Dear Best Friend,
If you're reading this, then I'm long gone and Mark told you the truth. Please don't hate me for not telling you that he knew, it was just easier that way. Don't be mad at him either. I want to thank you for being like a sister to me all these years, and now I'm thanking you for taking care of my family. Knowing Punk he hasn't made it easy. Hopefully John has been there for you through all of this. Now, if you have been looking out for Punk and the baby, you've fallen in love with him. How do I know? Because before I fell in love with him, he was in love with you, but you were always waiting for John, or just too scared to make a move when I knew you loved Punk back. Just know that I could never hate you if you did fall in love with him. So please, don't use me as a reason not to try, if that's what or whom you want. John and you are amazing together, and I only hoped to someday have what you two do. Or maybe did. My point in writing this letter was to tell you how much I love you, and am sorry for having to leave my "sister," and newborn baby, and Phil behind. Okay so this is getting rather lengthy, so I should probably shut up. I'll miss you and I'll see you again someday Tay-Tay. Always trust your heart, no matter what.
Love,
Hope
Epilogue, One Year Later:
It's been over a year since Hope's death. After reading her letter, I knew where my heart lay all along. I just needed some hope, in order to make the decision. A year ago today, I married the man I am spending the rest of my life with. Three months after we eloped in Vegas, he and I had a real wedding with friends and family, and my Daddy walking me down the aisle. Laughter could be heard from outside as I stood in our bedroom watching everyone play outside in the snow. Haley and Mira running around from Colby who was throwing snowballs.
I thought I was all alone in the house until I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind. Leaning into my husband's embrace, I felt his soft lips press a kiss to the crevice of my neck. I felt him chuckle, and then he began speaking,
"We wondered where you were Taylor. Hunter wanted to be the one to come in and check on you, but I told him I wanted to check on my wife." I laughed at the way he said wife; it sounded so foreign coming from him, but yet music to my ears. Looking down at our hands that were laced together on my small baby bump, I saw the silver of our wedding bands catch the sunlight and glow from the sticking white snow. Our hands were so different, but yet fit together so well. My index finger began tracing over the new tattoo on his right wrist; of my initials and then our daughter's.
"Mmm, your wife, God did you ever think we'd be here, and that things would be how they are?" He rested his chin on top of my shoulder, and shook his head,
"Not really, but I wouldn't change anything. Even though I still can't believe you of all people eloped-"
"You said yes!"
We busted out laughing at our banter, we always do. In our first year of marriage, we've fought a couple times, but nothing ever serious. He was going back on the road soon, and I couldn't wait to see him on TV again.
"You should come with me when I go back on the road especially since you're pregnant I don't want to leave you guys."
Turning around in his arms, he crushed his lips to mine.
"Maybe, we'll see. Now we should probably go outside before they think we're going at it and are afraid to come in the house."
He laughed as he began kissing my neck, and he murmured huskily into my ear, sending chills down my spine,
"Don't tempt me woman," he bit down on my neck, producing a groan to bubble passed my lips.
I pulled away and swatted at his chest,
"Phillip Jack Brooks!"
He grinned and mocked me,
"Taylor Lynn Brooks! What?"
"You're lucky I love you."
"Luck is for losers. But I love you too, more than anyone pretty girl." I rolled my eyes, and they widened when I saw who stood at our door.
Emma-Lynn smiled and let go of John's hand and stumbled towards us. Punk swooped her up, and then carried her down the stairs to get ready for the cold winter weather. Many would think things would be tense between us. These days aren't tense, but John would still look at us and I could tell it hurt; as if it should be us, married with the house and kids. It hurt me too, to see how much pain I caused. I spent so much of my life with John; I couldn't fathom him not being in it some way. I will always love John Cena, but just not the way I used to. He deserved better than me. I'll miss him, but I wouldn't change things right now for the world.
I softy spoke,
"Hey there Johnny."
"Hey T, long time no see." In an instant I was hugging him, and apologizing for hurting him; for how things had to be. He was holding back tears, and tried to be SuperCena as he responded,
"Hey, don't worry. I'm okay Taylor. I'll always love you; I just want you to know that. One day, maybe I won't in the way I did before, and the way I do. You and Punk are happy though, and that's all I ever wanted for you."
I smiled at him, and I knew things would be okay. Maybe not right now, but they would be soon. As we walked down the stairs laughing at something John said, everyone was gathered around the fire. I wondered when everyone actually came inside from the bitter cold.
"Momma, come…come." I laughed at Emma's talking attempt, and walked while I still can, over to my family. I sat in Punk's lap as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. Emmie and Mira played with blocks on the rug. Haley and Colby were sneaking kisses as she tried hiding her soon to be showing stomach.. John sat on the sofa laughing at whatever conversation everyone was in. I sighed happily as Phil tightened his arms. Things were finally calm and perfect; knock on wood.
"Hey Phil," I whispered.
"Are you okay, is it the baby?"
I grinned at his worry. Who'd of thought that Phil Brooks, CM Punk, The Best in the World, would be settled down and a family man? I never would have believed you over a year ago.
"We're both fine, everything is perfect. Thank you for being you, I love you so much."
He kissed me on the lips,
"Thank you for loving me and picking me. I love you too Mrs. Brooks." He rubbed my thigh in reassurance, and I fully rested against his muscular chest.
In life, you never know how things will pan out. People you never thought would even come into your life end up playing such an important part. You find hope and love in the smile of a child, the words 'I love you,' and in places you'd never expect. If you're lucky enough though, the person you love decides to love you back. Then before you know it, you're spending time in your own little piece of forever. I look around the room, at my friends, family, and love of my life, and I can't help but wish Hope could be a part of this, but she will always be in our hearts. As I step into a new chapter of my life, I know things will be okay because I have my forever. I have Punk, Emma, and the new baby in seven months, and that is more than I ever could have wished for.