Sorry this took so long to get out, Guys! Work's been an emotional rollercoaster lately…I think I've quit at least twenty times over the last two weeks…I'd laugh if it wasn't true! Neverfear…I still have my job…YAY! Anyway…Wrestlemania last night…One word…WOW! Cena vs. Rock…Amazing…Truly "Once in a Lifetime."! And HHH vs. Undertaker…Words don't even being to cover what I'm feeling…A day later! Can't wait for Raw tonight to see the aftermath! Until then…I'm just gonna focus on this Baby right here & another classic MHE Moment for your enjoyment...The Fake Pregnancy!
February 4, 2002
Five days later & my scheme's about to be put into action…And in the ideal location. Raw's in Las Vegas…Where we'd gotten married…Where we'd gotten our dysfunctional start. Every aspect of my plot'd been figured out to a tee:
.Suggest a renewal of our Wedding Vows…Something we'd always wanted to do.
.Tell Hunter I'm "Pregnant." so he'll agree to the Wedding…Make him remember how good we used to be.
.Continue "Pregnancy."…Have "Symptoms." early & often.
.Wait until my period comes to "Miscarry."…Which'd be around Valentine's Day.
I'd been on cloud nine since my interview with JR…Since I gave myself a reason to wake up in the morning. It's a big risk I was taking…Faking a pregnancy & making Hunter believe we're gonna have another "Baby."…But I was tired of being irrelevant...Tired of being put down & walked over & treated like I was nothing. I was taking a stand & in my eyes…I was getting my Marriage back.
Unfortunately, all of this's going on during my Husband's professional hell. Earlier in the night, Dad'd made a match with Kurt for No Way Out…With Hunter's Titleshot on the line…The Titleshot he won at Royal Rumble! As upset as I was over this, all I could do's grin…Aware of the fact once I was done & the night's over…Wrestlemania'd be the farthest thing from either of our minds. Hunter must've seen I wasn't listening, because I soon felt his fuming & powerful presence looking down at me on the loveseat in our locker room. "What're you smiling about?" He asked with an attitude.
"I know you're in a really bad mood right now, but…I've got some news that's gonna change your whole World…It's a big surprise & I'm gonna announce it tonight!" I declared.
Hunter started walking away from the couch. "Yeah…What kind of surprise?"
"You're just gonna have to wait & see!" I answered cunningly, leaning back into the loveseat…Watching as Hunter slammed the door to the bathroom. While I listened to the water kick on from the shower, I thought about my scheme. I got up from the couch, fixing my top & skirt, "This's it…No going back!"I said out loud, making my way out the door & walking down the corridor. I got closer & closer to the Gorilla position, thinking there's nothing to worry about…Plotting's in my blood…Nobody did it better than I…Except the man I loved.
I took one final breath as I made my way through the curtain, my music coming through the speakers. The smirk never left my face as I went down the entrance ramp…Even the fans couldn't ruin this! I posed & strutted around the ring before taking a mic. "I'd like to call my Husband down to this very ring…Because it's time for my big surprise!" I shouted. I didn't have to wait long…Hunter's music started up almost immediately. He'd changed following his shower, wearing his workout pants & t-shirt. I smiled as he walked down the entrance ramp, hoping he'd listen to logic.
Hunter got in the ring, standing in front of me with a look of confusion & frustration. "Okay…I know you've no idea why I'm out here…But last week on Smackdown…I had an epiphany…And although I hate to admit it…I realized JR's right about a couple of things! It does seem like our Marriage's falling apart…It does seem like we're fighting all the time…It does seem like we're not communicating! And I realized there's only one way to prove our love for each other…And that's in one week…Live on Raw…We should renew our Wedding Vows!" I shouted, "Isn't this a great idea?"
After I was done speaking, I stood there for a while…Waiting for the response I wanted. Then…Hunter spoke up. "That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard!" He declared bluntly, "What's the matter with you? Why does all our dirty laundry have to get aired live in front of the World? Why does everything we do…The ups & the downs…No matter how private…Have to be there for everyone to see…Why's that?"
I looked around the arena, then towards Hunter. This's not going how I imagined…But I wasn't giving up easily. He wanted an answer…So I was gonna give him one. "It's because of them!" I explained as I pointed to the fans, the "Slut!" chant ringing loud & clear, "It's because each & every one of them doubts me…Each & every one of them thinks I'm a failure in life…A failure in my career…And a failure in our Marriage! They think I'm hanging onto your coattails…They think our Marriage's falling apart! My reputation's on the line, Hunter...You have to do this for me…You have to renew our Wedding Vows!"
