Author's note: Hey everybody... sorry it took me so long to update but I had a bad case of writers block... well I hope you like the new chapter 'grin' there are two or three more to go and then the story comes to an end but I'm already thinking about a sequel but I'm not sure if I'm going to write it...

But have fun with this chapter 'hugs all readers'

Disclaimer: Nothing in this story except my OC's belong to me

Chapter 27: Forgiving

"I do…" Marissa answered breathlessly. For a moment Shawn didn't react at all but then he scooped her up in his arms and spun her around a few times in happiness.

When he stood her on the ground again he kissed her tenderly.

After he broke the kiss, Shawn smiled. "I'm so happy you said yes Marissa. I've dreamt about that moment more than once but at one point I gave up the hope that it would ever come true…" He admitted. Marissa stroked HBK's cheek and told him: "I've waited for twenty years for you to say those words…"

The two smiled at each other and were lost in their own little world for a while.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" Marissa questioned.

"It's me Chris. Can I come in?" A voice from outside asked.

"Sure thing Chris." Shawn called and a second later the door opened and revealed a grinning Chris Jericho.

"Hey there Y2J." HBK greeted his fellow wrestler.

"You're back already? I thought you wanted to have coffee with Dr. Cormela." Marissa wanted to know.

"Well actually I had. But she was called away because of an accident and she was needed for a surgery." Jericho explained and the disappointment was evident in his voice.

"I see…" Marissa nodded in understanding and then she looked at Shawn, when she felt his eyes on her.

Indeed he looked at her questioningly and Marissa had a pretty good idea what this look meant.

She gave him a small smile and nodded.

Chris had watched the silent exchange between the two with interest and wondered what was going on.

Alexi's mother let go of Shawn's hand which she had been holding all the time and walked over to Chris and gave him a hug.

"Um Marissa, not that I don't like you, but do you care to tell me why you're hugging me?" Y2J questioned confused and surprised.

Marissa stepped back and smiled brightly.

"Just because I'm so happy and you're partly responsible for it." She told the slightly embarrassed Chris.

Even though Jericho had no real idea what Marissa was talking about, he smiled and ran a hand through his hair.

"Well glad that I could help you being happy. But to be honest I'm not really sure I know what you're talking about. So care to explain it to me."

This time Shawn stepped in and walked to Marissa to put an arm around her shoulder. His smile matched the one on Marissa's face.

"Of course we can explain it to you." Shawn told him.

"We're getting married."

For a moment there was dead silence in the room because Chris needed the time to process what he'd been hearing and Marissa and Shawn didn't have to say anything at the moment.

"You're kidding aren't you?" was the first thing Jericho finally said.

Marissa shook her head, still a bright smile on her face. "No we're not. Shawn asked me and I said yes."
Chris had no idea if he should be happy for the two or if he should punch Shawn a second time.

He did nothing of the two but instead asked: "And do you have an idea how to tell Alexi that? You know that she won't agree with it."

He hated that the smiles on Marissa's and Shawn's faces vanished but his first concern right now was Alexandria even though he wanted Marissa and Shawn to be happy because the two deserved it.

Alexandria's mother sighed deeply. "Right now I guess we're not going to tell her… well not at once anyway. We'll wait for a while until Alexi has recovered and until she's ready to at least listen to Shawn and me so that we can tell her everything."
Chris nodded. That sounded reasonable and Jericho was glad that the two were thinking about Alexandria too.

"Okay, I can live with that and I promise not to tell anybody either because I guess if you don't want Alexi to know you better be quiet about it. The more people know the greater the chance is that somebody will tell Alexi."
Marissa and Shawn both nodded. "Sounds like a plan." HBK confirmed.

"Good… well when that's all cleared up: Congratulations to your engagement."
"Thanks Chris." Shawn grinned and shook hands with Jericho.

Jericho and Marissa hugged once more.

"Yeah thanks Chris. And I'm glad to know that you also think about Alexandria." She told the wrestler.

"Hey I'm her big brother. It's my job to take care of her."

