"She's tough, but she tries to hide it.
She's difficult.
But if you make an effort, she's worth it.
She's worth the effort."
-Derek Shepherd, Grey's Anatomy

◇◇◇

"Do you have my..." I didn't bother finishing as I stared up into the blue eyes of a shirtless Viper. A Viper who seemed to have sunk his venom into me this week since he was everywhere and invading any ounce of space I had.

"Your what?" His eyebrows furrowed as he stared curiously at me when I knew it was him.

"You know what!" I snapped.

"No I don't"

"My toy" I mumbled as I stood in the hallway while he blocked my entry to his room.

"Why would I have it?" He scoffed not seeming interested as he folded his arms with a raised eyebrow.

"Because you fucking sneak into my room every time for who knows what reason, we're flying out tonight. I plan to never see you again but I would like my toy so..."

"That's harsh. I hoped this would be a tale we'd tell our grandkids. "

"What?"

"How we fell in love" he mused. "It was love at first sight, or first fuck"

"Go fuck yourself" I grumbled and turned away but felt his hand wrap around my arm and pull me to his chest.

"I'd much rather fuck you, Garcia" He inhaled deeply and I closed my eyes before trying to get out of his grip.

"We went over this, I made a huge mistake with you. I had way too many, a week later and nothing changed" I shrugged as he had gotten what he wanted, a night with me and me by his side so he wasn't bored the entire week but now I had to retain to reality. A reality where Brie was married and well, I wasn't sure what was happening. My reality sucked but I was used by someone I loved, I didn't need to be used by someone I would be stuck with for the rest of my life and have a constant reminder of it.

He sighed and walked into his room, "pity, I wanted to watch you with this but here you go"

"Thanks"

"Drive to the airport?" He offered.

"Well we're all going together remember?" I reminded him confused by his sudden change of tone.

"Not really, I'll be taking my own rental" He shrugged as he continued packing while I simply nodded.

"Oh enjoy then"

"Hey I thought you left already" I heard John as I typed a text and realized the door had opened beside me.

"Figured I'd take the ride with you guys!" Randy stated as I was forced to move up. I sighed but continued texting while they talked about whatever.

After an agonizingly long twenty minute drive we finally arrived at the airport, standing around as we waited for our flights to be called.

"So will I be seeing you again?" His voice vibrated into my neck but I chose to not show him how much it affected me.

"Your best friend married my sister, I guess so. But your schedule is quite busy" I sighed, not sure why he was still clinging to me.

"I would make time for you" he smirked causing me to smile with an eye roll, briefly glancing at Brie and John who luckily hadn't noticed.

"Oh Viper, you're a borderline sex addict" I giggled and gave him a quick peck but he pulled me back and kissed me deeply. His arm wrapped around my waist with a groan before he placed two soft kisses on my lips.

"Smile!" I heard my mom and frowned but he held me close.

"You're so fucking beautiful" he groaned into my hair. Knowing it was all just a game to amuse himself before I became just another woman to him...

◆◆◆◆

"We're here in San Diego, where are you?" Brie's confusion filled my ear.

"Why are you there?" I frowned equally confused, as far as I had known John was so freaked out about her even leaving the house, let alone taking a flight to California.

"John has an appearance and I tagged along, well forced him to bring me along, thinking you were at home which you clearly aren't. Mom said you flew out before so I figured you came home..." I could hear the whining in her voice and I felt bad considering my mom had pointed out that Brie was at home and missed me as much as I did her. While my life was a constant confusion and moving so fast paced, she was killing the time.

"I haven't been home in awhile actually, uhm I'm at Randy's house. Its his birthday, well was his birthday so I'm..." I began, hearing a small sigh from her before she cut me off.

"Birthday sex? Really Nicole?" I could tell she was rolling her eyes already, I was sure it was more due to her waiting outside my door but it wasn't exactly my fault.

"No! Ally is here, we were together so heading home didn't really seem like an option to me." I shrugged. "I love him, Brie" I whispered hoping to change her grouchy mood.

"What?"

"I'm not repeating myself" I groaned which led to her silence. "Brianna?"

"I'm not sure what to say, you're my sister and you have been so indecisive so you love him after about a week ago you were still confused?"

