Disclaimer: Standard... I don't own a thing that you recognize.
Just as he had intended, Lance arrived to the house with Lita's suitcase in his possession.. The older sibling presuming that she would want everything.. The redheaded diva retreating back upstairs to properly get dressed. And while she was getting dressed, Lance informed Christian and Tyson that everyone else would be there soon enough.. Trish and Dawn trying to decide on what else to do until the small party started. In reality the party was just a glorified gathering, similar to last evening just slightly different. According to Dawn and Trish the house had to be decorated properly; the two former divas adding that to the list of things to do for the day.. Both Dawn and Trish deciding to ditch the previous plans of heading to the beach. Even if they were in Florida, it wasn't exactly beach going weather.
Tyson shook his head as the two former divas continued to plot, "I was telling Lita this morning.. It's November. It's not exactly the middle of the summer when it's more enjoyable at the beach."
Trish rolled her eyes, "we know that Ty, which is why we're trying to figure out something else. I really don't feel like hanging around here all day, no offense Christian, but.."
The blond man shrugged, "I really don't care what we do today. I'm perfectly fine with staying here, playing video games and the rest of you can head out. I live here, why would I want to go do touristy stuff?"
Lance arched an eyebrow at that, "and yet, whenever myself and Lita visit, you have no problems with heading out and about? Just three weeks ago we went to Cypress Gardens because she wanted to go. And I seem to recall--"
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Christian waved it off without a care, "I know Leets wanted to head back to Hyde Park Village." Smirking slightly, he sent a look towards Dawn and Trish. "That way, if the two of you want to go shopping, you can go shopping. Or we could head over to Channelside."
Dawn toyed with a stray lock of hair, "and what do they have at Channelside?"
"It's like any major mall Dawnie, they've got plenty of stores, a movie theatre and a bowling alley." Lita put in as she joined everyone, "but I don't want to spend all day at the mall. I did want to head over to--"
"Hyde Park Village?" Trish offered with a smirk of her own, "Christian already told us that.. What is that place like?"
"Outdoor mall basically," Lita swept her hair back from her face, "but I don't want to spend all day there either. You two were the one's insisting that we have to do something today so.."
Lance cleared his throat, "I would think it would also depend on the weather? I know it's not overcast today, but, there is always the chance that it could rain."
Tyson crossed his arms, "if you all are in such disagreement about what to do or if it's going to take you all morning to decide? Why don't we just split up and meet at Channelside.. We'll have lunch there or whatever... Hang around there then head back here."
Lita secured her hair into a loose ponytail, "Micks? Does that work for you? Because I'm kinda doubting that Frick and Frack over there decided to include you in their planning for the day."
The brunette diva shrugged, "I really don't care either.. Outside, inside, whatever."
"Well that's settled then," Christian tossed his car keys in the air, "we just need to wait for Jerky and Terry to get here."
"And figure out who's going where," Chris Benoit put in then, "between Jericho, Christian and Lance we have three vehicles. So, it's really just a matter of who will be doing what until we meet up for lunch, right?"
Lita nodded shortly, "right.. Which if we meet up at Channelside we can all have lunch together and then do whatever there.. The bowling alley also has pool tables, plus there's the regular movie theatre and the Imax theatre."
"We'll figure it out when Jerky gets here," Christian seated himself on the couch. "If he ever gets here."
"It's not like he lives across the state, Christian.. I highly doubt it would take him that long... And, it's not like we have to be anywhere anytime soon. All we really do during the week anyways is rush from one place to another."
The short haired blond man grinned, "which is all the more reason you should join TNA now.. Save yourself the trouble and all of that."
The redhead rolled her eyes, "the companies are going to be working together soon enough anyways.. I'm not sure how long that's going to last considering it'll be a power struggle but.. It should be interesting."
Trish arched an eyebrow in interest, "and just how is this going to work.. Unless McMahon has already bought or intends on buying TNA.."
