The house was warm and lived in it was no longer a place Eddie and Sabrina had just moved into but a place that was sharing their daily routines, their laughter, their messes and their most intimate moments. Long gone were the boxes, now replaced by shelves full of pictures of their families and themselves.
They both were curled up on the couch together, Sabrina wearing an SCW hoodie she had “borrowed” from Eddie several weeks ago. Eddie himself in one of his own Eddie Lyons t-shirts with the word “Unbreakable” across the chest.
“You know what I can't stop thinking about?” Eddie said with a grin.
“What's that?” Sabrina asked arching an eyebrow.
"That perfect slap you put on Victoria's face the other day." he said with a grin. “Top ten moments of my life easily. Her her head almost spun around completely.”
“Yeah well she was asking for it.” said Sabrina “I honestly surprised myself.”
“I think that's called your motherly instincts kicking in. Mama ain't going to take nobody talking about her child like that.” Eddie replied.
“Our child.” Sabrina smiled, kissing him on the cheek.
“Yeah, our child.” Eddie replied with a smile opening his arm around her as they cuddled tighter.
“You're nervous aren't you.?” Sabrina said looking up at him.
Eddie exhaled heavily.
“It's just the chamber draws ever closer.” Eddie continued and “Now it's not just six men, it's seven. Seven guys who all have something to prove.”
“Well I don't know these other guys.” said Sabrina “But from where I sit I don't think anybody wants this more or deserves it more than you Eddie Lyons.”
"It's more of the brutality of the chamber." Eddie said his voice lowering. “It's brutal, it'll take more than skill, it's going to take luck and survival and I won't be coming out the same Eddie Lyons that I am now. The chamber is something that changes a man.”
“It might change you some.” said Sabrina “But it won't break you You’ve already proven more than you realize Eddie Lyons. You’re someone who doesn't give up. Most importantly when you do fall you stand on your own business, no excuses. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and make yourself better next time.”
“I know.” said Eddie “But it seems like I always get right there, right to the edge of a big win and it slips through my fingers every time.”
“Well don't forget you already have the biggest win of all “ she smiled moving his hand across her belly. “I know whatever happens I'll be proud of you and our daughter will grow up to be proud of you.”
“Daughter?” said Eddie raising an eyebrow.
“I guess I think it's a girl.” Sabrina said with a shrug. “Won't know officially for a few more weeks.”
“Well boy, girl.” said Eddie “It doesn't matter whatever our child grows up to be, it will be their decision and we will love them either way.”
“Absolutely.” Sabrina agreed.
“Anyway there's still this tag match I got before the chamber.” said Eddie. “I haven't got too much of a read on my partner Señor Vinny yet but he didn't qualify for the chamber by accident and he's a former world champion and Internet Champion so I have good faith that he knows his stuff.”
“Well I hope he's reliable.” said Sabrina, “Otherwise you'll take care of him in the chamber. Get back must be had right?”
“Get back?” said Eddie with an eyebrow raised, “You learn that from Cleo?”
“She may have taught me some cool phrases.” Sabrina said with a grin.
"But as long as he pulls his own weight, we'll be fine" said Eddie “Because our opponents are no slouches Miles and Jayden both want to be the world champion honestly probably just as much as I do and either one of them can get the job done.”
“But they won't.” said Sabrina “Because you will.”
“Yeah.” said Eddie “You're damn right about that.”
They sat there together for a while enjoying the quiet before finally deciding to find something to watch together on Netflix as they relaxed into their evening enjoying their time together before Eddie had to fly out to San Francisco for the weekend.
__________
The camera opens on a Las Vegas evening catching Eddie Lyons in his new home sitting on his back patio in a comfy patio chair wearing a Lyons Den hoodie and sweatpants. He lets the camera linger on him for a moment before speaking.
“We're just a few weeks out from the Elimination Chamber.” Eddie began “But first at Climax Control, we get to have a little sneak preview when I team with Senor Vinny against Miles Kasey and Jayden Harris before we all enter the chamber seeking the tear one another apart.”
Eddie pauses for a moment.
“I guess the big question is can any of us even trust each other for one night?” Eddie continued “Can Miles and Jayden put aside their own Ambitions to try to take out Vinny and myself can Vinny and I do the same to try to take them out that's the story that's going to get pushed can they coexist and it's honestly a fair question.”
There's another short pause as Eddie leans forward slightly.
“I'll lay this out right now.” said Eddie “At Climax Control, Señor Vinny? You're my amigo, my compadre ,and I will do my part and stand beside you as your partner for the evening. I'll fight beside you like your mi familia because that's the only way I know how to do this. We're a team for the night then we're a team and I'm all in amigo.”
He pauses as a confident grin goes on his face.
“But the second the match ends.” Eddie said “That's where the partnership ends. No longer are you my amigo, you're just somebody standing in my way of the world Heavyweight Championship.”
