"Hey baby…what did you get?" asked Randy

"Just a few groceries." Said Stephanie.

"Look…I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I kind of lost my temper. I apologize." Said Randy.

"It's ok." Said Stephanie as she was putting the groceries away.

He walked up and gave her a kiss.

Paul stayed in his room most of the day and Stephanie just watched TV in the living room. No one really spoke to each other. Vince and Shane arrived back home around 4pm. Linda was making dinner in the kitchen so Stephanie walked in there when she was alone.

"You need any help mom?" asked Stephanie.

"Sure honey…you can cut up some potatoes." Smiled Linda.

Stephanie started peeling potatoes.

"Is everything alright dear?" asked Linda.

"Yeah…I'm fine." Said Stephanie.

"You seem kind of down." Said Linda.

"Nah." Said Stephanie.

"Well Christmas is in five months…anything you want in particular?" asked Linda.

"Yeah." Said Stephanie as she thought of Paul.

"…and that is?" asked Linda.

Stephanie then stopped peeling potatoes and looked at Linda.

"Have you ever had someone try and take away something that meant more to you then life itself?" asked Stephanie.

"Paul?" asked Linda.

"Mom please don't tell dad…" she said.

"I wont. But you know your dad wont let you date him as long as either of you are in the business." Said Linda.

"Mom…I have went through hell trying to be with him…fate brung us back together and now we have to climb yet another wall to be together…its not fair." Said Stephanie.

"You don't love Randy do you?" asked Linda.

"…no…Paul is the only one I love. I mean I care about Randy but I don't think it'll ever go past the friendship thing." Said Stephanie as she continued to peel potatoes.

Just then Randy walked in and they stopped talking.

"Sorry…did I interrupt?" smiled Randy.

"No…your fine." Smiled Linda.

"I'm going to go lay out the food." Said Stephanie as she walked back into the living-room.

"Is she mad at me?" asked Randy.

"No, not at all." Smiled Linda.

"Ok good." Smiled Randy as he walked back into the living-room.

Just then Paul walked inside.

"Hey Paul! You wanna join us for dinner? It'll be another hour." Said Vince.

"Sure! That would be great. What are you guys making?" asked Paul.

"Hmm I don't know… what is Linda making Steph?" asked Vince.

"My favorite dish, steak and rice and some potatoes." She said.

"Sounds good." Smiled Paul.

Later it was time for dinner. No one was really talking. Randy was sitting next to Stephanie and Paul was sitting next to Shane across the table.

"So why is everyone so quiet?" asked Vince.

Everyone looked around at each other.

"Well… I just don't have anything to say tonight I guess." Said Randy.

"Well Paul…when are you going to look for a place?" asked Vince.

"Tomorrow morning." Smiled Paul.

"That's good. Keep us updated." Smiled Vince.

"So have you picked out a location yet?" asked Shane.

"Yeah… somewhere here in Connecticut." Said Paul.

Dinner went by rather quickly. Stephanie never got to talk to Paul because Randy was always right up under her. She just went and laid down and went to sleep.

The week went by rather quickly and it was Saturday night around 6pm. Everyone was in the living-room eating when Paul came in.

"Hey Paul! Where you been?" asked Shane.

"Well I finally found the PERFECT little apartment today." Said Paul.

"Where is it?" asked Stephanie.

"It's like 20 minutes from here." Said Paul.

"Cool." Said Stephanie. "What does it look like?"

"It's a white building and it's very nice inside. It's 2 bedrooms 1 bath." He said

"Well congratulations! I'm glad you finally found a place." Said Vince.

"Thanks." Smiled Paul.

The night went by…then weeks…then months. It was finally December. Paul had moved into his apartment by then. They continued their storyline together but kept it cool so that no one would get suspicious of them. After Raw they all headed back home. Paul went to his house.

"So Stephanie this week you and Paul have a meeting with Rick Stone about your storylines and you also have a private meeting with Darryl for creative writing. You HAVE to go to it." Said Vince.

"Ok…when is it?" asked Stephanie.

"Wednesday morning…and Thursday morning." Said Vince.

"Ok no problem!" said Stephanie.

An hour later Randy got a call. A few minutes later he walked back in there and looked pale.

"Are you ok Randy?" asked Stephanie.

