Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with WWE nor own the rights to any of the superstars or workers, including CM Punk. I am making no money off of this in any way. Please don't sue me.
Author's Note: A big thank you to anyone who favorites, follows, and Kaiya's Watergarden for reviewing. Also, I am going to be taking a week break, but I'll be back soon!
Nicole's floor was littered with the remnants of Christmas morning. Bertie was currently curled up in the excess wrapping paper, her body flailing happily as her tail wagging made the paper crinkle. In her mouth, the new squeak toy Rami had bought her.
"Well, she's happy." Rami commented with a laugh. They were both sitting on the floor a few feet away from the tree.
"You're wonderful." Nicole mused. Looking over the presents he had already given her, there was a purple necklace (the kind she loved) that matched her favorite dress, the complete Doctor Who box set, which he promised he would watch with her, and a brand new dress. The dress was completely her, this one red and blue, and she didn't want to speculate what is cost. It would hug every curve and she was already thinking of what heels to wear with it on the next RAW.
"Well, you still have one more." Still under the tree was what looked like a long card, just a little thicker.
"You've done too much."
"No, I haven't." He grabbed the last gift and handed it to her. His eyes fixated on his girlfriend. Slowly she pulled open the wrapping, worried she would tear whatever was underneath. Quickly realizing it wasn't a card, she pulled the plane ticket from the rest of the wrapping paper and read it.
"Canada?" Her eyes found his.
"I want you to come meet my family with me." Nicole couldn't hide her surprise.
"Are you sure?" Rami nodded but took a deep breath.
"I've never brought anyone home before."
"Wait, never?" Nicole has spent almost every holiday with John when they were together. They were so close to each others family that Nicole was still in contact with more than one of his cousins. Rami shook his head.
"I am kind of picky about that. I've had girlfriends meet my family, but that was more of when I still lived there so they might know her through the grapevine. Since I left, they've only heard stories."
"So I'm like a mythical creature right now?" Nicole pondered and Rami laughed before pulled her close. Sliding back a foot or two he moved behind her and pulled her toward him so his head was resting on his chest.
"My own personal unicorn." He agreed.
"I'm going to make some coffee. Want any?" Rami shook his head no before Nicole stood up slowly and heading into her kitchen. She wanted a few minutes alone to just think. It felt as if she was rushing into something. They still hadn't technically gone public. They had gone back into the party together, but no one really said anything. The ticket was for the beginning of February. After RAW on the first Nicole had an entire week off. Someone was taking over on Smackdown that week to train. Rami must have asked around. As the coffee finished brewing and the fresh smell filled the room she rubbed her forehead still unsure. Kayley's voice's echoed in her head, saying she was ready for this. Some part of Nicole knew she was right, but something was holding her back. Rami's laughter caught her attention as she figured she didn't have to decide that day. When she walked back into the living room she found Rami on all floors. One side of Bertie's toy was in his mouth, the other in hers. As Bertie got the toy away from him, her tail wagging with delight he rolled onto his back, laughing. Which, promptly, caused Bernie to attack him. As he laughed harder, he turned to look at her, his dark eyes connecting with hers. He smiled at her before Bertie made another round. Nicole laughed at the two of them before looking around her house. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. This was the happiest she had been in over three years.
Kayley allowed herself to sleep in as much as she could, which was until about 10 AM. After feeding her cat she walked into the living room and grabbed her phone. Nicole had sent a text asking if she'd like to come over for a Christmas lunch.
"Mind if I come a little later? I have a lot of calls to make and want to get a run in." Within a minute she received a text back.
"Okay, let me know." After a sigh she began making the calls she needed. First to her mom, then her sister and brother, a quick call to Melina and Beth, finally one to Chris. That took the longest. His kids all wanted to say 'hi' and she must have spent 10 minutes just listening to Jess try to convince her to come out to see them. After promising to find some time off she finally was able to get her off the phone. It had been about an hour since she started and Kayley had no want to even leave the house. After plugging in her tree she turned on 'Muppets Christmas Carol' and plopped on the couch. She wasn't even halfway into the first full song when there was a knock at the door. Kayley had a feeling Nicole was going to be behind it, Rami carrying an armful a food and a few presents. She pulled her robe, which was modeled to look like a Jedi's, closer around her. As she pulled open the door, the wave of Florida heat turned ice cold.
"Phil..." She grabbed her robe tighter.
"Merry Christmas, Kayley."
"What are you doing here?"
"I really need to talk to you and I know I should have called, but you wouldn't have answered."
"Don't you have a wife and in-laws you should be with. It is Christmas." Phil rolled his eyes but slightly smiled.
"I'm where I want to be." Kayley crossed her arms over her chest. "Can I please come in?" She nodded, though she felt she was going to regret it. She led him into the living room.
"Coffee?" Her voice was quiet.
"Yeah, please." As she walked into the kitchen she wish she could calm her pounding heart. Just being around him again was intoxicating. "Umm... did you get a giant rat?" Kayley stifled her laugh.
"That his a half Sphynx. His name is Splinter."
"Master Splinter, I like it." He was moved into the kitchen and Splinter was now on the counter, eyeing him cautiously. He held out his tattooed hand which Splinter tentatively sniffed then nudged. "I like him."
"He seems to like you too." Kayley observed as the cat chirped at Phil. She handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thank you. You have a really nice place."
"We both know you didn't come to talk about real estate, Phil."
"No, I didn't." He rubbed his neck, a nervous habit. "Listen, we're going to be working together and seeing each other. I don't want you to run away from me every time we're in the room together." Kayley let out a sigh and sat on her couch, Phil sat next to her.
