I'm glad everyone loves little Keith! I enjoy writing about him just as much as yall enjoy reading about him! And to JenniferRayne, I know exactly what you mean! Seeing him smile, like a genuine smile, would melt anyone's cold heart! =D

Chapter 23- Days Like These

Seventeen. That number never used to hold any importance for me. Just some random numbers shoved together to make another. Now, it was different. Seventeen was very much a part of my life. Because seventeen seemed to be the number of hours of sleep I've had since bringing Keith home from the hospital three weeks ago. And I'm sure that Randy's had less. Because I just didn't have the energy to go all day long. I was still feeling the fatigue of post-baby recovery, and Randy had to fill the gaps. But he seemed to be handling it a lot better than I was. I guess all those years of traveling minus sleep and seemingly endless hours in the gym were paying off in a different way now. The only light in this long tunnel of sleeplessness, was that Keith was finally starting to sleep through the night. Last night had been the first time he didn't wake up screaming. Of course, his lack of crying didn't mean that I had a full nights sleep. My body was set in two-hour intervals of sleep, waking up with or without Keith's help. And every time I stirred, I checked on Keith. Moreover, it would take another hour or two to get back to sleep.

I stretched out on the couch, laying my head in Randy's lap and closed my eyes. I just spent nearly two hours trying to calm Keith down after the phone had rang and woken him from a nap. I groaned as my back muscles tried to relax after the time I spent bouncing Keith around.

"He finally settle down?" Randy asked, running his fingers lightly through my hair. I had to fight the cringe that wanted to shiver up my spine when his fingers went into my hair. I hadn't had time to even shower in three days.

"After I tried everything I knew; I sang, I cuddled, I petted. It was the bouncing that did it. And I don't if I would touch my hair if I were you," I said, making a face. Randy looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure Keith's spit up in there from his breakfast."

Randy chuckled softly, but didn't remove his hands. I shrugged my shoulders and closed my eyes again. If he wanted to be risky, then that was up to him. "It's not big deal. I've cleaned up so much of it recently, that it doesn't even bother me anymore." I laughed despite myself. A small smile rested on his lips. "What's so funny?"

"I was just wondering what your female fans would do if they saw you like this. Worn out, spit-up stained shirts and smelling of baby powder. This is definitely not the 'Viper' they know and love."

Randy joined me in my laughter. It was true, that Randy had transformed from Randy Orton- the wrestler and secretly romantic guy, to Randy Orton- the dad. It was a change that didn't really faze me. I enjoyed the change. Of course, he was still the wrestler and would always shower me with his love, but right now, our first priority was our son. "All I need now is a flowery apron and dish-washing gloves."

I sniggered at the image Randy had just put in my head. I would have to see that, because it was beyond funny, even in thought. But something he said, sparked a reminder in my head. "Speaking of, the dishes. We haven't washed them in nearly five days. And I can't stand it."

Randy groaned. That was his least favorite thing to do. He would do just about anything to get out of washing the dishes. And since Keith had been born, I'd only asked him of that job once. And he complained throughout the entire chore. It had been amusing to me to see him like that, nose crunched up and barely touching the dirty dishes. "Oh God, anything but that; please."

I covered my mouth to keep the laughter in. He was so cute when he begged. I sat up, and cuddled into his side, fully prepared to sweet talk him into cleaning them. Until Keith's cry echoed out from his room, down the stairs, and into the living room. I whimpered, and laid my head on Randy's shoulder. "I'll make you a deal. I'll do the dishes if you go check on him?"

The speed at which Randy stood up from the couch was amazing. One second I was on his shoulder, and the next I was picking myself up from the cushions. I smirked at his retreating back as he went up the stairs. I shuffled from the couch into the kitchen to begin working on the growing pile of dishes in our sink. Starting the water, I rinsed each plate, bowl, spoon fork and knife off before slipping it into the dishwasher. I was half-way through with the pile, when Randy walked into the kitchen, Keith in his arms. I saw Randy's eyes narrow in my direction. And While I stood there with my hands in a sink-full of soapy water, I realized why Randy was looking at me that way. I'd forgotten what time of day it was. Keith's little body was on a clock-work system almost. I could just about pin-point when there was going to be a diaper change. Well, at least a certain type of dirty diaper change.

I bit my lip as I stared at Randy, and within seconds, I was holding on to the counter, trying to stop my laughter. The offended look on Randy's face was just too much. He cleared his throat and I tried to sober up long enough to give him a chance to speak. His narrowed eyes raised one eyebrow at me. "You owe me."

