CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A/N: This is an entry from Vince McMahon's little black book. Vince just happens to be a guest commentator for the special Valentine's Day edition of Raw...

Date: February 14, 2005

Day: Monday

Dear Little Black Book,

God blessed me with the unique quality of being a perceptive person. I think that, besides my evil mind, is one of the best things about me, if not the absolute best. I can see things that not many other people can see. My gift of awesome perception has taken me far in life. It has helped me make many great business decisions. Why, if it were not for my awesome talent, I doubt my company would be where it's at today!

Now then, I saw the whole attraction between Stephanie and Chris Jericho from the first moment I introduced them to each other. The first day Chris came to my company, I introduced him to her, and I watched the sparks go off between them right before my very eyes. It was a beautiful thing to see. Young people in love brings back memories of when I first met Linda... Anyway, when Stephanie married Hunter, I knew she was making the wrong decision, but as a parent, sometimes you just have to sit back and let your children make their mistakes. Sometimes all you can do is hope that they learn from those mistakes and go on in life to make better decisions...

When Chris Jericho started dating Trish Stratus, I knew that he was making a mistake, but again, sometimes you just have to let people do what they do and hope they learn from the experience. I'm not a fool. I've known for quite some time that Chris is in love with my daughter, and I know that she loves him, too. I think I knew before they even knew it...

Last night, Stephanie called me crying, pouring her little heart out to me. She has never done that before, not even back when she used to be referred to as Daddy's Little Girl. No. I am proud to say that my daughter has always been a stubborn, smart, and strong young woman, and I have always admired her for it. At some points, she has had to step up and run this company by herself, and the stress of having to walk in my shoes has never made her stumble or fall... So when she called me last night crying, I knew something was wrong. Damn that Hunter, as soon as his contract expires, I am going to take pleasure in firing his ass!

Anyway, Steph and I came up with a little plan to help her get her man... By "her man" I mean Chris. Steph, like me, has a penchant for devising twisted plans. She is absolutely brilliant. Now, looking back at what happened at Raw, I have to smile and say that I am extremely proud to be able to say that I am Stephanie McMahon's father...

Flashback

Vince McMahon swaggered out from behind the curtains after his music hit. The fans went wild as he stood at the top of the ramp, surveying them all. He contemplated getting a microphone and speaking to them, and he decided to do just that. It wasn't a part of the plan, but what could it hurt? Someone brought him a microphone, and he accepted it. He looked around before speaking.

"Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you're all enjoying this special Valentine's Day edition of WWE Raw!" Vince said to the fans. The crowd applauded and clapped appreciatively. He waited until the whistles and yells died down before speaking again. "Tonight's show is far from over, but I want to let you all in on a little secret." The whole place got quiet. "See, something big is going to go down in that ring tonight. Get ready, everybody, because love is in the air tonight on Raw!"

The fans all looked at each other, confused, and Vince smiled. He passed the microphone to a nearby worker, then made his way over to the announcer's table and joined Jonathon Coachman, J.R., and the King. He slipped on his headphones and waited for Stephanie's brilliant plan to spring into action...but it wasn't time yet. They were only an hour through Raw, and the plan wouldn't start until during the main event.

"So nice of you to join us out here tonight, Mr. McMahon," J.R. said politely.

Vince smiled. "I feel very welcome, thank you," Vince said. "But to tell the truth, I just want to be out here when it all goes down."

"Let us in on your little secret, Vince," the King said. "What's happening out here tonight?"

"Sorry, but my lips are sealed," Vince said.

"Oh, come on, Mr. McMahon," Coach said. "Can't you just give us a little hint?"

"Ok, ok," Vince conceded. "Someone is making a major announcement tonight. Now, other than that, you'll just have to wait and see."

A few matches took place, and then it was time for the main event. Triple H came out first, and of course, the fans all jeered at him.

"Mr. McMahon, any words for your former son-in-law?" J.R. asked.

"I hope he gets his ass handed to him tonight," Vince said. He watched Hunter with a look of disgust on his face. It's all his fault that Stephanie and Chris aren't together right now. He'll get what he deserves tonight, he thought, and a smile began to spread across his face. I can't wait to see the look on his face...

