Steph arrived at the performance center and let the girls play in her office. She quickly headed to the ring area. Inside were Sam and Hunter working on holds. Watching them she noticed their subtle flirtations. Steph was surprised when for the first time since she met Hunter, she wasn't jealous of seeing another girl interact with him. She actually thought it was nice seeing him smile again. She always liked his smile. So did every other woman who met him. Steph crossed her arms leaning on the door frame watching. The girl was her age. She had skill in the ring and fit.
She had talked to her several times about the girls and work-related things on the phone. She was impressed by how much Sam knew about the industry. Steph knew Sam loved kids and was always texting Aurora to check on her and send her funny little memes. After a hold, Hunter grabbed Sam from falling and pulled him to her. Their eyes met and started smiling. Steph cleared her throat. The two separated smiling out of breath.
"Oh hi, Stephanie! How was your trip?" Samantha jumped down from the ring. Walked over and held out her hand. "I am so glad to finally meet you in person. Not just on the phone. Are you joining us for dinner tonight? My family would love to meet you and, the girls can play with my youngest niece, Renee. She's about Aurora's age."
"Umm. Yes. I would be glad to. I would like to know more about the lady my daughters seems to think the sun rises and sets in." She smiled her fake corporate smile. "Hunter and I have some things to discuss anyway. School is coming up and we need to set up a schedule for him to see them regularly."
Hunter jumped off the mat." Steph." He said coldly since he wasn't sure of her mood yet.
"Hunter. Can we talk in your office please." She held out her hand to follow him.
"Sam, I'll be back. Work on those front bumps why I'm gone. Shawn will be back in a few to help you." Hunter winked at her. Squeezing her arm.
Entering the office. "She's pretty Hunter. Your type. Brunette, fit. Anything going on there?"
"That would be none of your business," Hunter grumbled.
"I'm just joking. You know we use to be able to do that. Listen, even if there is. It wouldn't be so bad seeing you be yourself again. The girls like her. I've talked to her several times on the phone and she seems nice enough. My dad can't stop raving over her cooking." Steph smiled.
"Yeh. The old fart keeps popping over just about dinner time." Hunter grumbled.
"Ok don't be so defensive. That's not what I want to talk to you about and, I don't want to fight. Dad and I are on better terms and I really want to get there with you. For the girls. I am happy now Hunter. My husband and I are happy. To be honest, we both know we really never loved each other. It was what was best for business and to get on top of the company for both of us. We did that but, its done now. You're going to run WWE one day and I now see dad made the right choice. I know that's hard to believe but, I see what you have done on RAW and NXT and it's amazing." She tilted her head and touched his arm.
Continuing while Hunter listened. "Now we are older, wiser, we need to find someone for our lives that we can grow old with. But, we also have to get along. We have two girls who miss you and, I don't like to fight with you all the time. What I did, have you attacked, was wrong. I'm glad you're ok now. They are missing out on having a dad who loves them. I know you miss them too. I was a fool taking them from you. I should have never cheated on you., I can't take that back but, what I can do is make it better."
"How can I trust what your saying is true Steph? You did a lot of evil things. I never thought you would be that way. But, your right. I need to be happy and, I'm trying to move on." Hunter looked sternly at her.
"You don't have to trust me. But, it's true. I am sorry." She looked ashamed. "You in love with her?"
Hunters eyes feel to concern. "What?"
"You're in love with her? I saw it when I walked in. The way you were looking at her. You never looked at me like that once. Yes, you were attentive but, you never looked at me that way." Steph knew the answer but she needed to hear it.
"Steph, we have known each other for a long time. You know me. You know that answer, I don't have to tell you. But, yes I do. She doesn't know yet. Her mom is really sick Steph. She doesn't have very long. She needs to focus on her family. Not me. I can wait." Hunter felt the tears fall as he was saying it. He hurt for her. Her mom was such a sweet woman but as strong as he was he couldn't fight to take cancer away for her.
