Ambitchous

End of the Year Special 2020 #1

The last few days since Reece found out Jaina's secret have been quiet, in an weird, tense way. Jaina has kept to herself a lot, staying in her room other than for meals. Sienna even noticed something was off and asked me what was wrong. I told her that Jaina and Reece had an argument. It wasn't really a lie, I just didn't tell her what about. That was still up to Jaina if she wanted Sienna to know. I hadn't talked to Reece, either. I thought it was best if I gave him some space.

I did take some time looking into finding a wedding venue on such short notices. The four places I called though were all booked solid until at least June. Each one referred me to one of the others. I have up on Saturday morning before Last Laugh. I had to get ready to fly and put my focus on my match, I couldn't go into the ring to face Ravyn Taylor with personal stress on my mind. She'd smell blood in the water and eat me alive. It's bad enough everyone knows how the situation with Sienna is getting to me.

Dom came with us to Arizona. I booked everyone their own rooms this time instead of a suite. I wanted to keep my word to Jaina about getting her her own room, and with everything Sienna was up to, plotting and scheming with Aries, I didn't want even the smallest chance of that cretin getting anywhere near my own room. Sienna asked me to trust her concerning him. I trust that she can handle herself, but that doesn't mean I want anything to do with it, no matter how much it looks like she's dragging me into it.

* * * * * {{Dom}} * * * * *

Dom had gone to the arena with Bree and everyone, as he usually does for Bree's pay per views, especially when she's in a title match. With him not working himself for now there was never any scheduling conflict and he was happy to be there and support her. He knew she loved it when he was there to congratulate her after a big win, and the smile on her face always made him happy.

Bree's match has just started, and Dom is in her locker room, watching the match on a monitor with Jaina. Sienna and Xiomara weren't there, he assumed they were with Giovanni Aries preparing for their match, which was scheduled to take place after Bree's. It was just as well, Dom liked Sienna and Xiomara well enough, he'd gotten to know them better the last little while as they were staying with he and Bree, but it was nice to watch Bree work with just one other person rather than a large group. He didn't like them seeing him nervous for her. Jaina, he could deal with. She was family.

“She looks good so far, don't you think?”

Dom glances at Jaina and nods. “Yeah, yeah she does. The ruse with the official was smart.”

Jaina grins. “She told me about that. Getting Ravyn off her game from the jump is good strategy.”

“You know, every time you say something like that, I have to remind myself that you grew up around this and know what you're talking about. Not many people your age do.”

Jaina shrugs. “I'm used to it. People see a girl or a young woman and wonder what she could possibly know about the business at my age. Then I remind them who my mom is and they shut up.”

They both laugh. “Yeah, I'm sure that's fun for you.”

“Very. You'd think with how many young wrestlers there are around these days that it wouldn't be so surprising. Owen would get that a lot. Christian does, too.”

“Christian, huh? You guys still talking?”

“Still? What do you mean?”

“Well, just... after the party, and...” He was aware that she knew he knows what happened at the Halloween party. Jaina laughs.

“What, you thought he got what he wanted from me and bailed?”

“Or maybe the other way around.” Dom smirks.

“Funny. But no, not either. We were friends a long time before that, and we're still friends. It was just a thing, you know?”

Yeah, he knew. He and Bree were 'just a thing' for a while before becoming an actual couple.
“Got it. Serves me right for asking a personal question.”

“Stop it, you can ask me anything. You're basically my uncle at this point.”

“Careful, I might take you up on that.” He smirks, but he means it. He was curious about a few things.

“Go for it. Aunt Bree never holds back, no reason for you to.”

They both cringe at the monitor as Bree takes a particularly rough hit.

“Alright. To be honest, I was sort of wondering what the deal is with you and Reece.”

Jaina sighs. “Straight for the jugular, huh?”

“Sorry, I-”

“No, it's fine. There is no deal, really. At least that's what he led me to believe. I haven't heard from him since that day with the mail.”

“Sorry to hear that. Maybe he just needs some time.”

“That's what he said. But honestly I'm not expecting to ever hear from him. I fucked up pretty hard. I'm just sorry it's probably going to affect Aunt Bree's friendship with him.”

“Nah, she won't let that happen.”

“Might not be her choice. You didn't see him that day, he was so mad. She lied for me. If someone hid something like that from me, I don't know that I'd be able to forgive them.”

“You might. It depends on how close you were. How much you care for them. You, uh... know about the whole dress thing, right?” Jaina nods. “I was pretty upset about that. But, Bree knows she was wrong, she apologized, and that's enough for me. We'll move forward.”

The monitor once again gets their attention when Bree screams. They see a replay of Ravyn smushing Bree's hand in the ring steps. Both cringe.

“Gods, I hope she's okay.”

“They'll check her out.”

Jaina nods. “Getting back to things though, lying about a dress isn't really the same level as hiding a whole pregnancy and abortion.”

Dom chuckles a bit. “Yeah, that is a little bigger I suppose. But my point is... just give it some time. If he cares as much as I think he does, he'll understand your side and come around. He's a good guy Jay. I know you know that.”

Jaina nods. “I know. But how long is that going to take? Am I supposed to just wait around hoping that this guy wakes up one day and magically understands?”

