Chapter Twenty-Eight

December 11, 2024

The late afternoon sun filtered through the glass windows of the department store, casting dappled patterns on the polished tile floor.

Reeva pushed the shopping cart along, a carefree smile on her face as she glanced at the various racks of clothes and sparkling accessories. The air was filled with the low hum of shoppers and the occasional ring of a bell as a store attendant moved past them.

Her father, Phil, walked beside her, eyes sharp and alert as he examined the different items they passed. Despite the mundane setting of a busy shopping mall, Reeva could sense the excitement brimming beneath her father's calm, collected exterior.

"Do you really think we need more socks, Dad?" Reeva asked, teasingly tugging at the edge of a brightly colored display.

Phil's lips twitched into a grin, the edges of his eyes crinkling as he looked down at her. "It's always good to stock up," he said with a wink, letting the banter flow between them.

They had spent the better part of the afternoon picking out clothes, shoes, and a few household essentials. It was a rare moment of normalcy, a slice of life that Reeva cherished in the whirlwind of her family's busy schedules. But today, she had a confession to make. And as they moved past a row of denim jackets, she took a deep breath and made up her mind.

"Dad," she started, her voice steady but laced with nerves. Phil turned to look at her, the playful smile on his face still there, but now accompanied by a spark of curiosity.

"Yeah?" His voice was warm, inviting. Reeva hesitated, feeling the weight of her own words hanging in the air, but she pushed forward.

"I want to learn how to wrestle," she said, eyes locked with his. The pause that followed felt endless, a strange, stretching silence that made her heart pound against her ribs. But then, Phil's face broke into the biggest, proudest smile she had ever seen.

"Reeva Punk!" he said, eyes lighting up with joy. "That's such a cool ring name."

Reeva couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, bright sound that cut through the quiet between them. "CM Punk and Reeva Punk, very creative, right?" she replied, the weight of her confession finally starting to ease.

The sound of her dad's laughter mingled with hers, and the world seemed a little lighter.

Phil's eyes gleamed with an excitement that made Reeva's chest swell. "What about ReeLee Punk? A little nod to your mom and me," he added, the mischievous glint in his eyes telling her he was half-joking, half-serious.

Reeva's laughter rang out again, the idea warm and comforting, full of memories of being small and watching her parents together, so carefree.

"ReeLee Punk... I like that. It's perfect," she said, feeling a newfound determination seep into her bones.

"Your mother is going to flip out when she finds out you want to train," Phil said, a hint of warning in his voice as he said it, but his smile was still wide and genuine.

He reached over, ruffling her hair as he took a deep breath. Reeva knew her dad too well; he was already anticipating the whirlwind that would follow her revelation.

"I know," she said, a slight cringe on her face as she thought about April's inevitable reaction.

Her mother, with her fierce passion and unwavering commitment to her own wrestling career, would probably take one look at Reeva and decide that she was the next big thing, ready to be trained and molded to perfection. Reeva could already picture her mom's excited chatter, the plans she'd begin forming in the next second, completely bypassing Reeva's own wishes.

"I'm ready for it," Reeva said, more to herself than to Phil. "I want to do this, Dad. I want to learn, really learn."

Phil's eyes softened, the proud, knowing look on his face deepening. "I know you do, sweetheart," he said, reaching out to pat her shoulder. "And you can do this. If anyone can, it's you."

The sincerity of his words buoyed her spirits, making her feel like maybe, just maybe, she wasn't too young or too inexperienced to take this step. She'd grown up watching her parents in the ring, feeling the pull of their world every time they stepped into the squared circle.

It had always been there, a quiet dream she kept tucked away, but today, standing next to her dad in the middle of a department store, the dream felt more real than ever.

They continued to browse the store, picking up items and making small talk, but Reeva's mind was racing. She thought about what training would look like—long hours, bruises, learning holds and moves that would test her strength and stamina. The idea of being in the ring, with the crowd roaring and adrenaline flooding her veins, made her shiver with anticipation.

But then the memory of her mother's reaction hit her again. April was fierce and proud, a powerhouse in the ring with an unmatched will to succeed. She was a legend in her own right, and there was no one Reeva respected more.

