Rise to Greatness 2021 #1
{{Friday, July 9
Kenner}}
It had been a few days since Dom and I went to the NOPD station and watched the video of Jude Nelson's interview with Travis Marcello, the Assistant District Attorney. This morning, the day of my 30th birthday, Marcello called me. The paperwork had been signed by everyone and was filed. All we were waiting on now was the courts to set a date for the hearing, where Nelson would appear in front of a judge and officially change his plea to guilty, and likely receive his sentence the same day. Marcello said Dom and I could be present, the law states that I have a right to speak. But I have no intentions of ever being in the same room with that man again, so I politely declined. Marcello promised to let us know of the hearing date, which he estimates will be in a week or two. That puts it after the wedding, potentially after Rise to Greatness. Doesn't matter to me, I am just ready for all of this to be over.
I told Dom what Marcello said, and he agreed with me that skipping the hearing is for the best. He then promised to make me forget everything about it for the day. So we got dressed up nice and went to the city to Brennan's for lunch. It's reservation only and when we got there Dom explained that he'd booked a private dining room. Their private rooms are normally booked for parties... but he's him and was able to get one for just us, a smaller one called the Wine room, which is literally their wine cellar with a table put in. Everything was fabulous, including the wine. After lunch we went home, then I went by myself to get my hair and nails redone. Yes, it's a thing I do regularly that I don't mention every time I do it, but as a TV performer, it needs to be kept up with. Not only that, I was getting my hair colored a brighter blonde as well as trimmed, and I didn't want to do it too soon to the wedding, just in case something went wrong and it needed to be fixed. But, all went well. Hair and nails take a while, especially when you're me – and I don't mean that to sound uppity, it's just that my salon caters to a certain clientele and they take their time.
Anyway, it's just after six PM when I get home, fresh hair and cute nails. Dom must have heard my car from outside, because he comes in from the back patio as I walk into the kitchen.
“Hey cakes... you look great.”
“Thank you.”
“Do me a favor though... don't look outside?”
“Um... why? What's wrong?” I had a sudden fear that something horrible happened to the backyard and now the wedding was going to be ruined.
“Nothing nothing is wrong at all. I'm just setting something up.”
I put my hand over my chest in relief. “Don't scare me like that, I thought a tree fell or the pool was somehow broken and next week was ruined.”
Dom laughs. “Sorry... nothing like that. I just have a little bit of a surprise for dinner.”
“Okay. I'll go lay down and not look outside.” Not like I could really see much unless I went on the bedroom balcony anyway.
“Thanks. It'll be worth it, I promise.” Dom kisses my forehead, and I head upstairs.
I lay down in bed for about an hour, I thought about reading something, but Dom didn't want me to think about my attack at all, so I left my Kindle alone, all I had been reading lately were the survivor story books. Instead, I put music on and closed my eyes and just relax. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, a hand is gently shaking my foot through the blanket. I open my eyes, and Dom is grinning at me.
“Oh... hi.”
“Good to see you so relaxed.... but dinner is almost ready. And by ready I mean here.”
“You ordered in?”
“I did. Lunch was fancy, dinner is casual. Come out back when you're ready.”
He gives me a grin over his shoulder as he walks out of the room.
Casual, huh? Okay. I put on a knee length baby blue sun dress and don't bother with shoes, then go downstairs and out the patio door.... then smile as I look around. Dom has a vase of red and yellow roses and a pillar candle on the patio table he set for dinner, and about a dozen floating lights in the pool. I think they're meant to look like candles, but less dangerous. It's absolutely beautiful.
“Baby...”
“Just a little something nice.”
“This looks amazing.” I keep looking around as Dom takes my hand and leads me to a chair at the patio table. I haven't sat yet though.
“It looks a lot better with you out here now.” He grins. I shake my head.
“Please, I look a mess. I just woke up, I have no makeup, my hair isn't even brushed-”
“You look beautiful.” He touches my face and smiles. “Always.” I then get a soft kiss. Dom gently pushes me to sit down. I watch as he goes to a side table against the wall and see that he has chilled wine and glasses. This man thought of everything. He comes back to the table with the wine and glasses, grabs a box from the side table, then finally sits across from me. The box is gift wrapped, it's obviously for me for my birthday. Dom says nothing as he opens and pours the wine, I can tell by the label that it's my favorite Merlot. He seems to be waiting for me so I take my glass and have a sip.
“Perfect.”
“I have this for you too, do you want it before or after dinner?” Dom taps the box.
“That's up to you, you're doing the giving.”
Just then, we hear the doorbell from the front door. I had a chime installed out here so we can hear it when we're outside, just like this. Dom gets up. “Guess it's after, that'll be the delivery. Be right back.”
Dom goes inside to get the door and whatever he ordered for dinner. Left alone for the moment, I pick up the gift box. It's not small but not huge, maybe the size of a hardcover book, and not especially heavy. I shake it. I can feel something moving slightly, but I can't tell what it might be made of. The whole shaking the box thing never works anyway, I don't even know why I did it. I put it down, and have some more wine. The breeze that always comes off the lake is pushing the floating lights around the pool, more than just the running pump would have. It really looks almost magical.
Dom comes back out, carrying a few boxes that I know come from our favorite sushi place. He sets mine in front of me, his at his place, and the third he opens and pulls two smaller containers out of – the seaweed salad.
“You really thought of everything, didn't you?” I open my box, already knowing what's inside. The same thing I always get that Dom knows well – smoked salmon roll, Tempura shrimp roll, with salmon and eel sashimi. His is much the same, only with spicy tuna instead of shrimp.
“I tried. Did I forget anything?”
“Um.... if you plan to swim later, did you bring me a suit out here?”
“I did!” He smiles big. I laugh.
“Then you got everything. This might be the best birthday I've had in a few years. Even with everything that's happened.”
Dom points at me with chopsticks full of a clump of seaweed salad. “Hey, you're not supposed to be thinking about that.”
“I'm not, not really. Just making a point. You've really made today almost perfect.”
“Almost?”
