Birthday Kisses and Rehab

24th September 2001

"Welcome to Alabama." Paul said. I opened my eyes and smiled.

"Woo, Alabama! I get to spend my birthday here!" I said grumpily.

"You also get to spend it with your daughter and me." Paul replied. I looked over at Makennah sleeping soundly and I opened my car door.

"Who owns this house?" I asked.

"Technically, it is my parents and they were going to sell it but instead they just gave it to me. Go get into bed and I will come in a minute. I'll get Makennah to bed." Paul said. I nodded and walked slowly into the bedroom.

When Paul came in, he smiled at me and took his shirt off.

"How is your knee?" I asked.

"Not that bad. I can walk on it now if you didn't notice baby." Paul said. I smiled and rested on the bed.

"Happy birthday baby, I'm hoping you didn't really have a bad day. I mean, you spent most of it with me." Paul said.

"I know it's just... I don't want to be missing out on work and I can't hold Makennah anymore. Not to mention I am in constant pain." I said. Paul nodded and kissed my temple.

"I need to go and run a hot bath to rest my knee in. You can join if you want." He said.

"Do you think it will make my back feel better?" I asked. He nodded so we both got up. I unbuttoned the shirt that was his originally and it slid off.

"Honey, come here!" I said. Paul came back over to us and helped pull down my skirt. He helped me over to the bath and we got in.

"Baby, this is helping my back so much." I murmured.

"I know it does, that's what it's meant to do baby." Paul said. His arms were wrapped around my waist and I ran my fingers across the back of his hand softly.

"I know this thing with Makennah has freaked you out but I really hope you will be able to fully accept her." I said.

"I already have fully accepted her baby. I'm now officially a Daddy!" Paul said. I smiled and looked back at him.

"You're amazing." I whispered. He leant forward and gently pressed his lips against mine.

"Not as amazing as you." He said, as I gently kissed his hairy chin.

"You ready to get out?" Paul asked. I nodded and lifted up. He got out of the bath tub as well and wrapped me in a towel. Wait right here and then I will get your clothes." He said. I nodded and waited for him,

The next morning, I started my rehab. Paul was also going for a session so Makennah had to come with us.

"Do you have somewhere Makennah can go?" I asked my physiotherapist. She nodded and Makennah looked up at me.

"Mommy, where am I going?" She asked.

"You're just gonna go somewhere and play while Mommy and Daddy get better. I love you Makennah." I said.

"Daddy, I wanna go with you!" She cried, running over to Paul.

"You can stay with me but I'm going to be in a lot of pain." Paul said. Makennah nodded and he lifted her up.

"All right Miss McMahon we're going to work a few kinks out of your back and it will most likely cause some pain. Do you understand?" My physio said. I nodded and got down on the ground.

After a few hours, I was in pain and I was crying. Paul was still doing his own rehab and I just stopped. I couldn't do it anymore.

"Miss McMahon, are you all right?" I heard my Physio say. He placed his hand on my back and I winced.

"I'm fine. I just... I don't want to do anymore today." I said. He nodded and helped me up. I felt the tears running down my face and I looked over at Paul. He was watching me and I slowly started stumbling toward him. He got away from his physio and came over to me. I fell into his arms and tried to stop crying.

"Baby, it'll be fine. You did great today, I watched you. You did wonderfully. I love you. Shh, you did great." Paul murmured.

"It is hurting really bad!" I whimpered.

"How about we finish up here for today? I'll take my girls out for lunch and some retail therapy. Does that sound good?" Paul asked, running his hand down my back and resting it on my butt. I nodded and he kissed the top of my head.

"Come on Makennah, we're leaving. We'll be back tomorrow." Paul said. He grabbed my bag and we walked out with Makennah skipping happily in front of us.

"Ooh, this is pretty!" I sighed, looking through the jewellery store window and pointing to a silver and sapphire necklace. Paul lifted Makennah up and Makennah's face lit up.

"Do you want a necklace Makennah?" I asked her. She nodded so we walked into the jewellery store. We looked around and she chose a silver necklace with a ruby love heart hanging off of it.

"Let me buy it." Paul said. I looked up at him and shook my head.

"No, I want to buy it for her." I said.

"All right, we'll go halves into it, is that a fair deal?" Paul said. I nodded and smiled.

"You can pay me back later." I whispered, kissing his arm. Paul nodded and walked over to the men's side of the store. I saw him looking at something closely as I paid for Makennah's bracelet. I put Makennah on the ground and she ran out of the store. Paul chased after her and I went over to the cabinet.

"Excuse me; do you know what that man out there was looking at?" I asked the assistant.

"Oh yes, he asked me how much this one was and said he really liked it." She replied, pointing to a watch. A Rolex watch to be exact. I nodded and smiled.

"Can I get it?" I asked. She nodded and got it out of cabinet. I rushed over to the registers and bought it for him.

"What took you so long back in there?" Paul asked. I shook my head and he rubbed my arm.

"Are you all right?" He asked. I nodded and he stared into my eyes worriedly.

"Are you sure?" He said. I shook my head and rested my forehead against his.

"Mommy, I tired." Makennah said. I sighed and looked down at her. Her bright blue eyes gazed into mine and I smiled down at my daughter.

"We're going home now." I whispered. She nodded and puckered her lips up. Paul lifted her up and I gently kissed Makennah. Makennah's tiny little hand grasped my hair.

"Mommy, I want a hug!" She whispered.

"Wait until we get home." I sighed. She nodded and I saw the tears running down her face.