A/N: Hey, here's the epilogue chapter and as I said, it's set two years into the future. So here's some background info on what's happened in the two years since Morgan and John finally confessed their feelings. John is once again WWE Champion and bought a house in his hometown of West Newbury while Morgan is still working for the law firm in Boston and living in her apartment in the city. Their relationship is still going strong even though John is constantly gone and Morgan remains busy with her caseloads. So there's your background, here we go…
Epilogue- 2 years later
Here's your winner and still WWE Champion… John Cena!
Morgan sat back and smiled as she watched John retain the championship and walked over to her cell phone she had left charging earlier that day.
Great match honey. Congratulations, I love you. She sent the text to John's cell phone and knew he'd get it once he got back to the locker room.
About fifteen minutes later, Morgan saw her phone vibrating on the coffee table and picked it up.
Thanks baby. I'll call you later after the show. Love you, she read. Morgan smiled and turned back to the television for the last match of the show. The match finally ended and Morgan had drifted off to sleep about ten minutes before the end.
She was startled awake about a half hour later when her phone vibrated on the table. Morgan took a moment to wake up and register what she heard and then quickly snatched her phone off the table and answered it.
"Hello" she said groggily.
"Hey" she heard "Did I wake you up" John asked.
"Huh, oh yeah I guess you did. I must have fallen asleep during the last match" she said. A sleepy smile formed on her face as John told her about the match.
"It feels great to be champion again" he said. "I miss you though" he told her.
"I miss you too, but soon enough you'll be so busy you won't have time to miss me" she replied.
"Oh that's not true. I always make time to miss you" he said and smiled when he heard her laugh.
"I'll let you go back to sleep if you want" he said.
"No it's alright, I'd rather talk to you anyway" she replied.
"That's what I like to hear" John said happily. He smiled as she told him about how her day went and what she'd been working on lately.
Morgan tried to stifle a yawn but he picked up on it.
"I heard that" he said, "you're tired, why don't you get some sleep, it's after midnight" he finished.
Morgan yawned again. "No, I'm fine really" she said. "I don't need to sleep yet" she tried.
"Babe, you're yawning every half a second. That means you need to sleep" he laughed. "Go to bed, you can call me on your lunch break tomorrow" he told her.
"Alright" she agreed. "I'll call you tomorrow" she said quietly. "I love you Johnny" Morgan said.
"I love you too" he replied, "good night."
Morgan turned her phone off for the night and made her way to her bedroom and was asleep in seconds.
The next day Morgan sat in her office trying hard to focus on the work she needed to finish before lunch. Suddenly her office phone rang signaling she had a call from her secretary.
She picked up the phone and spoke. "Yes Tara" she said.
"Ms. Barlow, there's someone here to see you, is it alright if I send him in" Tara asked her.
"Sure, that's fine. Thanks for letting me know" she said and hung up the phone.
Two minutes later there was a soft knock on her office door. "Come in" she called without looking up to see who it was.
"Hey" she heard the familiar voice but couldn't believe it. "I know I said you could call, but I couldn't wait to see you" she heard. Morgan looked up slowly and sure enough John was standing just inside the doorway.
Morgan stood up and put her hands on her hips before smiling widely.
"And to think I was stressing myself out trying to finish this by lunch" she said while stifling a giggle.
Morgan walked around her desk and was in John's arms in half a second.
"I'm glad you're here" she said, "Surprised, but happy."
"I didn't have any appearances this week surprisingly so I figured I'd drop in" John told her.
"Well I'm glad you did" she said as she moved to sit on the couch. "Do you want to get something to eat" she asked him.
John smiled and rubbed his stomach lightly. "That sounds great, I haven't eaten since before my flight" he said.
"Alright. Just give me a few minutes to finish this up and then we'll get out of here" she said. John nodded and remained on the couch while Morgan went back to her desk to finish her work.
A few minutes later there was another knock on her door. "Come in" she called out.
