CHAPTER 17

7 Months Later

"Hey," Royce smiled at Joe while she walked in the gym. "How are you?"

"Hey," Joe nodded to her. "I'm good, how are you?"

Royce put her hair in a ponytail. "Alright, just tired." She yawned.

"Long night?" He wondered.

She nodded, "Nicole spent the majority of the night arguing with John on the phone."

"Ooh you bunked with Nikki." Joe chuckled. "Brie didn't want her?"

"Brie wanted a little privacy and a getaway from her twin, I can see why now." Royce said, sighing. "Anyways, what's up with you?"

"Nothing much, just busy being papa bear and working out. How about you?" He tied his shoes. "How are you and Neels?"

Royce was a bit taken back that Joe asked about her and Neels, anytime her and Neels' relationship came up, he was almost always silent. "We uh.. We're really good, yeah. He's going to be at Wrestlemania."

"That's nice, Galina and Jojo are going to be there too." He added.

"Awe, Jojo is going to see her dad win the Heavyweight Championship." She smiled at him.

Joe felt himself staring at her and had to force himself to move his eyes away. "Y-yeah, um if I win."

"You will Joe." Royce stated, so sure he would. She walked over to the bar and began doing her pull-ups.

He cleared his throat and went to the bar next to her. "I bet you I can do more than you."

She jumped down and eyed him. "Is that challenge?"

"Yes Presley it is." He flashed his smirk.

"Okay," Royce tighten her ponytail. "On three."

"One... Two... Three!"

The two began competing against each other as Royce was ahead of Joe.

"Stop! That's cheating!" She yelled at him, he tried kicking Royce and pushing her. Royce hopped down and grabbed his water bottle, splashing him with water.

"Royce!" Joe gasped as the cold water hit him. He quickly snatched his bottle and copied her actions.

"Okay okay! We're even." Royce put her hands up in defense.

They both looked at each other and began to laugh, it's been awhile since either of them had a good laugh with one another. To both... It felt, well really great. She missed their friendship, but Joe just missed her.

"I guess we should workout now." Joe dramatically sighed.

Royce bit her lip. "Yeah, we should. You still cheated though."

"I did not." He defended.

"Yes you did and you know it." She said.

Joe put on his headphones. "Sorry what? I can't hear you."

"Jerk." Royce mumbled under her breath.

"I heard that." Joe walked passed her and slightly pushed her to the side.

Royce widely grinned and shook her head. Boy, did she miss him more than she thought.

———

Royce laid on the floor in the gym, exhausted from the intense workout. Her and Paige would be defending the tag team titles at Wrestlemania against Brie and Nicole, neither knew who would win but they'd hope to lose them at Extreme Rules.

Baby Visser🖤: on my way to ny, good luck with your workouts. oh and DONT STRESS OUT! you're gonna do amazing at wrestlemania, i'll see you there. i'll call tonight bubs, i love you pretty lady❤️

Her heart warmed at the message Neels sent her. Other than her family and some close friends, Neels was one of her biggest supporters. Each time a pay-per-view would come up, Royce was a mess. She'd push herself way too far in the gym, and try her hardest to make sure the crowd was entertained. But there was always that self doubt that they could care less, however her mom always made sure to reassure her daughter that she was a role model to many young boys and girls. And leading the women's division to a whole new level than ever before.

"Gave up already?" Joe stood over her.

"I've been here for three hours, not everyone is a maniac like you that stays here for five." Royce snapped back.

"And do you see these muscles," he flexed.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay superman."

"Come on, get up." Joe reached his hand out.

She gladly took it and Joe lifted her up. "Thanks."

His phone began to ring, she quickly glanced and seen 'Galina' flashing across the screen.

"I'll see you on Sunday." Royce said.

"Y-yeah, see you then." He stuttered. "Royce?"

"Yes?" She turned around, her hair swinging over her shoulder.

He subconsciously smiled at the sight of her. "Good workout."

Royce slightly chuckled. "Goodbye cheater."

———Wrestlemania 32, Arlington TX

"Here we are," Charlotte announced as their van pulled up to the stadium.

"Damn look at all the people already." Becky said, looking out the window.

Royce took a deep breath. "Oh god."

"We can do it guys!" Paige attempted to reassure everyone.

