Wrestling With Love

by Whitney Shope

  Later that night, after everyone had said their goodbyes and headed home, Trevor sat in a chair next to Mila's bed, looking at his sleeping fiancé.

  Getting up, he kissed her on the temple and suddenly heard Auden waking up just a few feet away. Both Mom and daughter had fallen asleep after feeding and Trevor convinced the nurse to let him keep Auden in there just a bit longer before returning her to the nursery for the night.

  “Hey there, how's Daddy's little jellybean?” Trevor whispered as he scooped her up and walked over to the window.

  “We've all been waiting for you. You may not have a traditional family in some senses of the word, but you're going to be surrounded by crazy Aunts and Uncles and Daddy's Aunt and Uncle who are kind of going to be like your Grandparents in a way. Not to mention, you have the best Mommy in the whole world.”

  Unbeknownst to Trevor, Mila had woken up and was laying there listening and watching his back as he gently rocked Auden back and forth in his arms.

  “I think I just fell in love with him all over again.” she thought.

  When she turned her head, she saw him. Standing near the bassinet. Mikey.

  He glanced over at Trevor and Auden, gave Mila a smile and a wink, and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

  “I love you too Mikey. Thanks for being my daughter's guardian angel.” Mila thought.

  Just then she heard Trevor whisper, “Welcome to the world little jellybean!”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “ I'll get the diaper bag; can you get the car seat out?”

  “Out? I barely got the car seat IN!”

  “Don't you snap at me I've slept a total of 8 hours in 4 days!”

  “Yeah, and what have I been doing every night, the Cha Cha Slide?”

  “Oh, you know what you...”

  Meanwhile, across the parking lot of Bixler's Diner, Mila and Trevor’s friends were all gathered, watching and waiting for them to stop bickering. If they were to be honest, it was far more watching than waiting.

  “So, should we go help them?” Lucas asked.

  “In a minute, I want to see how this plays out!” replied a grinning Britani.

  Violet rolled her eyes, “Oh, for God's sake Britani why don't you just pop some popcorn and pull up a chair?”

  “I wouldn't mind some popcorn...” said Randall.

  And this was the newest form of entertainment for the group. Baby Auden was 4 months old and while she was overall a good baby, she had recently started teething... and screaming... and not sleeping. This resulted in many sleepless nights and pointless arguments between Trevor and Mila, and endless hours of entertainment for the rest of the gang.

  “Seriously babe, how do you undo this latch thing?” Trevor asked as Mila let out an exasperated sigh.

  “Ugh! Haven't we gone over that a million times since we bought it, which, by the way, was your idea; I was perfectly happy with the old one...great, now she's crying!”

  “Never fear, Aunt Britani's here!” Britani said as the group finally approached the new parents.

  Trevor patted Britani on the shoulder, “God am I glad to see you!”

  “Boy you really have gone without sleep for a long time, haven't you?” Randall laughed.

  Fifteen minutes and 28 tries at unlatching Auden's new car seat later, everyone was inside Bixler's, seated at a corner booth.

  “So, dare I ask how the wedding planning is going?” asked Violet.

  “Surprisingly well, considering everything we have going on!”

  “Yeah, it's gone pretty smoothly when you consider the fact that we've planned probably half of it at the office.” Trevor said.

  “True, we can't go over floral arrangements and centerpieces while trying to apply baby Anbesol to a screaming infant!”

  Randall turned to Violet with a nervous grin on his face.

  “Vi, why are we trying for a baby again?”

  “At this current moment, I couldn’t tell you!”

  Later that evening Mila and Trevor were sitting on the couch in the family room with Auden swinging peacefully next to them. . .for now. Finn and Bayley were draped across the back of the loveseat asleep, when Mila turned to Trevor and said, “So, are we still in agreement with the wedding?”

  “A small, intimate gathering outside.”

  “Exactly. We're talking bare necessities going forward. People to attend should be Aunt Ellen, Uncle Sammy-”

  “What about Uncle Sammy's wife and daughters?” Trevor asked.

