Ch 5

Mark was pulling on a dark grey t-shirt when his cell phone started to ring. He grabbed it off the nightstand seeing it was Stephanie calling.

"Yes dear," he sarcastically said.

"I just wanted to let you know I will be away for awhile. I have decided to extend my stay in New York City and I won't be coming to the shows till next week so the house is all yours for at least the next two weeks. I figured the time apart would do us good so you can get back to your old self unless you really do want me to divorce you."

"Whatever Stephanie, the problems won't fix themselves and I'm not going to beg you to save our marriage," he sat down on the bed listening to her huff.

"I'm not in the mood to talk about us right now. I have a headache. I'll call you in a few days. Good bye Mark," she hung up before he could even say another word to her. Mark slammed his phone down shaking his head in disbelief.

"What happened to the woman I married?" he asked thinking of how different Stephanie had been when they started dating. She was so caring and loving towards him in those days but once they were married for year she started to change. It seemed like everything he did or said started to annoy her then the whole wanting a family issue drove her to been even more cold and cruel towards him. "My marriage is over," Mark looked down at his wedding ring realizing it didn't mean anything anymore. He took it off throwing it into his bag.

"What a bitch!" Adam's pissed off voice drew his attention as he looked out his bedroom door just in time to see Adam ranting and raving as he passed. Mark stood up going into the hall watching Adam disappear out the front door slamming it.

"Looks like my marriage isn't the only one that is danger," he thought slowly going down the hall towards Stacy's room. He hesitated for a moment hearing her light crying as he approached. "I shouldn't bother her," he turned heading back to his room when something stopped him. He stood for a few minutes just staring at her open door trying to decide the right thing to do. "I can't just walk away," he said going to her door. His heart ached when he saw her sitting on the bed hugging herself as she cried.

"Stacy, I'm sorry to intrude. Are you ok?" Mark asked leaning against the doorway giving her a concerned look.

"I don't know. I really don't know anymore," she softly said getting off the bed going towards Mark.

"I have no plans if you want to talk about it," Mark gently said.

"I don't want to talk. I just need a distraction right now," she brushed past him heading downstairs opening up a closet.

"What kind of distraction?"

"I was thinking of taking the dogs for a walk. Do you want to come?"

"Sure," Mark smiled following her out back to where the dogs where lying on the deck. They leashed the dogs walking through the woods in silence towards the water. Mark kept stealing glances at her seeing she was deep in thought. After they approached the water's edge and let the dogs lose to run, Mark reached out taking her hand gently pulling her till she faced him.

"Stacy, please tell me what happened with Adam?" he cupped her face in his hand looking into her sad eyes. She shook her head no trying to break free of his grip. "Damn it don't act like this. Talk to me you know it stays between us."

"He wants to have a baby," she whispered surprising Mark.

"That upsets you?"

"Yes, we have been fighting constantly. He hasn't mentioned wanting a child anytime soon then suddenly he finds out he is going to be champ in a year and decides its time for us to start a family. Something isn't right but I can't figure out what. I'm terrible for not trusting my husband," she said feeling guilty. "The other night he tried to use the family angle to get me to talk to my Dad. I can't win I think his nonsense will stop now that he got his championship run but he has found something new he is going to be harassing me about. Am I being unfair to him?"

"No, you can't deny what your feelings are telling you. You shouldn't have a kid to just make him happy and give him what he wants. You're right you need to settle the issues between the two of you before you have a baby," Mark looked into her eyes seeing relief that he agreed with her. "How much do you two argue?"

"When we are together at least once a day sometimes more," she didn't even want to think about the days they have argued for hours on end. "He just wants so much its all about him and his career. I would love to have conversation with him for once that deal with what he wants. I don't even think he cares about what I wany anymore."

"You two are just as bad as me and Steph then we give one another the silent treatment for hours sometimes days," his voice filled with sadness making Stacy frown. She hated all the pain her sister was putting him through. "Do you think you can fix your marriage?"

"I don't know. I would have to settle one big issue I have with Adam so I could completely trust him again."

