Chapter 13...

2 Months Later…

"Look," Randy pointed as he and Jeff walked into the arena. "Your favorite person."

Jeff looked ahead of them, rolling his eyes when he saw Raquel. She was walking with Trish. Those two had become good friends over the past couple months. They were practically joined at the hip. It was a little confusing to Jeff. He and Trish had been friends for a while and Raquel hated every fiber of his being. She looked over her shoulder, rolling her eyes when she saw him.

"She really knows how to hold a grudge," Randy smirked.

"I cant stand that woman," Jeff shook his head.

"You know, she's not as bad as you think," Randy said.

"You would say that," Jeff said. "She's just like you. You should ask her out."

Randy shook his head, "Raquel is beautiful and she's a friend..but that's all it's gonna be…She's not my type."

"Why not?"

"Our two egos couldn't fit in one relationship," Randy laughed.

"So basically you want a woman you can walk all over?" Jeff suggested.

"Not exactly," Randy laughed. "Well..kind of."

"Nice," Jeff laughed.

"I know what kind of woman you want," Randy smirked.

"And what kind is that?"

"That kind," he pointed to Raquel.

Jeff shook his head, "Never again."

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"You really need to stop hating Jeff."

"I don't hate him," Raquel looked over at her friend. "I just don't like him…At all."

Trish had been trying to get her to give Jeff a chance for weeks. Eventually, she was just going to give up.

Trish sighed, "Whatever."

Raquel smiled, glad the subject was dropped as they walked into the women's locker room. She was a little surprised to see Brooke Hogan there, sitting with Torrie Wilson. Brooke had been at the past few shows because of a storyline with Randy but she didn't typically spend time in the locker room.

"So are you excited?" Torrie asked.

They'd all been informed at a meeting the day before that Brooke would be performing her song 'About Us' at Summerslam.

"I'm a little nervous," Brooke admitted.

"Why?" Torrie asked. "You'll be great."

Raquel was about to tune them out and talk to Trish but then she heard something that piqued her interest.

"The choreographer we used for the video..She was good but..I don't know," Brooke shrugged. "She's not exactly what I want."

Raquel put down her bag, trying not to look like she was eavesdropping.

"Well who would you want to do it?" Torrie asked.

"I mean, I'd love to get someone like Brianna Kavner," Brooke answered.

"Who's that?"

Raquel smirked at Torrie's question.

"She's one of the best choreographers in the business," Brooke explained. "She's worked with, like, everyone."

Raquel felt a smug smile touch her face at Brooke's praise for her sister.

"Then why don't you try and get her?" Torrie asked.

"Because she probably costs way more than my record company would ever allow," Brooke said, leaning against the wall.

Raquel took this opportunity to turn toward them, "I'm sorry to interrupt..but did I hear you say you wanted to work with Brianna Kavner?"

Brooke looked surprised and a little confused, "Yeah, Why?"

Raquel smiled, "What would you do if I told you that I can make that happen?"

Brooke looked skeptical, "How?"

Raquel pulled her phone out of her purse and dialed her sister. She pressed the button to put her on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Bri?"

"Yes ma'am," Brianna responded, sounding a little out of breath.

Brooke's mouth dropped open.

"What are you doing?"

"Working as usual," Brianna answered. "I told you I'm doing the Robin Thicke video."

"Oh that's right," Raquel looked over at Brooke. "Listen, I need you to do me a favor."

"Is it legal?" Bri asked.

"As far as I'm aware."

"Okay then," Brianna said. "What's up?"

"Do you wanna talk to her?" Raquel offered.

Brooke's mouth was still wide open. She recovered a little, nodding.

Raquel took the phone off of speaker and then handed it to Brooke. She turned to Trish, smiling as Brooke explained who she was to Brianna and what she needed.

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Brianna looked up as the makeup artist touched up her mascara. She had kept her promise to Raquel and started watching Raw and Smackdown so she knew who Brooke Hogan was. She couldn't exactly recall her song though. The makeup artist finished with her mascara and then Bri felt someone toying with her hair.

"Well," Brianna said. "I have kind of a rule. Before I agree to do any work with an artist, I have to have a little sit down with them, lunch, dinner, whatever…just to make sure I get a good vibe."

"I totally understand that," Brooke said. "Would it be possible to set that up now?"

Brianna looked over at the set, Robin was still talking to the director so she had a few minutes.

"Sure," she shrugged.

"You name the time and place," Brooke said. "I'll figure out some way to get there."

