- Changes ᰔᩚ

"You can head into my office on Monday when you first arrive to the building so we can further discuss this," Paul says, his deep and strict voice coming through my phone.

I nod. "Alright Paul, thank you."

"Thank you Gianna," he replies. "Have a good one and I'll see you then."

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, lay my phone down, and sigh.

Quite literally out of nowhere, I got a call from my boss this morning about me switching brands. I've been on SmackDown with everyone I love for the longest time, so my heart is absolutely shattered.

My brain repeatedly plays back the exact moment he told me:

"The board and I spoke, and we think that switching you over to Monday Night Raw would be beneficial to where your career stands currently."

I lay my head back on the couch and sigh, a singular tear streaming down my face.

I don't wanna leave my family, my peers, or my fans that come to see me every Friday night. But most of all, I don't wanna be apart from Josh.

My phone rings again and I look over. My screen reads: Trin 👯‍♀️💋 and it's a FaceTime call.

Oh god. Trin and I have been on SmackDown together for the longest time. It's how we met. This news will break her.

I take a deep breath and wipe my eyes with my sleeve before answering.

T: "Hey boo!"G: "Hey lovely. How are you?"T: "I'm so good! I have big news!"G: "Me......too!"

She gasps and squeals out of excitement.

T: "Oh my gosh! Okay you first!"G: "Well, it's not really happy news per se."

Her smile fades slowly.

T: "Is everything alright, babygirl? Do you or Josh need anything?"G: "Well Josh doesn't know yet. It's about work."T: "Oh I see. What happened?"G: "So....I got a random call from Paul this morning and um...."

I take a deep breath before continuing.

G: "...He and the board have decided to switch me over to Raw."

She stays silent for a minute, jaw dropped, before speaking.

T: "Girl you're messing with me right? You're joking."

Another tear falls as I shake my head.

G: "I wish I was, Trin. I'm so upset. I don't wanna leave you and Jon and the rest of the family, much less Josh. I....I just don't know."

She stays silent for another minute.

T: "Where did this even come from? Was it seriously just a random decision? Do you not have any say?"

I shake my head again and shrug. G: "I can't even explain how random it was. And how hard my heart sank when he first said the words. The decision is final."T: "I just....I can't believe this. What will Josh think?"

I sniffle and wipe my tear with my sleeve.

G: "I have no idea, Trin. And quite frankly, I'm terrified to find out."

She lets out a deep sigh.

T: "Well it'll definitely come as a surprise..."

She stops a tear from falling with the back of her thumb so that her eye makeup doesn't smudge.

T: "But if he truly loves you, he'll support you no matter what, babe. And just know that Jon and I have your back through everything."

I give her a soft smile.

G: "Thank you sis. I love you both so much."T: "We love you too, hun. And it's gonna feel weird for a while, but think about it this way. New beginnings! And if Paul came up with idea, then it's probably the best for your career. At least right now."

I nod, wiping my eyes again.

G: "That's what Paul said. And that he'd go further into detail when I see him on Monday."T: "Well I'm sending you so much love, girl. If you need anything, anything at all, please let me know. Okay?" I smile and nod again.

G: "I will, Trin. I love you."T: "I love you too Gigi girl."

She blows kisses and we say our goodbyes.

I hang up and, as if on cue, I hear the front door unlock and Josh comes walking in.

"Hey baby!" he says, smiling when he sees me.

I quickly wipe my eyes and pray that he doesn't notice my puffy complexion. "Hi love."

He walks up to me and his smile slowly fades.

Fuck.

He sits down and cups my face. "You alright mama?" I nod, fake smiling. "Mhm! I'm all good."

He tilts his head. "Babygirl I know you. And it looks like you've been crying. What's wrong?"

I shake my head and lower it as more tears start to form. And before I know it, I'm quietly sobbing.

He wraps me into his arms, rubbing my back. "Shhh baby, it's alright. Whatever it is, it's alright. I've got you."

I press my head against his chest, letting the tears fall and taking deep breaths. Once I feel okay to talk again, I pull away.

"What is it, babygirl? What's got you like this?" he asks again, rubbing either of my shoulders.

I lower my head and start fidgeting with my fingers. "I got a random call from Paul this morning."

He nods. "And? Is everything alright?"

