Chapter 15- Working Girl
I have to admit, that the more I lived in my new St. Louis home, the more it felt like home. I loved being in the seclusion of these walls. Randy and I could just be ourselves and not worry about having to please anyone else. He still wouldn't let me in the nursery. He actually put a lock on the door, to keep me out. They only thing that I was in the loop about, was the furniture and patterns. We had chosen an aquatic theme for Keith's room. The baby crib we picked out was railed in white wood and transformed into two other beds, other than the crib, to match the baby's growth. The bedding was colored in blues and greens, with oceanic animals and plants decorating it. I felt marginally better about the baby's homecoming now that we had registered for all of his things. The days flew by, and soon it was time for us to head back to work. The good thing about the next house show, a non-televised event, it was in St. Louis. Therefore, we didn't have to rush today.
I woke up, stretching out in the King-size bed. I loved this bed. It was so roomy and plush. Rolling over, I found out that Randy was not beside me. Before I could think any further, my stomach rumbled loudly, signaling to me to shuffle towards the kitchen. I padded down the stairs and as I was nearing the kitchen, a wonderful smell met my nose. I rounded the corner to find Randy making breakfast. He heard my approach, and turned to smile at me. I watched as he used the spatula to fish out the french toast on to two plates; that were already laden with strips of bacon. He sprinkled some seasoning on the bread, and I read the label, telling me it was cinnamon. He took the plates to his dining table and sat them down next to the glasses of orange juice already made. Walking over to me then, he took my hand, leading me to the table. Before he let go of me, Randy pulled me close and spoke in my ear.
"Happy birthday."
I smiled and kissed his cheek. This was going to take some getting used too, I told myself. I had never been with anyone that had ever remembered my birthday without my help. I sat down at the table, and began to eat my breakfast. It didn't surprise me that it was delicious. Randy had yet to cook anything for me that was below excellent. After we both finished our meal, we went to pack for our next tour date. Though we wouldn't leave Missouri until tomorrow morning, and only go off for one Monday night show, we would leave from there to go to my Mom's house. Christmas was this weekend. It always put me in a good mood, save for sharing birthday presents with my Christmas ones. It used to bother me as a child, but once I grew up, and realized that people didn't always have the money for both, I was fine with that.
"Wear something nice, because we're going out after the show for your birthday. It was John's idea," Randy smirked, looking up from his suitcase. I rolled my eyes, thinking that sounded like John. But I obeyed and threw on my favorite black, A-line skirt with a silky black ribbon tied on the side and with a scoop neck, baby-doll style top, with black and white stripes that went across my bust, and a black finishing out the bottom of the shirt. I felt like a made a smart choice with my black flats. One, they seemed to be slip-resistant on the arena floors, and two, they were just so comfortable. When I came down the stairs, I saw Randy on the phone, talking in low whispers. He looked up and saw me, and quickly got off the phone.
"Who was that?" I asked, slipping my dark gray raincoat. The clouds outside didn't bode well for nice weather, and I wanted to be prepared. I buttoned the jacket and tied the sash around my bump.
"Oh, it was John. I was letting him know we were on our way," Randy said, meeting me at the front door. I slipped his raincoat off the hook and handed it to him. The sleek black material looked good on him. He opened the front door for me, and we were on our way to the arena.
It didn't take us long to get there, especially with the way Randy drove. I could tell that he was proud of his car. He never got to drive it often, and loved it when he could. The rain started to sprinkle as we pulled up. It was good thing we parked under covered spaces. Together, we walked into the arena, and kissing him good-bye, I headed towards my titantron room to get started on my job. I pulled my coat off, slinging it over the back of my chair, and got to work. I must've gotten the rest I needed at home, because I was fastly efficient with the music. I was finished within thirty minutes, with the entire roster. The show was to start in fifteen minutes, and I didn't have enough time to get to Randy before he had to work. So, I made up my mind, and treated myself with a night in the arena. I paged David, and told him to take over. Then I made my waddled walk to ringside, and sat next to the ring announcer, Justin. He was really nice and I enjoyed my time sitting next to him.
"So, the rumor around the arena, is that it's your birthday?" Justin said, prepping his small area for the show. I laughed. Nothing was secret in this business. I nodded and he smiled at me.
"Well, I'm sure you are going to have a great birthday. You've already received two presents." My eyebrows creased in confusion. Did he know something I didn't? He looked back over at me and chuckled softly. "Your new husband and your new baby."
He was right. I did have the best presents for my birthday this year. I didn't think anything could top what I had already been given. I could receive the largest diamond on this planet, and it would pale in comparison to the treasures I already have. I laughed lightly at my own mushy-gushy thoughts. Being pregnant and adored by the man I love really has made me soft. I smiled at Justin, thinking his boyfriend was lucky to have him. He perceived everything with such depth, that it was surprising.
But my attention was drawn to the center ring, as the show began. Justin entered the ring, and did his duties of introducing the wrestlers for their scheduled matches. It was pretty entertaining night so far, if you exclude Mike Mizanin, or the Miz, running his mouth about the "Money in the Bank" match, and Stephen, or Sheamus, coming out to say that he was the best WWE champion in the last seventeen years. Of course, I didn't agree. Especially since my husband and best friend, along with every other one of my top seven favorites, had all been WWE champions. I just rolled my eyes, and laughed at the absurdity.