Brad walked in the office. "Hey Morgan" he said, still oblivious to John's presence.
"Hey Brad, what's up" she asked.
Brad smiled. "Well I was just wondering if you were free for lunch today. We haven't had the chance to catch up in a while" he said.
"Oh" Morgan replied. "I'm sorry Brad, I already have plans for lunch" she said and pointed to where John was sitting.
"Oh hey John, I didn't see you were there" Brad said holding his hand out to shake John's. "How's it going, Morgan told me you're champ again" he said. "She talks about you all the time" he finished.
Morgan blushed deeply. "I'm still in the room Bradley" she said and glared at him.
"Uh oh, I think you're in trouble" John said laughing. "Good to see you again" he said.
"Hey, I'm here for a few days how about we all go somewhere for lunch tomorrow" John suggested. Brad agreed and they both looked at Morgan expectantly.
She had a strange but content look on her face and when she noticed them both staring, she smiled. "I'd like that" she said, "how about 1 o'clock" she asked.
They all agreed and Brad and John sat down and talked for a few minutes while Morgan finished her work.
"Alright boys, sorry to break up the fun but I'm finished now and I'm hungry" Morgan said about ten minutes later.
John and Brad looked up and Brad spoke first. "Alright, I'll leave you two alone then. Are you coming back to the office after lunch" he asked Morgan.
"Yeah, I still have some stuff to finish up later" she said. "Will you be alright without me for a few hours" she asked John.
"Well I guess I'll have to be huh" he replied. "Let's go, I'm hungry too" he said.
"Alright, see ya later Brad" she said as John led her out the door.
Morgan and John at lunch at the Italian restaurant they frequented whenever John was in town and they talked animatedly about anything and everything while they waited for their orders. Soon enough John had her laughing hysterically and he smiled at the sound of it. After they had finished their food they decided to walk back to her office instead of talking a cab. The weather was nice and it was only a block away.
"So I've been thinking about something" John said suddenly.
"Oh" Morgan replied curiously. "What's that" she asked.
"Well, I know you love your job, and I'd never ask you to leave it I just…" he trailed off as he watched her face for a reaction. She seemed calm so he continued. "I love coming back to see you I just wish I could come home to you instead" he said almost in a whisper. "But you do John. I don't understand what you're trying to say" she replied.
They had reached the office by then and he led her inside to the main lobby.
"Maybe we should talk in my office" Morgan said questioningly.
Brad was standing at the receptionist's desk and waved when he saw them come in. Morgan waved back and started to head for her office.
John however, stopped in the middle of the lobby. As Morgan was walking away he reached out and grabbed her arm gently and turned her around to face him. John let go of her arm and took one of Morgan's hands in his own. She looked at him, questions evident on her face.
"Wait" John said and sighed heavily. "I guess what I was trying to say is that I love you and the last two years have been absolutely wonderful but I want something more." John paused and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small blue box.
He dropped down to one knee and Morgan's eyes went wide.
"Morgan, will you marry me" John asked as he opened the small box to reveal a beautiful princess cut diamond set in a white gold band with small blue sapphires laid into it.
Morgan's free hand shot to her heart and she herself tear up. "Oh my god" she whispered.
John looked up at her and smiled while holding his breath.
She stared at the ring in the box and her gaze shifted to the hopeful smile on John's face and she felt a smile of her own poking through the disbelief.
"Morgan, now would be a good time to say something" she heard Brad say softly.
She broke out of her trance and realized John was still on one knee waiting for her answer.
She looked down and smiled warmly. "John, nothing would make me happier. Yes I'll marry you" she said. If it was possible, she saw the smile on his face grow even wider as he rose to his feet and placed the ring on her finger.
Morgan felt herself being picked up and spun around and when she felt the ground again she fell into John's arms.
John pushed a strand of hair from her face and leaned down to kiss her. When they broke apart he wiped a tear from her cheek and laughed. "Only you would cry at a time like this" he whispered.
