CHAPTER 26 – The epilogue

Fresia was in a corner of the backstage, surrounded by her friends, screaming like a fool to cheer her husband, who in that moment was doing history with a memorable match, together with Stephanie's fiancé Paul, in the main event of WrestleMania XVII.

They got married a few days before, in Italy, in the birth town of her father, Verona. The marriage had been celebrated in the antique Town Hall, just in front of Giulietta's house, because Fresia wasn't religious and had refused to marry in a church. The ceremony was short, but really romantic and her parents had cried all the time. It was funny to see her mum interact with Mark's. Neither of them understood a word of what the other woman was saying but they managed to understand each other perfectly and had took the situation in their hands like two sergeants. Unfortunately Fresia, Mark and his parents had stayed in Italy just for one week, then they had to come back because Mark had to take part in WrestleMania, the most important wrestling show of the year.

Undertaker climbed on the third rope shouting "old school", while the fans went crazy. Then he descended on Paul like an avalanche and sent him to the mat. The camera zoomed on Mark's face. Clearly visible on his throat a new tattoo stood out, in Gothic typeface: FRESIA.

She smiled, remembering their first night of marriage, when Mark had removed his bow tie and opened the shirt collar of his ceremony suit. It was then that she noted the tattoo. It was surely recent, because it wasn't there when they had left the USA.

"Mark, you're crazy you know that, right?"

"Yes I'm crazy for you. I was thinking about it for quite some time, but I wanted to do it in Italy because I wanted to be sure to write your name correctly. You can consider it my wedding gift".

"Beautiful – she said moving closer to her husband – What can I do to reciprocate such gift, seeing that today is your birthday too?"

"Let's see – he said pretending to think about it, while undoing her ivory lace wedding dress – I would be planning a thing or two…"

Useless to say that it took her the entire night to balance that tattoo.

"What is it like to see your own first name on the neck of the Undertaker?" asked Jessie laughing, who was standing beside Fresia.

Fresia turned to her friend. Inside the Circle, she was the first one to marry her dream man, but she would have soon been reached by the others. Jessie and Nora were planning a double marriage. Their men didn't know it yet, but they would have been informed in due time. In the meanwhile the girls were dedicating themselves to the preparations. Cindy and Dwayne, and Laura and Chris, didn't set the date yet, but they agreed that it would have been within the year. Stephanie and Paul were taking it slow, to allow Vince to digest the news but Fresia was sure that neither God in person would have dared to stop Stephanie in her decision to marry Paul.

"It makes me quiver every time – Fresia replied, looking at Jessie – but the biggest thrill comes when I think that the giant out there is my husband".

The girls laughed then turned to the ring, their attention draw to the roar of the crowd. The Undertaker had picked up HHH and was preparing for the Tombstone. He paused just a second to creating suspense then he crashed his opponent on the mat and pinned him.

"One, two, three" they shouted in the arena and in the backstage. The Undertaker had won again, his streak intact. He lifted his arms to the four side of the arena, while the fans honored him with cheers and signs that said "9-0". Mark turned to the closer camera, indicated with a finger the tattoo on his throat and hit his chest three times with his fists. Fresia put a hand on her mouth, to control her emotion, while those presents in the backstage started to applaud her. they were still applauding when Mark came back riding his Harley. Fresia approached him with a luminous smile and her eyes full of tears. He opened his arms and she took refuge in them, happy.

The young stagehand came to take the bike, but Mark turned to him scowling.

"Not tonight boy. Shoo"

The poor guy didn't have to be told twice and disappeared in a heartbeat, followed by everybody's laughs.

"What do you intend to do with the bike?" asked Fresia, curious.

"I want to take my wife to a city sightseeing tour. Houston is really beautiful by night"

"Mark you're all sweaty, you could catch a cold"

"Squirrel, there are at least 85 degrees out there. I will dry myself immediately"

"yes, but the smell will remain"

"Are you saying that your husband stinks?" he asked threatening.

"Well… yes" she replied, not in the least intimidated.

Losing his patience, he grabbed Fresia and lifted her to sit behind him, so easily that she was disoriented.

"Mark…" she began

"Enough, wife. Shut your mouth and hold tight to me or you will pay for this" he said using his best Undertaker voice.

"Mamma mia. And what would you do to me, my Lord?" she joked

"I could decide not to shower at all tonight" he murmured in her ear.

"Oh no! Let's go please, let's go" she surrendered. Mark started the engine and drove the bike through the arena corridors, till the exit.

In the backstage a lot of money started to change hands. All those who had bet on Fresia's victory began to draw their wins, in between the grunts of those who thought that Mark Calaway would have never given in to a common hairdresser attempts of seduction.

The air of Houston was tepid and perfumed. Fresia held tight to her dream man, who was now her husband.

FINE

Well folks this is the end. I hope you liked to read this story as much as I liked to write it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read Fresia's journey and for having the patience to tolerate my grammar mistakes.

A special thanks to all those who reviewed the several chapters of my story:

Canine Sisters, Mababy, Menaji, Missmoe66, Nats22, Phantom Pixie, Ripper De La Blackstaff, Shyann, Takers Temptress.

I love you girls, you made me feel at home.

Ciao. Valeria