Daughter of the Deadman
Chapter 2: Promises Kept
Angel Calaway sat up with a start. She did it just in time to see something run at her. Angel rubbed her eyes and hugged her baby sister Lea, laughing the whole time. It was Lea's first day of the second grade and Angel had promised her that she would be home so that she could do her hair and walk her to school. She had wrestled at a WWE Raw house show the night before and then gotten on a plane and come straight home. When she had arrived home, Lea was sound asleep already. Now, the little girl was wide awake, hugging her big sister. Except she wasn't so little anymore. She was seven now with shoulder length black hair and Angel's green eyes. In fact, the two looked more like Mother and Daughter then sisters.
"Hi, baby Lea. Have you been good for Daddy?" Angel asked.
"Yep. But I missed you lots." Lea said.
"I missed you too, Baby Lea." Angel said.
"Angel, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm seven..." Lea said.
"I know, sweetheart, but you're always going to be Baby Lea to me." Angel said.
"I am?" Lea asked.
"Yep. And you're always going to be Little One to Daddy." Angel said.
Lea beamed. She jumped off Angel's bed and Angel got up. They went downstairs to find her Dad cooking breakfast. Only the pictures showed exactly how much time had passed. It had been five years since Angel had been reunited with her real father and he had decided to take Lea as well. Angel was twenty-two now and she had spent roughly half of that time in what could only be described as a living nightmare. She had been adopted by Amber and Jason Clarke when she was a month old after her real Mom, Bethany Calaway had given her up. Amber was the kindest person she had ever met in her life, but Jason was the polar opposite. He was abusive not only to Angel, but to Amber as well.
There had been one incident when she was two, but Angel couldn't remember it. She had walked into the room as Jason was holding Amber to the wall, choking her out. Angel had screamed and Jason had gone after her, slapping her and telling her to shut up or it would be worse. According to everyone else, that was when it really started, but Angel couldn't remember any abuse that happened then, if there was any. For her, it had all started when she was four and it had lasted until she had found her real father in two-thousand-nine, right before her seventeenth birthday. She had suddenly gone from being hurt and beaten every day to being treated like a person. Both her and Lea were slightly spoiled. Looking back on it, Angel wondered how she had managed to survive it.
Lea sat down at the table. Angel set the table and then helped her Dad lay out breakfast. Then she sat down and helped Lea to put together a plate. She put together a plate for herself and started eating. That was one thing she hated about being on the road a lot was that it meant very little home cooked food and she did miss it sometimes. When she looked up after a minute, she noticed that Lea looked upset. However, Taker spoke up first.
"What's wrong, Lea?" Taker asked.
"I miss Wyatt." Lea said.
"You just talked to him yesterday, Little One." Taker said.
"I know, but he's my best friend and he hasn't been to visit in a while because he lives far away." Lea said.
Angel nodded. She knew that Wyatt was Lea's best friend in the whole world. Wyatt was Angel's Godson. He was the son of her best friend Kristy and her boyfriend Adam Copeland, known as Edge in the wrestling world. The two of them had lived with Taker and Lea for a long time due to Kristy's issues with her family, but about a year ago, Kristy had finally decided to take a big step and move in with him, taking Wyatt to Tampa, Florida with her. Lea had been upset about it for a while.
"Don't worry, Lea. You'll see Wyatt again soon." Angel said.
"I hope so. And...you have to leave again soon, right Angel?" Lea asked.
"Yeah. I'm leaving tonight and meeting up with the other WWE Superstars in San Antonio." Angel said.
"Do you have to go back so soon?" Lea asked.
"I'm afraid so, Baby Lea. Things are getting pretty crazy and I'm needed, but don't worry. I'm getting a break soon and so is Kristy. I'll see if I can get her to come visit for a few days anyway." Angel said.
"But I don't want you to go back! I want you to stay here!" Lea said.
"Little One, we've been through this already, kiddo." Taker said.
"I know, Daddy, but I hate it when she leaves. It always makes me sad." Lea explained to him.
"I know it does, baby Lea. And I don't like leaving you either. But unfortunately, it's the price of being in the WWE. Kristy doesn't like leaving Wyatt either. She cries more now on the road now then she ever did." Angel said.
"Poor girl. She's torn between being a Mom and being a Diva." Taker said.
"Daddy, do you miss Angel when she leaves?" Lea asked.
"Of course I do. And...I worry about her too." Taker said.
