Monday, February 4, 2002

Stephanie groaned softly and scooted closer to –sheets. Cold sheets. The hell? Her eyes slowly opened and she squinted from the bright light pouring in from the windows. What the hell time was it for the sun to be shining this brightly? She blinked furiously, in an attempt to make her eyes adjust faster. When she could finally see, she confirmed her suspicion that she was in fact, in bed alone. She got out of bed and stole a glance at the clock. 11:35? God, I slept late. She padded around the lavish hotel room barefoot, in search of her missing husband, calling his name whenever she entered a new part of the suite.

Sighing, she decided to call room service and get something to eat, since she had no clue where Hunter was at, and she was about to starve to death. "Hello? Yeah I want some breakfast. Oh," she chuckled, "I didn't think that far ahead, give me a minute." Her eyes scanned the menu, "ooh okay, I want three blueberry waffles. Hmm. Oh, and scrambled eggs…turkey bacon…oh and the fruit bowl. Oh yeah and some coff - err orange juice." She finished her order, her stomach growling at her. "20 minutes, tops? Okay, great, thank you." She hung up. Just enough time for a quick shower. While putting the phone down, a small piece of paper caught her attention. She picked it up and read it:

Steph,

You're probably wondering if I've left you for good. Nah, I'd never do that, I'm just kidding. Anyway, you looked so peaceful sleeping and I know you weren't feeling well last night, so I didn't have the heart to wake you. I went to the gym and I'll be back to get you for Raw.

Love you,

Hunter

She sighed with relief. The first line had scared the shit out of her, she would swear her heart stopped beating for a few seconds. "That asshole!" That unbelievably sweet, adorable ASSHOLE. She smiled deviously – she would have to get him back for that one.

As she stepped out of the shower and began to dry off, she heard a knock on the door. Ooh, it must be room service! She shook her head at her excitement to have food - this was new. She shrugged it off. She quickly wrapped the towel around her semi-wet body and walked to the door. As she opened it, she was greeted with the heavenly sight and smell of all that she ordered, as the cart entered her room. She decided to be nice, and tip the young man a fifty. It would have been a hundred, but she had caught him checking her out as she searched through her purse for money. She inwardly laughed.

"Thank you." She said, smiling politely.

"No trouble at all. Thank you." He looked her up and down, grinning like an idiot and nodding his head approvingly. She was quite enticing and he wondered exactly where the beads of water that he had seen on her neck, ended up.

No he did not just wink at me. "Okay, yeah, well thanks again." She said awkwardly and looked away from the kid, beginning to walk toward the door. He took that as his cue to leave. He dutifully nodded, gave a small smile, and walked out into the hallway. She closed the door behind him and shook her head. Some guys are such pigs! God, a girl can't even walk around her own room in a towel without being ogled half to death!

Stephanie tore through most of her breakfast in record time. As she went to take a bite of her eggs, suddenly she felt nauseous. She un-forked the piece of egg and took another slice of watermelon instead. She glanced back at the eggs. They were taunting her, she realized. They were sitting there all fluffy and yellow and whatnot, begging to be eaten. She sneered, speared a piece, brought it to her lips and held it there. Not this again! She dropped the fork as she covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.

After throwing up, she cleaned herself up and went back into the bedroom. She picked up the plate to move it and caught a whiff of the eggs. She felt nauseous again and quickly put the plate somewhere far away from her and decided to just finish the fruit. What the hell is wrong with me? I love eggs!

After she finished her fruit, she got dressed. All the while, she thought about her incident during her breakfast. It can't be. She knew it could. Her and Hunter had been at it quite often, since their reconciliation. She needed to be sure, though, before she got too excited. She dialed a familiar number on her cell phone.

"Hey Riss, it's Steph. How have you been?" She smiled.

"Stephanie! I almost thought you dropped off the face of the earth," she joked, laughing slightly. "I've been good, what about you…recently?" She had to add that last part. She was very aware of how things were in November, but she hadn't really heard from Stephanie since then.

"I've been better" Stephanie said, honestly.

