Update after almost two months. So sorry readers. This one is a long one for you!
"Bane, no!" Yelena exclaimed as the rambunctious pup damn near took her leg out from under her as he scurried out the front door and out onto the street.
Yelena dropped the bag of groceries on her front porch, most likely cracking the eggs she had purchased and smashing a loaf of bread and hurried after the Great Dane running madly around the streets
"Bane! Damn it." She cursed watching him dodge an oncoming car, sighing in relief when it swerved and missed him just barely. The crazy lunatic was going to get himself hit!
She ran after him, grabbing ahold of the massive dog. He had grown like a weed in the past few weeks and she wouldn't be able to pick him up at all soon. He was getting heavy and the bump in her belly wasn't getting any smaller
"Bad!" She scolded, carrying him back to the front door. She set him down, panting slightly. He mad a move to dart and she grabbed ahold of the collar around his thick neck "Ostat'sya!" She said firmly, daring him to move.
His ears folded back at her tone and he plopped down obediently
"You have got to be kidding me Bane. You can't go running into the street like that! That truck could have killed you, you big brute."
He responded by cocking his head to the left, clearly confused
"And you don't understand a word I'm saying do you?" She muttered, Her hand fell to the bump in her middle, rubbing it soothingly as she tried to steady her breathing.
She had been so busy trying to carry the little monster back into the safety of their home, that she didn't notice that the SUV that had almost made Bane road kill had pulled into her driveway.
"Yelena?"
Bane let out a warning back at the intruder
She froze, turning almost in slow motion. She squinted in the bright sunlight, making out the six foot seven frame walking towards her. It was only when he was standing in front of her that a smile bloomed across her face and he smiled a crooked grin back
"Holy shit!" She said, standing on her tip toes to throw her arms around the Englishman "You almost killed my dog Barrett!" She half joked
"It's not my fault, he ran out into the bloody street!" Wade laughed, picking her up
Bane let out a deep growl, his grey eyes fixed on the man who was too comfortable in his master's personal space.
Yelena shot him a warning glances and he pipped down the noise
"I think he would have done more damage to my truck."
Yelena laughed
"I almost didn't recognize you, your hair is different."
She grinned "You live near by?"
"Yeah, four doors down actually." He noted, stepping back to get a good look at her "You look great."
"So do you. When did you get back in the states?" She remembered Rosa saying something about how the Brit had been stuck in Liverpool over visa issues
"I would have been back sooner. Blokes were giving me a hard time. Enough about me. Congratulations are in order I assume?" He said looking downward
Yelena realized what he was referring to. It was beyond hot outside, damn near a hundred degrees and she didn't have it in her to throw on anything with sleeves. She was clad only in a pair of shorts and a thin form fitting tank top, the roundness to her stomach on clear display. She nodded in response
"Well that explains a lot. You disappearing and everything."
She folded her arms around herself, hoping to shield her secret from further attention "You don't know the half of it."
This was so weird, but she knew that people were going to find out. She couldn't hide from the world forever.
She would rather it be someone like Wade rather than a big mouth who would tell everyone who would listen.
"So you live here in Tampa now?" Wade asked, changing the subject easily
"Yeah..." Yelena said awkwardly
"Well I'm glad. It's good to see that you are doing well. I asked Rosa about you after you left."
"Yeah, I stayed with her for a while. She's... The only one who knows."
Wade nodded "You look radiant." He said genuinely "Pregnancy suits you."
She couldn't stop the blush from staining her cheeks and ducked her head shyly. Why was she responding this way? It was just a simple compliment, a sweet one, but a simple compliment. She had forgotten how to accept one.
"Thank you."
Bane whined, demanding attention and Wade checked the watch on his wrist
"I should get going, I have a meeting with Hunter in an hour. We should catch up sometime. Maybe grab a bite to eat?"
He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed to her
She programmed her number in and handed it back.
"I'll give you a ring. We'll have lunch sometime."
"Sure."
"It was good seeing you love." He shot her another one of his adorably crooked grins before turning to leave
She waved as he started his car and pulled away with a honk. She smiled as she ushered Bane back into the house, shutting her door and arming the alarm system.