But April also had a way of taking control, and Reeva could already imagine her mom's excitement boiling over into full-on plans. She had no doubt that April would take charge of her training, pushing her harder than she was prepared for.

Phil seemed to sense the change in her, the small dip in her energy. He looked down at her with a knowing expression. "You're thinking about your mom, aren't you?"

Reeva nodded, a small sigh escaping her. "Yeah. I know she'll be excited, but... I don't want her to take over, you know?"

Phil chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. "Trust me, I know. Your mother has a tendency to be... assertive. But I also know she'll be proud of you. You'll need to have a conversation with her, make sure she knows this is your decision, and you're serious about it."

Reeva nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. "I can do that."

They made their way to the checkout line, the air around them buzzing with the quiet sounds of shoppers. Phil loaded the items onto the conveyor belt, a relaxed, confident look on his face. The moment felt ordinary and profound all at once. Reeva felt like she was standing at the edge of something big, and it was thrilling.

As they left the store, bags in hand and the golden glow of the setting sun casting long shadows, Reeva turned to Phil. "Thanks for being here, Dad," she said, the gratitude in her voice undeniable. "For listening."

Phil looked at her, the smile never leaving his face. "Always, Ree. You're my girl. And I'm always going to be here, no matter what."

They stood in front of the car for a moment, Reeva's fingers absentmindedly playing with the strap of her bag. The weight of the afternoon, of what she'd shared and what was to come, settled over her. But it was different this time. She didn't feel scared; she felt ready.

"ReeLee Punk, huh?" Phil said with a playful wink as he popped the trunk open.

Reeva grinned, shaking her head at him. "Yeah, Dad. ReeLee Punk."

He chuckled, the sound rich with pride and love. "It's perfect. And no matter what, I'll be there to watch you kick some serious butt."

The warmth of his words settled over her like a promise, and for the first time, she felt a surge of excitement. She was ready to face whatever came next. Whether her mother tried to take control or the road to wrestling was harder than she imagined, she knew she had her father's unwavering support. That was all she needed to take the first step.

reeva ✓ 2h

The soft glow of fairy lights twinkled in the living room, casting a warm and cozy ambiance over the entire house. The air smelled like freshly popped popcorn, with a faint trace of sugar from the candy table, and there was an excited buzz of laughter and conversation that filled every corner of Reeva's home. She had been planning this slumber party for weeks, and the day had finally arrived.

It was packed. The living room was teeming with people, most of them sitting on the large, comfortable couches or sprawled out on the floor, chatting and nibbling on snacks. The living room was a sea of matching pajamas, ranging from bright, colorful prints to plush, cozy onesies, each with their own unique flair. Reeva smiled at the sight of everyone gathered together—her friends, her family, and even some of the little ones who had come along for the fun.

"Did I miss anything?" April's voice rang out as she entered the room, a big grin on her face. She was followed by Indira, Charm, and Tookie, all of whom Reeva had invited for the slumber party. The room erupted into cheers and claps as they arrived, the energy in the air palpable.

"You're just in time for the movie marathon!" Reeva called back, her eyes scanning the room for a moment before she added, "I'm so glad you made it, Mom."

"I wouldn't miss it," April replied, plopping down beside Reeva on the couch and giving her a playful nudge. "So, what's the plan? I saw the food—looks like you've been busy."

Reeva smirked, "Busy doesn't even begin to cover it. This place is packed, and I'm loving every minute of it."

The living room was indeed packed. Reeva's house was spacious enough to accommodate everyone, but it felt like the walls were alive with the sound of voices. Jacob's daughters, Lenai, Teyana, Jinnie, and Danica, were seated in a circle on the floor, giggling and trading snacks.

Kayla, who had brought her baby, India, was sitting with Tanya and her daughter, Luna, while Tatiana held her baby, Ocean, close to her chest. Eliza, still a little surprised by the size of the gathering, was seated next to Leata and her granddaughter, Sienna. Reeva was delighted to see Sienna, who was smiling shyly at the commotion around her.

Eliza glanced around at the group, an amused look on her face. "This is something else, huh?" she said, her voice tinged with awe.

Reeva gave a soft laugh. "I never thought I'd get to host something this big. It's chaotic, but in the best way possible."

