*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter they were greatly appreciated thank-you all so much* This chapter took a little bit of research but it was well worth it. I hope you enjoy it.
The weeks leading up to Wrestlemania flew by quickly and Joe was getting a lot of press for his match against my dad including many interviews where he was always asked where I stand between my father and the man I love. They asked whose side I was on and who I wanted to win but with preparing for Wrestlemania came along with Joe being gone more to do his media and to wrestle more shows because once Mania is over he is expected to be written out until the middle of September so he can enjoy some time at home moving to Houston, celebrating the birth of our twin girls in May, helping out with the babies, settling down with our new life and then finally our wedding. He is still deciding if when he wants to return if he will go to full-time or part-time. I'm hoping for part-time but it's his decision on what he chooses to do.
My favorite weekend of the year finally arrived and once again I am sitting sidelines at Mania. I wish I had at least one Mania in my career but it's okay I have something better in my life to make it worth it. My family and Joe's family are all in Orlando for the biggest weekend of the year in a wrestling family's life this isn't any normal match for my dad or for Joe while it's my dad's last match and the cementing of his legacy it is the beginning of Joe's legacy and the biggest match of his career. Joe's busy this weekend doing appearances at Axxess and doing media so while he's spending his morning at Axxess before we go out to eat with our families and then to the Hall Of Fame Ceremony I'm spending time with my dad and brother for the afternoon enjoying lunch together. "How many?" asks the hostess as we enter my dad's favorite restaurant in Orlando.
"Three," I answer with a smile. She grabs three menus and asks us to follow her to a private location in the restaurant so that we can enjoy our lunch in peace and quiet something we never really get to do when there are wrestling fans around asking for pictures, taking pictures and asking for autographs. It's a never ending cycle I grew used to it when I was younger but most of the time my dad never left character so he often told his fans no because he didn't want to be seen as a regular man. "Thank-you," I say with a smile as we reach our table. We take our seats as she hands us our menus. "Well, Dad," I say looking over the menu for my drink order and to get an idea of what I want to eat for lunch. I'm starving. "How do you feel about this being the last Mania of your career?"
"I don't know. It's bittersweet. I never thought this day would come but you both know I'm getting older now and my body can't handle it as much as it used to. I have to get surgery on my hip soon to have it replaced. I can't keep putting it off. There's really not much more that I can do in this business so it's time to call it quits."
"I wish I could have been wrestling in this Mania with you," I say, "but life had other plans and decided to bless Joe and me with our baby girls."
"Are you ever going back?" asks my twin brother, "I mean are you ever going to get back into wrestling?"
"I don't think so. I want to be a mama so badly. I want to spend a couple years at home with the girls and then I want to put my teaching degree to use. I don't want to be away from my kids and last time I tried to get back into wrestling I ended up pregnant and never got further than a week or two of training."
"I'm glad you're going to use your teaching degree," says my dad with a smile. "You're going to be an amazing teacher and you're going to be an amazing Mama. Your girls are going to be so lucky to have you and with my retirement and you moving to Houston I have more time to spend with my granddaughters and spoil them. If you and Joe need any help I will be there to help you whenever. The first month is going to be tough. Twins are hard to adjust to. Trust me I know," he says with a smile.
"Thanks, Dad and Joe is going to be written off the show starting the night after Mania. He's going to be attacked by Strowman and he's going to be 'injured' he won't be slated to return until mid-September. There's just so much going on the next few months. We're moving to Houston, we need to decorate our house, get things ready for the girls, have the girls and finish planning our wedding. We still need to send out our invitations we are such slackers," I say, "but there's so much to do so I am glad he's getting the next few months off plus I miss him when he's gone."
"That comes with the territory of being married to a wrestler," says my dad. "It's a tough life."
"Yeah it is," I say, "but I get it. I don't think this is going to tear our marriage apart or anything."
"Probably not you've been around it all your life," he says before we give the waitress our food orders as she brings us our drinks. I order my food and my dad looks at me and says, "hungry?"