Hunter tried to calm me down before speaking once more. "So let me get this straight...This Monday on Raw…Live in front of the entire World…You want me to renew our Wedding Vows! You want me to stand in front of you & the World & express my love for you & you for me!"
A grin formed on my face…I was thinking I'd accomplished my scheme. "Yes!" I exclaimed.
Any happiness I had faded the moment Hunter opened his mouth. "No!" He stated coldly.
The crowd's going wild…But I was floored! "You can't say "No!"…You have to do this…You have to do it for me…There's no other choice…You…"
Before I could continue, Hunter snapped. "Why do I have to do it for you…Why? Because you're "The Billion Dollar Princess."…Because you're "Stephanie Mcmahon."…Because you always get your way? Because everything we do…Everything in our lives…Is about you…Is that why I have to do it?" He screamed furiously, not letting me get a word in edge wise.
I started bawling when he started walking away…Not even giving me a second look…It's like the night I cost him the number one contender ship all over again. That's when I decided to go for "Plan B."…Which's really "Plan A.": "...It's because I'm pregnant!" I cried out. Hunter froze by the ropes with his back towards me. Tears're pouring down my face while I searched for any reaction…Searched for any indication he's happy about the "Baby."…Instead he just stood there in shock. "This's gonna be harder than I'd anticipated!" I thought. I sobbed, trying to talk, "I didn't wanna do this in front of everybody…I couldn't help it! That's why I've been so moody…That's why I've been so argumentative with you!Hunter…It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks …But I know how bad you wanna be a Dad…And you know how badly I wanna be a Mom…And we're finally gonna be a family…That's why we have to renew our Wedding Vows! Don't do it for you…Don't do it for me…" I put my hand to my stomach for emphasis, "…Do it for our Baby!"
By this point, Hunter'd turned around…But it didn't mean anything. He's walking around the ring, still stunned about my announcement. Slowly but surely he made his way over to where I was standing, backing me into the ropes. When he finally looked up at me…He smiled…A real smile…The smile I fell in love with all those years ago. Without a word, he picked me up & twirled me around…Asking me over & over if it's true. I kept saying "Yes!"…Thinking the moment's perfect…The plot's perfect…My life's finally gonna be perfect! The fans're in an uproar…Chanting "Bullshit!" & "It's not yours!"…That's not stopping Hunter from kissing me…Genuinely kissing me. Once he put me down, he put his head to my stomach…Something he'd rarely done when I was actually pregnant! I was taken aback by his show of affection, but soon embraced it as we exited the ring & made our way up the entrance ramp…Hunter having his arm around me the whole time. He'd stop from time & time, telling me how much he loved me. I'd nod softly, agreeing with everything he's saying.
The instant we returned to the backstage area, I got looks of all kinds from the Superstars & Divas. Some're neutral & couldn't care less…But for the most part…Nobody believed a word I'd spoke in the ring. But it's not them I needed to convince…It's the man whose embrace I was in...And I'd succeeded! It's amazing how quickly things'd changed between us…How I'd changed them. In a matter of ten…Fifteen minutes…We're back. Gone're the two people who could barely be considered "Married."…In their place's the couple that'd made people jealous…That'd always found a way of defying the odds. Suddenly, Hunter's deep laugh disturbed my reminiscing.
"What's so funny?" I giggled, stopping us from walking.
Hunter turned towards me, leaning me against a wall. "The fact we picked a locker room so far away…" He replied. I chuckled while he put his hands on my hips, "…And…"
I put my one of my hands on his cheek. "You can tell me…It's okay." I whispered.
He continued what he's saying. "…I was thinking about us & the Baby we lost & the Baby we're gonna have…And how all of it brought us here. I know I've been distant lately…Distant & Cold & Mean…And I can't take back the pain I've caused you. But if you…" Hunter put one of his hands on my stomach, "…And this little one'll let me…I'll make it up to you the rest of my life." He expressed sweetly.
For the first time since we left the ring, I was on the verge of crying. Hunter's making faking this pregnancy hard…And we're only on day one! "It doesn't matter anymore…Because nothing's gonna ruin this for us…Nothing." I lied, assuring him & myself.
