Hello, my loves! Well that was an intense one, eh? Oh, this ghost story is just getting started! As always, love to my girls Tm12Brady, GoldenGirl1920, ClaymoreQueen6176 and wwechristina for your support!
OK, let's see what's next for our favorite group! Take a very deep breath and...enjoy"
Please Help Me
KFC Yum! Center: Louisville, Kentucky
Lots of activity abuzz backstage for the WWE house show in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a mixed card with both Raw and Smackdown superstars. With the outside threat to Drew seemingly over, and with three of the four now expecting, the Angels crew decided to go with only two working the weekend shows going forward. This weekend, since she is still learning the ins and outs of the group's processes, Denise is shadowing Lady, with Kevin working as the ring announcer for the shows.
Krystal was backstage on her cell phone, giving the instructions to the guys out in the sound booth from Adam Pearce when she walked by the Angels, who were working out logistics for the night. Denise halted their conversation and said, "Hey girl! How's your first couple of days at the jobs going?" Krystal smiled, "It's hectic as hell, but I love it. Adam is awesome to work for." Lady said, "Well, that's awesome. Look, I heard about Cherry having some sort of incident at the gym yesterday. Is she OK?"
Krystal sighed and shrugged, "She says she is, but I kinda have my doubts. I know what she endured in Scotland because of that dead trashbag motherfucker wasn't easier on her. Plus, that asshole trying to hit on her at the club last night." Denise yelled, "What? Holy shit!" Krystal soothed her, "It's OK. She's fine and we actually had help. Madcap Moss was there and he knocked that guy the fuck out. He was a big help."
Lady rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I heard about that. Drew said he forgave him and thanked him." Denise shook her head, "Wait, you knew about this and I didn't? Where have I been?" Randy was walking by at the time. He bent down and kissed her on the lips and said, "You've been on my dick, baby girl. But seriously, it's Drew's business, but I don't know about trusting Cap. If he can forgive a guy who helped kidnap me twice, he's a better man than me. I'd just beat the shit out of him."
Denise shrugged, "Yeah, but he did go to the cops and tell the truth about everything." Randy narrowed his eyes, "Only because I dragged his sorry ass there." Lady said, "But still you were forgiven too, Randy. Let's not forget about the Union…" Randy held his hand up and got annoyed, "OK fine! I got it! I'm just saying don't take him at face value."
Krystal listened to everything her friends said. She walked away to complete an assignment and started to feel conflicted about everything. She wanted to believe him, but Randy did have a point. She also decided to not tell the ladies about the possibility of Cherry communicating with a ghost. She was very worried about her, but until there was an issue, she would not betray her confidence.
She stopped to text Cherry and Phoenix to check in when a yellow rose appeared in front of her face. She turned to see Madcap Moss holding the rose behind her. Madcap said with a smile, "A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady," Krystal grinned as she took the rose from Madcap, "Aw, you're so sweet. Thank you."
Madcap sighed, "I just thought maybe we can start over with a clean slate since we kind of got off on the wrong foot. Well, mostly me." She took the rose from him and twirled it in her slender fingers, "Well, since you presented me with this beautiful yellow rose, I believe we can start over, Michael." Madcap couldn't help but think, "Damn, the way she said my real name sounded so sexy coming from her. Her smile definitely brings me a bit of happiness. I really want to make her mine."
He come out of his thoughts and asked as he started walking with her, "So, how is Cherry today? I hope she wasn't too shaken up by that creep last night." She responded, "She acts like she's fine. And judging by the moaning and screaming I heard last night Drew gave her a pretty good distraction." Madcap laughed and really enjoyed her candor, and she appreciated his concern for her friend. She continues, "But I'm still worried about her. She's been through a lot lately. Well, in her life period." Madcap warmly said, "She's lucky to have a friend like you." This made Krystal smile.
They continued flirting with each other and were heavily in conversation, completely unaware that Tennelle Dashwood had managed to get herself backstage again, trying to track Madcap down to reinsert herself back into his bed after her actions the night before. She was watching him and Krystal from afar with a seething look on her face. She sneered, "Really? Michael is talking to that lowly secretary of Adam Pearce? That bitch is no competition for me! But I'll make sure she stays far away from him."
Sheamus was warming up in the men's locker room with pushups. He said in a jovial manner, "Hey Haggis, if ya fall asleep in the car tanite, I'm gonna have Jinder cut all that hair off yer muppet head if ya start snoring again." He looked over at Drew when he heard silence instead of their normal pissing contest banter. Drew wasn't paying attention. He was deep in thought, sitting on the bench in his ring gear and blue kilt. His legs were spread, his elbows resting on his knees looking down at the ground.
Sheamus went over to sit next to him and said, "Hey brother, what's in that doofy head of yers? Ya look bothered." Drew shook his head, "I am, Sheamo. I'm worried about the missus." Sheamus patted him on the shoulder "Ah! Yul miss shagging her tanite. I think yul live without pumping that tadger a couple of nights."
