Chapter 35: Match Day
Normal POV
"Let me get this straight: Not only did you have to leave early in order to escape a band of rabid hunters, they went as far as to blow up your grandparents' ranch house once they got there?"
"That's right John . . ." said Randy as he shook his head at his laptop's screen. He was in the middle of a video call between himself, John, Cody, and Ted. "We didn't really see it happen for ourselves, but we came up with that conclusion after we saw a large plume of smoke coming from the area where the house was."
"Damn . . . and you didn't even spend a good three days up there right?" asked Cody as he raised an eyebrow.
"You can say that again . . ." grumbled the Viper as he crossed his arms. "It's like as soon as we got there, we had to leave."
"Hey . . . at least you all got out of there safely . . ." said Ted as he jumped into the conversation. "We can all probably guess that you and your brother would have lingered at the ranch and face those hunters, at least, for a little while, but with Alanna being there and Amanda being pregnant and all, I don't think you would have risked that right?"
"You know me so well Ted . . ." said Randy as he let out a small chuckle.
"So . . . what the hell happened after that?" asked John as he adjusted the baseball cap on his head. "Did you all just decide to head back to St. Louis and wait out your vacation there?"
"Yep . . . While 'Manda and I stay here at the loft, my grandparents and Nate are staying at my parents' house . . ." explained Randy as he scratched the back of his neck.
"And what about Alanna?" asks Ted as he took a sip of water from the bottle right next to him.
"She's at her mom's house preparing for the new school year . . ." said Randy as he reflected on the memory of dropping Alanna off at Sam's house . . . and how much the girl held onto her seat, not wanting to get out because she didn't 'want to go to the jail that makes you learn'. "You should have seen her when I was dropping her off at Sam's place . . . She was clinging onto her seat like crazy."
"Huh . . . it kinda reminds me of me when I was younger . . ." said Cody as a thoughtful look came across his face. "When I was her age, I hated going back to school after every summer vacation. I always tried to use my illusions to disguise myself so my parents wouldn't find me. . . Yeah . . . it never worked."
"That's because you tried to deceive illusionists . . . with illusions . . ." said Ted as he shook his head at the man. "Whenever it was time for me to go to school, I always hid . . . simple as that."
"And did that work?" asked John as he raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Hell yeah . . ." said Ted as a superior grin came across his face. "By the time my mom found me, it was already one in the afternoon, which is way too late a time to go to school by . . . I did this for a few years before I stopped."
"Why did you stop?" asked Randy as he cracked his knuckles.
"My dad threatened to disown me and never let me wrestle professionally if I kept up my hiding antics," answered Ted as he did a small shrug. "Plus, I was starting my freshman year of high school when he told me his ultimatum, so I decided to quit that year."
"Oh gosh Ted . . ." said Randy as he shook his head, while John and Cody just laughed at him. ". . . But that must have been fun while it lasted right?"
"Hmm . . . you have no idea . . ." said Ted as he shook his head in agreement. "I would so love to continue this conversation, but I gotta go pickup Kelly from the airport . . . I'll talk to you all later."
"See ya Ted . . ." said Randy as the Million Dollar Man's son logged off from the chat. "So . . . have your girlfriends annoyed you to no end yet?"
"Nah . . . Kaitlyn and I have been doing pretty well . . ." said Cody as he put his sunglasses on top of his head. "Nashville's a pretty fun town, although this heat is definitely something I can do without."
"Dude . . . you're a vampire . . . the heat shouldn't be affecting you at all . . ." said John as if he was stating the obvious, which he actually was doing. ". . . You shouldn't be complaining about something like that."
"What . . . I can't make a comment without you saying something against it because I'm a vampire?" asked Cody as he narrowed his eyes at John. "Haven't you heard about the 1st Amendment? I'm entitled to my right to free speech Mr. Cena."
"And I'm entitled to it too . . . The right to free speech is everyone's Cody . . ." said John as he crossed his arms at the younger male. "It's not just yours . . . If I want to say something that goes against what you said, I will say it."
"Don't turn my argument against me!" exclaimed Cody as he let out a small growl.
