Wrestling With Love

by Whitney Shope

  “Oh God!”

  Slowly, deliberately he worked his tongue up and down and in circles, stopping only to suck on her bundle of nerves.

  “Mmmm baby.” he moaned.

  “Oh Trevor, yes, don't stop!”

  Mila could feel herself building to that point of release as she grabbed a handful of Trevor's dark hair.

  “Yes baby, that's it, let it all out!” he moaned, and as if on cue Mila went free falling over that edge.

  “Yes, oh God yes Trevor!”

  As her body came down from the euphoric high, she realized she felt more relaxed than she'd felt in weeks. She laid there, still in her blissful state, as Trevor gently dressed her. Looking up at him through blissfully sleepy eyes Mila said

  “If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you drugged me or something!”

  Laughing, Trevor collapsed next to her, reaching out to pull her close to him.

  “Never!”

  Mila turned to look in his eyes. Tears started to form behind her own eyes. But not of sadness, no these were tears of joy, of sheer relief and happiness. And it wasn't just the physical act, it was what it represented, what it showed. And what it showed her was the profound love that she shared with this man, and the reassurance that that love would get them through anything.

  “I love you so much!”

  She didn't even need to explain the tears, she knew by way of his own eyes that he understood.

  “I love you too baby. I always will.”

  And with that, Mila nuzzled up tightly to his chest, feeling safe, loved and blissfully content.

  The rest of the day was just as peaceful. Mila, Trevor, Aunt Ellen, and Uncle Sammy decided to just relax and enjoy their last night together before Aunt Ellen and Uncle Sammy returned home the next day. So, they ordered pizza for dinner and played cards, munched on popcorn, and laughed themselves silly.

  As she sat there at the kitchen table, she realized she was sitting with family- her family. Looking down and rubbing her belly she thought

  “I think I'm finally ready to meet you sweet girl. I can't promise it won't ever get rough, but I can promise I'll be right by your side through it all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “ Thirty-seven weeks Brit. Thirty-seven freaking weeks!”

  Mila was looking at herself in the mirror, wondering how she hadn't literally exploded yet.

  “You look beautiful hun!”

  “Ugh, seriously if you don't quit playing with that damn engagement ring, you're going to break it before you even get married!”

  Britani laughed at Mila's sheer exhaustion with, well, everything.

  The girls were getting ready for Britani and Lucas's engagement party. It had taken what felt like forever for everyone's schedules to sync up.

  “You girls almost ready?” Trevor called from downstairs.

  “Yeah babe, just a minute!” Mila replied.

  Things had been crazy hectic over the last few weeks. Mila and Trevor's takeover of PEW first leaked to the dirt sheets as just a rumor. Once the news was confirmed, however, everything went crazy! Branded as "The New PEW", things were off to a great start.

  Britani, Violet, Randall and even Trevor all continued to wrestle for the company and Phoebe was now in charge of booking. Mila was running the writing and creative department, and they'd interviewed several hot free agent wrestlers.

  “You ready preggo?” asked Britani.

  “If I can just get up out of this chair...”

  As Britani reached a hand out to Mila, Trevor appeared in the doorway.

  “Hey, leggo my preggo!”

  “Hardy har har, you want to get her up?”

  “Excuse me but ‘her’ is right here and also not deaf!”

  Both Britani and Trevor grabbed a hand and helped Mila up and out of the chair.

  “Next time just leave me until I go into labor!”

  “No can-do babe!” said Trevor.

  “Yeah,” Britani responded. “Besides, the cost to reupholster that chair after your water breaks is bound to be astronomical!”

  Mila leveled Britani with a glare.

  “Remind me to tell Lucas to run! Run fast and run far!”

  As both girls laughed Britani wrapped her arm around Mila's shoulders.

  “Aww, I know you want me all to yourself!”

  Laughing, Mila shrugged off Britani's arm. “Let's go bride to be!”

