A/N I wanna thank the people that have reviewed so far :) So THANKS!!!!! Hope you enjoy this chapter to.
Chris had woken up about an hour ago. It was now about 11 in the morning, his parents had woken a while ago and he could hear them moving around downstairs going about their business. He would go down and see them soon, granted he had told himself that about twenty times already, but he just couldn't stop looking at the sight in front of him.
Stephanie lay in front of him, sound asleep. Little strands of her hair had fallen across her face and Chris couldn't help but smile, a smile that covered his face every time he looked at her. He thought she looked so beautiful, almost angelic.
He slowly reached out his hand and swept away some of the hair that covered her face. He rested his hand softly against her cheek. He sighed, he knew he was developing feelings for her. Chris chuckled lightly. He was falling for the woman he had called some of the vilest names he could think of. But after spending those couple of days with her in the car, it was impossible not to have feelings with her, he thought; she had turned out to be a pretty amazing person.
He removed his hand from where it rested and got out of the bed. He walked over to his bedroom door and walked out of it, before he closed it completely he turned around and took one last lingering look at Stephanie and then headed downstairs.
=
As Chris reached the bottom of the stairs he smelled the freshly brewed coffee that he knew his mother made every morning for his father. He followed the smell until he reached the kitchen, where he found both of his parents.
As his mom saw him, a smile instantly came to her face. She went over to him and Chris engulfed her in a hug. He let go of her as the hug ended and went over and poured himself a cup of coffee, then sat down at the kitchen table.
"It's so good to see you son, although I wasn't expecting your visit. What are you doing here? Aren't you meant to be on the road with your work?" Loretta asked with curiosity.
"It's great to see you to mom, same with you dad. I didn't know I had to have a reason to come visit my folks! It's not against the law is it?" Chris replied.
"Well when you wake us up at 5:30 in the morning, with a girl sleeping in your arms, we're kind of curious. So who is the girl you brought with you? Your girlfriend?" She asked hopefully.
"No mom, she isn't my girlfriend," He answered regretfully. "She's a friend. Her name's Stephanie."
"Stephanie? Stephanie who?"
"Stephanie McMahon." Chris told her cautiously.
As Loretta heard the name, the smile she had on her face from seeing Chris disappeared and her face clearly showed the anger she felt towards Stephanie.
"WHAT? Stephanie McMahon! The STEPHANIE MCMAHON?"
"Yes mom, the Stephanie McMahon."
"How could you? How could you bring that, THAT GIRL into MY HOME! After what she's put you through. Christopher have you LOST your MIND!" She demanded angrily.
"Mom, would you please CALM down! It's way more complicated than you know. Stephanie is totally different, she isn't the evil bitch you think she is, once you know her she's really nice!" Chris explained intensely.
"NICE! HER! You can't be serious! I've watched what she has done to you! All that she put you through, and you have the audacity it bring her to your home," Loretta shouted fiercely.
Loretta looked at him like he had gone mad, not understanding how could do such a thing. Ted got up off his seat and moved towards his wife.
"Loretta sweetie, Chris probably has a reason for bringing Stephanie here, maybe you should let the boy talk?" Ted asked slowly.
"But Ted, that girl! What she's done to our son! Our baby!" She replied desperately.
"Mom, I'm ok, it's Stephanie that's hurting right now. She's the one who needs to be protected. Not me."
"What do you mean 'Needs to be protected'?"
She looked at him, confusion in her eyes.
"A couple of weeks ago I heard her husband talking on the phone to her, and he was being a complete asshole to her. Then I found out that he's been beating her. It's been going on for about a year now. So I took Stephanie away from him and we came here. I didn't know where else to go," Chris explained to her painfully.
As Chris looked at his mother he could see that she instantly felt sorry for Stephanie but her love for him clouded her judgment of Stephanie. He smiled at her.
"Mom, I know you only want what's best for me, and I know that you don't think I should be around Stephanie but once you get to know her, you'll realize she's a really nice person." He informed her.
Loretta looked at him, she knew he was right but she had a right to want her son to be safe.
"Is she badly hurt?" She asked with concern.
"Her arm is hurt, though it should get better in the next couple of weeks and also her leg is a bit sore so she walks with a bit of a limp. Steph hides it well because she doesn't want to appear weak, and doesn't like asking for help," he explained to his parents.
