(Remember when I said how, in this story, Stephanie only has two daughters as opposed to three? Yeah, this chapter shows that so just a reminder! In this world, she has Murphy and Aurora, but Vaughn is just.. not there? Sorry Vaughn? Anyways, please enjoy the chapter!)
Quite pleased with herself, Stephanie walks into her house, wearing a huge grin. Her lunch date with Brie couldn't have gone any better; the air was cleared and they have a genuine shot at being good friends. After all of their history, Steph was unsure if they'd ever be anything besides enemies. Although, with the way they connected.. maybe being friends is actually quite likely?
After all, they bonded on some fairly deep topics - they could easily relate to each other when it came to their families, and they obviously shared a love for WWE. Above everything else though, the pair had come to realise just how stupid all their fighting was. When it came down to it, they'd kept a pointless feud going for eight years for literally no reason.
Overall, Stephanie was glad to have a budding friendship. With her job taking up all of her days, she didn't really have the time for friends; her children were now teenagers, and were more interested in their social circle than their family; as for her husband.. well, Steph was lucky if they ever spent time together outside of an authority storyline.
Stepping through the front door, Stephanie can simply tell that Paul isn't there - it's too quiet, as always. She honestly can't remember the last time when she came home and Paul was there. Granted, he has work too, so she would be understanding - but she knows that he has a night off tonight, so why isn't he with her?
"Murphy..? Aurora?" Stephanie calls to her daughters, taking off her jacket.
No answer.
In a way, Stephanie has become accustomed to getting no answer. Her daughters are 14 and 13, with Aurora being the eldest of the two. Despite only being young, they're definitely the type to believe that they're fully capable adults. To a degree, Stephanie blames that on herself; she's always travelling for work, so they do have to be more independent than most kids their age. But that's just it, they are still kids, regardless on maturity.
"Hello?" She calls out again.
While she doesn't get a real answer, Stephanie does hear some music playing from upstairs becoming louder - judging by the choice of Ariana Grande - it's probably Murphy attempting to drown out her mother's calling.
Wanting to see her daughters after being out, Stephanie walks up the stairs and heads to Murphy's bedroom. As predicted, she's lying on her bed, head stuck in her phone. Apart from the music playing much louder than normal, this is a sight which is by no means unusual - Murphy seems more concerned with Instagram pictures than.. well, most other things. Although, to her credit, she's a very smart girl.
"Don't you knock?" Murphy says, obviously annoyed.
"Excuse me, I own the house.." Steph chuckles. "Where's your dad?"
"How should I know? He's never here."
"Okay Murphy, less of the attitude please." She says authoritatively. "What about your sister?"
"Out."
"Out? Out where?"
"I don't know! A friend's house probably, can you just leave me alone?" Murphy arrupts.
Stephanie takes a deep breath. Normally, she'd tell her daughter to have some more respect, or to control her temper; however, it's a battle she's fought several times in the past, and has thus far lost. To be honest though, she would like a little more conversation, considering she's the only other person in the house with her. Now, she has to just sit and wait for Paul or Aurora to come home, and hope that one of them would be up for a chat.
Deciding to let it settle this time, the authority figure turns around and heads back downstairs. Pulling out her phone, she texts Aurora to find out where she actually is. Murphy was probably right - she'd be at a friend's house - but it's a mother's job to double check. With that being said, Stephanie isn't entirely sure she does much mothering nowadays. It's the same old routine everyday; work several hours, come home, be ignored, cook dinner, go to bed and repeat. While it sounds so simple, it's extremely exhausting at times.
Wanting to keep herself busy to pass the alone time, she heads to the oven and begins to cook some food - some form of pasta dish can never go wrong in her house. As she's cooking, her phone goes off with a text notification from Aurora.
"Won't be home for dinner. Sleeping over at Zoe's house."
