Feels Like Home

Chapter 1

“Alyssa Marie Harris, get your ass over here pronto!” Nicoya ordered her eight year old daughter, who was trying to get another cupcake off the cafeteria table, and sighed wearily. Sometimes Nicoya wondered why she brought her daughter on the road with her, but then she stared into those crystalline colored eyes and instantly melted. She sighed, seeing those puppy dog eyes staring back at her, and knew Alyssa had her in the palm of her hand. “Fine, but only one more, got me?” She stated, raising a challenging eyebrow, daring her daughter to defy her.

Alyssa smiled sweetly, nodding and took the cupcake. “Just one more, Mom.” She agreed, delicately peeling back the wrapper of it before taking a bite. She then picked up another one, smiling sweetly still. “This one is for you, Mommy.” She held it out like it was the best gift anyone could ever hope to be on the receiving end of, licking the frosting off her own cupcake.

Smiling softly back at her, Nicoya ran her fingers through her raven colored hair, which was the same as hers, but they had different eyes. Nicoya had deep, midnight blue eyes. “Thanks, baby girl.” She replied with a smile, kissing the top of her head, and picked her up, setting her on her lap, and grinned when frosting got on the tip of her nose. “Here, let momma get that.” She wiped it off and smiled, loving her little girl with all her heart. She was the only piece she had of her ex-boyfriend, even though he didn’t know Alyssa existed.

Alyssa finished her cupcake, snuggling against her mom. She batted her long, black eyelashes. “Mom, why aren’t you eating that?” She asked, her forehead wrinkling in puzzlement. Though there was an impish gleam in her eyes. “If you don’t want it…”

“Not a chance, young lady.” Nicoya scolded gently, smiling, and sighed as she put the cupcake in a napkin, wrapping it up, and nodded. “I’ll eat it later when you’re in bed. Give your momma a late night snack.” She winked, causing Alyssa to groan, and sighed exasperated before standing up, setting her on her feet. “Do you want anything to drink before we head back to the office?” She asked, raising an eyebrow, and seen that impish gleam in her eyes again. “No pop.”

“Mom! Besides pop, all they have are those energy drinks and then water…I had water earlier and do you really want me to drink something that’ll make me hyper?” Alyssa asked, cocking an eyebrow at her mother. “Especially since I just had a cupcake? Sprite won’t hurt…”

“Fine…” Nicoya grumbled with a sigh, handing her daughter a dollar bill, and watched as she bounded over to the pop machine. “ONLY Sprite, Alyssa.” She stated, causing her daughter to nod, and smiled before shaking her head. Her daughter was smarter than the average eight year old and had a mouth that matched it.

Alyssa grinned broadly, studying the selection before sighing, knowing if she got something besides Sprite, she could possibly get in trouble. Or at least wind up drinking water all night. She frowned when the machine wouldn’t give up her drink and hit it with a tiny fist. “MOM-” Alyssa’s eyes widened when another fist pounded on it and tilted her head back. “Thanks Undie!” She giggled, bending down to get her drink when it dropped into the slot.

Mark shook his head, having seen Nicoya and her daughter in passing. Maybe exchanged a half a dozen words with Nicoya, but Alyssa was a cutie with a mouth. “Undie?” He echoed amusedly.

Nicoya was already turning red from her daughter and shook her head, clearing her throat, and grabbed Alyssa’s hand, pulling her over to her side, and shot her a look. “I’m terribly sorry about that, Mr. Calaway. Sometimes my daughter’s mouth runs off with her.” Nicoya apologized, staring down at her daughter with narrowed eyes, and silently wondered what she was going to do with her. She could not believe Alyssa just called this man Undie and felt like crawling in a hole at that moment as she raked a hand through her black hair.

“What? He’s called the Undertaker and that’s an awfully long name for such a small girl.” Alyssa reasoned, looking dead serious. “I’m sorry…Mr. Calaway.” She apologized, looking wide eyed and innocent. Mark arched an eyebrow, first looking at the beat red Nicoya before back to Alyssa, slowly lowering himself down to one knee, gesturing her forward. Alyssa hesitated maybe for a fraction of a second before sitting on his knee, instantly reaching out to tug on his hair. Mark winced slightly before catching her hand gently. “What was that for little one?” He asked in his deep voice.

