A/N: Guess I found the writing bug this weekend. Hope you enjoy.

The last few days had been rough for the small family and Randy was starting to feel it today. Ever since their trip to the mall, John and Alanna were avoiding each other. Alanna wouldn't accept what John told her about the start of their relationship and Randy was upset she would go behind his back and ask John those questions.

He knew it should have been a conversation between father and daughter. Randy wasn't upset with John; there was no way he could get out of answering the questions. Randy knew what Alanna was like. He was, however, upset with Alanna. She'd already tried to ask Randy and he promised to sit down with her and talk things through. Maybe he shouldn't have waited so long but it didn't mean she could put John in an awkward position.

He was also upset with Sam for blatantly lying to Alanna all these years. It was no wonder the teenager resented his relationship with John. She'd grown up thinking he'd had an affair, and worse than that, Sam had told her John was the one to instigate it.

He looked over in bed to see John was still sleeping, he moved in close behind John and held on to him, wanting nothing more than to spend the morning in bed together, making love as much as they needed to. He felt John relax in his arms and Randy smiled. However much they go through together, Randy knew he would always have John with him.

The last few days though, had felt like an eternity. John was always trying to avoid any more confrontations with Alanna and he was either at Hard Nock's working out, spending time at JC's, or hiding in his office working on paperwork. Randy even challenged him on how much more paperwork there could be but John simply shrugged his shoulders and went back to what was sat in front of him. Randy kept him supplied with food and drink when he was in there. It felt at times like it was the only time he was able to see him.

"Are you awake?" Randy asked, sighing when there was no reply. He kissed John's shoulder, hoping he could wake him but there was no response. Kissing his shoulder once more, Randy pulled away and headed into the shower. He was only in there briefly before changing on heading down to the kitchen when he saw John still asleep, though he had spread out onto Randy's side of the bed.

Randy looked in the cupboards to plan out the food for the day. He was determined to sort the problem out over a family meal. He looked in the freezer and saw some salmon fillets so pulled them out to defrost during the day. Setting up the waffle iron, Randy mixed up some batter ready to pour in when John and Alanna woke up. Deciding to treat them, he grabbed the ingredients needed to make a raspberry sauce.

He was just finishing when the doorbell sounded and he quickly went to answer the door. Outside was a deliveryman with a large box loaded on a trolley.

"I've got a dishwasher for Cena," the deliveryman said as he looked at the clipboard he held. "Sign here."

Randy took the clipboard being shoved at him and signed letting the deliveryman into the home. He had no idea when John had ordered the new machine but he would have been grateful to be told.

"Where's it going?" the guy looking hacked off already.

"The kitchen's right through here. Sorry I wasn't expecting this, my partner didn't tell me," Randy explained with a grunt as a response from the guy hauling the box through the house. "Are you installing it as well?"

"Of course, sir," he said giving Randy a face which made Randy feel stupid for asking.

"Let me just move the breakfast stuff out the way," he said grabbing the waffle iron and food and moving it to the outdoor kitchen they had on the veranda. He came back in and saw the dishwasher already half out of the box and he had to give it to John for picking something which would go well with the kitchen. "I just need to head upstairs a moment. Just yell if you need anything."

Randy jogged upstairs, taking them to at a time and headed for the bedroom. When he saw the bed empty, he went into the bathroom and pulled the shower door open.

"Randy," John called, turning around in shock at the sudden entrance. Randy ignored his protest and pulled him into his body, plastering his face with kisses.

"It's about time; I've wanted a new one for nearly six months," Randy said between kisses, not caring his clothes were getting wet.

"What are talking about?"

"The dishwasher," Randy said reminding John.

"Oh right, yeah; with everything going on I forgot to tell you," John said shrugging his shoulders and returning to his shower.

"Want me to show you my appreciation?" Randy said, pulling John back against him.

"I'm guessing there's someone downstairs installing it. So, no," John said pulling out of Randy's arms. "Besides, I've got to get to Hard Nock's. Rob agreed to meet me early because I need to head to the other place. I'm meeting with the contractors about the pool."

