My Birthday, Part I

December 21, 2011
Los Angeles, California

Darkness. The sound of faint breathing. The smell of strawberries. I slowly open my eyes, and am greeted by a tangle of blond hair. My arms are wrapped around a thin waist, my hands against a flat stomach. I smile, and kiss Alison’s neck. She lets out a sigh of content, and scoots closer to me. I reach over her to the nightstand, shifting the clock to glance at the time. 8 AM. Alison shifts, groaning.

“You can’t possibly be up already…”

I smile, and kiss her cheek.

“Sorry, babe. Go back to bed.”

She turns around to face me, looking me in the eyes.

“I’m already awake. I can’t just go back to bed.”

“I guess you’re fucked, then.”

She smiles, and kisses me.

“Happy birthday, Ashy cake.”

I had almost forgotten. I turned twenty today. It amazed me that Alison even knew when my birthday was, let alone that she remembered it. I kiss her again.

“You remembered?”

She nods.

“Of course.”

She rests her head on my shoulder, and hugs me close. She gently kisses my neck…damn…

“I thought you said it was too early?”

“Well, you already woke me up…and it is your birthday…”

I laugh, and we kiss again, a long kiss. She breaks it, and I stare at her for a moment.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

I shrug.

“Cuz I like you.”

She rolls her eyes.

“You’re so weird.”

“Well, can you blame me for staring?”

“I guess not.”

She stretches out, yawning loudly.

“Time to get up?”

She groans.

“Might as well…”

She slowly rolls out of bed, pulling the covers off.

“Damn, Ali.”

She was still naked, after….well, we had some fun last night. She walks over to the dresser, and glances over her shoulder, frowning.

“Like you’re any better.”

I laugh. I slide out of bed, stretching out. Alison pulls on her underwear, and looks at her reflection in the mirror.

“Ugh…sex hair.”

“Oops.”

She giggles, grabbing a pair of jeans from her dresser. I get my own clothes on as I watch her get dressed. Her body was amazing. She was so thin…and her ass was…wow, was I really thinking of this? It was still so strange. A million thoughts race through my head. Thoughts about her and me…about how our relationship was still a bit of a surprise. But…she made me happy. I like that feeling, waking up to see her. I liked being home alone, and getting a call from her, just to talk for a bit about nothing in particular. It was starting to become a surprise to me that I had ever hated her as much as I did. We didn’t have a whole lot in common…I mean, as far as our stories went. I was the orphan from Miami. She was just an average girl growing up. Our life experiences were so different. But…we found interests in the same things. We shared a passion for what we did. Maybe that’s what I liked about her. Whether she was in the ring, in bed, working hard, having fun, whatever…everything she did, she had some sort of fire to her.

Come to think of it…wasn’t that what had attracted me to Nick all that time ago? He loved what he did, and he had a passion for competing. Brandon was the same way. Even Chad had that drive to him. Maybe not in the ring…but he tried his hardest to be the best friend he could be. He was a sweetheart…more so than Brandon or Nick ever were. He had his faults…all three of them did. But when the bell rang, and he was done competing for the night…that’s the guy I enjoyed to be around. He just wanted to have fun.

The sound of a crying baby brings me out of my thoughts. Alison groans.

“Damn it, Claire…”

“You want me to take care of her?”

Alison looks at me.

“Are you serious? Would you do that?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She smiles, obviously relieved.

“I mean, she’s probably just hungry. There’s a bottle in the fridge for her, if you could heat it up. Thank you so much.”

“It’s no problem, really.”

I pull my shirt over my head, and walk out of the room, smacking Alison’s ass as I pass her. She jumps, and swings at me. I laugh, dodging her slap.

“I’ll get you later.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

I yell over my shoulder as I walk down the hall, smirking. I step into Claire’s room. She stands in her crib, holding onto the rail for support. She was still learning to walk. She continues to scream, even as I walk into the room. I slowly lift her out of her crib.

“Shh…”

She slowly settles down, taking short, gasping breaths as she tries to stop crying. I gently pat her back as carry her downstairs, into the kitchen.

