Title: Growing Up

Chapter 51: Snowy Dates

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the characters you don't recognize.

A/N: I hope that you all liked the last chapter. I also hope that you enjoy this chapter. I plan to finish this story before this summer comes up hopefully. I have a bit more free time on my hands and I plan on using most of it to finish this story. I hate saying make sure you review, but reviews are the only way that I know that people are reading the story and want me to continue it. So if you could, please review. It only takes a few minutes, and I'm very thankful for all that do review. I also understand if you can't review. Thank you to all my readers.

XoxoxoxoX

A week had passed by and it was the day before Christmas Eve. It was December 23rd and there was a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground alongside snowflakes in the sky that kept falling. It looked like it was going to be a white Christmas this year in Greenwich, Connecticut. The week and few days had flown by rather smoothly and peacefully. There was no arguments nor drama. Everyone was getting along too, with the exception of Randy and Stacy. Those two haven't seen much of each other to really be able to get along with one another, but they weren't fighting, so that was a good thing. Chris had actually been slowly hanging out with each friend individually to regain the trust that he lost. It was coming back slowly, and more likely after break, things would be like they used to be again. Trish and Chris had begun to hang out more and more as well, mending the friendship that they once had. Paul and Stephanie of course had been hanging out a lot with one another as well too. They weren't seen much by the group too, due to Paul getting his stitches out. The couple took full advantage of that. Also, as a group everyone would hang out. Yes, that consisted of all six or seven of them depending if Candice tagged along or not. The break was well needed, as many friendships were bonded and became stronger then before.

XoX

Stacy sat on her king size bed flipping through a magazine in her black spandex shorts and light purple tank top. She didn't have much planned today, other then staying in today. She hadn't been home much since break started. She was out shopping or hanging out with her friends the last week or so. It was time to take some more 'me' time. She had not really seen nor hung out with Randy the past week or so. There was group hang outs, but she steered clear of Randy when attending them. Stacy soon moved to lay on her stomach as she continued to flip through her magazine. She looked up as the door to her bedroom opened up. In walked Candice removing her t-shirt. She was now only clad in her black sweats and blue bra. Candice walked over to her part of the closet, and started to go through the clothes that she had.

"Going somewhere?" Stacy questioned as she watched Candice in the closet.

"Yeah, Randy wants to take me to lunch." Candice replied looking through shirts.

"Ooo, a lunch date." Stacy smirked as she looked back down at her magazine.

"Yeah, I guess so." Candice smiled. "What are you doing today?"

"Oh, nothing." Stacy answered, her eyes not leaving her magazine.

"Why don't you hang out with Andrew anymore?" Candice questioned picking out a shirt.

"Uh, well…" Stacy contemplated on telling Candice or not.

"Well what?" Candice asked as she started to look for a good pair of pants.

"Andrew and I broke up." Stacy decided to just tell her, since no one else knew besides Trish for the time being.

"Are you serious?" Candice almost gave herself whiplash as she turned to look at Stacy.

"Yeah, we hadn't seen much of each other." Stacy responded as she turned a page.

"I'm so sorry." Candice frowned. "Is that why you've been acting so strange?"

"I guess you could say that's why." Stacy spoke as she only told the partial truth. She clearly couldn't tell Candice that she was in love with Randy. It would kill her.

"Aw, why didn't you tell me?" Candice replied finding a pair of pants. "I would have comforted you, hell, Randy would have helped too."

"It's ok, I needed to get through it on my own." Stacy smiled up at Candice as she began to change.

"Ok, well if you ever need anything, I'm here." Candice returned the smile. "Literally, I'm here."

"Gottcha." Stacy giggled shaking her head as she sat up on her bed. "I'm going to go get something to drink."

With that said, Stacy got off her bed and walked out the door, shutting it behind her. She quickly made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Candice was always a sweetheart to her and she loved her for it. Stacy had actually shocked herself in her actions. Usually when it came to her feelings for Randy, she would have made him hers by now, but things were different with Candice. She believed it had to do with the fact that she was living with her and had become really close with her. There was no way she would ruin their friendship. After searching around in the fridge, she grabbed a water bottle and shut the fridge behind her. She twisted the top off as their was a knock on the door. Stacy looked around, noting that the parents were not home. Seeing that Candice was upstairs, Stacy made her way over to the door. As she walked over to the door she took a drink of her water. Once reaching the door, she took another drink as she answered the knock on the door. She finished her drink as she dried the sides of her mouth with the back of her hand as a small smile quickly crept onto her face.