  ***

  The engagement party was going great. Everyone was there, Mila, Trevor, Violet, Randall, Phoebe and Nicole. Several of Lucas's friends and family as well as some longtime PEW co-workers that had been kept on the job. Britani's parents were on their way and the cake Mila and Violet had ordered had just arrived. That's when Mila turned and saw her standing off in a corner. Star.

  “Umm, babe can you handle the cake plates, I'll be right back.”

  Trevor looked confused and a bit concerned.

  “Yeah sure, everything okay?”

  Mila muttered to herself as she walked in Star’s direction.

  “I'm about to find out...”

  As soon as she realized she'd been spotted, Star began to shift uncomfortably, and she started to panic the second she saw Mila headed her way.

  “Carano, outside now!”

  Mila held the door open, gesturing for Star to join her outside.

  As soon as they got outside, Mila lit into Star, not wasting a single second.

  “What the hell do you think you're doing Star?”

  “I just wanted to congratulate Britani.”

  “Then send a Hallmark, just get out of here!”

  “She and I used to be really close, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know and look what you did to that relationship, among many others!” Mila snapped.

  “I just wanted to congratulate her and say goodbye.”

  Mila, who already had her hands on the door handle, turned around to look at Star.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I'm moving away. There's nothing left here for me.” Star said sadly.

  “Am I supposed to feel bad for that?”

  “Not at all. It's something I did to myself and now leaving is something I need to do FOR myself.”

  Mila looked back in the restaurant at her happy best friend Britani, enjoying herself among their friends.

  “Stay right there!” she told Star.

  Mila marched inside and made her way to Britani's booth in the back.

  “Hey Brit, can I see you outside a minute?”

  “Sure...”

  Britani followed Mila outside and froze in her tracks when she saw Star.

  “I'll give you guys space...” Mila said as she started to back away.

  “No, stay Mila! What do you want Star?”

  “I came to congratulate you on getting married.”

  “And?” Britani said, tapping her foot impatiently.

  “That's all. To tell you congratulations, I'm happy for you and you deserve this.”

  “Is that all?”

  Star hung her head. “I also wanted to say goodbye.”

  “What kind of drama are you pulling now Star?”

  “None.” she replied. “I'm moving to Boston to live with my cousin Ariana.”

  “Why?”

  “Like I told Mila, there's nothing left here for me.”

  “Oh well isn't that convenient?”

  “Look Brit I didn't come here to fight with-”

  “No, no, you need to hear this!”

  Mila looked on feeling slightly uncomfortable but still curious as to where Britani was going with this.

  “I'm really sorry Pete did what he did to you but that was 8, 9 years ago. When do you start taking responsibility for your own actions? When do you quit blaming your screw ups on anybody but you? YOU chose to turn yourself into the person you are. So, what's going to be different in Boston, huh? A new crop of victims? Until you learn to quit seeing yourself as a victim, you're going to keep m
aking victims out of other people!”

  “Look, I-”

  “Did I breathe and give you the impression I was finished? You and I were friends, yes, we were, but so were you and a lot of other people that you also threw away. So, I wish you good luck in Boston but unless you change your attitude, I'm really not sure what it's going to change. So, goodbye Star, I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.”

  Britani turned and looked at Mila. “I'll be inside.”

  Star sighed, shoving her hands in her pockets.

  “Well, I'm leaving. Goodbye Mila. Hopefully with me and Dominic gone you and Trevor can have a happy life.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean? What do you mean now that Dominic is gone?”

  “My Dad said he took off with Lydia.” Star said, as if it were common knowledge.

  “What, when?!”

  “About 2 weeks ago. His house is up for sale and everything.”

  “Where's Carolyn?”

  “Filed for divorce. I think she moved in with a friend or something.”

  Mila stood in shock.

  “Well, I have to go. Bye Mila, and again, I'm sorry.”

  “Goodbye Star. I hope you find the real you out there somewhere.”

