A/N: Back to the standard length chapter. Hope you enjoy. Only four chapters to go :)
"Mm, good morning darling," Randy smiled as he woke to the touch of John's lips.
"About time you woke up," John whispered. "Anyone would think you were tired."
"Never tired with you around," he said rubbing his morning wood against John. "Never."
"Do you fancy a lie in?" John asked moving his lips down to Randy's chest. His lips skated across the tan skin before latching on to Randy's nipple. Randy moaned softly sinking down into the mattress as John went to work. The older man would take his time covering Randy's entire body with kisses and Randy had built up enough intolerance that he could enjoy it without needing to rush John in his attention to detail.
His breath hitched when John slid under the sheets and paused as his lips hovered over the sensitive muscle. What Randy would do to feel John's lips on his cock already was unspeakable, John was talented man outside of the bedroom, but his talents skyrocketed in the bedroom. Actually, John made Randy skyrocket, and sometimes without even touching him.
John's lips finally touched his skin again, right above the head of his cock, where it rested on his stomach.
"Darling, no teasing," Randy warned feeling his cock twitch in response to the closeness.
John heeded his words and his lips moved back up Randy's body again, all the way up to his lips. As soon as they were kissing again, Randy's hand smoothed its way up John's back and slowed to a halt as John pushed his tongue into Randy's mouth. Randy responded immediately and rolled them both onto their sides, their legs entwining, as their tongues slowly tasted one another.
"I was wondering when you might join in," John joked between kisses.
"Shut up," Randy said gently as he piled pillows up behind John.
Their bodies lay completely entwined still and as Randy captured John's lips once more, John melted into the soft pillows. John's hand travelled to Randy's waist where it sat, his thumb rubbing against the smooth skin as Randy slowly plundered his mouth.
Randy propped himself up on his elbow with his free hand cupping John's face, holding him gently. He was happy to lay here for the rest of his life, John laying beside him, completely in love, knowing, as they'd proven over the last year, they could overcome anything as long as they were together.
"Are we having any breakfast today?"
Their peace was shattered as Cody charged into their room, clearly having braced himself for what he was about to see.
"Randy, I mean it, I'm hungry," Cody complained.
"Cody, get the fuck out of here," Randy threw his pillow across the room at the man.
Cody left a moment later, slamming the door behind him. Randy turned his head back to John and went in to kiss him only for John to pull back.
"The moment's passed now, honey," he said with a sad smile. "Let's just get dressed and head down and feed the man."
"I hate him at times," Randy muttered as he pushed the sheets aside and padded across to their en suite. John chuckled at Randy's sullen behaviour and followed him into the bathroom, slipping into the shower behind him.
Twenty minutes later, Randy and John walked into the kitchen, Cody grizzling as he sipped at a mug of coffee while reading something on the screen of his cell phone.
"I thought I'd give you a day off," Alanna said as she stood frying some bacon.
"Thanks sweetheart," Randy said brushing a kiss to the side of her forehead. "Anything you need me to do?"
"Nope."
John poured them both some coffee and they sat down at the kitchen table with Cody.
"Cody, can I make a suggestion?" John said as they all sat at the table. "Next time you want breakfast, don't barge into the chef's bedroom, and piss him off."
"Pretty sure I'm the one cooking," Alanna piped up from the stove.
"Yeah, but Cody, I'm guessing, didn't realise that," John said.
"Whatever," Cody said not in the mood to be talked down at.
Randy sat listening, with nothing better to do as his daughter took the cooking away from him. His knee bounced as Cody and John went back and forth in conversation with Alanna piping up every now and then with a comment.
The ringing of Cody's phone brought his attention away from the mug of coffee he was staring at, as John placed his hand on Randy's knee. He turned his end catching a knowing smile from John and shot a little shrug back at him. He couldn't help it; he was usually the one in the kitchen when they were at home. The only time he wasn't was on Pay per View nights.
Cody hit the ignore button on his phone and placed it face down on the table. Randy thought it odd, but then Cody was in an odd mood already today. Maybe it was because Ted was away from the tour this week. Cody could just be missing his boyfriend, especially since from what Ted told him they were over the slight rocky moment they had.