Brianna laughed, the girl was certainly enthusiastic.

"Well," she said. "I'm in Miami at the moment."

"I live in Miami!" Brooke exclaimed. "And we're supposed to be there on Monday for Raw."

"I'll still be here then," Brianna said.

"You will?" Brooke asked. "That's perfect."

Robin seemed to be finishing up sooner than expected. A few people were looking expectantly in Brianna's direction.

"Just get my number from Raquel and call me when you're here, we'll set up a lunch."

"I will," Brooke said. "Thank you so much!"

"No problem," Brianna smiled. "I better get going, I'm holding up production…I'll see you soon."

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Trish crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing her friend, "You are so up to something."

Brooke had just left to tell her father the good news and Torrie went off to find Candice to talk about their bra and panties match later on that night.

Raquel smiled, "What ever do you mean?"

Trish had been filled in on Raquel's sister's past with John, Raquel's dislike for Brianna's fiancé Nick, and her friend's desire to push John and Brianna back together.

"You could care less about Brooke's performance and you know it," Trish pointed.

"I'm not that mean," Raquel insisted. "Brooke wants a great choreographer and Bri is the best out there. If that means my sister has to travel with us for a little while to help her out, then so be it."

"And if that makes it a little easier for you to get her and John together?" Trish smirked.

Raquel smiled, "Then that's just a bonus."

"What makes you so sure they want to get together?" Trish asked. "John is with Paula and Brianna's getting married."

"Paula is a bitch," Raquel said. "And my sister has been claiming she's too busy to set a wedding date since they day that loser proposed."

Trish nodded, "Yeah, Paula is a bitch…But-"

"No but's," Raquel held up a hand. "Do you know even though they're both working constantly, John and Bri have talked twice a week for the past two months?"

"Really?" Trish asked. "That's kinda cute."

Raquel nodded, "Once I get them within a few feet of each other…it's only a matter of time.

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Sunday…

Miami

"So she's coming tonight?" Trish asked as she, Raquel and Maria rode back to the hotel.

Raquel nodded, "I talked to her about it last night when we got in."

Raquel was arranging a dinner for some of her friends that night.

"So we finally get to meet your sister?" Maria asked.

"Both sisters actually," Raquel smiled. "Gia's here with her."

"Even better," Trish said. "We've heard so much about them, I feel like I know them already."

"And John is coming?" Maria asked.

Raquel nodded.

"Did you invite Paula?" Maria asked. "Because I would love to see the look on her face with your sister there."

"I gave John the option to bring her," Raquel said. "As long as she doesn't speak to me, everything will be fine."

"Is Jeff coming?" Trish smirked.

"You always have to go there, don't you?" Raquel looked over at her friend.

"I'm just asking," Trish laughed.

"You know she gets all touchy when you bring him up," Maria teased.

Raquel shook her head, "Sometimes I wonder why I talk to you two."

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Brooke waited at the table, looking around. She was at the Blue Door Terrace, located in the Hotel Delano, one of Miami's best. Brianna was staying in one of the bungalows and asked her to meet here there at 1. It was already 1:30 but Brooke was trying not to worry. She seemed really nice on the phone. Too nice to just ditch her.

"I am so sorry."

Brooke turned when she heard the voice behind her. Brianna rushed toward her, "I swear I'm not always this late."

Brooke was a little surprised. For some reason, because she had such a great reputation and had been working in the business for so long, Brooke forgot that she was only a four years older than her.

"I just finished filming with Robin at 6 o'clock this morning," Brianna explained, sitting across from her. "I figured I would come back here and get a little sleep before our lunch and I slept right through my alarm."

"Really, it's okay," Brooke assured her. "Did you get a chance to listen to the song?"

Brianna nodded, "I did."

"And?"

"And there's a lot that I could do with it," Brianna said.

"There is?" Brooke tried not to get too excited. "So does that mean you'll do it?"

Brianna nodded, "Sure. I'd love to."

"You will?" Brooke squeaked.

Bri nodded again.

"Oh my gosh!" Brooke reached across the table and hugged her.

"I'm sorry," Brooke apologized. "I'm just excited."

"It's okay," Brianna smiled. "It's good to know I have that effect on people."

The waiter came over and both of them placed their orders. Now, Brooke realized, it was time for her to explain a couple things.

"There's kind of an issue with my hiring you," Brooke said, a little nervous.

"What?" Brianna drank some of her water.

"I haven't exactly cleared this with the record company," Brooke explained. "And I know they'd be thrilled to have you work with me but as far as your salary.."

