Okay, y'all kick serious ass! You guys are so amazing! I heart you all! I want to give a big shout out to everyone that has read the story so far. I want to send a special 'Thank You' to lookitsria, xMyHeartShine, angelshavetheirwickedschemes, my lovely psion53, AmyFazz, KimmieCena, AngelsDestiny22, Xandman216, redheadedsweetheart, NCM2030, xDarlingNikki, ElleEnien, Randy4rkocenahardy, rkocya and adb226. You guys rock! \m/ (^.^) \m/ Here's chapter 14. Enjoy!
A Few Months Later: Late March
I sat in the front row, ringside, nervously twisting my engagement ring. I wanted to be here to support Cody but at the same time, I really didn't want to see the outcome of this match. But Cody had begged me to watch ringside. And since it was his first match at Wrestlemania, how could I say no?
This match had been a little while in the making. There had been some fighting in Legacy and now they were facing each other. The match tonight was the official death of The Legacy. To break them up even further, when the draft came back around in the middle of April, they were moving Cody over to Smackdown. We had the meeting a few weeks ago. They wanted to establish Cody as his own person, not just as Randy's flunky that did everything he said. They were going to play around with a few character plots and see what fit for him.
Oh yeah, the 'we' part. So...I got my job back. I don't know what made Stephanie change her mind but who was I to argue. I got to be with Cody everyday, like before, but this time, we didn't have to hide anything. And in coming back, I was strictly Cody's PA. Poor Teddy was on his own.
I started to twist my ring again as the montage for the happenings in and around Wrestlemania came to an end. I kept twisting till two hands clamped over mine. From my left side, Rebecca DiBiase, my best friend and from the right, Michelle Runnels, my future mother-in-law.
"You're starting to stress ME out." Rebecca said.
"I know. I'm sorry. All I know is that they're gonna 'hurt' him in this match. I don't know if I can watch it." I looked at her. "Ted's gonna walk away fine. You have nothing to stress about." Michelle squeezed my hand, making me look at her.
"Cody's going to be fine. I promise. Do you know how many times I've seen Dusty take shots to the head and get up? My son's head is just as hard, if not harder." She smiled at me. I just nodded.
The three of us stood up as the ring announcer started his speech for the triple threat match. Rebecca squeezed my hand as Legacy's music started and Ted's titan video played on the various screens. We could just make him out as he started down the ramp. I could see how proud and in love Rebecca was in the way she watched him. It was so wonderful to see. My look was drawn back to the top of the ramp as Ted's music ended. Then Cody's old music started. It was the music he had before he joined with Legacy.
I smiled as I saw him walk out into view. I could spot those orange trunks and white boots from a mile away. The boots I liked. They were fine. It was the trunks I was apprehensive about. When he first showed me the material that they were going to be made out of, I questioned his sanity. Then he tried them on. I still wasn't extremely fond of the color but the fit was better than a dream. I knew people wouldn't be able to tell in the ring but that material molded to every bit of Cody's anatomy and made his butt look delicious. He told me that I had the final say on the trunks. So for those that did look at my Cody, you're welcome.
I watched him saunter down the ramp like he owned the place. I saw him stop and smirk at some fans that were booing him. I couldn't help but smile. When he got to the ring, his music cut out. Everyone started to cheer as Randy's music started to play. They were all looking up the ramp but I was watching Cody. He climbed in the ring and walked over to Ted.
He turned to where we were sitting under the pretense that he was talking to Ted. I smiled at him as our eyes met. He gave me his Legacy grin to stay in character and a quick wink as he turned back. When he did, his left hand came into view. His ring finger was taped up like he was wearing a ring. He flexed his hand, making sure I saw it. It was his private little tribute to me. Because by this time next week, he would have a real ring on that finger and we would be husband and wife.
I was so busy watching Cody that I didn't notice that Rebecca and Michelle had taken their seats. Rebecca tugged on my shirt to get my attention.
"You gonna sit down or are you gonna stare at your boy for the whole match?" She asked, laughing at me softly.
"Well, if those are my options..." She laughed again. I sat down as the bell rang to start the match. The Match went back and forth, most of the time Cody and Ted having the upper hand since they were double teaming Randy. It stayed that way for a bit till Ted tried to pick up a pin while Cody was positioning himself for a move. Then it became the triple threat it was supposed to be.
At one point both Ted and Randy were outside the ring right in front of us. Everyone in the first couple of rows stood up as Cody vaulted himself over the top rope aiming for the two for them. But just as Cody was about to hit them, Randy ducked out of the way, leaving Ted to take the full brunt of Cody's weight. They hit the floor and rolled up against the barrier, right where we were standing.
