A/N - So guess what people? I finally finished a story! Yes, I'm in just as much disbelief as the rest of you. I started this story in July 2011 so it has taken just over 4 years to get it finished. Jesus that's a long wait. Anyway, I want to say thank you to everybody who reviewed along the journey and stuck with these two as they sexually tortured each other for 21 chapters lol. I hope the ending does the story justice and that you guys like it. Thanks again everyone. Enjoy...

Three months later

"I can't tell you how great it's been having you back, Stephanie. I truly mean it. Not to say I didn't appreciate you before, sweetheart but I sure as hell noticed when you weren't here."

Stephanie smiled at her father as they walked down the dimmed hallways of the top floor of their offices. She had been back to work one week now and tonight was Friday. Surprisingly her dad had asked to go for drinks. Who was she to refuse her old man? She wrapped her arm through his and offered a smile only daughters can give to their fathers. "You're trying to say that you missed me, right?"

"I suppose I am, yes."

"Awwww, well I missed you too, daddy."

Vince let out a loud chuckle at her puppy dog eyed smile. The kid knew how to play him. Once she had figured it out at the tender age of five years old, he'd been a goner ever since. "Did you enjoy your first week back?"

"I did. A lot more than I thought I would actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Interesting," Vince muttered almost to himself as they exited the elevator and walked outside to the waiting black car. "I honestly thought you'd last about a week before you went stir crazy."

"Part of me did too. But well…things don't always turn out the way you expect them to."

The huge smile that encompassed his daughters face was infectious and Vince rolled his eyes. Oh she was definitely smitten over this one. As he settled into the smooth leather seats of the limo he piqued his eyebrow curiously. "And when can I expect to meet this unexpected 'thing' of yours, huh? He's already blown me off twice. Any other father would be severely insulted by now but because of the ridiculous smile you get on your face every time the guy gets mentioned I'm willing to give him a pass."

"Dad…he's incredibly busy right now, that's all. When word got out about the house he designed loads of places tried to snap him up but he decided to go freelance and has barely had a moment to breathe. I hardly ever see him never mind you."

Her tone was both wistful and proud. Vince couldn't ever remember hearing her talking about a man like this before and that sealed it for him. If this guy was able to make his daughter this happy then surely he must be something special. That's why he bit his tongue and tried to remain patient the two times they had agreed to meet and he had been called away at the last minute. "Well I still want to meet him, as does your mother. In fact, if your mother doesn't meet him soon I'm convinced she's going to spontaneously combust."

"Gah! I'll try to make plans again soon. Can't have mom blowing up on us, can we?"

"I don't know…"

"Dad!" Stephanie lightly slapped his arm and grinned at his cheeky smile. Despite the fact that she would forever defend Paul to her family, she too agreed with her father in that it was time they met each other. She had already met Paul's family just a few weeks ago when they took a drive to the house. It was one of the most genuine fun times she'd ever had. Watching Paul around his family, watching him interact with his niece and nephew and their friends had been heart warming. She knew right then that she was in love with him. Because when she closed her eyes she saw him in their backyard, laughing and joking with their kids. And her chest grew so tight she could barely breathe but then he looked up and smiled at her and everything became so easy. That had been two weeks ago and she still hadn't told him. Baby steps, Stephanie. It would probably be a good idea for him to meet your family first before you go professing your undying love, she thought to herself.

The shrill ring of a cell phone interrupted the otherwise peaceful car. Vince lightly tapped her hand before she could reach the device in her bag. "Don't you dare! We're about to have a drink and I've barely seen you in almost four months. Whoever it is can wait."

"Fine!" Stephanie drawled, accepting his hand as he helped her out of the car. He instructed the driver to park and wait until they were finished and then escorted her through the double doors and into the well lit, yet just dim enough, smooth purple lights of the Waldorf Hotel bar. It was a favourite spot of theirs to come for a meal or drinks after work when they had the time. Shane came along too when he was around but that was few and far between now that he was a father. The thought made her grin in disbelief.

"What's that little smirk for?"

"Just thinking about how Shane usually joins us when we come here…and how he's a daddy now…and how it completely blows my mind that he has a child."

"Blows your mind? How the hell do you think I feel!"

They sat down at a booth and a waiter was instantly at their side.

"Something to drink this evening, sir, ma'am?"

"I'll have a double bourbon on the rocks. Steph?"

"Glass of white wine please. Chardonnay if you have it. Thanks." Stephanie's blue eyes watched the waiter disappear behind the bar before turning to appraise the man across the table. He was looking at her the way he always did and she felt that familiar little tingle of warmth in her cheeks. He seemed to notice for his brief chuckle interrupted the peaceful silence between them.

"So, what do you think about the…"

Her phone rang again and Stephanie grimaced at the scowl that crossed her father's face. It lasted a mere second however, when she saw the name that flashed on the screen. "Sorry, dad but I kinda have to take this one."

