Author's Notes: We'd like to thank Takersgurl35 andInday for your awesome reviews for chapter thirteen. We greatly appreciate you support and comments.
Chapter Fifteen: New found independence.
The two weeks of the European tour approached, and both Marissa and Kate were staying in America; Kate as punishment for her fight with Maryse and Marissa because she had only been with the WWE for a year, so the place was offered to Smackdown's video tech who had been with the company a lot longer.
Marissa didn't mind so much as she didn't like long distance flights and she didn't want to be separated from Maddie for too long. It was hard enough for the redhead to only see her daughter four days out of seven, but the thought of being parted from her for a fortnight was unbearable.
Kate hadn't taken the news so well though. Even though the brunette had been on the European tour in previous years, it didn't stop her being disappointed with the suspension. Growing up in foster care, she hadn't ever had a proper family holiday and the sound engineer was looking forwards to hitting some of the clubs in Europe that she didn't get around to last time. It didn't help matters that Dave Batista would be going either. As the couple had only just begun dating, Kate was eager to spend time with the wrestler to get to know him better. Two weeks seemed like a long time for a couple who had only gone on a handful of dates thus far.
When Kate told Batista that she wouldn't be able to go on the tour, he seemed disappointed but understood the decision was out of the brunette's control. He'd promised her that during the two weeks he was away with the WWE he wouldn't let a distance grow between them and assured Kate he'd call her whenever he had the chance.
Kate replied in the same manner, vowing to the wrestler that she'd be thinking of him and awaiting his return. The sound engineer only hoped that Batista wouldn't reconsider their relationship while he was away, and change his mind about how he felt towards her.
However, not going on the European tour also had its advantages. As both women weren't invited along, they'd also been given the two weeks off from work. As the majority of the WWE employees boarded a plane to Spain, Marissa and Kate were on their way back to DC.
The redhead was anxious to get home not only to see Maddie but also to plan the Halloween party she'd promised to throw for her daughter. There was also the party that Cena had talked her into holding that night after Maddie's. She was no longer speaking to the wrestler but, with so many people now invited, Marissa didn't feel as though she could let them all down by cancelling the party, so she'd agreed to go ahead with it. The date of the party was just two weeks away – the same weekend that the WWE returned from their tour – therefore Marissa had a lot to do in the next fortnight.
Luckily, Marissa's parents weren't going to be at home on the day of the party – or even the week leading up to it for that matter. When the redhead had told her mother about throwing a party for Maddie, and the possibility that she may extend the party to the evening and invite some of her friends from work, Glenna Carlson had promised to think of a way to get herself and her husband out of the house. A couple of weeks later, Marissa's mother had announced that she'd booked a week vacation in the Bahamas for herself and Joseph, and they'd be due to leave several days before Halloween. Since her parents wouldn't have to be concerned with watching Maddie as Marissa was home, it was the perfect time for them to go on a holiday. This meant that not only would the redhead avoid her father finding out about the party (and his obvious appalled reaction at the thought of having a load of WWE employees in his house), but that she'd be free of him for several days.
Unfortunately, Kate didn't have plans to keep her busy like Marissa did during her two weeks off. The sound engineer would help her best friend with the party arrangements, but other than that, she was at a loose end being in DC for two weeks. Usually when the brunette had time off, so did her friends in the WWE, so they'd meet up for coffee, go shopping and hit night clubs together. With almost everyone she knew in Europe, Kate had nothing to do.
That was until Austin called her and asked the brunette to accompany him to a music industry party to which he'd been invited. Kate was hesitant at first, not wanting to give her former lover the impression there was anything left between them. She already feared she might have led him on when she agreed to have dinner with him recently and, now due to her new relationship with Batista, she felt doubly guilty.
What would it look like to the wrestler if he returned to find out she'd once again been out with her ex? Her promise to be thinking of him while he was away was also her way of saying she was committed to him and wouldn't look elsewhere for the two weeks he was gone. Would she be going back on her promise to Dave if she agreed to go to the party with Austin?
