Chapter 2

"Hey Ellie, it looks like Declan is here already." Stephanie announced as they pulled into her parents' driveway and saw the familiar black Land Rover parked in its usual spot. She could hear her daughter's hands behind her clapping in excitement, making her smile.

"I like playing with Declan Mommy. He's fun."

"And full of trouble too." commented Paul quietly so that only Stephanie could hear him as he manoeuvred the car next to Shane's and parked.

She could only nod in agreement with her husband. Her nephew had become a handful that was for sure. Declan was always breaking things or doing things he shouldn't and getting up to all sorts of mischief. He practically had Shane tearing his hair out most of the time. But then there were those times he did behave and he was so good, he was an absolute angel. Although it seemed those times were becoming few and far between, especially lately.

"So Sleeping Beauty, are you ready to party?" asked Paul grinning through the rear mirror at his daughter.

Her big cheeks lifted as she nodded and grinned straight back at him.

Paul cut the engine and both he and Stephanie got out the car with him opening the back driver's door to carry Jake whilst Stephanie lifted out Ellie. As she placed her daughter down on the ground, Ellie let out an excited shriek when she spotted her Uncle Shane standing in the doorway waiting on them. She ran in his direction and he held out his arms, scooping her into the air and whirling her round before setting her back on the ground.

"Hey sweetie. You're looking extremely pretty today."

Ellie's happy face beamed back at him. "Thanks Uncle Shane. Daddy said I'm like Sleeping Beauty."

"Well I think Daddy is right. You definitely look like a princess to me and a very beautiful one at that. "

He looked up and smiled at Paul and Stephanie tapping Jake's nose as he sat happily cradled in his father's arms.

"Hey sport. You're getting big aren't you?" he commented as he stared in wonderment at the baby, lightly shaking his head in disbelief. "What are you guys feeding him? He's even bigger than the last time I saw him!"

Paul's shoulders shook with his deep chuckle. "God only knows! He just seems to keep growing."

Stephanie pinched her son's soft smooth chubby cheek and smiled affectionately at him. "You're going to grow to be big and strong just like your Daddy aren't you?"

As Paul stared at his son proudly, Shane smiled at his sister and pulled her into his arms.

"Happy Birthday Steph."

She hugged him back tightly and smiled. "Thanks Shane."

"So, is the guest of honour ready for her party?" he asked her as they broke apart.

"I sure am."

"Let's go then." he said offering her arm which she happily took.

Paul smiled and followed on behind them with both his children. As Ellie skipped beside him happily garbling on about finding Declan, he thought how nice it was that Stephanie and Shane were so close to one another. He was close to his own sister too but living in different states meant he wasn't able to be there for her in the way he wanted to, the way Shane was there for Stephanie. Their proximity gave him personal peace of mind knowing when he wasn't home or he was out on the road, Stephanie always had someone who would be there for her and he knew that the same was true for the rest of her family too.

Paul smiled as he reached the bottom of the hall and heard the deep boom of Vince's voice. Walking into the bright spacious sitting room, he shook his head in amusement when he saw the balloons that decorated the four walls and the large birthday banner pinned above the mantle piece. It was pretty clear that despite her thirty plus years, Vince still liked to think of Stephanie as his little girl.

Just then Jake let out a delighted squeal and Paul smiled at him, dropping a kiss in his hair and breathing in his fresh baby smell. "Are you excited to see everybody, huh?"

"Oh Paul, he really is a sweetheart." beamed Linda who appeared in front of them practically out of nowhere. "And I swear he looks more and more like Stephanie every time I see him. Can I take him?"

Paul nodded and passed the baby to Linda who walked off with him happily cooing and smiling at him as she bounced him affectionately in her arms. He shook his head and chuckled as he raked his fingers through his blonde strands knowing it had only been a matter of time before his son had been yanked away from him. The grandparents seemed to be in the habit of hogging the children whenever they came over to the house.

