Shawn entered the arena to a thunderous applause. He stopped at the edge of the ramp and kneeled down for a short prayer before jumping up and waving to all the fans. Where are they? Shawn soon spotted his son along with Kim and Brittney a few seats down from JR and Jerry. He ran over to them and patted his son on the head before shaking Brittney's hand and kissing Kim on the cheek. He looked back at his son who was just beaming. He smiled once more before readying himself to face Edge.
---
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"Oh man! Dad is so cool!" Michael exclaimed. Kim didn't even hear him. She was so awestruck that her eyes were still glued at the man that she loved.
"Miss Kim?"
"Oh…I'm sorry Michael. Forgive me. I was just…"
"Staring at my dad," he shouted happily.
"Yeah, you caught me," she said grinning at him.
"Miss Kim, are you coming with us back to San Antonio in the morning?"
"Uh…well…I don't think so," she replied sadly.
"Aw, well this will be the last night that we get to hang out together. I'm having so much fun right now, that I don't want this night to end."
"Oh I know. I feel the same way too sweetie."
"Miss Kim you just got to come visit sometime. Please say you'll come visit? My dad told me that you like volleyball? I do too and I have a big net in the backyard!" he shouted happily. The crowd started clapping their hands loudly and Kim turned to see Shawn stuck in a head lock.
"Oooo dad's losing again," Michael shouted.
"It's far from over," Brittney replied clapping her hands frantically. Kim laughed at her friend before turning back to Michael.
"Please Miss Kim?"
"I'll come to see you. I don't know when it will be but if I have to take a week off from school, I'll come and see you."
"Promise?" he asked sticking out his hand.
"I promise," Kim said happily shaking his hand. Kim quickly turned away before he could see the tears fall. There was no way she'd be able to go see Michael without Rhi having a problem with it. I'm sorry Michael…this is one promise that I have no control over.
---
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Shawn had finally managed to get out of that headlock and was now on the offense. He threw Edge into the ropes, ducked his clothes line, and dropkicked him onto the mat. Edge stood up and Shawn managed to throw him over the top. Edge stood up once again only to fall victim to Shawn's moonsault from the top turnbuckle. Shawn did the crotch chop before running back into the ring to pose for the crowd. He looked around for his son and saw him waving like mad. He winked at his son before turning his attention to Kim. She was crying and when she met his eyes, she quickly turned away. Shawn climbed out of the ring and walked over to her. He lifted her chin up and her eyes were wide with surprise. The fans surrounding them just watched while patting Shawn's arms and any part of him that they could reach.
"Please don't cry," he mouthed. Kim nodded her head and he smiled before turning to duck a spear from Edge.
"Oh that was a close one," he heard Jerry shout before turning his attention back to Edge.
-----
"Why is he all over her?"
"Uh…well, you would know if you would actually pay attention to him sometimes," Stephanie said nonchalantly.
"I do pay attention but is it wrong to hate the sport of wrestling?"
"No, I didn't say that it was Rhi but…"
"Alright then. I think I'll confront him about it when he gets back here."
"If you say so but if I were you, I'd tread waters lightly."
"Who are you to tell me what to do about my husband?" Rhi asked angrily, twirling a finger through her long blonde hair.
"You know…never mind. You never deserved him in the first place," Stephanie smirked before leaving the small room.
---
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Edge and Christian were now in the ring setting up for the concierto when HHH came running down the ramp with a sledgehammer in his right hand. Christian took off running and Edge readied to hit Hunter with the chair but was brought to his knees by Shawn's low blow. Hunter took off and continued to chase Christian to the back. Shawn climbed the ropes and landed an elbow drop before crawling to the corner to tune up the band. The crowd started tuning up with him, begging Edge to get up and turn around.
Edge stood up slowly and when he turned around, he received the Sweet Chin Music. Shawn fell over and pinned him for the three count. The crowd erupted and confetti fell from a blimp hovering above. It was now flashing 'HBK New World Heavyweight Champion'. Shawn grinned as the ref held up his hand and thrust his hand in the air signaling that he had won the match. A second later, the championship belt was given to him and he fell down to his knees cradling the belt. To think…I had almost given up on ever returning to the WWE…never holding this prize…but why do I feel like…?
