A/N: The changes finally start in this chapter. Sorry it took me some time, been studying for my Chemistry and History tests. No worries, school is ending in a month, which by then, the updates will be longer and much more frequent. Thank you for the support! Cannot thank you enough for rereading this. I know some of you might not want to, but I made a couple of changes that would change some of the plot lines of the story. Let me know what you think! Love you all! Thank you!
Chapter 4: Help
- Beatrice's POV -
I sat down at the picnic table we had at our backyard, watching Dave and Randy as they cleaned the grill. Melina, Jeff, and Adam were inside preparing some more food, but I'm not really sure what they could possibly be preparing since we were low on food. Erick and Gabriella were playing soccer, the two's favorite pass time. Seeing as Randy was in my line of vision, I would see him glancing at Gabriella quite frequently. He seems worried, watching her every step, but he shouldn't. Erick knew how to handle Gabriella, much better than he can even try to handle her.
I was sitting looking over my schedule, trying to see how I can work around it. Gabriella was going to start school soon, I had to start preparing for that. The picnic table slightly shook, indicating another person sat beside me. My eyes met with dashing blue eyes, but it wasn't Randy's, it was John. I gave him a small smile as I relax.
"So how are you baby girl?" John asked.
"I'm good, just trying to cope with being a working mom." I replied, turning the page in my planner.
John looked over at it and chuckled. "Wow, aren't you a wanted little girl?"
"Well what can I say," I shrugged. "I'm a good looking woman, with a nice body, why not use it for my advantage?"
"So, when you do photo shoots where does Gaby stay?" John questioned.
"She mostly travels with me, but if Dave is injured or home, whichever one really, she stays with him." I answered.
"When she goes with you, where does she stay?"
"It really depends. I bring her to day care if the photo shoot is local, but if I have to travel, she goes with me and stays with my assistant. At times she goes on set or at times she stays at the hotel."
"Does she know what you do?"
"Of course, she saw a picture of me outside Victoria Secret. She told me she wanted to be like me because I wear wings." I chuckled, remembering Gabriella's words. John was laughing as well. "What are you laughing at Cena?"
"You know, if Randy actually gets his way, there is no chance in hell that Gaby will ever be a model." John replied.
"Why do you say that? Randy doesn't have the power to choose what his daughter should be." And as far as I know, Randy didn't give a damn about Gabriella.
John nodded his head. "You're right, but Gabriella is Randy's little girl. Seeing her in lingerie, posing for men? I don't think his heart can take that."
"Well Gaby can decide whatever she wants to be, even if she chooses to be a wrestler. I just have to close my eyes when she has matches." I replied, cringing at the thought of Gabriella becoming a WWE Diva.
It's true, whatever my daughter would want to do, I would support.
"I'm sure you would, you did an amazing job raising her."
"Why thank you Mr. Cena, so how is Randall doing?" I questioned.
"Why won't you ask him," John suggested. "It's not like Randy isn't here to answer your question."
"Believe me John, I'm trying to get through these few days without talking to Randy and if I do, it should be as little as possible. Striking a conversation with him isn't really one of the things I should do if I want to avoid him this whole weekend." I responded.
John laughed and shook his head. "You and Randy are just meant to be together. Both of you are stubborn as hell."
I laughed. "We both may be stubborn, but I'm not self-centered like him."
John chuckled. "That I will give to you."
I smiled at him and shook my head. I continued fixing my schedule. I know my assistant was supposed to be doing this, but I gave her a vacation. I didn't want to burden her with work as soon as she gets back, so I just decided to do it myself. It wasn't that difficult to do either way.
- End POV -
- Randy's POV -
I watched as Gabriella played soccer with this guy named Erick. Seeing my little girl smile the way she did just put a smile on my face. She just seemed so happy, carefree. She was like her mother. Every time Beatrice smiled at me, no matter how shitty my day was, a smile would appear on my face.
It's surreal having Gabriella in front of me, playing around, and laughing. Now I see the mistake I made the day I walked out on her. If I could take it back, I would. Ever since Bea walked out, I regretted my words. But my dumbass didn't do anything. I just watched her walk away from me. I wanted to run after her, but my feet just wouldn't move, I was rooted where I was.
I was brought back to reality when I felt someone smack me across the chest. Dave chuckled as I rub my chest.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Why won't you just go and sit down, Orton. I'll cook the steaks." Dave suggested, shaking his head.
