Hunter sat up like he'd been hit by a bolt of lightening. Shawn dropped the pen he'd held. Both stared at Shane, then the couple looked at one another. They held a silent conversation.
Shane watched the lawyer and detective as they "spoke". He wondered if he was going to wind up face down in the Missouri River, like one his father's victims.
Hunter gave a nod to his husband. Shawn turned his gaze back to Shane and spoke. "I have to say, we are not all that surprised. We are also aware that you are five years older, but, there is a lot more than age between sixteen and twenty-one. However, we also know that Megan is far beyond sixteen in mature, emotional age, because of all she has been through. Our question is, why? Why do you want to date our baby girl?" Shawn's brow arched so high it nearly vanished.
Shane smiled. "I thought you were going to as a hard question. I think Megan is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. I am talking inner beauty. Meg has been through so much, yet has remained positive and cheerful. She is strong and resilient, but she can also strike like a cobra if riled. I would also not be honest if I didn't mention how beautiful she is to look at. Her eyes shine with the love she has for the two of you. As uncomfortable as it is to talk about, I also want you to know, I have every intention to not be sexually active until marriage. I am old fashioned, and to me, sex is meant for marriage. But again, I would also be lying if I didn't say I love kissing, holding and cuddling, I will always treat Megan like the princess she is. I will support and encourage her dreams and ambitions. I intend to become the best lawyer I can be. I want to get the name of McMahon out of the gutter my father and sister put it in." Shane ended with a firm nod to Shawn and Hunter. As hard as it was, Shane remained upright in his chair.
Hunter looked at Shane and replied. "We appreciate your honesty, Shane. You do know, as beautiful and perfect as Meggie looks, she not a normal, strong, healthy young woman. Her heart will always be an issue, unless a transplant can happen. Doctor Lesnar still has a lot of tests to run. What happens if...well… children wouldn't be possible. I know you're not even thinking marriage… oh hell Shawn, a little help here." Hunter didn't know how to say what he wanted.
"What Hunter means is, marriage isn't for a long time, but, we aren't stupid. We know, one day it may very well happen. It is true, Megan isn't a completely well person. Meg needs someone who will stand beside her when she has bad days, and she does have them. Shane, again, we aren't stupid. We have observed you and our daughter. The way you made her feel like a princess on her birthday, I or rather we, could see her admiration for you in her eyes. Shane, we know you are a fine, upstanding young man. We also know you are nothing like your father and sister. There will be rules, Shane, after all, Megan is just sixteen years old. Hunt?" Shawn finished and looked over at his husband.
Hunter cleared his throat. "Yes, strict rules. You can only go out on Fridays or Saturdays. Home by eleven, no R rated movies, drinking or drugs. No being in each other's rooms with the door closed. No excessive displays of affection and most important of all, if Megan says no to anything, it means no. As Shawn stated, we aren't stupid, we can see how you two feel about each other. Most people would think we are insane to let a twenty-one year old date a sixteen year old, but, that would make us hypocrites. Shawn is five years older than me…" Hunter paused and leaned forward till he was nearly nose to nose with Shane Brandon McMahon. He spoke in a low growl.
"If you ever do anything to hurt or put Megan in danger… it will be the last thing you do. Understand?" Hunter blinked slowly, like a waiting reptile.
Shane swallowed hard. "I swear. I will never do anything to hurt Meg. I will also make sure we follow all your rules. Thank you. Megan told me you would be understanding and she also said you already knew we had feelings for each other. Your trust means everything to me. Oh and Shawn, I think if the time ever comes, adoption is wonderful. Megan's health will always be my first concern. I will also be there any time she needs me. I am staying in Kansas City. My Harvard Advisor is going to work with the Dean of the UMKC Law School. It was father who sent me to Cambridge. I realize now it was to keep me out of the way. You know, the two of you have shown me more parental care in a few weeks than my father has shown me in my entire life. Thank you for giving me a home...and for trusting me with your greatest treasure, Megan Anne. She will also be my greatest treasure." Shane couldn't keep the emotion out his voice and his eyes filled with the love he felt for the Helmsley's.