Couldn't she just let me bask in the fact that I was finally less confused in my life thanks to his fucking blue orbs and cocky smirk!

"Yes I do, why do you always have to be so annoying? I let my thoughts go and just let us be. We went out for dinner and I just felt all these things, it was just me and him. No wrestling, no one else as we got lost in each other I guess and I love him. I didn't even realize it before I said it and it was like I was standing watching it happen. And when he realized my words, I did and it was like oh my word I fucking love you" I breath, more so thinking aloud as we hadn't really spoken about it.

We had simply danced the night away and I fell asleep on the car ride home and was woken up by Alanna letting me know we had to leave for the airport.

"I'm not trying to be annoying, if you love him then I believe you, Nicole. And by your voice and that rant I definitely believe you" Her voice was soft. "Was it the Wrestlemania moment? That kiss was cute and I saw the look in your eyes. You were trending too"

"We were?" I smiled setting the piping bag down, knowing there was no point in continuing when my head was up in the clouds.

"Yeah, you guys really got a loud pop. I was surprised you weren't featured with him on Raw."

I felt my body tense as the reminder of Wrestlemania not being all sunshine and rainbows filled my mind. Sure I could live in the bubble and be happy I loved someone but once he went back on the road I would be lost. I wasn't sure what my fate was, Stephanie clearly didn't want her dad to know about Hunter's infidelity. She loved him so why would she want his name tarnished? But she was the boss so she could continue to torture me and Vince would believe it were a fucking storyline.

"I know, about that. There's something I need to.." I stopped my plan to tell Brie because I didn't want to raise my fears with Randy. Yes I knew I would get a stern and annoying lecture from Brie but she would be straight with me. She could annoy the hell out of me but she always knew the best way to comfort her older sister. Randy tried extremely hard to do so and succeeded but his sick humour just cheered me up, didn't really prepare me mentally for the worst because he tried to be hopeful. Alanna moving into the kitchen caught my attention and I smiled.

"Need to?" Brie questioned.

"Uhm I'll call you later" I quickly hung up hearing a brief protest from her before I did.

"Hey sweetie! You want some cereal?" I moved over to the cabinet and pulled out her Fruit loops courtesy of John.

"Yes, please" she walked over to look at the cake placed on the counter.

"Did you kiss Daddy?" Alanna questioned and I frowned at the question. Before we were simply friends with no boundaries I suppose and now, well we were together, officially. I guess it was a sort of gift for Randy's birthday.

"If I did how would you feel about that?" I slowly questioned pouring in the milk for her.

I felt her arms wrap around me as a response and giggled, "what's that for?"

"Making my daddy happy" She chirped causing me to smile as I ran my hand through her pigtails before she took a seat at the table and stuffed her mouth with several colours.

"You make him happy" I stated.

"But I'm not always here. I'm with mommy and mommy's happy, now daddy's happy too." She explained, I had become so attached to this little girl yet her mother was a stranger to me. I had spent time with Randy's family many times because of Brie having to go but conveniently was never invited when she would be there.

"And how long have you known I make him happy?" I narrowed my eyes playfully, clearing my thoughts knowing I wouldn't want to stare at a woman he had been in love with.

"Does he make you happy?" She surprised me by asking which led to me getting back to what I had been doing before Brie's interruption.

"I wouldn't be making this cake if he didn't." I winked before getting the piping bag ready hoping the skills my mom had passed down would not fail me.

"Daddy said you're always mad at him but I told him you love him right?" I smiled to myself at her confident tone and of course kids always knew best. Each time I spent with her she would ask me the same question and I replied positively only this time I meant it in the way she wanted me to.

A few months or even weeks ago I would have been weary regarding her believing things or providing false hope but it had always been obvious I suppose. Over the last year my visits had grown frequent to where I had been home with Randy and her whenever we were off. The kiss shared at Wrestlemania in front of the crowd could be used for the storyline but we knew it was deeper.

"Yes"

"He thought I was lying" She whined while I simply shook my head.

"Shame on me" I heard him and rolled my eyes as Alanna ran towards him and he lift her into his arms.

"Well there goes your birthday surprise." I narrowed my eyes at him while he smirked placing a kiss on her head before setting her down.

