Thank you for the reviews they are very much appreciated :) Paul's perspective is a little shorter than usual but I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! If anyone here follows my story Back Around I'm working on the next chapter to it but I'm having a little bit of a writer's block but I'll have another chapter out as soon as I can.
Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck as he finally began to return the kiss and pulled her even closer against him. His lips were soft and warm against hers and even though they had kissed a couple of times before this kiss, this one was different. They weren't doing this in front of audience or cameras and this wasn't part of their storyline. It was intimate and a private moment, well as private as the parking lot of his apartment building could be. Still they weren't doing it for anyone else but themselves. She was lost in the moment feeling the warmth of his body against hers and even though her hands probably felt like a block of ice she could care less because the rest of her body felt like it was on fire. Her heart was beating frantically against her chest as he deepened the kiss and she felt him back her up against the side of the car. She wasn't sure exactly how long they had been standing there kissing but they eventually broke from their kiss. The cold wind blew against her face and she felt something wet and she opened her eyes to see little flurries of snow had begun to fall somewhere in the time they had been kissing.
The sound of a car pulling into the parking lot brought her attention from the snow back to Paul. He was still holding her close but he was staring at her maybe waiting for some kind of a reaction or explanation. She just stood there though and looked away from him trying to calm her racing heart as she realized exactly what she had done. There was no denying how she felt about him now.
"Steph" Paul said softly causing her to look back at him. She unwrapped her arms from his neck and let them slide down and rest between them on his chest.
"I'd better go" Stephanie replied trying to turn around but he didn't let go of her and she was stuck there letting her gaze fall to his chest. She felt stupid for acting on impulse like that.
"So we're not going to talk about what happened?"
"I kissed you and it's something I shouldn't have done" Stephanie replied turning her head to look in the backseat of her car to Aiden who was still sleeping. "I have to go. Aiden is probably getting cold."
"Fine. You're probably right and I don't want him getting cold" Paul said letting go of her and stepping back. Once his body was no longer up against her she instantly felt cold but she didn't give herself time to care. She stepped away from the car door and opened it. "But we're going to talk about this later."
She turned around to tell him there wasn't anything to talk about but he was already walking in the direction of his apartment building. So she just got in her car and shut the door behind her before putting on her seatbelt and started her car. Then she pulled out of the parking lot and turned on the heat in the car hoping it would warm up quickly. As the first traffic light she came to started to change from yellow to red she slowed down until she came to a stop at the light. That's when she realized how badly she had screwed up in kissing Paul like she had. Yes, she had wanted to do it and yes it had felt amazing but things weren't so simple for them. He was the man that had walked out on her years ago without a word, he was a wrestler which made him off limits and he was Aiden's father. If there was something that could actually between them again how could she know he wouldn't just think of it as a fling and run off again? That would leave her and Aiden devastated. That was one thing she didn't want her son feeling, he really had started to become attached to Paul. Even if he didn't run off she didn't see how they could have a relationship and hide it from everyone again because that's what they would have to do. Her father wouldn't approve of it which meant they would have to be in a secret relationship again. Those were the things she should have thought about before all of this though and now it was too late. She wanted to hit her head up against the steering wheel for being so stupid but that would be even more stupid. So instead she tried pushing the thoughts away and started driving again once the traffic light changed to green. All she needed to do right now was concentrate on getting her and Aiden home safely.
After she arrived home and put Aiden in his bed to nap a little longer she decided to sit down to watch some tv. It didn't really seem to help though because the only thing she kept doing was replaying their kiss in her head. Even after all the reasons she gave herself on the way home about why there couldn't be anything between them. She was nervous to even see him again now but she didn't have a choice. He had already said they would talk later about it and he would definitely be coming back to see Aiden. Maybe not today though considering Shawn was in town staying with him so it would buy her some time.
