First off, a huge middle finger to Chloe who said I wouldn't update :)

Secondly, Merry Christmas! TWO updates in one day! I am shooketh!

Paul felt bad. No, Paul felt horrible, absolutely horrible for the way that he acted back at Stephanie's place, he couldn't believe himself. He got to his car and sat there for a good ten minutes, contemplating going back up there and making things right. She was right, he didn't own her, he had no right to tell her how she should live her life, things were already bad enough as it were for her and he was adding to the problem. He made up his mind that he was not going to allow his ego to get in the way of his feelings, so he sucked it up and grabbed his jacket and headed back in, he just hoped she would want to see him.

"It just takes time, that's all, he's in his feelings, you're in your feelings, o'l shit brain is probably in his feelings as well, it's just one big spinning wheel of hot mess" Aria said as she ran her hand through Stephanie's wet hair.

"No" Stephanie said shaking her head. "Michael is fine"

"Of course he is" Aria muttered under lips.

"He basically said that I was his and that Paul should just get over it because he was here first"

"That has to be the most kindergarten shit I have ever heard in my entire life" Aria said as she placed her hand on her hip. "I mean seriously"

"They both sound very territorial to me…and I don't like it" Tyler said clenching his fist "You're not some piece of meat dangling above their hands, you're not theirs for the taking"

"Are you on drugs?" Aria questioned "Because damn you get pissed at the smallest shit" she said before turning her attention back to Stephanie "Be lucky it's not him" she said pointing to Tyler "Because you'd end up on some damn murder mystery week on the ID channel messing around with this one, poor Riley"

Stephanie chuckled, and Tyler couldn't help to do the same himself. "I'm not that bad"

"Yes you are" the women answered in unison, Tyler blinked profusely at the accusation.

"you absolutely are, I could tell you Stephanie dropped her sandwich on the floor and you'd be ready to square up with the bread about it not being stable enough to hold her shit together"

Tyler let out a hearty laugh and held his hands up in defense. "Okay, okay, I surrender, but Stephanie is like a little sister and I would go to war for her, I just refuse to let anyone or anything take advantage of her, and when I feel someone is, I have a small tendency to get a tad bit emotional"

"A small?" Aria questioned

"A tendency?" Stephanie chimed in

"A tad?"

"A bit?"

"okay, okay you all don't have to attack me ya know"

"And what about me?" Aria asked

"What about you?"

"Would you go to war for me?"

"You're like that distant cousin everyone hates to see coming"

"Fuck you" she said as she delivered a playful punch to his shoulder.

Stephanie smiled, this is what she needed, to be surrounded by her friends, her family, not this boy drama. She was about to continue to tease Tyler when she heard her doorbell ring. "I'll get it" Tyler said as he stood up and walked towards the door.

"Who could that be? I hope it's not Michael, I have no time for any extra drama tonight."

"Nah, he wouldn't care enough to show up, he's the type of bitch to send a text"

"Aria"

"Sorry"

Tyler headed towards the door and glanced up at the clock, he wondered why anyone would be coming to Stephanie's room this late, it only heighten his protective senses, more reasons why he volunteered to answer the door. He looked through the peep hole and took a step back. "What is he doing here?" he asked himself as he slightly opened the door, just enough for his head to poke out. "Yeah, what's up?"

"I uh, I wanted to speak to Stephanie" Paul said as he scratched the back of his head

"You just did…and she was in tears when I found her" The sting in Paul's chest hit hard, he never meant to hurt Stephanie and he most certainly did not want to make her cry, and Tyler's harsh tone didn't go unnoticed, he understood it though. Stephanie was Tyler's best friend and he loved her more than anything in this world, if he were in his position he would probably do the same.

"That was never my intention, I let my emotions get the best of me and I just started saying whatever came out of my mouth, I didn't take the time to think before I spoke, all I knew and saw was the girl I wanted slipping out of my hands and I got heated. I would never want to hurt her Tyler, I know you don't know much about me, but I would like to believe that you know that."

