The Next Day

Paul never really slept, after his family being at the penthouse and meeting Stephanie it all started bringing a lot of stress on him. He looked next to him, as Stephanie was sleeping peacefully, for him it just seemed unfair that he put her in this position. She didn't sign up for any of this, he should've been straight with her when it came to his relationship with his family. The reaction that he got from his parents wasn't what he was expecting, the fact that his Dad wasn't willing to give Stephanie a chance just because of a stupid drunk mistake that was made is completely unfair - hopefully his Mom will will talk to him about it. The friendship that was building between Stephanie and Lynn made him smile through last night and it gave him a little hope that all of this will blow over in the end.

His attention moved from the ceiling to Stephanie as she turned over and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and placed his hand on the bare skin of her lower back, where her t-shirt rode up and stroked small circle on her back.

"Your heart is beating weirdly" Stephanie mumbled, Paul looked down at her and saw her looking back up at him.

"I know, it's my heart palpitation. It comes and goes, it's just stress" Paul said causing Stephanie to worry. It makes sense since he never told her about the problem and it sounds worst than it actually is, "there's no need to worry about it. I've seen my doctor and I have regular checks for it to make sure that it doesn't get any worst"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Couldn't find the right time plus I didn't want you to worry but I can see that, that didn't work" Paul joked trying to lighten the mood but Stephanie still looked upset about it, "Okay, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you"

Stephanie nodded and rested her head back on her husband's chest and started to listen to his heart beat and how different it sounded. It didn't follow a rhythm or have distinct beat for it, it just made her wonder if it happened before while she was with him and she just never noticed it.

"Babe, please stop thinking whatever it is that you are thinking. I don't want you to worry about any of it" Paul said

"I'll stop worrying about it as long as you tell me if anything gets worse and that you just don't do too much when it comes to work"

"I promise you that I'll take it easy from now on" Paul said kissing the side of Stephanie's head. A while later, Paul was dressed and rushing around the penthouse trying to get his things ready for work


Back In Boston

Alex and Tyler were walking to the campus for their first class of the day. Alex was still sporting a black eye and a bruised cheek after his encounter with Paul last Friday and Alex was inching for a fight with Paul again and refused to have Stephanie think of him as someone that can't handle himself in a fight.

"Have you seen Steph lately?" Alex asked looking at his best friend

"No, she hasn't been in class for the past week. I think after the whole Friday situation, she's just recovering"

"Really? It's been a week, don't you think she's being a little over dramatic?" Tyler was about to respond to that ridiculous question but Alex kept talking, "or maybe it was that crazy boyfriend of hers, he seems controlling, I mean I did absolutely nothing wrong that night and he attacks me"

Tyler shook his head because he was there and saw what happened, Alex did deserve the beating he got and was lucky that Kelsey was there to stop Stephanie's other half from sending him to the hospital.

"The other day, I sent her a text to try and explain what happened and to make sure that she was alright but she hasn't replied to me"

Tyler stopped in his tracks pulling Alex to a stop as well and looked at him, "What do you mean, you explained what happened?"

"I'm going crazy without her, I've made mistakes in he past and breaking up with her was probably the biggest mistake that I have ever made, I just want her back and she needs to know that" Alex said

"Oh-kay, and you actually told her this?"

"Well no. . . I'm building up to that part, this time-"

"And by this time you mean your hundredth chance with a girl completely out of your league?" Tyler interrupted

"-Yes and this time I won't mess this up"

"Dude, I know Steph, she's tired of this back and forth with you. What makes you think that after all the stress and pain you've brought on her-"

"Because I love her!" Alex said trying to stress his point, "She's been my life for two years, I'm not giving up on her" Alex said and walked off. Tyler looked as his best friend walked away from him and sighed knowing how much all of this meant to Alex. Tyler has been friends with both of them long enough to under what they both have been through and how much they care about each other but shouldn't there be a point where they accept their losses and move on with their lives? From where Tyler was standing it was clear that Stephanie was doing just that but Alex was still stuck on her.


Paul's meeting had just finished and he was rushing to get ready for his training session with his personal trainer that was met to happen about 10 minutes ago. He was pulling his t-shirt over his head when he heard the door to his office open, he pulled his top down and was shocked to see Stephanie standing at the door.

"Steph? What are you doing here?" Paul asked shocked seeing his wife standing there. He picked up his hoodie and put it on before walking over to Stephanie and kissing her on the cheek

"Just came to check up on you. Where are you going?"

