A/N: Hey guys, I am so sorry it took me this long to update! Work and school has gotten the best of me lol so since I took such a long time, this chapter is a little longer than the rest. Hope you all enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone you recognize that is employed under Vince McMahon.

Pauls' eyes cracked open at a sudden ringing that filled the bedroom. The annoying sound made Paul groan irritably as he rolled over to grab the phone that was on the nightstand. His eyes were still a little bleary from his deep sleep as his hand tried to grab it. Once he did, he weakly pushed the 'talk' button and put the device to his ear. "Hello?" His gruff voice spoke.

"Hey, honey, did I….did I wake you?" The soft female voice asked on the other end.

He sat up in his bed and sat against the bed frame. "Yeah, I mean no." He staggered with his words. He didn't want to make his mom feel bad for waking him.

"I did didn't I? Paul, it's past noon." She chuckled on the other end.

Paul whipped his head to look over at the digital clock on the table. It was well past noon and he sighed. "Yeah, I had a tough day at work yesterday and it's Sunday so why not." He explained, knowing damn well that he was lying through his teeth. He didn't want to confess to her that he had cried himself to sleep last night after sitting on the window sill for a little while to gaze the night sky and wallow in his sorrows. He just didn't want pity from anybody, especially from his mom.

Unfortunately for Paul, she could tell that he was hurting at this very moment. She knew her son more than he knew himself. "Are you feeling okay, honey?" She asked. She didn't really want to probe him for answers because everything that happened was still fresh, painfully fresh.

The large man felt tears welling up in his already swollen eyes. There was something about when somebody asks that question and you get so emotional. He let out a shaky breath. "Mom, why do you have to ask that?" He whispered as his voice broke. He pinched the skin between his eyes before rubbing them.

Her sons' broken voice broke her heart and just from the telephone, she can feel his pain. The pain resonated between the both of them and she wished that he would understand that he wasn't the only one going through this. "I'm just concerned is all. Do you want to come over and visit me and your dad?" She asked, hoping that he would accept the invitation. He hasn't come by their house in a few months. Even though she has visited him several times throughout the past three months, she still missed him. She missed having him around the house like he was their little boy again.

He sighed and gave it some thought. He didn't really want to be around people or family. Then again, this could be the breather that he needs. He needed somewhere else to go other than work, the bar, his junky friends' house, and this house. He drinks himself into an oblivion at every one of those places except for work. Hell, he's been tempted to hide alcohol in his desk drawer, anything to tune out the complaints of the customers.

"Paul, are you there?"

Her curious voice brought him out of his thoughts and he cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'll come over, just give me a little bit okay, mom?" He said as he started untangling himself from the sheets and getting out of the huge bed.

She felt excitement rush through her at her sons' words. "Okay, take your time. We'll wait for our lunch until you get here so you have something wholesome to eat." She was aware of his eating habits and she absolutely despised it. She has noticed that he's put on a little weight but when she brought it up to him, he would be in denial about it.

"Alright, mom, I love you." He mumbled into the phone as he walked out of his room.

"I love you too, bye."

He heard the 'click' on the other end which indicated that she ended the call. Now that he was in the kitchen, he sat the phone down on the counter before he stomped over to the fridge. When he opened it, his eyes lit up at the brown bottles on the top shelf. He deftly reached for one and kicked the fridge close, making it rattle. He opened it right away and took a swig of the ice cold adult beverage. He felt the burn all the way down his throat and to his stomach and it felt great to him. It was the relief he needed every morning….and all day.

Once he finished his beer, disposed of it, and got dressed, he went into the bathroom and washed out his mouth. Luckily for him, he only had one beer so the smell wouldn't be as strong. He popped open the mouthwash and swished a mouth full of it in his mouth. He was thorough with this because his mom and dad had no idea that he was an alcoholic. Again, they have only seen each other a handful of times in the past few months. When she would say that she was coming to visit, he would hide all the beer he had in a closet or something so she didn't see it. She would be devastated if she found out that he poisoned his body with all of that.