"I am eating for three," I say. "I'm always hungry ask Joe and everything needs to have hot sauce on it. You can bring me some hot sauce for my steak right?" I ask the waitress.
"It can be arranged," she says with a smile before she walks away.
"So Joe is on me about changing my last name," I say before taking a sip of my water.
"You haven't changed your last name yet?" asks my dad. "What are you waiting for? You can't stay Willow Calaway forever."
"I know, Dad it's just I don't know if I really want to change my name. I enjoy being a Calaway. Our name is just as powerful and legendary as Joe's last name. I don't know how Willow Calaway-Anoa'i sounds. If I do this I might just change my name to Willow Calaway Anoa'i and leave my middle name as Calaway. I don't know, Dad. I don't see the big deal. He has the ring on my finger does my last name have to make a difference."
"Yes, Willow," he says. "It's a big deal you two are married you're his wife. Either hyphenate that last name or do the whole middle name. You want to have the same last name as your children don't you?"
"I want my children to carry the Calaway name," I say. "It's important to me. I just get tired of fighting about it."
"Willow, there are going to be bigger battles in your marriage than changing your last name. It's like with a child you learn to pick your battles just pick your battle let this go and change your last name. Take on his last name and be done with it."
"Okay, Dad. I'll change it within the next couple weeks. I think I am going with Willow Calaway-Anoa'i only because we are going to hyphenate our daughters' last names."
"Speaking of which what are you naming your little blessings?"
"Kalea and Leinani," I say, "they are both Polynesian names. Leinani means lei flower while Kalea means joy and happiness."
"Those are beautiful names but I was hoping that you would at least name one of your little girls something from our family."
"We went with Leinani. We had Kalea picked out before but then we saw Leinani and I fell in love with it. It turns out that Alani actually chose that name. I don't even know what we would name our daughter from our family."
"You could name her after your grandma. You could name her Katie or Katherine."
"I'm not a fan, Dad. I really don't like either name no offense to our nana. I just don't like the name Katie or Katherine. I have always wanted the name Emily or Charlotte after the Bronte sisters. It would be perfect if Joe and I named them Emily and Charlotte or at least one of them were named Emily or Charlotte. I just feel like the Bronte sisters are special to us after all it was Wuthering Heights that began this whole relationship."
"I like Charlotte," he says. "I think I like Kalea and Charlotte a lot better than Kalea and Leinani; Leinani seems like a mouthful to say. I think you should name one of them Charlotte."
"I agree," I say with a smile. "I'll run that one by Joe," I say. "I mean Kalea covers the Polynesian name so why not have a name that's special to us and when I say special I mean REALLY special. He knows how I am with my literature. I just want names where they can grow up with them and not be made fun of on the playground. I mean honestly Willow almost got my ass kicked a couple times it was so hippie."
"I loved the name Willow," he smiles. "I chose your name and I thought it was beautiful it still is," he smiles making me smile as the waitress brings our food. I can't wait to eat so I waste no time pouring my hot sauce onto my steak and potatoes. "Not hot enough for you?" he asks.
"Dad you have no idea," I smile as I inhale my food.
Later that night Joe and I arrive at the Hall of Fame Ceremony for the red carpet before the ceremony actually begins. It is one of our only nights we get together since he's been so busy with his schedule. I plan to enjoy it to its fullest even though HOF isn't where I would want to spend it. Joe cleans up pretty nice as he wears a dark blue jacket with a greyish blue shirt underneath with a black tie and black slacks. I brushed his hair into a low man bun and he is freshly shaven. He looks amazing I on the other hand feel a bit self-conscious as I feel like a house as we step onto the red carpet as I am dressed in a teal blue spaghetti strapped dress with black high heeled shoes with a matching clutch. I feel large as we stop to take some pictures and as soon as we enter into the arena the fans begin to boo us, well, not me but Joe. He just needs to walk into the room, doesn't need to say anything and they boo him. He holds my hand as we walk the carpet as we are stopped for him and me to answer questions. We stop with Byron Saxton and Maria Menuedos. "We're joined by Roman and his beautiful fiancée Willow," says Saxton.