"Yeah, we can do it." Sasha nodded trying to convince herself.

"Now or never." Brie sighed.

The car came to a stop, all the girls quickly got out and grabbed their luggage. They usually tried to say hi to fans but because of the schedule and having to go out into the ring before anyone was let in, they had to quickly hurry in the stadium to their dressing rooms.

30 minutes left until Wrestlemania starts

"Heyyy," Nikki came up to some of the girls.

"Where were you?" Brie asked.

"Just with John." She replied. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Their match." Paige nodded to Charlotte, Becky, and Sasha.

"You guys nervous?" Royce wondered.

"Very." All three said at the same time.

Sasha gasped and tapped Royce. "Look who's here."

Royce looked up and seen Neels walking towards them. He had a bouquet of flowers, balloons, and a teddy bear with a box of chocolates attached. She ran up to him and jumped in his arms.

"Woah," he laughed but caught her. "Hi baby."

"You're here." Royce smiled and kissed him.

"I told you I was coming." Neels tightly hugged her. "Oh and for you."

"What's the occasion?" She rose her eyebrow and held the teddy bear.

"Can't I spoil my love?" He teased her. "Oh and I also got you something else."

"Neels, how many times do I have to tell you. You don't have to buy me things all the time, I'm happy as long as I'm with you." Royce whined.

"Well Ms. Presley, all I did this time was buy plane tickets." Neels said.

"Plane tickets?"

"Royce!" Someone yelled.

She turned around and seen her family all running towards her. She wasted no time sprinting towards them.

"You told me you didn't know if you could make it!" Royce gasped and hugged everyone. "You're really here!"

"Neels set it all up." Her mom, Malia cried.

"Don't cry mom." Toni hugged her.

"We're finally gonna watch you at Wrestlemania up close!" Leila squealed.

"Neels got us front row seats." Grayson said.

Ethan nodded and hugged his sister once more. "We're so happy to be here."

"I can't believe you guys are actually here," Royce was in disbelief. "Dad? You okay?"

Hunter nodded, trying to hold back his tears. "I'm just in shock. We finally get to see you in person instead of on a TV screen."

"Well we can all thank Neels." Grayson said.

Royce looked back and seen Neels talking to the girls, he looked up and excused himself, walking over to the family.

"Soo," he approached Royce. "How'd I do?"

Royce kissed his cheek. "Amazing."

———

After saying bye to her family since they had to get seated, the twins, Royce, and Paige all headed to go stretch together, their match approaching quicker than expected.

As the walked down the hallway, they seen Joe, Galina, and Jojo.

"What's up divas," Joe greeted them. "You guys getting ready for your match?"

"Yes," Nikki answered. "It's going by so quick, I'm already nervous."

"Hi Royce!" Jojo smiled up at her.

"Hey Jojo," Royce squatted and quickly hugged the little girl since Galina was already staring her down. "Hi Galina."

"Hi Royce, hi girls." Galina surprisingly acknowledged them.

"You ready to see your dad wrestle?" Brie questioned Jojo.

"Yes I am!" Jojo exclaimed.

"Well we better get going." Royce interjected. "It was nice seeing you guys, uh good luck Joe."

"Thank you, good luck to you guys too. And don't be nervous, especially you Roy, I know how you get." Joe said.

She bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. "See you."

"Bye." The girls said before continuing.

"That was awkward." Nikki commented.

"Just a bit." Paige mumbled.

The Match

The twins made their entrance first, going down the ramp and into the ring. Shortly after Paige and Royce made theirs, posing at the end of the ramp, Royce walked to her family and hugged them one more time. She kissed Neels before getting in the ring.

"You got this." He told her.

The bell rang, Royce and Brie starting off.

"A frenzied pace followed, with counters coming right after another. Brie eventually took charge, slowing the bout down as she wore down Royce. Both woman went for the single drop kick and fell together.

The women then flew at each other, taking major risks in order to gain an edge.

However, Brie crashed through one of the posts when Royce stepped out of the way. This gave her an opening for a tag to Paige. Brie tagged in Nikki and the fight continued.

Brie went for the "yes lock" but Royce quickly countered and put her in the figure eight leg lock, although they weren't the legal competitors, Paige put Nikki in the P.T.O., both twins tapped at the same time.