“Well, we didn't swim yet.” I give him a smirk.
“That's fair.” He laughs a bit, as he eats the seaweed he's been holding in the sticks.
We talk about nonsense as we eat our sushi and drink wine. Make little jokes to each other, flirt a little. That might sound odd considering he'll be my husband in a week, but I don't ever want there to be a time when we stop being flirty. Not even when we're 70 and can barely walk. When we're done, Dom stacks up the to-go boxes and sets them on an empty chair, to be taken to the trash later. He pours more wine, then slides the gift box towards me.
“Okay, here you go. I know we did lunch and I set up this dinner, but this is your real gift.”
I smirk, cause cheese is about to come out of my mouth. “I thought you were my real gift?”
Dom laughs. “Wow, that was pretty good.”
“I have my moments.” I pick up the box, and peel the paper off at the corners. Inside is a black gift box. I open it... and find what looks like a wallet or cover of some sort. When I pick it up, I realize it's purpose, it's a passport cover. It's made of soft camel-colored leather, and has a floral design embossed into the cover. It looks bigger than just for a passport though, so I open it. It also has a few card slots, and a wallet-like opening along the side. There's a small gold plaque inside with writing engraved... I'm staring at it, unsure how to respond.
“That opening there is meant for your tickets, boarding passes, things like that. I guess money too if necessary. I though you'd really like the card slots, so you don't have to carry your whole wallet or clutch when we go out exploring on our trip.”
I look up and smile, but it feels half-hearted. “That's a great idea, baby. I love it. This is really beautiful, I've never seen one like it.”
“That's because it's handmade. I found a little shop in the French Quarter, this old lady makes all sorts of things out of leather. Does the embossing herself, too. She has a guy who does the engraving, the little nameplate inside.”
“Right... that.” That's what was giving me pause. It's a nameplate... that reads 'Mrs. Bree Teller.' I understand that he got it meaning for me to use it for our trip after the wedding and after Rise to Greatness, so why wouldn't he have that name done? I hadn't even really thought about my name much at all until I saw it written in front of me... it makes me so unnerved that I know immediately that it's not right. I fold the holder closed and lay it on the table.
“I don't know how to really say this in a nice way, but... I can't use this.”
“You can't?”
“No... I... I don't want to change my name.”
Dom just looks at me a few seconds, glancing down at the cover, then back up. “What? You never mentioned that before.” I can't read his expression, I can't tell if he's upset, or just confused, or what.
“I know... I guess I never really thought about it. But seeing written down like that...” I shake my head. “I can't do it. I'm sorry.”
Picking up the cover, Dom opens it and looks at the little plate, then back at me.
“Can I ask why?”
“It's not me.” He squints, he doesn't get it. “I don't know how to explain it, it just hit me. It's like....” I take a deep breath. “When I was married before, I did change my name. I even changed my Twitter handle.”
“I remember that.” He gives a slight eyeroll. I can't even blame him.
“I went all in on it, so to speak. I wasn't me anymore, I was someone's wife. Like... that was my identity. I lost who I was.” I point at myself for emphasis. “And then when I didn't have that anymore, I had nothing left of me. You know, you were there.”
Dom sighs. I know he hates it when I talk about Blake in any form whatsoever, but in some cases I don't have a choice. “Yeah, I remember that too. You were pretty broken.”
“I don't want you to think I expect for that to happen again, but... I don't want to give up who I am. It's my name. You know? Am I making any sense?”
“Yeah. Yeah, you are. Believe it or not, I can relate.” He puts the cover back into the gift box.
“You can? How?”
“Well, as you know, I didn't learn who my father was until I was about twenty-one, twenty-two. I tracked David down. After he got over the shock and all, and we got to know each other better... he once offered to me to change my name. You know, since genetically I am a Helms. I thought about for a cup of coffee, and declined. Obviously.” He grins. “Just felt like it would be an insult to my mom, you know? She raised me on her own.”
“Yeah, I don't blame you. I mean, I wouldn't want to be a Helms, either.” I try to keep from laughing. Dom laughs, and I can't stop myself.
“Real cute. Well from the sounds of it, you wouldn't have been, even if I had taken the offer.”
My laughter fades pretty quick. “So... you're not upset?”
Dom shakes his head. “After that explanation? Not at all. Like you said, it's your name. It's a big deal. If you want to keep it, keep it.”
“Thanks. I'm sorry I never mentioned it before now... it just never really occurred to me.”
“You've been pretty distracted.”
“Ha. Yeah, I have been.”
Dom picks up the gift box and shakes it a little. “You know, there is one small thing I am upset about over this.”
My heart pounds a beat or two. “There is?”
“Yeah... I'm gonna have to bring this back to get it fixed, and you might not have it in time for our trip.”
“That's all?”
“Well yeah, I mean it's your birthday gift. I want you to be able to use it.”
“Can they just take the plate off, and fix it after the trip?”
“Hmm. Maybe. I'll speak to the lady. She knows who I am, maybe I can get it expedited.”
“Being famous does have its perks on occasion.”
We both laugh a bit. I feel a little bad that I might not get to use he gift as he intended, but I am relieved the name issue won't be a problem. I think I always knew I didn't want to change it, I just didn't think he would assume I would. But it doesn't matter now.
We both finish our wine, and decide enough time has passed since we ate that we can swim. After changing into our swimsuits, we slide into the pool. It's a warm night, so the water is warm as well. It feels divine, mixed with already being relaxed from the wine. We swim a few lazy laps, then end up sitting next to each other on the little underwater bench nook on the side.
“We should swim at night more often. It's soothing.”
“No objections here.”
I reach for Dom's hand under the water. He holds my hand for a few seconds, but then pulls from my grasp, and slide his arm behind me, pulling me closer to him. I lean on him.
“Mmm. Better idea.”
