"So who is she?" asked Dean, walking behind the found family members. He was between Seth and Roman, all three strolling a few meters behind everyone else. The family meeting that had occurred mere moments ago was still on his mind. Roman's words, in particular, had stuck with him, how he'd made his previous stance of making up for his wrongdoings clear, even going as far as to reveal his mysterious prom date wasn't Serenity as most had assumed.
"Her name is Galina," Roman responded, a half smile appearing on his lips as he appeared lost in thoughts, happy thoughts on the mystery date. "She was my best friend in middle school, we reconnected when her family moved in next door, almost screwed my neck when I told her about life here," he added, recalling their friendship had started in preschool and continued throughout junior and middle school. They'd been inseparable once, until they went to different high schools and lost touch.
"You really are an idiot," worded Seth, shaking his head at the obvious. Dean had also noticed. "All this time you've been looking for your special someone while being blind to the fact she's been in front of you the entire time," he added with sincerity, upon the Samoan throwing an offended look in his general direction. "You said Dean and I met our matches here but failed to realize you already had what you were looking for."
"In short, had you told us about that delightful angel before, we would have encouraged you. Our brotherhood wouldn't have been shattered, and you wouldn't expect a kiddo with the Wicked Witch of the West." This was Dean's simplified version, and he suspected that things would have been far better for Roman had he chosen Galina over Serenity sooner and had he realized that he already had everything he wanted.
For a moment, Roman allowed himself to sink into his thoughts. Perhaps they were right; Galina had always been someone he'd been excited to be around as a kid, someone he wanted to spend as much time with as possible. Despite not seeing nor talking to each other much since going to different high schools, he was still just as excited about spending time with her, he smiled when he sent and received texts from her, he felt himself again while around her, like he could do anything if he just focused and put his mind to it.
It wasn't long before Roman questioned if that was how Dean felt around Renee, like his entire world revolved around her. He questioned if Aleister was the same with Cross, like he could only be who he was at heart when Cross was there. He asked if all the couples felt that way: Punk and AJ, Maryse and Miz, Corey and Carmella, even Nikki and Drew. He also thought the same about the unlikely pairing of Finn and Summer. Despite being the opposite, they appeared stronger together and encouraged each other to be the best they could be.
"What's going on between you and Echo?" asked Roman. A sigh escaped him as the blame for their breakup came crashing upon him again. He felt ashamed for what he had done, how he'd played a part in all the drama, breaking Echo's heart and tormenting one he considered a brother. However, despite Roman's thoughts of happiness, he refuses to act on them until he is sure Dean and Seth would find their happy ending. A punishment he'd cast upon himself, even more so after concluding he didn't deserve happiness after heartlessly taking it away from four others. "Are you two back together?"
"They're not, but he's working on something," started Dean in response, "The whole prom thing has been a distraction to keep her attention away from what he's been planning," he elaborated, while also figuring most would have missed what Seth had been planning the entire time or at least they did until the prom rally. The video of Architect Demon's story was all the proof one needed to know where Seth hoped the story would go, proof of his dedication to Echo and his desire for what could be.
For a moment, Roman appeared confused. He quietly questioned what Seth had been up to, if the prom race was all a means to distract his demon and everyone else. His confusion only pulled a light chuckle from Dean's lips, even more so upon concluding Roman had still missed the obvious despite watching them so intently, despite practically stalking them since the drama had begun, and their brother had paid the price for it.
Seth shook his head, reaching into his hoody pocket, discreetly cluing Roman into what he had planned without uttering a word. He didn't need to say anything; it was clear just by Roman's wide, encouraging grin that he understood what was planned and that the Samoan himself hadn't destroyed everything, merely complicated things.
"You're braver than me," worded Dean, admitting his own truth. He was certain his future was with Renee, his perfect angel. He wanted to give her the world and much more, but he knew he wouldn't be happy with a big fancy wedding; he was an introvert who enjoyed the smaller things and a quiet life. Being a pro wrestler one day would bring a life in the constant spotlight. "I think it would be spur of the moment if I ever find the courage to ask Ney Ney."
"What you gonna do about Serenity?" asked Seth, doubting the drama queen would just walk away without getting what she wanted. She was selfish and couldn't care less about anyone else unless they were useful to her. Even then, it only extended so far.
