Disclaimer: As always I own no rights to the WWE. I am just fan who likes to visit their playground now and again.

Without further ado…I give you

Chapter 7

"Stephen" the word tumbled from her lips the barest of whispers. Stephen tucked the phone between his right ear and shoulder. A smile lighting his face from ear to ear as he thought of her rosy cheeks blushing a deep scarlet. Shoving a pillow between himself and the headboard – Stephen made himself comfortable. "So yeh were expecting someone else – Carrie maybe?"

He could hear the smile in her voice coupled with just a hint of something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Yes" she all but sighed "Carrie – Shannon's mom!"

Shannon's mom – of course thought Stephen with an unfamiliar sense of relief flooding his system. "Shannon seems like a real sweet kid. Ah' wouldn't mind having a couple of wee ones just like her running around my place someday."

Peyton smiled bittersweet as she brushed her hand across her bare wet stomach. Pulling herself away from the melancholy that was threatening to swamp her – she forced a smile. "She really is a great kid. A great kid who I might add – seems to have a Texas size crush on you."

"What can Ah' say – the lil' lass has great taste!" He chuckled listening to her laughter fill the phone line.

"I happened to over- hear Shannon and her friend Lizzy talking just before lunch. Shannon went on and on about how cute you are; and how brave you are for standing up to Mr. Laurinitis."

"Ah'm touched the lil' lass think's so highly of meh. Ah do wonder though, what her teacher thinks?"

"What her teacher thinks about what?" Replied Peyton with all the innocence and naiveté she could muster.

Stephen recognized the feigned innocence in her voice. "Ah wonder if Shannon's teacher noticed how brave I was last night?"

"Oh yes" she giggled "you were very brave last night Mr. Farrelly. I don't know how poor Shannon and I would have survived the evening without you."

"Good thing Ah was there. Two such beautiful ladies – such as you – could have gotten into serious trouble without a fella like meh around."

Peyton couldn't suppress the infectious innocent laugh that was bubbling up from deep inside. 'I think you're definitely going to be trouble for me Mr. Farrelly – definitely trouble,' thought Peyton quietly to herself. Silently wishing she were surer of herself – more confident. This would be so much easier if she knew what he was thinking – what he saw in her.

"Yeh forgot cute lass….brave and cute," Stephen pressed on with his teasing Irish lilt. "What can Ah' say lass…the best looking Irishman yeh know."

"Uh Stephen I hate to burst your bubble, but you're the only Irishman I know.

"That's all right lass…yeh have the best so no need to mess with the rest."

"Awfully sure of yourself aren't you Mr. Farrelly?" asked Peyton dryly.

"A little over-confidence never hurt's in this business lass!" He replied with the same dry wit she has just used on him.

In the eschewing silence, Stephen was almost sure that he heard what sounded like softly splashing water. At first he thought maybe she was doing dishes – possibly tidying up the kitchen. Hearing the sound a second time, he knew it wasn't dish water he was hearing. Leaning comfortably against the head board, his mind pondered of the strange background sounds. As if light dawning, his mind wondered if she could possibly be in the bathtub. Closing his eyes for just the briefest of moments he could picture her full figured curves all warm and wet with the soft scent of bubble bath clinging delicately to her soft skin. "Dammit," he cursed softly to himself why did his mind's eye have to conjure images that only left him with sweats to sizes too small.

"Stephen?" she questioned softly breaking the brief silence.

"Peyton?" he replied.

Peyton was no-where near ready for this conversation to end, but her water was rapidly cooling. She was anxious to be out of the tub and curled up in her nice warm bed. She needed out of this bathtub quickly – without drawing to much attention to herself. She would just die of embarrassment if she had to explain that she was actually naked sitting in a tub of cooling water. Finally she asked "Could you please hang on for just a second or two?"

"Of course Pey…" he commented with mild curiosity lacing his words. As he listened carefully, she carefully reached over the edge of the tub and laid the phone on the nearby vanity, pulling the bathtub drain; she stood and reached for a towel to wrap herself in. Stepping from the tub, she wrapped herself in her favorite oversized fully lavender bath towel. Quickly pulling her short black and pink bathrobe around her chilled body and turned to reach back for her phone. She knew the moment her fingers touched the phone that it was going to slip right through her damp fingers. "Son of a biscuit!" she exclaimed as she bent to retrieve the phone from the floor; while trying to be grateful that it landed on the floor and was not floating in lukewarm bathwater.

Just before the muted thump and muffled cursing, Stephen could have sworn he heard draining water. In his mind's eye he could see Peyton's full figured curvy body covered in warm bath water and lightly scented soap. "Dammit" he cursed silently his mind needed a hobby that didn't cause his sweats to suddenly two sizes to smile.