Dom hadn't expected this conversation to get so deep, but he knew from Bree that her talks with Jaina about the situation hadn't done much good. Maybe he could help in ways Bree couldn't, providing a male perspective. “Well, do you care about him?”

After a slight hesitation, Jaina nods a little. “Yeah. I mean, I think so.”

“Either you do or you don't. If you have to think about it then-”

“I do.”

“Then isn't it worth letting things play out, give him a chance to come around, rather than giving up?”

“Maybe.” There were things that neither Bree nor Dom knew though, and Jaina couldn't say more without giving that away.

Dom could tell Jaina had a lot on her mind, and more than likely it wasn't all about Reece, so he let the conversation end there. They continued watching Bree and Ravyn battle it out, making faces and small comments here and there about what was happening.

“Ouch!”

“Oh that was bad.”

“Oh! Oh! Yes!”

“Nice shot Bree!"

“Stay down dammit!”

When Ravyn knocks the official out inadvertently, both Dom and Jaina sit up on the end of their seats, watching closer. They watch as Ravyn plants Bree, then grabs the belt.

“Oh no... oh this is not good... dammit!"

Jaina gets to her feet as Ravyn gets in the ring with the belt..... and then David Helms walks out.

“What the fuck....”

Jaina glances back at Dom but he doesn't notice, his eyes are fixed on the monitor and the appearance of his half-brother. Dom and Jaina both watch in silence as David goes to the ring, pulls the title from Ravyn's hands. She then turns as Bree attacks, tries to fend Bree off but Bree counters, then plants her with the Classifier. Jaina counts along with the official, then yells.

“Yes! Yesyesyes! She did it!”

Dom finally cracks a grin, he's glad Bree won, kept her championship. But he can't keep his eyes off David, who is standing there watching everything. He then loses the grin as David gets into the ring, he still has the belt he took from Ravyn, preventing her from hitting Bree with it.

“Gods, what is he doing?”

“I don't know....”

David starts to hand Bree the belt, but holds on to it a little longer than necessary. Dom glares at this, as Bree finally gets the belt and raises it overhead.

“What was that about?”

“I guess he's back and wants another fight. Probably buys into this whole Interim foolishness.”

“I mean, technically, that's what it-” Dom turns and glares at Jaina. Not really her, just what she was about to say. “Right. Foolishness.”

Without saying anything else, Dom leaves the locker room to go meet Bree, as he always does when he's in the building for her matches.

* * * * * {{Bree}} * * * * *

David fucking Helms.

I already know how this is going to go. People are going to claim, once again, that I only won because of someone else's interference. Nevermind the fact that I wasn't the one who was about to cheat, or the fact that she tried to counter me and couldn't. Just that man's presence would be enough for my detractors to say I didn't really beat Ravyn Taylor on my own. I knew this as soon as David handed me my belt. Well, after gripping it a second longer than needed. I was certain of it as I had to walk past him just staring at me when I made my way to the curtain. Once I get past gorilla and a few steps down the hall, I see Dom. Oh, shit. He's smiling at me, but it's not as beaming as it normally is after I kick ass. I meet him where he stands and he greets me with a hug and a kiss.

“Great job, cakes. How's your hand?”

“Sore. I have to get it checked, I was already accosted at the curtain, but I told them I had to see you first. I knew you'd be out here.”

“Of course I am. But do you what you need, you don't want to get them anymore annoyed with you than they already are.”

“It can wait a few minutes. I guess you saw all of that, right?”

“Yeah. Go see medical. I'll go back to your locker room, out of the way.”

Oh, so he wanted to play it like this, not discuss the fact his half-brother just surprised the world. Okay. “Okay. See you soon. Oh, take this.” I hand him my belt. He takes it, then gives me another smile before going back down the hallway.

I sigh, and shake my hand out as I head to medical. That bitch Ravyn tried to break it between the ring steps and the ring, and I can't be sure she didn't succeed. There's no swelling or bruising but it hurts. They examine me, poking and squeezing my hand, and give me an x-ray. Nothing is broken, thankfully. I am given an icepak though and told it may swell later, and to take naproxen if it does. I thanked the woman and made my way to my locker room where Dom and Jaina are waiting. I wasn't expecting to see Sienna until after the show, her match was next. I walk into my locker room and Jaina runs up to me.

“You were great!”

“Thanks babygirl.”

“You really were, this is a big win for you, defeating Ravyn. Despite what you think about her.”

“I know it. She's practically a living legend around here. But now she's just another Hall of Famer on my defeated list.”

“That list keeps getting longer.” Dom then gestures to my hand. I'm gripping the icepak “So what did medical say?”

“Not broken. Might swell.”

“Good news.”

“Very. I'm gonna go shower real quick so I can watch most of Sienna's match. Be right back.”

I do as I say and get cleaned up as quick as I can, then get dressed in track pants and an SCW long sleeved t-shirt. My hair still wet, I put it up in a ponytail and sit on the couch next to Dom just as Owen Cruze is making his entrance. Everyone else is already at the ring.

“Long entrances?”

“There was some segment with Mr. D first.”

