Sean and Michelle had returned home to Los Angeles days after their wedding. Michelle still basked in the joy of their ceremony. Standing in what was basically Sean’s family church she had truly felt the presence of God and his grace smiling down upon them. Words could not express the gratitude she had for everyone who had come. Butch and Wisdom had headed out directly after for Brooklyn to get Havoc underway while they had shared their first night together as man and wife. Consummating their marriage and that declared them both no longer virgins.

Looking ahead to tasks back home, they had already picked out Thank You cards that were waiting, and it was one of the things at the top of their list to do when they got back was to write messages of thanks and send them out before they headed off for their honeymoon. Sean wanted Michelle to be part of the decision but she had insisted on being kept in the dark about their destination until it was time for them to go. He knew her preferences but the truth was, she would have gone anywhere in the world with him, even if it was just a Holiday Inn around the corner.

They only had a few days back home before it was time to hit the road again. It was something they were familiar with from their wrestling travels. Over the following days, they relaxed, enjoyed one another, checked in on their new property plans and packed. Butch and Wisdom had called, just to check in. They were of course already busy in New York for Havoc and had a ton of PR stuff to do and probably wouldn’t get the chance to talk to them again until they got back from their honeymoon. When the day arrived, Michelle was absolutely giddy. She was up, dressed, bags packed and eagerly waiting Sean to tell her where they were going and made a little game of it in the form of Wheel of Fortune.

(Michelle): Ummmm…okay…can I get a “B!”

(Sean): Eeeeeeeeeee!

Sean made a buzzer noise indicating that she chose wrong. Bali had been one of the places she had considered but obviously that wasn’t it.

(Michelle): Okay…how about “D”…is there a “D”?

Sean turned a piece of paper over and “D” was one of the letters. She jumped up and down like a little girl smiling and clapping. The “D” wasn’t at the beginning so it couldn’t be Dubai so now she was a little stumped.

(Michelle): Ummm….how about….. “M”….I’ll take an “M!”

Sean turned the card over and the first letter was “M,” again she could barely contain her excitement, but what was it. Madagascar flashed in her mind but she looked at the spaces realized it was too long then really for the first time counted how many letters there were. It would have to be a place they had talked about or mentioned at some point in time to one another, and then her eyes widened, her mouth fell open as she looked at him.

(Michelle): Oh my God…Sean…..Maldives….it is the Maldives?

He just grinned that boyish grin of his at her, his green eyes sparkled confirming her guess and she leaped into his arm. He spun her around and they kissed.

(Sean): I’m guessing that I picked a good one, then? I just thought it’d be a different kind of nice and secluded. Our own little island, no phone signals, crystal clear water, fruit platters for breakfast, what do you think?

(Michelle): It’s absolutely perfect, just like you!

She kissed him again just as a knock came to the door. Sean had ordered a car to take them to the airport and it must be the driver coming to get their bags. He answered the door and minutes later their honeymoon was underway. They made it to LAX, checked in for their flight, had a little time to spare in the VIP lounge and boarded their flight. It was the first time she’d ever traveled this far and although she always told him to save money on their previous travels, she was really grateful for the first-class seats.

After twenty-six hours of planes, airports, security lines, stale coffee, shuttles and too little sleep, once they arrived the Maldives didn't feel real. Sean stood at the edge of the resort's entrance with his suitcase in one hand and Michelle's in the other, staring out at the impossibly blue water beyond the open-air lobby. For a moment, neither of them said anything as they looked out at the individual, private villas out on the water. The ocean stretched endlessly beneath a brilliant afternoon sun. Palm trees moved lazily in the warm breeze. White sand disappeared into turquoise water so clear that they could see the everything beneath the surface. Michelle slipped her hand into his.

(Michelle): We made it! I can’t believe we’re here.

She whispered to him as she looked around in absolute awe.

(Sean): I know… it doesn’t seem real, does it?

He let one of his hands drift down and wrap around her waist, pulling her close to him. He nuzzled into her, kissing her cheek and he whispered in her ear.

(Sean): Welcome to Heaven, Mrs. Parker, we’ve been expecting you.

They both laughed, but there was barely any energy behind it. Their honeymoon had already become an endurance event. Twenty-six hours of travel had taken its toll. Michelle's hair was pulled back messily, her eyes were tired, and Sean looked as though he could have fallen asleep standing up. Still, they were happy, they had finally arrived and they were together. Nothing else in the world mattered.

They were greeted by staff who took their luggage as if it was unheard of for them to carry it themselves, but there was immediately something else. Michelle noticed a strange look on the porter’s face, or at least she thought she did. A resort employee standing near the concierge desk had been watching them as well and the moment Michelle glanced in his direction, he looked away. She was tired, it had to be nothing. They headed towards the front desk and a few seconds later, another employee leaned toward a coworker and whispered something glancing toward them. Michelle watched them for another moment, sure this time her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her.

