Chapter Nine

The Hickenbottom Residence

We're about to leave for the next city so we decided head on over to say goodbye to his parents. One thing led to another and we ended staying for breakfast. Miss Carol is a beast in the kitchen. Eggs, ham, bacon, grits, toast, biscuits and gravy... The table was full when we started, but once Shawn and Hunter dug in... I swear Hunter chewed and swallowed a piece of the table.

It's a good thing I had a bowl of cereal at the hotel. And his parents just acted like it was a normal Tuesday. " How do you tune that out? " I ask Carol gesturing towards the two vacuum cleaners.

" Oh honey, " she says laughing. " When Michael was in football in school he would have all of his teammates over at any given time. If you think they can eat you should see his friend Barry. I never had enough food in the house with him here. "

Shawn wipes his mouth with a napkin showing some signs of civility." I wonder how good old Barry is doing. "

" He got married a few years back according to his mama. " Carol tells him with a smile.

He nods. " Didn't he move to Alaska? "

" Yeah, he found good work and then fell in love with the fishermen's lifestyle. " Rick talks for the first time since we sat down to eat.

It has been weighing heavily on my mind the way he reacted to us showing up at first. I wonder what happened to make them grown so far apart. Back in the day, they were thick as thieves. We were always coming down here to visit on our days off. I wish they could get past whatever it is and get back to that.

Once all of the food has been consumed mostly by my guys I help Carol clear the table. My guys... I used to lump all of the members in the Kliq together as " my guys ". Especially in the ring. I don't like calling myself their manager, but that's what it usually came to. Me uptalking Shawn and then eventually Hunter as well in the ring to get the crowd to sway commissioner Slaughter's resolve. It usually ended with him giving us the match we wanted.

The men clean the table off and Carol and I wash the dishes before we have to head out. As I'm drying the last cup she says, " Do me a favor, Chloe... "

" Anything. " I say absently.

She turns my body towards her so she can look me in the eyes. " Love him well. He needs you. I think he always has. "

Wow. I was so not expecting that. I must admit, I really missed his parents. They're the nicest people

"Well... I've loved him this long, what's the rest of my life? " I sputter out.

She wipes her hands on her apron and says, " I think I speak for my husband and myself when I say we'd be honored to have you back in the family where you belong. This time maybe as a daughter? "

" Oh, I don't know... Not for a while at least, we just got back together. And he just got divorced. " I say nervously.

I don't need her planting this seed in my head.

She gives me a knowing look. " Don't make him wait too long dear. I know my son and when he sets his mind to it, he goes for it. "

" I'm glad he got you back in his life darlin'. We all missed ya around here. "

Shawn's POV

Hunter is literally blowing up the bathroom in the back of the house so I head out to the garage where I know dad is. No one deserves to be in fifty feet of Hunter when he's doing that.

" Hey, dad we'll be heading out soon. " I call from the door to not scare him.

As usual, there's silence when I directly address him. Things have been like this for years. Since I left the company because of my back really. And I know exactly why. I wasn't in the best mindset and every time Chloe called I'd refuse to talk to her. I wasn't raised to be rude to women, but I couldn't talk to her knowing that she was still on the road and having matches. It was selfish I know.

Then I forced myself to date Rebeccah to prove that the woman I left wasn't my soul mate. That I didn't need her to be happy. I was a damn fool. He never let me forget it either. Rebeccah and I didn't come around very often after our first Christmas with the family before we got married. Mom and dad were very attached to Chlo with good reason, not only is she amazing, but she had been here for Christmas for three years in a row, and all of a sudden I come traipsing in with someone else.

" Do me a favor and pass me that wrench over there. " I shake the memories and grab the damn thing. " Do me another favor, son... " he says still not looking up from under the hood.

Handing him the wrench I ask, " What dad? "

" Don't mess it up this time. She isn't getting any younger and shouldn't have to go through what you did to her again. " He says honestly, looking me in the eyes for the first time this trip.

Shaking my head I say, " I've been beating myself up about it for six years. This time it's different. She's the only one I want to be with. Always has been if I'm honest. "

He tightens his lips and nods. " Good. Now, don't you keep her waiting too long for a ring ya hear? "

" You mean this one? " I ask pulling the small ring box out of my pocket. The same small ring box I bought almost nine years ago and sat in my safe deposit box for almost as long.

He gives me a watery smile and claps his hand on my shoulder. " Come on and say goodbye to your mama. She goes crazy with you out on the road all of the time. "

" I know, but Chloe looks after me pretty well. " I tell him if only for him to tell mom when she worries.

July 23rd, 2006

Ring Ring Ring

Jumping up in bed I wipe my eyes and look at the clock. Slowly glancing at the bright screen I see that it's Hunter calling.

" Hunter, it's three in the morning. " I groan.

Steph's in labor so if you don't want to miss it I suggest you get up and meet us at the hospital ASAP.

That wakes me up real quick. " I can be three in forty-five. "

Do me a favor and tell Shawn he has to hold down the fort on RAW. I need you here and I don't have time to call him too. We have to leave now.

" Okay, I'll see you soon. I love you. " I say before hanging up.

I'm going to be an auntie! I quickly change into some sweats and run over to Shawn's room and knock vigorously. After a few moments, I hear footsteps before the door opens to reveal the Heart Break Kid.

" What's wrong Chlo? It's the middle of the night. " He asks shielding his face from the light.

" Stephanie is going into labor and I have to head to the hospital. Hunter is freaking out and said to tell you that you have to hold down the fort tonight. "

He finally hears that through his sleepy shape. " Oh! Okay, yeah I can do that. A niece for you huh? "

" Yeah, I'm glad I didn't get to unpack. I have to get going, but I'll be back by the time you do hopefully. " I say coming in to hug him.

He hugs me back and rests his face in my neck. " I'm gonna miss you all day. "

" Me too. But it's just one day Mr. Icon. I love you. " I say kissing his lips sweetly.

Pulling me back he gives me a serious look. " I love you too, now go on and get to Hunter. "

24 Hours Later

" Oh baby Aurora, you are the most precious thing. " I tell my brand new niece as I rock her back and forth while humming a little tune.

Steph did great! Her labor only lasted five hours and here she is. Perfect little Aurora Rose Levesque. I'm in love with her already. I already took a bunch of pictures and sent them to Shawn and Arly, who's been training really hard up in Alberta. She's in love with the tiny human as well as mad that she missed it.

I smile down at her before saying, " you are going to be so loved by everyone little girl. I promise that no matter how pushy your mom gets or how hard-headed your dad does... I'll always be here for you. No judgments or anger just patience and understanding do you hear me? "

" Yeah she hears you, she just thinks you're nuts. " Hunter jokes still having that proud father look on his face.

Steph taps my shoulder and I hand the bundle back to her. " She really is lovely you two. I'm so happy for you both. "

" It'll be you in here one sis. You're too awesome to not have children of your own. " Hunter says hugging me once more.

Willing tears away from my eyes I say nothing. I don't know what the future holds, but I'd love to be a mother. Have a few children that all have the horrendous last name, Hickenbottom. I'd think he'd like that.

Thinking about the future, I can't wait to share it with the love of my life.