I shake my head, more tears forming. I look into his eyes, blinking to let them fall. "I...um...," I begin. "I'm switching brands."

His face goes from concerned to unreadable, which makes me want to cry even more. "You're what?"

I take a deep breath. "He and the board have already decided. They think Raw will be more beneficial for where my career is headed."

He takes a deep breath. "Wow."

I bite my lower lip nervously, my eyes watching him slowly get up and start pacing.

"Wow," he says again.

I get up and stand in front of him, cupping his face. "Josh, baby, please don't be mad. I didn't even get a chance to agree to it. And it wasn't my idea. I promise."

He covers his face with his hands. "I know. I know it wasn't. I just....I just need a minute."

And soon enough, my man is out the door. And God knows if he's ever coming back.

I sit back down on the couch, feeling helpless. I tuck my knees to my chest and just cry. And cry. And cry.

** Joshua's POV **

I get in my car and just start driving. I don't know where to go or what to do.

Part of me knows that I should be with my lady comforting her, but the other part just needs time alone.

Why are they taking her from me? Why?

After about ten minutes of driving, I bypass Jon and I's go-to bar from years ago. One that we would go to with friends when we were in college. I make a U-turn and park in front of it.

I head inside and look around. Thank god it's not too crowded.

The owner, Mike, looks up and his jaw practically drops when he sees me. "Josh? Dude I haven't seen you in ages!" he exclaims, holding out his hand.

I give him a fake smile and take it, as he pulls me into a hug. I pat his back and pull away. "How's life man? How's the family?"

"Good, good! Everyone's good, man! You?" he replies, wiping down the counter.

I shrug. "Yeah everyone's alright, thank God."

He nods. "Good to hear, bro. What can I get ya?"

I think for a minute. "I'll do a rum and coke."

He nods again and reaches below the bar. "You got it."

"Preciate it," I reply, sitting on a bar stool.

Soon enough, the drink is made and he slides it over, then heads to another person that just walked in.

I take a sip and set the glass down, then proceed to place my head in my hands.

Moments later, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around and see my brother. My twin.

"What up, uce?" he greets me, taking the stool next to me. "I heard about Gi. I'm really sorry man."

I shrug and shake my head. "Nothing we can do about it."

He sighs and wraps an arm around me.

"How'd you know I was here?" I ask, looking over.

He takes a sip out of his glass before answering. "Trin wanted to come over to your place and comfort Gi. So I tagged along to come see you and you weren't there. And this used to be our go-to place to clear our heads."

I look back over to the counter and cover my face again. "I don't know what to do, uce. What am I gonna do without her?"

He shakes his head. "I don't know man. But she doesn't know either. And you walking out on her the way you did isn't gonna solve the issue."

I don't say anything. Because he's right.

"I just needed some time," I finally reply. "Some time to think about shit."

He takes another sip. "That's valid, lil bro. I understand how you feel. But you'll have all the time in the world on Mondays when she isn't home laying beside you."

Once again, I stay quiet.

"Go to your girl," he continues. "She's hurting real bad. And she needs your support right now."

He's right. Why did I leave her alone when she was hurting so bad? I need to get back home. And fast.

I take one final sip out of my glass and nod. "I will."

He pats me on the back, slides a twenty dollar bill on the counter for both of our drinks, and leaves.

I take a deep breath before getting up and heading out.

** Gianna's POV **

Jon and Trin just left. They came over to comfort me, and for Jon to talk to Josh. But when he didn't see him, he walked out. God knows where he went.

I just hope my boy is alright. Wherever he is.

More tears fall from my face as I open my luggage, fold a handful of outfits, and put them in. Monday is in two days, meaning I'll be leaving tomorrow.

I'm still so upset about the switch, but after talking to Trin, I feel somewhat better. I love that girl so much. She's always there.

As I'm in the bathroom packing my essentials, I hear a knock on my bedroom door and the creak of it opening. Suddenly, I hear a familiar voice. "Baby? You in here?"

I automatically know who it is by the feeling of butterflies in my stomach, my heart racing, and instant comfort washing over me. It's my man.

"In here," I reply, half whisper-half voice. I guess crying for hours really took a toll on me.

He peeks into the bathroom and, once he sees me, he comes over and wraps me into his arms. I automatically hug back, laying my head on his chest.

