Chapter Two
Part Four
20 December 2003
'Do you, Chyna, take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in hard times, till death do you part?'
A bright smile shined over her face. 'I do.'
The minister smiled. 'Then with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.'
Hunter joined in the wild cheering, clapping loudly as Billy leaned down and kissed his new bride. 'About time!' he grinned happily.
'They look great together, don't they?' Shane commented beside him, also clapping hard.
He nodded enthusiastically, smiling at his ex-girlfriend as they walked past their pew. However, a pang of regret came over him when he realised that his wedding wasn't as…traditional as Chyna's had been. A traditional wedding was the very least that Stephanie had deserved.
*
'Hey, you,' a familiar voice greeted from behind him.
Hunter looked up and smiled at Jessica as she sat down across from him. They were still at the wedding reception, Chyna and Billy having had just left for their honeymoon. 'Hey, kid.'
'Looking a little lonely out here by yourself?' she said, a hint of question in her voice. 'Everyone else is out there having a good time.'
He shrugged. 'I am having a good time. I'm just, you know, thinking.'
Jessica looked at him closely, a thoughtful look on her face. 'About…Stephanie?'
Hunter was surprised, but he quickly tried to hide it. 'No, of course not.'
She raised an eyebrow. 'Do you have any idea how obvious you can be?'
He sighed. 'That evident, huh?'
'Well, not really. Actually, Chy and I were talking a couple of night ago about the two of you.'
He raised an eyebrow. 'Oh?'
'We were just, you know, worried about you.'
It had taken awhile for Hunter to forgive Jessica for not only having known about Stephanie's affair with Jericho, and having sided with her as well. Hell, he was pretty sure Jessica had encouraged Stephanie. He shook his head. 'What is the deal with everyone thinking that I'm not okay? I'm just fine!'
'No, you aren't,' Jessica argued. 'You've lost lots of weight since she left. I mean, you're looking more like the Hunter who first entered the WWF. You've lost practically ninety percent of your friends, and you never go out anymore. You've become a bit of a recluse, really. So very unlike the Hunter we all knew and love.'
'What makes you think this has anything to do with Steph?' he shot back.
'Call it a lucky guess.'
'Let's not, okay?' he asked, almost begging. Hunter had had more than enough talks about Stephanie with Shane to last him two lifetimes.
Jessica sighed softly. 'It's been nearly two and a half years, Hunter. I love Steph to death, even though I haven't heard from her in so long, but don't you think it's time that you move on with your life? Just let her go.'
Just let her go.
Four little words, seemingly so simple. Just. Let. Her. Go.
Problem was, Hunter didn't want to.
*
14 April 2004
Stephanie quickly wiped her hands on her apron before opening the door. She was surprised to find Todd Blair standing before her with a couple of colourfully wrapped packages. 'Uh, hi.'
Todd smiled brightly at her. He had moved into Courtney's house a few streets over just two months ago, after her friend had moved away. 'Hey, Steph!'
She smiled back, still a little confused. 'I don't mean to sound rude, but I wasn't expecting you.'
'Oh, I know.' He offered her the two packages. 'Actually, I just came by to drop these off.'
Stephanie stared at them warily. 'I don't understand.'
'Well, I remember you telling me that you like to spend Colby's birthday alone, just the two of you, so I thought I'd drop these off early. I hope you don't mind.'
She was a little stunned. 'I wasn't…I mean, you really shouldn't have.'
'I know, but you and Colby have been so nice to me. And I really wanted to get him something.' Todd laughed lightly. 'Besides, I thought all kids loved getting presents.'
Stephanie was trying to think of a polite way to refuse them. She really didn't know Todd well enough to be receiving presents from him. Granted, they weren't actually for her but for Colby, but still. 'I'm not sure if-'
'Please, just take them,' he interrupted gently. 'It's not that much anyway, just a couple of toys that I thought Colby might like.'
Really, where was the harm in accepting them? She finally nodded, smiling gratefully as she took the packages from him. 'Thank you, I really appreciate it.'
Todd smiled back. 'No problem. Please say 'happy birthday' to him, and I hope he enjoys them.'
'I will.'
Stephanie closed the door behind him, and looked down at the presents in her hands. They were somewhat heavy, and she was curious as to what they could be.
'Oh! Presents!' an excited voice exclaimed from the living room doorframe.
She grinned, lifting them out of his reach as Colby sprinted towards them. 'Not yet, sweetie. Tomorrow.'
He pouted. 'But I want it now!'
'I know you do, but tomorrow is your birthday, remember? And besides, that means more for tomorrow.'
