*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter they were greatly appreciated thank-you all so much*
I arrive home in Tampa after being sent home for my violation to WWE's wellness policy to start my 30 day suspension. On my way home I made a Twitter post apologizing to my fans, friends and family for my violation and made sure they knew I wasn't making any excuses for my behavior. I deserve my suspension and I am going to take my punishment like a man. Once I get to the airport I call Uber to take me home so I can see my wife and work things out with her. On the way home we stop at a floral shop so I can get her a bouquet of roses and then we stop at a candy shop so I can pick her up her favorite chocolates. It's part of my apology to her. I know she's upset with me and I just want to make her happy. The driver pulls into the driveway of our home. I get out of the car and grab my luggage from the trunk, pay the driver and make my way to the front door walking on stepping stones surrounded by mulch and a garden of Azaleas. I make my way to the front door and open it with my key. As soon as I open the door Romeo greets me with his tail wagging and his happy yips. I place my luggage down by the door and squat down to pet him as he rolls over onto his back so I can pet his stomach. I stand up grabbing the roses and chocolates from the table in the voyeur of our home and make my way through the house. "Honey, I'm home," I call out the cliché with a smile as I make my way to the kitchen where I am sure she is cooking but she isn't. I make my way to the living room and she's nowhere to be found. I look all over the house and she's not home.
I put the roses in water so they don't die and as I am carrying them to the living room the front door opens and we stand looking at each other, her green eyes meeting my grey eyes. "You're home," she says quietly.
"I just got home a few minutes ago. I was looking for you."
"I was at the hospital with Koa," she says as she puts her purse down on the table with her keys. She kicks her flip flops off before she moves. "We can go back later to see him if you want."
"I do but I think we should talk first, Willow," I say as we meet each other half way.
"You're right," she says, "we do."
"I got you these flowers," I say handing her the vase of a dozen red roses, "and I got you some chocolates."
"You didn't' have to," she says with a soft smile as she takes the vase from me. "But what kind of chocolate are we talking about?"
I let out a small chuckle and say, "your favorite, the kind with coconut in the middle."
"Nice," she says. "Thank-you, Baby but we really do need to talk."
"I know," I say as we make our way to the living room. Willow lays the vase onto the coffee table before we take a seat on the couch together. She curls her legs up underneath her as she sits next to me. "I'm sorry, Willow. I made a mistake that I shouldn't have made and I am truly sorry for my actions."
"I knew something was going on with you, Joe. I knew you weren't yourself, you have been agitated, restless the last few weeks and you haven't been sleeping. I asked you if you were on anything and you told me you weren't now I find out you lied to me. Why weren't you just honest about it?"
"I didn't think it was a big deal," I say honestly. "I didn't think it would make a difference. I needed some type of energy."
"But it made you irritable and made you restless. It's great you got the energy you wanted but everything else that came along with it was dangerous. Why weren't you just honest with me?"
"I don't know, Willow," I say. "I should have told you the truth and I am sorry I lied to you."
"I accept that apology, Joe. So what happens now? Do you have an addiction?"
"I don't have an addiction just a poor choice of judgment," I answer. "I'm really sorry for all of this. I really am, Willow. There are no excuses for my use of Adderall I made a mistake and I am sorry for any embarrassment or backlash this will cause for our family. I have 30 days to get my act together, work harder and come back stronger with a clear mind. I wasn't thinking and I should have been. There is no excuse."
"I'm glad you're owning up to it, Joe. That makes me happy that you're owning up to your mistake. You realized you did something wrong and you're facing it like a man. I don't care what the fans think or what they say. You are stronger than their hate and negativity Joe. You'll face boos and a backlash when you come back but you're the winner here. You're taking this punishment like you should and you're not making excuses. I just wish you had told me what was going on."
"I know I should have," I say, "and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I let you down, Willow."
"Let me down?" she asks. "You didn't let me down, Joe. I'm disappointed in you because you know how strict WWE is with their Wellness Policy it wasn't the smartest thing to do but you did it and you're accepting your punishment with class as long as it doesn't happen again you're all right."
"It won't, I will not violate the policy again," I say. "I thought you were going to yell at me and cuss me out."
"Why would I do that? What does fighting about it accomplish? It doesn't accomplish anything of course I was upset when you first told me but I have calmed down. What does being upset about it actually do; it doesn't help the situation fix itself it just makes it worse. There isn't a need for yelling or anger it's about loving you and helping you through this time."
"Thank-you," I say as I hold my arms out to her. She smiles and crawls over into my arms. "I love you." I kiss the top of her head.
"I love you too," she says through her smile. "Koa is doing well."
"Koa?" I ask with a smile as I play with her hair. "Is that what we're calling him now?"