The sizzle from the kitchen took his attention next and he watched, almost longingly, as Alanna cracked eggs into the frying pan.
"Randy, honey, will you relax. It's one morning," John chuckled quietly.
"Hmm, what was that?" Randy said turning his attention back to the table.
"What's up with you?" Cody asked turning his nose up at Randy's distraction.
"He's not coping," Alanna, piped up, lifting her gaze from the pan to meet her dad's eyes. "He can't hack it that someone else is cooking. And yes, I've felt you watching since the moment you sat down."
"Al, sweetheart, I'm sorry, I don't know what to do with myself when someone else is cooking in my own home," Randy explained as she started plating up the breakfast.
She carried two plates over, feeding Cody and John first, and then returned to the kitchen to grab hers and her dad's plates. Cody was diving straight in, and Randy thought it was nice in one way that he enjoyed Alanna's food so much, but it was also disturbing to see at times, wondering how his stomach dealt with eating that fast.
He blocked out Cody eating and focused on eating his own breakfast, making sure to compliment Alanna on a well-cooked meal. They all made small talk as they ate, at least the small family did, Cody was focused on his food, and after finishing, sat quietly, not really interacting with any of them.
"Cody, are you okay?" Randy asked quietly after they had all finished eating.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You don't seem yourself," Randy said with a shrug. "Everything's okay with you and Ted isn't it, he said you'd talked and things were good."
"Things are fine," he snapped at the questioning. "Excuse me, I need the bathroom."
Randy watched Cody disappear out the room and John picked up the plates to put in the dishwasher.
"What are you thinking?" John asked causing Randy to look away from the doorway Cody retreated through.
"Something isn't right," Randy said spotting Cody's cell phone on the table.
"Honey, leave them to it," John said. "If something isn't right with them, they'll talk about it when they're ready."
"I guess," he said eyeing up the phone as it started ringing again. He picked it up and checked the Caller ID. Ted. He thought about answering it for a moment, but stopped himself, knowing not only would Cody be mad at him but John would lecture him on invading Cody's privacy.
John and he had the kind of relationship where it didn't bother the other person answering their cell phone. Sure, if the phone ringing at that moment were John's, he hand it over, but if he were out of the room, he'd answer it. But Cody wasn't John. Who knew how he would react.
Randy left the table, needing to avoid the temptation of answering the phone, and went to pour a second mug of coffee for everyone.
"That was killing you wasn't it," John asked coming up behind Randy chuckling at the younger man's behaviour.
"Maybe," Randy said handing over the coffee with a hint of embarrassment.
"Well, I'm very proud of you," John said patting him on the butt.
Randy gave him a smirk as he took a mug of decaf over to Alanna who had stretched out on the sofa, "Good book, Sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I picked it up from the bookstore since everyone was raving about it," Alanna explained without looking away from the text. "Lives up to the hype as well; I was expecting it to be some rubbish where you're supposed to swoon over the hero, but it's not."
"Remember to give your eyes a rest from time to time or you'll end up wearing glasses," Randy said as he went back to sit with John and Cody who had returned from the bathroom.
"You realise of course you have to wear glasses when reading," John said with a smirk. "You always sit up in bed reading when I'm trying to sleep."
"Guess you should do a better job of tiring me out," Randy said pulling John's chair closer to him so he could put his arm around the man's shoulder.
"I'm still in the room," Alanna called from the sofa.
Randy silently chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. He should remember to stop making comments like that, but then Alanna was starting to get used to them and just made a quip back at him.
The three men sat at the table discussing work and Cody said he would be heading over to the arena shortly to check in with Paul and Stephanie. They had faked an injury with Ted so he could get some time with Tate in Mississippi and Cody was set to take the focus of the show but he still needed to get the final script for the evening.
"I miss it," John admitted. "The wrestling part, being in front of the audience is still as exhilarating as it was."
