The Arrangement
Chapter 12
Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing.
Melanie's POV
I sat at the dining room table, relieved when Randy and Seth brought out some plates and some cooked pizza, fries and onion rings. For the last half hour, I had been making small talk with Alanna and Dean about every topic under the sun. The kid was sweet at least; she took great detail to describe the flowers she had picked up with Randy and told me about her history projects at school on Ancient Egypt. Dean half listened, while shuffling around in his chair. From time to time he got up and stalked towards the kitchen and I could hear Seth speak softly to him, reassuring him. Alanna looked at me and blinked.
"Sometimes Uncle Dean isn't well", she shrugged and went back to blowing bubbles in her chocolate milk. "Uncle Seth says he needs a time out now and again".
"A time out"?
I was amused. One of the most dangerous men I had met, and he was treated like a child by his partner. I still couldn't believe both Randy and I had almost clocked him with a baseball bat.
"Yeah", Alanna said. "I don't like them either". She grinned at me and I smiled back.
"Okay, time to dig in".
Randy and Seth placed platefuls of food on the table and everyone started eatcing.
"So are you guys staying"? Randy asked Seth and Dean. Seth was eating sparingly while Dean scoffed everything in sight.
"Can't man, we gotta go. Got a flight and an appointment to keep tomorrow", Seth apologised.
From the look on Dean's face, I guessed it was medical. Seth reached over and rubbed Dean's shoulder. The blonde shuffled slightly and relaxed. I could see why Roman wanted to protect them.
Randy's POV
An hour later, I saw Seth and Dean out. Melanie was drying some dishes and Alanna was putting them away. I paused in the door to watch them and then my phone started vibrating in my pocket.
"Hi Dad, I was gonna call later….yeah… okay, I'll be there soon".
Normal POV
Alanna darted out the room to check if there were any more dishes. Randy dodged around her and snuck up behind Melanie. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her hair.
"You did great", he whispered.
She leaned back into him slightly and dried her hands on a dishtowel.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like what you say next"?
"What makes you think that"?
"Whenever you have bad news, you get oddly affectionate, that's why", Melanie responded with a dry smile. She turned around and the smile faded. "Seriously, what is it"?
"I have to pop out for a couple of hours, dad's car broke down and he needs some help", Randy explained quickly.
Melanie shot a frightened look at the door. "Well, can't we come with you"?
"He's got all the stuff for Mom's birthday barbeque, there won't be enough room for everyone", Randy looked apologetic. "Come on, you'll be fine".
Melanie took a deep breath. "Okay, well is she allergic to anything? What's the doctor's number"?
Randy placed a kiss on her forehead and rubbed her shoulders. "You'll be fine. Nothing, and emergency numbers are on the fridge. Just relax and watch some TV or play a board game".
He kissed her again and left the room grabbing his car keys. A moment later Melanie heard Randy speak to Alanna and then the front door shut. Melanie put the towel down and slunk into the living room, sitting on the couch. Alanna followed and hopped up beside her, swinging her legs and looking at Melanie expectantly. Melanie just smiled back hesistantly and they broke eye contact. They sat in silence for a few moments. Alanna huffed a little and then turned back.
"Do you want to see what I made for my dad at school"?
"Sure", Melanie replied. If anything this should kill some time.
A few seconds later, she heard a smash from the kitchen and Alanna crying out.
"Oh fuck", Melanie muttered. She had screwed up already.
Alanna was sitting cross-legged on the ground, shuffling through her bag.
"Oh no no no no no", she cried out softly.
"Ally, what's wrong"? Melanie crouched down and started looking over the kid for injuries. "Did you hurt yourself"?
"My bag fell, it's broken", she whimpered, holding out two halves of a clay butterfly, painted blue. Her eyes welled with tears, and Melanie instinctively pulled her close.
"Hey, it's ok. Don't cry, sssshhh", she rubbed Alanna's back and kissed the top of her head. "I think we can fix it. Come on".
She pulled Alanna up and the kid wiped her eyes on her sleeve and followed Melanie up the stairs. They stopped outside the studio and Alanna tugged on the bottom of Melanie's shirt.
"I can't go in Daddy's room without his permission", she said softly.
"What"? Melanie looked down confused.
"It's Daddy's room, I'm not supposed to snoop around in there", Alanna replied.