"What issue?"

"I'm starting to believe more and more he just married me because I'm Vince McMahon's daughter," she said trembling as her eyes filled with tears. She didn't want to believe Adam had deceived her like that but lately his actions and words were confirming that is why he married her. "I don't know if he really loves me," she broke down burying her face against Mark's chest.

"Stacy, it's going to be ok," Mark held her close comforting her. His heart was racing having her so close and feeling all her pain wishing he could take it all away but knowing he couldn't cross that line. He softly sighed not thinking about what was right or wrong at that moment. All he knew is it felt incredible having her in his arms and he was going to enjoy the moment. Stacy was battling her own mix of emotions as she felt very comfortable and safe in his arms.

"I'm sorry Mark," she softly said after a few minutes looking up into his eyes.

"Hey don't be. I'm here for you. Anytime you need me I'll be there for you," he said meaning every word.

"Thank you Mark," she smiled taking a step back from him feeling him tighten his hold on her as he looked in her eyes.

"I want to thank you too for listening to me when I rant about Steph," he hesitated for a moment wanting to ask her something.

"What's wrong?"

"What were you and Stephanie arguing about this morning," he asked feeling her body tense and she immediately looked away from him.

"Stacy, please tell me," he tilted her chin again seeing fear in her dark blue eyes mixed with sadness.

"I can't hurt you like that. I'm sorry Mark I can't tell you," she sobbed trying to push away from him.

"If you keep it from me you'll hurt me a lot more. I need to know what happened."

"Oh Mark, I …," she choked on her tears knowing she had to tell him but dreading all the pain she was about to cause. "I saw Batista leave your house this morning. They weren't hiding what they had been doing and I confronted Stephanie about it," her voice was barely a whisper but he heard every word.

"That fucking whore I'm going to kill her and Batista! I knew she was screwing him. Damn it!" Mark yelled making Stacy jump in his arms. He tried to calm down not wanting to scare her.

"I'm so sorry I tried to talk her but she doesn't care."

"I've known for a long time she doesn't give a shit. I just was being a fool and ignoring it thinking things would get better. I'm glad I didn't see those two I would be in jail right now," his anger was in control for the moment but in his heart he felt the knife being driven into it finally hearing confirmation that his wife was sleeping with another man. He closed his eyes trying to get control. He felt Stacy's soft gentle touch on his face. Her fingers trailed along his cheek down towards his chin. He slowly opened his eyes gazing into hers seeing she understood his pain. He didn't say a word just pulled her closer resting his head against hers letting a few sad tears fall. "I don't understand why she would do this. I've been faithful to her. I loved her and treated her right. Now all I want to do is destroy that bitch and her new play toy. I'm not going to be able to control myself the next time I see her."

"Yes, you are. You will give her the upper hand the moment you blow your cool and get in trouble with the law for attacking her or Dave," Stacy said knowing when Stephanie got angry she would go to any length to make Mark's life miserable. Stacy had seen her sister rip apart other men's lives she had dated. Her stomach soured just thinking of what Stephanie would put Mark though with a divorce.

"Stacy, that's easy to say but the rage will take over when I see them at the shows over the weekend."

"Fine, then I'll go with you to make sure you stay in control," she said taking him by surprise.

"You can't be traveling around watching after me and my temper. You have to concentrate on your painting," Mark was touched by her offer but knew she had a deadline to meet. "Adam might also have a problem with you being at the shows for me."

"I'm not worried about Adam maybe if I take him by surprise I'll figure out what he's up to. Mark, I will be at the shows even if I travel there on my own," she backed away from him never taking her eyes from his. He stared at her for a few moments then smirked.

"If you're that determined I won't stop you. I'll enjoy having your company on the flight to California for the weekend shows."

"Good then its settled. We should head back to the house I want to try to talk to my Dad before he leaves," she said clapping her hands for Sasha to come. Mark whistled for Quincy. The dogs raced towards them. They walked back to the house in silence both stealing glances at one another as they tried to deal with feelings stirring inside they weren't used to feeling.