~*~Crazy stupid men~*~
Late May
NYC & O’Connell Home
You know, when in New York you usually don’t drive. Unless you have to deal with idiot friends and idiot husbands. Bella became used to this fact that sometimes she would just have to deal with the fact that she had both.
Early that Monday morning though, when she got the call from Carter not exactly sure where Miles may have gone and a few details about their last minute trip up the turnpike, up I-95 and right into the place that Miles had bought just before he left for Vegas, she knew that they were close to one particular place. A place that he had been avoiding for a while.
So she made sure Mal had Máire handled and she actually for the first time in forever got in her car and made her way to a building that held not only Miles’ place but Finn’s Wayward Home, and picked up Carter. She knew Miles was in good hands. The crew may be sour and make him run the gauntlet but he was perfectly safe. So she treated Carter to a quick trip to get coffee and breakfast and then straight to her best friend Mattie’s fashion house.
She wasn’t about to rush him to that gym and destroy whatever the hell Miles was trying to do and only rushing Carter there would have probably made it worse.
“Are you sure he’s ok?” Carter asked after Mattie had to go take care of a quick fashion emergency, leaving them alone amongst all the tule and shiny fabric.
“Carter, if I know anything about Wolfslair, they all treat each other like family. A fucked up family, but I don’t believe they would actually really hurt him. This is a good thing that Miles is doing. Thankfully it’s my day off so I’m able to take you wherever you wanna go.” Bella smiles and plays with a little bit of the fabric, “Tell me what you guys got so far for the wedding.”
“Well, it’s going to be at my dad’s house for one and we’ve got a date. I have Ari on my side. Miles asked Kristjan...”
“Miles is getting K in a tux? Did the 9th circle of hell open up?” and that brought a laugh to the both of them, “I will say I’m actually more interested to see if he compromised on the shoes, I know how he really can’t wear them.”
“I actually am surprised he hasn’t asked you.” Carter said rather matter-of-factly.
That threw Bella for a loop, and it was apparent that it shocked her, “Me? Why would he ask me?”
“Well, he has always said that you are one of the best friends he’s ever had. No matter what, there for each other through thick and thin and you were there to nudge him when he needed to be.”
She smirked and sat down next to him on the couch, “Well, when you could see how much his heart was fighting with his brain....and I’m glad I did. Knowing Miles for as long as I have, seeing what he was through before you... You make him deliriously happy and I was not at all shocked when I heard the news that he proposed when he did.”
“You don’t think it was too fast?”
“After a year and getting married 7 months later? Nah, Mal proposed to me a year after we started dating and sometimes, you just know. I knew with Mal that he was my forever. And Miles knew that too with you. He can’t help but smile like an idiot around you and that was even before you guys got together.” and she leans against him, and notices the shy smile on Carter’s face, “And that look right there is the exact same look I have with my husband. Embrace it Carter and you’ll have the happily ever after and I cannot wait to be there for it.”
After a few more hours, gallons of coffee and a few fashion show-offs later, Bella figured there was plenty of time that was given that was sufficient to end the day with her showing off the gym to Carter and allowing him to scrape up whatever was left of his fiance.
Technically she could have parked in the garage, and they could have walked but something told her otherwise to take the car...
Boy was she right.
She walked in, greeted Sonja and introduced her to Carter and they arrived just in time to see Miles laying on the canvas, soaked in sweat, and the most content smile. If she didn’t know better she would have sworn something else had gone down.
She helped Carter get him out of there, and into the car and right to her and Mal’s place.
“There you are, I called Mattie and she said you left to get this idiot.” Mal said looking at Miles who started to dry up, “Ran you through the gauntlet, ey mate?”
“Juuuust a bit. Worth it though.” Miles laughed as Bella shoved a bottle of water in his hands.
“Drink and rehydrate and we’ll figure out dinner.” Bella said.
“Already ordered a couple of pizzas, should be here in about 10 minutes.” Mal just simply said, “When you called and told me where he was, I had a feeling.”