I turn to the side a bit and tilt my head up to kiss him. He cups my face and pulls me a little closer.. but being in the water that just causes me to float over and I end up sitting on him, straddling his lap. I get nervous for a few seconds, but it goes away. I pull myself forward in the water, sitting on him closer, almost chest to chest. He holds me around the waist with both hands, all the while kissing in between movements. Then... I feel him under me. It doesn't freak me out though, and I'm surprised at myself, but also pleased. Dom doesn't know that though, and he pushes me back a little.
“Sorry...”
“It's okay.” I move up again some, but not as close as I was.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah....” We look into each others eyes for a few seconds, and the thought crosses my mind to suggest we go inside, upstairs, and... see what happens. I feel like I would be able to handle it, going all the way. I really want to. But... a voice in the back of my mind asks if I'm sure. If I am ready for that, it's probably better to wait until next week, the wedding night. And if I'm not, do I really want to ruin my birthday with a failed attempt? So, I push that thought aside, and go with something else. I lean closer, my head nearly on his shoulder, and kiss the side of his neck, before whispering, “Touch me?” He knows what I mean... like we've done a few times recently. Just using our hands on each other til release. In response, he smiles, and slides one hand around to my front, pushing the thin strip of my suit bottom aside. I breathe deep as I adjust myself a bit to give myself room to reach him.
The 'playing' in the pool took longer than any of the few times we'd done that in bed, I think we both moved slow on purpose, drawing it out. After finishing, we picked up the dinner remains, came upstairs and showered, then got in bed. It was still early but we were relaxed and drowsy – from dinner, swimming, and uh... playing. We got in bed and held each other and eventually fell asleep. Absolutely the best birthday in recent memory.
{{Sunday, July 11
Kenner}}
Today, I am nervous, but not for anything to do with the current issues or problems at home or at work. No... Dom's mom, Ms. Brenda, is coming to town. She practically insisted on coming early to help with wedding set up, and how could we refuse? She's his mom. I made up a guest room for her, and at her request, I am picking her up from the airport by myself. She wanted to spend the day with me, 'just us ladies,' to get to know each other better. We'd only met in person twice, and spoken over the phone otherwise. I love that she wants to be involved and create some kind of relationship with me... but I've never been around her without Dom with me, so that's why I'm nervous. I know it's ridiculous and I shouldn't be, but I am who I am.
When I met Ms. Brenda at the gate, she greeted me with a hug, all smiles. After getting her luggage (one large bag and one small one) and stacking it in the trunk of my Mercedes, we went for lunch. She had never been to New Orleans before, but I really didn't feel like driving out to the city proper today, so I took her to a restaurant closer to home in Kenner, Harbor Seafood. It looked really nice inside since they were forced to remodel after a fire last year. After being served our meals – I got grilled catfish over pasta with a garlic sauce, and Ms. Brenda is having a fried shrimp salad – she starts real conversation that isn't about the weather or her flight.
“So, have you got nearly everything ready for the wedding?”
“Just about. My friend Kara insisted on doing the cake. Actually, she wanted to do all the food, but I wouldn't let her.” I giggle.
“Is she a bad cook or something?”
“Oh no. Very much the opposite. But I want her to attend as a guest and have fun. Not be away from everyone working. She says she came back here from Toronto to help after she got her invitation, and I'm over the moon that she and her husband decided to move back permanently. But I'm not having the first friend I made in wrestling work for my wedding. She wouldn't be talked down from the cake though, so I compromised.”
Ms. Brenda laughs. “She sounds like a lovely woman, I can't wait to meet her. What about other things? Flowers, music?”
“Well, my friend Elizabeth is taking care of the flowers for me. It's kind of her thing, her ring name is Datura.”
“Um... isn't that flower poisonous?”
I shrug. “Liz can be tough when she needs to be. But mostly she's very sweet.” Ms. Brenda seems to relax. “And, music, I am having my brother create a playlist that we'll just play over our stereo. When we need certain songs for certain dances, he'll play those, too. He'll be pretty busy, he's also walking me down the aisle.”
“Your brother will?” I nod. “I'm sorry, what about your father? I know your mom is gone...”
“Oh. I guess it never came up. Daddy passed when I was in college. I had an older brother too who was killed in a car accident. It's just me and Wyatt now.”
“I'm sorry.” She looks genuinely sympathetic. “When? Your brother, I mean?”
“Oh, before Daddy. I was seventeen.”
“That's such a tough age to lose someone.”
“It was. Wyatt was... away, at the time.” Ms. Brenda nods, even though I know she doesn't understand. I didn't really want to explain about my brother having spent time in jail. “And I didn't speak to Amy for years. I blamed her.” That gets me a bewildered look. “It's complicated. She and both my brothers were friends since school. When I was little, I actually thought she was our sister.” I giggle again.
“That's kind of adorable.”
“She and I have had ups and downs but I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. Her mom is even like a second mom to me. And then she married Wyatt, so she kinda really is my sister.”
“You just knew something they didn't when you were little.” She smiles.
“Maybe. They had their ups and downs, too.”
Ms. Brenda then sighs, and pushes her plate away. She's eaten most of her meal, I guess she's full. “You know, this conversation has just reminded me that you'll soon be related to Dom's brothers.”
“Yeah... I've thought about that more than probably makes sense, ever since Dom and I decided to do this.”
“Are you all still on bad terms?”
“Well... it's better. Jason is still with Amy, and she's sort of forced a truce. She asked us to be civil for her. I'll tell you that for a while I tried harder than he did, but in the last few months he's dialed it way back.” Dom and I had explained Amy and Jason's relationship, and how her marriage to Wyatt worked months ago. She accepted it a lot easier than I had.
“And David?” I know she remembers this time of year last year, when David and I were set to fight at Rise to Greatness, and Dom had a movie coming out, and David attacked me in the ring, with Dom standing right there. He'd been there to promote the movie with Kennedy.
“That's actually better, too. Dom didn't tell you they spoke?”
“He did... I was just wondering if there was more to it than he said.”
I shrug. “I really don't know, I don't know what's been said between them. I spoke to David myself recently, though. We seem to have come to an understanding. I guess we'll see how that works out next week.”
“They're attending the wedding?” She seems caught off guard.
