He threw the last bit of belongings into his bag before zipping it shut and sighing. It had been a long 14 days, but the work was now over with and he would be boarding yet another flight in a few hours, heading home. He couldn't remember the last time he was home; it had been quite some time.

He had a short vacation before the shooting of his next movie Legendary would begin, and returning to West Newbury was just what he needed. It would give him the time to see his parents and siblings, something he had neglected for far too long. After his bitter break-up with his former fiancée Liz, he had immersed himself into his work without relenting. His body was getting worn out and now more than ever, he needed the break.

He knew it was inevitable. Their break-up hadn't been completely sour, but it was blistering enough to leave him with scars. When it came to women and any future dating, he wasn't pushing the issue and he wasn't looking, either. It had been six months and still, the lasting memories of that cold, rainy night in Boston, her angry words and the echo of her hand connecting with his check was enough to send shivers through him.

He knew he had problems with commitment. Not in the sense of cheating, like most men. John had always been the one to jump the gun and regret the decision down the road. Commitment didn't scare him; when it came to women, his lack of judgment was off. He forced himself into believing that things would work, but it only led him in the position he was in now. Two angry, ex-fiancés and $450,000 worth of rings collecting dust at his house.

He had adapted the mantra 'Never Quit' to every aspect of his life. He didn't like knowing he walked away from something and perhaps could be labeled a quitter. That was the last thing anyone could call him; and besides being the honest, straight-forward person he was, it was what defined his character the most.

He draped the bag over his shoulder and made his way through the door. The building was almost empty by now, save for the few wrestlers who took their time in packing for their flights home. There were a few security guards scattered about, John noted, as he walked towards the exit.

As soon as the crisp, night air hit his face, he got his second wind and a sense of excitement came over him. When he had the chance to return home, he always went to Tampa instead of his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts. Usually his stay was only for a few days, so it only gave him enough time to do his laundry, repack a new travel bag for the road and relax for a day before he boarded another flight for the next round of wrestling shows.

Besides seeing his family, he couldn't wait to see all the friends he hadn't visited for what felt like ages. Especially his childhood friend, Apryl. He hadn't been able to visit with her during his last trip to Boston, which had been almost 2 years prior to this visit. The last time the two had talked, she had been going through a rough divorce and getting her life reestablished for herself and her son.

Catching up with her was always fun and now he couldn't wait to relax and drink a few beers in their favorite hang-out, Hometown, just catching up. He always had a good time when he returned home, and he had a feeling this time wouldn't disappoint either.

He heard the annoying tone distantly at first, before it seemed to get louder with every passing second. Knowing he would have to open his eyes eventually to silence the noise, he threw the covers from his body and reached for his cell phone. After wiping the sleep from his eyes, he glanced at the screen, realizing it was his younger brother, Sean calling.

"What?" he yelled into the phone, a yawn escaping his lips.

"Good morning to you too, grump." his brother said sarcastically.

"I didn't get in until late." John recalled. "So, what's up?"

"Dad wanted me to call to let you know we're having a cook out this afternoon. He invited just about everyone. He told me to tell you to get your ass over here as soon as you can." Sean said laughing.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there shortly." John said, slamming the phone shut and shaking his head.

He laughed to himself, knowing his father would go full out on his first day back home. He was silly to think he would get a relaxing day with no commitments. That wasn't his dad. He knew he was happy to have his son back for a short time, and he was going to make a big deal about it while he was in town.

As he looked at the clock, he realized it was already past noon. He knew a quick shower was out of the question and instead, he selected a few things from his bag before making his way into the bathroom to brush his teeth and get dressed.

Without a second thought, he grabbed his cell phone and raced out the door towards his SUV. It was already warm out for a Massachusetts morning in May, but he wasn't complaining. His recent overseas tour with the WWE saw weather barely reaching 20 degrees in some areas and he welcomed the warm weather.

As he drove up to his dad's house, he chuckled seeing the packed driveway and the cars that spilled out into the street. It should've been illegal, he thought, but knowing his older brother Dan, who was a sergeant for the local police department, in this instance it would go unnoticed.

As he made his way around the side of the house, he could hear the voices filling the backyard and the smell of grilling burgers and steaks filled his senses. He had missed the random Cena barbecues that would happen year round. His dad never was one to plan for things in advance. He always announced things at unselected times and the family would go with it.

"John!" his dad called from the grill, holding up a pair of tongs.

"Hey Pops!" John called back, as he ran up to the elder Cena and embraced him.

"We're so glad you're home, son. Did you have a good trip?" his dad asked, adjusting the glasses on his face.

