New Life

"Abigail, it's time to get up."

"OK. What time is the flight?"

"It leaves at 10, we have time to get some breakfast."

"Oh OK."

"What's wrong?"

"My face looks horrible. How am I going to explain it to people? No one's going to believe I fell down."

"So we won't tell them that."

"How am I going to explain what I'm doing with you?"

"Abs, calm down. After you called last night I told John that I had a friend in trouble that I needed to help."

"Abs?"

"Huh,oh yeah. It's less formal than Abigail and not as common as Abby."

"I like it. Why did you have to tell him anything?"

"He and I are sharing this room. I couldn't just ask him to leave without some kind of explanation."

"You guys are good friends?"

"He's my best friend and he'll be a good friend to you."

"You want me to tell him the truth?"

"I want you to tell him what you are comfortable telling him. Just know that you can trust him."

"OK. What about everyone else?"

"We can say it was a car accident. One other thing."

"What?"

"We have to tell my boss the truth."
"Why?"

"I gotta get you a pass and he's going to want to know your story. He'll see right through the car accident story."

"What if he decide I'm a threat because of Brad? What if he wants me as far away from his company as possible?"

"He won't. Besides, Brad's not a threat. He has no idea you're with me."

"You're right he doesn't. If you think its best then OK."

"Good girl. I would never hurt you or put you in a position where someone else could hurt you."

"Why are you being so nice to me? You don't know me."

"Maybe I don't know you but you need help. What kind of person would I be if turned my back?"

"Most people would have dropped me at the nearest shelter."

"It's time you realized I'm not most people. I do things my way and the rest of the world be damned."

"That's brave."

"So are you."

"No, I'm not. There is nothing brave about me."

"Yes, you are brave. You left. Lots of women never do and horrible things happen. You decided not to let that happen. That's brave."

"Thanks for saying that."

"I mean every word. So let's go we got a plane to catch."

Abby is scared to death to meet all of Randy's coworkers. She keeps her head down and her eyes averted through the entire ordeal. Then the moment of truth arrived and Randy introduced her to John Cena.

"Abs, this is John. John this is Abigail."

"Nice to meet you."
"Hi."

"So, you're going to be rolling with Randal and I for awhile, huh?"

"It looks like it. Is that a problem because I could go back."

"Did I say it was a problem? No, I didn't. And if Randy let you go back. I'd kick his ass."

"Why?"

"Nobody deserves to be treated the way you were. You can count on me and Randy to keep you safe."

"Thank you."

When John tried to hug her she ran to the bathroom in tears. She had never had anyone to protect her and now she had two protectors. She couldn't believe her luck. It felt like a dream. If it was a dream she hoped she never woke up. When she emerged from the bathroom John and Randy both stood there looking concerned.

"Are you OK. I didn't mean to make you upset."

"I'm fine. This is all a little overwhelming."

"Get used to it kid, cause we got your back."

"Anything you need."

"I'll never be able to repay either of you."

"Whose asking for repayment? Let's check in."

After they were settled in their room Randy looked at Abby and realized she didn't have a lot of clothes.

"Abs, get up. I'm taking you shopping."

"No!"

"Don't argue. You don't have enough stuff so I'm taking you to get some."

"I can buy my own stuff,"

"I know but I want to do this for you. You can buy dinner later."

"Randy, I'm not sure."

"I am. Let's go. There's a mall near the arena."

"I have never gotten so much stuff for myself at one time before."

"It was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, I had a great time."
"Good, I'm glad. Let's go get something to eat. Then we have to go see Vince."

"I was hoping you'd forgot about that."

"Nope. I'll be with you. I promise it will be painless."

"OK, I hope you're right."

Sitting in front of Vince McMahon was as intimidating as she thought it would be. Randy told about their first meeting and she told him about how she came to be in his office. Not everything of course she hadn't even told Randy everything. To her surprise Mr. McMahon welcomed her and told her he'd help her in any way possible. When they left the office she was in shock.

"I told you that would be a piece of cake."

"Not hardly."

"Now that the hard stuff is out of the way you can concentrate on you."

"Yeah, I haven't thought about me in a long time."

After a few months Abby is a different person. Her physical injuries have healed. She smiles and laughs and looks people in the eye. Randy has watched hr blossom from this scared injured girl into a beautiful vibrant woman. He is proud of her but there is something else. He knows she hasn't told him the whole story of the night she called him. He doesn't want to push her but he thinks it's holding them back. He wants to be with her and he sees the way she looks at him sometimes. Then her eyes get clouded and the moment passes. Randy plans to change all that. It's her birthday and he planned a surprise birthday party for her. It broke his heart when she told him the entire time she was with Brad she never celebrated her birthday. He decided that he was going to make a big production of her birthday.

"Randy everything is set up. Everybody will meet you guys at the club after the show."

"Great. She has no idea. It was a great idea for you to give her the flowers and wish her a happy birthday this morning."

"Did you give her anything?"

"Not yet, I told her I had a surprise for her at the arena."

"What is it?"

"The marquee reads 'Happy Birthday, Abs!' plus I got her a gift."

"Smooth Orton. You really like her don't you?"

"Yeah man it's crazy."

"Just be careful with her. She's been through a lot. She doesn't deserve to be be hurt."