"Don't worry about me, Daddy. I'm a big girl." Angel said.
"I've seen how crazy things are getting. I do watch you know. Makes it easier for me to slide back in when I come back. Not to mention it makes Lea feel better about you being gone when she sees you on TV." Taker said.
"Yep. And I get to see Kristy too. She hasn't been doing so well..." Lea said.
"She seems to be on the losing end more often than not." Taker said.
Angel nodded. Kristy had really been struggling lately. Leaving Wyatt was never easy for her. Just then, Angel's cell phone went off. There were two text messages there. One was David telling her that she loved her. The other was from Kristy. All it said was "Call me". Angel sighed. She told Lea that she had to phone Kristy, but that Taker would help her to get dressed. She dialled Kristy's number as Lea and Taker left the kitchen.
"Kristy, I'm supposed to be home to help Lea get ready for her first day of school. Are you OK?" Angel asked.
"Uncle Owen just got a call from Vince. Hunter wants to face him tonight." Kristy said.
"WHAT?! OK. Hang on alright? I'll do what I have to do here and be in San Antonio as soon as I can. I swear." Angel said.
"Thanks, Ang. So...how are Uncle Taker and LeLe?" Kristy asked.
"Well, Daddy's restless as usual. He's always like that when he's off the road. And Lea is missing Wyatt a lot even though she talks to him every day. You'll have to bring him by when we get a break." Angel said.
"Yeah, he's been missing her too. You might want to inform Uncle Taker about what's happening tonight. Something tells me this has something to do with what happened to you." Kristy said.
"That was five years ago for goodness sake. I'm over it. And I can't tell Daddy. He'll show up there! He's supposed to be relaxing...ha ha." Angel said.
"Yeah, I know. We all have. Sorry for speculating about it. Guess we'll find out tonight. I got the pun. You and I both know that Uncle Taker doesn't relax. He's as bad as Adam." Kristy said.
"No kidding. Hey, I gotta run. Lea's hollering at me here." Angel said.
"Alright. Tell her I say hi. And I'll see you tonight." Kristy said.
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Promise." Angel said.
Kristy agreed and they hung up. Angel went upstairs, trying not to worry. However, her eyes must have shown something because as soon as she went into Lea's room, Taker asked her what was wrong. Angel sighed and told him it was nothing, but that didn't work. Angel should have known. That never worked with him.
"OK. OK. Owen got a call from Vince. He's facing Hunter tonight. They're thinking that it's got something to do with what happened to me five years ago. Remember what Owen said? That if Hunter hurt me, he'd face him?" Angel said.
"I remember that. But why now?" Taker asked.
"I don't know. But I made a promise to Lea that I'd walk her to school on her first day and I'm going to. Then I'm going to San Antonio. I'd hate to leave right away, Daddy...but..." Angel said.
"I know, Baby Girl, but the Harts need you. I understand and besides, you and Kristy will both be here in a few weeks so I can see the two of you." Taker said.
"OK." Angel said.
She sat Lea down and braided her hair. Lea sat still and when Angel finished, Lea turned around and hugged her. Angel was shocked when she realized Lea was crying. Angel wondered if she was upset by what she had just heard.
"Lea...it's OK." Angel said.
"But I was hoping to spend time with you when I got home from school!" Lea said.
"I know, Baby Lea, but Kristy and the others need my help." Angel said.
"Krissy always needs your help!" Lea said.
"Lea..." Taker said.
"Kristy always has to have Angel there to help her! It's not fair! Because of her, Angel has to leave!" Lea said.
"Lea, I know you're upset, but please...it's not Kristy's fault." Angel said.
"I know, but whenever Kristy calls, you go running! She's not your family, we are!" Lea snapped.
"Lea...you don't understand..." Angel said, quietly.
"Little One, I think it's time we tell you why the Harts are so important to Angel." Taker said.
Lea nodded. Angel sat down on the bed and Lea climbed up and sat beside her. Angel was sure that now that Lea was older, she would probably understand better.
"When I was growing up, I didn't live with Daddy. Mama Beth gave me up for adoption. I was basically given to people whose jobs are to find kids good homes. Only...my home wasn't so good. Amber—my adopted Mom—was a sweetheart, but my supposed Dad Jason...well, he had a lot of fun hurting me. And if it wasn't for Kristy and her family, I wouldn't be sitting here with Daddy...or you because I would be with Mama Beth in Heaven right now. So, whenever Kristy or Bret or any of the Harts ask me for help, I do it right away because they helped me so much." Angel said.
