Family
Saturday morning found Cassie up early with Aubrey and getting her ready for her online dance class Aubrey loved to dance and Cassie made sure her daughter embraced this and signed her up for whatever she wanted to do regardless of the costs . The extra money from her WWE job would help her pay for the extras and treat Aubrey to some additional things. After she had Aubrey all set up, she glanced at the counter as she heard her phone beep. Joe. " Morning sunshine, wanted to invite you your husband and Aubrey to an outdoor BBQ , its my twin boys birthday . Your uncle Paul and Marla are coming too. Its tomorrow at 4pm. Might be good for you to see our family and how we interact". Cassie knew watching the family dynamic would definitely help her flesh out this story with Jey and Roman Reigns. The problem was Travis , he was very set in his ways. Speaking of her husband , she could hear him move around in the next room , he had stayed in the spare room since last week, still annoyed that she had taken the WWE job. She went and knocked lightly on the door " Yeah" she heard and opened it. He was lying in bed , looking at his phone. He set it down when she came in. " So Joe has invited us all to his kids birthday BBQ tomorrow , I think its a great way for me to do some research on this storyline. Paul and Marla will be there too. I think we should go". Travis sighed deeply " I ain't a fan of all this Cassie , it's a lot. But I'll go , for you". This was surprising she had expected a huge fight back. She left the room with an uneasy feeling, Travis never gave in that easily , without reason.
She had changed her outfit at least 25 times before the BBQ, wanting to look pretty but classy. But it was florida and a very hot day. In the end she chose a sleeveless white maxi dress , made of light material. Her Brown hair was loose and wavy with a jewelled headband holding it all in place. Her make up natural and her lips painted a pink red that accentuated her brown eyes. Aubrey had told her she looked beautiful and Travis had repeated what his daughter said without any real conviction. Aubrey had picked out lego sets for the twins Waylon and Jayden as a gift. Cassie was excited and nervous all at the same time. She had made a pasta salad that was a family recipe and she carried a big bowl of that wanting to be a gracious guest. They drove in silence to the address that Joe had texted, but it was obvious they were going to a really expensive part of town. When they got to the house Aubrey gasped , " They live here?" she said looking at the large white wash walls and gate. Travis pushed a buzzer and she heard Joe answer " Hi um it's Travis and Cassie' , her husband said uncertainly. " Oh hey man , come on in , we are around back" Joe said In a friendly voice putting them all at ease. The driveway was magnificent and they were about 7 or 8 other cars there too . Cassie was delighted to see Pauls car there, it would be good to have him there in this situation. Travis was a little shell-shocked, she could tell , he came from very humble beginnings and she knew this was a bit overwhelming . They walked round back to a BBQ area where they saw some kids playing in a pool , others were playing games on a lawn . There was a large patio area with two grills and lots of tables and chairs. And finally a party table with gifts and what looked like a huge birthday cake with a number 5.
Joe spotted Cassie and Aubrey, he studied her for a second, she did own more clothes than converse and jeans, he smiled to himself. His eye snaked to the man next to her, Travis. He looked out of place and uncomfortable. He was of average height , brown hair, blue eyes , and Joe could tell even by the way they were standing that there was some tension in that relationship. He made his way over to them " Hey guys" he said warmly. Cassie seemed to relax upon seeing him, he held out his hand to Travis "Nice to meet you Travis , I'm Joe". The other man took his hand and shook it , fixing him with a smile. "Hey Aubrey" he said to the little girl " Hi Roman Reigns" she said and Joe and Cassie smiled. " You know something, I am going to let you call me Joe how about that ? Only special people can call me that , would you like to do that , because you are a very special little girl". Aubrey smiled widely " OK". Joe then turned " Waylon , Jayden" he beckoned his boys over . Cassie watched as two beautiful boys came running to their dad. " This is Aubrey , she brought you guys some presents and came to the party .Will you show her around ". One of the boys stepped forward " I'm Waylon come on I will show you the bouncy House". The children all ran off together. " What's this ?" Joe asked pointing at the bowl Cassie was holding. A voice interrupted "That Joseph is my niece's famous pasta salad, nothing like it on this earth". Paul. He smiled at them both, embracing his niece warmly as did Marla. "Travis" he said with a nod , not moving to hug him or shake his hand. Joe knew immediately there was a lot more to this dynamic than he was aware of. They all seemed a little on edge. Marla did pat Travis on the back , but Joe wasn't sure if it was genuine.