Stephs tears came too, "I know. Mom told me. I can't imagine what she must be feeling. That's why dad and I talked things over. He came to my house in England. Sam went to him begging him to make amends with me. She told him about her mom and that he needed to fix things before too much time passed. Dad talks to her a lot. He really likes her. Said she reminds him of me before I got so jaded. At first, I wasn't willing to hear it. But, When he explained everything...I changed. I don't even know this girl and she made me see I was selfish." She hugged Hunter. "I"m sorry. But, Hunter if you're happy. I'm happy for you." Hunter heard the words but, they seemed rehearsed and fake. Steph hugged him.
A knock at the door and the door came open slowly. Sam stood there seeing the two hug. Her heart sank. Steph turned to see her eyes looking hurt. Sam spoke up with a rasp to her voice, "Ummm….Murphy is crying. I think she's just tired."
Steph rubbed Sams' arm and whispered to her. "He's all yours." Looking back at Hunter.
Later that night Steph and her new husband joined the Rose family and Hunter for dinner. The girls played and the adults talked. Sam's mom was in good spirits and strong. She even had been out of her chair a few times. Playing with the girls on the beach. Steph and Sam helped her to the water so she could let her toes touch the sand and waves on her feet. "Girls, I'm tired."
"Mom you want to sit. I can have Hunter carry you up the steps if you're too weak."
"No honey. I'm fine. I'm dying. But, not yet." The kids ran in front of them splashing and playing.
Steph scolded," Girls! Be careful around Mrs. Rose."
"They are fine, let them play. I like to watch them play. When you get older you appreciate it more. I need to talk to you both. Take me to the beach chair so I can sit." Steph and Sam walked her back. Hunter stood on the deck watching in awe as his ex-was actually being nice to someone. His new love had a way of changing people. Sam truly was the woman he always wanted.
"Mom do you need anything?" Sam fussed over her.
"I'm fine, fine. I just want to talk to you girls about that man up there staring a hole through you both." Helen continued. "He is a good man. Stephanie, I know what happened. But, you being here tells me that is done now. Steph, I want to ask you something and I need an honest answer. Humour and old girl."
Steph smiled, "I'll try."
"Do you think you can allow my daughter to help you raise those girls if she and Hunter were to work out? He loves her you know and I know she loves your girls as much as she loves him." Steph looked at Sam.
"MOM! He doesn't love me and that...oh my gosh! Steph you don't have to answer that. Hunter and I…", Sam was mortified.
"Sam, it's ok. I can answer that." She smiled at Sam. "I know he has feelings for her. I think she does him as well. I could tell on the phone hearing how she talks about him. Sam, you're a good person. I would be glad to see the two of you together. My kids love you and I know you have their best interest at heart. If not you wouldn't have spent all day trying to hide from them about you and Hunter. He told me by the way. I'm fine with it. He needs to be happy and my kids love you. If it came to the two of you together. I would be glad to let you be in their lives. Also, if it wasn't for you my dad and we would still be fighting. You really are a good person."
Murphy ran up with Vaughn in tow. "Sammy look! Vaughn found a starfish! Come on Vaughn lets find more!"
Steph smiled, "I never thought I would want to see him with anyone. But, I hope the two of you work out. He seems to really care for you."
"Thank you, Steph. That means a lot to me." Sam was relieved. Having Steph's approval didn't really matter but, it made her feel more a peace.
"The fact of the matter is. You and Hunter will need to tell them. I won't be the one. It was hard on Aurora when we divorced. She still thinks this is just part of the show. She loves you and she would be glad to know you and Hunter are together." Steph scowled angrily at herself. "I was an idiot for trying to make her not like you. I'm sorry."
"Hunter and I have talked about that. We are new to all this. Just a week or so. I know people think longer. But, it really is new to us. I don't want to tell them till we are sure. We need to figure it out. It wouldn't be fair to them to get attached to the idea and then us not work out." Sam saw how it was with her brother's divorce and didn't want to be the evil stepmom or the girlfriend who drops in and then leaves them hanging
"I appreciate that Sam, as a mother...thank you." Steph was relieved to hear her say that. It was one of her biggest concerns.