A/N- Tension and deceit mixed in with a little cutesy shit. Long chapter.

Big ol' thanks to my reviewers: housebabe1, xErickax, LeylaChaz, InYourHonor. . . and a big hug for Mittens17, you're review made my lousy morning a whole lot better. I love you. Thank you for your compliments and I'm not telling, hehehehe. Gotta read!

BUT again, thank you all, really (:

Stopping in mid-step I crane my neck in the direction of my boss and send him a cold, icy glare. Believe the phrase "If looks could kill", believe it. Turning back to stare down the rat, Luz, I notice that the broad smirks as if she's triumphant. Far from it, sloppy hoe. With a smirk of my own, I continue to drag Randy over and take my seat next to Micks with Randy on my other side. Wesley hesitantly walks over and takes his seat next to Luz. Phil, Maria, and Colt all sit directly in front of me; all seem to be waiting for something.

"So…Wesley. I thought you said the rat had a get-together with IT's own kind.", that's me initiating the start of a very interesting night

Wesley drags a hand down his face, "Doll, can we not?"

As I open my mouth for a reply, Luz steps in, "HA! Rat? Marleene, Marleene…Marleene childish little Marleene."

"Says the one wearing her 12 yr old sister's dress.", I comeback

"Chistosa.", she says scowling, "I came because MY man was gonna be lonely tonight.", she kisses Wesley's cheek, "Didn't want no slut to keep him company.", caressing his cheek with her cat claws

"A SLUT keeping him company so ANOTHER slut won't? That's logical.", under the table Micks smacks my thigh

With her head up high, "Takes one to know one.", Luz looks at her nails, "Word on the street is that a certain tramp named Marleene has been busy on Barker givin' BJs and shit."

Through my peripheral, I spot Phil's jaw set conspicuously, while to his left Colt texts, and Maria…the bitch has the nerve to chuckle under the cover of her hand. Fuming, I lean over the fucking table, "Look sweetheart, IF I were you and had I don't know…HALF A BRAIN…I'd stay my ass real quiet because even though I have class and manners… I WON'T give two shits when I whoop THAT flat ass of yours…I'll take great pleasure.", I feel a hand on my ass and turn around to death glare the owner

"Your goods were hangin', dear.", whispers Randy with an amused smirk, "Sit down, tigress."

"So quick with those dry threats…", laughs Luz, "Coming from somebody who got shanked by her ex-man…If I were YOU…I'd be a careful little whore.", she gazes into my eyes with a sinister smile and all I'm thinkin' is how the fuck she found out so fast, "You never know when or where you'll find a real threat."

"Is that a fucking threat?", I seethe and all she does is giggle. My vision goes red and in a second I go in for the kill. I slide over the table succeeding in spilling wine all over the bitch's skimpy dress but two strong hands pull me back before I can cause further damage, "NEVER threaten me."

Standing up straight, I straighten out my dress and sit back down with a smile. As if nothing occurred, I start small talk with Micks and Randy, leaving a brooding Luz to stomp her way to the restrooms along with a very annoyed Wesley. People in tables nearest to ours stare but as per usual I DON'T CARE. Some time passes by and our first course is served and still no sign of Boss-man or his pet rat. My mouth waters at the delicious platter before me. Randy has been off for awhile, like mentally.

Nudging the handsome man, "You feelin' alright, Randy?"

His eyes are distant, yet, he responds, "I see Sam."

My eyes roam to where his lead and I too spot the redhead and her child, Addie. Looking at Randy, I catch a glimpse of something I haven't yet seen…Vulnerability and fright, "You don't have to."

"I-I…I was raised better than to cower out of this responsibility…Look at her…she's so…so…beautiful."

Once more I look over at the table were Samantha or Danielle or whatever sits with her young daughter. Sam, let's call'er that, chats with the people at her table, smiling and laughing as if it's goin' outta style. Addie sits on a chair far too big and plays with a doll in her hands. Her smile, her eyes, her facial structure has Randall Orton written all over. The man who procreated the child still stares with a sudden longing, "Enjoy yourself for awhile…THEN we can go over and yeah…", the wrestler nods and looks at his vibrating phone

Somebody taps me on my thigh and I turn to face the person. It's my nephew, Dominick who has been passed out since the beginning of the dinner. Smiling cheek to cheek, I pick him up and place the child on my lap, "Hey sleepyhead, get a good sleep?"

