PART 20

TWO WEEKS LATER

Randy sighed as he entered Evolution's locker room, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he plopped down on the couch. Dave Batista, who had very recently returned from his tricep injury, glanced at him witha  slightly confused look. He raised an eyebrow, dropping the equipment bag in his hand and sitting down across from him.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, a hint of worry in his tone. Randy exhaled loudly, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm exhausted, my shoulder - not to mention the rest of my body - is killing me, I have no girlfriend, and I just got back from a meeting with a woman I barely remember who is carrying my child," he said in one breath.

Dave's somewhat lighthearted expression fell immediately upon hearing Randy's statement. He frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy. Even though he was aware that Randy was the cause of his own troubles, he still felt for him. Ever since the two of them were enlisted in Evolution, the two young men had become the best of friends, almost like brothers in a way.

"Shit... that sucks man. I'm sorry," he replied sympathetically.

Randy nodded, "Thanks. I really don't know what I'm going to do about this baby, Dave. I mean, I know I've got to take care of it, but I don't know how. I don't even *know* the woman! I just don't know what to do..."

"I'll tell you what you can do," a new voice called. Dave and Randy glanced in the direction of the doorway, both men watching in silence as Paul Levesque stepped into the room. "You pay up every month like you're supposed to, and you'll never have to see the bitch or the kid again." Randy kept his eyes locked on Paul's, sending him a confused look.

"What about the baby?" he asked incredulously. Paul scoffed, tossing his head in the air arrogantly.

"The baby? What the fuck about it?" he asked, in a tone just as amazed as Randy's.

"Paul, whether or not I planned on it, this kid is mine. I can't *not* be a part of its life, especially when its mother made it clear today that she wanted me to be involved," Randy said. Paul shook his head.

"You weren't careful with this chick. You fucked up... but everyone makes mistakes. You shouldn't have to be penalized for making a common mistake," he replied simply.

Common mistake? Since when was knocking someone up a common mistake?  Randy stared at Paul in absolute disbelief. He had always known Paul to be a sort of heartless person, but this was taking things a little far. As much as Paul refused to believe the thought, Randy just *knew* his recent bitterness was a result of his wedding, or lack thereof, to Stephanie McMahon.

"What the hell, Paul? How can you talk about a baby - a living, breathing, yet *unborn* baby - like it's some sort of punishment?" he asked, wearing an expression of shock. Paul, conversely, wore a smug, tight smirk.

"Oh please, Randy... don't pull that mushy shit with me. Let's be honest here... you don't *want* that baby, do you?" he asked, cocking a brow. Randy's gaze dropped to the floor, immediately locking there as he contemplated Paul's question. As horrible as it sounded, it was true... Randy didn't want that baby.

"I... I... no..." he admitted, his head hanging in shame. God, I'm horrible,  he scolded himself.

Paul's smirk remained ever present on his face. He glanced from Dave - who had all the while been watching with wide eyes - and back to Randy. He walked over to the young man, patting him gently on the shoulder. He laughed quietly, heading towards the door. The Game stopped just as he was about to exit the room, turning to Orton and speaking once more before leaving.

"I rest my case."

LATER THAT NIGHT

Chris exhaustedly drug himself into his hotel room, letting the door click shut behind him before tossing his keycard to the table in the living room. He dropped his bag to the floor, not planning on changing his clothes again for bed. As tiring as being a WWE Superstar was, Chris couldn't remember a time in his life where he had been so tired. He stumbled into the bedroom, his bloodshot eyes shooting open. A sudden alertness took over him as he saw that Stephanie was there, and she was awake. She was sitting on the edge of her bed - she had insisted that since they had no choice but to room together, they would have to have seperate beds - looking at what appeared to be a picture. As Chris got closer and closer to her, he realized that was exactly what it was.

"Steph?" he spoke softly, so as not to startle her.

He sat down on his own bed, facing her so that when Stephanie glanced up at him, they locked eyes. Without responding verbally, the brunette handed him the picture. Chris's tired eyes scanned the image carefully... it was a picture of Stephanie and Paul. Paul's arm was wrapped tightly around Steph's shoulder, and they looked so happy that Chris almost wanted to throw up. The smirk on Paul's face made him want to rip up the photo and burn it right then and there. Thankfully, he restrained himself to a mere grimace. Before Chris could question her any further, Stephanie decided to just explain it for him.

"I, um... just looking back. I couldn't sleep, so I was looking through old pictures, and that happened to be one of them. Looking at it just brings back memories, I guess," she explained absently.

Chris gazed at her, a warmth and compassion filling his eyes. He thought back to a few weeks ago when Adam and Jay told him he had to tell Stephanie how he felt. Two weeks had since passed and not a word of Chris's feelings had made way to Stephanie's ear. As he watched the young woman stare sadly, yet almost fondly, at a picture of herself and her ex-fiancé, he felt his blood boiling. He decided that it was time. No more playing around, toying with the thought of letting her know how he felt... this was the real deal. If only he could think of what to say. iGreat,/i he thought to himself. Now is so not the time to chicken out.

"Stephanie, I love you," he blurted, his face turning red as quickly as he had gotten the words out. Stephanie's head shot up upon hearing his statement, her jaw literally dropping.

"You... what?" she asked, clearly in a state of absolute shock. Chris kept his eyes locked on her, screaming at himself for just blurting out his emotions, but at the same time willing himself to stay strong and go with it. Stephanie deserved to hear the truth, for once.

"Steph, I... let me explain. I know that for the past month or so you've been down about your situation, and rightfully so. But Steph, what you don't understand is that I didn't help you out of the wedding with Paul and marry you just for the sake of helping out a friend... that was just my excuse," he explained, though it didn't do much for Stephanie. Her look of shock had since faded, but had been replaced with one of utter confusion.

"Chris, I... I don't understand," she said, looking up at him. When her pale eyes met his ice blue ones, Stephanie shuddered at the intensity - yet tenderness - in them.

"Steph, I meant what I said... I love you. I've always loved you, even though it was at some times from afar. Once you and I started talking, I just fell even deeper. You amaze me Stephanie... your strength and willpower is something I have never seen anyone have. So basically, I didn't marry you only to help you get away from your father and Paul. I really love you... and I always will," he said truthfully.

The warmness in his tone on top of the sincerity in his eyes caused Stephanie's own eyes to well up with tears. As soon as he saw the brunette's tears, Chris jumped up, hopping over and sitting down next to her on her bed. Shit, what did I do?!  he thought frantically.

"Steph, honey, I don't want you to cry! What's wrong, what did I say?"he asked worriedly, running his hand up and down her arm soothingly. Sniffling, Stephanie shook her head, glancing up at him with a small smile.

"No, I'm not upset," she assured him, laughing quietly.

Please, she thought to herself, Upset is the *last* thing I am right now. Hearing Chris's confession lifted her spirits in a way she didn't think possible. He loved her - not for her name, not for her money, not for sex - for *her*. He truly, honestly loved her, and they hadn't even shared so much as a kiss.

"I just... I'm happy. I know now..." she said, a faraway, dreamy gaze taking over her eyes as she trailed off. Chris let out a sigh of relief, but raised an eyebrow.

"What do you know?" he questioned curiously. Stephanie laughed again, reaching out and tentatively brushing away a strand of hair that had escaped his ponytail.

"What it's like to be loved."

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