“Yes. Remember when I kept trying to convince Dom to work things out with David? The whole reason was because I wanted everyone on the same page for this. Somehow, it worked out.”
“I see.” Now she seems nervous. Oh.
“Oh... is that going to be uncomfortable for you? We can keep you away from them if-”
“No, no. It'll be fine. You know, I've never met them. I stayed away because I didn't think they'd really care to meet me, and there was no real reason to do so. But now? I guess I have a reason. I just hope they don't look down on me.”
I wave my hand in the air dismissively. “Nonsense. Look, I'm the first person to admit that both David and Jason can be asses in their own ways, but when it's something important or serious... they're actually good guys.” I can't believe my head didn't burst into flames when I said that. But I've long accepted that it must be true, even with Jason, or Amy wouldn't stay with him.
“I hoped so, even after I saw David lose his cool last year, when you were going to have a match with him. It never really sat right with me that one of Don's sons would act that way.”
“Turns out we both thought the other was doing wrong by Dom. Go figure.” I shrug with a small grin.
“I'm glad it seems to have worked itself out.”
“Like I said, we'll see next week. If you change your mind and don't want to see them, just say so, okay? I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable.” It was bad enough Andrew was coming and I made him promise me to not get into any drama with Amy. I didn't need drama from Dom's family, too.
“I will. But I really think it will be fine. Maybe even good for all of us.”
“I hope so.” We both smile.
We continued talking about other things over a post-lunch coffee. She kept the conversation to the wedding, I had expected her to ask me about other things. My attack, the legal aspect, but she didn't. Either Dom asked her not to bring it up, or she didn't want to potentially make things awkward for me. Whatever the reason, I was glad it didn't come up. I had been nervous this morning, but there had been no reason to be. Ms. Brenda and I had a good time together, and more and more she reminded me of my own mom.
* * * * * {{ Dom }} * * * * *
Dom was home alone, in the gym room half-heartedly messing around with the free weights. Bree had left about an how ago to meet his mom at the airport, then have lunch. Bree had said she was nervous and he told her not to be... but now that Bree was gone to meet her, he had to admit to himself that he was a little nervous about it as well. He hadn't really spoken to her about the fact that David and Jason would also be at the wedding, and he knew she'd purposely avoided meeting them til now. He hoped she didn't react too badly once she realized the inevitable... and also that Bree could handle that conversation. Dropping the 20lb hand weight, Dom tells himself the should have insisted on going with. He felt that conversation should be his responsibility. They're his family, not Bree's. Not yet anyway... he sighs. Maybe Mom had already realized and wanted to talk to Bree about it first for some reason. Or better yet... he should have brought it up with her himself. Dom shakes his head and picks the weight up with his other hand. Got to keep the reps equal, right?
After finishing with the weights, Dom realizes that Donatella needs to go outside. He opens the front door for her, and steps out for a moment to keep an eye on her. There wasn't much chance of her getting hurt in the street in this community, but some people let their bigger dogs run loose so he and Bree were sure to keep watch when Donatella was out. Besides, he'd also have to pick up her 'business' when she was done. As he's standing around watching the little pup sniff around the yard, he sees Reece's black truck pass in front, then pull into his own driveway next door. Dom remembers the conversation he'd had with Kelsai at the gym recently, and hopes that Jaina isn't with Reece, this could be his chance to speak to him. He watches as Reece exits the truck... and the passenger side door does not open. Good. Dom puts on a smile and waves. Reece sees, and waves back. He glances at his house, but then turns to walk across the yard towards Dom.
“Hey man, how's it going?”
“It's going, you know? Yourself?”
“Getting there. Work's picking up with practices starting.”
“Good, good. Bet you're happy about that.”
“Better than staying home all day, as much as I enjoy the company there.” Reece smirks. Dom takes this as his opening.
“Where is Jaina, anyway?”
“Oh, I just ran to the store for drinks, she slept in. Listen, speaking of her... that's why I came over to speak to you. Is Bree home?”
“No, she's actually out having lunch with my mom. Just got into town.”
“Oh, for the wedding?” Dom nods. “Great that she could come. Well, I guess with Bree out I can just say this to you and you can tell her.”
“Go for it.” Dom is slightly concerned, but he knows how hide that.
“Just wanted to say how appreciative I am of you guys being supportive of Jaina moving in with me.”
“Oh that.” Dom remembers that Kelsai said Jaina told her Reece just 'decided' for her that she lived with him now. “Yeah, she didn't really ask us anything, she just did it.”
“Really? I didn't know that... well I hope it's okay?”
“Sure. She's an adult, she can live where she chooses. She has free will just like the rest of us.”
Reece seems to hesitate a split second, then grins. “Yeah, of course she does. I just thought she ran it by you.”
“Either way man, it's not a problem at all. Not like we don't know how to find her.” Dom grins, feeling like he's in front of a camera. He hopes Reece can't tell the difference.
“Right on. So hey, how's wedding planning going? You guys got everything lined up?”
“Mostly, yeah. All that's left is things being delivered Saturday morning. You know, the caterer, the flowers Bree's friend is doing.”
“I was gonna offer to help, but sounds like you got it covered.”
“We do, but I'll keep that in mind if anything comes up.”
“You do that. So um...” Reece looks around, slightly nervously. “Can I ask you how Bree's doing? You know... recovering, I guess?”
“Yeah you can ask. She's actually doing really well. There's still some issues she's working through, but definitely progress.”
“Good to hear, I know how rough these things can be.”
“You do? Experience?”
“Nah, not personally, thank God. But my cousin is a nurse, she used to work at the abortion clinic. They also do a lot of counseling there, a lot of rape victims. And she-”
“You mean survivors.” Dom's tone came out unintentionally hard. But he isn't sorry about it.
“Right, survivors. Sorry. But yeah, she told me some stories. Some women take it a lot harder than others, I guess it depends on who the guy was.”
“I'm sure there's a lot of factors.” This conversation was starting to go down a path Dom didn't want to take.