Turning her attention back to the tv she realized the show she was watching was already half way through and she had no idea what was even going on. So she flipped through the channels hoping to find something else that would grab her attention and keep her mind off of Paul. Thankfully she got lucky and found one of her favorite movies on and she had only missed maybe ten minutes of it. She tossed the remote beside of her and got up from the couch to make a bag of popcorn to go with her movie. On the way to the kitchen she was interrupted by a knock on the door though and part of her was happy to have someone to distract her but when she opened the door she instantly felt nervous.
"Can I come in?" Paul asked when she hadn't said anything or moved aside like she usually did to let him in.
"Sure" Stephanie replied and stepped away from the door to let him in. It was a surprise to her that he was here especially when she had left his apartment not too long ago. Plus, she really thought she had time to avoid talking to him about the kiss since Shawn was in town visiting. Well it was pointless to make popcorn when she would no longer be watching the movie so after Paul walked in she headed back to the living room to sit down.
She sat down on the couch and grabbed the remote next to her and lowered the volume on the television as Paul took off his jacket. Then he sat down next to her on the couch and laid his jacket on the empty cushion beside of him. She just watched him feeling more nervous by the silence.
"I've been thinking the whole way over about how to say this to you but I think the best way is just to come out and say it" Paul said turning towards her finally breaking the silence between them. "I have feelings for you again Steph."
"Paul- "
"I realized it the night of Armageddon and I didn't want to say anything because I honestly thought you would never feel that way about me again. Then you kissed me so I need to know if you feel something or if you really thought the kiss was a mistake"
"No because I have feelings for you too" Stephanie replied before licking her lips "but I don't just have me to worry about if we tried to be together and it didn't work out. I have our little boy to think about and if things didn't work out between us how am I supposed to know that you would still come around for him? How am I supposed to know it wouldn't be like last time? I can't have you just leave him behind hurt and confused. He has already become attached to you."
"If things didn't work out between us Stephanie then we could still be civil to one another enough for me to see Aiden. I'm not going to leave him behind just because I couldn't make it work with you. I love my son more than anything and he is my top priority. No matter what I will take care of him and be here for him. Yes, I was a coward in my past with you but I've changed and surely you can see that. All I'm asking is for a chance with you but if you don't think it's a good idea then I can understand and respect that."
"What about my family and the people we work with? We would have to keep our relationship a secret" Stephanie replied standing up from the couch and started to pace the room trying to calm her nerves and racing thoughts.
"We could date a while and keep it a secret while we see if things will work between us. If it does then we can tell your family"
"You could get fired and I would be in so much trouble Paul"
"That is going to happen no matter what Steph. We have to tell your family about me being Aiden's father and I don't see that going too well. Unless you have changed your mind about telling Aiden the truth at some point" Paul replied making her stop and look at him. He was right, even if they didn't date there would still be a possibility of him getting fired. She wasn't sure what would happen to her but it wouldn't be good.
"No I haven't changed my mind but I'm not sure about a relationship with us" Stephanie said crossing her arms and letting out a frustrated sigh. Then she watched as he got up from the couch and came over to her.
"Listen we don't have to rush into a relationship. Just me a chance and go on a date with me" Paul replied tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She stared into his eyes that were giving her a pleading look. This was what she had been wanting and even though she had her doubts she already knew what her answer was.
"Okay" Stephanie replied with a small nod and then she felt his lips on hers once again.
A couple of days later Paul pulled into Stephanie's driveway feeling excited. It was Christmas morning and he was excited to spend it with Aiden and Stephanie. Ever since his kiss with Stephanie he had been basically on cloud nine and they would be having their date soon. He felt like he already got everything he wanted for Christmas, the only thing that would make it better was if Aiden knew that he was his father. Right now though he was just focusing on what he was lucky enough to get.
Paul grabbed the bag of presents out of the car and shut the door. He walked up the driveway feeling the chill of the wind and onto the porch where he knocked lightly on the front door. It didn't take long before Stephanie appeared with a smile on her face and he returned it before she stepped aside to let him in.