I actually had to step away from counter and sit in a bar chair. My sides were cramping and my cheeks were beginning to hurt from use. I don't think Randy appreciated the humor of the situation as I did. Because he rolled his eyes, and took Keith back into the living room. I calmed myself enough to finish loading the dishwasher and turned it on. Sting came jogging up to me, and whimpered towards the door. I took my cue to grab the leash and carry him outside. It wasn't nearly was cold anymore as March trucked on into its last week. Sting took off, seeing a bird on the ground, and nearly yanked the handle from my grasp. It was incredible how much the puppy had grown. Even though he was technically still a puppy, he had nearly tripled his size. The foot of the bed was loosing more and more room as he grew.

After I left Sting loose back in the house, I returned to the living room. I saw that Randy had stretched out on the carpet, lying in front of the play-mat that Edoin and Matt had bought. Keith was on his back, staring up at the toys swinging down at him. His legs were kicking and he kept reaching his arms out trying to play with the ocean animals. Randy shook the noisy ones, and aimed the little mirror that was attached so Keith could see his reflection. My lips pursed over my teeth in a smile as I joined them on the floor.

I got down on my knees close to Randy, letting one of my legs lay over his. I curled my arm around his bicep that was available as he propped up on his elbow. Leaning over, I placed a kiss on his cheek. His jaw ticked, and I knew he was fighting his own smile. "I'm sorry about the bomb I didn't warn you about. I wasn't thinking about the time."

"Mhmm," he replied, raising an eyebrow at me with a smirk on his lips. And before I could react, he moved fast to grab me around the waist, then rolling over on his back. I blinked and I was lying on his stomach. My hair fell over my shoulders and curtained Randy's face. He tightly wrapped his arms around my waist. I let my hands at the top of his head, feeling the soft hairs that grew short from his skull. Randy closed his eyes, and buried his head in my neck. "I missed this."

I giggled softly, not knowing exactly what he was referring too. "Missed what?"

"This," he said, squeezing my waist again, pulling me tight to his body. He had missed our physical closeness. And I knew what he meant. Because since I was late in my fourth month, I hadn't been able to press myself fully to him. The bump was in the way. And up until a few weeks ago, the baby made it extremely difficult to hold Randy. Even after the birth, I couldn't hold Randy the way I used to, because I was so sore. But I was finally healed enough to let him hold me tight.

If there was one thing about this pregnancy and new motherhood that wasn't tradition, it would be how I felt. The books and the magazines all said that the new mother would feel awkward about her baby-less body. And that they wouldn't have time for themselves or their partners; or might not even want to spend time with their husbands. That wasn't me by a long shot. While I got the having less time because of the new baby, I didn't feel like I was out of my skin. I felt more awkward while I was pregnant than anything. But, just like Randy, I was enjoying the fact that I could now hold him in my arms. And we got our time anyway we could. In between meal times, during nap times and at night; especially now that Keith was starting to sleep through the night. We were starting to settle into a routine.

oo

"Randy, are you sure about this?" I asked, holding Keith close to my chest, as if my arms could protect him from anything. Randy leaned down to brush his lips over mine slightly. I smirked at Keith when he whimpered and shot an arm out towards Randy. He was so jealous of the attention Randy gave me. And Randy loved it. He loved to tease the little guy with it; and if didn't upset Keith so much, I would have enjoyed it more.

"It'll be fine, Lora. Now, let's get him dressed."

I sighed. Today would be the first time Keith had left the house. The WWE tour was passing through St. Louis tonight for a house-show, and we were taking Keith to see everyone. I took the baby back to his room and gathered his clothes for the day. I sat him on the changing table and stripped him of his body-suit sleeper. I made faces at him, and played with him for a few minutes before I started to dress him. The outfit was a cute as it could be; a short-sleeve baby blue polo with a dinosaur at the hem. His shorts had two different shades of blue, mixed with white, in a checked plaid pattern. I slipped on the extra small navy blue canvas shoes over a pair of matching blue socks. I had to comb his red hair, because it was sticking out in odd angles. It had grown so much in just three weeks.

Bring Keith into our bedroom, I laid him down on the bed, and surrounded him with pillows so he couldn't roll off the bed. I then slipped on my knit top, with black straps. It was a creamy white with brown and blue flowery design, with a black strip that rested just under my bust. Then I pulled up a new pair of denim shorts that stopped just above the knee, and cuffed up by an inch. And to make sure that I wouldn't regret my decision, I slipped on my bright blue flats, that matched the blue in my shirt.

Once I was happy with my appearance, and clean hair, I scoped Keith up from the bed, and carried him down stairs. I saw my husband sitting in the couch, flipping through the channels. I looked Randy up and down and giggled. His brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"So, are we that family?" I asked, switching arms to hold Keith with the other one. Randy still looked at me in confusion. I motioned to my outfit, Keith's and then to him. Randy had on a pale blue button down shirt, cuffed at the sleeves and some dark washed jeans. All three of us were wearing blue of some kind. "The matchey kind?"