He lets his words linger in the air before continuing.
“But amigo, we'll deal with that when the time comes.” said Eddie “For now we should focus on the people across from us, Miles Kasey and Jayden Harris. Two guys I honestly respect the hell out of.”
Eddie's shifts slightly in his chair before continuing.
“I know what you're about Miles. You've got heart, you've got passion and you fight for the people who love you.” said Eddie “You and Carter have built something beautiful and I respect that too. But all respect aside, I'm not pulling any punches not this week, not in the chamber, and I'd be a fool to not expect the same from you.”
That trademark intensity flashes in Eddie's eyes.
“Then there's Jayden Harris.” Eddie said. “A man looking to carve his own path while carrying his father's name. I know that game my friend, and it's heavy. People will look at your last name before they even see your work. People will be so quick to judge you off your dad's sins or his successes.”
Eddie looks to the camera with a respectful nod.
“Being second generation.” said Eddie “Both of us know about the advantages and disadvantages and you and I both know that we're not fighting for either of our father's legacies, we're fighting for our own and we're both more than willing to earn our respect the hard way.”
Eddie takes another short pause.
“This tag match is not about titles or wins or losses.“ said Eddie “It's about statements and showing the world and each other exactly who they're walking into that chamber with. That includes Bill Barnhart, J2H and HBC as well. I honestly don't know how the two of you are going to get through this one miles but that's going to be for the two of you to figure out “
Eddie shakes his head with a slight exhale.
“I just hope all of you know that I'm not walking in that chamber to be the nice guy or the future star. I'm walking into take what's mine with no excuses, no backing down. I've tasted gold and had it ripped from me and I've been a runner up and the guy who almost got it.” said Eddie. “This time I will go all the way and I will go on to become the World Heavyweight Champion. This time you need to bet on Eddie Lyons. “
Eddie places his hand on his leaning closer to the camera.
“So Miles, Jayden, and even you Vinny bring your best at Climax Control. Let's give everyone a little preview of what's to come.” Eddie continued “When it's over I'll shake hands with whoever wants to shake hands, but when we get to the chamber and that door closes, there's no friends no partners only survival.”
He keeps his confident gaze on the camera.
“If any of you think nice guy Eddie can't be ruthless.” he grinned, "Go ahead and keep thinking that. I'll be happy to surprise you when I lay you out in the chamber and walk out with the opportunity to face the World Heavyweight Champion.”
He stands up and turns back to the house, pauses and looks back to the camera.
“I'll see you at Climax Control my friends.” said Eddie "Let's find out who makes the first statement because I'll tell you now I'm tired of being the favorite runner-up. I'm ready to take it all.”
With that he walks back into his home as the camera fades to black.
__________
Life was changing fast for Eddie Lyons, a baby on the way, a new home and even more he still had planned for he and Sabrina's future. He wanted to make sure Sabrina had all the comforts that she needed, especially as she had entered her second trimester and the coming months were going to be very important. SCW wasn't going to slow down for him either, meaning other than when they operated from home base in Vegas, he would have to fly to whatever city they were in every weekend.
But he wouldn't change a thing he loved Sabrina and he was looking forward to meeting their child more and more each day. But it was those weekends that he was gone and some other City that he wanted her to have some sort of company and that's how he found himself in the living room with a happy Golden Retriever puppy.
He could hear her car pull into the driveway and got ready.
“All right little buddy.” he said “Looking into the puppies eyes let's make a good first impression.”
With a happy bark the puppy licked Eddie in his face as though he understood.
“Eddie?” he heard Sabrina call as she shut the front door behind her “You home?”
“I'm in here!” he called from the living room, “I have a surprise for you!”
“Is it a machine that makes me not have to pee every five minutes?” she said, her voice drawing closer.
As she rounded the corner he held out the puppy to her and for a moment you could hear a pin drop.
“Eddie…” she said with a smile.
“Thought you could use some company when I'm on the road.” he said. "Plus every kid should grow up with a good dog right?”
The puppy started to wriggle in Eddie's hand wagging his tail as Sabrina stepped closer scooping him into her own. Eddie laughed as the puppy covered her face with sloppy kisses.
“He's adorable.” said Sabrina taking a seat setting the puppy into her lap. “Does he have a name?”
“No.” said Eddie “Figured I'd let you decide on that one.”
Sabrina look down thoughtfully at the puppy for a moment and then look back up at Eddie.
“Koda.” she said
“Koda?” Eddie replied.
“Yeah.” she said “It's cute and has a strong ring to it. Koda Lyons I like it.”
“Well what do you think Koda?” Eddie said looking at the puppy in her lap.
Koda barked and happily wagged his tail.
“I think he likes it.” Sabrina smiled.