"Oh," Loretta simply said.
=
She had been awake since Chris had touched her face. She hadn't opened her eyes since she didn't want to scare him away. He had been so gentle; she couldn't help the pleasant feeling that passed through her whole body every time she remembered his touch. It was so different from Hunter's; his touch, was rough and hard, whereas Chris's touch was the complete opposite; his was soft, gentle and caring.
Stephanie had to admit to herself, the last couple of times she had woken up in Chris's embrace, had made her feel wanted and safe, and every time he left, she missed it all the more. Why couldn't she have found Chris before her marriage to Hunter, she thought to herself, he would have been such a better husband than Hunter could ever aspire to be.
Stephanie realized what she had just thought and gasped, her and Chris married? Actually now that she thought about it more, that didn't sound all that bad. She sighed slowly. Like that would ever happen, Chris would never fall for her, would he? No he wouldn't, she thought sadly, there was always her dreams though.
She had heard the shouting about five minutes after Chris had went down, and heard her name mentioned. That couldn't couldn't be a good thing. Maybe if I just stay up here all day, then I won't cause any more arguments, she thought, but that would make me a coward, it's time to face the music.
Stephanie got out of the bed she had shared with Chris earlier that night and slowly walked across his messy floor. She reached the door and opened it quietly. As she walked along upstairs landing she couldn't help but notice pictures of Chris when he was much younger. She couldn't help but smile, he hadn't changed much over the years and he had the same mischievous look in his eyes then that she had seen many times before.
She finally reached the the top of the stairs and slowly descended them. As she reached the bottom she heard voices coming from the kitchen. She followed them and found Chris in there with his parents.
As soon as Chris saw her a smile came over his face, like it usually did, and she couldn't help but return it. She looked at his parents had saw that Chris's father was smiling at her reassuringly, but as she looked over at his mother, she saw the stoney look that was on her face. She quickly looked back over at Chris hoping that his mother wouldn't kill her right there.
"Hey Steph, did you have a good sleep?" He asked.
"Yeah, I did, it was nice. Very comfortable." She answered back warmly.
Chris's smile brightened at her words. She moved closer to him, and felt safer as Chris placed his hand on the base of her back. His mother was still looking at her with an unreadable face. She hoped that the woman wouldn't start shouting at her too. Stephanie had had some verbal matches in her time, mostly with Chris himself, but she didn't want to have one with his mother, not after what he had done for her.
Chris turned towards his parents, "These are my parents. That's my dad, Ted, and my mother, Loretta."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you both," Stephanie replied honestly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too dear," Ted replied warmly.
"Oh a pleasure. Is everything to your satisfaction?"
"Mom!" Chris warned sharply.
"I want to thank you for letting me stay here, and your home is really nice, from what I've seen so far of it," Stephanie told them.
"Thank you Stephanie," Ted replied. He then stood up from the table and walked over to Chris.
"Why don't we go out and see Scruffy, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you, that dog adores you?" Ted asked.
Stephanie's eyes widened at the thought of being left alone with Chris's mother. She grasped Chris hand tightly not wanting him to leave her.
"Em...why can't you bring her in here?" Chris asked. Truth be told he didn't want Stephanie to be left alone with his mother either. Who knew what would happen!
"She's all dirty from the mud outside. Come on Chris," Ted instructed.
Chris looked at Stephanie helplessly and pried his hand out of hers and followed his dad outside. As he passed his mom he gave her a warning look, silently telling her not to start anything. He couldn't tell if she got it. For Stephanie's sake he hoped she did.
=
As the door closed behind Ted and Chris, Loretta turned towards Stephanie. It was plain to see that the girl was nervous and more than a little scared.
Stephanie stood stuck to the spot where she was standing, not daring to move incase she did something to upset Loretta. She nervously crossed and un-crossed her arms across her chest.
"We...well I...I'll just..." Stephanie stuttered before she was cut off.
"Help yourself to some coffee, if you like," Loretta told her civilly.
"Erm, ok," Stephanie replied.
