Chapter 40

Just as they walked out of the park to head toward a nearby restaurant for some lunch, Tahlia stopped at the sight of a little girl getting ready to cross the busy street. She couldn't have been more than 6 or 7-years-old. The cabs in New York were dangerous and didn't stop for pedestrians like they were supposed to.

"Oh my god, no!" Rushing to the child, leaving Taker's side, Tahlia barely had time to yank the little girl off the street back on the sidewalk and landed with the girl on top of her.

Frowning, he lifted them both up, not surprised when the girl looked terrified at the sight of him. Sighing, he crouched down to her eyelevel after Tahlia indicated she was okay. "Where is your mother, child?" He asked, his tone fairly gentle.

"I d-don't know…" She whimpered, eyes darting between him and the lady who had saved her. "I c-can't s-see her." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"May I lift you?" He asked, extending his arms, not surprised at all when she eyed his heavily tattooed arms anxiously. "If you let me, you may be able to see your mother."

"Will you stand me on your shoulders?"

"If you wish it."

She nodded after considering it, allowing him to do so. "It's so high! MOMMY!" She pointed eagerly.

Good thing he was holding her because she was now jumping on his shoulders. "Tahlia, see if you can find who she's – ow, pointing at."

Nodding, Tahlia took off down the sidewalk and could see a frantic mother on the other side, desperately searching for someone. She looked to be the spitting image of the little girl – it had to be her mother. Had the little girl run off on her? Tahlia waited until it was safe to cross the street and sprinted toward the mother.

"Excuse me, are you missing a little girl?" She asked, breathing heavy. Time to do cardio when they were back on the road for sure.

"Y-Yes! Do you know where she is? My little Sariah took off! This is her." The lady sniffled, showing the picture to the strange woman.

"Come with me. We found her – me and my boyfriend. She's with him right now. I stopped her from crossing the street because she was nearly struck down by a cab."

"Oh my god…" The lady covered her mouth with her hand, truly terrified and followed the dark-haired woman across the street toward a…giant.

Tahlia sincerely hoped the woman didn't take off running for the police at the sight of who currently had her daughter occupied.

The little girl's name was Sariah and she was currently sitting on one of his broad shoulders, braiding his hair while she discussed her life in New York. This child had gotten over her fear of him rather quickly. Taker imagined it had a lot to do with the fact that she had gotten to use him as a trampoline and be as 'tall as a tree'. He couldn't even begin to fathom a child's mind. Those were dark and odd places, even by his standards. When he seen Tahlia bringing over a woman, who was obviously Sariah's mother, he began disengaging the child's fingers from his hair.

"Mommy!"

"Sariah!" The mother scooped her running child up in her arms and squeezed tightly, fresh tears streaming down her face. "Y-You scared Mommy half to death!"

"Sorry Momma…" Sariah whimpered, burying her face in her mother's neck.

Setting her down, the mother turned to face the black-haired woman and man, extending her hand to the woman first. "My name is Cathy. I don't know how to repay both of you for helping my daughter." She didn't let go of Sariah's hand for a second. "I was shopping for vegetables and she took off on me…I don't know what I would've done if you two hadn't found her."

Tahlia waved her off dismissively, giving the woman a much-needed hug. "It's okay." She pulled back with a smile. "I'm just glad we found her before anything catastrophic happened. May I speak to your daughter for a moment?"

"Of course."

Squatting to be eyelevel with Sariah, Tahlia took the little girl's hand in her own. "I want you to listen to your Mommy and don't run off on her again, okay? You could've really gotten hurt today, sweetheart. Promise me?"

Sariah nodded gently, hugging the woman around the neck. "Thank you for saving me…and letting me play with his hair. Mommy, come let's go home now."

"Alright sweetie, thank you both again."

Tahlia watched them walk off and felt Taker's hands grip her shoulders, leaning back against him. "Maybe it would be best if we just went home and cooked something." This had been quite an adventurous day.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute…" Taker turned to stare down at her, forcing her to take a step back. "Being stalked by photographers doesn't wear you out, you fight large men frequently, you love being out at night, and you put up with me, but a little girl who was lost took it out of you?" He was having a hard time computing that. "You don't have children, somewhere, do you?"

"None you need to concern yourself with, Taker." Tahlia wouldn't say any more than that, shaking her head when he opened his mouth to question her. "Don't. I'm not talking about it."

It was a dark part of her past she didn't discuss with anyone, not even him. He was right; she did enjoy danger and darkness…because that's the type of person she was inside and out. However, seeing that little girl today almost struck by a cab made her nauseous for reasons Taker would never understand. She just wanted to go home, eat something and relax after a unique walk around her new area.

