Chapter 61

A few days later, the RAW crew made it back to the states as they were in Albany, New York for RAW.

The following day, Michelle was finally meeting up with her estranged father weeks after he bailed out on her in New Orleans.

Also, weeks of anxiety and anger Michelle had to endure not just that, but also all of the moments he missed out on in her life.

Michelle was meeting up with her father at City Line Bar and Grill as she was walking from the hotel and contemplating what she needed to say.

After arriving at the restaurant, the hostess led her up to the outside patio as she spotted her father sitting next to the fireplace.

"Hi, Michelle," Ron said as he stood up.

"Hi, dad," Michelle spoke nonchalantly as the hostess left.

"You look great."

"Thanks."

"Why don't we sit down." Then Michelle and Ron sat down at their table. "So, how is work going for you?"

"Good, we were in Europe for the past couple of weeks so it was great."

"And how are things between you and Drew?"

"They've been great; next month, he has a birthday and we're approaching our one-year anniversary."

"That's good."

"Yeah."

"Look, Michelle, I know that what I did was wrong and…"

"You think? Dad, my NXT Women's Championship match was the biggest one so far in my career and I needed you to be there. But you know who was there? Mom, Dmitri, Malachi, my best friend Autumn, her fiancé and Drew. And you bailed on me for work."

"Michelle, please don't do this."

"Don't do what? Don't do what?! That's what mom said when she begged you to work things out with her and you're telling me I shouldn't do this which is making my point? You have missed out on the most important moments in my teenage years: my first wrestling match, my basketball games, my homecoming, my prom, all for what?! Because work is important to you! Before we moved to California, before the divorce, you did the same thing which caused you and mom to split up. And I'm not the only one hurt by this, my brothers, your sons were hurt as well! Even after I graduated from college which you also missed out on, you also missed out on my matches when I wrestled in the independents including this past April which was also the month of my birthday, that you also missed out on! So, you tell me what else I shouldn't do?!"

Ron sighed knowing that Michelle was right and knew that he had hurt her; she had every right to be angry at him.

"You're right," Ron admitted. "I have missed out on so much of your life and your brothers. I thought I did and what I was doing was the right thing but all I have done is hurt you and your brothers."

"Yeah, you have hurt us and since you contacted me about wanting to work things out," Michelle replied in anger. "I have been so angry, so bitter that there were times that I almost lashed out on Drew, but I didn't. He understands what I have been through. He has missed out on important family events because he is living his dream but always contacts his family when he gets a chance because they are all the way in Scotland, something you have not done most of the time. New Orleans could have been the best time to meet him, but now I guess you don't care about that either."

"Michelle, I do care. I admit that me working all time wasn't easy but it was what I had to do support our family."

"No, it was to support you. Mom had to do that when you two got divorced and she & grandma raised me until grandma passed away when I was eighteen; I learned to be independent, even after I broke up with my ex in college when he cheated and I put that on the backburner for fear I might have another relationship end but Drew changed my whole world. If you were working to support our family, then you should have sacrificed some work time to spend time with your family but you can't do that." Then Michelle started to breakdown as she cried. "You know what? I said what I had to say and there was nothing left to say. I hope you have a nice life, Dad."

Then Michelle got up from her seat as she stormed away leaving her dad to ponder what Michelle had to say.

At the hotel, Drew was in his and Michelle's hotel room waiting for her return as he was laying on the bed. He was hoping that Michelle and her father would finally patch things up.

Then he heard the door opening as Drew noticed Michelle walking in crying and Drew got up as he went over to her.

"Shelley, are you okay?" Drew asked.

Michelle shook her head as she sat down on the bed and Drew gave her a bottle of water and tissue before sitting down next to her.

"What happened?" Drew asked.

"My dad admitted…" Michelle stammered, "…he thought what he was doing was the right thing and what he had to do support our family and he knew it hurt us. He knew this and still haven't made an impact to see me at my biggest moments."

"Has he given any explanation?"

"No, but on the way back here, I felt that maybe I should have let him explain, maybe because I was still angry at him. Do you think I overreacted?"

"What is your heart telling you?"

"That maybe I should have let him explain himself."

Michelle sighed heavily as she placed her head on her knees as Drew rubbed her back to comfort her. After several seconds, Michelle sat back up.

"Maybe now would be a good time for your dad to tell his side," Drew suggested.

"Yeah, maybe I should," Michelle agreed. "I have been so bitter for weeks and years that I never let him explain what went wrong between him and mom. Mom told me bits and pieces of it and I know she did it to protect me but I must know from dad. Drew, you have been so patient with me throughout all of this. I can talk to you about anything and you would always understand."

"Like I said, I'm a good listener."

Michelle leaned against Drew as he wrapped his arm around her when Michelle's cellphone rang. Michelle pulled away from Drew as she took out her cellphone from her purse to see it was her dad calling.

"It's my dad," Michelle said. "I better go answer it."

Drew nodded his head as Michelle went outside their hotel room and Michelle sat on the floor as she answered the call.

"Hello?" Michelle answered.

"Hi, Michelle," Ron said.

"Hi, Dad."

"Listen, I thought a lot about what you said and you're right. I've been so neglectful to you, your brothers and your mom that I thought a lot about work so much that I have missed out on the most important events in your life and…I really thought what I had to do to the support the family, instead it was all about me and I thought it would help us in the long run but it didn't. And I thought that if I change my work schedule, it wouldn't be better for us but still I was just thinking about myself so I just want to say I'm so sorry. I'm also sorry for missing out on your championship match back in New Orleans. I know you don't want to forgive me right away, but I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust and hopefully get back in your good graces."