  “I don't even know that much about them!”

  “Well, let's see. His wife's name is April, and their daughters from oldest to youngest are Melissa, Lillian, Julia and Cynthia.”

  “Are you close to your cousins?” Mila asked.

  “It's kind of hard to be. I mean there's the age difference, they're spread out all over the country and I've only recently settled down in one place for longer than 5 minutes.”

  Trevor noticed Mila was looking down at Auden. She did that a lot, but Trevor could always tell when she was simply admiring their daughter, and when her mind was a million miles away, in a place she never wanted to revisit.

  “What about your family?” he asked.

  “What about them?”

  “Mila, I know you've been thinking about them since Auden was born.”

  “I can't help but look at Auden and I can't imagine ever treating her the way my mother treated me. I can't fathom doing anything except loving her with all I have, no matter what!”

  “That's why you're an amazing Mom.”

  Mila leaned in and kissed Trevor before settling in, her head on his chest.

  “You're an amazing father. You know, someday you're going to make some woman a damn good husband!”

  Trevor was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Well, I really do try. I wonder when I'll meet this woman so crazy amazing that she manages to tame the wild beast that is Trevor Morgan?!”

  Mila burst out laughing.

  “The wild, hahaha! Oh God, I can’t take it!” she said, wiping tears from her face and trying to stop laughing.

  “Hey, keep testing me, we're going to end up with baby # 2!”

  “Oh Lord I'm not ready for that just yet!”

  “So, speaking of fathers, you never really talk about yours much. What's he like?”

  Mila sighed. “There's not much to say about him really. He's a big shot stockbroker. Always in business mode, work's never far from his mind. Perpetually stressed out, should probably own stock in Tums or some other kind of antacid. But... he can be funny and warm when he wants to be.”

  “If I'm not mistaken, I'm hearing a former Daddy's Girl!”

  “Yep. I was his ‘piccola Arcobaleno’ or ‘little rainbow’.”

  “Wait, your Dads of Italian heritage?”

  “Yep. Both of his parents were born in Sardinia.”

  Trevor glanced over at Auden, sound asleep in her swing, the pacifier in her mouth occasionally moving for 4-5 seconds before going still again.

  “Have... have you thought about reaching out to him, see if he'd walk you down the aisle?” he asked tentatively.

  “Yes! Yes, Trevor I have, and I can't do it!”

  Mila was whisper yelling now so as not to wake Auden. Her father was always a touchy subject, someone Mila considered yet another casualty of her mother.

  “I just can't get past the fact that not only did he hear all the things that were being said about me and do nothing, but he didn't hesitate to take part in it too!”

  Just then Auden started to cry. Mila rushed to her infant daughter’s side.

  “Shhh! Shhh baby, it's okay, mommy's here!”

  Trevor, who'd gone to the kitchen to fix Auden a bottle, looked on at Mila in all her glory in motherhood.

  “She's never looked more beautiful.” he thought.

  6 Months Later

  After all the planning and scheduling and last-minute adjusting, it was finally time for Mila and Trevor's wed
ding!

  Britani, Violet and Phoebe had really stepped up and done a fantastic job decorating the venue for the wedding. The venue? Aunt Ellen and Uncle Sammy had gone to the owners of the hotel that stood on the land that they and Trevor's Mom Janet had grown up on. As it turned out, they'd left a large section of the farmland around back alone, and now it was serving as the venue for the wedding and reception.

  As the guests gathered, Mila was in a room in the hotel getting ready with her girls; Britani, Violet, Phoebe and Nicole along with her adorable baby girl, Auden, who was wearing the single most extravagant dress that her Aunts had insisted she needed!

  As Britani worked on Mila's hair, Mila could hear Auden's distinctive little coos as Aunt Ellen carried her around.

  “Dadada”

  “Auden you little traitor! You're breaking mommy's heart with that!”

  “And if mommy doesn't hold still, she's going to have a burned-up skull to match her alleged broken heart!” said Britani as she twirled a curling wand through Mila’s long locks.

