"I am so happily

in crazy with her."
◁Atticus▷

●●●

"Are you sure you don't want anything added?" Brie questioned me as I leaned over the kitchen counter.

"How can you even ask him if you don't know what I have planned?" Nikki rolled her eyes at my girlfriend, correction, very knocked up girlfriend.

"Do I even have to be there?" I sighed which caused Brie to look at me, and not the sweet loving look that I usually received as the man who satisfied her in bed every night.

"Well not really but I want you there though, Jon." She shrugged.

"A room full of women going bat shit crazy over baby stuff ain't really my cup of tea, babe. Hearing you two go on over it already gives me a headache" I rolled my eyes but smiled a bit as the movements in her belly that caught my eye let me know our little girl was kicking.

She smiled as well and slowly rubbed over her belly, I remember the first time it happened. I was talking about some match with my chin rested on her belly when I felt something kick me. I had jumped back of course, thinking it was some sort of alien but quickly realized what it was. It had been the first time she kicked too and even with my crazy travelling I had been lucky enough to be there.

I was a crazy guy but between Brie and my little girl I would be going sane pretty soon and I didn't mind it. With all the shit I had done and experienced in my life I was a lucky son of a bitch to just have her in my life. She saw something in me I didn't most of the time and probably would never see.

"I don't complain when its you coming home with random things for her but when I do, its crazy" Brie sighed. "Its fine, you don't have to come"

"No, he'll be there. Joe will be there since Jojo and Galina are coming and he hasn't seen his daughter in weeks. So you will have company while we're going 'bat shit crazy' over things" She narrowed her eyes and I raised my hands in surrender before placing a brief kiss on Brie's cheek.

I had upset her I guess, but the thing is my normal girlfriend would definitely not have asked me. She knew me well enough to know what I would enjoy and what I wouldn't. Most of the stuff I hated she had Nikki to enjoy with but of course now that Nikki was all married I had to suffer. Also this was pregnant Brie who would be popping in a couple months so in my defense I was just being myself, she was irritated.

"My sweet Brie is a fucking pain these days so makes me wonder how bad a knocked up Nikki would be" I chuckled as I entered the baby room but the big guy didn't seem to hear me.

"Something on your mind, Big dog?" I questioned Joe as we were currently painting my little girl's room. Long overdue according to a lot of the very opinionated Bella's.

Well Joe had started while I had stalled it by keeping the twins company, he had of course been very productive in that time. I saw tape set up everywhere and the floor was covered in case any spilling would happen.

Now he hadn't flown down here with that in mind but after setting up the Xbox and grabbing a six pack from the fridge. Brie woke up and stumbled in, giving us a once over and the paint in the corner and we knew we better get to painting or I wouldn't be getting any.

Joe had been chuckling at the time but as soon as Nikki made her presence known he had reluctantly joined me. So we were stuck doing hard labour like our bodies weren't sore from being slammed into a mat everyday. While Brie tried getting info for her baby shower that would be held right here in Vegas tomorrow.

"Nah" he shrugged. I nudged him and he chuckled as he dipped the brush into the paint knowing I knew when something was stuck up his ass.

"This feud with Nattie just seems to be getting messier to me. Last week I saw her playing clips from Total Divas with Nicole asking John about marriage and shit. Yeah they're broken up but in the end its what she wanted." He stopped painting and stared at me, briefly glancing over his shoulder towards the open door. "I hate to ask but has she spoken to him? He has been there every week because of his feud with AJ so..."

I frowned as it was odd for him to question me, considering he and Nicole had a tighter bond than us at times. And that was saying something cause everyone knew Joe and I were basically inseparable. I mean I had even told Nikki I was very upset she hadn't asked me for his hand in marriage before walking down the aisle with him but hey, she lives to annoy me. "No, I haven't seen them talking. You worried seeing the old shit will make her want to go back?"

