Chapter 25
The McMahon family was back home. Xandra and Shane were playing with Carter while Vince and Linda chatted with Jackson and Stephanie, who had told them everything Taker had done to her leading up to that moment, all the way from that first abduction back in 1999.
"I knew it." Linda said. "I knew there was something more to your past with Taker than what we both knew, but I never expected anything like this."
"Why didn't you come to us the first time this happened?" Vince asked.
"I was too scared. I didn't know how you'd react. I was afraid of bringing shame to the family." Stephanie confessed.
"You know we would have helped you as best as we could." Linda said. "You didn't have to go through all of this alone."
"I wanted to be a strong, independent woman who could make her own decisions without relying on both of you."
"Stephanie, we would have taken care of you." Vince stated reassuringly. "All you had to do was talk to us and we would have been by your side supporting you all the way."
"I know, and I'm sorry I didn't talk to you when all of this started again."
"It's all right. We're here now and we will help you get through this new stage in your life." Linda said.
"We'll help you with anything you and Carter need." Vince added.
"But what about Taker?" Stephanie asked. "He and Xandra are still legally married."
Vince took a deep breath. "We'll deal with Taker when the time comes. But for now, know that you and Carter will be closely guarded for the time being."
"Thanks, Dad. We appreciate it."
Meanwhile, Xandra had just changed Carter's diaper and set her down for a nap. She walked away and joined Shane on the other side of the room.
"You're pretty good with Carter." Shane stated.
"Thanks. I've learned a lot from taking care of her." Xandra replied.
"So what are you going to do about Taker?"
"Oh, I'm filing for an annulment, no doubt. Dad already said he'd help me with it."
"Good. So what was it like having to raise Taker's daughter?"
"It was interesting, to say the least. Now that I know she's actually my niece, I can actually start spoiling her rotten."
"Don't forget, you now have a nephew to spoil as well."
Xandra laughed. "How ironic is this? My brother and sister have kids, and I'm just a virgin bride."
"You mean, you and Taker didn't-"
"No. Every time we tried, he'd stop in the middle of things. Now I know I'm better off for not sleeping with him. Imagine if I'd wound up pregnant."
"Oh, God. That would have been extremely awkward, not to mention it would have torn a major rift between you and Stephanie, and I really didn't want that to happen. I hate that I mentioned the fact that I'd overheard that Taker had gotten Stephanie pregnant. If I knew the whole story then, I wouldn't have been so quick to judge her."
"I'm sure it's all right. You were just being protective of my feelings."
"And of your relationship with her. You two are so close and I wanted to make sure that wasn't destroyed in any way."
"I appreciate you looking out for us, Shane."
"Hey, I'm your big brother. It's in my job description."
Xandra hugged him.
Soon Stephanie came over to them.
"How's my little girl?" She asked.
"Out like a light." Xandra said.
"Stephanie, I just want to say that I'm sorry about calling you out in the church." Shane stated. "I honestly thought the worst of you when I heard that Taker had gotten you pregnant, and you didn't deserve that."
"It's OK, Shane. You didn't know the truth." Stephanie said. "And Xandra, I'm sorry for ruining your big day like that."
"Please! If anything, you saved me from making a huge mistake." Xandra told her. "I was just telling Shane that I'm glad I didn't lose my virginity to Taker. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself knowing I was sleeping with a rapist, especially one that had done that to my sister."
"I hear you're getting an annulment."
"I sure am. I can't be with a man that would do such horrible things, regardless of who he did it to."
"Good for you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch over my daughter and make sure she and I are never separated again." She walked over to the playpen and peered down at a sleeping Carter.
"Hi, baby. Mommy's here. You and Xandra are free now. That horrible man who calls himself your father won't ever hurt any of us again. I promise, I'm never leaving your side…ever."
End of Book Three...FINALLY! This has been a thrill to write and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
But there's still one more journey for Stephanie and the Undertaker.
BTW, to the "guest" who keeps leaving negative comments, grow some balls and quit being anonymous. If you hate my story so much, I'm not forcing you to read it. Go bother someone who actually cares about your irrelevant opinion. To quote the great Steve Wilkos, GET OFF MY STAGE!