Colby frowned slightly, as if thinking it over. Then, he looked up at her with some suspicion. 'More tomorrow?'
Stephanie laughed, gently ruffling his hair. 'That's right. When my Prince Charming turns a big two!
It also didn't escape her that it was nearly two years since Chris's death.
*
30 May 2004
'Jess, this better not be what I'm thinking it is,' Hunter muttered under his breath, trying to keep the smile on his face as he watched the approaching couple come closer.
'I don't know what you're talking about,' Jessica muttered back, also trying to keep the smile on her face.
'I swear, if-'
'Hey, baby,' Raven greeted Jessica loudly, interrupting Hunter's low reply. Jessica's boyfriend leaned down and gave her a brief kiss, before straightening up and pulling the woman with him forward. 'I hope you don't mind, but I brought a friend of mine along.'
'We don't mind at all, do we, Hunter?' Jessica replied, looking at him innocently.
Hunter felt his stomach tighten slightly as he looked at the other woman. She was a rather tall blonde, with deep green eyes, a charming smile and a very attractive face. 'No, not at all.'
'Great,' Raven beamed. 'Darna, you remember Jessica? And this is Hunter Helsmley. Hunter, Darna Stark.'
Darna smiled at him, offering her hand. 'Hi, it's nice to meet you.'
He shook her hand, surprised at her firm grip. 'Likewise.'
'Shall we go in then?' Jessica asked, wrapping an arm around Raven's waist. She grinned sweetly at Hunter, as if her extremely obvious matchmaking wasn't at all happening. She and Raven walked into the restaurant, leaving him with Darna.
'After you,' he said, trying his best to be friendly. It wasn't that he didn't find her attractive, because he did. It was just…
Darna wasn't Stephanie.
*
18 July 2004
Stephanie wasn't completely sure how it happened, but she now found herself sharing a house with Todd Blair. They had been talking, outraged by the sudden hike in interest rates, bank charges, petrol prices, by the increase in the general costs of living, and then all of a sudden she was helping him pack his stuff to move into her house.
That had been a week ago. Stephanie still wasn't fully comfortable with the idea, but Colby was extremely excited at the prospect of another person living in the house. He had grown very close to Todd, which she had tried to resist at first. Not because she didn't like Todd, but because…because…
She found it hard to admit to herself, but the prospect of another man living in her house was terrifying. She was afraid that Todd would diminish Chris's memory. Although it had been over two years ago, Stephanie still felt her his death keenly. The idea of moving on, taking a new man into her life was unthinkable.
'You've been such a great friend to me,' Todd had told her, making it clear that their relationship was only ever going to be platonic. It was that simple statement that had made her extend her house to him, and he had agreed.
'Colby, honey, can you please get me that box?' Stephanie asked, pointing to the empty cardboard box that was sitting beside him.
Colby stood up, and dragged it over to where she was taking out Todd's books out of the shelves. 'Want me to help?' he asked, looking at her hopefully.
She grinned down at him, her heart almost bursting with love at her son. Colby was the most precocious, sweetest little boy she had ever come across. 'I'll pass you the books, and you put them in the box. How's that?'
He beamed at her. 'Really?'
'Sure. Prince Charming doesn't think he can just sit back and watch his Mom do everything, does he?'
'And neither can I,' a voice said behind her.
Stephanie turned around and looked at Todd, who had obviously just arrived after having dropped off several boxes at her house. 'Back already?'
He grinned at her. 'Steph, it's only a few streets over.' He shook his head. 'And I really don't think you should be doing anything at all.'
'We're happy to help, aren't we, honey?' Stephanie said, looking down at Colby, who nodded emphatically. 'See?'
'Well, thank you.'
'Really, it's-'
'Not just for helping,' Todd interrupted, shaking his head slowly. 'But for opening your lives to me, and your home.'
Home.
The word suddenly hit Stephanie hard, and she found herself homesick for the first time since she had moved to Australia. Not of her house only a few streets over, but of her home back in America. She missed her family, whom she had refused to think about since having written that letter about Chris's death, and Colby's birth.
And for the first time since she had moved to Australia, she missed Hunter.
*
08 September 2004
Darna smiled up at him, breathing a little heavily. 'Having fun?'
Despite himself, Hunter was surprised that he was having a great time. 'I am. I never realised how fun air hockey is!'
The puck shot straight past his 'defender'. Darna had won, 7-0. She laughed as he shook his head in disbelief. 'I had two older brothers whom I loved trying to beat!'
'I didn't even score one,' he sighed, but he was smiling. He pushed away his 'defender' and walked towards her. 'How about some ice cream?'