"Okay, I've got waffles ready to go when you're done in here," Randy said leaving him to his shower.

Randy was really starting to worry about the way John was cutting him out at the moment. The last time anything like that had happened was when John and he took a break because of the trouble Alanna was having at school. He hoped this wasn't a repeat of that time. He couldn't handle the thought of not having John in his life on a daily basis.

He returned downstairs and started the waffle iron to heat it up as the deliveryman finished installing the machine. A couple of minutes later, John came downstairs and called out to say he was heading to the gym.

"Hey, whoa, wait, what about breakfast?" Randy asked, stopping John from leaving.

"Randy, I said I was meeting Rob early," John said turning to head out again.

"John," Randy called trying to stop him.

"What?" John said sounding exasperated.

"When are you going to be home?"

"I don't know, late probably," he called as he threw his gear over to the passenger seat and then hopped in the car.

"Will you be back for dinner tonight?"

"I'll warm it up when I get back," John called out the window.

"It's fish, you can't, and it's not the point," Randy called back from the door. "We always eat together."

"Don't do me any favours, Randy," John yelled over the engine as he roared out of the drive.

Randy went back in the house and went into the family room, throwing himself into one of the oversized chairs. He didn't know what to do. He needed to find a way to stop John pushing him away.

After five minutes or so the deliveryman came through and he handed Randy the documents to confirm the installation and Randy helped him out with the old dishwasher. He went back to the family room and sat on the edge of his seat. He was about to ring his mom to talk it through but for some reason he found himself dialling Sam's number.

"Is Sam there," he greeted as Neil picked up the phone. "Tell me why? Why did you tell her we were having an affair? Sam you know that wasn't the case. I've told you, John and I didn't get together until after we separated. All these years, my daughter thought I cheated on you and that's why we divorced. You even told her John was the reason behind it."

Randy paced the room as Sam shouted down the phone at him not giving him the chance to say any more.

"I've got news for you Sam. I was the one that kissed him. I wanted him. He wanted to wait until the divorce had gone through, but I kept on at him. I told him that the divorce could take anywhere between a couple of months and a couple years," Randy continued to say. "I know it must have been hard to hear that your husband was gay, but it was harder for John and me to go through that. We didn't know what we were feeling. It took me nearly four years to admit to myself I was gay. Do you really think I was having an affair when I couldn't even let myself admit it?"

Randy was fuming by this point. He was letting all of his frustrations out on his ex-wife but he couldn't stop. That one lie was the basis for Alanna's resentment and it was rooted so deep in her now, he wasn't sure how to get her to see the truth.

"I gave up so much for her happiness, and you just made sure to take advantage. I never realised until now, how much of a bitch you turned into," he seethed, hanging up on her before she could respond.

He punched the wall, letting out the last of his frustrations and then headed back to the kitchen to tidy up. When he entered, he saw Alanna out on the veranda making herself some waffles with the mixture still sat out there. Before heading out with her, he grabbed the information on the dishwasher to read through.

"Do you want some?" Alanna asked as he took a seat at the table.

"No, I lost my appetite, thanks anyway," Randy said, brushing a kiss to her head. "You were late up today."

"I was watching a movie before I got up," Alanna replied as she continued to make her waffles. "What was all the commotion about earlier?"

"What do you mean?" Randy asked, looking up from the information he was struggling to read without his glasses.

"Sounded like you and John were arguing," Alanna commented, unable to meet her father's eyes.

"It wasn't an argument; he's just…" Randy started to say, drifting off when he realised he couldn't tell Alanna it was because of her.

"I upset him," Alanna said sadly as she took a seat opposite Randy.

"Little bit, yeah," Randy said taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "He's getting it in his head that I'd be better off without him."

"He said that?" Alanna asked. She knew she'd said something along those lines and she regretted it. But she couldn't help the way she felt. She didn't like people lying to her because they thought they were protecting her.

"No, but I've seen this before," Randy said.

"When?"

"When you were in kindergarten. The other kids were teasing you because of us. It had just become public that we were together and he talked himself into taking a break. I didn't know what to do to stop him, so I went with the flow," Randy said. "Thankfully we realised we couldn't stop our feelings. You were young, you were going to learn to cope with the comments; and the other kids would forget about it in time; and they did."

