Chapter 9
***
Following two fun and family-filled days in Lakeland with JoJo, Joe and Val found themselves, once again, separated on the road and back on the unforgiving grind that is WWE. Over the span of the next three weeks, leading up to Hell in a Cell, the husband and wife managed a whole six solid days together. At this point, both were in need of each other.
Thankfully, the entire roster of both brands had been scheduled off for four days. Val and Joe had decided to spend two days in Orlando with JoJo and two days at home in Lakeland to celebrate Val's birthday. They definitely needed the time off, because they hadn't had a real chance to discuss the ultimatum that Joe had given Val nearly a month ago. As of late, they had been relying on the "pull-out" method at which Joe had miserably failed on a couple of occasions. At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before the next test Val took came back positive, and her life would change forever.
***
"You got everything, JoJo?" Joe asked as he attempted to usher her and Val out of their suburban Lakeland home.
"Dad! You already asked me that!" JoJo said with a huff.
"Yeah, you've asked us both that like a million times," Val added, walking ahead of Joe to the car with JoJo.
"That's because I refuse to go to a Wal-mart when we get to Orlando," he replied, locking the front door.
"Honey, we've got everything."
***
One hour later...
Orlando, Florida
"I should kick your little ass," Joe said, giving Val a side stare as she rummaged through her toiletries. "Didn't I tell you to make sure you had everything?"
"I thought I did, baby. I'm sorry. I can't use this hotel soap, though. It's hell on my skin."
"Well," he started, turning to face her, "lucky for you, I was looking out for you," he said, pulling a bar of Dove from his own bag.
"And you want me to be responsible for a whole baby," she said with a scoff, taking the soap from him.
"Uh, yeah," he undoubtedly replied. "And you know what else?"
"What's that?" Val asked, looking up at him and folding her arms over her chest.
"Whenever you need help, I'm the man with the soap. Let that marinate," he said, pecking her lips and patting her butt. "Hurry and finish up, so we can grab something to eat. JoJo, you ready, baby?!" he asked, exiting the bathroom.
"Yes!" Val heard her answer.
She smiled at the sound of the father and daughter carrying on an enthused conversation about their trip to Disney World on tomorrow. That'll be him and our child one day, she thought. The idea actually made her smile even wider, until she remembered the responsibility that came with raising kids.
Don't let that scare you, Val.
"You ready?" Joe asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Um, yeah."
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good, baby," she assured.
"Come on, Val!" JoJo said, popping her head into the bathroom. "Dad's taking us to get milkshakes!"
"And food," Joe quickly added, glancing down at JoJo. "You little, sugar monster."
"You're no fun, Daddy," Val teased, placing her hand on the center of Joe's chest and nudging him out of the bathroom's doorway.
She walked past him with JoJo following close behind.
"Yeah, you're no fun, Dad," JoJo mimicked.
"I still love you guys."
"Do we really have to eat our food?" she asked Val in almost a whisper.
"Yeah, Pumpkin, or we're gonna be in big trouble. But, after that, we're killin' the sugar game, only if you promise to brush your teeth when we get back."
"I promise, Val!" JoJo excitedly replied.
"Pinky swear?" Val said, holding up her little finger.
JoJo intertwined her pinky with Val's.
"Pinky swear," she said with a wide smile.
***
As Joe watched his wife and daughter make plans for the rest of the day, he shook his head and sighed.
"What have I gotten myself into?"
More importantly, he marveled at how easily Val fell into the role of "mother." It was beyond him why she thought she couldn't take on the task for a child of her own. She was a naturally nurturing woman, and the way she interacted and cared for JoJo only strengthened his argument for her to bear his child.
She's gonna be my baby's mama, damn it, he silently declared.
***
Following a day of food, shopping, and then junk food, the family of three returned to their hotel. Val immediately reminded JoJo of her pinky swear and the young girl headed straight to the bathroom for a shower and thorough teeth brushing.
As soon as JoJo disappeared into the bathroom, Joe grabbed Val around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
"What was that for?" she asked, smiling up at him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"That's for you being an awesome wife and mother, and looking sexy as hell while you do it in that dress."
