"Welcome home sweetie Linda said as Stephanie came in.
" Thanks you have know idea how good it feels to be home" Stephanie hugged her mother tight as she cried.
Linda stroked her back " What's wrong baby, you can talk to me".
" Mom there is something that you don't know" Stephanie sighed.
" What like the pussycat dolls are breaking up" Linda said as Stephanie stood there frozen. Linda smiled softly " It's all over the front page of People magazine".
Oh" Is all Stephanie said as Linda led her to the kitchen "What I want to know is why" Linda asked very concerned.
Stephanie shrugged "I just figured it was time to go alone"
Linda looked at her daughter disbelievingly " This is your mother your talking to, tell me the truth"
" Shane has already gave me this speech so you can skip it" Stephanie said getting upset from the stress.
Linda frowned "Steph just be honest with me here because I know there is something bothering you"
" Mom don't please" Stephanie pleaded.
Linda was not going to be dettered "No Stephanie, I'm not giving up until your honest with me
"" Mom can you let her be she has had a long day" Shane said coming into the kitchen.
Linda shook her head " Fine, but this won't rest forever though".
" I'm going to bed" Stephanie said as she walked out of the kitchen door.
Once Stephanie was out of earshot Linda turned to Shane " Okay, what happened?".
" Well it is a very long story" Shane said as he explained to his mother about Stephanie and Paul.
Linda sighed " So it all went downhill after she kissed this Paul guy?".
"No before Paul, I mean Todd was going to drop her and the girl because he says all they do is is give him a hard time and party" Shane shrugged
Linda nodded " But she only quit after she kissed him. Did he do something wrong?".
" Well she didn't quit yet and I think she's confused she has never liked or dated someone older then her especially eleven years older also she hasn't confirmed that she likes him" Shane said still trying to figure out is sister.
Linda frowned "So she definitely likes this guy then?".
Shane nodded " I'd say so, she hasn't said anything but the she looked at him and acted would say yes"
''Vince won't' be too happy" Linda shook her head
"He can't control her feelings and neither can she" Shane said as Paul walked through the door.
" Shane hi I need a favour" Paul asked
" Okay what do you need Paul" Shane asked surprised
Paul paced nervously " I need to know where Stephanie is, I want to see her".
Shane smiled " She is sleeping, today took a tool on her".
" Please can I just go up and check on her?". Paul asked.
"Yeah sure my dad won't be back until tomorrow" Shane said happy to know that Paul was going after his sister.
Paul walked up to her room and slowly pushed the door open seeing her sleeping on the bed. He quietly shut the door and sat down by her bedside unable to stop himself from brushing her hair back a little.
Stephanie started to stir " Paul you scared the hell out of me , I'm my mom and brother know your up here" She said as she sat up trying to fully awake herself.
" I'm sorry I never meant to scare you, but yes they know I am up here... I didn't shimmy up the drain pip or anything to sneak in here". Paul smiled
"Funny so what to I own the company of seeing you Paul" Stephanie said moody which she always is after waking up. Paul couldn't help but laugh.
" What is so funny?" Stephanie asked
" You remind me of my niece when she waked up from her nap...she is never a happy camper when wakes her up. I think it's cute". Paul laughed
"Well I'm glad that you think it's cut but since I'm moody you want to answer my question" Stephanie smirked
" I just wanted to talk to you...see how you were doing? I don't want to lose you". Paul said
" I'm fine, I still have to think about a few things" Stephanie said thinking about what Paul just said.
"What stuff are you thinking about...tell me, let me help you through this"Paul said.
" It's hard to explain, I mean I can't hold the girls forever" Stephanie sighed.
" I know you can't and I understand you wanting to get a solo career started but what if you stayed with the dolls for a year because you know as well as I do the public loves you guys...and while I will look into getting you a couple solo roles maybe doing some duets with other artist&" Paul offered
" I guess it's just frustrating because I have the most talent out off them all and it's feel like I can do better" Stephanie shrugged.
"Well I will make you a deal. You stick with the dolls through this albums promotion and I will work on getting you some solo songs with other artists so you can show the world how amazing you are...but you have to promise to be yourself...no diva with an attitude ok"Paul smiled.
" I guess but sometimes it feels like a huge weight is put on my shoulders" Stephanie said softly.
" Steph whenever you feel like that come to me and talk to me and we will figure something out to make you feel better. You don't have to go through this alone...you have the support of your family and I will be there for you with whatever you need if you just let me" Paul said.
" Thanks Paul buy maybe people don't take us seriously because there being leaded by a 23 year old" Stephanie said
" An amazing 23 year old" Paul said taking her hand."Your strong and talented and beautiful and a little stubborn to" He said with a laugh" All the traits you need to survive in this business...just trust me and I will get you through this"
" I guess I just have to learn" Stephanie sighed " Are you going to call Todd and tell him".
