A/N: Thanks for reading! Only 3 more chapters after this one. Please review.
[two weeks later]
Since Liz was so busy with work and the pending arrival of the new baby, Randy and Teddy put Reby's birthday party together. Having learned their lesson from Michael's birthday, the Caro-Orton family didn't invite outsiders; only family and really close friends were invited to the toddler's 5th birthday party.
The guests included Liz's neighbor and good friend Angela, her daughter Peyton, Randy's parents and brother, Dolph, Teddy, and even John Cena and his new wife, Nicole. Liz hadn't seen John and Nicole in a while. The only reasons they were in attendance were John's recent injury and Nicole's pregnancy; she had quit WWE to be a mother. Since Punk had quit WWE as well, he was there. Of course, Michael and Taylor were there, too.
All the guests sat on the patio while the four children ran around the backyard.
"So, Lizzy," Punk started. "How've you been?" he asked her. Everyone turned to Liz to hear her answer.
She smiled. "I've been pretty good, Phil. I'm just really busy. I'm doing my bridal show next week, the baby is due in two weeks, and we still haven't picked out a name," she said.
Punk nodded. "You could always name him Phil or Jack or Brook," he suggested.
Randy laughed obnoxiously. "Yeah, right," he said. "How about you, Nicole? How's the married life?" he asked the other pregnant.
"It's great, actually. I'll be mommy in a few months, so that's great. My little princess is going to complete our family," she said referring to her baby girl.
Liz smiled. "Have you thought about names?" she asked.
Nicole nodded. "We're going with Ashley Catherine," she said.
Randy laughed. "See! I told you that was a girl's name!" he said to Liz.
She rolled her eyes. "I wanted to name our son Ashleigh, but Randy was all bent out of shape about it. Right now we're teetering between Grayson, Christopher, Jason, Lucas, Andrew, and Robert," she said as she listed off the names.
Dolph laughed. "Usually 'teetering' refers to two choices, not six," he said.
She nodded. "I know. But the second choice will be his middle name," she said. Randy nodded to agree.
Randy excused himself to check on the grill; his father followed him. At the grill, Bob sighed.
"What's on your mind, Pop?" he asked.
Bob chuckled. "How you been, son?" he asked.
Randy eyed his father. "Fine," he dragged out. "Why are you asking?"
"Tell me something, Randal," he started. Randy groaned at his full name; he knew his dad meant business. "Why are you doing this to her?" he asked.
"Why am I doing what to who?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Liz. Why are you stringing her along? You love her don't you?" Bob asked.
"Of course I love her, Pop. What does that have to do with anything?" he asked.
Bob sighed. "When are you going to ask her to marry you?" he asked.
Randy paused and took a deep breath. "I already did," he said.
The older Orton grinned happily. "Well why didn't you tell us? That's great news!" he said excitedly.
"She said no. I asked her almost 8 months ago," he said.
Bob had come down from his excitement. "Oh. Wow. I'm sorry, kid. Did she say why?" he asked.
Randy nodded. "Yeah. She said she wanted us to be closer in our emotions before we got married. She's still a little raw from what happened with Wade," he explained. Bob listened intently. "We'd be married by now if she said yes," Randy continued.
"How do you feel about all of this?" Bob asked, concerned for his son.
Randy shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, I love her so I'm obviously not going to leave. I just wish things were different, you know. With Taylor being almost 11, Michael and Reby are 5, and now a new baby, it seems like we would be closer to marriage. Engaged, at least, but she's not ready. I'm not going to force her or anything; it would be nice, though," he said.
Bob smiled at the openness his son had about Liz. "It seems like you should ask her again, son. Just watching you two, I can tell that you're closer that you used to be. Give it another go?" he asked.
Randy offered a small smile and nodded. "Okay. I will," he said.
oOo
In the house, Liz went to bathroom. Randy's mom followed Liz into the house and waited for her to come out of the bathroom.
"How is everything with Randy?" she asked.
Liz smiled. "Everything is great, Ma," she said.
"You know," Elaine started as she walked into the lounge. "When Randy told us you two were getting back together, I was so excited," she said.