"Merry Christmas" Paul said after walking in and shutting the door behind him.
"Merry Christmas" Stephanie replied "Aiden is in the living room. I wouldn't let him open anything until you got here so he's just sitting by the tree staring at the presents."
"Well aren't you just mean" Paul teased with a chuckle.
"This is your first Christmas with him so I thought maybe you would want to see him open all of his presents. Next time I'll just let him start ripping them open then" Stephanie shrugged with a smile on her face.
"Thank you for waiting on me" Paul replied in a serious tone. The look on Aiden's face when he was opening his presents was the thing he really didn't want to miss. "So did you get me anything for Christmas?"
"What were you wanting?" Stephanie asked in a flirty tone. This was how they had been when nobody else had been around to hear them or watch them. They had been flirting with each other every chance they got.
"Hmm… there is so many things" Paul replied tilting his head slightly pretending to think "I'll take a kiss."
Stephanie chuckled before coming closer to him and pressing her lips against his. The kiss didn't last too long though because they didn't want Aiden walking in and finding them. He could just imagine Aiden going to his grandparents and telling them how he saw his mommy kissing Paul.
"Mommy" Aiden called sounding annoyed.
"I guess we better get in there" Paul said and Stephanie nodded her head.
They walked into the living room and Paul spotted Aiden sitting at the Christmas tree in his pajamas holding a present. His blonde hair was a mess and he still looked tired even though there was an excited look on his face.
"Merry Christmas little man" Paul said going over next to him and taking a seat on the floor.
"Merry Christmas. Did you bring me presents?" Aiden asked eyeing the bag that Paul had sat in front of him.
"Yes I did" Paul chuckled reaching into the bag and pulling all but one out.
"Can I open them?" Aiden asked looking at him and then to Stephanie "Please?"
"Give me a minute to get the camera. I forgot it and then you can open them" Stephanie replied walking off down the hallway while Aiden let out a groan. Paul listened as Stephanie pulled out a drawer and heard rustling. After a minute or so Stephanie came back into the living room holding the camera.
"Okay you can start now" Stephanie said and Aiden wasted no time in ripping the wrapping paper off the present in his lap.
When Aiden had unwrapped every present that was his Paul helped Stephanie clean up the best he could. His eyes were still trying to adjust from all the flashing from the camera. Aiden had no problem with it though it seemed because he was playing with a little bit of everything he had opened. After they were done doing cleaning Paul grabbed the bag he brought in off the floor and sat down next to Stephanie on the couch. He turned to her and pulled out the small gift he had bought for her.
"This is for you" Paul said handing it to her.
"You didn't have to buy me anything"
"I know but I wanted to" Paul replied as she smiled and started to unwrap it to reveal a small black box.
"Wow Paul they're beautiful" Stephanie said after opening the box to find a pair of diamond earrings.
"So you like them?" Paul asked and she nodded her head.
"I'll wear them on our date" Stephanie whispered as Aiden came over to them.
"What is that?" Aiden asked looking at the box in Stephanie's hands.
"It's diamond earrings. It's mommy's Christmas present"
"Oh" Aiden replied uninterested and went back over to his toys. Stephanie just smiled and shook her head at Aiden before closing the lid on the earrings.
"I have to say this is probably the best Christmas I've had in a long time" Paul said watching Aiden play with his toys. He was sure life couldn't get any better than what it was right now.
Two hours later and Stephanie was sitting in a recliner at her parent's house drinking coffee and Aiden was sitting in Vince's lap on the couch with Linda next to him while they watched a Christmas movie. They were waiting for Shane and Marissa to arrive so they could start opening presents. Aiden had been impatient of course but somehow Vince had convinced him to sit down and watch a movie before they opened presents. Stephanie was in her own little world thinking about Paul and how sweet it was of him to buy her a present for Christmas.
"We're here" Stephanie heard Shane call as the front door opened and shut.
"It's about time" Vince replied as Aiden jumped down from his lap. He knew it was time to open presents so he was no longer interested in the movie.
