CHAPTER FIVE

CODY

Something is amiss in the cosmos!

I groaned as the voice I knew entirely too well gave me this cryptic message. Go away, Stardust, I thought. It's too early for this.

I said something is amiss! Amiss, amiss, amiss! Pay attention, my insignificant keeper. The time is coming!

Can it come after noon? I'm exhausted, I thought.

You fool! The cosmic key is closer than ever! The answer to all the missing pieces is near!

"For God's sake, shut up already!" I snapped aloud.

Brandi looked at me from across the room. Anyone else might have been concerned, but she was used to me arguing with my imaginary frienemy. I swear, I'm not completely insane. Stardust began as a joke, really. At best, he was meant to be a tribute to the big brother I loved so much. At worst, he was a symptom of a psychotic break, but I tried to tell myself he was the first one. As I developed him more, Stardust took on a life of his own, and when I lost my father, he started talking to me.

Wait, that still sounds crazy. Okay, I know Stardust is a character I made up, but it's sort of like my subconscious took on his persona to communicate with me. There, that's better. A perfectly scientific, psychological, semi-rational explanation. Yep, nothing to see here, folks. Just a grown man arguing with a shiny voice in his head who dances around demanding attention randomly. Totally normal.

Stardust quieted down, but I was pretty sure he blew a raspberry and flipped me off first. I sighed and pulled the pillow over my face.

"You okay, honey?" Brandi asked.

I gave her a thumb's up without taking my head out from under the pillow. Brandi came over and pulled it off of my face, giving me a kiss.

"What's wrong?" She asked knowingly.

"No clue," I replied dryly. "Ask Stardust. He seems to know everything." I had no idea why, but his cryptic taunt had me on edge today. Usually, I took this stuff in stride. It might be weird, but if talking to Stardust was the worst of my problems after losing my father, I figured I wasn't doing too bad.

"Cody... What happened?" Brandi seemed genuinely concerned now.

"Nothing," I said quickly. I didn't like worrying her. Brandi was my rock. I kissed her to try to ease her concerns.

My phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID and picked up. "What's up, Randy?" I asked.

Randy Orton and I had practically grown up together. He was five years older than me and we were both legacies, so we saw each other fairly often over the years. He was like a big brother to me. Actually, for years, I was closer to Randy than Dustin because there was a big age gap between my brother and I and we'd had a hard time bonding when I was a kid. When I first started wrestling in WWE, it was Randy who embraced me like a big brother and took me under his wing. Eventually, after my earliest tag days with Hardcore Holly, Randy came up with the idea for Legacy. When he pitched it, mine was the first name he gave. He insisted I was made of main event material and sold me to Paul until he had no choice but to agree. Paul decided Legacy needed to be bigger, so he brought Ted DiBiase Jr. in and Legacy was born. Those days with Randy and Teddy included some of my favorite matches.

"You're having breakfast with me," Randy informed me.

"I am?" I asked. "But you're not even here. You're still out injured."

"It's called a car. I drove."

I paused. He'd driven pretty freaking far just for breakfast... "Okay, why?"

"Because you need it. There's a diner in the next town, so no one sees me and spreads rumors that I'm coming back tonight. I'll text you the address. See you there in an hour. I'm buying." He hung up.

This wasn't entirely abnormal. I never told Randy no because he was still an honorary big brother to me. It also wasn't weird for him to know when I needed him. I can't explain how, but Randy always knew. Still, he'd never crossed state lines just because he thought I might need a hug before.

"Did you call Randy?" I asked Brandi.

"No, why?" She asked.

"Apparently, he drove a couple hundred miles to have breakfast with me... Do you mind?"

Brandi was used to the bromance between me and Randy. She smiled sweetly. "Go. It might be good for you."

I nodded. A few minutes later, I was showered and ready to go. I kissed Brandi goodbye and got into my rental car, then headed on my way to have breakast with a viper.

