"She wore a troubled past like wings-
she had been through hell,
and though no one could see her demons,
they could see the face that conquered them."
◁Atticus▷

●●●

"I'm going to fall" Jojo whined as she stared my way before glancing at Brie.

"Aww its okay, you don't have to do it if you're scared" Brie mumbled as she sat down on the bench beside her while I placed on her knee pads.

"There's no way she's scared, she's fearless like her Coco" I winked before kissing her forehead and placing on her helmet. "And think about the cool tricks you can show your brother when you get home!"

She grinned at that part, no I didn't magically have a baby boy over night but Galina's husband did have a boy of his own. I loved how Galina had found someone to be by her side and found love again, she had her own family while Joe and I had ours and hopefully one day Jojo would have a little brother or sister courtesy of my womb. For now, she was the only kid in our household.

We were currently at a skate park which probably wasn't a good idea before my match tonight or considering Brie with her huge ass belly but we hadn't hung out in some time and wanted to have some fun. Also because we would be missing her birthday next week so bringing her along for the weekend was my gift to my Jojo.

The past week had been insane with most of our friends finding out about our engagement while I had posted a simple picture stating how blessed I felt and of course flaunting it, we hadn't said much since then. I knew Joe was more of a private guy so I made my one shout out to the world that I finally got my perfect match and that was that.

I had the privilege of being by his side on Monday and was able to watch him deliver a beating to a certain Canadian. It was nice being able to have a bit of a nostalgic moment waiting for him at the gorilla and talking to him, it felt right but I knew it was only temporary.

"Come on! Let's get to skating" I smiled while Brie rolled her eyes but followed behind us as we picked up our boards.

"Jon would kill me if he knew I was doing this."

"I'm sure if he was five months along he'd still be wrestling but I'm pretty sure you'll just be observing. We both know I'm the more athletic one between us" I sighed dramatically sending a smile to the guys who would be giving us some lessons.

"That makes so much sense" the sarcasm was evident and I simply shook my head.

"I'll catch you, don't worry."

"Yeah catch me and then you land hard on your back and your neck is jacked" She smiled while I rolled my eyes and Jojo simply giggled at our bickering so I ended up smiling to hide my annoyance.

I knew my sister was just doing our back and forth shit but my neck was a big insecurity of mine so I would rather ignore the entire topic than have to think about becoming injured all over again.

"Does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt?" I smiled as I repositioned Winston on my lap and focused on Jojo to see her looking sad. I realized she was pointing to my scar.

"Oh no don't worry it doesn't." I briefly traced over it before glancing over at Brie talking to one of the skateboarders. After an hour or so I admitted defeat, I had attempted learning some tricks but ultimately with my two robot knees I had to stick to wrestling.

"Daddy was very sad when you got hurt, that's why we didn't visit" She said before continuing her eating.

I frowned wondering if he had told her that simply to not make it look suspicious but she spoke up again. "He said he doesn't like you hurt."

"I don't like him hurt either." I mumbled, Joe had been too concerned lately about my neck when I felt perfectly fine. I was sure he was a bit confused on how to deal with things. With my leg injury I had mostly been at John's house so he hadn't had to deal with it and I knew how linked we were so perhaps what he told her was true.

I wouldn't want to put Joe or anyone I cared about through the scare of last year; not knowing my fate where I would be. But I loved my career so I came back but I knew there were many things I loved more so I wouldn't selfishly risk it all just to reclaim my spot once more. But I was fine right now, I didn't have any unusual pains and my schedule was quite light I suppose.

"Can I go try some more?" She questioned and I nodded with a small smile while Brie joined me.

"You do know that that ring on your finger means that you'll be Step mommy soon." She smirked as she eyed the ring.

"I don't think I'll ever stop being Coco, which is fine with me. Is Galina meeting us at the arena?"

"Yeah. You know your life is weirdly perfect"

"I love the surprise in your voice, I know I tend to screw up but."

"Calm down, Nicole. I just meant that you and Joe are on the same page, his daughter loves you as if you were her second mom. Galina loves you and respects you after being there all these years and basically gave her blessing. Not many people get that from their man's ex-fiance's or their kids. You're very fortunate that its all working out so perfectly." Her tone was softer and I sighed as I focused my attention on Jojo doing a better job than Brie and I combined.

"I know I am which is why I tend to be scared that it will all get taken away somehow." I sighed as it had been something which always happened to me, I'd be happy and lightning would strike.

"You know there's nothing wrong with being away from the road. Jon and I are working perfectly fine with our situation and that's about the only possible barrier I see. So you and Joe will be living happily ever after as far as I can see"

"If I had some wine I would cheers to that. But I honestly hope so, I don't know what I would do without my Samoan.. "

◈◈◈

TLC 2016

"So how he do it?" Jey questioned watching as I had my hair done while he twirled my engagement ring, that Brie was meant to be guarding, between his fingers.