“Okay…bottle…”

I open the refrigerator door, looking for any sign of a baby bottle. You would think that as a mother, Alison would keep something like this in plain sight. Nope. For whatever reason, Alison had either hidden the thing, or it didn’t even exist, and she had sent me on a hunt for something she didn’t actually have here. I set Claire on the floor, and go back to digging through the fridge.

“Oh.”

I push aside a few bowls of leftovers, pulling the small pink baby bottle from behind them. I shake it a bit before sticking it in the microwave. I lift Claire back off the ground. She pulls my hair, forcing my head to tilt back.

“Ugh, I swear, you are definitely your mother’s daughter.”

I pull her hand away from my hair, and stare at her. She smiles at me, exposing her small teeth, many of which hadn’t fully grown in yet. The microwave beeps, and I take the bottle from it, taking a seat at the kitchen table to feed the baby.

“I’m here. Sorry that took so long. How’s my baby?”

I look at Claire, who drinks happily from the bottle.

“I think she’s doing okay.”

Alison heads for the sink, passing behind me and running her hand down my shoulder as she passes.

“I was talking about you.”

She winks, and grabs a baby rag from a rack hanging above the sink. She pats it to make sure it’s dry before leaning up against the fridge, watching me.

“Hold her head a bit higher, babe.”

I nod, and shift Claire’s head, propping it up a bit more.

“How’s that?”

“Great.”

I look down at her. It was hard to believe that this was the child of Alison Williams and Brenton Cyrus. Alison had told me about Brenton. After the baby was born, he had been around for a week or two. After that, he was gone without a trace. He had never paid any child support. Never even stopped by to see the baby, save for once or twice. Alison seemed to have gotten over him. They had been in love at one point…I guess Claire’s birth and Brenton’s subsequent poor parenting had changed that.

“She has your eyes.”

“Yeah, I hear that a lot.”

It was true. Claire stares up at me through her massive eyes…the same eyes that stared at me from across the room. Alison walks over to me, and takes a seat next to me at the table.

“I can take her if you don’t want to do it.”

“No, it’s fine. I think I’m doing okay.”

“Have you ever taken care of a baby before?”

“I helped my aunt a bit with her and Corey’s kids.”

Alison laughs.

“As if Corey Casey has kids.”

“Right?”

We both burst out laughing, really loudly, until we’re both in tears. It wasn’t even that funny. For whatever reason though…we couldn’t stop. I stare at her, at her smiling face. She rests her hand on my knee.

“What do you want to do today, birthday girl?”

“Um…well, Chad and Brandon want me to celebrate with them tonight. I guess they have a few clubs in mind.”

Alison looks up at the mention of this, looking slightly concerned.

“When is that?”

“Seven or eightish. You’ll come too, right?”

Alison looks at Claire.

“I don’t really have anyone who can take care of-“

“What about Adam?”

“I could try, but-“

I make a pouty face.

“I’d really love it if you came with me tonight…”

Alison laughs.

“That’s so pathetic.”

“Is it working?”

She leans over and kisses me.

“I’ll find someone to watch Claire.”

“Awesome.”

She takes the baby from me, and Claire immediately clings tight to her mother. Alison kisses the top of her head, and heads to the door. She stops and turns to look at me.

“Do you want to go out for lunch later?”

“Lunch?”

“Well, I was going to take you to dinner for your birthday…but it sounds like you have plans.”

I slowly nod, smiling.

“I’d love to. Thanks Ali.”

She smiles.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Five Hours Later…

I sit across the table, looking at Alison.

“Are you okay?”

She looks up from her phone, and smiles.

“Yeah. Why?”

“You keep checking your phone and you’re really quiet. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Just Adam being a dumbass.”

“Uh oh.”

“He’s taken care of Claire for me a million times. He still finds a new problem every time he watches her.”

I laugh. I’d never actually met Adam. I mean, I’d met him…but only when he stopped by Alison’s house to pick up the baby. That, or we’d be walking out the door when he arrived. I didn’t really know anything about him, aside from the fact that he was Alison’s brother.

The waiter comes up, holding a tray.

“Food for the fine ladies.”

He flashes us a toothy grin, setting burgers and fries in front of each of us.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“We should be okay, thanks.”

