Slowly walking into her home, Brie dumps all of her shopping bags on the floor; she'd just done a day out for groceries, and she was by herself since Bryan had to stay and watch Birdie. Although, they needed a lot of groceries, so Brie was left to carry quite a lot, and she's very exhausted. Besides, she's still been feeling quite peaky these past few days.
Running out from her bedroom, Birdie throws her arm's around Brianna's legs, clutching onto her. Bryan follows his daughter, giving a half smile towards his wife. After hugging Birdie back, Brie begins to put the shopping away, looking at Bryan with encouraging eyes - hoping that he would offer to help her. After all, she just wanted to go to bed and have a nap to be fully honest.
"I'll help you mommy!" Birdie exclaims, picking up a single banana and placing it into their fruit bowl.
"Thank you, sweet girl.." Brie smiles before going slightly dizzy, resting her hand on the kitchen counter to steady herself.
"Are you okay mommy?"
"Yeah.. yeah, Birdie, Mommy just went dizzy.. hey, will you please ask daddy to come and help me put this away?"
With a huge smile, Birdie walks over to her dad and grabs his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen.
Brie could tell by his face that Bryan wasn't happy about being roped into helping, but all she wanted was to go and rest. For whatever reason, she just wasn't herself - having frequent dizzy spells, generally feeling quite nauseous.. whatever it was, she hoped it would go away soon, it's not like her to get sick.
Despite his reluctance, Bryan thankfully begins to put their groceries away with minimal help from little Birdie. Brie strides into their bedroom and crashes onto her side of the bed; Her eyes close and she loses herself into the world of imagination. She can't decide if this recent sickness was brought on by herself - after all, she's been worrying non stop about retiring, her marriage, potentially having a second baby - maybe the stress is taking a toll on her body?
Regardless on how it happened, this stupid wave of nausea means that Brie's completely shattered. A good rest will do her the world of good.
Surprising the young woman, Brie's phone starts ringing. Fuck. Clearly, the universe isn't on her side when it comes to getting some sleep. Although, she must admit, her face lights up when she sees the caller ID.
"Stephanie!" Brie says, a glow arising to her cheeks.
"Hi Brie.. I um.. I just hoped for some advice, mother to mother..?" Stephanie replies, obviously seeming teary.
Before they recently connected, Brianna never had Steph pinned down as the emotional type; she was so professional at work that you almost forget she had a life outside of it. But now they're friends, Brie knows just how emotional she can be - all in a positive way, of course. The ability to wear her heart on her sleeve is one Brie admired, considering she sometimes struggles to communicate her own emotions at times.
"Hey.. hey, what's wrong, are you okay?" Brianna asks, genuinely concerned.
"I don't know.. it's just Murphy and Aurora.. I love them with all my heart, but they don't love me back and I just don't know what to do.." Stephanie answers, beginning to well up.
The younger woman's heart breaks; her and Stephanie have spoken before about Murphy and Aurora. From what Brie can gather, they're just teenagers going through a rebellious phase, but she can also see why Steph would feel so hurt by everything. Besides being emotional, Brie had also come to know Stephanie as quite sensitive - obviously, that's not a bad thing - but it makes Brie feel quite protective. Of course, she doesn't want to see Stephanie upset, so she intends to do all she can to make her smile again.
"Steph.. your girls are teenagers, teens say cruel things sometimes... me and my mom were always fighting, but I always loved her."
"This is different, Brie.. we aren't fighting, it's not disagreements.. they just look at me, and treat me like I'm worthless.. God knows I feel it.." Stephanie cries.
Her chest was beginning to tighten; Steph had been feeling this way for a while, but no one seemed to understand. It's the same answer every time - teens will be teens. No one takes the time to truly acknowledge how it's affecting her mental state; with every comment, every dismissive look, it feels like a chip of her confident persona breaks away.
Although Brie's response was similar to most people's, Stephanie needs her to understand. At this point, she's pretty much having breakdowns over it.. she's afraid of how bad things may get if she doesn't soon find a shoulder to cry on. And in all honesty, if she could pick anyone to be her shoulder right now, she'd choose Brie; besides being a mother too, she's also one of the kindest people Steph's ever met.. and kindness is something she's desperately been missing.
"Does Paul know you feel this way..?" Brie asks, becoming alert to the importance of the situation.
"No.. no, I'd rather he didn't.. he probably thinks I'm a bad enough mother as it is.." she replies gloomily.
Instantly, Brie thinks of her own marriage. Granted, she doesn't believe Bryan sees her as a bad mother.. but sometimes, she doesn't feel like a good enough wife. After all, she's reluctant to have a baby with him, despite being married for all these years - she's supposed to love him more than this. Hearing a similar issue coming from another person's mouth makes Brianna realise quite how unhealthy it is..
"I can promise you Stephanie that you're a great mom.. and you definitely aren't worthless either.." Brie says warmly.
Stephanie sighs. All she's wanted over the past few months was for someone she cared about to tell her that. Obviously, she still needs to work on believing it - but having someone actually say it was more than welcomed.
"Stephanie.. do you need help? Like, professional help? Because, if you do, there's no shame in-"
"No.. no, I don't need help." She quickly dismisses. "I don't know what's so wrong with me.. I feel like I'm being pulled in about five different directions, and none of them are where I want to be.."
"Like everyone's expecting you to be a different version of someone you aren't?"
That's it. That's exactly it.
Stephanie takes a deep breath, almost in relief - finally, someone understands what she's been trying to communicate over the past few months. For Paul, she's expected to be this glamorous and sexy wife; for her children, she's expected to be a strong, perfect mother who doubles as a verbal punching bag; for her job, she's demanded to be a bitchy, authoritative heel who boarders on emotionless. But who Stephanie McMahon really is? She hasn't quite worked it out yet. But whoever she is, she doesn't feel up to any of those 'perfect' expectations.
Of course, this is something Brie relates to. When she looks at Bryan, all she can think of is her reservations of being a mother again. So again, they're just finding more layers to each other which they can bond over - even if the topic is admittedly gloomy.
"It's ironic.." Stephanie half chuckles. "All these years hating each other, and you're the only person who gets me.."
"I could say the same.." Brianna agrees. "But I do think you should try talking to Paul.. of course, I'm always going to be there for you, but it'd be good if you had more direct support with your girls.."
"I know you're right.. I'm just not sure he'd understand it."
"Well, Bryan thinks I'm taking a nap, so he won't be bothering me any time soon.. Come on. Offload onto me" Brie says smiling.
Smiling herself, Stephanie's blue eyes begin sparkling. She wipes away the tears on her cheeks and sits comfortably on her bed, happy that she she's actually being listened to. And yes, Brie's tone was light, but Steph genuinely felt like she could offload onto her. Normally, she just doesn't want to bother anybody with her own problems.. but Brianna seems to sincerely care, and that's new for Stephanie. However, it's also very appreciated.
"Well.. there are times when I feel.." Stephanie begins, with Brie on the other end of the phone, listening intently and sweetly.