Chapter 49
Stephanie threw the keys down on the table and she couldn't help the smile that erupted across her face as she turned and looked at Paul. She swore her heart was close to bursting as she watched him walk towards her down the hallway. Everything was as it should be now he was back home and it had been so good waking up and realising he was back where he belonged; in her arms and with her.
"It feels good to be home doesn't it?" she asked him.
Paul nodded and his mouth twitched with his own smile as he reached for her, pulling her into his chest. He breathed in her faint scent as he squeezed her tightly before dropping a kiss on her forehead. "And thank you by the way for coming with me this morning. I couldn't have done it on my own."
Stephanie shook her head as she brushed back a few loose blonde strands from his face. "You don't need to thank me. I wanted to be there with you." Her lips curved up gently as her finger slowly traced over his cheek. "I'm just glad we finally know what we're up against."
"And I'm just glad they won't lock me up and throw away the key."
Stephanie pretended to scowl as she smacked at his arm playfully. "Hey, no more talk of you being crazy. I don't want to hear it."
"Yes ma'am." winked Paul unknowingly causing her chest to flutter madly. "I promise that from now on I'll only use the word crazy when describing how I feel about you."
"You're such a suck-up Levesque."
"Yes I am but you know you love me for it."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "You're right. I do."
Stephanie snuggled into Paul's chest as his arms slid around her waist. As she melted into his gentle heat she thought how amazing it was to have him like this. It was like seeing a glimpse of his former self and there was no denying his spirits had definitely been lifted after seeing the doctor today. He seemed a lot more positive and that was definitely a start although she wasn't forgetting that he still had a long road ahead. But Paul would make it. She had no doubt about that at all and she would be there supporting him all the way.
Suddenly she shifted uncomfortably in his arms unable to handle the pressure on her bladder any longer and she reluctantly broke their embrace.
"I have to go to the bathroom." she explained. "Our daughter's creating havoc again."
Paul laughed as his empty arms dropped to his sides and he called out after her as she rushed up the stairs.
"Steph, have you got those leaflets? I want to take a look."
"They're in my purse."
Her words were closely followed by the echo of the door slamming shut. Paul shook his head and smiled as he looked around for Stephanie's purse silently thanking his lucky stars he wasn't a pregnant woman. Locating the red leather holdall over by the small table in the hallway, he pulled out the leaflets and began to flick through them as he wandered into the living room. He shrugged off his coat and dropped it on the back of the sofa as he sat down and began to read the four words that had changed everything for him. Post traumatic stress disorder.
It sure sounded a lot better than emotionally disturbed or psychotic. And apparently the side effects he had been suffering from his attack were classic symptoms of PTSD although they wouldn't be able to confirm his diagnosis until he had been assessed by a psychotherapist. His first appointment was next week and in the meantime he had been prescribed medication. They would deal with his anxiety and the insomnia. He had to admit he was looking forward to finally getting a decent night's sleep. He was practically running on empty and had been for weeks now.
Paul sighed and his fingers wearily rubbed his forehead as he read through some of the information. It was a lot to take in and he was still trying to process most if it all but the important thing was he would find a way to get through this. He had to. He had made a promise to Stephanie to do everything he could to beat this thing and he was determined not to let her or his baby down.
Just then his cell phone rang interrupting his train of thought and Paul threw down the leaflet on the sturdy oak coffee table. Pulling the cell out of his leather coat pocket, he smiled when he saw it was his mother calling. His finger jabbed at the top left button.
"Hello Mom, what took you so long? I've been home for at least five minutes."
He grinned as he heard her snort at his comment down the phone.
"You're not too old to get a smack across the ass you know."
Paul burst out laughing. "Ma, I've been through enough without having to add child abuse to the list."
"That's true. Anyway, you sound pretty cheerful. I take it today went quite well then."
He lifted his shoulder in a shrug, raking his fingers through his hair. "I suppose it did. I told them what had been happening lately with my moods and stuff and the doctor was fairly certain it was post traumatic stress disorder. Apparently the nightmares and violent outbursts are classic symptoms."
"Well I'm just relieved they know what's happening with you. It still sounds pretty serious though."
"Yeah but they're confident that with the right treatment, I should make a full recovery. Hey, I even get my own personal shrink."
As his mother chuckled down the phone, he looked up to see Stephanie walk in the room. He smiled at her as he stood up from the sofa holding out his free arm for her to come to. She happily leaned against his chest as he wrapped it around her.
"Look Ma, I'm gonna go. I'll come round and see you and Dad tomorrow alright?"
"That's fine with me. You and Stephanie can stay for dinner if you like. I think Lynn is coming over with the kids."
"In that case I'll see you tomorrow night. Bye Mom."