"His beautiful pregnant fiancée: Willow," says Maria. "How are you feeling, Willow? When are you due?"
"Thank-you. I'm feeling all right," I answer with a smile, "and the babies are due to arrive next month."
"That's wonderful," she says with a smile. "Congratulations."
"Thank-you," says Joe as we hold hands.
"But Sunday night you're wrestling the legendary Undertaker, Roman, how are you feeling about that match?" asks Byron.
"I've been training harder than ever," he answers. "This is probably the biggest match of my career and Undertaker is no ordinary man. I have been preparing for this match the last few weeks and I feel I am ready to face Undertaker on Sunday night. This match can make or break me but I think it's time for this big dog to take over the yard," he answers.
"But I understand this match hits close to home for you, Willow," says Maria. "What are your thoughts on your fiancée facing your father at a match that could retire your father's entire career?"
"It's bittersweet," I answer. "If my father wins my fiancée loses and I would love so much for him to win but if my dad loses and my fiancée wins then my dad's entire career could be over I'll be happy for one and sad for the other. I just want both my dad and Roman to go out there and put on the best show of the night and tear the house down. I am proud of both of them and win or lose I'm going to love both of them."
"Who do you want to win?" she asks.
"I don't have a choice. I support both of them and I'll be happy for whoever wins the match," I answer.
"Thank-you," says Byron, "Good luck on Sunday, Roman," he says before Joe thanks him and we make our way to our seats.
"I'm tired of that question," I say. "How am I supposed to choose between you and my dad without hurting the other's feelings? I am rooting for both of you and whether you win or you lose, whether my dad loses or wins I'm going to be there for both of you and love you both the same. Obviously I am going to have some feelings about the match it's my dad's last match so that's sad but it's a big career move for you so I am happy. Like I said it's all going to be bittersweet."
"I know, Baby," he says as we reach our seats to watch the ceremony. He lets me sit on the outside because of being pregnant and having to use the bathroom every 10 minutes. Of course during the ceremony every time Joe pops up on the screen the fans boo him and he has learned to play into it by smiling, smirking or doing some smart ass gesture. I almost wish they would give him a heel turn so he can be an asshole and get booed for doing it. It's what would help him most because I know after Sunday they're going to boo him and hate him more after he retires my dad. Joe and I make it about halfway through the ceremony before we leave because I have really bad heartburn and because he has another early morning at 's never ending but our time together tonight was well worth it even if we both passed out when we got back to the hotel room.
The next couple days flew by and Sunday the day that will change our family forever finally arrived. We arrived at the arena early this morning so that the superstars can get a feel of the arena, get a feel of the ring and go over entrances for the night. Joe, my dad and I are standing near the ring as my dad is going over things with Joe about their match tonight and giving him advice. My dad wraps his arm around my shoulders after he is done going over things with Joe as we lean against the barrier looking at the ring. "This is where it all began 26 ½ years ago," he nods. "You weren't even born yet when I stepped into a WWE ring. You were born 4 days later. The first time I brought you to a show you and your brother were only 5 months old. This is the life I have known almost all my adult life. I took this job so I could provide for your mom, you and your brother. I never envisioned 26 years later I would be ready to walk away from it all. I've had some good matches in this ring," he says as Joe joins us. "I was about Joe's age maybe a little younger when I started in this company. I was 25 years old when I entered the WWE ring. I remember it like it was yesterday. I never thought then I would have accomplished everything I have in the last 26 years. It's been a long road, a tough road. I made a lot of sacrifices for this business, I gave my body for this business and encountered numerous injuries for this business. I have bled for this business. I have given all I have to give for this business and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have given it all for the fans and I hope that my legacy continues on throughout the years. I have seen so many guys come and go and I have lost a lot of friends along the way through death and some just by fall outs," he says as I see the tears in his eyes as he talks to me. "If I could I would do it