Chapter 22

It was all hands on deck the week leading into Wrestlemania and Lexi felt like she was in a never ending tornado of press conferences, signings and photo shoots. She'd never received so many well wishes and congratulations in her life. Fans peppered her with questions and she was repeatedly asked by her little fans if they could touch her belly. It truly amazed her how supportive the fans could be.

She was grateful to see Roman also receive that kind of support. Despite being a heel in the company, some how he'd gotten over with the fans and she'd caught herself watching him more than once as Roman signed pictures, shook hands and reassured fan after fan that he was well on his way to recovery.

Not one to miss a ratings opportunity, Stephanie arranged several private meet and greets for The Shield including Lexi. Then just when she'd thought it couldn't get any stranger, Stephanie had her and Roman sat down with a columnist for WWE Magazine who asked them to chronicle their story to him.

She was still trying to understand why anyone would care as she stood with Roman in front of the WWE Magazine photographer and awaited instructions. Much to her surprise it seemed that their real life love story interested the fans more than creatives storyline.

"Why exactly did Stephanie order this photo shoot?" Lexi asked as she allowed the photographer to arrange her.

He had Roman move in behind her, then the photographer stepped back to assess. "You two are the feature story for the June edition of the magazine. It only makes sense that you be on the cover."

Shocked, she cut her attention from the photographer to Roman who, by the look on his face shared her surprise. "We're going to be on the cover of WWE Magazine?"

The photographer nodded. "Now, Roman. I want you to slip your arms around Lexi's waist and rest your hands over her belly."

Roman did as the photographer instructed. "Great. Now Lexi turn to face him and Roman you place your hands on her belly."

Two hours later she sat with her feet up, watching some of the NXT upstarts showcase their talents for the crowd. Roman handed her a bottle of water and sat. "Can I ask you a question?"

She twisted off the cap. "Sure."

"How do you feel about being showcased because of the baby?"

Lexi pulled a long drink of water, then shrugged as she replaced the cap. She'd been thinking about that same subject ever since she learned about the magazine cover. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I know this is all about ratings and money." She rolled her eyes and frowned. "Everything they do has to do with ratings and money."

Roman nodded. "Still, I'm not sure I like the idea of them focusing so much of their attention on the baby and not us." He leaned back in the seat. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'll take this over what they were planning, but still...it feels as if they're exploiting the baby."

"That's exactly what they're doing, but there's not much we can do right now to stop it." She shrugged. "We are under contract and obligated to a certain degree to follow orders."

Roman pursed his lips. "Yeah, I know. And since this time nothing they're doing is going to harm you or the baby it's not like we have grounds to stop it."

"True," Lexi agreed. "But if you think about it, what real harm can it do right now? I mean I'm not sure I want want our pictures on the covers of the magazine or cameras following us around after the baby is born, but then they won't have that ability either. The baby won't be under contract, so they won't have any rights to it."

"Yeah," Roman toyed with his water bottle "I suppose you're right, but I think we'll probably need to revisit the subject once the baby is born."

Lexi nodded. "Absolutely." She cocked her head to the side and for a moment simply studied him. Something was bothering her man. Something more than just this baby issue. "What else bothering you?"

"What makes you think something else is bothering me?" he challenged.

She leveled her best 'don't try and bullshit me' look on him and he sighed. "Okay. I'm just a little frustrated because I'm missing Wrestlemania."

"Because of your concussion," she said, already knowing the answer.

He nodded. "Doctor Amman won't clear me to wrestle on Sunday. He said I'm not ready yet. So Dean and Seth will be wrestling in a regular tag match."

"You can at least be at ringside, right?"

He shook his head. "Management doesn't believe I could be at ringside and not somehow end up involved and injured worse."

While she'd dreamed of performing in a Wrestlemania, with the way management viewed the Diva's division she never got her hopes up for it. Still, that didn't mean she couldn't understand how he felt. A small part of her was glad Doctor Amman hadn't bent the rules for Roman simply because of the fact that it was Wrestlemania. No matter how upset he was, his health came first. Still, that didn't mean she liked seeing him upset either. "Do you want to leave? We've completed our obligations. We could head back home and work on the baby's room or help your family work on the wedding plans."

