Chapter 12

Randy had to step away from her when his friend John Cena actually JUMPED into his arms. "CENA!" He grunted, feeling John wrapping his arms around him. "Man, get off of me!" He was laughing though.

"Man, The Champ Is Here!" John crowed, then looked down at Randy. "Oh, and you." He grinned when Randy dropped him, looking at Layne. "And who is this?"

"I'm Layne Runnels, Legacy's new valet." She replied softly, smiling when John took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"She's also my sister, hands off Cena." Cody said from behind, wrapping an arm around Layne's shoulders.

"I'm going to get a drink." She sighed and walked away, winking at Randy over her shoulder before heading for the punch. She poured herself a glass and sipped it before popping a cracker in her mouth, suddenly starving. Dinner would be served soon though, which was a blessing.

"How off limits we talking?"

"Like I'll kick your ass if you even THINK about it off limits."

"You two have fun." Randy shook his head, trying to make his way to Layne, but every time he took a step forward, someone was there to block him in, offering congratulations.

Layne found the table with Legacy on it, the gold tablecloth being a dead giveaway and sat down with her plate of appetizers, sipping punch. She missed her daughter, this just wasn't her type of scene, though she was finding it amusing seeing Randy being stopped every few seconds. He hadn't made a move toward her and Layne was more confused than ever. She wouldn't let it ruin her evening or Randy's though and just kept a smile on her face.

Randy finally begged off and all, but ran to join Layne at Legacy's table, draping his belt over his knee and smiled at her. "Save me." He joked, picking up a glass of water and downed it, then snatched one set out for the guys. "Man, I forgot what a pain in the butt these after parties can be. Though, the scenery is very, very nice."

Layne giggled back at him as she finished her final cracker with cheese along with her punch, feeling satisfied for the moment, and turned to face him. "You'd better get used to all of the attention." She said playfully, causing him to groan and felt his head press against her shoulder, running her fingers lightly through his gelled hair. "Poor Randy." She giggled before turning her gaze to everyone who attended, feeling comfortable.

"Poor Layne. I have a press conference and guess who's going?" Randy said with a smirk, chuckling softly when she turned her eyes back onto him, and nodded. "Yes you, golden girl. You get the pleasure of going with me to all these lovely little events and promotions that go along with being champion."

Her eyes widened when he said that and crossed her arms in front of her chest, a smirk tilting the corners of her lips. "I'll be by your side through anything as long as Vince allows it." She giggled when Randy pulled her out of her chair and on his lap, the belt on the table. She was sitting sideways as she rested her head against his shoulder, loving how his arms snaked around her body, and pressed her against him more. "I'm very proud of you, Randy, and I know you're going to be a great champion."

Randy already knew Vince would allow it simply because it appeared Layne was with him personally, not just a valet, and she'd need to make appearances alongside of him. Eventually she would develop outside of him, which would leave her free to explore a career on her own, if she chose too. "Thank you." He murmured, his lips brushing against the top of her head.

She slowly pulled back to stare into his eyes, searching them for something and pressed her forehead against his before softly kissing his lips. It was a gentle kiss, nothing like when he kissed her earlier in the ring. "You're welcome. I'm going to get some more punch." She smiled when he released her and slid from his lap before going to the table to get another glass. That and she had to get away from him before she ended up being engulfed in flames.

"Uh did I just see you kissing my sister?"

"Actually," Randy cleared his throat, his blue eyes fastened on the woman in question. "I think you just seen her kissing me." He snorted when Cody growled.

"Man, chill out, I'm not going to hurt her."

"You can't have my blessing, sorry."

"Good, he wasn't asking for it." She said from behind, seeing Cody turn around, and raised a slow eyebrow at him. "You're the reason why Randy hasn't made another move other than that night we watched a movie together."

"Layne, this could get complicated."

"I am your big sister, I am OLDER than you, and I know how to make my own decisions." Her voice was calm, though her eyes were iced over. "I'll do whatever I want and with WHO I want, Cody. Now back off." She set her punch down and extended her hand to Randy, her eyes sparkling warmly down at him. "Will you dance with me?"

"Sure." Randy got up and took her hand, pulling her out onto the dance floor before Cody could say something stupid.

