Chapter 33- Love, Actually

Lora

Relief wasn't the word for it. When I thought that I wasn't going to be pestered by Erik, that Randy and I could live our life without his intrusion, was a feeling that I couldn't name. All the fear I had pent up since I left Georgia to get away from him seem to dissipate from my body. I finally had some of the closure that I desperately needed. We had immediately left for Omaha, Nebraska. We had a non-televised event there on Saturday before the pay-per-view, Money in the Bank on Sunday. And since the women were being made to mandatory pap-smears, I scheduled one for in Omaha. Both me and Casie. Casie had to go for another check up pap smear, to keep an eye out for her old cancer; to make sure it hasn't come back.

I leaned down on the bed, and hovered over a sleeping Randy. My hair brushed over his bare chest and I pressed my lips to his. His eyes flickered and opened slowly. When his gaze adjusted on me, he smiled. "I'm leaving for my appointment now."

His smile turned into a soft pout, causing me to laugh as he said, "You wake me up like that, just to leave me? That's torture."

"Aw, I'm sorry. But I've given you something to think about until I get back," I said, lowering my voice, trailing my fingers down his chest. He groaned softly, and his eyes blazed with desire. I kissed him lightly on last time, before standing up from the bed. "Casie is going with me, so we might be back a little late; we're stopping for lunch."

Randy smirked at me, and nodded. I knew I was going to pay for that scene later. And, to be honest, I was looking forward to it. I left the room and met Casie in the lobby, a smile Randy caused still on my face. Casie was already waiting for me, and together we left the hotel. The drive to the gynecologist's office was pleasant, as things always are when Casie and I are together. We pulled into the crowded parking lot, and spent several minutes trying to find a spot. We walked into the crowded office, signed into at the front desk, and found two side-by-side burgundy seats in the middle of the room. We joked around and tried to remain patient while we waited. Casie was called before me, and I was left all to myself, feeling uncomfortable.

"Miss Pierce?" A nurse called from a doorway by the front desk. I gathered my things, and followed her behind the door. She took my weight, measured my height and handed me a small cup, telling me that she needed a urine sample. I did as she asked, and left the cup sitting where she instructed me, and went into a small room. I sat up on the paper-towel covered chair, after I changed into nothing but the paper gown I was requested of. The nurse came in and asked some questions, and I answered her, clinging to the paper fabric, to keep it closed around me.

"Good morning Miss Pierce," the doctor said when she came in. "I'm Dr. Addams. We'll get started, and then we'll talk about getting the results." I nodded, and she made me sit back and put my feet in the stirrups. And no matter how many time I have this done, I never get used to the uncomfortable pricking. It never took longer than ten minutes, and today was no exception. Dr. Addams left the room, telling me that I could put my clothes back on, which I obliged gladly. I waited another ten minutes for the doctor to come back, and she carried a clipboard of notes with her this time.

"Okay, Miss Pierce, have you felt that you haven't been your normal self lately? Have you felt any changes?" Dr. Addams asked, thumbing through her notes.

I thought about that, and tried to answer to the best of my knowledge. "I've been getting tired more lately, but it's probably just my hectic work schedule."

She nodded, jotting something down on her papers. "When was your last menstrual cycle?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but even as I thought about it, I couldn't remember. I knew from the birth control I was taking, that it should have been two weeks ago. And it was only now that that thought occurred to me. I had been so busy with Randy's family, my family, work and the Erik problem, that I hadn't given it any thought. "I can't remember."

Dr. Addams nodded, and pulled out a sheet of paper from her notes. "The reason I ask this, is because our office has a mandatory policy to check the urine samples for all that we can; which includes pregnancy." She handed me the paper, and I stared blankly at it, not registering what she was saying. I saw plus signs, and a wave of nausea swept over me. "You're pregnant, Miss Pierce."

I shook my head in denial. "How is that possible? I'm on birth control." That's the reason I never pressed Randy for further protection. I placed my faith in the little pink pills. He didn't like the way condoms felt, and neither did I. One of my hands involuntarily went to my stomach.

