Chapter 12
One week later
Las Vegas, NV
AN: Italics is Randy's flashback.
Randy and John sat in the back seats of the plane, nursing their beer like it was the elixir of life; eyes darting among the full contingent of passengers on the Orton private jet like they were observing a freakshow. "There are Samoans, Shield members and taken women everywhere I look. This is fucking hell," Randy groaned, sliding his gaze to his chuckling friend.
"I thought hell was last week," John smirked; laughing when Randy groaned.
"Don't remind me," he frowned; his eyes narrowing on Jon and his sister.
"I think they're fucking," John squinted his eyes, staring out the window before they widened when he saw Jon's hips thrust forward and Syd's body rise up with each movement. "They are definitely fucking."
"Man, I know they're fucking. Will you shut up," Randy sighed heavily.
"No, I mean they are fucking," John pointed out towards the pool.
"I can not unsee this!" Randy clenched his eyes, slapping a hand over them for good measure.
"I could stand to see a little more…if maybe they turned around so it was her back," John shrugged his shoulders, taking a sip of his beer. "Ow! What?" he glanced at his irate best friend with a wolfish grin, rubbing a hand over the sting on the back of his head.
"I don't need your wise ass cracks about watching my sister have sex. I don't want to think of my sister having sex. I sure as fuck don't want to see my sister have sex!" Randy's growl rose in volume, only getting angrier when his friend laughed in the face of his tantrum.
"Randy, look, I know she's your sister and; as a big brother, you feel like its your duty to protect her, but think about it, man. Has she ever needed protecting before? Or even asked for it?" he turned his friend back towards the couches, both of them sitting down. "You and Syd have always had an explosive and toxic relationship and I'm sorry to say, you have no one to blame but yourself. Shut up; you know its true," he pointed at his friend when he went to argue. "I can see in your own fucked up way, you're trying to have a relationship with her but giving her shit over the ONLY man I've ever seen her interested in…I don't see it as the way to go about it, man. She doesn't listen to anyone anyway but if you try to impose your will on her, she'll just resent you more for it. Now while I am not thrilled with the idea of her being with Good, I repeat, he is the one she chose and they seem happy. Course if he fucks her over, we'll end him," he grinned, holding out his beer until Randy finally relented and clinked it with his own.
"At least they're entertaining and having a good time. I might abandon your crotchety ass and go have fun," Cena grinned, taking a sip from his bottle and pulling Randy out of his thoughts.
"Try it, traitor, and I'll have you brushing out Ally and JoJo's hair before we put them down to bed. Don't like that idea now, do you, Mr. I'll Never Spawn Kids," Randy snickered at his friend's horrified expression.
As it turns out, Syd extended the invite to Jon and Trinity, along with Josh and his fiancée, Takecia. There were 'taken' women everywhere, including Joe's little princess, JoJo. Syd was draped across Jon's lap in his seat; the two of them wrapped up in their world until Joe's little one approached her at her father's insistence.
"Auntie Syd?" the young girl poked her leg, focusing her big brown eyes on Syd's black.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Syd lifted the small girl into her lap when she held her arms up.
"You and Uncle Jon are quiet and I'm sleepy. Daddy told me to come over here and lay down with you. Is it okay?" she rubbed her tired eyes, blinking at the two adults.
"She does your look!" Jon burst out laughing when JoJo worked her pout and big eyes. "How does that kryptonite feel, Kitten?"
"It is some seriously evil shit, man. She slapped that shit on me and I ended up giving her a piggyback ride five blocks through town," Colby piped in. "Ow! What the f…" he mumbled the rest when Leigh covered his mouth with her palm.
"Watch the cussing! We'll have two little ones with us, Col," she admonished him.
"In all fairness, JoJo was raised around us," Joe pointed at his family, "and Alanna has been subjected to the sheer bliss of the Orton twins so she's bound to be a little tough, right?" he glanced at Randy; who smirked and raised his beer. "We do need to keep an eye on it though. But getting back to the Puss in Boots look, how do you think I feel when I get it from two sources? Syd and JoJo lay that shit on me and I can never win," he shook his head, throwing his hands in. "Look!" Joe hissed, pointing towards Jon's seat and immediately went for his phone.