The doorbell rang, and a few heads turned in unison. Reeva's eyes widened in surprise when she saw her father, Phil, standing at the door with bags of snacks in his arms. He grinned at the sight of everyone gathered, looking very much the proud father as he surveyed the room.

"Just making sure my girls are good," Phil said, his deep voice carrying across the room as he placed the bags on the counter. Reeva, her heart warmed by the gesture, got up to greet him.

"You're the best, Dad," she said, giving him a quick hug. "What'd you bring us?"

"Pizza, chips, candy, and some sodas," Phil said with a wink. "The essentials. I'm going to head out and let you all enjoy yourselves."

He gave Reeva a long look, almost as if silently reminding her to have fun before he turned to leave. "I'll check in later. Don't stay up too late, alright?"

"I won't," Reeva promised, feeling a surge of gratitude toward her dad. It was a simple visit, but the fact that he cared enough to stop by and drop off snacks meant the world to her.

As Phil left, Reeva returned to the party, and the room erupted with even more excitement when Jacob and Zilla arrived, each holding large ice cream tubs. "We got dessert covered," Jacob said, holding up the ice cream like a trophy.

"Thank you!" Reeva exclaimed, laughing as she grabbed a spoon. "This slumber party is officially a success."

She turned toward the kitchen, where a stack of Chinese takeout boxes from Arthur sat waiting. "Arthur knows how to throw down with food," Reeva said with a grin, giving a thumbs-up to the group. Everyone cheered as they got their food ready, plates filled with pizza, popcorn, candy, and of course, the ice cream.

"Now, who's ready for some Netflix?" Reeva asked, settling back into her seat as everyone gathered around the TV, excitement in the air.

As the first movie began, a kid-friendly classic, Reeva found herself sitting back, feeling a sense of peace that only these kinds of nights could bring. She watched as the kids laughed at the jokes, the parents shared stories, and the room was filled with light-hearted chatter.

"So, what's the deal with this wrestling thing, Reeva?" Kayla's voice cut through the laughter, pulling Reeva's attention away from the screen. "I've heard some rumors. Are you training now?"

Reeva bit her lip for a moment, the weight of her decision pressing in on her. "I asked Phil to start training me," she said, her voice steady but revealing a hint of excitement. "I've always been fascinated by wrestling, and it's something I've wanted to understand better."

April's eyes lit up as she leaned forward. "Wait, you're serious? You want to train for wrestling?"

"I do," Reeva confirmed with a nod. "I was going to keep it a secret until an article comes out, but I've actually been cast in a wrestling movie. That's part of why I want to train—it's a way to understand that world better, and it's something I want to do for myself."

The room was silent for a split second, before the entire house burst into applause and cheers.

"No way!" Tanya shouted, her voice filled with surprise and joy. "Reeva, that's amazing!"

Kayla raised her hand, grinning. "That's going to be so cool! I'm proud of you, girl."

Reeva's chest swelled with pride, and she felt her excitement grow as the people she cared about shared in her joy. "I'm really excited, honestly," she said, a soft smile spreading across her face. "It's kind of nerve-wracking, but I feel like it's time to take that leap."

"You're going to do great," April said, her voice filled with support. "If anyone can do it, it's you."

"I think it's awesome," Eliza added, her voice full of encouragement. "You've got the right mindset, and with the family you have, you'll be unstoppable."

As the conversation continued, the group settled back into their spots, the movie playing softly in the background, but the energy in the room was high. Reeva's announcement had added a new layer of excitement to the night, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for the people around her. She had a family that supported her unconditionally, and friends who cheered her on in everything she did. This was what mattered—the moments like these, where she felt truly connected to the people she loved.

As the night wore on, the laughter grew louder, and the volume of the movie was turned up to match the joy in the room. Between slices of pizza, scoops of ice cream, and snacks shared among everyone, Reeva felt a deep sense of happiness. She didn't need to look around to know that this was the life she'd always dreamed of—full of love, support, and the excitement of what was to come.

In the midst of it all, Reeva felt her heart race with the possibilities ahead. She was training for wrestling, about to start her career in a new way, and nothing could stop her now. Not with her family and friends by her side.