The royal blue dress was a sporty, bodycon piece that hung mid-thigh. Joe had noticed several men ogling Val, but he didn't let it bother him. Her curves were deserving of being appreciated. He laughed it off and took it as a compliment to how hot his wife looked.
"So, um," Joe started, tracing a path just inside the curve of the rounded neckline of her dress, "what are you gonna be doing in about thirty minutes?"
"I don't know," she said, smiling up at him and batting her eyelashes. "What are you gonna be doing?"
"Hopefully, you, sweetheart."
"And exactly how do you plan on pulling that off with JoJo here?"
"Trust me, baby," he said, kissing her lips, "I'm a very resourceful man."
"We'll see," Val challenged, tearing herself away from his grip.
***
Nearly twenty minutes later, JoJo emerged from the bathroom, dressed in her night clothes. Joe had fixed up the pullout sofa in the living area and turned on the television. After Val combed the young girl's hair into two braids, amid excited conversation about tomorrow, she and Joe wished her a "goodnight" and left her with her iPad and the Nickelodeon television channel.
The couple disappeared into the bathroom and Val locked the door behind them.
"Get naked," Joe said, starting the shower.
Val quickly peeled off her clothes and turned to put her hair into a bun.
"I swear, I never get tired of seeing you like that," he said, quickly stripping off his shirt and shorts.
Just as Val finished her hair, she and Joe stepped into the shower. They took turns washing each other's bodies, until the last remnants of soap and stress had been rinsed away. Joe immediately plucked Val from the shower and effortlessly lifted her onto the vanity, draping one of her legs over his arm.
"Right here?" she whispered.
"Yeah, and if you're not quiet, JoJo's gonna hear you," he said, kneeling in front of her.
Joe's tongue went straight to his target, affording Val no time to respond.
"Oh shit!" she exclaimed in a whisper, placing her hand on top of his head and supporting herself against the wall with the other.
"Let me know when you're close."
"Ok, baby."
Just moments later, the leg draped over Joe's arm began to slightly tremble.
"I'm close," she whispered.
"Already?" he asked, looking up at her.
"Yes, fucker!"
Joe softly laughed and stood to his feet, positioning himself between her legs.
"You're gonna pay for that," he warned, pushing his stiffened member inside of her. "Aw fuck! I've been waiting all day for this," he whispered in her ear as he draped her other leg over his arm to grant himself better access.
As he stroked inside of her, he found great entertainment in watching her struggle to keep quiet.
"Don't scream. JoJo's gonna hear you, baby."
"God, I hate you so much, right now," she said, clinging to his shoulders.
"But, you ... love ... this ... dick ... don't you?" he asked between pronounced strokes. "Don't you, baby?"
"Yes, Daddy! I love it!" she declared through a forced whisper.
Knock. Knock.
"Val?" JoJo's voiced called, making Joe instantly cease his stroke.
The couple stared at each other like two teenagers caught red-handed.
"Yeah, baby?" Val managed to spit out.
"Your phone's ringing."
"Ok, Pumpkin. I'll get it when I get out."
"JoJo," Joe called out.
"Yes, Dad?"
"Go get back in bed, babygirl. We'll be out in a minute."
"Ok!"
Once they were convinced that JoJo was no longer at the door, Joe picked up right where he'd left off, quickly bringing Val back to her peak.
"I'm close, baby," she said through heavy pants.
"I'm right behind you, Doll."
"Oh fuck! Oh fuck!" she cursed in a whisper.
The sensation of her muscles tightening and then gripping him brought Joe to an expected and gratifying end.
"Aw shit!" he said, louder than he'd intended.
Val quickly placed her mouth to his to hush the moans that attempted to escape them both throughout the remainder of their climaxes. Once the moment had passed, Joe let one of her legs down and slowly slid out of her body before letting down the other.
"I swear, girl, you're gonna be the death of me," he said, kissing her.
"That would be one helluva way to go," Val said, stepping down off of the vanity.
***
Following a quick rewash, the couple came out of the bathroom to find JoJo planted in front of the television, still awake, but fighting to stay that way.