Tahlia's response told Taker that there was something in her past, something related to children, or a child, and it was painful, bitter. He was curious as hell, but knew better than to pry. Immediately. She had a child and it died. Was pregnant and aborted or miscarried. Had a child and gave it up, or lost custody due to neglect. Or perhaps a sibling had died, or she had seen one die. Curious.

"Why don't we go out to eat?" He suggested, changing the topic, also figuring them being alone right now might lead him to nosing about areas she didn't want him to.

Thank god he's not prying, she thought, taking his hand as he extended it. "We're close to the place I was telling you about in the park." She murmured softly, trying to boost her mood up again. One day, she would tell Taker about what happened, but not right now. Not when she'd just told him she loved him and they were in an actual relationship, of sorts, that was more than business. "They've got the best roast beef sandwiches here. Gyros too with cucumber sauce." Once inside and seated, Tahlia ordered a glass of wine while Taker opted for a beer since they didn't drive and walking home wasn't that far. "You were amazing with that little girl earlier. She liked you."

"It's odd that she liked me." He commented, perusing the menu. Gyros were all well and fine, but the roast beef sandwiches looked pretty delicious. Maybe he'd try it all, what he didn't eat could go with them. "Most kids don't. Bout the only kid that does like me is my son."

Taker didn't look up at her, knowing he had probably just pissed her off, scared her or hurt her feelings. Truth was, nobody in the company knew about his son, not even Paul, and there was a damn good reason for that. People could not be trusted, ever, but he trusted her. He just hoped he hadn't ruined their relationship.

Tahlia had to learn not to eat or drink when having a discussion with this man. She took a drink of her wine and ended up aspirating, coughing repeatedly in her napkin. First the popcorn and now wine…what would be next? TAKER HAD A SON?! A child?! Tahlia didn't know what to say or how to react, though her face said the entire story. She wasn't hurt or betrayed, just…shocked. Perplexed, flabbergasted…all of those words and more.

"I had no idea." Taker trusted her with this information Paul didn't even know about. Reaching across the table, Tahlia forced him to drop the menu on the table to lock eyes with her and gave an understanding smile. "Your secret is safe with me. May I ask his name? And how old is he?"

He considered her, wondering if he should say more, raising the menu back up and gesturing the waitress over. "He's 8." 'Taker answered, then gave his order, which was almost everything. He ignored the shocked look the woman was giving him before glancing at Tahlia. "And his name is Gunner."

That was more than anyone knew. He kept his son secret and out of his professional business. His son knew what he did and that was about it. He was in contact quite frequently with the boy and the live-in nanny he had hired years ago.

"Does it surprise you?"

Tahlia had also ordered what she wanted, which was a gyro with cucumber sauce and a roast beef sandwich with a side of steak fries. She built up an appetite working with all men and the walking/saving a little girl also increased it. "Yes." She tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing on her face. "Gunner…that's a nice name." There were so many other questions she wanted to ask him, but also didn't want to pry into his personal life either. Since he shared with her something extremely personal and secretive about his life, Tahlia felt she owed him the same courtesy. "I do have a child out there…somewhere. But I don't know who she is and I've never met her." It was her turn to look at anything on the table except him.

"Do not feel obligated to tell me." He said softly, knowing she might. Taker had confided in her, so she might feel the need to return the favor and she did not. "I would show you a picture, but I don't carry one." For obvious reasons. He reached over to lift her head up, meeting her stare. "Tahlia, if you wish to discuss your daughter, or what happened, I will listen, but do not feel as if you owe me or need to tell me. I won't pry." She had told him plenty.

"If we're in a relationship – boyfriend and girlfriend type of relationship – then we need to tell each other everything. I won't go into detail about it, but I gave her away to give her a chance at a better life than what I could offer at the time. And hopefully she's healthy and happy." Tahlia explained, understanding why Taker didn't carry a picture of his son. Who would? Vince McMahon was a devious bastard and wouldn't hesitate to use his son as collateral to destroy the Ministry. "Thank you for telling me about your son. You didn't have to, but I'm glad you did." She thanked the waitress that brought over the appetizers and grabbed some the BBQ chicken wings. "These are the best, you won't be disappointed."

He tried one, taking his time with it as he considered her words. A relationship huh? He didn't recall saying that, but whatever, it suited him just fine. It wasn't like they didn't carry on as if they were a couple anyway, having a title just made it official.