all again but I'm too old for this now, my body is too old for this now and after sacrificing so much of my time with you, your sisters and your brother I don't want to do the same thing to Kai. She's going to be 5 in August. I don't want to miss out like I did with the rest of you. I've made friends that have become family in this company. I never expected to be undefeated at Mania for 22 consecutive Manias it's impressive. I've held numerous championships and have had some of the best matches. Some of my matches will never be forgotten. Tonight the Undertaker becomes a regular man; he becomes Mark Calaway and goes on to live a normal life but the legend of The Undertaker will never die," he says making me tear up. I have never seen a man love this business more than my dad has. He has given everything for his career and has made so many sacrifices for this business. He IS the business. "Joe," he says as I wrap my arm around his waist and lay my head on his chest. "I didn't choose you to retire me because you're marrying my daughter. I chose you to retire me because I see something in you. I see myself in you. I was like you at one time. I have seen you give a lot to this business. The fans boo you, they hate on you but you come out stronger each time. You went to get some more training in and you went to work on your promo skills but I have learned in 26 years that people are either going to like you or they're going to hate you. The only thing you can do is go out there and live in the moment. You have so much talent in you. I love watching you in the ring, I love your dedication and all the hard work you put into this business. I think you have a lot of talent. The day you walked in the door I knew you were going to be a star. You have held the championship three times, hold the Royal Rumble record for most eliminations in a single match and this is your third time main eventing Mania. You're going to go places but along with the fame comes a lot of negativity. You lose all your privacy but I like how you and Willow try to remain private to give your kids a private life. Try to stay low-key and under the radar not everyone in the world needs to know you're married or what your kids look like. They deserve some privacy too they didn't ask for famous parents. Don't let the temptation you find on the road with ring rats and whores detour you from the love and marriage you have with my daughter. Ring rats come and go but the love of your wife and your children last forever don't screw it up. You have a good head on your shoulders and you're a hard-working man. I'm proud of you and I chose you to retire me because you're everything I used to be when I stepped foot in this business. Don't get lost in the business and you'll be successful. You have so much to accomplish yet and in 26 years from now when you're having this conversation with the person that is going to retire you remember the words I am telling you. Stay humble, have respect and keep working hard. Those are the things you need to remember it's an honor to have my last match with you, Joe," he says as I feel the tears run down my cheek.
"Thank-you, Dad," says Joe and I can see the tears in his eyes. My dad lets go of me and gives Joe a hug before I join in.
"Daddy, I'm so proud of you it's going to be weird after tonight but I'm happy that you're finally going to get the time with your family that you need and in a few weeks we'll be in Houston with you and you'll have two baby girls to love and spoil. I love you, Daddy and you will always be my hero," I say hugging both of my men, my two favorite men they are both my best friend and I would be lost without both of them.
Later that night my brother, sisters, Michelle and some other family members of mine are sitting front row waiting for my dad to make his entrance for his final match. I'm between my family and Joe's because I have to support both men because I am invested personally one is my forever and always and one is my first love. Joe stands in the ring as he waits for my dad's music to cue. The stadium goes dark as the bell tolls and it sends goosebumps up my spine no matter how many times I have seen my dad enter a ring or witnessed one of his matches I still get goosebumps every time. The flames begin to shoot out and the smoke begins to add an eerie feeling in the stadium. My dad appears from nowhere and makes his way to the ring. Tears fill my eyes as I watch him make his final walk to the ring in his career. He slowly makes his way up the stairs and climbs into the ring with Joe. Kai cheers for him as soon as he enters. "Go Daddy!" she yells as he removes his jacket followed by his hat. He folds up his jacket and hands them to the referee. I watch Joe and my dad standing in the ring waiting for the bell to ring. Joe keeps watch on my dad the entire time.
