John made his way into the arena, stopping only to drop off his bags before he went looking for Lilian. After a few minutes, and still not finding her, he walked over to the few guys who were gathered around.
"Hey, do any of you know where Lil is?"
Carlito looked up and nodded his head. "Last I saw her, she was heading out to the ring. I don't remember seeing her come back."
"Thanks, man." He tilted his head, silently cursing himself for not coming to the arena with her earlier. He found her sitting on the stage, her legs dangling over the side as she looked around the empty arena. Quietly, he walked up behind her and sat down, pulling her back against his chest.
"How you holding up?"
She leaned her head back against his shoulder, smiling when his arms went around her waist. "I'm doing better now."
"Good," he answered. "When I came in, Heyman said that Vince wanted you and I to film a video for the website."
"Okay, do you know when?"
John shook his head. "I don't know, I'm sure just any time will be fine though."
Lilian sniffed, and he knew she'd been crying again. "Alright, we should just go now then. I need to change my shirt probably."
"You look fine, baby," he said, while his hand slightly moved over the black fabric.
"I should probably wear another color though, don't you think?"
He nodded his head, knowing she was going to change either way. "How about that white shirt you were going to put on this morning?"
She smiled softly. "That sounds good to me."
He climbed to his feet, helping her up with him. His arms went around her waist as he leaned his forehead against hers. "You sure you're okay baby?"
"I'm as good as expected. I mean, today is just so hard. Not only just with the anniversary, but it's Trish's last RAW."
"Lily, you know you'll still see Trish a lot. You two are almost inseparable at times."
"I know, it's just not the same."
He lifted his head, using his thumb to wipe away the few tears that managed to fall. "Come on, let's go get this video done then you can go see Trish."
----------
After the show had ended and the crowd cleared the large arena, Lilian stayed in her seat at ringside. She looked up when someone called her name, not at all surprised to see John coming down the ramp.
"What are you still doing out here?" he asked softly.
She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm just not ready for this night to be over."
John grinned. "Well, it doesn't have to be, a bunch of us are going out to some club, and I would love for you to come with me."
She smiled a little, standing from her seat. "Are you just going to leave me all alone at home if I didn't want to come?"
He stood there for a moment in silence, as though he was really thinking over her question, until she slapped him in the arm. "I would never, Lil!"
"You're just so mean to me these days," she said with a playful sigh, arching a brow as he started to look through her black book.
"I knew it!"
"Knew what?"
He snickered, pulling out the pictures of him she had placed in there. "That you had a stash of sexy pictures in this book."
"Baby, if I wanted pictures of someone sexy, I would have used someone else." She quickly moved out of his grasp.
"That's it, you're gonna pay." He started towards her, snickering as she started to run from him. "Lil that's not going to work in boots!"
"I ran away from Hunter before, I can get away from you." To prove her point, she started up the ramp, screaming when he easily caught up to her.
John swept her up into his arms and walked slowly up the ramp. "What were you saying?"
"Put me down!" she shouted, pounding his back. "John, I am going to fall out of this top or my skirt!"
"Nobody's watch, babe, which means I'll get a private viewing."
Her knee connected right above his groin, making him drop his hold. Once planted, she smoothed out her clothes. "You're such a jackass sometimes," she said, smiling sweetly.
"Lilian," he said loudly, straightening up. "You could have damaged me! I thought you wanted to have kids."
She giggled a little. "Oops, I'm sorry."
"Such lies!"
She did her best not to laugh and batted her lashes. "But I really am..."
"Mhm." He took her hand, walking with her back to their locker room. "Once you're changed we can get going, I told them we'd just meet them there."
"Okay, can you do me a favor though?"
He arched a brow but nodded. "What's that?"
"Wait outside, otherwise you'll want to help me and we'll never get out of here."
John sent her a pout. "Why must you ruin all my fun?"
She flashed him a bright smile. "Just doing my best to prepare for being your wife. Now go."
John grumbled, but left anyways. He leaned against the wall until the door finally opened and Lilian stepped out wearing a black skirt, a red halter top and the red boots she wore last week.
"Finally," he commented, smiling.
"Oh? I didn't take long enough? I'm sorry, here, let me go back and try again."
"I don't think so!" He grabbed her gently by the arm and pulled her back towards him. "Don't move." Quickly, he got their bags out of the room and then they headed for Lilian's car.
"Oh, Lily, I keep forgetting to ask you something," he said after they were driving out of the parking lot.
"What's that?"
"What was the name of that guy that said something about your ass at the VMA's?"
Lilian smirked. "Don't you mean: what guy didn't say something about my ass?"
His eyes widened. "That's it, I'm coming to the Spanish VMA's!"
She scoffed. "Please, you just want to come so you can see Shakira."
"Now see, that ain't true. It's not the only reason." He winked, trying to dodge the smack he knew was coming his way.
But no smack came his way, only a wide eyed expression. "I hope Justin is there!"
John scowled. "Isn't he gay?"
"No, that was Lance Bass."
"Ooh! So Lance Bass is the one that likes it up the as-" He trailed off, this time receiving the smack to his arm.
"JOHN!"
"What? I'm just saying exactly what he admitted, only in a different choice of words."
Lilian opened her mouth to retaliate, but found that they had arrived at the popular night club. She made a mental note to return to this subject later. As she reached the door, she realized John wasn't by her side. Turning, she saw him standing a bit behind her, his eyes gazing down. "What are you – JOHN!"
He looked up, startled. "What? I was simply making sure that there weren't any false accusations being made by all those reporters."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the arm. "Yeah, I'm sure, get inside, you naughty boy."
John smirked and held the door open. "After you, babe."