Stephanie walked over to the coffee pot and lifted a mug from the railing on the wall. She lifted up the coffee pot to pour the coffee into the mug, but a sharp pain shot through her arm and the pot fell from her hand to the kitchen counter with a small bang, sending some of the liquid spilling over the counter. Stephanie pulled her arm to her and the pain was clearly etched on her face. As she saw the coffee over the counter she grimaced and reached for the cloth she saw sitting on the sink. As she reached for the cloth the pain came over her arm again, but more painful than before and a small whimper escaped from her mouth.
Loretta had been watching Stephanie intently and saw the pain in her face when she had lifted up the coffee to pour it. Her motherly instincts had taken over almost instantly as she had seen Stephanie going for the cloth, and then whimper in pain. She was right by her side and had gently sat her down at the kitchen table.
She looked up into Stephanie's eyes and clearly saw the the pain in them.
"Do you want ice?" Loretta asked worriedly.
Stephanie just nodded her head, and Loretta went to the fridge and took out some ice and wrapped it in a tea towel, and then handed it to Stephanie, who put it onto her arm.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes, thank you," Stephanie replied though her words were laced with pain.
"Does that happen a lot?" Loretta asked curiously.
"Just sometimes, it hasn't happened in a while though, it shouldn't last long I'm sure it'll be better soon," Stephanie replied.
Loretta smiled, relieved that Stephanie was going to be ok.
"That's good," She answered.
Stephanie looked at the woman in front of her, she wanted Loretta to like her, but how? Well how about apologizing dummy, she thought to herself, you have put her son through a lot, it's only right.
"Loretta?" Stephanie asked nervously.
"Yes dear?" Loretta asked.
"I know you probably don't like me, and you have good reasons not to, but I would just like to apologize for all I have put you and your husband through, when I was having that feud with Chris. I didn't know then what a truly great guy he is. You really must have been amazing parents to bring up a son like that," Stephanie told her with sincerity.
She looked at Loretta and found her beaming with pride. She had a smile on her face much like Chris's. Loretta reached across the table and grasped Stephanie's hand.
"Thank you, Stephanie. You're wrong, I don't hate you, I disliked you but after apologizing I can't help but like you. I guess Chris was right," Loretta replied to her warmly.
The door opened and Ted came through the door followed by Chris, who was about to say something when he saw the ice that Stephanie was holding on her arm. He got a panicked look on his face and rushed over to her. When he got there he kneeled down beside her and took her hand into his and looked up at her.
"Are you ok? What happened? Does it hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital? Dad have you seen my car keys? " Chris asked urgently.
Stephanie laughed and squeezed Chris hand softly.
"I'm ok Chris, I hurt my arm when I was pouring a mug of coffee. It did hurt but the ice that your mom brought me helped with the pain and it isn't sore anymore, so I don't need to go to the hospital, and your keys are in your bedroom." Stephanie answered his questions with amusement.
"Are you sure?" Chris asked softly.
"Yes, I swear, I am," Stephanie replied just as softly.
Loretta looked over towards Ted and gave him a knowing smile. Ted chuckled quietly, his son sure knew how to pick them.
=
He sat alone in a darkened hotel room. The curtains were drawn, letting in no sunlight. He had a drink in his hand and his face was rugged, it looked like he hadn't shaved in days. He lifted his drink and downed the contents in one mouthful.
He had tried to find her, with no luck. He had called her parents and she wasn't there, not that she would have, but it was worth a shot. He had phoned her old friends, but they hadn't seen or heard from her in a while.
He stood up from where he was sitting, and over to the bottle of whiskey he had. He tried to pour some into his glass, but nothing was coming out. He looked into the bottle. It was empty. He had drunk the whole bottle and he was still angry at his failure to find her. He lifted the cup in his hand up and through it violently across the room, it smashed into a wall and fell onto the floor in millions of tiny pieces.
He went over to the table in the room and angrily flipped it over all the objects on the table flew across the room and landed in a mess on the floor. He kicked over some chairs and started demolishing his hotel room until there was nothing left to destroy. He swayed and fell backwards, he landed on the bed and closed his eyes for a moment. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it up and looked at the picture of his wife - Stephanie - he scowled at it.
"When I find you, you are gonna pay you little bitch! You think you can leave ME! No one leaves THE GAME! I'll beat you till you're black and fucking blue and you won't EVER leave ME again! EVER! " Hunter slurred, ferociously.
