Disclaimer: I own only Kimberly and Stephan

Chapter 12: The Holiday Party and John's Surprise

It was a week before the Holiday party and Kimberly still hadn't chosen a dress. She was shocked she was getting John into a traditional tuxedo, but he seemed all for it. She met with Vera Wang for her evening dress and he met with Ralph Lauren for his tux. How convenient for John, he almost thought it was too good to be true. Things seemed to be too easy. At a fitting Kimberly mentioned to Stephan how easy it as to get him to wear a traditional tux. "He didn't even fight me on it. Didn't make up some excuse to be able to wear his Chain Gang chain or work his belt into the ensemble. Something has been going on with that boy for the past week. He's acting so weird." Stephan trying not to smile just shrugged it off and pretended not to be listening to her. He knew he couldn't lie to her; she caught him every single time, so he ignored her rant. Vera pretended not to be listening for she was in on the surprise also.

The weekend of the party, Torrie Wilson and Billy Kidman, Mark and Sara Callaway and Hulk and Linda Hogan were staying with John and Kimberly at her condo in Boston while the rest of the WWE stayed in hotels. Torrie, notoriously bad at secrets was actually able to hold this one in, she knew there was no way she could ruin this it was too important. The day of the party, Kimberly fielded calls from the restaurant regarding menu changes and setup. A few times she had to go in just to ensure things were done properly. Her entire staff was working this evening and if everything went off without a hitch, they'd get a huge bonus. They all knew she was generous because she gave quarterly bonuses, but during the holidays, she was giving to everyone who worked for her. But if she asked something of you and you pulled it off, she rewarded you.

Torrie, Sara, Linda and Kimberly were all upstairs getting ready as the men yelled from downstairs they were going to be late. Hulk, Mark and Billy were trying to relax John. "As long as you have everything, it will work out. But remember, things don't always turn out as you dream, but when the time is right, you'll know. So relax and go with the flow." Hulk patted him on the back as Linda walked down followed by Torrie and Sara. The three couples walked out to the limo and John yelled up to Kimberly to hurry. She came to the top of the steps and his heart leapt into his throat. All of his nerves settled, all his fears disappeared. His feelings were once again confirmed. This was the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, no doubts, and he knew the time was as good as any.

"You are so beautiful and I'm the luckiest man alive. I love you, baby girl." He kissed her tenderly, knowing not to mess up her make-up. The two couples stopped at the limo and turned to see what the delay was. John continued. "I'm happiest when I'm with you. I'm a whole person when I'm with you. You're my life, my love, my world." John got down on one knee. Torrie, Sara and Linda gasped from the driveway. John pulled out a blue box with a white ribbon from his pocket. Not just any blue box, the blue box. The specific blue every woman in the world recognized. Kimberly began to shake, finally realizing why he'd been acting so funny. He kept trying to give her the box but she refused to take it, afraid to believe this was happening. John opened it for her to reveal a striking cushion cut Legacy style ring. The 5 carat pink diamond was surrounded by smaller pink bead set diamonds and graduated white diamonds on the band. Kimberly's mouth dropped open and she let out a little gasp. John took her left hand, "Will you marry me?" Her eyes went from him to the ring and back again. She took her hand from John and shook her head no.

Outside the couples were taken aback. "Say yes. You mean yes." Linda said quietly and Torrie and Sara said the same thing.

"John, it's too much. The ring it's too much." Kimberly continued to shake her head no. Her past began swimming through her head and she wanted to run. Linda's words played back, she can't hold John accountable for something someone else did. She must give him a chance. John took her hand again and reassured her.

"It's not anywhere near the ring I want to get you. I picked this ring because I know how much you love it. I saw the way your eyes danced when you saw it last Christmas. Kimberly, I know I can make all your fears go away. I want to spend everyday with you. You are the first person I talk to in the morning and the last one at night. I don't want that to ever change. Will you marry me?" She stood there looking at John for what seemed like an eternity. She pulled her hand away again and placed both on John's face. She looked into his eyes and suddenly felt safe, relaxed. She kissed him firmly. As she kissed him she said yes. John jumped up and hugged her. "I love you." He heard a whistle from outside and they both looked to see the two couples waiting. John and Kimberly ran outside and John exclaimed loudly "She said yes!"

Torrie, Sara and Linda hugged Kimberly and grabbed her hand. No ring. Linda looked over and said "John!" as she waved Kimberly's hand.

"I was so excited I forgot to give it to you!" He opened the blue box and pulled out the ring.

Kimberly inhaled sharply and the other six people behind them all said in unison "wow."

John looked at her. "Are you sure?" She looked at John and he could see fear in her eyes, but she shook her head yes. He slid the ring on her finger, her hand shaking noticeably. He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. Linda, Sara and Torrie grabbed Kimberly and Billy, Mark and Hulk pushed John into the limo. Linda and John exchanged a look and a nod and he breathed a sigh of relief. The four couples went to the Holiday party and John and Linda knew they'd gotten over the first hurdle; they needed to get over one more for the mission to be complete.

The party moved along smoothly and everyone was having a wonderful time. Halfway into the evening Vince McMahon stood for his speech. He thanked everyone for coming and made a few small announcements. Linda McMahon stood and thanked everyone and Kimberly for the use of her restaurant and the wonderful meal and setting. She then acknowledged the newly engaged couple and cheers erupted from the crowd. They were swarmed all night with hugs, congratulations and well wishes. All of it made Kimberly extremely uncomfortable and skittish, but she just held tight to John and waited for the evening to end. They didn't know they were being watched. They didn't know they were being photographed.