"I thought the surprise was you still being here, Ally, I thought I saw Joe head out to the yard. You should get him." He winked and she reached into one of the lower cupboards taking out a ball.

"Okay Daddy" I watched as she moved through the door and soon heard the door leading to the back close before focusing on the man I now loved.

"Way to interrupt our conversation" I scoffed tying my hair into a high bun while he smirked.

"She doesn't mind, she loves when I spend time with you. I love when I spend time with you and I know you love spending time with me." He moved closer to me and kissed me gently.

"Love. Love. Love" I smiled into his lips before he leaned closer and kissed me again pulling my body against his.

"Say it" He whispered into my neck as he lift me onto the counter.

"What?"

"That you love me." He rolled his eyes, annoyed with me not realizing.

"I love you" I giggled and briefly kissed him before tracing my fingers over his shoulder.
"How do you feel?"

"About?"

This time my eyes rolled, "The chase is over. You have me."

"Oh the chase is never over, you're a beautiful woman, Garcia. I have you but now I have to make sure you remain mine." He stated with meaning while I tried to shake it off as I wasn't sure where I would go running to. I was faced with Hunter on Sunday and while I couldn't not care about him, neither of us fell into anything and yet again he hit me with a low blow by making me feel like nothing with his version of events he had told Stephanie.

"That's not hard, I put you through so much. A year of ups and downs, betrayals, I don't know how the hell you put up with a mess like me. No other guy would, so there is no need to be concerned. You have absolutely no competition..."

"No other guy would because you refuse to let anyone in. I have told you before, all those guys are watching this beautiful body of yours, wanting a piece. But I guess its good I'm a persistent SOB because you belong to me." He smiled and I tried not to protest his possessive claim because it clearly meant a lot to him.

He leaned down and kissed me again, this time making sure his tongue moved past my lips with a slight groan from his throat. I felt his stubble prick my skin as I held onto his face and felt his fingers slip on my thigh but I immediately pushed him away, "Ally is outside"

"You know its really hard for me to believe you love me when you haven't slept with me since" He shook his head before kissing my forehead.

I sighed, "we haven't been alone since. She doesn't even know what we are and you want to scar her"

"And she won't be scarred seeing me standing like this?" He referred to him being trapped between my legs.

"Why would she, remember the last time you made dinner. We were seated right here watching you..." I shrugged realizing just how many memories had been made between the three of us when I hadn't even been sure. They provided me with a safe haven to just relax and not think and I hadn't even seen it then.

"And yet you were in denial" he nudged his nose over mine, resting his forehead on mine.

"Are you going to be annoying about this?"

He chuckled, "No. I'm just happy you're here, Ally's outside with our boy. Life is perfect."

"Our boy?"

"He is our son."

"So you had me as a mom before we were even together" I softly spoke basking in the closeness and praying Alanna didn't walk in.

"I knew what you didn't."

"I guess I was worth the wait?"

"Worth it all, Bella. " He briefly kissed me before staring at the half decorated cake with a smirk. "I guess I am expected to be treated like royalty for all the torture I have endured?"

"Fuck you. Its just for your birthday, we're on equal grounds after this Orton. You don't get to pout and neither do I."

"Positive are we?" He chuckled while I finished as he stood beside me, closely.

"You get a call from Carrano yet?" I heard him after a bit.

"No, why?"

"Wanted to know if you knew how things would be going now on Raw." He breath.

"You mean if we're still side by side? I doubt it, I'm under complete torture from Stephanie and she knows how close we are." I shrugged hoping I would actually be featured on Raw, I was the Diva's Champion after all.

"Yeah but you being with me leaves no doubt in her mind for her husband..."

"Why does that sound like a question? Do you not truly believe I am done with Hunter?" I frowned.

"Don't put words in my mouth, Bella." He kissed the side of my head before turning and heading out to meet Alanna outside I assumed.

I was done with Hunter, if I wasn't I wouldn't have been strong enough to sit there and talk to him. Or was that me slowly slipping back into his control?

◆◆◆

"Did she really have to go home?" I questioned as Randy walked along the pool as I had been floating on the water with Joseph.