As soon as the bell rings my dad begins with the upper hand and begins to dominate Joe through the ring. He tosses him out of the ring and yells, "My yard." When Joe gets back into the ring my dad once again dominates him and yells, "Still MY yard." My dad lets Joe know whose yard it is until Joe fires back and my dad ends up outside the ring but landing on his feet as he flips over the top rope. My dad takes over once again as my dad throws him into the steel steps as the crowd chants that Roman sucks. Joe hits my dad with a Samoan drop once the action comes back into the ring and then he kicks him down. Joe is not intimidated at all by my dad. My dad gets some shots in before Joe takes over and pushes my dad into the ring post and then hits him with a drive by. Joe sits on the ring apron watching my dad on the ground before he throws him into the ring. Joe and my dad have a punching match in the ring before Joe tries to trick my dad but he doesn't go for it and my dad takes over. At my dad's age he's doing well keeping up with Joe and his big kick still rocks. My dad goes for a cover and Joe kicks out. Joe rolls out of the ring and goes to hit my dad with a drive by but my dad hits him with a right hand. Outside the ring my dad tears the announce table apart before he starts to slam Joe into the announce table and Joe hits my dad with another drive by but lands on the announce table. My dad chock slams Joe onto the announce table before he tears up the Spanish announce table. My dad gets ready to do more damage to Joe before Joe spears him through the Spanish announce table both lay on the ground trying to get it together.
Joe stands up and I see he's hurting from the match but he rolls into the ring. The crowd is on Joe as he stands in the middle of the ring. He asks whose yard it is now and my dad sits up making eye contact with him. My dad stumbles into the ring and Joe goes on the attack but delivering knees to my dad. Joe gets in my dad's face telling him it's his yard and my dad surprises him with a Last Ride and goes for a pin fall but Joe kicks out. My dad goes for a steel chair outside the ring before he makes his way back into the ring. Joe goes for the chair but my dad kicks him down and picks up the chair. He takes the chair to Joe's spine a couple times and invited him to stand up before he knocks him down again with a chair. My dad sets up for the chock slam but Joe rolls out of the ring. My dad goes after him but they end up in the ring. Joe hits him with two superman punches before he finds himself getting choke slammed. My dad goes for a pin but Joe kicks out again. My dad signals for the end and sets Joe up for a tombstone. He tombstones him and goes for a cover and like a beast Joe kicks out. We're all in shock as he kicks out. My dad falls back wondering what more he can do to hold Joe down and the fans start chanting bullshit. My dad makes his way to his feet and pulls Joe up by his vest, he sets him up for another tombstone but something happens as Joe tries to counter and it doesn't go the way it should it blotches. My dad ends up on his back and Joe goes for the pin but my dad kicks out. Joe waits in the corner as my dad tries to get on his feet, he yells out before he spears my dad. Joe goes for the cover and my dad counters by trying to get Joe into Hell's Gate. My dad locks it in and I bite at my manicured nails waiting to see what happens next. Joe makes it to the ring and my dad breaks the hold. My dad crawls toward the chair and grabs it but Joe stops him by putting his foot on it and looks down at my dad. Joe begins to take the chair to my dad's back and then to his chest. He tells him to stay down as my dad fights to stand up before he's hit with another chair shot. My dad pulls himself up on the ropes and the fans are chanting for my dad. Joe hits my dad with a spear and goes for the pin once again and my dad kicks out. Joe doesn't know what to do to keep my dad down. My dad isn't giving up without a fight. I am proud of both my favorite men as they give it all in this match. My dad gets up once again and Joe spears him again. He goes for the pin and once again my dad kicks out. Legends never die and the fans are going wild as my dad keeps up the fight. Joe's frustrated in the ring thinking about what more he can do. The stadium is filled with Undertaker chants as my sisters join in. My dad gets to his feet and gets hit with a Superman punch. Joe watches my dad and he sits up before he falls back down. Tears fill my eyes as I know the end is near for my dad's legendary career. My dad stumbles and struggles to his feet as Joe watches him. My dad pulls on Joe for leverage and Joe pushes him away. My dad looks up at him and tells him he doesn't have the balls to put him down. Joe hits him with right hands and hits my dad with a spear and goes for the pin. 1-2-3 and my dad is down the end of his career is the beginning of Joe's career as he defeats my dad. My dad lays in the ring as Joe celebrates. I don't know if I should cheer or cry. I cheer for Joe as he just had one of the biggest matches of his career but I cry through my joy for Joe because 26 years of a legendary career comes to an end. Joe makes his way up the ramp leaving my dad in the ring. The pyro goes off in celebration of Joe's victory but my dad remains in the ring.
