He thought back to Valentine’s Day. He had returned home from his impromptu trip to Scotland to enquire about the possibility of experimental knee surgery. But he hadn’t told Michelle. He knew it had hurt her deeply not telling her and he regretted it the moment he heard her voice break when he called her. Sean and Michelle had been together as a couple since May 2023. He had always found her attractive. Her blonde hair, beautiful, captivating eyes, her pure heart. So when he finally plucked up the courage to ask her out, he couldn’t believe it. The truth of the matter was, she couldn’t believe it either. She had always liked Sean and enjoyed their friendship, his mentorship but the moment those words left his mouth a light turned on inside her.
The two had shared quite a tumultuous time together. First dates, first kisses. And the lows of her attack at the hands of Fallen. Sean had never known anger like that existed until he found out what Steven Angel had done to her; corrupting her innocence, touching her, knowing how much it would damage her mentally, spiritually. It took them both some time, but good won the day and they had finally managed to move past it. In some ways, she came out stronger on the other side.
Still, the fact that Sean had caused her even a fraction of that pain by keeping something like this from her cut him deeper than any steel chair shot he could ever take in the ring. He had to make it right and he knew it. He remembered how she had always wanted to spend the night in Disneyland Resort. Sean immediately booked it and in addition called in a few favors and got an invite to Club 33, a very exclusive black tie-style club and had the whole evening planned out. The room he had booked was the definition of “spared no expense” that John Hammond himself from Jurassic Park would’ve been proud of.
Sean thought back to the time they had spent. He knew it was Michelle’s first proper Valentine’s Day with a boyfriend and truth-be-told, it was his first proper experience of the holiday as well. He wanted Michelle to feel every bit like the Disney Princess cast members making children’s dreams come true. He had bought her a beautiful evening cocktail dress to wear whilst he got himself suited and booted in a very fashionable Chelsea 3-piece tuxedo. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and couldn’t contain her delight.
The two enjoyed a lovely dinner before retiring to their room at the official Disney World hotel. Although the two had enjoyed some intimate moments together, Sean was still conscious about pushing boundaries too soon and so had proactively booked a double queen room so that Michelle could have all her own comforts. They said their goodnights and went to bed, relishing in the memories the day had brought. As he thought of her, she thought of him. She felt…safe, and loved his gentle attentiveness. In the cooler evening, the way he wrapped his arms around her during the parade, how he made sure they had a reserve spot for World of Color, and found just the right area to see the fireworks. It wasn’t long before sleep began to overcome them.
(Michelle): Sean?
She whispered into the darkness and silence answered. He had fallen asleep. She turned over in bed and began to close her eyes but couldn’t. Pulling the covers back she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and got up, tentatively walking over to his bed. What was she doing, she thought…she didn’t want to wake him. She started back to her bed, then turned around and dared bravery as she gently slipped in bed with him, nestling close to his warmth, and his comfort. He awakened feeling the covers move next to him. He looked over and saw Michelle beside him, wrapping her arm around him and nuzzling up to him.
(Sean): Hey, you ok?
(Michelle): I’m sorry, I just…I just wanted to be next to you.
(Sean): Of course, get in here…
Sean adjusted his position in the bed, moving on to his back, elevating his upper body slightly to allow Michelle to get comfortable beside him, wrapping his arm around her, gently stroking her bare shoulder.
She wondered if he felt as comforted by her presence as she was by his. He was like a man-blanket wrapped around her, it was just as love should be she thought. She continued to talk in a whisper…
(Michelle): I know I said it before but Thank You! Today was…it was just magical, really it was. It was like Spongebob….The Best Day Ever!
She let a little giggle escape her. Sean loved her laugh, it was genuinely one of the best sounds he’d ever heard.
(Sean): You’re so cute, you know that?
Sean leaned across and kissed her lovingly on the forehead, leaning into her, running his hand up and down her arm affectionately. She placed her hand on his cheek, holding his gaze. He always told her how pretty she was, how beautiful, but she didn’t feel that way about herself.
It was too prideful to think of oneself that way. Nevertheless, she’d never been so happy in her life. Leaving Utah, and the past few years at the academy to experience the world, now Sean…it was overwhelming at times, as if she was dreaming, but she wasn’t.
(Michelle): You’re too kind, but I’m just little ‘ole me.
(Sean): And that’s why I love you, because I wouldn’t have you any other way…just little ‘ole you.