I looked down at them as they lay there for a second, letting Randy get all the praise in the ring. Cody opened his eyes, instantly finding mine watching him. I gave what I knew had to be a worried smiled to him. He gave me a slight nod, trying to reassure me while trying so hard not to break character as they started to struggle to their feet. He stood up right in front of me, hunching over at his shoulders like we was trying to get himself back together. The smile faded from my face as I heard the nasty things the crowd behind me was yelling at him. I forgot all about them the second his hand closed over mine where it was laying on top of the barrier. He squeezed it softly and them threw himself back into the match.
Then the moment I had been dreading came. Randy had taken both Cody and Ted down. I knew exactly what was coming. Ted had rolled out of the ring and Cody, in the center of the ring, was taking a long time getting up to his hands and knees. Randy, who had been bouncing in his 'Viper' position stopped and stood up. He looked out at the crowd. They cheered, knowing what he was about to do.
Randy backed into the corner and waited until Cody was up enough. Just as Cody hung his head, trying to catch his breath, Randy ran at him and punted him in the side of his head. Cody flipped over on to his back and stayed there. Oh God. I was sure that Randy really hurt him this time. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ted climb in the ring and instantly get the RKO and Randy pinning him for the win.
As Randy's music played, my eyes stayed glued to Cody's motionless body. The ref went over to talk to him. He still didn't move. I was on the verge of tears. When the paramedics came and started to load him on the backboard, I lost it.
I shoved my way past the people in the seats and the security at the end of our row. I made it to the edge of the seating area where I could see a couple of stagehands I knew moving around. I went to call out to one of them but was stopped by security.
"I need you to go back to your seat miss. You can't be back here." I shook my head and pulled out my pass.
"You don't understand. I work for the company. I need to get back there." He pushed me back some more.
"I'm sorry miss..." I cut him off and yelled to one of the stage hands. He came trotting over.
"Hey Emery. What's wrong?"
"Please tell him who I am so I can get back there. I need to be there when they bring Cody back." I pleaded.
"Man, didn't you see her pass. She works here. Let her through."
"I'm sorry. I'm under strict orders. I'm not supposed to let anyone through here." Before he finished his sentence, Russ, the stagehand, leaned over the railing and helped me climb over.
"Where are they bringing him in?" I asked as we ran through the backstage area. He lead me to right inside the gorilla just as they were wheeling Cody through. I ran over to him just as the paramedics stopped the stretcher. Cody was unconscious. Before I could yell at someone to hurry and get him to the ambulance, one of the guys spoke up.
"Okay, we're clear, Cody." His eyes popped open.
"Good. Get me out of this." I stood there in shock. More at myself than anything. I had bought it. Cody sold it so well, I was sure he was hurt. Finally, he sat up and stood up beside the stretcher. As soon as he free of it, the guys rolled it away. Cody smiled softly at me and held open his arms. I instantly stepped into them, reassuring myself he was really okay. I could have cared less how sweaty he was.
"I'm okay, princess. I really am." He said softly as he headed us back to the locker room. Everyone passed congratulated Cody on the match.
"I could slap you right now." He looked down at me as we got to the door.
"For what?"
"For selling that so damn well. I was so sure you were hurt. I was going to kill Randy. Let me see your face." He leaned down enough so that I could clearly see the left side of his face. There wasn't a mark on him. "He's lucky." Cody smiled.
"So am I." He said, making me smile back at him.
"Are you?" I asked. He nodded and wrapped an arm around my waist. "I'd say I was the lucky one." He leaned in an kissed me softly.
"What if," kiss, "we blow off the party tonight," kiss, "and spend the rest of the night," one more kiss, "being lucky together?"
"What if you go shower and we'll leave right now?" He grinned and leaned into me so that I would lean back against the door. Just as my shoulders pressed flat against the wood, the door flew open. Cody had to grab both of my upper arms to keep me from toppling into the doorway and taking out Fallon.
"What the hell, Fal?" I turned to face her.
"Thank God it's you two. Here," she shoved her phone at me, "talk to Mom. She thinks Cody is really hurt. She's about to have a coronary. She doesn't know what's going to happen to all the flowers you ordered or where she's going to keep all those candles till he gets better." Fallon was irritated by Mom's incessant calling but at least they were talking again on a regular basis. Cody leaned in and kissed my cheek as I took the phone from Fallon who sighed in relief and headed off to meet Randy.
"Good luck, princess." He said softly and headed past me towards the showers.