Chris had woken up about an hour ago. It was now about 11 in the morning, his parents had woken a while ago and he could hear them moving around downstairs going about their business. He would go down and see them soon, granted he had told himself that about twenty times already, but he just couldn't stop looking at the sight in front of him.
Stephanie lay in front of him, sound asleep. Little strands of her hair had fallen across her face and Chris couldn't help but smile, a smile that covered his face every time he looked at her. He thought she looked so beautiful, almost angelic.
He slowly reached out his hand and swept away some of the hair that covered her face. He rested his hand softly against her cheek. He sighed, he knew he was developing feelings for her. Chris chuckled lightly. He was falling for the woman he had called some of the vilest names he could think of. But after spending those couple of days with her in the car, it was impossible not to have feelings with her, he thought; she had turned out to be a pretty amazing person.
He removed his hand from where it rested and got out of the bed. He walked over to his bedroom door and walked out of it, before he closed it completely he turned around and took one last lingering look at Stephanie and then headed downstairs.
=
As Chris reached the bottom of the stairs he smelled the freshly brewed coffee that he knew his mother made every morning for his father. He followed the smell until he reached the kitchen, where he found both of his parents.
As his mom saw him, a smile instantly came to her face. She went over to him and Chris engulfed her in a hug. He let go of her as the hug ended and went over and poured himself a cup of coffee, then sat down at the kitchen table.
"It's so good to see you son, although I wasn't expecting your visit. What are you doing here? Aren't you meant to be on the road with your work?" Loretta asked with curiosity.
"It's great to see you to mom, same with you dad. I didn't know I had to have a reason to come visit my folks! It's not against the law is it?" Chris replied.
"Well when you wake us up at 5:30 in the morning, with a girl sleeping in your arms, we're kind of curious. So who is the girl you brought with you? Your girlfriend?" She asked hopefully.
"No mom, she isn't my girlfriend," He answered regretfully. "She's a friend. Her name's Stephanie."
"Stephanie? Stephanie who?"
"Stephanie McMahon." Chris told her cautiously.
As Loretta heard the name, the smile she had on her face from seeing Chris disappeared and her face clearly showed the anger she felt towards Stephanie.
"WHAT? Stephanie McMahon! The STEPHANIE MCMAHON?"
"Yes mom, the Stephanie McMahon."
"How could you? How could you bring that, THAT GIRL into MY HOME! After what she's put you through. Christopher have you LOST your MIND!" She demanded angrily.
"Mom, would you please CALM down! It's way more complicated than you know. Stephanie is totally different, she isn't the evil bitch you think she is, once you know her she's really nice!" Chris explained intensely.
"NICE! HER! You can't be serious! I've watched what she has done to you! All that she put you through, and you have the audacity it bring her to your home," Loretta shouted fiercely.
Loretta looked at him like he had gone mad, not understanding how could do such a thing. Ted got up off his seat and moved towards his wife.
"Loretta sweetie, Chris probably has a reason for bringing Stephanie here, maybe you should let the boy talk?" Ted asked slowly.
"But Ted, that girl! What she's done to our son! Our baby!" She replied desperately.
"Mom, I'm ok, it's Stephanie that's hurting right now. She's the one who needs to be protected. Not me."
"What do you mean 'Needs to be protected'?"
She looked at him, confusion in her eyes.
"A couple of weeks ago I heard her husband talking on the phone to her, and he was being a complete asshole to her. Then I found out that he's been beating her. It's been going on for about a year now. So I took Stephanie away from him and we came here. I didn't know where else to go," Chris explained to her painfully.
As Chris looked at his mother he could see that she instantly felt sorry for Stephanie but her love for him clouded her judgment of Stephanie. He smiled at her.
"Mom, I know you only want what's best for me, and I know that you don't think I should be around Stephanie but once you get to know her, you'll realize she's a really nice person." He informed her.
Loretta looked at him, she knew he was right but she had a right to want her son to be safe.
"Is she badly hurt?" She asked with concern.
"Her arm is hurt, though it should get better in the next couple of weeks and also her leg is a bit sore so she walks with a bit of a limp. Steph hides it well because she doesn't want to appear weak, and doesn't like asking for help," he explained to his parents.
