~*~In My Grasp, At Last~*~
During High Stakes
Bella emerged through the curtain into the gorilla position, clutching the SCW Bombshell’s Internet Championship against her chest. The adrenaline from her hard-fought victory still coursed through her veins, and the deafening cheers of the crowd echoed in her mind. Her body ached, her lungs burned, but none of it mattered—she had done it. For the first time in her SCW career, she was a singles champion.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the gravity of the moment hit her. She had climbed the mountain and conquered it.
“Bells!”
Before she could take another step, she was swept into the arms of her husband, Malachi. He wrapped her up tightly, lifting her off her feet for a moment as she buried her face into his shoulder.
“I knew you could do it,” he murmured, his voice full of pride. “You were incredible out there.”
Bella pulled back slightly, her face streaked with tears and a wide, triumphant smile. “I can’t believe it, Mal. I actually did it!”
He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her forehead. “Believe it, champ. You earned this.”
As they parted, the next to greet her were none other than the SCW bosses, Mark Ward and Christian Underwood. Mark stepped forward first, his usual sharp demeanor softened by a genuine smile.
“Hell of a match, Bella. You’ve made us all proud,” Mark said, extending his hand.
Bella shook it firmly before Mark pulled her into a brief but heartfelt hug. “Congratulations,” he added as he stepped back.
Christian was next, his expression kind but more reserved. “You’ve proven yourself tonight,” he said, offering his hand. Bella shook it, feeling the weight of his words.
“Thank you,” she replied earnestly.
Christian hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Alright, fine. Come here.”
Bella laughed as he gave her a quick hug, his begrudging warmth clear despite his usual stoicism. “Congratulations, Bella. You’ve earned it,” he said, patting her shoulder as they parted.
And then she saw her mother. Laura Phoenix stood a few steps away, holding Bella and Mal’s daughter, who was squirming excitedly in her grandmother’s arms. Bella’s heart swelled at the sight—her mother’s pride was unmistakable, mirrored in the bright, curious eyes of her little girl.
Without a word, Bella rushed over, tears spilling anew as she reached out to gently touch her daughter’s tiny hand.
“You did it, sweetheart,” Laura said softly, her voice full of emotion. “We’re so proud of you.”
Bella leaned in, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead before wrapping her free arm around her mother. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Mom,” Bella said, her voice breaking slightly.
Laura shifted slightly so Bella could look at her daughter again, the championship belt still gleaming in her other hand. “She’s been watching you on the monitor. I think you’ve got a number one fan right here.”
Bella laughed through her tears, resting her forehead gently against her daughter’s. “Looks like Mommy brought home some gold, huh?”
Her daughter let out a delighted giggle, reaching for the shiny belt in Bella’s hand. Laura chuckled, adjusting her hold on the little girl. “She’s already got good taste.”
The three of them stood there for a moment, a perfect picture of love, pride, and triumph. Bella knew she’d never forget this feeling.
Laura stayed close, gently bouncing Máire in her arms as Bella began to come down from the adrenaline rush of the match. “Why don’t you go cool down? I got her and you two deserve to share this moment a little bit.”
The championship belt hung from her shoulder, its weight a constant reminder that this moment was real. “Thanks mom. We won’t be too long.” As she stepped out of the gorilla position and into the backstage hallway, she suddenly heard an excited squeal.
“BELLLAAAA!!!”
Before she could react, Helluva Bottom Carter came flying at her like a human missile, literally leaping into her arms. Bella staggered back a step, laughing despite herself as she instinctively caught him.
“You DID IT!” Carter practically shouted, hugging her tightly as his legs swung off the ground.
Bella laughed, her heart swelling at his uncontainable enthusiasm. “Carter, I just wrestled a match! You’re gonna knock me over!”
Carter ignored her mock protest, his smile wide and infectious. “You’re the Internet Champ now! My Internet Champ twin! We’re gonna DOMINATE this division together!”
Bella couldn’t help but grin at his exuberance, her chest tight with gratitude for his support. “Thanks, Carter,” she said, hugging him back before gently setting him down. “I couldn’t have asked for a better division partner.”
Carter beamed, his eyes shining with pride. “You’re a star, Bella. I always knew it. Now you’ve got the gold to prove it!”
As Carter stepped aside, Bella turned to find Miles standing nearby, his arms already open. Without hesitation, Bella stepped into his embrace, and Miles wrapped her up in a huge hug, lifting her slightly off the ground in his excitement.
“You did it, Bells,” Miles murmured, his voice steady but full of pride. “I knew you could.”
Bella hugged him tightly, her tears threatening to spill again. “Thank you, Miles. You’ve always believed in me, even when I doubted myself.”
He pulled back, his hands resting on her shoulders as he gave her a warm smile. “You earned this. No one can ever take it away from you.” Miles stepped aside, glancing over at Carter. “Come on, champ,” he teased. “We’ve got matches to get ready for. Can’t let Bella hog all the glory tonight.”