"Don't worry about it," Brianna waved it off. "This one's on the house."

"What?" Brooke stared.

Brianna shrugged, "I'm not hurting for money, a freebie isn't gonna kill me."

Brooke was amazed. This was way too good to be true.

Brianna's phone beeped in her purse and she pulled it out, "Sorry, it's just a text from my sister. She's shopping."

Brooke nodded.

"Okay, done," Brianna put the phone back in her purse.

Brooke wrung her hands under the table.

"Are you okay?" Brianna asked. "You look a little nervous again."

"Well, there's another thing," Brooke said. "I have to travel with the WWE for the next few weeks to keep this angle with Randy going…and that means that to get ready for this performance, I would need you with me."

Brianna raised a brow, "You'd want me to travel with you?"

Brooke nodded, "I know that's a lot to ask and I totally understand if you change your mind."

"I'm not changing my mind," Brianna said. "I am gonna have to think about it a bit more. Tell you what…I have a shoot with Kelis on Wednesday. Why don't you come by? I'll let you know my decision then."

Brooke nodded, "That sounds great."

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"I cant decide which dress I wanna wear tonight," Raquel said, looking down at her bags as she, Trish, and Maria walked into the hotel lobby.

"The red one," Maria said.

"Yeah, I vote red," Trish agreed.

"Ladies!"

Raquel looked around when she heard Shane's voice. She quickly spotted him walking toward them with a man she didn't recognize. He was very good looking. Tall with short dark brown hair and green eyes. He work a dark gray suit with a white shirt underneath.

"Who is that?" Maria whispered.

"I think we're about to find out," Trish smiled, running a hand through her hair.

"Ladies," Shane said again as they approached. "I want to introduce you to the newest addition to our legal team."

A Lawyer? She hadn't even heard him speak but as far as she was concerned, he was already perfect.

"This is Victor Allen," Shane said. "Victor, I'd like you to meet Raquel Davenport, Maria Kanellis, and Trish Stratus."

"It's nice to meet you all," Victor said, shaking each of their hands. Raquel smiled up at him and he smiled back, "I don't quite recognize you."

"Raquel's been working our house shows for a little while now," Shane explained. "She's making her TV debut tomorrow night."

"That's exciting," Victor smiled. "I'm sure it'll be great."

"We all are," Maria patted her friend on the shoulder.

"You cant go wrong when you look like that," Victor smirked.

"Thank you," Raquel smiled.

All of Victor's attention was focused on her and Raquel couldn't say she minded at all.

Shane cleared his throat, "We should probably go..Victor and I have some papers to go over."

"Hmm?" Victor looked over at Shane. He obviously hadn't heard a word he said.

"Papers," Shane said. "We should go."

"Oh..right," Victor nodded. "I hope to see all of you soon."

"We'll see you later," Shane waved as they walked away.

"So..does he want to see all of us or just all of Raquel?" Maria laughed.

"I think it's the second one," Trish nodded.

"He was hot," Maria shook her head. "I'm jealous."

Raquel smiled, "Yeah, he's not bad."

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Brianna parked her car on the circle drive in front of her grandfather's house. Every time she saw the huge old house memories flooded back to her. She'd spent quite a few summers going between here and her mother's Miami apartment. John had even come to visit a few times. She got out of the car, leaving her purse on the passenger seat. The house was gated so she didn't have anything to worry about. She walked to the door, pulling her key out of her pocket and unlocking one of the large wooden double doors.

"Grandpa," she called.

"Brianna?" his cheerful voice rang out from the room to her left. The front living room was Rodrigo's favorite room in the house. It was right off of the kitchen and was where he kept most of the sports memorabilia he'd collected over the years. It was also where her grandmother had let him keep his comfy old furniture. She'd never been a big fan of it but she never had the heart to tell him to get rid of it.

"How's my favorite girl?" he hugged her tightly when she entered the room.

"Not too bad," she smiled, hugging him back. "How are you?"

"Pretty good for an old man," he patted her back. "I didn't know you were coming."

"You know I couldn't come to Miami without seeing you."

"You better not," he said, still hugging her. He finally let her go, taking a step back to look at her.

"Hey Pops, the steaks are off the grill and ready for consumption."

Brianna's eyes widened when she saw John walk out of the kitchen in a 'Kiss The Cook' apron. She knew her grandfather loved John. They'd bonded over a football game the first time they met and they grew closer every time she ever saw them talk but as far as she knew, after she broke up with him, the two men hadn't seen or spoken to each other.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"He visits me every time he's in Miami," Rodrigo explained.