Morgan laughed and stood happily content in his arms for a moment before they heard the cheers coming from all the onlookers. When she turned, sure enough Brad was leading the group clapping and whistling loudly with a broad smile on his face.
Morgan blushed and turned to bury her face in John's chest. John laughed and held her while the embarrassment wore off. Finally, she looked up and smiled.
"You alright now" he asked her.
"I'm great" she said smiling.
"Good, because I think you're about to be mobbed by girls who want to see that ring" he said.
Morgan turned around and saw the girls looking expectantly at her and she laughed. "I'll be right back" she told John. He squeezed her hand and smiled. "Take all the time you want, we've got the rest of our lives" he said.
Morgan walked over to the girls and began showing off her ring and talking with them while Brad made his way over to John.
He clapped John on the shoulder and shook his hand.
"Congratulations man, she's a great girl" he said.
John just smiled. "I know" he said. "Thanks for what you did two years ago, I don't know if we'd be here now if you hadn't convinced her" John said.
"No problem, besides she's my friend, and she was miserable without you. It's obvious you make her happy why wouldn't I help" he said nonchalantly.
John and Brad stood there watching Morgan go from person to person showing her ring and sharing the good news and both men couldn't help but notice she seemed to be floating on air.
"I'll see ya later man, I've got to get some work done before I go home tonight" Brad said suddenly.
"Oh alright" John said. "Well thanks, I'll make sure you're on the guest list, not that Morgan would forget" he said.
Brad smiled warmly. "Thanks" he said. "Oh and don't worry about that work Morgan said she had to do. I can finish it up. You two go home and celebrate" he told him.
John chuckled. "Thanks, we will" he said.
John and Morgan finally left her office a half hour later and decided since it was still early in the day that they would drive out to West Newbury and tell John's family the good news.
He called the house and asked his dad to round up the rest of the family and said they'd be there in about an hour.
Morgan sat quietly in the front seat playing with her engagement ring and staring out the window.
John reached over and took her hand with his free one and she looked at him and smiled.
"You alright baby, you seem quieter than usual" he asked as they drove.
"Hmm, oh no I'm great" she said. "Just thinking I guess" she told him.
"Oh, what about" he asked curiously.
Morgan smiled. "Well, I was thinking about our wedding" she said.
John smiled. "Whatever you want honey, you'll have it. Just don't go all bridezilla on me" he said laughing.
Morgan laughed. "I promise I'll be normal" she said.
An hour later they were pulling into the driveway of John's parent's house and they saw his brother's cars parked haphazardly as if they were in a hurry. Dan's police cruiser sat in the driveway as well which most likely meant he had been on duty when he'd gotten the call.
"You ready" John asked Morgan.
"More than ever" she replied.
He took her hand and walked to the door slowly.
John knocked and opened the front door and saw his family all waiting in the living room.
"John, what was so important you had to see us right away" his mother asked.
"Mom, Dad, guys" he said addressing his brothers as well, "you remember Morgan right" he asked stupidly.
Dan stood in the back of the room. "Of course we remember her. Hey Morgan" he said and winked at her. Morgan smiled. "Hi Danny" she said.
"We have something to tell you" John said. "Mom, Dad you should probably sit down" he told them.
Carol and John Sr. sat on the couch and looked at John expectantly waiting for the news.
His brothers and their girlfriends stood behind them all watching John as he turned to Morgan and smiled, this move was oblivious to her as her eyes were glued to the floor.
John turned back to the crowd in the living room. "Everyone, we came here to tell you that as of this afternoon, Morgan agreed to marry me" he said happily.
John parent's smiled and his brothers whooped and cheered. Dan was the first to speak.
"Well it's about damn time" he said smiling widely at both of them.
Morgan had looked up when John told them and she saw the wide smiles on all their faces and felt instantly relieved. She hadn't said anything but she'd been nervous about their reactions to the news but seeing their smiles she knew they were happy for both her and John.