I nod, and watch the monitor. Shaun is ringside with Owen and Kelcey. Sienna and Gio are alone. Alice and Cain are nowhere to be seen, and neither is Xiomara. What in the world are they up to? We all watch as the match starts in chaos and never really becomes an actual match. Dom looks like he's just zoning out, though. I grab his hand.

“You okay, baby?”

“Yeah, why wouldn't I be? You're still champion.” He smiles at me, but it's hollow.

“Are we pretending that David didn't just go out there and get involved in my match?”

“I would like to do that, actually.”

I sigh. “I can't do that, he-”

“Can we not do this right now? Sienna is working.” He turns back to the monitor.

“Since when do you care about Sienna's matches?”

“When it keeps me from having to talk about this.”

“Dom.” He looks at me, annoyed. “We can't ignore this.”

“We can for the rest of the night.”

“So you're not going to try to talk to him? Even though you're in the same building?”

“No.”

He turns back to the monitor again. I just shake my head. As much as I can't stand David, he is still Dom's family and I wish things would be right for them. They were so close before I got in the middle of everything. I hate being the cause of this. I had almost forgot Jaina was in the room when she speaks up.

“Well, at least he stopped Ravyn from cheating and stealing the title.”

“He did.”

“Fine, I'll give him credit for that.”

“Guess there's something to be said for the whole Mr. Morality thing at times.”

Dom glances at me and cracks a thin smirk. I smile. It was something.

We turn back to the monitor and keep watching. The match continues to get more and more out of hand, we see Xio backstage looking like she is going against Sienna's plans, trying to help Mr. D and his girlfriend Karina. Something is off about that to me, Xio would never betray Sienna like that, no matter how much she might disagree with whatever Sienna is doing. Same as me. I hate all of this with Gio but I can't make Sienna's decisions for her. It's why it angers me so much that both Katya and Sasha seem to think that anything Sienna does is somehow my fault, that I should be able to control her just because she's my best friend. It's asinine and unfair. We keep watching in near silence, only making short comments at what's unfolding in front of us. I say nothing, I can't find words for anything that happening.

And then Karina gets outside. She doesn't know who the chauffeur is, but I do.

“What the fuck are they doing?!”

“What?"

“Who is that?”

“That's Sierra!”

“Is it?” Jaina squints at the TV. I guess she didn't recognize her with the sunglasses. Dom and Jaina have both only met Sierra once or twice.

“Yes! I'm positive!”

I jump to my feet as I see Sierra drive off with Karina. I grab my shoes and start putting them on as fast as I can.

“Where are you going?”

“To find Sienna before she leaves! I have to fix this!”

My shoes on and barely tied, I fling the door open. Dom stops me. “Did you know anything about this?”

“Does it look like I did?! Let me go before she leaves and we all get fired!”

“Right... go.”

I nod and hurry out the door and down the hall to gorilla.

* * * * *

I find Sienna a few feet away from the curtain. She sees me and smiles as she runs up to me.

“Oh Bree, I was just coming to find you. Listen, we-”

“No, you listen! What the fuck are you and Sierra doing?! We-”

“Shhhhh, not here! Come...” Sienna grabs me and pulls me into the nearest room, which looks like some small office. No one is inside, which makes me think Sienna scouted this room for us to talk in, she did say she was looking for me. She shuts the door and locks it before turning back to me. “Okay, so-”

“This is not okay, Sienna! Your sister just kidnapped an innocent woman? Look, I've had my disagreements with D in the past too, but that woman did nothing wrong! You call Sierra and you get her back here right the fuck now!”

Sienna laughs. Dear God, she's finally actually lost it.... “That's perfect Bree, that's exactly what I need you to do! You're playing along and you don't even know it.”

“Sienna Swann, you better tell me right now what the fuck is going on or I will frog-walk you down to Sasha's office myself! Do you not care that she and Katya keep threatening me over the stunts you're pulling?! I could be stripped of my title over this, now that Helms is back!” I can almost literally feel steam coming out of my ears. Sienna grabs me by the shoulders and looks me in the eyes.

“I'm trying to, but you need to calm down. Okay?” I take a deep breath, then nod. “Okay. Don't worry about Karina, okay? She is on our side.”

“.... What?”

“Yes, she's fine. Sierra is taking her for a drive and then back to her hotel. And that... is where you come in. That spiel you just went on about bring her back? That's what we tell people happened. That's all you need to worry about, taking credit for talking sense into Sierra and me and making us bring her back. Don't you see? You fixed it, sweetie. You stopped us from going too far. You are Karina's savior.” Sienna beams at me. I have to admit, it is kinda brilliant. I nod slowly. “Sasha and Katya will have to get off your case, after you fixed my mess. Right?”

“It could work.”

“It will work. Trust me. I will make sure the world knows we brought her back at your intervention.”

I have no reason to debate this. It's smart. “Okay.” Sienna smiles again. “But I have questions.”

“Such as?”

“First of all, why wasn't I told all of this before?”

“Frankly, because you're a terrible liar. You needed to be genuinely irritated with things, so that everyone will believe that you made us bring her back to cover your own ass. If you knew, everyone would have seen through your horrible attempts at lying.”

I scoff. Sienna shrugs. “Okay. Well.... I guess I can't really argue that. I am pretty bad at it.”

“Are we good?”