Liz sat next to her and smiled. "Really?" she asked.
The Orton matriarch nodded. "Of course! You're the only woman Randy has ever brought around the family. I remember asking about the girls he was dating years ago and he was so secretive about them. I know he thinks you're special," she said.
Liz nodded solemnly.
Elaine frowned. "What's on your mind, Elizabeth?" she asked.
She sighed. "It's Randy. I don't know if he told you, but he asked me to marry him," she said.
Elaine squealed. "Oh my goodness! Congratulations!" she said as she hugged Liz.
"I said no," Liz said.
Elaine slowly broke the hug. "Why, sweetheart? What happened?" she asked.
"Nothing happened, Ma. I just didn't think we were ready to get married. I love him but we had so much to work through before getting engaged," she said.
"Well, did you work everything out?" Elaine asked.
Liz nodded. "Yeah, but Randy hasn't said anything. It's been 8 months since he asked. I don't think he'll do it again," she said somberly.
Elaine smiled slyly. "Well, you know women can propose, too," she said.
Liz smiled. "I'll keep that in mind,"
"Good. Have you added the new baby to your insurance?" Elaine asked.
The expecting mother nodded. "Yeah, but I have to add him to my will. I'm meeting with my lawyer later this week," she said.
"Your will? Why do you need a will right now?" her boyfriend's mother asked.
Liz shrugged. "After Wade, I realized that anything can happen, you know. I feared for my life with him. I guess I just figured I would make sure my kids were taken care of if something happened to me," she explained.
Elaine nodded. "So how is your will now?" she asked.
"Right now," Liz started, "Michael and Reby are the only two in my will. When I meet with the lawyer, I'm going to add Randy, Taylor, and the baby. By then, I hope Randy and I have a name for him," she said.
Elaine smiled. "You're adding Randy to your will?" she asked.
"Of course. He's my children's father. It makes sense for me to have him in my will," she said.
After her talk with Elaine, Liz was really interested in proposing to Randy herself. She hadn't really thought about proposing before; she always pictured it being the other way around.
[two weeks later]
Randy's parents ended up staying to help out; they had been staying in one of the guest rooms for the last two weeks. Liz's birthday had come and gone; the now 27-year-old was few days overdue. Despite her 4th child's soon arrival, Liz was preparing for her bridal show against Dr. White's suggestion.
The venue was well decorated; it looked like a real wedding. Liz was barking orders at everyone backstage when Randy tried to get her to calm down.
"I will not have my show look bad because people can't do their jobs!" Liz said to Randy.
He sighed. "Just take it easy. You're supposed to be on bed rest, anyway. Can you just sit down and be bossy instead of running around?" he asked.
She glared at him for calling her bossy. "I'm fine, Randy. I'm very comfortable, I don't feel any tugging or pulling, I'm okay," she convinced him. She was wearing a lounge dress and slip on sandals. "Can you just go help Bo and make sure all the models have what they need?" she asked.
Randy nodded and walked away. Liz was quite surprised that Randy wasn't nervous; he was walking in the show, modeling one of the many groom's tuxedos.
"Mom?" Liz heard. She turned around and saw Taylor.
"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" she asked.
Taylor turned around and showed Liz the gaping hole in the back of her bridesmaid dress. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what happened," she said.
Liz wasn't upset. "It's okay, Taylor. Go get my sewing kit from Bo," she said. Bo was in the vicinity and heard Liz's request.
"Here you go, Liz," he said, handing her the kit. "Aren't you going to change? The doors are opening soon," he said.
Liz looked at the time. "Crap! I didn't know it was this late. Turn around, Taylor, and stand on this chair. I can't bend down," she instructed.
Taylor stepped up on the chair and stood still; she hoped Liz wouldn't poke her with the needle while she fixed the hole.
"Hold still, baby. If I poke you, I'm so sorry," Liz said. Taylor didn't respond; she just stood still.
Carefully, Liz repaired the tear without poking her daughter. "All done. Go find your dad and tell him that we can open the doors," she said. Taylor nodded and went to find Randy.
When Taylor was gone, Liz waddled around looking for Bo. When she found him, he was laying out Liz's outfit for the night. "Is this everything?" he asked her.