Paul hung up and threw his phone down on the sofa. He wrapped both his arms around Stephanie's waist and she looked up and smiled at him.
"You didn't have to end the phone call on my account."
He quickly shook his head. "I didn't. Anyway why would I want to waste time on the phone when I could be doing something else?"
"Like what?"
"Well I was thinking maybe I could do this."
Paul's smile disappeared into his kiss as he leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers. His big hands curled around her face as he kissed her softly and tenderly and Stephanie felt her heart race as his tongue slid into her open mouth brushing over her tongue. The familiar taste of him made her knees tremble with longing and at that moment she was grateful that he was cupping her face otherwise there was every chance she would have melted away to a puddle on the floor.
Stephanie sighed softly, her lips parting further allowing Paul to deepen the kiss, his tongue gently sweeping over her mouth causing her to feel every sensation to the tips of her fingers. It had felt like forever since he had kissed her this way and she could feel her body respond as his thumb lightly traced the column of her throat. Her body tingled with her desire and she realised she wanted him; more than that she needed him.
Stephanie pulled away breaking the kiss and she felt breathless as her heavy lidded eyes looked into his. There was no mistaking the dark look in Paul's eyes; a look that told her in no uncertain terms he wanted her too. And without saying a word, he bent down and picked her up in his arms. Stephanie gave a light giggle as he grinned, adjusting her weight and as he carried her to the stairs, she closed her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder. As she breathed in the fresh, clean smell of his hair, she realised this was a perfect moment. One she wished she could bottle up and keep to remember forever. But she wasn't going to kid herself that suddenly everything was fine and Paul was back to normal. It was going to take time for him to fully recover but this morning she had definitely seen him return to his former self and it made her hopeful for the future. A future that included her, Paul and their unborn child. Her perfect family.
Shane looked through the pieces of paper scattered around the desk and he sighed as he raked his fingers through his short dark strands. The script for the show was a nightmare and right now, he badly missed Stephanie being around the place. She usually handled stuff like this but she had asked for some time off to be with Paul. His father had granted it albeit grudgingly. Personally, he was just over the moon that his sister and Paul had managed to sort things out. Stephanie had sounded genuinely happy when she had called him yesterday and she seemed fairly optimistic about Paul's recovery now they knew exactly what they were dealing with. She'd even invited him over to visit at the weekend. He had to admit he was looking forward to it especially after the disaster that was today. And with no house shows scheduled, it meant he and Marissa could spend a couple of days with them in Nashua.
But pushing all thoughts of the weekend out of his mind, Shane tried to focus on the script in front of him but sighed once more when he was interrupted by the light knocking on the door. He shook his head in disdain as he called out.
"Come in."
His brown eyes widened with surprise when Chyna poked her head around the door. She was probably the last person he had expected to see. Joanie had pretty much been avoiding him ever since he and Paul had grilled her about Andrew.
"Have you got a minute Shane? I need to talk to you."
Shane nodded motioning to the seat across from him and watched Joanie nervously enter the room. "Is there a problem with your storyline? Your feud with Billy is only temporary you know."
She sighed as she sat down. "I know but that's not it." She paused, biting down on her lip as she looked Shane in the eye. "Look I don't know why I should care but I do. It's Andrew. He's going to approach your father about coming back."
Shane's mouth dropped in horror. "What? He wants to come back here after what he did to Paul? Is he fucking crazy?"
"I know and that's why I've come to you. I wanted you to have a heads-up on the situation. You need to make sure your father doesn't agree to it or God knows what could happen to Paul or to anyone."
"Don't worry. My father will make sure he never sets foot in the ring again."
Joanie looked suspiciously at Shane. "Are you sure about that? Everyone knows your father hates Paul's guts and will do anything to get one over on him."
Shane quickly shook his head. "Not any more. Dad has buried the hatchet with Paul and I know he'll never agree to that bastard coming back. Besides, Martin's ass will be in jail soon enough after what he's done."
"Well I hope you're right. After what he did to Paul, no-one wants to get in the ring with him."
He stood up as Joanie got to her feet. "Well you can tell the boys that they don't have to worry. Martin is history."
Joanie nodded and Shane watched as she turned around and walked out the door. He lightly shook his head unable to believe the audacity of Andrew thinking he could come back here after everything he had done. He truly was crazy and a total whack job. Martin would never set foot inside a wrestling ring again. He would personally make sure of that. Besides, it would be virtually impossible for him to wrestle when he was stuck in a prison cell and that's exactly where he was headed. There was no doubt Andrew was going to pay for what he did to Paul. He would hire the best lawyers and make sure the guy got what he deserved. No one screwed with his family and got away with it. No one.
