PARK TIME!
Europa Park
Rust, Germany
The morning air in Rust carried a soft chill, the kind that made everything feel sharper, the colors brighter, the laughter louder, the anticipation almost electric. Alexandra adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped through the entrance, her eyes already scanning the park like a kid who had waited too long for this exact moment. Ashlynn had opted to ride something with Kevin and Miles, with the promise of Castle hopping on Saturday.
LJ followed just behind her, grinning at the way she bounced slightly on her heels. “You’re about five seconds away from sprinting, aren’t you?”
“I am trying to act normal,” she said, though her smile betrayed her. “But you don’t understand this place is huge.”
“I can tell,” he said, glancing around at the sprawling paths and themed buildings stretching in every direction. “So what’s first?”
She turned to him with mock seriousness. “Strategy.”
“Oh, we have a strategy now Angel?” He smirked.
“Yes,” she said, nodding firmly. “We get drinks, we hydrate, and then we go straight to the biggest ride before the lines get insane.” She gave him a laugh.
“That sounds suspiciously responsible Love.” LJ gave her a smile in return.
“Don’t get used to it,” she replied, already tugging him toward a nearby café.
The small stand had a striped awning and a chalkboard menu written in looping handwriting. Alexandra stepped up confidently while LJ hovered just behind her, watching with interest.
“Hallo,” she said to the cashier, her voice smooth and easy. “Zwei Getränke, bitte. Eine Cola und ein Wasser.”
The cashier nodded, tapping the order into the register. “Möchten Sie noch etwas dazu?”
Alexandra glanced back at LJ. “Do you want anything else?”
He shook his head. “I’m good.”
She turned back. “Nein, danke.”
Moments later, she handed LJ the cold bottle of water and took her cola, the condensation already forming under her fingers.
“Show-off,” he teased.
She shrugged lightly. “It’s just ordering drinks."
“Yeah, in another language.” He looked impressed.
“It’s not that hard,” she said, though there was a flicker of pride in her eyes. “You could learn. Come on, you know some latin for law school.”
“I know only how to say ‘beer,’ in German.” he said confidently. “And Law school is a completely different thing altogether, love.”
She laughed. “That will get you far in life.”
They stepped away from the stand and found a small shaded area near a cluster of benches. Around them, families moved in every direction, kids pointing excitedly at distant rides, the faint hum of roller coasters rising and falling in the background.
LJ took a sip of his water and tilted his head. “So the biggest ride? What are we talking about?”
Alexandra’s expression shifted instantly, excited, almost conspiratorial. “It’s called Silver Star.”
“That sounds intense already.”
“It’s one of the tallest in Europe,” she said, her hands starting to move as she spoke. “Huge drops, fast speeds, it's amazing.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You say that like you’ve been on it before.”
“Never,” she said, grinning. “I heard about it, they say if you can ride it, you can ride ANYTHING in park.”
“That’s either a glowing review or a warning.” He looked worried.
“Both,” she admitted.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. “Alright. Lead the way.”
They tossed their empty bottles and started off, following signs that pointed toward the ride. As they walked, the park seemed to open up even more different themed areas blending into each other, music drifting through the air, the scent of food stalls tempting them at every turn. Alexandra walked a little faster now, her excitement building with every step. LJ noticed and matched her pace.
“You’re really excited about this,” he said.
“I am,” she replied. “It’s just. I don’t know. Rides like that make everything else disappear for a minute.”
He glanced at her, curious. “Disappear?”
“Yeah,” she said, slowing slightly as they approached a wide pathway where the coaster tracks became visible in the distance. “When you’re up there, you’re not thinking about anything else. Just the speed, the height, the feeling.”
LJ followed her gaze, watching as a train of the coaster climbed slowly up a steep incline before vanishing over the top. “Okay,” he said. “That does look insane.”
She smiled. “Good insane.”
“Debatable. Law School doesn't scare me. Wrestling doesn’t scare me. Proposing to you, didn't scare me. This however..” LJ shrugged a bit.
They reached the entrance area, where a line had already begun to form. It wasn’t too bad yet, but it was growing.
“See?” Alexandra said. “We got here just in time.”
He looked at the towering structure again, then back at her. “You’re absolutely sure about this?”
She stepped closer, nudging his arm lightly. “You’ll be fine.”
“That’s what people always say right before something terrifying happens.” He gripped her hand a little.
She laughed. “Trust me.”
There was something in the way she said it light, but sincere that made him relax just a little.
“Alright,” he said, exhaling. “I’m trusting you.”
They joined the line, which moved steadily forward. As they got closer, the sounds of the ride became louder: the clatter of the tracks, the rush of wind, the distant screams that were equal parts fear and exhilaration.
Alexandra shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her excitement barely contained. “I love this part,” she said.
“The waiting?” LJ asked.
“The buildup,” she corrected. “It makes it better.”
He smirked. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Maybe,” she admitted.
The line continued to move, weaving through barriers and up a set of stairs until they reached the loading platform. The coaster trains pulled in and out in a smooth rhythm, riders stepping off with wide eyes and messy hair.