Hunter leaned in for one of our kisses…Kisses I'd not had in months. When we pulled apart, he took my hand once more as we continued back to our room. When we got there, we grabbed our stuff & headed for the limo. Hunter again showed the man he used to be, taking all my bags plus his own…Saying how he didn't want me or the "Baby." getting hurt. I accepted the act of chivalry, letting him take all our stuff. A few minutes later, we're on the road back to Caesar's Palace…Not caring what's going on at Raw.
While the limo's going down the strip, I'd been spending the better part of the drive thinking about everything that'd happened at the arena…And the way Hunter'd looked when he's yelling at me…It's anger & hate I saw in his eyes…I knew the look better than anybody. For the first part of our Marriage, I'd seen it directed towards whatever Asshole he'd beat to a bloody pulp. But ever since our fight in Burbank & the events of Survivor Series…It'd been directed towards me…Always towards me. "But that's in the past…Now's the present & the future!" I thought with a sigh. Just then, a deep voice came from next to me.
"Stop it." Hunter uttered, breaking through my thinking.
I turned my head slightly, seeing a tiny grin form on his face as he stared straight ahead. "What?" I questioned.
"Whatever you're worrying about…Stop…Save it for later." He responded.
My body moved towards his. "How do you know I'm worrying about something…You're not even looking at me." I stated.
Hunter twisted his body so we're facing each other, picking up my hand & kissing it. "Do you really think I've to see you to know you're worrying about something…Because I don't…So what's bothering you?"
"I'm thinking about…" I started to say, thinking on my feet, "…What you said earlier…About the Baby we lost." I whispered. Hunter got quiet at the mention of the miscarriage…Something we hadn't talked about in months. If I was gonna make this scheme work…I've to go all in, "I'm scared this's gonna turn out like last time."
After what felt like forever, he responded. "Steph…Nothing's gonna happen…I won't let anything happen. When we get back home, we'll go to the Doctor to make sure everything's okay…And if it's not…We'll know where to go from there." He said softly.
I nodded silently, turning my head towards the window & the scenery. Hunter must've thought it's a comfortable silence, because I saw him get on his cell with somebody. Under normal circumstances, I'd love the romantic side of him…The side the fans rarely got to see…But it's the words just spoken that're leaving me speechless. "Get me checked out…Go to the Doctor…Damn it!" I thought. I'd not expected for this…For Hunter to want me to get checked out…I'd always assumed my word'd be enough…I guess this plot's not figured out to a tee after all, "That's alright…I'll simply pay off my Doctor in New York…Get her to phony up some ultrasound pictures…It'll be fine!" I told myself.
Once I dealt with the problem in my scheme, I turned my attention back to Hunter & whoever he's talking to…It didn't take long to realize it's somebody from Caesar's Palace: "Yeah…We're almost there! Is the door unlocked…Good…We don't need the keycard; we're leaving in the morning! Is everything ready…I don't care if you had to buy the store out…It'll be worth it! Thanks!" He replied as he ended the call, wrapping his arm around me.
"Who's that?" I enquired naïvely, having my own suspicions but not the reasons behind them.
"Oh…No one." Hunter said nonchalantly, pulling me closer. I smiled to myself, wondering what he's planning & what it'd to do with the hotel. Before I could jump to any conclusions, we came to a stop & I was being pulled out while the bellhop started collecting our stuff.
"Honey…What's the rush to get to our room…I was thinking we could eat down here first?" I groaned, pointing to the restaurant that's next to the lobby. Hunter didn't answer me...Instead he just led me into the elevators, pushing the floor button he wanted…The floor button that's three floors above the one we needed, "Hunter…Seriously…What's going on?" I questioned as he joined me against the wall I was leaning against.
"It's a surprise." He explained.
"For me?" I asked gently, putting my free hand to my chest. Hunter nodded silently, pulling me into his embrace. Just when our mouths're about to touch, my cell started ringing in my coat pocket. We both sighed as I took out my phone, looking down at the caller ID, "It's Shane!" I exclaimed, looking up.
"You seem surprised he's calling…Didn't you tell him or Marissa about the Baby?" He questioned.
"I wanted you to be the first to know." I lied with a shrug of my shoulders, "I guess the cat's out of the bag now!" I laughed, pushing the talk button, "Hey Shane…Or should I say "Uncle Shane."!"