So now a grand total of five people knew where she was all in a matter of a few short months. It was only a matter of time before the jig was up and her secret was out
"Lucy, I'm home!" Ambrose sang loudly from the foyer as he let himself into Yelena's place
She sat up abruptly on her couch where she had dozed off and was snoozing peacefully before the Hounds barged in.
She had received a text an hour ago that he and Seth were stopping by before they got on the road. She had just gotten home and was beyond tired. She didn't even remember falling asleep.
"There's my baby momma." The shaggy haired man said, jumping over the back of her couch, jolting her as he landed beside her
She had finally gotten around to telling the guys that she was expecting and they had happily congratulated her without question.
Well, Ro and Seth had. Dean, of course, said something about "neutering the bastard who had done it to her with a rusty pair of scissors."
Rollins ruffled her hair on his way to the kitchen "What's for lunch?"
"You know, I'm beginning to think that you animals think I'm entitled to feeding you every time you come here." She yawned
"Sounds about right." Dean said, resting his head in her lap.
The alarm chimed as Seth slid the glass door open to let Bane in "What's up you beast, you."
Hurried footsteps sounded as the dog skidded around the corner, making a beeline for his owner. Lucky for her, he noticed Dean first, licking him from nose to hairline in one clean, wet swipe
"Aargh!" Dean groaned, sitting up, wiping his face
Bane place his massive paws on the man's shoulders, licking him happily
"Bane, knock it off." Yelena laughed.
The overgrown pup settled down without a fuss.
Dean wiped his face, giving him the evil eye "But seriously, where's our food woman?"
"I know I promised to feed you guys, but I didn't get around to it. I fell asleep when I got home." She told them apologetically "But there is some leftover-"
Seth backtracked into the kitchen just as Dean shot off of the couch.
Yelena smiled, stretching her arms above her as she shook off the lingering feel of sleep. Getting up, she picked up her shoes that were carelessly kicked off near the couch along with her laptop case which was overstuffed with important papers and took them upstairs, Bane close on her heel.
When she was finished putting her things away, she changed into a pair of comfy yoga pants.
She returned downstairs to find Seth and Dean taking up her whole couch, eating in front of the TV.
She was going to miss her guys when they left to go on the road. Roman was spending his last few hours with his fiancé and daughter, he arrived an hour later to pick them up, so at least she got to see them off.
"Be safe." She told them as they smushed her in between them in a tight embrace "Text me and let me know you guys made it to El Paso, I don't care what time it is." She told Roman sternly
"Try not to get any rounder while we're gone." Seth joked, climbing into the back seat of the SUV.
"No promises, the way this kid is growing." She said, rubbing the bump in her middle "I'll be a house next time you guys see me."
"And you'll still be my favorite MILF no matter how huge you get." Dean assure her with a wink as he climbed into the passenger seat.
"Gee, thanks Ambrose." She said through a fake smile
Ro got behind the wheel and buckled up "Go get some rest Baby Girl, you've been on your feet all day."
She was sad to see them go, waving until they turned the corner and shuffled back into the house. Rosa was absent and now her guys were gone. It was times like these when she missed being on the road. She missed her hectic schedules and losing herself in a project. The live events and the energy of the crowds.
Aside from all the drama in the past year, she missed her old life dearly.
But she had to keep on, so the dull tasks assigned to her would have to do for now. She kept her nose in her work and settled into the routine of working and going home to her dog who welcomed her within open paws.
On a particular rainy day, she stood in the archway of the bulging, cursing herself for not grabbing her umbrella out of the car when a hand lightly touched her elbow
"Not afraid of a little water are you?" Wade asked with that all too famous crooked grin
Lightning lit up the grey sky, a loud crack of thunder close behind it as the heavens poured.
"You call that a little bit of water?" She joked
He chucked, holding up an umbrella "Here, I'll walk you to your car."
"Thank you." She said graciously
He held the door open for her and they walked together to her car, where he waited for her to get in and closed the door behind her.
"You need a lift home?" she asked
"I was going to ride home with Graves a little later. Don't worry about me, I don't want to inconvenience you."