Val found her phone and scrolled through her notifications, spotting the missed call from her mother.
"I'm gonna step out in the hall, so I don't disturb the little one."
"Alright, baby. Do your thing," Joe said, picking up the television remote.
Val went into the hallway and dialed her mother's number, assuming that she'd called just to check on her.
"Hey, Mommy. What's going on?" Val asked when Cherie answered.
"I was just calling to say 'hi.' I haven't heard from you in a few days."
"I know," Val said. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I've been busy, and I just got a few days off. How are you?"
"I'm fine," Cherie answered.
"And how's Dad?"
"He's doing really good. Lucky for him, he's a military man with a military attitude."
The two women laughed and Cherie continued.
"So," she started, "when are you coming back home?"
"I'm not sure. Our schedules are so crazy right now," Val said, leaning against the wall and looking down at her feet.
"Well, can you promise me that you'll at least make it for Thanksgiving?"
"I don't know, Mom, but I'll try."
"That's better than a 'no.' I know it's late, so I'll let you get back to your husband," Cherie said with some disappointment.
"Mom?"
"Yeah, baby?"
"I'll be home for Thanksgiving. I promise."
Val could hear the smile in her mother's voice when she spoke.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, too, baby. Have a good night."
"You, too," Val said.
She ended the call and walked back into the room.
"Everything good?" Joe asked, pulling the comforter back for her.
"Yeah, my mom just guilt-tripped me into coming home for Thanksgiving," she replied, lying next to him and pulling the blanket to her waist.
"Well," Joe said, cuddling up behind her and kissing her ear, "looks like we'll be celebrating the holiday in Little Rock."
"No, baby, I know you wanna be with JoJo and your family. I can't ask you to give that up."
"What are you talking about? You are my family, so cut that shit out. I'll worry about that."
They heard JoJo rustling about in the living area and the mini-fridge slam shut.
"JoJo, what are you drinking?" Joe asked.
"Water."
"Good girl. Hurry up and finish. We got a big day tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"You get some sleep too, Doll," he said, kissing her ear again.
"OK, babe," she replied, then called over to JoJo.
"Goodnight, Pumpkin."
"Goodnight, Val. Goodnight, Dad."
"Goodnight, Jellybean."
Once everyone had settled in for the night, the room fell silent to welcome the next morning.
***
As promised, the next day came early for Val, Joe, and JoJo, starting with room service for breakfast. Once breakfast had ended, the trio dressed and headed out to the Disney World Theme Park. Since coming off of the road, Val hadn't thought much about her approaching birthday, until Joe mentioned it.
"So," he started as he tightly held onto both Val and JoJo's hands, "I've got something special planned for your birthday, since we won't be together."
"Don't make a big deal out of it, baby. Gardenias and a simple dinner with you and JoJo'll be just fine," Val said.
"You sure?" Joe asked.
"I'm positive. You're all I need."
"Alright."
"Ooh, Dad," JoJo said, interrupting their conversation with a tug on Joe's hand, "can we go on that one?" she asked, pointing to one of the water rides.
"Uh, sure, Munchkin. You wanna ride?" he asked, looking down at Val.
"Do I? Of course, I do. I'll race you, JoJo!" she called out, sprinting just ahead of her.
JoJo immediately took off running behind her in attempt to pass her.
This isn't so bad, she thought to herself, until JoJo fell to the ground.
Val gasped and took to the girl's side as Joe jogged to catch up with them.
"Are you alright, Pumpkin?" Val asked, helping JoJo to her feet.
"I'm Ok."
"You good, JoJo?" Joe also asked.
"Yeah, I'm Ok, Dad."
"I'm so sorry, Joe," Val apologized with regret in her eyes.
Joe glanced at her and winked his eye.
"It's all good, baby. Accidents happen. Why don't we just walk?"
"I'm really sorry."
***
Even though JoJo hadn't hurt herself too bad, aside from a slightly scraped palm, Joe easily sensed the guilt and remorse that seemed to distract Val from having a good time. He'd reassured her several times that everything was copacetic, but still, that did little to make her feel any less guilty.
