegal side of things was more so her children would have a happy childhood where they got the things they needed and knew they were loved. "She was a good mother to Paige, made sure she was there, she had even began to teach Paige to read when she died" added Kane going over to the mantle and picking up the photo he had of Paige and Saraya. The red haired woman with a smile on her lips and Paige in her lap as she attempted to teach the young girl to read.
Back at the hotel, the boys had just returned each of them with the tux or suit in hand. They knew from AJ time was at the up most importance. The boys were free to do as they wished with Seth and Dean deciding to sit on the balcony until they were called to get ready, where as Roman went to at least attempt to make conversation with the woman he loved and the one whom was mother of his first child. Marek and Dolph however were more than happy to raid the snack bar the girls had kindly set up for them. Each of them had also noticed the girls in the main area of the room getting their hair and make up done, AJ being ushered into a seat so her hair and make up artist could get to work on bringing her imaginative ideas true.
"You getting nervous now right?" asked Dean while both himself and Seth were alone on the balcony, he knew Roman would no doubt join them soon as would Punk. The Ohio native looked over to the slightly younger man when he didn't respond, he could only smile slightly when he watched Seth nod to his question of beginning to get nervous about the night's events and what he had planned. "You'll be fine, she loves you Seth any idiot can see that, you've never hurt her or at least not intentionally, and you came back when you knew the coast was clear. If Renee can love and marry a lunatic like me then Paige is your match. Plus your reaction in the store earlier gave it away how much you love her" continued Dean, knowing Seth would understand what he meant. The way Seth had reacted to Roman when he made his earlier remarks about Paige. "You almost punched Roman earlier on for what he said, if it wasn't for AJ standing between us and Marek standing between you and Roman you probably would have" finished Dean seeing the small smirk appearing on Seth's features, that giving it away he had hit it right on of what he had been tempted to do.
"How did it come to this?" asked Seth, leaning on the metal and glass railing of the hotel balcony, he knew there was a good chance he had confused Dean a little bit. "How did it come to both of us distrusting Roman to the point we wouldn't trust him around the people we love the most?" continued Seth, wondering how they had gone from being as close as brothers and running from Shane McMahon while hiding in plain sight to two of them remaining as brothers and both distrusting the other they had once trusted with their lives. He knew a lot had changed since they had moved but to him it was like the Roman he had knew and trusted had gone, being replaced with a stranger who looked identical and had the same name. "I don't recognise him any more, its like he's been replaced with someone I don't know or recognise, there was a time where I would have trusted him with anything my life included but now I feel as if I can't trust him with my car keys let alone anything else" finished Seth explaining what he had meant when he had asked his previous questions, it wasn't long before Punk joined them. Hugging both of them as he normally did, a few pats on the back as he did so.
"Zarah sent me out here, its time to get ready. Big night ahead of us" spoke Punk revealing one of the two mothers in their mists had sent him out there to fetch the pair so they could begin to get ready. "AJ is still getting her hair and make up done but the others have gone to get changed. The limos should be here soon, just got to decide who's in which" added Punk explaining the time they had spent outside was actually most of their free time, Dean only nodded where as Seth pushed himself off the rails of the balcony a small excitable smile coming to his lips at the thought of being able to ask the question he had been waiting to ask, the nerves also beginning to rise as the time drew nearer and the thought of asking his princess to be his queen in front of people neither of them really knew and her father. "And nervous little brother turns into an excited one" finished Punk with a small chuckle at seeing how excited Seth was becoming especially since he had spent weeks planning out everything with Summer's help. He knew Seth wanted this moment to be perfect for Paige, hence why he had chosen that particular event as the place to ask her.
"Better not keep them waiting. I'm sure Renee would happily kick Dean's ass and Paige would probably attempt to do the same with me" responded Seth with a smile on his lips, leaving the balcony area shortly after, waving to AJ as he went by. Once he was up the stairs to the actual bedrooms he gently knocked on the door. "Paige" called the Iowan, softness in his voice when he called her name. He soon received in response when she opened the door for him, wearing only her black silk dressing gown. "Ready for tonight?" asked Seth noticing her sparkly black dress lying across the bed with the jewellery she had chosen to go with it next to it and the shoes at the base of the bed. His tux was neatly laid besides her dress as his shoes were next to hers.