However, when the sound engineer heard the guest list, she was more than tempted by the offer. Countless top-selling bands would be attending along with their agents, and Kate couldn't resist the opportunity to rub shoulders with some many famous and well connected people. During her relationship with Austin, one of Kate's hopes had been that Chrome Bumper made it big so that she would be privy to all the celebrity parties too.
In addition, since her fight with Maryse, Kate had been contemplating her future within the WWE. Stephen's warning had been enough to remind the sound engineer that her job wasn't one hundred percent secure like she believed. If management needed to make cuts, her inexperience and fight with Maryse would go against her, and she'd be out of a job. Therefore, Kate reasoned that it would do no harm to make some useful contacts within the music industry. If accompanying Austin to the party and using his status got her name remembered by important people, what harm could it do?
Finally, despite a stern warning from Marissa that it could create the wrong impression to Batista and lead Austin on, Kate agreed to accompany her ex to the party, hoping she made it clear they were going just as friends. Austin didn't seem to care about the disclaimer that came with her acceptance.
Wanting to make sure Batista knew she was going to the party but that it didn't mean anything, Kate called the wrestler. He took the news well, insisting that she should go out and have a good time even if he wasn't there. However, the brunette sensed in his tone of voice that he wasn't as comfortable as he was letting on. The sound engineer only hoped she'd be able to alleviate those fears when Batista returned by showing him exactly how she felt about him.
Dave Batista had mixed feelings about the European tour. Granted, he always enjoyed visiting other countries and interacting with the European fans, and, in addition, he hoped the break would serve useful in taking Cena's mind off Marissa.
The WWE Champion was still sulking about why the redhead had called an end to their relationship and, given the fact that he'd hadn't had a chance to speak with her before she left, he still wanted answers. If he was honest, Batista was getting kind of sick of Cena's sulking – his friend never usually made such a big deal over a woman breaking up with him, and the way he was obsessing kind of reminded Batista of how Randy Orton reacted when he was turned down by a woman. The older wrestler just hoped the change of climate helped his friend forget about his worries.
However, that didn't stop Batista having his own misgivings about the trip. His main concern was being parted from Kate. Since admitting to himself that he actually had feelings for the sound engineer, the wrestler was eager to be with her and two weeks apart hindered that.
What he wouldn't have given for her to be coming along too so that they could spend time visiting the sights of Europe and getting to know each other more. He just hoped they'd be able to pick up where they'd left it when he returned from the tour.
Cena had tried to tell his friend he was making mountains out of mole hills and that he should just chill out and trust Kate. However, Batista didn't listen and found the WWE Champion's insistence more than a little ironic given his own insecurities regarding Marissa.
"That's rich,'" teased Batista, with a roll of his eyes. "A few months ago, you were ribbing me about moping around and not going out. Now you're acting like a love struck teenager, what's wrong with you, man?"
Cena just scowled in response and changed the subject to Europe's soccer teams.
The first week of the tour was tiring and a little odd for both Cena and Batista. The wrestlers were suffering from jet lag and adjusting to being in another country, meaning that they spent most of the time they weren't wrestling, sleeping and relaxing.
Cena was still sulking, and the rain in England didn't improve his mood. Batista had hoped to get out and see some sights to take his friend's mind off Marissa and his own off Kate. However, now that sight-seeing was out of the question, the only thing the men had to amuse themselves with was hitting bars and clubs with the other guys. While watching Randy Orton hit on any British girl that even looked at him was amusing for a night, the 'Legend Killer's' antics weren't enough to entertain Batista and Cena long term.
Therefore, both wrestlers spent a lot of time in their own separate rooms. Dave spent a few hours 'uming' and 'ahring' over whether he should call Kate or not. He had promised the sound engineer that he'd call her, and he wanted too see how she was. However, the wrestler also didn't want to come across as needy either. In the end, Batista decided that calling Kate when he was tired might not be the best idea, in case his emotions got out of control, and vowed to call her the following evening instead.
