Author's Note: And here is the aftermath of what happened between Elle and Dolph :) Enjoy!
When Elle woke up the next morning, she felt horrible. Words couldn't even describe how she felt. The bright sunshine hurt her eyes and her head was throbbing with so much pain. Not to mention she didn't have a clue as to where she was and she was butt naked. She reached for the nearest piece of clothing, which happened to be a man's dress shirt. She put it on, buttoning it up, and got out of bed. She needed answers. As she reached for her phone that was on the floor, the bathroom door swung open. Her eyes practically lunged out of it's sockets.
"Oh, you're awake!" Dolph exclaimed. "Good. Breakfast is on it's way."
"No, no, no, no, no. What am I doing here with you?" she demanded to know.
"We had sex last night," he spat out, not ashamed one bit.
"That's impossible. I would have remembered!"
"You were piss drunk last night, Elle!" he exclaimed, coming closer to her. Though she took a few steps back. "I found you at the bar and you started flirting with me. We ended up back here."
"You took advantage of me while I was drunk? How could you, Dolph?" she shouted, beating his chest with her fists. Her eyes started to well up. This was completely bullshit and she was absolutely devastated. Wade would burn her like a witch if he found out.
"I'm sorry, Elle! You provoked me," he argued back, holding her arms. "I know you still love me. You wouldn't have done this if you didn't. I-"
She quickly interrupted him. "I was fucking drunk, you idiot! Dammit, Dolph!" She scurried to get her things and walked into the bathroom to change. She had to find Maryse or Phil, get her things, and go home. Elle couldn't believe this happened. Wade would kill her. Tears fell down her rosy cheeks as she put on her outfit from last night, as she thought about how she was going to tell her husband about this. Yes, it was easier to keep a secret, but she honestly couldn't anymore. She had to tell him.
Dolph was still standing in the same spot Elle left him when she walked into the bathroom. He suddenly moved when he saw her slip on her heels and head for the door. "Elle, please. We can work this out. Don't go," he begged, catching her wrist.
"No. This is it. I don't ever want to see you again. You ruined this," she snapped. She slammed the door behind her and made a beeline toward the elevator. She called Phil as soon as she stepped in. He picked up at the first ring. "Oh good, you're awake. Wh-where are you, Phil? I-I need you to come get me," Elle stuttered.
"Ellie, are you okay?" Phil questioned back, his voice filled with concern.
"I just need you to come get me and take me home!" she demanded. "Please?"
"Okay, okay. Tell me where you are and I'll be there."
So she did. In a matter of minutes, Phil was in front of the hotel. He thankfully had her things in the back of his car, along with his. Elle got into the passenger seat without a word, not even acknowledging her brother.
"I'm not moving this vehicle until you tell me what's wrong. You look like hell, baby sis," Phil said.
"I slept with Dolph, okay? I didn't mean to because I was drunk last night and he took me back to his room." That's when she broke down. "Oh, god, I'm so stupid. I'm such a whore, Phil. I'm a fucking whore!"
He leaned over, giving her the hug she very much needed. "Hey now, you are not a whore, okay? We all make mistakes. He was an asshole for taking advantage of you like that."
Elle still didn't feel better about her situation. Once again, she had cheated on her husband, but this time, it was unintentional. She hugged back her brother, just letting it all out. She was afraid to tell Wade because she knew he would be upset. Not even upset, he would be furious. Once she regained her composure, she teared away from Phil, wiping away her tears. When she looked into the mirror, she saw that she looked terrible. "I can't go back home looking like this," Elle spoke. She got out of the car, grabbing her duffel bag and headed back into the hotel. She needed to change and fix herself up.
"You don't have to tell Wade, Elle," Phil said as they walked out of the airport. They were back home in Chicago now and they were very glad that they were. After a long week of wrestling, interviews, and some pain in-between, they could relax for the weekend.
"I know I don't, but I want to. I'm done keeping secrets from him. He can do anything he pleases after I tell him. If he wants to leave me, fine. Dolph didn't ruin my marriage, I did," Elle sighed.