"I don't. My life has moved on," Randy said. "Maybe after tonight it will be different, since I'm in a match, but at the end of the day. I chose to leave. I don't miss the level of stress and conditioning I had to put my body through."
"Really," Cody said sounding shocked. "I thought you loved the business."
"I did. I still do. But I don't miss it," Randy said with a shrug. "Like I said, I chose to leave. Its cool doing this storyline, being back, but I know at the end of it, I won't miss the travel, sleeping in hotels. Today has proved that. I love waking up in my own bed with John beside me, and it got even better this last year where I can see my daughter every day."
"So why open a wrestling school?" Cody asked.
"I get to pass the knowledge on," Randy said smiling. "I can be in the business without the stress on my body."
"I'm nowhere near ready to give this up," Cody admitted. "I figure I'll be the same as John. You'll have to kick me out of the business."
"When it's time, you're body will let you know," John said. "I always said the same as you. 'Never Give Up' wasn't just some slogan I had printed on my shirts. I lived by that motto. I still do. As Randy said, the stress on my body was becoming too much. I was injured more than I was active and that wasn't setting me up with a good future."
Cody listened to their advice, the kind he didn't mind. They were talking about their experience in the wrestling world and he would heed every word. It was good to know that he could make the choice over his career, about when it was time to stop. At one stage, Cody was concerned he wouldn't make it passed mid-card level, and as much as he enjoyed working with his brother, that wasn't going to lead him to a heavyweight title reign.
The feud with Ted on his return had seen him escalate to that level and he was quick to take full advantage of it. He became involved in everything he could to get his name out there and show Paul and Stephanie he could be a company man as well as a sturdy wrestler. He couldn't wait to see what his career held for him as the years continued to progress and even now, when he looked back, he could see a continued growth in his character.
They were still talking about the business when his phone sounded again, he inwardly sighed, hoping it wasn't the same person as before. He turned the phone over slightly and straight away saw Ted's name and picture. Hoping John and Randy hadn't spotted the name on the screen; Cody put the phone back down and let it ring out.
"What's going on?" Randy asked sternly.
"Nothing," Cody said trying to block out the familiar ring tone.
"Codes, that's the second call you've ignored from him today," Randy stated. "Most people answer a call from their loved ones."
"He's just checking in after a text message he sent this morning," Cody said as though that was explanation enough.
"Cody."
"Randy, it's nothing, now will you drop it," Cody snapped causing John, Randy and Alanna to look at him shocked. He took a deep breath trying to steady his emotions.
"Tell me what's going on," Randy instructed. "And don't say everything is fine, because you aren't yourself, except maybe when you were scoffing down your breakfast."
"I... I don't want to hear him going on about Tate," Cody said looking down so he didn't have to see the disappointed look on either man's face. "I told him I don't want to be a father. He accepted that, but he still keeps going on and on about Tate."
Cody finally looked up, feeling the emotions welling up inside. Randy pushed back his chair, stood, and walked outside, slamming the patio door behind him.
John watched over his shoulder, trying to stop himself from going after his lover. The subject matter was close to his heart, being a father it would be, but if Randy wasn't speaking, it was because he was too angry to speak and needed to calm down.
John turned his attention back to Cody as Alanna was heading for the patio door, "Ally, cutie, leave him for a few minutes, he needs to calm down. Cody, start from the beginning."
Alanna returned to the sofa but her attention wasn't on her book anymore, instead she continuously looked over at the door, waiting to see if her dad returned. John caught her attention as Cody searched for his words and he winked at her. Her dad would be okay; he just needed a little time.
"Everyone knows I didn't cope with the news very well," Cody started explain. "I was carving out a life with Ted and then his ex-wife shows up. Why, after fourteen years did she need to bring him into the kid's life?"
"Keep going," John said not answering Cody's question.
"I wanted to be there for Ted but something was niggling whenever he started talking about the kid," Cody continued. "I know I started distancing myself, and maybe that was wrong, but I wasn't sure what I was feeling. I needed to understand it before I started trying to explain to Ted."
"Okay," John said trying to take in everything Cody was saying.