The next night when Batista finally plucked up the courage to call Kate, it was both a triumph and a disappointment. The wrestler was pleased to hear how much she was missing him and awaiting his return. In addition, it had been so good to hear her voice and chat with her for a few hours. However, Batista's mood changed from one of happiness to jealousy when Kate mentioned she was accompanying Austin to a party. The wrestler tried to act pleased for the sound engineer and insisted she should have a good time. However, inside he was taunted by fears that the rock star would try to hit on his former flame in Batista's absence. In the end, the only thing the wrestler could do was put all thoughts of Kate out of his head for the fortnight and try to enjoy the tour.
Cena on the other hand had decided to call his mother. The younger wrestler knew she always worried about him flying when he went away on a tour, so he should at least let her know his was okay. In addition, he was sure his mum would have some kind words regarding his break-up with Marissa. In true doting mother style, Joyce Cena insisted that anyone who wanted to break up with her eldest son wasn't good enough for him in the first place. Despite the reassurance that his mum would always love him at least, John felt no better.
In the few weeks that he'd gotten to know Marissa, he'd begun to realize he was sick of playing the field. He was now in his thirties and wanted to settle down. He honestly thought he'd found someone that that might be possible with in Marissa. Now he knew he'd been wrong.
What really bothered Cena the most, though, was the lack of explanation. He'd had women dump him before and usually their reasoning of him, 'being on the road too much,' or 'being too tired from traveling to have sex', was reason enough for him to realize the woman wasn't right for him in the first place.
However, Marissa's insistence that 'there will come a day when you want to do things, but you can't because I have Maddie, then you'll just end up resenting me and our relationship,' just didn't make sense to him. Did she really think him that shallow that he'd up and leave her one day because of her daughter?
His own parents had always been together and happy, so John had never experienced first hand what coming from a broken home was like. However, his cousin's parents had divorced when he was young and then they had gone on to re-marry. There had been no lasting negative effects from his aunt and uncle's divorce, and now his cousin had two sets of parents who loved him. Wasn't there every chance he and Marissa would work out and be happy too? Surely she couldn't deny what they had for fear of something that might never happen? It was like saying you'd never cross a road in case you got hit by a truck. Okay, so it might happen, but there was no guarantee it would happen.
Cena just wished she'd given him a real explanation; something he could work with. Being told his ears were too big, or he snored at night, he could understand and accept. Marissa's decision, he couldn't.
Marissa was enjoying the time off work more than she could have imagined. It wasn't that the redhead didn't love her job- she adored it- however, not having to deal with Cena or Maryse and being able to spend more time with Maddie was wonderful.
The video tech delighted in the fact that she could take and collect her daughter from school everyday, and that she was there to hear every detail of the strawberry blonde's day and help with homework.
Maddie too enjoyed having her mum around more, and her excitement only increased as the Halloween party approached. The five-year-old was practically bounding off the walls on the afternoon that she and her mum headed to the mall to buy everything they would need for the party.
Marissa was in especially high spirits, as the weekend before the party was the weekend her parents went on vacation. Even though her relationship with her father had improved over recent weeks, the redhead was still looking forwards to having the house to just herself, Maddie and Kate.
After reminding herself to pick up some sun screen and motion sickness pills for her mother, Marissa and Maddie headed to the comic book shop, which Maddie frequently visited to buy Pokemon cards from. They had a large selection of costumes during the Halloween period. Kate had insisted that the adult party would be much more fun if they all wore costumes and Marissa was hard pressed to deny the pleading of both her best friend and daughter.
After much debate and a little help from the owner the shop, Marissa decided to dress as Batwoman for Halloween. She had considered dressing as Superwoman, until Derren – the owner of the comic book shop – informed her how cliché it was. Derren suggested Marissa would look good as a darker and Gothic character, and her favourite of the choices was the former lover of Batman.
