The alarm clock sounded. 6:45 a.m.

Daveny Lunde heard the distinct sound of the beeping. Most people in that position would pull the covers over their head and cling to the last few remnants of sleep. Not Daveny. The alarm clock was the soundtrack to her young life. It always signaled more than just the beginning of a new day.

She lifted her head, brunette hair that fell past her shoulders was slightly tussled. The thin white sheets shifted when she moved, exposing the soft curve of her bare breast. Her eyes focused as she took a look at the strong male frame lying next to her. Her breath caught in her throat. His back was to her but he rolled over immediately, grinning warmly as he did so.

Long dark hair with a splash of a wildly contrasting blonde streak. He normally kept it in a ponytail or pulled back somehow, especially when it was time for bed. He had large, expressive brown eyes, a full beard that shaped his masculine jaw line and perfect teeth that he often showcased with a shy smile or goofy laugh. His body was perfect. Six foot, one inch and 209 pounds of nothing but toned, tanned muscle. He was a specimen of perfection…except for his feet. His long toes had been the brunt of many a lighthearted joke. But Daveny wasn't in love with his feet. She adored him, weird looking toes and all.

"Good morning, beautiful."

His voice was still groggy from sleep but no matter what, he never, ever forgot to tell her how beautiful she was. He never forgot to show it. And everything he said, everything he did, could be seen in his eyes.

"Morning, baby," she said softly.

Daveny just studied his gorgeous face. She ran her slender, manicured finger over his forehead, his nose, his lips. She had memorized every line, every curve.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

He always asked that question and she never had a true answer for him because it was an unbelievable story behind it all, one best kept to herself.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I did."

"Sorry for the early wake up call but you know we have a lot to do today before we catch our flight. I wanted to go to Home Depot and pick up some stuff. Besides, Ikea had that home delivery today…"

Daveny did not have to look around to know exactly what he was talking about. They had just moved into a spacious loft apartment in one of the trendiest sections of uptown Charlotte. It was blocks away from the arena and a quick drive over to the stadium. Daveny was familiar with the area and loved it. It was a great city, her city, one full of art, history, and culture. Most of all, it was less than a half an hour to where her family resided.

The loft was unfurnished. There was a large air mattress on the floor of the master bedroom and a 50-inch flat screen. Everything else would have to be bought or delivered at a later date. They were working on it, feverishly, though life working for the WWE often meant more days on the road than at home. That gave little time to put together and decorate a new residence but Daveny and her boyfriend, Colby, were doing the best they could.

"No, no, it's okay. I, um…I'm excited to start unpacking and getting everything together. I will do what I can and finish the rest when I get back. It should be fine in a few weeks. It'll be nice to finally stop living out of boxes."

"We."

She made a face.

"We what?"

He smoothed a strand of hair out of her face.

"You don't have to do any of this alone, baby. It's our place. It's gonna be a lot of hard work getting it all straight but I don't ever want you to feel like you're in this alone. We will do everything together. I will help you with whatever you need me to. We're a team…remember?"

Coming out of any other mouth, that might have seemed too much. Corny. Cheesy. But when Colby said it, it was just genuine. It was sweet. In private he was terribly funny, incredibly sweet, and sensitive. The man wore his heart on his sleeve. He wasn't afraid to dream. He wasn't afraid to cry. He was passionate about life and the friends and family that were so much a part of it. He was the most loyal individual she had ever met. When he committed to something, he gave his all. Daveny knew he would always be there for her…never leave her, never disrespect or hurt her. Never, ever cheat on her. That side of Colby Lopez was a striking mix of comparison and contrast to what Seth Rollins did for a living.

Seth was a wrestler. A rassler, if you will. And a damned good one. He had a youthful style and he had spent hours in the gym and years with several reputable Independent promotions perfecting all those Moonsaults, Suicide Dives, and Shooting Star Presses. His boundless good nature and humility solidified his status as one of the most well liked and respected athletes in the locker room. The female fans loved him because he was sexy, the male fans liked him because of his knack for showmanship and high flying. The children loved him because he was the ultimate good guy, a real life super hero that they could look up to. He had mastered the art of shaking hands, taking pictures, and kissing babies.

During his time in the Indys, wrestling as Tyler Black, he had befriended fellow wrestler, Matthew Korklan, known as Matt Sydal and better known as Evan Bourne. It was the connection that had catapulted him straight to the WWE. Not to take away from his talent but sometimes in the world of politics, it did not matter how good you were but it was all about who you knew. Matt got Colby in the door and it was there that he caught the eye of Martin "Arn Anderson" Lunde. A seasoned Veteran with an eye for picking out the most promising up and comers. He would have to pay his dues like everyone else but it was Arn who was instrumental in getting him signed. It was Arn who pushed for every dark match, who had him train with John Cena and CM Punk. He always said that Colby was like another son to him. And on the inevitable day when Colby and Daveny would finally marry, that wish would become reality.

