Kelly was overwhelmed with nervousness as she walked through the Toyota Center the following week.
Her mind continuously flickered back to the face of Alberto Del Rio. Something was up.
"Hey," Alex said as he approached Kelly.
"Alex!" She squeaked in reply and practically jumped into his arms.
Alex chuckled. "Happy to see me?"
"The happiest." Kelly smiled.
Alex was limping slightly and was still wrapped up, but the doctor had told him the sprain wasn't severe enough to need crutches or anything of the sort.
They began slowly walking down the hallway to catering.
"You look beautiful today, Kel." Alex said softly.
A light blush warmed Kelly's cheeks. "Thank you. And thanks for showing up tonight, I know you must still be in so much pain."
"Not really. It was worse a couple days ago. Besides, it's worth it."
"And why's that?"
"Because I get to spend more time with you." Alex smiled.
Kelly didn't know what to say, she just giggled quietly.
As the pair approached the curtain area, Alex slipped his hand into Kelly's.
He looked up at her, and she smiled fondly back.
His heart was racing and he couldn't stop smiling. So close...
Suddenly, the obnoxious laughter of The Bella Twins filled the air.
"Awwww! Look, Nikki!" Brie started.
"The bimbo and the NXT reject are holding hands! How cute!" Nikki continued.
"Ignore them," Alex whispered.
Kelly nodded, and continued staring towards the entrance to the ramp, waiting for her music to begin.
When it did, Alex kissed her forehead and released her hand.
"Good luck, Kelly."
"Thank you." She whispered back as she burst through the curtain.
Alex stood silently away from The Bellas as they waited.
"Really? Her?" Brie asked him softly.
Her normal sarcastic and annoyed tone was nonexistent.
Alex just smiled in reply.
Brie shook her head and followed behind Nikki as their music began.
...
Kelly was the favorite to win.
It was beyond obvious that she had this in the bag.
Throughout the whole match, Kelly had the upper hand. Losing was beginning to seem impossible.
But she of all people should've known better than to underestimate Twin Magic.
Brie knocked Kelly out onto the floor, and the referee was immediately checking on her, not watching the devious twins at all.
Nikki slid into the ring as Brie slid out.
The fresher twin taunted Kelly as she struggled to get back on the apron.
She had landed on her back, and now there was a stinging ache in her right shoulder blade.
Once Kelly made her way back into the ring, Nikki quickly took advantage and set up for the BellaBuster.
Kelly countered and pushed her away momentarily.
This only angered Nikki, who gave the blonde a swift slap before setting up her finisher yet again.
Nikki's BellaBuster connected, and had Kelly in a daze long enough for the twin to get the 1-2-3.
The arena was a mix of small boos and silence. They weren't sure whether to be more angry with the twins, or more disappointed and shocked at Kelly's lengthening losing streak.
Brie and Nikki slunk away with the Divas Championship unseen, while Kelly took her time getting back to the back.
...
When she finally made it to catering, Alex was waiting there with an ice cold water bottle.
"Thanks." She said quietly.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't go as planned."
"Hey, don't be sad." Alex started.
Kelly gave him a small half-smile.
Alex stared at her for a moment before speaking.
"What do you say, you find a movie, I buy dinner, and we have a nice night in tonight?" He suggested.
Kelly pondered the idea before a real smile curled onto her lips.
"That would be amazing." She agreed.
"Sweet. Now why don't you go get showered and changed and I'll meet you at your hotel room in say, two and a half hours?"
"Sounds like a plan." She replied cheerfully.
"See you then, Kel."
Alex placed a soft kiss on her forehead before walking off towards the parking lot.
Kelly giggled to herself as she headed to the locker room.
Despite the whole losing streak, things were looking up. She couldn't ask for more.
...
Two pairs of eyes watched as Kelly slipped into the Diva's locker room.
"Sickening, isn't it?" A thick British accent asked.
"Yes. But it is kind of funny to know he thinks he can keep that slut tied down to one guy." A Spanish one replied.
Wade laughed. "True, true. But hey, that means that the girls don't get to have all the fun."
"Ay, I've had my fun. What's left of him is all yours." Alberto said, his signature smirk forming on his lips.
