A/N: Wow, I've actually had time this week to get a chapter written. Hope you enjoy.
"Okay guys, time to behave. It might be New Year's but I don't need vandalism in my house," Emma chuckled as she got up from her spot in the family room to answer the door. "So no more throwing of cushions."
She pulled the door to the family room closed as at least a further two cushions hit the door. She chuckled again as she went to front door, stopping to check herself in the mirror before greeting her last guest.
"Hey, you made it," she said letting Phil into the house.
"I said I would," he replied genuinely as she shut the front door.
"You ready for this?" she asked nervously, looking back at the entry to the family room.
"Hmm, the four guys who are the most protective of you in your entire life," he mused before stepping closer and pulling her into his arms. "I might need a little courage."
He closed the distance between their lips and they melted together, tasting one another's mouths. When Emma wrapped her arms around his neck, she felt Phil pull back with a smile.
"I think I'm ready now," Phil breathed, bringing Emma back to the moment.
She led him to the family room and opened the door as a second volley of cushions flew at the door. Having half expected the childish behavior from her friends, Emma managed to protect herself by pulling the door closed again so they didn't hit her.
"So mature," she chuckled. She motioned for Phil to follow her as she entered the room properly. The room went silent when the boys realized who walked in with her, until an angry look fell across Ted's face.
"What's he here for?" he barked.
"I invited him here; is that a problem?" Emma bit at Ted. She was about to rant when she felt a touch on her lower back from the man behind her. She moved aside so he was able to step up beside her and his arm wrapped around her waist for support.
"Are you seeing one another?" he asked quietly, though Emma could still hear the anger in his voice. She also noticed the hurt register in Cody's eyes as though he already knew the answer, though she wasn't sure why he would be hurt by the revelation.
Looking over at the other couple, who she was grateful weren't cuddling up at this point, since that would be another awkward conversation, she thought she saw the hint of a smirk on John's face and pure worry on Randy's. As four individuals, they each wore separate emotions on their face and she wasn't sure how to handle it.
Having sensed her hesitation, Phil squeezed her close to him and she nodded her approval at his silent question.
"Guys, we've been together for just under a month," he stated with no flourish and Emma noticed he made sure it sounded like a statement rather than asking permission.
She closed her eyes as she waited for the torrent of questions and quiet threats at her new boyfriend but she breathed a sigh of relief when nothing came. As her eyes opened, the smirk on John's face had grown as he held his hand out to Randy. Randy shifted and pulled out his wallet, handing John what looked like a $50 note.
"Why are you giving him money?" Emma jumped at Randy.
"I noticed you were going to Chicago a lot," Randy explained.
"You bet on me?" Emma asked, annoyed and amused at her friends.
"Wait, who did you think she was dating?" Phil asked, curious.
"He didn't. He thought, what was the wording you used, 'she wouldn't be stupid enough to start dating again; she's probably just seeing a friend'," John said with a smug face. "I had more faith in you Em. Plus it was obvious; you can't take your eyes off one another."
Emma, though a little annoyed at the antics of her best friends, took it in good fun and led Phil to where she originally sat. She could feel Ted's angry eyes still and knew Phil could as well, but neither of them rose to the behavior. If anything, she wanted to find out what Cody was thinking since he hadn't spoken since they walked in the room, and the look of hurt still resided on his face.
As Ted and Cody remained quiet in their own worlds, Phil and Emma both started conversations with John and Randy and thankfully, the older two men weren't concerned who she'd moved on with. She had to hold in a smirk as John and Randy would both shift positions to get more comfortable but would have to shift back when they realized they couldn't touch one another.
"So you lied to me?" Cody suddenly asked when the conversations died down. The confusion evident in his voice.
"Who lied sweetheart?" Ted asked, running his fingers down Cody's neck to soothe him.
"Phil," he said quietly. "I asked you; directly. You said no."
Four sets of eyes were on Phil and Emma as they tried to find a way to ensure Cody it wasn't about lying, more about the fact they didn't want to rush everything, and make sure things were going somewhere, but neither could find the words.
"You know, I'm going to get the food in," Emma said, jumping up from the seat before Phil could catch and stop her from leaving him alone. "Anyone for drinks?"
"Why don't we help you out?" John said, tapping Randy's leg to get him to leave as well.
"Behave," Randy warned Ted before leaving the room with John and Emma.
As they enter the kitchen, Emma's guilt took over and she tried to leave again to go back into the living room. John and Randy both wrapped an arm around her to stop her.