“Yes, of course we're good. But... tell me more about Karina. Who exactly is she? What's going on?”

“I will tell you everything as soon as I can, right now I have to meet Sierra. I need you to rush out of here as if you're looking for me. But take your man and go back to your room and celebrate. You deserve it. Fuck Ravyn.”

I laugh. Sienna hates Ravyn almost as much as we both hate Kelcey. “Alright. I'm not sure there will be much celebrating though, he's in a mood.” Sienna gives me a questioning look. “David?”

“Oh. Right. Well he needs to get over it. Why worry about an asshole brother when he has a beautiful fiancee to spend the night with?”

I grin. “I'll do my best to change his mood.”

“Good. We'll talk in the morning.”

I leave the little office, Sienna stayed behind so that we weren't seen leaving together. I paste what I hope is a worried look on my face as I hurry back to my locker room. A few people pass me by and give me a wide berth, I guess my fake expression is working. I get back to my locker room, and find Scott waiting with Dom and Jaina. I explain to them that Sienna is fine, Karina will be fine, and I will explain when we get to the hotel but right now we have to leave in a hurry as if rushing off after Sienna. They exchange a glance, but I guess decide it's better not to debate. Dom grabs my bag and Jaina grabs my belt, and we hurry towards the exit.

It's afternoon and I am just finishing up at the gym. I'm in the locker room waiting for a shower to be available and scrolling through Twitter. People have been talking about Last Laugh, and Jordan's stunning defeat of Syren. I admit I was impressed, so I sent her a tweet saying so. It had been a few weeks since she and I spoke backstage but it had gone well and I didn't see the harm in saying something to her in public view, it's well known how much I can't stand Syren, so seeing her lose to anyone is always a treat. A few minutes pass and finally a shower is open. I haul my towel and toiletry bag there and hang it up to claim the stall. Just as I am about to undress, my phone dings. I take a quick peek, and see it's Sienna on Twitter, asking me if I'm serious. Um, yes... she should know how much I hate Syren! I get that she has issues with Jordan but it's not like I'm kissing her ass. Right? We exchange a few posts and I tell her we will speak about it in person. The public doesn't need to see this, and I don't want someone else to come in here and steal my shower stall.

Thirty minutes later, I am freshly showered and pulling into my driveway. I go inside and toss my bag near the door, then see Sienna sitting at the kitchen island, as if she was waiting for me. She turns when she hears me shut the door.

“Jordan. Really?”

“Damn, babe, can I get inside the door before we start this?”

Sienna crosses her arms but says nothing else. I kick my shoes off at the door and go into the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water and sit at the island across from Sienna. I can't believe she's making a thing out of this, after she'd explained everything to me about Karina and Giovanni and I agreed to go along with their plans.

“Now then. Yes, Jordan. As I said.... I don't care who kicks Syren's ass, I will congratulate them, even if it was Blake!” Well, maybe not. But it's the sentiment.

“So the fact that she stabbed both of us in the back, broke Jaina's heart, and tried to embarrass me means nothing to you?!” Sienna's voice rose as she spoke, and I can tell she's working herself up.

“Sie. Listen to me. Just let me say what I want to say before you respond, okay?” She glares, but nods. “Of course that means something to me. Telling the woman I enjoyed seeing her kick the ass of a woman I hate more doesn't take any of that away. It's the same thing as Owen telling me he hoped I beat Ravyn, he doesn't like me. But I'm a better option than she is. Does that make sense?”

“I didn't care for your little exchange with him either, but I said nothing there because I assumed you were being nice since Jaina is still on good terms with him. But Jordan...” Sienna shakes her head. There was no way I could tell her that Jaina has recently been speaking to Jordan again. Sienna still doesn't know about the abortion, so it would make no sense to her. I sigh.

“I know. She stabbed us in the back, especially me when all I tried to do was help her. But I am able to look past that and just see the fact that she beat that bitch who needed a humbling. Do you not see that?”

“Seeing Syren lose is always a good thing, I admit. But-”

“Stop. Listen to me. I don't want to argue with you. But I need you to take a breath and look at this from my side for a second, okay? You know what I think about this whole thing with Giovanni, right?”

“Yes, you don't like him. And I never asked you to. I just asked you to trust me, it's a means to an end.”

“And I get that. I do trust you. But I still worry about it. Everyone saw what he did to Owen and Jason, messing with their heads. I don't want that to happen to you. But, I have backed off and supported you because I do believe you know what you're doing.”

“How is this remotely the same thing as you speaking niceties to the woman who betrayed us?”

“Giovanni disrespected the US Championship, not once but twice when he destroyed two different belts. You know what that title means to me.”

Sienna looks away a second. Maybe my words are sinking in. “Okay. I see that point.”

“Now look at the bigger picture, babe. So many people have tried and tried to drive wedges between us, almost since the first day we walked out together and told the world we were friends. That tag tournament, remember?” Sienna nods. “They're still trying to do it. Look at Katya and now Sasha, how they are breathing down my neck, holding me responsible for your actions. They want to drive us apart, babe. I am doing everything I can to not allow that to happen, but you can't just go on Twitter and call me out over an innocent tweet, they will exploit the fuck out of that. I have done everything I can for you, took you into my home, supported you, even though I am very wary about this alliance with Gio, I think he's using you and will end up fucking with your head. I-”

“That isn't going to happen. You said you trusted me with this, I will stab him in the back with a smile on my face before I allow him to ruin anything.”