"Don't blame this on yourself. You couldn't help it."
She stopped. "That's the problem!" she shouted. "I couldn't help it. If I controlled my feelings and my urges, I wouldn't be in this situation, Phil. Maybe I'm better off alone for the rest of my life."
"Don't say that, sis. Look, I'm sure Wade'll understand. You were drunk, Dolph took advantage. It was a mistake. You don't know what Wade will do this time around. For the sake of your marriage and everyone else, don't tell Wade. At least not right now."
Elle looked at her older brother. He had a look of worry on his face. He was just trying to be protective, just like he's always been. "Fine. I won't say a word," she agreed. She hoped Phil's advice would be the greatest thing for her right now and God willing, she would be able to spend the weekend without telling Wade what happened last night. And when she did tell him, she hoped he would understand. They've come this far without filing for a divorce.
Wade excitedly waited for Elle by the door of their home. She had texted him a few minutes ago saying they were close by. It's been almost a week and he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. He looked around the empty house. He hated being alone since he was used to be around so many people at a time. His head snapped when he heard a key enter the door's keyhole. The door creaked open and there she was, looking beautiful as ever. "Hi love!" he exclaimed happily, putting his good arm around her waist and lifting her into a hug.
"Hi babe. I missed you," she responded, placing a kiss on his lips.
"Same here. Happy Birthday!" he remembered.
"Thank you," she smiled in sincerity. She gave him one more kiss before heading to their room. She still had a bad headache from the hangover that was slowly going away. The bed was calling her name so that's where she fell down on. She curled into the fetal position in the center of the bed as she watched Wade walk in.
He leaned against the doorframe, grinning in her direction. A second later, he made his way over to the bed, laying down beside her. He stared longingly into her glistening green eyes as he pushed a stray hair behind her ears. Leaning into her, he planted a kiss on her nose, then her lips. He's never felt so at peace than right now. Him and Elle were in a good place and he felt on top of the world despite his current injury. "I'm so happy you're home, love."
"I am, too. There's no other place I'd rather be," she smiled, cuddling closer to him.
"I know this is asking a bit too much, but would you come with me to my surgery on Tuesday?"
"Of course! I'll talk to Vince about it. There's a few other things I need to talk to him about as well."
"Like what?" Wade wanted to know.
"Just things. I'll tell you once I've talked to him," she said, reaching for her phone. "Which'll be now." She sat up, calling her boss. She then walked out the room, far from Wade to hear, and out onto the balcony. It was a beautiful day in Chicago. The sun shone quite brightly, not a single cloud was in the sky. The sunshine made the view of the ocean glimmer like diamonds in the sea, one of Elle's favorite things about having this apartment. "Hi Mr. McMahon. Am I bothering you at the moment?"
"Not at all. How can I help you, Elle?" her boss asked on the other side of the line.
"You know that Wade's surgery is in a few days and I was wondering if I could maybe have the week off to take care of him. I know it's a lot to ask, but he's important to me."
"That's completely fine, Elle. I understand and please give Wade my regards. We have big plans for him when he's cleared to come back," Vince informed her.
Elle lit up at the sound of that. She knew Wade would be excited about that. "Thank you so much and as for one more thing. The Divas' title shot and everything else you were giving me? I think you could maybe give that to a more deserving Diva. Maybe like AJ or Nikki or Nattie."
"What? There's no one more deserving than you."
"I appreciate that, Vince, but there's definitely something more important and that's my family. I'm fine being invisible again."
"I don't understand this. Months ago, you were ecstatic to have this."
Elle sighed heavily. This was a sacrifice she had to make, no matter how hard. "I know, but I have bigger priorities than becoming a champion right now. I'm really sorry, sir."
"Because you're one of the sweetest, I'll do this. I hope everything works out."