Lita took a seat between Christian and Tyson on the couch.. "From what Coach has told us so far.. It's basically like the Invasion angle we had, only TNA is still it's own company. So, it's more like healthy competition, doing this for the fans and whatever 'cos I kinda doubt some of the guys at TNA would want to work for Vince."
"I see," the blond woman nodded slowly, "and what happens afterwards? The two companies just go about their ways like nothing happened?"
The trio on the couch shrugged in near unison, Chris Benoit answering the question.. "That hasn't been determined yet. If it were to happen like the Invasion angle, I would presume that TNA would act as it's own separate company but also have the financial backing of the WWE."
Tyson made a face, "which would mean it would be the WWE and the independent feds left in the business."
"More or less," Lance stated after a moments pause, "I am in the opinion that TNA could benefit from having the financial backing of the WWE.. But, it should remain as it's own entity.. With their own set of pay per views, televised program, titles, etc. Perhaps have one or two pay per views per year with the rosters from both."
"I overheard Mr. McMahon talking to Coach about the rosters joining again," Mickie stated as she took a seat in the living room. "I guess that would mean the titles for the WWE would be unified.. Women's division would finally be more open."
Lita shifted her attention over to Dawn and Trish, "shame that the two of you aren't there anymore.. We could finally have that triple threat match we always talked about."
Dawn snorted softly, "yeah.. Because they really let me wrestle a lot."
Mickie chewed on her lower lip, "well it's at least better then having no women's division at all.. Just being limited to pure eye candy. TNA could use a women's division, if they had enough women who wrestled."
"They've got Christy and Gail," Trish pointed out first, "I know those two can wrestle, but.. That's not nearly enough to have a proper women's division."
Mickie blinked then, "wait.. We're supposed to be at the TNA tapings on Monday, right Lita?"
"From what Coach said, yeah.. Me, you, Vicki and Melina.. Which means, they'll use the house show injury angle or something to explain our absences from RAW for the next two weeks. Or something. We'll probably find out at the house show tomorrow." Canting a glance sideways, the diva smiled. "And that way, you don't have to drive up to Atlanta."
Christian shrugged it off, "I already told you I wouldn't mind heading up to Atlanta.. So if you want to head home, that's cool. If you want to hang out here for a couple of days, that's cool."
Before Lita could reply to that, the front door opened.. Chris Jericho and Terry entering the house shortly afterwards. And while they did want to get going soon since it was already going on noon it took them a good fifteen minutes to decide on what to do.. Given the time and the fact that they wanted to be back at the house in time to get everything ready, they all decided on just heading to Channelside for the afternoon.
Despite the fact that they'd all gone to the mall together... And that they'd all eaten lunch together.. Trish and Dawn were currently shopping; Chris Jericho and Lance accompanying them.. Christian putting in the not so subtle reminder that there was still plenty of time for them to get proper birthday presents. And while they were off doing that.. Terry, Mickie, Lita, Christian, Chris Benoit and Tyson ended up at the bowling alley... Lita, Mickie and Lance making plans to leave the mall a little bit earlier so they could pick up the cake and get a head start on getting the house ready.
"Hey Micks," Lita queried as she and the brunette cleared counter top space.. "Since you would know best, what can I really expect when we show up at the tapings?"
"It's not as strict, kinda chaotic but organised chaos." Mickie quirked a smile, "and it's not like you won't know people over there. Aside from me, Melina and Vicki, of course."
Lita shrugged that off, "that's never been too big of an issue for me.. Just wondering what to expect, you know? Although, I'm sure we'll get the pep talk from Vince or Coach about what to say, how to act, blah, blah blah.."
Mickie rolled her eyes, "I'm looking forward to that, really... I need a box to contain my enthusiasm."
"Don't over do it and hurt yourself," Lita joked along as the pair continued to set up. "You know, I'm glad you came with us.. I mean, I hang out with Dawn and Trish as much as I can but we don't really.. Unless it's between shows and whatever."
"Which doesn't really count for much since we don't have that much time between shows," Mickie shook her head. "One thing I do miss about TNA? The schedule and the freedom. There are some good things about the WWE and all, but.."