“Okay. Then I need you to trust me. I understand that you have been burned by people betraying you. More than any person should have to deal with. I can see how you would read a simple congrats to a woman you despise as possibly threatening. But it's not. You have to learn to let small things go, babe. You don't ever have to worry about me betraying you. I would hope that everything we have been through, all we have done for each other, would be proof of that. You're like my sister, babe, I love you. And you know how loyal I am to the people I love.”

She looks at me, her head slightly tilted. I can see the hurt and almost panicked expression she had when I walked in fade away. “I know. You are loyal, to a fault at times. That's why I saw red, I know how close you and Jordan were.”

“Were. She changed that.” After Jordan and I spoke I did think that maybe we might be able to work things out and at least be civil with each other, for Jaina's sake, if they were going to be friends again. I still think that's possible but I would have to be very careful around Sienna. I would never say it to her face but she is unstable, an innocent tweet nearly had her in a rage at me, imagine if she knew we actually spoke? Or that I hoped to potentially reconcile? I couldn't expose that.

“So you're telling me it was truly only about seeing Syren lose?”

“That's all. It's possible to like a person's actions without liking the person. I mean, you saw me thank David Helms for taking the belt out of Ravyn's hands, right? You know what I think about him.” I glare pointedly. It's no secret he is now on the same level as Jason with me, thanks to his actions around Rise to Greatness.

“That is true. Alright... I will trust you.”

I smile. “Good. Now can we just forget this silliness and move forward?”

“Of course. I just...”

“I know. But it's fine. Really.”

Sienna smiles back. I get up and go around the island and hug her.

I wish I could help her even more than I already have. She is so paranoid and afraid of betrayal that she nearly lost it on me over a tweet. I don't know if she's looked into the services at Amy's shelter like Amy talked to her about, but if Sienna turns it down... there has to be something else I can do.

* * * * * {{ Amy }} * * * * *

It's mid-afternoon and Amy parks her Jeep in front of Jason and Aniya's house in Aurora, about twenty minutes from her own home. Jason and Aniya had just arrived in the city after spending a few days in Los Angeles following Last Laugh. They had business there, namely their club The Black Dahlia. Things there were taken care of for the time being though, so here they were. Amy walks in and Jason greets her with a hug, walking with a slight limp. He'd reinjured his knee two or so months ago and he was still recovering from it.

“Hey babe.”

“Hey yourself. How's the bad wheel?”

“Flying fucks with it, but you know that. It'll feel better after I stretch it out some.”

Aniya walks in from the kitchen and gives Amy a smile. “Hi, Amy, good to see you.”

“You too. How's the club?”

“Still running.” Amy sees Jason and Aniya exchange a look. “If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna run upstairs and unpack.”

“Alright, sure.”

Aniya smiles and goes up the stairs. Amy gives Jason a look.

“Okay. I saw that look. What's up?”

“What, she needed to put our clothes away before they get wrinkled.”

“Jase.”

He sighs. “Alright, fine. Should know better than to try to put anything past you. There is something I wanted to speak to you about.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No... and yes. No one is hurt, at least not physically. But... well, while I was in L.A. I had something of an eye-opening conversation with Dave. I debated saying anything at all, but decided you should probably be in the loop, just in case this thing blows up. I don't want you blindsided.”

“Okay... you're starting to concern me.”

“Honestly, I'm not sure how concerned you should be. But that's why you should know. It's Jaina. She's been hooking up with Jordan again. Secretly.”

Amy blinks a few times, then laughs. “What? No, that's ridiculous. She's the one who broke up with Jordan, she was so angry with her.”

“I know, she and I spoke about it. But it's true. Like I said, I got it from Dave, he wasn't happy about it at all.”

“I don't understand.... why would he be upset? How would he even know?”

“Well... Jordan was seeing someone, who promptly broke up with her when Jordan confessed. That someone is Kathryn. Dave's ex and-”

“Jay's mom, yeah. Wow.... and he's sure about this?”

“Positive. He'd spent some time with Jordan because of Kath. She was flying to shows with him and Regs for a while. Kath called him upset and told him. He brought it up with me, I'm not sure why he didn't feel like he could speak to you. But... Jaina is hiding things, babe. And I can't help but wonder if it's not her aunt's influence.”

Amy sits up a little straighter. “Wait, you think Bree had something to do with this... thing, with Jordan? Bree doesn't speak to Jordan anymore, I thought that was obvious to anyone who pays even passing attention to SCW.”

“While that's true... Jaina lives with Bree. And Dom, for that matter. I find it hard to believe they didn't know something was going on.”

Amy shakes her head, skeptical. “I don't know babe, I think Bree would have lost her shit if she knew anything about this. Also, Sienna is staying at Bree's, too. I don't think Jaina would be careless enough to let her catch on.”

Jason thinks about this a second. “Hmm. Do we really know what goes on behind the scenes though? For all we know, Sienna already knows.”