Carter struck a dramatic pose, grinning ear to ear. “Oh, please, darling. The Internet Championship spotlight is all ours now!”
With one last hug from Carter and a quick tap of their respective titles and a playful pat on the back from Miles, the two headed off. Bella stood there for a moment, watching them go, her heart full.
She turned to find Mal beside her, his steady presence grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions. His hand slipped into hers, and she gave it a gentle squeeze.
“It’s really sinking in now, isn’t it?” Mal asked, his voice quiet but filled with pride.
Bella nodded, her free hand brushing over the golden faceplate of the championship belt. “Yeah. I actually did it. The chase… it’s finally over.”
Mal smiled, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her temple. “And now, you get to show the world what it means to be Bella Madison, SCW Bombshell’s Internet Champion. This is just the beginning, love.”
Bella let out a deep breath, her tears threatening to fall again, but this time they were tears of pure happiness. She looked at the belt, at Mal, and then over at her mother holding Máire, and she smiled.
“I’m ready,” she said softly, determination shining in her eyes.
~*~Holiday Madness~*~
Back in New York
The last few weeks had been an unrelenting blur for Bella Madison.
Her championship win was still fresh, the weight of the Bombshells Internet Championship a constant reminder of what she’d accomplished. But Aleesha’s words during their face-to-face on Climax Control still hung in the air like a storm cloud. Aleesha had framed Bella’s triumph as if it was only temporary, a placeholder until she reclaimed what was hers.
That didn’t sit right with Bella. It was like all the blood, sweat, and tears she’d poured into her journey were being diminished. Bella didn’t care if Aleesha respected her tenacity or her never-say-die attitude—her subtle condescension had lit a fire in Bella. But as much as she wanted to channel that frustration into her preparations, life had other plans.
With Climax Control’s Winter Wonderslam taking place in Las Vegas, Bella and Malachi were juggling their responsibilities as parents, wrestlers, and holiday planners all at once. As soon as the show wrapped up, the family was heading straight to Waterford, Ireland, to spend Christmas with the entire O’Connell clan. The prospect of traveling internationally with a year-and-a-half-old was daunting enough, but the logistics of packing for themselves, Máire, and their pets left Bella’s head spinning.
“Mal, I swear, if we forget the diaper bag, I’m going to lose it,” Bella called out as she frantically sorted through Máire’s things.
“It’s already packed, love,” Mal replied from the kitchen, his voice calm as always. “Checked it twice.”
Máire, meanwhile, was doing her best to ensure that nothing stayed where it was supposed to. The toddler’s giggles echoed through the apartment as she darted between Bella’s legs, clutching one of her stuffed animals. Bella shook her head with an exasperated smile.
“And the green sweater?”
“Laundry pile by the couch!”
Bella groaned, finding it after a few minutes of digging. But before she could take a breath, her phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at the screen, seeing the name of their realtor pop up.
“Ugh, now? Of all times?” she muttered before answering. “Hi, Brenda. What’s up?”
Brenda’s voice was chipper, almost too much for Bella in her frazzled state. “Bella, I know it’s crunch time for you, but I just couldn’t wait to call. I’ve got something you need to see. A property just came on the market, and it’s everything you’ve been looking for. Big house, lots of land, space for the whole family—two cats, one dog, and even more, if you decide to expand!”
Bella blinked, caught off guard. “Expand? You’ve been talking to Mal, haven’t you?”
Brenda laughed. “Just a little. He seems very excited about the potential.”
Bella glanced toward the kitchen, where Mal was now balancing Máire on one hip while stirring something on the stove. His casual hints about adding to their family had been sweet but subtle—never pushy. It wasn’t that Bella didn’t want to consider it, but she wasn’t ready yet. Wrestling was a part of her soul, and after taking a year off to have Máire, this run in SCW felt like reclaiming a piece of herself. She wanted to savor it, to enjoy the challenge and the spotlight a little longer.
Still, the thought of a house like that—a place where they could grow, where Máire could play in a big yard with their pets, and where they could truly settle in as a family—was undeniably appealing.
“Can you send me the details?” Bella asked, a touch of excitement creeping into her voice.
“Already on its way. And if you’re interested, I can try to schedule a showing for when you’re back from Ireland.”
“Thanks Brenda, let’s plan on this. I’ll keep you updated when we’ll get back.”
“We’ll talk then! Safe travels!”
Bella hung up, her mind racing. She walked into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as she watched Mal finish up. Máire reached for her, and Bella took the little girl into her arms, planting a kiss on her forehead.
“What’s that look for?” Mal asked, his eyes narrowing playfully.
“Brenda just called. She says she found the house.”
Mal’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah? Big enough for the zoo and then some?”
“And then some,” Bella echoed, a small smile tugging at her lips. “She even hinted about expanding the family.”
Mal shrugged, his grin teasing. “Well, I might’ve mentioned it once or twice.”
“Of course, you did.” Bella rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. She shifted Máire on her hip, her gaze softening as she looked at him. “You know I want that someday, right? Just… not yet.”