"I have a training session that I'm late for"

"Should you really be training with your . . . heart?"

Paul sighed, he knew that she was going to worry about him and was going to keep a very close eye on him with anything that he does. He lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, "feel that, it's back to normal. I told you it's just a little bit of stress that throws my heart out of whack. If it gets any worst I promise to tell you"

"I'm just worried, you didn't tell me . . ."

"I know and I'm sorry" Paul lifted her hand from his chest and brought it to his lips and softly kissed it, "I have to get to my training session, you stay here and when I'm finished I'll take you out to lunch"

Stephanie nodded as she watched Paul walk out of the office. She went round his desk and sat in front of his computer and signed in, she knew that Paul was relaxed about his heart condition but she needed to know more about it and did one of the worst things you could do and look up the symptoms. After a couple of minutes later, Stephanie was beyond worried about the condition that Paul was in and what could happen if it got worst. She needed more conformation from someone else that wasn't Paul because he was looking out for her.

"Lily, can we talk quickly?" Stephanie asked sticking her head out of Paul's office

"Of course" Lily said, she walked into the office and sat down on the couch next to Stephanie, "What can I do for you?"

"How long have you known Paul?"

"About 3 or 4 years. Why?"

"This heart palpitation thing-" Stephanie started but Lily nodded knowing where she was going with it

"You're worried about him" Stephanie nodded. She didn't know what to do, Paul wasn't telling her a lot because he was focusing on making sure that she didn't worry too much, "I can tell you that you don't need to. I'm sure he's told you some things about it, but it really isn't something to worry about. I went to the doctor with him when he found out and they said that it was the cause of the stress, I'm not sure what else you need to know"

"Just that he's okay"

"He's not perfect but he's improving from when we first found out. He has an appointment next month so I can text you the date so you know and I'm positive he'll tell you himself when he remembers"

Stephanie nodded and let Lily get back to work. She was still worried but not as much as before, it was a lot to find out about Paul but if Lily was calm about it and Paul was acting like it didn't exist then maybe . . . just maybe that she was overreacting.


One Month Later (Day Before Thanksgiving)

Stephanie was rushing around Paul's penthouse trying to pack her and Paul's things to get them ready to go to her parents house. It's been a month since they told Paul's family and they have yet to tell her family. The reason Stephanie was a nervous wreck was for these main reasons; Shane still thinks that Paul is dating Kelsey, Stephanie has been living in New York for a month with Paul and hasn't told her family, and Paul recently went to the doctors and is temporarily wearing a EKG or simpler term, a portable heart monitor. That on its own made Stephanie worry, especially the day that they came back from the doctors.

Flashback

Paul and Stephanie walk back into the penthouse, they just got back from Paul's doctors appointment and neither of them got told what they wanted to hear. Paul is required to wear an EKG for a whole week to monitor his heart beats and rhythm for the week.

"I still think this is unnecessary" Paul said collapsing onto the couch

"It isn't, you're under stress and it's no surprise with us getting married, work and the whole ordeal with your family" Stephanie said joining Paul on the couch. When she finished talking Paul was shaking his head and took hold of Stephanie's hand

"Our wedding, you entering my life was not stress. It was shock and happiness," Paul said, he didn't want Stephanie to think that her coming into his life was too much for him, "Sure, I've taken on a little more work but having to wear a heart monitor is just crazy"

"No it's not! Paul can you please stop arguing with me on this and just accept it, if not for the doctor's request then for me? I just need to know that my husband is doing okay"

"I'm perfectly fine but I'll do it for you because I love you" Paul leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Stephanie's lips before turning the TV on.

Stephanie stood up and walked over to the kitchen to start making them something for lunch. Halfway through making their food she looked on into the den where Paul was sitting from the kitchen and couldn't help but be completely worried, sure the doctor said that it would be for precautionary reasons but deep down felt something was wrong.

End Flashback

"Babe please stop rushing round. You're making me nervous" Paul said as Stephanie walked out of the walk-in closet, he was adjusting the wires on his chest before going to do his buttons up on his shirt but Stephanie beat him to it.

