"You were too good to be true.
And I knew it."
Sarah Doughty

▲▲▲

"Are you sure you are ready for him? Is there an actual plan or are you just going to be a jobber for him and endure several trips to Suplex City?" Nicole continuously questioned while I helped her stretch out her legs. In my opinion I should have been the one to be bombarding her with questions but I chose to let her be.

When she had told me that she was returning today I admit I could have had a better reaction but I had spoken before I could stop myself. It had left her avoiding me for most of the day yesterday but I could also tell she was more hurt than mad.

All I wanted was for her to do what she loved but I never wanted that to be at a price of her health. She was one of the most ruthless wrestlers in her time here when a lot of the women weren't being as savage as she was. But a lot had changed and you had people who she never worked with thrown into the mix. So I couldn't help but express how I wasn't keen on the idea, the fact that she found out a day before also meant less rehearsal time with the women.

"Are you just blocking me out right now?" I heard her again as she hopped up.

"No, I would never dare do that to the Fearless Nikki Bella" I shook my head and she shoved my chest before loosening her hair.

I smiled, "He gave John like sixteen suplexes I think? Or whatever but that means there will be several coming my way. But I am the Viper so its not going to be an easy fight."

She turned to me again as she brushed out her hair, "I didn't say it would be, I'm just concerned that's all. I have seen him fight with Hunter and John and it just makes me uneasy. Even Hunter has told me there were times where he just went off script and Hunter was like fuck it and he did the same. I just don't want that man pulling any shit you aren't ready for, that's all"

"I can't promise you that there won't be surprises because you know very well that no one is exempted from that. Not even Colby but I will be ready for anything, he'll still be thinking he has one up on me and then RKOuttaNowhere" I winked and she smiled before pushing all of her hair back. I loved seeing her excitement especially when there had been plenty of forced smiles over the last few months.

"I must say, despite my hesitance when you told me you would be working with him I have enjoyed watching you just have fun messing with him" She leaned up and wrapped her arms over my shoulder while I was still in a sweatpants and a t-shirt since I would be the main event.

"Yeah I needed a good feud to make me feel like myself. And I like it because there ain't so much talking, you know? I mean maybe a small part of me wishes that he would have brought you up so I could beat the shit out of him and know Hunter would have my back" I smirked and she seemed to think about it.

"I don't think I even want my name coming out of his mouth." She shuddered before kissing me a few times and I tightened my arms around her.

"I will be careful out there" I said with less humor so she knew I meant it because I didn't want her concern for me to throw off her concentration in her comeback match.

"You're not the one I'm concerned about. I hope I get a good one after this" She mumbled and I was happy that the conversation was diverting to her as she would be heading out there soon and I hoped the crowd was good because it meant a lot to her.

"Hunter is very involved with the women, he is the reason big things are happening. I'm sure he won't let you down, so you are on which brand?" I questioned while she smiled slightly at my words.

"Smackdown, of course" She said proudly and my smile met hers as I had been so worried about her physically that I hadn't even thought about how things would be if she ended up on Raw.

"Now that’s music to my ears, your phone is lighting up again" I frowned as it caught my eye from where it was laid on the bench I had been seated on.

"Oh its just Johnny. I will head to him after the match" She shrugged as she took it into her hands and declined it again before moving to the small table and grabbing some red lipstick.

"It seems a bit urgent, don’t you think?" I picked the phone up to see the several phone calls from Johnny and knew it couldn't just be the stepdad in him wanting to wish her a good match.

"Yeah maybe but I just want to be in fearless mode" She pouted and placed her snapback onto her head and just like that she went from Nicole to Nikki Bella.

I set her phone down before focusing on her, "Okay, can I walk you to the gorilla or am I going to have to be stuck here?"

"You will be watching from the gorilla remember?" She narrowed her eyes at me while I hugged her from behind as she did a once over of herself.

"I will?" I raised my eyebrow as I stared at her reflection before me, I had said I would be waiting for her at the gorilla which I would.

"Yeah like any supportive future husband would" She giggled and turned in my arms, staring up at me. "You watched rehearsals, do you think I did okay?"

"You did perfect. I'm happy they are saving the major bumps and stuff for out there though." She had been good and had no ring rust but I liked that all the dives and major moves were just spoken of but not done beforehand. I didn't want her body going through too much on the first night.

I took her hand as we left the locker room knowing time was running out and she still needed to warm up.

"My mom is probably in the front row with my brother by now" I heard her beside me.

"Did you tell her not to be too concerned if she sees me hurt by the Beast? She's a bit of a worrier" I said as Brie had filled her head with way too much visual from Brock's match with John.

