A few days later, the newlyweds finally arrived in Los Angeles and headed back toward Mike's house. While driving in his familiar gated community, Mike looked toward his new bride. She was absently smiling, and twirling her wedding set.
"You know I could be wrong, but you look pretty happy," Mike suddenly said, breaking Taylor's thoughts.
Taylor giggled. "I am VERY happy. And I hate to bring this up at this time, but Melissa did bring up a good point before our wedding. Where are we going to live?"
"Hmmm…that is a good question. I just bought my house last year-"
"And I just re-modeled," Taylor added. "But I do like how you live in a gated community. That would be safe for me when you are on the road and safe for you so the crazy fans can't get near, etc."
Mike nodded as he pulled into the driveway and into the garage. "Yeah, that is true. And my house might have a little more room if/when we decide to have a family."
"Yeah, your definitely right about that. Let's not decide anything tonight. All I want to do is get ready for our families to be here so we can share our news and spend another night with my baby."
Smiling, Mike walked past Taylor and leaned against the doorway that leads into the kitchen. "Ummm…Mike are you going to let me walk past?"
"Isn't it tradition that the groom carry the bride over the threshold?"
Before Taylor could argue, Mike hoisted her over his shoulder and jogged into the house, causing Taylor to bounce up and down. "Mike!" she squealed. "Put me down!"
"In a minute," he replied, kindly patting her butt."
Moments later, the WWE superstar entered the family room and plopped his wife on the chocolate colored oversized couch. Both were giggling.
"Better?" he asked in between giggles.
Taylor nodded. "Yes, much better."
"Good," Mike replied as he leaned down and passionately kissed her. In an instant, Taylor wrapped her arms around his neck. "I am going to make you so happy," he whispered.
"Your doing a pretty good job so far," she replied as they kissed again.
The next day, Taylor felt both nervous and excited as she got food ready for the family barbecue. While she and Mike were on the road, they had both gotten a hold of their families and organized the get together. That way, everyone could be present when they announced the good news.
"Baby girl, do you know when everyone should be here?" Mike asked once the grill was started.
"Very soon. Do you think we have enough food?"
"Tay, I think you guys have enough food to feed a small army," Melissa chimed in.
Mike smirked. "I have to agree," he replied as he went back outside.
"So…are you guys nervous? I mean your about to announce HUGE news," Melissa said.
"Yes I understand that. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Taylor replied. "But I am also VERY excited. Yes, I know Mike and I moved a little fast but I have never been this happy. I truly feel like we made the right decision."
"I have to admit, I don't think I have seen you smile so much since before you met Chase."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "Looking back now, that was a mistake. I can't believe I even put up with him."
"I'm just glad he's out of your mind," Melissa said. "By the way, how are you and Mike doing this? Are you guys keeping your rings on?"
"Honestly we haven't talked about it," Taylor said looking up from the food. Before anything else was said, both ladies heard the doorbell ring. "Mike, someone is here," she called.
Without hesitation, the WWE superstar walked into the kitchen with his bride behind him. "Ready?" he asked.
Taylor nodded. "Yea. Should we keep our rings on?"
Mike shrugged. "Sure. Let's see if anyone notices," he replied, winking. She only nodded as he opened the door. "Hi Steven, hi Janet!" he said, welcoming the new in-laws.
"Hi mom!" the petite brunette smiled , hugging the older woman. "Hi daddy!"
"It's good to see everyone. What's the occasion for the get together?" Janet asked as everyone walked into the spacious kitchen.
"I don't know," Taylor said, kind of hiding her left hand. "Mike and I are together and wanted to introduce our families to one another."
"Absolutely," Mike agreed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on the burgers and chicken out on the grill. Steven, the rest of the guys are outside if you'd like to join us."
"I like your thinking," Steven said. "Ladies, I'll be outside if you need me."
Not long after Steven and Janet got settled, Mike's dad, mom and step dad made it to the get together. After introductions were made, the ladies were talking as Janet noticed the piece of jewelery on her daughter's finger. "Hey Taylor, can I see you for a second?"
Taylor followed her mom into another room, and once the door was closed she had a feeling what was about to happen. "What's wrong mom?"
