Chapter 23
A year passed, the love between Austin and Randy never faltering. If anything, it grew larger than anything either of them ever felt before. The divorce was finalized six months after Randy moved in with Austin. It took him all of three seconds to whisk her away to Las Vegas, neither of them wanting a big wedding. Austin wore a simple white tank dress and Randy wore a white buttoned down shirt with black slacks and dress shoes. It was perfect, just the two of them, just the way they wanted it.
Austin walked hand in hand through the airport with her husband, a bright smile on her face, wearing a denim jean skirt with a black halter top, leaning her head against his arm. They had talked about having children, but at the moment, both were just happy and content with being together. Austin wasn't on birth control and they weren't using condoms. They were simply going to let nature take its course and if she wound up pregnant than it was meant to be. It was the weekend of WrestleMania XXVI in Phoenix, Arizona and Austin was elated with joy.
Randy was bouncing off the walls, perfectly content with his life. John was even on speaking terms with him now, though they probably would never regain the close friendship they once shared. John had started dating again and seemed to be happy. A door closed on the past. He was looking forward to the future with his wife and, hopefully, a few rugrats or however many god decided to bless them with.
"You are hyper." She commented with a smile, shaking her head as he guided her out of the airport and toward their rental car.
It wasn't all wine and roses between her and Randy though. Their marriage would've been stale without the occasional argument or fight. For the most part though, they were happy and content with each other. Her three stoned diamond ring sparkled on her left ring finger that was set on a silver band.
There was a band of pure rubies that went with it along with another of diamonds. Diamond represented Randy's birthstone while Ruby was hers. It was a beautiful ring as Austin slid in the passenger seat while Randy put their bags in the back.
"Can you blame me? It's WrestleMania, my beautiful wife is at my side, could life get any sweeter?" Randy replied with a grin.
He had given up smoking when they started talking about having a baby. Knowing she wouldn't smoke if she got pregnant, Randy respected her because he knew some women who had smoked a pack a day until they dropped while carrying. He didn't think it was fair for her to be the only one who suffered.
No, life couldn't get any sweeter. Austin had the love of her life, who she loved unconditionally and laced their fingers together, kissing his lips softly. After they eloped, Randy and Austin finally went to visit her parents, explaining the entire situation with John. Her father threatened Randy that if he hurt his little girl, there would be hell to pay.
It was amusing to watch how overprotective her father could be and did Austin's heart good when Randy promised he would never hurt her again, that they belonged together and this was their second chance. Elizabeth was ecstatic and welcomed Randy with open arms and tears of joy. Randy's parents were the same way; Elaine and Bob welcomed Austin with open arms and told her how much they had missed her. It seemed as though the mothers had always knew they would be together in the end.
Randy had found that bit with William a tad amusing as well as somewhat irritating. Austin had left him, not the other way around, but...He let it slide because they were all one big, interesting family now and he wasn't going to cause waves, not when he had the woman he loved at his side. Alienating in-laws wasn't the brightest of ideas.
"You excited?" He asked eagerly.
"I don't really know what to expect, but yeah, I'm excited because you are." She replied with a smile, having been the stay-at-home wife, waiting for him while working at the law firm.
Though Randy wanted Austin to quit, knowing how much it stressed her out, and Austin was giving high consideration of doing so. What would she do with her time though once she did quit? Sitting alone at home would make her stir crazy so Austin was trying to find something to substitute her job at the law firm. So far, she'd come up empty. Until something else did come along, she was staying at the firm.
Randy had been giving her job issue a lot of thought. He knew Austin needed something else to do besides sit on her ass and wait for him; she just wasn't that type of woman. Unlike Samantha had been, Austin didn't rely on him to provide entertainment. She went out and occupied herself; she was an independent woman as well as his wife and he loved her all the more for it.
Austin's mind suddenly turned to John and she would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous as hell to see him again. Him and Randy had reconciled for the most part, though they weren't best friends anymore. They tolerated each other and Austin had been very hesitant to come on the road with Randy for WrestleMania.
That was until he begged her, telling her everything was fine and squared away with him and John. She believed him and hoped he was right as she stared out the window, chewing her bottom lip. As much as she was dying for a cigarette, Austin didn't want to chance it incase she was pregnant and just didn't know yet.
Randy offered her a stick of gum, chewing a piece himself, having had to take up something else to replace his nicotine habit. He had been warned by Cody and Ted that people substituted other things for their cravings like food, and then informed him he had been gaining weight. Cocky bastards.
"Hey, it'll be alright honey." He assured her, reaching out to squeeze her hand gently.
He always knew and could sense when she was in distress, no matter how little the matter was. "I know I'm just nervous." She flashed him a smile and took the stick of Trident gum, beginning to chew on it. Austin could not believe Randy had stopped smoking, cold turkey, telling her he was doing it because she had to suffer. He was suffering with her and that just made her love him even more. It was cheesy, corny, the whole shebang, but Austin couldn't help how she felt for this man who had completed her. "I love you."
"You had better." Randy teased, shooting her a quick smile before returning his attention to the road. "I love you too, Austin. I'm really glad you came with me for this; it means a lot to me, honey." He raised her hand up to his mouth to plant a kiss on the back of it. He knew she was uncomfortable doing this, especially with John and all, but she had done it anyway for him. That was just another show of how much she really did love him.