"Hey . . . you're the one that introduced the topic. I'm just bouncing off your idea . . ." said John as a confident smile came across his face. Randy could only attempt to hold back the chuckle that was desperately trying to escape him as he watched as his two friends verbally duke it out with each other. He was so distracted by the conversation that he never noticed Amanda walking into the room. The Anaconda silently walked over to the distracted Viper to see what he was looking at. Once she saw that it was John and Cody arguing with each other, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a kiss to the back of his head in order to get his attention.
"What the hell are those two arguing about?" asked Amanda as she whispered in the Viper's ear in a husky tone of voice. "They're not arguing about who would look better with facial hair are they?"
"Nah . . . we were talking about the weather in Nashville before Cody and John started arguing about the freedom of speech . . ." Randy whispered back as he turned to her. ". . . And as you can see, these two are really into their debate."
"Debate huh?" asked Amanda as she raised an eyebrow. "How about you leave them to their 'debate' for now? I don't think they'll need your input for some time."
". . . Some time?" asked Randy as he let out a sarcastic snort as he quickly logged off from the chat before either John and Cody could notice. "I don't think they'll need my input period."
"Uh huh . . ." said Amanda as she closed Randy's laptop and walked around so that she faced him better. "I just got off the phone with your parents. Apparently, they're very interested to see this planned match between you and Nate later today."
"Did you invite them?" asked Randy as he pulled Amanda onto his lap, his left hand going straight to the baby bump that was sticking out proudly from under Amanda gray Viper shirt.
"Hell yeah I did . . ." said Amanda as she shook her head. "Your parents are coming . . . my parents are coming . . . my brother is coming . . . . your sister and her mate is coming . . . basically, it's going to be one big family affair."
"Well, what I can say . . . The more the merrier . . ." said Randy as he placed a kiss on her bump. "Once I beat Nate in our match later, not only will I prove that I'm the better brother, but both of our families will know it as well."
"I see you're taking this battle very seriously . . ." said Amanda with a chuckle as she rested her head on to the Viper's shoulder.
"Hello . . . anything that can potentially boost my ego is something I take very seriously . . ." answered the Viper as he narrowed his eyes at her in a very serious manner. ". . . For example, you help boost my ego."
"Oh really now?" asked Amanda as a mock incredulous look came across her face. ". . . And how do I boost your ego Mr. Viper?"
"Well . . . not many men can say that their girlfriend has looks that beat a supermodel's any day . . ." started Randy as he pecked her lips. "They also can't say that their girl is a very smart woman who also knows many ways to kick a person's ass."
"That is so true . . ." said Amanda with a chuckle as she felt another nudge come from her stomach. "Oh boy . . . one of the twins just kicked me again."
"Again . . . ? That's the fourth time today," said Randy as he let a small smirk come across his face. "I have a feeling one of the twins is going to be quite the lively one as she gets older."
"Yeah . . . just like her dad was when he was a kid . . ." said Amanda as she began to ruffle Randy's short hair. "So . . . have you talked to Sam about the plans for the nursery yet?"
"Yeah . . . she's coming over later so that we can start discussing ideas . . ." said Randy as a superior grin came across his face. "I told you she would make time for us."
"Uh huh, uh huh . . . don't start acting like such a smart ass . . ." said Amanda as she rolled her eyes at him. "I don't need you to grow that ego even more."
"Aw . . . why'd you have to ruin my fun?" asked Randy as he pouted at her. "Can't I just bask in my glory for at least a good five minutes before you bash me down?"
"I bash you down to stop your growing ego because you tend to get overly cocky sometimes, which also leads you crashing back down to reality . . . Hard, might I add . . ." answered Amanda as she pecked the Viper's nose. "You got to admit babe . . . you tend to go a little overboard with yourself sometimes."
"That may be the case, but as my girlfriend, soul mate, and soon to be mother of two of my three children, you're supposed to feed my ego and help me feel better about myself . . ." said Randy as he tucked a few strands of Amanda's hair behind her right ear.
"I feel like you're missing a word there . . . Oh yeah, how about wife?"
Amanda and Randy turned their heads to see Nate and Becky standing there with smirks on their faces. Their smirks grew even larger as soon as they noticed the shocks on the snake couple's faces.