"Wade, you live four doors down from me, that's hardly an inconvenience. And knowing Corey, he'll be the last to leave."
The rain seemed to pick up and it was wetting his hair and shirt in a few places "Hop in before you get soaked out there" She told him
He didn't argue, rounding the car and settling in the passenger seat.
The ride was quite, the heavy rain pelting the windshield and the radio playing lowly filling the silence as she navigated through the streets with extreme cation. She loved Florida, but their weather was bipolar.
They were pulling in front of her house in no time.
"Want to come in?" She offered "just until the rain slows?"
"If you aren't too tired?"
"I still owe you lunch. I'll whip up something."
"I could never turn down a meal."
She cut the engine and they dashed the short distance up the drive and into the house, letting Bane in, settling him in the laundry room
She ended up making pot roast, which Wade had three helpings of. They caught up and he caught her up on things, current story lines and upcoming events.
Yelena was more engrossed than she should have been, considering she hadn't watched a show in months. The Money in the Bank pay-per-view was nearing on Sunday if her memory served her correctly.
Wade's phone buzzed next to his plate. He glanced at it before silencing it abruptly
"Sorry about that."
"It's fine." She assured "So who all is on the card for this Sunday?" She asked, taking a sip of water from her glass
He gave her a brief rundown of the matches and how they would be having two separate Briefcase matches this year instead of one. She had a brief fan girl moment when he informed her that Mr. Money in the Bank, Rob Van Dam would be making his in ring return. She was glad to hear that Randy and Punk would also be participating in the six man match.
AJ had a Divas Championship match against Kaitlyn and she couldn't be more proud.
They were debating on the winners of each match when his phone rang once more
"You want to get that?"
He sighed, drumming his fingers against the table indecisively before picking up the device "I'm going to regret doing this. Excuse me love." He said, finally answering the call, going out on the patio for privacy.
She collected their dishes and load the dishwasher to busy herself, glancing over at the glass door curiously when the Englishman raised his voice a bit at whoever was on the other line. She couldn't hear exactly what he was saying, so it wasn't like she was eavesdropping. Whoever it was must have really hit a nerve. She had never seen him so ticked. Deciding to mind her business, she but a pot of tea on and went into the laundry room to start a load of clothes to keep herself preoccupied.
She wrinkled her nose at the smell of wet dog that invaded her sensitive senses.
Bane, unaware of his offending odor, licked her bare foot in greeting
She sighed. He would need a bath. The forecast called for rain until the next day and she couldn't let him stay filthy over night or he would stink up the whole house. She dumped a pile of brights into the wash before going back into the kitchen just as Wade was re-entering through the sliding glass door
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Alicia." was all he had to say. He settled his large frame back into the chair at the table.
Yelena poured two mugs and slid back into her seat as well, feeling a bit awkward "I'm guessing you aren't on good terms with each other." She stated
The Brit snorted as her accepted his mug "That's a bit of an understatement. I don't understand why she won't give me any space to breathe."
"You know Alicia. She does have a habit of being pushy and obnoxious."
"Oh, you don't have to tell me." he laughed "I swear she makes me want to shake the hell out of her. Not that I ever would." He clarified
"Hey, you put up with that for a year and a half."
"Thank god I ended it when I did. I refuse to waste any more of our time when we could both clearly see that it wasn't going to work."
"Rosa told me she's still taking the split pretty hard. You are quite the heartbreaker Mr. Barrett." she teased lightly
He shot her a wicked grin "I could say the same about you, love." he countered smoothly "Jericho has been off his rocker these past few months."
She couldn't help but smirk. The cheeky bastard. He had her there. "Don't ask." She said, holding her cup out to him
"Don't tell." He toasted
Yelena grimaced at the photo attached to Wade's text
What the bloody hell is Silyodka Pod Shuboy?
xWade
Yelena fought the urge to chuckle
Why do you ask?
xYelena
Her phone dinged with a response after a few seconds
Graves dragged me to this Russian restaurant, he said it was the best thing on the menu. I don't trust him. Thought I'd get an opinion that counts
xWade
Lol it translate to "Herring Under Fur Coat". It's like a fish salad. Your stomach is strong I hope.
xYelena
Who are we texting?" Rosa asked, leaning over her shoulder, trying to take a peek
"Wade." Yelena told her, tucking her phone back into her purse and turning her attention back to the rack of baby clothes.