"Yeah," she says. "It's his nickname. Kekoa was a lot to say so I shortened it down to Koa. He is doing so well, Joe. He is getting stronger every day."
"I'm glad that's our fighter," I say with pride. "So are we good now?"
"We're good," she says, "and I am going to be by your side no matter what. When we married each other a few months ago we promised each other we would be there for each other through the good times and the bad times. This is one of those bad times that make us appreciate all the good times that are coming like the day we can bring Koa home, the day we get married in front of our family and friends and so many more. If we can't handle the bad days together Joe how can we enjoy the good days? And right now you and I need to be strong together for Koa and everything he is going through. I was upset about what happened I won't lie but being angry and turning away from you is only going to make it worse. We're a team, Joe. I support you and you support me we can't be against each other when the world is already against us we have to be together and stand strong. I hate what you did but I'm here for you and hope you never do it again. The next 30 days we will stand together, being strong together. I don't care what anyone thinks but you're my husband and I am going to be here no matter what. We have enough to worry about we don't need to be at each other's throats because of your mistake. I know it was a mistake, you owned up to it and you're dealing with the consequences of your actions. That's what matters. You don't need me to be your judge I am your wife, your support team, your lover, your best friend. I'm not here to tear you down and make you feel worse. I'm here to build you up and make you feel better. I love you, Joe."
"I love you too," I say with a smile. "You're amazing, Willow."
"I think you're amazing," she compliments me.
"Has your dad heard the news?"
"I told him before you made a Twitter post I wanted him to hear it from me and not anyone else."
"I bet he is upset huh?"
"He wasn't happy I can tell you that but he's been a little iffy since the car accident," she says. "He didn't really say much about it. The only thing he really said was he hopes that you aren't addicted to anything but if you are he can help you find a rehab to go to."
"It's not that bad," I say. "It was poor judgment and it isn't like I depend on them."
"Okay," she says. "I think he is more upset about the car accident."
"I didn't mean that. I really didn't mean for an accident to happen."
"I think it was more of what happened after the accident. I don't think he didn't like how you didn't come to see me."
"I was scared because I felt like the accident was my fault. I couldn't see you like that, Willow. I was blaming myself."
"I know, Baby maybe you two should talk, have lunch together and clear the air. I don't want any animosity between you two."
"It doesn't help that I married his daughter behind his back either," I say as I stroke her arm softly. "We should have done it differently."
"I think we did everything just fine we did things the way we wanted to do them. I'm happy I married you, Joe. It was the most beautiful day of my life. It was just perfect. I wouldn't change it for the world you know that."
"I wouldn't either but I don't want your dad to hate me."
"He doesn't hate you, Joe. Like I said, you two need to have lunch together and clear the air. You two need to work this out you both love me and both want the best for me."
"That's true," I say. "I'll give him a call and set up lunch with him. I want to clear the air with him."
"Good," she says before handing me my cell phone from my pocket. "Call him and I'll enjoy some of this chocolate," she says before she gets up from the couch grabbing the chocolate. "And I love the flowers they're beautiful. Thanks, Baby," she says before she leaves the room allowing me the privacy to call her dad.
"Joe," he says answering his phone. "I wasn't expecting a phone call from you."
"I just wanted to apologize to you for the car accident and my wellness violation," I say. "I also wanted to see if you wanted to have lunch tomorrow so we can get together and clear the air."
"Yeah, I think there are a few things we need to talk about and a few things we need to get out."
"I agree so what do you say about 12 tomorrow at our favorite restaurant?"
"That works for me," he says and his voice seems dry. I know he's upset with me and I can't wait to see how our lunch goes tomorrow. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow," I say before we both hang up the phone. I lay my phone down and walk to the kitchen where Willow is sitting at the island reading a magazine and eating her chocolates. "Well, your dad and I are going to have lunch tomorrow."
"That's good," she says looking up at me. "You two really need to break this tension between you two or the rest of the wedding planning will not go smoothly. I love you both."
"I know and I want your dad to see that I still have your best interest at heart. Do you think he hates me?"
"Honestly, Joe he isn't happy with you right now that's why I suggested you two do lunch tomorrow." I make my way over to her as she puts the magazine down that she's reading.
"I'll make it right," I promise her. "I promise."
"Please," she says in a plea.
"Promise," I say before I kiss her lips softly before she feeds me a piece of her chocolate. "You're the best thing to ever happen to me you know that?"
"I know," she says with a smile. "You're my best everything. I love you."
"I love you too," I say with a smile before we share another soft kiss.
*A/N: Do you think his talk with Willow went better than you imagined? ARe you happy it went so well? What do you think about what Willow said about being a team and being there for each other? Do you think that Joe and Willow are going to make it through this better together? What do you think of Joe and Mark having lunch together? Do you think it will go well? Please review and thank-you for reading.