"Yeah I..."

"Nikki, I have been calling you non-stop and Johnny has too." Hunter called as he approached us having come from gorilla where we were heading towards.

"I know, I told Randy I would just go to him afterwards" She frowned at him as my eyes briefly fell on her before focusing on Hunter who seemed way too concerned to just wanna give her some peptalk before the match.

"There is no afterwards, we need to go see Chris Amann" He breath.

"What do you mean?" I immediately questioned once I heard Chris was being brought into this. He was our physician and usually the one that dealt with every injured person on the roster. So the fact that Nicole needed to see him when she was meant to be joining the other women didn't sit too well with me.

"There's something that came up in your results. Come on" He walked past us and Nicole's confused eyes met mine as she glanced towards gorilla before calling after him.

"But the match is about to start, I need to.."

"Unfortunately you won't be in the match" He spoke as we reluctantly followed behind him.

"What? You told me"

Hunter sighed heavily before opening the door to one of the green rooms and we followed him in. I felt Nicole's hand tighten in mine and knew she was nervous while I was too. Hunter wouldn't just crush her dreams like that because maybe Vince decided against it. I also didn't understand how there could be a mistake when we had both watched how great she was moving in the ring hours before.

"I don’t get it, she was cleared and you guys called her yesterday to let her know. How could you let her be taken out of..." I spoke knowing her mind was probably going crazy with questions as we heard the women's match being kicked off due to the entrance music blasting throughout the arena.

"I think you should both take a seat" He gestured to the couch as he closed the door behind us.

"Why would we do that, whats happening. I assumed you wouldn’t let them take this away from me. I don’t.." Nicole shook her head refusing to do so and I wasn't going to leave her side.

He stared between us and seemed hesitant to even say anything as he moved in front of us, "If you guys will just take a seat. I will explain everything"

I sat down and tugged on Nicole's hand so she could do the same even though I could see her brown eyes were still laced with confusion. I didn't like how Hunter was being more of a boss than a friend right now either.

"We received your results this morning and I assume you are unaware because I know you and you would never risk this just to get back into the ring" He stared at Nicole and seemed to be beating around the bush while all I wanted to know was what had changed from a few hours ago.

I felt my jaw clench as I will admit I had annoyed her with being overprotective. But if somehow she had managed to injure herself when the rehearsal had been so light then I had every right to be. And with the weary, conflicted look on Hunter's face I knew I had probably been right in saying it was too soon.

Nicole interrupted him before he could continue as her voice raised, "I know I have been pushing myself in the gym now and…"

"Nicole, you are pregnant" is what I heard that caused me to block out her arguments beside me and my concerned thoughts giving me a fucking headache.

"What?" I blurted out because Nicole immediately went silent when I had been expecting to hear about her neck.

Hunter cleared his throat before nodding, "You know we have been waiting on your blood tests and it shows that you are pregnant. Therefore, there is no way in hell you are going out there tonight"

"She's pregnant?" I questioned again just to make sure I wasn't imagining anything since I still hadn't heard Nicole at all.

Hunter smiled. "Yeah she is"

"But I'm supposed to return tonight" She croaked and I saw the brief reflex in Hunter as he moved towards her but then went over to the door instead.

"I have to be at the gorilla I will come find you two later, congratulations!" I heard the door close which left us alone with a huge bomb thrown on us. I knew she hadn't known before this moment because she definitely would have told me and the family yesterday.

"Did I hear correctly?" I heard her soft voice as soon as the door closed.

I asked myself the exact same question yet again and while I was certain I had I couldn't fucking believe it. I wanted to smile like I was on the inside but I knew this just crushed all hopes of her returning and I wasn't sure what to say or do.

I cleared my throat, "Nicole, I know its a lot to take in right now when you have been in the mindset to return but I'm sure they wouldn’t make a mistake like that"

"Nine months at home and I found out I am pregnant five minutes before my return" She giggled shaking her head while I simply watched her.

I had a habit of saying the wrong things at the wrong time and that was the trigger to her running away. I knew she wouldn't go running anymore but I still didn't want to say anything that could make her upset.

"I'm sorry" was all I could say because while we wanted to expand our family this was way out of the plan, especially her plan. I had gotten the 'we'll get married while I will wrestle and after a year I will hang up my boots'.

She was quiet for a bit before she realized I had said something I guess, and immediately shook her head. "No I am sorry, I am so happy I just..."

"I understand" I pulled her into a hug knowing her confliction of disappointment and happiness so I didn't expect more.