Rosa had suggested they go browse. She couldn't really pick anything out yet since she didn't know the gender of her baby, but she would be finding out soon and looking never hurt.
The Latina's features settled into somewhat of a scowl "Hmmm."
"What?" Yelena asked, holding up a cute little blue onesie that read "Stud" with a picture of a muffin under it.
"Nothing. That's cute." Rosa said, lamely trying to change the subject
"You've got something against Wade?" Yelena inquired
"Other than the fact that he broke one of my best friend's heart into itty bitty pieces and didn't have the decency and to tell her why? Not at all."
"Everything happens for a reason. Maybe he wanted to spare her feelings."
"Well I find it sketchy that he ignores her texts and calls but can text you all day. I don't think that's cool. You shouldn't be getting all buddy buddy with him for loyalty reasons."
Yelena raised an eyebrow "And where was Alicia's loyalty when Randy and I split?"
"In her defense, she knew Randy longer than you."
"That didn't mean she had to take sides. And it's not like Wade and I have become BFFs or something."
"I hope not. You know how jealous Alicia gets."
Yelena's mouth turned downward "It's not like I'm screwing him. We're neighbors."
"Good. Keep it that way. Less problems for us all."
She rolled her eyes. Since when did she owe it to Alicia to ostracize Wade because they had a nasty break up? Sure she and the Diva were friendly, but they weren't best friends. She didn't owe Alicia any loyalty whatsoever. In all actuality, her loyalty was to no one. She wasn't apart of the madness that goes on with the WWE main roster anymore. She could pick and choose who she wanted to be cordial with and not have anything to do with the next person. And right now, Wade was more of a friend to her than Alicia ever was.
So she enjoyed his company on occasions outside of work and they texted each other here and there. Barrett was as humble as they come and laid back. He was never one to draw attention to himself, which she liked, considering the lifestyle he lived, and he was genuinely kind hearted.
She was pretty sure if the roles were reversed, they would still be good friends. For instance, the fact that he hadn't uttered a word to his former pro and co-worker about her whereabouts and current condition said enough.
When she brought up the fact that Alicia could possibly be in her feelings about them hanging out, he brushed it off easily
"I could care less, to be honest. It's not like we're doing anything worth questioning."
"I told Rosa that and she told me not to get too chummy with you for 'loyalty reasons.'" Yelena said with a roll of her eyes
Now it was his turn to roll her eyes "Rosa needs to get a bloody life of her own."
"She's my best friend, I know she meant well." she said, getting up from the couch with her bowl. She had been craving Olivier, a Russian salad dish that her father use to make for her and her sisters for lunch after school when they were little. After his terrible experience, she figured she'd make him something that left a better taste in his mouth
"Seconds?" She asked, taking his empty bowl
"Of course."
She noticed that his eyes darted downward towards the sliver of exposed skin on her midsection and she adjusting her shirt over her bump self consciously.
How are you?" He asked
The simple question caught her slightly off guard "I'm fine, why do you ask?"
He stood, taking the bowls from her hands "Because you look exhausted. Sit. I'll get it."
She smiled, plopping back down on the couch, tucking her feet under her. It was true, she was tired, but that was nothing new. She was always tired these days. She's come home and pass out and be right back up in the middle of the night to raid the fridge and watch infomercials until it was time for work again. It was like her body was tired but her mind was a live wire, constantly overthinking. She couldn't remember the last time she had a good night's rest.
She had an appointment the following day with her OB/GYN and would discuss the issue with her.
Wade returned, his bowl full, spoon dangling in his mouth "So when do you find out what your having?" he asked, handing her half full back bowl back to her before digging into his own
"Not too much longer." She told him, lost in thought. She had zoned out for a second before she came back to earth and noticed he was watching her curiously
"Are you scared?"
