"Sometimes you wish people
would just see themselves
the way you do"
●Mark Sloane, Grey's Anatomy●

■■■

4th July 2011

"How did you become more close to someone I work with?" I mused as we were parked outside the airport.

"Because she happens to be more social than you. You never answer that phone unless its us." She giggled and I rolled my eyes.

"They're on the main roster, we text sometimes but we're at different levels. You know how I am, when I'm at work I'm in work mode and then I get home its you and Jojo" I smiled and leaned over briefly kissing her, the woman who had stood by me for the past six years and the beautiful mother of my little girl.

"Its good to keep in touch, you and Jon need to broaden your group. Hopefully Colby is helping with that"

I shrugged, "Colby is in love with some girl that started a week ago on the roster. While Jon and I are all work well sometimes you know Jon, Colby falls in love every week."

"Its cute but you need to get out there. I'm worried about Jon, I love that he is always raiding our fridge after work but he needs someone." She whispered squeezing my hand settled in her lap and I sighed.

"Brie is dating some rockstar, she might be wild like him, partying all the time but she is taken."

"I didn't say Brie did I?" She narrowed her eyes and I rolled my mine.

"Well its probably cause Jon complains about the guy all day whenever he sees some twitter posts. He actually wanted us to drive up to a concert so he could meet him, he's mad cause he thinks Brie is pretending to be crazy cause she's always been sweet with Jon" I shook my head happy I had my woman so I wasn't in the dating game anymore.

"Who knows what the future holds, they could be sweet together" she shrugged.

"They could" I nodded before seeing Nicole walk through the glass doors waving to a few people who called her name and I stepped out.

My face wasn't known much and I guess I liked still being unknown.

"Joe! I can't believe its been so long and I haven't met your family yet." She whispered into my chest immediately wrapping her arms around me before pulling away and pulling Galina into a warm embrace as well.

"Its fine. Jojo probably won't remember you" I shrugged, feeling Galina's narrowed eyes on me.

"She will" she shook her head causing Nicole to giggle.

"I hope so, I pride myself on being a good Coco. I plan on sticking around a lot to make sure she recognizes me." She said firmly as I took her bags from her hands with her staying with us for the week while Brie toured with her boyfriend.

"I'm sure she will, she does watching wrestling, you know" I smirked and both of them narrowed their eyes at me, it felt like I had two women whenever they were together.

In our short time in FCW together Nicole had made sure to keep me in check and in that way had become a sort of work wife. Or that's what they call it on Grey's Anatomy, yeah me knowing about that show is another story involving Nicole. Despite Galina having met Nicole quite a few times Jojo had only once but she did remember her well; pointing to the TV whenever the twins were on. I mean sometimes there was a bit of confusion with Brie but she knew...

"Where's Nick?" I frowned as I set her bags in the booth before hopping into the drivers seat, pulling Galina's hand into my lap.

"Oh he couldn't make the flight, got called in for a last minute commitment." she shrugged.

I nodded and saw Galina shake her head in the corner of my eye while Nicole scrolled through her phone.

It was the same story, he never wanted to do anything with her. Maybe if it were her family he would show up to make a good impression but other than that, missing flights was his thing. Most of their relationship had been good but lately he had been messing up a lot and I hadn't even known due to Nicole being on the road but Galina had, which led to me hearing it when I got home.

Galina gave her advice but she wasn't blunt with Nicole which was what she needed but I couldn't be either, seeing how much she loved him despite the hurt he caused her. I doubt he even realized how much he hurt her because it wasn't for lack of treating her right, he treated her well but it would all go down the drain when he fucked up once in a month.

"Why didn't you bring Jojo with?" I heard Nicole after a bit, her not liking the silence filling the car I guess.

"You know how Maddy is, its like its her own daughter, so Patti just said she could stay behind. We were at the store before this.." Galina glanced back.

"Is it okay that I'm alone? I wouldn't want to like be awkward, the only guest." She mumbled and I knew she was considering getting on a plane to be with him wherever he really was.

"Jon's going to be there, don't worry" I smiled glancing at her in the rearview mirror and she nodded before typing onto her phone.

I had known Nicole for almost three years now, as well as her sister Brie. They were called up before us but they surprised Jon and I by keeping in touch over the years despite their schedule becoming more fast paced.