Shawn looked up and saw his son jumping up and down from excitement. He also saw Kim and Brittney yelling excitedly. He smiled and rolled out of the ring. He walked up to his son and led him towards the ring. He motioned for Kim and Brittney to join him and they nervously followed him. They entered the ring and Shawn placed the belt over his son's shoulders. Brittney started smiling and waving at the crowd, for some of the guys had recognized her and were shouting her name. Shawn ran his fingers through Kim's hair and pulled her into a warm embrace. Then he put one arm around his son and laughed when he heard JR and Jerry's final thoughts.
"Well ain't that something JR? Don't they look like one big happy family?"
"Uh, now that you mention it, they do look kind of cute."
"Jerry what in the blue blazes was you looking at?" he yelled.
"I was watching that Brittney prance around the ring. Ain't she a beauty?"
"Aw foot. Well folks the King and I would like to thank all of you fans who were here in attendance."
"And we'd like to thank those of you at home for your continued support. The crowning of a new champ…I tell you I didn't expect Michaels to win."
"I knew he could do it. It's his MO—overcoming the odds. From Orlando Florida everyone this is JR and the King saying goodnight!"
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"Oh my god! That was incredible!" Brittney exclaimed as they made their way back stage behind the curtain.
"You would think so Miss Diva." Brittney turned around to see Matt comingtowards her. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek, making her blush a little. Behind him was Jeff and Melina.
"Shawn, man that match was awesome," Jeff crooned.
"Thanks man. Coming from you…I'll take it to heart," Shawn joked.
"Dad, you really were super!" Shawn pulled his son into a hug.
"I'm glad you approve of your old dad. You're not just telling me this because you don't want to hurt my feelings?"
"Of course he isn't," Kim added softly. Shawn turned to her and caressed her cheek. Kim looked around nervously and saw that everyone was watching them silently with smiles on their faces.
"You know, I almost lost it during the match tonight."
"Why?"
"Well, I looked over and saw you crying…you have no reason to cry sweetheart."
"Yes, I do. Michael…wants me to come and see you both and…"
"What makes you think that you can't?" he asked with a smirk.
"You know…after the ball…" she started weakly.
"Oh Miss Kim you just have to come and see!"
"She's coming over, sooner than you think," he said never taking his eyes off of her. He twirled a strand of her hair with his finger. "You're something else Kimberly." He leaned in to kiss her but someone shouted his name.
"SHAWN! DON'T…" He turned to see Hunter coming his way.
"What in the world…?"
"Rhi."
"Huh?"
"Rhi is here." Shawn's face went pale and Kimberly's whole expression changed in an instant.
"Where is she?" Shawn asked quickly, taking his hands off of Kim.
"Right here." She ran up to him and threw her arms around him. "Oh, sweetie how I've missed you!"
"Uh…what are you…doing here?" Shawn asked.
"Is that any kind of way to greet your loving wife?" She pulled Shawn into a passionate liplock and Kimberly turned her head, looking sad yet somewhat disgusted.
"MOM! What are you doing here?" Michael exclaimed running up to his mother. She leaned over and kissed his forhead.
"I've missed you so much sweetie."
"What made you decide to come? I thought you hated wrestling?"
"Oh, Michael I just…I was tired of being alone sweetie. I needed to see you again…and your father," she added sweetly. Shawn just stared at her. He wasn't sure how he felt. It was a mixture of maybe anger and disgust. He could see right through her act and he wanted so badly to call her out on it but he didn't. Shawn looked at Hunter who took the cue.
"Uh, Brittney…Matt, you guys come with me to the back. We have some refreshments and a whole bunch of free stuff," he said smiling. Matt looked at Jeff who instantly took the hint to leave. Shawn looked over at his son and smiled.
"Hey, why don't you go with Uncle Hunter? You can get you some snacks and then pick out all the wrestling gear that you want. How about that?"
"Alright!" Michael pulled away from his mother and followed Hunter to the back of the stadium leaving Shawn alone with Kim and Rhi.
"Uh…I'll just…"
"No, you stay right here Kim. There's no reason for you to leave," he said. Kim could feel the intensity in his voice and it made her slightly nervous. She stayed there even though she felt like crawling in a hole.
"Shawn, I get the feeling that you aren't very happy to see me," she said curtly.
"Give me a reason why I should be happy to see you."
"I'm your wife."
"And?'
"That should be reason enough."
"Uh…let's see…nope. Not this time."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, you're a very good actress."
"I don't understand…"
"Rhi cut the act. I know why you're here but it's not going to change things. You completely blew me off the night at the ball and afterwards pretty much told me to shove off. Am I correct?"