Rubbing his eyes and yawning, "Yup. Woke up feelin' like a new man!"

I laugh and hear Micks laugh too, "Sweety, guess who Marleene brought.", she asks her son with excitement

Dom's curiosity is peaked and he looks over to Randy, who just smiles. Dom's eyes shoot open and he covers his mouth, "Auntie, that's the Legend Killer!", he whispers loudly, "The one you always call 'sexy'.", the tiny human shivers with displeasure and I laugh…embarrassedly as Randy laughs

"Thanks for puttin' me out there, munchkin.", I mumble, "You wanna say 'hello'?", Dominick nods excitedly. Rotating with the child on my lap, I face a STILL laughing Randy. Glaring at him, "Randy this is the greatest little man in the world…my nephew, Dominick."

Extending his hand, Randy smiles, "Hey bud, nice to meet ya'."

Nudging Dom, he takes out his hand and shakes Randy's, "Hello.", is all the kid utters

Eventually, Dom and Randy begin to talk about wrestling and the like. As Micks and I gossip, the pregnant woman winces in pain, "You okay?"

Rubbing her stomach, "Yeah…this baby has been bouncy lately.", she takes my hand and places it over her tummy; as if on cue, a tiny kick can be felt which makes me jump a little taken off guard.

Micks talks to her tummy and the simple gesture warms my heart. She's been so strong throughout her pregnancy…it never stops amazing me. She's gonna be a great moms, I know it. "What you gonna name the baby?", I ask still feeling around in hopes of another kick

"Eleanor Grace, after my mother and my sister.", the hormones that control the poor girl make her tear ducts water

With a sad smile, I wipe away my bestfriend's tears and talk to her growing child, "Y'hear that? You gonna be a little badass. Believe me, little one…those women were the craziest bitches.", Micks laughs and smacks me lightly…causing ME to laugh

Facing forward as I spot the next course arriving, I notice olive-greens watching me. The smile that graced my face moments ago disappears. Awkward how the table is divided up; you'd think we'd let up in spirit of the holiday. Sneaking a peek at Phil, his eyes are still on me but then focus on his girlfriend as she whispers something, probably dirty, in his ear. Colt watches me watch his main-man and shakes his head with a knowing smirk. My hand takes hold of a roll and I chuck it at him but due to my lack of hand-eye coordination, it hits somebody in the next table. I shrink in my seat laughing as the person turns around to glare at Colt.

Across the table, Maria shrieks with joy causing everybody to stop their mini-conversations and just stare at her. She doesn't even seem to mind the sudden attention. Woman just hops off her chair and glides over to the aisle, standing on the tips of her outrageously tall heels, and searches for somebody. In her wake, Phil sits with a somewhat displeased scowl and sips on his non-alcoholic drink and talks to his buddy Colt in a hushed tone.

Another shriek erupts and my attention travels back to the very excited woman. In heels and all she runs into the arms of a man. My jaw hits the floor as I recognize the man and the fact that Maria, a taken woman, has just pecked the guy…on the lips. Seconds later they begin to make their way over and I quickly turn back, acting as though I saw nothing. EVERYBODY at the table acted like that, even Phil himself. The man didn't even show any hint of anger or disgust or anything.

Hand in hand, Maria and her new guest arrived at our table. All of us stood up, "You guys, this is my friend, Dave Batista.", she introduces him with a cheery smile

Dominic goes up the wall, gasping and shit, "It's Batista!"

Dave smiles the boy and talks to him for a minute before going around the table and greeting everyone. He stops at me and wags his brows, "So…we meet again."

"I guess so…but I thought you had a party or somethin', Randal told me.", I asked him with a suspicious smile

"Yeah, this one. Maria tex—", the man stutters and I know that he let it slip, "text me to come through and well yeah…I'm here.", he smiles cheesily

Hugging him, "Well, enjoy."

