Yeah, so it's been forever and a day since I've posted. Almost four months I think. No excuses really just lost my writing muses, but maybe they are back. My apologies. Hopefully, it's worth the wait.
"Are you cheating on me, Joe?"
When the words left her lips, the man sitting across from her coiled backward and just stare at her dumbfounded. "Am I what," he questioned finally after getting over the initial shock of her inquiry. "You can't be serious..."
"Don't even try to deny it," she accused sharply.
"Skye, listen to me..."
She cut him off, "So, you can what? Tell me more lies?"
He closed his mouth tightly and exhaled through his nose. He shook his head and spoke again, "No lies. Just hear me out."
"Who is she," she spat, hating that her voice cracked with each word.
"There is no she," he told her firmly and reached for her, "Baby..."
She slapped his hand away, "Then why did you lie to me about being with your brother!" She flew from the lounger to her feet. "I know the signs by now, Joe. The secret phone calls, the lies, I mean come on it's so clear! Besides you wouldn't exactly be the first one to ever screw around behind my back!"
He shot to his feet, towering over her but the firecracker that she was, she didn't back down. "I'm not screwing around on you! I'm not them. Dammit, Skye, how often do I have to prove to you that I'm not going to do what those bastards had done? I do know what I have and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that!"
He swallowed, trying to calm himself down a bit before he continued in a much calmer, reasonable tone, "Now if you would let me explain..." When she didn't say anything to disrupt him further, he went on. "Look, yes, I wasn't with Matt. I was using him as a cover because yes I've been keeping a secret from you for the past week, but it's not another woman. It would never be another woman, Skye. I need you to believe that. I need you to trust me when I say that."
With her arms wrapped around herself, she stared at him closely trying to figure out if he was being dishonest. His dark eyes, pleadingly sought out her own eyes and she felt herself resolving.
"So, you're not cheating," she questioned skeptically. "There's nobody else?"
"No," he reiterated with a quick shake of his head.
Without any kind of warning whatsoever, she took a step forward, shoving him with all of her might which caused him to stumble backward a bit unprepared for the sudden movement. "You ass," she fumed shoving him again and again with each time becoming a bit harder when he regained his bearings. "Shit, I really thought the worse. What is it then? What could it possibly be that you would find that you needed to keep from me?"
The only other reasonable reason to keep something from me would be...
Her eyes suddenly widened, "Oh my god! Are you dying?!" which catches him completely off guard. When he doesn't answer, she gasped, "That's it right? Do you have some terminal disease or something?"
Recovering, he gave her a deadpanned look and scoffed, "Even if I was, I would think you should be a bit nicer to me instead of calling me an ass, babe." When she continued to stare at him critically, he added, "I'm healthy as ever, babe, I swear."
She released a soft, relieved breath. "Then tell me...what the hell is going on?"
Shaking his head, he smoothed his hand over his slicked back hair and declared, "Well, I wanted it to be a surprise. The whole cheating accusation thing kind of ruined that a bit."
After a quick apologetic look, her eyes narrowed in confusion, "For what to be a surprise?"
He chuckled lightly, "Do you know how difficult it is to keep something a secret from you? I should have known my brother would have blown my cover, but you have to be so damn observant."
"What are you talking about," she questioned in exasperation suddenly feeling like a small child getting impatient and wanting to know what this surprise really was.
"Wait here," he ordered softly before turning around and heading back into the house.
When he returned, he was carrying something – a large manila envelope – in his hand. He stopped to stand in front of her.
"What's that," she asked curiously with a slight tone of excitement in her voice.
"My secret," he answered with a small smile obviously detecting her change in tone. "It's an anniversary present."
"But that's not until the twelfth," she reminded still eyeing the item in his hand.
"Yeah, I'm well aware, but considering we're going to be on tour overseas and busy as hell I doubt we're going to have the time to properly celebrate, well," he smirked, "outside the bedroom that is." He chuckled when she slapped at his chest playfully and continued, "So, I thought I'd give you this a little early." He indicated the envelope, "So, I wanted to get something for you, well," he chuckles, "I'll be benefiting from it too, but it will explain why I've been secretive here lately." He thrusted it forward for her to take. "Here, open it."