Was there a chance she had come to the wrong room? No the door was the right one. It may be a big house but it wasn't complicated.
"Well, Daddy moved rooms and gave this one to me. Check these out".
Alanna's POV
"Wow, are you an art teacher? Our teacher has a similar room but it's much smaller but it's got paints, brushes and pictures all over the place". Everything was so colourful. Melanie laughed and shut the door after us.
"No, I don't teach. I'm an artist".
"You must be really good, I've never seen so much"! I ran over and stopped in front of a few. These were so cool! "Do you work with clay too? Our teacher likes pottery".
Melanie's POV
Art is always instantly relaxing.
"You know, I never really got into it. I prefer painting, but I always keep some stuff for back up".
I started digging around in the drawer, I was sure I had some…. Ah bingo. I turned around and held up the tube.
"Glue, this should do the trick", I flopped down on the floor and Alanna came over a second later and handed me the cracked butterfly.
I didn't know much about pottery, but I could see the clay wasn't the best quality. It was so cracked it would be obvious it was broken. Spidery lines had spread right along the clay. Still, I could try.
The edge buckled and crumbled more. Alanna sat back defeated. I bit my lip and looked at her.
"This clay isn't the best".
"That's what Miss Peters says. When we made them she said, 'those cheapskates, tuition is so high you'd think they would give us better supplies'", she mimicked. Then she looked at me. "What's a cheapskate"?
I racked my brain trying to think how to answer. "Um, I think she means, the art department could do with more funding".
Alanna nodded. "The music one too. The books are falling apart and the piano is missing some keys".
This was depressing news in itself. The fact it came from a child, so much worse. Why did the arts always have to suffer? I put the butterfly to one side and turned to Alanna.
"Well, how about we make something here instead"?
Alanna immediately nodded and hopped up. "Yeah! Can you teach me how to pain like you"?
I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
"Absolutely".
Let the creativity flow and things would ease out. Although, I wasn't sure what to say to Randy later on.
Randy and Bob
"About time boy". Bob Orton nodded at his only son and handed him a few boxes to put in the back of the car.
"Some roadworks, I had to go around", Randy explained flushing red.
Parents always make us feel like children, despite age. Bob just huffed and kept moving things.
"Thought you might have brought along the little woman", he stated.
"Didn't think there would be enough room", Randy said quickly. "Besides, it gives her and Ally a chance to hang out".
"You left her with Ally"? Bob raised an eyebrow and shifted the last of the boxes. "She any good with kids? Fertile girl"?
"Jesus dad, we've only been married a week. Just leave it will you"? Randy slammed down the boot of the car and turned to open the driver's door.
"I would if you would tell me more", Bob retorted yanking open the passenger side. "You haven't told us anything. Your mother is chomping at the bit to meet her. Which one did Hunter arrange? Flair's girl? Not just anyone on Raw right? I told him good wrestling stock".
"And he listened", Randy said carefully. "You'll meet her tomorrow. You'll like her. Melanie is"-
"Melanie"? Bob cut in. He rubbed a hand over his head and racked his mind. "Don't remember ever seeing a female wrestler by that name"- His eyes widened in anger. "This is what Hunter means? He married you off to a Runnels"?!
"Rhodes, dad. Rhodes is a fine"-
"Bah, Dusty was just a fool in polka dots and those sons of his, especially that face-painted freak! He stared out at the passing scenery. You should have pushed for someone else"!
"It's not like I had much choice", Randy muttered, focusing on the road.
"What was that"?
"Nothing dad. Look, she's a great girl".
"She's not a wrestler though".
"She's from one of the top families", Randy pointed out.
"Doesn't mean she'll have any talent", Bob said sullenly. "I thought you were serious about your legacy Randy".
"I am", Randy said, anger rising up. "If you remember, this was your idea".
"Don't get snarky with me. Letting them push you around. You're an Orton boy, you're better than that. Better than all of them", Bob said firmly. "I was counting on you to do this right".
"And I will", Randy gripped the wheel. "Got the championship didn't I"?
Bob huffed again and leaned back staring listlessly out the window. "I guess one out of three will have to do. I'm gonna talk to Hunter".
"Dad", Randy took his eyes off the road and silently pleaded with his father. "Please just play nice and give her a chance".
When Bob didn't reply, Randy felt his stomach clench with nerves. All they had to do was get through tomorrow.