"Best of both worlds would be ideal?"
"Exactly."
Lita glanced towards the clock, then to the living room. "I think we're pretty much set in here.."
Mickie took a seat at the table, "this is pretty much it, right? Just getting the space cleared, some of those stupid decorations that Dawn and Trish brought.."
The redheaded diva nodded, then blinked. "And figuring out where my brother is. I wouldn't be too surprised to see him organising something."
"You've probably heard the I can't believe you two are related thing before.."
"A lot," Lita released her hair from the confines of the ponytail, "honestly, if I didn't grow up around him, I wouldn't believe it myself.."
"I don't want to be nosey or anything."
"We're half siblings," Lita toyed with a loose lock of hair, "and while I wasn't around him my entire childhood or anything like that, we saw enough of each other to get to know each other. But, it was the business that actually brought us closer together."
"That's cool.. And I'm sorry if I was prying or something."
"Nah, most of my friends find out at some point or another.." She paused as if to say more, the doorbell ringing cutting her off. "Well obviously we know that isn't Christian."
Mickie blinked as she walked towards the living room, "actually it is Christian. He gave you his house key, remember?"
Lita blinked, then searched the pockets of her jeans, the house key found shortly. "Whoops."
"Thank you for locking me out of my own house," Christian began, Tyson and Terry right behind him. "Really Leets, I appreciate that."
"Like you haven't locked yourself out of your own house before? And what happened to the spare key that you keep hidden, hmm?"
"Jerky took it with him just in case he got back before I did," the blond Canadian explained, pausing for thought then.. "Is that my cake?"
Lita smirked, "no.. That cake is for the mermaid that lives in your pool."
Tyson spoke up before Christian could reply, "so that means you've fed the unicorn in the garage? And the leprechaun under the guest bed?"
"Of course," Lita replied with a smile, "but seriously.. Guys? Don't touch that cake. Tempting as it may be, we still have to wait for everyone else to get back, for the pizza to get here and I need to find my brother."
Terry arched an eyebrow, "how do you manage to lose a person?"
Hazel eyes grew serious, the redhead thumbing over to Christian. "When you hang out with him or Ads long enough? You learn."
Christian placed a hand over his heart, a wounded look sent towards Lita. "That gets me right here Lita, right here. First you lock me out of my own house, then you tell me I can't have my cake and now you're thinking about ditching me?" A dramatic sigh, "and on my birthday."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you'll be just fine. And no, that doesn't mean I'm paying for your therapy bills, so you can forget about that already."
Terry smiled wryly, "he's already going to need therapy because he can't face the fact that he lost. Not just at bowling, but at two games of pool."
"And we really don't need to rub that in," Christian commented dryly, "in fact? We aren't going to talk about it anymore. My house, my rules."
Lita rolled her eyes in reply, the redhead soon heading outside to see if Lance was there.. An eyebrow arching when she spotted him. "You know we did order pizza."
"I'm aware of that, I just thought we could eat outside. Or at least get everything situated if we wanted to eat outside."
"I hate to burst your bubble, dear big brother of mine, but it's cold."
Lance turned from the grouping of chairs, "this is warm compared to Calgary at this time of year. I'm sure anyone who wishes to dine outdoors would agree. Besides, the pool area is covered...somewhat."
Lita shrugged, "suit yourself then. Pizza should be here in ten minutes.. Christian, Terry and Ty just got back and I'm guessing Dawn, Trish, Chris and Chris got held up."
"Perhaps I should have stayed at the mall then?"
"I wouldn't worry about it, I mean we both know how Trish and Dawn can be."
Lita shifted her weight back, the redheaded diva starting to head back inside the house when Lance's foot got caught on the inside of a chair... Lita reaching out to steady him only to lose her balance in the process.. The two siblings tumbling into the pool just as Chris Jericho was heading out to inform them that the pizza had arrived... Lita grumbling about Canadian's and their not so bright ideas as she hauled herself out of the pool