As they drove off the grounds of the theme park, Joe grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Val, cut yourself some slack, baby. You've been moping all day. JoJo's fine. She had a good time, and I'm not upset with you, alright?"
"I just feel so bad."
"Well, don't, OK? Kids fall all the time. It's part of growing up."
"Are you taking me home now, Dad?" JoJo asked from the back seat.
"Yeah, Jellybean. I gotta get you back, so you can go to school tomorrow."
"Aw," she said, poking out her bottom lip. "Can you ask Mom if I can spend one more night, and then you take me to school in the morning? Please?"
" Alright, alright," Joe said, easily caving under the pressure. "You can put the lip away, now."
"Yay!"
***
By the time they arrived back in Lakeland, it was nearing the seven o'clock hour. Joe had convinced Lina to let JoJo stay the night, under the condition that she go to bed an hour early to account for the hour they'd spend fighting through traffic to make it to Tampa on time. Joe agreed and everything was right in the universe with his young daughter.
As her bedtime neared, JoJo spent the last few minutes, combing and brushing Val's hair while Joe played a little Call of Duty.
His attention quickly averted to his two favorite girls sitting on the floor when JoJo spoke.
"Val?"
"Yeah, Pumpkim?"
"Are you gonna have a baby with my Dad?"
Joe caught a questioning look from Val as he silently urged her on with a shrug of his hand.
"Um, I ... we... yeah, of course, when the time is right."
"Yay! I really want a little brother or sister, and my mom says she's not having anymore."
"Looks like I'm up, then, hunh?" Val asked, glancing at Joe again.
"Yep! All done!" JoJo announced.
"Just in time for bed." Joe said, pausing his game and standing from the sofa.
"Wait, Val has to see her hair first!" JoJo said, pulling at Val's hand.
Val stood from the floor and allowed JoJo to lead her to the bathroom with Joe following.
"Now, it's not perfect," JoJo explained, "but it's pretty good. I'm still working on my technique."
Val glanced in the mirror. JoJo had parted her hair down the middle and placed each half into low-hung ponytails. She twisted her head from side to side, examining JoJo's work.
"So, what do you think?" JoJo asked.
"I think you did an awesome job! I love 'em! High five, girl!" Val replied.
JoJo obliged her and the trio exited the bathroom. Joe listened as his daughter excitedly chatted with Val on ways to improve her hairstyling skills.
Damn, I love these two, he thought as they entered JoJo's bedroom.
"Alright, Jellybean. Bedtime," he said, pulling back the comforter on her bed. "And don't forget to say your prayers."
"Can we hold hands and say 'em?" she asked, climbing into bed.
"Sure we can," he answered, reaching for her and Val's hands.
JoJo also clutched Val's hand and bowed her head.
"Eyes closed and heads bowed," she said, clearing her throat.
"Dear God, thank you for letting me spend time with my Daddy and Val. We had lots of fun at Disney World today. Please let me have a little sister or brother. And help me get better at styling hair. Please keep us safe while we sleep. Amen."
" Amen," Val and Joe repeated.
"That was beautiful, babygirl," Joe said, pulling the comforter to JoJo's waist.
He hugged her and kissed her forehead and Val did the same.
"Sweet dreams, Jellybean."
"Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Val," she said through a yawn.
"Goodnight, Princess," Val said.
"See you in the morning, Munchkin."
The husband and wife left JoJo's bedroom, and after Joe had shut off his game and the television and secured the house, he joined Val in the bedroom. He watched her as she sat on the bed, quietly staring at him. She looked apprehensive, and automatically he thought about JoJo's fall.
"Baby, are you still thinking about what happened at the park today?"
Val shook her head and began to twirl her thumbs around each other.
"Well, what is it, then?" Joe finally asked after several moments of silence.
"I'm late."
***
A/N
Late???
How cute was JoJo's prayer?
Seems like Val is coming to terms with the fact that Joe's gonna get her ass pregnant and it's about damn time! Chapter 10 coming soon! Comment and vote, my lovely FireRyzers!