Randy rolled his eyes, obviously hadn't noticed, and I had a feeling that he could really care less. He shut the TV off, and walked to me. He took his son from me, and I grabbed the diaper bag. I absolutely loved it. It was green in color, with all different kinds of line, circles and polka dot designs. The name "Keith" was embroidered on the side. Randy turned towards me at the front door. "Do we have everything?"

"Well, I have the diaper bag, which has Keith a change of clothes, and extra pacifier and some little toys. I think ten diapers is way too many, but no harm in being cautious. The stroller is already in the car. Oh, and baby wipes. And two bottles of milk, which by the way," I said, my voice taking a dark tone as I made a face, "was not easy to get. The pump and I are not friends."

Randy laughed and opened the door with one hand. He let me out first, and I waited for him to walk through the doorway, before I shut and locked it behind us. I climbed into the front seat of Randy's SUV. Turning in my seat, I watched as Randy fastened Keith into his seat. There was a mirror attached to the back of the seat, so Keith could see himself in his carseat. And I could see him from the rear-view mirror if aimed correctly. Once Randy was in the front seat, we were off. It still amazed me how slow Randy drove now, when Keith was in the car. It was as if he was afraid to barely even go the speed limit. The drive to the arena didn't take very long. Less than thirty minutes and we were there. I walked around the car to the back, lifting the hatch of the SUV, and pulled out the stroller. Unfolding it, snapping the safety latch, I wheeled it around to Keith's side of the car. Randy had just released the car seat from its holster when I reached them. He snapped the seat into the matching stroller, and was ready.

I laughed at the last time the WWE had seen Randy and I together. I was overly pregnant, and Randy was just my husband. And if I thought back further, this company had seen us in many stages of our lives together. A time when we wouldn't even acknowledge each other, to walking down the corridors, hand in hand, then to my massive bump and the rings on my finger. Now, again we were different as we entered the arena. Randy was pushing a stroller, with our son in it, and I had the diaper bag slung over my shoulder.

I didn't think we would ever make it to John's locker room. Workers, stagehands, wrestlers on the Raw roster and some of the Diva's too kept stopping us. To either congratulate us, or praise our baby. I was very proud "Moma", and puffed up every time he had something said about him. Now I knew how Zoey feels every time someone compliments Odera. They were even talking to me, when they usually ignored me. I was shocked when Maryse asked me how I was. I didn't even know she had it in her to care about anyone other than herself.

Finally, after dodging a few people, we reached John's locker room, and Randy knocked on the door. Everyone in the business knew better than to just walk into someone's locker room; you could get an eye full of something you didn't really want to see. So, Randy knocked. It only took a few seconds for John to swing the door open wide. His face broke out into a smile and stepped out of the way.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" he called out to the room. I rolled my eyes through my smile, knowing John had been very impatient for us to get here. And I had to admit, that once I was had time to think about taking Keith out, I started to get excited about seeing my extended family again. I looked around the room, seeing Casie rushing towards us. Edoin and Matt were sitting beside Adam and, not to my surprise, Melina. He had his arm draped around her neck. I remembered a conversation that I had had with Melina, before having to go on maternity leave, about her and Adam. I knew then that something was going on with the two of them. And by the looks of it, something good. Adam looked… content, with his arm around Melina.

Randy unsnapped Keith from his restraints, and handed him to John. Everyone stood up from the couch, and flocked around Keith. Randy and I shared a look and laughed slightly as he led me towards the couch. We sat together, watching everyone coo over our son. Randy and I were smart; we knew when to get our rest or save our energy. After several minutes, they started to figure out that we weren't with them anymore, and soon were all back to surrounding us on the couch. Casie sat next to me, with Keith in her arms.

"He's gotten so much bigger since the last time I saw him!" she gushed, pushing his pacifier back in his mouth. His legs pulled up to his chest as Casie played with his hands. "At least two or three inches!"

Randy chuckled at Casie's reaction towards Keith. "You know what, you know what? We'll see if you're right tomorrow. His first check-up is in the morning."

As Casie bounced Keith lightly with her legs, the pacifier fell from his mouth again, and he let out a wail to loud that everyone in the room, but Randy and me, winced in shock. We were used to it by now. Casie tried to give him the pacifier back to him, but he spit it right back out. Casie stared at the screaming baby with wide eyes. I tried to hold back my laughter.

"He's probably just hungry," I said, noting that he hadn't had anything to eat for about four hours. "Let me just warm up his bottle in that microwave."

I went to stand up, but John cut across me. "No, just sit down. I'll do it."

I cast Randy an amused look as John pulled a bottle of milk from the bag. He popped in the locker room microwave for fifteen seconds. Keith was still wailing as loud as his little lungs would go, and Casie handed him back to me. I knew it was because she was afraid of doing anything else to make him cry. But his crying didn't subside just because Mommy had him. Keith was bound and determined to get what he wanted. John heard the beep, and grabbed the bottle from the microwave. Walking back across the room, he held it out for me. But Randy stopped my hand from reaching out.