Shawn leaned over and hugged Shane close. "You dear, sweet boy. Now, go give Meg the news. You have been a blessing to us too. It makes it easier to let Megan grow up, but just remember, she will always be my baby. Never, ever anger this mamma bear." He gave Shane a wink and a grin.
Hunter stood at the same time as Shane. "Son, we are proud to have you in the family. This your home now. Here, you've earned these." The Detective held out a set of house keys on a fob that also controlled the garage door. Up till this moment, Shane had always borrowed Meg or Nancy's keys.
Shane reached out and took the keys. "Thank you, Hunter. I appreciate it very much. Thank you too, Shawn. Say, what will happen to father's mansion? I'm sure I'm not going to… inherit anything. I never want to live there again, but… it would make a nice shelter or halfway house." He gave a shrug.
Shawn stood and gave Shane a pat on the shoulder. "Yes, it would. We'll see what happens. Now go, I am sure Nancy is tired of Meg asking her opinion about this talk."
With a laugh, Shane pocketed the keys and hurried off to find his now official girlfriend. Hunter pulled Shawn into his arms.
"We did the right thing, didn't we? I mean Meggie is just a baby." Hunter sounded more like a child than an adult.
Shawn laid his head on his husband's shoulder. "Yeah, we did. Look at it this way, with her boyfriend under the same roof, she won't be sneaking out to meet some boy. She has always been the most adult of the three of us. Come on, you can help me wrap the gifts for the quads." He gave Hunter a kiss. Shawn led Hunter to the guest room where he'd set up a table to wrap Christmas presents.
On Christmas morning, Adam and Dean watched with parental joy on their faces as the children played with their Christmas gifts. Dean had promised to help them with their new bikes in the afternoon, if the weather was fit. It would keep them out of the way as Miss Ida and Nancy prepared Christmas dinner.
Adam sighed with contentment as he fingered his Christmas gift from Dean, the children and Ida. They had gotten Adam a link charm bracelet, styled for a man's wrist. It had six charms.
Jan's charm was a flute, James chose a saxophone. Jade's was a paint brush on an artists pallet. Jordan had picked a pink flamingo. Ida gave him a Caduceus for a Registered Nurse. Dean's charm was a heart, with a tiny diaper pin. Adam knew he would cherish it forever and couldn't wait for more charms to be added over the years.
Dean smiled as he watched Adam caress the bracelet. "I'm glad you like it. The saleslady said men's charm bracelets are going to be the next big trend. I can't get over those little lions getting together and buying a star for Cathy." He smiled again as he looked at the Star Certificate on the coffee table.
"There was a debate between a star and a tree. Jade won the boys over by saying they could see the star. Are you sure your mom is alright? I would love to have her come live with us." Adam laid his head on Dean's shoulder as they sat together on the couch.
Dean kissed the top of Adam's head. "She's fine. She loved meeting you and the kids on Zoom. She's content in Cinci, but I am sure she will come for a visit when the baby is born. I do worry about her, but I think she holds onto a small hope, dad might come back. Also, she would never leave Cathy. She has her work and her friends. However, the way we Ambrose's move, she could arrive tomorrow. By the way, thank you for the new Physician's bag. My old one was getting a bit ratty." He gave the top of Adam's head another kiss and held his husband close.
Adam grinned. "Glad you like it. I always try to get gifts that are functional and useful. The little lions loved helping me pick it out and paying for it. Dean, promise me, you won't let them out of your sight later." He curled up tighter against his husband.
Dean kept Adam in his arms. "I promise, we won't leave the driveway. I love having their names on the bag too. It's like carrying all of you with me. Boys, do you want some help?" He noticed James and Jordan had a problem with their new Hot Wheels race track.
"Yes please, dad." James replied with a smile.
When Dean got up to help, Jade brought her new Barbie doll to Adam. "Daddy, can you fix her hair bow, please." She held the doll out to Adam. The happy family Christmas continued through the day.
After a delicious Christmas dinner, the Ambrose family, the Helmsley family and the Reign's sat in Adam's huge, more formal living room. The Christmas tree sparkled in all its ten foot glory. Adam always loved the fact that the high ceiling meant a huge holiday tree.
Jan and James played Christmas Carols as Jade and Jordan held up artwork to fit the songs. Megan danced between the pictures. It was hard to tell who was prouder, Shane or Shawn and Hunter.