"Oh," Loretta simply said.
=
She had been awake since Chris had touched her face. She hadn't opened her eyes since she didn't want to scare him away. He had been so gentle; she couldn't help the pleasant feeling that passed through her whole body every time she remembered his touch. It was so different from Hunter's; his touch, was rough and hard, whereas Chris's touch was the complete opposite; his was soft, gentle and caring.
Stephanie had to admit to herself, the last couple of times she had woken up in Chris's embrace, had made her feel wanted and safe, and every time he left, she missed it all the more. Why couldn't she have found Chris before her marriage to Hunter, she thought to herself, he would have been such a better husband than Hunter could ever aspire to be.
Stephanie realized what she had just thought and gasped, her and Chris married? Actually now that she thought about it more, that didn't sound all that bad. She sighed slowly. Like that would ever happen, Chris would never fall for her, would he? No he wouldn't, she thought sadly, there was always her dreams though.
She had heard the shouting about five minutes after Chris had went down, and heard her name mentioned. That couldn't couldn't be a good thing. Maybe if I just stay up here all day, then I won't cause any more arguments, she thought, but that would make me a coward, it's time to face the music.
Stephanie got out of the bed she had shared with Chris earlier that night and slowly walked across his messy floor. She reached the door and opened it quietly. As she walked along upstairs landing she couldn't help but notice pictures of Chris when he was much younger. She couldn't help but smile, he hadn't changed much over the years and he had the same mischievous look in his eyes then that she had seen many times before.
She finally reached the the top of the stairs and slowly descended them. As she reached the bottom she heard voices coming from the kitchen. She followed them and found Chris in there with his parents.
As soon as Chris saw her a smile came over his face, like it usually did, and she couldn't help but return it. She looked at his parents had saw that Chris's father was smiling at her reassuringly, but as she looked over at his mother, she saw the stoney look that was on her face. She quickly looked back over at Chris hoping that his mother wouldn't kill her right there.
"Hey Steph, did you have a good sleep?" He asked.
"Yeah, I did, it was nice. Very comfortable." She answered back warmly.
Chris's smile brightened at her words. She moved closer to him, and felt safer as Chris placed his hand on the base of her back. His mother was still looking at her with an unreadable face. She hoped that the woman wouldn't start shouting at her too. Stephanie had had some verbal matches in her time, mostly with Chris himself, but she didn't want to have one with his mother, not after what he had done for her.
Chris turned towards his parents, "These are my parents. That's my dad, Ted, and my mother, Loretta."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you both," Stephanie replied honestly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too dear," Ted replied warmly.
"Oh a pleasure. Is everything to your satisfaction?"
"Mom!" Chris warned sharply.
"I want to thank you for letting me stay here, and your home is really nice, from what I've seen so far of it," Stephanie told them.
"Thank you Stephanie," Ted replied. He then stood up from the table and walked over to Chris.
"Why don't we go out and see Scruffy, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you, that dog adores you?" Ted asked.
Stephanie's eyes widened at the thought of being left alone with Chris's mother. She grasped Chris hand tightly not wanting him to leave her.
"Em...why can't you bring her in here?" Chris asked. Truth be told he didn't want Stephanie to be left alone with his mother either. Who knew what would happen!
"She's all dirty from the mud outside. Come on Chris," Ted instructed.
Chris looked at Stephanie helplessly and pried his hand out of hers and followed his dad outside. As he passed his mom he gave her a warning look, silently telling her not to start anything. He couldn't tell if she got it. For Stephanie's sake he hoped she did.
=
As the door closed behind Ted and Chris, Loretta turned towards Stephanie. It was plain to see that the girl was nervous and more than a little scared.
Stephanie stood stuck to the spot where she was standing, not daring to move incase she did something to upset Loretta. She nervously crossed and un-crossed her arms across her chest.
"We...well I...I'll just..." Stephanie stuttered before she was cut off.
"Help yourself to some coffee, if you like," Loretta told her civilly.
"Erm, ok," Stephanie replied.
