Chapter 60 - CONCLUSION

A few months later:

Brian had been scheduled to wrestle that night on Raw; as the usual tradition, Briana and Nadine usually tuned in with the twins. They would be joining him the following weekend for a house show.

Brett too had begun to talk and though the two blond toddlers weren't speaking full sentences, they could be chatty.

When he had come on the screen, Bella had waddled over to the TV and put her hands on the screen. "Papa," she chirped.

"Papa!" Brett echoed.

"Yes, sweethearts, that's your papa," Briana replied, moving Bella back from the screen. "But you'll enjoy him more back here."

"At least now they know who their papa is," Nadine chuckled, recalling Bella's first outburst at Paul at the housewarming party.

Briana couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, I don't think Paul would have twins with blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, unless the mother was that way."

"They look more like their dad every day," Nadine said, studying Brett. "especially this one. He even has Brian's eyes, while Bella has yours."

"Bella also has her dad's curious and energy streaks," Briana added. "I think she's going to be my handful."

"She may follow in Papa's footsteps to the ring."

"Oh God, no," Briana answered. "One of those in this family is enough to worry about." She then gestured at the screen. "Looks like he was on the losing end of this one too."

"I just hope they're not going to make this a comedy program," Nadine said. "He deserves so much better than that."

"Yeah, you aren't kidding. Poor guy doesn't even know what they're doing with him until practically the last minute, but at least this is getting him TV time and not counting tiles backstage."

"Papa!" Bella cried, pointing at the screen with a huge smile.

They looked and saw a new promo being aired. "One thing about Papa, if nothing else, he makes good promos," Briana said.

"And I think this one just peed with excitement," Nadine laughed, indicating Brett and offering to change him.

"Thanks," Briana nodded. "I have a feeling this little girl may have followed suit so I'll take care of her. Okay, kiddo," she lifted up Bella, "let's get you and Brett changed and then ir's off to bed for you two now that you saw Papa."

The following weekend:

"Hey, Bree, come and check this out," Brian said with a laugh.

"What are you now doing to those poor kids?" Briana asked, coming into the room before spotting Bella in one of her father's jackets. The garment about covered all of Bella but her eyes.

"Me Papa," she giggled.

"I should have one of the costume people make miniature ones for them, " Brian said with a grin and acting like he'd accomplished something.

"No thanks, one of you in this family is enough," Briana teased.

"Oh come on, Bree, the kids are due for new pictures to send to Ma; it would be cute to have them in something different."

Brett had picked up another jacket. "Papa," he said. "Me."

"Lovely, now you've corrupted Brett." Briana shook her head. "I am in hell."

"Dude, look how rock star they are!" Paul laughed when he came in the room with their sodas.

"Yeah, I was just thinking of getting their own for their new pics to send to my mom."

"They're totally you, man. You should."

Briana punched him in the arm. "OUCH!" Paul yelled.

"Thanks a lot for the encouragement, Paul," she said. "I don't know which of you two is worse. Brian, get those off before your kids ruin them."

He sighed. "Fine. But at least think about it."

"We're going to dinner in a few minutes anyway," Briana reminded him. "They're probably hungry."

"Hungry," Bella repeated.

"I know you are, little one," Briana picked her up. "As soon as Papa gets done goofing off, we can go."

A short time later, they had been going down the corridor of the arena to the parking lot, stopping to talk to people along the way. One of the women had stopped to chat with Brian for a period of time, causing Bella to frown when the diva went to hug him.

"No," she said. "Papa. Mine."

Everyone around them had begun to laugh heartily.

"Someone is a little possessive," Paul said, laughing. "I'd keep an eye on your daughter, dude."

"Now, Princess, there's enough of Papa to go around," Brian grinned at Bella.

"Mine," Bella repeated, causing more laughter.

"Ah, women," he sighed.

Conclusion:

Several weeks after the house show, Briana had gotten a phone call from an elated Tina, who had announced she was indeed pregnant. "The in vitro worked, Bree!" she cried happily.

"Tina, that's great news! How is Pete taking this?"

"Are you kidding? He's already talking shopping for baby things for its room. Don't worry, we're hiring a contractor, though."

"Yeah, you don't want what we went through with Paul," Briana said laughingly.

"And speaking of hiring, I have a proposition for you."

"What?" Briana asked.

"Since I'm going to be having a child soon, and Pete's company is doing well, I was thinking about selling the salon," Tina replied. "I couldn't think of a better person to offer the opportunity of a new owner and manager than you."

Briana jumped at the offer; it would be great to work again and be around people besides two toddlers. "I'd love to do it," she said. "Have the paperwork started and sent over to me when you get a chance."

"Oh Bree, this is going to be great! Not only do you already know the place inside out from working there so long, but also to think you'd met both of your husbands here."

"And in another life, they probably were twins," Briana laughed. "But yes, I need something to sink my teeth into and what's better than going back to my old stomping grounds?"

"You won't have to be here all the time. Annie is the new assistant manager and she can cover most of the stuff for you when you can't be here, and of course, the regular gang is still here."

"Works for me," Briana responded. "You know what would also be a good idea?"

"Do tell."

"I'm thinking since I have the twins most of the time anyway, why not have a child care portion put in there for the employees and customers? I was also remembering Phyllis brings her grandson once in awhile, and it would work nice for Zachary too."

"That's a great idea!" Tina exclaimed.

"I'll be down next week to look over the place and see about the empty building next door," Briana offered. "We could have the wall to that space knocked down and put the child center in there."

They spoke a little longer about the new business adventure before Briana hung up. By then, it had been dusk, and she scooped up Brett, taking him over to the window and staring outside, reflecting how well her life had gone in over that period of time in her life.

Just then, the horn of an eighteen wheeler blew in the distance from the interstate highway. But to Briana, it wasn't any horn; it was Gary sending a message of approval from the other side, knowing his wife was indeed happy and loved by a man that was his dead ringer in more ways than one.