"You mean am I ready to see my step mum and dad again. Not really but with you at my side I'm willing to give it a try" replied Paige accepting the hug he offered. She felt safe and loved when around him or wrapped in his arms. "Lets hope nothing goes wrong at this one. The only good thing that happened at the last one was meeting you" continued the raven haired beauty, she knew or rather expected something was going to happen at the formal event, she could always remember Michelle and her father coming home with a story or two tell about the event she had found rather boring whenever she attended. Seth's only response was to place a soft kiss to the top of her head and turn her towards her dress, knowing she was probably looking forward to dressing up the least, although she didn't mind it as long as she could wear her normal comfortable dark colours. It was now he began to run through the mental list of all the things he loved about the woman in front of him, a smile coming to his lips as he did so. She was his just as he was hers.
An hour or so later seen the group heading to the city hall. Paige, Seth, Dean, Renee, AJ and Punk in one limo where as Summer, Marek, Emma, Dolph, Zarah and Roman were in the other. Both limos set to arrive at the venue just seconds apart. All in the limos almost dreading when they stepped out of the limo, normally due the random by standers wanting to get a look and taking pictures, almost like they were paparazzi and the people entering the normally boring event were some sort of celebrity. Finn and Becky having left early, both wanting to get there so they could work out where to station Gallows, Anderson and Styles, as well as to determined if there would be any threats to those who were under the protection detail. Upon arriving at the building which was hosting the formal event, Seth exited the limo first noticing both brother's of destruction waiting outside along with their wife's and in the case of Mark his youngest daughter in Kaia. To which Seth just nodded before holding out his hand in front of the limo offering Paige his helping hand and showing he was a prefect gentleman on night's like that particular one. As a small group they walked up the steps to the entrance, each of the girls had their arm linked with their date for the evening and bright smiles on their lips where as the boys were more than happy to act as if they were the prefect partner for the evening and fool others into thinking they were just like any others in the city.
"Zack" called Emma upon entering the main ballroom, she had just reach the bottom of the stairs with Dolph when she had seen the man who she was originally supposed to attend the event with. Dolph had happily released her but informed her he would be by the bar if she needed him. "You said you were in Long Island" added Emma noticing from his body language and facial expression he was hiding something from her and had not expected her to have spotted him so quickly or at all. Her suspicions were soon proven right when another blond woman come over, wrapping her arms around Zack and kissing him sweetly on the cheek, a smile on her lips as she did so clearly none the wiser of who she was or what was going on between the two of them. Emma recognised the woman almost instantly and knew her presence could only mean danger for her cousin and others she loved so much.
"Emma wait" spoke Zack as Emma walked away from the pair, tears in her eyes. She quickly hid within the crowd of those who had been invited and attempted to make her way over to Dolph at the bar without being caught by the man who had just broken her heart. "Emma" called Zack, his voice ringing in her ears as her vision went blurry from the tears building up, she soon felt a hand wrap around her wrist, pulling her back and into an almost shaded area of the ballroom, she was relieved to see it was Dolph who had pulled her away from the sea of people and the man who was now trying to get her attention so he could explain away what was plain to see. "Emma listen, its not what you think, Laurel is just a friend, I didn't know how to tell you I was coming here with her so I thought if I didn't tell you then you wouldn't mind. I promise you there isn't anything going on between me and her" spoke Zack when he spotted her again, although he was completely ignoring Dolph who was stood to her side, an unamused expression painted on his features. Emma could only look over to Dolph and shake her head signalling something to him before once again walking away. "Emma" called Zack once again going to follow her but was stopped by Dolph standing in his path.
"Did you really think she was going to believe that?" asked Dolph looking over to the dirty blond hair man although he could see he wasn't paying much attention to him if any. Instead he was looking into the crowd of people, whether that was for Emma or Laurel was another matter. "She's not an idiot, she can see through your lies just as she can probably see it was a mistake trusting you. Do her a favour and leave her be. If she wants to hear your lies then she will come and find you" added Dolph before walking away to find Emma so he could at least help if she wanted it, after all he had promised he would keep an eye on her and be there when she needed someone, as he was sure she needed him now. Like many who worked for Knight's Raven he had no intention of breaking the promises he made.
Over at the other side of the ballroom, Dean was happily dancing with Renee showing his gentle side to those around him and the loving side to the woman he had been able to call his own. He knew Renee was unaware of what Seth had planned as were most of them. He could remember Summer helping Seth out with the planning hence the smile the blond had whenever she looked over to the pair of Seth and Paige from her spot with Marek and her parents. When the music ended Dean lead Renee back to the table they had been sitting at before, noticing Seth and Paige were happily watching as the others danced around and had fun, both also looking out for any danger considering what happened the last time they had attended such an event.