  And with that, Mila returned to the party.

  Later that night Trevor was looking for Mila, only to find her standing in the nursery looking into the crib, only the light from the tiny butterfly lamp on the dresser shining on her.

  He walked up behind her, her arms cradling her belly through the nightgown she was wearing.

  Wrapping his arms around hers he said. “Have I mentioned today how beautiful you are?”

  “Yes, but I'm always open to hearing it again.”

  She laughed and leaned back into him.

  “You ready to meet the jellybean?” Trevor asked.

  “Yeah, I really am. And not just because I feel like I've been pregnant since the beginning of time!”

  “I'm excited to meet her. Who do you think she'll look like?”

  Mila contemplated this for a moment before simply saying.

  “I don't know. I hope she gets your tanner complexion.”

  “I hope she has your eyes!” said Trevor.

  “Judging by that 4D ultrasound she does have wide eyes.”

  “Judging by that 4D ultrasound you're giving birth to an alien!” he replied as both cracked up laughing.

  “Come on babe, let's go to bed.” Trevor said, yawning as he headed for the door.

  As she turned the lamp off and headed towards their room, Mila asked.

  “So how you are feeling about Dominic being gone?”

  She had informed him of his father's hasty departure as soon as they got home from the party. At the time, he hadn’t really said much.

  “Honestly, good. The further away he is, the better. According to Uncle Sammy, Lorenzo wants to pursue charges against him for skimming money off the books for years.”

  “That's awfully risky for Lorenzo, considering his connections. You think he'll do it?” asked Mila.

  “Who knows? And honestly, at this point, who cares?”

  As they settled into bed Mila felt a sense of peace and calmness that she'd almost forgotten existed.

  “Goodnight baby.” she said.

  “Night love.”

  ***

  A ready to pop Mila was sitting at her desk at work. Her office was now Samantha's old office. Trevor had talked about building her an office right next door to his, but Mila felt it was better for her to be among her creative team, rather than Lording over them like the Donahue's had done. The creative team was made up of the same people plus two new hires Mila was particularly excited about.

  A knock on her half open office door did little to bring her out of her business mode.

  “Earth to Mila!” Phoebe said, raising her voice slightly.

  “Sorry Pheebs, what's up?”

  “You've been distant all day, you alright?”

  “Yeah, just not feeling so great.” Mila replied. That was only a half truth. In reality, Mila had felt awful all day and the night before.

  “Everything okay?” Phoebe asked, “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

  “No, no I'm just uncomfortable, which I am all the time anymore so no surprise there!”

  “Well, if you're sure, I just need your signature on these creative plans for the upcoming Rhode Island shows so I can confirm the booking.”

  “Oh, yeah of course!”

  As she went to sign the papers Mila felt a sharp pain in her stomach.

  “Ahh!”

  Phoebe jumped as if someone had just shocked her.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, fine, just a little pain.”

  She finished signing the papers and went to stand up.

  “Umm, Pheebs?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Is Trevor in his office?”

  “Yeah, you need him?”

  Mila took a deep, shaky breath saying, “Just uh, just tell him my water broke.”

  “Oh my God! I'll get him!” Phoebe shouted as she ran out of there.

  Within what felt like a matter of seconds, Trevor came flying into Mila's office- almost literally.

  “It's time?!” he asked, a vaguely panic-stricken look on his face.

  Crouched over her desk, holding her belly, a pained look on her face, Mila wasn't sure how much clearer the situation could be.

  “No honey, I always stand in a puddle in the middle of my office while holding my stomach in pain – YES, IT'S TIME!!”

  “Okay, okay, I'll grab the hospital bag and let's get you to the hospital!”

  In a flash, Mila had gone from her office to the hospital, where the nurses were getting her settled into a room.

  “Babe?”

  “Yeah sweetie?”

  Mila looked Trevor in the eyes, a very serious expression on her face.

  “Four words; ep-i-du-ral!!”