"No, Shawn listen…I was upset and…"
"But you had no reason to be upset."
"I CAUGHT YOU KISSING THAT LITTLE WHORE!" she yelled.
"Don't do this Rhi. Not tonight."
"Don't do this?" she asked softly. "Why shouldn't I? I saw you on the monitor. You were…the way you looked at her." Tears started streaming down Rhi's face and Kim wanted to just die. "You don't…I've never seen you look at me that way before."
"That's because you never gave me a reason to."
"What? How cruel can you be Shawn? You act as if I never loved you! I loved you with all my heart—still do. Do you think I would have come all this way if I didn't love you?" she screamed.
"I never questioned your love for me…NEVER, but Rhi, you just keep pushing me away…playing these head games and I am sick of it!"
"What about you Shawn? How can we bond if you're on the road all the time huh? Explain that one."
"RHI, THIS IS HOW…THIS IS HOW I MAKE A LIVING! THIS IS HOW I KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE…AND HOW I PAY THE BILLS AND KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS! WHAT? YOU WANT ME TO STOP WORKING?" he yelled. Rhi didn't say anything. She just kept sobbing and shaking her head. Kim could feel the tears streaming down her face and started to make a run for it but Shawn grabbed her arm, pulling her beside him.
"So now you're just going to throw your affair in my face?" she cried.
"No, that's not what I'm doing. Let me tell you a little story. There once was a lonely man named Shawn Michaels. He worked his ass off 250 plus days a year so that he could keep his wife and son living comfortably with no worries. Soon Shawn's wife started to grow a bit possessive and greedy. She began pushing him away every time she complained about him being on the road. She pushed him farther away every time she wouldn't pick up the phone and talk to him while he was away, simply because she was pissed; not caring what happened to him on the road or anything. One day Shawn's boss told him to take a vacation and he did. He went to Miami where he ended up meeting a very nice, very sexy college student named Kim. They hung out a couple of times and watched wrestling. They even went to lunch and hung out at the beach. Shawn noticed how caring she was for she always had his best interest at heart. He injured himself one day at the gym and she rubbed his back—the hard to reach spots, something his own wife had not done in years. It was that night that he realized that he was falling in love with her. Knowing this he decided that it was time to leave Miami and return home to his family, because he had a wife and son that he loved so much that he wouldn't dare ruin it for anything in the world. Kim also knew this an instead of revealing to Shawn that she was in love with him, she sent him packing so that he could go fix his marriage. Are you getting all of this?" he asked angrily. Rhi only glared angrily at Shawn before looking away.
"Well, Shawn went home and it seemed that thing had gotten better…that is until his son started to take an interest in his father. For the longest time, his son had worshipped the ground his mother walked. Now a growing teenager, he wanted to learn more about his father so that he could eventually be like him someday. The mother wouldn't allow this thus pushing the father and son farther and farther away."
"ALRIGHT! I GET YOUR FUCKING POINT! SO I MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT SOME OF THIS ON MYSELF BUT…WHAT ARE YOU SAYING SHAWN? JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY AND STOP…"
"I want a divorce," he said quietly. There was a long, awkward silence before Rhi finally spoke up.
"You…don't…mean that do you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I want a divorce," he replied chillingly, walking towards her. "I called my lawyer today and he's already drawn up the papers."
"Shawn…"
"No more Rhi. No more…"
"I can't believe that you really want to do this," she stammered. "What has she…?"
"She has done nothing but love me and care for me like she would any other guy."
"But…you'd throw our life away…years of…your family…"
"I'm not throwing anything away. It was never there."
"So you're…you never loved…?" she cried looking up at him hurt.
"Sweetheart, you've got it all wrong. I did love you. I loved you with all my heart and did everything to please you. The one time that I stood my ground you completely flipped out on me. Our son is growing up—he can't be your little puppet anymore."
"I never…"
"No but that's what he is! He's got to grow up sometime. He can't be a spoiled brat the rest of his life…like you," he said coldly.
"Shawn…"
"Rhi…I'm sorry but I cannot and will not do this anymore."
"So…this…is…goodbye?" she asked tearfully.
"I will always love you Rhi but…I'm in love with someone else and I don't love you that way anymore."
His words cut the air like a knife and Rhi just stood there silent. A second later she looked up at the both of them and Kim could clearly see the pain behind her eyes. Kim wanted to say something, anything to make her feel better but she knew that there was nothing she could say or do to help ease Rhi's pain. Rhi finally composed herself enough to speak once more.
