ROCK HILL, NY ||| October 8, 2022
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Through clouds of fragrant steam and the pounding of the water pressure against the back of his neck, Sev thought he heard his wife's voice. The hot water had already gone lukewarm a while ago but he was enjoying the makeshift massage after a hard shoulder and back workout. When he heard that soft sound again, he reached out and turned off the water. He saw movement on the other side of the opaque curtain – it didn't faze him in the slightest. Out here, in the middle of nowhere in a gated lakeside community, there was no questioning who it was.
Pushing the curtain aside, he reached for his towel even as his eyes locked on her. She was already in one of his oversized tees and a pair of leggings: her usual bed attire. Even with her hair up in a messy bun and her face scrubbed clean of any products, she was still the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes on. Tonight, though, she looked tired and a little paler than usual.
"Sorry I did not answer," he murmured, stepping out onto the bath mat. The drips of water turned red like blood – it was a childish gag gift from Spencer's but he hadn't been able to resist it. "Was not sure if I was imagining or you actually said something."
"I did," she answered, her voice underlining the fatigue he saw in her features. "I said I think I'm going to call it a night. I'm not feeling well."
"Again?" He shook his head, knotting the towel around his waist after drying his face and armpits with it. "Do you need me to do anything? Make some tea?"
LJ shook her head, grimacing. "It's my stomach."
She'd been feeling off since they'd returned from The Magic Kingdom – at first, they'd both thought maybe it was too much overindulgence. Churros and Dole Whips and so many decadent things had been consumed in celebration for his first Pay-Per-View event win in PWE. He was starting to grow a little concerned now that it had been a few days and she was still feeling lousy.
"There are some of those ginger chews in my bag. Do you want me to get them?" When she hesitated, he started moving towards her with determination and a purpose, "I will get them."
Her hand rested against his chest, stopping him. "It's fine. Besides, I just brushed my teeth."
"I will get some water, with the ice and lemon," he replied, concern written all over his face, "maybe a little muddled mint. And some of the pink medication. In case you need it."
There was a gentle smile on her lips as she shook her head again. Her hand moved slowly down his arm, tracing the lines of those tattooed veins before her fingers twined with his. "Just come lay with me. That's all I need right now."
When he acquiesced, she turned and gave his hand a little tug, leading him from the master ensuite towards the bed. The covers were already pulled back, pillows stacked the way she liked them and he realised what she must have been doing when she'd first called out to him. She climbed in and settled back against the pillows, sitting cross-legged while she watched him walk around to the other side. He didn't bother taking off the towel, didn't really think about it before laying back against the pillows, holding out his arms to her. "Come here, then."
LJ didn't waste time, snuggling up against his side with her head against his chest. That slow and steady beat of his heart and the warm chuckle she felt rumbling in his throat was instantly comforting. She couldn't help the sigh that passed her lips.
Sev pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. "There, now… is that better?"
For what seemed like the millionth time in the last few days, she found herself on the verge of tears. Sniffling, she nodded, almost clinging to him for a moment as she them away before lifting one hand to wipe between her eyes. "God, I'm sorry I've been such a weepy mess. I honestly don't know why I've been crying so much lately."
"Are you sad?" He knew she'd recently given up on being part of the talent agency. She was still in charge of his contracts and his career, but she technically was no longer an agent. "Maybe we can rethink the career changes?"
"It's not that. At least I'm pretty sure it isn't." When she'd made the choice, it had felt like the right one. Fate had brought her into that company simply so that she would meet her soulmate – she knew that without a shadow of a doubt. Now that they were married, it didn't seem right to waste anyone's time when she wasn't wholly invested. She was silent for a few moments, exhaling before blurting out, "I think I'm pregnant." The words hung there in the sudden silence for him to digest.
"We should…" he stopped talking immediately, feeling a rush of emotions that he had a hard time identifying. Fear was there. So was hope – he knew those two very well after the last few months.
"Say something," she whispered, still pressed tight against his side and he knew she could probably tell his heart was galloping away in his chest.
"Have… you done a test?"
"No," she shook her head. "I'm going to call my doctor in the morning and make an appointment. I'd rather just find out for certain without having to buy out the CVS." She tried to make it into a joke but it fell flat. As much as she loved Sev, the thought of a baby was terrifying. "Maybe it's nothing. Could just be the flu. Or food poisoning."