The costume was a little more daring than what Marissa would usually wear, but she figured if she couldn't be as strong willed as she'd like to in real-life, she could at least be an all powerful heroine for a night. The outfit was comprised of a skin-tight black leather body-suit, which had a red bat logo on the front and matching red utility belt. In addition, it came with a black wig, red cloak and red knee-high boots.
In addition to Marissa's costume, Kate had requested that her friend collect the 'she-devil' outfit for her that she had seen in the shop a couple of weeks back but hadn't decided on until now. The costume came complete with horns, a tail, a fork, a long red cape and a black wig. The dress itself was a deep red, and the lower part was torn just above the knees to reveal the black netting underneath. To complete to outfit, the sound engineer dug out a pair of thigh-high red leather boots she'd worn in her days as a Chrome Bumper groupie. Marissa thought the outfit was a little racy but the idea of a 'she-devil' very fitting for Kate.
Maddie picked out the most gorgeous, sparkling green princess outfit, and her mother knew she'd look just adorable in the shimmering ball gown, fake tiara and sequined slippers. The five-year-old squealed with delight when Derren threw in a free pair of fairy wings and wand as a token of his appreciation of Marissa spending so much on costumes in the store.
Marissa's mood was elevated even more as she was leaving the shop and Derren joked that if he wasn't already married, he'd be begging for an invitation to the party just to see her in the Batwoman costume.
The video tech blushed at the compliment but was secretly pleased to know men still found her attractive.
After collecting the few items for her mum for the vacation, Marissa and Maddie then went to the craft store to buy all the things they'd need for decorating the house. The strawberry blonde could hardly contain herself as she ran around the store picking out fake spider's webs, cardboard cut outs of ghosts, vampires and witches, crate paper streamers and various banners and wall hangings. In addition, Marissa bought packs of paper plates, cups, and napkins (all decorated with pumpkins and bats), about ten large plastic serving platters, jugs and candy bowls all deep red and decorated with spiders.
Finally, the only things left to buy were the refreshments for the party as Kate had promised to ask an old friend of hers to supply them with drinks for both the children's and their party, alcohol included. Marissa went around Wal-Mart – trying desperately to prevent Maddie from throwing every pack of candy she saw into the trolley- collecting ingredients for sandwiches, packets of chips, snacks and nuts, four large store-made pizzas, cocktail sausages, a cheese wheel, crackers and salad ingredients. Finally, their arms laden with shopping bags, but their spirits high due to the approaching festivities, Marissa and Maddie returned home.
The redhead was pleased to find that her parents had gone out for dinner that evening and managed to hide the majority of the party things in her room. The only things that weren't hidden away were all the food, but as her parents knew about the party for Maddie, Marissa reasoned it would be easy to explain all the groceries in the fridge. In addition, the video tech didn't have to worry about her daughter revealing that they were having an adult party on the evening too due to the fact that she'd bribed the strawberry blonde with a bag of candy that she could eat now.
After making dinner for herself and her daughter, then giving Maddie a bath and putting her to bed, Marissa too retired for the night. The day's shopping trip had tired her out and the redhead fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Due to her deep slumber, Marissa didn't hear her mobile phone ringing and never knew she'd had a missed call from someone.
John Cena's mind was still heavily on Marissa as he traveled to Greece and the second week of the European tour approached. In addition to worrying why the video tech had broken up with him, the WWE Champion remembered that he had promised Marissa he'd attend her daughter's Halloween party.
Cena still wanted to go to the party, not just so that he wouldn't disappoint the five-year-old, but also with the hope he and Marissa might be able to reconcile their relationship. He wanted to prove to the redhead that he did indeed like children and that he could accept that Marissa had a daughter.
