Ch 1
The McMahons' annual Memorial Day picnic was in full swing at their Connecticut estate overlooking the Long Island Sound. Most of the WWE superstars were in attendance with their families having a good time partying with friends and enjoying the lavish feast the McMahons' had arranged. Vince and Linda were busy being the perfects host and hostess mingling with all their guests not noticing their youngest daughter Stacy was nowhere to be found while their other two children Shane and Stephanie were doing their parts to make sure all the guests were having a good time. Even Stacy's husband Adam Copeland didn't seem to be concerned about his wife's absence as he followed Vince around like a puppy dog. One person did notice Stacy was gone and he slipped away to find her the moment his wife Stephanie sat down with Candace Michelle and Torrie Wilson knowing she would be gossiping with them for quite awhile if not the rest of the party.
He headed through the massive mansion going out the French doors that led to a stone path through the beautifully landscaped massive garden. He reached the dock and there she was sitting on the end staring out into the water while the breeze blew her long dark wavy blonde hair back from her pretty face. A smile came to his face as he remembered finding her in the same place last year during the Memorial Day party. That chance meeting had started a regular habit of Stacy and him spending time together at parties away from the crowds playing cards or talking. They had become very good friends over the last year. He was starting to know his sister in law better then he knew his own wife.
"Hey, what are you doing out here? There's a party going on," he asked walking towards her.
"You can't ask me that question," she kept staring at the water not looking at him.
"Why not?" he huffed resting his hands on his hips.
"I heard your wife tell you no leaving the party except for bathroom breaks," she smirked hearing him deeply laugh.
"I'm pretty sure I heard your hubby tell you the same thing," he widely grinned as she started to laugh.
"Mark, I won't tell you got lost if you don't tell on me," Stacy chuckled knowing she could trust her brother in law. She had learned a lot about Mark Callaway over the last year especially how if he gave his word he meant it.
"You know I won't tell. If we get caught, can always say we were using the yacht's bathrooms," he patted the side of the huge yacht docked along the pier.
"I doubt Adam will come looking for me. He hasn't bothered at any other party for the last three years while would he today," a sadness filled her voice as slowly stood approaching Mark.
"Stacy, don't be down. Steph forgets I exist till its time to go home. She's all about gabbing away and being a flirt at these parties," Mark softly said.
"I don't know how you don't get jealous. My sister can be quite the flirt."
"I do get jealous sometimes I've just learned to control the rage. After four years of asking her to stop and her throwing a hissy fit I've just learned to not care. Let some of other guy steal the pampered princess away they would be doing me a favor," Mark deeply sighed.
"You're terrible for saying that. You better be kidding," Stacy hit him in the arm softly.
"What if I'm not?" Mark's tone was very serious.
"Mark, I thought you two were trying to have a baby," Stacy had heard him and Stephanie both mention they were trying to start a family.
"We were trying for two years. No joy and she won't even think of going to a specialist. Her latest decision is to put a family on hold because she has some big storyline coming up," Mark's massive body tensed as he walked to the end of the dock hitting a rail.
"I can talk to her for you if you want," she touched his muscular arm making him turn to face her.
"You have your own problems to worry about," Mark looked down into her dark blue eyes seeing the hurt she always tried to mask. "I heard Adam yelling at you earlier about talking to your Dad about letting him win the title at the next pay per view. I admire you little girl for always standing your ground about not talking to your father about Adam's career."
"It rips my heart up telling him no. He doesn't understand just because he married me doesn't mean he has the right to be given special treatment at work. You don't get special treatment because of Stephanie. You earned all your title runs and pushes," Stacy stepped away from him leaning on the rail.
"Stacy, I was already established in the business when I married your sis. Adam is still earning the right to be and stay a main eventer. He is almost there and you're right he can get there without you turning the odds in his favor," Mark studied her face seeing tears glisten in her eyes. "Enough talk about our significant others, let's play cards till the party dies down then we'll head back."
"Sounds good," she softly said pointing to yacht. "We can sit on the deck and play. We will have a good seat for the fireworks."
"What game do you want to play?" Mark asked following her onto the yacht.