"He's got to learn to deal with those two at some point," Randy said. "It might as well be sooner rather than later."
John leant against the kitchen unit, wrapping his arms around Randy from behind and resting his chin on his shoulder. The two men watched Emma work as she got out some beers for the lads and some soft drinks for her and Phil before pulling out the bags of pretzels.
"Em, tell us something," John said interrupting her work. "Are you happy?"
"The happiest I've been in a long time," she said. "Don't get me wrong, you four keep me entertained with all your drama, especially you two, but it's nice to have someone to go to, spend time with, other than you. And with those two getting married, that would've left me alone with you two. And frankly, oh for god sake you two."
As she'd turned around with the food to hand off to them, she realized neither of them was listening anymore as they'd started kissing one another.
"Can't you stop that for one minute," she complained. "At the very least have the courtesy to wait until I'm done answering your question."
"Sorry," Randy said with a shrug of his shoulders as Emma sighed.
"I should be the one apologizing anyway. You have to hide enough at work, then I bring Phil here and you have to hide some more."
Randy went over to her and wrapped an arm around her as he picked up the some of the beers.
"You deserve to be happy… and right now; we all are," Randy said. "Just expect us to disappear near midnight. I plan on kissing my way into 2011."
The three of them made sure they had everything before heading back into the family room with the drinks and bowls of food. When they walked through the door, they could hear the three men they'd left to it still talking. Mostly, they could hear Phil apologizing.
"Cody, I'm sorry… again. I shouldn't have lied, but I didn't feel it was my place to say anything. I respect Emma, and you're one of her best friends; it was her call," he tried to explain. "Plus, to be honest, we weren't ready to say anything."
"What's changed in two days?" Cody asked; his arms crossed over his chest as he sulked in the loveseat he was sharing with Ted.
"I thought it was a good time," Emma interjected, handing Phil his glass of coke. "The five of us were getting together for New Year's, and I wanted to be with the person I care about. You get to be, why can't I?"
Cody went to answer back but sunk down in his seat unable to come up with a witty comeback.
"Fine," Cody said, sulking at losing the war of words.
"Just know this, PUNK," Ted said, using Phil's stage name. "If you hurt her, in any way, we'll make sure you get it back… tenfold."
Everybody in the room went silent at Ted's attempt at a warning. Emma looked around the room at the five men, trying her hardest not to laugh, as were John, Randy and Phil. Cody was the only one who seemed to find it anything other than funny.
"Was that supposed to scare me?" Phil asked, trying not to crack up as he said it.
John couldn't help let the grin spread across his face as Emma sat back on the sofa and rolled her eyes.
"Phil, listen," Randy interjected. "Ted may have tried a little too hard with the tough guy approach but he has a point. Nobody hurts her; if we find out you hurt her, we'll hurt you."
Randy serious nature, and his God-given talent at portraying a bad guy, meant the threat came across loud and clear.
"Okay, that Josh guy, he isn't in prison is he?" he asked, feeling Emma stiffen at the mention of his name. Before he continued, Phil ran his fingers down her arm, silently relaxing her. "You actually killed him, and buried him didn't you?"
"Phil," Emma said swatting his arm at his bad attempt at clearing the air.
"Seriously, you're hot," Cody said, stopping the laughter.
Everyone turned in his direction and saw the glazed look in his eyes as he continued to stare lustfully at Ted.
"Cody, sweetheart, we've moved on from that now," Ted said before pecking a kiss to Cody's lips.
As the evening drew on, Randy and John excused themselves from the group to allow for Randy's need of a smoke or two. Emma knew it was simply so they could have some one-on-one time and was silently grateful they were still able to be together without worrying over if they were caught.
Making their way into Emma's backyard, Randy lay down on the grass and pulled John down with him so they could hold each other in the cool evening, taking in the night sky.
"Do you really want a smoke or was that just an excuse?" John asked continuing to gaze at the night sky.
"It may have been an excuse," Randy said tipping John's chin up so he could kiss his lightly on the lips.
"Good, cause I've wanting to kiss you for a while now," John said moving his body so he pressed Randy tighter to the ground beneath them. He pressed his lips on Randy's and at first, Randy was enjoying the quick kisses too much to push it forward but as soon as John ran his tongue across his bottom lip, Randy's mouth opened up and he took hold of the back of John's head pulling him closer.
Tongues clashed for dominance and John nibbled on Randy's lip before succumbing to Randy's persistent tongue. Never one to give over full control, John soon took over the kiss while pinning Randy's hands to the ground as he rubbed his body up against him.