"I know. I wouldn't hurt her. Be quiet she's coming."

"What are you guys up to?"

"Nothing, why do you ask?"

"Because you're always up to something."

"True, but not today. See you guys at the arena."

"Are we leaving now?"
"What's the rush?"

"Randy! I want my surprise. Can we please go?"

"Gee Abs, a person would think you're excited."

"I am I've never had a birthday surprise before. So let's go Legend Killer."

"I prefer Lady Thriller."

"You're unbelievable."

When they got to the arena Abby started to rush inside.

"Abs, wait. The surprise isn't inside."

"What? Where is it?"

"Look up there."

Abby looked up at the marquee and read the message. 'Happy Birthday Abs!'. She squealed and hugged Randy. He was shocked because this was the first time in the entire time they had know each other that she had touched him voluntarily. Randy wasn't going to let the moment pass. He held her tight and enjoyed the feel of her.

"I guess you like it."

"I love it thank you, Randy."

"It was nothing. Let's go inside."

When they got to Randy's locker room there were roses sitting on the table.

"Is this from you to Randy?"

"No, look at the card."

"It's from Vince and Linda."

"That was nice of them. I have one more gift for you."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know I didn't have to. I wanted to. Here. Open it now."

Abby took what was clearly a jewelry box from him. She tore off the paper and to her amazement found a light blue box. She didn't even open it. She placed it beside Randy.

"Randy, that's a Tiffany's box!"

"I know, I bought it."

"I can't accept it."
"You don't even know what it is. How do you know you don't want it?"

"I didn't say I didn't want it. I said I can't accept it."

"Why?"

"It's too much."

"You don't know how much it was. It's my money and I'll spend it however I want. This is the first birthday gift you've gotten since you were a child. It should be extravagant and expensive. Quit being silly and open the box."

Abby opened the box and inside lay a Tiffany Hearts diamond pendant.

"It's beautiful, Randy."

"Happy Birthday, Abs."

John came into the the locker room and the moment passed.

"Hey, baby girl. Let me see what you got besides the marquee outside."

"Look at my beautiful necklace!"

"That's some serious bling. Tiffany's to, nothing to good for our girl, huh Orton"

"You got that right. Did you want something?"

"Yeah, we gotta go meet up with Paul and Shawn about the match."

"I'm coming. I'll be back in a little bit and we'll get something to eat."

"OK."

After Randy and John left Abby looked at her necklace. She couldn't believe Randy had given her such a great gift. She wondered what it meant. She had noticed him looking at her differently. This was the look from her dreams. She knew he saw her look at him in the same way. She also knew he was confused. He didn't know why she kept shutting down. She hadn't told him everything that had happened on the night she called him. He had no idea that she was damaged goods. It doesn't matter how much she wants Randy. Brad ruined her for anyone else. Randy deserved a whole woman and she knew the only way to make him see that was to tell him the whole story. Even though it meant that the look in Randy's eyes would change, it was what was best for them. She decides to tell him after his match.

"Abs, let's go eat."

Randy took her hand and led her to catering. Everyone they passed wished her a happy birthday. She knew it was because of Randy. He was so wonderful. She knew that by this same time tomorrow he wouldn't think the same of her so she planned to enjoy every minute of the time they had left.

"How did your meeting go?"

"It should be a great match."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"There's John. He's heading this way."

"Hey, Randal. Ready for our match?"

"I was born ready."

"Yeah right. So baby girl how's your birthday been?"

"Awesome! No one since my parents died even cared about my birthday."

"Well that's over. Birthdays are for the people in your life to show you they are glad you were born. And Randy and I are both very glad."

"Cena you always know what to say to make me cry."

"I don't mean to. You're just the sister I never had and I love you, girl!"

"I love you to John."

"OK, enough with the mushy stuff. I gotta go. Orton, I'll see you at the ring. Later, baby girl."

Back in Randy's locker room they are both quiet. Randy's thinking that tomorrow everything will be different and Abby will be his girlfriend. Abby is thinking the exact opposite. She's thinking that tomorrow she's going to have to start looking for a place to live and a life without Randy and John.

"My match is next. I'll see you in a little bit."

"OK."

After the match Randy burst into the locker room.

"Abs, put on your diamonds and a smokin outfit we're going to the club!"

"Randy, I want to talk to you."

"Come on girl. Change your clothes. That was one of the best matches I've ever had and I want to celebrate. I'll buy you a birthday drink."

"OK. Hurry up and shower."

"Abs, you look great but where's your necklace?"

"It's right here can you help me?"
"Of course. You look perfect."

"Thanks. Is it just us or is John joining us?"

"I don't know. He said he might stop by for a drink. Damn!"

"What?"

"Have you seen my watch?"

"No, where's the last place you saw it?"

"Here I took it off before the match."

"So it has to be here. I'll help you look."

Randy didn't lose his watch. He gave it to John. He had to give everyone enough time to get to the party. He couldn't risk hiding it in the room she might find it. When John texted him that everyone was there he would tell her he must have left it somewhere else.

"Abs, it's not here. I must have left it somewhere else. Let's go."

"Are you sure? You love that watch."

"I'm sure. I probably didn't even wear it to the arena."

"If you're sure. Let's party. It is my birthday after all."