"Randy, hey." Stacy spoke up. "I forgot you were on your way over here."

"Hey, I take it Candice told you?" Randy smiled at her.

"Yeah, a lunch date." Stacy raised her eyebrows. "Sounds fun."

"I hope so." Randy replied. "Where's Candice?"

"Oh, she's upstairs changing." Stacy answered. "Come in."

Stacy moved to the side of the door allowing Randy the entrance to walk through. Randy walked inside as Stacy looked back outside the door. It was still snowing and it was sticking. She smiled at the snow falling as she shut the door. Stacy loved the snow. Once the door was shut, she turned around and noticed Randy sitting on the sofa in the living room. She walked over and sat down on the recliner and rocked back and forth in it. Stacy's eyes examined Randy as he sat on the couch. He looked like he was in thought about something.

"What are you thinking about?" Stacy questioned as she set her water bottle on the table next to her.

"Oh, nothing." Randy replied.

"Liar." Stacy shook her head. "I've known you way too long to know when something's up."

"Yeah, I guess so." Randy stated as he looked towards her. "You seem to be in better spirits since last we talked."

"Yeah, I am." Stacy sighed figuring out that he may have been thinking about that.

"That's good." Randy nodded in approval. "I was starting to miss the old Stacy."

"I was too." Stacy smiled softly. "Sorry for the way I had acted."

"Well, as long as you are done with it now." Randy smiled back. "Then I'm ok with it."

"Sounds good to me." Stacy answered as she looked down at her fingers.

"You know, if you want…" Randy began. "We could turn the lunch date into a double date?"

"A double date?" Stacy laughed sarcastically, as she forgot that Randy was unaware of the break up with Andrew. "Who would I go with?"

"Um, your boyfriend, Andrew?" Randy looked at her oddly.

"Oh yeah…" Stacy trailed off for a second. "We, uh, well, we broke up."

"You two what?" Randy was in shock. "I thought you really liked him?"

"Yeah, I did." Stacy replied unsure if telling Randy was the right thing to do. "But we never really saw each other or hung out."

"That's understandable." Randy responded as he examined Stacy in the recliner.

"Oh, you're here already!" Candice spoke as she came down the stairs.

"Yeah, just waiting on you." Randy smiled standing up. "I didn't want to rush you, so I held off on having Stacy go and get you."

"Well aren't you sweet." Candice smirked as she looked over at Stacy. "See you later Stace!"

"Yeah, bye Stace." Randy said as well.

"Bye you two." Stacy answered. "Have fun."

Stacy watched as the two exited the house. The second that Stacy had seen Randy standing at her front door, she knew that her feelings for him wouldn't change. She was in love with him, and would be for a long time. The smile that had formed on her face as he was standing there was purely because she had missed seeing and talking to him. A sigh escaped her lips as she thought about the situation at hand. She had to play things cool and just be his friend. That's all they could be. It was going to be hard for her, but it would be worth it to see them both happy. Another thing that Stacy couldn't help but thing about was if she did the right thing in telling Randy about her break up. She wasn't sure if Randy still had the same feelings for her anymore. He had been spending more time with Candice, and Stacy had assumed that he was falling for Candice. Another sigh came from Stacy. Randy was or already had fallen for Candice from the time she told him they couldn't be together at the hospital up until this point. She'd lost the love of her life and she had to settle for his friendship. Stacy was fine with that, she was only hoping that she could move on.

XoxoxoxoX

Randy and Candice entered a small restaurant for their lunch date. He had held the door open, allowing Candice to walk through first. He followed suit, as a hostess quickly sat them in a booth by the window. Rather then sitting next to each other, they sat across from each other. Both of their heads were in the menu deciding on what they wanted. Randy quickly chose his meal as he looked up at Candice who was still looking. He smiled as he watched her eyes roam about the menu. She would make small little faces at what obviously, must have sounded good and bad. He couldn't help but keep smiling as he watched her. Candice quickly felt like she was being watch. She looked up and noticed Randy staring at her.

"What?" Candice questioned. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No, I'm just admiring you." Randy stated taking her hand into his from across the table.

"Well aren't you the charmer like always." Candice giggled as she shut her menu.