"Let's play crazy 8's we haven't played that in ages," she said as they went up the stairs to the huge deck.
"You're right I guess the last time was a few months ago when Stephanie had a engagement party for Torrie and Cena," Taker said looking around at the amazing view of the sound and at the mansion seeing crowds of people all over the yard especially near the huge heated pool with a rock waterfall. "I'm glad I'm not in that mess."
"I've always hated my family parties. They only know how to do big lavish gatherings. What's wrong with nice simple family picnics," Jen shook her head sitting down in one of the deck chairs near the table. Mark didn't say a word just looked at her with an amused smile. "What's wrong?"
"It just amazes me you're a McMahon. You're so different then the rest of them. The more time I spend with you the more I can't believe you're one of them," he sat down across from her.
"I spent most of my childhood with my grandma Betty since my parents were always working. Stephanie and Shane never minded the traveling but I used to get air sick so my parents would leave me with my grandma for weeks on end. My father says I'm just like her and he should have known she would brain wash me with all her old fashioned ways," Stacy's voice filled with sadness thinking of her grandma and how much she missed her. Vince had her put in a nursing home a few years ago when she started showing signs of Alzheimer's disease. Stacy went to visit her twice a week but her grandmother didn't recognize who she was anymore.
"Hey are you okay?" Mark touched her hand breaking her from her thoughts.
"Yes, let's play," she said about to reach for her purse when Mark kept a hold of her hand.
"Stacy, please don't shut me out. Everyone else in your family does that please don't join them. I thought we were good friends not just in laws," Mark said searching her eyes.
"I'm sorry I'm not pushing you away. I just don't like talking about my grandmother. I was really close to her and I miss my talks with her so much," Jen paused for a minute staring into Mark's eyes. "I feel so alone sometimes. I have a family and a husband but I constantly feel like the outsider."
"You're not alone anymore. You can talk to me anytime. You have my cell and its not like you have to go far if you need me," Mark frowned still not liking that Stephanie had insisted they live in the home right next to her fathers. Vince had given it to them as a wedding present. Vince had done the same for Adam and Stacy buying them the house right next to Mark's and Stephanie's.
"I don't want to bother you."
"Hey you're not a bother. I'll admit I like having someone to talk to. How about when I'm home from the road you bring Sasha and join me and Quincy for walks?" Mark offered knowing Stacy always took her Siberian husky for walks everyday.
"Ok that sounds good," she hesitated for a moment. "Mark thanks for everything. In this last year you have really been a good friend to me not only for playing endless card games with me during every McMahon function but for being a very good listener."
"I'm enjoying our friendship too especially spending time with you instead of faking being happy at those parties," Mark slowly letting her hand go. "Come on get out the cards let's play."
Mark and Stacy played for almost three hours laughing and talking about all the lavish things Vince had done over the years. Before they knew it the sun started to fade from the sky and the music from the party started to blare louder signaling the fireworks would start shortly.
"Do you mind if we stop? I want to watch the fireworks," Stacy asked as Mark won the game.
"You just don't want to lose again," he smirked making her laugh.
"Maybe you are definitely getting better every time we play," she put the cards away before standing up and stretching her arms over her head.
"You okay?" Mark asked seeing her wince a few times.
"My neck has a kink or something," she tilted her head trying to get rid of the ache. Mark didn't say a word just came behind her slowly massaging her neck. His strong warm touch felt good on her skin as he kneaded the muscles for a few minutes.
"Feel any better?"
"Yes thank you," she stepped away from him as the fireworks started. Her eyes were drawn to the sky as it filled with eruptions of colors. Mark's attention was on her and the way her face filled with delight with every bang of a new firework. The simplest things made Stacy smile while with his wife it took expensive jewelry she wore once then tossed in a drawer. Mark let out a soft sigh knowing it was wrong to enjoy his times with Stacy so much but he couldn't help it. She had made the last year so much more bearable for him in the McMahon family.
"Mr. Daydreamer come watch with me," she called to him breaking his thoughts. He went near her watching the fireworks stealing glances at her off and on. He couldn't help wondering what things would be like if he had met her first before Stephanie. He frowned knowing he would never know because no matter how he felt he could only ever be a friend to Stacy.