(Michelle): Okay!

Sean looked at her, busy filling out a card at the desk and getting their room information.

(Sean): What?

(Michelle): Oh Nothing. I think we have a few fans, they probably just don’t want to disturb us.

She smiled and nodded toward the employees letting them know that they were approachable and not the standoffish type of “celebrities” which she never really even considered herself as anyway, especially now that she’s out of the spotlight. Sean was well known, but she was just plain ole Michelle. Sean turned his head too and immediately, the staff returned to whatever they had been doing. He smiled politely acknowledging them. His look conveyed, “I know you know who we are, thank your for respecting out privacy and yes, I’ll definitely catch you before we leave.” It was a look he’d mastered over the last few years that let fans know he saw them but he was busy but wouldn’t forget them when he had a moment to greet them properly. He then turned back to Michelle.

(Sean): Bingo!

(Desk Clerk): Here are your keys, our porter is already in route to your bungalow.

He handed them a few other brochures and cards, barely making eye contact with either of them.

(Desk Clerk): All of the details of your exclusive package are here, but if you have any questions your private concierge will be at your service.

(Michelle): Private concierge?

Michelle looked at Sean and he shrugged his shoulders with that smile again. The clerk waived his hand at them.

(Desk Clerk): This way, to your left, and enjoy your stay.

They thanked the porter and followed the lantern-lit path toward their bungalow. The resort was beautiful, almost impossibly so. Palm trees swayed in the warm air, and somewhere beyond the buildings, they could hear the ocean. Sean slipped his hand into Michelle’s as their bungalow came into view. Each villas was private seated well apart from one other, overlooking the ocean, and for the first time both of them, at least for that moment, looked genuinely awake.

(Sean): What do you wanna do first then?

(Michelle): Oh My God…I don’t know. I’d say take a nap, but this is all too beautiful to even close my eyes.

They stepped off the narrow wooden walkway and onto the private deck of their overwater bungalow. For the first time since leaving home, there was nothing between them and the ocean they long awaited. Their private concierge was waiting at the door and opened it as they approached. The bungalow seemed to float above an endless sheet of turquoise glass. Beneath the deck, crystal-clear water moved lazily over pale sand and coral, shifting from translucent blue near the shore to a deeper, richer turquoise farther out. Small fish flickered beneath them, appearing and disappearing with the movement of the water. The photos and videos she’d seen hardly did it justice.

(Michelle): Oh Sean, this is…..this is magnificent!

(Concierge): I’m at your service, day or night, simply press the Concierge button on your phone.

He smiled politely, making only brief eye contact, and closed the door behind them. Michelle kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the edge of the bed, then Sean sat beside her. For several seconds, neither moved, the sounds of the waves swished in their ears and it was pure perfection. She reached for his hand again, and he took it kissing her forehead just as his phone vibrated. She pulled her own from her purse that was now vibrating.

(Michelle): This thing has been going off since we landed like popcorn in the skillet. I forgot to turn the airplane mode off.

She looked at her phone, the first missed call hours ago while they were still in flight. Then another, and another, and another. There were dozens of them and her expression slowly changed.

(Michelle): Sean?

(Sean): Hm?

Sean’s tiredness was kicking in as he adjusted his position on the bed. He hadn’t even checked his own phone properly since they’d started their journey.

(Sean): Everything okay?

Michelle looked at her text messages next, there were so many. Her parents, her brothers, friends, practically everyone in her contacts had left either a voicemail, text message or both. She stood quickly, a sense of panic taking shape.

(Sean): Sean, I think something’s wrong, check your phone.

She began looking at messages on her phone.

“I’m so sorry!”

“Call me!”

“We’re here for you!”

“Are you ok?”

It went on and on. Her hand was beginning to shake thinking the worse. Something had happened to Butch or Wisdom or Sarah or Jeremy…poor Jeremy. She clicked on her voicemail and listened.

“Sweetheart………………….it’s Mom………..now listen to me…we’ll get through this. God has you both and his footprints walk beside you……………Call us as soon as you get this.”

She looked at Sean again. The sounds of her mother’s cracking voice, and awkward silent pauses unnerved her.

(Michelle): Sean, your phone…check your phone.

She was in full panic mode now as she scrolled through text message from newest to oldest. She saw several message from Sarah and Alexis.

“Don’t watch the show!”

“Don’t look at Havoc, don’t do it to yourself!”

Sean was up on his feet now, any residual tiredness now on hold as he grabbed his phone. It was the same as Michelle…….. missed calls and messages from Butch, Wisdom, his Aunt Diana, all saying the same things that Michelle’s was………. don’t watch Havoc, we’re here for you, call us.