Drew looked up and sighed, "No, mate. That's not it. She's been acting odd lately. Ya saw her at the gym. And she keeps having these nightmares, and I find her downstairs by tha jukebox. She keeps saying she's fine but… Brother, I got a bad feeling about not being there this weekend. I shouldn't've left her." Sheamus nodded, "I see. I know things have been weird fer her since having ta deal with that ex asshole of hers."
Drew said, "I don't think that's it. I think there's something else going on she's not telling me about." Sheamus narrowed his eyes, "Like how ya still haven't told her about Kait?" Drew groaned, "Fer fuck's sake, Sheamo! It's not like that! And I will tell her. I just… I don't know. I just have a terrible feeling about not being there. I feel like something bad is about ta go down. I'll never fergive myself if something happens ta her and the wee ones."
Sheamus did his best to soothe him, "Hey, Drew. Don't think like that. Cherry's a tough, strong little bird. She's gonna be fine. Plus, Christine is with her this weekend, sa she'll be there the whole time. I know she'll keep her and the babies safe." Drew sniffed, "Aye, I know. Maybe yer right. Maybe I'm just overthinking everything."
Sheamus couldn't resist "Well, the fact that yer thinking at all is a big improvement fer ya!" Drew rolled his eyes, "Kiss my sexy Scottish ass, "Sheamo." Sheamus perked up, "Ah! See there? Back ta yer old muppet self! C'mon, we gotta meet about the show with tha crew. Carry yer hairy bollocks off tha bench and let's go!" Drew gave a half laugh as he got up to follow Sheamus, but that ominous sensation kept gnawing at his gut.
Riverside: Nashville Tennessee
Cherry and Christine came through the door after a fun day out. They hadn't had many days like this in quite some time. Not like before they met their hunky husbands. Before then, they would drop everything on a whim and take off in the Jamie Lu to any and every location they saw fit. But even now, they cherished the time they did get to spend together apart from the Angels operation and not be on high alert looking to take down bad guys.
Christine said, "Ah! Manicures, pedicures and facials do wonders for a new attitude! Well, I got tons of dead skin off my feet, and hot little mama got pampered and her belly full of pizza for her and these sweet babies. And we got two gorgeous Celtic men that give us hot sex whenever we want it. Life is too good sometimes!" She reached over and put her hand on Cherry's lower tummy as she sat down next to her. Cherry laughed, "Yes, it really is! And yes, they do. God knows I got that last night."
Christine snickered, "I don't need to know the details. No, seriously. I was on the phone with Krystal and heard you guys screaming the name of the Lord in vain. Shame on you!" Cherry rolled her eyes, "Oh great." Christine waved her hand, "Sis, I'm just joking. I'm so used to Drew talking about your sex life, it doesn't even phase me anymore."
Cherry's eyes grew distant, and she mumbled, "That's not what I'm talking about. This whole day, the weekend sleepover. You're here to babysit me for Drew and Krystal. She told you, didn't she?" Christine shook her head, "No. She gave no details. But she was adamant that you shouldn't be alone. She's very concerned about you, and so am I. And I can feel Drew's anxiety and stress about leaving you. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But it might help take some of the burden off your shoulders to talk about it. And if you don't want me to tell the other girls, it's safe with me."
Cherry took a deep breath trying not to tear up, "I don't want Drew hearing this either. He's had enough on him, and if I am going crazy, I don't want this to drag him down." Christine put her hand on her knee, "Hey! Whatever it is, you're not going crazy. And Drew will not hear it from me, but I really think you need to talk to him about whatever it is." Cherry nodded, "I will, but I think you are the only one that could possibly understand what I'm about to tell you." Taken aback, Christine said, "OK. This sounds intense. But I'm here for you. Talk to me."
Cherry got up and started pacing as she spoke, "When I was a little girl, I discovered I was a sensitive. I didn't know what that was at the time. I just knew that I could see and even talk to ghosts. I guess they could sense this because it happened a lot. I would try to help them as best as I could. But I had to train myself to shut out my feelings when I was a teenager because of… Phil." Christine groaned, "Ugh! That dumb fuck!"
Cherry continued, "He threatened to beat the shit out of me, telling me to stop it because it was all a stupid lie. So, I did. I didn't feel or see anything for a long time. Then we went to Scotland. I don't know if that door in my mind opened up because I'm now happy with Drew or because the energy there is so ripe, but my sensitivity has come back. And it has big time. I've been seeing this ghost around the jukebox, Chris."
Christine's eyes widened, "What? Like, how do you mean?" Cherry said "It started the night Drew brought it home. It was just playing a song on the jukebox in the middle of the night at first. But last night, not only did I see this girl's reflection in the glass… Chris, I saw her in here last night! The same time as the night before. But this time, she was out of the jukebox, standing here in my living room. She was crying about some guy named Bobby. When I tried to console her, my hand went right through her. She said, 'Help me', then she disappeared back into the jukebox. I've been trying to convince myself I've been dreaming or I'm going crazy, but I'm not. She is real, and she needs my help."