"I'm sure you know that birth control is not one hundred percent effect. It's as close as it can be, sure, but not complete protection. Also, taken in high dosages, acetaminophen, found in Tylenol and other such pain relievers, has the chance to counteract the actual birth control pill."

The only time I can remember taking a lot of pain relievers was right after Erik had attacked, and I took six to eight pills a day for nearly a week to get over all the body aching. My heart raced, and pounded in my ears. "Are you sure? How positive are you?"

"The test we just ran is pretty accurate. It's nothing more really than a home pregnancy test, but they are pretty close to form. We can take some blood from you, and test it, and be one hundred percent sure, if that's what you like? The results take between twenty-four to forty-eight hours," Dr. Addams said, staring in my face. I nodded, wanting to completely sure before I went into complete panic mode. "Do you know who the father is?"

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wrap my head around it. "There's only one option."

"Well, that's good. I'll send a nurse in here to take some blood, and she'll bring you pamphlets on early pregnancy, and what you should be doing," she said, and left the room. But the way she was talking, it was as if there was no chance that the simple test could be wrong. That the blood test won't prove it mistaken. I didn't even flinch when the needle stuck me, I was so caught up in my own head. I numbly accepted the bag of pregnancy notes and advice, left the room, and went back to the waiting room. I left the doctor's with a promise of a phone call when they get the results in.

Casie stood up from her seat when she saw me coming, and met me in the middle of the room. She immediately noticed my dramatic change of my demeanor. Concern and fear washed over her expression. "What is the matter? What's wrong?" I handed her the bag in my hand, not able to use my voice. Casie looked at me in confusion as she slipped her hand in the bag, pulling "Pregnancy: Facts You Should Know". Her sharp intake of breath met my ears, and I cringed at the sound. "You're pregnant?" However, it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"They are doing blood work on me, and I won't know one hundred percent, but they did a simple test, and it would seem that way," I mumbled, climbing into the passenger seat of the car. I was in no shape to try anymore.

"Are you going to tell Randy?" Casie asked, and I groaned. I hadn't thought about telling him. I had just found out myself not an hour ago. I wouldn't know how to tell him. We had been through so much; I didn't know if now was the best time to have a baby.

"Not until I hear from the doctor. Can you not tell anyone?" I begged, fearful of anyone but her knowing. "I hate to ask you to keep anything from John, but I really need to sort this out before anyone finds out."

"You have my word that this won't leave this car," Casie said, and a little relief came to me. I had bought myself some time.

oo

The next day our friends were gathered in a restaurant, in celebration of Matt and Edoin's engagement. It was early in the afternoon, because the guys had to report to the arena in the evening for a special meeting. Casie sat next to me on one side, with Randy on the other. I didn't know if he could see that something was bothering me, because I tried to hide it. I did my best to act as if the appointment had gone off without a hitch. And if Randy didn't believe me, he wasn't saying anything. Adam laughed loudly at a joke that someone had said, that I missed while I was thinking about the baby in my stomach. I looked around to all the happy faces of my friends. Without a care in the world, they were all celebrating a happy event. Only Casie knew what was really going on, and she was holding to her word, and not mentioned anything to anyone. Randy nudged me softly, and I turned my attention to him. He was waiting for me to give my drink order to the server.

"Do you want a pineapple and rum?" he asked as I looked over the menu. I tensed and tried not to look suspicious. I didn't know much about babies and pregnancy; only the highlights you catch in films. And I knew that drinking while you were pregnant was definitely not healthy. I shook my head softly, forcing a smile on my face.

"No, I think I'll just have a Coke." Randy raised an eyebrow at me, with a soft smirk on his face. "What? I'm just not feeling up to drinking tonight." Casie moved next to me, and I chanced a glance in her direction. She somehow found my uncomfortable situation amusing. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she bit her lip to hold her light laughter. She then came to my aid, and changed the subject.

"So, Randy, did you have fun on your paid date?" I rolled my eyes at her, but was secretly immensely appreciative. Randy took a long drink from his beer bottle, and turned his attention towards her.