Dave moves onto his co-worker and man-hugs the dude. They talk in hushed voices while shooting discreet looks at Phil and his girl. The "Animal" then goes to take his seat…next to the ever lovely Maria. It's goin' to be an interesting night.

Close to 1 in the morning, the live band had already arrived and started playing classical music, guests filled up most of the tables, and we were already on the dessert course. Yet, still no signs of the culprit, the rat…not that I minded but Wesley did arrive with hickies and phoneless. SLUT. Dips made his grand appearance, "Buenas noches! How are all of you?", most of the crowd said "good", "Nice to hear such a pleasant crowd. Como ya saben, welcome to my yearly Christmas get-together. All of you, my lovely guests, have been invited for a reason…so thank you for coming.", the crowd claps, "Now, Christmas is a beautiful occasion, MY favorite, maybe it's the snow that falls making a winter wonderland, maybe it's the ability to come home and sleep under mountains of blankets, or maybe for the fact that…PRESENTS!", he chuckles heartily and so do we, "Maybe it's just the warmth of being able to be around the important people in my life…yes, I think that's the reason. Christmas is about the importancia of family and love not the presents or how drunk you're gonna get. So please do me a favor and drop the negatives, whether it's an argument or cheating or ANYTHING…just drop it for tonight…tomorrow, hell go at it again!", another roar of laughter, "Ahora, me gustaria hacer un brindis for Christmas, love, family…life! So please, stand up, lift your drinks…be it beer, soda, juice.", he waits for all of us to stand up and raise our drinks, "Salud a paz, harmonia, y amor…Feliz Navidad.", a mariachi band starts to play the song, "Feliz Navidad" and people all around start to clink their glasses with their loved ones and start of the hugs and shit.

At our table everybody clinks their glasses with one another, except Phil, Randy, and me—we all avoid each other (well Randy and I avoid Phil). Maria clinks her glass with Dave first and gives him a very intimate hug and THEN moves to her boyfriend. She doesn't even have the decency to kiss him; Phil doesn't mind, he moves to Colt and they man-hug. Then, he travel all the way to his baby sister and nephew. He scoops up Dominick, kisses his cheek, and tousles his hair. Aw… With the little boy in one arm, he hugs his pregnant sister warmly, and whispers something in her ear that makes her laugh.

Those olive-greens peer at me and I turn around and hug Randy. The man wears his signature smirk and I pinch him, "Stop smirking."

Running his hands sensually down my sides, "Can't help it…the dude is glaring daggers at me. Fucking jealous.", he whispers

I tense up, "Wait…what?"

"You heard, jealous. I've noticed those little looks all night…he's jealous."

Pulling away from his grasp, "Stop shitting."

"I'm not. Look, I'm gonna pretend to lean in for a kiss and the man is gonna either stomp off or come and cockblock.", Randy didn't even gimme a chance to move before leaning in for a quick peck

Somebody coughed behind me and I closed my eyes. Turning around, it's Phil. My date for the night snakes his arms around my waist and plants a kiss on my cheek letting his lips linger, "Look at the boy, he's practically dying.", he whispers and nuzzles my cheek.

Playing it cool, I smile at Phil and whisper to the man with his arms around me, "Okay, hotshot. I can tell. Stop enjoying yourself and let go."

Reluctantly, the wrestler unwraps his arms and leaves for a drink but not before smirking proudly at Punk. As he passes by, Punks "accidently" bumps into him and they stare off for a minute. Coughing nervously, "So…", Marleene, you're one smooth bitch.

Punk digs his hands in his black dress-pants, "Yeah…", he winces slightly as I see Micks elbow his ribs, "So…I just wanted to call truce, y'know, in spirit of the holidays."

Raising an eyebrow, "You don't sound too convinced."

Scratching at his gelled-up hair, "Look, doing this is like chopping off my balls…could you not?"

Crossing my arms, "I'm not in any way pleadin' for a truce. Ain't nobody holdin' you at gunpoint, either."