Therefore, that afternoon before his next show, the wrestler decided to call the redhead. He figured it was the late evening in America and hoped Marissa would still be awake. After calling her mobile, but receiving no answer, Cena left a voice message for Marissa. The wrestler explained how he'd still like to attend the party for Maddie and hoped that Marissa was enjoying the two weeks off with her daughter. The wrestler was also tempted to admit that he was missing her but decided against it and ended the call.
The following morning, Marissa's day started off well but slowly deteriorated. After taking Maddie to school, the redhead returned home and helped her mother pack the final few things for her trip. They were leaving for their vacation in the Bahamas that evening.
Marissa then met with some old university friends for lunch. All the women the redhead use to socialize with were now in the midst of high profile careers, some of them also getting married and starting families.
As the video tech listened on to Lily bragging about her recent promotion, Jayne clucking over her wedding preparations, and Fiona's announcement that she and her husband were expecting their first child after just one year of marriage, she couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Her career in the WWE was something she loved; however, Marissa wasn't exactly earning huge amounts of money like Lily was as a marketing executive. In addition, she had no hope of being next up the aisle after Jayne, as her last date had been a month ago, and her last serious relationship being with Maddie's father. Then there was her jealousy that Fiona would be raising her baby as part of a happy couple and not as a single mother like she was with Maddie. While the redhead loved her daughter and had never regretted the decision to keep her, she often wondered what having a child would have been like in different circumstances, if she were married herself.
All in all, by the time lunch had ended, Marissa felt sure her life would never compare to the three women she'd been so close to at university, and she made her way home with a heavy heart.
The only bright spot in Marissa's day was her second compliment within twenty-four hours when the waiter at the restaurant she'd eaten at mentioned how pretty her hair was and barely noticed the video tech's three friends, all of whom had been busy drooling over him all afternoon.
"Damn it, Marissa, I wish I could get guys to look at me the way they look at you," said Lily facetiously, as they left the restaurant. Marissa smiled to herself, thinking she'd at least gotten one up on her friend.
However, Marissa's high spirits were shattered the second she walked through the door to her home.
Walking into the living room, he father looked angrier than she'd seen him in months.
"Please explain to me why I got a phone call from some steroid filled meat-head from the WWE asking me if the Halloween party was still on for next Saturday?" he demanded, as soon as Marissa took a seat on the couch.
"I...it's...well," she stuttered in reply, being taken back to her childhood just from the tone of her father's voice, before blurting out the lie, "It's nothing to do with me, Kate arranged it."
"Then how come they specifically asked for you, Marissa?" Joseph retorted.
The redhead knew the game was up and that her father had seen through her lies. She'd never been able to deceive him, and the man had an uncanny knack for knowing when his daughter was being dishonest.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," she said, regressing to the teenager who had always begged for her father's approval. "Word got out about the party I'm throwing for Maddie, and well I didn't think it'd do any harm to agree to have an adult party too."
"No harm?" barked Joseph. "What impression do you think it will give Madison if she witnesses her mother cavorting with a load of tarts and drug users? I strictly forbid you from going ahead with this party, Marissa."
The redhead was about to dissolve in tears and agree to call off the party when she realized how long she'd actually being allowing her father to boss her about in this way. She was a grown woman and paid him more than enough in rent; surely he had a right to throw a party if she wanted?
Speaking with courage she didn't know she had, Marissa replied, "No, Dad, I won't call off my party. I'm an adult and this is my home too. If I want to have a party, I will. I assure you, nothing immoral will happen, and Maddie will be safely at her sleepover by the time my guests arrive."
The video tech was about to turn on her heel and walk off when her father called her back. "Do not defy me, Marissa Carlson. This is my house and, therefore, you abide by my rules. You've known that all along and if you don't like it, you know what you can do," warned Joseph, hoping the bluff of kicking her out was enough to bring his daughter back to her senses.
"Fine then, I'll start looking for my own place to live while you and Mama are away on vacation," the redhead raged, not realizing the full implication of her words before they left her mouth.