The collective group turned to see Jon cradling his sleeping girlfriend across his lap; her head resting on his chest, forehead tucked under his chin. JoJo fell asleep on her side, curled up a little along Syd's body. His two best friends have never seen Jon look more content than in this moment. He couldn't tear his gaze off of the sleeping girls even when every cell phone on the plane; except Randy's, snapped a photo of them.
"What?" Cena scowled at his friend when he shook his head at him. "That is fucking adorable, you douche, and I'm sending it to you right now," he chuckled, took a drink and forwarded the photo.
"Auntie Syd!" Alanna shouted; accepting Frank's help down the bus' steps before she ran, jumping into her aunt's arms. "I missed you, Auntie Syd," she whispered excitedly.
"I missed you too, little bit," Syd sighed, feeling a tension release just from her niece's embrace.
"Uncle Jon! Uncle Pretty! Uncle Funny Hair!" she squirmed in Syd's arms, demanding to be set down and ran to Jon the instant she hit her feet.
"Hey, sweetheart," Jon scooped her up, smiling when she gave him a big hug.
"Uncle Jon?" Cena frowned; turning his attention to his smirking best friend.
"Yeah, that happened when she brought them to our parents' house. Douche," Randy's smile slipped away into an irritated look. "I can't believe I have to wait behind The Shield to get a hello from my daughter."
"Believe that," John mimicked Roman's phrase, busting out laughing until Randy jumped on his back.
"What are Daddy and Uncle John doing?" Alanna asked Jon, giggling at the two men's antics.
"They're being silly," Jon waved them off. "How was the trip down here with Frank?"
"It was great! I got to ride all the way here in the Shield Mobile!" she beamed and the adults couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "Hi, Uncle Funny Hair," she leaned forward and hugged Colby around the neck.
"Hello there, Miss Alanna!" Colby returned the hug with a big grin before Jon moved down to Joe. Leigh could not stop laughing at his new nickname.
"Here's your Uncle Pretty, sweetheart. I need to help your Aunt Syd with our luggage," Jon passed Alanna off to the big man and followed Colby over to Frank and Syd.
"Hello, sweetheart," Joe smiled when the little girl hugged him; blushing when Galina giggled his nickname. "Ally, I have someone I'd like you to meet," he set her down and knelt beside her, reaching his hand out to take his daughter's. "This is Joelle. JoJo, honey, this is Alanna, Randy's little girl. Your Aunt Syd's niece," he explained and saw the girls' confused expressions.
"If Auntie Syd is our Auntie Syd, does that mean we're sisters?" Alanna asked Joelle, who shrugged in response.
"I don't know. My family is big and weird but I don't have a sister so we can be if you want," Joelle held out her hand.
"Okay," Alanna nodded, taking her hand and the two of them skipped off to Frank, who helped them into the bus.
"Believe that!" Cena dropped to the ground, laughing his ass off and this time, Randy couldn't help himself; he did too.
"Sorry about that, man. You know how kids are when they get together," Joe chuckled and held his hand out to Randy.
"Yeah, they forget we exist. It's cool," he laughed, shaking the offered hand; his expression sobering when Joe didn't release his grip right away.
"You might not want Jon as a brother, man, but our girls have us as family now. It's just a matter of time," Joe smirked before letting him go and taking his family's bags to the bus.
"Okay, this is how it's going to work," Syd announced when everyone carried their bags into the house. "Frank, you could stay in the bus if you want but I'm not that big of an asshole, contrary to popular belief. I lease a suite at the Luxor for times when I feel like not leaving the casino…ever…and I'm turning it over to you as a thank you for making the long drive to pick up Alanna and meet us here. I just need you to drive us to and from the club tonight so everyone can get hammered if that is their wish," she picked up a key card out of a crystal bowl on an end table and handed it to him.
