Noon was fast approaching and already the weather was warm, muggy and humid. Mary Ryland Shore Crafton smiled as she looked out of the passenger window. The Mississippi countryside passed her by, each mile bringing back tons of memories of a happy childhood of a little girl who spent every summer visiting her grandparents from Columbus, Ohio. Mary Ryland's grandfather was a local Southern Baptist preacher, old fashioned, old school, tough as nails and as lovable as an old teddy bear. She had spent summers in their century old home, playing in the woods with the other children in the neighborhood. The family they were closest to were the DiBiase's.

Ted DiBiase Sr. was a bearded man with a Hollywood tan and a big old belly laugh that could give you the creeps, make you feel warm inside all over or both. The memories Ryland as she was called for short, harbored were of him taking them out, spending lots of time with all the neighborhood kids, teaching them to fish and shoot BB guns. He swam in the lake with them and kept a watchful eye out as they climbed trees. He was the typical dad except he was really different. When Mr. DiBiase got up and went to work, it wasn't on a farm or at a factory or behind a desk at a typical 9 to 5. No, Ted DiBiase packed his bags, boarded a plane and spent 3 to 4 days a week on the road entertaining millions of fans as professional wrestling's dastardly heel, The Million Dollar Man. It was weird knowing the man who made them grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, was the same man they watched on television every week.

Ryland had enjoyed those summers immensely. She had been going down to Clinton every summer since she was a baby, since before she could remember and that lasted until she was a teenager. When she was 14, her beloved grandfather had passed away unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. After the funeral and burial, her parents had moved Ryland's grandmother to Ohio to be closer to them. Ryland hadn't been back to Mississippi since but she had never forgotten those magical summers or the time spent with the DiBiase family. She hadn't seen them in person either but her mother had kept in contact with Ted Sr.'s wife, Melanie over the years.

Ryland had moved on and lived her life, graduating from the private all girls prep school and going on to Ohio State where she majored in education. During her senior year, at a football game, she had met a handsome, young pre-med student by the name of Joshua Crafton. He had been smitten and the two had begun dating immediately. They had remained close and shortly after her graduation, he had proposed. The next year, they had been joined in holy matrimony in a large church ceremony that had been labeled the society event of the year.

The DiBiase family had continued to live their lives as well. Ted's successful wrestling career had lasted until 1999 when the legend had finally retired that summer. In the spring of 2005, sports entertainment mogul, Vince McMahon had hired him as a creative consultant and road agent for the WWE's Smackdown brand. In 2010 he had been rightfully elected to the company's elite Hall Of Fame and he had manged to watch all three of his sons, Mike, from his first marriage, and Ted Jr. and Brett, the products of his union with Melanie, follow in his footsteps. All three of his boys had married and Mike had made him a grandfather. Enjoying life at home with Melanie, Ted had found his calling as a Christian minister. He founded the Heart of David Ministry, his need to spread God's word fueled by the influence of Rev. Shore so many years ago. Life had been normal and happy and largely uneventful until the McMahon's had called an emergency staff meeting to announce new plans for their organization. FCW or Florida Championship Wrestling was the WWE's developmental terrritory, a breeding ground for the brightest and the best, the future Superstars. It was also going to be a crash course refresher for some of the RAW and Smackdown talent who just weren't cutting it in the big leagues. In lieu of terminating their contracts all together, Vince had compiled a list of names to be sent back to FCW and improve or face permanent release. On that list of names was Ted DiBiase, Jr. The man chosen to turn it all around and take over that portion of the FCW training regimine was Ted DiBiase, Sr.

The project was Ted Sr's baby and the first order of business was to build a staff, a team created in his own image. He had assembled the best writers, the best trainers, the best creative specialists, and agents, and production people. The seasoned veteran realized the importance of keeping a roster healthy and identifying the medical needs of those suffering from injuries. Over morning coffee with Melanie, his wife had mentioned to him about Bob and Evelyn Shore's son in law, one of the best sports medicine physicians in the state of Ohio who had only recently sold his lucrative private practice. Ted had done his homework and had reached out to Dr. Crafton. Within a few weeks, the men had struck a deal and Josh was on his way to Mississippi to meet with Ted before they all flew out to Florida. Josh's wife, Ryland had accompanied him for the journey and would be by his side the next few months for the duration.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ryland looked up and smiled as she felt her husband's hand rub across her own.

"Nothing. I just forgot how much I missed this place," she said in her soft and slightly raspy voice. "It's been a long time. I have so many memories here, playing with all the kids and going to church with Pop Pop and watching him give his sermon. It…it was a really special time."