God I missed him so much. His scent. His hugs. Him.

"I'm so sorry my love," he begins. "I don't know what I was thinking, leaving you alone while you were hurting so bad."

I take a deep breath as he rocks us back and forth. "It's alright Josh."

He pulls away and cups my face. "No it isn't. I acted like an asshole. I put my feelings before yours. And I need you to know that I'm so so sorry babygirl."

I give him a soft smile. "I forgive you, love. The news was unexpected, so I don't blame you for needing to process it. I'm just happy you're home."

I hug him again and he automatically hugs back, rubbing my back and giving my temple a bunch of kisses.

I pull away and look up at him, tears rolling down my face all over again. "I don't wanna leave you."

His nostrils flare, trying to keep himself from crying, as he wipes away my tears with his thumbs, cupping my face. "I don't want you to either, baby. But Paul was right. You need to do what's best for your career. And though I may not have acted like it earlier, I'll forever be right behind you. Supporting you."

I nod my head, smiling. "I know, baby."

He gives me a soft smile and leans in, pressing his dreamy lips to mine. I kiss back. After a few strokes, we slowly pull away.

"I may not have been gone for long," he begins. "But I missed you. So damn much."

I giggle and wrap my arms around his waist. "You have no idea."

We kiss again and, hand in hand, walk back into the bedroom.

"Can I help you with anything?" he asks, as we sit down on the bed.

I place my last few things in and think for a minute, before zipping up my luggage. "I think I have everything."

He nods in response.

I turn and open my arms. "But I'll take all the cuddles I can before I have to leave."

He smiles and takes a curl away from my face. "Say less mama."

We lay down, wrapped in each other's arms, and just forget about our troubles.

Forget about having to leave each other. Forget that in less than 24 hours, everything will change. Just enjoying the present moment.

"I love you," he says quietly, and kisses my temple.

I smile and look up at him. "I love you more."

He smiles back and we share a sweet kiss before indulging in each other once more.

———————-

Today's the day. The day I've been dreading for the past 24 hours. The day my entire career changes. Hopefully not for good, but for the foreseeable future.

I groan at the sound of my alarm and quickly turn it off, in hopes that it didn't wake up Josh, who to my surprise, I don't see when I roll over.

I raise an eyebrow and, moments later, the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee fills my nose.

I smile, shaking my head, and get ready for the day before heading downstairs.

"Morning beautiful," Josh coos, when he sees me.

I smile and walk up to him after leaving my luggage by the front door. "Morning love."

He wraps me into his arms and gives me a tight squeeze before a quick kiss.

"You need help with anything?" I ask, rubbing his back while he continues to mash some avocado.

"You can set the table for us," he replies.

I nod and do so.

By the time I'm done, breakfast is ready. He made my favorite: avocado toast, fresh fruit, and iced coffee.

I stick out my bottom lip. "You're the sweetest, baby. Thank you."

He smiles and kisses my temple. "Only the best for you, mama. And today is a big day, so why not start it out right?"

I blush and we sit down to eat.

———————-

The car ride to the airport was filled with jam sessions, kisses, and laughs.

Although we both knew there were sad times ahead, Josh wasn't letting anything ruin our last moment together for a few days. I love him so much.

As we arrive at the airport, Josh pulls over at the curb and helps me unload my bags from the trunk.

Once I'm all ready to go, he wraps me into the biggest bear hug.

"I love you ma. Let me know when you land, okay?" he suggests, rubbing my back.

I nod. "I love you too baby. I will."

We pull away and he cups my face. We share a sweet kiss and hug again.

A few tears roll down my face and he gives me a soft smile. "Those better be happy tears. Such big things are on the way to you babygirl. I'm so proud of you."

I wipe them away, smiling. "Thank you lovebug. I'll keep you updated every second I can."

He smiles and we kiss again, before we share one last hug.

He gets back into the car and waves. I wave back and blow a kiss. Soon enough, he drives off and, after taking a deep breath, I head inside.

While waiting at my gate, I get a few texts.

Joshua 💟: Have a safe flight baby. I love you. ❤️Trin 👯‍♀️💋: Safe flight bb! Lmk when you land! 🫶🏽Jon 🫂🤍: Have a safe flight sis love ya ❤️

I smile, text all of them back, and board. Here we go.

The end! <3