"What's wrong – problems with Hunter got you down?"

She blinked. "Eh? Oh, no, things are fine with us, it's something else," Stephanie replied, vaguely.

"Well, don't keep me in suspense, girl! What's up?"

"I-it-there may be a possibility that I'm pregnant." Stephanie finally managed to get out.

"I see. So you're just bugging because you don't know for sure, then?" She asked knowingly.

"Basically. Are you in town for this week's Raw?" Stephanie asked hopefully.

"Actually, yeah. Shane's helping with some behind the scenes stuff. The usual."

"Can you do me like a really huge favor?" she wondered.

They hung up, and Stephanie felt better already. She'd know. Yeah. She would know, and wouldn't have to wonder or worry about it.

"Oh my gosh you are the best sister-in-law, ever." Stephanie said as she opened her door, hugging Marissa gratefully.

Marissa laughed, "hey remember what we said? No in-laws. We're sisters." She stated, smiling, returning the hug.

"True. But really, thank you so much. I thought I'd go completely insane with wonder."

"It's no problem, I was just sitting around when you called anyway. I'm supposed to meet Shane at the arena in an hour. Call me and let me know how it goes?" she asked, as she handed a bag to Stephanie.

"Of course. You'll be among the first to know." She promised, smiling.

"I better." She teased. "I leave you now."

"Okay, I'll call you later." Stephanie said, giving her a brief hug.

Marissa nodded, smiled and left. She really hoped Stephanie was pregnant. She tried to hide it, but she could tell that Steph was excited at the thought of becoming a mother.

After stalling unsuccessfully, ten minutes later, Stephanie was leaning against the counter, her brow arched as she stared at the stick in her hand.

Stephanie grinned like an idiot, as Hunter was pacing, yelling and occasionally throwing things around their dressing room. She was dimly aware of what he was talking about. Or - well, she wasn't listening at all, actually, but she could make a pretty good guess at what his tantrum was about. Earlier, he had requested Kurt Angle's presence and was greeted by Booker T instead. Hunter was kicking his ass and then Kurt interfered and hit him with the Olympic Slam. Shortly after, he stormed the halls, looking for Angle, and ended up in front of her father's office, the room protected by two cops. As they held him back, Angle opened the door and said that Vince just conjured up a match at No Way Out, with Hunter's WrestleMania Title Shot on the line.

Stephanie blinked, looking up into her husband's furious hazel eyes. The way he was looking at her, she assumed he must have asked a question, or was expecting some type of reaction or comment from her. "I-huh-what do you mean by that?" She took the safe route. One that didn't necessarily signal that she wasn't listening at all.

Hunter enunciated for her "I asked. What. Are. You. Smiling. About?"

"What?" She shrugged. "I can't smile? You always said you loved my smile."

Hunter looked at her, blinking slowly. "I-you-that isn't the point, Stephanie!" He said incredulously, his voice rising in volume as he threw his arms in the air.

"Well what is the point, Hunter?" She asked, smirking the tiniest bit.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't believe you! Here I am, getting consistently screwed over by the people in this company – in your family, no less and you're sitting here smiling as if there was actually something to be happy about!"

Oh but there is. "I have news." Hunter stared at her, annoyed at her vagueness. She managed a smile and continued, "news that will change your entire life."

Hunter looked at her doubtfully. "Really? And just what news is that Stephanie?"

Stephanie took note of his confident smirk and the way his arms were now crossed over his chest. He must think I'm going to say something petty. I look forward to wiping that smug look off your face, dear husband of mine. She hated him sometimes - that look he gave her, but damn it all to hell, she loved him even more. They just – always played these mind games, trying to one up each other and she didn't know why. To be honest, she should be sick of it. But she wasn't. Half of her just wanted to have a normal, loving relationship with Hunter. The other half; got amusement out of these games they played; satisfaction when she would actually win one; and turned on even more by Hunter when he won. It was near impossible for them to be a normal, loving couple. They were so not normal people to begin with and normality would probably bore them both to death.

