A birthday with Mommy (Travis)

Well, after mailing so many papers and forms, she basically had the address memorized. And after that last phone call, where Randy was on his high horse so much, putter her down and trying to make her feel as if she'd just been the worse thing since the devil itself, no. She was not going to stand for that. She was someone's girlfriend and possibly wife. She was not going to be anybody's bitch, and if that meant playing a little dirty, then let's do so.

If anyone knew about dirty, it was Randy. After all, it was Randy that had broken them up. After time...his true colors begin to show. He was insane, and not to mention that much more of a pain should he see you in a negative life. And after all these years, he still found the time to be an asshole. How, she'd never know. Not to say that she hadn't matured herself, but he was plain unpredictable, which turned into unbearable. That's another story for another time, however.

Didn't take much to find the building. Something she hoped he would of upgraded from by now. I mean, really? These people...even the workers. Just no....But, it didn't matter. She'd only be here for a second.

"Randy Orton, please? Our son is waiting for me." She gleamed, and was given the room number with a frown. Travis must be a problem then.

"He came this way!" is what Randy yelled at her over the phone. Clearly, he wasn't to fond of the boy. That's why he was so angry in the first place. To be honest, she was expecting Travis to be covered in bruises and everything else. Randy had a decent amount of his father in him, and it'd probably showed by now. If anything, she'd have a fight just to get Travis. Beating Knocking on the door would get enough attention. She took off her sunglasses, and cleared her throat.

This would be a long one.

"Mom!"

Well, Randy didn't always have to get the door. Travis was smart, and to be honest, he was expecting either Cody or Ted. Maybe Aiden of Joe. Or the Cenas, since they'd been over once before briefly on the way home from a show, just to check in. But this, this was definitely a surprise.

Now, he'd never probably know just how oblivious he really is of Stacy's feelings. Most kids are naive, and this was definitely too much to even speak of. Hell, his world was rocked when he realized about Santa, so an actual real life situation would probably be mentally damaging.

He had talked to Stacy (once), and much of the conversation was a good one. She did promise a visit, she did say that she missed him. Everything to make herself sound like the best mother in the world, she said. She even promised something for his birthday, but to be here on his birthday, it was a gift himself. Now, of course he wasn't thinking of the bad that she'd done. That's the good in kids. Even the trouble he got in with Randy, wasn't truly thought about unless it was brought to his attention again, or teased or something. Right now, Stacy was the parent he had not seen in a few months, and was getting all the attention from. That spoiled rotten trait was definitely being fed right now.

Children not being observant, that was definitely a blessing. She didn't even bother to step in, but she did look around. Didn't like what she saw, but she didn't expect much anyway. Basic living, considering just how much Randy got paid on a regular basis.

Then she looked him over as she hugged him. Well, he looked like he actually got to eat. He had clean clothes, shoes were new. No bruises or anything, but with all the toys, video games, and everything already laid out and hooked up to the TV already, she could figured that he was more spoiled here than he was with her. Wait a minute....He was dressed already. Tampa weather allowed shorts and a t-shirt, and with the apartment quiet....

She smiled to herself, and grabbed Travis's hand.

"C'mon sweetie, it's your birthday. We need to go celebrate, and you know your Dad works and everything. Knowing him, he probably forgot." She said, intentionally. Why not do a little damage. The way Randy sounded over the phone, that tone of voice he took with her. Like she was a child. Like she was the complete fuck up here. Seriously?

Well, today, Randy wouldn't be having too much time with him. This birthday would belong to her. Just like the last eight. Let his mind wonder. And she didn't know about the first time Travis get away, but today she was aiming to do as much as she could with her child. And that meant to spoil him, like she had been. George's account, and Tampa had a few nice places to check out. Remind Travis just what he was missing, and what was always waiting for him.

"You know, if you don't want to ever stay here, you can call me, okay? We'll always love you, Travis. But you know that already."

By the time Travis got back home, he'd definitely be a new kid.

"Hey, Stace."

Randy emerged from the hallway. He'd been making Travis's bed, one of the things he told Trav he didn't have to do today, on account of it being his birthday.

The way he said "Hey, Stace" was so casual, nobody would've realized that they had a blowout on the phone, or that they'd had a tumultuous relationship. It was a pleasant "Hey, Stace", which honestly rattled him deep inside, and maybe even Stacy too. He'd become a master of using 'that' voice, the same voice he used with his brother at Christmastime. Where you don't let anything show, but you don't let any negativity out either.

"Wanna show your Mom your room, Trav?" Randy asked. It was clean, that's the other thing he hadn't made Travis do on account of it being his birthday. Randy had some of Travis's dirty clothes that had been on his floor, along with the sheets that he was washing (what, you think "make the bed" was just pull the covers? Nah. Might as well put fresh ones on) in a ball in his arm, and was heading to the little laundry spot in the apartment.

"And if you want somethin' to drink, Stace, fridge is right there."

