"Oh I'm sorry. Did you work with Randy?" Dave chuckled a little as he played with the band on his finger.
"Yeah. You might remember me. I had a shaved head, fangs and weird looking contacts."
Gaby squinted a bit before the realization hit her. "Yes. I do remember you. Wow, you definitely look a lot different."
"I'll take that as a compliment. So do you always sit in the park by yourself?"
Gaby looked down. "I just needed to clear my head. I have finals this week and things have been really stressful. So are you still in OVW?"
Dave shrugged. "Kinda. I was brought up to the WWE for awhile but they are ready to change my gimmick so they sent me back down here until they figured out what they are going to do with me. I'm kind of floating right now. I've been watching Randy though. The kid has some talent."
"Yeah." Gaby tried to sound upbeat but the strain of her relationship carried on through her voice.
"You sound like my wife did when I first started traveling. I really tip my hat to you guys that sit at home and take care of everything. The strength that you women have is nothing compared to us."
Despite Gaby's better judgment, she decided to ask. "How does she handle it? If you don't mind me asking."
"Honestly, I have no idea. Trust me, it's not always easy. There are times I come home and we spend the entire time arguing. When I decided to become a wrestler, I didn't think about how it would possibly affect her and that was my fault. But we love each other and somehow, we manage to make things work."
The ringing of Dave's cell phone stopped their conversation short. He glanced down before offering Gaby a small grin. "I'm sorry, but I have to head back to the gym. It was nice to meet you, Gabriella."
"You too, Dave and thanks." Gaby stood from the bench and headed towards her car, with a better understanding of what she was going to do.
The months had flown by and the next thing Gaby knew, it was October. Her relationship with Randy was still going strong, despite a few minor setbacks. They didn't get to see each other as often as she would have liked, but they fought to keep their relationship together.
Randy had just been transferred to the Raw brand and Gaby made sure that she didn't have classes during the days that he would be home. She had just got done watching Raw and was settling in for bed, waiting for Randy's nightly call.
Lying in bed, Gaby felt her eyes start to droop just as her phone started to ring.
"Hello?"
"Gaby, it's John. How quickly can you get to Saint Louis?"
Gaby sat up in her bed. "For what? What's going on?"
John sighed in the background. "Randy fucked up his shoulder when he was wrestling. They don't know how serious it is yet, but I think you might want to be here."
Gaby started running to her closet. "I'll be there as soon as I can." Gaby hung up the phone and quickly called Mickie.
"Pack your bags. We have to go to Saint Louis."
"What the hell for?"
"Randy's hurt and they don't know how serious it is but I need to be there."
"Alright, give me a minute to pack."
The trip to Saint Louis seemed to take forever in Gabriella's mind. After meeting John at baggage claim, the trio ran to the hospital where Randy's was still undergoing tests in order to determine the extent of the damage.
Walking up to Randy's parents, she saw the concerned expression on Mrs. Orton's face and automatically thought the worse. She embraced the young woman in a hug and she felt her body ease some.
"How is he?"
"He's still in there. Look, Gabriella, I wanted to talk to you for a few moments before the doctors come out."
Gabriella nodded her head as she took a seat. "Sure."
"Regardless of what those test results say, this is going to be hell for you and Randy and I just wanted to let you know."
"Hell for me? Why?"
"Injuries in this business are always the worst for everyone involved. The first time Bob got injured, I swore I was going to have to get a divorce. They become bitter and angry because they have to watch on the sidelines while everyone else is still able to do their job.
Depending on how long he is out, he is going to have to watch another wrestler get the push that he was supposed to get, sign the autographs that he wants to sign. Trust me when I tell you, it's hell. Then he has to get used to asking for help when he has to do little things and trust me, those Orton boys are stubborn as hell.
I know that you care about my son, Gabriella and that's why I just wanted to give you a heads up. This is going to be the ultimate test on how much you are going to be able to withstand and remember, this will not be the only injury or setback.
Before his career is all said and done, there will be about 50 times that you will second guess your decisions or choices." Elaine patted the young woman's hand and stood to go be by her husband.
Gaby sat in silence for the rest of the time, allowing Elaine's words to wash over her. She thought being without him for long periods of time was hell, but was life going to be like when he was actually home, away from everything that he loved. But didn't he also love her? Wouldn't he be happy for the minor vacation and being able to spend some quality time with his girlfriend?
"Gabs?" Gaby turned to look at Mickie who signaled the arrival of the doctor who was now given the final say of what was wrong with Randy. Gaby tuned out and only heard certain parts. She vaguely heard that he had separated his shoulder and would require surgery, sooner rather than later. After a few more moments, and allowing Randy's parents to go in the room and talk to Randy, Bob Orton signaled to Gaby that Randy wanted to see her.
Cautiously she walked into the hospital room, not sure what to expect or how he would react.
"Hey baby." Gaby tried to paste a smile on her face but the look in Randy's eyes made her want to cry. "How are you feeling?"
"How the fuck do you think I'm feeling Gabriella? I'm going to be out for six fucking months. Six months of doing absolutely fucking nothing. How do I feel? What a stupid ass question?" Randy through his head down on the pillow and Gaby tried to stop her body from shaking. He had never yelled at her before and the boom in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
"I…I'm sorry. I just…I just don't know what to say. I'm going to go and get your parents or something. I'll be back." Gaby turned to go before he could see the tears start to fall down her face.
Once back in the hotel room, she could help but hear Elaine's voice, over and over again. In her heart she knew that Randy's anger wasn't really towards her, but towards the injury. But she wasn't too sure if she could be as helpful to him as she would like to be.