Despite 'Friends' being one of her favourite TV shows, Stephanie can't seem to even remotely concentrate on the sitcom; her mind is somewhere else entirely, and she's completely lost in her own thoughts.
For some reason, her phone call with Brie a couple of days prior has really shaken the older woman. The way Brie sounded, crying so desperately down the phone, it felt.. traumatic? Maybe that's on the extreme side, but Steph's heart genuinely ached when she heard Brianna weeping. Steph still doesn't know what exactly happened to make her so upset, but Brie was clearly in a lot of pain and it hurt Stephanie in return.
For longer than Steph can remember, her and Brie were supposedly bitter rivals - but that couldn't be further from the truth. Once they actually got to know one another, a friendship blossomed instantly. And now.. well, they aren't just great friends; they're almost each other's life raft; they can turn to one another in moments of crisis, and they never let each other down. As much as it hurt Stephanie to hear Brie cry, it was sweet to know she trusted her so much. Besides, part of her felt quite proud to be somewhat of a protecter to Brianna.
Sometimes, Stephanie wonders if she's grown too attached to the younger woman - but she shakes those thoughts away pretty quickly, she couldn't bare to distance herself from Brie, not when they aren't even meeting in person. Thinking of that, being without her is tearing Steph apart; she'd do almost anything for Brie to simply turn up at Raw one day and give her a hug.. it's long overdue. Even if it would make Paul angry, it would be worth it, just to hug her again..
With Paul now on the mind, Stephanie is once again reminded that he isn't here, and she's alone. At the very least, she actually knows where he is this time - there's a work meeting going on that Stephanie would've gone to herself, had she not have been needed in a zoom meeting at a clashing time. Steph wishes that she wasn't always questioning Paul's whereabouts, but he always leaves without a word and comes home in a state; it's hard not to fill in the blanks with painful scenarios, even if they're not 100% true.
Suddenly, a Metallica song begins to play; considering Stephanie's love for Motown music, it's definitely not her ringtone. Paul on the other hand.. Metallica has been his favourite band ever since they got married. She listens out for where the song was coming from - eventually, she spots a phone vibrating on the opposing arm chair. Clearly, it was supposed to be hidden by one of the cushions, but a half arsed job was made of that.
Curiously, Steph walks over to the phone and picks it up - it definitely isn't the phone Paul uses on a daily basis, and it's not his work phone either.. why does he have another one..?
In the time it took to spot this phone, the ringing had stopped, but as Steph's about to call her husband with several questions, a text notification appears. Deep down, Stephanie knows that she won't like what she reads.. but another part of her needs to know regardless.
Reluctantly, she opens the notification and reads carefully.
'Hey Paul! Tried ringing but you didn't answer. Can you call me back when you get the chance? Thank you xx' - Laura.
Laura? Who in hell is Laura? Stephanie racks her brains, desperately trying to imagine who Laura could possibly be. She's met most of WWE's employees, and not one of them is named Laura; plus, Paul's never mentioned that name in conversation before, so it's not one of his friends.. the only option that's left is.. well, one that Stephanie really doesn't want to believe.
Her eyes becoming watery, Stephanie decides to go to the one person who can comfort her in situations like this - Brie Bella. Part of her feels guilty: ringing Brie when she's most likely still upset herself. But Stephanie needs to hear Brianna's voice; hear her kind and calming words; hear what Brie says and pretend like she's there in front of her.
As Stephanie curls up onto the couch, she takes out her phone and calls her friend. There's a ringing noise for about a minute; Steph's chest begins to tighten at the idea of her not answering. Thankfully, her fears are shut down pretty quickly, and she can listen to the voice she craves reassurance from.
"Brie..?" Stephanie whispers.
"Hey Steph.. wait, you sound like you're crying..?" Brie immediately notices.
Stephanie ironically chuckles to herself - it's almost silly how quickly they catch onto one another. It'll forever be a mystery why they didn't confide in each other years ago. Although, they've never really needed a bond this strong until now; with their lives seemingly falling apart, it's hard to imagine getting through it without each other.