"You have to test it first, make sure it's not too hot," Randy said. John looked at him in confusion, "How?" clearly the question in his eyes. Then Randy's words surprised me. "Pour a couple of drops on your wrist. Then taste it to make sure it's a good temperature."

I almost opened my mouth when Randy's hand landed on my knee, squeezing it softly. I cut my eyes in his direction, and I saw that familiar tick in his jaw. I felt the tension in his body, and I knew he was setting John up. I focused all my attention on my child, as to not blow Randy's plan. But I couldn't help but watch as John shrugged, and poured out more than a few drops on his wrist. I bit my lip when he brought his arm to his face, and he licked the milk from his skin. His reaction was instant. His face screwed up, and a violent shiver rushed over him. His eyes opened, his brow knitted in repulsion, looking from Randy, who was barely containing his smile and the laughter he was holding it started to shake his frame. He then locked eyes with me.

"Lora, what is this?" At his question, everyone else in the room seem to catch on to what Randy had done to John. Laughter started to sneak around the room. I pulled my hand from my mouth, trying not to smile.

"That's breast milk, John," I said, and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, Randy lost it. His laughter ripped from his throat, echoing throughout the stoned-walled room. The next loudest laughter was Adam, who had been sitting in the floor, and was now rolling around, clutching his sides. Casie's head rested on my shoulder, and I could hear her laughter in my ear. Edoin held onto Matt as her laughter got the better of her. The only one that wasn't amused with this, besides John, was Keith. He still screamed in my arms. I held my hand out. "Can Keith have his bottle?"

John rolled his eyes, and thrust the bottle into my waiting hand. And for his trouble, he whacked Randy on the head with the back of his hand. But this only worsened Randy's laughter. I readjusted Keith in my arms, and popped the bottle into his mouth. He quieted instantly, and began to drink. John eyed Keith with a look of love and disgust.

"Well, at least one of us finds that appetizing."

I leaned on Randy to brace myself from my laughter. John opened his mouth to retort, but there was a hard knock on the door, and before anyone could answer it, the door opened. I smiled at the woman bustling into the room, head down, reading a stack of papers.

"John, here's the details for your match toni—" Stephanie began to say, before a soft baby hiccup reached her ears. Her words died in her throat as she lifted her head and her pale green eyes met my dark green ones. Slowly, a smile pulled at her lips. She thrust the entire stack of papers into John's hands and rushed over to me with a soft squeal of delight.

"Oh my gosh! I didn't know you were going to be here tonight!" Stephanie gushed, kneeling before me, to wrap and arm around me. It was rather difficult, because Keith was still drinking on his bottle. I watched as she gazed down at him, and he looked at her with his bright blue eyes. And just like everyone else, she ran her fingers across his face, and held his little hands. "Just look at the head-full of red hair and those bright blue eyes."

"Yes, there's been arguments over who he looks like more," I rolled my eyes towards Randy. He smirked at me, and didn't reply. Keith pushed away the bottle when it was half empty, hiccuping slightly. "John could you hand me the diaper bag, please?"

John eyed me cautiously. He took a tentative step towards the bag. "This doesn't involve any more bottles does it?"

"Not unless you've changed your mind?" I joked and he made the disgusted face again and brought me the bag. I fished around until I found the small thin cotton blanket, and draped it over my shoulder.

"Can I do that?" Stephanie asked, eying the blanket and Keith. I smiled and passed her the blanket, and waited for her get it in position and then handed her Keith. Stephanie stood up, and laid the baby's head on her shoulder, and started to pat his back, burping him. It didn't take her long to get what she wanted. I had to admit, that with three kids, she was an excellent mother. "Well, I can see where he looks like Randy. But also, he looks like you too, Lora. But the important thing is that he is healthy, and happy belongs only to the both of you. Just something I've learned in the past few years."

A/N

Well, what do you think about their family growing stronger everyday? Sweet huh? But don't get too comfortable, because there are troubles ahead! I'm not getting too soft on you! Lol REVIEW please!

Oh, and I had to throw in the "you know what, you know what" part because Randy did that this past Monday, and that's like the 583752 time I've heard do that. I love it!

KimmieCena, Xandman216, Queen Islanzadi, babyxbxgurl, xLou26, miamitravel, Eisac Namhort, undermyumbrella, alana2awesome, barnsley gal 09, littleone999, FireFlyFlicker, vipergirl86, Bingobaby, dreamin'BIG, jcilyx3, Christina89, Diivalover, Lil'MissCena, RICE20, hardycenagrl and JenniferRayne you guys are the best readers ever!