Post by Nick Knight on Feb 16, 2023 11:53:53 GMT
New Year’s Day, 2023
Six days before Diamonds are Forever…
In a private garden of the posh InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam, James Gilmore stood behind a lectern, his eyes closed as a small gathering assembled in front of him. Clad in a charcoal gray suit with matching tie, he realized that this was no ordinary wedding. In front of him stood his best friend Nick Knight, along with co-fiancees Penny and Cin, and as the ambiance settled in, JJ took a very deep breath. A polyamorous wedding was something that the Islander alum, who grew up in a non-denominational church family, never thought he’d be a witness to – much less become its main officiant.
JJ wasn’t the most eloquent speaker in the world. He wasn’t the type of guy that would be up for Master of the Microphone every year, but he surely could not pass up this honor of this occasion. Nicky had become a brother to him in the wrestling business, often showing him what it means to be a father to his own children, Luke and Leia. The weather was sunny and beautiful, and spirits were high as he began to speak.
“Someone once said that in life, there are two sets of families – one born by blood, another born through a profession. No matter the circumstances, the universal constant that can bring any family closer together…is love and happiness.”
JJ paused, his voice trembling to find the right words.
“Today, on this glorious New Year’s Day, love and happiness will reign on high – for we are gathered here to celebrate the union of three very special people: Nick Knight, Penny Fuller, and Cin.”
JJ paused again, acknowledging the trio as well as the small crowd that gathered for the private event. Okay JJ…the short version, the ex-Islander thought to himself as a continued on, knowing he wasn’t such a great speaker.
“Nicky…do you take Penny and Cin as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as you shall live?”
Nick nods, unable to find the words at first. Finally he is able to say at nearly a whisper, “I do.”
JJ nodded.
“Penny…do you two take Nicky and Cin as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as y’all shall live?”
“I do,” she answers, sounding much more confident than her soon to be husband.
JJ nodded, and turned to the second bride.
“Cin…do you two take Nicky and Penny as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as y’all shall live?”
The young girl turns ghost white and tries to speak, but nothing would come out. Caroline Machado leans over from her spot as maid of honor and whispers something into Cin’s ear, and finally she is able to say, “I do.”
The ex-Islander cleared his throat as Fiona McFly and R.A. Marshall, serving as co-presenters of the rings, steps into view. Fiona opens up a small pink trinket box and presents the women’s rings to Penny and Cin; Ram opens up a metallic blue box and presents the men’s ring to Nick.
“Alrighty then, here comes the best part of ‘em all. On behalf of a wonderful wrestlin’ community, and on behalf of our own wonderful families and witnesses, I hereby pronounce the three of y’all as a warm and blessed union.”
JJ stopped and gave the thumbs up – he let the actions of the newly-minted married trio do the talking. The three share a chaste kiss as the small crowd of their friends and family cheer. The newly weds turned and walked down the aisle as they are showered with flower pedals from the attendees.
Once they reach the back of the garden Nicky stops and turns back towards those gathered. “Everyone, please stick around for a bit so we can get come pictures. Then it will be time to party.”
Yet in the mass sea of smiles and laughs, JJ was nowhere to be found. He had swiftly retreated to an empty conference room normally reserved for business meetings. He took a deep, resigned breath as he sat down at the head of the long table. He swiveled the leather chair around until he faced a whiteboard, perhaps thinking about the one thing he had left on his schedule.
The upcoming match with Nicky.
The Islander alum wanted to do all he could to say out of the business. In his mind, the small voice serving as his thoughts often told him the same thing: ”Get outta the ring, get outta the ring…” Yet there was a part of himself that wanted him to stay, that kept calling him back in. Fiona calmly stepped inside and patted JJ on his shoulder.
“JJ, are you a’right? You’re gonna miss the pictures…”
JJ’s voice trembled.
“Fi…will ya do me a favor?”
“Anything, love. Anything.”
“Get Nicky.”