"Your choice. And by the way, your money will be ready this time next week. I haven't forgotten."
Alberto nodded.
"Wade!" Nikki screeched impatiently. "Let's go!"
Wade only let out a sigh.
A chuckle escaped Alberto.
"Irritating little thing, huh?"
"She can be. Brie is much more... tolerable." Wade answered.
"Chicas," Alberto called to the twins. "¿Sabes dónde está Heather es?"
"She's changing. She'll be out soon." Brie explained.
"Gracias."
Brie nodded, but Nikki stamped her foot.
"I'm not waiting for her! I want to go!"
"I'm just going to get her out of here. Apologize to Heather for me. We'll see you guys later." Wade said as he walked over to The Bellas.
Alberto leaned against the wall patiently as he waited for his fiancé.
Everything was falling into place just as it was planned.
It was only a matter of time...
...
"Who wants Chinese?" Alex asked cheerily as he entered Kelly's hotel room with a large bag of Chinese takeout.
"Oh my gosh, me!" Kelly replied eagerly.
Alex smiled at her as he set the bag of food on the table.
"California rolls for the lady," He said as he handed her a small box of sushi.
"And sweet and sour chicken for me." He finished.
"There's some extra rice in the bag too, if you want it." Alex added.
Kelly smiled and nodded. "Thank you so much, Alex. This is awesome."
"Any time, Kel." He replied.
The two sat on the bed in the middle of the room and began eating.
"So what movie did you choose?" Alex asked between bites.
"You're going to hate me." Kelly said playfully as she chewed.
Alex laughed. "What is it?"
"Eclipse."
"Twilight?"
Kelly nodded.
Alex shook his head and laughed. "Wow, Kel."
"Aw come on it's actually really good!" She insisted.
"I'll give it a shot, but I'm picking next time." He stated with another laugh.
"Yay!" Kelly squeaked as she pushed play on the dvd remote.
Alex continued to shake his head. Jokingly, he said, "The things I do for you..."
...
As the movie credits appeared on-screen Kelly was laid out on Alex's chest.
Neither were sleeping, but both were deep in thought.
Kelly was debating her feelings, while Alex's were running through his head loud and clear.
Kelly sat up, and flicked the light on before shutting the TV and dvd player off.
Silently, both stood up and Kelly led him to the door.
"Well, goodnight, Alex. Thanks for tonight." Kelly said.
Alex stayed silent, and looked into her eyes.
'Now or never...' Alex told himself.
"Kelly?"
"Yes?" She asked quietly.
Alex paused, afraid to say anything else.
The more time he wasted not doing anything, the more he realized that he needed to say something.
"Do you like me?"
Kelly was taken aback by this. "Of course I like you, you're my best friend."
"But do you ever think... maybe we could be more?" Alex pushed.
"Every day since I met you." Kelly finally admitted.
It was Alex who was shocked this time. "Really?"
"Yes, god, yes. But long ago I accepted that all we'd ever be is friends. And I realized that I'd rather be your friend than be nothing."
Alex didn't need to hear anything else.
"Kelly, would you be my girlfriend?"
Kelly was in shock. She couldn't make herself speak.
"O..of course, Alex! Yes!"
Alex's shock mimicked Kelly's.
Both were too excited to form words.
Alex wrapped his arms around Kelly tightly.
"You don't know how happy you just made me." He whispered.
"Neither do you." She replied with a smile.
Alex's phone beeped, signalling that he had a text.
'Way to ruin the moment, Joe...' Alex thought, annoyed.
But as he looked at his phone screen, he noticed the time.
Almost 2AM.
"I really should get going," Alex said reluctantly.
"I understand. It's okay. I'll see you soon." Kelly said sweetly.
Alex smiled and kissed Kelly's forehead.
"Goodnight, Kelly."
"Night, Alex."
Alex waved as Kelly closed the door.
His smile was impossible to get rid of. He practically skipped with joy down the hall.
Even as he entered the elevator, the excitement he felt seemed to only increase.
Finally, after years of chasing, she was his.
Nothing would ruin this for him. Not even Wade and the witch sisters.
The world was his for the taking. Things could only get better.
Or could they?