"True." He sighed, closing his eyes. The thought of a baby was overwhelming, but not frightening. "We have never talked about children. Is this… would it be something you want?"
LJ was silent for almost a second or two too long. "Honestly? It's not something I've thought about."
"I have not either," he interrupted her, the words spilling out, "at least not on those terms. I would not be opposed, though. I think this is something I would be good at – we both would. You were so patient with me in the beginning, showing me things I should know. Teaching me the right words to use." He spoke gently to her, almost as though trying to reassure, "we have enough love to share, I think."
She bit down on her lower lip, mulling over what he'd said. "You would make a wonderful father, Sev. I saw how your face lit up seeing and holding Emmie." Emerald was the daughter of Sam Mitchell who was essentially Sev's adopted sister. Sev and LJ had been named godparents to the infant. "Me on the other hand?" She shrugged, "I dunno."
He shook his head, "I do not understand. Why do you doubt this?"
She thought about that for a moment and shrugged her shoulders once again. "I just never really saw myself having kids. Didn't feel like it would have been in the cards."
He could feel there was more to the story but the last thing he wanted to do was press her when she already felt lousy. Instead, he gave her a gentle squeeze. "I, too, thought a lot of things were impossible. It is funny to me how quickly things can change. I never believed I could be at peace and happy. I do not dread waking up in the morning. Every day is a new adventure, wondrous and magical – there is no monotony. No endless toil without any gain. If this is something meant to be, I will embrace it… welcome any new experiences as long as you are here with me."
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Ellie Quinn, we are not so different. Two weeks before Rebirth, I also lost my championship. It was one that I was very proud to call mine and now that it has passed to another, I have heard nothing but disparaging things about my looks, about the way I choose to dress, rather than anything about my time as a FIGHTING CHAMPION.
Social media disgusts me.
These things make me burn with rage and frustration – I try very hard to remain above such petty concerns. I did not become a wrestler because I thought my face was suited for television. I did it because it was the natural progression of things. In Russia, before I emigrated, I worked for a little while at a carnival. There were sword-swallowers, mystics and animal tamers. I was seventeen. Uneducated in the ways of the world but they had me sweeping out the animal stalls – I do not tell you this so you will pity me. I say this because I want you to know that doing what we do was always a dream of mine. To do these feats of strength. To dazzle. To entertain… this was my dream and like a fool, I believed the lies of a man who sold me a line in exchange for my soul.
Things are different now. This business is easier to fall into and new companies spring up seemingly overnight. The time when you had to work hard in the shadows until someone noticed you, those days are long gone. I am not accusing you of having it easy. I would never do that when I do not know you. I do not go out there trying to push buttons, to trigger people. I would like us on good terms, Ellie. You are not like Jack Dunn. You are not an insect in need of a squashing. I do not try to push your buttons but I will test myself here. A win over you, over a former Victory Champion, this could go a long way to cementing me as a contender – I am sure you know this. I am sure you will come at me with the renewed passion of a woman scorned because you are on the edge, the precipice of that fall off into a valley of a losing streak. Raging against that is simply human nature.
I do not worry about this. I will come at you the same way, no matter what you might say (and I hope that you do say something rather than clamming up the way poor Jack Dunn did). We all have buttons. We all have triggers. I have many things that frustrate me. I am sure you do, too. My buttons, I push them all the time. I am not content in complacency. The comfort zone is for losers. Life is an adventure.
Do you know this? Do you understand?
If you watch me long enough you will know my mind by the look in my eyes. You will know my determination. This is not about the titles won and lost between us. It is about something more elemental now. It is about paying dues, about being the long shot. That's what I am going into this thing, with my shaking hands. I am FREE and fear has no place in any of this now. We are hopeful. We embrace a new future.
At Victory, this is about survival of the fittest, a little testing of Darwinian theories. Who better than me to rise above?
I am shaking hands. I am air that smells like the ozone of sweet freedom, purging fear. I am hope shining silver in the heavens. I am these moments, and so many others. I am ready for you.
Good luck, Ellie Quinn. You will need it.