They sat together at a table under an umbrella, Joe had brought them over plates of food and they also filled up on the salad table. As they sat, Paul pointed out various people – Joes father Sika , his cousin Rikishi , who was Jeys dad. He gave her some background and it was obvious from watching the Anoai family that they were close and loving to each other. A man who Cassie thought was Jey at first approached their table." Paul , what up my man. Is this her?" he indicated Cassie. " It sure is my man". Cassie looked at them both, confused. " Hey I am Jimmy. You working with my twin Jey and big cuz". Cassie smiled at him , like Jey he seemed open and nice " of course , how are you doing ? Out with an injury right?". " Yeah , I got at least another 6 months left before I can get back. But I wanted to come and thank you for all you are doing for my brother. He says its all down to you and Joe , I am so happy to see it". Cassie felt herself blush " I write the words but they put the emotion in and act it out , its a team effort really". Jimmy smiled at her " Cool well look , hopefully I will get to the arena soon and catch up with everyone so I will see you around . Nice meeting you". When he left Cassie looked around at Paul, " Wow everyone is so nice". Paul smiled at her "This family has history you wouldn't believe, I love being around them , as does Marla. They were very good to me when I was younger so it feels right now to work with Joe".
Discreetly Joe had been watching Cassies table. Travis didn't like this, he could tell . Mostly he seemed to resent Cassie , as he watched his cousin Jimmy , his father Sika and uncle Afa meet Cassie , Travis seemed to get a little bit angrier. It occurred to Joe that maybe the attention and spotlight wasn't on Cassie very often in her life. And Travis probably liked it that way. It was a shame really because it seemed crystal clear to him that all Cassie needed was a little encouragement and support. But it was none of his business, still he couldn't help himself and after he had placed all the left overs on a table , he quickly wiped the grill and went over to the table with a bucket of beers. He spotted his ex wife was now at the table, Galina was cool and pretty much like a best friend to him these days. He was glad he didn't have that baby mama drama. He wasn't sure if she had been sampling the single life like him but he genuinely hoped that one day she would find someone who would be a good fit for her. " Hooe you're not giving away all the dirt you got on me to Cassie here". Joe said smiling kindly at his ex-wife. Galina winked at Cassie "Oh we're going for cocktails so I can tell her what you are really like". It was obvious that these pair were in a good place and on the same wavelength. Travis interjected " So how long have you been married?". He was making conversation but Cassie cringed inwardly , knowing what Joe had told her already about his marriage. " Actually we have been apart for about a year now , not counting the night we conceived those other baby boys over there". She pointed over to where Romans Mom Patricia was rocking a twin buggy. " A blessing , but an unexpected one". Travis was shocked , his jaw actually fell open. " Wow, I would have assumed you two were still together , you seem to get on so well. I know if me and Cassie here broke up , we wouldn't even be in the same room". It was a strange thing to say and Joe saw Cassie tense her jaw. Galina came to the rescue " Well it's important to get on for the children. We want them to grow up in a happy environment, so our fighting won't help things.". It was a mature response, and she had put Travis in his place without being unkind. There was a silence at the table. Marla stood , " Lets go look for the kids. Make sure they are behaving themselves " Cassie and Galina obeyed leaving the boys to it. As they walked in the direction of the bouncy House Cassie lowly said to Galina " I'm sorry about that, he is a little nervous and overwhelmed , he isn't used to things like this". "OF course , honestly don't worry about it".