LILY

I'd cried myself to sleep while Dean stroked my hair and said nothing. That was enough. I just needed to not be alone. When I woke up, I put on my metaphorical Adulting Hat and started making plans. I bought a plane ticket home. I thanked Dean for his help again and went back to my room to pack. When that was done, I went to Paul's office. I knocked once before entering, not caring if I got an invitation first.

Paul looked up from his paperwork in confusion. "Lily? Good to see you. You did great last night, Kiddo!" He said pleasantly.

"Thanks," I replied numbly. "Paul, I have to go home."

He paused. "I was going to invite you to work the rest of the house shows for the tour after how well you did... Is this about Roman?"

"No. This has nothing to do with him... My..." I hesitated. I didn't want my career to end before it began, but what could I do? I needed to go home. "I got news right after my match... My mom..." I choked on the words as tears threatened to surface. I refused to cry in front of him. I took a deep breath. "She passed away."

"Oh, Kid... I'm so sorry, Lily. Take all the time you need. We'll bring you back as soon as you're ready. The fans loved you. Your return and possibly your television debut will be even more anticipated when you come back."

I was relieved he wasn't banishing me to being invisible. My career wouldn't die along with my mother. I took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you."

He hesitated. "Lily... Do you have anyone to help you through this?"

"It was just me and Mom, so no... But I'll manage."

"What about costs? The funeral? The burial? Your ticket home?"

I hadn't gotten that far. "I got my ticket... Other than that... I don't know. I'm not rich or anything, and mom's medical bills were pretty high so there isn't much money, but... I'll figure it out."

Paul surprised me by gently putting his hand on my arm to stop me from leaving. "'I'll take care of it."

"What?" I was sure I'd misunderstood him. I was no one. I wasn't even a member of the main roster. Why would he be offering to help me?

"You've been through a hell of a lot this week... Things I can't change. This is something I can do for you."

"Paul-"

"Look, call it a late birthday present to make up for the mess my actual present caused for you. You're an amazing talent, Lily, and I care. Let me do this for you. Besides, I met your mom. I know how much she meant to you. I know how strong you've had to be with her illness, and I know that even with how sick she was, she tried to be there for you. A woman like that deserves a proper send-off."

I wasn't sure what to say. Part of me could tell Paul genuinely felt bad for me. Another part was insisting this was just hush money so I wouldn't go to the police about Roman, or worse, the Media. I figured it was about fifty-fifty, but his reasons didn't matter. I needed to bury my mother. If I had to take his pity/hush money to do it, so what? He was right. She deserved the best I could possibly do.

"Thank you," I whispered, not trusting myself to say anything else.

He nodded. "Call me when you land and we'll make it happen."

I went back on autopilot after that, heading to the airport. I didn't even tell anyone else what had happened. I probably should have told Ashley. She was basically my mentor, but I couldn't keep talking about this. I sat on the plane and stared blankly out the window, seeing nothing. This was the only time I could allow myself to break. I decided by the time I landed, I needed to get over it. It had been my job for years to take care of my mother and put my own emo bullshit aside. This wasn't any different. She might be dead, but technically, she was still counting on me to tie up any loose ends. I could do this; I just had to breathe.

CODY

When I got to the diner, Randy was sitting in a dark corner and wearing a baseball cap. He kept his head down, not wanting any possible fans who might be lurking to cause a scene. Some wrestling fans are very respectful of boundaries and will go on their way without issue when you're trying to live your non-kayfabe life if you're nice to them... Then there are the other fans. These fans are like ninjas. They hide in the shadows while you walk around, unsuspecting, until they can ambush you at the airport, at your hotel, at a restaurant, or in the bathroom. (Yes, that last one really does happen, and no, it's not appropriate... Especially if you don't wash your hands first.) I'm pretty patient even with the crazier stalker fans because I'm a sucker. Randy never tolerated the stalkers. He'd had enough issues where things got way too creepy, like people trying to harass his daughter Alanna and his ex-wife Sam, that he refused to let the stalkers think their actions were okay. I don't blame him. There are just certain times when it's not okay to demand a famous person sign your arm. (Unless you're a kid in a cast. Even Randy stopped for injured kids.)