Randy and John had a tag match against two of the members of the Nexus group. I knew their names vaguely, but I didn't really care much about them. In my opinion, you can't make it in this buisness if all you have accomplished with work with a group, or stable. If you were to look at all of the greats, Hall of Famers: past present and future members, every single one of them made a name for his self on his own. By his own personality and style. The first thing you think of when you hear "Shawn Michaels" is not "D Generation X", though that is a given that it will be mentioned. No, the first thing you think of is "The Showstopper", "Mr. Wrestlmania" and "the main eventer". His illustrious career, on a whole, was made big by his solo acts. His teaming with Triple H was just a piece. And if these members of Nexus want to stick around, then they better get that through their head. But, tonight, was not their night. I beamed at the ring as I watched Randy get the three-count on the red-headed member.
I left the ring after that match, it being the main event. The show was over, and I made my way back to Randy's locker room. I didn't even knock before shoving the door out of my way. John and Casie were sitting on the couch, with Matt and Edoin hovering over the left side, and Adam on the right. To my shock, Melina was there at his side. I didn't know that Adam spent that much time with her. I made a mental note to ask him about that later. Randy was the last to enter the room, from the bathroom to the left of our group. His dark blue button down was unbuttoned at the sleeves, and his dark blue jeans hugged his hips and thighs with a tantalizing accuracy. I watched as he slipped on his jacket and walked to me.
It wasn't long until our group left the arena, in separate cars, and headed to a restaurant that John ad picked out. At first, I was a little scared of his decision. There was just no telling with John. But he surprised me, when we pulled up in front of this really nice restaurant, that had an Italian feel to it. The walls were made of tan stone, and the carpet was green. Vines decorated the walls. Round tables filled the empty space, with nice plush chairs. John gave his name and they seated us immediately. And if I thought the place looked good, it was nothing compared to their food. It was outstanding and I ate every bit of my chicken parmesan. This was one of my more enjoyable birthdays, by far. Being surrounded by my friends, and my husband. I was a little sad to see the night come to a close. But all good things must end, and slowly, our friends trickled away, and Randy and I stood to leave. He helped me with my coat, and led me outside. It was pleasing to see that the rain had stopped. As I went to turn in the direction of the car, Randy's grip on my hand pulled me back. I turned to look at him in confusion.
"Dance with me?" he murmured as he brushed my cheek with his fingertips. I gaped at him, looking around us, at the people walking by on the sidewalk. I laughed softly, tugging on his hand.
"We don't have any music," I reasoned. Randy smiled down at me, as he slipped a hand in his jacket pocket, bringing out his iPod. I watched as he untwined the headphones, and stepped closer to me. Carefully, he slipped a bud in my ear, and the other in his. I barely registered the sweet and soft music that was being piped into my ear before Randy pulled me to him.
"Dance with me, Lo," he said again. My heart jumped into my throat as he used my family nickname for me. I completely caved into him, and wrapped my arms around his neck. One thing that I didn't like about being pregnant was that I couldn't press myself flush to him. But I did the best I could as I let him start to gently sway me around. I knew people were staring, and I knew they were whispering about us, but I just didn't care at the moment. My whole attention was taken by Randy. He rested his cheek against my hair, and I heard him breathe in deeply. I couldn't tell you how long we stayed like that, but all I knew was the song had changed. I pulled back, craning my neck to reach his lips. He obliged and kissed me with such passion that it took my breath away.
Before we broke the kiss, I felt something hit my cheek. A cold, wet something. I pulled away with a jerk, and felt my cheek, only to discover little beads of moisture. I turned my head towards the kiss, watching the dark swirling clouds. Then, without warning, the bottom dropped out. And rain poured down in heavy sheets. My hair was instantly soaked through and through, and my feet were drowned by the downpour. Once I got over the initial shock, I began pulling on Randy's hand. I wanted to get out of this wet environment. Drops of water that hit the ground, ricocheted up and splashed on my bare calves.
"Wait," I heard Randy say through the pounding of the rain on the pavement. I turned around, only to have Randy seize my face with both hands. And for a moment, I forgot all about the rain. All I could concentrate on was the burning look in his eyes. I saw the rain hit his face, and start to roll down his skin. Beads of water clung to his eyelashes. He was absolutely stunning with the rain as his background. He bent down, and took my lips with his. I moaned into his mouth, and met his every movement with one of my own. My arms wrapped around his neck again, pulling him as close to me as possible. Water still splashed around us, drenching us to the core. I could taste the raindrops as they rolled close to his mouth. Randy buried his fingers into my wet hair, holding my face right where he wanted it.