"Oh...Angel...I'm...I didn't know...I didn't mean...I'm sorry." Lea said.
"It's alright, Baby Lea. I understand. I know you miss me a lot when I'm not here. You've always been that way from the time you were little. You used to scream at the top of your lungs if I went away." Angel said.
"I did?" Lea asked.
"Yeah you did, so I understand. But I said I'd come home to be here today and I'm not going to be gone too long and when I come back, I'll bring Kristy, Adam, and David with me." Angel said.
"And Owen and Wyatt too?" Lea asked.
"Wyatt for sure. Owen, I don't know. He has his own children and a wife at home, so he's probably going to go there." Angel said.
"OK!" Lea said with a smile.
Angel beamed and Lea hugged her sister. It was then that Angel noticed she was wearing a tank top and jeans just like she usually did. Angel laughed. Lea smiled and grabbed her backpack. She ran downstairs to put on her shoes. Angel went and got dressed. Then she went downstairs. Taker laughed when he saw that the two of them looked more alike than ever given that they were dressed the same and both of them had their hair braided.
Lea walked over and gave her Dad a hug and kissed his cheek. Then Angel left the house and walked with Lea to the school just down the street. Angel waited with her until the bell rang, but Lea grabbed hold of her hand. She didn't want her to leave. Angel sighed. They had gone through this every year since Lea had started school.
"Baby Lea...we go through this every year, sweetheart..." Angel said.
"I know. I just don't want you to leave." Lea said.
"I know, Lea. But I've got to go. Besides, with the way Daddy is, I get the feeling I'll be seeing you tonight." Angel said.
"Are you sure?" Lea asked.
"I've got this feeling." Angel said.
Lea nodded. She gave Angel one last hug and then ran inside. Angel wondered how it was for Lea to be at school. She thought about it as she walked home and when she walked inside, she found Taker sitting there. He looked up worriedly, but it gave way to relief when he saw Angel there.
"Sorry. She didn't want me to leave." Angel said.
"Not surprising. She doesn't see you much." Taker said.
"I feel bad about that, Daddy. Really I do. By the way, how is school for her? Has she...had any problems?" Angel asked.
"It's alright. She has several friends already. One of them is a little girl who Lea says reminds her a lot of Kristy. She's deaf, but has the hearing aids and she's always watching Lea's back. I believe she said the girl's name was Sienna." Taker said.
"That's great. She's doing a lot better than I was. I had Jennifer back then and that was it." Angel said, rolling her eyes.
"I think the only problem she has is that a few people have made fun of her because she looks like you...and me. A few people have called her a freak, but that's all. It only happened once." Taker said.
"Really?" Angel asked.
"Yeah. She's doing fine, baby girl. Really." Taker said.
"Good." Angel said.
"Are you alright, baby girl?" Taker said.
"I'm just thinking.." Angel said.
"About what?" Taker asked.
"I'm just...wondering if being in WWE is worth it. It's taking a toll on me physically and mentally and poor David is stuck there because he doesn't want to leave me." Angel said.
"Well if you feel like retiring you can. Between you and me, you're not the only one who is thinking about leaving." Taker said.
"I'll finish up to my break and if I don't want to go back after that then I won't." Angel said.
"Sounds good to me, baby girl, but what else is bothering you? And don't lie. It's written all over your face." Taker said.
"I'm just worried about this match with Hunter. It's been years since he tried to go after the Harts. Why is he doing it now?" Angel asked.
"I don't know. My guess? He wanted them to think they were perfectly safe and wait for his moment..." Taker said.
"You mean like you do?" Angel asked.
"Hey, at least I don't have completely stupid reasons for going after people, baby girl. And lately, they've been gunning for me and not the other way around." Taker said.
"OK. OK. Fair point. And you're probably right. Hunter is smart...smarter than he would have everyone think anyway." Angel said.
"Not to mention this might have something to do with Shawn and Bret making up." Taker said.
"Well, whatever the reason I need to get my sorry butt to San Antonio and be there for Kristy." Angel said.
"I'll meet you there once Lea gets out of school." Taker said.
"Daddy...you're supposed to be...oh, never mind. There's no point in trying to talk you out of it. It won't do any good." Angel said with a sigh.