"I will make my announcement in the ring." She placed her hands on her hips. "Tonight." She replied cunningly, and leaned back into the cushions of the leather couch, with a self-satisfied grin, leaving Hunter completely bewildered.

What is that damn woman plotting now? It seemed she was always up to something. There was always some new plan being perfected, in that pretty little head of hers. Half of him was entranced and curious to know what she was up to this time. The other half – must be the smarter half, he mused – feared what she was up to. Oh well. Soon enough he would find out, and there was no need to stress about it now. Stephanie and her mischievous ways would drive him completely insane, if he allowed it to.

"So next week, live on Raw, we'll renew our wedding vows!" Stephanie said in a high-pitched, excited voice, smiling brightly.

"That is the stupidest idea I have ever heard." Hunter stated, shaking his head at Stephanie.

Maybe he'll warm up to it if I explain. "The fans made me do this because they think I'm riding your coattails, they've lost all respect for me."

So that's what this was about. Not him, not their failing marriage, as she had vehemently stated just a couple minutes earlier. It was about her. It always was! "No." He stated calmly, simply.

No? This isn't going right! "I-you-but Hunter, you have to agree to do this." Stephanie said, staring at him.

There was something in her eyes he couldn't quite read. It wasn't pleading. It was more like a flicker of a power trip. Huh. She sure did say I 'have to'. He snapped. "Why? Why do I have to do this Stephanie? Huh? Because you're the Billion Dollar Princess? Because you always get your way?" He yelled at her quickly, furiously, not backing down. He refused to acquiesce to her stupid idea.

Hunter turned away from her. He could see the unshed tears and he really didn't want to sit here and watch her as she would probably break down any minute. How fucking selfish was his wife exactly? He'd had his ass handed to him by Kurt Angle an hour ago and then five minutes later, been further screwed over by her father. All Stephanie ever thought about was Stephanie. This bullshit she had concocted wasn't for them.

Stephanie sobbed as she watched her husband, about to leave the ring. "Hunter – Hunter it's because I'm pregnant!" She yelled out abruptly. Shit. She didn't mean to say that…did she? She wanted Hunter to want to make their marriage work because he truly wanted this, and her. Too late now. She continued to cry, her head bowed as she awaited a reaction – any reaction, really. She felt the ring shift slightly and she looked up, realizing Hunter was coming towards her.

Instinctively, she flinched ever so slightly. She wasn't sure why she did, but nevertheless hoped he hadn't noticed it.

He noticed. God, she's afraid of me…He stepped towards her carefully, not wanting to scare her off. How ironic, his own wife was afraid of him now. He really was an asshole. From the way she just stood there, whimpering, he could tell she couldn't read his expression. That's how he wanted it.

When he reached her he smiled. It was a beautiful smile. He's happy about this! Stephanie wanted to wrap her legs around him, but he was twirling her around in the air. She was so happy. This moment, was perfect. Her life, was finally perfect. Oh, hell. "Hunter? I'm going to puke." She said carefully.

"Oh. Shit. Sorry. Heh." He put her down finally and he saw the relief come across her face. He put his head to her stomach. He couldn't believe that life; life that they had created was in there. The entire world could be falling down around him and he wouldn't care. He had his wife, and his child. That was all that mattered.

"Fuck!" An angry Chris Jericho yelled, throwing his paper cup at the television. He sulked, as it didn't quite do what he wanted. Matter of fact, it didn't even reach the television. "Stupid cup." He mumbled, running his hands through his hair. This was totally going to screw up everything! He had finally thought Hunter and Stephanie were over for good, and then she goes and announces that she's pregnant. This sucked. A lot. At first he was going to play the waiting game, until they were definitely separated and then make his move for her. Well, now he'd just have to find another way. He grinned deviously. He would find a way. Matter of fact, he had a perfect way already in mind. But that wouldn't do, he couldn't just run to Hunter, blurting out what Stephanie had believed to have happened that night after Survivor Series. Stephanie would deny it most likely, and Hunter would have no reason to not believe her.