“I heard some of the hair dresser’s say it was falling out, but I think they were lying.” Alyssa answered sweetly, a smile marring her face.

Nicoya’s eyes widened to the size of potatoes, her jaw dropping, and immediately pulled her daughter away from him by her hand. “Alyssa Marie!” She scolded, shaking her head, and was turning even redder. Nicoya wished someone would’ve taken a bullet to her head at that moment because that would be less painful than how embarrassed she was because of her daughter. “Come on, we need to get back to the office so your momma can work.”

“MOM! He ain’t mad…are you?” Alyssa stubbornly pulled away, looking at Mark.

Mark shook his head, smiling slightly. He stood up to his full six foot nine height and looked at Nicoya. “She’s somethin’ else, isn’t she?” He asked, chuckling when he seen the ‘don’t I know it’ look on Alyssa’s adorable face.

“She definitely has her moments.” Nicoya quietly said, glaring down at her daughter, and yanked her back, tightening her grip on her hand. She shook her head down at her and sighed heavily, seeing the innocence in Alyssa’s eyes. “I’m sorry about her pulling your hair, Mr. Calaway.” She stared down at her daughter hardening. “Don’t you have something to say to him, Alyssa Marie?”

“Yeah, what kind of shampoo do you use? Your hair is REALLY soft!” Alyssa beamed up at him. “I don’t know what Mom uses, but I think she oughta switch brands.” Mark started choking on the water he was now sipping.

“Christ…” Nicoya groaned, shaking her head, and once again felt her cheeks turn a deep crimson red. “Alyssa, just say you’re sorry and then we need to go.” She groaned, raking a hand through her hair, and kept her eyes GLUED to the floor.

“Sorry? For what? Saying his hair is soft?” Alyssa asked quizzically, looking at Mark and shrugging her shoulders. Marks hugged his back, though now he was looking thoroughly amused. “Um…I’m sorry you have such soft, pretty hair. I’m also sorry my mom is the color of a strawberry.” Alyssa said sincerely.

“The color suits her.” Mark drawled, glancing at Nicoya with an arched eyebrow. “You alright there, darlin’?”

“I think she’s…em-bar-” Alyssa was having a hard time saying that word.

“Embarrassed?” Mark finished it for her.

“Yeah that, thanks!” Alyssa shouted in excitement, glad Mark had helped her out with her speech impediment.

“Alyssa…” Nicoya had that warning tone to her voice, causing her little girl to sigh exasperatedly, and raked a hand through her black hair. “We really have to go now.” She then turned abruptly, dragging her daughter behind her, not believing she just embarrassed herd mother like that. “Alyssa Marie, you know better than to talk to people you don’t know, young lady!” She scolded, shaking her head in disbelief, still looking like a strawberry.

“Mom, it’s the UNDERTAKER! If you act like a fraidy cat, you know what he’ll do don’t you?” Alyssa’s blue eyes lit up wickedly. “He’ll chop ya into tiny pieces and serve it to your next of kin!”

“Where on EARTH did you hear that?!” Nicoya stated, her eyes going to the size of potatoes, and suddenly started walking hastily back to her office, dragging Alyssa behind her.

“OUCH! Hello-my arm!” Alyssa wrenched away, rubbing her arm, eyes narrowed. “And it was JBL who told me that. Why? You afraid now? Is Undie gonna really cut you up into little pieces?” She looked mildly worried now. “MOM! Why did you have to turn red???”

“Layfield…” She growled under her breath and stopped dead in her tracks. “Would you like to go visit Ashley for a bit? Momma needs to go talk to someone about a script.” She lied, not giving Alyssa time to speak, and started dragging her down the hallway again, but being more careful with her speed and grip.

“I don’t want to visit Ashy right now. I want to drink my Sprite!” Alyssa protested. “Which was left in the cafeteria!”

“Actually little one…” Came Mark’s voice from across the hall, leaning in the doorway to his dressing room, bare from the waist up. “I was gonna bring it to you after doin’ my promo.”

“Could I have it now instead?” She asked him sweetly, those big blue eyes batting at him.

“If yer momma can spare a second.” Mark replied, his eyes drifting from the little girl to her beautiful mother.

