Just for the record - Howard Fink can kiss my ass. That is all :-) We disclaim. Enjoy!
John pulled his rental back into the arena parking lot. He didn't see Lilian get squashed because he had to be at the hotel, but he knew it was going to happen. He parked the car and rushed inside the building. Trish walked up to him, smiling.
"Hey, she's in the locker room." She bit her lip and paused. "She's pretty upset."
"Thanks," he said quickly before taking a right to the women's locker room. He pushed open the door and saw Maria and Candice standing over Lilian, trying to comfort her. They looked up when they heard the door open and gave him a sympathetic look. He nodded his head and they walked away. John quickly took their place next to Lilian and wrapped his arms around her. "What's the matter? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head. "No, I…" She lifted her head, wiping under her eyes. "This just hasn't been my week, let's say that."
Trish stood back and spoke softly. "Maybe you can talk the stubborn one into going to the hospital? She wouldn't listen to the EMTs and she won't listen to us."
John started to say something but looked back at Trish. "Why would she need to go to the hospital? What isn't she telling me?"
Lilian shot her friends glares, but Maria finally spoke up. "She took a Samoan drop from Viscera, while it's serious; the doctor said she should be checked out. Maybe an x-ray just to be safe."
Lilian stood up, putting her hands in front of her. "I am fine, okay? It didn't hurt." She turned back to John, clenching her jaw to fight back the tears threatening to fall. "Can we please go back to the hotel?" To emphasize her point, she grabbed her suitcases and started walking to the door.
He looked at the other girls who just shrugged. He walked out of the door with Lilian and waited until the door shut to stop and face her. "Baby, what is going on?"
"Please John, can we go? I promise I'll explain to you there, I just want to get out of here."
With a concerned look, he nodded and then started walking again to the parking lot. Lilian stared out the passenger side window for the entire ride back. When they finally reached the room, John wrapped his arms around and just stood there for a minute.
"Care to tell me what's wrong now?" He pulled back, surprised to see her eyes filled with anger.
"I took a bump and people I act like I'm dying. It was a fucking Samoan drop, tons and people take them and they don't get fretted over. I'm sick of people treating me like I'm some fragile little child. We practiced for the move, we knew what we were doing. Did it hurt? Yeah, but I'm fine."
"Lily, people love you so they're bound to worry, okay? We know you're a big girl, we know you can handle yourself. But hey, when I take a big bump don't you worry over me?"
She looked down and mumbled. "Yes."
"And am I some fragile child?"
"No."
"Then this isn't any different."
"But then, the icing on the cake, Howard fucking Finkle is on! What in the fuck was that all about?" she yelled. Throwing her arms up, she turned around and started pacing. "Nobody fucking told me he was going to be on there, saying that shit. It's like, I don't even know what's happening now for Saturday, SummerSlam, hell even the next RAW. I'm clueless John. Are they bringing him back? Is that what that was?" She sat on the bed, running her fingers through her hair. In a softer voice she said, "I don't even know what's going on anymore. Yeah, I knew about this, but I didn't know until last night at the house show."
John walked over to the bed, sitting down next to her. "It will be okay, I promise. They aren't going to replace you. They wouldn't do that. Has Vince, or anyone, not came to you to talk to you about this?"
She shook her head. "And, you asked me to marry you, but of course…"
"Adam called, I know. Lilian, that doesn't matter."
"Yes it does! You poured your heart out and I didn't get to say anything because the phone rang. It was perfect," she said, looking away.
He gently cupped his face in her hands. "We can get back to that, right now we're going to deal with what's bothering you. Please tell me?"
She sighed, looking away once more. "It's just I feel helpless John, this is MY career yet everyone but ME seems to know what's going on. Why am I always the last to know? I thought getting involved in a storyline would make people realize I'm not invisible. But it doesn't change, it never will. I'm the just the fucking ring announcer, I'm just there and that's where it ends. It's not fair! I try standing up for myself, speak up in meetings but that looks wrong in everyone's eyes. Half the guys backstage could care less why I'm there, as long as they get in a few looks while I announce them."
He tried not to let that get to him, even though he knew it was true. Nodding his head, he let her continue.
"I've been in this business for almost 7 fucking years and I still get treated like I'm new. People like Candice get more say in what goes on with their storylines than I do. It's just frustrating to know that I've stuck with these people for so long and I get hardly anything in return. Vince doesn't even know if he's going to let me promote my album on RAW." She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to talk to him?"