Vince sat back in his seat and couldn't help but notice the complete shift in her body language. Then there was that great big smile back on her face again. He didn't need two guesses to figure out who it was. The waiter appeared with their drinks and he sipped casually, enjoying the few peaceful moments he had to simply admire his youngest. She had turned into a smart, successful and beautiful woman and after all this time seemed to have found somebody who truly made her happy. He swore if this guy fucked her over he would rip his throat out with his bare hands.

"You're coming now?"

At this his ears perked up. He looked at her in confusion.

Stephanie shrugged her shoulders and held out her free hand, palm upturned in the air. "Oh…..ok, great! Yeah we're here already…..me and dad…five min….OK, five minutes. I'll see you then." Her big blue eyes shined with anticipation. "Well after all your complaining…my 'unexpected thing' is on his way."

"Didn't this turn out well!"

The duo chatted happily among themselves for the next several minutes although on the inside Stephanie was nervous as hell. Her boyfriend…manfriend…whatever the appropriate term was for him at this stage in her life…was about to meet her father and now that it was mere moments from happening, all of a sudden she was terrified. What if her dad didn't like him? God. She'd be absolutely devastated. He had to like him. There was no other option here. The two men simply had to hit it off or she'd never get over it. She shifted nervously in her seat and began to think up all kinds of intricate plans to ensure this went off without a hitch but it was too late.

"Steph?"

She turned to her father to see him indicating his head towards a man who had just walked into the foyer of the bar and was darting his head around as if he was looking for somebody. Stephanie felt her throat catch when he glanced her way and their eyes connected across the room. As usual, she couldn't stop the mega watt smile that crossed her face upon seeing him. Her eyes ran over his newly cropped hair. He had cut it almost a month ago citing it was time to get rid of the 'California beach hair' as he termed it. She thought it made him look even more rugged if possible. Suffice to say he got his fair share of appreciation that night. Raising her hand, she gave a little wave and motioned him forward, her smile only growing the closer he got to the table.

Vince once again sat back and observed as the younger man walked towards them. He only had eyes for his daughter and wore the same goofy expression that she did. It seemed they were both quite smitten with each other. So far so good. The bourbon offered a comforting tingle down his throat as he took another sip and for once, didn't feel anxious at watching some guy fawn all over his baby girl. Because he wasn't. He simply offered a lingering kiss on the cheek and a brief hug before turning his attention to him. Vince liked that. He was respectful of the fact that his girlfriend's father was sitting right there and obviously didn't need to see an overly affectionate greeting. He stood and offered a hand and was glad to receive a firm handshake in response.

"Mr McMahon," Paul smiled warmly, trying his best to silently appraise the enigma of a figure in front of him. Stephanie had told him a lot. "It's great to finally meet you and I do apologize for being unable to make it the previous two times. I…"

"Never worry about it," Vince waved him off and released his hand. "From what I hear you're in demand at the minute. As a businessman myself I can respect that."

"Thank you," Paul chanced a quick glance at Stephanie at her father's easy response to his cancellations. From what he understood the man wasn't too happy about being blown off twice in a row but he seemed to take it pretty well just now.

"Can we get you something to drink, Paul?" Vince motioned for the waiter and his eyes lit up in delight as the younger man gave his order.

"Double bourbon on the rocks, please." Paul chanced another quick look in her direction and grinned at the smirk that appeared on her face. He remembered her telling him that this was her dad's favourite drink. Because he had missed their two previous meetings he wasn't above kissing a little ass to score some brownie points.

"Solid choice."

Paul settled into his seat and subtly squeezed Stephanie's knee under the table before bringing both hands on to the surface. He kept his posture open and frame relaxed, making sure he did everything he possibly could to ensure he sent the right message. Vince was Stephanie's father. This was beyond important. The waiter returned quickly with his drink and he eagerly took a sip, desperate to bring some moisture to his suddenly dry throat.

"So, Paul…what are your intentions with my daughter?"

Stephanie stared wide eyed ahead, barely registering the fact that Paul had almost choked on his drink. "Dad!"

"I'm kidding! Jesus, lighten up the both of you. I know it's a big thing 'meeting the parents' and all that but this doesn't have to be a chore." Vince relaxed into seat, tumbler full of bourbon dangling from one hand as he gestured to the couple with the other. "Tell me about yourself, son. I know you're an architect. I know you've built this incredible house I keep hearing about. I know you moved here from LA. I just want to get to know you because, and this is just a feeling by the way, but I think I'm going to be seeing a lot of you in the futu…"

"Dad, stop! I can't even believe you're saying this….I can't….oh my God…"

"It's fine," Paul reassured her with an easy smile. He turned his attention back to the amused man on the other side of the table and chuckled softly. "I lived in LA for a few years. I moved out there right after college but I'm originally from New Hampshire."