I nodded and sat next to John. On the other side of him, was Bea looking at some notebook. She looked at me and immediately turned back to what she was doing. John gave me a small smile and we watched my daughter kicking the ball around with Erick. I didn't even know this guy yet, but I wasn't a big fan since my daughter seemed so fond of him.
"You alright man?" John asked.
I looked over at him. "Yes, I'm good, just glad to actually see my daughter."
Before John could reply we heard Gabriella call out.
"Mommy! Uncle Erick is cheating!" Gabriella whined.
John and I laughed. She was so adorable. I had to get my little girl to like me.
Bea laughed, stood up, and walked towards them. "Bad Uncle Erick," Bea shook her finger at Erick. "Gaby I say you kick the ball hard and let it hit Uncle Erick."
Gabriella hugged Erick's leg and shook her head.
"No! I love Daddy Erick!"
As soon as I heard her say the word 'Daddy' to another man, it just wounded me. She doesn't even call me daddy, and I'm her father, yet she calls this punk daddy. This just made my blood boil. I thought Bea didn't let her call anyone else daddy. What the hell is going on here?
I looked at John and he shook his head. "Don't worry man, Gaby just let it slip."
Bea walked over to Gaby and shook her head. "Gaby, what did I say? Uncle Erick is not your father."
Gabriella's eyes traveled over to me, before making its way back to Erick. He squatted down next to her and she hugged him.
"I want Erick to be my daddy." Gabriella argued.
I'm not exactly sure how to describe what I'm feeling right now. My heart just ached, unsure of how to react. Gabriella's five years old, this was the first time she's seen me in person. She hated me for leaving her and I don't blame her. Though I'm sure Gabriella didn't know the exact story, she wasn't a big fan of me. Hearing her say that, I don't think I've ever felt a more gut wrenching pain than this one. Sure, Bea has said her fair share of words that broke my heart, but this was different. She was my little girl. She was my flesh and blood, yet she wanted another man to be her father.
Can I really blame her?
"Gaby, you don't mean that," he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Your father loves you."
"No he doesn't," she shook her head, it was low, but audible.
Bea picked up Gabriella and she started crying. They went inside the house leaving Erick standing there. I was about to walk over to him when John stopped me.
"Whatever you're going to do I know it's going to be stupid. So just sit your ass down and don't say anything." John advised, pulling me back down.
John was right. I shouldn't start trouble. This might just ruin my chances on ever getting Gabriella to like me. But all I know is for me to get to Gaby. I have to be on good terms with Beatrice first.
- End POV -
Dave looked at the scene that just unfolded before him and shook his head. He looked over at Randy and he could just see the hurt visible on the younger man's face. Erick walked over to Dave and shook his head.
"Dave man, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for Gaby to call me Daddy in front of her asshole of a father." Erick said, causing for Dave to laugh.
"You know what man, you sound so sincere in the beginning, then you just had to say asshole of a father, it ruined everything." Dave replied making Erick laugh.
"Did you expect me to be nice to him?" Erick asked.
"No, I didn't. I also didn't expect Gaby to call you daddy. How many times have we told her not to call you that?" Dave asked.
"Apparently not enough," Erick replied shaking his head. "I'm surprised you invited him here, I thought you were pretty determined to keep Orton away from your sister."
"I was," Dave sighed. "Had a change of heart."
Though he'll never admit it to his younger sister or Randy, he's been lying to Randy for quite some time. When Randy got his head out of his ass, he wanted to make things right with Bea, a month after she broke the news to him, Randy was going to reach out to her. But Dave stopped him. Dave convinced him that the best thing to do, for the both of them, was for him to walk away. Shitty move, he knows, he deserves the 'Shitty Brother of the Year' award for the last couple of years. In his defense, he thought that Bea wouldn't keep the kid. She was young at that time, Randy walked away. He didn't think his sister would keep the kid, but she did.
It's not like he meant to lie to him, he just didn't find Randy worthy of his sister. These past few years, Randy hasn't exactly been the best guy, the last thing Dave wanted was for 'asshole' Randy to meet his daughter.
So he lied.
He told Randy that Bea was in Europe, working, starting over without him. That answered seemed to satisfy Randy's curiosity for some time, until they went to Europe and Randy had insisted on looking Bea up, so that he could apologize to her. But Dave continued to lie, saying Bea went back to the States for a couple of days to visit his daughters since they haven't seen their aunt for quite some time.
It was lies after lies. Paul knew about them, Ric knew about them, but he kept Randy in the dark.