Tyler looked Paul up and down and opened the door just enough for him to slip out into the hallway with Paul. "Listen dude, I know you like Stephanie and I know she's a great girl and you realized that you could have potentially screwed that up and I commend you for coming back to fix it, but if there is anything to come of you two, going forward i'm going to need you to control your shit. The last thing she needs is some emotional hot head running around going off on her the moment things go south for him."

Paul nodded. "You're right, you're absolutely right, I do need to get my shit together and Stephanie deserves more, I just want to be able to have the chance to show her that, this is not the version of me that I want her experience, at least not in this light."

Tyler nodded as he unfolded his arms. "Good, that's what I like to hear…listen man, when i'm like this, i'm not trying to be a dick or give you a hard time, but you gotta understand that those two" he said pointing towards the door "is family in there, and anyone who fucks with family, fucks with me. At the end of the day those two girls are really all I have to call mine and i'll always be their number one protector, I understand there comes a time when someone is going to take that role, but until then, you have to get through me. And if I ever feel like you're bullshitting her, I won't hesitate to take action, I believe you were warned of this the first day we met."

Paul nodded. "Yeah, I get that" he said as he took a step closer to Tyler. "But you have to understand this, at the end of the day, I'm a grown ass man, I respect you and I respect your position and the role you play, but i'm nobody's bitch. I take you seriously, I take what you do and say seriously, but I also have to defend myself and let you know, i'm not too keen on the slick threats. There's no limit to who can protect her, I got her and you got her and we both know Aria has her back more than anyone ever could, there's enough of us to go around to spread the love and protection. I just don't want any problems between you and I, because if this works out, which I plan on making it work out, I would love to see and hang out with you on a more personally and friendlier level."

Tyler nodded as he folded his lips upside down. "I gotta say i'm impressed, I know i'm not a 6'4" jacked piece of muscle like you, but it's rare that I have guys stand up to me like that for Steph…I respect it, shows you have heart."

"And i'd do the same for Aria"

Tyler grinned. "Yeah" he said nodding his head quickly "Yeah"

He didn't say much, but Paul took that as Tyler's way of saying that they were basically on good terms, that if you got one of us you got all of us and that he respected it. "May I see her?" Paul asked.

"Tyler who is at the…oh, Hi Paul" Aria said as she opened the door slightly as Tyler had before, she gave him a gentle smile and then came out. "I assume you're here for Stephanie"

"Yes, if she'll have me"

"She will" She said as she turned around and opened the door "Go ahead and go in, she's in her room, Tyler and I are going to leave"

"Bu-"

"We're leaving" Aria said as she looped her arm through her friends and practically dragged him down the hall with her.

"Who was it?" Stephanie asked as she heard footsteps approach her bedroom, they weren't light like Aria's but they were definitely heavier than Tyler's. "Hello?" she said calmly. Clearly Aria and Tyler wouldn't let a complete stranger come into her home…right?

"Hi"

She froze. It was Paul and he was back, she was not expecting this at all, especially with the way that he left out of here. "Oh, hi" she said softly

Paul instantly picked up on her tone, he could tell that she was surprised, he could also see the puffiness around her eyes, Tyler was not lying when he said she had been crying, this only made it that much harder for him. He couldn't bare the thought of him being the reason why she was hurt, he knew he had to make this right, and he had to do it now. "I would like to start over, try having this conversation again, in a more mature way on my end…that is if you'll have me." he said taking a few steps closer. "I don't want you to feel like you have to speak to me, I know I left out of here on a whole other level and I just want you to know that everything we do going forward is your choice."

Stephanie quickly nodded her head as she sat down on the bed. "I want you to stay, I want to talk". Paul's lips turned into a half smile, that was good to hear, no, great to hear. To him it meant that she wanted to work things out as much as he did, or at least get to the root of all of this craziness. "you can have a seat on the bed if you'd like" she said as she motioned for him to sit down next to her.

