Stephanie was still standing at her hotel bathroom mirror, reflecting on everything that happened over the last fourteen years.
"Hey." Randy said appearing in the bathroom doorway in just his boxers.
"Hey." She said breaking from her thoughts.
"You ok?"
"Yeah."
"Come back to bed."
"I'll be there in a minute."
"Ok." He went back to bed.
Two minutes later she came back to bed.
"Brr, it's cold." She said covering up and snuggling up to Randy. They kissed. "Thanks for coming over to cheer me up."
"I knew you were upset when I talked to you earlier."
"You know how Paul and I get." "He's just such an ass."
"Where is he tonight?"
"Well he said an autograph signing but I think he went to see his girlfriend."
Stephanie you've been my girlfriend for five years." "How much longer are you going to put up with Paul and his bullshit?"
"I told you I'm waiting until Vaughn turns eighteen."
"That's in eight years."
"I know but all the kids will be grown by then."
"I know you want to keep it together for the girls, but you shouldn't torture yourself for the next eight years."
"Well what about us?"
"Randy you know I love you but I'll do anything for my girls."
Two weeks later Stephanie was at home with the girls in Connecticut. Thirteen year old Aurora, twelve year old Murphy and ten year old Vaughn, were spending time together before Murphy went to spend the weekend at a hotel with Randy. There was a knock at the door. Stephanie answered it. It was Randy.
"Murphy your dad's here." Stephanie said as she turned and called up the stairs. She turned back to Randy.
"Hi. Randy said.
"Hi."
"Is Paul here?"
"No."
He gave her a quick kiss. "Sorry but I haven't seen you in two weeks." Murphy came down the stairs with her backpack. "Hi sweetie."
"Hi dad." Murphy said.
"Have fun with your dad." Stephanie said. "Be good." "I love you."
"I love you too mom." They left.
Two nights later Randy had just gotten back his hotel room in Arizona. He could smell candles burning from the bedroom.
"Baby?" He said.
"Yes." Stephanie said from the bedroom. He went into the bedroom. It was lit by candlelight. Stephanie was standing there in a red silk nightgown. "So do want me to take this off?" She said going up to him. "Or do you want want to take it off?" They kissed. He took it off.
Afterwards she was laying on his chest.
"Stephanie, I love you so much." He said.
"I love you too Randy."
"You should leave Paul."
"How many times do we have to have this discussion?"
"Let me finish." "You should leave Paul, and marry me."
She looked at him shocked. "What?"