"He does?" Brianna asked, confused.

"And he sends me tickets to every show in the area," Rodrigo smiled proudly.

"You do?" she looked over at her ex.

"Brianna you wanna..help me with the steaks..in the kitchen?" he suggested, giving her a pointed look.

She nodded, "Sure."

She led the way into the kitchen , turning to face him.

"Are you okay with this?" he asked, looking as if he felt a little guilty for not telling her.

"Yeah," she reached up, opening one of the cabinets and pulling out two plates, a medium sized one and a larger one. "I'm just..surprised."

She put the plates down next to the pan with the steaks, "How long have you been visiting him?"

"After I heard about your grandmother," he said, getting forks and knives out of the drawer next to her. "I couldn't make it to the funeral..but I made it down about a week later and came to see him for a little while and then, I don't know..I've been coming to see him whenever I'm in the area since then."

"That was four years ago," she looked up at him, even more surprised. All this time and her grandfather had never said a word.

John nodded.

"And he comes to all your shows?" Brianna smiled.

John nodded, putting one steak on the smaller plate and two on the other, "Never misses one."

She laughed a little, pulling some glasses out of another cabinet, "I never even knew he liked wrestling."

"Likes it?" John smirked. "He used to do it."

She stared, "What?"

"You didn't know?" he laughed.

She shook her head slowly. This was too many surprises for one day, "My grandfather used to wrestle?"

John smiled, nodding, "He started when he was 16. He and his brother would come up to Mexico and he'd do shows."

Brianna sat up on the counter, listening as John relayed her grandfather's hidden past. All her life, he'd owned and operated a construction company. She never knew he did anything else.

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"You're great uncle wasn't as into it as he was but he still traveled with him. He actually got pretty big."

"Really?" she smiled.

John nodded. He couldn't help but think it was cute that Brianna seemed so interested. Her green eyes were focused on him, encouraging him to continue.

"When he met your grandmother she didn't have any problem with it," he said. "She even came with him sometimes."

"My grandmother watched wrestling?" Brianna laughed. "No way."

"Ana only watched Pops," John laughed. "But then when she got pregnant, she asked him to take a break to be home with her and he did. He started working construction and took care of her. After your mom was born, Ana said she was okay with him starting back up again. He still had quite a name on the scene so it wasn't hard for him to get back into it."

She nodded, listening intently.

"He stayed on the circuit 'til your mom was about 2 or 3 but then he started getting booked more and more and spending less time at home and Ana wasn't okay with it anymore. She wanted him there for her and your mom. She gave him an ultimatum and he gave it up. He fulfilled his last few obligations and that was it. He went back to construction.

Bri shook her head, "I never knew any of that. My grandfather was a wrestler..That's so..cool."

John smiled, "Yeah it is…Some of the older guys in the business remembered hearing of him. You should have seen him first time he came to see a show."

"Wow," she smiled. "And to think, I thought construction was like, his entire life."

"Not quite."

They turned to see Rodrigo at the entrance to the kitchen.

"Papa," she got down from the counter. "How come you never told me any of this?"

He shrugged, "You never asked."

"Well now I'm asking," she smiled, crossing her arms over her chest. "I want stories..Good one."

John put an arm around her shoulders, "You've gotta see the pictures."

"There's pictures?" she smiled up at him.

"Oh yeah," John nodded.

Brianna smiled, "Now this I have to see."

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Raquel walked down the hall to the elevator. She forgot a bag in Trish's rental and the shoes she wanted to wear that night were in it. The elevator opened and she smiled when she saw who was already on it. Victor was leaning against the wall, looking down at his cell phone. When he saw her, he stood up straight, putting the phone in his pocket.

"Well hello again," he smiled.

She smiled back, "You and Shane done with your papers?"

He nodded, "For today, yes."

"Are you enjoying your new job so far?" she asked.

He smiled, looking her up and down, "It definitely has it's perks."

She raised a brow, "Oh really?"

He nodded.

The doors opened and they walked out together.

"Do you have any plans for dinner tonight?" he asked.

She winced, "Actually..I do."

"Okay," he said. "How about lunch tomorrow?"

"I don't have any plans yet," she smiled.

"I was planning on a lonely lunch alone, probably still looking over a few months worth of legal documents," he smirked. "Care to make my day a little less pathetic and join me?"

"I'd like that."

