~*~Working Family~*~
Chicago, IL
We are there for one another. No matter what.
That has been our mantra in Mal and I’s relationship since the very beginning.
It was rare that the two of them had worked in two separate companies though, so this was something a little bit new for them both. Yeah, Mal had taken time to work in another company that didn’t have that long of life, while she was pregnant with Máire. She wasn’t about miss this for him or her brother-in-law Lachlan and sis-in-law Sierra. Especially with the brothers teaming up, just like they wanted to do.
There was a quick visit with Sierra and Lach before she was whisked off and was treated to a private box along with the other significant others that had come to watch the show but had no part in the promotion. Máire had been nothing but charming, if not a little shy to all the new faces that decided to dote on her about just how adorable she looked.
Máire spent her day turning officially 7 months old, getting spoiled and for the first time since she was born she watched as her daddy and Uncle Lach teamed up. In fact she had melted everyone’s heart when she looked at the scene in the private box and yelled out “DADA!”. As the match unfolded, the crowd erupted into cheers as Malachi and Lachlan teamed up in the ring. Bella watched proudly, her heart swelling with pride as she saw her husband and brother-in-law working together seamlessly. After a hard-fought victory, Malachi stands triumphantly in the ring, his eyes meeting Bella's as he throws up a kiss to their private box. Bella and Máire cheer loudly, with Máire even clapping.
They would be escorted to the locker room area following the match, much like the routine that Mal had established with her with Bella’s matches in SCW. As soon as they got down there they were greeted by a very happy Mal, who seemed to have all the stress knocked off of him just from one match.
“There’s my girls!” Mal let out, wrapping his arms around them both, and planting plenty of kisses on them both.
“You guys looked so amazing out there!” Bella giggled as Mal immediately gave her arms a rest and took Máire out of her arms.
“It felt spectacular. Lach and I just flowed even with the extra guy on the team.” he was beaming from ear to ear, something that had been missing when it didn’t have anything to do with her or their daughter.
“Just like old times, eh bro?” Lach spoke up behind him and gave his niece a quick little tickle which caused her to giggle and wiggle in her daddy’s arms. “What’s up cutie pie? You've gotten so big since the last time I saw you.”
“She’s growing so fast, she’s even crawling now.” Mal let out, the dad mode already kicking in.
“Well it’s more of a scooch-slash-army crawl and sometimes she’ll get on her knees and rock....” Bella said with a shrug
“Oohhh that’s the warning sign, she’ll be running before you know it.” Lach said with a sly smile, and a pat on Mal’s back.
“She chases the hell-demons already with the army crawl, and it’s like they encourage her.” Mal laughed.
Between all the excitement, Máire never made it to the main event to watch her Aunt Sierra wrestle but that was easily forgiven.
After following the show and the delightful dinner at one of Bella’s favorite pizza joints in Chicago, Bella, Malachi, and Máire return to their hotel room, their hearts full from a day filled with love and laughter. As they step into the warm, inviting space, Bella feels a sense of peace wash over her, grateful for the moments they've shared as a family.
Malachi gently sets Máire down in her playpen, where she immediately begins to babble and play with her toys. Bella watches with a smile, her heart swelling with love for her precious daughter. Apparently the nap she had earlier had been just enough to give her energy.
"Look at her go," Bella says, her voice filled with affection as she joins Malachi by the window, wrapping her arms around his waist. "She's growing up so fast."
Malachi nods, his gaze softening as he gazes at their daughter. "Seems like it’s too fast," he agrees, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "But every moment with her is a gift."
Bella rests her head against Malachi's shoulder, feeling the warmth of his embrace enveloping her. In this quiet moment, she finds solace in the simple joys of family.
"We're so lucky, Mal. There were times I thought about it but..." Bella murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper as she looks up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "To have each other, to have Máire...I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world."
Malachi smiles, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Bella's face with gentle fingers. "Neither would I," he replies, his voice filled with love. "You and Máire are my everything, Bella. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Bella's heart swells with love at Malachi's words, her eyes brimming with tears of gratitude. In this moment, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family, she knows that she is exactly where she's meant to be.
Together, they stand by the window, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance as they bask in the glow of their love. And as they settle into bed, wrapped in each other's arms, Bella knows that no matter what tomorrow may bring, they'll face it together, as a working family, united by an unbreakable bond.
~*~Intensified Training~*~
Back to New York
As the date of her match against Bobbie Dahl for the SCW Bombshell Roulette Title loomed closer, Bella found herself consumed by an insatiable drive to push herself even further in her training regimen. Every moment outside of her responsibilities as a mother and a wife was dedicated to honing her skills, refining her techniques, and pushing her limits to the edge.
With each grueling session in the gym, Bella pushed herself harder, determined to be in the best shape of her life for the biggest match of her career. The thought of facing off against Bobbie, a formidable opponent with a reputation for ruthlessness in the ring, fueled her determination to succeed.