Liz nodded. "Yep. I'll need your help getting into the dress though," she said.
"Sure. I'm still surprised you're going to wear this dress with your belly," Bo said.
Liz laughed. "Of course. I am showing off my belly to the world. It's not my fault. He was supposed to be here by now. I scheduled this show so that I could have the baby then rest for a day or two. But no… he's taking his precious time," she said.
Bo chuckled and helped Liz take off her lounge dress. He put the large cotton fabric aside and grabbed the cocktail dress. "I see you're still wearing the sexy undies. You and Randy still going at it?" Bo asked.
Liz laughed. "That man is insatiable, but I'm not complaining. Plus, sex can induce labor," she said.
Bo giggled as he pictured Randy naked. "Do you want to step into it or pull it over your head," he asked as he unzipped the gold foil one shoulder dress.
"I'll pull it over my head," she said.
Bo nodded. "Okay, arms up," he ordered. He gingerly put the dress over Liz's head and helped her pull it down. Liz was so glad that she was able to alter the dress the day before; she had originally designed it for her post baby body. When she was sure that the baby boy wouldn't make his arrival before the show, Liz fixed the dress to fit the baby, too.
When it was in place, Bo zipped the dress up; Liz sat down so her hair and makeup could be done. "I'm going to need your help with my shoes," she said to Bo who lingered.
He nodded and spoke into his walkie-talkie. "Randy's looking for you. He wants to know if you want the audience music or the runway music on," he said.
Liz sighed. "Audience music or runway music… Is there anyone on the runway?" she asked rhetorically.
Bo chuckled and spoke into the walkie-talkie. "Audience music," he said into the device.
"I swear, he'll me the death of me…" Liz mumbled. Bo laughed out loud as he rummaged through Liz's bag for lotion.
"So tell me," he said as he pulled up a chair in front of her. "When are you going to marry him?" he asked.
Liz laughed. "I don't know. His mom was basically telling me to propose to him. I don't want to, though. I want him to ask me again," she said. She lifted her legs to Bo's lap.
He squirted lotion into hands and smoothed it over one of her legs. "Just tell him; be a bitch and make him propose,"
She rolled her eyes. "You and I both know I can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do," Liz said.
"Exactly," Bo said. "He already did it once, so he probably going to do it again. I mean, you're having his baby," he said as he smoothed lotion over her other leg.
"I've already had one of his babies, Bo," she pointed out.
He looked up at her. "Really? Let me guess… Michael," he said.
Liz frowned, "No… Reby. Why would you think Michael is his?" she asked, intrigued.
Bo shrugged. "He looks just like Randy. I just assumed," he said.
Liz was quiet. She tried to figure out what would make Bo think that Michael and Randy looked alike. Michael was definitely his father's son; Liz knew that. "The black hair, the green eyes, the smile… all Wade. He looks like Wade, Bo," she said.
Bo shook his head. "No; that's your dad. I've seen the pictures in your office. He looks just like his Grandpa," he said in a whimsical voice. "The lips, ears, and dark skin… all Randy," he continued.
Liz chuckled. "You do know that I'm half black, right? These lips are all natural, too," she said as she puckered her lips.
"Since you want to be so complicated, why don't you take the kid to Maury and find out for sure," Bo suggested jokingly.
Before Liz could counter, the audience music blared.
"Just in time, Miss Caro," the hairdresser said. "You're all done," she handed Liz a handheld mirror.
Liz smiled and thanked the hairdresser. "It looks so good! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. Liz turned her attention to Bo. "Can you put some extra lotion on my feet so I put on my shoes," she asked.
He nodded. "Where are your shoes, anyway?" he asked.
She pointed to her large tote. "They're in my bag,"
Bo hopped up from his chair and rummaged through the bag that was filled with toddler clothes and her own change of clothes. He was shocked to see what shoes Liz had in her bag.
"Are you're really going to wear these?!" he asked as he pulled them out.
She nodded. "Obviously. Those are brand new. Again, I planned this show for after the baby was supposed to be here. So yes, I am wearing those shoes," she said.