“I’ll get you another one.” Nicoya stated, keeping a firm grip on her daughter’s hand, and sighed when Alyssa started throwing a fit, wanting the Sprite Mark had. “Alyssa Marie…” Nicoya held that warning tone, causing tears to pool in the little girl’s eyes, and immediately caved. “Fine, but please make it fast. I have a certain…announcer…I need to speak with.” She didn’t move from her spot in the hallway and kept her daughter close to her.

“Mom’s gonna tell JBL off for telling me that you cut people who’re scared of you into tiny little pieces and feeding it to their next of kin.” Alyssa informed him, wiggling away from her mother.

”Is THAT right?” Mark asked, his eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, do you really? Cause I got to tell you, my mom probably doesn’t taste all that good. You wouldn’t want to eat her!”

Mark looked more than amused now as he cast an appraising look at Nicoya and replied as he stroked his goatee in thought, “I don’t know…she looks mighty tasty.”

“I TOLD you not to be so scared, Mom!” Alyssa scolded her mother and shook her head as she sighed.

Nicoya was once again as red as a strawberry and immediately glared down at her daughter angrily. “If you speak one more word, I’m going to take away your ice cream tonight.” She threatened, her midnight blue eyes telling her daughter she meant what she said, and dared Alyssa to defy her, ignoring Mark for the time being. She was tired of getting embarrassed and this had been the last straw.

Alyssa got a look on her face that definitely wasn’t one she got from her mother as she shot back, “Well, I DID have some cupcakes so I think I’m filled up anyways.”

“Darlin’, why don’t you listen to yer momma?” Mark murmured, seeing the look on Nicoya’s face.

“Well, is it MY fault she keeps going red? Sheesh…” Alyssa argued promptly, her lips pursed tightly together.

“Fine, no ice cream, Alyssa and if you even THINK about sneaking it, I’m going to paddle your ass. Do I make myself clear? Now keep your mouth shut.” She ordered sternly, raising an eyebrow challenging, the redness still in her cheeks, but nothing like it was before. She then turned to face Mark and sighed heavily. “Sorry about her mouth. Like I said, sometimes it runs away with her. What did you need to speak to me about, Mr. Calaway?”

Mark stared at her curiously. “Who said I wanted to speak with ya, honey?” He drawled, winking when Alyssa started giggling. “I was just plannin’ on bringin’ the angel her Sprite.”

Alyssa sidled up to him, totally smitten now. “Can I have it please?” She asked sweetly, too adorable for words.

“Sittin’ on the table.” Mark pointed, chuckling when she zoomed into the room. “She’s got no fear does she?”

“You have no idea.” She muttered under her breath, raking a hand through her hair, and sighed heavily. Sometimes Alyssa reminded her too much of her father, which unnerved her. She loved her daughter no matter what though and planned on changing Alyssa’s ways, though she knew it was in her genes. Her father had that same smartass mouth that Alyssa had. “Alyssa, we need to get going to Ashley’s dressing room, honey.” She called out, not comfortable standing in the hallway with Mark staring at her, and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Her next stop after dropping her daughter off was to visit Layfield and give him a piece of her mind about telling her daughter’s lies. Filling her head with garbage.

Mark turned around, shaking his head as he asked, “What’cha got there, darlin’?”

Alyssa pointed at the punching bag and asked, “What’s that for?”

“Lemme show you.” Mark stepped into the room, punching it lightly, and caught it before it could hit her. “You try.” Alyssa instantly put down her pop a took a swing, grinning when it moved only to be knocked down on her butt when it rebounded. Mark chuckled and set her up on her feet. “Try again, angel.”

“No, that’s not necessary.” Nicoya interrupted and pulled her daughter away from the punching bag, shaking her head emphatically. “No, Alyssa Marie! Now come on, we have to get going!” She ushered her out of Mark’s dressing room and raked a hand through her black hair. “Nice talking to you, Mr. Calaway.” She murmured, having a firm grip on her daughter’s hand, and then turned around, hurrying down the hallway.

“Mom, what was that for?” Alyssa whined, looking upset now. “He was being nice! JBL’s a liar, Undie wouldn’t cut us up into pieces!” She perked. “Hey…you think maybe he’d cut JBL up into little pieces if we asked him too?”