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"Papa I cannot believe you didn't show me these before," Brianna shook her head, looking at a picture of her grandfather in wrestling trunks and white boots, flexing his muscles. She was sitting on the floor, looking through Rodrigo's huge trunk full of wrestling memories. John was on the floor beside her and Rodrigo was sitting in a chair next to her.

"I didn't think you'd be interested," Rodrigo shrugged.

"Why not?" she asked. "It's actually pretty fascinating."

"Raquel and I are slowly but surely turning this one into a wrestling fan," John tugged at her ponytail.

She laughed, pushing his hand away.

"That's good," Rodrigo smiled. "It's in your blood."

The older man closed the album he had on his lap and a picture fell out, drifting onto the floor.

It was of a beautiful young woman with long, light brown hair holding a little girl. When she looked into the woman's brown eyes, she recognized her immediately.

"Is this grandma?"

Rodrigo nodded, "That's Ava and your mother."

Bri smiled, looking at her grandmother. She missed her terribly.

"My girls," Rodrigo smiled, touching the pictures. "And you take after both of them. Absolutely beautiful."

Brianna laughed, leaning away as he tried to pinch her cheek.

"John can see it," Rodrigo pointed.

Brianna looked over at John and he nodded, "Yeah..she is beautiful."

Brianna felt her face getting a little warm at John's comment and she looked away quickly, turning her attention to the clock. She was shocked to see what time it was. It felt like she'd only been there for an hour when in fact it had been almost three.

"Wow, I should really get going," she said, standing up.

"Damn," John laughed when he looked over at the clock. "I should probably go too."

"You two better come back soon," Rodrigo pointed.

"We will," Brianna promised, hugging him tightly.

"You can count on that," John added.

"Get over here and hug me, Rodrigo waved John over. John did as he was told, laughing when Rodrigo lightly smacked him upside the head.

"We'll see you later papa," Brianna waved. "Love you."

"I love you too."

"I'll be here to pick you up tomorrow," John said as they walked out of the room and toward the door.

"Tomorrow?" Brianna looked up at him as he held the door open for her.

"He's coming to Raw," John explained.

"Ah," she nodded. "Gia and I are going to..we couldn't miss Raquel's first night on TV."

They walked down the stairs and toward their cars in comfortable silence.

"So that was fun," she smiled, unlocking the doors. "And unexpectedly enlightening."

"It was fun," he nodded. "We should do this more often."

She nodded, "Yeah..we should."

He smiled at her and she told herself to look away. His smile had always had an effect on her. It always would. There was just something about it.

"I should uh..she looked down at her keys. "I should go."

"Me too," he said. "I gotta get to dinner soon."

"So do I," she said, opening her car door. She stopped, her eyebrow arched as she looked up at John. He looked as if he was thinking the same thing she was. "Raquel?"

He nodded, "Yup."

She laughed and John shook his head. Her sister just couldn't help herself.

"Should we really be surprised?" she laughed.

"Probably not," he smirked. "She doesn't give up, does she?"

"No she doesn't," Brianna laughed. "Before we leave..can I..talk to you about something?"

"Of course," he leaned against the car. "What's up?"

"It's kind of..odd."

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John felt himself get a little tense. The nervous way she was wringing her hands was making him a little anxious. If this was her inviting him to her wedding, or worse, telling him she was pregnant, he was going right back into the house and downing a few bottles of tequila with Rodrigo.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Well," she sighed. "I had a meeting with Brooke Hogan today."

John felt a weight lift from his shoulders. After that wore off, he was just curious.

"You did?" he asked. "About what?"

"She wants me to help her out with her performance at Summerslam," Bri explained.

If Brooke wanted Brianna's help then that would mean Brianna would be around…A lot.

He smiled, "Are you gonna do it?"

"I'm not too sure," she admitted.

"Why not?"

"Because..well, 'cause Brooke is traveling with you guys for the time being," she reminded him. "Which means that she would want me to do the same to make sure she's ready. She'd need to work on it almost every day."

John nodded.

"I guess I'm just bringing it up because I..I kind of wanted to know what you think about it," she shrugged, looking down at her hands.

"Are you kidding?" he laughed. "I think it's great."

She looked surprised, "You do?"

Something about the look in her eyes was almost..hopeful. Like she wanted him to want her to accept the offer.

He did.

"You on the road with us?" he smiled. "It'd be great..I think you should do it."

"That's good to know," she smiled. "I'm definitely gonna think about it.

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So...What do you all think?