They sat there together for some time watching Koda play and discover new things, the sofa, various chairs, cabinets and carpets and even had to stop him from almost destroying one of the baby books.
“Thank you Eddie Lyons.” Sabrina said, resting her head on his shoulder. “I'm glad I'm going to have this little guy hanging out with me watching when you win the elimination chamber.”
“You are my world now Sabrina.” said Eddie “I want to make sure you have everything you need and want, you and our child.”
“It's really starting to feel real isn't it?” Sabrina said “We have a home, a puppy, and before we know it our child will be here and our family will be complete and we can begin to make memories together full of love and laughter.”
“Absolutely.” said Eddie with a smile.
“Just don't forget to take time for yourself.” Sabrina said "You've been doing so much for me don't forget to take care of Eddie Lyons.”
"Well you are important to me." Eddie said.
“And you to me.” said Sabrina “That's why I want you to try and keep your focus these next few weeks on your Elimination Chamber match. I know how important it is to you and you support me and I'm going to support you”
“I appreciate that Sabrina.” said Eddie kissing her softly on the forehead when suddenly Koda jumped in between them and began licking Sabrina in the face.
“Jealous already buddy?” said Eddie with a smile. “Well I'm sorry but you're going to have to share her little dude.”
“Careful.” said Sabrina “He just might steal me away.”
They laughed together in the afternoon stretched on like that as the two relaxed inside their home Eddie's little bubble I want love comfort and safety.
And yet he still had one final surprise for Sabrina….
__________
This soft crackle of the fire illuminating the scene is heard as the cameras open on Eddie Lyons sitting in an Adirondack chair next to a modest stone fire pit. He's dressed casually in his usual Jean sneakers t-shirt and Hoodie combo but his expression is anything but relaxed.
“You ever just sit by the fire and think?” said Eddie “I'm not talking about the philosophical deep meaning of life kind of stuff. Just who you are, where you're at, and what comes next that's kind of been my vibe ever since this chamber match was announced.”
There's sort of a mixed vibe of determination and a man relaxing at home as Eddie Lyons continues.
“It's going to be my first chamber you know.” [/color]said Eddie “And if I said I wasn't constantly thinking about that I'd be lying. But I'm not afraid, I know what it does to people and I know it's reputation. Shortened careers, broken bodies, rewritten legacies. But what I feel isn't fear, it's hunger. The hunger to prove that when it comes to the best in this business my name deserves to be among the top of the list.”
The expression on his face hardens slightly.
“But to do that I need to step in the ring with six other guys who want to do the exact same thing.” said Eddie “And I have respect for each person that's going to enter that chamber, but that does not mean I see them as unbeatable they're just rivals equals and people standing in my way.”
He keeps his tongue sharp and steady.
“For me this match is about way more than winning the chamber and punching a ticket to a world title shot.” Eddie continued "It's about who holds that title when I get there and that's Finn Whelan.”[/i][/b]
Eddie pauses for a moment with a sharp exhale.
“I need Finn to be the world champion when this is over.” said Eddie “Because for me it's not just about gold, it's about closure and righting the wrong that's been eating at me since December. My Moment was stolen from me and I won't right that wrong by defeating Alex Jones, I need to beat Finn Whelan.”
One can almost see the fire flickering in his eyes although it could just be a reflection of the pit in front of him.
“And I know I could just focus on winning the chamber and then taking the title whether it be Finn or Alex.” said Eddie “But somehow it'll feel slightly hollow if it's not Finn. For my story to feel truly complete I need to take the championship from Finn Whelan.”
Eddie stands up and begins to pace a slow circle around the pit.
“But that's the catch I guess because if Finn does lose to Alex Jones then that's who I'll be facing when I win the chamber.” said Eddie “And if it's Alex Jones, so be it I'll take the title from him because that's what I'm coming to do but I have to be honest it just won't taste the same.”
He stops and looks into the camera.
“But here I am talking about the chamber.” said Eddie “And before I can even get into any of that there's this week and our tag match me and Vinnie taking on Miles and Jayden.”
Eddie takes a short pause.
“Miles might be the one guy who wants Finn just as much as I do.” said Eddie “His reasoning is more personal of course. But if Miles wants to get to Finn, he's going to have to go through me and I'm going to give him and Jayden both a preview of just what that means.”
Eddie gets a confident nod and smirk at the camera has he sits back into his chair.
“You should pay attention to Vinnie.” said Eddie “We're a team tonight and and I'll be your amigo for the evening, but I told you before at the chamber you're just another one in my way.”
Eddie's posture becomes more relaxed as he leans back into his chair.
“It's going to be a hell of a war in a few weeks boys.” said Eddie, “I just hope you all come ready because I am.”
With that the camera lingers on Eddie and the flickering fire pit as the scene ultimately fades out to black.