She reached and took it from him. As he looked on with anticipation in his eyes, she opened it and reached inside, pulling out the contents. She tried to hide her disappointment when a certain something was absent, but she quickly brushed it off.
Instead in her hands, she held two airline tickets. Her eyes lifted to meet his questionably and he explained, "You know in the nearly two years that we've been together that we've never taken a trip together, just the two of us?"
"Well, our careers really prevent us time from doing that," she reasoned as she pulled out more items in the envelope. She smiled when she held brochures to a resort in Turks and Caicos Island. She gazed at him once more. "This is why you were taking those secret phone calls and texting back and forth with someone? You were planning all of this?"
He nodded, "I was talking to a travel agent and with the resort director trying and get it all ironed out before telling you. Matt was supposed to be my cover tonight so that I could make some arrangements before we left, but apparently he didn't let his wife in on the plan." He chuckled and shook his head. "Remind me to kick his ass later."
She chuckled, "Be easy on the guy. He's probably in big trouble with his wife anyway." She glanced back down at the tickets in her hand and grinned, "Baby, you didn't have to do all of this. I would've been okay with just a simple dinner out somewhere..."
"Oh I know," he nodded with a wide grin. "One of the many reasons why I love you the way that I do, baby girl, is the fact that you're fine with the smallest of things. However, two years is a big deal. We need to celebrate and I've heard that this place is gorgeous and we deserve the time away by ourselves and without any distractions." He tilted his head at her. "So, what do you say? Tickets are non-refundable, so I'd hate to have wasted the money for you to say no..."
She quickly shook her head, stepped forward, and threw her arms around his neck, "You're amazing. You go and you something like this and I nearly ruined it because I thought the worse – I always think the worse."
With his strong arms tightly around, he kissed her temple and sighed, "When are you going to learn, woman? You are the only woman in my life."
"I'm sorry," she whispered, regretfully. "I know the man that you are, I just...you had once said that every part of you needed me in your life, well, that goes both ways, big guy. I don't want to be that weak woman anymore, but I guess it's always going to be there...deep down even when I don't want it to be."
"Wanting to be happy doesn't make you weak, Skye," he soothed as he rubbed her back. "Besides, you didn't look ready to back down a few minutes ago when my Samoan ass was towered over you."
She chuckled, "You don't scare me."
His chest rumbled, "I can clearly tell." He pulled away, keeping her at arms-length. "Look, I get what Orton and that Styles guy did to you will always remain in the back of your mind and I accept that. I mean what happened in my past with Lina has made me cautious too, but we can't keep dwelling on those failed relationships. Ours is the real deal. It's the forever kind, Skye."
"I know," she said nodding and pulled out of his arms. "A part of me through this whole thing truly knew that you weren't cheating, but with my luck I prepared for the worst. It never crossed my mind that you were planning such a wonderful mini-vacation for us."
"Well, now that you know the truth, we must prepare for our trip." Throwing her an apologetic look, he further explained, "I hate to rush you, babe, but our flight leaves in an hour and a half."
Her eyes widened slightly, "That soon?"
"I wanted us to have two full days of relaxation, so I got the earliest flight I could." He reached for her hand and pulled her toward the house. "Now, let's get a move on!"
After hurrying about and cramming their bags full of not only vacation clothing, but clothing for the road, the twosome loaded Joe's truck with their heavy suitcases and were soon on their way to the airport to board their plane to paradise.
It was nearly thirty minutes into the flight when Joe realized that his companion beside him had fallen asleep with her head resting on his shoulder which happened to be her usual routine during any flight.
He let a small smile appeared upon his face and he turned his face slightly to kiss the crown of her head before glancing to his left to gaze out the window.
Even though their trip was going to be short, he still couldn't help that this trip couldn't happen at a better time. It was going to be more than just a time to relax for both of them.