Leaving Joseph in shocked silence, Marissa stormed to her bedroom. She rooted around on her night stand looking for her cell, hoping to call Kate for some reassurance and support regarding the announcement she'd just made to her father.
The redhead tried to call her fiend, but it went straight to voice mail, and Marissa assumed Kate was busy elsewhere. As the video tech was about to throw her cell back in the drawer, she noticed the icon flashing to alert her that she has a voice message.
Marissa called her voice mail and went into complete shock as she head John Cena's voice on the other end.
'Hey Marissa. I was just thinking... and well I'd still like to come to the Halloween party, if that's alright with you? I don't wanna disappoint Maddie, ya know? Anyway, I hope you're having a good time away from work and I'll speak to you when I get back.'
Marissa's hands shook as she dropped the phone to her bed. After everything that had happened today and all that had gone one between her and Cena recently, a call from him was the last thing she'd been expecting.
During their first week off work, Kate hadn't seen Marissa much, aside from when the redhead had warned her against going to the party with Austin the following week. The sound engineer had been sleeping in late while her friend had been rising early to take Maddie to school and then preparing for the forthcoming Halloween party.
Without Marissa or her friends in the WWE to hang out with, Kate had decided to catch up with some old pals she's made during her time working at the Verizon Centre. The brunette was thrilled to discover two of her closest friends, Robyn and Alexis, also had the week off from their respective jobs and were up for a few nights of hitting clubs and drinking far too much. The brunette had a wonderful time catching up with them and, as always, the three women turned heads in whatever club they visited.
Kate's friends were especially jealous when she revealed to them her relationship with Batista.
"I heard Chrome Bumper is making a name for themselves now," commented Alexis one evening as she Robyn and Kate sipped cocktails in a new bar that had opened in Washington. "That's gotta sting a bit."
"Oh, it did at first," replied Kate. "To see that bastard's face everywhere and the knowledge he'd dropped me along the way was a kick in the teeth. However, I saw him recently and that reminded me what an ass he was all along. You know, he took me out for dinner, and then had the balls to get me drunk and tried to hit on me?"
"The low-life," scowled Alexis. "He was always under the assumption women just fell at his feet. What did you say to him?"
"I told him where to get off," giggled the brunette, to which her friends laughed too. "However, it did cause a bit of a problem between Dave and I."
"Oh, who's Dave?" gushed Robyn.
"You mean to tell us you have a new man and you haven't given us all the juicy gossip?" added Alexis.
Kate rolled her eyes at her friends' eagerness but then told them the story of how she'd started seeing the WWE wrestler. "And after it looked as though Marissa had given up on Cena, I realized I still wanted to keep seeing Batista," she finished explaining.
"I can see why," remarked Alexis, "I've seen him on television, and he's a hottie."
"I know, those thighs are something else," agreed Robyn. "But, seriously? He was jealous of Austin? Who in their right mind could think that little runt could compare to Batista's manliness?"
"You're telling me. I see him every day in those tight wrestling trunks, and sometimes I have to stop myself from swooning," admitted Kate, feeling a little light headed and giggly from the free complementary cocktails she'd drank.
"So, no chance of you hooking back up with Austin now he's a famous rock star?" inquired Robyn.
"Hell no!" insisted Kate. "I'm going to a party with him next week, but he knows it's only as friends. I don't ever want to go down that road again."
"So, you wouldn't mind if I had a crack?" asked Robyn sheepishly, while the others dissolved into hysterics.
"Oh my God! You're terrible, Rob," exclaimed Alexis.
"Go head, but I warn you he has a teenie weenie," teased Kate, holding up her pinkie finger as an indication of Austin's size, then she and her friends laughed harder still.
That night, due to all the drinking and filthy conversation, Kate didn't hear her phone when Marissa called after her argument with Joseph.
The following morning, Marissa was relieved to remember her parents would now be well on their way to the Bahamas but also terrified by the comment she'd made to her father the previous night. What had she been thinking, claiming she'd move out and find her own place to live?