Frowning, "Micks is threatening with never speaking to—OW!", he turns around to reprimand his youngest sister for elbowing him a bit too hard. Taking this opportunity, I snake my way over to the bar where my date is located.

What should've been a 5 minute walk becomes a 15 minute one because of the men who'd ask me to dance and wouldn't take "no" for an answer. Annoying ass paisas. Alas, I arrive and stand next to a pensive Randy, "What's on your mind, stud?"

Orton jumps a bit nearly spilling his drink, "Trynna get some encouragement from my friend, Jack.", he raises his drink

Frowning, I snatch "Jack" from his grasp and give it to a passing waiter, "You can't go over and meet your kid all hammered and shit.", I reprimand, "Come with me, I'll be there so you won't be AS scared.", holding his hand we begin to weave through the tables over to Sam's table.

"FYI, I'm not scared, nervous, but never scared."

"Who you trynna convince, me or yourself?", I reply with a slight smirk and he scowls

Creeping closer to Sam's I notice that she's left alone with another of her co-workers. The woman looks so beautiful in her metallic silver cocktail dress and stands of loose red-hair falling about her face, as opposed to her seeing her in her work clothes. Both Randy and my vision is fixated on the cute little curly-haired girl at her side.

Whispering under my breath, "This is it…", Randy vice-grips my hand and I plaster a smile on my face ignoring the pain, "Sam…", I sing out

The red-head looks in my direction and smiles, "Oh hey, I didn't know you'd be here…", she stands up and shakes my hand before noticing the presence of her babydaddy. Her smile falters, "Well what a wonderful surprise…", she says sarcastically

"Wonderful it is, Sam.", replies Randall with a sexy smirk

Under her breath, "Sucha fucking nuisance…"

"What was that?", asks her babydaddy and I elbow him in the ribs

The little child shyly wobbles over and tugs at her mother's dress. Sam's scowl is replace with a sincere, loving smile as she picks up her young toddler. Motherly love seems so beautiful.

"Who's this beautiful lil' lady?", I ask the child whilst shaking her hand

Said toddler smiles shyly and hides in the crook of her mom's neck, which causes me to giggle a bit, "C'mon, baby…tell, Marleene your name.", croons Sam

Slowly, the curly-haired toddler looks towards me, "I'm Addie.", she says shyly

So cute! If only kids could be like this 24/7, "Sucha pretty name. My name is Marleene and this is my uh…friend, Randy.", motioning to Addie's dad

Sam shifts uncomfortably and Randy looks at me with uncertainty, "Um…hello, I'm uh…Randy."

Addie smiles at him. Sam takes her over to her co-worker and drops her off before sauntering back to us. She motions for us to follow her and we do. Once we arrive to her designated destination, the vacant conference room next door, she shuts the door behind us and stares Randy down, "Cutting to the point, what's your agenda, Randy?", eyeballing him carefully

Feeling awkward, "I'll uh just…leave.",

As I start sneaking my way to the door, "Bah. Stay. I need a witness.", demands Sam. Huffing a bit I plant myself against a wall and hope to not have to be a referee, "I'm still waiting on that cunning little lie of yours."

Sitting on the edge of the conference table, Randy speaks up, "I thought about what you said yesterday err this morning or whatever… I wanna be involved.", he whispers

Sam seems to be blank but then starts laughing without a bit of humor, "Oh please…please tell me you're joking. People, normal ones, don't change their minds in a second. Really, tell me your sick agenda."

"Look, I admit that before you showed me picture of that beautiful little girl, I NEVER gave a second thought. But I don't know…looking at the innocence…the smile…the eyes…did shit to me. I can't deny how much she looks like me…my mom, God have her in his grace. I know I can't go back and change the past BUT I'd like a chance to-to step-up. Be the father she deserves…one she'll be proud to have. Maybe I'm not fit, hell…I don't think I am but…but, I'd at least like to try. Whatever happened between us, happened; no point in regretting or denying…I was raised better than how I reacted.", Randy turns to me for a millisecond, "If it can avoided, why have another fatherless rebel in the world?", he pushes off the table and gets on his knees, bowing his head, "Please…I-I just want a chance. All I ask for, Sam.", the gesture was SO sweet; I felt my eyes well up. Ah, Marleene you've turned soft.