“Oh for sure. I'm just trying to say that from stories she told me, I know how hard it can be to get things back to normal. Like feeling safe around people, in the bedroom-”
Dom glares. “I really don't think that's appropriate for you to comment on.”
Reece holds his hands up. “Whoa, I'm not trying to get personal man, just speaking in general terms.”
“Yeah...” Dom rubs his face, maybe he reacted too harshly. “Sorry, the entire thing is just a touchy subject, you know?”
“Yeah. I get it. Listen, if there's anything I can do...”
Dom forces another grin, this whole conversation has rubbed him the wrong way from the start and he had no intentions of asking Reece for help with anything, especially not anything to do with Bree. “Like I said, I'll keep that in mind. She's talked with her sister-in-law, she runs a women's shelter. And she's seen a therapist. Both seem to have helped. We're just trying to focus on the positive, you know. Work is picking up for us both, I'm off hiatus soon. Bree has her big show coming up. And of course the wedding.”
“Biggest positive of all, am I right?”
“Absolutely.”
“I'll be there, where Jaina goes, I go.”
In any other circumstance that would sound like a completely normal thing to say, but in this case it draws Dom's suspicion. Does Jaina really not go anywhere other than work alone?
“Great, looking forward to seeing everyone and having a good time.”
“Same here. If Bree needs Jaina for anything before the big day, let her or me know. I'll let you borrow her.” Reece grins. Dom is pretty sure he's trying to pass that off as a joke, but it doesn't feel like one.
“Well, they have a show Thursday. But other than that, maybe she'll just need to come over early on Saturday morning.”
“Done. Listen, I gotta get these drinks in, Jay's been begging for this kefir smoothie thing. Good talking to you man.”
“Yeah, you too. See ya later.”
Reece turns and goes back to his truck. Dom then feels a wagging tail on his leg. He looks down and Donatella is staring up at him, in that adoring way dogs do. He grins at her.
“Hey girl... what you do think about this guy, huh?” Donatella licks his leg. He chuckles at her. “Hmm. Not sure how to interpret that.” Dom looks up and sees Reece has grabbed a few grocery bags out of his truck and is now going up the driveway to his door.
After cleaning up Donatella's mess, Dom calls her back inside. He gets his phone from where he'd left it in the gym room, and makes a call to Kelsai. He hadn't picked up any serious red flags just now, but at least a few cautions, and he wanted Kelsai to know he'd be keeping a closer eye on things. Still no need to worry Bree just yet.
{{Thursday, July 15
Oklahoma City}}
It's a few hours before Breakdown is set to start, and I am on my way to meet Chris at a coffee shop about three blocks away from our hotel. I'd just arrived in Oklahoma City this morning when I received a video in my DMs, a very disturbing one that upset me. I wished Dom was here with me, but he'd stayed home since Ms. Brenda was staying at the house. I had Scott and Marco, but it wasn't the same. Marco had gone ahead to the coffee shop to check it out. I am waiting outside for him to text me a go ahead. It might sound paranoid, and okay... it probably is, but I just feel better when he checks things out for me first. I get the text, and go in. Chris isn't here yet. He'd called me this morning, very upset. He got the video too. It was from Minerva, and she had threatened Sienna. In person. Physically. And made her say terrible and untrue things. Chris had a lot of things on his mind and wanted to speak to me before doing anything. I wondered why he didn't speak about it with Sienna, or even Lucas... but I agreed. I order a regular coffee, and add two cream and one sugar when it's served to me. As I'm taking the first careful sip, I see Chris walk in. He sees me right away and walks over, then sits in the booth across from me.
“Bree. Thanks for meeting me here.”
“Of course. The coffee is really good, so it worked out.” I grin, trying to keep things not so serious. I'm so tired of serious.
“Guess I'll try some, then. I just didn't want to discuss this around the hotel or arena, other people don't need to hear about this.”
“I agree. This was a good idea. Have you heard from Sienna? Is she okay?”
“I have, she's okay physically. Very shaken though. She wouldn't tell me too much in detail, just that she wasn't hurt when they left.”
I breathe out in relief. I had been very concerned about Sienna and the baby. Oh...
“And the baby? Has she been checked out?”
“Not yet. She's going today. She says everything feels fine though. Baby's moving around normally and such.”
“Oh good. I was worried about that.”
“You and me both. I wish I could be there, but... I have something to do here.”
A server appears and Chris orders a coffee like mine. I'm asked if I need a refill yet, I don't. She leaves.
“You do? What is so important that you need to be here instead of home with Sienna? I'm working with Lucas tonight, so you don't need to.”
“I have something to say. Do you really think I'm going to let this go unaddressed? Minerva has been doing everything imaginable to get my attention, and believe me, you don't know the half of it. Now she's gone too far. And I'm not sure this is worth it anymore.”
“What do you mean? What are you going to do?”
Chris' coffee arrives, and he sips it black. “I'm backing out of the Rise match.”
“Chris! No, you can't!”
“Can't I? What else is she going to do, Bree? She broke into Sienna's home and....” He shakes his head, he can't even say it.
“I know. I saw it.”
“The things she did, said... forced Sienna to admit to-”
“First of all... that bullshit was not an admission. It can't be, because it's not true.”
“I know that, but Sienna believes it.”
“What?”
Chris nods. “That's what she said, that bitch has made her believe it.”
“That's completely asinine babe. There is no way that Sienna is to blame for any of those things. Ricky, Peyton, Jennifer, Regan... me. None of it. Tell me you know that.”
“I do. It's just-”
“No. There's no exceptions. Look, I blamed myself at first for what happened to me. But I've realized that it wasn't my fault. That man chose to hurt me, and no matter his reasons why, they're his reasons. I won't blame myself, and I will not blame Sienna, either!”
“I know that, Bree. You and Sienna are both victims of those cunts, along with everyone else. Maybe if you call Sienna and tell her that yourself, because she isn't convinced. She's sure that you've seen her so-called confession and see it as truth because she said it.”