"I know. But you shouldn't have run away from me, either." She set her cup on her coffee table, an action which he mimicked.
"I'm an idiot." Was his only response. Kayley didn't say anything back. The fact was, he was an idiot. His hand reached slowly towards her and covered her own. As her heart beat increased exponentially, she instantly didn't want him to let go. His hands were calloused, but he put everything into how he touched, never sure he could be as eloquent as he needed. For a moment she just enjoyed the feeling. She missed Phil. She missed his touch and his kiss. Except, now, something else was there. A wonder. Did he touch AJ the same way he had touched her? With the same amount of love? Immediately she pulled away and stood up moving around the back of the couch. She tried to blink the tears out of her eyes. He stood up and walked toward her.
"What do you want, Phil?"
"I told you, I don't want to have to hide from you." He took a step closer to her.
"I don't want that either."
"We used to be really good friends and I want that back." He paused for a moment. "I want you back."
"Phil."
"I have a long way to go to make it up to you, I know. But I will." He leaned down and as his lips captured hers a million feelings came flooding back. She felt 20 again, kissing him in the hallway after wrestling. Her lips automatically responded but as bad memories mixed with the good ones, she pulled away, her hands on her lips. She could still feel him.
"Kayley..."
"I think you need to go, Phil. Please?"
"Alright." He answered with a nod. With a last squeeze of her hand he turned around and headed for her door. Once she heard it shut behind him she grabbed the back of the couch to steady herself.
It was after three and Nicole still hadn't heard from her best friend when she dialed her number.
"Hey Nicole." Kayley's voice was heavy with sleep.
"Hey chica, are you coming?"
"No. I'm not."
"Why?"
"I just need to be by myself." It had gone poorly. Nicole should have known it would go poorly.
"Listen, Kayley..."
"I'm not mad at you." Kayley interrupted her. "For giving him my address."
"How did you-"
"I just knew." Kayley answered honestly. "It's fine I am just tired."
"Will you come over later? After you wake up?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"Okay. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Nicole." As she hung up the phone she couldn't help but feel bad and Rami put his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder softly.
"Kayley will be alright." He assured his girlfriend, who just nodded back. "What are you thinking about?"
"Well..." A small smile came across Nicole's face. "At least now I can kick him in the balls."
"I would wait on that."
"What?"
"I think Phil is really genuine." Nicole gave him a sideways glance.
"I don't know." Nicole answered wearily.
"Just a feeling. Trust me, just give it some time. If I'm wrong I will kick him in the nuts for you. I promise." Nicole laughed but Rami could tell something was still wrong.
"What's wrong?"
"I just feel bad for her."
"Well, then lets do something about it." He suggested.
"Like what?"
"You pack up the food, I'll back up the presents and some movies and we'll go over, invade her house, and make her laugh until her ribs hurt." Nicole kissed him quickly.
"Thank you."
"You never need to thank me." He answered before standing up and quickly putting their plan into action.
As Kayley watched "Sweeney Todd" her body felt weak from the lack of food and too much sleep. As her phone beeped she hesitantly grabbed it. The text was from someone completely unexpected: Jeff Hardy.
"Merry Christmas, girl. Miss you." She quickly text back.
"Merry Christmas, Jeff. Miss you too."
"How have you been?"
"Not bad. How's your leg. Heard you broke it?"
"Yeah, in a dirt-biking accident. I'll be back to good in a bit. After a surgery."
"Other than the leg, how have you been?"
"Bad."
"How bad?" Kayley tapped nervously waiting for the reply.
"Too much to get into right now."
"Well, I'm always here for you, Nero."
"Oh yeah? Prove it." Even through text she could feel his playful nature. She thought for a few seconds before laughing.
"Watch the next RAW. Trust me."
"Okay. But I am counting on you showing me something fun." There was another knock at her door and Kayley almost didn't want to move. Maybe she should pretend she wasn't home. However, whoever it was knocked again. She sent a quick text to Jeff.
"I've got to go. Just remember to watch. Later, Nero." As she stood up she grabbed a hair tie and pulled her curly mess into a pony tail. She didn't even bother to pull her robe around her. She was wearing plaid pajamas. As she pulled the door open, Nicole's smiling face was a welcome sight.
"What are you two doing here?" She asked stepping out of the way to let the couple in.
"We weren't going to allow you to mope anymore." Rami answered. "We brought a lot of food, fun movies, and I promise we will go to the gym tomorrow, just like I said." Kayley couldn't lie. She was excited to see them.
"Well, then my house is your house." Rami put the presents under the tree while Nicole went right for the kitchen and Kayley followed.
"You guys really did get almost everything on the menu."
"Well, you didn't stick around long enough yesterday to appreciate it." Nicole said sarcastically. "So, cheese wanton, fried rice, and orange chicken?"
"You know me too well." Kayley said with a smile as Nicole filled a plate.
"You're okay, right?"
"I will be. This is a good start."
"Kayley!" Rami called from the living room. "You have the coolest cat EVER."
"Nicole, have I told you how much I love you and Rami together?"
"A few times."
"Well. I do." As Kayley walked into the living room, Rami was sitting on the couch, staring at Splinter who was on his cat tree across the room. "He's pretty cool huh."
"Just a lot." He responded, still staring. Nicole walked in with a trey containing three plates.
"What do you guys want to watch?" Kayley asked.
"You pick." Nicole suggested. As Kayley rifled through some DVD's her eyes lit up before she picked one and put it in the player. As the menu came up Rami cheered and Nicole laughed. "Nightmare Before Christmas" started and Nicole curled into Rami's warm body. As soon as Kayley sat down Splinter jumped onto her lap and the three friends began to sing the theme song.