One Year Later
John stood at the alter with his brothers and looked up when the music started.
Through the doors of the church, he saw Mickie James and Melina enter and walk to the front. Following them was Morgan's sister and her niece the flower girl. Finally the time had come. Carla Connor, Morgan's best friend and maid of honor reached the front of the alter and the doors closed again.
A moment later the wedding march began and the guests stood. The church doors opened and Brad stood waiting to walk Morgan down the aisle. He was the closest thing to family she'd had in years and was thrilled when she asked him to give her away.
John's breath caught in his throat when he finally saw her. She looped her arm through Brad's and he walked her down the aisle. She had picked a beautiful white strapless dress with a light blue sash to match her bridesmaids around her waist and he couldn't help but think she was more beautiful than ever.
Brad and Morgan reached the alter and he lifted her veil and kissed her cheek before placing her hand in John's and clapping him on the shoulder.
The ceremony was short but John and Morgan barely noticed. They stood together looking into each other's eyes and recited their vows, said "I do" and finally the end was near. The priest looked at John and smiled.
"By the power vested in me, by the state of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife" he said. "Son, you can kiss your bride" he finished.
John smiled. "Thank god" he said as he reached out and wrapped his arms around Morgan and kissed her deeply.
They broke apart and smiled as they faced the guests who cheered and clapped and whistled. John wiped a tear from Morgan's cheek and kissed it. "I love you Morgan Cena" he whispered softly.
Morgan turned and smiled before wrapping her arms around him. "I love you too John, I always will" she whispered back.
John and Morgan had a wonderful reception where all of their friends and family came to wish them well and see them off for their honeymoon. John had somehow found a way to get Mr. McMahon to agree to let him take two weeks off so they were headed for two glorious weeks in Rome, Italy a few hours later. At the reception, Randy who had been best man so John wouldn't have to choose between his brothers gave the first speech, followed by Carla, John's parents and finally Brad. They all said that John and Morgan were meant for each other and they'd all seen it the moment they met. Morgan began to tear up at each speech and John couldn't help but laugh at how emotional she got sometimes.
Finally, the reception was over and everyone started to leave. John and Morgan headed for the airport and boarded the private plane McMahon had let them use for the flight to Rome.
Two Years Later
Morgan stood by the window in her and John's house in West Newbury on a rainy Tuesday evening remembering all that had happened to them over the past seven years.
She heard a cry from across the room and walked over slowly to the crib that sat in the corner and reached in and picked up their one and a half year old baby boy Jacob Anthony Cena and slowly rocked him in her arms.
"Shhh, it's alright. I know you miss daddy. He'll be home soon though. Mommy misses him too" she said quietly to the child. Jacob was John's pride and joy, the little boy was spoiled rotten and Morgan didn't mind one bit. She knew it was hard on John not being around all day for the boy but it was enough that she knew he loved them both with all his heart.
Finally little Jake went back to sleep and Morgan placed him back in his crib and stood over him smiling while she watched him sleep.
Morgan jumped when she felt two arms wrap around her waist but immediately relaxed again when John spoke.
"Hey. Sleeping again huh" he whispered quietly.
Morgan turned and smiled at John. "Hey, I didn't expect you back yet, I've missed you" she said and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
John smiled and kissed her back passionately. "I missed you so much, you and my little man" he said gazing down at his first born son sleeping soundly in his crib.
John sighed heavily. At almost forty years old, he had grown tired of the traveling and found himself missing home more often than not. Truth was, he had though about retiring from the ring more than once, and now just needed a good reason to do it.
He followed Morgan back to their room and climbed into bed wrapping her in his arms for the first time in over a month.
"I lost the belt" he said quietly.
"I'm sorry baby. I know how much it means to you" Morgan replied.