"I..I-I don't know what to say.. I just needed someone.." Steph admits, whimpering slightly. "I'm sorry, I know I must sound stupid.."
"Hey, you were there for me when I needed you.. And it's not stupid to be upset, what's wrong?" Brie asks, concerned.
Stephanie ponders what to say - she doesn't want to out right say 'I think Paul is seeing another woman', because that will make everything feel too real. Besides, she's spent too long suppressing that idea to freely talk about it now. For the time being, she wants to keep the why to herself.. so maybe it's best to just explain how it makes her feel? After all, Brie's the sweetest woman in the world, she'll find a way to make Stephanie smile somehow.
"I feel.. I feel almost hollow? Like I'm nothing.. if I disappeared, no one would notice, or care enough to be sad about it.." she explains gloomily.
"Steph, you know that I'd be devastated if you ever disappeared.." Brie replies genuinely. "Hey.. I have an idea. Are you in your living room?" She smiles.
"Yes..?"
A plan was formulating in Brie's head - perhaps she can't make Stephanie's situation any better, but she's definitely able to make her feel cared about. Besides, it's not exactly difficult when Brianna genuinely does care, more than she could even express; after all, Brie would feel lost without the older woman.. the other day, when Brianna was a complete wreck, Lord knows what would've happened if she couldn't have spoken to Steph.
"Do you have a blanket near you..?" Brie asks.
"I do.. what're you making me do..?" Stephanie chuckles.
"Just go with me a moment.. get the blanket, and wrap yourself up in it. Lie down, then use a cushion as your pillow.."
As instructed, Stephanie retrieves the tartan blanket from one of the arm chairs and sits back down on the couch. She places a cushion on one end, then stretches her body out to lie down, putting her phone on loud speaker and resting it next to the pillow. As odd as this was, she trusted Brie's tactics of cheering up; plus, she did feel rather snug.
"I'm all wrapped up.."
"Right.. now, imagine Paul laying-"
"No!" Stephanie interrupts. "Please Brie.. I.. I really don't want to think about Paul right now.." she says, her eyes becoming teary once again.
"Oh.. okay.." Brie smiles, sensing an opportunity. "How about me..? Imagine that I'm laying there with you.. that I'm laying close to you, hugging you tightly.. protecting you from whatever's upset you.." she explains quietly.
Steph's heart begins beating so loudly, she's surprised that Brie can't hear it through the line. It's as if Brie could read her mind, as if she knows that's exactly what Stephanie's been wanting for the longest time. Getting to hug Brie again is something she's been craving for weeks, and now she has the opportunity to loose herself in the idea.
"Imagine me telling you that.. that you're the most amazing woman I know.. that I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens.. " Brie says. "Think about me reaching around you and grabbing your hand.."
For a moment, Stephanie's breath hitches; even though they're only on the phone, this feels so.. intimate.
"There.. do you feel cared about now..?" Brie asks warmly, a glow in her cheeks.
"I do.." Stephanie smiles back, still mildly breathless. "I miss you.." she admits. "I wish you could actually be here, laying next to me.."
Brianna takes a depth. "Then why don't I come see you? Screw what Bryan says, or what Paul says.. how about I come to Raw next week and give you enough hugs to make up for lost time?" She suggests.
Stephanie's face lights up. At this point, she doesn't care if Paul doesn't want them to see each other - her and Brie were supposed to be this close, and she won't ignore that to please a husband who's always vanishing and receives texts from mystery women. As much as it hurt her to admit, Brie makes her happier than Paul does nowadays.. which is exactly why they need a reunion.
"I'd love that! I really, really miss you.. " Stephanie beams, desperately clinging onto the feeling Brie's scenario gave her.
"I miss you too, Steph.. but I promise we'll make it up.. " Brianna replies, resting her hand on her fast beating heart.