Michelle closed her eyes as her anger and bitterness was slowly fading away as she was hearing her dad apologizing.

"You know, I have been so bitter and angry ever since I was 11 when you and mom got divorced," Michelle expressed, "and she has been wanting you to make some changes. I knew you wouldn't do that because you thought you were doing the right thing. But still, you hurt me, you hurt Dimitri, you hurt Malachi. She thought you were trying to help us but you didn't."

"Like I said, I thought making the change was going to be bad but now it's not and I want to make that change right now. I'm changing my work hours so I can come see you more and I know this won't bring me and your mom back together and I know it's too late for us, but hopefully we can coexist at some point and we can have a relationship like we should've had. And I'm going to stay another day because I would like to see you again and meet your boyfriend Drew if he wants to, only if you want to."

"Yeah, I would like you to meet Drew, he is… he's been so supportive with me and everything else and he's an amazing man. I'll talk to him and we'll see what we can do."

"Thank you."

"Bye, dad."

Michelle breathed a sigh of relief as she was able to finally get everything out of her system and that she was able to reconcile with her father after all these years.

Then Michelle got up from the floor as she returned to her and Drew's hotel room.

"Well, he admitted to everything and he apologized and he wants to work things out with me," Michelle rejoiced, "and he's gonna change his work hours so he can come see more and he also wants to meet you if it's OK with you."

"I'd like that," Drew agreed.

"Then I guess maybe tomorrow after I meet with him again, we can maybe meet him for dinner."

"That can be arranged."

"Thanks again, Drew; thank you so much for being so supportive and everything. I love you."

"I love you too."

Then Drew and Michelle hugged each other as Michelle felt the warm embrace that she needed.

The next night, Drew and Michelle met up with Michelle's dad at Black & Blue Steak and Crab as the hostess led them to a table where her father was sitting.

"Hi, dad," Michelle said.

"Hi, Michelle," Ron said.

Ron stood up as he and Michelle hugged each other and Drew smiled seeing his girlfriend and father embracing without any anger towards them.

"This is Drew," Michelle introduced Drew to her dad.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Drew," Ron said as he shook Drew's hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Edmondson," Drew concurred.

"Please call me Ron; so why don't we have a seat?"

Then the three sat at the table.

"So, Michelle has told me you're from Scotland," Ron inquired.

"Yes, sir," Drew replied. "I moved to America after becoming the first Scotsman to be signed to the WWE at age 21."

"I've seen your work; you're definitely gifted and a hard worker. Hard work pays off."

"And I'm going to continue to work hard; I feel like I have so much more to accomplish."

"I can see that and I know Michelle will do the same."

"She's amazing, she has followed my work as a fan and she has a gift as well."

"She definitely has a gift."

Then the waiter came by as Drew, Ron and Michelle gave their orders and Michelle excused herself to use the restroom.

"So I pretty sure Michelle told you of what has happened between me and her mother and our family," Ron explained as Drew nodded his head. "I admit that I haven't been the best father because I have missed out on so much of Michelle's life. I know that part of that may have affected her last relationship and I think that was my fault too. But I was happy when she told me that she met you and I can see the smile on her face. I just want Michelle to be happy and hopefully, we can patch things up."

"I want Michelle to be happy too," Drew assured. "She has been so strong throughout this and they were times I would see her cry, and… I know it's been hurting her so much; I mean, circumstances happen with family and I was hoping that maybe you and Michelle can patch things up and I'm really happy that you two are starting out."

"Well, I want to say thank you for being here for my daughter and I really appreciate it, Drew and I just want to say you already have my approval."

Then Drew and Ron shook hands as Michelle returned to the table.

"So, did I miss anything?" Michelle asked as she sat down.

"No," Ron replied. "Just giving Drew my stamp of approval. He's a really good guy."

"That he is."

After a half hour, Drew, Michelle and Ron walked out of the restaurant.

"Well, this was a lovely dinner," Ron said. "I'm glad we were able to finally meet up and catch up on things; but I'm really glad that we are able to start patching things up, Michelle."

"Me too, dad," Michelle agreed. "And I'm really glad that we were able to talk things out and then you'll be able to finally see me more."

"And that is what I'm going to do from now on. And Drew, it was very nice to meet you as well and good luck with your career in the WWE. I have no doubt you'll be very successful and be a World Champion in no time."

"Thank you, Ron," Drew said. "I really appreciate it."

"Take good care of my daughter."

"You got it."

"Well, I guess this is a goodbye for now."

"Yeah, and I'll see you when you are free?" Michelle asked.

"And I'll be calling you every week from now on.

Then Ron and Michelle gave each other a hug as Michelle teared up a little before she and Ron pulled away.

"Goodbye, dad," Michelle said.

"Goodbye, Michelle," Ron said.

Then Ron walked away to his car and he got in before he drove away.

Michelle saw her dad drive away as she thought of today and yesterday when things shifted between her and dad, but now she can move forward now that she and her dad found common ground.

Drew wrapped his arm around Michelle as he kissed the top of her head.

"Are you okay?" Drew asked.

"Mm-hmm," Michelle answered. "I feel better now. Actually, I feel relieved, something I never thought would happen and it has, thanks to you."

"You're welcome."

"Let's go back to the hotel."

Then Drew and Michelle walked hand-in-hand with relief and happiness that made their relationship even stronger.