He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, rubbing the tip of his nose against her’s. God, she was perfect to him. It didn’t matter about anything else. She smiles and kisses the top of his nose, reaching up and starts gently playing with his hair in her fingers.
(Michelle): Sean?…
She cleared her throat, as if she was almost afraid of the words she wanted to say.
(Michelle): Are you ok?
He looked at her, almost confused by her question, absentmindedly reciprocating her own action, twirling the golden strands of her hair around his finger.
(Sean): Of course, I couldn’t be better, are you ok?
(Michelle): I don’t know, I’m scared.
Sean began to gently stroke Michelle’s cheek with the backs of his fingers. Her skin was so soft, like a pillow.
(Sean): What are you scared of, babe? I’m here, nothing bad can happen to you whilst I’m here.
(Michelle): Today was absolutely amazing, but it's night now, and I’m afraid to go to sleep because we go back to reality tomorrow. I just feel like something is wrong. You left without a word, and flew all the way home to Scotland, and this…..this surgery you want to have all of a sudden. This isn’t like you.
She huffs, pulling her arms away from him and wrapping them around herself embarrassed. She lets out a nervous little laugh.
(Michelle): I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to spoil the mood. Nevermind.
Her eyes are so meek, with a tinge of sadness behind them that she tries to hide, putting her hand back on Sean’s face and smiling as best she can. Sean felt his heart sink. He hated seeing Michelle like this and he hated himself more for making her feel that way.
(Sean): You’re right, it’s not like me. I should’ve told you straight that I wanted the surgery, talked it through with you like a couple. I’m used to making decisions like this on my own. And I hate that I’ve made you feel like this. I promise you nothing is wrong though. This surgery? It’s nothing like what I went through with my back. It’s…revolutionary in a sense that this guy that worked on Butch is the only one that can do it perfectly.
He leans his head back against the bed frame, sighing.
(Sean): I can’t miss Ring Master, Shell. I can’t. This tournament? It made Butch a household name. He done so much because of winning Ring Master. It’s the reason I wanted to become a wrestler. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. And if I miss out on this and someone else wins…I’ll always think “what if”….
(Michelle): It’s just so…so impulsive Sean. That’s what scares me. That thing with you and Jeremy last year and your suspension…it scared me. It scared me when you went at Fallen like you did, you didn’t have to jump off that cage but you did. Now they announce Ring Master and have been given a clear medical narrative and you basically say you’ll do anything to get in it. It’s just a side of you I’m not used to I guess.
She exhales…
(Michelle): I just feel that God puts obstacles in our path for a reason. If we push back on that we might miss his message. I’m not thrilled about you being a guinea pig for this doctor that you say only did this surgery one other time, but I do want you to be the best wrestler ever, Sean, I really do…but I want you to get there with eyes wide open.
(Sean): I don’t want you to be scared of me, Michelle. It kills me that I’ve made you feel like this; you know that’s the last thing I ever want is to hurt you or scare you. I know that I can be…impulsive at times, but I promise you I wouldn’t jump into something like this on a whim. I have too much that I care about to take more unnecessary risks. Remember what the doctor told me about my concussions? That scared the sh- the heck out of me, babe. I don’t need to do stuff like that anymore.
But I need my knee at one hundred percent. This surgery will do that and more, it’ll practically guarantee I won’t have anymore knee problems the rest of my life. But I won’t go through with it if there’s even a semblance of doubt in you. I want you with every step of the way because I can’t do this without you. I love you.
(Michelle): I’m not scared of you Silly Billy! I’m scared for you. I love you and I just want you to be ok, to be safe and whole. You don’t know how much I’ve prayed for God to bring you and Matt through these hard times, and I know he will…and I don’t want you to think I won’t support you. I told you…its your body, not mine…you’re doing what you feel is best for you. I don’t have to like it, but I can accept it and stand by you. Isn't that what relationships are all about?
She smiles warmly and again kisses the tip of his nose. There it was. That damn smile again. It got him every time. He returned the smile along with a kiss back.
(Sean): I suppose. And I promise, I’ll never keep you in the dark again…unless it’s your birthday…or Christmas…
(Michelle): Or Valentines Day….The Best Day Ever!
Michelle smiles broadly and this time leans in and kisses Sean. It’s sweet, tender and meaningful, and she pulls in close as they wrap their arms around one another. Sean kissed her deeper and longer, holding Michelle close. He loved her smell. It was so heart-warming, he could literally hold her and never get bored. Sean savored the warm feeling for it wouldn’t last long. It was time to wake up.
Message Thread
« Back to index