" I promise I will let him know". He smiled at her and wanted so badly to kiss her, hold her because he really like her.
" Thanks let's go eat" Stephanie smiled as she got off the bed
When they went down to the kitchen they saw Linda making lunch.
Linda smiled " Are you hungry?".
" Starving actually" Stephanie smiled
"Good I made extra for you" Linda laughed
" Mom you are not making me gain 30 pounds this week" Stephanie whined
Linda frowned " You are being such a drama queen Stephanie, I don't know where you get it from".
" From dad" Shane intervened as he walked into the kitchen.
Stephanie hit her brother " Shut up Shane".
Paul smiled at the siblings banter but he was caught by Stephanie " What are you smiling at?.
" You two acting like kids" Paul shrugged
" Yeah well she isn't that bad once you get to live with her" Shane laughed as Stephanie punched him in the stomach.
Linda shook her head " You two calm down and take a seat".
" Let's go" Shane said as he pulled Stephanie to the table. When Linda brought the food in on the plates Stephanie turned to her mom.
" I won't be able to each this much" Stephanie protested
Linda nodded "You will, your as thin as a rake, you need feeding clearly Paul isn't making sure your fed".
" Hey don't blame me blame Shane" Paul put his hands up
Linda turned to Shane " Why Should I blame him?".
" He let's her get away with everything" Paul shrugged
Linda smiled "That's true she always had him and Vince wrapped around her finger".They had a good lunch and continued to talk about everything.
Paul decided to stay with Stephanie for an additional week and were now sitting in a meeting with the others girls, Todd, and Shane.
" All right girls we are going to do a lot of promotion over the next couple of months to push the album" Paul said
"All of us" Sara spoke up wondering if Stephanie was going to be around.
" Yes all of us...Stephanie is going to stay with you girls during this promotion but she is going to take on some solo projects al well" Paul explained.
" Yes" The girls screamed and jumped as they ran over and hugged Stephanie. Stephanie laughed and smiled happy. Paul smiled seeing the group together. After the meeting Paul and Stephanie headed out together. Over the last two weeks they had gotten a lot closer. Stephanie was being herself again and confiding in Paul a lot more to help her. As for Paul he was quickly falling for her.
" I am so happy to be performing tonight" Stephanie exclaimed as they made there way over ot the dance studio.
" I know you have been itching to get up on stage tonight...I can't wait to see you either".
" Thanks" Stephanie smiled as she kissed his cheek
"Come on" Paul said as he put his hand on the small of her back escorting her into the dance studio. As they entered the studio they seen the girls stretching while Todd, and Shane were in the far corned watching. Paul whispered something in Stephanie's ear that made her laugh and smiled before she went to stretch with the other girls while Paul walked over and joined the guys.
" Well I see my advice is paying off" Todd smiled.
" Shut up both of you were just friends" Paul brushed it off.
" Yeah and the sky is green" Shane muttered. Paul ignored them as he knew he wanted much more then friendship with her and got lost in trance as he watched her dance.
" She has been acting less bitchy" Todd shrugged
Paul finally tore his eyes away from her " Yeah I talked to her and we worked out everything". After practice Stephanie was talking to Paul while she ate a low calorie snack.
" Why have Todd and Shane acted so strange" Stephanie asked
"They are both acting a little weird today.Ignore them" Paul said as he handed her a water
" Thanks" Stephanie smiled
The night was crazy but there performance was amazing. Stephanie had a blast and you could clearly see it in her performance. Now she was looking forward to celebrating with the girls and hanging out with Paul afterwords.
" Stephanie thank you" Jade said as they girls hugged her
" It was all of us now lets go party" Stephanie smiled. Everyone came out even Todd, the paparazzi were there and it was a great night after doing a performance Stephanie walked over to Paul.
" Let's go back to my place" Stephanie offered
" Sure come on" Paul stood up and walked past Todd who was dancing on the table with Sara.
When they got into the loft Stephanie plopped down on the sofa " Today was amazing" Stephanie said as Paul sat down next to her.
" Yes it was you were amazing...you put on a great performance...I'm glad you had a great time with out going over board" Paul said.
" Yeah and the press is loving it" Stephanie said.
Paul took her hands and pulled her closer " I think you did an amazing job" He said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.Paul then kissed her lips. She kissed him back with no hesitation. After a few minutes Stephanie pulled back and looked at him.
" Paul I like you but what if the media found out" Stephanie asked.
" We can take it slow and the media only has to know I'm your manager,but I really like you Steph". Paul said as he gave her another kiss.
" I'm going to bed but your welcome to join me" Stephanie offered. Paul smiled and followed Stephanie to the bedroom.