He spat the blue liquid into the sink and washed it out before he stepped out of the bathroom. His honey brown eyes searched the floor for a shirt that he could wear to their house. His floor was littered with clothes because he hasn't bothered to do laundry lately. Once he settled on a crumpled up red shirt, he slipped it on and finished getting ready to go to his parents' house for the first time in forever.

His feet padded on the green lawn that was in front of the small house. He looked to see if his mom was looking for him through the curtain in one of the front windows but he noticed that she surprisingly wasn't. He breathed in deep through his nose as he advanced towards the white front door. Once he did, he knocked quietly a few times before he placed his hands in his jean pockets.

As he waited for his parents to answer, he could hear birds chirping in the small tree behind him and so he looked back to observe them. They were hopping around on the flimsy branches and chirping loudly. They seemed so….free.

"Paul! I'm glad you could make it!"

Paul turned to see his ecstatic mom and his dad right behind her with a small smile on his face.

"Hi, son. How ya been?" His dad asked as he watched Paul give his mom a big hug.

Paul separated from his mom who was much smaller than him and gave his dad a half-hearted smile.

"How ya been?"

How the hell was he supposed to answer that simple question? He hasn't been good at all. In fact, he's been horrible. He's been an over emotional alcoholic who struggles with life in everything he does. He missed his family with every fiber of his being and that guilt weighs so heavily on his shoulders that he feels he shouldn't even be active, or somewhat active, in everyday life. He feels that it should be weighing him down so much that he lies in bed all day every day, wallowing in his sorrows with a beer in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Hell, he doesn't work out anymore and he survives off fast food and frozen dinners. Could his dad not tell by the darkness around his eyes and the weight gain in his face?

"I'm good, dad." He answered right after his fathers' question. He didn't want to hesitate and have them be curious about his behavior. He didn't want to be probed from them because he knew he would just break down and probably would never stop.

"Like I said over the phone, you need to eat something wholesome, honey. Come and get some lunch." His aged mom insisted as she gently grabbed his large hand to lead him inside the warm home.

It was warm in many ways to Paul. Obviously, it wasn't just the comforting temperature inside but the feel of it as well. It was always lively and everybody always joined together as a happy family. The warm home would be filled with laughs, conversations, and arguing over the sports game on the television. It was your typical healthy family home.

That was then, this is now.

"Alright, Pat, don't smother the boy. He just got here." His dad said with a slight chuckle as they entered the home.

Paul watched as his mom, Patricia or "Pat", walked into the kitchen to start preparing sandwiches for the three of them. He also watched in the corner of his eye, his dad sit on the reclining chair to watch tv. He was stood there, awkwardly, not knowing what to really do. He hasn't been over here in forever and felt….blame. Maybe it was just in his head because his mom was being such an angel with him and it healed his hurt for just that few seconds. She always called him up whether he was at work or at home, to ask how he was doing or just to hear her sons' voice. Hell, she makes him food. He could see her preparing the sandwiches as of right now.

Then there was his dad. Paul looked over at him and noticed that he wasn't even paying him any attention. He was just watching the game on the television with a serious look on his aged face. His dad, Paul Sr., never really called him after everything that had happened months ago. He only talked to him when his mom handed the phone over to him and when they actually did talk, it was small talk. Even though a few words would be exchanged on each end of the phone, it never broke the ice.

As he stood there for a few seconds, he felt that familiar touch. His heart beat frantically in his chest as he felt the tiny hand rest against his open palm. He didn't even move or flinch because he wanted to take in the familiar touch of his son holding his hand.

He felt so many feelings and memories rush back that it almost overwhelmed him. Right in this spot where he was standing, was where Hunter would hold his hand when they visited here. He was shy around older adults and so he always went to his daddy for comfort.

Flashback…

It was Easter Sunday and Paul and Shania were going to visit Pauls' parents for the day. This would be a perfect beautiful day for Hunter to make some new friends and meet family he's never seen before such as family from out of state or newborn babies.

"We're almost there, Hunter." Shania said happily in the rearview mirror at her son who was sitting in the middle seat in the back.