What she really needed was to speak with Kate, but the brunette hadn't been seen since yesterday afternoon when she'd gone out to meet her friends Robyn and Alexis for drinks.
In addition, the redhead had the phone message from Cena constantly replaying in her mind.
I'd still like to come to the Halloween party, if that's alright with you?
Did that mean he was still interested in her?
I don't wanna disappoint Maddie, ya know?
And had she been wrong in her assumption that the wrestler wouldn't accept her daughter?
In the last weeks, during her absence from work, everything Marissa had once thought had been thrown into confusion. Until recently, she wouldn't have believed any man could find a single mother like herself attractive. However since then, both Derren and the waiter in the restaurant she'd eaten lunch with her friends at had complimented her.
Maybe they – and Cena - saw something in her that she just didn't?
In addition, her confrontation with her father had really got Marissa wondering about her life. For so many years, she'd been bending over backwards to meet his unrealistic expectations and not caring what she really wanted. Could it be that her father was wrong and she should go for what she wanted in life?
However, the redhead didn't actually know what she wanted. She knew she wouldn't be happy leaving the WWE to be a full-time mother; despite how important Maddie was to her, she adored her job and valued the self-reliance it gave her. Maybe that's what she needed; more independence? The freedom to be in a job she loved, socialize with whoever she wanted, and date people. Yes, date people...people like Cena.
She realized that it was no wonder a guy wouldn't want a relationship with her, if she couldn't even stand up to her domineering father. Maybe moving out was the best thing to do? What she really needed was to speak with Kate about it all and, as if in answer to her prayers, the redhead found her friend having breakfast with Maddie in the kitchen.
"What are you doing up this early?" Marissa questioned, taking a seat at the breakfast bar and making herself a cup of coffee.
"I'm thirsty from drinking so much last night, so I came down to get a glass of water," replied Kate, shielding her eyes from the light.
"You only have yourself to blame," chided Marissa. "Will you still be about when I return from taking Maddie to school? I wanted to talk to you about something."
"I wasn't planning on being - I was going to go back to bed - but if it's important, I'll stay up," replied the brunette.
"Thanks, it really is important," returned the redhead, "I'll tell you when I get back."
The video tech made a hand gesture to imply she didn't want Maddie hearing and that they didn't have much time anyway before setting down her coffee cup and looking around for her purse and car keys.
Then after Maddie had finished her cereal, found her book bag and straightened her pig-tails, the mother and daughter left Kate to petting a jealous Xerxes and jumped into the car.
When Marissa returned home from dropping Maddie off at school, she entered the living room to find Kate napping on the couch. Smacking her friend playfully on the arm with a magazine, the video tech woke the brunette up. "Do you fancy a coffee?" she asked, as the sound engineer opened her eyes and sat up.
"Please," replied Kate, pushing Xerxes away from where he'd fallen asleep on her legs.
"So, what's wrong?" she asked as Marissa returned with two steaming mugs of coffee and a plate of cookies.
"I had another fight with my father last night," confessed Marissa as she sat the refreshments down on the coffee table. "And, well, I kind of told him I'm going to move out."
"You did what?" exclaimed the brunette, scaring Xerxes as she jumped up. "Alright, Cissa, start at the beginning. What happened?"
"Well, yesterday when I got home from having lunch with some old University friends, I came in and he was in a furious mood. Apparently, someone from the WWE had phoned inquiring about the Halloween part. He was angrier than I'd ever seen him, demanding I cancel the party, claiming it would corrupt Maddie," explained the redhead, reaching for her drink.
"Jesus Christ! I know he's your father and that he's been really good to both of us. But seriously, Cissa, you can't let him keep controlling your life. Did you even tell him that Maddie will be at a sleepover when our guests arrive?" asked Kate and, when Marissa nodded, she continued. "Then what's his problem? You're an adult for heaven's sake; you should be allowed to have friends over if you want. Besides, he won't even be here."