Once again, Roman sighed. Serenity and the future were battles he wasn't looking forward to, but they were ones he had to face nonetheless. The longer he ignored them, the worse they would get. However, he could at least say he was glad to have the support of his family. His parents, in particular, were helping him navigate the sea of confusion and prepare for the hardships of parenthood.
"I was serious when I said I was leaving her in the past, where she belongs," voiced Roman with a flare of confidence. Despite knowing he'd always be tied to her via their child, he was determined their relationship would only extend as far as being co-operative co-parents well, if the courts decided Serenity was a fit parent, at least. If not, he'd happily take on full custody and do what was right for his kid, even if that meant cutting Serenity out completely. "I'm gonna go for full custody. Even if Serenity makes it difficult, that little one is innocent and deserves the best rather than a selfish mother, who'll weaponize and hurt it for her own gain."
"You'll make a great dad," commented Seth. "What? You will," he added, noticing how Dean and Roman glanced at him. "Look at what you're already doing. Your looking into getting full custody, because you know Serenity will be anything but what they kiddo needs, you've put yourself on a path of redemption so you'll be the person said kid will need, you've gotten advice, rented parenting books from libraries, ask your parents a tone of questions and started making a list of names, everything you've done since finding out your gonna be a dad has been for said kid. Hell, you're even willing to sacrifice your dream career to be a father."
"Fair point," spoke Dean with encouragement. His silent encouragement only grew when his thoughts dwelled on what other jocks and star athletes in Roman's position would have done. He was certain they'd have run away and ghosted their baby momma the moment they found out about the pregnancy, accidental or otherwise. Most wouldn't even think about giving up their dreams, let alone recognize their hardships and challenges waiting for them with parenthood and how quickly they'd have to grow up. "We get to be uncles, right?"
"Yup," replied Roman quickly to Dean's cheeky question. "If I'm gonna be papa, you two are uncles Deano and Sethie," he laughed, suspecting the rest of the light and dark family would also be there. Even more, now they were putting aside their differences and working through their troubles to move forward. "Said kid is gonna have one hell of a family. Blood, light, dark, and everything in between."
"What are you hoping for? Boy or a girl?" came Brie's voice. She'd hung back from the rest of the group but smiled widely. All fears and the feeling of doom and gloom were gone now. Instead, she had the encouragement and support she'd thought she'd never get but always wished for.
"Girl," replied Roman after some thought. "I'd be happy with either, though," he added shortly thereafter, smiling. He knew Serenity hoped for twins; she'd stated as much in the wall of messages she sent at least once a week. She wanted twin girls and had already planned their names, including nature names, Daisy and Rose. Their nursery would be pink and girly, filled with fairytale things, and have a specially painted mural on the wall behind the cribs.
Roman, on the other hand, wasn't sure about names yet. Maybe he'd follow his family tradition and give the baby a name that was both Samoan heritage and not too out there that the kid would be bullied. He'd also considered gender-neutral names and specific boys' names just in case. Either way, he planned for the kid to have whatever it needed, from a safe home to loving family members, everything it would need to grow up happy, as he'd done thanks to his parents.
"And you two?" asked Brie, turning her question to Dean and Seth, both of whom appeared startled by the question and turn of events. "Relax, I asked the others the same theoretical question shortly after Serenity screamed she was pregnant at Roman," she laughed, recalling the mixture of reactions she got. Nikki always wanted to have her own kids, much like Carmella, Maryse, and Brie. Other girls, like Becky, Rhea, Echo, Renee, and Cross, were still undecided. Then there was AJ, who was already determined she would stay childfree.
The boys had responded with a mixture of reactions, too. Aleister looked like a deer in headlights upon the topic being brought up, Finn was like a swing going back and forth, Damian was neither here nor there about it, whereas JD had the mentality if it happens, it happens. Others like Corey, Miz, Dom, and Drew stated they would be thrilled to be a dad one day but made it clear that time wasn't now. Punk had looked as if he would run away screaming before stating parenthood wasn't for him, even if he loved winding up kids.
