Chapter 71: The Birthday Dinner
Normal POV
"So Nate, how long will it take us to get to the restaurant?" asked the Viper as he looked at his smiling brother. Nate turned to look at him before turning forward, staying silent as he, Randy, Amanda, and the twins walked out of their hotel and into the cool afternoon air. "Aren't you going to answer me little brother?"
"I would, but I don't want to. It may spoil it for you," Nate finally answered him with a grin as he continued to look forward. "Just enjoy the journey for now. We'll get to our destination soon enough, big brother."
"You're just going to have to be patient Ran . . ." said Amanda as she pat her fiancé on his shoulder. "And please, try to enjoy your birthday dinner tonight okay? It is in your honor after all."
"I'll enjoy it . . ." Randy told her in a reassuring tone of voice. "But that's not going to stop me from wishing it to end as fast as possible so we can go back to our hotel as soon as possible."
"You are only saying that because you want to have sex with me at least one more time before the day is over," Amanda said with an exasperated look on her face as the group crossed the street. "You're letting your lust for me cloud your judgement Mr."
"Okay, so you may have a point on me wanting to have sex with you at least one more time before the night is over," said the Viper as a guilty look came across his face. "But I can control my urges when the time calls for it. Besides, I have you as a soulmate for crying out loud! It's really hard to not think about you in bed at times."
"Oh men . . ." said Amanda as she shook her head. "Maybe you need to talk about something else in order to get your mind off of sex."
"Oh, please do . . ." said Nate as he rolled his head back in exasperation. "Listening to you two talk about your sex life is really annoying, especially since it's reminding me how single I am at the moment."
"I'm glad 'Manda and I's sex talk is annoying the living daylights out of you, little bro. . . Anyway 'Manda, maybe you're right . . . Talking about something else could help me get my mind off of sex for a little while," said Randy as he quickly took out his handkerchief and wiped away the trail of spit that was sliding down Dani's chin. "What do you suggest for a new conversation topic then baby?"
"Let's talk about some unsettled wedding details then . . ." suggested the Anaconda as they followed Nate's lead and turned a corner onto an intersecting street. "Let's start with the wedding date."
"Alright then . . . Now that I think about it, I don't want to do the whole wait a year until our wedding day kind of thing," said the Viper as a thoughtful look came across his face. "When I was engaged to Sam, we waited almost a full two years before we finally got hitched, and of course, our careers were the main reason why we waited so long, especially mine. I don't want the same thing happening this time around with us."
"So, you want our wedding to happen within the next year?" Amanda asked him with a thoughtful look on her face. "Is that what you are getting at?"
"That's exactly what I'm getting at . . ." said the Viper as he pecked his mate on the cheek. "To be honest, I want it done as soon as possible. And If you want, if we could find a courthouse around here somewhere, we could probably get all the necessary paperwork done tonight and finally call ourselves husband and wife."
"Even though that does sound tempting, and I mean very tempting, I'm going to have to decline the idea," said Amanda as she let out a small chuckle. "Some members of our families and some of our friends would have a fit if they found out we got married in a courthouse instead of going through the whole ceremony and reception route. They would never let us live it down. Besides, I think all the courthouses in the city are closed for the night anyway."
"Darn it . . ." mumbled the Viper as they crossed the street. "But the idea of a short engagement is appealing to you right?"
"It is . . ." said Amanda as she shook her head. "Actually, now that I think about it, I already have a location in St. Louis that would be perfect for us, and they have a reservation open on a Saturday in early September, which should be nice, weather wise . . . Is the first Saturday in September soon enough for you as our wedding date?"
"The first Saturday in September you say?" Randy asked her as a small grin came across his face. "That sounds perfect. Although, September also happens to be the month I married Sam in, but regardless of that fact, I think the first Saturday in September is absolutely perfect."
"Alright then, it's settled. September 5th is our official wedding date . . ." said Amanda with a grin as she gave Randy one hard kiss to the cheek, the Viper being glad to accept. "We still should at least visit the location once before the wedding . . . But regardless of that, September 5th should be just fine."
"Huh, that gives you only another five to six months to plan and prepare for it you two," said Nate as he finally jumped back into the conversation. "You think you guys can handle all that planning in such a short amount of time?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm barely used for matches at work in the first place anyway! That's going to give me plenty of time to plan out the wedding, with some of Randy's valuable input of course," said Amanda as she shook her head while gesturing to the smirking man on her right. "Besides, I don't think Randy will have too much trouble planning the honeymoon and all with his busy schedule."
"Oh, so you put my brother in charge of planning your honeymoon huh?" said Nate as he turned around to face the two with his hands on his hips. "C'mon bro, be honest, you're not going to take 'Manda to the same location you went with Sam to for your guys' honeymoon right?"