“Alyssa, clamp it shut NOW.” Nicoya ordered angrily, gritting her teeth. Her daughter was getting on her last nerve as they arrived outside of Ashley’s dressing room, and sighed heavily when she seen the woman wasn’t there. “Let’s go back to the office. Momma needs to get more work done.” She then headed down the hallway, passing Mark’s dressing room, and walked inside of her office, shutting the door behind her. “Go play with your toys and let me work.” She instructed and sat down, scrubbing her face with her hand, and shook her head.

What was she going to do with her daughter’s mouth? One thing Nicoya didn’t like about Alyssa was that she had her father’s mouth and attitude, which made it really difficult to raise her. Alyssa was smart and she had the mouth to back it up, though sometimes it got her in trouble. Perfect example would be having her ice cream taken away from her for the night, which Nicoya was still going to do, especially after Alyssa defied and embarrassed her in front of the conscience of the WWE, the Undertaker Mark Calaway.

Chapter 2

Alyssa was very, very well behaved and quiet for the next half hour, only looking up from her toys when there was a knock on the door. Her eyes widened when she seen JBL walk in, followed by the Undertaker. “Wow!”

“He has somethin’ he’d like to say to you, angel.” Mark said, discreetly pushing JBL towards Alyssa.

“Another bull crap lie?” Alyssa asked sarcastically, her lips pursed tightly together, looking somewhat like her mother.

“What is going on here?” Nicoya demanded, standing from her chair, and immediately went to protect her daughter, blocking her. Though, Alyssa peeked around her leg. Nicoya glared back at Layfield, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and looked positively livid. “Did you fill my daughter’s head with that lie about Mr. Calaway?” She didn’t give him time to answer as she looked down at her daughter and hesitantly pulled her to stand in front of her, her hands placed firmly on her shoulders. “Alyssa, what did Mr. Layfield say to you, sweetheart?”

JBL looked irritated when Alyssa, looking innocently adorable, started ratting him out. “Now really, it was just a joke.” He said finally, trying to squirm his way out of this.

“Not a very funny one.” Mark said, his tone neutral though his green eyes were blazing with anger. “You owe…Alyssa…an apology, Bradshaw.”

“What? She’s just a kid-” JBL groaned when he seen the look on Mark’s face. “Alyssa, I’m-”

“Full of crap, I know.” She piped up sweetly, showing those white teeth of hers.

“Alyssa, you know you’re not allowed to say that word.” She stated sternly, staring down at her daughter, and sighed heavily as she shook her head. She backed Alyssa up and glared spitefully at Layfield before pulling him down by the scruff of his necktie. “If you ever, and I do mean EVER, speak to my daughter again, Mr. Layfield, I will personally talk to Mrs. Levesque about terminating you for filling my daughter’s head with lies about your co-worker. And don’t even think I can’t do it because Stephanie and I are VERY close friends and she considers Alyssa a niece. Do I make myself clear?” She didn’t give him time to speak before releasing his toe and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Now please vacate my office before I change my mind and end up telling Stephanie about this anyway.”

Mark looked away from Layfield, whistling softly, one long leg stretched out before the doorway. His green eyes widened innocently when JBL tripped and went flying out the door, yelping. “You alright, Miss…? You know, I don’t think I ever caught yer last name.”

“It’s Ms. Harris.” She responded softly, turning to look down at her daughter, and stroked her black hair from her face. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that man, baby girl. He won’t be bothering you again, alright?” She hugged Alyssa close and sighed heavily. She’d tried so hard to keep her daughter away from the men of this business, but it was impossible since that’s mostly what Nicoya worked with. She was the lead script writer for the Smackdown! brand and sometimes, the job just had its negatives.

Mark arched an eyebrow before crossing over to Alyssa, kneeling down in front of her again as he asked, “And you are, little angel?”

“Alyssa.” She said promptly, clearly taken with him. “But you can call me Aly.”

“That’s pretty, darlin’.” Mark replied, meaning what he said.

“Got a name or can I keep on callin’ you Undie?” She asked, no fear shining in her blue eyes, which shocked Mark to say the least.

“Call me Mark.” He replied with a grin, his green eyes shining back at her.

Nicoya chewed on her bottom lip, wondering if she really liked this man introducing himself to her daughter, and sighed. She couldn’t stop it from happening, but she wasn’t going to become friendly with this man either. That would only lead to problems. Problems she just didn’t need right now as she walked back over and sat down at her desk. “Alyssa, gather your things, sweetheart. We’re leaving shortly to head back to the hotel.” She announced, raking a hand through her hair, and started writing down a few notes as reminders to herself for the following day.