The waitress came over to their table, taking their drink orders as well as their food orders. Once the waitress left, Randy continued to stare at Candice, causing her to blush. Feeling Randy's eyes on her was enough to turn her a deep shade of pink. She tried to keep to calm down a bit, by distracting herself by looking out at the snow that was still falling. By the looks of it, it was getting heavier.

"You know I'm not going to stop staring at you." Randy grinned noticing her trying to avoid it.

"I don't see why you wouldn't." Candice turned to him. "I'm not that cute."

"Yeah, you aren't." Randy spoke agreeing with her.

"What?" Candice was in shock that Randy had even said that. "I'm not cute?"

"No, you're not…" Randy wasn't able to finish as Candice snatched her hand away from him.

"Well, you're not handsome." Candice folded her arms as she diverted her stare to the window, yet still watching him out the corner of her eye.

"Aw, you didn't let me finish." Randy stuck his bottom lip out. "You aren't cute, because you are beautiful."

"Now you're just saying that to get out of trouble." Candice smirked to herself.

"No I'm not." Randy replied as she allowed him to take her hand again. "I was really going to say it, honest."

"I believe you." Candice blushed again.

Randy smiled at her as he leaned over the table a bit, with Candice meeting him halfway. Their lips met at the middle of the table and they kissed for a minute or two. It was no make out session though. It was only a sweet and soft kiss. They both returned to their rightful seats. With in a matter of seconds, the waitress was back with their drinks and lunch. She placed the items on the table and made sure that the couple was taken care of. Once she left, Randy and Candice began to eat their lunch. It was quiet at the beginning as the only sounds being heard from them were munching ones. They would look up at one another and smile and then return to their meals. Half way through their meal, Randy sat back in the booth.

"That was pretty good." Randy spoke patting his flat stomach.

"I guess it was." Candice smirked eyeing Randy's plate. "The poor burger stood no chance against you."

"Ha Ha." Randy smiled as he spoke sarcastically. "I'm a growing boy."

"Oh, so you're just a boy?" Candice raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Randy answered taking a second to think about it. "Boys tend to get what they want most of the time."

"Really, is that so?" Candice giggled. "I'd like to see that happen."

"I got you didn't I?" Randy nodded with a huge smirk plastered on his face.

"Oh, don't get cocky now." Candice spoke as she finished off her water.

"Ok, fine." Randy sighed. "How about we get out of here and go do something?"

"Sounds good to me." Candice replied as she stood up alongside Randy.

The couple stood up and Randy put a twenty and a five dollar bill on the table enough for the bill and a tip. They exited the building and headed out to the snow. The snow came down on them and began to stick to their jackets. Randy smirked as he watched Candice take a picture of herself in the snow. He couldn't stop himself as he ran up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He placed his head in the crook of her neck and kissed her cheek. At that moment, Candice had snapped her camera on the phone and the picture was taken. She turned her phone around to look at the picture and a smile formed on both of their faces as they looked at the picture. Randy then helped Candice into his car, and he then got into the drivers side. He started the vehicle and made his way out of the parking lot.

XoxoxoxoX

Chris walked around the park area. He always loved walking in the snow. It was really peaceful to him and it relaxed him. Any walk always gave him time to think. Chris began to think about the past week. He had gotten his friends back, and they were all starting to trust him again. In a matter of a week, Chris had worked hard to impress, improve and regain their trust to regain the friendships that they once had. He was surprised that it was as easy as it was. He assumed that it was because of the holiday season. Everyone was always more cheerful and giving around this time. He was happy about it, and he swore to himself that he wouldn't screw up like that again. As he went to make a slight turn, he felt a snowball hit him in the back. He turned around and saw no one standing there. Chris rolled his eyes assuming that it was just a bunch of kids fooling around. He ignored it as he continued on his walk. Once he continued on his walk, he felt another snowball hit him again. This time when Chris turned around, a smile came upon his face as he saw Trish laughing. He had found his culprit and she was walking over his way, with her hands up in the air, to show she was unarmed.

"I cave, it was me." Trish gave herself up. "You as a target is really tempting."

"I'm so sure I am." Chris shook his head with a small chuckle. "What are you up to?"

"I was just walking around, and then I saw you." Trish replied. "You want someone to walk with?"

"If you want." Chris smiled at her as they began to walk.