  Dr. Miller rapt her knuckles on the door to Mila’s room before walking in.

  “Hello, hello Mila!”

  “Hi Dr.- ahhhhhh!”

  “Oh boy, we are really feeling it now...”

  “We?” Mila said.

  “Oh, my poor baby!” said Trevor, rubbing a hand softly across her cheek.

  “She said we Trevor, why did she say we? Is she about to try and squeeze a beach ball into a beer bottle?”

  “Baby -”

  Dr. Miller just smiled before saying; “I've done it three times hun, trust me I know!”

  Mila felt another contraction coming on already. As she screamed and panted her way through it, she looked at Trevor who said, “Oh, I can only imagine what you're feeling right now Mila!”

  “No, no, I so very much don't think you can!”

  Dr. Miller stepped closer, snapping the rubber glove on her hand.

  “Alright Mila, let's see how dilated you are!”

  All Mila could think about was meeting her baby girl. Meanwhile, in the waiting room, everyone was sitting around trying to find ways to occupy them.

  “How long does it normally take for a baby to be born?” Randall asked, checking his watch.

  Britani shook her head, “There's no set time, you dork! Babies come when they're ready!”

  “You guys ever think about kids?” Violet asked.

  Lucas and Britani exchanged nervous looks.

  “Ummm...”

  “I mean... we've talked about it.” said Britani.

  “And?”

  “It's not out of the question.”

  “Definitely not, no.” Lucas said.

  “I'd love to have kids one day!” Phoebe said.

  Randall quirked an eyebrow.

  “Ugh, how does that - oww!”

  Violet elbowed him in the ribs so he couldn't finish his sentence.

  “It's ok Vi! All I know is if she wants to use artificial insemination, she's carrying the kids!” said Nicole.

  “Why me?�
�� Phoebe said.

  “Honey, I love kids, but I am far too attached to my abs to ruin my figure like that! Besides, would you want me to risk this figure?”

  “I mean, no but -”

  This conversation continued for what felt like forever. Meanwhile, in the delivery room, Mila had already begun to push.

  “God this kid is insistent!”

  “I know,” said Trevor, “she's definitely in a hurry!”

  “Alright Mila, just a few more big pushes and you'll meet your little princess!”

  “I love you baby!”

  Mila, sweat pouring down her face, turned to answer him.

  “I love you tooooooooohhhhh my God!”

  Finally, after 9 total hours of labor, 3 times of Trevor nearly passing out, and a multitude of curse words later - the jellybean had arrived.

  The moment Trevor entered the waiting area, wearing his scrubs and several layers of sweat, everyone stood up, including Aunt Ellen who had arrived about an hour earlier.

  “She's here!!” he announced proudly.

  Everyone erupted in cheers and there were lots of pats on the back and congratulations for Trevor.

  “What did she weigh? Oh, I hope for Mila's sake she wasn't a chunkier like you were!”

  “I'm too happy to acknowledge that right now Aunt Ellen, but she's 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long with a head full of dark hair! And a set of lungs that should've made her arrival known to people in Guatemala!”

  Britani laughed, “Oh, she's definitely Mila's girl!”

  Everyone had gathered around the nursery to wait for Trevor to point out their baby. But to their surprise, Trevor came around the corner wheeling an exhausted looking Mila, who was cradling the tiny bundle of joy.

  “Oh my God!!”

  “Oh, she's gorgeous!!” Aunt Ellen said as Britani squeezed her hand.

  “Everyone, please say hello to Auden Rose Morgan!” Mila announced.

  Aunt Ellen was visibly moved.

  “Janet's middle name was Rose!”

  “That was our compromise on her middle name, Aunt Ellen.” Trevor said.

  “She's the absolute cutest you guys!” said Violet, who was tearing up herself as Auden cooed contently in Mila's arms.

  “Well guys, I’ve got to get my girls back so they can rest, especially Mila, but we wanted you all to be formally introduced!”