The little boy looked at his moms' reflection and gave her a small smile. He was a little nervous because he was incredibly shy around others.

"Hopefully my mom made some of her world-famous stuffing. If she did, I hope she made a lot." He said with a chuckle as he kept his eyes on the road. They were about to enter the classy neighborhood where his parents lived.

"Now we all know you're a big boy but make sure you save some for all of us."

Paul smiled genuinely when he felt his wife's hand gently pat his muscular stomach. He quickly looked down at it and caught sight of her shiny wedding ring. He glanced over at her with a look of love before turning his attention back to the road.

"Where dey live?" Hunter asked as he tried his best to look at the houses out the window but he was too short.

The little voice caught their attention. Paul looked at the rearview mirror as well at his son and noticed him sitting up as much as possible to see the houses. He laughed. "Just right around the corner. You see the house with the red front door and black trimming?" He asked as he pointed his finger out the window towards his parents' house.

"Twimming? What's dat?" He asked innocently.

"It's the lining of the roof, honey." Shania answered before Paul could.

"Oh ok, I think I see it." The three-year-old said excitingly.

"Well, of course you can because we're parked right in front of it now." Paul laughed as he unfastened his seatbelt. As Shania was unfastening hers, Paul climbed out of the car and opened the back door to reveal his smiling son. Paul smiled at the way Hunter had his arms out, wanting his dad to get him out. He stepped forward and got him out of the car, holding him to his side.

"I think I see your mom in the window." Shania said as she pushed some of her beautiful blonde hair behind her ear.

Paul closed the door and locked the car before he looked over at the house. Yeah, his wife was right; his mom really was looking out the window at them like she always did.

Paul, with Hunter cradled in his arms, and Shania, made it over to the front door before it swung open to reveal smiling happy faces on the other side. Even a whiff of Easter ham and that stuffing hit them in a rush of air.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it!" Patricia exclaimed as she stepped out of the house to give the couple a hug and a kiss before giving all her attention to her grandson. "Hi, baby! Are you excited to go Easter egg hunting with all the other kids?" She questioned after she kissed Hunters' chubby cheeks.

"Yeah, I am, gamma." He replied shyly as he buried his face in his daddy's thick neck.

"You are shy just like your daddy was when he was your age. Come in, guys. The food is about ready." Patricia said excitingly as she ushered the family inside the lovely home.

"I'm going to go help your mom with the food." Shania said before she gently kissed Pauls' lips. "You boys be good." She smirked before she disappeared in the kitchen.

Paul smiled warmly and looked over at the little boy in his strong arms. "Alright, little man, go play with your cousins." He said, lowering Hunter onto the soft carpet. As soon as Hunters' tiny feet hit the ground, he grabbed his daddy's hand and squeezed it before he looked up at him.

"No, daddy, I'm scared." His tiny voice whispered as his innocent worried blue eyes bore a hole in Pauls' own hazel eyes.

Paul quirked his eyebrows at him and scoffed softly. "There's nothing to be scared of. All these kids want to play with you." He pointed at a few kids running around in the backyard. "Go crush them in football or something." He watched as Hunter looked out the window in the direction Paul was pointing.

"Maybe later." Hunter said before shuffling closer to Pauls' legs.

He couldn't help but smile. It always took Hunter a while to loosen up around others. Soon, he'll be out getting dirty and run out of energy like the rest of them. "I love you, little man, you know that?" He released Hunters' hold and wrapped his arm around his shoulders to hold him closer.

Hunter looked up at him with an adorable smile. "I wuv you too, daddy."

"Damn it!"

Paul breathed in deep and shook his head of his thoughts when he heard his dad shout. He looked over and saw his dad scowling at the television in front of him. Paul smiled a little knowing that he was pissed at the ball game because his team lost. He nervously walked over to the living room area and slowly sat down on the sofa next to Paul Sr. When he looked at the tv, he could confirm that his team did lose.