"That's between my fiance and I" I smiled which caused Jimmy to chuckle.

"Mmm you been waiting a long time to call him that huh"

"To call anyone that" Brie blurted out before covering her mouth. "Sorry"

I sighed, "its true though but it was definitely worth the wait. "

"I'd say so, this diamond blinding an uce over here" His eyes flicked for effect causing Brie and I to giggle.

"He knows my sister well. I'm just happy that you guys are official though, I mean I didn't doubt the seriousness of your relationship but I know how he is, how he was suffering for half of this year and I can only imagine how happy he is for the world to know you are his and only his and that its not just some heat for a storyline between you and Carmella." She shrugged causing me to slightly pout.

"I know and I'm just as happy. I mean its not like I tagged him in a post or could but they should know I mean I basically tagged it I am the future Mrs Reigns" I shrugged.

"That you are and..."

I heard my phone but Brie was the one to answer it considering it was resting in her lap. As soon as I heard Joe's voice I reached for it but she stood up and walked further causing me to narrow my eyes.

"Finish your hair!"

I sighed and sat back trying to ignore the fact that my other half's voice was so close and probably face as well. "When we gon celebrate the engagement?"

"Mmmm celebrate?" I smirked causing Jimmy to roll his eyes.

"You trying to act all classy ever since you got back we need some Brie Mode celebrations up in here."

"I'm trying to be considerate of preggo over there" I nodded towards Brie but realized he had a point, it had been a real long time since I let my hair down and got lost with the entire gang. My neck injury caused me to be away from all of them for so long and then my 'relationship with Colby' led to Joe being more offish with the group and the dynamics sort of just shifted. And of course after that the brand separation caused all the free time to be consumed by Joe and I trying to spend as much time together...

"You guys have a point though. Hopefully soon, maybe we can take a trip or something with everyone. I'm sure one trip will be enough to make me sick of you guys"

"Lies. Y'all be missing our company!"

"Are those my crazy uces?" I heard Joe's voice grow louder which caused Brie to move closer and giggle while I hopped onto the table.

"We're matching!" I ran my hair over Jimmy's as he leaned before me. "Well sort of"

"That twin magic, have that connection you know?" He shimmied his shoulders a bit before standing beside me.

"Yeah they asked me what hairstyle I wanted and I was like Fighter babe vs some Usos" I giggled hugging each of them as they went on hearing Joe chuckle.

"I look badass don't I?" I smiled as Brie turned the camera onto me after I heard her getting some pregnancy tips from Truth and Joe smirked.

"You really do, I wish I was there to watch" he lazily stared as he sat in the car driving to who knows where.

"We wish you were here to. Jojo's in the crowd with Gee and Maddie already. They're so excited." I smiled mostly because my nerves were in overdrive considering I would be performing in front of them.

Despite Jojo being a kid I had learnt that she could sense a lot, especially with Maddie as well. Maddie was a teenager right now but with all the times I had spent with the family and been heartbroken, all teary-eyed.... Maddie would end up talking to me about some story she read about someone being sad and try to cheer me up. And I saw the same in Jojo before Joe and I found each other again. So having their support meant a lot to me and while they had been to many shows supporting me as well as Joe, I was officially almost family so it meant even more.

They were all considered my family and Brie at gorilla just made it all the more special to me. I had missed out on the last ppv which sucked since I had been excited for it but today would mark the beginning of a new direction for me or so I was told...

"I bet they are, on another note do you know what's going on with Colby and Charlotte?" He briefly glanced at me before focusing on the road again.

"What do you mean?" I raised my eyebrow slightly even though he wasn't actually looking at me then.

"She's currently in our hotel room watching TLC with us. Or well that's what Kevin texted us, right Ron?" He glanced beside him and I briefly saw R- Truth.

"They're banging" he chuckled while Joe didn't seem to believe it.

"She is?" I smiled causing Brie to frown while I was happy that she had taken my advice. Or I hoped that had occurred, I hadn't spoken to her since her little confession and truth be told the whole crush slipped my mind but it seemed there was some cupid working its magic.

"Am I missing something?" Joe questioned and while I was tempted to spill I figured leaving my poor guy in the dark was best until I caught up with a certain blonde or made Colby spill myself.

"No! Just let them be, Joe. I have to go I just heard my name. Are you almost back at the hotel?" I really wanted to know he was watching me, having Joe was more empowering than nervewrecking but yet still that as well. I wanted to make him proud, especially since he had played a huge role in preparing me for my return but also felt quite nervous when I did execute moves we had run through.

"Two minutes, good luck out there and be careful" he warned, narrowing his eyes as they briefly focused on me.

