Ch 1

Hunter Helmsley stood quietly watching his new son or daughter squirm on the monitor as Dr. Sullivan tried to get a good ultrasound photo. He couldn't believe in two months he and Stephanie McMahon would be welcoming their child into the world.

"This little one is sure full of energy today," Stephanie said squeezing Hunter's hand.

"Did Mommy send too much sugar your way last night with all those hot fudge sundaes?" Hunter talked to their baby making Stephanie and the doctor laugh.

"Hey I'm enjoying eating anything I want while I can," Stephanie smiled as Hunter kissed her forehead.

"There's nothing wrong with that. Are you planning to have more children?" the doctor asked.

"Not sure yet," Stephanie was nervous about becoming a new mom and didn't even want to think about another baby.

"The first child is always the toughest," Dr. Sullivan said wiping off Stephanie's belly.

"That is so true and also the most stubborn. Also getting used to the nights of no sleep because can't figure out what the little one wants. Definitely a lot of unforgettable moments with the first," Hunter said making Stephanie look at him with surprise. Hunter swallowed hard not believing he had said that out loud.

"Hunter, what are you talking about? How can you know about that stuff?This is your first child, right?" Stephanie stared into his eyes.

"Of course Steph, all I meant is I have seen the trouble Shawn has gone through with his kids through the years," Hunter said making Stephanie breathe a sigh of relief.

"How old are his children?" the doctor asked.

"His wife just had a baby girl 6 months ago. His other two daughters are 22 and 20 years old. They are both from a previous marriage," Stephanie said as Hunter helped her up.

"I can sympathize with his troubles. My son is 21 and my daughter is 19. They are quite handfuls. I can't imagine having a baby too to deal with," Dr. Sullivan shook her head. "I will see you back in two weeks for another checkup till then take it easy."

"She will don't worry I'll make sure of that," Hunter smiled wrapping his arm around Stephanie as the doctor left.

"You made me a little nervous there for a few minutes," Stephanie said as Hunter gathered her things.

"Why?"

"It really sounded like you already had a child," Stephanie frowned getting tears in her eyes.

"Steph, we have been through this a million times. You know how close I am to Shawn's oldest daughters Jessica and Samantha. I have watched them grow up from tiny little munchkins to the beautiful women they are now. Shawn living with me for five years while he dealt with his divorce provided lots of time for me to learn about childcare. Even now the girls still come to me to complain about their mean new step mom Trish Stratus. I'm like a second Dad to them," he kissed her forehead hoping she would drop the subject.

"I'm sorry my hormones are making me paranoid. I have seen many times how close you are to Shawn's kids. Let's go have lunch," Stephanie pulled him towards the door. Hunter felt a weight lift off his shoulders that once again he had lied to her and she had bought it.

Hunter couldn't stop tossing and turning. He slowly sat up not wanting to wake Stephanie as she slept peacefully next to him.

"I'll be back little one," he softly caressed Stephanie's stomach on his way out into the hallway. He headed towards the kitchen then changed his mind going into his office. He sank down into his chair feeling the burden of his secret consuming his every thought. So many times he wanted to tellStephanie about his past but every time he chickened out.

"I have to tell her. I can't deal with this anymore," Hunter picked up the phone calling his best friend Shawn Michaels.

"Hey Hunter, its kind of late. Is Stephanie in labor or something?" Shawn answered sounding slightly annoyed.

"She's sound asleep. I'm calling because I have decided to tell Steph about my past and just deal with the consequences," Hunter said hearing Shawn start to curse.

"This is a joke right? I thought we finally put this matter to rest. You can not tell Stephanie. I don't give a damn how guilt ridden you are."

"Why? She has a right to know. I love her and I plan to marry her for all the right reasons again one day," Hunter tried to keep his voice down.

"You never change it's always about you and what's best for you. Did you even think about your daughter and how you will screw up her life by clearing your conscience?"

"She's a tough girl. She can handle it," Hunter said regretting right away when Shawn hit the phone into the wall.

"I hope to hell my phone is broken and I just didn't hear that. You saw first hand last weekend your daughter is happy and she deserves to stay that way," Shawn deeply sighed. "I'm sorry Hunter, I shouldn't be lecturing you. She's your daughter. It's your choice what to do. All I'm going to say is think long and hard before you fess everything up to Stephanie. I have to go the baby is crying. I'm letting Trish rest tonight since Rose has been keeping her up to all hours of the night."

"I'll talk to you later Shawn. I'm sorry for upsetting you," Hunter felt awful for aggravating his best friend again about the same subject.

"Don't worry about it you can baby sit Rose sometimes to make up so I can take my wife out for dinner."

"Just let me know when, good night Shawn," Hunter hung up the phone staring into space. He was so focused on Stephanie and their new baby, he never thought about how his daughter could be affected by him telling the truth. "Damn why can't this be easy?" Hunter rubbed his face in frustration. "It would be simple right not if I just would have been a man years ago and took responsibility instead of pushing it off on everybody else," Hunter hit his desk in frustration. "I kept it a secret this long a few more years or forever shouldn't be that hard," he said knowing he couldn't turn his daughter's life upside down.

He headed back to bed feeling somewhat a peace for finally making a decision. He had no idea that fate was going to step in and change things whether he liked it or not.