"Honestly, I haven't given it much thought," replied Dean, truthfulness ringing through his voice as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Now that he was thinking about it, the topic of kids hadn't come up for him or Renee. The pair were too busy trying to navigate the drama high school threw at them. Too busy trying to find who they were now, they were on the cusp of being declared adults and released into the world to sink or swim, to find their own way to survive.
"One day, Brie-Mode, one day," voiced Seth, recalling he'd been thinking about the future a fair bit and what he wanted from it outside of becoming a renowned pro wrestler. He did want happiness just like everyone else. he wanted to settle down with someone, and he hoped one day he'd be a dad, but that time wasn't now. That was years down the line, at least a decade after he'd established his career and gotten himself in the right position, both mentally and financially, to be a dad the theoretical kids deserved.
"Did I ever say you three are big softies?" chuckled Brie. For a moment, she forgot they were once three of the star athletes, intimidating to most around them, the tough guys everyone either wanted to be or avoided like the plague. In truth, though, that was all an act; they were always the softies at heart. Roman had always been a hugger, and Seth and Dean were always enthrawled in a prank war with another duo, whether that be Sheamus and Cesaro, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, Finn and Aleister, or another random pairing.
"Shhh!" whisper shouted Nikki in a playful tone, "You'll ruin the carefully cultivated tough guy act," she added with a ring of laughter, "Drew's still salty Cross won the battle of the Scottish Pyschopath," she laughed shortly after, recalling how Cross had simply pointed out Drew had become a romantic since being in a relationship with Nikki, despite Drew trying his hardest, he couldn't deny the truth. Although he still tried his tough guy act now and again.
"There was an act?" questioned Seth, playing dumb to the whole thing. "I thought Dean was always the clumsy, silent, romantic type," he teased, dodging the playful punch Dean threw at him with a chuckle. "Petty sure I wasn't hiding being a film geek either," he added with honesty, although he'd admit, when it comes to Star Wars, Finn would beat almost everyone hands down. Harry Potter, though; Seth was sure he was the know-it-all.
"If you're the film geek, then he's the terrible-at-singing music nerd," worded Dean, picking up where Seth had left, poking fun at Roman and reminding the Samoan of all the times he'd loudly sang along to a song he was listening to, regardless if was off-key and a form of torment to those around him. On the other hand, Roman quickly hid his embarrassment. he hadn't been like that for so long, and despite his reddening cheeks, he missed being like it. He missed the carelessness when it came to singing aloud, missed the weird looks he got and the comments, some sarcastic and others to the point. He was brave back then, at least.
"If you start singing again, please let it be a classic," called Rhea from afar, laughing loudly before running off, chasing after Finn this time after a comment he'd made about her own singing and making it rain again.
"I've missed this," laughed Roman, observing how both sides of his family interacted. He watched as Punk gave AJ a piggyback to help her when she struggled to walk, how Aleister stayed by Echo just in case she needed help, and how Damian checked in with Summer every now and again to ensure she was okay.
He noticed how the couples stayed together for the most part. Miz and Maryse were like a married couple, encouraging others while valuing each other. Carmella and Corey were the fun pair for most pairs, always ready to have a laugh. Becky bounced between everyone with a smile, joking with some while talking seriously with others; either way, she always had a smile.
"Is it daft to say I feel like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders now Serenity's gone?" asked Roman again, for the first time truly taking notice of what he had now and how differently he felt. He didn't feel lost now, ashamed of who he had been and was. He didn't feel like a part of himself was missing anymore. Instead, it was like he was where he wanted to be, where he was always supposed to be. He was becoming who he should have been while remembering the fun times and the softie he'd been before Serenity had sunk her claws into him.
Despite the regrets, however, he knew the journey he'd been on was necessary to find who he was and become the man he was meant to be. Despite his growing hatred and resentment for Serenity, he was thankful for her. he learnt more about himself and valued his friendships even more. He'd become more grateful for the oddities his chosen family was, and he'd learnt popularity wasn't worth the pain, suffering, hurt, and endless games that so often accompanied it. He'd learned that love in its many forms was more important than some petty popularity that would mean nothing after graduation. He'd learned to grow up, value those he had, and not waste a single second with those he loved. Despite his regrets, he learned the people he'd needed had been in front of him the entire time.