“I will do no such thing. I will say it to her face when you two are at my house Saturday for the wedding.” Chris looks at be blankly. “You are still coming, right?”
“Yes, I am. And I will do everything I can to get Sienna to come with me.”
“You tell her I don't believe it, Chris. Tell her I love her.” I pull out my phone. “Fuck it, I will tell her myself.” I start to type out a text, despite the fact I just said I wasn't going to call her. Chris was right, she should hear from me.
“Yes, contact her. She needs to hear it from you. I'll make sure she comes, I promise.”
I look up from my text. “Thank you. She's my best friend, Chris, I need her there. I need to see for myself that she's okay.”
He smiles a bit. “I know. We'll be there.”
“Good.” I keep writing my text as I talk. “With that settled, we need to get back to this crazy idea of yours of backing out of your match.” I read over what I wrote. It's short but sweet - “I don't believe it. I will never believe it. I love you Sie. XX” I hit send, and set my phone down, looking up at Chris.
“You can't do that.”
“Can't I? I'm the one who asked for it!”
“You did, and you also gave up a chance to get the World Championship back to get it.”
“That's not important, Bree.”
“I think it is. But even more importantly, if you back out now? Minerva wins.” Chris looks down at his coffee cup. “Think about it, babe. She's never wanted to fight you. She hasn't gone after you. She's attacked those you care about. Peyton, Lucas, Sienna.... she doesn't want to beat you, she wants to break you. If you back out, you're giving her exactly what she wants.”
He looks up, angry. “So what am I supposed to do? Show up for the match and just wait for her and her damn Jackals to jump me from every angle?”
“You call her bluff.”
“What?”
“Everyone knows she doesn't care about any rules. She and her friends have broken every single one. So, what if there are no rules? You'd be able to go as far as you need to go, too.”
“This, coming from you, who decided she doesn't want to be that person anymore?”
“I promise you, if it was absolutely necessary? I would. There's a difference between going there because you can, and doing it because someone deserves it. She deserves it. I know you have it in you. I've seen it up close.” I hated reminding him of the time a few years ago he cornered me backstage and put his hand around my throat, all in an effort to antagonize Blake. But it was necessary. Chris flexes his hand, I can tell he picked up on what I meant.
“You might be right. Sienna doesn't want me to back out, either.”
“Then don't. Minerva wants to win without fighting. Make her fight.”
“Is that what you plan to do tonight? I notice she has a tendency to make Raab do most of the fighting.”
“That's what I'm going to suggest when I meet with Lucas later. She's ran the tables on everyone enough. We need to turn them on her. Make. Her. Fight. And don't back down, Chris. You can't.”
Chris just nods, and sips more of his coffee. He gives me a grin, holding the cup up.
“You're right, this stuff is top notch.”
I grin, taking that as his cue that he was done discussing, but also that maybe... he thought I was right about the rest, too.
{{Saturday, July 17
Kenner}}
Later at Breakdown, Chris made it clear he'd taken my words to heart when he demanded that his and Minerva's match be Last Person Standing. Lucas and I had won, Minerva had gotten her team DQ'd by spitting some disgusting black stuff into Lucas' face. I didn't really care at that point, I was just glad Chris wasn't letting her mindgames break him. Sienna was okay, and he was going to get Minerva back for everything she'd done up til now.
Kennedy even came out to assist when things got chaotic. I'm not sure what to think about her at this point, we had been friends a while now, but now she's here, she stuck herself into what I thought was going to be a match between myself and Ravyn, she was someone I felt needed dealing with as someone else who thought she could do whatever she wanted in SCW with no consequence. I know Kennedy has had her issues with Ravyn too, but.... I don't know. Maybe she really did feel like she was helping me. I didn't plan on worrying about any of that today though, despite the fact I would be seeing both Sienna and Kennedy.
It's my wedding day!
And I am determined to focus on one thing and one thing only... my soon-to-be husband. It's amazing to me that I'm even doing this at all, for a long time I told myself (and plenty of other people) that I would never get married again. I guess even the most hardened resolutions based on hurt can be changed by the right person. And I can't imagine anyone else in the world being as right for me as Dom is.
I was up at dawn, Dom had slept in the guest room, out of tradition – one of the only ones we kept. He was awake before me though, as when I went downstairs there was coffee already made. I didn't see him though. I walked around the house a bit with my coffee, looking for him. Then I noticed the stereo speakers missing from then den, and realized where he must be. I went out to the patio, and Dom was out there, in just shorts, setting up the stereo on a table for music later. He didn't see me, had no idea I was watching. I leaned against the door frame, sipping my coffee, really taking in just how incredibly good looking he actually is. When you live with someone and see them every day, in all state of dress, in every activity? It's easy to forget, or get used to, for a better term, everything that attracted you to them in the first place. The day I first met him, almost four years ago now at that Dior photo shoot, I had no idea who he was from TV, much less who he was related to... but I remember thinking he was attractive. As I got to know him better, saw him more, and more of him... there was no denying the sexiness, even if my saying so made him slightly embarrassed. I don't know why... he's tall, well-built, muscular, and strong to go along with it. I smiled as I watched him set the speakers up just so, just taking in how ridiculously lucky I am to have a man who is just as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. He finally saw me watching, and joking asked if I was enjoying the view. More than he knew.
It's just after ten now, and Dom, Ms. Brenda, and I have just finished breakfast. I started to clean up, but Ms. Brenda wouldn't hear of it. A bride doesn't do housework on her wedding day, apparently. Never heard that one, but I wasn't going to refuse someone else who wanted to do my dishes. She shooed me out of the kitchen, so I went into the formal living room, where the actual ceremony will take place. Yesterday Dom and I had rearranged the furniture to create a large space in the middle, by pushing the two couches to opposite walls and the chair to a corner. We didn't plan on the ceremony being very long, so we planned for our guests to stand, with the couches and chair available to anyone who chose not to, or couldn't (like David, with his leg in a cast). There wasn't room anywhere for forty folding chairs anyway, so we didn't have much of a choice. The formal living room is spacious, but not that spacious. I am setting up the podium we rented that Judge Wilty is going to stand at for the ceremony when I hear the door. I look across the living room to see who's here... and a group of people walk in, led by Jaina. The door is halfway between the formal living room and kitchen, with just some decorative columns and an archway to mark the transition. I walk over to greet everyone.