“I guess not.” Amy shakes her head. “I just can't believe this happened. I thought Jaina didn't want anything to do with her.”

“From what I understand, there was some issue Jaina was dealing with that she spoke to Jordan about and it went from there.”

“Issue?”

“Dave didn't know, I don't think Kath knew. But Jordan mentioned how it started.”

Amy considers this for a moment. Since Jaina moved in with Bree, she and her daughter have drifted further and further apart. Jaina got upset when Amy seemed to be defending Jordan. That wasn't her intention, she just hadn't wanted things to end so badly. She wanted her daughter to be happy. It was why she agreed so easily when Jaina wanted to live with Bree. While she is surprised that Jaina turned back to Jordan in some way, she isn't surprised that Jaina has left her out of the loop. Maybe Bree does know.
"Have you talked to Jaina?”

“No. I thought about it, but I decided speaking to you first was the best route. There is a chance I'm wrong about Bree and Dom knowing about this, I didn't want to make things worse. Although I don't think I am wrong.”

“What does Dave think?”

“He's not sure. He's of the opinion that Jaina could have picked up some of Bree's habits and hid everything even from her, because of Sienna like you said. But I don't know if I buy that. She lives with and travels with Bree. As irritating as she is, she isn't stupid. She had to have seen or heard something. She is the one who found us out.”

Amy nods, remembering that whole mess. It was what led to the falling out she and Bree had, and nearly caused a rift between Bree and Wyatt too big to fix, too. “Yeah, but that was an accident, she just walked up on us in a hallway.”

“True. But they're always together.”

“Yeah. I don't think I want to confront Jaina, our relationship has been a little touchy since she moved out. But I'll talk to Bree.”

“You think she'll be honest with you?”

“Of course. Honesty is her thing, you know. Besides, she kinda owes me one.” Amy had spoken to Sienna against her better judgment. It went better than Amy thought it would, but Bree was very grateful.

“Alright. I hope I haven't overstepped any lines here-”

“No, not at all. I'm glad you told me. So... Dave is angry, huh?”

“Yeah. Kath had Jordan living with her, hanging around Jay. You know how Dave is when his family gets hurt.”

“I do... just like I am.”

“Exactly. And if I find out that Bree and Dom did know or help them sneak around or anything....” Jason shakes his head, glaring.

“I know. But let's not jump the gun in that regard, okay? I'll talk to her.”

“Alright.”

They give each other a look. Amy knows it doesn't look good, it would be pretty hard for Jaina to hide anything from Bree, with how much time they spend together. And she also knows that Bree doesn't keep anything from Dom. She had to admit that Jason was right, in that it's pretty suspicious. But she wanted to act differently than before, give Bree the benefit of the doubt, not go in accusatory. She would never get the truth that way.

{{Tuesday, December 15th
Kenner}}

When I woke up this morning, I had no idea what I was in for.

Dom left for the gym after having coffee. Sienna and I took ours out to the patio. It was too cold to swim of course but comfortable enough to sit outside. We had our coffee and biscuits. Xiomara joined us shortly. Jaina was sleeping in. She had been in a mood ever since the confrontation with Reece, and I have pretty much left her to her own devices. I knew she would come to me if she needed me and it was best not to push her. I am really trying my best to stop the over protective, hovering thing. She's a grown woman now and I had to treat her that way.

Anyway. Sienna, Xio, and I are sitting on the patio with our breakfast, chatting and messing with our phones. I opened Twitter and I saw something that made me stare for a moment, but before I could say anything, Sienna screams.

“YES! Oh my God, yes!”

Xio jumps. “What the fuck mami?! Bree's neighbors are going to call the cops thinking we're having an orgy in her pool!”

“Xio!”

“Look, ladies!” Sienna turns her phone towards us and I see on her screen the same tweet I was just staring at. A picture of Kelcey Wallace's hand, a fairly large diamond ring on her finger, and the caption. “I said Yes.” As I was looking at the app, a retweet from Blake appeared. Clearly indicating tha he is the person she said yes to.

“I saw it, babe. Can't say I didn't see this coming. Years ago, even.”

“Well its about time she made a choice and stopped stringing three men along.”

“None of that matters though. All of this melodrama is finally over. Do you know what this means?”

“Yes of course I do! It means Chris will finally see he had no chance to reunite with her and come crawling back to me. Rip up those divorce papers I signed rather than file them.”

“I don't know about that.... but it means that all these years I have been right about them. Everything Blake put me through, the way he treated me because of her? I was right. I was right.” It might sound crazy but in my mind? This news made all of that mess worth it.

“You were! So was I, so were a lot of people. We should celebrate. To me getting Chris' attention again, and you never having to deal with that asshole again.”

“I will drink to that, anything that causes you two less stress is something to celebrate.”

I look at the time, it was nearly 10AM. Fuck this coffee. “Fabulous idea. Mimosas?”

Both women nod with smiles, and Sienna claps. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. I'm afraid her line of thinking is way off the mark, and Chris wasn't going to do anything of the sort that she imagined, nor did I hope he did, he betrayed her with Nathaniel. But I wasn't going to say that. Instead, I just smile back, and take the coffee mugs with me as I go inside to rinse them out and fix the mimosas.