"Yeah, it wasn't bad." John replied, glancing around the yard. "Did you have to invite everyone?"

His dad chuckled, before John was attacked from behind by his brothers. The slew of men fell to the ground, his dad looking on and rolling his eyes at his son's horseplay. There was never a dull moment when all five of his kids were present and today wasn't going to be an exception.

"Alright!" his dad said, elevating his voice.

The boys rose to their feet, all smiles, before making their way back around to the pool. John dusted his shirt off, then fixed his hat before grabbing a hot dog from the grill and munching on it.

"She's inside if that's what you were getting at." his dad replied, not looking at him.

"Who?" John said, knowing full well who he was referring to before her name was mentioned.

"Apryl. She got here about 15 minutes ago and just took over the kitchen." his dad said laughing.

"Things haven't changed much, have they?" John asked, chuckling.

"I don't know." his dad shrugged, before looking at his son. "You'll have to ask her that."

"Dad..." John said, sighing. "...don't start that, alright?"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned around, heading for the double doors at the back of the house. Before he could take a step, he saw her exiting the house, a tray in both of her hands. Her sunglasses sat perfectly on top of her long, auburn hair as she looked from side to side before descending the steps and placing the trays on the picnic table.

As she looked up, their eyes locked, a look of shock coming across her features. He smiled slowly, his dimples plastered on his face. She screamed with excitement and ran towards him, as he chuckled, his smile only getting bigger. Her body crashed against his, as he lifted her up and embraced her tightly. His dad smiled with happiness from behind them before returning to flip the array of meats on the grill.

"When did you get here?" she asked, finally looking at him.

"Last night. This morning. Whichever way you look at it." he said.

"I had no idea you were coming! You're dad just invited me over here for the barbecue. He didn't tell me you were coming!" she said, her smile never leaving her face.

"Well, I'm here." he said, shrugging his shoulders before whistling allowed. "God damn, look at you, mama!"

He took her hand, spinning her around slowly, examining the transformation she had undergone. He hadn't seen her for almost 2 years, and since then, she had dropped a few pounds and added some muscle onto her lean frame.

"It's nothing." she said blushing, waving off his comments.

"Nothing my ass!" he retorted. "You look good!"

"Thanks John." she said softly. "I've... missed you." she managed to say, looking down at her feet.

"Hey." he urged, cupping her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. "I've missed you, too. I'm sorry I haven't been around."

"No, I completely understand. It's just not the same, ya know?" she asked, shuffling her feet.

"I know it isn't. But, I'm here for a couple weeks and we can chill while I'm here, aight?" he said, pulling her to him once more and hugging her closely. "Besides, I know Johnny Fab said he was wanting to watch little man while we hit the bar later, right Pops?"

"You know it! We have a guy's night with Peter Pan." John Sr. said, smiling brightly.

"Where is critter at, anyway?" John asked, looking around.

"He's at my mom's for the day. I have to pick him up in a few hours." Apryl replied.

"So, how'd the hearing go?" John asked, as he sat at the nearby table.

"Alright." Apryl replied, grabbing a carrot stick from the tray and nibbling on it. "He doesn't have to pay a lick of child support for Shawn, but then again that could be because he doesn't get visitations rights, either."

"Why's that?" John asked, confused.

"Because his name isn't listed on the birth certificate." she shrugged, sitting across from John and positioning her sunglasses over her eyes.

"And that would be why?" John asked again, even more confused.

"I've told you before, John. I knew he wasn't the father." she said, chuckling.

"Yeah, I know that, but I just assumed you put his name on there because you two were together." John answered.

"We might've been together but I couldn't and wouldn't do that to my son." she answered.

"So, are you legally a divorcee?" John asked, smirking.

"Why? You interested?" she asked, returning his look.

"I don't know." he said, shrugging as he grabbed a celery stick from the platter. "Maybe."

"You're not my type." she said nonchalantly.

"I'm not, huh?" he asked, standing above her.

"Nah." she said, grabbing his celery stick and taking a bite from it. "You know too much about me."

"Yeah, that's true." John said, sounding defeated. "If my memory serves me correctly...." he said trailing off.

"What?" she asked, arching her brow.

"I think this..." he said, grabbing her wrist and forcing her to stand and face him. He removed her glasses and threw them on the table as she watched his every movement, unsure of what he was doing. He grabbed her waist and smirked before running his fingertips under her shirt and across her back.

"...isn't that your tickle spot?" he whispered in her ear.

"John!" she shrieked, falling to her knees on the grass, as John followed, attacking her body with tickles.