Paul walked the short distance over to her and sat on the edge of the bed, he reached over and grabbed her hand and placed it into his own. "I just want to start off by saying I'm sorry, the guy you saw 15 minutes ago…that's not me, I'm not sure who that was." he said as he gently squeezed her hand before tracing small circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. Her hand was so soft, and so tiny, he was sure it would almost disappear if he closed his hand completely. It represented her in so many ways, soft, warm, and welcoming. "i'm not sure where that side of me came from, I guess it was the thought of losing you…I know I sound crazy, I know we've only known each other a very short time, but I feel like I truly know you Steph, I feel like we could really be something." He said as he let go of her hand and stood up. "Or maybe i'm just being crazy" he said as he placed his hands on his hips and paced in front of her "I would hate for that to drive you away"

Stephanie remained silent as she reached out her hand to him, he took a moment to himself and then he grabbed it and sat back down on the bed. "You're not crazy Paul." She said as she copied his gesture a short time ago and begin to trace small circles on the back of his hand. "You just know what you want"

"And what about you?" he asked "Do you know what you want?"

Stephanie shrugged. "I know that I like you, I know that I enjoy being around you, I know that I have never had a feeling about someone this way before…not even Michael." Paul wanted to scoff at the mention of his name but he kept his composure and remained calm. "You're just…different, you make me feel different, you make me forget."

He knew exactly what she meant by that, and it was the biggest compliment he had ever received, to make someone feel as if they were just like you, no boundaries, no barriers, just human, that meant the world to him coming from her. "You have no idea how much that means to me Steph, really." They shared a comfortable silence, taking a few moments to themselves before speaking again. "So how do we move forward?" Paul asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't like ultimatums" She said softly, reminding him of what he said earlier in the night.

"I won't give you one"

Stephanie took a deep breath and exhaled, she turned her head towards Paul and gave a shy smile. "Should I start from the beginning?"

"Whatever makes you comfortable."

"I met Michael at a restaurant, the one you saw us at ironically, I was having dinner with Tyler and Aria."

Flashback

"And based on that, I knew I had to get rid of him"

"Aria, you would get rid of a guy if he blinked the wrong way" Tyler teased as he took a bite out of his roll.

"Not true, I just have standards, I don't take on every little thing that hops off the street like you do."

Stephanie chuckled. "Well, how do you plan on getting rid of him?"

"I already did" Aria said as she took a sip of her wine. "I have no time for games, dumped him that night actually."

"Wow" Stephanie said as she felt around to grab her napkin "you wasted no time."

"I do not have time to waste"

"Cold-blooded" Tyler chimed in.

"Well I…ooooh, hot babe at five o'clock."

"Where?" Stephanie asked as she turned her head as if she could see him "describe him"

"Tall, about 6'2"- 6'3", black hair, green eyes, business suit, it's expensive, and so is the watch and matching diamond bracelet." Aria said looking over at him "Nice skin, beautiful smile, he is sporting a fade combover, not some sloppy mess like Tyler"

"Hey, fuck you"

"His entire demeanor spells out 'money', but not of his own, probably comes from a family with it."

"In other words, he's a jerk" Stephanie said as she reached over and took a sip of her wine. "A trust fund jerk"

"Not necessarily, I know men with nothing and they're assholes, and I know men with the world at their fingers and are sweethearts."

"How does he walk?"

"He has a nice little stride, a strut almost, as if he knows he's the shit"

"A jerk"

Aria chuckled. "And yet you always get onto me about being harsh, you have the slightest clue who this man is and you're already judging him"

"The same could be said for you" Tyler added

"Shut up, Tyler" Aria said as she rolled her eyes "And speak of the devil, you might want to turn on your nice girl button because he seems to be heading this way"

"What?" Stephanie asked as she sat her wine glass down, before she could say anything else she felt a presence beside her.