She looked good, he'd admit privately, but he hadn't given her that moment's notice of appreciation in his eyes. No, this is all internal thought. What she saw was Single Dad about to do laundry, with a pleasant attitude about the whole thing. Traces of anger were gone for now.

That's the key. "For now." She knows all too well that we never know when it's going to resurface.

(Due to a few personal complications, we're going to move Travis's birthday tot his personal weekend. Both players of Travis and Stacy are going through a few personal issues that they're handling up on, and this was approved of happening.)

(Take your time, guys. You have my #, hit me up when you're ready...although it figures Stacy'll fuck up the first year I get him on his birthday. :: Smirks :: lol j/k.)

(Well, it's how the world works.)

Which is why she was trying to get out of there. She could say one thing, and piss him off and not even try to. And don't get her wrong, she's is not afraid of this man. Not at all. She simply doesn't want to put up with the drama that comes with it, for a few reasons.

Number one, Travis was standing right there. Not that she missed being a mother, but you wouldn't aimlessly explode on a child, would you? And yes, the way Randy exploded, it affected those in attendance. Especially now with Randy having full reign over Travis, his word is one she'd have to follow, at least for now. Didn't need the legal trouble. Two, was that he wouldn't forget. And of course, in typical Randy (or Orton in general,) fashion, he might just bring it up in the future. Blackmail or some shit. She didn't know if this man had improved or not over the years.

Just so we're all clear. She'd want to be remembered by Travis. If anything, so he knows that there's always something else out there. Even if it won't be permanent. God forbid she has to be "Mom," 24/7 again, at least right now, but Travis could always let the "Inner Keibler," show. That was probably the best threat he had in his arsenal, and he didn't even know it yet.

But anyway, she followed Travis to his room.

Stacy had a good point in saying that he didn't know yet. There's plenty he didn't know yet. Like, the fact that she didn't even want to be a mother for one. Anyone with a working brain could support the idea that Stacy wanted the perfect little family. With herself, Randy, and Travis, it would of been something like that. Mind you both of them were on the roster, let's not forget that both of Travis's parents went through some pretty dark years with or without him. Together, would that of changed anything, or made the break-up worse? Guess we'd never know.

Stacy should hope Travis would never know a number of things. How she let George run all over the both of them, talk her into giving Travis away. If anything, the only reason he didn't know at the moment is that his mind couldn't comprehend. Well, scratch that. It could comprehend, but he didn't see his own mother in that light. Not as the bad guy. If anything, she was suppose to be support. But he'd learn, he'd have to.

After he showed her his room and all of his stuff that his Dad had gotten him, he looked rather confused. "Dad, get dressed. We have to go."

What, you thought he was leaving Randy? Oh, no. No no no. With this single parent lifestyle, he had always put one above the other. Naturally, Stacy was 1st on the list in authority....but she's gone now. With staying with Randy, came listening to him. So he wasn't going to leave him. He'd rather not go, if he couldn't.

"It's my birthday, y'know, you have to come." He was tugging on his arm, towards his room. Y u no get dressed!?

Either of them might of caught the vain pop out of her neck for just a second, as well as quite the look appear on her face. This was not to include Randy, if that wasn't clear! She was now steamed, but would play this off. Would have to. Damn kids, just ruin everything. And you wonder why she'd rather just let him stay with his father.

She had something to live for damn it, she had what she needed. She did not come here to live out the little fantasy family that she thought had a chance of existence years ago. That idea was gone.

She didn't say anything, but she honestly didn't have too. It was all in her face.

(You don't have to tell me how the world works. I know damned well how the world works. I was trying to make you chuckle. I see you haven't changed. Whatever.)

He'd reappeared with a couple of cans of Diet Coke, a wrapped McDonald's straw that was in the silverware drawer among the packets stuff like soy sauce from Chinese takeout and Wendy's napkins, and he offered a can of soda and the straw to Stacy.

He was also bearing a single-serve bottle of Veryfine Apple Juice, evidence that Randy had been doing grocery shopping at the vending machine, and turned that over to Trav before cracking open the diet Coke he'd reserved for himself.

The birthday invite Travis issued was a little awkward, especially seeing Stacy's cardiovascular system emerge onto her skin. Woman popped a vein that would rival Batista.

"Course I'll go," he said as Travis hung off his arm. He gave Stacy a look that said quite a bit, yet didn't say anything verbally. Because you don't talk in front of the kid certain things like:

I'll be on my best behavior. It's what he wants, us to take him out. And shit, you know I'll pick up the check, so just go with it.

"Trav, go put your good sneakers on." Those were the Osirises in black, neon blue and bright green, that had been part of the birthday gift, which were laced, in Travis's closet and ready to go. "I'll just be like 3 minutes, picking somethin' out."

He should wear rhat old ragtag longsleeved Affliction long-sleeve with the one-eyed Indian Chief on it, just to piss Stacy off. Everybody's tired of that shirt, lol. But even he is, too. so he was choosing just a black warm-up jacket to go over his t-shirt. That with jeans and a different pair of sneakers and he was good to go.