"Thanks." I took a deep breath and lifted the phone to my ear. "Hi Momma." Caroline Harper instantly went into her questions about Cody as we walked into the locker room and I shut the door behind me. Was he okay? Why would Randy do that? Were we on the way to the hospital?
"How are you so calm, Emery?"
"Because Cody's fine, Momma. Randy didn't even touch him. It was all for show." She was quiet for a moment.
"Are you sure? It looked so real."
"Yes, I'm sure. I checked. There's not a spot on him. He's perfectly fine."
"I find that hard to believe, Emery."
"I promise, he's fine."
"He was laying there so still..." I looked over as Cody walked out of the showers. What perfect timing.
"I know Momma. He's good at his job. Would you like to talk to him? Would that make you feel better?"
"Okay. But only if he's up to it." I walked over to him.
"Here." I handed him the phone. "Please talk to her so she knows that you're okay. She's worried about you." He smiled at me and took the phone.
"Hello Mrs. Harper." I wrapped my arms around him and pressed soft kisses to his bare, still slightly damp chest as he answered her questions. I let my hands drift to the small of his back just above the towel that was resting low on his hips. "I swear, I'm fine. I moved with his foot instead of because of it. It didn't even touch me." I glided my hands around to his stomach as I stood on my toes to kiss at the side of his neck. "I will. Yes ma'am." I started to pull at the tucked in part of the towel. "Uh...sorry to cut you off Mrs. Harper but they're calling me for a post match interview. I have to go." He barely waited for her to answer before he hung up the phone. He tossed it into the open top of his bag. He cupped my face in both of his hands and kissed me, walking me backwards until I was pressed up against the wall.
"You just lied to my mother." I said. I arched my body into his as his hands worked their way down to my hips. Cody nipped his way down the side of my neck.
"Yeah. Sorry about that."
"I liked it. So sexy." He lifted his head to look at me.
"Sexy? Hanging upon your mom is sexy?"
"Everything about you is sexy, sugar. Especially you in a towel. I think everyone should see how yummy you look in a towel."
"Really?" I nodded, bitting my lip, trying to suppress the moan trying to escape as Cody pressed his hips tight against mine. "I'll keep that in mind for the future." I did moan against his lips as he kissed me again.
"I don't want to wait till the hotel, Cody." He lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist and pressed me back against the wall.
"I don't either, princess." I tugged at the towel again. This time, it hit the floor. Before he could get my shirt over my head, we heard voices at the door. Randy, Fallon, Ted, Rebecca, Michelle and Dusty all walked through just as Cody got the towel back around his waist. He gathered his clothes with his back towards them as I pulled down my shirt. Cody stood up and leaned into kiss me quickly. "Saved by the family, princess." He whispered against my cheek. He turned and quickly walked back towards the showers.
I slowly turned to look at everyone standing there smiling at me. I felt my cheeks flare up. I knew they were bright cherry red. Dusty walked over and put his arm around my shoulders.
"Don't worry darlin'. It's happened to all of us." Everyone nodded, agreeing. "Just next time," he kissed my temple, "remember to lock the door."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I leaned in close to the full length mirror to obsessively check my hair again for the millionth time. It looked just like it did the last time I stared at it.
I stepped back and smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in my creamy white gown. The thin straps blended into a sweetheart neckline that came to a rounded point, drawing attention but not too much to that feature. I didn't need all my cleavage showing.
The bodice of the gown was fitted down to the top of my hips where it flared out slightly to a beautiful fall of the same colored silk, stopping in the front to brush the tops of my shoes. It went just a bit longer in the back to give me a slight train.
I smiled as I ran my fingertips over the gorgeous strand of pearls laying against my collarbone that my mother had given me just moments before. It turned out that they were the same pearls my grandmother and my mother had both worn when they got married. That took care of my something old and something blue. The place where they hooked in the back had a blue silk ribbon that you tied over it to hide the hook. It was hidden under my hair.
The something borrowed were Fallon's platinum diamond crusted hoops that Randy had given her a few Christmases ago. The new? The new was the beautiful sterling silver bracelet that Cody sent me early this morning. Off one of the links was a sterling silver star that had a 'C' and 'E' on either side of a big 'R' engraved on it. Our initials combined into one monogram.
The only color on my dress was the bright red sash the laid around my hips. The red matched Fallon and Rebecca's bridesmaid's dresses and the ties that Dustin, Ted and my Cody would be wearing.
If I hadn't been staring at my dress in the mirror, I probably wouldn't have jumped at the knock on the door. I laughed at myself and called out to the person to come in. I looked over my shoulder as Dad walked in.