However, any thoughts of possessive grandparents were soon forgotten as he felt the pain that shot through his shin and lightly cursing under his breath, his big hand reached to grab the arm of the culprit. His long finger pointed at Declan as he squatted down until they were eye to eye and glared at him with a stern expression on his face. "Hey! You don't kick people. It's not nice."

"I'm sorry Uncle Paul." the young boy replied with his bottom lip sliding out into a pout.

"It's okay. But I'd better not catch you kicking me or anyone else, alright?"

Declan nodded his head and he ran off across the room as soon as Paul had let him go. He sighed as he straightened back up and absently wiped at his black trousers.

"Did I just see him kick you?" Shane asked as he appeared by his side.

Paul nodded and he sighed heavily as he pushed his short dark strands back from his forehead.

"Sorry man. God knows what we're going to do with him. He's getting completely out of control."

"You just have to be firm with him I suppose. That and keep him off the sugar." smiled Paul.

Shane managed a light chuckle in spite of his dismay. "We're seriously thinking of seeing the doctor about his behaviour. I mean you hear all the time about these kids that have a reaction to certain foods."

He pressed his lips together thoughtfully and nodded. "It's worth a try. In the meantime, just be grateful you've not got another baby vying for your attention. Ellie was a little brat when Jake was first born. She was so jealous of the attention he was getting from both Steph and myself…..."

Paul paused and his words hung in the air. He could see the slightly awkward expression on his brother-in-law's face and his brow crinkled with his curiosity.

"You got something you want to share with me Shano?"

Shane's brown eyes quickly scoured the room before he dragged Paul into a silent corner and when he looked at him he struggled to contain the beaming smile on his face. "We haven't told anyone yet but Marissa is pregnant."

Paul felt his heart swell with the genuine happiness he felt as he grinned slapping him across the back. "Congratulations man! When did you find that out?"

"Just a couple of days ago. We were going to wait until after Stephanie's birthday to tell everyone."

"Why wait? Everyone's here."

Shane's nose wrinkled with his uncertainty. "I don't know. It's not fair on Steph. It's her day and I don't want her to think we'd be stealing her limelight."

Paul's blonde hair shifted across his massive shoulders as he adamantly shook his head. "Shane, Steph is going to be nothing but thrilled for you. She won't mind at all if you tell everyone now."

He paused and gave him a conspiratorial nudge.

"Maybe a few years ago she might have thrown a little tantrum or two but I reckon you're probably safe enough."

Shane laughed and as he turned his head he saw Stephanie coming towards them. He quickly pressed his mouth shut, stifling the laughter back.

"So, what's going on over here?" she asked flicking her hair over her shoulder and peering suspiciously between the two men.

Paul reached for her and sliding his arm around her waist, he pulled her close to him to brush a kiss over her temple. "I was just telling Shano how I lucky I am. I mean baby, you are without doubt the most beautiful woman on the face of this planet."

Despite the sincerity she could see in his deep brown eyes, Stephanie knew her husband. She also knew her brother and the shifty expressions they both wore when they saw her standing here. It was enough to tell her what she already suspected.

"What are you hiding from me?" she asked.

Paul's mouth parted as he pretended to be offended by her comment. "What do you mean what I am I hiding? Can't I pay my wife a compliment now?"

"Of course you can but I know the two of you far too well." she smirked back at him. "You both look far too guilty for my liking. So spill it Levesque. What's going on or do I have to beat it out of you?"

"You'd like that wouldn't you! Any excuse to lay your damn hands on me!" he teased.

Shane laughed at the flushed expression that appeared on his sister's face and decided to come to her rescue. "If we tell you, you have to promise not to say a word."

Stephanie nodded as she quickly gathered her composure. "So, come on." she said impatiently. "What's the big secret?"

"Marissa is pregnant."

Stephanie's big eyes sparkled with her joy as she let out a scream of excitement.

Paul quickly covered her mouth with his hand before she attracted any attention and pulling her to him, he looked at Shane and smirked. "See, I told you she would be thrilled."