Randy fought against John's grip and managed to get one of his hands free and immediately grabbed at John's ass, causing the older man to moan into the never-ending kiss.
"Hey John, Ra-" they heard causing them to jolt apart, seeing a stunned Phil stood on the patio just outside the door.
"Oh, shit, wait, no," Emma said running out trying to stop Phil but it was far too late.
John looked at Randy, concerned he may react in a negative manner, considering how he was when Ted and Cody found out. He held his hand out for Randy and pulled the taller man up from the ground as he stood himself.
"Huh, I was right," Phil said with a nonchalant attitude, before walking back into the house.
"Guys, I am so sorry, I didn't think. We ordered a couple of pizzas, and they just arrived," Emma said, concerned her friends would be upset.
"Em, it's okay, you haven't mentioned it before though?" Randy asked. "He didn't seem too phased about it."
"I haven't said anything, I wouldn't, you know that," Emma said defending herself.
"Em, don't panic," John said calming her down before making the move into the house.
John and Randy went into the family room when Emma got some plates and serviettes for everyone to use.
"Caught necking it again, I hear," Cody joked from the same spot he was in when they left the room.
"That's rich coming from you," John said sharply. "You haven't moved from that seat all night."
"Hey, it's not Cody's fault you were caught, John," Ted defended his boyfriend.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it Codes," John said. "What did you mean 'you were right'?"
Phil chuckled before explaining how he'd had suspicions since just after WrestleMania.
"I saw the looks between the two of you, they'd changed somehow," Phil continued to explain calmly. "Then, when these two came out, not long after, I saw a look I thought I'd seen before."
As he was explaining Emma came in and handed them all a plate and serviette, warning them not to get sauce on her furniture.
"Anyway, it suddenly clicked where I'd seen the look, it was the same look you two had for each other," Phil continued. "I started putting two and two together. But it wasn't my business so I didn't say anything."
"Why didn't you ask Emma when you started dating?" Randy asked.
"Because I like her, and I wouldn't put her in an awkward position like that," Phil stated, giving his own look to Emma and smiling.
"Are you going to tell anyone?" Randy asked nervously.
"Does anyone else suspect?" John asked as well.
"Like I said, not my business. As for anyone else, if they do, they haven't said anything," Phil answered their questions.
John and Randy both relaxed knowing they were okay for the time being. Randy knew it was going to come out eventually, but part of him wanted his family's approval before that happened. He also wanted control of the situation and not because they were caught by someone.
"Alright, time to eat," Randy said pulling everyone out of the awkward situation. He grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza for John and a slice of the meat feast for himself. When he shifted back onto the sofa, he kicked off his shoes before putting his feet on John's lap. "Much better."
"Oh, hey, we forgot to tell you," John said as the others took a slice of pizza. "I'm officially moving to St Louis."
"You got a place there? That was quick," Cody commented, as he snuggled into Ted again.
"Actually, I asked John to move in with me," Randy said. "We didn't say anything until now cause we didn't want to take away from your engagement, let you have your moment, we know what happens when we don't."
"Hey," Ted yelled.
"Relax, I meant your wife," Randy joked.
"You better not have meant me," Ted said smiling.
"It's nice that you're all picking on me tonight," Cody said with a huff as he ate his pizza.
Once the pizza was eaten and cleared away, everyone but Ted groaned as Cody pulled out the leaflets and magazines he'd picked up so they could start thinking about the wedding. Ted and Cody had decided they wanted to marry sooner rather than later and having looked at their schedules, they agreed on April 28, after they'd returned from the European tour and had the week off. And considering they also had WrestleMania to contend with at the beginning of the month, they thought it would be nice way to end the month.
"Okay, we know the date, we need to find a venue," Cody said. "Grab a couple of magazines each and take a look at venue ideas. Also, remember, this is my wedding, not yours. Just cause you don't like it, doesn't me I will think the same."
Before he could continue shouting orders at everyone, he was interrupted by Ted who was clearing his throat and giving him a look.
"Sorry, Teddy, it's our wedding," Cody said.
"Anything you don't like that would help us eliminate some?" Phil asked trying to be helpful, but getting a stern look from Ted as though it were none of his business. "Or you know; I can just mark each one."
"Teddy, behave," Cody admonished his fiancé. "Maybe nothing which is too… flouncy."
"Check, no flouncy," Phil said grinning at Emma. "When people ask me what I did for New Year's, how am I going to get away with telling them I helped plan my girlfriend's gay best friend's wedding."