Make her own decisions? Her decisions wound up hurting the people closest to her! Cody was fuming. Her last decision led her away from her family, leaving them to think she was dead! Who the hell...He sighed, shaking his head and buried it in his hands.

"Don't let him bother you." She whispered in his ear and smiled as Randy twirled her around on the dance floor, dipping her a few times, and just enjoying being in his arms.

He was so gentle and sweet, Layne couldn't have asked for a better man in her life at the moment. Granted, he wasn't hers yet, but that was going to change she had a feeling. Layne wasn't going to question it and decided to let Randy bring the subject up again as their eyes locked, her dress swaying with every movement she made on the dance floor. He was the only one she was seeing at the moment, the burning desire clear as day in her midnight blue eyes.

"Actually, he doesn't bother me. I'm more worried about him bothering you and putting his foot in his mouth." Randy said softly. "And you were right, he's the reason I backed off." Cody had made some good, valid points. "If we didn't work out, it could be uncomfortable and I don't want that for you. I want to have a relationship with you outside our professional relationship, but I don't want you or Reed being hurt either."

"I know, neither do I." She quietly replied, sighing as he kissed her forehead. Was it worth the risk though? Randy sounded like he wasn't sure himself and that wasn't going to settle with Layne. He either was sure he wanted her or they remained friends. "I'm really tired. Do you mind if I leave for the night?" She asked when the song ended and they walked back over to the table. She smiled when Randy shook his head and wished him a good night, congratulating him again and walked out of the party, heading upstairs to her room.

"What'd you do to her?"

"Not a fucking thing. I came off sounding like a moron because YOU can't keep your mouth shut. Damn, Cody. I care about your sister and Reed, but now you got me bugging about what's going to happen to them if things don't work out."

"Because you'd be a prick and have her fired?"

"Moron, no. Because I'd worry she'd up and leave, screwing herself over by leaving a job that can set her for life."

Layne sighed as she walked inside her room and seen her father had left, but Dustin had stayed behind, sleeping with her daughter. She smiled as she stood in the doorway and sighed, walking over and waking her big brother up. She promised to get together with them on her next day off to talk to them about what happened before he left for the night, leaving her alone with her daughter. Closing the door quietly behind her, Layne walked over, in her dress and all, and slid in as she pulled Reed against her. No matter how much she wanted Randy, her daughter came first as her eyes closed.

Ted was toasted. "Man...you shoulda seen her..." He mumbled as an amused Randy and Cody half carried his ass into their suit. "She was so hot..."

"Who are we talking about?" Randy asked, trying not to watch as Ted outlined a woman's curves with his hands.

"I don't have any idea."

"Your swister!"

Randy didn't think Cody knew that was a drunken joke, a bad drunken joke.

Layne heard that and shook her head, a smile on her face. Ted was fourteen sheets to the wind, but it sounded like Randy wasn't, which made her frown. He probably didn't have a good time after she left him so abruptly, but she couldn't help it. If Randy couldn't be a man and tell her brother to fuck off so he could be with her, then Layne didn't want him. She wanted a man who would fight for her no matter what, her and Reed, and apparently that wasn't the case with the new champion. Sighing, Layne snuggled against the pillow, her daughter having turned so her face was buried in her chest and ran her fingers through her hair.

"My Little Star." She whispered, kissing her forehead.

"Man, I was josking!"

"Calm down, Codes." Randy said, trying not to sound amused. "He was-" He sighed, wondering why Cody had to drink. Not that Cody couldn't walk a straight line, but the little shit got brazen when he was drinking.

"You shut it, Orton! You think she's hot too!"

"No kidding! I think she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and tomorrow I have every intention of asking her out." Randy shoved Cody into his room before the smaller man could attack. "Good night, Cody, sleep it off."

"Whatta bout me?"

"Aww man."