“Aww, but Mom!” Alyssa whined, looking positively mutinous. She’d been herded away from the wrestlers except for a select few and it drove her nuts, especially since she had her favorites. “I want to keep talking to Mark!”

Mark cleared his throat, standing up. “I’ll talk to you later, Aly, how 'bout that?”

“I want to talk now though! Mom will keep me hidden if you disappear!” She informed him, almost on the brink of hysterics and panic.

“Alyssa…” Nicoya held that warning tone for the third time that night and groaned when her daughter started going on and on, finally having enough. “That’s it! I’ve had it! Get your fucking things packed up right now! Don’t argue with me!” She shouted, her eyes narrowing at her daughter, and planted her hands on her hips after standing up from her chair abruptly.

Alyssa’s blue eyes widened in surprise before filling with tears, her lower lip trembling, looking wounded. Mark cleared his throat and backed out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Definitely not about to get himself involved in this. The mother, Ms. Harris, seemed to be a bit neurotic. That would explain why Alyssa was so…not.

Just the look in her daughter’s eyes broke Nicoya’s heart as she immediately dropped down on her knees in front of her daughter and pulled her into her arms. “I’m sorry, baby girl. You know momma is only trying to protect you. You know what I’ve said about talking to people you don’t know.” She tried soothing her daughter, blinking her own tears back, and shook her head as she mentally cursed her ex-boyfriend for doing this to them. Even though he didn’t know about Alyssa. Nicoya was going to keep it that way too if she could help it. “Alyssa, I love you, sweetheart.” She pulled back to stare into her blue eyes that matched her father’s, which made Nicoya’s heart twinge. “Please don’t cry. I just don’t want you talking to anyone that you don’t know, alright?” She was speaking softly to her daughter.

“Not-not even Mark?” Alyssa asked softly. “He was so nice and everything, momma. He got my pop out of the machine when it got stuck, showed me how to punch that red thingy, made JBL fall…” She giggled at that last one, looking wicked for a minute. “That was funny wasn’t it, Mom?”

“Not even Mark, Alyssa. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the man and neither do you. I don’t want to get close to anyone else on this roster, do you understand me?” Nicoya asked in a soft, but firm voice, wiping her tears away from her eyes, and sighed heavily when Alyssa just looked away from her and began packing her things. She knew her daughter was upset with her, but she was doing this for their own good. Though somehow, deep down inside, Nicoya knew this was the beginning of something disastrous and groaned inwardly She’d done a great job hiding Alyssa from the roster, except Ashley and Matt over the past six months since transferring from the RAW brand and now this.

…Next Morning…

“Mom…Mom…Mom…Mom…” Alyssa sighed when her mom just rolled over on her bed and quickly climbed up onto it, beginning to jump. “MOMMY! Someone’s at the door!”

Groaning, Nicoya slowly opened her eyes, sighing when the sunlight streamed through the room and hit her eyes, causing her to squeeze them tightly shut. She peered over at the clock, seeing it was just after nine in the morning, and groaned more. Who the Hell was there THIS early? “Alright, give momma a minute, honey.” She softly said, and slid from the bed, wearing a red spaghetti strapped nightgown that went down past her knees. She pulled on her black silk robe, tying it around her waist, and headed for the door, Alyssa bouncing behind her.

Alyssa peeked out behind her mom when she opened the door, grinning broadly before tossing herself out into the hallway, “MATTIE!”

Matt groaned, catching her and falling backwards on the floor. “You’re gettin’ heavy!” He teased, getting to his feet, holding her. “I’m supposed to let you know Ashley won’t be meeting you for lunch because she got herself stuck at an all-day autograph session.” He said, looking up at Nicoya. “However, I’m willing to take the munchkin here downstairs for breakfast since you look like you’re dead on your feet.” He offered with a smile.

“That’s very kind of you, Matthew, but-” Nicoya stopped when Alyssa jutted out her lower lip and started pleading with her, wanting to spend some time with her Uncle Matt. Sighing resignedly, Nicoya rolled her eyes and pointed her thumb behind her shoulder. “Go get dressed.” She stated and chuckled when Alyssa made a beeline for the bedroom, sighing heavily as she raked a hand through her black hair. “I really wish she didn’t have his energy.” She quietly whispered, knowing exactly where Alyssa got her energy from.

