Author Note: Thanks goes out to DeeMarie426, LindaPipeBomb, Leasha Orton, and THE Kid Hardy for the awesome reviews. All you readers are simply amazing and I wouldn't be able to continue this without the encouraging words. I hope you all enjoy the new chapter. The lyrics in this installment don't belong to me. They belong to the band Delain.

"As I stand in the rain of this cold day

Tears are the words when I cannot confess the pain

Time will heal

But I don't want to feel

Cry in the rain

Release the pain

So

Cry now

Cry now and let it go"

'One Cold Day' by: Lacuna Coil

Chapter 16: Birthday From Hell (Part 1)

Bray stood outside the hospital watching the conversation between Seth and Skye end in such a bitter way. She stood frozen in the same spot as Seth walked away leaving her with words that she definitely didn't want to hear. He almost wanted to laugh at her; but seeing the heartbroken look in her eyes prevented him from doing so.

"So why did you ask me here, Bray?" Nick's voice asked from behind.

"Take a look." He stated pointing his finger at the heartbroken woman a few feet from them.

Nick squinted his eyes to get a clearer look at who the man was pointing to. Once the vision cleared enough to see whom he was talking about, a sly smile developed on his lips. He watched her lower her head in shame and a low laughter escaped his throat.

"Well well I didn't think I'd see her again. This just gets better and better doesn't it. Do you know why she's here?" Nick asked.

"From what I've seen, it's for Seth and Rydia. She wants Rydia to get back into music again."

"I see...is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Bray knew that he should tell him about Rydia's budding relationship with Roman Reigns; but for some reason he didn't feel that the man should know about it just yet. He'd eventually find out himself without him spilling the beans. "Mia and Dean are officially seeing each other. Rydia is finished with basics in training. She will be sent to NXT for the final bit of training." He replied.

"That a girl, build yourself up to the top; because I'm just going to bring you crashing down." Nick commented.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Wait and see...patience is a virtue my friend."

Bray smiled a fake smile. He didn't trust him at all and there was an inner darkness inside Nick that even Bray didn't want to admit he saw. He thought he was seeing the world in a dark way; but the man next to him saw it in a much darker way and he was hell bent on making his vision come true no matter the cost.

March 18th, Two Months Later

Mia awoke feeling groggy and unrested. Over the last two months, she had to be extra supportive to the others since Seth had decided to keep his distance from everyone in the group. After being injured and feeling like a fifth wheel, Seth turned on them. Rydia's heart felt heavy with a burden, because she felt like it was her fault.

She turned to see her sister still asleep in a restless slumber in the bed across from her. Though, Roman was still around for her, Rydia still felt closed off and distance from him. Seeing Seth's reaction with everything, Rydia believed deep down that Roman would do the very same thing. The ringing of her phone snapped her out of the bitter thoughts of the world around them.

Seeing her mother's name across the screen made her smile brightly. She almost had forget that today was an important day in her mother's life.

"Hello mom!" Mia greeted.

"Happy Birthday." Her mother replied in a taunting sweet voice.

"Thank you. So how are you and dad doing?"

"We are fine. We are just wondering when you are going to be bringing that new boyfriend of yours around so we can meet him."

Mia laughed and tilted her phone against her chin. She walked out of the hotel room and into the hallway. Leaning against the cool of the door, her eyes closed trying to think of a good excuse for them not to meet Dean. "I don't think that's a good idea yet. We haven't been together that long yet." She replied as honestly as she possibly could.

"Are you afraid of what your father would do?"

"Not really. Dean is pretty damn capable to handle anything, trust me on that."

Saying those words brought back everything they've endured as a couple and even before they became one. Nick and Bray have caused utter chaos within the group. Hearing her mother laugh, made her forget all about the horrible things she's had to see. "How is Rydia? She's being evasive again. Is that man treating her good?"

"Roman is a saint; but they aren't really together. They've kissed once and that's about it. She's kind of pushed him away cause of some personal things inside her head."

"You aren't going to elaborate on that are you?"

"Sorry mom; but I can't."

"Just tell her to call me when she can, okay."

"Tell her yourself, come to San Antonio. Skye talked her into singing with her tonight at Bonham Exchange for my birthday."

Her mother was silent for a moment and that always meant that there was thinking involved.

Inside The Room

Rydia awoke and rolled out of bed. Her phone fell onto the floor with a loud thud. She looked down and slowly retrieved the device. The screen lit up and she could see three missed called and five text messages waiting for her attention. The calls were from her mother and also two of the text messages. They were reminding her that it was Mia's 26th birthday, which was only a reminded that there was only twenty-six days left before she turned twenty-seven.

"Thanks mom for reminding me..." She whispered before deleting the messages.

Being only eleven months apart in age made it difficult for their mother growing up; but as they got older they respected their parents more and more. The remaining text messages were from Roman asking about Mia's birthday. He wanted to know what to get her and also what Dean could get her for their first birthday together.

Rydia quickly replied to his questions and sent a quick invitation text to Seth. She missed him greatly and never realized how close she had become with him until he turned his back on them. Things just weren't the same without him and knowing that made her come to a conclusion that things were different between Roman and her as well.