Stephanie's brow furrowed instantly as she batted her husband's hand away and placing her hands on her hips, she glared at her brother. "How come you told him first and not me? Your own sister!"

Her husband chuckled and shook his head spinning her round to face him. "Stop giving your brother a hard time. He's going to be getting it the neck from Marissa when she finds out he's spilled the beans without her. He doesn't need you on his case as well."

Just then he glanced over at Shane and snorted with amusement at the dismay that flickered across his brother-in-law's face.

"You never thought about that one, did you Shano?"

"No I damn well didn't."

Stephanie's mouth had parted to say something when her father's voice interrupted her.

"Stephanie, would you like to start opening your presents?"

"Yes, open your presents Mommy! I love presents!"

The room was filled with laughter as everyone turned to see Ellie practically bouncing on the spot filled with excitement at the thought of seeing what was inside the beautifully wrapped gifts.

Stephanie scooped her up into her arms and hugged her daughter close. "Will you help me open them?"

Ellie's wayward curls bobbed around on her head as she nodded. "Sure Mommy!" Her wet rosy lips pressed down firmly against her mother's cheek. "I love you Mommy."

Stephanie's blue eyes softened as she smiled tenderly back at her. "I love you too baby. Now let's go and make a start to these presents."

A few hours later Stephanie was sitting in the car as they drove home. The tune on the radio was playing in the background as the wipers rhythmically moved across the windshield moving the light drizzle that had started to fall. She glanced across at her husband lightly squeezing his thigh and feeling the hard muscle that rested under the thick material of his trousers.

"Thank you for my present. I loved it." she told him.

Paul briefly turned his attention from the road to smile back at her warmly. "You're welcome baby."

As his fingers absently tapped against the steering wheel, Stephanie's hand gently rubbed over his leg. Her other hand lifted to touch the delicate diamond pendant that decorated her long neck. She loved it and once again her husband had picked the perfect gift along the matching earrings that had been tagged as being from Ellie and Jake. Thinking of her children, a slow smile crossed her face as she let her head fall against Paul's shoulder.

"It was nice of Mom to have the kids for us tonight."

"Yeah it was because I've got plans for you, McMahon."

Stephanie lifted her head and smiled at her husband. "That's Levesque, thank you very much. And may I ask what these plans of yours involve?"

"You can ask but I'd think I'd rather just show you when we get home."

Stephanie swallowed thickly as his thick fingers moved to her leg and crept under the hemline of her dress, rubbing the soft flesh of her inner thigh as the burning heat pooled between her legs. His thumb lightly traced over the edge of her lace underwear tempting her even further. "Can't this damn car go any faster?" she hissed.

Paul's deep chuckle only fuelled her desire as Stephanie squirmed impatiently against his touch noticing with relief that they had turned into the street of their private gated village. She briefly noticed the soft glow of the lights in the large house on their right. It was a house that up until now had been vacant for months.

"It looks like we've got new neighbours." she commented as they pulled into their driveway with the metal gates opening to let them through and the car rumbled through the gravel.

Paul glanced over at his wife as the tyres gave out a screech and he sped over towards the garage. "Steph, right now I don't give a rat's ass about any new neighbours."

The car jolted to a stop as he slammed on the brakes and switched off the engine. Stephanie watched with amusement as Paul got out of the car and within seconds was opening her door, lightly gripping her arm to help her out.

"My, my! Someone's awfully impatient tonight." she grinned.

"You're damn right I'm impatient." he growled as his eyes flickered with his desire and he tugged on her arm making her stomach pool with her own excited anticipation of what was in store for her. "Now get out of the car unless you want our new neighbours to get a peep show."

Stephanie laughed as she swung her legs over the seat and screamed in surprise as Paul lifted her out. He adjusted her in his arms as her legs hung over his thick forearms and closing the door with his hip, he carried her towards the house. Stephanie leaned into him breathing in his cologne and feeling her body tingle all over. It looked like her celebrations were going to carry on into the wee small hours and she certainly wasn't complaining. It would be an absolutely perfect end to a perfect birthday.