Bo shook his head. "I don't think you need to be wearing these, Liz. You're almost a week overdue. What if you fall?!" he asked.
"Bo, I've been walking in heels since I was a baby; I wore some just last week," she said.
He sighed. "Fine," he said as he practically stuffed Liz's swollen feet into the shoes.
"Alright," Liz said with a smile. "Let's get this show on the road. Bo, I need you to go check on the models; line them up, make sure they get changed quickly. Please make sure Michael and Reby are fully dressed; I know they aren't on for a few minutes, but I need to make sure they're dressed. Have Taylor and Randy help you with anything," she listed off orders.
Bo had learned to take in all of her orders without writing anything down. "Got it, boss," he said with a mock solute.
Liz took a deep breath and went to get a microphone put on her; she designed her dress with a flap in the back to hold a microphone pack.
One of the technicians put everything in place and have Liz a thumbs up. "You're good to go, Miss Caro," the tech said.
Liz nodded and walked onto the stage; the crowd erupted.
[on the runway]
Liz strutted down the runway as best as she could. "Good evening and welcome to The Wedding of a lifetime!" she said enthusiastically. The crowd applauded. "You'll have to excuse me and my belly but my baby boy decided that he wasn't ready to make his grand entrance," she said jokingly. The audience laughed.
"I'm so glad to have all of you here. I hope you were able to enjoy the delicious food catered by Papa Wilson's Kitchen. If you haven't had the pleasure, there will be a 15 minute intermission in the middle of the show. I also hope you plan to stay after to enjoy desert: a wedding cake courtesy of Cake and Icing bakery," she made sure to plug her sponsors. She gently rubbed her belly when she felt her baby move around.
"Please be reminded that you can contact me via email and phone," she paused to take a deep breath. Suddenly she felt some tension. Liz tried to smile through the pain, but her water broke.
The audience gasped.
"Oh my god," she said softly. "I am so sorry," she apologized through deep breaths. She screamed when the slight tension turned into a full blown contraction.
Randy was watching as everything happened. He rushed to the runway and quickly walked her away.
From the moment she was backstage, Liz was screaming orders to Bo; he knew Liz wanted her bridal show to go off without a hitch. "Get somebody to clean up the runway! Bo, you're going to have to take Randy's place in the show! Go see the hairdresser so you can get your hair cut! Find Bob and have him watch Michael and Reby! I want Elaine with me. Find her and tell her to meet us at the hospital!" the three of them had walked all the way from the venue to the car.
"Get Taylor to help you and call me every 15 minutes with an update on the show. DO NOT FUCK THIS UP, BO!" she screamed.
Liz didn't hear a confirmation from Bo through her screaming. "Hurry up, Randy!" she yelled as her boyfriend tried to get her in the car as fast as possible.
"I'm trying, babe. Everything is going to be fine. Just calm down and…"
Liz practically growled. "Do not tell me to calm down. I know what I'm doing! This my fourth baby! I can handle this. I need you to hurry up!" she barked.
Randy did as he was told and before long, they were at the hospital. Almost as soon as they got there, Liz was pushing out a very large baby boy.
"One more good push, Liz and you'll be done," Dr. White coached.
After the push, a loud cry rang throughout the delivery room. "Would you like to cut the cord, Randy?" Madison asked Randy. He nodded and shakily cut the cord. "Here's your baby boy," she said as she handed him to Randy.
He sniffled as tears threatened to fall from his eyes. "Hey, buddy. I'm your daddy," he whispered. The newborn gripped Randy's index finger as it stroked his tiny face. "You're already strong; just like me," he said. Randy was so wrapped up in the new baby that he almost forgot about Liz.
Randy handed the baby over. "Here's Mommy," he said.
Liz smiled at her son. "Hey, baby boy. It's about time you decided to join us," she said softly.
Randy sat next to her. "So, what's his name," Randy asked.
Liz thought quietly for a moment. "Lucas," she said. "Lucas Robert Orton," she said slowly.
"Lucas. I like it," Randy said with a smile.
Liz couldn't stop her smile as she held her new baby boy.
"I can't believe it, Liz. My first son," he said.
A/N: Please review.