  Mila took a look at her simple, strapless lace dress.

  “I can't believe I'm getting married today!”

  “You look beautiful Mila!” a teary-eyed Nicole said.

  “That's for sure,” Violet said, “you look stunning babe!”

  The wedding party officially consisted of Britani, Violet, Phoebe and Nicole along with Auden. And on Trevor's side were Lucas, Randall, another wrestler friend named Johnny and David, Trevor's childhood friend.

  Uncle Sammy was doing the honors of walking Mila down the aisle. He'd just made it in on his flight from D.C. that morning.

  “You look so beautiful Mila!!”

  Britani clasped her hands over her face, attempting to hide her own tears. And then Mila heard a voice from the doorway behind her.

  “She sure does!”

  Everyone in the room turned except Mila. She didn't need to turn to know who she was going to see. The question was, did she want to see her?

  “Mila, sis?”

  Her voice was shaky with emotion and caused Mila to slowly turn around to face her big sister for the first time in years.

  “Andi?”

  The two sisters, torn apart by the selfish acts of their own mother, suddenly saw each other as if they were looking through their 7 and 10-year-old eyes. When Andrea asked for a hug, Mila tentatively made her way over to her. And much to her surprise, when Andrea grabbed her into a tight hug, Mila didn't resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her big sister.

  “Oh God Mila can you ever forgive me? You don't owe it to me, but I hope you will someday. I should've defended you, I should've stopped Mom, I just-”

  “It's ok Andrea. It's over. Wait, they're not here are they?”

  “Oh God no! I did bring my husband and I brought someone else who really wanted to be here for you though...”

  “Andi, what are you doing? I really don't want to see any of those people from back home!”

  “Not even me?”

  Mila whipped her head around so fast she nearly got whiplash, trying to be sure that that was in fact her brother's voice she heard.

  “BRIAN!!!”

  Brian came forward and scooped his sister up in his arms and spun her around.

  “Big sis!!”

  “What are you, how, when?”

  Brian laughed as he sat his sister back down.

  “Actually, you can thank Trevor for that one. He can be very persuasive!”

  “How are you, where have you been?” Mila asked just as Phoebe came back into the room.

  “Umm, not to rudely interrupt this family reunion but Mila, it's time!”

  “We'll talk later sis; you got a man waiting to marry your crazy self right now!”

  “We'll go take our seats; we'll see you soon! I love you Mila!”

  As Andrea brushed her hair back into place Mila suddenly felt a calmness wash over her.

  “I love you too!”

  Just then she heard Auden's fussy little voice as Aunt Ellen walked her over to Mila.

  The second they reached her, Auden put her arms out for Mila and gave her her wedding gift

  “Mamamama”

  “Oh my God!! Baby girl you said it!!”

  The whole room audibly "awwwwed" at the same time as Mila took Auden in her arms for a quick kiss.

  “Hurry up woman before somebody puts Trevor back on one of those New York Eligible Bachelors lists!” Britani said.

  With that, Mila grabbed her bouquet, walked out to meet Uncle Sammy and headed down the aisle to the man she loved.

  The ceremony couldn't have gone better. Even little Auden was on her best behavior. It was simple but romantic and loving. And most importantly, Trevor and Mila were now officially husband and wife!

  At the reception Mila was sitting on one of the swings that was tied to the trees, taking it all in. She and Trevor had had their first dance and Mila had danced with Uncle Sammy for the father/daughter dance.

  She'd had a little time to catch up with Andrea and Brian.

  Andrea and Mark seemed happier than ever. They had moved to D.C. about a year and a half ago. Mark was working as a Political Analyst and Andrea was, of course, Uncle Sammy's Paralegal.

  Brian had indeed married Tori when he left home. She was now a Pediatric Nurse and they were parents to 3-yr-old Alexander, who was currently dancing with Aunt Ellen. Lost in her own thoughts, Mila suddenly felt a pair of warm, familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind her.