Shawn and Marissa grinned at that.

The three then sat down and started to talk about random things to kill time until someone came and told them something about Alexandria or sent them home.

Randy and Alexandria listened quietly to what Sid Eudy had to tell them.

That's bullshit… Randy thought when he heard what Vicious told Alexi.

The young Orton by now had a pretty good idea what the real story behind everything was and that mainly Sid seemed to be the one responsible for Marissa's and Shawn's break-up.

Yet here Sid was, telling Alexandria that he was not really responsible but that he had just made a mistake. That he told Marissa that Shawn wanted to break up with her, he never even mentioned.

If Randy hadn't heard what Jericho had to tell about what had happened twenty years ago, he would have believed Sid.

Randy had to give him credit that he seemed almost believable but the young Orton didn't like the look in Sid's eyes.

Alexi listened intently to what Sid had to say and Randy wondered what was going through her head.

Her lips were pressed into a thin line and her left eyebrow was raised.

The Legend Killer knew her well enough to be sure that she didn't like what she was hearing.

Well who can blame her? To find out that her parents didn't want her in the beginning is never good news… Randy mused but he wasn't entirely sure if it was just that what made Alexi look like that.

There was something else bothering her but Randy had no idea what it was.

Sid finally finished his story and looked at Randy and Alexi expectantly.

First there was a silence in the room, before Alexandria finally spoke up: "So this is what happened 20 years ago?"
Bye the way Alexi's voice sounded, Randy was sure that she didn't believe everything Eudy had just said.

But he could also sense that she was trying to figure out if this story could be the truth even though it sounded weird in some places.

Sid nodded forcefully. "Yes I swear that this is exactly what has happened 20 years ago. If I could change it I would but unfortunately I can't. The only thing I can do now to make it better somehow is to finally tell you the truth and to ask you to forgive me even though it's a lot to ask."

Randy looked at Alexandria and waited for her next reaction. At first there was none but then she sighed deeply.

"Sid first of all thanks that you were so honest with me but I'm not sure if I'm ready to forgive you or my parents right now. I need some time to think about it. Besides that I'm really tired from after the operation. Could you perhaps go? I'd like to get some sleep."

Sid nodded and smiled slightly even though Alexandria couldn't see that.

"Of course Alexandria. And if you need anything just call me no matter what time it is."
"Okay, thanks… well then see you sometime." Alexi said with a polite smile on her face, but Randy had the distinct feeling that she wanted to get rid of Sid as soon as possible.

He thought better than to say anything because he didn't really like Sid and was glad when Vicious stood up from his chair and walked over to the door.

"Bye Alexandria, bye Randy." With that Sid closed the door behind him.

"Is he gone?" Alexi questioned.

"Yes he is Lexi." The young Orton acknowledged.

"So what do you think of the story?" Alexandria asked her boyfriend.

Randy was a bit surprised that Alexandria asked him for his opinion but then again the two were supposed to be a couple so you talked things over with the other.

The Legend Killer, however, had no real idea how to answer her question without hurting her feelings because she really seemed to trust Sid Eudy even though Randy couldn't really see why.

"To be honest Lexi, I don't really know what to say to that story." He answered seriously.

"I mean I haven't been there 20 years ago so I can't really say what's true and what's not."

Alexi sighed deeply. "I know what you mean. I have to admit that I'm not sure if I should believe him or not."

Well at least she isn't taking every word Sid said as the truth. Randy thought relieved.

"Perhaps you should really sleep now and start thinking about everything tomorrow when everything has settled a little." The young Orton suggested.

Alexandria ran a hand through his hair and finally nodded.

"I guess you're right." She admitted and as if to confirm her words she yawned.

Randy had to smile at that and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Well then I should go now." The Legend Killer told Alexi a little bit reluctantly.

Shawn's daughter reached for his hand and squeezed it. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. I mean you can stay until I've fallen asleep if you want." She suggested, hoping that Randy wouldn't mind staying with her until she had fallen asleep because there was no way she wanted to be alone right now.

