45: Bonus 3
Bonus 3: TOO MUCH CANDY
It was late summer after the birth of baby Colton. Slade had been working feverishly to surprise his wife. He was back to work and knew she had been taking care of all the duties at home. A new mother and wife, she had been having a tough time adjusting, regardless of her mother Sophie being there to help or not. He was only home a couple of days a week and then off again on the road traveling with IWX.
Slade had recruited his best friend Colt to help him figure out a perfect surprise for his wife. He had to boost her spirits and show her how much he appreciated her.
“Dude. Just give her candy or anything pink. You know she’ll like it. I’m sick of shopping with you.”
Slade walked through the mall as Colt dragged along behind him. “Candy and sweets are great in a pinch, but it’s not very original. I want to do something big and with the baby too.”
“How about a diaper party? My aunt had one of those. It could be co-ed. Candy didn’t have time for a baby shower because of you being injured and working.”
“What’s a diaper party and why do you know all this baby shit?”
“Because I want a baby and I pay attention. Holly and I plan to have a baby as soon as we’re married.”
“I can’t believe you’re engaged. I also can’t believe you admitted to her you were a virgin.” Slade peaked into the next store window with baby clothes in the window.
“Holly was happy that I was. It strengthened our relationship. I don’t feel so self-conscious about it now.”
“Does she know about your social anxiety? As outgoing as she, it’s amazing how well you fit together.”
“She understands. It’s like we even out each other. Unlike you and Candy, who are just alike, we are yin and yang. Anyway, she wants to do an engagement photoshoot soon.”
Slade turned to Colt. “Wait. That’s it. A photoshoot. Candy’s been wanting to get photos done for the baby. She’s worried about her body not bouncing back after the pregnancy and is so stressed out. I want to show her how beautiful she is and how special our family is to me.”
“She doesn’t even look like she had a kid.”
“I know. Candy isn’t even eating any more Starburst because she’s afraid she’s getting fat.”
“That’s crazy. Even if she did, you’d still love her. You never cared about superficial stuff. So, what are you going to do?”
“What if we set up photoshoots for the baby and her, then have the party after? I can prove to her I love her just the way she is. She’s been wanting to do a pinup photo shoot and it could be candy-themed like her old gimmick.”
Colt nodded. “Sounds good, but how are you going to convince her to do it if she doesn’t feel pretty right now?”
Slade looked at Colt as if they wrote the answer on his forehead. “I got it. We can get the other girls to help us get her to the photo studio. You know how supportive they all are of each other. Tell her it’s a thing they are doing as friends. She will just think it’s a girls’ day out.”
“I think Holly would be up for that. I’ll text her. What about the baby? How are you going to do that?”
“I have an idea…”
***
Candy huffed as she got out of the car with her friends. “This is stupid. I look like a cow right now. I still have a baby belly.”
Isis rubbed her back. “You look great. You’re so pretty, Candy. Just give this a chance.”
“Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
Holly went over to Candy and hugged her. “Every woman feels this way after having a baby. You look amazing. I think you’re being too hard on yourself. You are an amazing mom and a beautiful person. Inside and out.”
Sahara agreed, saying, “You had a baby, and that is the most wonderful gift a woman can have. You’re my hero, Candy. I even think I may want a baby of my own someday. It freaked me out seeing you have your baby, but now seeing you with Colton, it makes me want that too.”
The girls joined in the group hug, making Candy see maybe she was overreacting. “You guys are the best friends ever. You know that?”
“We love you. Now let’s go take some sexy pics for our guys.” Isis pulled her into the photo studio.
***
After each girl had their sexy photoshoot, they were sitting around looking at the photos. Holly in a sexy biker look. Sahara was a golden goddess. Isis was a burlesque dancer in a champagne glass. And Candy was ice cream with sprinkles.
“Well, that was fun. It wasn’t so bad after all, and you’re right. I’m a MILF,” Candy boasted.
Sahara whistled. “Damn right. Look at that sexy pic. Girl, you look better nude than I do with clothes on.”