"No, after you, I think it's my turn to check out your ass."
"Fine by me, just no jumping me, we'll do that later on."
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger and tilted her head to the side. "Damn, there go my plans."
"Okay, on second thought, feel free to jump me."
"Nope, it's too late now. Sorry." She sighed playfully and rested her hand on the small of his back, pushing him forward. "Go."
"But Lily..."
"But nothing, the chance is gone. Oh look, there's the gang." She smiled and took his hand, pulling him over to their friends.
"Lilian!" the divas shouted, all of them wrapping their arms around her for a hug.
"You did amazing tonight," Mickie commented.
"You really did," Trish added.
"Yeah, you brought tears to my eyes," said Torrie.
"Aw, thank you!" Lilian grinned.
John finally reached the group, relieved that Carlito, Shelton and Charlie were there. He groaned though when they walked over to Lilian.
"These girls are right," Shelton said, hugging her lightly.
Charlie gave her a friendly hug as well. "That was the best I think I've ever heard. It's right up there, if not better, than your WrestleMania 21 performance.
"Oh and John, you did great in your match. - Well gee, thanks man."
Lilian giggled softly and looked back at him. "John, if you stop talking to yourself, you can come over and join us." She turned her attention back to the girls. "I think he wants some attention."
The girls feigned fear. "Lil, we're in public!"
"Please behave!"
"No jumping him on the dance floor!"
"I have no clue what you guys are talking about!"
"Yeah and Trish is a virgin." Mickie quipped.
"Hey! How'd I get brought into this?"
"Actually," John said, clapping Carlito and Shelton on the shoulders, "I think jumping me would be a fantastic idea."
Lilian rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you would."
John nodded. "Damn right."
"Thanks girls," she said, narrowing her eyes at the three divas.
Torrie gasped. "Oh no, now you hate me!"
"Please don't hate us, Lil," Mickie added in.
Trish looked at them and shook her head. Gently, she took Lilian by the arm and directed her to the other end of the bar. "So Lil."
"So Trish," she responded, smiling.
"I know this is somewhat late of an invitation, but I've been thinking about this for a really long time." Lilian nodded. "And I would love it if you would be a bridesmaid in my wedding."
"Trish, sweetie I'd be honored!" She leaned forward, giving her friend a hug.
Trish smiled. "Thank you so much Lily, and well, we were kind of wondering if you would sing at the wedding as well?"
"Sing at my best friend's wedding?" She tilted her head as if thinking it over, "Like I would say no to that. Have you decided on a song yet?"
"No, I figured I'd wait and see what you said before deciding."
"Well, you just let me know once you decide." Lilian smiled and walked with her friend back over to the group. "Did we miss anything interesting?"
"Yeah, John's thinking about turning gay if you don't take him home right now," Mickie smarted off, taking a sip of her margarita.
John whipped his head around in her direction. "I thought what!"
Lilian grinned. "Alright, we're going, we're going."
"No wait!" Torrie grabbed her arm. "You have to do the shot."
She groaned. "You guys, it's 9-11. I can't do that."
"Sure ya can!" Mickie waved the bartender over and ordered a single Tequila shot.
Lilian looked to Trish for help, but she just shrugged. "Sorry girl, but it's a tradition - you come out with us to a bar, you know you have to do your shot before you can leave."
"But you guys, I feel bad..."
John called the bartender back over, ordering a shot for them all. Once they all had their shots, he lifted his shot glass, the others following suit. "To all the brave men and women who lost their life on this day, and to those fighting for us."
The group clanked glasses before doing their shots. A few minutes later, Lilian and John made their exit.
"Thank you for doing that."
"Don't mention it, Lily." He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her small body into his frame.
The pair arrived at Lilian's home shortly there after and they quickly changed for bed. Lilian sat down at the end of her bed, curling her legs up under her. "Has Vince told you anymore on whether or not you'll go to SmackDown?"
John shook his head and pulled off his shirt. "Not a thing, but don't worry about it, okay?"
She ran her fingers through her hair, sighing. "I can't help it. If you aren't with me, I'll feel like we never get to see each other. And, I don't know. You have your movie coming out, and I just think Vince should keep you on the main show so he can help promote it. Everyone knows Vince is all about getting the most out of things. More people watch RAW than SmackDown, so he'll benefit more if you stay."
John smiled and sat down next to her, taking her hands in his. "Are you done?" She nodded. "Please don't worry yourself over this, Lily. I promise you that you'll be the first to know what's going to happen just as soon as I know."
"I just don't want to lose you."
He pulled her fully into his arms, rocking her back and forth. "You will never lose me, Lil. No matter what show I'm on, nothing is going to come between us."
"How can you be so sure? I mean the girls on SmackDown, plus the DS girls are going to be brought there. What if you fall for one of them?"
"Let's not get into this right now, you're emotional and I want you to have a clear mind when we talk about this."
She simply nodded her head, knowing he was right. "I love you, John."
"And I love you."
Lilian began to cry, softly at first, and then climaxed into sobs that racked her body. John tightened his grip a little. "What's wrong, baby?"
"I'm just…I'm thinking about today, and what happened today. It's so evil, how can anybody be that evil, John?"
"I know, Lilian, it was. It still is. Nothing's going to change that. But do you realize every time you go out and you sing our Anthem or America the Beautiful, whether it's overseas or here in the States, you touch each and every single person listening. Those soldiers love you, you know that."
She nodded into his chest. "I just want to give to them anything I possibly can."
John nodded against her head and though Lilian was crying uncontrollably, she knew one of her own tears would never be able to reach the top of her ear and roll down the side of her neck.