"When in the world did you guys get here?" asked Amanda as she jumped out of Randy's lap and planted her feet back onto the ground.
"About a few minutes ago . . ." answered Becky as she shrugged her shoulders. "Nate had a key to the place, so once we got here, we just let ourselves in."
"Wait a minute . . . when did you get a key to the place?" asked Amanda as she walked over to the two.
"I found it . . ." said Nate like it was the simplest thing in the world. ". . . I hope you don't mind."
"How much of the conversation did you hear just now?" asked Randy as he too walked over to the small group.
"Pretty much all of it . . ." said Becky as she let out a small whistle. "Seriously Randy, I'm with Nate on this one. Hasn't the thought of marrying 'Manda ever cross your mind?"
"Are you seriously bringing that subject back?" asked Randy as he crossed his arms at his siblings. "I told you . . . I'm not ready to remarry again."
"Yeah . . . but you will marry eventually . . ." argued Nate as a confident smile came across his face. "It's basically a known fact in vampire civilization. Once a vampire finds his soul mate, they eventually get married, hitched . . . they tie the knot . . . Get the picture?"
"Yeah . . . I get the picture . . . and yeah, I know vampires usually get hitched after they find their soul mate . . ." said Randy as he walked into the hallway. ". . . I just don't think that's a good reason to get married."
"Uh huh . . ." said Nate as he followed his siblings and 'Manda toward the kitchen. ". . . What about you Miss Anaconda? Has the thought of you marrying my brother ever crossed your mind . . . Even if it was just for a fleeting moment?"
"Nate . . . quit with the questioning . . ." grumbled Randy as he came to his mate's defense. "If Amanda doesn't want to answer your question, she doesn't have to answer it."
"I wasn't talking to you, you spineless reptile . . ." snapped Nate as he looked at his brother with narrowed eyes. "I was talking to the pretty pregnant lady that's carrying my future nieces over here . . ."
"Actually . . . to tell you the truth . . ." said Amanda as she noticed Becky walking over to the fridge. ". . . The thought of marriage has crossed my mind before."
"And to be specific: Have you ever thought of marrying Randy, or someone else?" asked Nate as he snuck a look at his brother, who was currently reaching for a box of granola bars. Nate couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as soon as he notice Randy's ears perking up at the question; his hand slightly hesitating before grabbing the box from off the shelf. His chuckling got even louder as soon as he spotted the small scowl forming on Randy's face. ". . . What? You don't like the idea of Amanda marrying another man?"
"Do you even want him to answer that question?" asked Becky as she walked over to the three with a bottle of soda in hand. " . . . Or do you just want him to punch you in the face right now and start your match earlier than expected?"
"I'm just asking a simple question . . ." said Nate as he shrugged his sister's question off. "So Amanda, I'm sorry for putting you on the spot, but I just got to know . . . Please answer my question, or else I will be forced to badger you more about it until you relent."
"You are really curious to hear my answer, aren't you . . ?" mumbled Amanda as she shook her head as the middle Orton sibling.
"Yes . . . curiosity is a quality of mine that I'm quite proud of," said Nate as he noticed Randy walking out of the kitchen. ". . . Hey bro, where are you off to now?"
"I'm going to get ready for our match . . ." was all Randy said as he walked out the room, not even turning around to address him properly. " . . . You should be doing the same!"
"Well . . . isn't he sensitive . . ." mumbled Nate as he shook his head, just as the doorbell rang to signal someone's arrival. "Oh . . . that must be the family. Becky, be a doll and get the door while I continue to interview our brother's mate will ya?"
"Why do I have to do it?" asked Becky as she crossed her arms at him. "I want to hear Amanda's response too you know."
"I'll tell you as soon as you get back . . ." said Nate in a snobbish tone of voice as he pointed to the door. "And since I'm older than you, I can tell you what to do. Now go to that door and let the family in!"
"Please promise me you'll tell me your answer yourself . . ." said Becky as she looked at Amanda with a pleading look on her face. "I don't trust Nate when it comes to relaying information."