Matt clucked his tongue, reaching out to pat her arm gently. “She’s a kid, Coya. Kids are just balls of energy.” He said soothingly. “Hell…look at Jeff, he’s still a ball of energy.” He joked, sighing when he was rewarded with just a nod. “You ready then, Aly?”

Alyssa nodded, reappearing fully dressed and replied, “Yup. Want us to bring you something, Mom?” She asked sweetly.

“No, sweetheart. You mind Matthew though and don’t give him a hard time.” She stated and smiled when her daughter saluted her, that twinge once again entering her heart, and bent down. They hugged as she kissed Alyssa’s head and allowed Matt to escort her away as she closed the door behind her. Nicoya sighed heavily and raked a hand through her hair before heading over to the balcony window, staring out of it. She didn’t know why, but something was brewing inside of her. Telling her that trouble was coming.

~!~

Matt listened patiently as Alyssa chattered over breakfast, shaking his head when she started talking about her latest favorite wrestler. Wondering where the Hell this fascination with the Deadman came from. Then he looked up, blinking when he seen Mark. Speaking of the devil. Alyssa turned her head, smiling when she seen Mark ordering something, and shouted out, “Hey! Undie!” Mark started choking on his food.

~!~

Alyssa was staying with her grandparents for the first eight years of her life, which Nicoya didn’t mind, considering she wanted her daughter to have a normal life. That quickly changed though when she found out her grandfather was hitting Alyssa, leaving marks on her. Nicoya quickly put a stop to her staying with them and brought her on the road, just before transferring to Smackdown!. So her boyfriend had no clue she even had a child that was by him. He never would either, not after all the pain and torment he’d put on her through the past eight years. The thought made tears spring to her eyes, but Nicoya blinked them back. Was it a wonder why she didn’t want to get close to anyone on the Smackdown! roster?

Mark could only listen as Alyssa chattered away, sharing amused looks with Matt as they both walked Alyssa back to her mother. He’d only joined them at breakfast because she insisted, finding the little chatterbox adorable. Then got conned into joining them on the return trip, much to Matt’s amusement. “Does she ever take a breath?” He asked amusedly.

“Not too often.” Matt answered with a small chuckle.

Nicoya smiled when she heard a knock on her door and immediately rushed over to answer it. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a red tank top, her black hair framing her face and flowed down her back, hugging her waist perfectly. She opened the door and greeted, “Hey sweet-” Her words died when she seen Mark with her daughter and Matt, not believing this, and tucked a strand of hair behind her hair before bending down to hug her daughter. “Did you have fun?” She quietly asked, not looking at the two men before her, her eyes only for her little girl.

“Yeah! I had blueberry pancakes and French toast with orange juice!” Alyssa said, which was her usual breakfast anyway. “I made Mark sit with us.” She confided, looking pleased with herself.

Matt looked downright amused. “She also commandeered him as an escort.” He added for leverage, a smile on his face.

“Pleasure to be of service.” Mark joked, winking down at Alyssa when she flashed him a sweet grin.

“I noticed.” Nicoya replied wryly and slowly stood up, giving her daughter that stern look, and cleared her throat. “Go to your room, Alyssa.” She ordered, crossing her arms in front of her chest, not looking pleased at all. When her daughter went to argue, Nicoya shot her the most stern, angry look she had yet and watched as her daughter zoomed into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She then turned around to face Mark and took a deep breath. “I hope she wasn’t that much trouble, Mr. Calaway.” She shot Matt that same look she did to her daughter and pointed to the couch. “Inside. Now.” Matt slinked into the room, looking like a scalded dog, and dropped down on the couch.

“She wasn’t any trouble at all, Ms. Harris.” Mark replied in the same tone of voice she used on him. He nodded at Matt before walking off.

Nicoya brushed off Mark’s tone of voice, slamming the door behind her, and immediately spun around on Matt. “You are NEVER taking my daughter out to eat with you AGAIN! Do you have ANY idea what you just did?! Alyssa was already attached to him from last night and you made it worse! You know my policy, Matthew! My daughter is to go NOWHERE NEAR ANY of these wrestlers!!” She shouted, her temper overtaking her, and raked her hands through her hair as she started pacing in front of him. “Now I have to reprimand my daughter because I already told her once to stay away from him!!” She groaned in frustration and shook her head, not believing this mess.