"I'm just stressing out, thanksgiving just came so fast I just thought that we would've told my family by now . . . I mean Shane still thinks you are dating Kelsey"

"Yeah that is a little problem, but it will be all fixed today" Paul said wrapping his arms around Stephanie's waist, "Then hopefully I'll finally have a happy wife. 'cause you know what they say, happy wife happy life"

"I'm always happy and you're a millionaire how much happier can your life get? You pretty much have everything"

"When you came into my life, it got so much happier" Paul smiled, Stephanie rolled her eyes because she knew that Paul loved cheesy lines no matter how much she hated them but they still made her smile; which is probably why he keeps saying them. She lifted up Paul wrist and looked at his watch and realized they were running late.

"We are running late! We need the car to be packed right now" Stephanie rushed out moving away from Paul and picked up her handbag and turned to face Paul who was putting his jacket on, "Is this a good idea?"

"What?" Paul asked as he closed their suitcase and picked it up

"Going to my family's thanksgiving? We can still go to yours"

"Babe, we've been through this. You are going to be worried for nothing, it's only one dinner and then we are with my family in a couple of days."

"I'm just nervous . . ."

"And you will still be nervous until it's out of the way" Paul interrupted, "Come on beautiful it will be easy, and I'll be with you the whole way"

Stephanie nodded and made her way towards the elevator with Paul following behind her. Paul locked up quickly and before they knew it they were on their way to Greenwich.


Just over an hour later, all McMahon's were waiting for Stephanie to show up. Shane was pacing around the kitchen trying to call Stephanie but she wasn't answering.

"Why isn't she answering? How hard is it to press the accept button?"

"She's probably driving so she can't answer"

"Isn't she staying here during the break?" Shane asked putting his phone back in his pocket

"No, she called us a couple of weeks ago and said that she was going to be staying with Kelsey in Boston" Linda said pouring a glass of wine for her and Marissa, "She also said she is bringing someone to the dinner"

"Boyfriend?" Shane asked

"I believe so, she told me to make sure that you and your father were nice" Linda said handing Marissa her glass, "I asked her about him and apparently they have been together for a couple of months"

"Well they better hurry up, I'm hungry"

"Go and join your Dad with the kids, they shouldn't be any longer" Linda said taking a sip of her wine. Shane nodded and left the women in the kitchen to go and join his father and his children while they all waited for Stephanie.


A couple of minutes later, Paul was pulling up to the McMahon house. Paul won't lie and say that he isn't nervous about meeting Stephanie's family but he didn't need to show Stephanie that since she was so much more nervous than he was.

"I'm so not ready for this" Stephanie said picking up her handbag and opened the car door then went over to the porch while she waited. Paul quickly followed behind and got the suitcase out of the car and walked over to Stephanie who was standing on the porch step.

"It's going to be fine" Paul said placing his hand on her waist and gave her a soft kiss on the lips

"How's your heart?" Stephanie asked placing her hand on his chest

"A bit crazy but it's fine" Paul didn't see the need to lie to Stephanie since she would find out later, "Let's not focus on me, tonight is about us finally telling everyone about us"

"I'm nervous but so excited"

"I love you" Paul said leaning down and kissed Stephanie one more time. However, he pulled away when he heard the door open, he looked and saw Stephanie's brother standing there with an angry expression on his face, "Hi man, I'm Paul"

"Yeah I remember, you're dating Kelsey what are you doing kissing my sister?"

"Calm down with the third degree Shane, let them into the house" Marissa said coming up behind Shane and moved him away from the door. Stephanie silently thanked her sister-in-law and took hold of Paul's hand and walked into the house

"You have no idea how happy I am seeing you" Stephanie said hugging Marissa

"How have you been since I last saw you?" Marissa asked looking behind Stephanie where Paul was standing

"Great, there's a lot that is going to be shared and I have a feeling it's going to ruin my mood" Stephanie said, she turned around and looked at her husband, "Let's get this over with. We'll deal with the bags later on"

"Okay" Paul nodded and smiled at Marissa, "How are you Marissa?"

"I'm good thank you and call me Rissa or Riss" Paul nodded and they all walked into the living room. As they entered all eyes landed on them, Shane was about to start talking but Marissa held up her hand, "Shane don't start, let them talk and explain everything"

"Hi Mom, Daddy" Stephanie said walking over to her parents and gave them a hug and kiss on the cheek, "This Paul, Paul these are my parents, Vince and Linda"

"It's nice to meet you" Paul said stretching his hand out

"You too" Vince said shaking Paul's outstretched hand, "Now what was making Shane all angry?"