Máire wandered over via crawling and pulling herself up next to Miles and Carter and waved, “Well hey, it’s the princess herself.” Miles said picking her up and putting her on his lap. “Hope it’s alright.”
“She’s getting a bath tonight anyways and she does it to me all the time after I get home from the gym anyways.”
Carter looked around and noticed the big Stitch had made it into the living room, “Oh wow, I see you guys still have it.”
“Are you kidding me, she hangs out on it and naps on it at least once a day.” Bella laughed, before she looks at Miles, “So let me get this straight. You showed up here, to get your ass kicked because you Miles Kasey, actually had a guilty conscience?”
“I always have a guilty conscience, love. I thought you knew that.” Miles smirked, “It’s all good though and actually this whole situation has helped me with a whole other set of things.”
“And that being?” Mal asked.
“Well, seeing as Carter and I are getting married here very soon, I was wondering if you two would also be a part of the ceremony?”
Both Bella and Mal just looked at one another and then back to Carter and Miles, Carter reaching over and tickling Máire’s stomach to make her laugh. Mal just shook his head and said, “Come again?”
“I want both of you in our wedding. On my side to be more specific.” Miles shifts ever so slightly as the adrenaline of the day has worn off, “Carter has his side all set but you two have been the closest I have to best friends since I arrived. Bella, for obvious reason and Mal, despite the fact that we have always given each other a rash of shit, and nothing but, I do see you as one of the closest friends I got in this world. I want you two to be there, you don’t have to agree to this if you don’t want to, but I think it’s the things I learned from your relationship, your marriage that helped me understand that the best things in life sometimes come from the greatest of unexpected chances.”
“I just have one question,” Bella spoke up.
“And that being?” Miles retorted
“Do I have to wear a tux too or can we let Mattie take the idea and run just a little wild with it?”
~*~Rules of Engagement: Don’t Underestimate The Downtrodden~*~
I’m going to admit this.
I don’t know where or what I am doing right now. Part of me really hates that and the other part of me fears what that will do to me. You see, I’ve been looking for that next thing. I’ve been feeling like nothing has been right. I have always been the next thing and always coming up short and it’s no one’s fault but my own.
The feeling of being lost can do one of two things to a person.
It can seriously destroy a person or it can make them even more dangerous.
It’s not even a maybe, this feeling is my own fault. I could have easily done something crazy already and been a bitter pain in the ass but no, I’m good little Bella always kicking back and waiting my turn.
We have seen so many people, superstar and bombshell alike, that have done the whole “I deserve better” pity party bullshit and I 100% refuse to do that.
I refuse because I know that I am better than that and if I’m going to have to go dark to get to that next level, I refuse to stoop to the levels like Krystal Wolfe has. It’s bad enough that that bitch tried to step all over my title shot in the past, who has the obsessions of someone that thinks they deserve better but refuses to take the proper steps to achieve that.
But it’s not about title shots this time around, is it Krystal?
It’s a petty match stipulation for you and the chance to keep me out of Summer Xxxtreme. And knowing our history the way we all do, I’m sure you are absolutely salivating at the idea of that.
Sorry, Krystal but I have some absolutely horrible news for you my dear.
I have absolutely nothing to lose but a title shot at the Roulette Championship.
Don’t get me wrong, I am hankering for a fight with the likes of Victoria Lyons. I’d give ANYTHING to punch that bitch in the face again. I would kill to go toe to toe with Alexandra Callaway again, a woman that has made the Roulette Division her personal bitch, impressively so.
Meanwhile it’s like the Sword of Damocles is swinging right for your head when you are finally getting the comeuppance that you have done EVERYTHING to deserve. You Krystal Wolfe have dug a grave so damn deep that you can’t even get out of it if you had a backhoe and a friend.
Do you even have any friends anymore? You have done just about everything imaginable to put yourself in that hole and I can’t think of a single person that would even remotely throw you a line.
You have done nothing but attempt to dismiss me at every turn, from everything that I have ever accomplished on down, only for you to find out the hard way that I am not one to be dismissed. I can trip a million times, I can fall a million times and I’m just going to keep getting up, I’m going to dust myself off and yell “FUCK” and try again. And it pisses you off like no other that I will never, EVER in a million years be like you.