On New Year's Eve, everyone chose to celebrate alone. Adam and Dean let the quadruplets stay up to ring in the new year. Adam knew he was one step closer to losing his babies when all four managed to stay awake. Jade lost the first tooth of the year when she bite into an apple.
On Monday, January third, the trial of Stephanie and Vincent McMahon began. Randy would go to trial after the McMahon's. It was part of the strategy by Brie Bella. Randy was going to turn States Evidence as part of a deal Layfield had made. It would keep Randy from the Death Penalty.
McMahon's defense team knew Orton was going to testify, and they hoped to turn it around to benefit their clients. Michael Cole knew he had his work cut out for him.
Shawn, Roman and Kofi were going to bring the International Tax Evasion charges to the table. The Bella twins knew the Federal crimes would only enhance the charges of the State.
A few blocks from the Jackson County Courthouse, Adam and Seth prepared to open Dean's private practice for the day. They had freshened the look, by putting their style into the office.
Adam had chosen soft, warm, happy yellow with accents in blue, red and green. New furniture filled the waiting room and the children's play area had been enlarged. The two nurses had also ordered new toys for the area including braille blocks and toys with sensory stimulation. Dean was pleased with the results.
"We can watch the trial, right?" Adam asked as he pointed Seth to sit down in his office chair.
A very pregnant Seth sat with a smile. "Yes, Roman gave me the link. We just have to make sure no patients see or hear anything." Seth looked at the appointment book. He wrote down the name of the days patients so Adam could pull the correct files.
Adam gave a slight chuckle. "Yeah, I saw all the media trucks when I drove by the courthouse…" Adam paused and sat next to Seth. He glowed in his own pregnancy.
Adam continued. "Seth, are you sure about working? I don't want anything to happen to you or Tamati." He looked at Seth with deep concern etched on his face.
Seth and Roman had found out they were going to have a baby boy. They had named him Tamati Iosefa. It was the Samoan version of Thomas Joseph. Seth smiled and patted Adam's baby belly.
"You are just as pregnant as me. Seriously, I am alright. My doctor said I can work till February first. You know I swore on Shawn's Bible to quit immediately if it becomes to much for me. You have me chained to desk duty. That makes me worry about you…" Seth paused with the office door chimed and a woman walked in.
"Lita!" Adam and Seth called out to their former colleague from St. Luke's Hospital.
Lita grinned brightly and walked over to the two nurses. "Hello there. Beth sends her love and will be here on February first." She winked at Adam.
Seth looked at Adam with confusion. Adam laughed. "Surprise. Lita is going to take over for me and Beth for you. They will run the office until we are back from our maternity leaves. After that, they are going to Children's Mercy. Sorry I didn't tell you, but Dean and Roman made me promise not to. Lita, we really appreciate you and Beth being here. It will be good to know that not only the patients but Dean as well will be in the best possible hands. Well come on, I will show you around. We've got an hour before the first patient."
Seth gave a chuckle. "It is wonderful to have you here, Lita, Beth too. I should have known Dean would look after things. I'm not allowed to get up so Adam will give you the tour." He knew Roman also probably had a hand in Dean hiring Lita and Beth.
At the Helmsley house, Megan and Shane were in the middle of their first real argument. Nancy listened as she worked in the kitchen. The couple were at the breakfast table.
"Shane Brandon, go to court. I will be fine, Nancy will be with me." Megan's hand rested on her hips and fire sparked in her eyes. She was not at all happy with her boyfriend.
Shane fought the urge to roll his eyes, but he wanted to. "No, Megan Anne. I promised I would be there to help wash Champion and then help keep him calm for the farrier. I can go to court tomorrow. Your dad won't even need me for a couple of days." He had just as much fire in his eyes.
Megan reached over and laid a hand on Shane's arm. "Babe, please. Go to court. We both forgot the date when you promised to help me with Champion. Nothing is more important than this trial. You need to be there and learn all you can. I want you to be the best lawyer you can be. I just wish I could be there for you. It can't be easy on you, no matter what you say. It is your father and sister. Shane, please, go to the courthouse before you miss even more." She changed from angry to worried. Megan wanted the very best for Shane.
