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

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. It is funny how things and people work out, isn't it? 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. Hunt wanted to be the one to come in and check on you, but I told him I wanted to check on my wifey." I laughed at how he said wifey; it sounded so funny yet serious 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 his ring and I felt so safe. Then again, it's impossible not to feel safe when he's near me; he's always had that effect on me. I was stupid for thinking that I could ever let him go. I laughed at him, and he fake pouted, until I turned my head to kiss him.

"Wifey? Only you would say that. Did you ever think that things would be how they are? Like that we'd end up this way?" The superstar thought for a moment, and a silly grin washed over his handsome face.

"Well, I always knew that I wanted to marry you, but I didn't think we'd have to go through what we did to end up here. Do you regret picking me?" The truth was, I knew I hurt the other guy. He let me in, and I chose someone else. I will regret hurting him, but I could never regret my husband.

"Never, because I love you so damn much. I just regret hurting him and you when I did." Things were ugly after we came back from Vegas. He didn't want to talk to me, and I hated myself for months. Then he told me he forgave me, and it lessened my guilt, but when he ended up coming to our wedding, and I knew then there was some hope in fixing things.

"You're a great person Taylor," I turned around in his arms and wrapped my hands around his neck as he continued, "I can't believe how close I was to losing you-"

"Hey, don't say that. The past is the past, and it's over. You'll never lose me." He muttered something about jinxing it, before he continued to kiss my neck.

"You should come on the road with me; both of you. I don't want to miss out on the baby." I kissed him sweetly,

"Maybe, we'll see. You know, we should go, they might think we're-" as if he read my mind he interrupted,

"Don't tempt me. Our bed is right there, and a shower in there," he pointed over to our personal bathroom. I laughed and playfully smacked his chest, and then put my hands on my hips.

"John Felix Anthony Cena Jr!"

"Taylor Lynn Cena!" He tossed back.

"You're lucky I love you Cena."

"See, I'd call you Helmsley, but that's not your last name anymore…" he trailed off and then kissed me again. I pulled away just as Punk stood at the door with Emma. John pulled away and the two men shared a nod, and John got down to Emma's level.

"Want to go play in the snow?" She nodded enthusiastically,

"Uncle John-John." The Cenation leader's dimples were on full display as he lifted her up, and carried her down the wooden stairs. I smiled at the two; he'll be a great dad.

There was an awkward silence, until he spoke up,

"I'm not mad at you T. I could never stay mad. I'm just hurt; more than I care to admit." I nodded, than carefully walked toward the Chicago native.

"Sorry will never be enough to how I hurt you Phil and I know that-"

"I'll always love you Taylor. You'll always be that one I wish I took while I had the chance. I don't regret you. It sucks seeing you guys together, but I'll be okay. I love you enough to let you go this time." I nodded, trying to hide my tears. I love him, I do. It's just not in the way that I do John; the way I've always loved John. I can't regret the time we spent together, but things weren't right. I never intended to hurt anyone, but I'm here and here is good. I'm happy with John, and if possible love him more now than I ever did before.

"Just please tell me that we're okay," I whispered, shocked I said it. His mouth formed a straight line, but then managed a small smile.

"We will be. We're best friends after all."

A few minutes later, we were walking down the stairs. Deep down, I knew things would take longer to get back to normal; if things would ever be again. Shaking it off, I went and sat in John's lap as Punk went and sat on the floor by the girls. Emma knocked him over with her hug, as everyone laughed and began a conversation over whatever. I wasn't paying attention; too busy with my thoughts. Emmie and Mira went back to playing with blocks on the rug. Haley and Colby were sneaking kisses as she tried hiding her soon to be showing stomach. John's arms tightened around me, and he kissed my shoulder.

"Is everything okay Mrs. Cena?" I grinned at him, hearing that would never get old. Yet we will, together and I'm so happy with that. I sighed in content.

"Hey John-"

"Are you okay, is it the baby?"

I grinned at his worry. Who would think tough-guy SuperCena, former WWE champion would be all worried like this? It was adorable in my opinion.

"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 baby girl." 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 John, my friends and family, and the new baby in seven months, and that is more than I ever could have wished for.