Chapter 34

Stephanie heels clicked against the concrete floor as she walked backstage, humming a tune to herself and hugging a bunch of papers to her chest. They were the running sheets for the pay-per-view tonight; a pay-per-view that was going to be extremely sweet in her opinion. Paul was in the main event and getting back the title that was rightfully his. God, she was going to be so proud to watch him hold that belt in the air and show the world what she already knew. That he was the number one guy. That no-one else deserved that spot. No-one else worked harder in that ring or was more dedicated to the business than Paul; well no-one that wasn't born into the name McMahon anyway. In fact, his passion was one of the things that she loved most about him; although it was just one thing in a long list being that particular list was very long and very extensive.

Stephanie's lips curved up gently as she lifted her hand and tucked her hair behind her left ear. She turned right and made her way towards the locker room absently greeting a few wrestlers that were hanging around waiting for their match to begin, not that she really paid them any attention. Her mind was definitely elsewhere and focused solely on the man that was behind the door straight in front of her. Lightly rapping her knuckles on the wood to alert him of her presence, she walked into the room and her heart filled with warmth the second she heard Paul's deep laughter. He was joking about something with Shane and it truly made her happy to see them both get along so well. Their friendship meant a lot to her and they really had grown closer ever since Shane had found out about their relationship and supported them. And thank God he had because if it wasn't for her brother, who knows how the entire mess with Andrew could have ended up for them.

Biting down on her bottom lip, Stephanie soon forgot all about Andrew as Paul grinned at her widely causing a rush butterflies to dance across her chest.

"There she is, my favourite girl."

Stephanie smiled back shyly as she crossed the short distance between them kissing him softly on the lips. "I'd better be your only girl Levesque otherwise you're in serious trouble."

Her hand playfully smacked his ass and she winked at him as she walked away and placed down the papers in a space on the long wooden bench. Turning to her brother, she pulled him into a hug.

"So how are my little sis and her bump today?"

Stephanie chuckled as she stepped back from him. "We're absolutely fine thank you. I think I'll just be glad when this pregnancy is finally over." Her hand sought out her stomach rubbing the side of the rounded, neat bump. "Then this little one can have some proper identity instead of being called bump, it, him or her."

Shane laughed as Paul walked over to stand behind Stephanie placing his hands over hers. She briefly closed her eyes breathing in the fresh spicy scent of his cologne.

"And then we can give our child the name we've chosen for them."

Shane looked between them both and smiled. "So you guys have decided on a name already?"

His sister quickly shook her head. "No we haven't." She turned slightly to her right sticking her tongue out at Paul whose shoulders shook with his amused laughter. He had teased her only last night that if the baby was a boy, he should be called Lemmy. His suggestion had been met with the contempt it had rightfully deserved. "Our child's name is still under discussion."

Shane laughed and looked at Paul. "You do know you've no chance in hell of getting the name you want."

Stephanie pouted as she looked at her brother. "And just what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Well, you have to admit you are kind of stubborn Steph and you do have that annoying tendency to want your own way a lot of the time."

Stephanie pulled away from Paul and she stood with her hands on her hips. "I do not." She turned round to look at her boyfriend seeking his support. "Tell him I'm not like that Paul."

He laughed as he held his hands up in the air. "Hey, leave me out of your sibling quarrels. And anyway, I've got a match to prepare for so if you don't mind, I'm going to change into my gear." He dropped a kiss in her hair before opening up his bag on the bench beside her.

Shane smiled at Stephanie who was standing in front of him. "So sis, can we call a truce?"

She pretended to roll her lips in contemplation before a slow smile crept across her face. "A truce it is."

"In that case, I'll leave while the going is good." Shane slapped Paul on the back as he walked past him. "Good luck for tonight and make sure you don't go too easy on Test."

"Oh don't you worry. I plan to make sure the bastard knows exactly what it feels like to play the Game."

Shane chuckled and raised his hand in farewell as he walked out the door.

As Paul's big hand rummaged through his bag, he felt Stephanie's arms slide around his waist from behind.

"So after your match when we're all alone back in our hotel room, will I get to feel what it's like to play the Game too?"

He grinned at her seductive tone and shifting in her arms, he turned to face her locking his hands around her. "You already know how to play the Game McMahon. You played it only this morning, remember?"

She smiled as she traced her finger down his chest. "I know but I enjoyed it so much, I want to play it again. And again. And again."

Paul chuckled but his laughter was silenced by Stephanie's kiss and as their lips parted, he rested his forehead against hers, her brown eyes soft with his emotion. "You do know how much I love you, don't you?" he hushed.

"Oh I think you may have told me once or twice." she smiled.

She kissed him softly once more and her expression was tender as she absently ran her hand through his soft blonde strands.

"I'm going to go and check on a few of the wrestlers and let you get ready."

Her eyes lingered on him for a second before she reluctantly let him go and walked to the table picking up the papers she had left there earlier. Brushing past Paul, she kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck in your match, baby. Oh and just so you know, I love you too."

Stephanie winked at him before turning around and walking out the room. Paul stood and smiled as he watched her leave wondering how he ever got so damn lucky. Not only did he have Stephanie, he also had their child and both of them meant the world to him. He truly was blessed in love and in his career and tonight when he got back his title, his life would be as close to perfect as he had ever possibly imagined. It was everything he had ever wanted. It was his dream come true.

Stephanie felt a rush of nervous energy as she stood backstage with Shane watching on the monitor as Paul set Andrew up for the pedigree. Her heart flipped with excitement as he hit his finishing move before pinning him and she joined in with the referee as he gave the three count. Stephanie screamed with joy and clapped her hands as the crowd cheered and Paul's music blasted through the arena.

Shane caught sight of his father walking towards them. "A good match, huh Dad?"