No, he had other plans as well.
It had been nearly a week since Joe had showed up at Phil's tour bus for that talk and his mind quickly went back to that late afternoon.
As the straight-edge wrestler observed him closely, he stated, "The floor's all yours, man."
Joe released a breath and swallowed the lump in his throat before speaking. "I love your sister – which you know."
"I won't dispute that," Phil replied still eyeing him. After the large man seemed to struggle with what to say next, Phil just chuckled. "Just spit out, man. I didn't think asking a man's approval to marry his sister would be so difficult for someone to get out."
Joe's jaw dropped. "How'd you know?"
"Come on, dude, it's basically written all over your face." Phil laughed, "So, continue."
Joe released a strained laugh, "I don't think I really need to."
"Of course you do," Phil stated sternly, but with a grin. "I mean you want my approval, yes? You're going to properly ask for my blessing or some shit like that and I'm going to pretend to be a hard ass; therefore, making this extremely difficult for you."
Joe glared at the tattooed man in mild annoyance, "You really are a dick - do you know that?"
Phil just smirked, "That's really not the way of asking for my sister's hand, ass hat."
Shaking his head, the Samoan sighed heavily, "Very well. I want to marry Skye. Will you give me your blessing?"
"That's SO weak, Anoa'i," Phil remarked, rolling his eyes. "I mean why should I be okay with you wanting to marry Skye? How do you know that you're fully ready for that kind of a commitment?"
Joe gave him a look, "I've had the ring picked out for months – what's that tell you?"
With a raised brow, Phil commented, "Impressive. What about Skye then? Do you think she's ready for this? What if she says no?"
"Then I will wait until the day that she says yes," Joe answered without missing a beat. "I don't care how long it takes for her to accept, but it won't change my mind. I want her to be my wife."
With a softer, yet, approving look now upon his face, Phil nodded and reached a hand out for the Samoan to shake, "Then all the best to you both. She'd be a fool to refuse."
Joe stared at his hand a moment before shaking it. "That's all?"
"Yep, I mean I'm not going to hug your or anything," he joked. "I think a simple good luck would suffice."
Joe snorted, "You are one of a kind, Brooks."
"Best in the world," the other man corrected. Then he asked, "So, when is all of this going to go down?"
"I haven't figured all that out yet," Joe answered, rubbing his palms together. "I have a place in mind just not sure how I'm going to do it."
"Just make it special," Phil requested with small smile. "I know she's been hoping for this moment for a long time. Don't fuck it up."
"So not helpful," Joe pointed out warily.
Now here they were heading off to an island away from their families and the WWE universe. He had hoped that he had been convincing when he had told her that this little vacation was just a time for them to unwind before the long overseas tour ahead of them and of course to celebrate two years together.
He wanted the fact that he had planned to propose during this romantic getaway to continue to be a secret to her. He hadn't missed the slight put out look when all that she had pulled from that envelope was the destination plans.
With a smirk, his mind went to the true location of that said item buried deep in his suitcase.
Skye stirred a bit, but did not wake. He hated that they would be arriving so early in the morning, but he really wanted the time together.
With a sigh, he sat back and tried to catch a short nap himself.
When they arrived at The Palms, it was nearly three in the morning and as soon as they walked inside their one-room penthouse, Skye could only gasp as her eyes took in every exquisite inch of main living area, "Babe this is amazing!"
Joe came up behind her to wrap her in his arms, "Well, I wanted our stay to be relaxing."
"I could definitely relax here and then some," she stated coyly as she leaned back against his chest.
"Hmm," he murmured in interested as he nuzzled his face against her hair. "I can definitely partake in the "then some" part."
"I bet you could," she teased lightly. "I keep thinking that one of these days you're going to get tired of that with me."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she sighed slightly embarrassed to let her insecurities show once more within hours of falsely accusing him of cheating.
Shaking her head, she spoke up, "I'm sorry..." Her words were immediately cut off when her body was suddenly spun around and her lips covered by his.
