A/N: Thank you, SandraSmit 19 for your review! Many thanks to Rated-rgurl89, Tanschana, and Emmettluver2010 for adding "The Other Daughter" to their alert list! Also, thanks to CenaCandiceFan4Life for adding me to her author alert list!
DISCLAIMER: I own no one from the WWE. I only own my characters.
CHAPTER 4: THE FAMILY DINNER
"Aubrey, what did you and the boys do today?" Mom asked over dinner.
It was Friday night and mom was making forced conversation at every opportunity. Shane kept kicking me under the table every two minutes, Marissa was busy with the boys who were playing with their food; dad kept his mouth full and his head down at all times, and Stephanie was God knows where.
To say this was a disaster was an understatement.
"Well" The boys and I had spent the day together "we went to a concert at Carnegie Hall, did some shopping, and then had a picnic in Central Park".
In other words, I'm broke.
"Sounds like you guys had a full day, doesn't it Vince?"
Dad grunted and looked up from his plate. "What, Linda?"
Mom rolled her eyes.
"Vince, please talk to your daughter."
Dad looked like he'd rather self administer an enema.
"You're leaving tomorrow, right?"
Before I could reply, Stephanie walked in the door.
Shit.
"I'M HERE!" she shouted, as if her existence pleased us all.
"Mom" she began, looking at me "I hope you don't mind but I invited Hunter to dine with us tonight. He is practically like family now."
And he's probably the most well adjusted relative too.
"Of course, Hunter, how are you?" Mom said getting up to greet him.
"Just fine, Linda. Vince" Hunter shook dad's hand "Hey Shane, Marissa." Hunter winked at the boys.
"It's Aubrey, right?"
I looked up from my plate to see Hunter smiling at me.
"Yes. It's nice to see you again, Hunter. How've you been?"
Before he could respond, Stephanie jumped in.
"Mom, I'm so sorry we're late but there was an emergency at the office."
I rolled my eyes because this bullshit. Stephanie absolutely detests when I visit because mom and dad focus their attention on me. Mom dotes on me and dad tries to get me out of the state, A.S.A.P.
"So, Aubrey" Stephanie said in her sugary voice "any new boyfriends, lately?"
I knew this was coming.
"No, Stephanie, there is not." I replied dryly, my voice even.
"Oh, that's too bad. " Stephanie said, with an evil smile.
We continued to eat in silence. No one said a word, not even the boys.
Hunter caught my eye and winked at me.
Stephanie noticed.
"So Aubrey, when are you going to call Mr. Burbage and inform him that you will not be fulfilling Uncle Pete's request?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"I haven't made my decision yet, Stephanie."
"On Monday, you said-"
"I know what I said, Stephanie" dropping my fork "I have decided to heed Mr. Burbage's advice and think this through. I will call Mr. Burbage on Monday when I get back to school and give him my answer."
"Girls, no business at the table" dad grunted.
I looked at Hunter again, who gave me a small smile.
Stay cool.. I told myself.
"It's just as well" Stephanie said, throwing her hair over her shoulder. She was a blonde now "you wouldn't be able to handle anything at the office."
"Excuse me?" I said, glaring at Stephanie.
She grinned. "Well, it's just that, you're not exactly…WWE material."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" I demanded, my blood pressure rising.
Stephanie gave a sigh.
"Aubrey, it's time to face facts: only a real woman can handle the pressures at the WWE."
"And what separates the real women from you, the office whore?"
I blinked and Stephanie was across the table, her hands around my throat, choking the daylights out of me.
The boys were yelling "FIGHT, FIGHT!", mom was screaming, food was flying, dad was cursing, and I beat the shit out of Stephanie with my dinner plate.
Stephanie groaned and rolled onto the floor, taking me with her. She refused to let go of my throat so I started throwing punches and kicks wherever I could. I started banging her head against the ceramic tile when someone lifted me off the ground and onto my feet.
Hunter.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, AUBREY JENNIFER MCMAHON?"
I blinked back surprised.
Dad actually knew my name. Now if only he could spell…
"ME?"
"YES YOU!" dad roared "HOW DARE YOU COME INTO MY HOME AND PULL THIS SHIT-"
"OH! WAIT A DAMN MINUTE HERE, DAD! YOUR WHORE OF A DAUGHTER STARTED THIS SH-"
"SHUT UP!" Mom screamed "JUST SHUT THE HELL UP! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO GET THIS FAMILY TOGETHER FOR A FUCKING DINNER! IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR MY FAMILY TO HAVE ONE FUCKING MEAL OUT OF THE WHOLE YEAR TOGETHER AND GET ALONG? IS IT? REST ASSURED THAT I WILL NEVER, EVER HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY DINNER IN THIS GOD FORSAKEN HOUSE AGAIN!"
Mom ran from the table. A minute later, I heard a door slam and muffled sobs.
I looked from Shane, who was angry, to Marissa, who was upset, to the boys who were wide eyed.
Dad look downright pissed and Hunter was trying not to laugh.
Stephanie was still on the floor, shell shocked and covered in gravy.
"It was nice seeing you all." I said.
I grabbed my purse, threw my coat on, and ran out the door.
I made the drive from Connecticut to Manhattan in 25 minutes.
I ran up to the guest room, grabbed my suitcases and called a taxi. I wrote a note for the boys, telling them I loved them and that I would see them in June.
I think Easter would be a little too soon for me to come home.
An hour later, I was at the airport, waiting for my flight to board.
My cell chirped.
Shane.
I answered it, preparing for the worst.
"AUNT BERRY!" the boys shouted in unison.
I fell out of my chair in relief.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
"WE GOT YOUR NOTE" the boys felt the need, for some unfathomable reason, to shout when talking on a cell phone "WE LOVE YOU!"
"I love you too and guess what? I might even have presents when I come back!"
"YAY!"
I heard shuffling and then Marissa's voice.
"Aubrey?"
I took a deep breath.
"Yes?"
"Listen, Shane and I talked and we feel that….maybe it's best if you don't take the money. Honey, I know it's a lot of money to give up but…with what happened tonight, maybe it's for the best to let Stephanie have it. Shane and I are able and willing to help you out financially in any way we can."
I could hear Shane yelling in the background.
"Ok…I'll think it over Marissa. Perhaps you're right. My taking the money and working for dad might be catastrophic."
Marissa gave a sigh of relief.
"Wonderful. Listen, we want you to come up for Easter break, ok? You can stay at our apartment again and I promise, no Vince or Stephanie. Just Shane, me, the boys, and Linda for Easter brunch. Ok?"
"Ok. Listen, I have to go-my flight is boarding."
"Ok, sweetie. Call us when you get back to school."
"No problem. See you guys in April."
Click.
I waited a full minute before opening my phone again.
The phone rang three times before he answered.
"Hi, Mr. Burbage? It's Aubrey McMahon. I'm sorry to be calling so late…I'm fine. Listen, about Uncle Pete's request…I accept."