"Um- well about a month ago Shane came to visit me without warning and Paul was staying over. I panicked because I didn't want Shane finding out about us yet and I told Paul that he needed to pretend that he was with Kels" Stephanie explained, "I'm sorry Shane but I just wasn't ready for you finding out about us"

Shane nodded his head, "It's okay, I get it but don't do that again"

"It won't happen again, should we get started on dinner then?" Stephanie asked quickly moving the conversations and attention onto something else. Marissa sighed because she knew what Stephanie was doing and it was annoying that Stephanie didn't come out with the truth but was also happy because it gave them a chance to have a nice family dinner.

"Of course, the table has just been set" Linda said as she lead everyone into the dining room.


A couple of hours later dinner was finished and the dining room had been left, everyone was in the living room just chatting. The kids were upsides in bed, so Stephanie knew that if anything went wrong during her "confession" to her family that the kids won't have to hear any of it.

"How did you two meet?" Shane asked turning everyone's attention to Stephanie and Paul. Stephanie looked at Paul worried because they didn't talk about what they would tell everyone, "It's not a hard question"

"We met through mutual friends, we just clicked and here we are now" Stephanie said taking hold of Paul's hand and put it on her lap.

"That's cute" Shane said rolling his eyes, "How did you really meet?"

"That is how we met" Stephanie said, Shane raised his eyebrows and shook his head not believing her, he knows his sister unlike anyone else, "Okay fine! We met in Vegas on my birthday. There were a list of drunk mistakes we all did that night and here we are still together"

"So it was a good birthday?"

"It was great" Stephanie said stopping the conversation hoping that the subject won't come up again. That's what she thought until she saw Marissa the corner in her eye, Marissa kept mouthing 'tell them', "There is something that I want to tell you about that night though. I was quite drunk that night I met Paul and well we thought that it would be funny to use those wedding chapels"

"You didn't?!" Linda said completely shocked

"We did and we got married, but we also didn't get a divorce"

"You married my drunk sister?" Shane asked standing up and walked over to Paul, "Are you crazy?"

"Possibly, but Steph is my world" Paul said staying sitting because he knew there was no reason to get defensive

"You've been with her for two months, how can you even say that about her?"

"Because I've been through enough when it comes to relationships and the way I feel for Steph is a way I've never felt before for anyone"

"Shane! Sit down!" Marissa said and glared at him until he said down, "Paul's a genuine guy why is that so hard for you to accept?"

"Just because! How are you so calm about this?"

"I knew about them! It was so obvious when we went to see them!"

"Everyone stop!" Vince shouted, "we just had a wonderful dinner made by you're mother! We are not about to ruin it with this conversation!"

"How are you act so calm about it?"

"We are not talking about it now! It's getting late let's get to bed and tomorrow we can move forward with this!"

Stephanie nodded in agreement and took Paul's hand and pulled him towards the door but Linda stopped them, "Steph, I don't know how to say this but Paul is staying in the guest room"

"What?!" Stephanie asked getting irritated

"I know you are "married" now but you are still our daughter and Paul needs to stay in the guest room"

"But . . ."

"Don't worry Mrs. McMahon, that's fine, right Steph?" Paul said looking at his wife who groaned but nodded

"Sure" Stephanie said as her and Paul walked out of the living room, on their way up, Paul picked up the suitcase and went up to her room, "why did you agree to that?"

"Because your dad was right. We don't need anymore drama than is needed, just agreeing to your mom is making everything so much easier"

"But . . . but I want to be able to sleep in the same bed as my husband" Stephanie said hugging Paul and burying her face in his chest

"I know and I do too but it's just one night" Paul wrapped his arms around Stephanie and kissed the top of her head. This night was better than he expected and when Stephanie told everyone, he expected a lot worst reactions, so maybe when everyone has had time to process it all it would be much better than his family's reaction to it.


It was coming up to 2 in the morning and Paul couldn't sleep. He needed Stephanie next to him, he got out of bed and walked down the hall to Stephanie's room and slowly opened the door and walked over to her bed and got in next to her. He felt Stephanie start to wake up but he pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head.

"Babe, go back to sleep"

"What are you doing here?" Stephanie asked confused and half asleep

"I just needed to sleep next to you! Just go back to sleep"

"Okay" Stephanie said as she lazily kissed his lips, "I love you"


Hey guys, hope you like this!
Sorry it took so long but it's that time of year where I have a list of work to complete! Please review, and tell me how you think the McMahon family is going to react. Also, what is Alex up to? Find out next in Loving Vegas! Lol xx