Shane sighed. He looked over at Nancy who kneaded bread dough on the work island in the center of the kitchen. "I am not going to win, am I Miss Nancy?"
Nancy laughed and plopped the dough into a bowl and covered it. " I will tell you the best two words Mister Shawn ever taught me, no comment. However, I do know Madame can be extremely stubborn. Shane, I can assure you the Stable Master will be there. He is used to helping us out with Champion when he needs new shoes."
"She's right, Shane. Mister Martin will be there to help. Shane, go to court. I will be fine, I promise." Megan smiled brightly at Shane then gave him a playful nudge.
Shane let out another sigh. "Alright, sweetheart. You win. I will go to court. Please, just be careful. I know you, you over do when you are feeling so well. Remember what Doctor Brock said. Please, baby?" He put an arm around Megan and held her tightly. He was always so worried about Megan.
Megan pressed her forehead to Shane's. "I will Shane, I promise. I know my heart issues. But Shane, I can't let it stop me from living either. I can be careful, but still live. Besides, that one over there won't let me over do. I love you for caring so much. Now, go to court." She leaned in an gave Shane a chaste kiss on the lips.
Shane returned Megan's kiss. "You're the best. I'll see you later. Have fun with Champion. Take care of her, Miss Nancy." He stood, kissed Megan again and hurried off to the courthouse.
Megan fairly danced across the kitchen. "Isn't he just wonderful." She hugged Nancy, pure joy radiated on her face.
Nancy hugged Megan in return. "Yes he is, my dear. By the way, I will say it now; you were right to send him to the courthouse. He needs this, for reasons he doesn't understand; yet." She kissed her charge and sent Megan up to do schoolwork until it was time to leave for the stables.
Hunter looked up with surprise as Shane McMahon entered the Jackson County Courthouse. "What are you doing… oh… let me guess, Madame made you?" He gave a bit of a laugh as Shane's face grew with a sheepish look.
Shane nodded. "Yes Sir, she did. We argued quite a bit, but, she won. Meg was right, I do need to be here. Hunter, the Stable Master will help her, right?" Worry clouded his handsome face.
Hunter laid a fatherly hand on Shane's shoulder. "Yes he will, son. Mister Martin knows about her health issues. They all love and fuss over Meggie Pops at the stables. You've been there and have seen it. Besides, you forget, Nancy will be there. You know how protective she can be. Now, I was just about to go to the private room Shawn set up for those of us not allowed in the court room. No press. Also remember, Shawn doesn't want your father and sister to see you until you are on the stand. Come on, the press will be entering soon." he took Shane by the upper arm and led him to a room on the second floor.
The press would be held in a conference room with a closed circuit video system. There would be things they would not be allowed to hear or see. It was controlled by a special Bailiff.
"Hello there, Justin, Kenny." Hunter spoke as he and Shane entered the room.
"Hello Hunter, Shane." Justin and Kenny spoke in turn and shook hands with the Detective and law student.
"Hey guys. Justin, how are things at Saint Luke's?" Shane asked with concern. He missed playtime with the children on the ward.
Justin smiled. "Things are good. The bad thing is, the rumors have kept some patients from choosing Saint Luke's. The good thing is, low patient numbers on the ward mean better, more in depth care. I'm meeting with Doctor Austin and Dean soon. We may try a patient sharing program. Mercy has testing services we don't and we have things they don't. If we work together, the sick children can have the best both hospitals have to offer. It's not a contest… like your sister and father tried to make it. Sorry, Shane." He ended with a shrug and a sip of coffee.
Shane smiled at the Physician. "It's okay, Justin. My sister is a bitch and my father… well, Shawn and Hunter are my parents now. I think the patient sharing sounds wonderful. I wish I had more time to be on the wards, but with all this...I can't fall behind in Law School. Maybe I can do something on Spring Break."
"That would be good. Say, Dean and Adam had an idea. They want to read short stories on video, to play for the children in isolation or those that can't go to the playroom. Would you be interested in that? It wouldn't take a lot of time to record a couple of short videos." Justin had loved the idea and it was a very good one.