"Sorry but I'll explain why in a just few minutes" Shane said putting down the presents on the table in front of the couch while Marissa came over and hugged everyone wishing them a merry Christmas.
"Okay Aiden time to open presents. Do you want to open mine and Grandma's presents first?" Vince asked going over to the Christmas tree and Aiden followed behind him.
"Oh come on he's not even going to like mine and Marissa's gifts after opening yours first" Shane said as Vince handed Aiden one of his presents.
"He will too. He will just like mine better" Vince chuckled and Shane rolled his eyes.
After Aiden was done opening his presents and Stephanie was done taking her pictures Linda gently grabbed her arm.
"Come with me to the kitchen" Linda said quietly before releasing her arm and headed to the kitchen away from everyone. Stephanie followed behind her curious as to what her mother was wanting. "Do you need another cup of coffee?"
"Yes please" Stephanie replied sitting her cup down on the counter and Linda refilled her cup.
"Are you seeing someone?" Linda asked putting the coffee pot back in its place and turning to look at her.
"No" Stephanie lied taking a sip of her coffee.
"You seem happier and you looked like you were in your own little world earlier. Plus, you had this smile on your face"
"I'm just in a good mood" Stephanie shrugged and sit her coffee down.
"So this has nothing to do with a guy named Paul that Aiden has mentioned a couple of times?" Linda asked arching her brow and Stephanie felt her heart rate accelerate. Of course Aiden would mention him. "If this was just some guy I wouldn't have mentioned it but you are in a storyline with Paul Levesque and I'm pretty sure it's the same one Aiden has mentioned."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because I watch you two on television Stephanie. I see the way you look at him and I want to know if something is going on because you know you're not supposed to date any of the wrestlers" Linda replied crossing her arms.
"Nothing is going on" Stephanie lied "we have become friends so he has been at my house a couple of times and Aiden has met him."
"Steph- "
"Mom" Stephanie heard Shane call and then she could hear footsteps heading their way. This was one time she was thankful for Shane's interruption. Linda didn't look too pleased about it though but she turned her attention to Shane as he appeared in the kitchen. "Come back into the living room. Marissa and I have something to give you and dad."
"We will talk later" Linda said looking at her before walking over to Shane who was looking at her now with a confused expression. Stephanie just shook her head at him and grabbed her cup of coffee before following them back into the living room.
Once Linda had sat back down on the couch where she was earlier and Stephanie sat back down in her spot Shane pulled out a card.
"This is why we were late this morning" Shane said before handing the card to Linda.
"You were late because you had to stop and get a card?" Vince asked with amusement in his voice.
"Just read the card. Both of you together please" Shane replied as Marissa came to stand next to him in front of Vince and Linda.
Stephanie watched as Linda brought her fingers up to her mouth and looked up at Shane and Marissa with watery eyes.
"You're pregnant?" Linda asked and Marissa nodded her head. Linda smiled and got up from the couch and pulled Marissa into a hug.
"Yeah Marissa had bad morning sickness and that is why we were late"
"Congratulations you two. You are going to be wonderful parents" Vince said getting up and pulling Shane into a hug and gave him a pat on the back. Then once Linda was done hugging Marissa she pulled Shane into a hug as Vince gave Marissa a hug. "Another grandchild. This is the best news."
"What's going on?" Aiden asked coming over to Stephanie and watching everyone hug.
"Uncle Shane and Aunt Marissa are going to have a baby" Stephanie explained as Shane bent down to Aiden's level after he probably heard Aiden's question.
"I'm going to be a daddy and you are going to be a cousin. Are you excited?" Shane asked tickling him a little on his stomach and Aiden laughed.
"Yeah" Aiden nodded his head and then turned to Stephanie and climbed up in her lap. "Mommy?"
"What sweetheart?" Stephanie asked looking down at him.
"Do I have a daddy?" Aiden asked and everyone went silent.