"As do I. Thank you so much." After welcoming her, Elle hung up. She was glad everything worked out. She wasn't sure it would, but it did. Giving Wade another child in replacement of the one they lost was more important than being one of the top dogs in the company. She knew one day she would hold that title with pride, but right now wasn't the time anymore.
"You're the most amazing wife, you know that?"
Elle turned around when she heard his accented voice speak. He was standing in the doorway that separated the inside from the outside. "I thought I was unfaithful, a bitch, a whore, untrustworthy?" she asked, joking around.
"That was before. This is now," he said. "You're practically giving up your career to have a family with me."
Her face darkened a bit. "You're the most amazing wife..." Wade's words quickly replayed over in her head. She couldn't have him think she was the most amazing wife when really, she was a drunken, cheating whore. She had to tell him what happened last night. Screw Phil's advice. It was now or never.
She let go of Wade's body, brushing past him to go inside. She collapsed onto their L-shaped couch, curling up in the corner. She hugged her legs to her chest, burying her face inside. "Elle, what's wrong?" she heard Wade ask. She felt the couch shift a little, so she knew he was sitting next to her. Him holding her hand gave that away as well. Would he really understand what happened or would he ask for the divorce they never wanted this time?
"If this is too hard for you to do, you don't have to do any of this," Wade continued on. "I can see how important your career is to you, but I-"
Elle cut him off. "It's not my career!" she practically yelled. She finally looked in his direction. Her eyes were bloodshot already and her cheeks rosy. She had to tell him right now. No more stalling or crying. "I know you're going to hate me after I tell you what I did last night and I don't blame you for any of your actions and reactions. I deserve it." She let out a big sigh. She tore her eyes away from Wade's, looking past him. "I-I'm so sorry, Wade, but I...I sle-slept with...Dolph last night..."
"You what?" Wade roared. He instantly stood up, his mind growing furious. He paced back and forth, undecided on how to react further more.
"I didn't do it intentionally, Wade. I was drunk, okay? We went out to dinner for my birthday last night, then to a club. I just kept drinking and drinking when I went to the bar and you know how I get!" She tugged on Wade's wrist, turning him around. She looked pleadingly into his green eyes. They were red with anger. "I'm really sorry! He took advantage of the fact that I drunk. Please!"
He collapsed down onto the couch, running his hands through his hair. It didn't matter to him that she was drunk, she still slept with Dolph. He didn't know what to do, what to think.
Elle bent down in front of Wade. She took his hands. "You have to believe me, Wade, when I say I'm sorry. This was one of the biggest mistakes I've made. You have to forgive me."
"I love you," Wade whispered. He kissed her forehead before getting up. He grabbed his keys and phone and walked out the door. He had no idea where he was going, but he needed to get out of the house and think things through. Maybe he'd go see Phil.
Elle curled up into a ball, letting it all out. She deserved this. This was all her fault. If she hadn't gone to the bar to drink up a storm, she never would have become drunk and flirted with Dolph, leading him to take advantage of her. If her husband came back and asked for divorce or time apart or whatever, she'd go with it.
They weren't the greatest of friends, but they did have one thing in common and that was Elle. He cared about her, he loved her, he protected her, just like he did. Wade knocked heavily onto the front door of his home and waited until he answered.
"Wade, what are you doing here?" Phil asked, surprised to see his brother-in-law at his home. He never came around unless Elle was here.
"She told you what happened between her and Dolph last night, didn't she?" Wade questioned back, stepping inside his home.
Phil nodded his head. "She was devastated about it. I told her to wait to tell you, but I guess she couldn't keep it in. Look, this was probably the last straw for her being friends with Dolph. He didn't take a single drink last night and he knew Elle was drunk. He took advantage of her. This is not her fault. I don't know what you're thinking about doing, but whatever it is, I hope it's the right decision."
"But she cheated, Phil. Drunk or not, she still did," Wade fired back.
"And that's no excuse, but despite everything, you know she loves you with all her heart. I admit I used to be on Team Ziggler, but it's obviously been changing lately, especially since you wanted to start a family again. We grew up with a not so perfect family and I know a perfect family is all Elle ever wanted if she were to have one. You have to forgive her. You know she'll stay away from Dolph for good now that this happened."