We spent the day reading the twitter reactions and making snarky comments to each other as we had a few drinks. At one point Owen Cruze tweeted something pretty rude, telling Blake not to fuck it up or something like that. I had a few mimosas in me so I didn't stop myself when I felt like replying that Kelcey was the reason a few of us got fucked over, so it would be fine. Sienna had a good laugh over that. We had lunch and kept right on discussing the whole thing. I gave my theory that Blake had been about to do it at the party right before Kelcey passed out, when he had got everyone's attention. Sienna thought about it a bit, then agreed, then laughed. She thought it was funny that her little trick had put this off. And then something hit me, and I laughed. It suddenly made sense why Blake had been so angry about my dress... he had been planning to propose that night and then I showed up wearing that. Oh my God that, that was beautiful! When I explained to Sienna and Xio, they laughed along with me. Sienna had no idea that's what my dress was, she called the move brilliant. I told her Dom found out and we had an argument about it but it was fine now. Sienna blew it off anyway, saying he'd forgive me almost anything, he loves me that much. She's probably right, and I didn't admit to her how nervous I was about it. He was more angry than I let on. But it was behind us now so there was no reason to dwell on it. Before I knew it, it was late afternoon. Blake saw my reply to Owen and replied to me, basically daring me to say something to him directly. I didn't see it for nearly an hour, but when I did, I decided to be completely honest.... and congratulate them. I didn't blame him for being skeptical, but I meant it. I said as much, that he knows I don't lie. I showed the exchange to Sienna. She approved. And just then.... Dom came home.

Sienna, Xio, and I are in the kitchen at the breakfast table, still chatting and joking about things. Sienna makes a joke about Blake taking Kelcey's name, and we all laugh. I don't know how long Dom was behind us listening, but right then he clears his throat. I turn, surprised.

“Oh... hey baby. I didn't hear you come in.”

“Obviously. Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure.”

“In the library?”

“Oh. Okay.”

I didn't know he meant in private. But fine with me. We had planned to look over the prenuptial agreement tonight that Rodney sent over yesterday. Maybe he wanted to do that right now? I follow him into the library and he closes the door.

“What's all the excitement about?”

“I wouldn't call it excitement. We were just joking around. Look.” I pull out my phone and show him Kelcey and Blake's tweets.

“Really? That was posted early this morning, it's after four. You're still going on about this?”

“I am humoring Sienna. She thinks this means she can get Chris back. It's keeping her happy.”

“And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you sure that's not just an excuse to give it more attention than it deserves?”

I scoff. “That's asinine. What, you think I'm upset or something?”

“Are you? Everyone knows what you think of her.”

“No. Quite the opposite, actually. I'm happy for them.”

Dom eyes me skeptically. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I told you when we talked about the dress that I hoped he would find happiness, it looks like he did. He got what he's really wanted all these years.”

“Right... but why does that matter to you?”

I sit on the couch and look up at him. “You really want me to answer that?” He nods. “Fine. It matters to me, because it means that I wasn't put through hell for nothing. I was right, every hesitation, all the distancing and being treated second best... it wasn't for nothing. It was because it was always supposed to be her. He didn't treat me like shit just because he's an asshole. I mean... he is an asshole in some ways. But this? He didn't mean to be, not really. He was just never going to be happy or satisfied unless or until this happened. And I knew that. I tried to ignore it or pretend it wasn't there, but I knew it. Look, I even said so.” I pull my phone out again and show Dom the tweet I sent to Blake congratulating them, which also says I was right years ago. He stares at it blankly, then hands my phone back to me, shaking his head.

“Do you hear yourself? More than that, do you realize who you're saying these things to? Do you you see how this sounds?”

“I'm fully aware that I'm talking to my future husband, and it sounds to me like I'm just answering your question honestly... like you asked me to. Where is all of this coming from?”

Dom sighs and sits on the couch with me, but on the other end rather than next to me. Hmm.
“It just sounds to me like you're more focused on what's going on there-” He points to my phone. “-Than what we were supposed to be doing today, looking over that document.”

He means the prenup. The paperwork is on my desk on the other end of the library.
“I'm not. We can do that. Let's do it right now.” I lean over and set my phone down on the side table. Dom sighs, shaking his head.

“You're missing the point, Bree.”

“Why don't you tell me what the point is?”

“The point.... is that after the dress issue, you told me you were going to leave Blake alone. Look, good for them, but now you're tweeting him?”

“No... I promised you I wouldn't provoke him. A congratulatory tweet is hardly provocation.”

“Now you're playing semantics?”

“Are you trying to tell me who I can and can't talk to? Because do you know who else did that to me? He did.”

That gets another sigh, more frustrated than the last. “No, of course not.”

“Well that's what it sounds like! Between you and Sienna I might as well delete my damn account!”
I had told him how Sienna got upset about my comment to Jordan.

“That's not necessary.”

“Okay, then what's with this inquisition? I am genuinely happy that my ex-husband is going to marry the woman he's been in love with since before I even knew him, it makes everything I endured worth it. I don't understand the problem.” Dom looks away and rubs his face. I really don't get it. He should he happy that I'm not upset about this! Unless.... “Unless... you didn't really believe me when I told you I don't love him?”