"It's alright" he said sincerely. "I'd rather have the time off to be with you and Jake" he told her honestly. "I've been thinking about retirement a lot lately. Not total retirement, maybe just a slower, smaller schedule for starters" he said quietly hoping to gauge her reaction.
Morgan turned to face him in the bed. "Are you sure that's what you want I mean, what would you do afterwards" she asked.
"Baby, I want to be home with you and Jake while he's still little. I don't want to miss him growing up, no job or world title is more important than my family" he replied. "As for what I'd do, I don't know yet. I've always wanted to coach football though, maybe I'll do that. What do you think honey" he asked.
"Johnny, whatever you want to do sounds great to me. I'd be lying if I said we didn't need you or miss you here at home" she told him. "Besides, there's something I have to tell you" she said quietly.
John sat up in bed and looked at Morgan expectantly. She sat up slowly as well and smiled.
"What is it baby, is something wrong" he asked.
"No, nothing's wrong at all" she said. "Do you remember when you were home last month for those few days" she asked.
"Yeah of course, how could I forget" he said smiling. He remembered those few days well. They hardly left the bedroom for an entire two days except to eat and check in with John's parents who were watching Jake for the weekend. "Why, did you think I'd forget" he asked Morgan.
"No, I didn't think you'd forget" she said. "But something really important happened and I wanted to tell you in person rather than on the phone" she said.
Now John was getting nervous. "Babe you're kind of scaring me. What's this about, what happened" he asked.
"There's nothing to be scared of John" she said as she took his hand. "I just want you to say hello to someone." Morgan placed his hand over her stomach and at first he didn't grasp what she'd done. Then all at once it hit John like a ton of bricks.
"Oh my god. You're pregnant" he asked shock overtaking his body.
Morgan beamed a 1000 watt smile and nodded. "I just found out two weeks ago, we're about 6 weeks along" she told him happily.
"That's incredible" John said now beaming as well. "I love you" he said as he kissed his wife happily. "And I love you too" he said as he lightly kissed her stomach. "I hope it's a girl this time" he said.
"I'd like that too" Morgan said. "I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon" she told John.
"Okay, I'll ask my parent's to watch Jake and you and I can go to the appointment and then I'm taking you out to dinner tomorrow night" he said.
John was more happy than he had been in his entire life. He had a beautiful wife, soon to be two beautiful children and a career he could be proud of. I really am the luckiest guy on earth he thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
9 Months later in a Boston delivery room after 12 hours of labor, Madeline Avery Cena was born at 3:34 pm on a Monday afternoon. John had since retired from active ring competition to be with his wife and children though he still worked with WWE and was actively pursuing opening a wrestling school in the area for future WWE Superstars to get their start.
As their children grew, John and Morgan grew closer and happier with each passing day. When Madeline left for college, her parents had been together for 27 years, married for 20 and their marriage only seemed to grow stronger with time. 30 years ago, if you had asked John Cena if he believed in true love, he might have said no, but that was before Morgan came into his life and turned it upside down.
Morgan had always believed in true love and despite her many heartbreaks, she'd known all along that someone was out there for her and when she met John, she knew it was him before anyone else. They were perfect for each other and both of them knew it. This wasn't to say they didn't fight, John fought tooth and nail when Morgan wanted to let Madeline go out with a boy on her first date, and Morgan fought John when he allowed Jake to go away to military school. At the end of the day though, they loved each other and nothing would ever change that. This was their story, a truer fairytale than all the others that have ever been told. A love story like there never was, and never will be again.
A/N: There you have it. The end of the alternate story-line for Morgan and John. I know I skipped around a lot with the timing but I think the progression of years is still correct. I really hope you guys like this as much as I enjoyed writing the story. Everyone loves a happy ending right! Happy New Year!!! Kicking off 2010 with a bang! As always, thank you so much for reading.
To John Cena and the entire WWE- Thank you for the entertainment you bring us the WWE fans, and thanks for not suing us when we write about you. We do it out of love. :D
~Rhi