Stephanie walked over to the coffee pot and lifted a mug from the railing on the wall. She lifted up the coffee pot to pour the coffee into the mug, but a sharp pain shot through her arm and the pot fell from her hand to the kitchen counter with a small bang, sending some of the liquid spilling over the counter. Stephanie pulled her arm to her and the pain was clearly etched on her face. As she saw the coffee over the counter she grimaced and reached for the cloth she saw sitting on the sink. As she reached for the cloth the pain came over her arm again, but more painful than before and a small whimper escaped from her mouth.
Loretta had been watching Stephanie intently and saw the pain in her face when she had lifted up the coffee to pour it. Her motherly instincts had taken over almost instantly as she had seen Stephanie going for the cloth, and then whimper in pain. She was right by her side and had gently sat her down at the kitchen table.
She looked up into Stephanie's eyes and clearly saw the the pain in them.
"Do you want ice?" Loretta asked worriedly.
Stephanie just nodded her head, and Loretta went to the fridge and took out some ice and wrapped it in a tea towel, and then handed it to Stephanie, who put it onto her arm.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes, thank you," Stephanie replied though her words were laced with pain.
"Does that happen a lot?" Loretta asked curiously.
"Just sometimes, it hasn't happened in a while though, it shouldn't last long I'm sure it'll be better soon," Stephanie replied.
Loretta smiled, relieved that Stephanie was going to be ok.
"That's good," She answered.
Stephanie looked at the woman in front of her, she wanted Loretta to like her, but how? Well how about apologizing dummy, she thought to herself, you have put her son through a lot, it's only right.
"Loretta?" Stephanie asked nervously.
"Yes dear?" Loretta asked.
"I know you probably don't like me, and you have good reasons not to, but I would just like to apologize for all I have put you and your husband through, when I was having that feud with Chris. I didn't know then what a truly great guy he is. You really must have been amazing parents to bring up a son like that," Stephanie told her with sincerity.
She looked at Loretta and found her beaming with pride. She had a smile on her face much like Chris's. Loretta reached across the table and grasped Stephanie's hand.
"Thank you, Stephanie. You're wrong, I don't hate you, I disliked you but after apologizing I can't help but like you. I guess Chris was right," Loretta replied to her warmly.
The door opened and Ted came through the door followed by Chris, who was about to say something when he saw the ice that Stephanie was holding on her arm. He got a panicked look on his face and rushed over to her. When he got there he kneeled down beside her and took her hand into his and looked up at her.
"Are you ok? What happened? Does it hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital? Dad have you seen my car keys? " Chris asked urgently.
Stephanie laughed and squeezed Chris hand softly.
"I'm ok Chris, I hurt my arm when I was pouring a mug of coffee. It did hurt but the ice that your mom brought me helped with the pain and it isn't sore anymore, so I don't need to go to the hospital, and your keys are in your bedroom." Stephanie answered his questions with amusement.
"Are you sure?" Chris asked softly.
"Yes, I swear, I am," Stephanie replied just as softly.
Loretta looked over towards Ted and gave him a knowing smile. Ted chuckled quietly, his son sure knew how to pick them.
=
He sat alone in a darkened hotel room. The curtains were drawn, letting in no sunlight. He had a drink in his hand and his face was rugged, it looked like he hadn't shaved in days. He lifted his drink and downed the contents in one mouthful.
He had tried to find her, with no luck. He had called her parents and she wasn't there, not that she would have, but it was worth a shot. He had phoned her old friends, but they hadn't seen or heard from her in a while.
He stood up from where he was sitting, and over to the bottle of whiskey he had. He tried to pour some into his glass, but nothing was coming out. He looked into the bottle. It was empty. He had drunk the whole bottle and he was still angry at his failure to find her. He lifted the cup in his hand up and through it violently across the room, it smashed into a wall and fell onto the floor in millions of tiny pieces.
He went over to the table in the room and angrily flipped it over all the objects on the table flew across the room and landed in a mess on the floor. He kicked over some chairs and started demolishing his hotel room until there was nothing left to destroy. He swayed and fell backwards, he landed on the bed and closed his eyes for a moment. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it up and looked at the picture of his wife - Stephanie - he scowled at it.
"When I find you, you are gonna pay you little bitch! You think you can leave ME! No one leaves THE GAME! I'll beat you till you're black and fucking blue and you won't EVER leave ME again! EVER! " Hunter slurred, ferociously.