"You're telling our son. I refuse to…to go through that."
"Whatever you want darling."
"In the meantime, I'll be at my mother's," she cried before turning and running out of the room. When she left, Shawn dropped to his knees and started to cry.
"Oh…oh Shawn, why did you…you shouldn't have…" Kim threw her arms around him and started to sob uncontrollably on his shoulder.
"No…no Kim…"
"Shawn, why did you throw your marriage away?" she screamed. "You just…you can't…I won't…there's still time to…"
"I don't want to leave you," he whispered tearfully cupping her face in his hands.
"But Shawn…"
"I love you," he whispered cutting her off. "I love you so much. I'm sorry you had to see me…I wasn't trying to be cruel but you don't know Rhi."
"She still…she never wanted a divorce," Kim replied weakly.
"She's got to learn that she can't always have it her way and besides, there was no way I was going to disappoint my son again."
"Huh?"
"You're coming home with me."
"But…"
"No buts. You're coming home so my son can give you a tour of our new home." Kimberly stared at him curiously, frowning out of confusion.
"Shawn…you just said…"
"I know what I said," he whispered caressing her cheek, "and I will say it again—our home."
"I…I mean, I can't…"
"When I told you that I loved you…when I made love to you that night, I meant everything that I said. I want you to come and live with me…" Kim shook her head as she continued to cry, looking away but Shawn shook her lightly. "No, look at me. Kim, I didn't throw my life away. My life…my life has just begun and now I…I want to spend the rest of my life with you…loving you…I want you to…be my wife," he said softly. Kim looked up and was about to protest but he started covering her in small kisses.
"Marry me."
"I…"
"Marry me." He planted small kisses on her neck.
"School…I…"
"You can finish if you want but you'll never have to actually work unless you just want to. Believe it or not, we're pretty much set for life," he grinned.
"Michael…"
"Will understand…"
"But what if…"
"I want another child…maybe a little girl," he added thoughtfully.
Kim finally couldn't help but to smile and when she did, Shawn covered her mouth with his own, kissing her deeply and with no regrets. This time, he was certain that he had made the right decision. After all, there was no such thing as making the same wrong choice twice. Oh, choices…
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Epilogue
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"Okay, so I do believe we have a wedding to plan," Brittney exclaimed excitedly. They were now back at school sitting in their dorm room. They were supposed to be packing but the excitement of having to plan a wedding was getting to them.
"I suppose but you're forgetting something."
"What?"
"Um…I have to uh…tell my parents that I'm engaged."
"Oh…oh yeah," Brittney winced. "Well, it can't be as bad as me having to tell my parents that I'm quitting school to start wrestling," she said hopefully.
"Yeah…maybe but my dad's going to freak when he finds out about Shawn."
"I thought your dad knew who he was?"
"He does but that won't keep him from freaking out. Shawn's old enough to be my dad you know," she replied tossing a skittle at Brit.
"Well…we're both in big trouble."
"And so we have some serious decision making to do."
"Oh, not more choices," Brittney groaned. Kim stared outside the window and smiled as her cell phone began to ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey sweetie!"
"Shawn! I've missed you!"
"So have I. I can't wait to see you. Michael is excited to. In fact, he won't shut up about it."
"Aw, how sweet. So Shawn?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"You think you made the right choice?"
"I know I did," he laughed. "So um…the other reason I am calling is because I just thought about something."
"O…k. So what's up?"
"I want to start planning the wedding as soon as possible…well, my mother more so than me. I just want you all to myself, but in God's eyes too of course."
"Okay," Kim laughed.
"Well, before we can actually start doing that, I do believe…well, I think it's time I met your parents."
AN: Alright. I FINALLY finished the story. I hope it was to your liking. I'd like to thank everyone who read and reviewed. I love you guys. Instead of wasting time trying to read Aristotle for my Western Political Thought, I decided to be productive and give you quality reading. Here's to procrastinating! Woot Woot. So, about the ending...I left it like that just in case I get really REALLY bored one day. If that happens--highly unlikely right now--but if it does, I may tell you what happened between Nitro and Melina...or Brittney's career as a diva...or Jeff and Melina...or the possible interesting story of Kim's parents. So many possibilities...But like I said, I am done for now. I have some other stories that I need to finish. I hope this story will remain one of your all time favorites and again, thanks for reading and reviewing.Nefatiri