The arena got dark, and the countdown began. There was the usual explosion, and then Chris Jericho came out. The fans all cheered for him. He was a regular fan favorite, and he was an awesome entertainer.

"What are your thoughts on Jericho?" the King asked.

"Chris Jericho is the epitome of a true entertainer," Vince said. "I sincerely wish him the best of luck in his match tonight, and I am confident that he is going to give Triple H a beating that he will never, eeeeever forget!"

"Whoa! Given his colorful history with your daughter, I thought you would say you hoped that he got his butt kicked!" Coach said.

Vince grinned. "What can I say? It must be the whole Valentine's Day atmosphere, but I've had a change of heart when it comes to Jericho."

The other three commentators looked at each other with identical looks of surprise on their faces at Vince's words. Then they turned to the match and started doing their jobs.

About ten minutes into the match, some music came on, and Stephanie appeared at the top of the ramp. She was wearing a strapless red dress with some cute high heels, and her hair was down in gentle curls. She was carrying a bouquet of fresh red roses, a box of chocolates, and a microphone. She was certainly a stunning and beautiful sight!

"Daddy's Little Girl looks all grown up," the King said with a happy sigh as he stared at Stephanie.

"Yes, my daughter looks beautiful tonight," Vince replied. "But don't get happy, King. She didn't get all pretty for you. And those puppies are for someone else..."

The appearance of Stephanie looking so pretty at the top of the ramp proved to be a major distraction for both Hunter and Chris. They stopped during the middle of the match to stare at her with wide eyes. They had been fighting outside the ring when she came out, and the referee was in the ring yelling for them to come back in. They were too hypnotized by the vision of perfection waiting at the top of the ramp, however, so the referee's warnings were completely ignored. The bell rang ten seconds later, ending the match. It was a double count out.

"Looks like there's no winner for this match," J.R. said when the announcement was made.

"But there will be a winner by the time Raw is over," Vince said mysteriously. He saw Stephanie hold the microphone up, and he added, "Shhh, everyone. Let's hear what Stephanie has to say."

"I want both of you to get in the ring," Stephanie said into the microphone to Chris and Hunter as she made her way down the ramp and to the ring. "Because I have an announcement to make that's going to affect both of you."

Chris and Hunter looked at each other, then both got into the ring. Chris leaned in a corner against a turnbuckle while Hunter sat on the ropes, intent on holding them for Stephanie so she could get into the ring.

"Suck up!" Chris called over to Hunter.

"Kiss my ass," Hunter called back, then smiled as Stephanie stepped between the ropes.

"Thank you, Hunter," Stephanie said graciously. She walked into the middle of the ring. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I wanted to have both of these men in the ring right now. The answer is simple." She paused, looking first at Hunter, then at Chris. "It's Valentine's Day, and I don't have a date yet. I'm here to ask one of these men to be my Valentine."

Chris looked down at his feet, and Vince knew what he was thinking. Stephanie had told Vince the night before how Chris was convinced that she was really getting back with Hunter. Vince knew that right now Chris was probably thinking that Stephanie was going to make her "reunion" with Hunter official in front of all the fans...and in front of him.

Have a little patience, Chris, Vince thought. And remember that things are not always as they appear.

"You all know that I have been married to this man right here," Stephanie said, nodding towards Hunter. "And you all know that we're divorced now... But, to tell the truth, marriage is on my mind again, and what better time to address it than on the day for all lovers, Valentine's Day?"

Hunter smiled.

Chris frowned.

"Could someone please give me two more microphones?" Stephanie asked. Two microphones were immediately brought into the ring. Stephanie passed one to Hunter. Then she walked over and gave one to Chris, who averted his eyes and accepted it.

Patience, Chris, Vince thought again. Please just be patient for Stephanie.

"Ok, everybody, let me just get to the point, because Raw will be off the air in about ten minutes, and I want the whole world to witness what's about to happen," Stephanie said. "You see, I'm about to get reunited with a man that I've been loving for years now... And it's going to be a beautiful thing, and I want the world to see."

Chris closed his eyes and muttered a curse. "What does this have to do with me?" he asked. "I don't have any reason to be out here right now."