"As long as I'm with you, I'm willing to do just about anything." Austin replied, running a hand through her auburn hair that went to her middle back.
Randy REFUSED to let her cut it below her shoulders, loving her red hair. He told her she was very sexy with it, but would respect her decision should she decide to cut it. When she made the appointment to get it done, Austin backed out at the last minute and just requested it be cut to her middle back, too attached to her hair.
Of course if they had a baby, she'd probably have to cut her hair or wear it back all the time to avoid getting it pulled. Which Randy would miss because HE liked pulling her hair, especially when she...He shifted in his seat, clearing his throat and mind. "We'll have a good time. You remember Cody and Ted right? Their girlfriends will be there so you'll have some female company." He informed her, hoping to ease her anxiety a little more.
"Those are the men who follow you right?" She smirked when Randy rolled his eyes, giggling softly, and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I'll have fun no matter what, sweetie." She assured him, not wanting him to worry about her so much, running her thumb soothingly over his knuckles to keep him relaxed. They arrived at the hotel a few minutes later and Austin slid out of the car, Randy grabbing their bags and walked inside with her arm linked through his, green eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Randy!" Ted shouted from across the lobby, waving his arm with a wide grin on his face. Laughing, he all but ran over to them, skidding to a halt. "Hey Austin, nice to see you again." He greeted, hugging her tightly, and then smacked Randy on the arm. "You missed it, Beth OWNED Cody's ass. He's up in his room pouting right now."
"Uh that's great." Randy arched an eyebrow. "Don't you need to be getting around to leave?"
"We're going together, it's MANIA moron."
"Nice to see you again too, Ted." Austin replied politely, smiling as Randy's arm wrapped around her shoulders, leaning against him. "We should head up to our room to get ready since we have to leave soon."
"We'll meet you both down here in a half an hour?"
When Randy nodded and guided Austin away, she simply went along, already having her outfit picked out for the evening. Since it was the biggest event of the year for WWE, everyone had to dress up, including family and visitors, anyone backstage besides fans.
"If you remember, Ted was an annoying, angry little jerk the last time you saw him." Randy said sounding amused as he led her towards the elevator. "Since then he met a girl and has mellowed out a lot. I think it's because she threatened to remove his 'ego' if he didn't simmer it. And then Cody is dating Beth, a co-worker, and she's strong enough to beat his ass if he gets out of line. All in all, it's funny to watch."
Austin nodded, remembering briefly how Ted had been toward her. He wasn't exactly an angry jerk, but he was a pervert. "It's nice to know they both found someone." She said as Randy winked at her, causing her cheeks to flush crimson as he unlocked the door to let her in. Austin's eyes widened slightly at the very large room, then realized it was a suite with a mini kitchen, bar, balcony and Jacuzzi tub. "Oh wow." She breathed with a grin on her face and turned to face him. "You have plans for tonight, you sneaky devil."
"Well yeah." Randy said, sounding as if that was the most obvious thing in the world, smirking down at her. "We'll have to attend the after party, or let me rephrase that, we'll have to put in an appearance, shake some hands, get a few pictures taken and then we're coming straight back here."
"No problem."
Austin was very easy to please as she put her bag on the bed, sifting through it and found what she was looking for, pulling out the fabric. It was a simple shimmering gold dress that went two inches above the knee and spaghetti strapped. The back was a criss-cross design so it had a built in bra. She quickly went into the bathroom to get ready, her hair already done, along with her makeup bag.
For the most part, Randy could dress without the aid of a mirror, pulling on crisp black slacks, shiny black dress shoes and a light blue button down dress shirt, wearing a white t-shirt underneath it. His gear was in the bag, waiting by the door, knowing tonight was the big show; the event everyone who laced boots and wrestled waited on all year round. He used the kitchen to spike his hair a little, wondering just what was taking her so long in there.
"Everything alright, honey?" He asked through the door.
"You are so impatient, I'm almost done." Austin called through it, finishing up her makeup before taking a deep breath and opened the door, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of her husband. The light blue shirt brought out his eyes and hugged his chest and arms to perfection, especially with the white shirt underneath. Austin's eyes were outlined in thin black eyeliner with shimmery gold eye shadow and clear gloss, hair down and the dress clung to her every curve. Black two inch open toed heels completed the outfit and her nails were painted clear with gold tips on them. "Is this dressy enough for the arena and after party?"
Randy's first thought was of a typical male nature. His second was that of a possessive husband. He should make her wear a trench coat so no other man could see how stunningly beautiful she was and try sweeping her off her feet. Then Randy grinned, coming to his senses and nodded, whistling as he circled her. He was proud of his wife, proud of how she looked; he wanted to show her off.
"You are GORGEOUS!" He exclaimed proudly with a smile.
"The same sentiment goes for you." She stated, running her hand down his shirt covered chest, staring up into those beautiful blue eyes and accepted his soft kiss. He'd grown his hair out enough to where it spiked in the front with gel, making him even more delicious to look at. "So, shall we?" She giggled when Randy kissed the back of her hand, lacing their fingers together, and didn't dare grab a coat because it was over ninety degrees in Phoenix, even in the month of April.
Randy was pleased with the appreciative looks she got, but at the same time, making sure to send out the 'she's taken and off limits' signal, an arm draped casually around her waist. He knew she would appear modest next to some of the more outrageous outfits bound to be on display tonight. Though he liked that about Austin. She could dress classy AND still be sexy.