"Have you lost your mind?" He screamed.
"I know it's sudden…But this's a fresh start…For both of us…This Baby's a good thing!" I replied, trying to avoid my Brother's interrogation.
"Are you high? Wake up & smell the coffee…You're not pregnant! What've I always told you…You can't fool me?" He yelled.
"Listen, I'd love to talk to you all night, but…It's late & we haven't properly celebrated yet…" I said, letting Shane know Hunter's next to me. Hearing the mention of his name, he looked up & smiled at me. I reciprocated the gestured, returning to my Brother, "…But we'll be flying into New York tomorrow morning…So you & Missy can congratulate us then!"
"Stephanie…We're not done…Stephanie Marie!" Shane shouted, wanting to continue our talk.
"Bye!" I answered, disconnecting the call as the elevator opened up to our floor.
"I guess he's not too happy about becoming an Uncle?" Hunter asked as he took my hand, getting out of the elevator.
I shook my head as he led me down the hall, looking for the specific door. "He's happy… He's just…Having the whole "My Little Sister's pregnant before she's saved her Marriage." attitude!" I lied.
Hunter stopped at the door he was looking for, turning around so I could catch up. "Well your Brother can have an attitude all he wants because it's like you said, Steph…"This's a fresh start…For both of us."." He whispered, stepping aside.
I looked at Hunter curiously, knowing he's definitely up to something as I opened the door. When I flicked on the light switch, the sight in front of me took my breath away. The hotel room…From the carpeted floor to the oak dressers to the soft cotton sheets…Was covered in white rose petals with vases of matching bouquets sitting on the end tables. On the stool in front of the bed laid a huge bowl of Strawberries & whipped cream.
But it's not just what's in the room that's making my heart melt & break all at the same time…It's the room itself. I didn't notice it at first...But after a few moments…It came back to me like I'd never left. The same layout…The same colored walls…The same windows looking out to the city skyline…You never forget the room you're married in. The smile on my face vanished as tears filled my eyes & love…And for the first time that night…Guilt…Filled my soul. Hunter's coming back to me…My Husband's finally being my Husband again…All because I was "Pregnant."…Because I was "Having our Baby."…Because we're finally gonna be the "Parents." ours never were! I hadn't realized how hard it's gonna be…To lie about something so personal & intimate…Something that when it's taken away from me…Almost broke me.
I heard the door shut behind me & soon felt Hunter's arms around my waist. "It seemed every time you & I've come back to Vegas…This's always booked. But tonight…In the limo…I made sure it wasn't." He whispered, kissing the crook of my neck.
"It's beautiful." I sighed with a sniffle.
Hunter turned me around so I was facing him, the happiness in his face disappearing after he saw the pain in my mine. "What's it…Did I do something wrong?" He asked softly, pulling me close to him.
"No…" I smiled, "…You did everything perfectly."
"Then why're you crying?" He worried.
"Because…" I started to say, torn between two responses: To either continue the deception for the planned timeframe & risk Hunter finding out on his own…Or tell the truth & deal with the consequences…Whatever they'd be. I was being pulled in different directions…Not knowing what'd happen when I picked one.
Ironically, it's the words Hunter'd screamed at me almost a half hour prior that brought me back…That made me remember why I was faking the pregnancy in the first place: "Because you're "The Billion Dollar Princess."…Because you're "Stephanie Mcmahon."…Because you always get your way?". At that moment, the fire in me's back…The drive & the motivation's back. Hunter's right…I was "The Billion Dollar Princess."…I was "Stephanie Mcmahon."…And I did "Always get me way.". What my Husband'd failed to remember during his outburst's the fact he used to love that about me! Hell…Before all the fighting & yelling & name calling…He used to love me…Period! That's when I decided to stay "Pregnant."…That it'd be "Us against the World." again.
"…Because I'm happy!"
I hope this's not too fluffy for you guys…I needed to bring back some fluff…Sorry but I did! As you noticed, Stephanie's conflicted at first…Of course that didn't last for long! The next chapter's sorta a "Fill in the blanks." type of thing…How does Stephanie get a Doctor to go along with her plan…You'll all find out! Plus…Shane & Marissa address their concerns! To all you reviewers…The old & the new...REVIEW! :)