"Okay, fine," she said eating her waffles. "I get it, you love him. Doesn't mean I can forgive him for separating my family. If it weren't for him, you'd still be with mom and we'd be together in St. Louis."

"Al, when are you going to get it," Randy said calmly. "John was telling you the truth. We weren't together until after the separation. He was also telling the truth when he said that I kissed him."

Alanna shook her head at her father's words. He couldn't work out how to get her to understand.

"I'm not trying to cause a rift between the two of you, I promise. But you have to understand, she lied," Randy said, holding Alanna's hand, trying to get her to take it in. "I don't know why, maybe to make her feel better. Maybe it's what she was telling people when they asked, and she believes it's what actually happened. But it isn't."

Alanna pushed his hand away and picked up her plate, taking it into the kitchen. Randy got up to follow her.

"Don't try to make mom into a liar. Just admit that you had an affair," she yelled. "I'm old enough to know the truth."

Alanna stormed from the kitchen and half a minute later Randy heard her bedroom door slam shut. Randy was starting to feel angry at the situation again. He was pissed off at everyone, especially Sam. He didn't know the reason behind her lies but he hated her for telling them. He was living in a house where no one was talking to one another without becoming tense or an argument happening.

He needed to find a way to stop John's thoughts getting the best of him. He couldn't lose the man he'd fallen in love with all those years ago. He was too invested in the relationship. He they separated, there was no chance he could survive.

As for Alanna, he knew only time and persistence would make her realise they weren't lying to her. She was his daughter and he would always love her no matter what. He just hoped it was enough for her.

The day flew by and before Randy knew it he was back in the kitchen, fixing up dinner. He still hadn't heard from John but he was still preparing enough food for three people. He would just have to cook the salmon when John got home.

"What time are we eating?" Alanna asked coming in to grab a drink.

"When John gets home," Randy said.

"When's that?"

"I have no idea," Randy said, continuing to chop the food for the side salad.

"He's been gone all day," Alanna commented.

"I know," Randy said quietly. He wasn't in the mood to talk; the longer the day went on the worse Randy was feeling about his relationship with John. He was starting to panic that John wasn't coming back.

"Any chance we can eat before he gets here, I'm getting hungry," Alanna asked.

"We always eat together," Randy said void of emotion.

"Of course, even though he's probably not going to be back until god knows what time," Alanna said complaining.

"Ally, I beg of you, please will you just try to understand. We didn't lie to you," Randy said. "So stop acting like some great big injustice has happened to you."

"I'm hungry, dad, that's all," Alanna complained.

"Then have a snack," Randy suggested.

He looked up when he heard the front door open and he quickly went to greet John. It had been a hell of long time since Randy had spent so much time away from John and he hated it. He didn't give John the chance to head into his office, as he took hold of his wrist and dragged him into the family room, closing the door behind them.

Randy pulled John into his arms, smashing their lips together. He shoved his tongue into John's mouth and Randy didn't stop kissing him until he needed to breathe. As soon as they took the long needed breath, Randy pushed him back against the door.

"Don't even think about trying to leave me. I am not better off without you," Randy stated clearly. "This has been an excruciating day for me. I kept thinking you weren't coming back to me."

"Randy, all I'm doing at the moment is causing problems for you and Alanna," John said looking away from Randy's intense gaze. "I don't want to do that. If she can't accept us, then how can we stay together?"

"I don't care; I need you," Randy said pressing his forehead against John's. "Please, darling, don't do it. Not to us."

John stood there for a while, not able to respond to Randy. The more he thought about his conversation with Alanna, the more he felt guilty. Maybe if he and Randy hadn't kissed that second time, Randy would still be with Sam. Therefore, maybe it they weren't together, Randy could try to reclaim what he had with her. Have his family back properly.

John knew he was strong and would be able to move on in time. It may hurt like hell to begin with but with distance between them it would be easier than if they were still touring.

"That's stupid logic, Johnny," Randy said.