"I'll tell you as soon as you get back . . ." answered Amanda as she nodded her head. Becky let out a small breath of relief before leaving the room, leaving Nate to turn all his attention on the Anaconda. ". . . So, wanting to know whether or not I've ever thought of the idea of marrying your brother or another man has really piqued your interest huh?"
"Yes . . . yes it has," said Nate as he pulled up a stool and sat down. "So . . . have you?"
"Well . . ." started Amanda, but then she stopped as soon as Randy walked into the room with his shirt off, his eyes looking very intent as he scanned the room quickly before settling his gaze on his mate and younger brother. "Is there something wrong babe?"
"I need your help with something . . ." answered Randy as he grabbed Amanda by the wrist and began to pull her out the room. "Your conversation with Nate is going to have to wait a little while."
"Now wait just a damn minute . . ." said Nate as he grabbed Amanda by her other wrist, thus stopping Randy from pulling her out the room. ". . . Are you only saying that because you don't want to hear what Amanda has to say? If you don't want to hear what the woman has to say, just stuff your ears with cotton or put on some noise canceling headphones or something . . . I won't be denied my answers mister."
"You are invested in this way too much," said Randy as he narrowed his eyes at his brother. "I just need Amanda's help with a certain issue, that's all."
"Bro . . ." said Nate as he shook his head disapprovingly. ". . . Stop being horny."
"Oh please . . . can we not talk about that while the family's here?" asked Becky as she walked into the kitchen with Marvin, the Orton parents and grandparents, 'Manda's parents, and 'Manda's brother right behind her. "Save that conversation till after we leave okay?"
"Boys . . . why are you holding my daughter like she's a rope in a game of Tug-of-War?" asked Akbar as he crossed his arms at the two brothers. Randy and Nate looked at Akbar before turning to 'Manda to see that they were indeed holding her like a Tug-of-War rope. They instantly dropped their grip on her before anyone else could say a word. "And what the hell has got you guys so worked up about?"
"Oh . . . we were just talking about Randy's marriage issues, that's all . . ." Nate answered him innocently as he snuck a quick look at his brother. "I think my brother has cold feet."
"No I don't . . . I just don't want to rush into another marriage . . . that's all." Randy quickly defended himself as he shot a scowl straight at his brother in return.
"Well . . . you rushed into parenthood pretty quickly . . . well, from what I've seen . . ." mumbled Rita as she shot Amanda's baby bump a quick smirk.
"Mother!" said Bob as he turned to his mom, who only let out a small chuckle at her son's reaction. ". . . Really?"
"Sorry . . . I just had to point that out." Rita answered him sweetly as she walked toward the living room.
"Randy . . . you don't want to rush into another marriage?" asked Elaine as she turned to her son, just as the doorbell rang again. ". . . Now who could that be?"
"That must be Sam and Josh . . ." said Becky as she headed for the exit. "I'll let them in."
"So . . . what's this about you having cold feet Randy?" asked Calypso as she sat down on one of the stools. "Are you really afraid of another marriage . . . or are you two just taking it one step at a time?"
"We're just taking it one step at a time . . ." Randy answered her quickly before turning back to his smirking brother. "Nate here's been annoying the hell out of me with the whole vampire soul mates equals imminent marriage thing."
"I've also been annoying him with the whole idea of Amanda marrying someone else subject . . ." Nate said a little too proudly as he pointed his thumb to himself.
"Now why the hell would you do that?" asked Bob Sr. as he raised an eyebrow. "Do you really have a death wish. . . You out of all people know that your brother gets seriously ticked off when it comes to Amanda and other guys, especially ever since the whole Romanian vampire fiasco months ago . . . To be honest, if I was your brother, I would have punched your lights out as soon as the phrase 'Amanda and another guy' came out your mouth."
"Thank you Grandpa . . ." said Randy as he turned to his grandfather in gratitude.
"No problem Randy . . ." said Bob Sr. as he walked out the kitchen after his wife.
"Nate, you should really quit with your childish nonsense or else your brother will really throw a fit . . ." said Elaine as she turned to her younger son. "One day, you're going to say something so wrong to your brother that you'll really end up regretting."