I fucking hate cynicism. I have never been one to doubt where I truly belong.
The likes of you scoff and look down at me and think I am just wasting my time and I hate that I let it happen for even a moment.
I didn’t know what was next. I don’t know what is going to happen.
But do we ever? We could wake up the next day and have our whole world turned completely upside down by some idiot with a key and button to push. But we keep going.
Win or lose, even with my spot on Summer Xxxtreme on the line, I have nothing to lose. I’ll find my way just like I always have.
I’m not afraid of it, Krystal. Not of you, not of the unknown. But I am done being dismissed. I’m going to keep showing you and showing you exactly why I show no fear in that ring.
We started a game long ago that we haven’t finished, my dear. And this time, I’m out for blood. Your and mine.
We all bleed the same, Krystal. How much more are you willing to lose at my hands before you finally understand....
The Hardcore Pixie isn’t going anywhere.
~*~A New View On Life~*~
“I cannot believe that we are actually doing this.” Bella said as she looked back at her darling Máire and saw that she was sound asleep in her car seat. She and Mal had decided to take a day and make a trip somewhat north to White Plains, NY, just outside the major portion of New York City.
There was a small chat about it on and off for the last few months but it had only been talk.
Until one day, Bella got bored and began to browse. At first, it was just a curious glance at the front window of a real estate office as they passed by, Bella pointing out a few properties outside of the city that caught her eye. But then, it evolved into daily Zillow searches with accompanying commentary.
“Oh Mal, look at this one!” she exclaimed, thrusting her phone under his nose as they laid in bed one night. “2.5 acres, with a workshop and a pool! Oh, and the house looks so amazing!” She swiped through a few of the photos, and Mal gave her a sideways glance.
“What happened to ‘just browsing’?” he asked.
“What do you think I’m doing?” She stuck her tongue out at him as she clicked on another listing. “Oooo, this one is gorgeous! It looks like a French chateau! Only one acre, but it’s got a pool too. Oh my god, that kitchen is to die for!”
He glanced over her shoulder and nearly choked when he saw the price. “$1.6 million? Are you kidding me?”
“For this, that’s a hell of a deal. Besides, between the two of us we’ve put away a lot of money. At least enough for a good down payment.”
Mal held up his hands, putting down the book he had been reading. “Hold on just a second. You sound like you’re seriously considering this.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, Máire’s getting so big now, and it almost feels cruel to keep her cooped up in this townhouse in the middle of the city. I want her to have all the room to play. Maybe build her a little playground of her own…”
“Believe me, I want that more than anything as well, love…but do we really wanna rush headlong into this?”
“Why don’t we at least go see the place in person? I mean, the pictures look great and all, but who knows what the place will actually be like?”
He thought for a moment. “Well…you make a good point.”
She giggled happily and threw her arms around his neck, peppering his face with kisses.
And that was how the little family now found themselves pulling up to the house. Mal had to admit, it was impressive. It looked like it had been plucked from the French countryside circa 1700 and placed among a fairly decent amount of trees. After collecting Máire from the backseat (though she continued to nap), the couple made their way up to the front door, where they were greeted by an enthusiastic realtor.
For the next hour, they toured the home, going room by room as the realtor described all the recent renovations and upgrades the home had received. There were five bedrooms (“seems a little excessive when there’s only three of us,” Mal had quipped. Bella just gave him a knowing smirk. “For now.”), six bathrooms, a gorgeously landscaped backyard oasis with an inground pool and even a full office in the basement that they had discussed turning into their home gym. By the time the tour was over and Mal and Bella were walking back to their car, she turned to him with a glimmer in her blue eyes. “Well?”
“I admit, it’s pretty damn impressive,” Mal said, turning to take one last look at it. “Let’s go home for now and we’ll talk, alright?”
With a delighted squeal, Bella kissed Mal on the cheek and they headed back to their car.