Vince paused for a second before slowly nodding his head. "I guess it was."

He was caught by surprise as his daughter wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you Daddy. Paul deserved to get the title back."

Vince smiled and his mouth had parted to reply when the shouting from nearby the guerrilla position interrupted them.

"Get those paramedics out there now!"

Stephanie felt her stomach drop and immediately looked back towards the monitor. The nausea rose in her throat and she clamped her hand over her mouth as she saw Paul lying still, face down on the mat. She slowly backed away in shock shaking her head in disbelief. The tears burned her eyes as she struggled to take in what had happened.

"He….he's not moving, Shane. Why isn't he moving?"

Her desperate blue eyes glanced briefly at her brother before travelling back to the monitor. Her hand lifted to wipe at the tear that had trickled down her cheek. That was when she noticed the sickly pool of red. Her breath caught in her throat. Paul was bleeding. He was hurt. A guttural cry escaped from her lips as she desperately pushed past the faceless people that had suddenly congregated around her.

"Stephanie!"

Shane immediately rushed after her sensing where she was going and knowing that seeing Paul in that state wouldn't do her any good at all. He nudged past the bodies that had quickly gathered and eventually caught up with his sister grabbing hold of her shoulder just before she got to the ramp. As she whirled round towards him, he could see the tears that had slipped down her water stained cheeks. His brown eyes were concerned as they searched hers.

"Stephanie, please don't go in that ring. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here…"

She shrugged his hand violently from her shoulder. "No Shane. Paul needs me." Her bottom lip trembled as she glanced towards the ring. "I have to be with him."

Stephanie rushed to the ring. As she climbed up the steel steps, she was aware of the security guards leading Andrew away but he was the last thing on her mind as she climbed through the ropes. Her heart was breaking and her knees felt weak with her fear as she determinedly made her way towards Paul, barging her way through the crowd of people that had gathered around him. Seeing her there, they quickly moved away and could only watch in silence as Stephanie fell to her knees beside Paul. She tentatively reached for him and gently pulled his body round in her arms. That was when she saw his beautiful face covered in blood. His eyes were closed.

Stephanie let out a strangled sob as she cradled him closer to her. Her hand was trembling as she lifted it to tenderly push back the strands of hair that were matted to his cheek. Her fingers caressed his wet crimson skin. It felt chilled to the touch and the cold sent a shiver down her spine. It was almost like he was dead. Paul's body was limp and lifeless in her arms. Frantic, Stephanie pulled him even closer. The tears spilled over her lashes as she pulled him closer, rocking him back and forward as her heart twisted with her pain.

"Come on baby. You can wake up now." she told him, her voice hitching with her sobs. Her throat burned with her sorrow as she stared at him desperately. Her hand cupped his face and her thumb left a trace in the blood as it traced his cheek.

"P….please Paul. Just wake up. Don't….don't leave me. Don't leave our baby!"

Stephanie began to cry hysterically as she held him even tighter to her, her arms clinging to Paul scared to let him go. She didn't see the paramedics enter the ring to take care of him. She wasn't aware of anything except her pain at the thought of losing Paul. God, she loved him so much. She couldn't face her life alone; she couldn't exist without him. He was everything. Paul was her heart. That was why he couldn't do this. That's why he had to wake up. He just had to wake up!

"Baby, open your eyes. Please!"

Shane briefly closed his eyes as he listened to Stephanie's desperate pleas. It killed him to see her like this. Each wretched sob tore right through his gut. Letting out a slow breath, he knelt down beside her placing his hand on her shoulder. Stephanie didn't appear to notice him as she continued to talk to Paul, pleading with him to wake up as she rocked him back and forth. A paramedic hovered around them and he wore sympathy in his eyes but Shane knew they were running out of time. They needed to get to Paul and fast but first they had to get Stephanie to let go of him. She didn't seem to see them and appeared to be in some kind of trance. Pushing back the lump in his hot throat, Shane rubbed his sister's back.

"Stephanie? You need to let them take Paul to hospital now. You have to let him go."

He watched her patiently for a few seconds before squeezing her shoulder gently once more.

"Steph?"

Although Stephanie didn't acknowledge him, she stopped rocking Paul back and forward. Shane listened with a heavy heart as she cradled her boyfriend's head to her chest taking deep shaky breaths as she tried to control her sobbing. Her voice was a breathy whisper when she eventually spoke.

"I….I can't Shane. I c…can't let him go. What if he doesn't come back to me? What will I do?"

Shane shook his head determinedly. "That's not going to happen. I promise you. Paul's a fighter. You know that and there is no way he's leaving you. But the longer he stays here with you, the harder his chances are. You need to let him go, Steph. You need to let the paramedics take care of him now, okay?"

A few seconds passed before she eventually nodded her agreement, sniffing loudly.

Shane nodded to the paramedics and watched as they knelt down and carefully took Paul from Stephanie's arms. The tears rolled down Stephanie's cheeks as they got him onto a stretcher where they checked him over before securing his neck. They looked up towards her and Shane who were still kneeling in the ring. "Is anyone coming with us?"

Shane looked at his sister. He knew she would want to be with Paul but she was a mess. She was covered in his blood making him feel sick to his stomach. God knows how she would react when she saw it. She needed to get cleaned up before she went anywhere. He shook his head as he hugged his sister. "No. We'll follow you there."

The paramedic nodded before they rushed Paul up the ramp. Shane looked at Stephanie who was still kneeling in the very same spot and staring straight ahead and saying absolutely nothing. It was almost as if she was frozen in shock. He stood up and as he did, he noticed his father standing at the edge of the ring. No words were spoken as Vince walked over to his son and helped him as they pulled Stephanie to her feet and aided her gently out of the ring.