But things were different now. After that last birthday, he felt awful for his niece. He wanted to make things right, to undo his wrongs. So he's starting by bringing Randy over to his place, so he can finally make peace with Beatrice and raised their daughter together. Dave knows that it's been five years, but Randy never really showed interest in seeing the two till last year.
"Why? You realized your mistakes?" Erick was fully aware of Dave's deception, but he kept it quiet. He didn't agree with Dave, but this was a matter between the siblings, he wasn't part of it.
"I realized my mistake as soon as I realized that Bea was keeping the kid." Dave looked around to make sure that they were alone. "But Randy hasn't been in the best of shape, he would just hurt my sister again."
"That's not a good reason." Erick pointed out. "Randy would have changed his ways if Gabriella's around. He's not going to be a douchebag if he's daughter is around."
"I don't think you know Randy."
"I don't, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here." Erick slightly smiled. "Maybe you should have done the same."
John approached both men. John nodded his head at Erick and then turned to Dave.
"Yo man, you got a basketball?" John asked.
"It's at the porch." Dave pointed.
John went to get the basketball and Randy followed him to the court. They started playing HORSE. Bea walked out of the house with a now semi-happy Gabriella walking in front of her.
Beatrice looked over at Randy and John and noticed how Randy was still quiet the basketball player. She remembered when she used to cheer him on when he would go one on one with his little brother, Nathan. It was sad how he practically decimated his brother in basketball. Beatrice would feel bad at times for cheering Randy on, but she couldn't help it, he was her boyfriend. She smiled and looked down at Gabriella. She was holding the soccer ball once again and smiled.
"Can I play with Uncle Erick again mommy?" Gabriella asked.
"Of course baby, you want me to call Uncle Erick so he can play with you?"
Gabriella nodded her head excitedly. Beatrice laughed at her excitement and found Erick beside her older brother. Before she could walk over to Erick, he was already walking towards them. Gabriella ran to him and held up the soccer ball. Erick smiled and nodded his head. Gabriella put the ball down and started kicking the ball as she walked with Erick. Jeff, Adam, and Melina walked out with some chips, salad, mashed potatoes, fries, and fruits. They watched as Erick and Gabriella started playing soccer. Everyone had to admit, if only Gabriella had hazel eyes, then maybe they could pass for father and daughter.
"You know she's really close to Erick." Jeff stated.
"Yes, a little too close, he sadly got my niece into soccer." Dave replied as he set some more steaks on the table.
Bea turned to her brother and smacked him. "Soccer's not that bad Dave, why must you be such a hater? You're just jealous because Gabriella likes him better than you."
"That's not true. My niece loves me more than that pretty boy." Dave walked back to the grill.
"Sure buddy, keep lying to yourself." Bea called out after him. She turned her attention towards Adam, Jeff, and Melina.
"You know, it would be great if Gabriella will talk to Randy," Adam suggested. He wanted to see Randy close to Gabriella. He admits that Randy messed up, but everyone deserves a second chance. Adam knows that Randy would do anything to get his second chance.
"Why would Bea want her daughter to talk to him? After all, he did walk out on them." Melina pointed out.
Bea patted Melina's shoulder and smiled. What she said was true. Why would she want Randy to talk to Gabriella? It's not like he actually tried calling her or making some way of communication between them.
"You know, Melina's right, it's not like he actually tried to call me or anything." Bea stated agreeing with Melina.
"Look, don't let her poison your mind, you have to understand, it is Randy we're talking about here." Jeff replied.
Bea laughed. "Yes, alright, it is Randy we're talking about." Bea agreed. "Do any of you have anything in mind?"
"Yep, how about letting them hang out like how Erick and Gabriella do." Adam recommended.
"Well, it's Randy's choice if he wants to hang out with Gabriella." Bea replied.
"But is Gabriella willing to do that?" Dave asked, as he came back from the grill with more steaks.
"She's a kid Dave; I don't think she'll mind who she's with just as long as she gets to go somewhere." Bea replied.
"Yes, that's true, but I thought she hated Randy?" Jeff asked puzzled.
"I don't think it's a factor right now. I mean she's outside with us even though Randy is here too." Bea paused and looked at the three men and gave them a small smile, "I'll plan something out so they can spend some time together. But I have to clear some things with Randy first."
"Alright, but if you need any help, don't be scared to ask us." Adam offered, with a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind." Bea replied before walking towards Erick and Gabriella.