They walked around the park a few times just talking. In the process of making their next circle around, Chris managed to make a snowball with the snow off of objects. That was able to keep Trish from questioning him about bending over to make one. Chris casually slowed down his pace as Trish continued in front of him. Once she was a good distance ahead of him and still talking to herself rather then to Chris, he threw the snowball at her. Trish instantly turned around to see Chris already on the ground making his next ball. Trish shook her head, as she leaned down as well. This meant war. The two fired snowballs back and forth at one another for about ten minutes. They both got a fair share of hits on the other. Chris smirked, as he made a snowball in the palm of his hands. He stayed down low, waiting for Trish to hit him with her next snowball. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her arm extend back. Once she let go of the snowball, Chris made sure that the ball hit him in the face. He quickly used his free hand to grab his face where the snowball hit him. Jericho would pull it off that Trish had hit him with a ball of ice and then he would get her.

"Ahhh." Chris moaned holding onto his cheek.

"I'm sorry." Trish came running up to him. "Are you ok?"

"I think you hit me with an ice ball." Chris spoke not moving his hand from his cheek.

"Oh, no." Trish stated with worry clear in her voice. "Let me see."

"No, it could be ugly." Chris answered as Trish put her hands on his hand that was on his cheek.

"Well, let me see, so I know if we should go get you cleaned up." Trish spoke afraid that she had really hurt him.

Chris then quickly moved his hand from his cheek and grabbing her arm gently. A look of confusion came across Trish's face as she noticed not even a small welt or bruise forming. Hey eyes grew wider, as she saw the snow ball in Chris' hand. She knew that she had been fooled. Chris had taken the snowball and put it down the back of Trish's shirt. She squealed out as the cold snow ran down her back. Her back tensed up trying to escape the cold sensation. Trish instinctively grabbed a hold of Chris' arms, as if it would help with the cold. She was clearly wrong when the melted snow trickled to the lower part of her back. This had caught Trish off guard as she stepped the wrong way and fell backwards into the snow, taking Chris with her. Chris landed on top of her gently and softly. The two began to laugh as they laid on the snow not moving. Chris never thought to move his body from off of the top of Trish. As they continued to laugh and lay there, they let their eyes meet. The laughter subsided quickly as they kept their stare. Chris had the urge to just lean down and kiss her, but wasn't sure if he should. They just repaired things, and he didn't want to make things anymore awkward just yet. Chris slowly got off of Trish, and made it to his feet. As he dusted himself off, he smirked as he looked at the small snow bank in front of him.

"Sorry about that." Chris spoke offering his hand out to help her up.

"It's ok." Trish smiled, taking a hold of his hand. "It's all fun and games."

Trish couldn't help but be a little disappointed that Chris hadn't of kissed her. She swore he was going to lean in and do it, but he didn't. She knew better then that though, since it was her idea to stay friends for now. She needed to let things play out and let whatever happens happen. Trish pulled herself up with the help of Chris. When their hands touched, Trish couldn't help but stare at their hands as one. She shook her head, as she looked up on him. Chris had a smug smirk on his face and Trish was curious as to why. He was up to something. Her question was answered, when she felt him grab a hold of her waist. He moved a bit closer to the snow bank and he gently threw her into the snow bank. Snow toppled down on Trish, but only a little bit. Not enough to burry her under it. Trish bit her lip while she smirked as well. He thought he was good, but she'd show him. Trish quickly made it to her feet as she charged at Chris. She tackled him down to the ground of snow as they began to wrestle each other. They rolled around on the white ground trying to pin one another. In the process of rolling Chris over, a little bit of snow managed to slide into his shirt. This caused Chris to put his guard down, as Trish rolled on top and pinning him.

"Pinned ya." Trish smirked as she held Chris' arms down towards the ground.

"You may have won the battle…" Chris smirked. "But the war isn't over."

"It is for you my friend." Trish winked at him, as she stayed on top of him.

The two began to laugh again, and then it happened again. Their eyes met for the second time. The only difference was that Trish was on top and Chris was on the bottom. Both their hearts began to race as they stared at one another with wondering eyes. Trish without thinking leaned her head down a little closer to Chris. He followed in by leaning his head up closer to Trish. Their eyes never left each other as they inched closer and closer. Their hearts raced and their breathing became slow and mellow. Their lips were a centimeter apart from touching, when a couple kids ran by. They both came out of their trance and shaking their heads. Trish realizing the current situation and position they were in, she quickly stood up and got off of Chris. He helped himself up as they both brushed off.

"I should get going." Trish spoke up as she turned to Chris. "I told my dad I would be home an hour ago."

"Ok…" Chris nodded in approval. "Can I walk you home?"

