Spending all day Sunday relaxing on the couch as a family when Monday came around again Stephanie was ready to get to work and do something constructive. Paul's parents had picked the kids up earlier than normal as Stephanie had some preparation to do in the office for an early meeting so both she and Paul were in work just after eight.

Paul didn't have a lot to do first thing in the morning so after he had done a couple of jobs he was just doodling on a piece of paper whilst Stephanie prepared for her early meeting. Lifting his head when he heard someone walk through the door he was kind of relieved to see Shawn there because he could keep him occupied for a bit, "hey man."

Sitting down opposite his friend Shawn smiled, "hey. You're here early today."

Shrugging his shoulders Paul pushed the paper away from him, "Steph has to prepare for a meeting first thing so my parents picked the kids up early so we could get here early."

"Cool." Seeing the opportunity to ask about the week Shawn seized it, "so how did it go on Saturday?"

Groaning Paul shook his head, "not brilliant. Sarah was kind of rude to Steph and Alex and she had the balls to ask for money."

Thinking they were going to be talking about the same thing Shawn was surprised that Stephanie told him, "oh, Steph told you about that? How much money did she ask for?"

Looking at his friend strangely something wasn't right, how and what had Stephanie told Shawn, "Stephanie told me what? How do you know anything?"

Gulping Shawn quickly realised he had apparently put his foot in it, "uh . . . umm . . . she kind of rang to talk to Rebecca Saturday afternoon but Becca was out with Cameron and I said she could talk to me if she wanted. She told me that when she arrived Sarah glared at Alex, I think her exact words were something about if looks could kill then Alex would have been dead."

Getting up from his seat Paul stormed around the desk to find out why Stephanie hadn't told him but stopped when Shawn grabbed his arm, "get off me."

Shaking his head Shawn stood up, "Paul don't do this, please. Stephanie told me in confidence and I put two and two together from what you said and got about twenty. Please don't tell her I told you, I think she's afraid of losing you."

Looking at his friend strangely he had no idea where he would have gotten that from, "what are you talking about? Why would she be afraid of losing me? I love her and only her."

Sighing heavily Shawn shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, I'm not a woman and I definitely don't understand them but if I were to put myself in her shoes I could definitely understand why she would feel like that."

"You can? How? Why?"

Making sure Stephanie's office door was still firmly shut Shawn looked back at his friend, "think about it. You have a child with another woman, family is incredibly important to you as it is to her so in her head she probably feels like you and Lucy would be happier together as a family with Lucy's real Mom and to her she can't compete with that."

Moving back around the desk he sat down heavily in his seat, "she would be right though, she can't compete with Sarah in that regard because she is so much better for me and Lucy than Sarah is that it would be an insult to Stephanie to even compare the two of them. From the minute Stephanie held Lucy in here arms Lucy was happy and comfortable and she took right to her, when Sarah held Lucy on Saturday she started to cry and she wanted away from her, hell she even shrank away from her when Sarah just ran her hand over Lucy's head. I couldn't and wouldn't even go back to Sarah because I just don't trust her, I have a bad feeling she is still involved with gambling."

Shawn's eyes widened at that comment, "is that why she asked for money?"

Nodding his head that was Paul's gut feeling, "I do believe so yes. She said her car had broken down and needed five hundred dollars to fix it but I think she's either in debt again or she just wanted money to gamble away."

"Did you give her any money?"

Looking at his friend like he was crazy he shook his head, "hell no. My money is going on my girlfriend and our children and not to fund her addiction but I have to protect Lucy and Alex from this mess."

Before Shawn could answer there was movement behind him, turning around to see what it was he bit his lip when he realised it was someone coming to meet with Stephanie, "I'd better go to my desk Paul, I will catch you later."

Nodding his head Paul stood up and shook Shawn's hand to make it seem like it was a business thing and they weren't just gossiping, "yes you will. Thank you for helping me sort that out, it was much appreciated."

Smiling politely Shawn nodded his head before he walked past the men to go to his own desk.

Once Shawn had left Paul turned his attention to the two men stood in front of him, "can I help you?"

"Yes, we have a nine o'clock meeting with Miss McMahon. I know we're a little early but we thought it better to be early than late as we weren't sure of the traffic this side of town."

Nodding his head politely Paul motioned to the seats against the wall, "please take a seat a moment whilst I inform Miss McMahon that you're here."

Walking around his desk he went and knocked on Stephanie's door allowing himself inside when she invited him in and shutting the door behind him.

Looking up at Paul as he entered the room she was just making her final notes, "can I help you?"

Smiling softly he had to be professional, "your nine o'clock appointment is here. Would you like me to get them to wait for a few minutes or are you able to see them early?"

Looking at her watch it was only ten minutes early and the earlier she saw them the quicker it would be over and done with and she could get on with the rest of her work, "show them in, I don't mind."

Nodding his head he turned around to walk out of the door but stopped with his hand on the door handle, "what do you think about the same time on Saturday for you know what?"

Shrugging her shoulders it was really his decision to make and not hers but if he wanted her agreement she would give it, "yeah that's fine."

Smiling softly he truly had the most amazing girlfriend. Opening the door he went to walk out but stopped briefly, "do you want me to get coffees now or later?"

Needing more than coffee but unable to have it she would settle for a coffee now, "now would be good thanks. Ask the men what they would like before they enter."

Nodding his head he walked out of the office, "Miss McMahon s ready to see you. Would you like a tea or a coffee?"

Both men shook their head so Paul allowed them to enter before he went over to his desk and picked up his cell phone and tapped out a quick text:

Same time and same place on Saturday as this past Saturday.

Sending the text to Sarah he tossed his phone back onto the desk before he went to make two cups of coffee.