"Jerky's right, Steph," Hunter said. "So why don't you just save him the pain of having to see us get back together and let him leave? You don't want to break his heart two days in a row, do you?"

Instead of frowning, Stephanie's smile got bigger. "Chris, you need to stay out here, ok?"

"I don't want to stay out here," Chris said, standing up straight. "I don't know what kind of stunt you're trying to pull, but I will not be publicly humiliated. I can't watch you get back together with him." He frowned at her and got out of the ring.

"Now, back to what you were saying, babe," Hunter said. He was all smiles as he put his arm around her. "You want to reunite with the one you love, huh?"

"Get your damn arm off of me," she snapped. She pushed him away and walked over to the ropes. "Chris!" she called. "Get back in this ring!"

"No!" Chris yelled at her, walking up the ramp. "Don't you see that I can't take this? Don't you know what you're doing to me?"

"Chris, just come here," she said impatiently.

"You want to hurt me in front of everyone? Is that it?" Chris asked into the microphone. "Well go ahead. Reunite with Hunter. Kiss him already!"

"Is that what you want?" she asked. She didn't wait for his answer. She went up to Hunter.

"Oh, this is going to be so good!" Hunter said happily, closing his eyes.

Stephanie slapped the hell out of him. His eyes snapped open as he landed on his butt in the middle of the ring. "You bastard, I hate you! Did you think I wanted you?" she asked him. She turned around and hurried out of the ring, still carrying the roses, the candy, and the microphone. She walked right up to Chris, who was standing in the middle of the ramp with a shocked expression on his face.

"This is it!" Vince said excitedly. "The moment of truth."

The whole arena was silent.

"Chris Jericho, I love you," Stephanie stated matter-of-factly. "I've been loving you for a long, long time." He was speechless, so she went on. "I know I hurt you yesterday, but I want to be with you...forever... So if you could find it in your heart to forgive me..."

He didn't speak.

"Come on, Chris, what more do you want me to do?" she asked. "I'm sorry for everything, and I just want to be with you... If I have to get down here on my knees and beg, I will."

"That won't be necessary, Stephy," Chris said finally, dropping his microphone. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, causing her to drop everything she was holding. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, and the fans went wild.

"Oh my God! Y2J is kissing the princess!" the King yelled excitedly. "And the weird thing about it is... She's kissing him back!"

"That's a first," J.R. said.

"She loves him," Coach said in a shocked voice.

Vince watched Chris and Stephanie kissing and he smiled. Then he realized something, and he stood up, pulling his headphones off. He walked to the top of the ramp and grabbed a microphone. "Now wait just a damn minute here!" he exclaimed. Chris and Stephanie pulled apart, looking at Vince with confused looks on their faces. Stephanie picked up a microphone.

"What's wrong, Daddy?" she asked, bewildered.

"My daughter just bared her soul to you, Chris Jericho, and you didn't say the words back," Vince said. "You said them to me the other day... Now you tell her."

A look of comprehension dawned on Chris' face. He picked up the microphone that he had dropped, then looked at Stephanie. He smiled at her. "In response to what you said earlier... I love you, too, Stephy. And I want to be with you, too..."

Chris and Stephanie beamed at each other, and just as Chris leaned down to capture her lips once more, Stephanie spoke into the microphone for the last time that night. "And just for all of you out there who are wondering... This definitely isn't scripted..." And then she dropped the microphone, put her arms around Chris, and kissed him again as Raw went off the air...

End Flashback

I'm so proud of what Stephanie did out there tonight. I mean, I know she's a strong person, but I'm being honest when I say I wasn't so sure she was going to be able to go through with the plan. I'm so proud of her. Chris and Steph are happy, and Hunter got what he deserved. The look on his face when Steph slapped him was awesome, but the look on his face when Steph told Chris that she loved him was priceless. I'll never forget it.

Oh, speaking of forgetting, I almost forgot: It's Valentine's Day! Or, actually, it's Valentine's night... I have Linda here in bed next to me waiting... I better tend to my wife. I can't let our fire die! Yep, I've still got it after all these years... Linda's in for one amazing night!

My days of playing the matchmaker are over now...

Always Number One...

Vinnie Mac