Fiona nodded, then gave JJ a rather awkward hug before leaving to get Nicky. A few minutes later she returns with a very concerned looking Knight. ‘The Hollywood Butcher’ takes a seat at across from his best friend. “What’s up?”
JJ took a deep breath.
“I’m gonna do the short-short version: my heart doc says that I shouldn’t be wrestlin’ anymore, that I have a 25% blockage in my widowmaker. I’ve been lookin’ to get a second opinion, but things are backlogged and stuff.”
He paused.
“Yet…I dunno what keeps callin’ me back into the ring. Somethin’, someone…I don’t know.”
Nick sighs and runs his hands over his freshly shorn hair. “JJ, I’m not sure what to say. Do you really think we should be having this match before you get your second opinion? You’re the number one contender, and I’ll wait as long as we need to wait.”
“It ain’t about belts for me anymore…”
JJ paused.
“I’ve often found myself wonderin’ whether or not I’ll ever headline somethin’ like Night of the Immortals of get into a hall of fame somewhere. Yet all I can do is think about those kids back home – my kids and the ones I help train. Like, ya know, bein’ a good provider…”
He closed his eyes.
“And right now, Yulia…she ain’t too happy with me bein’ halfway around the planet. She let me know that much the other day…”
Nick nods his head.
"JJ I've been in your shoes, and it's not easy. The time I spent on the road is the biggest reason Penny and I divorced. That's why I try to bring them along for at least part of these long trips. It doesn't always work out, but I try."
Knight stands up.
"All you can do is try, but you have to do what's right for your family. Is that being on this tour, or is it back in Texas with them? Just always remember happy wife, happy life.”
The Islander alum slowly headed towards the doorway, perhaps readying himself for the upcoming photo sessions. Yet he turned around to his friend, perhaps remembering a silent vow he made to himself.
“Tell ya what…we’ll do this match. One more, then I’ll be headin’ home.”
"Sounds like a plan. Now let's get back and take these damn pictures, so we can start the party."
Six days before Diamonds are Forever…
In a private garden of the posh InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam, James Gilmore stood behind a lectern, his eyes closed as a small gathering assembled in front of him. Clad in a charcoal gray suit with matching tie, he realized that this was no ordinary wedding. In front of him stood his best friend Nick Knight, along with co-fiancees Penny and Cin, and as the ambiance settled in, JJ took a very deep breath. A polyamorous wedding was something that the Islander alum, who grew up in a non-denominational church family, never thought he’d be a witness to – much less become its main officiant.
JJ wasn’t the most eloquent speaker in the world. He wasn’t the type of guy that would be up for Master of the Microphone every year, but he surely could not pass up this honor of this occasion. Nicky had become a brother to him in the wrestling business, often showing him what it means to be a father to his own children, Luke and Leia. The weather was sunny and beautiful, and spirits were high as he began to speak.
“Someone once said that in life, there are two sets of families – one born by blood, another born through a profession. No matter the circumstances, the universal constant that can bring any family closer together…is love and happiness.”
JJ paused, his voice trembling to find the right words.
“Today, on this glorious New Year’s Day, love and happiness will reign on high – for we are gathered here to celebrate the union of three very special people: Nick Knight, Penny Fuller, and Cin.”
JJ paused again, acknowledging the trio as well as the small crowd that gathered for the private event. Okay JJ…the short version, the ex-Islander thought to himself as a continued on, knowing he wasn’t such a great speaker.
“Nicky…do you take Penny and Cin as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as you shall live?”
Nick nods, unable to find the words at first. Finally he is able to say at nearly a whisper, “I do.”
JJ nodded.
“Penny…do you two take Nicky and Cin as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as y’all shall live?”
“I do,” she answers, sounding much more confident than her soon to be husband.
JJ nodded, and turned to the second bride.
“Cin…do you two take Nicky and Penny as your betrothed? Will ya love ‘em, comfort ‘em, and lift ‘em up in times of great need, in sickness and in health, for as long as y’all shall live?”