'I would love one,' Darna grinned up at him.
The two of them walked out of the arcade, filled with teenagers, and towards Baskin Robbins further down the street. In the past three months, Hunter had found himself irresistibly drawn to Darna. She had the most infectious personality, which made him want to be with her.
Yet something kept holding him back from fully being with her. And it wasn't lack of interest from Darna.
Hunter opened the door to Baskin Robbins for her. 'Let me guess…triple scoop sundae?'
She smiled coyly. 'Looks like you know everything I like already.'
He knew that there really wasn't anything behind her comment, but he lost a little of his smile and he looked away. 'What the hell is wrong with you?' he asked himself angrily. 'There's a beautiful woman practically throwing herself at you, but all you can think about is-'
Hunter quickly cut that thought off, and turned back to Darna. She had a thoughtful look on her face as she gazed at him. He smiled again. 'Is that a good thing?'
She had lost a bit of her cheerful self, but she nodded nonetheless. 'I'd say so. Better than not knowing anything about me at all.'
They ordered their sundaes, and sat down to a private table in the back. There were a few minutes of silence as they started on their sundaes.
Finally, Darna pointedly cleared her throat. 'I think we need to talk.'
Hunter forced a smile. 'I don't understand.'
But she just smiled back, and it looked as forced as his. 'Jess told me about your ex-wife.'
'Wife,' he quickly corrected, before catching himself. He turned away, cursing himself once again.
'Sorry, my mist-'
'No, don't be,' Hunter interrupted, putting down his spoon. He looked at her. 'I should be the one who's sorry. I'm just… I mean, I guess I'm just not ready.'
Darna nodded. 'I understand.'
'Darna-'
She quickly shook her head, smiling. There was no hint of bitterness or anger in her eyes. Just regret and…understanding. 'Hunter, I do understand. However much I envy the woman who has your heart.' She frowned slightly. 'That sounded really corny, didn't it?'
Hunter laughed lightly. 'Not at all. And thank you. For understanding, I mean.'
Darna shrugged it off, scooping a spoon of chocolate'n'peanut butter into her mouth. She swallowed, then looked quizzically at him. 'So, why aren't you with her now? Why don't you go after her?'
Hunter smiled sadly. 'If only I knew where to start.'
*
28 November 2004
Stephanie had yet to feel fully comfortable with Todd. In the four months they had been living together, she had gotten to know quite a lot of things about him. Many of which she wished she had known before having agreed for him to move in with her and Colby.
The McMahon in her was dying to throw him out, but the Todd that her son knew was still the same Todd that he had fallen in love with. Colby knew nothing of Todd's more unpleasant traits.
'Steph?' she heard his voice call her, a hint of impatience in it.
Stephanie shook her head to clear it, and turned to face him. 'Sorry, Todd.'
He smiled, though it looked forced. 'It's cool. I was just wondering if you wanted to go out tonight.'
She forced a smile of her own. 'Didn't we go out last night? I hate leaving Colby with Fiona. He doesn't like her.'
Todd sighed. 'Steph, Colby is going to have to learn that he can't like every single person he comes across.'
Stephanie stared at him for a moment, biting her lower lip slightly. More than anything, it was his tone that she hated.
'So, what do you say?' he prompted.
She paused for a moment. 'I think I'm just going to stay home tonight. I promised Colby I'd watch some videos with him.'
Todd frowned. 'Are you sure? Wouldn't you rather go out and have some fun?'
'Being with my son is fun,' she replied though clenched teeth. 'And I am not breaking any promises to him.'
He put up his hand in mock surrender. 'Okay, okay. We'll stay in tonight.' Irritation tainted his tone.
Stephanie bit her lower lip again. 'If you want to go out tonight, don't let me stop you.'
'No, I said we'll stay in tonight!' Todd's quicksilver temper was something that she hadn't expected.
Although she had disowned her father and his name, Stephanie was still a McMahon. 'Don't you dare even start, Todd! Moving in with me doesn't give you the right to dictate my every move! This is-'
'Fine! I'm going out!' he barked, glaring at her. He stalked out of the kitchen, and a few seconds later the echo of the front door slamming reverberated throughout the house.
Stephanie took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself, glad that at least Colby wasn't around to witness their latest argument. The first time Colby had heard his mother angry, he had been stunned. Although it hadn't been directed at him, it had taken her an hour to explain that sometimes people get angry.
As much as she loved being a parent, she just wished that she wasn't doing it alone. Todd wasn't Colby's father, and he never would be. Stephanie wanted her Chris back. Not just to be a father to their son, but to be beside her, to be with her.
She wanted her family to be whole again