"Daddy lost?" asks Kai.
"Yes," says Michelle, "but he put up a good fight."
"Yes he did," I say with tears in my eyes.
Tears fill my eyes as the fans start chanting thank-you, Taker as he lays in the middle of the ring. My dad sits up in the middle of the ring as they cheer for him and it's all over his face. I can see the sadness on his face as it is finally over. He gets his jacket and puts it on along with his hat. He stands in the ring taking it all in as the fans cheer for him. Tears are streaming down my face as I watch my dad in the ring. He walks around as the fans continue to thank him. In a bittersweet moment my dad goes to climb out of the ring but stops himself. He makes his way to the middle of the ring once again. He takes off his gloves and throws them down in the middle of the ring. He removes his jacket and folds it up placing it in the middle of the ring with his gloves. He looks down at them before he removes his hat placing them with his gloves and his jacket signaling the end of his legendary career. The fans begin to cheer for him as he climbs out of the ring and for the first time in 26 years he breaks character as he comes over to us. He gives me a hug first and kisses the top of my head. "I love you," he says.
"I love you too," I say before he moves onto my brother and my sisters then ending it by kissing Michelle. He starts his way up the ramp and stops midway. He looks back at the ring and then puts his arm up in the air before he lowers through the trap door on the ramp. It is a night I will never forget. It's all bittersweet as I see my dad leave the ring for the last time and when we get to the back there's a line of superstars waiting for my dad. I stand with Joe as my dad makes his way back through the superstars. He hugs Vince and Triple H then hugs Stephanie. He shakes the hands of every superstar he passes and as he reaches Joe and me he stops. He gives me another hug and kisses my cheek before he looks at Joe.
"Good match," he says out of respect for my husband.
"Thank-you, Undertaker," says Joe before he extends his hand for him to shake but my dad takes him in for a hug and whispers something in this ear. "I promise," he says before my dad walks away after they break the hug.
"What was that?" I ask.
"Nothing, just something between your dad and me, let's go celebrate," he says taking my hand. "26 years of a career ended tonight and that's cause for celebration."
"What about the after party?"
"I would rather spend it with your dad and your family celebrating his legendary career. I love you, Willow."
"I love you too," I say with a smile before I kiss his lips, "and I'm proud of you. Congratulations."
"It's not about me, Willow," he smiles, "it's about your dad and his legacy. That's why I gave him his time in the ring. He deserves it after all these years. I respect him and I am honored for this match but tonight everything is about him and giving him the respect he has earned. Let's go celebrate," he says taking my hand and once they are showered up we head back to the hotel where surprisingly most of the superstars have arrived and we have a celebration for my dad's retirement and celebrate his legendary career. I realize that one day I will be in this same spot but not as a daughter but as a wife as my husband will one day walk away from it all after giving it all to the business like my dad has. I couldn't be prouder of either of them they laid it all out in that ring tonight and it was the best match I have ever seen. I wish my daughters could have seen it but one day they will to see the legends they have in front of them and can choose to follow in their footsteps or not.
*A/N: What do you think about Willow still fighting about changing her last name? Which do you think she should do (Opinions welcome)? What do you think about her wanting to change one of the babies' names do you like the name Charlotte? What did you think of Mark talking about his career to Willow and Joe at the arena? What did you think of Mark telling Joe about the reason why he chose him to retire him? What about the advice Mark gave to Joe? What did you think of Mark's match with Joe? What about after the match? What about the show of respect Joe has for his father in law? What do you think Mark whispered to Joe when he hugged him? Please review and thank-you for reading.