Randy just smiled lightly. "Of course I'll stay love. I like watching you sleep. And I'll be back tomorrow as soon as I can."

Alexi blushed a little and made herself comfortable on the bed.

The two lovers started to talk about everything but Alexi's surgery and her family and it didn't take long for Alexi to finally fall asleep.

Randy once again watched her sleep and brushed a strain of hair out of her face.

"Goodnight love and sweet dreams." He finally whispered and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before he walked over to the door.

He was nearly out the door when he turned back again with a bright smile on his face.
"I love you Lexi."

Then he finally closed the door behind him and walked over to Martha's office where he thought the others would still be.

Indeed when he knocked, he heard Marissa's voice call for him.

He quickly entered the room and smiled at all present. He immediately sensed that something was going on between Chris, Shawn and Marissa.

"Hey everybody." He greeted.

"So what do we do now?" Jericho asked Marissa and Shawn when the three had talked about everything they could think of.

Shawn was just about to say something when there was a knock on the door.

"Yeah who is there?" Marissa called.

"It's Randy. Can I come in?" They heard the young Orton call from outside.

"Of course Randy come in." Alexi's mother confirmed.

The door was opened and Randy entered the room with a bright smile on his face.

"Hey everybody." He greeted.

"Hey Randy. So how is Alexi?" Marissa immediately questioned.

"She's okay but she fell asleep a while ago so I thought it was better to let her rest."
Randy explained and went to sit on the last free chair in the room. Chris was the only one who noticed that the Legend Killer was avoiding looking directly at Shawn.

The Legend Killer smiled when he saw Y2J, Marissa and Shawn looking at him curiously.

"She really is okay even though she's talked to Sid earlier." Randy repeated.
Immediately the expression on Shawn's face darkened and Jericho also looked angry.

Marissa didn't look angry. Instead she asked: "And what did he tell her?"
Randy shrugged. "I think what he told her was a lie but since I don't really know the whole story I can't say for sure but I can assure you that she hasn't really believed everything Vicious said and she wants to think about it."
"Well that's a relief. Perhaps she'll be ready to talk and listen to us soon." Chris said and really sounded relieved.

Randy nodded. He too had the feeling that Alexandria would at least listen to what her parents had to say.

Suddenly Randy had to yawn too.

"Sorry about that." He quickly apologised. "It has just been such a long day." He explained.

Marissa, Chris and Shawn nodded.

"Perhaps we should go back to the hotel to rest a little. Randy is right it has been a long day and there's nothing we can do for Alexi right now." Alexi's mother said, even though it was hard for her to leave the hospital without having talked to her daughter but she was honest enough to admit that there was nothing she could do right now and she needed her sleep.

Chris and Shawn agreed with that.

"I'll just find Dr. Cormela and tell her that we're going back to the hotel, not that she's going to search the whole hospital for us." Chris immediately said.

Marissa couldn't help but grin at that. She knew exactly why Jericho wanted to search for Dr. Cormela and it definitely wasn't because he was just going to inform her that they were leaving.

But she decided not to say anything but nodded.

"How about meeting in the parking lot after you've found Martha?" She suggested.

"Okay. That sounds like a good idea. So see you in a little while." Chris told Alexi's mother and left the room.

Randy watched him go with a slightly amused grin and shook his head for a moment.

He then turned to Shawn and Marissa. "So you're going to wait for Chris?" When the two nodded, he continued: "Do you mind if I go back to the hotel right now? I need to talk to Vince to clear up a few things."
"Um I guess Dave and John have done that for you." Shawn reminded him.

"Well actually I have a few reasons myself why I want to see Mr. McMahon." Randy told them vaguely.

Shawn immediately sensed that there was something that was bothering Randy but he didn't want to upset Randy again so he just nodded.

"Okay well then see you later Randy. And of course it's no problem if you go right now." He assured the younger man.

"Thanks you two. See you later or tomorrow." With that Randy too left the room, leaving Shawn and Marissa alone once again.