"Ry? Are you okay?" Mia asked walking back into the room.

"Not really; but Happy Birthday sis." She replied with a forced smile.

Mia smiled and wrapped her arms around Rydia. Their bonds had been tested on several occasions since Nick began his games; but no matter what was thrown at them, they continued to stay close. "You need to stop beating yourself up for what happened with Seth. He will come around when he's ready. As for Roman, you need to stop pushing him away."

"You don't understand. You realize that all of this is my fault. Because I'm here, you all get hurt in some way. After tonight, I'm done. I'm going home."

Rydia walked passed her sister and entered the bathroom. Mia couldn't understand what would make her want to go home. A place that was pretty much foreign now and a place where she would be unsafe and vulnerable. A day that was supposed to be for her happiness has already started to turn into sadness.

Inside the bathroom, Rydia collapsed to her knees allowing all the tears she had been holding back for months out in cries of emotional pain that left her body shaking and weak. All she ever wanted was for her life to be normal and have a happy ending with a husband and kids of her own; but the way it has been going, her dreams were nothing but a vision that was fading away.

San Antonio, Texas: Bonham Exchange Nightclub

Skye was busy helping her band set their equipment on the stage. They could hear the people lining up outside complaining about the long wait to get inside. Her nerves were bothering her more than usual and she knew why. It was her one chance to get through to Seth and bring him back to group and for her to make him understand that she wasn't going anywhere.

She couldn't deny that having this gig on Mia's birthday was completely on purpose. It had a greater chance for him to show up if it was played in the name of Mia's day of birth than for any other reason. Her hand wrapped around the microphone and set it in place; but she lingered a little longer than necessary. She was envisioning Seth standing out in the crowd smiling at her and finally letting down the mask he hides himself behind.

"You ready for this?" Rydia asked stepping onto the stage.

Skye turned to see her best friend dressed in a black tank top dress, the front shorter than the back. Her boots laced the whole way to her knees, slightly above them a little. A long silver chain hung around her neck with a pendant her father had given her several years prior. The necklace held a sentimental value to her and wore it to remind herself that she could still do what she was born to do, and that was to sing her heart out to the world.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Thank for doing this, I know you really didn't want to."

"If my life can't be the way I want it to, then I want to help you get yours back the way you had it."

Rydia's eyes still burned with the tears she had let out hours before hand. Skye smile and took hold of her hand. In a few moments, they would have to let all their outside problems go and pour their hearts out to the crowd. Rydia walked away and began to look for Mia. People were starting to pile into the building, occupying the tables on the upper level and hovering over the bar.

The difference between Rydia's cover band 'Endless Dreams' and Skye's cover band 'Lost Souls' was that Skye stuck with one band to cover and that was the Netherlands band Delain. Rydia's mixed things up with multiple famous international bands.

"There is the birthday girl." Skye said with a smile as Mia approached them.

"Thanks. I appreciate you putting this together for me. I need something fun to take my mind off the crappy stuff."

"No problem at all. I intending on doing this anyway. This is the only way I know how to express my feelings, so I'm hoping Seth shows up tonight."

Mia could understand her feelings. They all wanted Seth to be there; but none of them have heard from him in weeks, so the odds of him actually showing up were slim. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Roman and Dean walking in. Dean was holding a small bundle of roses in his hand. Her smile always made his heart skip a beat or two upon seeing it.

"Happy Birthday, princess." He said leaning in to kiss her lips.

"Thank you." She replied taking the roses he handed to her.

Roman glanced in Rydia's direction hoping to hear her say anything to him. The only time she really talked to him was at work or when he asked a question. Her eyes held much pain behind them and the only thing he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and hold her. "Mia! Rydia!" A familiar voice screamed.

The sisters turned to see two very familiar faces approaching them. Mia smile only brightened which confused Roman and Dean. "Mom! Dad!" She screamed back with a wave of her hand. Dean's heart dropped to his stomach. He never expected to meet her parents in the two months of their relationship. The older gentleman stared at him for a moment before turning to hug his daughter.

"This is an amazing present. I missed you guys so much." Mia said hugging them for dear life.

"We missed you to; but you did invite us." Karen, her mother replied.

They turned towards Rydia. She smiled and wrapped her arms around them both. She was thrilled to see them in so many ways. Out of instinct, she looked around the club for signs of Nick or Bray. It would be just like them to ruin a good day like Mia's birthday. "Are you going to introduce us?" Karen asked hinting towards Roman and Dean.

"Mom, this is Dean Ambrose. He's my boyfriend." Mia introduced with a hopeful smile towards her father.

Paul reached out and accepted Dean's handshake. Rydia looked over at Roman. He wondered if she was going to introduce him or was she going to let Mia do it. Paul looked at him straight in the eyes. "Rydia, who is this?" He asked.

"His name is Roman." She stated simply.

"Ry, that isn't any way to treat someone who has eyes for you."