Picking up the phone, Peyton turned and made her way to the door and soundlessly down the short hallway towards her bedroom. Moving without a sound into the bedroom, she reached for the t-shirt she had left at the end of the bed. A black soft cotton t-shirt, size extra-large, with the words "Brogue kick hooligans" written across the front (it was the only adult sized shirt in the box of donated souvenirs from Stephen and his friends Monday night.) Since the souvenirs were intended for her third grade class; and she was their teacher – she didn't see anything wrong with keeping this one little ol' shirt for herself. Dropping her robe and towel she quickly slid the t-shirt over her head, snagged a pillow from the head of the bed, and a small throw blanket from the foot, before stretching out smack in the middle of the bed. "Sorry about that," she murmured into the phone.

Stephen smiled, he was fairly certain that after retrieving the phone from where-ever it fell; that she had not laid it down since. His mind was working over-time puzzling over the gentle sounds he could hear in the back ground. Is imagination was in overdrive – he was grateful for the distraction the sound of her voice brought as she returned to the phone. "So" he began conversationally "breakfast with meh is personal?"

"Yes," The simple word the barest of whispers caressing her lips.

He smiled loving the breathy innocence of her voice; a quality that was highly effective at heating his blood. "Ummmm?" He wondered out loud. "Would that be personal as in, this guy is such a tool – how soon can ah' hang up? Or personal as in did yeh check out his butt?

Peyton laughed deep and rich – blushing clear to her roots. Unsure what to say she simply sat holding the phone close to her ear anxiously waiting for whatever came next.

"Oh yeh laugh? While the curiosity is killing meh."

His words serving only to tickle her further – between giggle's she spoke "you poor-poor baby!" Her laughter was infectious Stephen found himself laughing right along with her. Choosing her words carefully before speaking again, "its personal….as in how about you tell me how your show went tonight?"

Stephen chuckled brief and masculine "ok – Ah'll let yeh change the subject; this time!"

She returned his quick chuckle with one of her. "Thank-you sir!, her only comment. The twosome spent more than an hour talking about a variety of things. Stephen told her about the Smack-down taping; complete with backstage shenanigans. She told him about her day at school; along with some of her funnier student / teacher moments.

Two and half hours into their conversation, Stephen could hear the sleepiness creeping into her voice. "It's late" he began "Ah should let yeh go – get some sleep and all."

Peyton knew he was right but that didn't mean she had to like it. "Probably should," she agreed.

Although both agreed to much needed sleep; neither really wanted to be the first to hang up. After another five or ten minutes of small talk and teasing, Peyton could no longer keep the yawing at bay. If he hadn't been enjoying the conversation so as immensely he might have felt guilty for keeping her awake so long. "Get some sleep, we'll talk again soon."

Although she would be embarrassed to no end if forced to admit it; Peyton seriously hoped that they would talk again very soon. "Ok…I would like that!" she confirmed.

Before wishing her good night, a thought occurred to Stephen "Jus' remember a phone works both ways…yeh have meh number now. Yeh welcome to call anytime."

Peyton couldn't believe the instant butterflies that ravaged her stomach following such a simple statement. Unsure what to say in response she opted instead with "Good night Stephen - sweet dreams," as she moved to disconnect, she heard Stephen mutter a soft sweet "Good-night Pey"

Snuggling under her cotton candy pink afghan, Peyton wrapped herself around her soft squishy body pillow and prepared for sleep. Sleep however, was not a forthcoming as she had expected; as visions of a ginger haired man danced through her head.

Laying his cell phone on the bed beside him – Stephen closed his eyes with a smile. Resting comfortable against the headboard; Stephen recounted their phone conversation over and over before finally drifting off to a peaceful sleep.

It was just before six a.m. the next morning when Stephen woke up. He had promised some of the fellas; Randy and Stu (Wad Barrett) to meet for an early work-out followed by breakfast before heading off in separate directions. As he headed for the shower, he couldn't help but smile as Peyton once more crossed his mind. She definitely wasn't your typical ring rat. Nor was she the typical tall, blond, big busted woman he was normally attracted to. "So what is it?" He wondered absently to himself. By six Stephen was at the gym; beginning his work out as he waited for Stu and Randy to arrive.

Running on the treadmill, Stephen was glad that he'd agreed to come to the gym this morning. Sure he was a little tired after the show and being on the phone so late. As usual though, he was finding a work out was just what the doctor ordered. It was approaching seven-thirty – quarter to eight when Stephen decided to hit the showers; to clean up for breakfast. Entering the locker room, Stephen was pleased to find it empty. Taking a set on the nearest bench he pulled his cellphone from his gym bag. Looking around the locker room once more; he again confirmed that it was empty. Smiling a little like the Cheshire cat – he dialed the nearest florist.