"You two admiring the handy work done to repair all the damage?" asked Dean seeing the way the pair of them looked around, how Paige was content on avoiding her step-mother, no doubt already knowing she had a lot of questions for the raven haired beauty, just as most of them had noticed Kaia wasn't there as they had been informed she would be. "Wait is this the same room as before? I swear the floor had a different pattern and was in more lighter colours" added the Ohio native, seeing the smile appear on their lips and how both of them looked to each other. Paige shook her head to his question confirming they were in a different room than before. Although she understood why he had initially thought it was the same room.
"The one from last time is further down the hall" responded Paige, returning her attention to what had gained it before, Renee soon followed her line of stare to see Luke Gallows on the balcony nearest the window, it was clear he was being extra attentive in case anything happened. Karl Anderson was doing the same on the opposite side of the room where as AJ was at the top of the stairwell, keeping a close watch on those inside the room in case someone was there who could pose a threat, other than Laurel although he doubted she would be a threat to them any more. She had made it her personal mission to disappear from the group whom she formerly worked for. Seth soon looked over to Dean and winked while the girls were distracted giving him the signal he had finally gained enough courage to ask the raven haired princess that all important question.
"Paige" called Seth, pulling her attention away from the two keeping an eye out, and giving those who knew them a sense of security and safety. "We met almost three years ago in this very building, ever since then you've been a shining light in my life. You gave me somewhere to go and a place to work when I had nothing, you listened, been a friend and turn my entire world upside down. That year I was on the run I thought about you, and what I wanted for the future. I thought how I was going to get back to you even if you would kick my ass for leaving you behind" spoke Seth saying the little speech he had gone through a million or more times in his head. His smile only got brighter when she chuckled at something he had said. "I know where my place in the world is, I know where I belong and I know words could never describe how much I love you. So Paige Saraya-Jade Knight, will you marry me?" asked Seth finishing off the speech and holding out the engagement ring to her, seeing the surprise cross over her features and mix with the love only he could see.
"Yes" mumbled Paige, unable to speak any louder due to the general surprise and nerves that had risen when he asked her. She watched as he stood up and placed the engagement ring on her finger, pulling her to her feet shortly after and wrapping her in a tight but loving embrace, placing a soft and passionate kiss on her lips shortly after and to the sound of those who had watched clapping in congratulations. Renee and Dean at the forefront of it, as was Punk and AJ across the room at the bar both of which holding up a glass each. "Home is wherever you are" whispered Paige in Seth's ear showing she loved him as much as he loved her. She knew who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and what she wanted to do. Just as she knew she couldn't have done most of the things she had without the people she trusted so much and without the love of the man who was holding her in his arms.
"I'm happy for them" spoke Crystal from besides her husband, she always dreamt of the day when each of the girls finally settled down with someone they truly loved. She could remember seeing how protective Seth was of her niece the day Paige had gone to find out the truth. She could see Kane smiling for the happy couple just as she could see the unsure look that passed over Mark's features, Paige was his oldest daughter after all she knew Mark would put the poor man who wished to marry her through hell and back before approving of such a match, just as she knew he was likely to disapprove due to Seth being part of the world he wished so badly to take her away from. "She's happy Mark, for the first time since all of this blew up she is here and smiling. You said all you wanted was for your girls to be happy, don't force her away again" added Crystal knowing her brother in law would like disapprove of his oldest daughter settling down with the same man who had taken her on the run. Crystal could also see the unreadable expression to come to Michelle's features, it was almost a blank stare, void of all happiness and emotion. Like the other woman had shut herself off from what was happening or she wasn't all there.
"Finally the one who deserves his happiness has finally found it" spoke Dean, recalling the times when Seth had his heart broken, every time he had picked himself back up again with so much hope of finding that one special someone for him. Each time he had thrown himself into his work to distract himself from that sore subject, especially when the affair between Zarah and Roman was made known. He had concentrated on protecting Paige and had unwittingly focused all his attention on that one person who he had been looking for. "Can't wait for the wedding brother, can already see its going to be unique and full of surprises" added Dean as he and Renee gave the pair their congratulations and a friendly hug each. He knew Renee was happy to call Paige a sister, just as she had done the same with AJ. They were like a little family always there to support each other even when they didn't see eye to eye on some things.
"Congratulations" came a voice behind the engaged couple, when the pair turned around they were met with the sight of Stephanie and Hunter, both of them with genuine smiles on their lips as they held a glass of champagne each. "To your happiness and to our long lasting peace" spoke Stephanie remembering when she had personally met with Paige to discuss to the possibility of working together for the time being and creating peace between them, she had also spoke of merging with Knight's Raven as she could see they were the better ones. Because of that meeting she had gotten to know her former enemy rather well and could see Paige wouldn't use violence unless she was given no other choice. Just as she could see Paige was not a threat to anyone other than those who had done something to her.