Time for a secret mission! Stardust said with an excited clap of his hands. Sneak to the table, meet with the man who holds his own cosmic key, and do not be seen! If they see you, all is lost! Oh, but wait! They won't notice you! Cody Rhodes is dead! There is only... Stardust!

I attempted to ignore Stardust's antics as I sat beside Randy. No one paid much attention to me. (I guess Stardust was right.) "What's up?" I asked him.

"I should ask you that," Randy replied.

"Not much. Same old, same old. I'm stuck in a rut with Creative and they won't listen to my ideas."

"Want me to make a call? Talk some sense into the assholes?"

I laughed. "You really do act like a big brother. No thanks, Randy. I can do this on my own."

"You're miserable."

"I'll be okay. Things will get better."

"Optimism after all these years in WWE... You're a rare find, Cody Rhodes."

We talked for a while about little things. I asked how his new wife and his step-kids were, and how Alanna was doing. He asked about Brandi and Dustin. I pitched a couple of my ideas to him, which he liked. It was a relaxing conversation, and soon enough, I felt better. Even without sharing every thought on my mind, talking to Randy always put things in perspective. He was encouraging without being condescending, and I appreciated that because even Dustin talked down to me sometimes.

We escaped without any fans spotting us. Randy gave me a hug before we split up. "Cody," he said, "if you ever need anything, call me. Just because I'm out with my stupid shoulder injury doesn't mean I won't be there for you."

I nodded. "Thanks," I said, giving him another quick hug. He watched as I got in my rental and drove away.

LILY

I held my head high as I collected my mother's things. I contacted Paul. He had a liason handle arrangements. She planned, then ran details by my. I numbly approved them. They were okay, I guess, and it's not like my mom was going to sit up in her coffin and complain. In life, she'd never been overly fussy. I doubted her death would change that.

One of the nurses gave me an envelope. "She left this for you," she told me.

I took it, not sure what else to do. When I got back to the house, it felt terribly empty. I sighed and curled up in her favorite reading chair, wrapping her favorite blanket around myself as I opened the envelope. It contained a letter. I braced myself, not sure if I could handle reading the last words my mother would ever leave for me.

My Dearest Lily,

If you're reading this, then my time has come. I am so sorry for that. I love you, and I will always be alive in your heart. (There they were again, Mom's wide Arsenal of clichés. I laughed to myself and kept reading.)

There is something you need to know, my girl... Something I know I should have told you sooner. Your father was a good man and I kept the truth from you only out of fear of ruining his life by breaking up his family, but that was wrong of me. You deserved to know the truth. I owed you that.

My Lily, I am so proud of you, and he would be, too. You're not just living your dream, you are living his dream. That's why I never tried to keep you from the wrestling business. It's in your blood, Baby. You were made to do great things.

So be great, my girl, and never give up on your dreams. I love you so much. I hope you can forgive me. Enclosed is the only photo I have of your father and I. I hope this helps you on your journey. I love you more than words.

Goodbye, my beautiful Lily, until we meet again.

Love,

Mom

I stared at the letter in shock, reading and rereading it. This envelope contained a truth I'd never expected to learn. My mother, as her last act, was finally giving me the last piece of the puzzle. I opened the envelope again and pulled out the photograph inside.

I stared at it in confusion. My mother was there, beautiful and laughing. The man beside her was laughing, too. The happiness they shared was clear. What confused me was that I knew his face.

It couldn't be true. I flipped the photo over and saw my mother's handwriting. Me and Virgil, it read.

Virgil. But... but that meant...

"Holy shit!" I cursed aloud. "My father... was Dusty Rhodes?!"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! I appreciate your reviews.