21: Almost Pretend

Sine knew Paul was going to have to return to work eventually. It had been three months since he had brought her and the twins here. Three months. At first, she had been on guard, knowing Mark would be there any day but then as time passed, she started relaxing.

It helped that Paul was there with her. She wasn't constantly looking over her shoulder anymore, or worrying about what would happen if she said or did the wrong thing. Everything was normal, it was nice. Usually, she could almost pretend that neither of them was famous and that she wasn't married to a psychopath. She could almost pretend that they were normal people, living a normal, quiet life.

Though as summer turned to fall and the leaves slowly changed their color, she began to get edgy again. "How much longer?" She murmured, resting her head against a window, a mug of coffee in her hand. She was enjoying the crisp morning, and the silence, before the twins woke up.

Paul, who had been sitting behind her, kissed the back of her neck. "As long as it takes." He murmured, wrapping his arm around her gently and rested his head against hers. He knew she was getting restless again, starting to worry again, but this was how they had to do it. Play things out, figure out how to get her divorced, he was still waiting to hear from the McMahon's on that front. So far, he hadn't heard jack shit.

They both jumped when a crack of thunder disrupted what had otherwise been a quiet sky, almost immediately followed by a torrent of rain. Paul could only watch as Sine disentangled herself from him and ran outside, trying not to smile as she spun in the rain.

This was freedom. Pure freedom. She could run in and out of the house with Paul hovering over her, knowing she wouldn't run from him. Technically, she wasn't free, she couldn't leave this place unless she wanted to be snatched back up again but at the same time: she had a choice. She could stay or she could go. Paul wouldn't force her either way and that made all the difference.

She laughed, tilting her face to catch the rain, letting it beat down on her.

Paul simply watched her. She was free to walk anytime she wanted too, he would never hold her against her will. She just knew she was safest here. He was quite aware how 'Taker had mentally and emotionally fucked her up, he wouldn't put it past the guy to have physically assaulted her either. Well, he wasn't 'Taker. She would always have a choice with him, even if it were to be the wrong choice.

When Sine came in out of the rain, she looked serious. "Paul, I think you should go back on the road." She said, accepting the towel he held out to her. "And I want to go, but I don't want the children to go with us."

He frowned.

"I do have friends still who would hide them. They could go to France. I know Shane advised against it but Mark wouldn't be able to just snatch them away. He would have to go through courts on both sides and I know enough people to tie up the systems." She was thinking Monique would be only too happy to take the twins on an extended vacation in the French countryside.

"You want to be away from the twins that long, Sine?" He asked quietly, already seeing the answer in her gray eyes. No, she did not. "He followed you around the world, do you think you'd be able to hide them from him?"

"No." She whispered, pulling on her wet hair, her eyes almost desperate. She knew she had to stay here, but what kind of life was this? They were living like hermits, no contact with the outside, no nothing. Her children were now fourteen months and the only people they knew at this point were her and Paul.

Even if she could get a divorce, she knew Mark wouldn't stop hunting her. Ever.

"You're right." She whispered.

"I'm sorry, Sine…" He pulled her into his arms, wishing he hadn't seen the tears welling in her eyes, it broke his heart. "Hopefully this will all be over soon and you can live your life again." He kissed the top of her head. "Come on, let's get you warmed up."

"I need a minute, Paul." Sine murmured, kissing his jaw. When he nodded, she smiled and back away, loving how he wasn't pushy. Granted, he told her things she didn't like hearing –such as just now- but they were things she needed to hear.

Sighing, she headed back outside. She rarely got sick and she loved thunderstorms, loved the rain. That… and her tears were washed away as soon as they hit her cheeks. Mark would never let her go, what had she been thinking? If she even attempted to get Gavin and Kalea out of the country, he would undoubtedly kill her and anyone she was stupid enough to involve.

It was best if she just swallowed down her feelings of unrest and wait it out. Eventually, it would all end. One way or another.