"Best boss ever. Thank you, Syd," he gave her a quick hug. "I'll be back tonight around six to pick you up," he grinned and bolted out the door.
"Well I made one person fucking happy," Syd shrugged before turning to the twins and their wives. "Yeah, I know you'd probably prefer suites at the Luxor too but you guys are here to hang with family and not burn down my favorite casino. So here are the keys to my Escalade and Jon's condo. His address is in the GPS so you can go get settled now or wait to find out what we're doing the rest of the afternoon or come back whenever before we split tonight. It is up to you," she handed Josh the keys, shaking her head at Jonny's grin. "He's calmer than you and he danced with me," she stuck her tongue out, glancing at her Jon when his chin settled on her shoulder.
"If you fuck in my beds…" he began but Joe cut him off.
"Man, they're my cousins. Of course, they are going to fuck in your beds," he shook his head with a 'really' look on his face.
"Throw all the sheets in the washer before we meet up here to split on Friday," he scowled, flashed a quick grin and continued to stack his and Syd's luggage to take upstairs.
"Okay, as for accommodations in Casa Syd, Jon and I have the master upstairs and Randal has the downstairs' master. Colby and Leigh will take the other upstairs' bedroom. It's the first room you come to off of the stairs and has its own full bath," she told them while they followed Jon up. "Felix, you already have your room," she waved him off. "Joe, I was going to put you and Gal upstairs but since JoJo is sharing a room with Ally, I figured it would be best if all parents were on the same floor with the kids," she led them through the house to the hall. "Randy is all the way at the end, the girls are in the second room down on the right and then you two are in the first one. Go get settled and we'll meet in the den; maybe decide if we want to nap or eat and watch movies before we go out tonight," she shrugged.
"Are you okay, baby girl?" he asked, lingering behind while Randy and Gal led the girls to their room.
"I need to talk, big man," she said with emotion flooding her eyes.
"Whenever you're ready," he nodded, pulling her into a hug. "I'll know when you need me, Syd," he kissed the top of her head, taking in her appreciative smile. They had that kind of connection where they could speak without words. He'd know with a glance when she's ready to talk. "Meet you in the den in a few," he winked at her before disappearing into his bedroom.
"Is she okay, babe?" Gal asked when Joe closed the door behind him.
"I think she's finally ready to have that heart to heart I mentioned to you," he kept his eyes focused on the floor for a moment; nodding when he was sure.
"I hope it works out in Jon's favor. Did you see how cute he looked with her and JoJo sleeping on his lap?" she smiled at the recent memory. "I think he wants the whole thing, babe," she darted her gaze to his, seeing him nod his head in agreement.
"Yeah, our boy is growing up."
Syd didn't make it through the den before the girls came barreling down the hallway. "Auntie Syd?"
"Yes, munchkin?" she turned to face Joelle. She was the image of her father, standing there with her hands on her hips.
"Ally and I are hungry."
"Is that so, little bit?" she glanced at her niece, looking every bit her father with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Yes, ma'am. Will you make breakfast?"
"Now I'm sure Frank made you breakfast and, munchkin, I know your mom and dad got you breakfast before we got on the plane," she watched the two girls look at each other before they made up their minds and turned back to her.
"It's too early for lunch though, and we're hungry," they said in sync, each with a pout.
'The little shits do have my look,' she thought with a furrowed brow. "Fine," she spun on her heel, going towards the kitchen. "Little bit, take munchkin to your TV room and I'll call you when it's ready. Looks like we're having brunch before the option of a coma comes into play so if you guys want to stick around…" she told the twins and their ladies while the girls ran off to a smaller den on the other side of the house.
"Sounds good," Jonny grinned.
"Want some help?" Trinity asked, following Syd into the kitchen.
"If you're willing, we do have quite the herd to feed," she opened the fridge and began to pull items out to place on the island. "Guys, there's a TV in the den or back there in the theater room," Syd pointed to a door off in the far corner past the dining room.
"Uh uh, get your asses in here and get to work," Trin crooked her finger at her husband and brother-in-law; a stern look on her face.