"Fair enough with your daughter." He nodded in complete understanding. "Do you regret it at all, or are you content with your decision?" Taker could only imagine where she would be today with a child. Not in his Ministry, that's for damn sure and frowned slightly. "Also, just for the record, I will not tell you everything. Not unless the time has come for you to know or it's pertinent."

He wasn't laying out all his cards on the table and didn't care what she thought about how relationships were supposed to go. One thing at a time, one secret at a time. They had already done something pretty major today.

Some things… I just… won't talk about."

"Fair enough." Tahlia took a bite of food as silence developed between them, this time it was her contemplating his question. "I wouldn't have been a good Mom. So no, I don't regret it. I was young, stupid and a coward for giving her away, but…I know deep down it was for the best. I never would've become a wrestler or met you. So it all worked out for me in the end." There were things Tahlia wouldn't talk about either; she also had skeletons in her closet she refused to discuss or bring up. "And if you don't want to be in a relationship – like a label – and you just wanna keep going like we have, I'm fine with that too." As long as he screwed her and ONLY her or else any woman he tried having sex with would be murdered in their sleep.

"You're mine, with or without the label, and I do not share."

What had happened between her and Shane… he had forgiven. They hadn't been together then; their relationship had only started changing after the fact. Apparently, her time with the Corporation and Shane had triggered something in them both.

"You have the rest of the week yet… and there are a few days before we need to return." He took a drink of his beer, eyeballing what was left on his plate, trying to decide what next. It all looked good and so far had tasted delicious. "I do want to go see Gunner. I haven't seen him in…" He thought about it. Since she had returned from the Corporation. He had called, a lot, but that was about it. Taker would be taking time off soon… just as soon as he could.

Tahlia shivered at his declaration of her being his and nodded at his confession about Gunner. "Then go see him, Taker. You don't have to stay with me the entire time. I'll be fine in New York by myself for a few days." If he hadn't seen Gunner in months, it was time for him to take the trip and nobody would know since Paul thought he would be in New York with her. "I mean it; as much as I love having you all to myself for a week, you should make time for him as well. It's up to you though and I support whatever decision you make." She truly meant that, finishing off her gyro and leaned back against the chair. "We're never going to be able to finish all of this food." It was time to wrap it up and take it back to the condo.

He nodded, waving their server back over and requested to-go boxes and a bag to put it all in. He would go see Gunner and speak with his son about Tahlia. Then, if Gunner was amendable, he'd broach Tahlia about meeting the boy. Considering all the precautions he had taken to keep Gunner safe, he rarely made a decision that influenced his son's life without input from said son, providing it was something Gunner could have an opinion on. Some things were off-limits, like not meeting people from work as a general rule. That was a no-go usually. His son was growing up normal. Safe. Untainted by his bullshit.

"All right, come on, Tahlia. You look… tired." She did, but not physically tired, more like mentally, emotionally.

Not a day went by where Tahlia didn't think about the daughter she gave away, at some point. Though being with the Ministry lately and working as much as she did being the Women's champion, Tahlia didn't feel as guilty as she did until she was off the road. It was just one of those decisions she had to live with because there was no going back. What was done – was done. The walk back to the condo was made in silence, both in their own thoughts.

"What a day. I forgot how tiring walking around this city could be." Tahlia went straight to the bedroom, kicked her shoes off and fell face first on the bed, turning her head to the side so she didn't suffocate herself. "Home sweet home…"

"Considering the day we've had… The photographers in the park, the little girl…" Their conversation about their children, such as they were, such as it was. "Come on, Tahlia. Up."

He lifted her up gently, forcing her to stand while he turned down the bedding and sat before her, guiding her to stand between his open legs. Taker began removing her clothing, not even trying to get fresh with her. She needed sleep, in his arms, but sleep.

"Go brush your teeth." Taker pointed towards the bathroom, knowing she'd hate her life if she didn't come morning. He would too, and followed her into the bathroom.

Following orders, Tahlia did as she was told, unable to stop yawning and finished up 5 minutes later, leaving Taker to do his business. She plucked a black nightshirt with Mickey Mouse on the front from her dresser drawer and slipped it on, taking the headband out of her hair. Her staples were in perfect place and didn't require a bandage since they weren't leaking anymore. By the time she had to go back on the road, Paul would be able to remove them with no scarring, hopefully. If so, at least it was near the hairline and easily hidden. Slipping into bed, Tahlia scooted over to give Taker room and snuggled up against his side once he joined her moments later. He kissed the top of her head and her eyes closed, falling asleep almost instantly.