Roman swallowed the lump of surprise. He never would have imagine Rydia's father to say such a thing. Him threatening to tear his head off if he hurt his daughter was more along the lines of what he expected; but definitely not what he had just spoken. Skye smiled and stepped back onto the stage to issue sound testing before she started her night.

Mia escorted everyone to a table close to the stage where everyone could sit down. Karen and Paul sat down next to Mia. Dean took the seat on the other side of his girlfriend and it left two seats for Roman and Rydia to side next to each other. "Please show up, Seth. I can't bear to see Skye's face if you don't." She mentally pleaded.

The music started off slow before kicking into a hard rock riff. Skye walked out onto the stage much to the happiness of the front crowd. Rydia watched closely, remembering the days when those people would be cheering for her. Roman causally placed his hand on top of hers. Without looking at him, she turned her hand to twine her fingers through his.

Seth walked into the club to see Skye pouring her heart out to the crowd. He caught sight of Mia and the others at the closest table to the stage. There were two older people with them, which he assumed were the sisters' parents. Song after song was sung. Sweat continued to drip from her forehead to the floor under the hot lights and she remained as beautiful as ever.

"Alright guys, this is our last song of the night." Skye announced.

The crowd sounded displeased with the announcement and in some ways Seth could relate. He loved hearing her voice and still did despite his distrust of her at the moment. She reached out and touched hands with some of the crowd members.

"I got a special guest to help me with this song and if your from the Dallas area than you may know her from the band 'Endless Dreams'."

The crowd instantly cheered louder. Seth knew who she was talking about and he couldn't believe that he was about to hear her voice that she had been hiding from all of them since the beginning. Roman squeezed her hand tighter and then let go so she could stand up when called.

"Let me introduce to you, Rydia Chandler..."

Rydia stood up from the chair she had be occupying and walked up onto the stage. Looking out into the large crowd before, it brought back memories of the days she spent going from club to club. She could hear her parents cheer her own and it made her smile. "This is called 'My Masquerade' and it goes out to someone special in my life. I just hope he's here to hear it tonight." Skye stated before turning her back to the crowd.

Seth's heart started to race upon hearing her words. He leaned against the railing on the top level watching intently to the women closest to him about to pour their heart out. A slow eerie sounding intro began and they walked across the stage. The drums started to take over when Skye lifted her microphone to her lips.

"Your face, my face

You breathe, I breathe

You fail, I fake

I pray, I pray..."

Rydia smiled and waved her hand when she lifted her microphone to her lips.

"You lose, I lose

You bruise, I bruise

I hunt, you stay

My prey, my prey"

The women came closer together to sing the chorus.

"My masquerade

My Masquerade

If you're not afraid

To take a step into my world"

Rydia's smile was starting to become plastered to her lips. The more she sung the more she felt at home. Roman never moved from his current posture. He was so into her voice that nothing else mattered. The second verse went on the same way as the first, taking turns with the words. Seth walked down the steps to get to the first floor. He pushed people out of the way to get to the front just as she sung the words that meant more to her than the other ones.

"Take off your mask

The world will see

The freak in you

The freak in me

Tonight we hide

From judging eyes" Skye sung with her hand out to the crowd.

"Take off your mask

The world will see

The freak in you

The freak in me

Tonight we hide

From judging eyes" Rydia repeated with the same gesture, soaking in the crowds energy.

"We'll dance until the sunrise" They sang together, their voice merging together perfectly.

After the song was over, the crowd screams to a deafening level. Tears burning in the corners of their eyes for different reasons. Seth called out to Skye; but she couldn't hear him over the loud screams from the crowd he was twined within. He felt small in that world once again. He could never compete with the love people had for her voice.

Mia rose to her feet and cheered jumping up and down for them. Dean was overly thrilled to see her so happy. That was until she turned to see her father clenching his chest. "Daddy?" She called out in concern.

"Paul, are you alright? What's wrong?" Karen asked pleadingly.

He couldn't form words in his mouth. He couldn't seem to catch a breath at all. Roman reaching into his pocket for his phone to call 911. Paul collapsed onto the floor. His body twitching from muscle spasms. Rydia caught sight of what was going on and instantly leapt off the stage and slid on her knees next to her father's prone body.

"Daddy!" She screamed hoping to see a response but there was none.

The paramedics rushing into the club and surrounded the family in disarray. Rydia refused to let go of her father until Roman physically picked her up to let them work. She screamed out in frustration and tears rolled down her cheeks filling her heart with despair. Roman held onto her, allowing her to pound her fist against his chest.

Mia watched helplessly as they wheeled her father out on stretcher with a breathing tube down his throat. She felt numb and empty. Dean wrapped a comforting hand around her and in a split second turned to bury her face in his chest. Karen followed the paramedics out of the club to ride with her husband to the nearest hospital.

Skye stood quietly watching the whole event unfold before her very eyes. Tears quickly started to burn her eyes and all she could do was let them fall. Seth kept his distance away from the group but the nagging voice in his voice to be there for them was overwhelming. He took several steps towards them. Skye watched closely waiting to see if he'd turn in her direction; but he never did. His attention was on Rydia in Roman's arms.

"Seth..." Roman warned softly.