He could feel her shake her head no. "That's exactly what I don't want to happen. I want to do things myself. And I do, but nothing gets done."
"Then why don't you let me help you?"
"The guys looked at me like I was a primadonna when I screamed during my fall. If I have you go in and do my talking for me? It'll look even worse. Baby I love you, but I don't want people saying 'She only got this because she's screwing the man who's the future of this company'. All I want is a little respect, some consideration, would that be too much to ask?"
"It's not too much, you deserve that and so much more."
"You know back when I was involved with the 3MW angle, Howard was supposed to be attacked too but he went to management and had them change the script. Why does he get to do that yet I can't? Yeah I know they did the angle so I could have time off for my single, but still. I've given them so much, hell those stupid auctions of mine have brought them in more money than some of the established girls. But not even that opens their eyes."
"Why don't you tell Vince all of this?" he asked softly.
"I have, believe me, I have. I don't know, maybe I should join Trish and not renew my contract. God only knows what this album is going to do for me."
His grip tightened around her. "Please don't talk like that. I don't want you to leave this business."
"Sorry, I'm just talking without thinking right now. I'm sorry for taking this out on you and venting on you."
He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I don't mind. I like hearing you talk about this company. How about this: tomorrow, you call Vince or Stephanie and get this angle figured out. Try to find out what's going to happen next, give them ideas. They like that."
"What if it doesn't work? I'm getting tired of this John."
"You never know until you try, and if it doesn't work? You're going to have to swallow some of that stubborn pride and let me do some talking."
"I don't want you to get in trouble for me. You're at a point in your career where the sky is the limit for you, I don't want to be the reason you get pulled down."
"You're far more important to me than any push, Lily. Let them do what they want to me, it doesn't matter. All that matters is you getting what you deserve."
She nodded her head and sighed softly. She stretched some in his arms, wincing as pain shot through her back. Before he could say anything, she held her hand up. "I'm fine, honest."
"Mhm, then why are you making that face?"
She smiled. "I'm not exactly getting in the ring on a nightly basis. My body isn't used to that, especially from a 450 plus pound man."
"Alright then," John said, laying her down on the bed. "Here's what we're going to do: you are going to change out of those clothes. As gorgeous as you look, I think you'll feel a lot better after you've changed. Then, I'm going to get you some hot towels to put on your back. And if that doesn't put you to sleep, I'll get you a bubble bath started."
She giggled lightly and started to get off the bed until he stopped her. "I'm not a vegetable John. Unless you're going to be the one that changes my clothes…never mind."
He chuckled and grabbed her bag, pulling out a t-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts. "Here you go."
She sent him a soft smile, amused by the fact that he was already out of the room when she started to undress. After pulling on the shorts and t-shirts, she tossed her clothes onto her bag. Pulling a pillow down, she stretched out on her stomach, resting her head on her arms.
John returned moments later, hot towels in hand. He lifted the t-shirt up, gently placing the towels on the newly exposed skin. She hissed softly and he started to move it.
"Don't, it's fine."
Nodding his head, he placed the other one a little higher on her back. He settled down on the bed in front of her, gently lifting her head and the pillow, placing them in his lap. His fingers moved softly through her hair, relaxing the small blonde.
"You never told me what Adam wanted when he called," she finally said.
"He wanted to come fish with me on the boat." He hung his head and swallowed the lump forming in the back of his throat. "I am so sorry, Lily. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I didn't. I didn't want to wine and dine you…I don't know."
"Sorry for what?"
"I know that probably meant a lot to you, I know it did to me, and we were interrupted."
Turning her head, she looked up at him. "Maybe it was a sign?"
"A sign for what? To not ask you to marry me? That's crazy. Are you sure you didn't hit your head tonight?"
"I just, well...did you ever think maybe we're rushing things?"
"Lil if you don't want to marry me, just say no."
She sighed and took his hands in hers. "I do want to marry you, but are we really ready for this? We've only been dating for a little over a year."
"Lil, you've met my family, I've met yours, we make each other happy. What's wrong?"
"It's Amy. She thinks we might be moving too fast. She doesn't understand that I can be willing to do the same thing that I did a few years back with Paul. We got married after dating for three months. And I still don't see why you would want to marry me when I've already been married."
"Okay," he said after a long pause. "Do you want to slow things down then?"