"Hello ladies, gentlemen" he said nodding to Tyler

"Sup" he replied as he leaned back against his chair

"I must say you two look absolutely beautiful"

"Why thank you" Aria gushed as she took her hand and flipped her hair. "Not too shabby yourself" she said winking

"Hasn't even been 24 hours" Tyler muttered to himself "OW!" he yelled out as he felt a throbbing pain shoot through his lower leg, she had a tendency to kick him in the shins from time to time.

"Well, I appreciate that, means a lot coming from a beauty such as yourself" he said as he placed one hand on the table and leaned in before shifting his attention to Stephanie who had her head down. "You're awfully quiet."

"Just shy is all" she said softly.

He smirked. "A face like that should be shown off to the world, don't hide from it." This made Stephanie smile, she kept her head down to hide her blush. "I don't believe we have formally be introduced, what is your name?" he asked looking at Aria.

"Aria, Aria Brookins"

"Nice to meet you Miss Brookins" he said as he lifted her hand to his mouth and planted a small kiss, Aria's eyes lit up like the northern lights. "And you?"

"Tyler, Tyler Watts"

The man chuckled. "I meant your friend"

"Haaaaaaa!" Aria teased as she stuck her tongue out at Tyler "Aaaahhh"

"I thought he was making friends is all"

"Stephanie…Stephanie McMahon"

"Well" he said as he lifted up Stephanie's hand and planted a kiss to the back of it. "It is very nice to meet you, Stephanie. I'm Michael by the way, Michael Vore"

"woah, woah, woah, wait! Aria had the hots for Michael! is that why she hates him?"

"Shh, shh" Stephanie said playfully hitting Paul on the chest. "Don't interrupt my story"

"Sorry, continue…wow"

"Nice to meet you as well" Stephanie replied

"Two beautiful women in one night, what did I do to deserve such an honor?" he asked. His voice was smooth like silk, and his confidence oozed out of him like lava, just like Aria said, he knew he was the shit and didn't mind asserting his position. He smelled amazing, his cologne was strong but nice, noticeable, but not overwhelming. His hands were warm and soft, she could tell they were well manicured by the way his nails briefly brushed across her skin when he held her hand.

"So, exactly which one are you trying to get with?"

"Tyler!" they both cried out in unision

"Whaaaat?" Tyler said opening up his arms and leaning back against his chair, making the legs lift off the floor "If a guy is going to hit on my two best friends I'd like to know his intentions"

"Are you serious?" Aria asked, aggravated with her friend's brazen attitude.

"Very"

"It's alright, I get it, I get it" Michael said holding his hands up in defense for a slight moment before allowing them to fall back to his side. "I'd be the same way too"

"Would you now?" Aria asked, clearly flirting as her voice turned more sultry and seductive

"Woah, Aria really had the hots for Micha.…Ow!"

"I told you to stop interrupting me"

"Sorry, continue"

"Ugh, anyway"

"yes, yes I would" he said as he leaned in a little closer, placing one hand back on the table

Aria chuckled. "Well, aren't you quite the charmer"

"24 hours" Tyler said to himself

"You're about to get kicked again" Aria warned

"So" Michael said as he turned his attention to Stephanie "I know it takes a lot to get you to talk, but what would it take to get you to dinner?"

"Smooooth" Aria said as she smiled at the attention her friend was receiving, if she was honest she knew the entire time that his attention and sole purpose for coming over was for Stephanie. She had been watching him long before she outed him to the group, he had be glancing over at her a few times and she knew it was only a matter of time before he came over and she right. She also knew that Stephanie would shy away and she needed to be the one to break the ice, so she figured if she got the conversation to a certain point he would probably make a move and he did.

Stephanie almost choked on her roll as she placed it back on her plate and covered her mouth as she chewed, when she finished she positioned herself towards him. "I,um…well"

"She's blind you know" Tyler said bluntly

"Oh, is she now?" Michael said glancing over at Tyler before turning his attention back to Stephanie "That doesn't change a thing, my offer still stands, so, what do you say?"

"I say go for it" Aria said smirking, Michael returned the gesture.