She barely at a moment to get settled into his abrupt, heated kiss before he tore his lips from hers leaving her breathless and staring at him wildly.
"Not one single part of my body especially that part will ever get tired of you. Understand?" When she nodded, his head cocked to the side. "What about me? Are you ever going to get tired of all of this? I may not always look this way you know."
Her hands rose to move over his sculpted chest as she pondered, "You know I've seen you back in your football days when you had a bit more meat on ya and I found you just as sexy."
He chuckled, "Really? I'd say I had more than a bit of meat on me, babe."
"Just a lot more to love," she pointed out as her hands slid down to his waist and snaked her arms around him. "Now, I want my big man to take me to bed and show me every part of that sexy body of his."
He smirked, "You first." With those words spoken, she giggled when his hands began removing every part of her clothing.
Hours later, Skye began stirring from the comforts of the warm bedding on their king-sized bed. Rolling over onto her back, she stretched her arms out and found Joe's side of the bed empty.
Frowning, she sat up, wrapping the sheet around her naked, upper form. "Babe," she called out before her eyes focused on the gorgeous view just outside the window door leading out onto their private terrace. "Wow," she breathed and climbed from the bed.
She slipped on a fluffy, white robe courtesy of the hotel and made her way outside to the terrace to take in the most breathtaking view she has ever seen.
Stopping at the stone railing overlooking the turquoise colored water, she smiled as a gust a wind swept across her face and she inhaled the fresh scent of ocean.
When he exited the bathroom, Joe's eyes went over to where he had left his girlfriend sleeping soundly, naked underneath the covers, only to find the bed empty.
Adjusting the towel around his waist, he noticed the door leading out onto the terrace was opened and he figured she was outside enjoying the gorgeous view.
Releasing a soft breath, he made his way over to where his suitcase sat, opened on the loveseat, and began digging through it until his hand brushed against something.
Glancing over his shoulder, he made sure that Skye was still occupied outside before he pulled the small, velvety box from underneath some folded up jeans.
He swallowed and opened the lid to take a glimpse of the ring that he had specifically chosen to give to the woman standing just outside.
Would this be the perfect time to do it? With her, wrapped in a sheet completely enthralled by the scenery?
Deciding that this wasn't the moment, he tucked the box back under his clothing and turned to go join her, not caring that he wasn't dressed.
"There you are," Joe stated the moment he stepped outside.
Glancing over her shoulder, she took in his current state of attire and giggled, "You couldn't look more like an islander if you tried, big guy."
With a naughty look, he grinned, "Want to go back inside and get wild with me?"
"Maybe later," she promised and looked back out at the scenery. "You did well, J. This place is gorgeous."
"I'm glad you like it," he said as he came up behind her.
"How long have you been up," she questioned lightly.
"A couple of hours," he answered. "I thought I'd check out the gym and get a small workout in."
"We're supposed to be relaxing," she reminded with slight chuckle. "You would think that you'd want to be lazy this weekend." She shifted to look back at him. "Usually if you're working out on our days off it's because you're tense about something." With a curious gaze, she asked, "Is something bothering you?"
Joe chose his words carefully. Truth be told, he was a bit nervous about the thought of proposing to her at some point during this weekend getaway. In fact, he had a hard time sleeping even after their physical act the moment they had arrived.
Working out always relaxed and took his mind away from things, so after struggling to get some sleep, he had snuck out and tried to clear his mind.
"No, babe," he assured finally. "I just felt the urge, but you're right – we should be relaxing." With a small smile, he went on, "I've got a few things planned for us today. I thought maybe we'd order in some breakfast and eat it out here on the terrace..."
"Go on," she inquired, feeling his hands rest upon her hips.
"Maybe we can get in some beach time," he offered. "Perhaps explore the sights."
"Sounds wonderful," she admitted. "Tell me more."
"After dinner, I arranged for us to receive a deep tissue massage in the privacy of our room."
"Mmm," she murmured in delight. "I can't wait."
"But we can do whatever you want to do," he told her.