(Sean): What the hell is going on? We’ve not to watch Havoc?!

His heart started pounding in his chest so loud he could hear it in his ears. What could it possibly be? He thought to himself. He looked at his wife, seeing the panic on her own face and placed a comforting hand on her cheek.

(Sean): Let’s try not to panic unless there’s something to panic about, okay?

They’d both gotten the international SIM chip in their phone that let them make calls regularly while they were abroad and she immediately called her parents. The phone wrang but there was no answer. She realized that it was past 1:00 a.m. in the morning there and they were likely in a deep sleep. Sean was already walking towards the TV in the room, connecting his phone to it to screenshare the HWA App where he was pulling up Havoc.

(Michelle): What are you doing?

(Sean): I don’t care what they say, we can’t wait till everyone’s awake to find out and I’m not looking online. I need to see what the hell is going on.

Moments later and Havoc was casting from his phone to their room’s TV and Sean watched intently, his chin cradled between his thumb and index finger. Michelle sat beside him watching, antsy. She just knew someone was going to get injured badly, someone they both cared about. This Sadie Hawkins night was a bad idea, putting the men against the women. It just had to be a recipe for disaster. The time past and they now had found themselves in a more comfortable position, nestled together on the bed. Sean periodically jetting up in excitement the way he did when he watched football. They both still loved the business, they just didn’t want to be in it anymore.

The show was coming up on the final matches and DreamMaster was still running amuck. Ungodly creature he was, she prayed for Wolfy and his soul hoping for an end to this so he can find peace. Seeing Fallen back in the fold made her feel little better, and those two women Bryan Deas had brought in…. she knew had bitten off more than they could chew going after Alexis and Sarah. Sean darted up again, his body ridged as he watched Butch take a call and they heard Matt’s voice for the first time since Art of War. Michelle looked at him trying to read his emotions, but he was transfixed on the screen. She put her arm around his back and tilted her head on his shoulder. What he’d done…what he did to Jeremy was…she didn’t have words.

(Michelle): I don’t understand, nothing’s really happened.

Sean didn’t reply. He was in the zone and laser focused, his heart still pounding like a race horse in his chest. Other than the usual chaos that only validated their decision to leave Havoc had been Havoc. The main event came and Michelle saw the unease in Sean as Azami entered the ring. His hand involuntarily reached up rubbing his shoulder where she had skewered him and Michelle nestled in closer kissing his shoulder. Her touch softened him, she felt his tense muscles ease just slightly. They leaned their heads together and we so tired they had nearly fallen asleep. The sound of the bell ringing roused them both and Sean was slightly shaking his head. Azami purposefully getting counted out. They watch as Azami staggers over and snatches the mic from the announcer as he rises before he can say anything. She’s out of breath as she speaks.

(Azami): Always trying to…………prove something………aren’t you Stu-E.

Azami leans against the barricade trying to catch her breath.

(Azami): ….trying to prove to your little girl that her old man still has it.

She cuts Laney a look as she slides in and joins her father at his side.

(Azami): Take my advice little girl, get yourself emancipated before he has the chance to disappoint you and break your heart.

She snaps her stare back at Stu-E, the familiar poise and confidence returning to face and body as she recovers.

(Azami): I don’t care about some stupid count-out, but I do have to thank you Stu-E…..your little “promo” reminded me of something. You went out of your way to go to Sean and Michelle’s wedding. Bought all those gifts for them and it made me realized something…I haven’t even given them my gift.

The fans in the arena boo and they watch Erica start making her way out and down the ramp, a small packaged box in her hand and a big smile on her face despite the large lump on her forehead. She gets on the apron and extends her hand to Stu-E. He looks cautiously at Azami.

(Azami): Well take it, it’s not going to explode or anything. Do me a favor and give it to Sean and Michelle when you see them…with my love of course.

Sean and Michelle both look at one another.

(Michelle): What is she doing? What’s in the box?

Sean has a pit in his stomach and just shakes his head in reply as he watches Stu-E look at the box and Erica opens the lid of it. The look of confusion comes over Stu-E as he looks in. It’s Laney who reaches in before he can pull her back and we see a flash drive held between her fingers.

(Azami): Awww that’s sweet….you’re their friend too aren’t you little girl. On second thought…why don’t you give it to them. Better yet…why don’t we just give it to them right now.

A wry smile tugs at the corner of Azami’s lips as her eyes dart to the Havoctron. As it comes to life we see what appears to be a hotel room. Sean immediately jumps to his feet, Michelle audibly gasps covering her mouth with both hands as they see themselves sitting on their hotel bed just after getting to their room the night of their wedding, and then realization sets in….the looks of people in the airports, on the plane whispers, here in the hotel….the dots were connecting.

To be continued…