Paul cleared his throat awkwardly and wiped his large hands on his jeans. His clammy hands were evident of the nervousness he felt inside because of the tense feeling in the air between the both of them.

He decided to speak up first. "Hey, dad, how ya been?" He asked as he eyed the older man.

Paul Sr. slowly looked over at him and didn't even crack a smile. "Well, how do you think I've been?" He said sarcastically before turning his attention to the television once more. "I guess I've been great." Again, sarcasm was clear in his voice which unnerved Paul.

He knew what this was about. "Dad, I…I'm sorry." His voice was just above a whisper as he dipped his head in shame.

Paul Sr. damn near whipped his head around to look at him with a fierce look which scared Paul to death. "You should be sorry. It's because of your careless actions that my daughter-in-law and grandson are not here anymore." He said with no remorse; his words were straight from the heart and were no lie. "The guilt should be eating you alive. I love you, son but I will never forgive you for what you did."

Paul felt more weight weigh heavily on his heart and shoulders. It felt like a force was pushing down on him and he couldn't breathe.

"The sandwiches are ready!" Patricia exclaimed happily when she walked into the living room, holding a tray of sandwiches. She immediately felt the tense atmosphere and frowned a little. She didn't doubt that it would be like this when Paul visited them both today. She set the tray down onto the coffee table that was in front of her son and noticed a broken look on his face.

"Great, honey, I'm starved." Paul Sr. said with enthusiasm before he got up from the couch to get a sandwich that his wife made for them.

"Paul, here's your sandwich." Patricia said sweetly before she placed it on a paper plate.

Paul deftly reached for the plate that his mother was holding out for him. He stared at the wheat bread and tried to remember the last time he had wholesome bread or hell, bread at all.

"That was really good, mom. It felt great having real food again." Paul chuckled.

"No problem, honey. I'm glad you had some real food. You shouldn't eat all that frozen stuff." She replied as she put the condiments and bread away that was scattered on the countertop.

He just shrugged as he watched his mom maneuver around the small kitchen. "I know." Was all he said as he folded his arms across his chest. If he had a dollar for every time his mom told him that, he could quit his job.

"How has work been? Is Chris still a great worker?" Patricia questioned as she wiped the counter down with a wet rag.

Speaking of quitting his job, it was as if she could read his mind. He sighed. "It's work and Chris is amazing at his job. I couldn't ask for anyone better than him." He stated proudly like Chris was his own child.

Patricia just managed a small smile towards her son. She remembered him being so happy and proud of his motorcycle business before everything that happened. He was so full of life and never complained about a thing like he does now. He could go on and on about all the accessories and a bike he sold that day. Now, "it's work".

As she peered into his tired hazel eyes, she saw what his soul has become. It was as if they were asking her for help but there was really nothing she could do but love him and show him that someone cares. She walked over to him and kissed him on his cheek before she pulled back and whispered to him, "It's okay, Paul."

He sniffed back his tears as he watched her leave the kitchen. She could read him like a book and he was somewhat thankful for that. Even though it was only the middle of the day, he felt fatigue start to settle. He exited the kitchen and spotted his parents sitting on the sofa together enjoying a tv show before his voice interrupted. "Well, I think I'm gonna hit the road."

His mom was the first to get up but his dad just remained seated like he didn't even hear him. "Leaving so soon?" She asked with a sort of sad look on her face.

"Yeah, I'm getting tired." He said while they walked to the front door. Patricia opened it and they stepped out onto the large porch. "Tell dad bye for me okay?" He gave his mom a hug so full of love and appreciation.

"I will, honey." She muttered into his shoulder. They broke apart and she said, "I'm sorry that it's like this here. I wish I can change the way he feels about you but I can't. I've tried, Paul." She explained disappointingly.

"Nah, don't worry about it, mom. It's okay." He lied. "I'll talk to you tomorrow or whenever, okay?"

"Okay, take care of yourself. I love you."

He smiled legitimately. "I love you too, mom."

Although, his father wasn't too fond of him, Paul was thankful that his mom invited him over for a much needed visit. He need his moms' love and comfort. It was like a life support holding him above water to give him just enough air to breathe while he sunk into the deep.