"Now what kind of uncreative idiot do you think I am?" said Randy as he looked at his brother with an annoyed look on his face. "Of course I'm not going to do the same honeymoon twice. I'm planning something very special for 'Manda and I for our honeymoon, and no, I'm not telling you any of the details."
"Aw . . . why not?" said Nate as he did a small pout. "Why won't you tell your own brother?"
"Because you have a big mouth," Randy told him bluntly as he shook his head. "And once you start talking, it won't be long before 'Manda here finds out about it. And I seriously don't want 'Manda to find out about it until we actually leave for our honeymoon alright?"
"I see you're taking this honeymoon planning very seriously . . ." said Amanda as an impressed look came across her face. "I'll admit. Although I am a little miffed that you're keeping this an absolute secret fro me, I am indeed very impressed."
"Only the best for you baby . . ." said Randy as he leaned down and gave Amanda a peck to her lips. ". . . Only the best for you."
"'Manda, you're not even a little worried about Randy here planning the honeymoon by himself?" asked Nate as he shot her a wide eyed look.
"Nope," said Amanda as she shook her head. "I'm not worried about Randy planning the honeymoon. To be perfectly honest with you, the only thing I'm worried about is the idea of leaving our Dani and Gabi behind for a week or two while we're off having fun who knows where. I'm sure our family can take care of them while we're away, but still, the idea of actually being separated from them freaks me out a little."
"That's understandable baby . . ." said Randy as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Leaving Dani and Gabi behind freaks me out a little as well, but I know that they'll be just fine with our family looking after them while we're away. Besides, if it makes you feel any better, we'll call home every day, every morning and every afternoon if we must, to check up on our baby girls. How's that for an idea?"
"It sounds just fine Ran . . ." sad Amanda as she wrapped an arm around his waist. "Thanks babe. . . "
"You're welcome my sexy snake mama. . ." said Randy as Nate took a photo of them. "Nate, what's with the photo-taking?"
"Well, if you two are going to get all lovey-dovey with me around, I might as well take a photo of you two to preserve it," said Nate as he quickly pocketed his phone. "Anyway, get ready, because we finally reached our destination."
"Well, that was quick . . ." said the Viper as they looked at the building that his brother was gesturing at. It was a large, red brick, two story building that had dark red awnings above its front door and each of its curtained covered windows. The main door's awning had the single word 'Dominique' on the front and the business' phone number. The door also happened to have a sign on its front that said it was closed for the night due to a prior engagement, but Randy didn't bother to pay attention to that. "The restaurant's name is Dominique?"
"Yep . . ." said Nate as he climbed up the small set of steps that led to the front door. He took hold of the door's handle and opened it wide. "Don't judge a book by its cover Randy. Keep an open mind. Now, let's get moving shall we?"
"Alright. Just give me a second . . ." said Randy as Amanda quickly climbed up the steps. Once the Viper safely transported the twins' stroller up the steps, the small group walked inside the restaurant and entered the main foyer to see the lights were dimmed, but they were still able to make out the comfortable décor that decorated the room. They also noticed how silent the place was. "Nate, don't you think the place is a little too silent for a birthday dinner?"
"Oh don't worry about it . . ." said Nate as his smile grew even bigger. "Now c'mon, everyone is waiting for us further inside."
"Well then Nate. Lead the way . . ." said Amanda as she pointed down the main hallway. Nate shook his head and led the snake family down the main hallway until they reached the opening of the main dining room. As soon as they walked into the darkened room, the lights went on to reveal a very welcoming atmosphere.
"SURPRISE!" everyone yelled as the group walked into the room. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANDY!"
"Aw man . . ." said the Viper as he couldn't help but let a smile show up on his face, since practically everyone from the roster that they were friendly with was there in the room with them. "You guys are seriously just too much!"
"C'mon man . . . It's not every day you get to celebrate your 35th birthday my friend . . ." said Edge as a huge smile was plastered on his face. "Even though this shindig is supposed to be a 'birthday dinner', Ted here rented out some DJ equipment tonight and there will be music and dancing my friend up on the second floor, whether you like it or not."
"I guess I couldn't avoid that one . . ." said Randy as he spotted Monica standing by Wade, who snugly kept an arm around her waist, both of their right hands resting snugly on the side of her stomach. "Monica, have you told them your good news yet?"
"Wait a minute, what good news?" asked Alicia as she raised an eyebrow as she turned to the werewolf. "What are you hiding Monica? What is this good news that Randy speaks of?"
"Oh nothing much . . ." said Monica as she shook her head. "I'm just enjoying the thought of incoming motherhood, that's all?"