"Terrified." She admitted shamelessly "I have to keep reminding myself that before the year is over with, a tiny living breathing person is going to be depending on me for everything. It's not about just me anymore. I mean... What if I don't have the motherly instinct?"
"You're the most nurturing person I know Yelena." He told her "You've got to have more faith in yourself for your little one's sake."
She smiled softly at him "And I'm doing this all on my own..." she said, touching her hand to her swollen stomach lightly "I've been stumbling though life lately. I don't want to be a screw up parent."
"You won't be. I've seen you go through so much hurt and kept smiling through it all. You might not think so, but you're a lot stronger than you believe."
"Yeah because tucking tail, quitting, and moving to another state was an admirable thing to do." She half joked
"Maybe it was. You needed a fresh start and you got it. Now is the time to build a new foundation for you and your little one. Who knows what the future holds. Positivity is key." He said, placing a gentle hand on top of hers "And you're not alone. You'll never be alone."
"Thanks Barrett." She said, feeling a certain warmness at his touch. Usually she felt uncomfortable with anyone touching or staring to hard at her for fear of them finding out about her barely kept secret, but with Wade, she felt at ease. He was easy to talk to without feeling like she was dumping her problems on him, like he's one of her girlfriends.
"We need more men like you in the world."
"Anytime. And sorry to let you down, but I'm one of a kind, love." he said, flashing that lopsided grin she was beginning to know all to well
"Sad but true." she agreed "Alicia was a lucky girl." The words came out before she could think about them and she didn't care
His grin widened and she smiled back
"Blue." She said, changing the subject "I've been seeing blue."
I almost forgot I had another sister."
"Hello to you too Val." Yelena laughed
"You haven't called in weeks, I was seriously considering telling everyone that you were in Florida and missing."
"Thank god that I called when I did. Who's Mom and Dad?"
"Worried sick about you. Mom has been interrogating me for weeks when dad finally let it slip to her that you moved out of the condo."
"How did she take the news?" Yelena asked
"Better than she took the news that not only did you move out of the condo, but out of state as well."
"What does she care? I'm everywhere else in the world but under her nose three hundred plus days of the year. Shes more concerned that I'm not under her thumb anymore."
"Well she's worried. She misses you. We all do."
"I miss you guys too." Yelena sighed heavily
They were silent for a few beats
"When are you coming back to visit? We haven't seen you since Thanksgiving and that was almost eight months ago. You were suppose to be home for your birthday."
"I know, I... My work was piling up and I was stressed out. I wouldn't have been any fun to be around."
"Well you're at least coming for dad's birthday right?"
"I'm trying my best to be there."
"I don't want you to try Lena, I want you to be here. Why are you flaking out. You don't want to see your family? I mean? I know we aren't the best bunch, but... We're all we've got."
Yelena ignored the moisture collecting in her eyes "I know." She managed to choke out "I know and I'm sorry. I'm just... Under a lot of stress right now Val and..."
"And what? Lena I can hear it in your voice that something is wrong. What's bothering you?"
She want to. She wanted to tell her sister everything. It was right there on the tip of her tongue to finally tell her everything. On her very long list of things to, telling her family about her unplanned pregnancy was at the very bottom. The idea of it was worse than Chris finding out she was still pregnant. Than the people she once called friends knowing. Her father would be disappointed, her mother ashamed. Irina would never let her live it down after she rubbed it in her face that she had Jericho under her thumb.
Karma was indeed, a bitch
"I'm fine Lisa. The move is just really taking a lot out of me, that's all. I'll get over it. Stop worrying, I'm fine out here. If you tell mom and dad where I am, I might have to kill you." she joked lightly, wiping the tears from her cheeks
"I'm still not buying it, but if you ever need anything, I'll fly out there. I'm serious whenever, no matter what. I don't like the idea of you alone by yourself."
"I know. Thank you Valilisa." she said
"Anything for you."
Welcome home." Chris muttered to himself as he hung up his jacket. The sound of his footsteps seem to echo throughout the empty house. Dropping his keys in the bowl in the foyer, her mounted the stairs with his bags, tossing them on his made up Cali king bed before returning downstairs to his office. Settling in the leather chair behind his desk, he noticed that the red light on the telephone was blinking, alerting him of new voicemails.