"Hi." I smiled at him. "Is it time?" I glanced out the window. It was dark outside but I could see the soft glow coming from the backyard. I turned all the way around when Dad didn't answer me. "Daddy?" He had a sad smile on his face. "Daddy, are you okay? What's wrong?" He nodded that he was okay.
"You look so...beautiful. And grown." He held open his arms. I didn't hesitate to take those few steps into his arms. He hugged me tightly. "I'm not handling this as well as I thought I would. My little kitten is all grown up." I pulled back so that I could look in his face.
"I'm always gonna be you kitten, Daddy." He cupped my cheek and kissed my forehead.
"Even when you and Cody have little kittens of your own?"
"Even if we could, I'd still be your kitten." He stroked my cheek with his thumb and smiled at me like he knew some big secret as I smiled back at him. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, Emery." I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek as someone knocked on the door and told us it was time. I straightened the red rose bud on his lapel.
"You ready Daddy?" He took a deep breath.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He offered me his arm. I picked up my bouquet of red and white rosebuds and took it.
Dad lead me out of my room, down the stairs and through the house to the french doors leading to my parents' enormous backyard. The doors were already open and I could see our families and close friends sitting there, looking at us. I looked down the aisle of white rose petals, lined on either side with candle lit lanterns all the way down, to the alter where Fallon and Rebecca were standing to the left in their beautiful red dresses and white bud bouquets and Dustin and Ted in their suit to the right. And in the center, stood Cody. He looked amazing in his suit. He had been looking at his hands, wringing them slightly until he heard everyone turn around. Dustin laid a hand on his shoulder and Cody looked up.
The two of us locked eyes as Dad lead me towards him. I nearly started to cry from the look of pure love in his eyes. Neither of us looked away even when Dad placed my hand in Cody's.
Cody hit me with that grin I loved so much and whispered to me. "You look so incredibly beautiful, princess." I grinned back at him.
"You look quiet dashing yourself, sugar." The minister started the ceremony as Cody and I stood under the old oak tree. The entire 15 foot trunk was wrapped in star shaped and regular twinkle lights. The tree gave off enough light so that we could see each other's face as we said our vows and exchanged our rings.
"What God has brought together her, may no man tear asunder. You are now husband and wife. Cody, you may kiss your lovely bride." We both smiled as he cupped my face and kissed me. Our small crowd erupt with applause and cheers.
"I love you so much, Emmy." Cody said softly against my lips. I wrapped my hands around his wrists where his hands were still cupping my face.
"I love you too, Code. Always." He pressed his lips to mine again.
"Always."
Cody and I linked our fingers together as we stood outside the candle lit tent waiting for the DJ to announce us. He lifted our joined hands, kissing the back of mine.
"Ready princess?" The DJ started his speech. I smiled and nodded as we heard our cue.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Runnels." I couldn't stop the huge smile that covered my face as Cody and I walked into the tent hand and hand.
We made our way across the dance floor to the cheers and applause of our friends and family. For the next hour, we stood at our table and greeted everyone.
I was watching Cody talk to Randy and John Cena when I felt the tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Mike standing there. I didn't say a word. I just smiled and opened my arms. He returned my smile and hugged me tightly. Yes, we fixed our friendship. That was the first thing I did after Cody and I made up. I missed my friend and wanted him back. I also made sure that Cody and Mike were okay as well.
"You look so beautiful tonight, Em. Rhodes is a very lucky man." I kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, Mike." I glanced over my shoulder at Cody. "But we both know I'm the lucky one." Mike laughed softly and did his own glancing back to his table where Maryrse was sitting waiting for him.
"I know what you mean."
Some time later, after dinner, Cody and I were called out to the dance floor for our first dance as husband and wife. He smiled down at me the beginning strands of Tracy Byrd's 'The Keeper of the Stars' started to play. Cody held me close as we glided across the floor, blocking out everyone else in the room.
I looked up into Cody's love filled face and softly sang the most poignant to me, part of the song to him.
'Soft moon light on your face
Oh how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
I know I don't deserve
A treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude'
I laughed as Cody spun me out from his body and brought me back, singing the chorus to me this time.
'So I tip my hat
To the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars'
Cody kissed me deeply as the song ended. "Are you happy, princess?" I kissed him back, running my fingers through his hair.
"I am." I kissed him again. "This is only the beginning of our happiness, Cody." He grinned.
"I know, Emmy. It's only gonna get better from here."
I would really appreciate if you keep the reviews coming. Please take a couple of seconds and let me know how I'm doing. So, I must break the bad news to you guy, there is only one more chapter. So get all your reviews in. I'll post the next chapter right after Smackdown. It will be my holiday gift to you guys. Thanks! =^.^=