“I know,” he said, his voice gentle. “I’ll never push you on it, Bells. You’ve worked so hard to get back here, and I want you to enjoy every second of it. Just know I’m here for whatever comes next—whenever it comes.”
Bella nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle warmly in her chest. They had a lot on their plate right now—Aleesha, Christmas, the move—but for the first time in a while, she felt a spark of clarity. They’d get through it all, together.
~*~At the Heart of the Spirit~*~
In the heart of Rockefeller Square, amidst the winter wonderland of twinkling lights and festive cheer, Bella Madison glided gracefully across the ice rink. The crisp winter air kissed her cheeks as she practiced her twirls and spins, the only sound the rhythmic scrape of her skates against the ice. Yet, her mind was far from the serene scene around her. It was consumed by the impending storm - Winter Wonderslam, where she would defend her hard-won Internet Championship against Aleesha.
The silence of the rink mirrored the solitude of her journey. Countless hours of grueling training, the sting of defeat, the ache of injuries - all had led to this moment. The Internet Championship wasn't merely a belt; it was a testament to her unwavering dedication, a symbol of the promise she had made to herself nearly a year ago.
As she executed a flawless Lutz jump, a surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins. "Aleesha," she spoke into the frosty air, her voice firm yet laced with emotion, "you think this is a game? You think you can just waltz back in and reclaim what you lost?"
Her breath formed wisps of white mist in the cold air as she continued, "You held that title once, but times have changed. The Internet Championship isn't just handed out; it's earned. And I've earned it."
A steely glint entered her eyes as she envisioned her rival. "You may have had it once, but your reign is over. This is my time now. I've fought for this, bled for this, and I'll be damned if I let you take it away."
Her voice echoed across the empty rink, carrying the weight of her determination. "You say I don't deserve respect? Respect is earned, Aleesha, not given. And on Sunday, at Winter Wonderslam, I'm going to show you exactly what I've earned."
"Aleesha thinks she can just waltz back in and reclaim what was once hers. She's wrong. So wrong. This isn't some hobby or even some game to me. This business is my LIFE, I live it and I breathe and it is my legacy. This championship represents countless hours of sweat and sacrifice. It symbolizes the respect I've earned, the battles I've won, the doubters I've silenced. Just like you said, I didn’t rely on my family history, I did it ON MY terms."
“But here’s the catch Aleesha, you got this shot at High Stakes and you could have EASILY gone after Victoria...or even Kayla but you came after me. You called me out, you fed my ego and then it was about what you had once had that you lost. The Internet Championship under you was a spectacular time. I remember it fondly. But Aleesha, it’s not the same anymore.” Bella paused, her breath visible in the cold air. "Aleesha might have held this title once, but she clearly doesn't understand its weight, its significance. She lost it because of injury and yeah that sucks but.... She seems to think it’s like a trinket, a trophy for her ego. I have only had this championship for a short time and even when I came out on that first Climax Control everyone saw that I carry it with the reverence it deserves, knowing every day I have to prove I'm worthy. And don’t get me wrong"
Her voice hardened. "She thinks she's entitled to respect? Respect isn't handed out like candy, Aleesha. You have to earn it. And I've earned it through blood, sweat, and tears. On Sunday, I'll show her, I'll show everyone the true meaning of respect."
“Aleesha, listen up. You made your bed when you left SCW, and now you've got to lie in it. And yes I get it, you didn’t have a choice in the matter. Injuries suck but....You think you can just waltz back in here and pick up where you left off? Well, you've got another thing coming.
I've worked too hard for this. I've sacrificed too much. I've bled, sweat, and cried for this championship. And I'm not about to let you just come along and take it away from me.”
“You were gone for months, healing up, living your life, while I was here, day in and day out, busting my ass to even get a sniff at a championship shot. When I came back from having my daughter, I had to build it back up, I didn’t just walk in and boom, a title shot. And I’m not saying that you did that, you won that Rumble, you earned it but sweetheart...once again, it is not the same division you left behind.”
“So please Aleesha, please don't come in here acting like you're entitled to the Internet Title just because you never lost it. You're not. And you did. You gave it up when you ended up getting poked and prodded by the docs. And now, I'm the one who's going to keep it.”
“You think I'm scared of you? You think I'm going to back down just because you're back? Well, you're wrong. I'm not afraid of you, Aleesha. And I'm not going to let you bully me into giving up my championship.
I'm Bella Madison, and I am the Internet Champion. And you're not going to take that away from me.”
With a final spin, she came to a graceful stop, her chest heaving with a mix of anticipation and resolve. This wasn't just about a title; it was about proving her worth, silencing the doubters, and solidifying her place at the top.
The ice beneath her feet was a battleground, and Winter Wonderslam was her war. Aleesha was in for the fight of her life, because Bella Madison was not just a champion; she was a force to be reckoned with. And come Sunday, the world would witness her reign supreme.