He dipped the brush into the paint again before shaking his head, "No, not at all. I'm worried it will make her hurt when she shouldn't be, or even do something reckless. We're married now and its beautiful but once Vince finds out it will surely be exploited. I mean they still think we're engaged and look at what they're putting her through."

"You try speaking to Vince?" I questioned as out of all of us he was the closest to Vince. I was more a Shane guy myself while Colby was obviously the son that Hunter never had.

"I'm trying my best not to. She agreed to it and wants to show everyone how strong she is and I don't doubt her."

I smiled slightly as Joe was like putty in the hands of Nicole, always had been. The time without her proved just that as he had been miserable, they were dependent on each other and I never really understood it. I mean, Brie and I had always been close but we weren't as needy as those two. But now since I knocked her up I found myself wanting to call her up 10 000 times a day just to make sure they were both okay.

My family had always been Joe's family, I mean my mom was back in Cincinnati and Brie and I visited a handful of times. But Joe's family was where you could say I truly felt at home and now I would have my own family. I couldn't be the rebel anymore because I would be a fucking dad and all I wanted to do was be the best dad I could be when my dad hadn't been.

I shook my head and stared at Joe and realized he was trying to be the supportive guy. Nikki was stubborn and after the anger between them when he had meddled the last time I knew he was hesitant. But she was going crazy without him and hiding it from him...

"She is coping with the storyline. She's been in this business long enough to learn to leave it in the ring once we close the curtain, but she ain't doing well without you" I sighed knowing I shouldn't have told him but how was he supposed to know if they never saw each other. She would just keep pretending that everything was fine and he would just be wondering and boom, they'd be divorced. And after waiting years for them to stop being blind I was not going to allow that shit. Also it would be very awkward since I knocked her sister up.

"What do you mean?" He frowned but focused on the wall he was painting which was good because it meant less for me to do.

I glanced towards the door before looking at him so I wasn't the one that would be caught, knowing my luck I would be, "She misses you a lot. I feel like she changed a lot in her mindset when she was out. Brie is knocked up, she loves wrestling but she loves you and the idea of being together full-time more, brother."

He sighed with a small nod, "That wouldn't happen though. Even if she hung up her sneakers I would still be on the road, I miss her too but I think deep down her body is telling her she can't keep doing this."

"Did we watch the same matches?" I frowned as to me she was going strong. I had enjoyed her match with Carmella where she whipped out the fire extinguisher just like I had on Brock back at Wrestlemania.

"We did. But she came back from a career ending neck injury, she will never be 100%. Deep down I always knew that, I saw it when she trained with Bayley and I but I was in denial. Just keep an eye on her for me, okay? I wish I could be there but I can't." I didn't like seeing him so beat up, it was difficult being away from the one you loved, I fucking understood that.

"Well luckily for you I agreed to be her person so I'll be keeping my eye on her." I smiled proudly and after talking for who knows how long now he turned to me.

"I don't think so, I'm her only person." He narrowed his eyes and I stopped myself from laughing as he was serious at staking his claim.

"Hey. She said she missed having you around, I miss having Brie around. Makes sense" I shrugged and he sighed.

"I guess it does. I just want her to be happy and I don't see how that's possible when she has her ex shoved in her face every time she's at work." He pointed out and while I could solve it by confronting the most annoying John ever. I knew that would just lead to me being castrated by Nikki.

"Its easy. She goes back to her locker room and facetime's you or stares at those rocks on her fingers. She's married to her superman, anything that is said or she's confronted with has nothing on her when she has you." I pat his back before heading over to the cooler box in the corner of the room and grabbing a beer.

"You think I don't realize that I'm the only one doing the work over here?" I heard him as I took a long sip.

"Do you wanna say it any louder?" I rolled my eyes while he chuckled.

"I'll leave you to it but just know that your baby mama knows you well. So if later when she's asking you which wall you painted she'll be able to see right through you" he smirked while I shook my head.