Shane perked up. "Yes! That would be easy to make time for. Megan would love it too. I will get in touch with Adam about it. Oh, it's starting." Shane nodded to the television on the wall. Court was about to start.
At Dean's private practice, Adam and Seth showed Lita how to do a patient check in. The little boy was scheduled to go to Mercy soon for a biopsy. Dean feared the eight year old had a brain tumor.
"So now, Jimmy are you ready to see Doctor A?" Adam asked as he and Lita went to the play area to collect their patient.
"Is Doctor A gonna shoot me?" Jimmy asked with fear in his eyes.
Lita knelt down next to Jimmy. "Well, you might get a little, tiny shot. Tell you what, if you are a brave boy, you can have two digs in the treasure chest."
Adam smiled. He knew Dean's patients would be in excellent hands when he and Seth were out on maternity leave. He also knew Lita and Beth would do so much better at Mercy Hospital. Adam had gone to Mercy to do a little bit of decorating in Dean's private office there. Doctor Steve Austin had welcomed Adam with open arms. Doctor Austin also encouraged Adam's surgical nursing course and would be happy to have him assist Dean in the operating room in the future.
In the Jackson County Courthouse, Vince McMahon was on the witness stand. Brie Bella was extremely frustrated. Every time he was asked a question, Vince McMahon stated "I plead the fifth." Miss Bella was ready to bang her head on the table.
Shawn glanced over at Roman. He saw the handsome young lawyer's jaw flex and clench as he fought the torrent of words he wanted to unleash, but knew he couldn't. How well the older attorney knew the feeling. However, Shawn also knew Roman would be in Seth's doghouse if he got locked up for a night for contempt of court. It had happened to Shawn once, early in his career. Luckily, Hunter had been on duty at the jail and had kept him company. Shawn reached over and put his hand on Roman's arm, and gave a little squeeze.
Roman looked at his mentor with a grateful smile. He read the note Shawn had quickly written on his legal pad. "You will get your chance. Seth will kill you if you get contempt." Roman picked up his gold pen and wrote on Shawn's pad. "You got that right. Thanks, boss." The older and younger lawyers grinned at each other.
Brie nodded for her twin sister Nikki to take over. Nikki could be more intimidating and was the better one at cracking difficult defendants. Nikki stood and began her line of questioning.
In the private room, Kenny Omega did bang his head on the table. He was beyond frustrated. Justin gave his former FBI colleague a pat on the back.
Hunter let out a guffaw. "Roman was about ready to explode. Usually it's Shawn. Don't worry, McMahon will have to break eventually. Judge Lawler will lecture Mister Cole. Of course, they can't really force McMahon to speak, but, it won't help him." He gave a shrug.
Kenny Omega sat up and took a sip of coffee, then spoke. "No, it won't. I wish could see the jury. I can always tell what they are thinking. I do know one thing, they don't like a witness that constantly claims the fifth."
Hunter poured himself another cup of coffee. "All I know is, that bastard is going to pay for what they did to Adam and the babies." He growled out his words.
Shane looked at Hunter. "I couldn't agree more, but that order came from my dear sister. Bálor and Barrett carried it out. They are all as guilty as hell. Why even bother with these trials." He was just as frustrated as the others.
Justin shook his head a bit. "Shane, I'm… well… you are a tough son of a bitch. Can I ask? Is there… it is your family."
"No, Justin. Well, no, that's a lie. I do love my father and sister, to a degree. I would like to think if we had been a normal, average family, Stephanie and I might have been closer. We have had… maybe a handful of brother-sister moments and I treasured them. Father will always blame me for mom's death. You know, in my whole twenty-one years of life, I've never played catch or anything else with my father. I'll tell you what I've said before. Shawn and Hunter have shown me more family love in a few months than I've had in my entire life. Now, I just want to go on and be the best lawyer I can be." He took a bite of a pastry and sipped his cup of coffee.
"I am sure you will be, Shane. I truly admire you. If it wasn't for you and your bravery at writing that notebook and getting it to Hunter, none of this would be happening. You should be proud of yourself." Justin gave Shane a nod of respect.
Shane hung his head. "But… if I hadn't done it, maybe Mister Younger would still be alive. I am sorry he died." He pushed away the slightly stale pastry.