We had a good morning, singing to him and devouring cake which of course was interrupted by his ex-wife letting him know to drop Alanna off. I was sad especially when she had asked me to tag along for the drive and Randy had come up with some excuse for me before I could even decide for myself.

"Ain't he scared?" He questioned referring to Joseph and I shook my head but he raised his eyebrow and leaned over, pulling the float so I could hand him over.

"You're so overprotective." I mumbled pushing against the pool so I could float away from him.

"Your mom doesn't have a pool, so we'll ease him on it. You're saying it like its a bad thing?"

I shrugged, "What exactly happened with Samantha?"

"Nothing. I just dropped Alanna off and..."

"No, I mean in your marriage." I stared over at him, apart of me knowing perhaps I didn't deserve to ask it. But me not even knowing made me realize how much this entire thing had been about me, my feelings, my emotions, my mistakes...

"Well things weren't the same I suppose"

I nodded and sighed guessing he was a bit like John, Brie had told me how they were mum about their past marriages. I was sure she knew the reason though because John wouldn't hesitate to indulge about Randy to her.

I stared into the distance enjoying the sun while he remained quiet as well, while I had always hated being weak Randy and most people knew my personal life when it came to Nick. We were very social, with everyone so everyone had their part in it. He knew about Hunter because he saw it, he might have believed it to be Colby causing it all but when he found it was Hunter he could see why I felt the way I felt.

"Nicole, why do you want to know about my past? I told you I was no good before I fell for you" he smirked as he had entered the pool and was now beside me.

"Oh now you're saying you fell for me two years ago? Randy, I love your humour but sometimes I need you to be serious."

"Why do you want to know? So you can make sure you don't act a certain way to prevent me from leaving you?" He chuckled but my silence answered his question.

"She was too sweet."

"So I'm not sweet?" I narrowed my eyes before staring everywhere but him.

"You are, I don't know how to explain it Nicole. I was on the road constantly, I was on screen charmer like you said. I did stupid shit and we weren't the same. I had an ego on me and it grew and grew until we just drifted. I didn't see it coming but it did, I didn't fight it. She was my first love, you know? She put up with me until she couldn't deal with all the change. I told you, we ain't getting younger you and I. We have changed and without me changing I wouldn't be what you needed. You don't have to overthink with me, I love every side of you Nicole and I'm not just talking about your body" He winked and pulled my hand into his.

"You have done all this fighting for me and what have I done?"

"You gave up on everything you believed before. If you didn't fight for me you wouldn't be here with me, maybe my fighting was more anger and shit but your battle with that indecisive heart of yours..." He sighed dramatically.

I traced over his tattoos filling his arm glancing down for her name while he focused on my skin, only it wasn't there.

"Randy" I mumbled.

"Yeah..."

"What is that?" I traced over his arm.

"What do you mean what is that?" He glanced at his arm before staring at me confused.

"Why is my name on your arm?" I saw Samantha had been replaced with Stephanie while he didn't seem surprised by it, I had been with him basically 24/7 since he got back and hadn't even noticed it. Maybe because I just learnt to not focus on a tattoo of another woman's name but...

"I told you I had your name on me. I know its not 'Nicole' but after I had the other removed there was a huge space and.."

I slowly sat up on the swan to stare more clearly down at him, "Why is my name on you?"

"You asked me why I still had it last year, and I told you I haven't found anyone with meaning enough and now I have. I don't see what the problem is" He said seriously and while I recalled that it had been us just messing around, him flirting.

"I thought you were kidding!"  I blurted out but then smiled. "Does this mean I have to get one too? Brie would kill me if I got another one."

He smirked and pulled me off into the water with him, "My name marking your heart is enough for me. The same way having the two most important women in my life's names on me. I use these arms every fucking night to beat someone up, you two give the snake his strength."

"We strengthen each other it seems, Orton. I guess we're going to need it once we go back next week. Carrano called and I will be on Raw next week..."

♥♥♥♥

A very happy belated birthday to Stephanie McMahon! I love making her a villainous character in most my books because she is so fierce but I really love her as a whole. I've been a fan of her since I first started watching which I think was the time Undertaker served almost as her bodyguard, not sure. But yeah big 41 for Stephanie :)