"You have eleven new messages." The automated voice monotoned
"Oh, I feel so popular." he said to no one in particular
He hit the delete key a few times not even bothering listening to a few of them. One of the recent ones was from his band mate, Rich Ward, checking in to make sure he made it home in one piece, which he appreciated. Skipping through the messages from WWE Headquarters and one from the Chairman himself, the very last message caught his attention
"Hey Chris. If you're just now getting this, I just missed you." The sultry voice he knew all too well said "A pity, I was really looking forward to seeing you. It's been far too long"
"Not long enough Jess." He scoffed, kicking his feet up on the mahogany wood desk. If he saw his ex wife tomorrow, it would be far to soon
"Thanks again for letting me stay at the house while I was in town. I cleaned up a bit for you and stocked the fridge. God I forgot what a slob you plants are watered and your mail is in the second drawer of your desk. Oh and I left a little something for you too.
His ears pricked up and he opened the second drawer, pulling out the thick stack of envelopes, flipping through them until he came across one with his name written in pink cursive. Tearing it open, he fought a smirk as he pulled out the lacy blue underwear.
"Hold on to those for me. They're my favorite pair. I'll see you soon."
The called ended and he shook his head, tossing the lace on the desk in front of him. He had made the mistake of sleeping with Jessica a few times after their divorce and she clearly got the wrong idea afterward. He had made it his mission in life to avoid her at all cost ever since. One slip up hardly meant that they were getting back together. He just didn't know how to break it to her without hurting her feelings. He had loved her at a point in time.
Sighing heavily, he shuffled through the rest of his mail. Bill after bill, he came across a envelope, thick and expensive feeling. Tearing it open, he pulled out the invitation
"You are hereby invited to attend the birthday celebration of John Cena." he read aloud. Judging by the looks of it, this party had Cena's significant other written all over it. Checking the date on it, he glanced at the giant calendar on the wall, noticing he was three days too late to RSVP.
Oh well. He was pretty sure he would be back on tour with Fozzy around the time of the party anyway. Cena would understand, his presence hardly missed.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. His age was starting to really catch up with him. It was a rarity that he was even home. He had gotten lucky that one of his shows cancelled due to the weather and he just so happened to be not too far from home. He was beyond burned out and starting to second guess his next run with the WWE. Sure it was fun and exciting to be back on the road and performing in front of millions, but his body was starting to get aches where it hadn't ached in years.
By no means was he getting any younger. It had been a fun ride to be back, but he knew the end was nearing. Nineteen years, traveling the world, a success in everything he touches, but despite the blessed life he was living, he'd lye awake at night, feeling incomplete.
Why couldn't he help but feel like a very important and noticeably large chunk of his life was still missing...
He shook his head in a failed attempt at clearing his thoughts and went over to the mini bar to pour himself a much needed shot of Fireball whiskey to take he edge off before his thoughts betrayed him.
Having a strong drink would keep his thoughts of her at bay. He had sworn to himself that he could go on with his life without her. Pretend she never existed. It was better for them both that way. He wanted desperately to forget her, but thoughts of her reared its ugly head without his consent regularly.
The memory of him going by her condo and finding out from her doorman that she had moved out a few weeks earlier made him cringe. He should have known she wouldn't be where he could find her. Oh no. Too obvious.
"Keep Drinking." He told himself
His chest burned, but the shock of finding out that she had actually resigned after their encounter on her birthday stung beyond repair even with the alcohol. It was just like her to run. A flash of anger flared in him. She was a coward. She couldn't even face him after what she had done to him.
To their child
He grit his teeth, pouring a mixture of Rum and Coke in his glass, watching the ice swirl, not feeling nearly as drunk as he wanted to be
"Keep drinking Jericho." he said, his voice seeming to echo throughout the big empty house, answering back with more silence "Keep drinking"
Nothing much to say besides thanks for reading and please bear with me. Haven't been very inspired and the reviews are lacking...