“Enjoy.”

I watch as he walks away, before turning my attention back to my food. Alison had taken me to a diner downtown. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was a nice little place. Like one of those old-fashioned 50’s style diners from the movies. I liked it.

“He’s kinda cute.”

I throw a fry at Alison, bouncing it off her forehead.

“He is! You don’t think so?”

I look at the waiter. He’s currently taking an order from an elderly couple who walked in a few minutes ago. His name is Trevor. I frown, looking at Alison.

“Really?”

“Yeah. He’s got a nice ass.”

She looks at me.

“Not as nice as yours…but still.”

“His face looks like he ran into a wall though.”

“Does not!”

“Watch when he turns his head.”

Alison and I watch him. Eventually, he turns, revealing his flattened nose. Alison gasps.

“I didn’t even notice that!”

“So…you were saying?”

Alison rolls her eyes.

“What, I can’t look at guys?”

I stare at her, raising my eyebrow.

“Come on!”

My face breaks into a smile. Her expression is priceless.

“I’m kidding. Whatever, look all you want.”

I lean across the table, forcing her to lean towards me to hear me.

“I know who you’re crawling into bed with at the end of the day.”

I wink at her, and am about to sit back in my seat, but Alison holds the back of my head, pulling me towards her for a quick kiss.

“Stop being hot in public.”

I smirk, and go back to eating. There’s a long silence as the two of us eat. I glance up at her occasionally. She seems worried about something. She looks around the diner constantly, before checking her phone, then looking around again.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Fine. Don’t worry about me.”

“Okay…”

I watch her for a minte, wondering what’s up. She seems stressed…but refused to tell me why. Something was definitely on her mind.

“Seriously. Why are you so quiet?”

“Don’t really know what to say.”

She was lying to me.

“You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Why would I be mad at you?”

I shrug.

“I don’t know.”

Another long silence.

“Can you believe it’s been a month?”

I look up at her.

“Huh?”

“Since we started dating. That was when, the end of November? It’s almost been a month already.”

“Oh, wow. That’s nuts.”

“It’s been fun.”

I smile.

“I had a blast.”

She reaches across the table, resting her hand on mine, smiling at me.

“Remember when we used to fight constantly?”

“I was just thinking about that this morning.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Thinking about how if I went back in time and told my seventeen year old self that I’d be fucking that girl she hated so much, she would have kicked my ass.”

Alison laughs.

“It’s crazy.”

I nod.

“I like you though. Like, a lot. You’ve really changed over the past couple years.”

“Or maybe you just finally realized how great I am.”

“Having someone’s tongue down your throat half the time might have that effect, I guess.”

She smirks.

“You say that like you don’t like it.”

I bite my lip. I hated when she said things like that. I wanted to kiss her so badly…but we had learned by now that there were a lot of people who didn’t take too kindly to our relationship. Mostly women. Older people. And those really angry people who seemed to be pissed whenever others were happy. Assholes. It was kinda rought, really. I mean, there were definitely people who were okay with us. And besides that, Brandon and Chad were super supportive, which was awesome…it just kinda sucked that we couldn’t really act normally in public. We had to act like two friends, and not girlfriends. It was just kinda shitty sometimes.

Alison glances at her phone again, then to the entrance of the diner. She jumps, sitting upright in her seat.

“What is with you?”

A man in a black suit walks through the front door, looking around the diner. He wears sunglasses, despite the clouds outside, and there’s a black hat on his head. He spots Alison and I, and slowly makes his way towards our table. He stops, staring at the two of us.

“Um…can we help you?”

“Miss Williams?”

“Glad you could make it.”

“Wait, what?”

Alison shakes hands with the man.

“Won’t you sit down?”

He glances at his watch.

“Well, I suppose we have a few minutes.”

He takes a seat next to Alison, and looks at me.

“Miss Borden, I presume.”

“That’s my birth name…how did you know that?”

Alison looks at the man, then me.

“Oh, right. Ashley, this is Darren Cormack. He’s a friend of mine.”

“A friend?”

Darren grins.

“Don’t worry. Nothing like what you’re thinking.”

