The Legacy we leave behind.. | Riggs Legacy
Jan 11, 2021 23:18:12 GMT -5
Miss Michelle, Lisa Marie Black, and 1 more like this
Post by ARP on Jan 11, 2021 23:18:12 GMT -5
Like most mornings right before Dane and I hit the gym, we are running around the house trying to get dressed as we get the twins dressed, while Two is in the kitchen making them breakfast. Bella travels back and forth between us and Two making sure everything is running smooth; helping out when the twins get out of hand. Dane and I have talked about having more kids, but that’s in the future. Like... way future. Like the twins being in school future because boy, these two are double trouble. I had just finished getting Layla dressed as Dane came back to their nursery and scooped up Luke who was crawling around playing with some blocks, Dane had already gotten him dressed while I was getting dressed. Wooo, go Team Preston.
Through the playroom and into the kitchen we go; Luke being the perfect little angel in Dane’s arms and Layla, her fighting me like I am trying to bathe a cat or something. Bella comes over and saves me as Dane puts Luke in his chair; I don't’ remember being this bad when I was her age. My parents claim she’s an angel when she’s over and Nana and PopPop’s house; Toddler Traitor of the Year Award goes to Layla Preston. Two holds out our water bottles and we grab them and go. We were almost out the door when Dane’s cell phone rang and he looked at the name and answered it. After a moment, he tells me to give him a few minutes. I just tell him I will meet him at the gym and he can catch up.
The walk to Church, the compound's gym located on the ground floor of the Tower, is quiet except for the sound of the birds that still hang around instead of flying south for the winter. I am mentally preparing myself to work out, I still think of the gym as the House of Pain, that’s what we called it back when VooDoo started training me. The Family thought it would be a good idea to train me to fight and be able to protect myself; after Joe and Paul Montouri tried to talk me into being a little rebel. Everyone started thinking and was worried that someone would try to hurt me just because I was Damon Riggs’ daughter. They wanted me to be able to protect myself, little did everyone know, it was laying the groundwork for my future.
A lot of shit going on through my mind. Mostly shit with Dad and FuCuS, I mean FoCus, oops, slip of the lip there. Dane and I have been solid since we came back from our trip. We’ve been more open with each other and talking about things more. We used to just keep shit bottled up instead of talking about it, until we exploded; okay, mostly me, I can admit that. And to be honest, I am still keeping things bottled up, but I am working on it. You know that Riggs Rage, shit. It’s not a myth. I did sink a car in my uncle’s lake at the New Jersey Compound because I was mad at Dane; was not a shining moment being dragged out of the lake by my shirt collar by Kal.
Having Bella around has been nice. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I don’t really have any friends outside of the business? We talk about other things than wrestling and who’s fighting who. She’s also been great to have around with the kids, she helps us out alot with the twins. It’s been great talking about the old times we had together before my family left New York and moved back to California. We’ve been filling each other in on stuff that we did after we lost contact. She’s had it a little rougher than I have. She hasn’t told me everything, but whatever happened, she doesn’t talk about it, except that it was enough to make her swipe enough money from her family to live on as she bounced around from bad relationship to bad relationship; which was in the middle of one when we found her. Dane on the other hand, is a little weary of her and just doesn’t want any of her bullshit to come following her here. I’ve reached out to a few of my friends from back then, and they tell me that she literally dropped off the face of the planet.
I start with the cardio first on the treadmill; which by the way mother fuckers, you all can say whatever you want to say about me working out all the time cause it doesn’t bother me. It’s a part of me just like stupid is part of you.
Speaking of stupid… Really, Paul? I would think that you would be the last person to talk about robbing the cradle. A lot of you old timers coming back must have done a lot of drugs over the years and forgot all the shit that you all did, you all got that selective memory shit. My first experience with you and your brother was back in the WFnW days just as Rude Ric was going to shutter the doors and the Japanese owners came in; they thought they were going to shake up the WolfPack and recruited you and your brother. I was sixteen then but I had been hearing all about the Montouri Brothers since as long as I can remember, you all saw me running around backstage at the shows and started hatching a plan. What would be the ultimate way to get at Damon Riggs? Someone already got Stellar to go whore on him, why not try his daughter? What you all didn’t know, even way back then I was plotting and planning to join my Dad and uncles in the ring. So when you and Cam come to the ring at the pay per view...
You better not look for little Allie Riggs holding Uncle Jason’s hand…
...You Better Look For Me…
“ Yeah, Bitches, fuckin’ ARP. “
What do you think, Cam? Did you expect it? Did you think that when they came around asking you to come back to the ring and join FoCuS, that you would be fighting the Riggs family again, and this time it included his daughter? That same little slick at the mouth bitch who used to talk about how her daddy was going to beat everyone’s ass.. And here she is talking about she’s going to beat your ass. She chuckles. I know, Cam, I know… I’ve heard people talking about how weird it is, they still see me as the little girl. But when you and Paul come to that ring to face me and Jason, you best believe that girl is gone and there is a wrestler in her place. My stint alone in aW had a chick follow me to fight me, she was all mad that management there wouldn’t put her in a match and she signed up; she wanted to go back with bragging rights. You know what happened? She saw me at my max potential unhindered by the other place’s rules and regulations and turned tail. I know you and Paul won’t do that. Because you’re just like me… too much pride in what we do. So, Jason and I will see you in the ring.