When she began to cry, Christine took her into a tight embrace. She whispered, "Shh! You're OK. And I don't think you're crazy at all. But my concern is for these babies, Cher. I told you I'd do anything to protect them and I meant it. I don't think it's wise to get caught up in this right now. You need all the energy you can spare for them. The ghost can wait. It's obviously been there for a while, so she can wait until you deliver them. And then, we'll figure out a way to help. Please promise me you won't do this."
Cherry sniffed and nodded, "You're right. My babies will always come first. I'll retrain my brain to block it out until I can help. I did it before, and I can do it again. I guess I just needed to hear you say it. I just…" Christine smiled, "You just have a kind and giving heart, just like that doofy Scottish bro of mine. Helping people is second nature to you. And I'm sure this ghost, whoever she is, senses it. But we can't let anything harm these two, even if it's not her intention."
Cherry nodded in resolution, "I know. These twins are such a miracle. I can't let anything go wrong with this pregnancy." Christine put her arm around her, "And it won't. Not if either of us can help it. Look, let's have a real sleepover. I know I'm not a large Scotsman, but I'll sleep in the same bed with you tonight. I'll be there in case she tries to contact you. Plus, we can watch cheesy movies, gorge ourselves on popcorn, and I can go into your closet and count the big doof's t-shirts. Deal?"
Cherry laughed, "Deal! And I think he's up to twenty-five now." Christine marveled, as they got up from the couch and led Cherry to the stairs, "Oh good grief! He must've used those birthday gift card finally. Now, go take yourself a nice shower and I'll pop the popcorn." Cherry said as she ascended the staircase, "Sounds like a plan. And Chris, thank you for believing me." Christine joked, "Eh, if you need someone to understand some ooky spooky supernatural stuff, I'm your girl."
Just as she reached her bedroom and started removing her clothing, Cherry's cell phone started with the familiar ringtone. "Out of time…so say goodbye…" She smiled as she answered the video call, "It's like you know I'm taking my clothes off, Baby." Drew's handsome face appeared, with pursed lips and a raised eyebrow, "Looks like I'm just in time. Please continue!"
Cherry rolled her eyes and smiled, "Have you had your match yet?" He said, "Nah. Getting ready ta go out and beat the shit out of Corbin again. I just wanted ta check in on ya." She sat on her bed, now clad only in her bra and panties. She sighed, "I'm good. Christine and I had a great day. We got our nails done and went shopping. She's staying tonight, downstairs making popcorn. But I'm sure you already knew that though."
Drew nodded, "I'm just glad yer not there alone. I miss ya, my Love." She grinned, "I miss you too, Baby. And I assure you I'm fine. Don't feel guilty about doing your job, Drew. We established a long time ago that I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself." He interjected, "Aye, yer a big girl. But yer also carrying my babies. Just humor me when I feel overprotective, please."
She laughed, "OK, fair enough. I'm going to hop in the shower now. Text me and let me know how it goes tonight." He gave her the same dimpled grin that always made her melt, "I will. And give my babies a belly rub bafer bed fer me. I love you, Cherry." She sighed, "I love you too, Drew. Oh and, before you go, something to dream about." She reached around her back, unhooked her bra, and let him a peek at her full, large breasts. He growled, "I swear, I'm gonna tear yer ass up when I get home!" She looked into the phone and smirked, "Promises, promises! Nightie night, Baby.", and hung up.
After a relaxing warm shower, three terrible movies with Christine and a ton of popcorn, Cherry was sleeping soundly with Christine by her side. It was the first night in a long time she felt truly at peace. She had resigned herself to take her recovery from all the mental bullshit left in the aftermath in Scotland seriously. She focused on the positives: finding out she was pregnant, marrying the love of her life in a beautiful ceremony, reuniting with Krystal.
Above all, she meditated and set her mental boundaries back in place towards the paranormal beings that may try to invade her mind. She had no choice but to put those walls back up. She wanted to help whoever this girl in the jukebox was, but she would have to wait. Her own physical and mental wellbeing was too important with these babies on the way. Clearing her mind helped that peaceful sleep come almost as soon as she and Phoenix turned out the light.
That's why it was so jarring when she was awoken by that song again. That muffled, gurgling song coming from downstairs. Cherry kept her eyes closed and took a deep breath. Even though she was trembling with fear, she didn't dare move a limb or make a sound, even to wake up Christine. She figured if she didn't acknowledge the noise, it would go away. She was dreaming, in a deep, peaceful sleep.
But then, the song got louder, now sounding like it was reverberating in a tunnel. Dottie West's voice was clear: "Here comes more misery/here comes old memories/here comes my baby back again" Cherry's eyes popped open with fear. "There is no way Christine is not hearing this!", she thought. She raised up to rouse her awake, hoping she would help calm her. Her voice quivered as she said, "Sis, wake up. It's that song…"
But after that, she couldn't even get out a squeak. Only short, panic-stricken breaths were able to escape her lips. She wanted to scream her lungs out, but no sound would come out of her mouth. Because sitting on her bed was her, the ghost from the jukebox, looking at Cherry with those large doe eyes, pleading, "Leslie, please help me!"