I knew what a surprise it was and I was sad for her part but the Randy Orton that wasn't a wrestler was so fucking happy, her fiance was happy. And I knew even though it stung now the end result would make it all better...

◇◇◇

"Sometimes the timing is off but its such a huge blessing" Brie smiled before pulling me into the third hug in the last two minutes since Randy had left me with her to break the news and his match was underway with Brock.

I had confined myself to the green room for most of the night but as soon as Colby found me while Randy warmed up I was forced to face reality. I went to shower and changed and then spilled the news to him. Of course Colby managed to cheer me up but it was just surreal. And he had lost against Finn so I didn't want to be moping when he was already disappointed himself.

I leaned over and gently played with little Aria's hand as her blue eyes shone with happiness. Brie had only found me ten minutes before as she had been with John all night. He had failed to win against AJ Styles so we were all a bunch of losers for the night at the biggest event of the Summer. It didn't make me feel too confident about Randy's chances but I couldn't even think about all the thoughts that had filled my mind leading up to his feud with the Beast, "I know, I mean look at this adorable face."

I sighed and stood up, briefly glancing at the monitor as Randy and Brock stood in the ring while Paul introduced Brock before looking at Brie, "I just wish I could have maybe at least had a month back here to get a feel for it all. But its okay, I can't change it and I wouldn't, even though it does suck a bit."

While I had been quite emotional after Hunter told us I did have time to calm down and just accept what was and let go of what could have been. I felt real bad for Randy who was probably overjoyed like I was too but due to my return being ripped away it was bittersweet. I didn't want that for our baby so in that moment I just chose to not focus on that part but the part where I was freaking pregnant.

It hurt though, like in just a few minutes my whole world tipped yet didn't. I was just so messed up and I guess I could give myself a break because I was expecting to be walking out to a crowd not just have everything changed up. The how wasn't even a question because I wasn't exactly careful with Randy because we were spontaneous but it was overwhelming to say the least. And scary to think if they hadn't noticed it I would have gone to wrestle a full match and possibly risked it all.

"I think its better this way because if you had gotten back into that ring it would have just destroyed you even more to let it all go abruptly." I knew she was right, and if I had returned and been in some storyline the weight of letting my opponent down would have also stung. This way no one would feel it because I was meant to have a great surprise return. "And another plus is that all of our kids will be close in age just like we planned when we were younger"

I realized it would all be happening like I planned, a bit mixed up of course but it was happening. I guess the joke was on me for being so indecisive because here the baby was, like I had wanted in the first place, "I can't wait to get back home and to see a doctor. I mean there's no way they are wrong but..."

"You want to see the heartbeat and all that. I can't wait either, see now you really need to come and live with us. You're pregnant, I have Aria so we can't be far apart with our guys on the road" She nudged me and Aria uttering her random words brought a smile to my face again even though I tried to focus on the match before me.

Too many thoughts rushed my mind due to her words. Not only was my return cancelled but I had so much planning to do. It wasn't like I was anywhere close to even giving birth but I needed to factor a baby into all my decisions as well. I went from buying new wrestling gear and working on my return to just being sideline yet again. Now I had a whole different situation to plan for, "we'll see. Maybe we can rent a house in Florida"

"And waste money?" I heard her.

"I don't know, Brianna. I'm just so overwhelmed and I didn't picture finding out that I'm pregnant from Hunter, at work. It felt like I finally had some control over things, the wedding, my career and now a kid..." I shrugged as I focused on her. I just needed to vent if I was honest because I had just been stunned with Randy.

"I know it feels like everything is chaos right now but that's how most of our lives have felt like. And look where we are, I get that you wanted to actually be planning to start a family. But sometimes it just happens when the universe decides you are ready even if you don't think you are."

I nodded, "I get that. I shouldn't feel scared, I'm in a secure relationship and about to be a wife. My life is stable and ruling out a return makes it even more so. Fuck, I just realized I'm going to be a knocked up bride..."

"Woah" I heard Brie and it didn't sound like it was due to my words as her eyes widened so I focused on the screen to see Brock stripping off his gloves. He was really pissed, why I didn't even know because I had been so caught up talking to my sister.

I flinched as he continuously hit Randy with his costs and included shots with his elbow, "he is bleeding, Nicole"

"I can see that!" I snapped as anger ran through me as he refused to stop even after he was declared the winner by TKO. I had a bad feeling about him feuding with Brock from the beginning and seeing the blood dripping off of Randy's face just magnified it.