"Wait, Aria was an advoca-"

"Shut up!"

"Sorry"

"And yes, she wanted us together...at the time"

"I'm going to have to have a chat with her"

"You'll be having that chat soon if you don't shut up and let me finish, i'm almost done"

"No pressure" Michael said softly as he awaited Stephanie's answer.

"Sure" she said with a shrug of her shoulders "why not?"

"splendid" Michael said clasping his hands together

"People still say that?" Tyler whispered as he leaned over to Aria

"Um, I guess we should exchange information or whatever" Stephanie said shyly

Michael pulled out his phone. "I'll give you mine if you give me yours" he teased, Stephanie chuckled.

"I like him already" Aria said as she leaned against the back of her chair

"There, all set" Michael said as he handed Stephanie's phone back to her and took one more glance at his. "I'll call you and we can set up a time"

"sure" Stephanie said offering a warm smile

"It was nice meeting you all" Michael said as he gently grabbed Aria's hand and kissed it once more, he offered a nod to Tyler and then focused his attention on Stephanie. "And i'll be seeing you soon" he said as he grabbed Stephanie's hands and planted a kiss on each one. "Real soon" Stephanie smiled and held her head down until he left seconds later.

"Like I said, I like him"

"Oh yeah? because you were allll over him a second ago, or at least you wanted to be" Tyler responded

"pfft, I knew from the second he walked through the door that he wanted Stephanie, she's been the center of his attention all night, I was just waiting for him to make a move and he did." Aria stated as she begin eat her food. "besides, i'm too feisty for him, he wouldn't last 5 seconds"

"three" Tyler teased but scooted his chair back before Aria could respond with her foot. "I've learned your ways you old bat"

Stephanie chuckled. Though she was nervous, she was excited about getting to know Michael, he seemed like a nice guy and she liked his confidence, she could tell if this was to become anything at times his ego would probably annoy her, but it was something she was willing to deal with if he turned out to be a nice guy.

"What a day this has been, Aria dumps a guy, you get a guy, and I get kicked in the shins, what a perfect world we live in" he said sarcastically as the girls laughed.

"After that we went on a few dates and things started to get serious, long story short he ended things between us when he started to move up in rank, it required more of his time and attention and things started to go a little downhill, not much but enough to create some distance. We were off and on for a while before he basically told me without saying the actual words that he need more physical affection, and with him always being gone and me here in New York, he couldn't be with me. He was afraid he would act on his desires and would regret cheating on me, so he thought it'd be best if we called it quits all together and remained friends. I was fine with that, I mean of course it hurt, he was the guy I thought I would marry and have a family with,?and the fact that he couldn't control what was in his pants pissed me off more than it hurt me. I believe if you truly love someone you'll work through the petty things such as that, but I guess he couldn't…until now. But even then he is only going to be here for a year, my biggest problem was him trying to get something up and started again only to leave, I've let my heart be played with too many times in the past and I want to avoid that…both with old and new relationships."

Paul nodded. "I understand, but i'm not him Stephanie, i'm not here to toy around with your emotions, i'm here to get to know you, to build with you, to grow with you, to be with you for as long as you'll have me. I know starting something new is scary, but I would like for you to take the chance on me to show you that I am really who and what I say I am. I'm not him, I will not hurt you."

"It's just a lot to take in"

"I know" Paul said grabbing her hand "And i'm not asking you to decide right now, you take all the time you need, I just need to know if i'm in the running, I would hate to feel played."

Stephanie chuckled. "This isn't a race Paul"

"I know, but I would like to know that there's a chance"

"There is"

"Then that's all I need" he said as he leaned in and planted a kiss to her lips, she was slow to respond but soon followed suit and they were engulfed in a slow, ardent kiss. This took them back to the first night they hung out together, the sparks were flying then and they were certainly flying now. Paul knew she was the one, and he knew he was the one she should be with, and if he had anything to do with it, he would certainly make sure that happened.