“Coya, calm down.” Matt said, standing up from the couch. “You work for the WWE, honey. You can’t keep her from the guys forever, and Mark seems to like her just as much as she likes him.” He didn’t falter under the look she shot him. “Aly is a curious kid, you can’t stifle that forever, Coya.” He reasoned gently.

“Yes I fucking can!” She snapped, her lips pursed tightly together, and shook her head as the tears swelled in her eyes, turning around and staring out the window. “Matthew,” She paused, sighing deeply, and lowered her voice considerably so her daughter couldn’t overhear this part. “He doesn’t know about her. The more secretive I can keep her, the better off I’ll be.” She raked a hand through her hair as she looked down into his dark eyes. “I didn’t mean to snap on you, I just…I told her to stay away from him and she deliberately disobeyed me. So I’m going to have to punish her, not you because you obviously didn’t know my feelings on the situation until now. She knew better and yet she did it anyway, just like her fucking father.” She growled that last part in a low voice.

Matt cleared his throat, not sure what he could say to that. He raked a hand through his hair, looking at Nicoya sympathetically. “Being like him isn’t something she can control exactly, Coya.” He said gently.

“I know that.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around herself, and rubbed them up and down. “But she is going to learn to listen to me or else I’ll hire a babysitter to come on the road and keep her at the hotel. I made my decision after I left him that I wouldn’t get attached to any of the other men on this roster and I’m keeping that vow, no matter what. You and Ashley are different, you’re like my family and hers. But the rest of them I could care less about. I’m here to work and that’s it, not to make friends.” She sighed heavily and shook her head. “I’m sorry for snapping on you, Matthew.” She apologized softly and walked over to stare out the window.

“I know you are and don’t apologize, Coya. I should have known better.” Matt admitted, shaking his head at himself. He did know better, but it was hard for anyone to do anything against the legendary Phenom, Matt included, awed of him. “There anything you need before I take off?”

“No, nothing else and don’t beat yourself up over it.” She stated softly, walking over and hugged him around the neck, kissing his cheek. “I’ll see you tonight at the arena.” She then walked him to the door and waved him off before closing the door behind her.

Chapter 3

Taking a few deep breaths to calm down, Nicoya squared her shoulders and turned around, her lips pursed tightly together, and cleared her throat loudly. “Alyssa Marie Harris, come out here right now.” She called out, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and when the door to the bedroom opened, she pointed to the couch. “Sit down.”

Alyssa kept her head down, not daring to look at her mom just yet, knowing she was in BIG trouble. She perched on the edge of the couch, hands twisting together nervously with her shoulders slumped, and quietly asked, “Yes Mom?”

“Alyssa, what am I going to do with you? Seriously, I told you to stay away from him and what did you do? You defied me like you always do!” Nicoya scolded her daughter, her eyes filled with anger, though she knew she could never punish her daughter. She loved her too much and she was the most important person in the world to her. “Why can’t you ever once just listen to what I say? I am your mother and if you can’t start listening to me, Alyssa, I’m going to have to do something I really don’t want to do…” When Alyssa looked up at her with terrified blue eyes, Nicoya raised an eyebrow back at her. “I’ll hire a babysitter for you if you can’t learn to obey my wishes and listen to me. Now I want to know, why did you invite Mr. Calaway to join you and Matthew for breakfast this morning?”

“Because he looked lonely!” Alyssa said, sounding upset. “Everyone else kinda avoids him and sometimes he looks lonely.” She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest in an all too adult gesture and hung her head. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I’ll listen to you from now on, just please don’t get a babysitter.”

Sighing deeply, knowing her daughter was just following her heart, like Nicoya did a lot, she smiled and walked over to her. She sat down on the couch and pulled her into her arms, setting her on her lap, and kissed the top of her head. “I know you like interacting with the others, Aly. I know that, baby girl, but you also need to realize that you can’t trust anyone on the roster except for Matthew, Ashley, Jeffy, and Ky. They are the ONLY ones that won’t hurt you. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Her tone was gentle and soft, running her fingers through her daughter’s black hair, sighing deeply. She knew she couldn’t hide her daughter forever, but for the time being, she would try her damnest to continue to do so.