"Yes, Daddy" I rolled my eyes but he only chuckled.

"Hey that's only for the bedroom now" He sternly said causing Truth to laugh out.

"Joe!" I giggled while my sister gagged. "I love you Mr Monkey"

"Love you too"

"Joe makes you call him daddy? Really?" Brie scoffed as she accompanied me to the gorilla after I reluctantly set my phone in her hands as his face disappeared. His gorgeous face...

"Noooo! That's just wrong! I call him Superman"
I smiled. "And... Wtf!" I screeched as Jon had jumped out of nowhere causing both Brie and I to halt.

"Are you crazy? " Brie punched his arm while he simply kissed her cheek with a goofy smile.

"Trick question babe, I heard Nikki's voice and was afraid I would miss you so I sprinted and well I couldn't stop in time and... Woah I see you're paying tribute to me" He smiled as he hung his arms over both of us.

"And how am I doing that?" I sighed as his hair dripped onto my jacket.

"The hoodie. You know I used to wear mine to the ring before it got too hot out" he shrugged. "It means a lot to me that..."

"Okay okay its my pleasure" I giggled. "I have to go, don't do anything I wouldn't do"

"So if Joe were here you wouldn't find an empty locker room?" I heard the amusement in his voice and didn't bother turning around.

"No I'd be supporting my sister!" I called out before smiling at Bryan and Renee who sat at gorilla as well as my music blasted and I immediately made my way down.

I smiled at my small cheering section as I stood on the apron before flipping into the ring and waiting for Carmella to make her way down slowly hopping on my feet as a warm up. Mostly so my mind could get into the match instead of letting all my feelings fill me. I knew the things said throughout our feud was scripted but I would be using them all as fuel tonight.

I groaned as Carmella pulled me out of the ring causing me to slam onto the ground after I had chased her outside and soon found myself thrown back in. As soon as she entered I immediately speared her down and delivered punches trying not to let the cheers from Jojo at me paying tribute to her father distract me from getting the job done.

I brought her outside onto the top rope in an attempt to slam her back onto the apron but she managed to reverse it with a head scissors causing me to land against the steel steps. I screamed out as she slammed my body against the barricade soon after causing a pain to shoot through my stomach and left leg. Of course she took advantage of my injury acting up and continued to target it as I entered.

"Gotta give it to Carmella, she took advantage of it as soon as she saw Nikki favouring that leg and has been all over it since..."

She set me up on the top rope which caused the rest of my body to dangle and my eyes briefly caught the concern on Jojo and Maddie's face as Carmella entered with a kendo stick.

"You can't see me!" She mocked causing confusion to fill me but realized she was trying to anger me by bringing him up.

And of course the kendo stick hitting me just caused the anger to be overshadowed by pain and even though I tried I couldn't help but releasing a scream. Her blows continued even after my body gave way and I dropped from the turnbuckle causing Galina to stand up. I sighed as this was honestly not going the way I wanted.

I briefly glanced at them and as I did I felt her legs wrap around my neck as she hooked in the Code of Silence. I eyed the stick and immediately picked it up and delivered several shots to her until she was forced to break it.

I watched as she rolled out and followed and she picked up the kendo stick and gloated but as soon as she did I kicked her hard in her back which resulted in her colliding with the barricade.

I smiled at my cheering section assuring them I was okay before I hopped off and picked the stick up myself but as soon as I got to my feet I was taken down by her.

I immediately slammed her into the steel post as I hated that she forced me into the barricade right beside Jojo.

"Watch this" I winked at Jojo causing her to smile and relief to fill her face as I got onto the barricade and immediately delivered a flying high knee to Carmella. I heard the approving cheer from Galina...

She soon gained the advantage and I rolled out hearing Carmella's screams of gloating while I searched for a weapon but instead grabbed the fire extinguisher. I guess if Jon wanted me to pay tribute to him so badly I'd do what he did at Mania with the Beast. I sat up and as soon as she approached blasted her in her face and continued to once I entered the ring as the entire ring became a cloud.

"You think you can mock me with my ex? I'm Roman Reigns' woman, just remember that after I beat you!" I screamed out as I followed her around the ring blasting until I couldn't any longer. As soon as the ring cleared I delivered the Rack Attack 2.0 and sealed the victory.

As soon as the screen cut to replays I quickly made my way over to them and pulled each of them into a hug despite knowing I would be seeing them soon. I was in pain but it was worth it to prove to everyone that I could destroy anyone in my path and it was only the beginning....

◆◆◆◆

Raw + Smackdown was simply amazing! I really can't wait for Survivor Series and lowkey hoping Nikki or Paige is the 5th Member even though Paige is meant to be on Raw ;)
ROMAN IS FREAKING BAAACK!!😭😭
Anyway hope you enjoyed this!