The young girl turns ghost white and tries to speak, but nothing would come out. Caroline Machado leans over from her spot as maid of honor and whispers something into Cin’s ear, and finally she is able to say, “I do.”
The ex-Islander cleared his throat as Fiona McFly and R.A. Marshall, serving as co-presenters of the rings, steps into view. Fiona opens up a small pink trinket box and presents the women’s rings to Penny and Cin; Ram opens up a metallic blue box and presents the men’s ring to Nick.
“Alrighty then, here comes the best part of ‘em all. On behalf of a wonderful wrestlin’ community, and on behalf of our own wonderful families and witnesses, I hereby pronounce the three of y’all as a warm and blessed union.”
JJ stopped and gave the thumbs up – he let the actions of the newly-minted married trio do the talking. The three share a chaste kiss as the small crowd of their friends and family cheer. The newly weds turned and walked down the aisle as they are showered with flower pedals from the attendees.
Once they reach the back of the garden Nicky stops and turns back towards those gathered. “Everyone, please stick around for a bit so we can get come pictures. Then it will be time to party.”
Yet in the mass sea of smiles and laughs, JJ was nowhere to be found. He had swiftly retreated to an empty conference room normally reserved for business meetings. He took a deep, resigned breath as he sat down at the head of the long table. He swiveled the leather chair around until he faced a whiteboard, perhaps thinking about the one thing he had left on his schedule.
The upcoming match with Nicky.
The Islander alum wanted to do all he could to say out of the business. In his mind, the small voice serving as his thoughts often told him the same thing: ”Get outta the ring, get outta the ring…” Yet there was a part of himself that wanted him to stay, that kept calling him back in. Fiona calmly stepped inside and patted JJ on his shoulder.
“JJ, are you a’right? You’re gonna miss the pictures…”
JJ’s voice trembled.
“Fi…will ya do me a favor?”
“Anything, love. Anything.”
“Get Nicky.”
Fiona nodded, then gave JJ a rather awkward hug before leaving to get Nicky. A few minutes later she returns with a very concerned looking Knight. ‘The Hollywood Butcher’ takes a seat at across from his best friend. “What’s up?”
JJ took a deep breath.
“I’m gonna do the short-short version: my heart doc says that I shouldn’t be wrestlin’ anymore, that I have a 25% blockage in my widowmaker. I’ve been lookin’ to get a second opinion, but things are backlogged and stuff.”
He paused.
“Yet…I dunno what keeps callin’ me back into the ring. Somethin’, someone…I don’t know.”
Nick sighs and runs his hands over his freshly shorn hair. “JJ, I’m not sure what to say. Do you really think we should be having this match before you get your second opinion? You’re the number one contender, and I’ll wait as long as we need to wait.”
“It ain’t about belts for me anymore…”
JJ paused.
“I’ve often found myself wonderin’ whether or not I’ll ever headline somethin’ like Night of the Immortals of get into a hall of fame somewhere. Yet all I can do is think about those kids back home – my kids and the ones I help train. Like, ya know, bein’ a good provider…”
He closed his eyes.
“And right now, Yulia…she ain’t too happy with me bein’ halfway around the planet. She let me know that much the other day…”
Nick nods his head.
"JJ I've been in your shoes, and it's not easy. The time I spent on the road is the biggest reason Penny and I divorced. That's why I try to bring them along for at least part of these long trips. It doesn't always work out, but I try."
Knight stands up.
"All you can do is try, but you have to do what's right for your family. Is that being on this tour, or is it back in Texas with them? Just always remember happy wife, happy life.”
The Islander alum slowly headed towards the doorway, perhaps readying himself for the upcoming photo sessions. Yet he turned around to his friend, perhaps remembering a silent vow he made to himself.
“Tell ya what…we’ll do this match. One more, then I’ll be headin’ home.”
"Sounds like a plan. Now let's get back and take these damn pictures, so we can start the party."
Well howdy there pardner.