Addie's mom wearily eyes her babydaddy, "Uh…", it showed on her face the war of emotions, "Are you like for real? Honestly.", she bites her lip

"Cross my heart and hope to die.", he says looking into her eyes

A period of silence passes before either of the two speaks, "Okay.", whispers Sam

Randy's face contorts into confusion with a pinch of relief, "What?"

"I said, okay.", she states with more confidence in her voice

In his excitement and relief, the WWE wrestler jumps up nearly bumping his head in the process and bear hugs the mother of his child, sucking the breath outta her. At this I chuckle. Few seconds later, Randy lets go, "Uh…sorry. I just…thanks."

With a small smile, "We're gonna have to try and get along for the sake of Addie, y'know?", he nods in agreement, "And promise me something, 'kay?"

"Anything."

Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, "That no matter the circumstances, you won't bail on my baby…be-because…", her lips tremble and eyes flutter open with unshed tears, "that'd be devastating to her."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though I was invading a way too intimate moment. Randall hugs his babymomma, "Never. I can promise that.", he pulls away, "Sam, we may know next to nothing about each other but I can ASSURE you that I keep my promises.

A text was all it took. A text changed Randy's life forever. That text brought in his daughter.

With Addie sitting on the conference table playing with her doll, we sat around her, "Baby, listen.", says Sam patiently

"Yeah.", mumbles her daughter. Her attention span no longer than any child's

"Baby, I gotta tell you something.", says Sam tickling her child

Giggling, "Mommy stop. Tell me!"

"Remember when you asked who your Daddy was?"

Addie nods, "No daddy.", she continues to play with her doll

Randy seems discouraged, "I lied.", replies Sam

The little girl gasps, "Bad mommy!"

"I know, baby. Sorry. You wanna know who you're daddy is?"

"No.", says Addie still toying with her doll

"Why?", asks her mother

"Santa 'posed to bring me a Daddy", replies the child

"Baby, look at me.", Addie does, "Santa came and dropped him off, baby…Ra-Randy is your daddy.", Sam pats Randy's forearm

Cocking her head to the side, "Daddy?"

Clear-blues glisten and a small smile appears, "Ye-yeah. I'm your daddy, sweetheart."

Never have I experienced something as beautiful as this. Well, maybe the birth of Dominick…the moment in which Phil first told me he loved…any who, nothing quite like this. The simple beauty of a man stepping his cookies up and taking the first step into fatherhood.

Addie drops her doll. Her eyes glisten with tears of joy and tiny lips tremble, "Daddy!", she flies in to his arms and little sobs erupt from her, "Da-daddy."

Being the women we are, Sam and I both cry and smile at the cute moment. Randy finally lets his tears shed and holds his daughter as if he needed her like lifesupport, muttering "sorry" and "I love you".

Minutes pass by and while Addie has stopped crying, Randy still hold her tight, "Don't cry, daddy. I love you.", she wipes his tears and from that moment my longing for my own father's embrace and love pegs at me

Sometime later, Randy embraces me, "You're the best.", he whispers in my ear, "Thank you, seriously."

"No problem, that was all YOU, champ.", I say smiling

"I feel the beginning of a beautiful FRIENDship…trust me, I don't have many of those with women."

"Oh, I bet.", I banter.

Excusing myself, just so the tiny newly-formed family would get the time they needed, I left the conference room. Bachata music could be heard, which sways my interest to dance and begin my night off fresh. As I pass a seemingly random door, I hear panting. This DEFINITELY peaks my interest.

"Oh Daaa-ve…", moans a voice, a familiar voice

"Ma—oh fuck…Maria be q-q-quiet…people bound to…shit…hear us.", my mouth, figuratively, hits the floor and eyes fall out of their sockets, again figuratively. And I wonder why I have such luck.