The new couple looked at each other.
"So shall we go too? I could need some fresh air." Marissa asked her fiancé.

HBK nodded with a smile on his face. He took Marissa's hand and the two left Martha's office.

When they walked down the hall, they passed Alexandria's room and Shawn stopped.

"Um Marissa. I guess you need to go alone because I need to go to the restroom." He said a bit sheepishly.

Alexi's mother laughed and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"It's okay. I'll wait outside at the parking lot." She said, still grinning and then Marissa continued to walk down the hall while Shawn turned into the directions of the toilet.

As soon as Marissa was out of sight however, Shawn turned back and slowly walked over to his daughter's hospital room.

He touched the handle and took a deep breath.

Sorry Marissa, sorry Alexandria. He thought before he slowly opened the door.

The lights in the room were out but it was still bright enough for Shawn to see Alexi lying asleep on the bed.

With shaking steps he walked over to the bed and looked at his daughter. She was lying on her left side and had his back turned towards Shawn.

A sad smile appeared on his face.

"Oh Alexandria. I wish you would at least listen to me so that I could explain and apologise. I want to tell you that I love you Alexandria and I wish I would never have done what I have done.

I can't really believe that I have a grown up daughter but I can't tell you how happy I'm about that fact. I've always wanted kids but I just never loved a woman enough to want a child with her.

The only woman I've ever really loved and still love is your mother, believe it or not. If I could I would've changed what has happened twenty years ago.

I should never have believed what Sid had told me. I should've come to see your mother despite what her parents said. But when Sid told me that she broke up with me I was just too hurt to go and talk to her. Now I know that was a big mistake and Sid has lied to me all along.

That doesn't make it better but perhaps it would make you understand. I really know why you're mad at me but I want nothing more than that you forgive me so that I can be the father I should have been for the last twenty years. I love you Alexandria and I never want to let go of you and your mother again. I want us to be a family again…"
With a deep sigh Shawn stopped his monologue. Even though the Heartbreak Kid thought Alexi was asleep, he had spoken to her as if she was awake.

He reached out and stroked Alexi's hair.

I wish you had heard everything that I've just said… He thought.

"I love you Alexi… and I will get to tell you that face to face too…" He whispered before he turned around and walked back to the door. He had just pushed the door open a little when he suddenly heard a small voice and the words struck him like lightning.

"I love you too… dad…"

Even though she had been asleep when Randy had left, Alexandria woke up as soon as the door opened. She immediately noticed that it wasn't Randy, Chris, Martha or her mother who entered the room, by the way the person walked.

Alexi was half tempted to ask who it was when the person was already standing next to her bed.

She thought it was the best to pretend to be still asleep in the hope that whoever it was would just go away.

As soon as the person spoke, Alexandria regretted her action because it was Shawn, who had come in.

She once again considered just yelling at him making him go away but she figured that he'd give up easier if he thought Alexandria was still asleep.

But to her surprise he didn't but started to speak instead.

"Oh Alexandria. I wish you would at least listen to me so that I could explain and apologise. I want to tell you that I love you Alexandria…"

Even though she didn't want to, Lexi found herself listening to Shawn's words and the more he talked the more Shawn's words got to her.

She felt the tears in her eyes and squeezed her eyelids shut to make them go away but HBK's words really touched her.

"I love you Alexi… and I will get to tell you that face to face too…" The emotion in Shawn's voice was almost touchable.

Alexi could hear Shawn leaving and he was nearly out the door when Alexandria made a decision.

She quickly sat up in her bed.

"I love you too… dad…" She said with tears in her eyes and it finally didn't feel awkward anymore to call Shawn 'dad'.

At first HBK didn't move at all but then he turned back to her and ran back to the bed.

He stood there for a moment, Alexi guessed. She opened her arms with a small smile on her face and tears still running down her cheeks.

"I love you dad…" She repeated.

"I love you Alexi." Her father told her and finally, after a lot of ups and downs father and daughter hugged for the first time.

"Finally…" A voice came from the door.

to be continued