"I realized all that yesterday as we were yelling at each other, Kate. I think that's why I threatened to move out. I know it was said in the heat of the moment, but then I got thinking and maybe it would be for the best," admitted the video tech, helping herself to a cookie.
"I agree, I think it's a wonderful idea. He's got to realize you're not a teenager any more. You're twenty-seven-years-old, with a child of your own now, for crying out loud. Besides, you pay him more than enough rent, therefore you should be allowed to do what you want," justified the sound engineer, picking up her own mug of coffee.
"I know all that, Kate. I've honestly started to realize just how controlling he is. However, I don't know whether moving out would be for the best. Okay, it'd give me a lot more freedom, but how about Maddie? And could I really afford to find my own place on my salary?" pondered Marissa.
"But you wouldn't be on your own, Cissa," insisted Kate, taking a cookie. "Do you seriously think if you moved out, I wouldn't come with you? Of course I would, you're my best friend and Maddie is like a niece to me. And don't worry about the money; I'm sure the two of us together would be able to afford somewhere decent."
"Alright, say we can afford to move out. How about Maddie? What will I do for the three or four days I'm on the road? I don't want to give up my job in the WWE; I love it too much," sighed the redhead, taking a long sip of her coffee.
"It'll all be sortable, Cissa. Loads of parents manage to work long hours, and I'm sure there are single mothers in the WWE. Besides, who's to say your parents wouldn't be happy to still have Maddie for the days your on the road? You're just worrying, because you haven't looked at every option yet," reassured the brunette, drinking from her own beverage.
"Hum...maybe," sighed Marissa, setting her half empty cup on the table. "And it would mean I could do what I like and see whoever I like."
"Exactly. There'd be no one to object if you started dating someone, and I think having some more freedom would do you the world of good," said Kate.
"True and I can't put off dating forever, what happened with Cena taught me that. You know, in the last week I've had two men compliment me," confessed the video tech with a broad smile.
"I'm not surprised, you're a great woman, and I'm glad you're finally beginning to realize that," insisted the sound engineer.
"Yeah, it's just a shame I didn't figure it out sooner. You know Cena left me a phone message yesterday, he says he still wants to come to the party," sighed the redhead.
"Oh course he does, Cissa, he's besotted with you. I didn't mention anything before, because I thought it might upset you, but you know he's kinda worked up that you ended the relationship," confessed Kate.
"Really?" questioned Marissa, her eyes lighting up. "I thought he'd have forgotten about me in an instant, and hooked up with Maryse."
"Don't be stupid, he never wanted that skank and you know that, Marissa. Get it into your head, John isn't interested in women like her, he's interested in you!" Kate all but screamed in frustration. She really couldn't understand how her friend could go from wanting more freedom and considering moving out one second, to doubting herself the next. Obviously years of mental abuse from Joseph had had a lasting effect and, the sooner Marissa was away from her father's opinions, the better.
"You're right, Kate, I just hope it isn't too late for me to sort things out with him," sighed Marissa, as she wrapped her arms around a cushion.
"Of course it isn't too late, I'm sure if you explain everything to him at the Halloween party, he'll understand. Actually, go call him now, Cissa, and tell him you'd still like him to come to the party," encouraged the brunette.
"Alright, I will," agreed the redhead. "I have a few hours before I have to collect Maddie, so what better time than now to do it."
As Marissa rose from her chair and went into the kitchen to make her call in private, Kate flicked on the television.
Not thinking about the time difference and what hour it would be in Europe, Marissa dialed Cena's cell.
It went straight to voicemail and she nervously left a message. "Hey, John, erm...its Marissa. I was just calling to say I'd love it if you still came to the party. I hope you're having a great time on the tour, and I guess I'll talk to you when you get back. Bye"
Amazed at her confidence, Marissa hung up the phone with a satisfied smile and started to do a load of laundry.