"Here are your winners and still the Women's Tag Team Champions, Paige and Royce!"

Before the match had started, Vince discussed with Royce and Paige making the Bellas tap, but offering them a rematch at Extreme Rules. Of course the twins didn't know but would soon find out backstage. The Bellas got up and raised both Paige and Royce's hands before sharing a group hug.

"New storyline for you guys." Paige told the twins, trying to catch her breath. "We'll tell you once we get back."

"You guys did so good." Royce complimented. "Damn Brie your kicks hurt."

"Girl your submission hurts." Brie laughed.

Nikki grabbed Royce's title, a smirk on her face.

"What are you doing?" Royce wondered.

"Turn around." The three said.

Royce turned around and seen Neels standing in the ring with a microphone in hand. He walked up to her and grabbed her hand.

"First off, congratulations on your win Presley. Your passion for wrestling and your job is one of my favorite things about you. Along with your compassion, your jokes that are sometimes so lame but you gotta laugh, your smile, your laugh, the way you get mad at me over stuff. For awhile you were my friend, I seen you maybe once or twice a year. We only ever connected through social media, despite having each other's numbers. But once I seen you in that restaurant with all your friends, I just knew I had to talk to you, cause seeing you again was amazing. I forgot how fun you are and being around you is incredible, I love it. I love you. So," he got down on one knee and pulled out a red box, opening it. She was already crying, the crowd got even louder than before and cheered him on. "I know we've only been dating for a little less than a year but, I've never been so sure of anything or wanted someone so much in my entire life. Royce Presley, will you marry me?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes I will!" Royce cried and pulled him up so she could hug him.

Everyone cheered once they heard her "Yes." Brie started the "Yes" chants which hyped up the audience even more. Royce quickly went to her family who were all either crying or happy for her. Her, Neels, and the girls walked back up the ramp, backstage.

"Congratulations!" The wrestlers tackled her and Neels in a hug.

Joe clenched his jaw once he seen Neels appear through the curtain. He walked up to him and Royce, "Congratulations guys. I wish you both the best."

"Thanks Joe." Royce smiled and gave him a hug.

"Thanks man." Neels shook his hand.

He nodded and quickly disappeared away from them. His heart felt heavy, he felt very... Heartbroken, but he wouldn't admit it to himself. He went back in his room and tried focusing on his match and his daughter. He had a chance to win the title and he was going to do anything to capture a win tonight.

"We're really engaged." Royce wrapped her arms around Neels.

"Yes we are." He softly kissed her lips. "How's that for a Wrestlemania moment?"

She laughed, "An unforgettable one."

———

Joe ended up beating Triple H, which shocked many. However he did spear Stephanie during the match which made the crowd grow to love him. Jojo was pretty upset at seeing her dad get tossed around, Joe got her from Galina and carried her backstage with his title.

Royce was getting all her suitcases and rolling them out into the hall, her family and Neels were waiting for her in the parking lot. As she was about to walk out she turned and seen Joe with Jojo.

"Hey champ!" She called out.

Joe looked her way and went towards her. "Hey."

"Congrats on the win, I told you that you would win." Royce said. "Is she okay?"

"Thanks and yeah, just a little shaken up from seeing me get beat up." Joe replied. "But we'll be alright."

"I know you guys will," Royce patted Jojos back. "Well I gotta go, see you tomorrow. Bye Jojo, don't be sad love, your daddy is a champion now."

"Thank you." Joe mouthed to her, as he tried to get his daughter to calm down.

She smiled and grabbed her luggage, leaving the arena.

———

❤️: 10 mil 💬: 20,849@RoyceWWE: i said yes. 😩😍💍 @neels i got my wrestlemania moment. i love you neels, can't wait to see where we go from here. #engaged #isaidyes #mysoulmate

———

❤️: 9 mil 💬: 17,028@neels: the love of my life won her match last night. but i won something even greater. i love you bubs, let's get married like now. (enjoy how we celebrated last night, donuts and wine.) @RoyceWWE

———

❤️: 9.5 mil 💬: 20,228@romanreigns: my daughter got to see me win a championship. even though it scared her to see daddy getting thrown around, i did it for her. ❤️

———

to be continued don't hate me, you'll see what happens soon 😽