I reach up and push the button to take my speed down to a stop, grab my towel and bottle then walk over to the Jacob’s ladder machine. I hate this machine. Dane and I are having a competition on it, now would be a good time to add some more steps to my total. He picked this machine just because I hate it, I know he did. Asshole. It takes me a minute or two to get my pace set, then I am good to go.
But joining us is also The Cure. Apathy and Scotty Adams. I am really glad that the two of you didn’t watch me grow up like Paul and Cam. At least the two of you know what kind of an opponent I am. You saw me in NEW when it was still operating, plus you’ve gotten to see me here in OpW. You know that when I am in the ring, I don’t swing with kid gloves. You know that with you I have a reputation built on my own name with what I can do and not on my father’s name.
Apathy… nice move at Showcase getting out of that match with Michelle and I. But I can understand why you did what you did and I don’t hold it against you. I mean, even I would think twice about going up against two members of the same family who even if it looks like they want to tear each other apart, still wouldn’t trust them. Blood is thicker than water, they say. I didn’t see you and the other guys coming at me and Michelle in the match though, so I would like to congratulate you on that. I am sure that the fans watching you and your little crew's antics were just as thrilled as they were when they had to sit through watching Le’Andra Fury’s wedding.
How do I know?
...I was there…
“ Hello, boring, lucky me, I was there. “
I think I can speak for us all on that. Wow, welcome back Scotty. We had all just about forgotten about you. I guess if you’re going to come back, come back with a big splash and jump the ones whose names are pulling in the most publicity. What’s your career got to lose? If you can’t do shit with it you’re still in the same place you were, but if you do, you’re on your path to a new found glory and feeling that feeling you once had the past. I know the feeling all too well, it’s one of the reasons I do the things I do. It’s one of the reasons all of us in the business do it. We want that fame, we want that fortune, we want that Legendary status.
But very few of us will leave behind a Legacy.
Dane interrupted me when he came barging in the gym. He was apologizing for how long he’s stood me up. I look up and I am already two hours in. I stop climbing and we go over to the ring, I grab a pair of hand wraps and he automatically grabs the punch mitts and we roll into the ring. I am mad. We were supposed to train together. So, I am going to keep my mouth shut about it. I was just going to focus that anger into my training but Dane decided to break the silence.
Glad to see Michelle and you have calmed down with that Twitter crap.
This week. I am sure that shit will come back around again. I look over at Dane. As much as we all hate it, she’s a Riggs and we have to have the last word. So get two of us going at each other it can be a never ending battle. You know how I can be.
That right there is bait. I watch as he shakes his head. Yes, yes it was, but of course, I deny it.
What are you talking about?
More bait, no Ma’am, you just hit. And that’s what I continue to do. My punches are getting more solid and stronger; and Dane notices this. And of course, has to ask me about this. What are you thinking about right now?
I am thinking what the fuck, Dane. I blurt out and continue to swing the punches.
No, you can tell me. He dodged backwards causing me to miss his face by a couple of inches. He gives me that look whether he’s questioning if I was really trying to hit him.
No, really, I am thinking what the fuck. I stop hitting for a moment. Dad’s been like tripping. He broke a fucking toilet.
Says the woman who put a car in a lake? I swung on him and he had enough time to put the glove up, but judging by the way he shook his hand he knew it was serious. So, talk to me.
I am worried about Dad and his health and if he should actually be doing this anymore. I start punching again, he starts blocking and throwing some jabs for me to dodge. It’s like the vultures are all circling his body just waiting to come down and pick his carcass clean. Pick away at his Legacy. Funny thing is, half these mother fuckers in OpW right now, wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if it wasn’t for my father.
I can’t stop them, the tears start coming. They are the tears of anger, they are the tears of rage, they are the tears of someone making a vow to themselves.
You know what I think about that? Fuck that shit. I punch a little too hard, causing him to say ouch. But that doesn't stop the punches I throw; it just made him aware that he needs to be a little more on guard. He doesn’t tell me to stop, he just takes the hits, letting me get the anger all out. This week Jason and I are going to go in that ring and show everyone just what they are up against when they go against any member of Legacy. They will be made examples of just what we have done in the…
Past…
...Present…
...And Future.
I will pick up that torch that bears my father’s name and I will carry it alone if I have to. They will know who and what the Riggs Legacy is now and for years to come if I’ve got anything to say about it. When they are old and sitting around bullshitting with other’s about the good old days… they are going to remember the Riggs name and bring it up.
My punches have become so violent that Dane grabs me and holds me. He just lets me cry into his chest. As I am sobbing, I hear my name.
Princess. I turn and look, it’s my Dad. He looks like he’s on the verge of tears. Fuuucckk… How long has he been standing there? How long has he been listening? Did Dane know? Come here, Princess.
I wipe my tears away and let go of Dane, he’s smiling a little bit; yes, he knew my Dad was there and he wanted my Dad to know what I was thinking, what was going on with me. Well, played husband of mine, well played. I give him a look that lets him know we will talk about that later. I walk over and slide from the ring; my Dad doesn’t say anything and just hugs me tight to him and the tears just start coming from my eyes again. There’s literally nothing I can do to help him fight his battle against cancer, there’s nothing I can do to help him with aging. One day, I am going to wake up and he will be gone leaving me with a hole in my heart and memories.
It’s going to be, okay, Princess, it’s going to be okay.
And if not, me, Jason, Dj and Jj… will make sure that they know...
Of you…
...Your name...
...Your Legacy.