"Now see, you said yourself that she knows me so don't you think that she knows I wouldn't paint this room but do the smart thing and allow you to do it?" I smirked and saw him thinking before laughing.

"Smart decision for who?"

"For the baby. I don't have great painting skills and she wants it perfect for our girl" I shrugged glancing over at the now complete yellow wall and watched as he moved onto the next  while he rolled his eyes.

He made his way over to me and smirked, "Just hand me a beer. You're lucky I love you so much"

"Don't let Nikki hear you say that. Let's just remember she will forever be jealous because you fell in love with my ass first" I shrugged before chuckling and raising my beer to his.

"I could say the same for Brie cause she ain't got nothing on my Samoan ass"

◆◆◆◆

I stood in the backyard of Brie and Jon's home, I could feel my arm was a bit sore courtesy of me painting the entire baby room despite trying to guilt Jon into helping me. I didn't mind though when I had seen how happy Brie was once 'we' finished.

We were a few days away from the Royal Rumble where I would be having yet another rematch for my US championship. It was a back and forth but I was enjoying my feud with JeriKO although they did make it difficult to remain in character with their random jokes. Our feud led to us hanging out a lot and it helped keep my mind off of the storyline Nicole was currently still in. I guess I should have been happy that all that happened this week was a brawl and no harsh words.

"I'm really happy to see that smile on your face, Joe. Its been quite sometime" Galina smiled at me as I stood observing people getting lost in thought. It was my thing I guess, unless I was dragged into the crowds I preferred just watching. Its probably why I needed Nicole or Jon to drag me to be more social.

"Yeah. We have done good for ourselves, haven't we? " I nodded as we were both in love and married. While the love we had for each other would never fade we were hopelessly in love with other people.

"Aren't you happy I'm not a terrible ex?" She mused before sipping some champagne which caused my eyes to fall on her.

"Ah, you have no idea. Between you and me, John is trying his luck again" I scratched the back of my head and winked at Jojo who was holding Viv as she sat beside Lola, allowing her to feed her.

"But they all think you're engaged? Does he seriously think she would just drop everything you two have together and be with him" She shook her head having never been too keen on John since he whipped out the moving in contract. I smiled and was truly grateful that I had the best relationship a man could have with his ex.

"In his eyes, you and I were engaged and it ended and she dropped him as soon as he showed lack of trust." I mumbled.

"Joe, look at you and Nicole compared to us when we were engaged. We were more friends than anything and I wouldn't worry too much about it, once he realizes you are actually married he should back off" She reasoned.

"Yeah, you are probably right. I'm not sure when the world will have the privilege of knowing that. I'm not keen on it getting out, I mean you see what she's put through on TV." I gestured and Galina nodded understanding my concerns. I had waited awhile before even revealing details on my personal life shared with her back in the day.

"I spoke to her about it when she came over earlier in the week and..."

"She did?" My eyes fell on her having not known that.

She giggled, "You do know she didn't just come around back in the day to spend time with you right?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, "I do know that but as I recall she came to cry on your shoulder. Now I am a very good spouse so I doubt she was there for that."

She laughed out before continuing, "She came to spend the day with us before flying out to meet you guys here. We picked Jojo up from school and went out for lunch. Jojo was so happy to see her and just relive the wedding all over again."

"I'm sure she was. I know my schedule has been insane and with the exception of the wedding I haven't been able to see her as much" I began as the guilt filled me, especially when we were currently at a baby shower.

"You speak to her everyday. You know she understands what her dad has to do." She rubbed my arm and I nodded and always appreciated Galina for being the amazing mother she was.

"Sorry to interrupt but Brie is having some trouble with her dress" Trinity came and slowly pulled Galina away and I knew they weren't bothering Nicole when she was running all over the place. I hadn't seen her all day as I had gone to fetch Galina and Jojo at the airport and taken them for a bit of a tour around the town.

I smiled as I spotted her and groaned internally at how beautiful she looked. But then again, she always looked amazing whether she was dolled up or walking around our house in sweats.