"Wait . . . Incoming motherhood?" Alicia asked as she finally noticed the werewolf couple's hands on Monica's stomach. Then a look of realization came across her face as she finally put the pieces together. "Wait a minute. You're pregnant?!"
"For the past two months now!" said Monica as the girls started to crowd around her. "And I was hoping you and Layla wouldn't mind being the godmothers, if you don't mind me asking."
"Hell yes I'll be your child's godmother!" cried Alicia as she and Monica hugged.
"I'm going to have a werewolf godchild . . ." said Layla as a big grin spread across her face. "What luck!?"
"Hey, they do say that the best kind of luck is Irish luck," said Sheamus as he wrapped his arms around the petite woman's frame. "I guess you can say I'm your good luck charm."
"Oh pipe down Mohawk Boy," said Layla as she knocked a few strands of Sheamus' hair out of place. "I'm still questioning why I did not stop you from getting the crazy hairdo."
"Hey! Don't question my hairdo lassie," said Sheamus as he shot her a playful scowl. "Besides, Steph and Hunter thought that giving myself a drastic hair change would help with my character's transition from face to heel."
"But did you have to go this far Sheamus?" asked Cody as he raised an eyebrow. "You even put little braids into your beard for crying out loud!"
"I don't mind it. In all honesty, I think this helps me look like a mean Viking," said Sheamus as he shook his head. "Besides, at least I'm not wearing crazy face paint and spandex bodysuits to the ring like some people we know."
"Oh you did not just go there," said Cody as he narrowed his eyes at the pale skinned man. "At least I'm not the color of bottle of milk."
"Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that old line?" asked Sheamus as he shook his head. "You are going to have think of a lot more creative insults to hurt me Cody."
"He's got you there man. Don't try for another one . . ." said Randy as he shook his head. "He's won this round."
"He's won this round, but not the war . . ." said Cody as he and Kaitlyn walked away toward the long buffet table that was on the other side of the room next to the kitchen door.
"Anyway, if Layla and Alicia are going to be your unborn child's godmothers, whose going to be the godfather, or godfathers, to be exact?" asked Amanda as she turned to her sister.
"Sheamus, Kofi, would you two like the honors?" Wade asked the Dreadlocked Dynamo and the Celtic Warrior as he turned to the two.
"Definitely . . ." said Kofi as he shook his head.
"I thought you would never ask . . ." said Sheamus as he showed off a toothy grin. "Now, shouldn't we get this party started?"
"Let's ask the birthday boy that?" said Amanda as she turned to Randy, who already had Gabi in his arms. Dani was still seated in the stroller. "Are you ready to at least try to enjoy yourself tonight on your 35th birthday?"
"I might as well, or else none of you guys will get off my case about it for the rest of the night. . ." said Randy as he looked at his smiling daughter. "And please try to keep things PG for the sake of the girls, or until both of them fall asleep for the night."
"In other words, that sounds like a yes to me," said Edge as began walking over to the staircase. "Let's get this party started then! Ted, get upstairs and start the tunes. It's time to dance."
"I guess he didn't want to eat first . . ." said Amanda as practically half their group began walking to the stairs while the other half went over to the buffet table. "What do you want to do Ran?"
"How about we eat first, and then go dance . . ." said Randy as he pointed over to the buffet table. "I smell steak over there, and I'm quite famished to tell you the truth."
"So you have wished it, and so shall it be . . ." said Amanda as she pushed the stroller along, following Randy's lead he walked over to the buffet table.
Amanda's POV; an hour and 15 minutes later
"How many pieces of steak did you have already Randy?" I ask in disbelief after Randy scarfs down another piece of meat.
"I'm chewing my fourth one right now . . ." says the Viper as he speaks through a mouthful of food. After he swallows his food, he quickly wipes his mouth with a napkin before turning back to me with a big grin on his face. "I got to admit: This place makes a mean steak!"
"Yeah, I can see that," I say as I shake my head. "You haven't eaten any other kind of meat except for steak tonight."
"What can I say? I'm a man that loves his steak . . ." he tells me with a grin as I continue to feed Dani her meal of pureed carrots. "And as for you, you haven't even touched anything on your plate. What, you don't like your shrimp scampi?"
"I'm focused on feeding Dani here before myself," I tell him with a playful scowl on my face as I looked down at the small child I had placed seated on my lap. "Once I'm done with her, then I'll move on to myself."
"Oh no . . . I'm not letting that happen," Randy tells me playfully as he picks up my tray. "Here, since you are so busy feeding Dani her dinner, I'll keep myself busy by feeding you your dinner."
"So, you're basically going to spoon feed me like a baby huh?" I say with a shake of my head as Randy spears a shrimp off my plate with my fork. "Are you serious Randy?"