"No," she said quickly, "no, definitely not. I don't care what she thinks, or anybody else. My daddy loves you, and so does Dahlia. Everyone thinks your great; everyone that matters that is. Trish and Amy are two of my best friends and their opinion does mean a lot to me, but so does my family's."
"I understand, and I respect your opinion as well as those close to you. But what about this - we can have a long engagement. We'll take that slow and plan out our dream wedding, okay? I want to do this the right way Lil, but I don't want to do this if you're not 100 sure."
"I'm sure. You're the one I want to grow old with, the one I want to raise a family with."
He grinned softly and leaned to press a light kiss to her temple. "So is that a yes?"
She smiled up at him. "It's a –"
Someone knocked at the door. Groaning, she put her face in the pillow and started kicking the bed like a little toddler. John got off the bed and went to open the door. Trish, Amy and Maria were on the other side.
"Hi John!" Maria said cheerfully.
They all walked in the room and went over to the bed. "Hey Lil," Trish said, sitting down. "We brought over your favorite snacks and The Notebook."
Lilian smiled at them and looked at John who had a pained look on his face. "Thanks guys, but we really –"
"Oh, and we wanted to talk to you about some stuff," Amy filled in. She looked at John. "Adam's in our hotel room if you want to go there."
"Guys I really appreciate this...but we were...just getting ready for bed." She looked up at them, silently pleading with them to leave.
John spoke up first. "It's fine, you girls talk and I'll be back later."
He walked over and leaned down, giving Lilian a quick kiss before sending the others a polite smile and left the room. Lilian sighed and muttered to herself.
"What's that Lil?"
She forced a smile and sat up, shaking her head. "Nothing."
"So," Maria started, sitting next to Lilian, "how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, really," she replied shortly.
"Then what's up with the towels?" Amy asked, pointing to the towels Lilian had started balling up in her hands.
"I don't get in the ring all the time, you know that. I'm bound to be sore when I have a big guy fall on top of me."
"That isn't what you said about John…or no, maybe you did say you were sore," Trish added thoughtfully.
Lilian shot her a look, and couldn't help but grin. Clapping her hands together, she smiled sweetly. "I think it's time for you ladies to go."
"But Lil, we haven't even watched the Notebook yet. You love that movie!"
She smiled some at Amy before yawning. "Honestly, I'm tired and sore. I need a good night sleep, please?"
Maria stood up and got the movie set up. "Then we can watch it until you fall asleep."
Lilian looked at her friends and sighed heavily. She loved them, but they could be so dense at times. She shrugged and laid back down, pulling the blankets over her. Maybe if she pretended to be asleep, they would leave and John would come back.
Halfway through the movie, Lilian could hear the other girls sniffing. She started drifting off, never fully succumbing to sleep. "Is she out?" she heard Amy ask.
"Yeah," Maria whispered back. Lilian felt the weight change from the bed and heard someone turn the TV off.
"Goodnight Lil," Trish whispered. "We'll see you tomorrow. I hope you feel better."
Lilian felt a little bad after they all said goodnight, but she was really too tired to care. Once the door shut, she sat up. She hissed when a sharp pain shot through her back. She reached over, grabbing one of the towels from the floor, it wasn't real hot but anything would help about now. She groaned and laid her head back on the pillow, wanting nothing more than John.
As if he sensed her needing him, John walked into the room a minute or so later. He shut and locked the door before going to her side. "You sleeping baby?"
With a soft sigh, she shook her head. "No, I just wanted them to leave."
"I got you some Tylenol at Wal Mart. I didn't feel like going to see Adam, and I remembered that I used all of it when I was doing that ECW stuff."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Do you just want to get to sleep?" he asked, pulling off his t-shirt.
"Yes, unless you had something else planned."
He shook his head and stood up, grabbing the towels from her. "Nope, I'll go get you some fresh ones and a glass of water so you can take those pills."
Moments later he returned to the bed with a glass and hot, moist towels. He handed her two Tylenols and waited for her to get comfortable so he could put the towels on her back. Once she was settled down against the pillows and had taken the pills, he placed the moist towels on her back then covered her. Stripping down to his boxers, he turned the light off then climbed into bed beside her. He helped her to move into his arms and pressed a kiss to her head.
"John..." She whispered tiredly.
"Yea, Lil?"
"Thank you."
He started to reply, but felt her breathing even out, showing she was asleep. Simply nodding his head, he laid his head back and slowly drifted off to sleep as well.