"Well, I see a ring on an all important finger, Taylor. Is that a reason why all of us are here? Do you have something to tell me?"
She took a deep breath. "Well, you know that I went on the road with Mike this week. And after he won his match for the WWE title, Mike proposed and I accepted. We eloped in Vegas after we left the arena."
"You eloped?" Janet repeated. "What made you decide to elope?"
"I was so happy for him after his win, and we wanted to celebrate. That is when Mike proposed, and I said yes. We didn't want to wait, and so we got married in Vegas."
"Are you going to plan a real wedding sometime? I would like to see my only daughter get married."
"Yes, we are going to have a real wedding. We haven't set a date or anything, and not much has been said but it will happen sometime. I want that as well. Are you mad at me?"
"I just have one question," Janet began. "Are you happy? Are you sure you know him well enough to be married forever?"
Taylor shrugged. "Obviously I don't see the future, but all I know is that I love him. Mike is incredible and in the short period of time we've been together, it's totally different than when I was with Chase. I trust what we have is real."
"Then I am happy for you," Janet smiled as she embraced her daughter. "I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy, very happy," Taylor replied as there was a soft knock on the door.
"Is everything ok?" Mike asked, popping his head in. "I came into the kitchen to announce lunch is ready, and noticed you guys were missing."
"Yes, everything is fine," Taylor replied, wiping away a stray tear. "Mom noticed my wedding ring."
Mike then turned toward his mother-in-law, almost worried. He instantly felt the pressure go away when Janet smiled. "Welcome to the family Mike," she said, giving him a quick hug. "All I ask is that you take care of my daughter."
"You know I will," he smiled.
Within a half hour, everyone was seated on the huge outside deck, enjoying good food, beautiful weather and company. Mike and Taylor kept exchanging glances toward one another, wondering when to announce their news.
"Aw, I love that you guys have googley eyes for one another," Melissa smiled.
"It's so romantic," Nic sarcastically said as everyone chuckled.
"Yea, I do have googley eyes for Taylor but for good reason," Mike said as he stood, Taylor following suit. "If I could have everyone's attention, we have something to announce. As you know, this woman to my right and I have been together for a few weeks, and it's been the best few weeks of my life."
"And I have to agree with Mike," Taylor added.
"Well, as everyone knows, the WWE was in Vegas a few days ago. I was fortunate enough to win the WWE title. We wanted to celebrate, and we became engaged."
"Engaged?!" Jeannie, Mike's mother, exclaimed. "I must admit, I am excited!"
"Congratulations son," his father, Greg, replied.
Mike and Taylor exchanged smiles. " I have to admit, that wasn't the reaction we were expecting, but I personally am glad you are happy. But Taylor and I didn't want to wait to plan a wedding."
"While we were in Las Vegas, Mike and I eloped," Taylor rambled as the newlyweds showed their ring fingers. "We got married late Monday night. Nic and Melissa were our witnesses."
Several moments of silence passed as the news sunk in. As Mike glanced toward his wife, he could see she was becoming more nervous. He grabbed her hand, and tenderly placed a kissed on it.
"Does anyone have anything to say?" Mike finally asked.
"Are you guys going to plan a real wedding?" Taylor's father, Steven asked.
"Yes, someday there will be a real wedding," Taylor said as Mike nodded. "I will admit, eloping wasn't the easiest decision to make and I know it's only been a few weeks since we've met. But after Mike proposed, I didn't want to wait to get married. We both wanted to be married now."
"Are you happy?" Donnie asked.
"Very, very happy," Mike replied. "I haven't felt this good in a relationship in a very long time."
Saying nothing, Jeannie got up from her seat, instantly hugging the two adults. "In all honesty, I think you guys should have waited. But you and Taylor are adults. And if you are happy, then I am happy for the both of you."
"So am I," Greg agreed as Donnie, Steven and Janet all nodded.
Late into the night, after all the guests had gone and the messes were cleaned up, Mike and Taylor lay close together. "So is it really true? We are married, and no one is mad at us? Everyone is happy for us?!" she exclaimed, rubbing his bare arm.
Mike chuckled. "It's all real baby. And I wouldn't have it any other way! I love you.
Smiling, Taylor looked up toward her new husband, quickly kissing him. "I love you too."