"Everything looks great, Nicole" I hugged her from behind as she was busy writing out some list but stopped and turned in my arms.

"Thank you. I can't wait for Brie to see it as well. How was your morning with Gee and Jojo?" She questioned as she held my face and traced her thumbs over my cheeks.

"It was great. And thank you" I whispered leaning down to nudge my nose against hers before kissing her. She pushed herself against me as she returned it and I held onto her.

"While I will never say no to those lips, what was the 'thank you' for?" She stared up at me with a small smile and caressed my face, more so my stubble.

"I heard you went down to visit Jojo" I spoke as I did appreciate that she did so, I knew she had a bond with my daughter. That was clear when her and I weren't speaking while Jojo would constantly ask about her and encourage us to be together.

"Well I missed them. And to be honest I was missing you and being with them gave me a sense of being close to you. I didn't really tell you cause I knew you wouldn't be able to join me."
She pouted slightly and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"There's nowhere else I would rather be but..."

"You have to work. Its the perks of me being taken off live shows I guess" she giggled but I could tell she didn't seem like herself. It was really tough I wasn't going to lie, we were both busy and when we weren't we also tried to see people that we hardly saw. We hadn't been back at my place in awhile and I couldn't wait for when we would be so we could just have our own time.

"Is everything okay?" I questioned despite not wanting to do so as I always waited for her to spill everything to me instead of asking her questions I knew she would most likely avoid.

"What do you mean? You know I haven't really been doing live shows?" She questioned assuming I was yet again questioning her about her neck. I didn't want to continuously do it but with Jericho sparking those thoughts months before I couldn't help it.

"Yeah but are you okay with..."

The cheers cut me off and I saw Brie enter with Jon beside her. I shook my head and took her hand in mine so we could move towards them instead. I chuckled as I noticed Winston and Josie on leashes and matching the theme of the party.

"Jon's idea. Don't they look adorable?" Nikki giggled as she tightened her hand in mine. "I mean they..."

"Coco!" Jojo screamed before approaching with Lola and little Viv.

"Viv saw you and reached her arms out so I figured I would bring her" Lola smiled and Nicole gladly took her in her arms. Each time she did I just fell more in love with the idea of our future babies.

"Lola, can I have a cupcake please?" Jojo questioned and of course Lola wouldn't deny her. She followed my little girl who seemed to be growing up way too fast for my liking. I liked watching her grow though and seeing more of her mother and me in her. Not in the athletic sense but just the spirit and personality, my daughter was everything to me and I always intended to make her proud. And when she would wrap her arms around me and hold on tight I always knew I did.

"You know with all these babies we definitely don't need to have any anytime soon. Imagine the chaos" She shook her head and I glanced down at Viv, while my heart longed to have our own little girl. If I were realistic there was no time right now, especially when I barely saw my number one Joelle.

"As long as I'm not completely grey before I become a dad again" I winked and she nudged me with her elbow before glancing up as Jon called us over for a picture.

She handed over Viv to Lola and I took my place beside Jon as they wanted a picture of the four of us and the dog babies.

"I only see one married couple here. Pressure is on, Jonny" Nikki whispered through her smile which caused Jon to roll his eyes and me to laugh out.

"Only see one pregnant twin. Pressure is on, Nikki" He mumbled in return.

Brie and I simply shook our head at the two as them butting heads was something that wouldn't end. We had learned to deal with it many years before but they cared for each other like siblings which put me at ease. Even if I couldn't be there to look out for her I knew he was...

◆◆◆◆◆

Hi strangers! I realized the last time I updated this book was shortly after Joe's cancer announcement. Like woah that was ages ago and I'm so sorry! Our superman is back and doing great which makes me happy. I have been reading some of this story again over the last couple of days to figure out what my plan was and just get a sense of their characters again.

It has been several months since I updated so if things seem off I'm sorry. But I would like to finish this book before the end of the year so expect more updates!