This was relieving. It was also my greatest fear…that Alison would leave me for some guy. I sort of expected it to happen any day now. I mean, she’s Alison Williams. I knew she still loved guys. I knew her history, and how she struggled to stay with one person for an extended time…I prayed that I was different, but it didn’t help. I was still so afraid, that one day she would be gone, or I would catch her getting nailed by some guy…fuck…I didn’t want to think about it.

“So…how do you know him?”

Alison looks at him.

“Should we tell her?”

“It’s up to you.”

“Well, is everything ready?”

“Back at my place, yeah.”

“What’s going on?”

“I have a surprise for you.”

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I’m hurt, I’m in a bit of pain…but damn it if I miss this match.

I bet you think you’re real funny, don’t you Chuck? You think you’re so clever. Think you can get involved in mine and Ali’s match and get off scot free? Think you could end our relationship by attacking us both?

Wrong.

No, Chuck. I’m here this week. And what’s more, I’m going to do what I do best. I’m going to help Alison on her way to another victory.

What the fuck is your problem, anyway? Why is it that you always have a problem with the people I date? I mean, is it just some sort of weird paternal instinct or something? Even though I’m not actually your daughter, you still feel obligated to hate everyone I bring home? I mean, fine. You and Nick weren’t on good terms. I can see why you didn’t like him. You and Chad were in the same boat. Same thing with you and Brandon. But come on. You and Alison are friends!

Is it because she’s a girl? You can’t stand me seeing another girl? Is that it? You’re such an asshole. Seriously. It’s not like I’m marrying her or anything. Fuck, we aren’t even super serious or anything. This doesn’t involve you at all. But you’re still going to be a jerk about it? Why? Why can’t you just let me have my own relationships, and live my own life? I made my choice, and it’s mine to live with…and I can deal with it no problem. I guess I just thought I’d at least have you on my side to help me through it. How stupid of me to think my dad would support me in anything.

Johan…I want you to know, this is nothing personal. I have nothing against you, and I hope after this week, you don’t hate me. I’m doing this for two reasons. First, to prove a point. To prove that it’s going to take more than Chuck’s stupid spear to keep me from fulfilling my managerial duties. Second, it’s because of Alison.

Ali, I’m proud to be able to tell people that I’m your manager, and I’m even prouder to be able to say that I’m your girlfriend. And you know something? The more I think about it, the happier I am to say that too.

I’ll confess to you, Alison. When we first started dating…it was weird. Like, seriously. Weird. I mean, I’d never even thought of being with a girl. Like, ever. THe thought of it disgusted me. And I don’t think I need to remind you of our history back in the old place. I mean, you and me…we never really got along. That’s different now.

I don’t really know why you kissed me that day at my dad’s house. Maybe someday, you’ll tell me. But when you did…you showed me a lot. You showed me the other side of you. You showed me that you could be really sweet, and fun to be around. But most importantly, you showed me that maybe I was being stupid the whole time. I spent the last two years chasing after Nick, then seeing Brandon, and Chad, and all those other guys in between. I kept jumping from one relationship to the next, wondering why nothing was clicking. Wondering why none of my relationships lasted. Wondering why it always felt sort of unnatural to be with them. Wondering why I never felt completely at ease. Wondering why sex was a bit tense, just because it felt kinda odd to be naked with them. You showed me why. You showed me who I should have been chasing all along. Because, as corny as I’m sure I sound…you’re different than them. I mean, besides the whole ‘lack of a penis’ thing. I feel totally at ease with you. I feel like I can say whatever I want, or do whatever I feel like, and you’ll be cool with it. I feel like I can trust you, even though everything I knew about you says I shouldn’t. And as for the sex thing…you know I have no problem tearing my clothes off for you.

My birthday, you gave me the greatest gift anyone’s ever given me. I told you that. I meant it, too. You gave me someone I never thought I’d ever see, and even though it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped…it was still the best birthday I’ve ever had. I have you to thank for that. That’s why I’m here this week, and that’s why I’m going to help you beat Johan. That’s why I’m going to help you get our next defenses. And that’s why, with me around, you’re going to be the best women’s wrestler in the world.

Because I love you, Alison Williams.

Now let’s kick some ass, baby.