Stephanie has to admit, the abruptness stings slightly. Of course, she's happy that her daughters are so popular, and that they have so many friends who they love spending time with. Although, part of her is mildly jealous - she wants them to enjoy spending time with her just as much. Apparently, this is just typical of teenagers, but Stephanie really misses the days when she could chat for hours with her girls. Now, there isn't really anyone in her life who she has that type of relationship with.
As Stephanie divides the finished meal into three portions, she hears footsteps coming down the stairs - Murphy. Thankfully, Stephanie's managed to uphold a 'no phones at the table' rule, so even though Paul isn't home yet, she might actually get a few words out of Murphy.
"Perfect timing! Come on, I made some pasta.." Stephanie invites. "Why are you wearing your coat..?" Her face drops.
"Oh.. yeah, I forgot to mention, Rachel invited me out, I'm getting dinner with her.." Murphy says. "I'm gonna stay the night too."
"Well.. no, Murphy, you should've asked me first. I've cooked now, you'll have to tell her no."
"What? No! You're really gonna keep me cooped up in here with nobody to talk to?" She shouts.
"Don't speak to me that way.. besides, I'm here."
"Exactly.. nobody." Murphy fires.
Feeling incredibly hurt, Stephanie does a double take as she sits down. Murphy has always back-chated, but this comment cut really deep. Holding back tears, she gestures her hand towards the door, giving her daughter permission to go out with her friend. Once she's alone, Steph allows herself to weep ever so slightly.
Even though she's a wealthy woman, with the most amazing job and so much success.. Murphy seems to have found the one thing which Stephanie's always felt - like a nobody. And hearing it from her own daughter's mouth..? That's something she won't get over too soon.
In attempts to carry on as normal, Steph places her meal on the dining table and sits down, alone. She eats very slowly; obviously, she knows that her body needs food, but nothing seems appetising really. On top of that, she has no one to chat with in order to pass the time. Part of her wishes Brie was there - this afternoon was the first time in ages that Stephanie spoke to someone properly. Steph wasn't even the most chatty person out there, she simply has so much whizzing around her mind that no one is willing to listen to.
After eventually finishing her plate, the lone woman places the other two portions in the fridge, and begins to wash her own plate. Looking out of the kitchen window, she notices how dark it's become. Then, she checks the clock - more time had passed than she thought - it's somehow ten o clock already. Being fairly well off when it comes to money, the family have quite a big house; it feels too big sometimes.. or at least, too big to be alone in for this amount of time.
Snapping her back to reality, she hears the door open - Paul's home. Stephanie walks over to greet him; since both of their daughters were spending the night with friend's, maybe they could actually have some alone time themselves?
As he walks in, Paul doesn't even look up at his wife; instead, he walks straight past her and heads for the fridge. Stephanie took notice of how he looked, specifically his white shirt which has several buttons in the wrong holes. Paul opens the fridge door and retrieves his dinner, he's come to realise that Stephanie will always cook for him, wether he's there or not.
Ignoring his shirt and lack of acknowledgement towards her, Stephanie does her best to look sexy as she sits on his lap - she wants a little attention.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
"Aurora and Murphy are both out tonight.. we have the house to ourselves.." Steph whispers, a seductive smirk across her face.
"Alright Steph, I'm about to eat, not now.." he says, almost pushing her off his lap.
The feeling of hurt returning, Steph watches on as Paul takes more care in eating his meal than he does in handling her. Their marriage has lasted years, and everyone always asks what the secret is.. they've never been able to answer really, perhaps it's because there isn't one? Maybe they're just plodding along, rather than actually having a successful love story?
"I.. I'm sleepy. I think I'll go to bed.. good night, honey.." she says, leaning in to kiss him.
As she pecks his cheek, Stephanie notices a sweet smell along his shirt collar. Normally, she would assume it's his cologne or something along those lines.. but this smell is particularly.. feminine?
Not wanting to think too deeply into it, for the fear of driving herself insane, Stephanie heads upstairs - once again - alone.