Joe gave Paul and Travis a beer , he looked up to see his father approach the table and he stood to pull a chair out for him . Sika sat down weary. " You getting a little tired there old man?". Paul said good naturedly . Sika smiled " You are not as young as you once were Paul , I see you struggling with that knee". Joe whistled and winked at his Dad. He had never lost his sense of humour. Travis seemed to be getting a bit buzzed , he was drinking pretty fast. He seemed to look at Joe a bit harder. "So you're single then? , Man like you, you must have your pick of the ladies". Joe was a little embarrassed , his father was sitting right there , he didn't talk like that in front of him. If this was a bunch of guys his own age at the bar, sure, but not at a family BBQ. " I am bit really thinking about that right now" he responded . It was a half lie , but he wasn't about to tell everyone at the table what he had been getting up to with a certain blonde. "I would be sowing my wild oats man if I was you, after all those years of marriage and with a job like yours". Travis was trying to be one of the guys with that statement , Joe knew it , Paul knew it. "I would be out every night of the week with a different girl man. If I was all jacked and shit like you" he whistled . No one knew how to respond . " You have a very lovely wife and daughter , you are a lucky man". Sika said to Travis , he had a steel in his voice . Joe knew his dad was mad . Travis looked at Paul , he was almost beetroot in the face , beyond pissed off. "Hey Travis , come on man , I'll show you around the inside". Joe said taking control of the situation. He swayed a little as he stood. " Leave the beer there , don't want any accidents". Joe was taller , broader and extremely athletic , Travis knew better than to argue he out the beer down and followed dutifully.
" So how are things with you and Travis?" Marla asked as they watched the kids play. Cassie shrugged "OK I guess". "Are you happy , you know me and Paul are always here for you . Your mom called this week too , she said you seemed a little down when you last spoke" . Marla and Paul were like second parents to Cassie , her own Mom lived out of state and her Dad had passed years earlier. They meant well. " Marla , things are OK. I love this new job its making me so happy the money will help things at home and Travis and I are doing fine. Its important to me that Aubrey grows up with both if her parents there for her". Marla frowned at something over her shoulder and she turned to see a Joe go inside the house followed by Travis he was drunk she could tell by the way he was walking. " Can you watxh Aubrey?" she asked before taking after them both.
Joe went to the kitchen first opening the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water . He handed it to Travis , who snorted . "Nah man, got anymore beer in there". Joe looked at him " Hey man it's my boys birthday , maybe slow down a little . This is a kids event ". Travis knew better than to fight with a man in his own home , he put his hand out to take the water , but his co ordination was off and he didn't catch the bottle, letting it fall and knock over what looked like an expensive fruit bowl in the process . There was a loud bang as it split into a million pieces. At the same time Cassie entered the house and followed the sound, alarmed . She found Travis and Joe. " Sorry Man" he was saying and Cassie was horrified to see that he had broken what looked like an expensive fruit bowl. She immediately hunkered down and started gathering pieces , Joe knelt down too " Its ok I got this" he said. Cassie was beyond embarrassed. That didn't stop her and she kept picking up pieces , it was only when Joe put a hand on hers that she stopped. She looked up at him " It's OK", he said reassuringly. She smiled at him " Yo Cassie you heard the man , he can get it", Travis bellowed . Cassie stood " we are leaving Travis" she said sternly. " But they haven't even brought out the cake , besides Aubrey is having fun". Cassie was stuck , her daughter would be mad if she wanted to leave. Joe came to her rescue " I can drop Aubrey off if you like , I just had one beer earlier so I am good". Travis was rolling his eyes " You are over reacting Cassie , seriously". She fixed him with such a look that he knew he had no choice. " Fine" he said and he began to storm out the door . " Thanks Joe, Sorry my wife is such a bitch" he said before slamming the front door behind him. Cassie stood deathly still " He...didn't mean that. He gets angry and lashed out he will be all apologies once I get to the car. I am so sorry". Joe didn't want to over step " Will you be ok ?". She gave him a tight smile. " Yes I will, thanks for dropping Aubrey, I will text you the address". As he watched her walk out , Joe fought hard not to run after her and tell her to stay here , that he would keep her safe.