A few minutes later, Cena sniffed his way into the kitchen, looking at the five of them work to prep hash browns, scrambling enough eggs to feed an army and setting the mixture aside, stacking up slices of bread, cutting strips of bacon, lining up condiments and spices.
"What do you want me to do, Peanut?" he asked without hesitation.
"Grab those T-bones from the bottom drawer and use your man-muscles to tenderize them, please," she directed while she pulled out enough skillets to cook everything.
"Josh, will you do me a favor?" Cena asked while he pulled steaks out of the fridge.
"Holy shit. That is a lot of meat. Oh, sure, man," he smiled, taking a pad of paper and a pen from Syd.
"We eat a lot of protein in this house. Hit all the rooms and ask if they want a T-bone. I don't want to make too much if they aren't interested. Oh and ask how they like it cooked," John called over his shoulder.
"Hold up, Josh. All the men not in this room will want one, I can tell you that now so man-wise, it's just you and Jonny that need to make up your minds. Ask the women, not the kids. I'm having one – rare. Randy and Joe are rare. Colby is medium and Jon is well. The hash browns will take the longest to cook and they are going on now so tell everyone to get their asses to the table in twenty. Thank you, hon," she smiled back at him before dumping the grated potatoes into the skillet and seasoned them. "Jonny, you and Felix use the island burners for the bacon and steaks. I have the potatoes; Trin has the French toast and Takecia is scrambling eggs over here."
"Okay, mama, and I'll put Josh on a skillet to help John," he moved his strips of bacon and began to layer paper towels on a plate.
Josh returned a few minutes later, laying the steak order on the counter between him and John. The men began the meat while Syd pushed a few buttons on the wall and oldies filtered into the kitchen. So Into You by Atlanta Rhythm Section came on and the girls exchanged big grins, moving their hips to the…rhythm.
"What is going on here?" Jon's eyes lit up, walking into the kitchen to see his baby dancing at the stove. He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist so she could move and just enjoyed watching her have fun with the girls until everyone started to randomly sing.
When you walked into the room
There was voodoo in the vibes
I was captured by your style
But I could not catch your eyes
Now I stand here helplessly
Hoping you'll get into me
I am so into you
I can't think of nothing else
I am so into you
I can't think of nothing else
Thinking how it's gonna be
Whenever I get you next to me
The couples wandered into each other's cook space, singing to each other, dancing with each other, and exchanging short kisses before returning to their cooking.
It's gonna be good, don't you know
From your head to your toe
Gonna love you all over, over and over
Me into you, you into me, me into you
When you walked into the room
There was voodoo in the vibes
I was captured by your style
But I could not catch your eyes
Now I stand here helplessly
Hoping you'll get into me
Joe wrapped his arms around Gal, swaying back and forth; while Colby held Leigh, all of them standing at the bar that separated the kitchen from the small dining area, and smiling at their family cooking. Randy stood in the kitchen doorway, chuckling at Ally and JoJo dancing beside him.
I am so into you
I can't get to nothing else
I am so into you, baby
I can't get to nothing else, no, no, no
Come on, baby, I'm so into you
Love the things you do
Listen, baby, drivin' me crazy
Come on, baby, I'm so into you
Love the things you do
"I hate when Nicole is pissed at me," John shook his head, smiling at happy couples around him.
"Try being single," Randy mock-grumbled, holding each girls' hand while he spun them around.
"It's fun here. Can we all move in?" Colby asked with a huge dopey grin on his face.
"Oh Pup, I love you to death but you wouldn't last long if you tried to wake me for the gym 7 days a week," Syd smiled at him while she put together the girls' plates of French toast, scrambled eggs and bacon. "Set the girls up, Randal, and pour their OJ," she passed him their plates while John and Josh called out names for the steak plates. "Load up what you want, people," Syd grabbed hers and Jon's plates, handed his over and they went down the line, serving themselves.
AN: the sleepover isn't done yet. It is dragging out another chapter because this one just kept going on and on…