"Everyone was voicing their opinions, you, Randy, my parents, Dustin, Paul, Stephanie, most of the wrestlers were even weighing in on the matter. They were all telling me that Tate was a lucky boy; he was going to end up with two dads, not just one. Alternatively, they were saying that Ted was lucky to have such a great partner to support him. Nobody once asked how I was feeling. Not one of you," he ranted. "Before we even got together, people have been comparing us to you and Randy. Therefore, as soon as this comes up, I have to play the mighty John Cena role, standing by his lover no matter what, and being a dad to a kid who I've never met before."
"Did you talk to Ted?" John asked trying his hardest not to take offense to what Cody was telling him.
"He found me in my locker room last week after Raw," Cody said tensely. "We talked briefly; I told him I didn't want to be a dad."
"What did he say?"
"That he hadn't put any pressure on me to become a father," Cody said quietly. "I told him, I didn't want to be a part of it. That I wasn't going to stop him from being a father, but I couldn't be part of it."
"Cody, honestly, do you realise what you were saying?" John asked standing up from the table pushing his chair in.
"What do you mean?"
"In my honest opinion, when Ted gets back to the tour next week, or if you see him in Tampa on your day off, break things off with him," John said indicating for Alanna to come over so they could go outside to sit with Randy and make sure he was okay.
"No, I love him," Cody said confused.
"Maybe," John said shaking his head. "Or maybe you're right. We've all been comparing your relationship to mine and Randy's because it was the same situation, two wrestlers at the height of their careers."
"John, what do you mean?"
"Cody, you say you're in love with Ted; and I'm inclined to believe it. However I don't believe its true love," John said heading to the patio door with Alanna at his side. "Because if you love someone, truly love them, you wouldn't ever make them choose."
"You don't know what I'm talking about," Cody snapped.
"You think? All the pain this family has been through over the last year, and never once did I say to Randy that I didn't want to be a part of Alanna's life. I love her as much as I love Randy, because she is part of him. Just as Tate is a part of Ted. It's a package deal."
"So, I should end it with Ted just because I don't want to be a father?"
"It's better for him to be in pain for a short while before moving on, than be in pain for the rest of his life, because his selfish lover won't share his life completely," John said heading out the patio door and closing it.
He could feel the tension in his shoulders, disappointment in Cody for turning out to be the man he was. Ted deserved better and although he may hate John for giving Cody the advice he did, in time Ted would be able to find someone more deserving of his kind heart.
"You okay, darling?" Randy asked letting John curl into his side.
"No," John said. "I never knew Cody could be so uncaring."
"I'm sorry I left you to deal with it, but I felt too angry. Maybe I was just lucky with you, but I couldn't fathom the idea of my lover not wanting to be a part of my whole life."
"I know, that's what I told him," John said, looking over to where Alanna sat quietly, tears in her eyes. "I love you both and nothing could ever change that."
"Do you think he's going to break up with Ted?" Alanna asked.
"That's between them," Randy said. "We have to stay out of it. If it does happen, then we have to be there for Ted."
"But what about Cody?" Alanna asked. "Will we be there for him as well?"
"That depends on if Cody wants our help. However, let's not worry about that yet, nothing's happened so far. Cody might change his mind."
Monday Night Raw
I hear voices in my head... The music blasted through the arena, causing a cheer to go up through the crowd as Randy stepped out onto the stage in his classic fashion. As he stood at the top of the stage, he looked over his shoulder to see John join him. He looked good, and of course, John did as well, decked out in his cut off cargo pants and t-shirt.
Randy led the way down the ramp and made his way into the ring with John keeping a respectable distance, this way Randy's match and he was going to let him take the spotlight. John was there to watch out for interference from Paige or Big E as Randy had his match with Zack.
This feud was escalating from a simple misunderstanding, but at the end of the day, a fight was a fight, and Randy wasn't going to stand back and let Zack run his mouth without consequences. Randy knew exactly what he had been doing the previous week when he jumped Zack from behind and what he was going to get in return, and here he was.