Her fingers interlocked with her husband's and they were silent until they pulled up to the large two story home right outside the city limits. Standing in the front yard was Ted Sr. smiling. Ryland hadn't seen him in years and even though he was older, greyer, and had put on more weight, he was still the sweet surrogate father she had remembered.

"Well, well, well. Little Mary Ryland Shore," he looked at her, taking her smaller hand in his. "It has been so long."

"It has," she hugged him. "It's so great to see you, Ted. You look wonderful. Thank you for having us."

Ted nodded.

"I take it this is the good doctor."

"The one and only. Ted, this is my husband, Dr. Joshua Crafton. Josh, this is Ted DiBiase, Sr., the legend."

Ted and Josh shook hands.

"Your wife is far too kind then again she always was a sweetheart but I'm sure you know that already."

"She's quite a girl," Josh grinned.

"I'd say it's a great day. I finally get to see this little lady again and now I have one of the best sports doctors in the country on my team. God is good."

Ted and Josh continued their chit chat as they grabbed the bags and brought them inside the house. Ryland was greeted inside by Melanie. The two women embraced and Melanie had tea prepared for them. Together they sat in the living room and drank while they caught up.

"…And that one there is Brett and his wife, Leah. They got married two years ago."

Ryland smiled as she looked at the photos.

"Brett is so handsome. He really grew up and his wife is gorgeous."

"A real sweetheart, too. They live in Tampa, you'll get to meet them as soon as we get to Florida."

Ryland nodded.

"Is that Mike?"

"That's him."

"Wow, he still looks the same."

"And right there is Ted and his wife, Kristen. Do you remember her?"

Ryland stared at the picture of Ted DiBiase, Jr. She was two years younger than him and he had tortured her during those summers with frogs and snakes and anything else he could get his hands on. He had always teased that she was too proper, too much of a girly girl and even though it hurt her feelings sometimes, for the most part Ryland Shore took it in stride. She remembered a scrawny kid who loved to tease her. It was weird to see the muscular, tanned, handsome man in the suit staring back at her from the photo.

"No, I'm sorry. I don't think that I know her."

"She and Teddy went to high school together. They've been together since sophomore year and finally got married in 2008. She's a nurse at a children's specialty hospital."

"She's very pretty."

"And nice. Not cut out to be a wrestling wife but she tries her best, bless her heart."

"I'm sure it has its difficult moments. It must."

"You bet but you have to adapt. Teddy worked the Independent scene for a while before getting called up to WWE, the RAW brand. He did well for a while but recently he lost his push and started getting less and less air time. It was devastating for him when they pulled him back to FCW."

"He still has a chance to work on some things and come back, right?"

"He does but try making him see that now. He is really hurt and really angry. It's tough."

"I'm sorry."

"But enough about that," Melanie ran her fingers through her blonde hair. "This little venture to Tampa is going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it. Ted will be very busy but I am used to that. Your husband will have his hands full as well. This will give us girls the opportunity to spend time together and get to know each other all over again."

Ryland smiled as she took the older woman's hand.

"I'd like that very much."

Afterwards, Melanie showed Ryland to the guest room where she and Josh would be sleeping while they were staying in Mississippi. As the men continued talking outside, Ryland began putting some of their things away and tried to get settled. Smoothing her hands through the dark brunette hair, stylishy cut that didn't quiet make it to her shoulders, her eyes found a picture that had been placed in the corner. It was a candid, glossy photo obviously taken from a live WWE event. It was of Ted DiBiase, Jr. decked out in his wrestling gear. Covered in sweat, every muscle, vein, and ab was visible as he raised his hands in victory. On his arm was a tan and slender blonde with a very pretty face and a pair of breasts that were not to be missed. The connection and chemistry between them was powerful and could be felt, even in the confines of a photo.

"Does being back among your old friends make you regret college?"

Ryland sat down the photo and stared at her husband who was standing in the doorway.

"Josh, what are you talking about?"

He grinned.

"I saw the way your eyes lit up when you looked at that picture. Thought you might be regretting the Bachelor's degree and wished you had taken up inside the ring instead."

Ryland laughed out loud.

"That'll be the day. With my coordination and luck, I'd break my neck in the first few minutes. Trust me, darling, I think I made the right career choice."

He pulled her close and pecked her lips.

"The DiBiase's are a nice family."

"They're great."

"I think this is a good thing. Thank you for encouraging me to do this."

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I just hope you'll be happy."

"I will be happy as long as you're by my side. I love you, Ryland."

She leaned over and kissed his lips. She sighed with contentment. It was exciting to embark on a new adventure but just as nice to return home in a sense. Whatever Tampa had in store, she was ready.

"I love you, too, Josh."