"My cousin Becky just died." Said Randy.

"I'm so sorry Randy." Said Vince.

"What happened?" asked Stephanie.

"She was in a car accident. I have to fly up to New Jersey right now. I'll be back in a few days." Said Randy.

"Oh Randy… I wish I could come but I have this important meeting." Said Stephanie.

"It's ok…I understand." Said Randy as he went upstairs and packed.

He then came back downstairs and was heading for the door.

"Let me help you." Said Stephanie as she grabbed a bag and carried it to the car.

"Alright I love you Steph…I'll be back on Friday." Said Randy.

"Ok… I love you too. Be careful." Said Stephanie. "I'll call you."

They hugged and he left. Stephanie went back in the house.

"Is he ok?" asked Shane.

"Yeah… he'll be fine." Said Stephanie.

Stephanie txt'd Paul and asked if she could come over. He gave her the directions.

"I am going to go over to Stacy's…I'll be back tomorrow." Said Stephanie.

"Stacy's? You haven't been to her house in awhile." Said Shane.

"I know…that's why I am going." Laughed Stephanie as she walked upstairs to her room. Shane followed.

"I know what your doing.." said Shane. "You think now that Randy is gone your gonna spend the week with Paul." He said.

"Ok…busted." Said Stephanie.

"Why don't you just break it off with Randy?" said Shane.

"I am…I'm just a softy when it comes to that…besides…I didn't want dad to come suspicious." Said Stephanie.

"Well no need to stay with him when your in love with another man. What does Paul think about you and Randy?" asked Shane.

"He hates him." Laughed Stephanie.

"Why?" asked Shane.

"He thinks he's rude and too jealous." said Stephanie.

"You serious need to just stop leading Randy on and end it." Said Shane.

"I am…as soon as Christmas is over…which is in like 2 weeks." Said Stephanie.

"Nice…atlease you are waiting until AFTER Christmas." Said Shane.

"Well…I'll see you tomorrow sometime." Smiled Stephanie.

"Alright…you behave now." Said Shane.

"Right." Laughed Stephanie.

So she got in her car and drove over to Paul's house. She hated to lie to everyone but it was the ONLY way to be with Paul. She drove 20 minutes and finally found his apartment. It was nice. She got out of her car and walked up and knocked on the door.

"Hey Stephanie! Come on in!" smiled Paul.

"Well Randy is gone until Friday so it looks like we have some time to ourselves." Smiled Stephanie.

"Finally." Joked Paul.

Stephanie smiled. They both sat on the couch a minute and didn't say anything.

"So... are you scared?" Asked Paul.

"Not really… maybe a little nervous. Are you?" asked Stephanie.

"Just a little nervous." Smiled Paul. "Are you ready now?" asked Paul.

"…yes." Smiled Stephanie.

Paul went over and picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. He gently laid her down.

"Do you want to be with me forever?" asked Stephanie

"….oh course. Forever." Said Paul. "Do you want to be with me forever?"

"Yes." Smiled Stephanie as she started to cry.

"What's wrong?" asked Paul.

"I just feel so lucky to have you in my life…but so scared at the same time. I don't know what's going to happen when I break it off with Randy…and I don't know if my father will ever let us be together." Cried Stephanie.

"Even if I have to QUIT WWE, then he'll have no reason to say no." said Paul.

"I just want him to walk me down the isle and give me away to YOU…and just be happy for me, you know?" said Stephanie as she stopped crying.

"Yeah… maybe one day he will. Once Randy's out of the picture I'm sure he can get to know me better." Smiled Paul.

"I hope so… cause I am never leaving you again." Said Stephanie as she grabbed him close.''

They spent a beautiful night together. They made love all night long until the sun came up. Paul woke up at noon. He saw that Stephanie was sleeping. He tip-toed to the kitchen and made them some breakfast. He made the same dish he made for her many years ago. Stephanie woke up smelling it. She got up and put one of his t-shirts on and headed for the kitchen.

"What you making?" smiled Stephanie.

"Your favorite." Smiled Paul.

"It smells delicious." Said Stephanie.

They sat down and ate. The day went by so quickly and Stephanie had to get going. She planned to spend the whole week with him. She just had those morning appointments with the head staff of WWE.