Justin looked Shane in the eye "It is sad, Shane. I do miss him, but no. If they had it in their heads he was a rat, you know he would still be dead. I made the number one mistake, I got personal. It didn't start that way, I was just playing my role. But, Drake managed to open my heart. The good thing is… Dave. He has been really caring and supportive. We are taking it very slow, but we are… committed to each other. So stop feeling guilty. I wish I could have warned about Adam, but, you can't always be there. You know what I mean. Luckily, God wasn't ready for Adam or the quadruplets."
Kenny spoke. "He's right, you know. As an Agent, I haven't always been able to warn people in time. It is a nasty part of the job. I learned a long time ago, death is part of the calling of law enforcement. You can't let yourself get lost in it. Justin, I'm there for you, you know that. Shane, that goes for you too. I'm being assigned permanently to the Kansas City office. I need to be with friends."
"That is great news, Kenny. Jason will be pleased as will Bret. I know I'm pleased. You skill and knowledge is incredible. Oh hey, looks like lunch recess." Hunter looked at the TV just as Judge Lawler got up and left.
At the café down the street from Dean's private practice, Dean, Adam and Seth sat at a table in the corner. Seth sighed as he read a text from Roman. "He and Shawn are eating at the courthouse. Apparently the trial isn't going well." He felt sad for his husband, but Seth knew the case came first.
"You will come home with us. I am not having you alone. When does Ata arrive?" Adam asked as he sipped his cup of hot tea.
Seth smiled. "Thanks, buddy. She's leaving Florida on Saturday. Roman swears she will be here sometime Sunday. Ata is wonderful and I can't wait. Ida and Nancy will love her. The attic turned out perfectly. Oh yes, I forgot, Roman also had the lighting installed in the passageway. It will be a perfect storm shelter for us. You guys can use it too, better than that small space under the garage."
Dean nodded. "Yes, it will. Adam and I have decided to open the doorway to the panic room, in order to make a playroom for the quads. If we need an escape, we can hide in the passage. It will be good to have Ata around. She is a strong woman. She will be good for the girls, to have a crazy Aunt figure. You know how I mean that, Seth. Ata just doesn't take any shit and she doesn't care. Oh, yes, three chef salads with blue cheese dressing on the side. Thank you." He smiled as the waitress took their order.
Seth laughed. "Good thing I like salad. Yes, Dean I know what you mean about Ata. Oh hey, it's Hunter and Shane." He waved the two men over to join them.
Hunter sat as Shane went to the counter to order. "We're getting lunch for Shawn, Roman and Kofi. How are you guys?" He asked, brow arched.
"We're good. Dean surprised us. He's hired Lita and Beth to fill in for Seth and I. Can I ask how the trial is going?" Adam asked with another sip of tea.
Hunter frowned. "Like shit actually. Vince was on the stand all morning. All he said was I plead the fifth. Shawn was frustrated and Roman wanted to explode. Even Nikki Bella couldn't break him. I've seen her reduce murderers to tears. The only thing is we can't see the jury on the closed circuit. Oh there is some good news…" Hunter went on to explain about Kenny.
"...so it will be nice to have him around." Hunter finished. Shane sat down to wait for their order. Greetings were exchanged and baby bellies rubbed with joy.
In a conference room at the courthouse, Shawn and Roman spoke. Kofi had gone outside to wait for Hunter and Shane to bring their lunch. Justin and Kenny had gone to eat with Bret and Jason Hart.
The Bella twins were in their office on the fourth floor. They were not pleased. Brie spoke as her sister made coffee for them.
"If this continues, I'm going throw Mister Vincent McMahon out of the window…" Brie was halted by a rather timid knock on the door.
Brie called out for the person to come in. The twins secretary, Jayne opened the door. "I'm so sorry, Miss Bella, but it's Mister Cole. He insists on talking to you. Also, would you like some lunch?"
Brie shook her head. "No thank you, Jayne. Show Mister Cole in, then take your lunch hour. You work too hard." She smiled at Jayne. She and Nikki would be lost without her.
"Thank you…" Jayne spoke to Brie, then turned to speak to Mister Cole. "You may go in, sir." She held the door open, then closed it behind the opposing attorney.