"Everything you have listed sounds great," she assured and let her eyes drift back to water in front of her. "Honestly, I could probably just stand here, wrapped in your arms, just staring at this view the entire weekend."
"Or we could do that," he agreed with a grin until the rumbling of her stomach could be heard which caused him let out a chuckle. "Well, that was short lived," he teased.
She bit her bottom lip and shrugged, "Sorry."
Shaking his head, he released his hold and reached for her hand. "Let's feed you and start our day."
The next evening, Skye rested back against the chest of her man while his arms wrapped around her as they sat on the sandy beach staring at the slowly setting sun before them.
"I can't believe the trip is almost over," she whispered contently. "Promise me we'll come back."
"Of course we'll come back," he assured. "This place certainly lived up to my expectations."
"Mine as well," she agreed as her eyes took in the slowly descending sun. "How beautiful," she commented softly. "We don't do this enough – watching the sunset together – with me wrapped in your arms."
He nestled his nose against the side her of her head as he chuckled, "A place that I prefer you to be."
This made her smile. "Honestly, Joe, I don't think there is anything that could make this more perfect."
"Oh, I can probably think of something," he stated, coyly.
She snorted, "For the last time – no sex on the beach, fella."
"Ah, you're no fun," he muttered as one of his arms uncoiled from around her. "I guess that'll have to wait till we get back to our room." As she giggled, she didn't pay any mind of his movement for she was too busy enjoying the remaining moments of the sun setting before her. Tomorrow morning around ten, they would be heading back to the real world.
His voice broke through her thoughts. "Perhaps, this might make it the perfect moment in time..."
His words caused her eyes to move from viewing the sky to glance backward at him in question. "What are you talking about?" Then her focus went directly to the object that he held. Nestled between his index finger and thumb was the most beautiful ring that she had ever laid eyes upon. Her shocked gaze darted back up to meet his eyes again, "Is that...? Are you...?"
"It is and I am," he nodded, swallowing. This had been the first time in a long time that she had ever seen him nervous about anything. "To be honest, I had this huge speech prepared – I mean it was pretty damn romantic if I do recall, but I find myself unable to remember a single thing that I had rehearsed. I've been trying to find a single moment that seemed like the right moment to do this, but..." He swallowed and let out a soft, strained chuckle. "I'm just going to cut to the chase and just ask you the most important question..."
He couldn't continue for Skye had interrupted with an exuberant response of "Yes!"
After her outburst, she covered her mouth in embarrassment when he looked at her, half stunned and half amused. "I'm sorry! I'm so ruining this! Please, please continue."
She maneuvered more in his arms so that she was basically cradled to one side, facing him a bit more and trying hold in her reactions a bit more tightly, so that he could go onward with the proposal.
Shaking with laughter, he continued even though the woman in his arms had already given him the answer that he desired. "Marry me?"
As her eyes misted with tears, her bright smile couldn't be missed. "Yes," she nodded quickly. "Yes, of course, I will."
When the ring was slipped onto the appropriate finger, he wrapped his arms around her and captured her lips. He pulled back slightly and released a slight, choked laugh. "I have a feeling that you've been expecting this to happen."
"Hoping," she corrected as his thumb reach over to wipe away some fallen tears. "I'm surprised at how ready I was for it. It wasn't long ago that I thought I would never have this."
"Was it everything that you expected?"
She didn't miss his hopeful tone at all. She nodded, easing his anxiety a bit and beamed, "And more." Her eyes lowered to peer at the ring and breathed, "It's beautiful."
And it was. It had a platinum band along with tiny diamonds along the side. In the center was a radiant, princess cut diamond gleaming brightly even without a lot of light.
She tore her eyes off the exquisite ring to glance back up at him, "I love you."
"Enough to spend the rest of your life with," he asked.
"Forever and ever," she vowed.
"Sounds good to me," he said and raised her chin to kiss her once more, but this time neither pulled away and neither wanted the moment to ever end.
So? Review if you like. Review if you didn't like - as long as it's constructive.