“Hardly. Look at this pic of you. You look like they sculpted your body out of marble.”
Holly perked up. “Heck, girls. We are one sexy crew. Let’s face it. We all look hot.”
It was nice having all her friends make her feel so special. And they were right, they did all look stunning. She smiled, feeling much better about herself.
“We should head home. I need to see my baby boy.” Candy grabbed her bags.
Slade walked in dressed like a candy shop owner holding Colten dressed like an ice cream sundae with sprinkles and a little cherry on top of his hat.
Candy started laughing. “Look at my poor little boy? What are you doing?”
“We’re having family photos. The theme is you. Just like the candy outfits you wore when we first met. In the bigger studio next door, the guys helped me put together a candy photoshoot. We have been trying to stay quiet, so you didn’t hear us. I got one of your sexy wrestling costumes from when you had the candy theme. Colton is the product of one of our sexy ice cream nights. So, I decided he’s a mini-ice cream sundae and I’m the candy shop owner.”
“Awe. Slade. That’s so sweet.”
He leaned over to kiss her. “No. You are, Sprinkles. You are always my sweetest treat.”
“Awe.” The other girls cooed over the idea, and how cute the baby looked.
“Well? Go get ready. Time to bring back my sexy candy girl.”
Candy cried, “You made me feel so special today. This was all your idea, wasn’t it? To show me I am still pretty.”
“I want you to see how beautiful you are to me. You’re the mother of my child. That’s sexier to me than anything.”
Candy perked up. “Okay. Know what? No more moping around. Let’s do this!”
Slade led her back to the dressing room to let the makeup artist help her get ready. As they made their way to the candy set, Slade was smiling devilishly. He knew Candy would love his big surprise.
They walked into the room, and all their friends and immediate family were there. Slade’s father and twin sisters, Candy’s parents, The Doom Brothers, Retribution, the Justice team, and the Preston’s; all dressed as candy treats. It was silly seeing all the big intimidating wrestlers dressed as candy, and it made her heart leap at the kind gesture.
Candy felt her heart would explode from joy. “My entire family. Slade, everyone is here.”
“This is just the start. After the photoshoot, we are going to a party to welcome our baby boy to the IWX family. Everyone will be there. Colt planned the whole thing.”
Colt stepped up in a candy Sugar Daddy outfit and laughed. “If I have to look like a big candy dork, you better like it.”
“You know I will, sexy beast.” Candy winked at him.
“Yeah, baby. You know who your sugar daddy is.” Pointing at his outfit.
Slade smacked him in the back of the head. “Stop flirting with my girl.”
Everyone started laughing and Holly poked Slade in the side. “Don’t worry. He’s spoken for. Let’s get the party started!”
***
Everyone got back to their outfits and headed to the garden party Colt had prepared with Candy’s mother. Walking into the reserved flower garden, Candy beamed with the affection everyone had shown her. Since they had reunited her family, it seemed like at IWX her family had grown tenfold. All the IWX stars and staff were at the huge garden diaper party. No matter if she retired down the road, IWX was her family, and she loved every one of them.
Colt was grinning with his chest puffed up in pride. “So, did we do good, Sis?”
Candy looked over at her with a sly smile. “Sis?”
Colt put his arm around her shoulder. “Yep. You married my brother from another mother. That makes you my sister too.”
“Everything is perfect. You and Holly did an outstanding job. I love it.”
Holly, who was standing nearby, shook her head. “Nope. Colt and your mother did all this. Colt came up with the ‘little man’ theme, with the bow ties and all the decor. Your mom did all the food and helped book the garden.”
“Wow. Today is perfect. I have my new family, my parents are back together, my mom is healthy. Everything has fallen into place.”
Slade walked over wrapping his arms around her waist to hug her from behind. They took in the smiling faces all around them.
Her parents were playing with little Colton.
The IWX stars were all laughing and having a great time.
And then there was Candy, standing in the arms of a loving husband.
This... was happiness.