"Yeah, you can." Trish smiled softly. "I'd like that."

"I would too." Chris smiled as he put a friendly arm around Trish's shoulders and they began to walk to Trish's house.

XoxoxoxoX

Paul and Stephanie walked around the Christmas tree lot looking at numerous trees. Stephanie had brought Paul along with her, because she was picking out the tree this year on her own. Both her parents were called away for a business meeting and they wouldn't be back until later that night. Shane was away with his girlfriend Marissa. He would be home on Christmas Eve though. Vince had given Stephanie the money to buy the tree and Stephanie gladly accepted it. Stephanie loved picking out the Christmas tree, it was always her favorite part. A tree was different in every way to her. To Paul they all looked the same, the only difference being that some were tall and some were short. He didn't mind though, as long as he was spending time with Stephanie. They walked hand in hand as Stephanie drug him around the area. She was like an excited little school girl walking down the candy aisle. It put a smile on his face as she walked over to a tree to examine it.

"Paul, can you lift it up right please?" Stephanie smiled as she asked with her eyes.

He chuckled to himself, not being able to say no to her. The look she had on her face was adorable. As he pulled the tree up from it's leaning position he shook the snow, that had fallen onto the tree off of it and onto the ground. He looked over at her as she stood with her hands on her hips. A smile formed on his face as he looked her over. She was wearing tight jean pants that were a very light shade of blue. They rose up to her hips, giving them the name of 'hip huggers'. Her white puffy jacket hid her baby pink t-shirt underneath. She had her jacket zipped up all the way, with a little stop at the neck. The jacket fit her perfectly. It wasn't too baggy nor too small. She wore pink and white tennis shoes that matched her outfit, along with the gloves placed on her hands. Her hat that she wore on her head to keep her warm was pink and white as well. On each side of the hat, there were two flaps that went over her ears to keep them warm. Two strings hung from the flaps and they dangled on the sides. The bottom half of her hair was naturally down and had flakes of snow in it. Paul studied her face as she examined the tree some more. Her eyes looked the tree up and down, and from side to side. A sparkle was clear in her soft blue eyes. She bit her bottom lip contemplating if she liked it or not. Paul couldn't help but continue to smile. She was simply beautiful in his eyes.

"I like this one." Stephanie smiled looking towards Paul. "I want it!"

"This one it is then." Paul replied setting the tree down.

"Have you two picked a tree?" The sales man questioned making his rounds.

"Yeah, we'd like this one" Paul answered. "Can you put it on the red H2 Hummer out there?"

"Not a problem." He spoke to Paul. "The lady at the RV will take care of the charges."

"Thanks." Paul stated as he walked over to Stephanie. "Let's go pay for it."

The couple made their way to the RV, where Stephanie paid for the tree with the money Vince had given her. Paul waited by the small outdoor wood burner trying to keep warm. He held his hands near the flame that was blocked by the door, so as to keep the flame tamed. He turned his head over towards the RV as he watched Stephanie interact with the lady she was paying. The same smile crept up on his face again as he watched her. Stephanie turned around and walked back over to him with a smile plastered on her face.

"You ready to go?" Stephanie questioned as her eyes looked up and met his.

"Yeah, I am." Paul smiled at her as he took her hand into his.

"You're really happy today." Stephanie replied taking notice of his many smiles.

"I'm with you, that's why." Paul grinned as he stopped walking and pulled her towards him.

"Aw, aren't you sweet." Stephanie smiled as she stood face to face with him.

"And you're just the cutest little thing." Paul spoke pulling her closer to him.

Paul then took his hands and took a hold of the strings on her hat. He pulled them down gently and crossed them, so the strings outlined her face. Her eyes sparkled brightly as he gazed into them with love. He watched as she smiled up at him with her purely white teeth. Paul returned her smile and leaned in for a sweet and short kiss. Paul pulled away and just looked at her and into her eyes as she smiled at him. There was no doubt about it, he was in love with her. It wasn't no 'puppy love' either, it was full fledged love. Paul knew that they both were in high school, but that didn't change his mind on how he felt. He wasn't sure if she felt as strong as he did, but there was not doubt about it in his mind, Stephanie McMahon was 'the one'.

XoxoxoxoX

That's it for this chapter. I hope you all enjoy reading this one. I really liked writing this one. I think its one of my best chapters so far. Well, in my opinion.

Thanks again to all my reviewers and please keep them coming.

Citcat