Chapter 5

"Hey Game!"

Paul glanced up from his unzipped holdall and smiled at Shane as he entered the brightly lit dressing room. His face was animated with his excitement as he approached him.

"Man, that was awesome! Did you hear the crowd reaction when you whacked Angle with that chair? Your match at the PPV is going to be off the charts!

Paul chuckled at his reaction as he threw down a pair of faded denims to the bench. Shane was always so enthusiastic about every single match particularly at pay-per-views. He was like a little kid at times but then again, so was he. They were like two peas in a pod when it came to their passion for the business.

"I'm looking forward Sunday and to kicking Angle's ass especially as it's in New Hampshire." he grinned back.

"I assume your Mom and Dad are going to be there?"

Paul nodded his head as he lightly scratched at his beard. "Yeah. They're really looking forward to seeing the kids too. It's been a month or so since they last saw them."

Shane snorted with amusement. "Then just wait until they see Jake! I'm sure he's doubled in size since then."

Paul nodded and laughed as he took off his elbow pads and threw them on top of his bag. "You might be right about that one."

He smiled as he sat down on the bench and stretched his long legs out in front of him. They were starting to feel a little heavy now the adrenaline of the match was starting to wear off.

"So, how's Marissa doing? Steph said she's not been feeling so great."

Shane sighed as he took the space next to him. His hand raked through his short dark strands. "No. She's been really sick the past few mornings. Then again, she was like that with Declan. But thankfully Mom has been helping out by looking after Declan for a few hours and giving Rissa a break. She just feels so tired all the time, you know and it's not easy when I'm on the road."

Paul nodded his head able to sympathise. Stephanie had been exactly the same way when she had been expecting both Jake and Ellie. "Well, hopefully she'll feel better soon. How far along is she now?"

"About ten weeks."

He smiled but that smile quickly turned into a snort as he absently played back their conversation. "You do realise that Steph and Marissa would have a field day if they could hear us talking right now." he said to Shane.

Shane grinned back at his brother-in-law. "Especially Steph. Speaking of which, how is my little sister? I haven't spoken to her for a few days."

"She's good but Jake's got her completely run off her feet. He's been crawling everywhere and climbing up on things. Yesterday he even managed to ram a piece of toast inside the dvd recorder."

"She'll be looking forward to having you back home tomorrow then."

"I'm going home tonight actually." Paul explained as he lifted his shoulder in a shrug. "My appearance for tomorrow morning has been cancelled so I decided to make the most of it and fly home early."

Shane slapped him on the back as he stood up. "Then I'd better let you get showered and changed. You don't want to miss your flight."

Paul nodded and smiled. "Thanks man. I'll catch you later."

As Shane's footsteps disappeared out into the corridor, he let out a sigh and realised how much he was looking forward to getting home. He was beginning to really hate being away so much from his family and starting to feel like he was missing out on everything. Over the past few weeks, he had missed Jake eventually starting to crawl and Ellie's first tooth coming out. He had been really disappointed when Stephanie had told him the news over the phone. He had wanted to be there experiencing it all with her. They were moments with his kids that he just wouldn't get back but instead of sharing in them, he had been stuck in some hotel room hundreds of miles from home. And he loved his job, he really did but all the travelling was really starting to get him down. He just wanted to spend a little more time at home. Maybe he would discuss it with Stephanie and see if there was a way he could cut back his schedule. He didn't want to be a part-time husband and father for very much longer. His family was the main priority in his life now.

With his mind pretty much made up to talk to Stephanie, Paul got up from the bench and raking his fingers through his partially dry strands, he began to get ready for his flight. In a matter of hours he was standing outside his house and sliding his key into the lock, he clicked the side door into place as he walked silently into the house. The whole place was in darkness apart from the streetlights which shone through the large paned downstairs windows. Paul threw down his bag on the sofa as he passed by and made his way directly up the stairs.

His first stop was the nursery and he smiled gently as he pushed open the door. Jake's nightlight was on bathing the room in a soft glow and he could see his small perfect feet sticking out the top which meant his head was in there somewhere underneath the covers. Paul chuckled softly as he lifted back the padded blanket and saw his son lying diagonally across his cot. It didn't matter which way Jake fell asleep. During the course of the night, he always found a way to end up in the opposite direction.

Paul carefully lifted him up breathing in his familiar baby smell before placing his head back on the pillow tucking the covers around his small, warm body. Jake had stirred slightly letting out a small whimper at the moment but his eyes remained shut and his breathing was steady. Paul picked up his favourite teddy bear and lay it down beside him. He leant over the cot's wooden railing to kiss his forehead. His son looked so peaceful lying there but Paul knew it would be a different story come morning. He whispered good night before leaving his room and crossing the hallway to Ellie.

As he entered his daughter's room, he smiled as the soft moonlight flooded over her bed. Her blonde curls were spread across her pillow and her arm wrapped firmly around her favourite Tinkerbell doll. At least she had managed to stay in the same position unlike Jake. He fondly smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead before adjusting the blankets so they covered her fully. He watched her for a second before whispering good night and walking out and closing her door over.

Paul smiled to himself, his heart happy and full that his children were safe as he walked along the hallway. He knew he was probably biased but he was proud to say that he definitely had the most beautiful family in the world. And as he walked into the airy bedroom, his heart swelled as he saw the woman he held responsible for making it that way. The white light of the full moon shone into the room and illuminated her face as she slept. He swore she looked like an angel and he felt his chest tighten before he started to undress.

Paul tried his best not to disturb her as he crawled into bed beside her. However, he felt Stephanie start to stir as he slid his arms around her gentle heat and pulled her body into him.

"Paul?" she asked her voice thick with sleep.

"Yeah. Go back to sleep." he hushed as he brushed his lips over her temple.

"What are you doing home?" Stephanie murmured as she snuggled into his chest.

"They cancelled tomorrow so I flew home early."

She smiled at him as she felt Paul pull her even closer. "Well I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too. I really missed you guys this time."

Stephanie lifted her head and a tender smile adorned her lips as she brought her arm out from the covers and brought it to his face as she stroked his cheek with her hand. "We missed you too."

Her fingers threaded through his hair as she brought her husband's mouth to meet hers. Stephanie moaned softly as his warm lips caressed hers and he began to kiss her deeply and slowly. As the familiar rush of longing rushed through her body, she knew she had meant it when she had told him she missed him. She had – and badly. And it wasn't just the physical side. Paul dedicated all his time to his family when he was home so when he was away, everyone really noticed his absence, even Jake. The house felt so much colder and emptier without him and no doubt the kids would be ecstatic when they woke up and realised their daddy was home a day earlier than expected.

But suddenly their children were the furthest thing from Stephanie's mind as Paul shifted her onto her back and began to undo her pyjama top, his lips caressing the exposed skin that each open button revealed. She shivered under his touch as her back arched to meet his mouth. God, this was one of the things she missed most of all. Being so close to her husband and feeling his touch. Not a moment went by when she didn't want him or need him in some way.

She trembled in anticipation as Paul quickly disposed of her pyjama bottoms. His skin felt like fire as he moved back up her body. And when their eyes met in the shadows of the room, she felt the desire in his stare and she lifted her head, kissing him passionately. The need to have him as close as possible was overwhelming her and she couldn't wait a second longer. Stephanie spread her legs wider, raising her hips as Paul hovered above her and she let out a hiss of pleasure as he slid inside. She closed her eyes and she whispered his name as she let her body succumb to him.