They were a unique brand so tended to be booked more than the other women to attract more people. They got their fair share of criticism while only WWE could be blamed for not making sure they were completely ready, not for any fault on their part but they were improving. They'd put the hours in to prove whoever dared question their lack of talent simply because they happened to be very beautiful women.

I knew for a fact Nicole was probably planning on heading to the FCW training camp with me while she was here.

I slowly pulled into the driveway hearing the faint sounds of music while Galina and Nicole stepped out to grab the groceries.
I heard my little girl's giggles as soon as I walked through the door, held in Jimmy's arms.

"Jojo, this is Coco" I mused seeing her eyes follow my hand.

"Coco Pops" She reached out of Jimmy's arms and I got shoved by Nicole before she lift her.

"Told you! Well yes Coco pops" She giggled.

I smiled as my three year old daughter took to her, "I got you this. Your daddy said you liked monkeys but I didn't know that the first time"

"Daddy's Tarzan" she beamed and Nicole nodded and I disappeared into the kitchen with Galina.

"I thought you said Nick was coming along" Jon whispered as my mom busied herself in the kitchen mostly to eavesdrop.

"He bailed" I shrugged grabbing myself a beer from the fridge.

"AGAIN?"

Galina narrowed her eyes as he had drawn attention, well not Nicole's as hers were fixed on Jojo's and soon Maddy.

"What's wrong?" My mom questioned.

Galina sighed, "He is her boyfriend and he is a good man. He just hasn't matured to be the man she wants him to be yet while Nicole has grown into knowing what she wants."

I stared ahead seeing her blow kisses onto Jojo's stomach before settling onto the carpet filled with toys.

She didn't want to settle down yet, that I knew but I knew she wanted some sort of commitment. She knew she loved him but she didn't know whether he did despite them being together for quite sometime...

***

"Jojo!" I heard Maddy causing Jojo to look but I knew she was calling me and I raised my eyebrow but she didn't say anything.

I frowned and kissed Jojo's forehead before setting her into my dad's arms and walking over to my little niece.

"What's going on maaaaaddddy?" I narrowed my eyes and she glanced around before leaning towards my ear.

"Coco is sad" She whispered.

"What?" I scanned the yard having seen her a couple minutes ago with Jon or it could have been a half hour ago.

My eyes found Jon jugging down milk with my brother not even sure what that was about.

"Yes Jojo, I wanted her to play dolls with me so I went to look but heard her screaming and crying in the bathroom"

I sighed, "she's okay Maddy, go play with your cousins."

I made my way into the house and heard silence as I stood outside the bathroom door. I stood for a few minutes not sure where else she could be when I heard a phone go off inside and knocked but received no answer.

"Nicole?" I whispered, preparing to kick down the door despite my mom probably knocking me lights out for breaking down her house.

"Its open" I heard her faint voice and felt myself ease a bit simply happy to hear it but not for long.

I saw her sitting on the edge of the bath, " so when you upload a picture with Jon. You should expect your boyfriend to call furious with you when he didn't want to hang out with your friends anyway"

I sighed as she moved down to the tiles and pulled her knees to her chest.

"I just wish he wouldn't be so stubborn. What's so hard about saying three words? I know you guys think I'm crazy but he doesn't have to hang out with you guys he just needs me and his friends back home. I'm just not sure what's more important to him though, having nights out after work with the buddies or coming home to me. He doesn't even want to move in, get our own place. I just want some sort of sign that he sees a future."

I sat down beside her and took her hand into mine resting my head on hers as she laid it on my shoulder. "I know you want all that. But sometimes people just aren't ready for what we want out of life and we can't force them even if we love them"

I heard her faint sobs and resisted the urge to just pick up her vibrating phone and telling Nick to fuck off. I hated the sound so much...

"I'm here and he hasn't even called me to say he misses me but blows up my phone over a stupid picture with Jon. I just... Distance is supposed to make the heart grow fonder you know? Maybe my week away will help him clear his head. Make him realize how he really feels.."

I nodded trying not to say too much, kissing her forehead and wrapping my other arm around her. "You have a good heart Nicole, but it doesn't mean everyone will realize how much love you are willing to invest and he is one of them."

"I don't know what to do anymore. It hurts but I love him and sometimes I wish I didn't so I could move on and find someone who truly makes me happy. Who just understands it all and loves the way I love..."