LJ watched them carefully. “Some of them look like they’ve seen things.”
“They’ve seen greatness.” Alexandra said.
“Uh-huh.” LJ looked at her.
When it was finally their turn, they were directed toward the front row. Alexandra’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” she said.
“Front row?” LJ repeated. “We’re doing the front row?”
“We are absolutely doing this in the front row.”
He laughed nervously. “Of course we are.”
They slid into their seats, the restraints coming down securely over their shoulders. Alexandra glanced over at him, her grin wide and infectious. “Ready?”
He took a breath, then nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be Love.”
The train began to move, slowly at first, then turning toward the massive lift hill. The clicking sound of the chain pulling them upward echoed around them, each second stretching longer as the ground fell away beneath their feet. LJ gripped the handles, his eyes flicking between the horizon and Alexandra. She, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, calm, focused, alive in a way that was impossible to miss.
“Look,” she said softly, nodding toward the view.
He was focused on her. "I am.."
"At the view, darling." She blushed.
He did. From the top, the park spread out in every direction, colorful and vibrant under the morning sun. For a brief moment, everything was still. Then they tipped over the edge. The world dropped away in an instant, the rush of air stealing any chance of a scream as gravity took over. The speed hit fast, the track racing beneath them, twists and turns blurring together into pure sensation. LJ’s initial fear dissolved into something else entirely, something wild and exhilarating. Beside him, Alexandra laughed, the sound carried away by the wind. And for those few moments, just like she said, everything else disappeared. No Brandon Hendrix, not drama, just them and a chance to breathe.
Walking through fire
Hotel 'Krønasår'
Rust, Germany
Alexandra stood on the balcony of her Presidential Deluxe suite, given to her and LJ while they are on their Theme Park Tour for Sin City Wrestling, on their way to their big wedding day. The moon was full and bright when Alexandra flipped her camera on. She didn’t know much about her opponent for the show, other than Brittany had gone up against Bella recently.
“Your Bombshell Internet Champion is enjoying life right now and doing well. Staying at the Hotel Kronasar, has been an experience in itself. The best part is, I'm getting to do it with my fiance, LJ Kasey. It’s true, we are on the Road to I Do and the Road to Into The Void XV at the same time. Getting here has been a roller coaster, but one I’ve been happy to ride. Not to mention, my kid gets to visit Germany for the first time in her life. There are so many plans and so little time.”
She pulls him into view, letting him wave at the camera and the two share a quick kiss and he wanders back into the room, letting her finish.
“Brittany, now I know you are still kind of new here and to have to face someone like Bella Madison, who is by far one of the most talented women in this company, I dare say this industry, had to be daunting. You held your own for a bit, but then somewhere you messed up didn’t you darling. You couldn’t exactly get that spot and it all went wrong. It’s alright, we all have our days and your last showing just wasn’t the right time.”
She gave a small chuckle, she wanted to give this new face a chance. Going up against a Champion was a big thing, something that Brittany shouldn’t bat her eyelashes at.
“I can promise you, this week won't be any different. I’m on an uptick, with a lot of power, anger and unfinished business behind me. Your newly crowned Bombshell Internet Champion, I fought and crawled through the division to get here and honestly, it was all worth it. Now, you stand between me and my path to Into the Void XV. I plan on going out there and doing what I do best, proving time and time again that I am still the one they all look at.”
She knew Into the Void was rapidly approaching and there was a huge target on her shoulder. And with Brandon Hendrix and his constant need to come at the Kasey family and herself.
“Now I know there’s a chance Hendrix could have hired you or anyone really to try and make an example of me. If he wants to try, that’s fine. I can handle whatever he decides to throw my way. Including his goons getting involved in this match. Come at me all you want. I’ll send you back to whoever put you in my path, broken, bleeding and ready to give up. Because there’s nothing standing in my way anymore.”
She gives the camera a knowing smile.
“And hey Brandon Hendrix, I’m sure you are watching. You want to touch me so bad, come on. Prove you got what it takes to step to me, oh wait, you can’t. You touch me, you get another fine. Maybe it’s time I start collecting fines for attacking you. I can afford it, even with all the wedding planning. You made a choice when you messed with this family. Hell ask Logan Hunter what happens when you do that dumb fuck shit. I’m sure he still remembers what it was like when the floodgates opened on him. Ask him, he will let you know. It’s open season on anyone who might be connected to you from here on out.”
With a wink she continues, closing it off.
“Brittany sorry about that, now I’ll get back to you. I do hope that you are ready for what’s coming your way. I know I’m looking forward to it. Take the time we’ve got in Germany to enjoy yourself, prepare for what’s coming, while I might look like I’m smiling and having the best time ever, know that I am focused on proving myself, every single time I walk out to that ring. I’ll see you Sunday night darling, for now, I’m going to relax with the man I love, spend time with my daughter and my friends, planning the wedding of the year.”
She waves at the camera and it fades to black.