"Yeah, I had a great time. Though," Randy said, throwing bright eyes in Adam's direction. "Not nearly as much fun as Adam had, isn't that right?"

Adam shrugged his shoulders and smiled wickedly, "What can I say? She was persistent."

"Is it still considered prostitution if it's for charity?" John asked through his laughter. "She did pay for it, you know." The table fell into laughter, including me, finally getting babies off the brain for more than a minute.

The rest of lunch went off without any more difficult questions or awkward situations. Something of which I was glad for. Because I knew I was going to have to tell Randy, but I wanted a few more moments where it was just as it always had been. Randy asked me to join him for his meeting, and together, we rode to the arena. I sat quietly throughout the meeting with Stephanie, as she explained the events scheduled for Saturday night, and then the pay-per-view on Sunday. I couldn't concentrate on most of the meeting, because I was distracted. Distracted by Stephanie's round stomach, with a baby growing inside. I watched the delicate way she would rest her hand on top of the bulge, the way she would lightly run her fingers across her stomach. She didn't seem to be aware of her actions. And this was her third child. She looked at complete rest and content with her hands wrapped around her child growing in her stomach.

Stretching my hand out over my own stomach, I began to imagine what this child would be like. Who would it look like more, Randy or me? Would it be healthy? I shook my head as I felt the meeting start to draw to a close. It wasn't much of a meeting, time-wise, and she dismissed them within thirty minutes. But as I was heading out of door, Stephanie called me back. Randy squeezed my hand, and went to wait just outside the door for me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the round table in the room. But all I could stare at was her large, pregnant belly. I would look like that soon. My skin stretched tight over my protruding stomach. Clothes would no longer fit right, and I would have to go shopping for new material.

Besides being pregnant, and not knowing how to tell Randy, and the fact that a freaking child is growing inside me, and I had no idea, "I'm fine," I said, finally tearing my eyes away to look into Stephanie's face. She raised one eyebrow at me.

"I'll take that answer for now, but you can come to me when you are ready to talk," she smiled softly at me. "But the reason I asked you back, was to see if you had had your pap smear yet?"

How could I forget? "Oh, yes. I had that done yesterday. They will fax me the results and then I can bring them to you."

Stephanie nodded. "Thank you for being so prompt in this. It makes my job so much easier when people actually do what I ask of them," she laughed, but it was cut off by a sudden gasp, and she clung to her stomach softly. I almost panicked, as my hands fluttered about her helplessly. But she waved me off, "The baby is kicking me again." My gaze went back to her stomach, as I imagined a small child in there, kicking in discomfort.

"Want to feel?" Stephanie asked, and before I could voice my answer, she took hold of my hand, and pressed my fingers on her stomach, finding the right place. At first, nothing happened. I felt a little awkward with my hand on her stomach for no reason. Until I felt it. A small thumb beneath the skin. My whole body stilled as I felt the baby inside her stomach kick against my hand. My heart jumped up to my throat, and it was hard to breathe. I couldn't imagine something like this inside me, but it was. The product of Randy and me. It was then that I knew that I was instantly attached to the growing baby. That I knew everything would be okay, as long as I had this child. I pulled my hand away from her stomach and smiled up at Stephanie.

I said my good-byes to Stephanie and I left the room. Randy was a few feet down the hall, and I walked over to join him, as he wrapped his arms around me. And unbeknown to him, his baby. He kissed my hair as I buried my face into his chest.

"What did Stephanie want?" his low voice washed over me.

"Just asking about my pap smear," I answered, keeping the facts to a minimum. I was still going to wait until I heard from the doctor before I told Randy anything. Even though I knew that I wanted this baby, that I already loved this baby inside me, I wanted nothing to be amiss before I break such news to him.

Randy nodded, pulled away, and looked down at me, "Well, I was told to tell you that you were needed in the arena, to fix something in your department around the ring."

I groaned, and took his hand. I didn't come here in the thoughts of working. Randy went along with me, and we headed out of the entrance and down the ramp. I laughed to myself, thinking of all my idols that had walked this very ramp, and here I was, lucky enough to be a part of this world. This job never ceased to surprise me, or make me feel just as giddy as a child. I saw David standing by the ring, and I went to him, asking him what the problem was.