He looks up. I can't read his eyes, which unnerves me. He's always promised me he wouldn't do the acting thing with me but when we fight it's always in the back of my mind. That's probably not fair, but I can't help it. “I did believe you. I do. But-”

“But what? Either you do or you don't. Going by how upset you clearly are over a congratulatory tweet, I'm leaning towards don't. And if that's the case, is there really a point in looking over the prenup?” I can't believe I just said that.... but it's true.

“What I was going to say was... I do believe you, but I think you're obsessed with whatever he happens to be doing, instead of focusing on your own life.”

I scoff, and sit back. I can't believe he just said that to me. “If that's what you really think of me, I'll ask again, should we even be doing this at all-” I wave my left hand in the air a second. “-Let alone so fast?” Dom looks down again, shaking his head. He says nothing. Wait a minute... “Wait. Is that the reason you wanted to have the wedding so soon? To prove something, have me prove I love you?”

“Bree, that's-”

“Maybe I was right to question you if you came up with this because of the dress. I admit I was wrong in that, but it sounds to me like you're the one obsessed with Blake, not me!” He looks up again, and there's that expression I can't read again. “Tell me, Dom. Is that really why you wanted to do this in three months? Cause you have to admit, it's a pretty big leap to go from insisting your whole life that you never wanted to get married, to wanting to do it but let's wait a year or two, then suddenly decide we can pull it off by February.”

“I guess it sounds suspect when you put it like that.” His words were low. I feel my eyes widen a bit. “But it's not what you think. I thought doing it sooner would give you something positive to focus on, in the middle of everything else going on. Especially after the blow up about the dress.”

“I see. So... you lied to me? Because you told me you had the idea for February before that.” He sighs again. “Tell me! You want honesty from me, I should get it from you.”

Surprisingly, he cringes a bit. So, he did lie. “Not exactly. I did have the thought before that. But I brushed it off because it seemed too soon. Then Dressgate happened... and I brought it up because I thought it would put your focus in the right place. On good things. On us.” He gestures to my phone. “Apparently it didn't work.”

“You think a tweet wishing them well means I'm not focused on us? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? That congrats is the end, baby. All of this between me and him is over. It's been done, but them getting married is the endgame. They're happy. I'm happy with you. Not only is the chapter closed, so is the whole fucking book. Do you really not understand that? Because I am having a really hard time with the idea that you wanted to use our wedding as a distraction.”

“Now you're just twisting things all around.”

“Am I? You literally just said you thought it would make me focus on something else. I don't want to get married as a distraction. I don't need a rushed wedding to make me focus on you. You always have my attention. I agreed to marry you because I love you. But if we're going to do this, it has to be for the right reasons. Not a rush job because of some weird insecurity you have about me and my ex.”

Dom squints his eyes at me. “Is that what you think this is? Sincere question.”

“It's what it looks like. You questioned if I still loved him and now you're mad over a tweet that should actually reinforce the fact that I don't. If I did, would I really be happy about this?” He just looks at me, says nothing. That itself is an answer. He knows I'm right, he just can't admit it for some reason. “I am happy to marry you any time you want, if you want. But if you really think there is a problem here to the point that you wanted to rush it because you think you needed to keep my attention, then you don't trust me, and we are doing this too fast.”

Dom sits back, and looks at me. For the first time during this whole talk, he looks upset – not in a mad way like before, but a hurt way. What's happening here? Now I'm scared.
“Alright. You're right. Trying to rush this was a mistake. Maybe I am reading too much into certain things, but you can't say you've done nothing wrong to cause me to do so.”

“I did. Once. I shouldn't have pulled that stunt with the dress and then lied to you about it. I know it looked bad. But I can only apologize so much. You said it wouldn't be fair to hold it over my head, and that's exactly what you're doing.”

Dom nods, not looking at me, but down at his hands. “Kinda makes you wonder if we should be doing this at all. Any of this.”

I can barely get the words out, but I have to ask. “Are you saying you want to call it off? Everything?” I force myself to shove the knot in my throat back down. It seems like an eternity before he finally looks back up at me.

“No. I don't.” I breathe in relief. I can tell he noticed, as a nearly imperceptible grin appears. “I do want to marry you. But, it's pretty clear we have some issues to figure out. We should put it off for now.”

“I think that's for the best.” I have no idea how I said anything without cracking. For a moment there I thought we were on the verge of breaking up, which I do not want to do. “At least the year we talked about at first.”

“That's a good idea. So, July... at the earliest?”

He's still trying to tie me to a date. Unbelievable. “Maybe we should just see how things go and worry about that later.”

Dom nods, and rubs his face again. “Yeah. You're right.” He looks back up at me. “You do know I love you, right? So much.”

I know it. I can see it every time he looks at me. Maybe that's why my interactions with Blake made him upset, he was afraid of losing me. That was never going to happen, not because of Blake anyway. I would rather die alone than go back to that. I shouldn't have to tell Dom that, though. He should know.

“I know you do. I just wish you would trust me when I say that I love you, too.”

I get up, grab my phone from the end table, and walk out of the library, leaving Dom sitting on the couch as I head upstairs.

The prenup paperwork is still on my desk, unread. I would file it away in the morning. It isn't needed now, and won't be for a while.