"What?"

"I've known you too long. I know what you're thinking. I don't want her. I want you," Randy said, remaining strong in his words. "Now get those thoughts out of your head. I'm in it for the long haul. You're stuck with me."

"Ran-"

"I'm cooking Salmon for dinner, we're sitting down as a family, now come and keep me company when I cook," Randy said taking hold of his wrist again and dragging him through to the kitchen. "Now tell me about your day. How was the meeting with the contractor?"

John took a seat at the breakfast bar and kept Randy company as the younger man prepared their tea for the night. It didn't take them long to get back to their usual banter and Randy's fears started to disperse as the night went on.

He called Alanna down when the food was ready and he served up the salmon dinner for the three of them. They sat in what had become the usual silence when eating until Randy tried to make conversation, chatting about the next pay per view which was due at the end of the month. John joined in the conversation, trying to move passed the tension which had built up over the last couple of days but Alanna was resistant.

"I was thinking we could do a trip up to Lettuce Lake Park, later in the week," Randy said. "What do you think, Ally? You always said you'd like to go back."

Alanna shrugged her shoulders in response as she ate the last of her dinner.

"It sounds good, honey," John said. "We could take a picnic with us, spend the day up there. Maybe stop for a meal on the way back as well."

"I like that, no cooking for the day," Randy mused. "I won't know what to do to fill the time."

"I can help you with that," John joked, sharing a private joke with Randy.

"Am I invited or are you two setting up a date?" Alanna snapped, pushing her plate away.

"Of course you're invited. We just got carried away," John said trying to alleviate the tension. "I'm sorry."

"You always get carried away. You have to remember it's not all about you, John," Alanna said snidely. "Dad, can I be excused?"

"You can go to your room. After you apologise," Randy said, unhappy with his daughter.

"Whatever," Alanna said rolling her eyes. "I'm sorry, John. You're feelings always have to come first."

"Alanna," Randy snapped. "Get to your room, now."

John's head hung as Alanna's words sunk in. Randy was always putting his feelings first. He did when they were watching Money in the Bank, and he was now. John could handle Alanna, he didn't need protecting. He just wanted Randy's life to be easier.

"I have work to do," John said, leaving the table and heading to his office.

"Johnny," Randy sighed trying to stop him but it was no good.

Randy heard the door to John's office close and the same panic from earlier in the evening quickly settled back into his stomach. He held his head in his hands for a moment as he sat at the table, taking it all in. Alanna was getting more and more aggravated with John and he and he couldn't find the solution; and he needed to before I grew out of hand.

He collected the plates on the table and took them over to his new dishwasher. He loaded everything into the machine and then double checked the instructions to make sure he had the settings correct before starting it. It was still early but Randy couldn't take any more of this day. He went upstairs to his room and led down on the bed, closing his eyes to get some sleep.

He tossed about on the bed for about ten minutes trying to get comfortable but the same thoughts which had been haunting him all day were still floating around his mind. He kicked off the bed and stormed into the bathroom, starting the shower before stripping down and stepping under the spray. He stood there letting the water hit his body, working the knots out of his shoulders. If only it could work the thoughts out of his mind as well. He leant back against the wall of the shower, his head resting against the cool tile. Between John's thoughts of leaving him and Alanna's attitude, Randy was near to giving up.

He switched the shower off after twenty minutes and dried off before slipping his pyjama bottoms on. He closed the blind on his window in hopes of blocking out the last of the day's sun and then climbed back into bed. The thoughts still swirling round in his brain, Randy felt the frustrations of the day building up inside and threatening to spill out on the pillow.

He wasn't sure if he'd fallen asleep or if time had slipped away from him but the next thing he knew John was climbing into bed behind him. As soon as John was settled, Randy turned over on the bed and curled into him, needing more than ever to feel his lover. He held onto him for dear life, scared he was going to leave him.

"I'm not going anywhere, honey," John whispered, pulling Randy tight to him. Randy gazed up at him, questioning him.

"I've known you too long. I know what you're thinking," John said repeating Randy's words from earlier.

A/N: Keep rocking the reviews