"You're right there, baby girl. And plus Vince needs to talk to me anyway. Something about me coming back earlier than normal." Taker said.
"Daddy..." Angel said.
"Let me guess. The next thing out of your mouth is going to be that Lea needs to go to school and she needs some stability...right?" Taker asked.
"I'm not even going to ask..." Angel said.
"Look, baby girl, you're right. I agree with you. But you know how it works. Vince calls and we go." Taker said.
"I know." Angel said.
"OK. You get going. Say hi to the others for me, but don't tell them I'm coming. I kind of want to surprise Kristy." Taker said.
Angel agreed. She went upstairs and repacked her suitcase, putting fresh clothes and other things in it. Then she headed downstairs and gave her Dad a hug and a kiss. He told her to keep safe and to watch out for her Uncle. Angel sighed but agreed. She still wasn't used to the idea of her Uncle turning on her. It was part of the reason why being in the WWE wasn't as fun as it used to be. Angel sent Kristy a text, letting her know that she was on her way. Then she left the house.
Three hours later, Angel pulled into the AT&T Centre in San Antonio. She didn't know why, but she felt tired. It was probably because she hadn't stopped at all on the way. She just drove, knowing that Kristy needed her there. She got past the security guards and walked to the locker room as fast as she could. When she walked into the locker room, she had just enough time to set her bag down before Kristy jumped all over her, saying thank you repeatedly and hugging her.
"Hey, hey, let the girl breathe, Kris." David said with a laugh.
"Angel, tell me you didn't drive right from Houston to here. Did you stop at all along the way?" Bret asked.
"Uh...well...no, Bret. I didn't. I came right from home to here." Angel said.
"I told you not to call her, Kristy." Bret said.
"Bret, calm down. It's not like it's that long of a drive. It's about three hours is all. You need to take a chill pill." Angel said.
"Right. Sorry, Krissy." Bret said.
"Don't apologize now, Bret." Kristy snapped.
"Are you two fighting again?" Angel asked.
"Long story short, sweetheart, Bret told Kristy not to call you because he thinks Kristy depends on you too much." David explained.
"Thanks, David." Bret said.
"And now, Bret, you should know better than to fight with Kristy." Angel said.
"I know. I know." Bret said.
"Is Lea mad at you?" Kristy asked.
"Well...she was...but I explained to her why it is that I care about you all so much. She was shocked when I told her about Jason. I don't think she understood it very well when she was younger even though she tried to." Angel said.
"It's not easy for people to understand that kind of thing unless they've been there." David said.
"I lived it and I still don't get it, but anyway...have you heard from Adam today?" Angel asked.
"He called this morning...Wyatt was upset that I wasn't there for his very first day of school...I wish I could have been..." Kristy said.
"I know, Kristy, but he'll understand." Angel said.
"I hope so. I...just feel like I'm a bad Mom. I should be home. Wyatt and Adam should come before my job..." Kristy said.
"I was telling Daddy that earlier. That I felt like I wanted to quit." Angel said.
"The thing is, neither of you would know what to do with yourselves if you quit." Bret said.
"I'd write." Kristy said.
"And I'd be an artist." Angel said at the same time.
"OK. Never mind then." Bret said.
"It would be being off the road that would be hard for us though." Kristy said.
"Especially for you." Angel said.
Just then, Kristy's phone went off. Almost immediately, Angel's went off too. Angel had a text message there from Taker. She laughed. It was still weird, getting text messages from her Dad, but at the same time it was nice. Angel read it over and put her phone back in her pocket. When she looked up, she was startled to see Kristy was in tears. Angel looked at her phone and saw a picture there of Wyatt in his new outfit with his backpack on. He was grinning from ear to ear. Angel gave Kristy a hug. David was about to ask what was wrong, but Angel handed him the phone before he could speak. It wound up being passed around the room.
"Krissy..." David said.
"He picked his Hart Foundation outfit." Kristy said.
"That just means he's proud of his family..." Angel said.
"Angel's right. That means he's proud of the fact that he's a Hart, kiddo." Bret said.
"I know, but I really wanted to be there to help him pick it out. But he knew." Kristy said.
"Of course he did." Angel asked.
Kristy beamed. She was happy and proud all at once and she was thankful for the fact that Adam had sent her the picture. Everyone else was smiling too. It was a nice start to the day. It had been busy and hectic in the WWE lately and today was probably going to be no different.