As soon as he was in the ring, Randy automatically walked across to the opposite corner, stepped onto the second rope, and presented himself to the crowd. There weren't as many cheers from the women as there used to be, but he felt a few more men were cheering for him. He looked over his shoulder as he jumped down and spotted John taking a good look. He shot him a questioning eyebrow and John joking held up his hands as though to say sorry.
Just as he went over to John and whispered to him to behave, Zack's music hit and the younger man headed for the ring.
A couple of minutes later they locked up and Randy was overpowering Zack. Randy might be older and it was true he'd been out of the game for a good few years, but he could still teach Zach a thing or two about the business.
For nearly the entirety of the next five minutes, Randy schooled Zack on how to dominate a match. John was in his corner and he could sense him from behind as Randy continued to control the tempo of the match. Zack would land a few lucky shots but all it would take was a single blow from Randy to put Zack back in his place. He almost wished that the Intercontinental Championship were on the line as Randy could have added insult to injury by easily winning the belt from Zack.
Deciding he might as well finish it, Randy hit the mat and started pounding his fists, a serpent waiting to strike as Zack picked himself up from a devastating power slam.
He was just about to strike when he heard Paige screaming from behind him. He turned his head briefly to see what was going on and saw her trying to land punches as she jumped John from behind. He turned back to his prey knowing that John was more than capable of taking care of a small girl like Paige.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Paige fly to the floor, but a second later John followed, landing hard. Randy's attention was gone as he was up from his feet and heading to the ropes. Big E was attacking John and he wasn't about to stand for it. He wasn't sure where the man had come from considering he hadn't come down to ringside with Zack and Paige but it didn't matter at this moment in time.
He ducked under the top rope and grabbed Big E by the straps, pulling him from John. Distracted from his prey's movements, Randy suddenly found himself falling backward as Zack hooked an arm under leg and rolled him up for a pin. Randy went to kick out but Zack had a handful of his tights with all of his weight behind him. Before he knew it, Zack had pinned him for the three-count and the referee was signalling for the bell.
Zack scampered out of the ring and Paige met him with Big E close behind. The Long Island Native was smiling a sickening grin as Randy watched him leave as he sat in the middle of the ring in shock. He had lost to Zack Ryder. John slid into the ring to check on him and Randy just nodded in reply. He connected their eyes and asked him silently if he was okay from the attack and John nodded in the same fashion Randy had.
John and Randy walked through the corridor back to their locker room. They had previously been sharing with Ted or Cody but with Ted out of town and their disagreement with Cody that morning, neither men, or Alanna, had wanted to spend any further time with him.
Randy was feeling the match in his shoulders and was looking forward to taking a shower and heading back home with John and Alanna. If he played his cards right and made his shoulders seem worth than they were, then he might even get a massage from John.
"No, you won't," John said as he wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Won't what?"
"Get a massage," John said giving him a knowing look. "I know that mind of yours. But if you want a massage, then you should have been good to me and given me one after my match."
"I did in a way," Randy said with an evil smile.
"Not talking about sex, and that wasn't because I was injured, it was because you thought I was hot in the ring," John jibed as they walked along getting looks off the crew for being so open about their relationship.
"Can you not talk about sex, I'm in a pair of trunks and not much else," Randy said as John went ahead of him. "And you haven't commented on which pair I'm wearing."
"Oh, I noticed, why do you think I was checking you out on the ropes," John commented over his shoulder.
Randy wrapped his arms around John's waist and pulled him back against him, "How about we find an empty room before we go back to the locker room?" Randy said loud enough that only John would hear.
"Mm, well, you do seem to need some release," John said tilting his head back against Randy letting the taller man close the small distance between their lips and kiss him.
"And it's the kind only you can provide," Randy said nodding toward an unmarked door further on from the turn off to their locker room.
"Lead the way," John said stepping to the side so Randy could go in front.
Randy took John's hand, led him to the door, tentatively opening it in case someone had commandeered it forgetting to put a sign up. When he saw it was empty, he stepped aside and let John go in first. He'd been looking forward to this since they woke up that morning.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Please review :)