“Hey Aunt Bree! I was just walking over from next door when I saw the entourage here arrive, so I just used my key to let everyone in.”
I look around. Amy, Wyatt, Kara, Shane, and all of the kids – Loki, Sami, Hope, and Jeremy, the youngest being carried by Loki. Shane is holding a giant plastic container that I assume holds my cake that Kara insisted on making. Everyone else has small bags, which I assume are their clothes for later, as everyone is dressed casually.
“Hey guys, I'm glad you're all here. Shane, you can take that to the kitchen.” He nods and turns to do just that.
“Okay, Miss Bride. Direct me. What needs to be done right now?” Kara has a big smile on her face, she loves doing party things.
“Um... well, I was just setting the podium up in the living room. It needs the drape over it and-”
“I'm on it.” Kara makes a beeline to the living room. I shake my head.
“She doesn't even know where the drape is, or where I want it!”
“She'll find it, trust me.” Amy smirks, then steps up to hug me. “How are you feeling? Nervous?”
“Not in the slightest bit.” We both smile. Wyatt hugs me, too.
“Good, you shouldn't be. If you were, something would be wrong.”
“I mean... I am a little nervous about how certain guests will react to each other...” I glance at Amy. She holds her hands up.
“Hey, I am not going to start anything whatsoever when Andrew gets here.”
“Neither will I. He's your friend and you want him here, that's the end of it.”
“I appreciate that from both of you. I know he isn't your favorite person.”
“Never has been.” Wyatt tries to hide his glare, but I see it.
“Yes, we know.” Amy smirks. Wyatt gives her a look. I have no idea what it means, but she does, and laughs. I swear they made up an expression language.
“Not just you and him though. David and Jason are coming, and Dom's mom is here.”
Amy's eyes widen. “Oh... I didn't know she was here. Do the guys know?”
“I don't know. I didn't say anything, maybe Dom did. When is Jason arriving?”
“He and Aniya were getting David and Regan from the airport, so I think about an hour.”
“I'll go give them a heads up.” I take a step, then stop. “Actually, come with me. I'll introduce you.”
Amy and Wyatt follow me to the kitchen, where Ms. Brenda is now sitting at the island, across from Dom, both with coffee. Shane has the kids seated at the breakfast table, while he leans against a column that's set into the wall.
I make the introductions, and Kara too when she comes back from setting up the podium. Jaina excuses herself and goes upstairs. I tell them what Amy said about Jason and David, that they would be arriving together. Dom gave me an apprehensive look, and Ms. Brenda just nodded, staring into her coffee cup. I wonder if they've already discussed this between them, and have some idea of how it might go. I almost feel bad for David and Jason, who might have no idea that she's here. I mean, they had to assume. Right?
After some small talk and more set up here and there while we waited for the caterers and Liz (with the flowers) to get here, the doorbell rings. Everyone looks up and around at each other. No one seems to want to move, knowing who's on the other side.
“This is silly. I'm getting the door.” Amy, ever the voice of reason. She gets up, and I follow her. It is my house, after all. Amy opens the door, and I see Jason and his wife. There are people behind them who's faces I can't see, but I know must be David and Regan.
“Hey guys, come on in.”
Jason looks around hesitantly, but walks in, his wife at his side. When he sees me, he smirks.
“Oh, there she is. I was half-expecting to get tackled when you didn't open the door.”
I smirk sarcastically. “Amy was just closer. You're all of course welcome. You're the first to get here.”
David and Regan follow, a little boy holding Regan's hand, as David has a crutch to assist his broken leg. Everyone is dressed for the occasion, not super formal, but not super casual either. David is the only one in shorts though, to accommodate the cast on his lower leg that goes up just under his knee.
“Hi Bree, great place you have here.”
“Yeah, this is amazing.” Regan looks around, clearly impressed.
“Thanks. Well, don't just stand there, come in in. We were just relaxing a bit before the caterers and flowers get here.”
Everyone moves away from the door, and I see David glance towards the kitchen island, where Dom is with Ms. Brenda. A look comes over his face, and I know he just realized who the older lady must be. The guys all look at each other, nods of acknowledgement and smiles all around. David then glances at Jason, who nods. Then David speaks to Regan in her ear. I see the little boy, who I assume is little Jason, David's son he named after Jason when he was presumed dead. He's staring at Dom excitedly. I know Dom used to take care of him years ago, I wonder how long it's been since they've seen each other. But that reunion won't be happening just yet. Regan turns to me.
“I see your pool out there, mind if I take the kiddo have a look?” She flicks her eyes towards the kitchen, and I understand what's going on.
“Go ahead. The reception will be out there later so might as well get familiar.” I give a look to Amy, glancing towards the kitchen. She steps up and gestures to the door.
“I'll show you around. Nia, you in?” Aniya, Jason's wife, nods and follows.
“Great. Come on Jay.”
“But Mom....”
“Later, okay? Let's go see Bree's pool.”
Jay sighs but doesn't protest. Amy leads the way. Looking towards the kitchen, I see Dom say something to Kara. She hops up. “You know what, let's all go see! Come on guys.” Shane picks up on things and helps Kara get their three kids up, and Loki follows. He's the oldest of this group, and I'm pretty sure he's caught on. Amy leads everyone outside, and Loki is the last one out, he closes the door behind him. I turn back to the kitchen area, the only people left in the room are me, Dom, David, Jason, and Ms. Brenda. Dom and Ms. Brenda are still seated at the island. She gets up slowly though, and Dom follows, but walks around the island while she stays behind it. She's staring, especially at David. Dom goes over to David and Jason, and shakes both their hands.
“Glad you guys could make it. Looks like it wasn't very easy for you, bro.” Dom gestures to David's leg cast.