"Uh huh . . . I know that," said Nate as he let out a small chuckle. " . . . But until that time comes, I'm going to continue to annoy the hell out of him till he reaches his breaking point."
"Well you shouldn't be doing that now, considering you two are going to be facing each other today in the ring. . ." said Bob as he a small smile came across his face. ". . . So, when is the main event going to start anyway?"
"In a few minutes . . ." answered Randy, just as Sam, Josh, and Alanna walked in.
"Well if that's the case, I better go get ready then . . ." said Nate as he walked over to the exit, but then he turned around to face his brother one last time with a confident smirk across his face. ". . . Trust me bro, I'm going to make you regret ever challenging me to this match. Today, I'm going to prove I'm the better brother."
"Hah! That's the biggest joke in the book!" exclaimed Randy as he walked out the room after his brother, the two of them now engaging in a war of words.
"And the trash talking begins . . ." said Amanda as she rolled her eyes.
"Even when they're grown men, they can't help but act childish sometimes . . ." said Bob as he let out a small laugh. ". . . But I have a good feeling that today's match is going to be a good one."
"Yeah . . . hopefully they won't go overboard and end up destroying my ring . . ." mumbled Amanda as she walked out the kitchen.
"If they do that, just make them pay for a new one!" called Becky as she leaned her head out into the hallway to look at Amanda's retreating form.
"Good call!" said Amanda as she turned to Becky and nodded her head. The Anaconda soon made her way toward her bedroom door. Once she opened the door, her eyes landed on Randy, who was all dressed up in his ring gear sans boots. ". . . Are you ready to go babe? You're fans are waiting."
"I'm almost done . . ." answered Randy as he quickly slipped on his boots. ". . . All I need to do is one more thing and I'll be ready to go, but I need your assistance with that one thing."
"Does it involve that bottle of baby oil you're pulling out of your bag?" Amanda asked with a chuckle as Randy held up the item in question.
"Indeed it does . . ." answered Randy with a smirk, but suddenly, the bottle mysteriously jumps out of the Viper's hand and floats away. Once the bottle passes 'Manda, the snake couple turned around to see Calypso holding the bottle with a small smirk on her face. "Uh . . . Calypso? Can I have my baby oil back?"
"You can have it back AFTER your match with Nate . . ." said the dreadlocked woman as she waved the bottle in the air. "You should compete in at least one match in your life without wearing your signature baby oil Randy . . . I'm just saying."
"You are so helpful Calypso . . ." said Randy as he noticed Nate starting to peak his head into the room. "You're laughing aren't you?"
"I'm not laughing . . ." said Nate as he shook his head while walking into the room, already dressed in his MMA gear. "I'm just chuckling . . . there's a difference you know."
"Uh huh . . ." said Amanda as she turned to her mother. "So taking away Randy's baby oil is your small way of evening out the playing field between the two huh Mom?"
"You know me . . ." said Calypso as she crossed her arms. ". . . I'm one for fighting fair."
"Uh huh . . . says the woman that was known for her cheating ways when we were still on the wrestling circuit . . ." said Bob as he walked past the room toward the area where the ring was.
"That was years ago Bob . . . I'm a changed person . . ." said Calypso as she poked her head out the doorway, but then she turned back around to face the rest of the group. "Well . . . not really."
"Good to know Mom, good to know . . ." said Amanda as her mother left the room. "Alright boys, I guess you're all set then. It's time to make this match happen."
"Ready to get your butt kicked?" asked Nate as the three stepped into the hallway, his grin sent straight toward Randy. "I would say the other word that can stand in for the word butt, which also starts with the letter A might I add, but I don't want to risk cursing when Alanna's around. That girl will catch you saying a curse word like nobody's business."
"I won't be the one getting my butt kicked today Nate," said Randy as the three walked into the gym room, which was already filled with everyone else. "Because it will be you who will be getting their butt kicked today."
"Will see about that . . ." said Nate as he narrowed his eyes at his brother.
"Alright boys . . . shake on it . . ." ordered Amanda as she turned to the brothers. The two did as they were told and quickly shook hands, both of them staring at each other with narrowed eyes as they did so. "Alright then, now that that's done, let's get this match started!"
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