Brie indicated for Michael to sit in a chair across from the twins, who sat on a small leather couch.
"I'm sorry. My client is behaving badly. As for us, I know he was prepared to answer any and all questions. He has to know this isn't helping. I just wanted to apologize. I am going to go talk to him." Michael stood as did the twins. They shook hands and Cole left. It was an odd meeting.
"That's a first. I have never had a defense attorney apologize like that. He seemed… worried." Brie spoke to her sister as she returned to her desk.
Nikki looked at her twin from her own desk. "I'd be worried too if my client went against my advice. I will be curious to see if McMahon answers of Cole's questions.- Plus, Helmsley and Reigns haven't even brought up the Federal charges yet. What do you think is going through McMahon's mind? The jury sure wasn't happy." Nikki gave a shrug and looked over the papers spread out on her desk.
In another conference room on the second floor, Michael Cole watched and listened as Vince and Stephanie ate their lunch as if they were in a Michelin Star restaurant. Cole took a bite of his own lunch. He would speak to Vince later.
Randy Orton and his lawyer, John Bradshaw Layfield ate lunch in an interrogation room at Bret Hart's police station. Bret had arranged it for Randy and his lawyer to listen to the McMahon trial.
"You may be called to the stand, much much sooner than expected. Does your father know what you're going to do?" Layfield took a bite of his pizza from Tony's.
Randy gave an outright belly laugh. "No, and I don't care. He totally wiped me from everything once he saw all the papers giving the children to Dean. I am ready to testify against McMahon, but John please… people have to know, it isn't to save my own skin. I am doing it for Jan, Jade, Jordan and James, plus a bit for Adam. In the future… if the time comes, I want those babies to be able to say, yeah our father was a criminal, but he did the right thing for justice. Do you have any idea how it felt for me to hear my loud, wonderful Jade call me "that man?" I knew then, every thing I do will be to try to redeem myself in their eyes." He went from laughter to sad and pushed his plate of food across the table.
John Bradshaw Layfield reached across and gently rubbed his clients back. Sometimes, even a lawyer couldn't find the right words to say. Again, sometimes, you didn't have to say anything, just some support was enough.
Back at the courthouse, Michael Cole spoke to Vince McMahon. "What were you thinking? Not only is Judge Lawler getting put out, so is the jury. Do you want them to find you guilty?" He just did not know what more to say.
Vince blinked at Michael like a lazy reptile. "Why should I make it easy on anyone, including you? We know there is no chance in hell that I am going to be found not guilty. Any chance of that will be gone when the jury sees pictures of Orton's ex's car wreck."
"But father, you didn't do that. Bálor and Barrett did. If you don't speak out…" Stephanie tried to protest, but stopped when Vince held up his hand.
"My dear princess, they are not stupid. They know those kinds of orders come from the top. Bluntly, in this case, it was an order from you. I am, if nothing else, your father first." Vince spoke with rare emotion in his tone.
Stephanie, for a moment, couldn't speak. When she found her words, she also found hubris. "I appreciate those words, dad. Maybe you should have said them to Shane. I lost my baby brother, because I was afraid of you. Father, I have done a lot of research the last few weeks. It was not Shane's fault mom died. You know that. You knew the cancer was fatal. She would have died regardless. Refusing the treatment to protect the baby… it was a very selfless thing to do. You know mom wanted you to love Shane, and not blame him. Why father… why do you hate so much, the one person mom wanted you to love? Why?" She sounded more like one of Adam's seven year old's instead of the adult she was.
Vince actually sank down in his chair and looked like a well scolded child. "I do love him, so very much. Of the two of you, he has her eyes. I couldn't bear to look at them because all I could see was her. Instead of embracing him for it, I blamed him for it. I could see her judging me every time I looked at him. I was afraid I would see disappointment, so I pushed him away. I never once thought, if I showed him love…" Vince felt the single tear as it fell from his eye. It was his first tear since Linda had passed.
Vince sniffed and looked at his lawyer. "Can you arrange for me to speak to Shane?"
Michael let out a sigh. "Well, I will try. I will have to speak to Miss Bella and maybe the Judge. They could say you want to try to influence him. You will probably have to wait till after he testifies." He spoke with total honesty.