But before she could step into the ring with Bobbie, Bella had another challenge to overcome: a match against Alexandra Callaway, the former SCW Bombshell Roulette Champion. Alexandra was a respected veteran in the world of professional wrestling, a friend of the family, and someone Bella looked up to with admiration and respect.
As Bella prepared for her match against Alexandra, she knew that she couldn't afford to underestimate her opponent. Alexandra's skill and experience made her a formidable adversary, and Bella knew that she would have to bring her A-game if she wanted to emerge victorious.
With each day that passed, Bella threw herself into her training with renewed determination, pushing herself harder than ever before. She sparred with her trainers, studied tapes of Alexandra's past matches, and fine-tuned her strategy for the upcoming showdown.
As the day of the match drew nearer, Bella could feel the anticipation building within her. She knew that this would be her chance to prove herself against one of the best in the business, to show the world that she was ready to step up to the challenge and take her place among the elite.
But more than anything, Bella knew that this match was about more than just victory. It was about respect. Respect for Alexandra, for everything she had accomplished in her career. And respect for herself, as she sought to prove that she had what it took to be a champion.
~*~Becoming Alexandra~*~
“You know, they say that in this business, you're only as good as your last match. And that's true, to an extent. But for me, it's about more than just wins and losses. It's about legacy. It's about leaving your mark on this industry, about being remembered long after you've hung up your boots.”
“And when I look at Alexandra Callaway, I see someone who has left an indelible mark on this business. She's a multiple-time champion, a respected veteran, and a friend of the family. And yet, for all her accomplishments, there's a part of me that wonders why she hasn't gone further than she has in SCW.”
“Some may say that maybe it's because she's been content to stay where she is, to be a big fish in a small pond. Or maybe it's because she hasn't had the right opportunity, the right moment to seize her destiny and become the star that I know she's capable of being. But I know for an absolute fact that it is only a matter of time until she’s ruling the Bombshell Division, she just needs that right moment.”
“But as I prepare for my match against her, I can't help but feel a sense of... obligation. Like I owe it to her, to myself, to this business, to be the best that I can be. To push myself harder, to train longer, to fight with everything I've got.”
“Because when I step into that ring with Alexandra, I'm not just fighting for myself. I'm fighting to honor her legacy, to prove that she's not just a stepping stone on my path to greatness, but a worthy adversary in her own right.”
“And maybe, just maybe, if I can be half the wrestler that Alexandra is, then I'll have earned the right to call myself a champion. Not just for myself, but for her. Because in the end, it's not about winning titles or accolades. It's about earning the respect of your peers, and leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time.”
~*~Rules of Engagement: Leave it in the Ring~*~
The ring was silent, save for the faint echoes of the hard night of training still echoed off the walls of Wolfslair. Bella sat alone in the locker room, the weight of the Sunday evening's events heavy on her mind. Sunday night, she had to face off against Alexandra Callaway in a match that will push her to her limits in more ways than one.
As she peeled off her sweaty workout gear and settled onto the bench, Bella couldn't help but run her game plan over and over in her head. She will go toe-to-toe with one of the most respected veterans in the business, a woman she had looked up to for years, and held her own. But in the end, it wasn't just about the win or the loss. It was about something deeper, something more profound.
"You know, Ally," Bella began, her voice soft as she addressed the empty room, "I've always admired you. From the moment I stepped foot in this business, you were someone I looked up to. You've accomplished so much, achieved so many accolades, and yet... I don’t know... you are holding yourself back?"
Bella's words hung in the air, the weight of them settling around her like a heavy blanket. She knew that Alexandra was capable of so much more, of reaching heights that few could even dream of. And yet, here she was, still fighting in the trenches, still grinding away night after night.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I want to be like you, Ally. Like you and mom in a way but in my own way," Bella continued, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I want to reach the same heights, achieve the same level of success. But more than that, I want to earn your respect. I want you to look at me and see someone who's worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with you in this ring."
Bella fell silent, her words hanging in the air like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down at Alexandra's feet.
She knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, filled with obstacles and challenges that would test her resolve like never before. But she was ready. Ready to prove herself, ready to show the world what she was made of.
"And so, Ally," Bella whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, "I promise you this. I won't rest until I've earned your respect. Until I've proven myself worthy of standing in the ring with you as an equal. Until I've reached the same heights of success that you have. Because in the end, that's what it's all about, isn't it? Respect."
With those final words hanging in the air, Bella rose from her seat, a fire burning in her eyes. Tonight may have been just the beginning, but she was determined to make it count. Determined to leave her mark on the world of professional wrestling, just like Alexandra Callaway had done before her.
As she stepped out of the locker room and into the dimly lit hallway, Bella felt a sense of purpose wash over her. The echoes of the crowd's cheers still lingered in her ears, driving her forward with renewed determination.
With each step she took, Bella knew that she was one step closer to her goal. One step closer to earning the respect of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. And she would stop at nothing to make it happen.
For Bella Madison, the journey was just beginning. And she was ready to leave it all in the ring.