"God, I love you," she looked deeply into his eyes.

"I love you, too."

She took his larger hand into hers and kissed the fingertips.

"Where are we going again?"

"Tulsa. Then Oklahoma City and finally Lincoln, Nebraska. We're supposed to meet Matt at the airport in Tulsa because the rental car reservation is in his name. I am praying he did better than a Chevy Aveo hatchback this time," he joked.

"Yeah, Um, Tulsa. That's right. Sorry. I forgot."

"It's cool. The cities kind of start to all blend together after a while anyway."

"Yeah…"

Colby raised up on one elbow.

"Everything okay?" he asked with a hint of concern.

"Everything's perfect, babe" she forced a smile. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, you just look sad, that's all. I don't want you to be. I want you to be happy. And I want you to talk to me. You know that, right?" he placed a gentle kiss atop her forehead. "You know you can always talk to me about anything, right?"

Daveny sighed. Anything?

"Colby?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Do you ever…"

"What?"

"Never mind. It's silly."

"No. Tell me."

"Do you ever, I don't know, do you ever get the feeling like I'm not here?"

He looked at her and for a few split seconds she saw an understanding in his eyes like he knew exactly what she meant, what she was saying.

"What do you mean?"

She bit her lip. It was a silly thought. And an even stranger question.

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Daveny…"

"I don't even know where that came from. I'm just tired."

"You're here," he answered. "You are here," he pointed to his head. "Because you are always on my mind…you are here," he pointed to his eyes. "Because I see you, I see us in every aspect of my, our future. You are here," he pointed to his heart. "Because I love you with everything that I have and am." He pointed to his hands. "You are here because I hold you, I protect you."

"Aawww, babe. That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard…" tears filled Daveny's eyes.

"And you're here," he grabbed her hand and pulled it under the covers to feel the warmth and thickness of his naked desire for her.

Daveny burst into a fit of giggles.

"Oh I am there, huh?"

"You are definitely there!"

"Uh huh…"

"Because I want to…"

"Way to ruin a romantic moment, you horn dog" she playfully hit him with the pillow.

He growled and chuckled as they wrestled, ending with him pulling her on top of his body. Their shared laughter faded as their eyes met. She could stare at him forever and the feeling was more than mutual. She twirled her finger in his long hair.

"I love you, Daveny," he whispered. "I really love you."

"I love you, too."

"And I just want you to be okay. This…" he looked around. "All this is just the beginning for us, baby. This place, our careers…it is everything I have ever wanted. When I was a little kid growing up in Iowa, I had big dreams. I knew I wasn't gonna be average. I knew I was destined for bigger things. And I worked hard at it. I busted my ass. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Every time I got to go out and live my dream in front of people…it didn't matter if it was 12, 1200 or 12000. Making people smile. Having the men I grew up idolizing, like your dad…having them show me respect. And finding love. True love with a beautiful, smart, loving wonderful woman. Daveny, I couldn't have scripted it any better. It's perfect. You're perfect. Life is perfect…and I just want to spend it with you. Forever."

"You will. We will."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"You're okay?"

"I'm fine. I didn't mean to worry you. I guess I wasn't feeling well…but um, I have a feeling that everything is going to be okay."

"I will always be here to take care of you. No matter what happens, no matter where we go. I just want you to take care of yourself."

Daveny smiled at him.

"I will take care of this," she pointed to her head as they both laughed. "Because you don't want to be with a crazy broad. And I'll take care of these…" she pointed to her ears. "Because they will always be here to listen to you." She pointed to her hands and his chest, then to her own chest. "I will take care of these so that I might always be able to hold your heart…I hold it in my heart, Colby."

"And this," he pointed to her stomach. "Take care of this, cause one day…our babies are gonna grow in there."

She captured his sweet lips in her own.

"I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you and today…it's gonna be a beautiful day."

"Cheers to that."

"Colby?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Can we just skip all the errand running and postpone furniture delivery? I just want to lay in bed and eat Banana Cream Greek Yogurt and make love with you."

"Sounds like a pretty fucking awesome day," he smiled. "Anything you want."

He held her close and she lost herself in his embrace. They fit together so perfectly in every way. There was nothing more perfect. When she was with him, all that mattered was each other, the cocoon of an existence that they had safely created where nothing and no one could hurt them. It was her life, their life. The Seth life.