~!~

Her eyes slowly fluttered open the following morning as the sun streamed through the window, causing Layne to blink, and looked down to see her daughter was nowhere to be found. She bolted upright and sighed with relief when she heard her daughter's laughter in the other room along with Randy. Smiling, Layne stood up from the bed, seeing she was still in her dress and slid out of it before going to take a shower, sighing gently as the sprays flowed down her body. Last night had been amazing, for the most part. Randy was champion and she'd gotten a few great kisses out of him. That's all it would ever be and Layne was getting used to it. She washed her hair and body before stepping out, wrapping a towel around her body, brushing her hair and teeth before walking out to her bag to find something to wear.

Randy was up, bright eyed and bushytailed. The same couldn't be said for his friends who were currently sleeping it off. He had every intention of waking them up…with loud music and lots of sunlight.

"Rise and shine my sleeping beauties!"

"FUCK OFF RANDO!"

Reed was laughing as Randy smacked Ted upside the head, telling him to watch his mouth. "Teddy Bear!" She squealed, jumping on the bed while Randy went to wake up her Uncle Cody. "Come on! It's time to get up!"

"Baby girl, I'm not feeling well. Don't yell."

"HEY RANDY, DON'T YELL THE GUYS AREN'T FEELING WELL!"

Ted and Cody wanted to blow their heads off.

"Oh man, why'd I drink?" Cody moaned, stumbling out into the main room.

"Because you're young and dumb." Randy said cheerfully, offering Cody a glass of water. "Having a cock in mouth problem?"

"A what?"

"Cotton mouth, are you deaf?"

"Oh..."

Layne walked out a few minutes later in a black tank top with a pair of blue jeans, nothing big or fancy, her hair wet and hanging down her back. "Morning." She greeted the men and grinned at her daughter, who came running up to her.

"Mom, Randy got me French toast!" Reed happily stated as Layne lifted her up, wrapping her arms around her neck.

"That's awesome sweetheart, I'm glad you ate." She kissed her forehead before setting her down and went to get some water.

"What does everyone else want?"

"Something for the hangover from hell..." Ted groaned, putting a pair of sunglasses on to shield his eyes from the evil sun. "Why can't it be cloudy today?"

"No kidding..."

"I'm thinking coffee all around."

"French toast, please." Layne answered before walking over to sit on the couch, pulling her daughter on her lap. "So did you have fun with your grandpa and Uncle Dustin?"

"Goldie." Reed corrected with a smirk. "And yes, we played video games and I watched Bolt with grandpa!"

"That sounds like fun." She began brushing her daughter's hair gently, taking her time, and finished before just running her fingers through it. "Well I missed you."

"You miss me all the time." Reed replied smugly and laughed when she began getting tickled. "I missed you too, Mom. Did you have fun?"

"It was a good time, but I would've rather been here with you."

"As always."

"Glad to see she's not cocky or anything."

"It's a Runnels thing. You know Dustin, he's-"

"He's going to stomp your ass if he finds out you were hitting on Terri last night."

"I did WHAT?" Cody blanched, that was his ex-sister in law.

Randy shook his head and flashed Layne a smile. "Cody isn't on top of his game this morning."

"He shouldn't have drank so much." Layne simply replied, her eyes totally focused on Reed, loving to hear her chatter. "How about we watch a movie while I eat my breakfast?" She suggested, smiling at her daughter, and walked with her back into their room. "Let me know when the food is here, Randy." She flashed him a warm smile, still angry at her brother for last night, and went to watch whatever Reed wanted.

"Don't forget, we got a press conference!" Randy called after her, turning to look at his poor hung over stable mates. "You two are morons." He sighed, shaking his head.

"I remember a few occasions you were drunk off your ass and-"

"And did some interesting pictures."

"And have you seen me go on a bender since?"

"Um..."

"No."

Layne sighed when she heard that, wondering why she had to go with when he was the champion. That was simple, she was his valet and fans probably thought they were together. Layne ate her French toast while watching Casper with her daughter. She finished and got ready while listening to her daughter chatter away about her newfound family, a smile gracing her lips.

Leaving Cody and Ted to their hangovers, Randy went to get dressed, sighing because he knew he had to wear a suit. He stared at it, well, at least it was black. He showered and dressed, arranging his undershirt with a groan. "I look like a freaking monkey." He sighed, gelling his hair before studying himself thoughtfully. Layne didn't seem too keen on talking to him today. No doubt last night had upset her or something, which he didn't blame her.