I decided to post this too seeing it was finished plus it makes up for the fact I have severely neglected this fic lately. Thanks to everyone who is hanging on in there :)

Chapter 11

Stephanie chewed on her bottom lip as she anxiously watched Paul get slammed by Angle. He covered him for the pin and she let out a cheer as she watched her husband kick out after a two count.

"You really get into the matches, don't you?"

She laughed at Mark's comment as she stayed focused on the television, her hand lifting to tuck her hair behind her ear. "I guess I do especially when I'm watching Paul."

Stephanie didn't see the light toss of Mark's head or the way he watched her with a look of disdain as she continued to cheer for Paul. He couldn't see the attraction himself. What sane person would allow their body to get bashed against steel, barbed wire and god knows what else that had been thrown in that ring. He poured himself another glass of wine and filled Stephanie's again in the process. He was glad he had stayed for dinner. Between that and the drink, he felt he was really starting to relax a bit. It would be the first time in days. Just then he jumped as he heard Stephanie let out a scream.

"Steph, what's wrong?" he asked, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Paul's covered in blood. Kurt just nailed him with the sledgehammer."

Mark let out a sigh as her attention was once again diverted to the television. He would be glad when this thing was over. Before Paul's match they had been having fun just talking and laughing. But ever since her husband's music started up, Stephanie's attention had definitely been elsewhere. She had barely said two words to him in the last half an hour.

"Come on Paul. Cover him!"

Mark watched as Stephanie sat on the edge of her seat. His expression was solemn as he watched her grin as she counted to three. As she stood up, cheering and jumping up and down, Mark realised that Paul must have won. He smiled as he saw her laugh. She really looked beautiful as she stood there grinning at the television. He took another drink of wine before standing up and going through to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

Mark turned round to smile at her. "To get another bottle."

Stephanie frowned. "But don't you think we've had enough?"

He shook his head. "Nonsense Stephy. Your husband just won his match. I think that deserves a celebration or two, don't you?"

Stephanie smiled as she took a drink from her glass. Mark was right and besides it was nice to have a drink and try and forget about all the stress over the last couple of days. God knows it was a welcome release and Mark seemed to be in better spirits too. It obviously wasn't doing any harm having a couple of glasses of wine. As her guest appeared with another bottle of white, the phone began to ring. Stephanie jumped up to get it.

"Hello?" she breathed, cradling the receiver between her neck and her shoulder.

"Well little sis, were you watching?"

"Shane! Of course I was. Is Paul with you?"

"Not yet but I've made it back to his dressing room. We're just waiting for him here and if you're lucky, I might let him talk to you."

Mark looked across and smiled as he heard Stephanie mention his name.

"Mark watched the match with me and he's currently plying me with wine. We're using the excuse of celebrating."

As she laughed, Mark filled her glass again and sat down, content to watch her as she stood there on the phone. Her face was animated as she talked to her brother. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she was and how she always had been, at least to him. Dating Stephanie might have felt like a lifetime ago but sitting here with her now, it was almost like yesterday. He had loved her then. He began to think he loved her now. After all what he felt in his heart couldn't be wrong. It beat that much stronger because of her. He owed her so much.

"Paul!"

Mark couldn't help but scowl at the mention of his name and he slumped in his seat, gulping down another mouthful of wine.

"Baby you were fantastic." Stephanie told him as she turned away and took the receiver in her hand.

"Yeah? Well just you wait till I come home. Then I'll show you how fantastic I can really be."

Stephanie laughed at her husband's suggestive remark and hugged herself with her free arm wishing it was tonight that he was coming home. She missed him so much. But of course she'd have to wait until Tuesday. He had RAW tomorrow night. She heard him laugh at the other end before telling someone to get lost.

"Your brother wants his phone back Steph. He's freaking out at the thought of his little sister getting some. Well that plus the fact that his phone is now covered in blood."

Stephanie's breath hitched in her throat. "Are you hurt pretty bad?"

"No but I've got a deep cut in my head. In fact, they're waiting to stitch me up right now. Listen, I'll call and talk to you later once I get back to Mom's."

"Okay. Take care and I love you."

As Stephanie hung up the phone, she failed to see the look of annoyance on Mark's face. However, by the time she turned back round, his face was now covered in a smile as he raised his glass up in the air.

"I'd like to make a toast. To Paul."

Stephanie giggled as she picked up her glass and held it in the air. "To Paul!"

She downed her drink in one go and smiled as she watched Mark fill it up again. She pointed towards the stairs. "I'm just going to go to the bathroom. I'll be back in a sec."

As she staggered towards the stairs, she tripped over a toy that Chloe had been playing with earlier. She landed with a thud on the carpet and burst out laughing as she realised what had happened. She rolled over onto her back and saw Mark standing over her with a concerned look on his face.

"Stephy, are you okay?"

Stephanie nodded her head. "Yes. But I think I might be a little drunk. I'm seeing two of you there."

She giggled and took Mark's outstretched hand. As he went to pull her up, he staggered and they both fell down to the carpet, Mark landing on top of Stephanie. She snorted with laughter as she lay there on the floor, her hair falling across her face. Mark brushed the tousled strands away and looked at her solemnly as he began to stroke her cheek. Before she realised what was happening, Stephanie felt his lips brush against hers as he kissed her.

Her eyes slowly fluttered shut as the memory of him flashed through her mind. Mark had kissed her before. In fact he had been her first kiss. It had been at her homecoming dance in her sophomore year of high school. A short while after that they had starting dating. Their relationship hadn't lasted long though, about six months if she recalled it correctly. Mark's possessiveness and jealousy had forced her to end things between them. That and the fact he had confessed his love for her and she realised she didn't feel the same way. She didn't love him. The only man she'd ever truly been in love with was Paul.

Shit! Paul!

Feeling her stomach knot with guilt, she violently shoved Mark away. He looked at her stunned and Stephanie shook her head unable to meet his eye. She felt her head spin woozily.

"I can't do this. You should go Mark. Please. Just go." she cried, panicked.

Mark watched her silently for a moment before he got to his feet and without saying a word, he walked across the living room and out the hall. A few seconds later, the front door slammed shut behind him. Stephanie remained on the floor and rolling onto her side, she hugged her knees to her chest. A solitary tear trickled down her cheek as she thought about her husband. Her arms had never felt so cold or her heart so heavy.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed before she managed to drag her ass to bed. She lay fully clothed on the bed, her mind spinning as the phone continued to ring out. It would be Paul. He always called before she went to sleep but she couldn't bring herself to answer it. How could she after what she'd done? Stephanie furiously wiped at the tears that were running down her face and cursed herself for being so stupid. She should never have let that kiss happen. What the hell was she going to do now? Deep down she knew she should tell Paul the truth but she was just so scared about how he would react. After all, she had let another man kiss her. Surely that was grounds for betrayal of some sort.

Suddenly the phone stopped ringing and Stephanie let out the breath she had been holding. The blood beat loudly in her ears as she wiped the tears from her face. The rain battered against the window pane and the droplets cast shadows across her face. A few seconds later it was illuminated by a flash of light as her cell phone sprung into life. Her head turned towards the nightstand as the melody echoed around the four walls. She had a text message. Her hand felt like it was trembling as she reached for the phone and reading it, she felt her tears burn her eyes.

"I love you. Sleep tite. Paul xxx"

"I love you too," she whispered before clutching her phone to her chest and her shoulders shook with her frightened breaths and tears as Stephanie cried herself to sleep.