The Journey Ahead

The warmth of the studio was in stark contrast to the coolness of the night outside, but the air inside felt thick with anticipation. The music was still echoing softly as Erica stepped away from the microphone, her heart racing.

Paul's voice had been reassuring, but she could still feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. It wasn't just the song—it was everything she had been wrestling with in her own life. The vulnerability in the lyrics, the sense of hope wrapped in uncertainty, seemed to mirror her own journey over the past year.

As she sat on a nearby stool, pulling off her headphones, Erica caught a glimpse of Joshua through the corner of her eye. He was still there, standing in the back of the room, his gaze fixed on her in a way that made her pulse quicken.

For the briefest moment, their eyes locked, and there was something there. Something unspoken. It wasn't just the music that had connected them—it was the shared understanding that the song was as much a reflection of their personal struggles as it was a piece of holiday cheer.

Erica quickly looked away, pushing aside the sudden flutter of nerves. Focus, she told herself. This wasn't the time to get caught up in whatever that look had meant. There was work to do, after all.

"Alright, let's run it again," Paul called out, clapping his hands together. "This time, I want to see more energy, especially in the chorus. We're selling a vibe here, not just a song."

Trinity shot Erica a wink as she got into position next to her. "You've got this. Let's give them something to remember."

Erica nodded, smiling back at her. The last thing she needed was to let the nerves get the best of her. The recording was just the start of something bigger. This holiday project had the potential to make waves within WWE, and she wanted to give it her all—not just for herself, but for everyone involved.

As the music began to play again, Erica slipped back into the rhythm, her voice finding its way once more into the comforting melody. She could feel Trinity beside her, their voices intertwining naturally. The two women had a chemistry that was impossible to deny, and together, they were making the song come to life in a way that felt effortless.

"'Cause I search for the light, 
And God only knows I try and try, 
But this year, honey, we gon' find the love..."

Joshua, watching from the doorway, felt his heart swell. He had always known Erica was talented—everyone in WWE did, after all. But there was something about hearing her sing, seeing her open up in this way, that made him feel like he was discovering a whole new layer to her.

He had always seen Erica as a colleague, a reporter, someone who was always on the go, always putting on a brave face. But now, in the soft glow of the studio lights, she was showing him a side of herself that was raw and real. He didn't know why, but something about it made him feel...seen.

He wasn't the only one who noticed the change. Jon, who had been standing beside him, leaned over and whispered, "She's really got something special. You should talk to her."

Joshua blinked, turning to face his brother. "What do you mean?"

Jon raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face. "I can tell you're thinking about it. That connection you two have—don't ignore it."

Joshua opened his mouth to protest but paused. What was he supposed to say? That the connection he felt was something he hadn't expected? That he was suddenly unsure about how to approach it? That his heart was a mess of longing and doubt? The words wouldn't come. He just nodded slowly, absorbing Jon's comment.

Jon, sensing his brother's internal conflict, clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm not saying you should rush in, but don't let this moment pass you by. Sometimes, the best things come when you least expect them."

Joshua exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He knew Jon was right—he had spent so much time avoiding the possibility of love, always telling himself that now wasn't the right time. But something about the way Erica had looked at him earlier, the unspoken understanding between them—it was hard to ignore. He felt as if they were both standing on the edge of something, something neither of them had been ready for but both were craving deep down.

As the song finished, there was a brief silence in the room, and everyone waited for Paul's feedback. "Alright, alright," Paul finally said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I think that's a wrap for today. Great work, all of you."

Erica let out a sigh of relief, grateful the session was over, but a part of her felt a tug at the back of her mind. The performance had gone well, but something about the way she felt when Joshua was around lingered, even as they all moved toward the exit. She had worked with him countless times, especially in the backstage world of WWE, but this was different. There was a shift in the air, something subtle yet undeniable. And it left her questioning if she could allow herself to explore whatever was quietly brewing between them.

Trinity, ever perceptive, sidled up next to her as they walked out of the recording booth. "So, how do you feel?" she asked, her voice soft but teasing.

Erica gave her a sideways glance. "You mean about the song or...?"

Trinity gave a little shrug. "About the song. About... Joshua." She smiled knowingly.

Erica felt her cheeks flush, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "I don't know. It's all just... so unexpected. Everything about this year has been unexpected." She paused, her mind circling back to the way Joshua had looked at her in the studio. "I didn't know he'd be here. He's never shown an interest in... anything like this before."

Trinity raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me you didn't notice that look he gave you earlier?"

Erica stopped walking for a second, biting her lip. The look. She had felt it, and it was still with her, sitting heavy in her chest. "Maybe." She didn't know how to put into words the mix of emotions that surged within her. It wasn't just about the look—it was the energy, the unspoken connection. And that feeling... it lingered, making her question everything.

Trinity leaned in, her voice quiet but warm. "Look, I'm not saying you should throw caution to the wind, but maybe you should stop running from what feels right. Life's short, Erica. Sometimes the right person comes along when you least expect it."

Erica's breath caught in her throat. The right person. She had spent so long trying to control every part of her life, trying to keep everything neat and tidy. But what if, for once, she let herself follow her heart? What if this was the year she allowed herself to find the love she had been missing?

Joshua's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Erica, hey, are you—"

She turned around just as Joshua stepped toward her. For a moment, everything else fell away—the noise of the studio, the lingering scent of coffee in the air, the constant hum of WWE in the background. It was just her and Joshua, standing in that space between connection and uncertainty.

"Hey," she replied, her voice soft.

Joshua hesitated, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. "I just wanted to say... that was incredible. You were amazing in there. I didn't know you had that in you."

Erica's heart fluttered at the sincerity in his voice. It wasn't just a compliment—it was a recognition of something deeper, something real.

"Thanks," she said, her smile genuine. "I guess I've been keeping some things hidden."

Joshua nodded, taking a step closer. "I get it. I've been doing the same thing for a while now."

For a beat, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was not awkward, but full of something unspoken, something both of them were still trying to figure out. Erica wanted to say something, to ask him what he meant, to let the conversation flow into something more. But for the first time in a long time, she realized she didn't need to force it. Maybe this was just the beginning—of the song, of the year, of something new.

Maybe, just maybe, this was their year to find the love they had both been searching for.

Joshua took a breath, his voice low and sincere. "I think this year... we're both ready."

Erica's heart skipped a beat, and she smiled, feeling the weight of the moment settle between them. "Maybe we are."

And just like that, the connection between them felt real—just as raw and honest as the song they had just recorded.