“Wasn't so bad, I just took an extra seat on the jet to put this thing up on.” He grins.
“One of the many perks of having your own plane, yeah?”
“One of.” They laugh a bit. David glances towards Ms. Brenda. Jason is oddly quiet, and it's weird. Dom clears his throat a bit.
“Uh, well. I'm glad you guys came early, so we can do this before it gets too crazy in here. I'd like you guys to meet my mom, Brenda.”
Ms. Brenda comes around the island finally. She's just as tall as both David and Jason. I'm reminded that Dom must get his height from her side. David puts his hand out first.
“Sure you already know this, but I'm David, this is Jason.”
“Yes, I did, but thanks. I'm happy to meet you both.” They both politely shake her hand.
“Same to you.”
“Likewise.” Jason hangs back a bit, as if he wants David to take lead. That's strange for him.
“I have to admit, I often wondered if we ever would.”
“That's my fault. Dom wanted me to years ago... and I refused. I thought I would be like an intruder. I mean... I was.” She shrugs.
“If this had happened soon after Dom turned up at my door, I might have felt that way. This whole thing was a complete shock.”
“I know. And I know you two were just kids when your father died, and you never knew about me until I told Dom the truth and he found you.... but I feel like I should apologize to you anyway.”
“You don't need to do anything of the sort.” Everyone turns to look at Jason. “Look, shit happened thirty-odd years ago, there's no reason to hold any grudges today. I'm the last person to judge anyone on their personal affairs.”
“I'm in agreement with Jason here. Besides, even if we were mad about what happened, it would be at Dad, not you. He's the one who went behind Mom's back.”
“He did, but I won't pretend like I didn't know about her. I was young and didn't care. And then I was pregnant, and... I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't for both of them to be killed.”
“I think we're way past the point in time for playing what-if. All that matters today is that we've got a brother out of the deal, and he's kind of a good guy. That's clearly because of how he was brought up.”
Ms. Brenda smiles, I can see the relief in her eyes. She really thought that David and Jason were going to hate her. “I did the best I could.”
“I mean, he's got a hard head and some cheek, but that's probably from our side.” Jason smirks.
“It's definitely from your side.” Dom jokes back, grinning.
“I can vouch for that.” Ms. Brenda smiles too. David and Jason both seem momentarily put off by her making a personal comment about their father, but then they laugh.
“I guess you'd know better than me, anyway. You probably knew dear old Don longer than I did.” Jason was two or three when their parents were killed. I think David was 8 or 9, Dom told me once but I don't remember exactly.
“You know, I don't even remember. It doesn't matter now.” Ms. Brenda turns to David. “I hope this doesn't sound too strange coming from me, but it's amazing to me how much you resemble him.”
David grins. “Yeah, I've noticed that as I've gotten older. I have a few pictures.”
“Those two lucky bastards got all the looks, I'm stuck with this.” Jason points to his face. I can't help but laugh. “See! She agrees!”
“Hey, Amy and I always had very different taste.” Everyone laughs. Thank God Ms. Brenda already knew about Jason and Amy.
“Well, now I feel I owe you two a different apology. I kept my distance because I assumed you wouldn't look very kindly on me. I misjudged you both, and for that I am sorry.”
“No apology needed. Perfectly understandable why you'd think that way. But as far as I'm concerned, you're Dom's mother and he's our brother, so that makes you part of this family too.” David turns to Jason. “Right, bro?”
“I mean... we're here because we've accepted Bree into the family, might as well accept Brenda too.” Jason smirks. I know he's teasing. Ms. Brenda though doesn't seem so sure. “I'm kidding. Bree and I... have a rough past. In all seriousness, I'm with Dave.”
“Oh... I wasn't sure there for a moment. I'm sorry, I don't know all of your history. Rough past?”
“How about I tell you a story while we let these two get ready to be hitched, huh?”
“You know Jase, I'm not sure that's a good idea. You want her to like you, don't you?” Dom smirks. I'm amazed at how this is going, considering Dom and Jason have previously gotten into actual physical altercations, back when Jason was giving him shit over me.
Jason laughs. “Come on, bro, everyone loves me!”
“It'll be fine, Dom. I think I actually want to hear this.” Now Ms. Brenda seems more relaxed, I think she's figured out Jason's personality.
“Excellent! It's kind of hilarious now that it's in the past, but oh boy, was it heated. You know your son knocked me on my ass?" Ms. Brenda looks between them, stunned. I stifle a giggle. “Come on, let's go outside. Dave?”
“Right behind you.”
David and Dom exchange a look. I can't be sure, but I think it meant that after all the bullshit last year, they had finally put it behind them. I smile as I watch David and Jason walk with Ms. Brenda out the patio door, where everyone else had gone. Dom leans against the island, facing me.
“Well. That was... better than I expected.”
“Me too. Look at us, bringing people together just by getting married.” I grin.
“I'd laugh, except you're right. If it wasn't for this, I don't think she'd have ever agreed to come face to face with them.”
“Now let's hope that every other potential awkward face off today doesn't actually explode... Andrew isn't here yet.”
Dom laughs. “You know, for you? I think even he will behave.”
Just then, there is a loud and determined knock on the door. I hurry to open it. It's Scott, carrying a garment bag.
“Breezy! Why are you opening your own door today?” He hugs me with one arm, to not squish the bag. “And where is everyone, I see cars out here.”
“In the back, near the pool. I was just wondering when you would be here.”
“I told you yesterday I was coming at eleven. You and your memory.” He shakes his head. He then walks towards the stairs, past Dom. “Oh, hi Dom. Sorry, but I'm going to have to drag your bride upstairs, to make her look like a bride. We'll see you at the... altar? Is it still called an altar when it's not religious?”
I laugh. “I have no idea. I'll ask Judge Wilty.”
“Doesn't matter. Point is... we need to get started.”
I turn to Dom and sigh. “Guess I'll see you later, baby.”
“Yeah, guess so.”
We share a smile, and the I follow Scott upstairs.
In less than an hour, I will be a wife. I can't wait.