"New England boy, huh?"

"Yes, sir. I'm an architect, yeah. Pretty much got fed up with California and decided to move back. I met this beautiful woman through mutual friends and although it took us a while to get here, I'm completely crazy about her."

The latter half of his speech was directed right at her and Stephanie smiled softly, her hand automatically reaching out to entwine with his on the table. She didn't care that her dad was sitting there. Paul had just admitted that he was crazy about her and her stomach was doing somersaults. She continued to hold his gaze before he slowly broke away, focusing back on her father as she did too.

Vince smiled at the two of them. His daughter was beaming, positively beaming, and her affection was reciprocated tenfold. All of a sudden he had the urge to let them have some time together. They could do the big family meeting some other time. Stephanie had mentioned that they hadn't seen each other all that often lately and he didn't want to cut short any time they did manage to make for each other. So he swallowed the remaining liquid in his glass and cleared his throat. "I just remembered that I have to meet with a client tonight before I head home."

"Really? Who?" Stephanie quizzed. He hadn't mentioned anything about a client.

"Don't worry about it. Paul," Vince stood and extended his hand again, letting his eyes travel over the tall, broad and incredibly well built figure of the younger man who stood to greet him. He was definitely a lot bigger than Vince had expected, much more than any of his daughter's previous boyfriends. She tended to go for the slightly weedy type but not this guy. The change had obviously done her well. "It was great to finally meet you and we'll definitely arrange a big dinner with my wife and all the trimmings. But I can't be late for my meeting this evening so I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave."

"It was great to meet you too and I look forward to meeting your wife. Maybe we can hold the dinner at my place? Then you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about."

"That sounds perfect! Alright, we'll arrange it soon," Vince shook his hand again and stepped forward to hug his daughter. "Stephanie, I'll see you on Monday."

Stephanie smiled gratefully at her father. It took her a few moments but when she finally figured out what he was doing, a wave of gratitude flooded her system. He was giving them some time to spend together and so she offered a whispered 'Thank you' against his ear as they embraced. "Bye dad."

"I'll see you guys. Good night."

Paul and Stephanie sat in silence for a few moments, both of them watching Vince as he left, before Paul finally turned to her with a grin. "Did I scare him away?"

Stephanie entwined their hands once more and lightly thumped the back of his palm against the table. "If you'd like to believe that you go right ahead."

"I will. Your dad's a fucking tank, Steph. You told me he worked out but you didn't tell me he worked out!"

"You were already scared enough as it was when it comes to meeting him. I didn't want to tell you that he's jacked as well!"

"Fair point. So….what do we do now?"

"I don't know."

Paul leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. It was difficult not to just grab her and kiss her the way he was dying to but he fought down the urge and pulled away, using his free hand to play with the little strand of hair that had escaped from behind her ear. "I have some good news."

"What is it?" Stephanie murmured after a large swallow of wine. She began to trace the parts of his palm she could reach with her finger, drawing circles around the delicate skin of his wrist and smiling into his eyes at the words he uttered next.

"I completely cleared my schedule for the weekend."

Her eyes lit up in delight. "Really?"

"Really."

"So that means we have an entire two days together, right? No last minute phone calls or blueprint meetings or…"

He silenced her with a kiss. "Nothing, baby. We have the whole weekend together and I don't care if the fucking President is on the phone for me…I'm all yours."

A light moan escaped from her lips as she melded them with his. "I love you."

Paul pulled back. He almost didn't hear her with the way she hushed the words against his lips but she had definitely said it. "What?"

Stephanie's eyes dropped in embarrassment. What the hell had she gone and done that for? It had just slipped out. Jesus, had she no control over her brain to mouth filter? "I….nothing, it's…."

"Hey," Paul cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. "What did you say?"

"I said…I said I love you….Paul…you don't have to say it just because I said it but I can't help the way I feel. I love you….I'm in love with you…I…"

Her words were swallowed into his mouth. Stephanie's eyes slid shut and she kissed him just as eagerly as he was kissing her, just as passionately as he was kissing her, neither of them caring that they were in public right now. His fingers threaded through her hair as he cupped her face and rolled his tongue, sliding it against hers and savouring every ounce of her mouth. When it was hard to breathe he slowly pulled away but kept their faces close, a huge grin playing on his lips. "I love you, Steph. I've been debating whether or not to tell you the past few days but…I'm so glad you made the jump. I love you too."

Actually hearing the words tumble out of his mouth was better than any scenario she had imagined. Stephanie bit her lip and looked at him shyly, a light blush staining her cheeks.

"It's hard to believe this all started with a frying pan, right?"

"Oh shut up!" She hushed against his lips before pulling him into her once more…

The End.