"I don't know, but the titantron won't play the music, just the video. We need you to stand in the ring, because it's higher up off the ground, and see you can spot our mistake."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I looked at Randy, and he hid his amused smile behind his hand. He went up the steel stairs before me, slipped between the ropes and into the ring. Randy turned around and stepped on the bottom rope, and pulled at the middle one, separating them for me to ease into the ring. And I was standing in the middle of mat, looking around me. I couldn't believe that I was standing here. In all the months I had been apart of this business, I had yet to do this. And it took my mind off everything I was going through. Despite being here for a problem, I soaked up this experience. Something like this wasn't bound to happen often.

But I didn't know what I was looking for, as I turned to face the giant titantron screen. How was I going to tell from here what was wrong? I would have been better off in my room. I looked for David, but he was nowhere to be seen. I groaned, of course he was going to take off when I needed him; it's what he does best. I turned around, bouncing lightly from the springy mat, and ran straight into Randy's chest.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for," I complained, running my hands through my hair. "I guess I need to go to the titantron room." I turned to go towards the ropes, but Randy pulled me back. I looked up at his face, and he was staring down at me with a bright light burning in his eyes. "What?"

"Lora, do you know what you've done to me?" Randy asked, sweeping his fingers across my cheek. My brow came together in confusion, as he laughed softly. "You push my boundaries. You've never been afraid to tell me when I'm being an ass, in very colorful ways; you keep me in check. You're the one I go to when the world's angered me, because only you can calm me down. There's only one person on this earth that can affect me in such a way, to nearly control me; and it's you." I smiled softly at him, as he stepped closer to me, running his hand down my spine. "No one's ever loved me the way you do. You've affected my life to the point where I can hardly function without you. Hell, I can't even sleep without you."

Randy pulled away from me, and my heart stopped. He knelt to the mat on one knee. Oh God, was the only thought running through my head. I stared down at him, as he propped on bended knee. He grabbed my left hand with his, and reached in his pocket with his free hand. He brought out a small velvet black box. And suddenly things clicked in my head. There was nothing wrong with the titantron; this had all been part of Randy's plan. To get me out here, and that's why David wasn't around. Moisture stung at the corners of my eyes as I watched Randy watching me. Randy was proposing to me inside the ring. My heart pressed against my ribcage painfully.

"Lora Jade Pierce, I love you," Randy said, his voice strong and resound. His eyes shined bright. "Marry me."

I knew the words were coming, but it didn't prepare me at all. The emotion that laced his voice was the same kind that was balled in my throat. Randy opened the black box, and I gasped. It was gorgeous; the square-cut diamonds sparkled in the lights over head, with the silver band shining brightly. And it probably cost way too much than I would want Randy to spend on me; but I would never tell him that. I absolutely loved it, and would never let him take it from me. I tried to wrap my head around the fact that Randy had just asked me to marry him, as I ran a hand over his growing hair, and rested at his jaw bone. My voice cracked softly as I opened my lips to answer him. "Yes."

Randy's face light up like I had never seen, as he took in my answer. He tore his eyes away from me, and looked to the box in his hand. He slipped the ring from the cushion, and slowly slid it onto my ring finger on my left hand. I held my hand out so I could see the new ring in place. It sat perfect on my finger, and sparkled beautifully. I took a deep breath and looked back down at Randy. His hands were resting on my hips as I grabbed a handful of his shirt in each hand, pulling him up. I throw myself into his arms, pulling him tight to my body. My lips crashed against his, not able to get enough of his taste. Randy wrapped his arms around my waist, and lifted me up; I took my cue, and locked my legs around his body.

Somewhere in the back of my head, I knew I should tell Randy about the baby, but I couldn't bring myself to break this moment up. And in all honesty, I was loving the thought of having Randy to myself, with no interruptions. I was enjoying the intimate time spent with my new fiancé.

A/N

Thanks for reading! Oh wow, so much happened in this chapter! What did you think of Randy's idea at a perfect moment? REVIEW please!

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