"He is hitting him again, what the.." I heard myself not being able to move but feeling so much anger as to why they couldn't control him.

I saw Shane running down to try and intervene but he only F5'd him, "I fucking knew something like this would happen."

I had enough and walked towards the gorilla hearing Brie call after me but I sped walk ready to make my way down to the ring only to see Brock enter through the curtain with my Viper's blood literally on his hands.

I didn't even think about the consequences before I approached him, "You think just because you're a big draw you can just come in here and leave him soaked in his own blood?"

"Who are you?" He questioned with a small smile, not even bothered at how angry I was at him.

I glared at him, "I am the fiance of the man you just left bloodied in the ring!"

He chuckled, "Oh good, tell him not to piss me off next time, baby"

I immediately slapped him and this time he glared and moved towards me while Heyman tugged on his arm.

"Brock, Vince wants to see you in his office now." Hunter's voice caused him to stop staring at me and I soon felt his hand pulling mine.

"What the hell are you thinking?" Hunter snapped as Brock moved on which caused me to focus on him.

"You saw what just fucking happened!" I wavered to the monitors, not sure why he was even questioning me when he knew how tempered I could get when they fucked with my storylines. And this was more than that and it was the first time I had seen Randy so hurt.

"Brock went rogue but do you think you are helping Randy by arguing with him?"

I was about to respond when Randy appeared with the officials through the curtain. A towel hung around his shoulder as they had cleaned him up and stapled him out in the ring. All anger went away and the concerned fiance was on, seeing his blood on their gloves and the towel.

He saw me, and I couldn't help but pout and move into his open arms. He let out a weak chuckle but wrapped his arm around me, "Well you should be happy he didn't do any permanent damage to my face, I imagine you would have left me"

"I was halfway out the arena when I saw blood" I mumbled into his chest but moved with him to the medic room so he could get properly cleaned up.

I had fought at loads of Summerslams which included me betraying my own sister and even arguments out ringside with Stephanie. But nothing would ever be able to top the Summerslam where I found out from my ex-love that I was knocked up. And the man I loved was being taken to a medic room because a beast decided he could just go off script.

"In the past the random bits that would happen just based off of chemistry in the ring I used to love. But then you get moments like these and its just senseless violence." I spoke while I watched as Chris Amann saw to him.

"I wasn't expecting this but I know the guy doesn't like to be fucked with and if he thought I was going to hold back?" Randy spoke while his voice was a bit muffled as he was leaned forward while Chris stitched him up.

"You just have to annoy everyone, don't you?" I rolled my eyes and he winked at me while I was still worried. "You're probably going to have to wait to be cleared all over again because of him"

"Tell Nikki, I am fine before she starts overthinking shit" he spoke to Chris who I could tell was almost done.

"Well she is right. You definitely have a concussion but you should fly home tonight and you have the best person to observe you."

"I might just kill him for agreeing to feud with that man" I glared at Randy before smiling at Chris.

He chuckled, "I will check you out again at Smackdown."

We thanked him before watching him exit so I stood up and moved between Randy's legs and traced my fingers over the stitches. "I'm so happy Ally decided to tour the arena with Colby instead of sitting ringside cause she would have probably cried."

He sighed, "That I won't argue with. I'm sorry you had to see me like that but I'm pretty sure that's the worst that can happen to me."

I was sure it was as I knew blood wouldn't really be spilt unless it was an accident. That obviously hadn't been, "Yeah I'm just happy its over. Oh and I might have slapped him"

"You slapped the Beast?" He frowned but didn't have the energy to be too surprised.

"Yeah. What can I say? He made me mad, I saw blood and I just freaked out." I shrugged and he shook his head.

"And he just let you?"

I smiled, "I mean Hunter interfered afterwards but I'm just satisfied I got my slap in because he deserved it for hurting you. I mean I can't have you all bruised up for our wedding day."

"Ah here I thought it was genuine concern but you're worried about wedding pictures. I am hurt, so hurt" he whined and I giggled.

"The only good thing about you probably not doing any appearances for the rest of the week is that we can go look at what's inside me" I thought aloud which reminded him about the news that had been dropped on us earlier in the night.

"Mmm and how are you feeling about that right now?" He searched my eyes even though I knew he couldn't wait to leave and relax after the beating he took.

"Mixed emotions but I'm indecisive so what's new. But I'm happy because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and even though this is very unexpected. I'm just going to embrace it all, I mean with you being the father I should have known the baby would just spring itself into my life" I teased.

He narrowed his eyes before placing a kiss onto my lips, "I guess no one can stand having to wait to be with you, Garcia"