He smiled at her in that way that always made her feel as if she was the most important person in his life. "I love you for thinking of me, but management wants me to dress for the match and walk out with Dean and Seth, so as to show my solidarity to them. When we do our stop to assess the crowd, we're to fist bump and then I turn back and leave them to it."

Lexi frown at the sadness in his voice. "All dressed up and no place to go."

"Exactly," Roman mumbled and Lexi could feel her heart hurt for him.

Energy coursed through the stadium and because of it Roman's mood was foul. Damn it, he'd had a taste of what it was like to perform on the grandest stage of them all and it pissed him off that he was missing it now. They'd won last year and he wanted to feel the glory of that win again. He frowned as he waited in position with Seth and Dean and could feel their gazes on him. "What?"

Seth shook his head. "Nothing, bro. Just concerned about you. I know this can't be easy."

Roman nearly sneered at his friend. "It's nothing I can't handle."

Dean smirked. "Now you're starting to sound like Lexi. Look we know you're upset and we just want you to know that it's okay. You don't have to act like everything hunky dory just for us. We get it is all."

Before Roman could reply Special Ops began to blare through the arena. He stepped out into the cheering crowd, followed Dean and Seth to the first landing, fist bumped then remained in place and watched for a moment as they continued on through the cheering crowd without him.

Ten minutes later he walked back into their dressing room and slammed the door. With worry in her eyes, Lexi stood and approached him. Funny, he mused, how she was the only one on the planet who wasn't afraid to approach him when he was in a bad mood.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and slid her arms around him.

He flipped his wet hair out of the way and slipped an arm around her, holding her against him. "I'm a big boy, Lexi. I'll get through this and be okay."

"I know," she murmured against his combat vest. "I just hate seeing you so unhappy." She turned her head, leaned in a little more and pressed a soft kiss on his chest. Then she landed another near his collar bone. "Though I do have and idea that might distract you for a little while."

He arched a brow and guessing he knew where she was headed, damn near gave her a grin. "What would that be?"

"Why don't you come out to the tour bus and I'll show you," she whispered against his ear, her voice was low and seductive and had him hardening in a matter of seconds.

He lowered his head, captured her mouth in a kiss that sent his libido into overdrive. "Let me just get changed," he said as he pulled back.

"No." Her voice was firm as she curled her fingers into his vest, preventing him from moving.

Confused, he frowned down at her. "Why?"

"Because, I love seeing you in your ring gear," she whispered as she bit at his lip. "You're all mysterious and dangerous. It's sexy as hell and totally turns me on."

Now he did grin and slowly backed her toward the lockers. "You've never told me that before." She shot him a wry smile, looking up at him from beneath seductive lashes. "It's a girl thing. You know that saying how girls always want the bad boy."

He pressed a knee between her legs, pinning her in place as he slid a hand along her side, up and over her baby bump to cup her breast. "And I'm your bad boy?"

"You're my everything," she replied then pulled his head toward her and took his mouth in a kiss that threatened to take Roman out at the knees.

Desire rolled through him like a runaway locomotive and bracing against the wall with one hand, he released her breast and trailed the other lower. He snaked beneath the elastic of her maternity pants, then beneath her panties. She widened her stance for him as he slipped two fingers between her folds. A growl tore from him as he found her slick with arousal.

"God, you're so damn wet, baby."

"I'm wet for you," she whispered against his neck. "Only you."

He'd been struggling to retain the beast within. The one he called on to wrestle. Now he could feel it fighting for freedom, demanding to be sated. Gentle, he reminded himself even as he released the beast. He still needed to be gentle. "I hate to tell you this, sweetheart, but we're not making it back to the tour bus."

I'm sorry...I know this was kind of an uneventful Chapter and more filler than anything, but it was necessary to propel the story forward. I hope you guys don't mind too much and I promise things will get more eventful for them soon. :)