  “Care to dance with me, wife?” he said as he kissed her cheek and she laughed.

  “Why yes, I think I will husband!”

  Trevor led her out to the dance floor where Mila immediately rested her head on his shoulder.

  Trevor leaned in so his lips barely grazed her ear.

  “You know, I've spent 29 years now looking for peace, for some sense of belonging and acceptance. And I look around here now, with you in my arms, our family that we can count on, our friends that became family, and our perfect little jellybean of a daughter, and it all makes sense.” he said.

  “I know what you mean. I was so lost when I moved out here. I came here for a job and a fresh start. I found all that and more in you. Home, love, family, stability. All the things I thought I'd never know again, have all come back to me.”

  “I love you so much wife!”

  “I love you more husband!”

  As Mila laughed and rested her head back on Trevor's shoulder, she looked in the distance and saw that familiar smile that still filled her heart. Mikey.

  “I told you it was okay to be happy!” she heard him say,” I love you always Mila, and I'll never stop watching over and looking out for you. It's time for you to feel happiness again. And don't you worry, I'll be the first face you see many years from now, when that day comes. Live your life sweet pea and love every second of it!”

  And with that, he was gone. Only this time, Mila didn't feel empty. As she danced with her new husband and daughter, she only felt one thing: happiness.

  EPILOGUE

  7 Years Later

  “ Trevor!”

  “Yeah honey?”

  “Can you give me a hand with these hamburgers?”

  It was a beautiful Summer day in June. Perfect for a cookout, which is exactly what Mila, Trevor and the gang were doing. The occasion? They were celebrating Trevor's retirement from in ring action. At 35, he knew he probably had at least another good 10 years left in him. But taking care of his family and running the business were more important to him now.

  “Why don't you and Vi go sit in the rockers?” he suggested.

  “You don't have to tell me twice!” Violet said, taking a seat.

  “MOM!!”

  “Auden Rose, what did I tell you about screaming like that?” Mila said, fixing her daughter with a look that said, ‘watch yourself’!

  “Evan took my new Barbie!!”

  “Evan Kyle give your sister her doll back!”

&nbs
p; “But Sean and I need her for G.I. Joe's target practice!” Evan objected.

  “Sean Andrew Davis!” Violet shouted, the warning clear in her voice.

  “Yeah Mom?”

  That's right, there had been some new additions to the crew. Auden was now 7 and had been joined by little brother Evan, who was 5 now. Violet and Randall, who got married 2 years after Mila and Trevor, were parents to 4 1/2-year-old Sean. Oh, and both Mila and Violet, were pregnant again! Violet, who herself had retired from in ring action and gone to work as a producer for PEW, with a little boy and Mila with another girl they planned to name McKayla Grace.

  “I swear to God Vi, this is my last one!”

  Trevor walked up with a plate full of burgers.

  “Ah, come on babe, you don't know that. We weren't planning for McKayla... or Auden... or really even Evan for that matter! But I wouldn't trade them for anything!”

  “Even with the 1AM feedings, two-man job diaper loads and expensive new shirt ruining barf?”

  “Randall Davis! We went through hell for these boys!” Violet said, looking genuinely mad.

  “And I love them more than life itself but there are times when they make me question every life choice I've ever made!” he replied.

  “Aww, you remember your wedding vows!” Violet said.

  Everyone was laughing as Britani and Lucas walked up with their 3-year-old daughter Mya. Britani got married and found out she was pregnant all in the same week! Britani, however, was done with one kid.

  “Replacement value for yourself! Anyone else is just in the way!” was what she always said!

  “I brought the potato salad, where should I sit it?” Lucas asked.

  “Please tell me you cooked it and not Britani's white ass!”

  Nicole, who had been in the kitchen helping Phoebe cook had just stepped out onto the porch. Taking the potato salad from Lucas she winked at Britani who replied with “Watch it beauty queen!”

  Britani made exaggerated boxer moves when she said this, and everyone was cracking up. Phoebe and Nicole had gotten married a year ago. They were in the process of adopting a baby boy.