"When it comes to the welfare of my family, I'm very serious," he tells me with a serious expression on his face. "Besides, I think its good practice."
"For what?" I ask as Randy brings the fork close to my lips. As soon as it was close to my lips, I bit down on it and slid it off the fork, just like a baby would. "It's good practice when you have to feed the twins. You already know how to do that."
"I know. What I meant is that it's good practice for when I have to feed you a piece of our wedding cake at our reception . . ." he tells me with that mischievous smirk of his as he begins to wrap the head of the fork with a glop of needles.
"You mean, you want to lead me into a false sense of security so that I wouldn't expect it when you would smash my face into the wedding cake right?" I ask with a knowing look on my face as I finish feeding Dani the last of the carrots.
"Aw . . . you know me so well," Randy tells me as his grin gets bigger. "Besides, you would do the same thing to me anyway."
"That's true . . ." I say as I let out a small chuckle as we notice Nate jogging over to us, a slightly frantic expression showing up on his face as he went. "Uh, what's wrong Nate?"
"You would not believe whose waiting outside in front . . ." Nate tells us as I quickly put Dani back into the stroller next to her sister. "Ms. Rochelle has decided to pay us a visit again!"
"She's here?" Randy asks him in absolute shock before turning his eyes on me. "I thought you used her powers to get rid of her."
"Well, maybe she got a psychic friend of her to reverse its effects," I say as I shake my head. "We have to get this issue resolved and fast. Nate, stay here with the twins. Randy and I will go talk to her."
"Can we not and just hope she just decides to leave us alone?" Randy asks me with a scowl on his face, but he still gets up from his seat. "Is that too much to hope for?"
"Do you want to confront her now; or later when she decided to show up and starts blabbing her story to everyone in this place?" I ask as I gesture to the space around us. Randy stays silent for a minute before shaking his head, his eyes serious as he looks into mine. "Good, now that it's settled. Let's go."
Nate takes over our spot at the table as we make our exit, managing to not draw any attention to ourselves as we left the room. We walk down the hallway and out of the building to see Rochelle smirking up at us from the bottom of the steps, as if she had no ill will towards us, not one bit. But knowing her, we still had to keep our guard up. She has indeed shown herself to be one wily character.
"What are you doing here Rochelle?" Randy asks for the both of us as he grips the railing, already starting to bend it a little thanks to his vampire strength. "You weren't invited."
"Oh, I know that . . . To be honest, I'm not actually here for you Randy," she tells us as her eyes turn to me. "Well, not at the moment . . . I'm actually here to talk to your soon to be second wife here."
"Me? Why?" I ask as I cross my arms. "What would you want with me?"
"You've definitely shown me how powerful you are with those psychic powers of yours today," she says with a smirk as she crosses her arms. "So much so, that I want to make you the same offer that I've been trying to make with Randy here for the past few days now."
"You want me to join your scheme in conquering the western section of North America?" I ask with an eyebrow raised as I can feel Randy really start to boil mad at my side. "Sorry, thanks, but no thanks. I'm already planning a wedding while juggling work responsibilities and motherhood. I don't think I can add taking over a large section of territory onto my already busy plate."
"Alright . . . fine then," Rochelle says with a small clap of her hand. "I'll leave you two to your dinner, but remember this. I'll try again. Just you watch me."
"Is that all Rochelle?" Randy asks her with a scowl on his face as he finally let's go of the railing.
"That's all Randal . . ." she tells him with a grin, one that was both playful to her, but worrisome to us. "I'll see you around you two. Happy birthday Randy! Have fun . . ."
"What the fuck was that all about?" I ask as Rochelle disappears from view down the block. "Did she really offer me a position to join her group?"
"She said it, but I don't think she meant it," Randy tells me as he finally unfolds his arms, his fists slowly unclenching themselves. "My best guess is that she only offered you a position in her group because she wanted to rile me up."
"She wanted to make you angry . . ." I say as I shake my head. "Why would she do that?"
"It was a common thing she did with me back when we were still in the military," he tells me as he lets out a deep breath. "She would always do something to agitate me, get me mad . . . as if she enjoyed it like it was some sick high to her."
"And by offering me the chance to join her side, she got what she wanted . . ." I say as I shake my head. "She got you angry, and so, she got her high. Don't you think there could be something more to that?"
"Possibly, but I don't want to focus on that now . . ." he tells me as he takes my hand. "You know what, I'm actually glad Monica and Nate through me my birthday dinner. It'll help me keep my mind off of Rochelle."
"If you say so . . ." I say with a chuckle as I pull him back to the door. "The night's still young and you need a distraction. C'mon, let's go back inside and enjoy your dinner."
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