NOTE – I do not own the WWE or its characters, they belong to Titan Sports and Vince McMahon. Please don't sell, don't sue, thanks*****

A short while later, Chris pulled up in front of what looked like a simple Italian restaurant. The place was called 'Antonio's and inside Lori found they offered a wide variety of Italian dishes as well as hot and cold subs. The little place was decorated with ivy and pictures of Italy adorned the walls.

"Hey, Chris, my boy!" An older Italian gentleman greeted from behind the counter. "How have you been?"

"Good Antonio, how's business?" Chris smiled and asked jovially.

"It's very good now that kids are back in the school here," Antonio replied while giving Lori a questioning glance. "Who's your lady friend here?"

"Lori, this is Antonio," Chris made the introductions. "Antonio, this is Lori; she's staying with me for awhile."

Antonio's eyes sparkled as he offered an opinion, "Chris, she's very nice. It's about time you settled down…eh?"

Lori immediately blushed as Chris gave his reply, "I'm working on it Antonio."

"Tonight," Antonio quipped. "I fix you both something very special, go sit down."

"OK, Antonio," Chris knew better than to argue with him. Then he turned and addressed Lori, "Come on."

As they walked they could hear the Italian restaurant owner humming a traditional melody as he happily prepared the meal. Chris selected a table in the private back room of the establishment where fans would not bother them. Chris pulled Lori's chair out for her before sitting down in his own.

"He seems nice," Lori commented when they'd both gotten comfortable.

"Yeah, he's a pretty cool guy and a great friend," Chris admitted as he gazed thoughtfully at her.

"What?" Lori responded feeling his eyes upon her.

"Nothing Lori," Chris smiled as he inwardly reflected on Antonio's suggestion that he settle down.

"It sure doesn't look like nothing Chris," Lori observed. "Really, what's going on in that head of yours."

"Trust me, you might not want to know," He realized out loud in reply.

"Go ahead Chris," Lori pried. "You might as well come out with it. I'm dying to know now."

"Promise you won't yell or get mad till you hear me out?" Chris looked her deeply in the eyes.

"I'll try," She answered and when Chris was not forthcoming she said, "OK, I promise."

"Good," Chris sighed deeply before beginning, "I like you a lot Lori; I know you know that, but I was thinking on what he said about settling down. Do you think that in time you'd consider doing that with me?"

"What are you saying?" Lori wanted to be sure before deciding how to react to his statements.

"In time Lori," Chris stated more sure of himself now, "Do you think you'd consider becoming my wife?"

"Oh Chris," Lori choked on her water she'd used to hide her emotional response. "You really don't mean that, do you? I mean, what if you find out you really have only been acting out of guilt over the baby in the end. What happens then?"

Chris fought the immediate offense he took at her reaction, "Lori," He managed in a strange voice. "I'm a grown man, I know what I'm feeling and its not guilt. I know that I genuinely care about you. Lori, I am madly, deeply, truly and completely in love with you. Don't you see that? Don't you feel it?"

Lori sighed and inwardly recognized he spoke the truth, "I'm just so scared."

"Scared?" Chris softened and searched her eyes for an answer. "Of what? Marriage?"

"I don't know, I just feel like something's going to change and you're going to change your mind about me," Lori admitted as she felt tears brewing.

"Lori, honey," Chris reached across and grabbed her hands in his own, "Nothing will ever change my mind about you. Nothing on heaven or earth and nobody else could ever change that."

"Really," Lori dropped her guard and looked at him hopefully. "You mean that?"

"Really Lori," Chris smiled blinking back tears of his own. He stood up and circled around to sit beside her and then pulled her into a protective embrace. "I love you, how can I convince you?"

"Oh Chris," Lori sighed as she gave into her emotions. "I love you too."

"Ahem," Antonio coughed in interruption from the doorway.

Lori quickly returned to her chair and tried not to be embarrassed.

Antonio smiled kindly at her as he sat an enormous plate of spaghetti and meatballs for two before the couple.

"You've outdone yourself," Chris complimented the gentlemen.

"How's a bout some drinks to go with that?" Antonio suggested. "Maybe a nice red wine?"

"No thanks Antonio, I'll just have some of your house special iced tea," Chris told him. "Lori, you've got to try the tea; it's really good."

"OK," Lori nodded her approval.

"I'll be right back with the drinks," Antonio bowed and returned shortly with the promised beverages. Then he left them alone to dine in peace and tended to his other customers.

"This is out of this word," Lori praised the cuisine that sat before her.

"Isn't it though?" Chris nodded and was happy she liked it.

"Yeah," Lori smiled and took another bite.

A short while later, they finished and headed out the back entrance when Antonio informed them that some local teens had come in the front. They arrived home shortly after three and found a rented sedan parked in the drive.

"Who is it?" Lori asked as an older woman came out of the house.

Chris told her, "My parents." *********************************************