A very perky young clerk named Jenny; answered his call before the phone rang more than once. As he spoke with Jenny, Stephen realized he really didn't know much about flowers. Turning down the traditional roses, spring tulips, and a mixed spring bouquet Stephen began to wonder if this was as good an idea as he first thought. After turning down two additional options; Stephen was about to thank her for her time; he would think of something else. "I think I have the perfect idea for you sir," exclaimed an extremely perky Jenny. Taking a moment, she began to describe a simple yet elegant small bouquet of lilies. She went on to describe the colors and varieties, vases, and the option of a black and white stuffed panda or coffee colored teddy bear.

Stephen thought it over a minute or two; quickly deciding on a small arrangement of white lilies accented with one single pink lily and the coffee colored teddy bear. Pleased with his decisions, Stephen quickly provided shipping and payment information. As Stephen was about to hang-up, Jenny exclaimed "Just one more thing Mr. Farrelly, what would you like to the card to say?"

Stephen gave it a mere moments thought before the smile broke wide across his face. "Have tha' card read To Pey…remember it's personal…always Stephen."

Before hanging up Jenny confirmed the message, guaranteed the delivery for later today, and thanked him for his order. Happy with his decision, Stephen smiled merrily as he tossed his cell phone into his gym bag. Standing, Stephen realized that he wasn't alone. Glancing towards the locker room door way he grimaced good-naturedly "How long yeh been standin' there fella?"

Randy smirked "long enough to know 'it's personal!' So? The school teacher huh?"

"Careful there fella…askin' questions like that; fellas might start thinkin' yeh been spendin' too much time with Cena."

Randy laughed throwing both hands up in mock surrender "Hey 'it's personal' I get it – no need to be insulting or anything. Besides, the school teacher seems cool – I say go for it."

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Later that afternoon, Peyton sat at her desk enjoying the last few minutes of peace and quiet before her class returned from recess. Although she would never admit it, she was almost glad that Carrie was helping one of the teachers with a project; making her too busy to join her for their usual lunch break together. It was a nice mid-day break; quiet and alone with her thoughts was just what she needed after last night.

Standing from her desk she set about cleaning up the remains of her peanut butter and jelly lunch. Stowing her lunch bag back in the bottom drawer of her desk; she prepared to put up the afternoon listen on the blackboard. With her back to the door, she studied her notes before beginning to write. Seconds later she heard a brief knock at the classroom door before a loud sing-songy "Oh Pey….ton…."

Mentally rolling her eyes, Peyton turned "Carrie…I thought you helping the kindergarten teachers with their spring art projects?"

Moving further into the classroom, Carrie sat the package front and center on Peyton's desk. "I was" she replied giddily "we finished up a few minutes ago. Just in time it turns out for me to make it back to the office and sign for these," she explained gesturing wildly towards the beautifully wrapped flower bouquet.

Crossing the room, Peyton came to stand opposite Carrie at her desk. "What is that?" Peyton asked still unaware that they were for her.

Carrie laughed giddy and high "Ummmm…well Peyton you see; if I had to guess I would say they are flowers, but until there opened I cannot say for sure."

Rolling her eyes in slight annoyance, "So who sent you flowers?" Peyton countered, struggling to keep the annoyance out of her voice. No doubt Carrie meant no harm; it wasn't her fault that Peyton had a ton of crap on her mind right now.

"Mmmm Peyton sweet pea…no one sent me flowers! These are for you?"

Peyton shrugged "That makes no sense…I mean who would send me flowers here?"

"I know – I have a novel idea; why don't you open them and read the card?"

Peyton moaned at her best friends' sense of humor; or more accurately her lack thereof. Finally relenting she delicately untied the large pink bow with long white ribbon that was currently keeping it all up pretty as a picture. Moving the wrappings out of the way, Peyton was speechless as she stared at the beautiful little bouquet with teddy bear taking up the center of her desk. After several long seconds, she felt Carrie nudge her gently murmuring "read the card."

Slipping the card from the small white envelope she felt herself blushing hotly clear to her roots.

To Pey,

Remember…it's personal! Always,

Stephen

It was on the tip of Carrie's tongue to depend her best friend spill her guts about the flowers. Seconds before those words could burst forward; she noted the pure gleam in Peyton's eyes. "OH MY GOD!" exclaimed Carrie. "The flowers are from him aren't they? The flowers are from Sheamus…Uh Stephen…Oh hell you know what I mean!"

Before Peyton could do much more than glance in Carrie's direction the school bell rang and the first of her students began to trickle back to their desks. Sighing with a flair of drama, Carrie hugged her best friend briefly; whispering "saved by the bell squirrely girly."

Moving the flowers to the right corner of her desk; Peyton watched Carrie leave and other students return to class. Snatching her cell phone quickly from her top desk drawer - she quickly texted Stephen. "Thank U 4 the flowers…there lovely…Will call u later…..P."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read…reviewed…or had anything positive or constructive to say about this little tale. Your words of encouragement inspire me to push on…past the writer's block and stubborn uncooperative muses. I apologize for the delay, but sincerely hope that you all enjoy this later chapter…..If you have read this far; well then you know what to do next….Leave it in the box below