The Arrangement

Chapter 13

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing.

For the purposes of this story, I am omitting Orton siblings.

Normal POV

Melanie could feel her heart racing as the car pulled into her parents-in-law's house. Two cars were already pulled into the large driveway. She had been dreading this for much of the day, although Randy had tried to keep her mind off it. They had gone out for breakfast, been to the park, went shopping at the mall for more clothes and a few things for around the house to help Melanie settle in, and then home to relax for a few hours before tonight. She was a little surprised; Randy made no attempt to hide his identity and politely posed for photos and signed a few autographs. He did his best to hide Alanna's face though and keep her distanced from it, but she was fairly certain a few people got photos of the family.

Her suspicions were proven later when Randy handed her the log in details for her brand new twitter account, and her phone and purse which had arrived back from Stephanie. Already a few pictures of them had been tweeted, and this, in turn, had caused discussion about Randy Orton and Melanie Rhodes. Apparently a clause in the contract said it had to be used, so Melanie had tweeted about spending a nice day with her new husband and step-daughter. Twitter had blown up within minutes. She had a bit of fun scrolling through comments, until she found out that a few people had called her names. Gold-digger was one, traitor was another. She had shut the phone off fairly quickly after that, escaping to the studio for a while and wrapping the painting for Randy's mother, trying hard not to cry. She had searched through her contacts for Cody's number, just needing to reach out. Even if it was only to send a text to him. Then she saw her family's numbers had been deleted.

Randy must have noticed, he had been particularly affectionate after, coming upstairs with a hot tea and holding her for a few minutes. Alanna had been taking a nap at the time, so Melanie felt able to let her guard down for a while. He swore up and down, he hadn't touched the phone.

"Why are they so desperate for control"?

Randy had just shrugged. "You get used to it, but I know. It's the downside to the job".

Melanie had wanted to tell him this wasn't a job for her. This was her life now.

Randy reached over and squeezed her hand. Alanna had already jumped out the car and was running over to a woman just outside of the house who was smiling and waving.

"Are you alright"? His eyes searched her face and she smiled slightly and squeezed back.

"Yeah, I'm fine".

Randy grabbed a few things out the boot, picking up the painting as well. Melanie took a deep breath and stepped out of the car smoothing her palms against her jeans and fixing a smile on her face.

Melanie's POV

Elaine Orton simply hugged me after Randy had introduced us.

"It's about time", she laughed. "I thought I'd have to invade his house. Would you believe he never told us a single thing. Next thing I know my son is married again".

She pulled back and looked me over.

"Oh, my dear look at you! You look so much like your mother, I was so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a lovely woman, I wish our paths had crossed more", Elaine smiled at me sadly. "Well, you must tell us all about the big day, and about how he proposed".

"It was all very spur of the moment Ma", Randy replied rubbing the back of his neck.

"Don't think you're off the hook", she warned. "We'll celebrate right once you're back for longer. I've told everyone".

I felt a small sink in my heart. We'd agreed just a simple proposal and dinner, and a quickly arranged wedding on the road. But I didn't want to lie to this woman. She was so open and loving, god I hated Stephanie and Hunter.

Elaine ushered us into the house and through to the living room with the annexed dining room. Randy hung back while Alanna introduced me to her mother, Randy's ex, her husband and a few assorted great aunts and uncles, a couple of cousins and finally her grandfather, Cowboy Bob Orton.

The reception I got from him could have gone better. Thankfully Elaine didn't notice.

After Randy and I bumbled through a fake account of our real but ultimately awkward wedding, Elaine opened some presents before food and drinks. When she opened the painting, I found myself nervous. Oddly, I wanted this present to go well. I wanted her to love it.

"Oh, my dear, this is beautiful", she gushed. Alanna beamed at my side.

"You need to see her studio Nana, it's in Daddy's old bedroom and it's full of great stuff. She's amazing"!

"I think I do yes. Your dad mentioned you did art but he never said how talented you are", Elaine said softly. "Thank you so much".

"You're welcome", I smiled back. That reaction made me feel so much better. Randy stood to one side smiling at me, which I returned.

Bob's POV

I gestured to Randy and he followed me to the kitchen.

"Why did Hunter think this was a good idea? An artist? You need to get your head screwed on boy, any one of the NXT girls would have been better".

Randy just swallowed and looked at the floor.

"I told you dad, I didn't feel right"-

"Don't give me that crap boy. Send her in".

Normal POV

Melanie wasn't sure why Randy's dad wanted to talk to her but she went to the kitchen anyway and sat at the breakfast bar. Bob Orton examined her closely while sipping a beer.

"Well, what did they see in you"?

"I beg your pardon"? Melanie asked confused.

"Hunter and Stephanie. Of all the girls in the WWE they went for an outsider. Why you"?

"I-I don't know. I wasn't consulted", Melanie admitted, eyes downcast. This man was a piece of work. She had been alone with him for thirty seconds and he set her on edge. She didn't see this working out well for her.

"I didn't want someone like you. I wanted someone with pedigree for him, from the right family".

"It's not like I had any choice", Melanie retorted, casting a glance at the door. "But you know about this? And you still let it happen"?

"Keep your voice down girl", Bob Orton growled menacingly. "Course I know. I want what's best for my son. I'm not convinced that's you".

"Why? Because I don't wrestle? Because I'm a Runnels? I've done everything I have been told, and I've cut off my family on their say so, on yours as well apparently. Your son accepted me, why can't you"?

"I don't see anything in you", Bob said honestly. "I don't see anything with a long term benefit for my son. Then I find out this was all about a power play at the expense of my family".

"What is wrong with you people"? Melanie hissed. "Why all the backstage politics? It's a show"!

Bob slammed down his beer on the worktop. "You listen to me Miss Rhodes and listen well. I have sacrificed a lot for my family, as your father has done for his. You may not appreciate it but Randy does. This is a hard life and he works hard for his family. Bottom line, he deserves the best and I do what I can to make sure he gets it. I am not the only member of this family to make a deal with the devil, but I did it with the best intentions for my son. He knows that, he understands it and he respects me for it. I don't want him throwing everything away for some art student who doesn't know how to survive in this world".

Melanie's hands shook a little at Bob Orton's words. "Did you give Sam this little talk as well"?

"Sam helped my son. I'm not convinced you can".

"OK", Melanie nodded and stood up. "Well thanks for the pep talk Mr Orton, but you should know something. Your son, you, all of you aren't the only people with something on the line. You aren't the only one to sacrifice something. For the record, I care about your son, I care about Alanna. I'll do my best for them and for my brothers. If that means me learning to live in this world I will. But I won't let you walk all over me. You don't know me. I may not like the situation but I will deal with it. Are we clear"?

There was silence for several minutes while Bob Orton looked her over.

"Hmmm, you know, I almost called Hunter. I wanted him to fix this. Too bad they made it public so early. So I guess for the meantime, we are stuck with you. But you should know, I don't give a damn about your family. I don't give a damn about their careers. You screw my son over, in anyway, and I will do everything I can to ruin you and yours. Don't think I can't. Hunter and Steph watch you on the road, and I will watch you here. You're an investment, nothing more. So pay attention and do what you're told, remember, not a word to anyone about this except me. I don't even want you and Randy discussing this you understand"?

Melanie let out a breath. "Is this your idea of a blessing"?

Bob Orton reached over and clinked his beer bottle against Melanie's wineglass.

"We'll see".