"Do what you can. I am not going to try to influence Shane. I… just want to look into his eyes." Vince gave a shrug. Emotion was foreign to him.
Stephanie quietly observed her father. One thing she noticed, for the first time in his life, Vincent Kennedy McMahon looked every second of his seventy-five years. It was something she found...frightening.
Hunter and Shane sat at a table with Roman, Kofi and Shawn. It always amazed Hunter that Shawn could eat the greasiest hamburger and never get a drop on himself or his papers. He laughed when Shane reached over and wiped a drop of ketchup that was about to fall onto his white shirt.
"Thanks, kiddo." Hunter gave Shane a wink.
Shane nodded. "No problem, Nancy hates ketchup stains. Oh, hang on, it's from Meg." His cell phone had alerted to a text message.
Shawn looked over at Shane. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, she is fine. The farrier and Stable Master are shoeing Champion so she and Nancy are having lunch at the stable café. She sends her love." Shane relayed the message, a bit of a lovesick smile on his face.
Shawn smiled. He and Hunter were so pleased. Shane treated Megan like a princess and fussed after her more than they did, which was saying something. He and Hunter no longer worried about the differences in their ages.
At Dean's private practice, Seth sat at the reception desk and listened for the trial to start. Again, Adam was with Dean and a patient. Lita would be there again tomorrow morning to learn more about the office.
The patient happened to be Billy Henderson. It was time for his last post operative check on his sinus cavity and the implant that kept them clear.
Dean pressed his thumbs against Billy's nose and sinus cavity. "Any pain, Spiderman?" Dean asked with a grin. Billy wore a Spiderman tee shirt.
"Nope, notta bit, Doctor A. I can breathe without snotting up all the time." Billy spoke as only a child could.
Adam laughed. "That is very good, Billy. James said to tell you hello. He wants you to come to his birthday party on May thirty-first. You will get an invitation to remind you when the time is closer.
"Oh boy! I would like that, Nurse A. Tell James I'll be there. I miss the Academy, but mommy… well, she works too hard." Billy ended with a sigh.
"That's what my mom did when I was your age. She worked three jobs. Your mom does it because she loves you. You can be a big help to her by doing your chores and doing well at school. You should take care of your mom when she comes home from work. You are a good boy, Billy." Adam spoke honestly. He never talked down to children. Billy's mom had told Adam he was a handful at times. She asked if maybe Adam could help in some way.
Dean nodded. "Nurse A is right. James is a big helper at home. You are strong like Spiderman, you can do it. Will you do it? Help your mom more and study harder?" He gave Billy a very parental look.
"I will Doctor and Nurse A. Mommy works too hard. I will do better at helping her." Billy spoke with determination.
Adam gave a pat to Billy's head. "Good boy. Maybe, if you are good to your mom, in one month, you can some spend a weekend with James at our house. Would you like that?"
"Oh yeah! Thanks. I will be a good boy, I promise. I want to see James." Billy was happy.
Dean gave Billy a lollipop as Adam went to speak to Billy's mother. A bit later, the Henderson's left. She was grateful to Dean and Adam. Mrs. Henderson knew everything would be alright.
At the Courthouse, something strange happened. Michael Cole had actually persuaded Judge Lawler and Brie Bella to let Vince McMahon speak to Shane for ten minutes. The stipulation was that Michael Cole and Brie Bella had to be in the room. Also, nothing about the trial could be spoken about. It was unusual, but, there was nothing normal about a McMahon.
Shane stood when his father entered the small room off the main courtroom. He was curious, but Shane was also very wary. He was determined that nothing said would change his mind about anything. Shane would still blast his father on the witness stand.
Vince walked over to his youngest child. He looked into Shane's eyes… he saw Linda looking back at him. It was if she said, "Do the right thing."
"Shane, son, I just want to say one thing. I also want you to do what you have to do. One has nothing to do with the other. So I will just say it…"
Shane shifted on his feet. "Then say it, father. And no worries, nothing you say could or would change my mind." He folded his arms across his chest.
Vince nodded and took a step closer to his son. "Shane, no matter what, I do love you."
Before anyone could move, the next sound that filled the room was when a gun went off.
BANG! The next sound was a body hitting the floor.