He pulled away, and carefully led me towards his SUV. Randy helped me in, and I felt marginally guilty that I was getting his interior soaked with my body. But if Randy cared, he didn't show it. He climbed into the driver's side, and slowly took us home. I could feel the tension in the small space. It was hot and needy. It kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting nothing more than to get my hands on him. Finally, we pulled up at our home, and got in out of the rain. Randy walked straight up the stairs, without pausing for anything downstairs. I quickly followed him. We made it to our bedroom, and Randy switched the light on in the bathroom. It was obvious he wanted a shower. He came back over to me, brushing his lips over mine softly.
"Mind if I go first?" And at this point, I couldn't deny him anything. I nodded my head, and he slipped back into the bathroom, closing the door. I walked into the guest bathroom, and peeled off my jacket. It clung to me like a second skin. I slipped off my shoes, and set them in the sink, throwing my jacket over the shower railing, to let it dry out. I brushed through my hair with a brush, to make it look less like a rat's nest. I nearly jumped out my skin when I heard a deep voice from behind me. "Bathroom is all yours."
"Thank you," I whispered, and slipped past him to head back to our bedroom. I gathered some clothes out of the closet, and padded to the bathroom. Where I stopped dead. The lights had been turned off, but several candles were light, reflecting a flickering light about the room. A bath had been drawn in the large tub next to the shower. And floating on top of the water, were several red rose petals. The petals led, in a winding path on the floor, towards the door. I wasn't surprised to feel two arms slip around my shoulders, pulling me back into a broad chest. I turned around in those arms.
Randy was looking down at me with a fiery look that heated my bones. He was going out of his way to give me the best birthday. When, in reality, it was one of the best already, without his extra effort. I met his eye again, and he smirked softly.
"Do you want me to wash your back?" His words swirled around my head. Every one of my senses was attuned to Randy. I couldn't fight the smile on my face when I thought of what was about to happen. I felt Randy's hands on my body, as he tugged gently at my shirt. I sighed in content.
"This is one of my best birthdays ever," I forced out, wanting to praise him for his efforts. He turned me around in his arms, pressing his chest against my back. I felt his hands start to slip up my shirt. I shivered when I felt his skin touch mine. Randy chuckled softly, and his breath tickled the skin of my throat. He pulled away and lifted my shirt up and over my head.
oo
I sighed when I loaded the last song for the night. We were in Boston for Monday's Raw. And I had to admit, that for being the 900th episode, they weren't doing a lot. It was as if it was just a regular Monday. I would figure they would do something extraordinary, but not this time. I arched my back against the increasing pain from the desk chair. There was absolutely no cushion on this one. I sighed and left my room. I still had thirty minutes before Raw started, and I felt like it would do me some good to lay down. I noticed, on my trek to Randy's locker room, that not as many people stared at me. It was almost as if they had gotten used to the idea of mine and Randy's marriage, and soon to be child. Either that, or they had moved on to newer and better gossip. Either way, I was fine with that. I didn't like to be stared at like I was some circus act.
As I passed the entrance to the Diva's locker room, the door swung open, and Melina walked out. She was in such a rush that she didn't notice me, and bumped right into me. I stumbled slightly, before catching myself on the cinder block wall. That had been one of my fears, every since I had found out I was pregnant, was to fall. Melina stared at me with wide eyes.
"Oh my! I am so sorry!" she gushed and I waved her off, smiling softly.
"No harm, no foul." She copied my actions and smiled at me cautiously. I began walking towards the men's hall of locker rooms, and I noticed that she followed me. I turned to look at her. "Going to see Adam?"
"Yeah, before the show." I smiled.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what is going on between you two? Ya'll have been hanging out a lot more here recently."
A light blush graced her tanned cheeks. "Oh, it's nothing like that. We're just friends. And yes, I know how that sounds."
I laughed loudly. "It wasn't long ago that I was just saying Randy and I were just friends." And I put my hands on my stomach to make my point. Melina joined in with my laughter.
"I have to admit, when I returned to work, that I noticed right off that Randy was different. And I didn't know why, until I met you. Now everything makes sense," she mused. Now it was my turn to blush. I didn't know that Randy's changes had been that noticeable. I mean, I knew that he was different, but we were alone together every night. How could I not know? But to know that other people had noticed, and knew the reason behind his changes, was a little out there. "But, to change the awkward turn of conversation, what are your Christmas plans?"
I could help but laugh. I didn't know much about Melina, but I knew that she had a sense of humor. And her words brought to my attention the closeness of the upcoming holiday. Christmas was just five days away.
"Oh, well Randy and I are going to my mother's house tomorrow for the holidays. We split holidays with our parents. Randy's got us on Thanksgiving, and now, it's my Mom's turn," I laughed. Balancing holiday visits was a hard task. I knew that Randy's parents had wanted us fro Christmas as well, but I just couldn't leave my family out in the cold. And things would just worsen after the baby came. I wouldn't know how to balance both families who wanted to see Keith.
But I knew that everything would work itself out. They always had when it came to Randy and me. We certainly had our bumps, but managed to work everything out in the end. And I had faith in our relationship that that would always happen in the future.
A/N
So sorry it took me so long to get this to you. On top of mounds of school and school work, I'm starting to get sick. Which is not good. But I'll deal I guess.. but please review! Love the comments!
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