Chapter 10

As the weeks passed, things in the DiBiase house were getting more and more stressed. While both Ted and Vanessa were working and traveling weekly, Ted's father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Ted, Vanessa and the twins headed to Tennessee to see Ted Sr. Rayne didn't want to go as she didn't want to see someone dying. Randy talked to Rayne about going, but she stood her ground and didn't want to go.

While Vanessa and Ted were in Tennessee, they helped take care of Ted Sr. along with Ted's brothers Brett and Mike. Melanie wasn't sure how long her husband was going to be around and she treated every night as if it were his last. Ted and Vanessa were the main people taking care of Ted Sr and Ted thought that it would be a good idea to move back to Tennessee with the kids.

"What about Rayne?" Ted asked.

"I'll just tell Randy that its time for Rayne to come back and live with us." Vanessa answered.

"And do you really think he's going to let that happen or that Rayne will want to move to another state where she knows only us?" Ted asked.

"I don't know. I'll fly to St. Louis this weekend and sit down with Randy and Rayne and talk to them." Vanessa answered.

"Don't forget Dani. She has a say in this too." Ted stated.

"That she does, but Randy is Rayne's father and he has the final say." Vanessa responded.

Ted gave up arguing with his wife. Vanessa left for St. Louis Friday morning and arranged to talk with Randy alone. Randy wasn't sure what was going on with Vanessa and would have rather had Dani with him, but Dani was busy with all the kids that day at his parents house.

"Alright, Vanessa. What do you want to talk about?" Randy asked.

"I want to take Rayne with me to Tennessee." Vanessa answered.

"We've been through this already. She doesn't want to go to Tennessee." Randy responded. "Why do you want to take her?"

"We are moving to Tennessee to be closer to Ted's parents and we want Rayne to live with us, permanently." Vanessa answered.

"Vanessa, you can not uproot an 11 year old child who is finally getting her issues under control. Rayne has been through a lot and after being in counciling for the past several months, her anger and her attitude has gotten so much better. What do you think will happen when you tell her you want to move her to another state where she knows no one and away from me, Dani and her brothers and sisters that she has here?" Randy asked.

"I don't know. But she is my daughter too, Randal!" Vanessa snapped just as Dani and the kids walked through the door.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Rayne asked.

"I came to talk to your father and you." Vanessa answered.

"Don't Vanessa. Wait until I've talked to Dani." Randy responded.

"Why do you need to talk to her? This is between you and me." Vanessa asked.

"She is my wife and Rayne's step-mother. She has a right to know what is going on." Randy answered.

"Great. Why don't I just drop the whole thing and forget about it. She won't let her go anyways. This is really sad, Randy. Rayne is my daughter and I am the one who is getting treated badly." Vanessa responded.

"Vanessa! You know damn well that I talk everything over with Dani. It's been like that for the last 11 years. Why would it change now? You are acting like a child. You don't know what Dani will say about it. So until we adults can sit down and discuss it like adults, no decisions will be made tonight." Randy stated.

"Fine! Call me when you're ready to talk." Vanessa responded before walking out of the house.

That night after the kids were in bed, Randy sat down in the livingroom with a beer. Dani was concerned as Randy had been quiet since Vanessa left. Dani walked into the livingroom and sat down next to Randy. Randy starred at the celing and thought about what Vanessa said.

"Randy." Dani stated. "What's going on?"

"With what?" Randy asked.

"You, Vanessa, Rayne. I heard part of the argument. Now tell me what's going on." Dani answered.

"Vanessa wants to move Rayne to Tennessee with her and Ted since they are moving there to help Ted's parents. I personally don't think its a good idea, not just because I wouldn't get to see Rayne, but we've worked so hard to get her back on track that I fear that if she will go back to the way she was." Randy stated. "Vanessa also got rather defensive when I told her that I needed to talk things over with you. I know that she is Rayne's mother, but you and I have been raising her for the last 6 months."

"I know we have. I'm glad that you want me to be a part of the decision. I think that we should let Rayne go with Vanessa. While I am her step-mom, Vanessa is her mother. It's not that far of a plane ride or drive for when we can go see Rayne." Dani responded.

"What about if she falls back to the way she was?" Randy asked.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it." Dani answered.