Wade nodded his head. He understood what Phil was saying. As he looked around the room, a picture on top of the fireplace mantle caught his eye. He walked over, grabbing it. He remembered that day like it was yesterday. It was a picture of him, Elle, and Phil on their wedding day. Elle stood between the tall men, a big smile on her face. They looked so happy. "She gave up her Divas' title shot to begin our family, you know," Wade said, smiling a bit. He put the frame back in it's place.
"What?" Phil exclaimed, stunned by Wade's information.
"Yeah. She went to call Vince to ask if she could take a few days off to stay with me for my surgery. I caught the end of her conversation and that's what she asked. That's when she told me what happened as well," Wade admitted. His mind wandered back to his wife, wondering what she was doing while he was talking to Phil.
"Then isn't that enough motivation for you to forgive her?" He waited for Wade's response, but he never got one, so he continued on. "She's giving you what you want, what she's scared of having again. She's doing this all for you, to show how much she loves and cares about you, man."
He knew Phil was right. He always seemed to be right. Wade stood up, thanking Phil for knocking some sense into him. It was time to go back home and forgive Elle just like that. She was actually doing a lot for him by giving up her shot to become Divas' champion.
The door creaked open and Wade stepped into their room. When he called for her name once he got home, she didn't answer. Afraid that she got up and left him, he checked for the only other room she could be in. And there she was, curled up on their queen sized bed, fast asleep. Her dark curls cascaded across the white pillows, her green eyes shut tightly. He wasn't sure, but it looked like she had a small smile on her face. He leaned down, placing a very light kiss on her nose and cuddled beside her. They could talk once she woke up.
Elle stirred around in her sleep, which caused herself to wake up. When she turned around, she found her husband behind her, his injured arm draped loosely around her body. Her eyes caught glance of the digital, red numbers on the clock on the nightstand. 2:16AM. She had been asleep for eleven hours. She slowly got up, removing Wade's arm carefully from her body, and changed into something more comfortable before getting something to eat.
She heated a cup of hot chocolate instead of food since she suddenly felt like not eating, pulling it out once it was finished. She held her phone, going through her apps to keep her occupied. Her mind wandered back to Wade. Where did he go when he left her crying earlier?
Her head snapped around when she heard footsteps. Wade stood in the archway of the kitchen, his head hung kind of low, his eyes droopy. "Hi," she weakly greeted him.
"Hey," he replied, making his way over to her. He stood in front of her, shifting her body to face him. He tilted her chin so she would look at him, but she resisted. "I love you, okay? More than anything, anyone in the world. So I forgive you for what happened on your birthday."
Elle's head instantly shot up, almost bumping into his chin. "What?" she asked, making sure she heard right.
"I forgive you, Elle," Wade repeated. "You're giving up a big moment in your career for me, so I wanted to return the favor." He gave her a quick kiss, then hugging her.
"You're not forgiving me just because, right?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I love you, Elle."
"I love you more," she giggled, looking up at him. She pressed her lips hard against Wade's, their lips and tongues instantly making love. She felt him tug at the hem of the shirt she was wearing, so she pulled away from him for a second. "It's almost three in the morning."
"So? You got me in the mood," Wade smirked.
"Fine. Only if you could give me a piggy back to the room with one arm," she bargained, smirking cunningly.
Wade took that challenge and successfully carried her to their room with his good arm. He laughed when she said that she thought he wasn't going to succeed. Clearly, his wife had underestimated him. He pulled her down on top of him, kissing her lips, moving down to her neck and chest.
Elle could feel Wade tugging at the hem of her shirt again, so giving him what he wanted, she pulled it off, dropping it to the floor below them. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips on his. She knew where this was going. This was their first try and she'd be lucky if she got pregnant after the first venture.
Author's Note: Just a quick fyi, the next chapter will skip to a month or so later. But what happens now?