Emma chuckled at him as she leafed through the magazines, noticing he relaxed even more when she went straight passed the dresses.
"Codes, I don't know about venues, but I found the perfect outfit for you," Randy said, his face as serious as it was when he was telling Phil to watch out if he hurt Emma.
"This better not be a smart-assed joke," Cody warned.
"I promise," Randy continued. "I'm serious, look."
He handed Cody the magazine with a straight face, preparing himself for the onslaught as Cody took in the picture of the Justin Alexander wedding dress. Cody nearly dived across the table aiming for Randy's throat. He would have succeeded if John hadn't pulled his partner away at the same time Ted held onto Cody by his waist.
Emma sat back and watched the familiar sight in front of her as Phil looked at her.
"Is it always like this?" he asked laughing.
"Pretty much," Emma said leaning her head against his shoulder. "Only one thing will stop this."
"What?"
"Distracting Cody," she hinted at the magazine in front of Phil.
"Cody," Phil said, taking Emma's hint.
"WHAT?" he shouted at the newest member of their family.
"I think I found a venue," Phil said handing the magazine over. "It's um, The Carolina Club, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. If my memory's right, we'll be in North Carolina that week."
The pandemonium calmed down as the Cody took in the article while Randy just smirked at John's disapproving look.
"Sweetheart, it looks good," Ted admitted. "Maybe we should go and check it out next week."
"I like this guy," Cody said turning to Emma.
As eleven o'clock came and went, Emma could sense the boys wanted to go and spend some time alone, so she went and got some glasses and the bottle of bubbly she'd purchased from the fridge, pouring a glass of orange juice for Phil.
"Okay, how about we toast in the New Year now, then we can all have some privacy," Emma said handing out the glasses and pouring the drinks. "What shall we toast to?"
"How about 'New Beginnings'?" John suggested. "We've all just started down new paths, here's to making them work."
"I like that," Randy said wrapping an arm around John from behind. "New Beginnings."
"I'd like to also make a toast to 'No drama in 2011', I've had enough in the last nine months to last a lifetime," Emma joked.
"No drama," they all said together, laughing at what they'd all been through.
Once the toasts were done, John and Randy, and Ted and Cody, both went in their own directions to spend some time alone as midnight hit leaving Emma alone with Phil. Emma relaxed in Phil's arms as they watched the festivities taking place in New York.
"You know, I'm still waiting for John to corner me and say something," Phil admitted. "He's the only one who hasn't said anything outright."
"John'll leave us to it. Always has. At least until I've found myself in a sticky situation. Then he swoops in and saves the day," Emma explained. "Most women would be swooning over him because of it, thankfully I seem immune."
Phil tipped her head back a little so she was looking at him before leaning in and claiming her lips in a deep kiss. Emma shifted so she was lying out beside Phil and let him lead her in a passionate kiss. As with a couple of days ago, they'd only been apart for one day, but it was enough to deprive them of what they wanted.
When Phil heard the fireworks going off in the background he broke the kiss and smiled at her sweetly.
"Happy New Year, gorgeous," he said before demanding her lips again.
They lay exploring each other's with their lips and tongues for what felt like only a few minutes but when they heard a small cough from the doorway, they looked to the TV screen to see it had been nearly fifteen minutes.
Ted and Cody entered the room and Cody immediately went to tidy up the magazines and leaflets from the table, so he could take them with him when they went back to their place.
"We thought, we should be getting going, it's about a twenty minute drive for us, we've still got things to see to as well," Ted said.
"Okay, go enjoy each other," Emma said so straight it took a minute for them to realize what she said.
"Where's John and Randy? We wanted to say goodnight."
"I'm guessing, upstairs," Emma said as she hugged each of them goodbye.
"You have earplugs, right Phil?" Ted quipped.
"Wh-" he said stopping himself mid question as a loud moan emerged from upstairs.
"Here we go," Emma said showing the boys out.
"Seriously, they're going to do that… in your house?" Phil asked, shocked at the revelation.
"I've got news for you; they did that in our house, the day we moved in," Cody said, still sounding annoyed at the thought.
Emma and Phil watched as Ted and Cody hopped in their SUV and pulled out of the drive. As they closed the door, they heard another moan, this time quieter, coming from the guest bedroom.
"Seems inappropriate to be doing… that… in someone else's home," Phil commented.
"They're discreet, keep the noise down," she commented as yet another louder moan travelled downstairs. "Mostly. You'll stay with me tonight, though, won't you?"