That illusion swam around in his head as he drove out of the quiet neighborhood and into the busy city. He didn't know where he wanted to go on his day off; he was tired and still hurt from what his dad told him earlier before lunch. That had to be the worst thing to hear from your own parent, that they are ashamed of you and will never forgive you for your wrongdoings.

Paul had to admit, he did deserve it.

Driving around aimlessly through the streets of Nashua, New Hampshire, his birthplace, he noticed that his gas was running low. He sighed and made a gas station his next stop. He did need some beer so that made him feel better as he parked in the almost empty parking lot of the gas station. There was only one car next to him he noticed as he stepped out and walked into the small store. When he stepped inside, he nodded to the cashier before he walked to the back of the store where the fridges were located. He pulled out a twelve pack of Budweiser and slammed the glass door shut which seemed to echo throughout.

When he made it to the front where the cashier was, he sighed once more when he saw a young woman stood in front of him paying for her things. At least, she was trying to pay for her things.

"Ma'am, if you don't have enough for these cigarettes then you don't have enough." The cashier spoke irritably as he watched the woman dig through her purse nervously.

"No, please, I do. I just need to find a few more quarters." She sounded worried or desperate.

The man behind the counter sighed and rolled his eyes. When he saw Paul standing behind her, he motioned for him to step up.

Paul quirked his brow at him. "Don't you have to help her first?" He asked curiously as he glanced at her to find her still struggling to find the change.

He just shook his head at his question. "She's taking too damn long. This is like the third time in the past couple of days she's done this." He said as he grabbed the box of Budweiser from Paul and scanned it to ring up the price. "$13.99, sir." He added.

Paul opened his wallet and took out a twenty before he heard commotion next to him. He looked over and saw that the woman had dropped pennies on the floor and she cursed under her breath. He cleared his throat and handed the money to the irritated cashier. "I'll buy her cigs too."

The brunette looked up at him as if he had saved her from danger and just looked at him with so much appreciation in her eyes. "Thank you so much. You really didn't have to." She said softly.

A first look at her face dumbfounded Paul. She did not look like the type to smoke and she was just so young. Her face was young; she had blue eyes and a bright smile. He almost regretted buying her the cigarettes. "It's no problem." He replied as he grabbed the change from the other man and stuffed it into his jean pocket. He watched as she grabbed the pack and looked back at him with a smile.

"Thank you again. I owe you." She said appreciatively before she walked out of the gas station.

Paul turned his attention back to the cashier, remembering that he completely forgot about the gas he needed. "Oh yeah, ten on three, please." He said, handing him more money. "What a pretty girl she was. She shouldn't be smoking." He added which caught the other mans' attention.

"Yeah, you're right. Smoking ruins people, man."

Paul thought about that. He knew that he shouldn't be talking but her addiction or whatever could really cost her someday. Here he was holding his addiction in his hands while helping others with theirs.

"Have a good day, man." Paul said to the cashier with a half-hearted smile before he walked out of the store. He looked around and didn't see that woman anywhere. Where the hell did she go so fast?

Paul just shrugged and threw the case of beer in the passenger seat. A thought creeped into his mind as he stared at the box of alcohol. The fact that it was so quiet outside made it more difficult to stop the images from showing up in his mind.

He thought of how his love, his wife, would sit in this very seat. Well, not the exact seat since this was a different car but the passenger seat nonetheless. Paul, Shania, and Hunter would always come to this gas station when they were on their way to a destination somewhere. He could imagine her looking up at him smiling. He could imagine Hunter being an energetic little guy in the backseat. He could hear his tiny voice in his head and he let out a shaky breath.

A semi-truck honked its horn as it drove and it made Paul jump out of his skin. The laughs vanished and now all he could hear was the gentle breeze going through the trees around the gas station.

He just sighed tiredly and shut the door quietly before he went to fill his car up in the middle of the quiet lot.

A/N: Thank you all for reading and like always, please leave a review and/or favorite/follow!