Chapter 13

Stephanie curled up on the couch, her hand wrapped around her mug of coffee as she casually flicked through the channels. The television was the only light in the room illuminating the decorated walls. She wasn't really looking for any program in particular, just something to occupy her time until RAW began. Because she had never missed a show, not one since she had left on maternity leave almost six years ago. Of course that maternity leave had somehow turned into an indefinite sabbatical. It was strange really. When she had discovered she was pregnant, Stephanie had never imagined being so content just raising her children. She always thought she would yearn to be so much more. Her career had been so important to her and she was so passionate about the business. She couldn't imagine the company her family built not being a huge part of her life but as the time got closer to return to work, the mere thought of leaving her baby made her ache inside. She didn't want to miss her first word, her first step, her first anything. So she had made her decision to be a stay-at-home mother much to Paul's surprise and her own. But it wasn't a decision she had taken lightly. God knows she had chewed Paul's ear off so many times fretting over whether she was doing the right thing. She didn't want to leave her child but she didn't want to resent her either. Her independence was a huge part of who she was. She didn't want to feel swallowed up by just being a mother and a wife. But eventually her decision had been made when Paul had turned to her one night and told her to just follow her heart. Part of her had wondered if it could ever be that simple. It turned out that it was. Her heart was with her children and her family and she hadn't regretted her decision for one second since.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Stephanie tossed the remote to the cushion of the sofa. Her eyes settled on the television before widening in surprise a few moments later when a set of car lights streamed through the open curtains. Raising her brow, she wondered who it could be. She wasn't in the habit of receiving late night visitors. Placing her coffee cup on the table, Stephanie got up from the sofa and walking towards the large bay window, she peered out the glass. That was when she was surprised all over again when she recognised the Escalade outside and realised it was Paul. Her mind began to wonder why he was here. He was supposed to be in New Hampshire right now. He was supposed to be working the show. He hadn't mentioned coming home at all when she had talked to him early this afternoon which only made her worry why he was here now.

As Stephanie made her way out of the house, she triggered the security light which lit up the front entrance and drive. She arrived at the car just as Paul opened the door and got out of the front seat. Her panicked mind worked over time as her concerned eyes quickly travelled over him before searching the back windows of the car.

"Paul, what are you doing here? Is everything okay? Are the kids okay?" she asked frantically.

She saw Paul nod his head as he walked across to her and the gentle heat of his hands on her shoulders reassured her as well as the warm smile he offered her.

"Everything's fine so you can stop worrying."

Stephanie nodded her head as she let out a shaky breath. The light breeze blew the soft strands of her hair and brought the strange smell to her attention. Her nose scrunched in confusion as she looked at her husband, lightly sniffing in his direction.

"Paul, what the hell is that smell? It's like sick or something."

He sighed softly as he kissed the top of her head. "Ding ding. Give yourself a prize. Your son decided to throw up on his daddy when we got off the plane tonight. Although I thought I'd cleaned up not too badly."

Paul lifted his shirt up and sniffed in its direction. He instantly recoiled, screwing up his face in disgust. Stephanie's laughter carried in the wind. He playfully shook his head and pointed at her.

"It's not funny, you know. It's about the fourth time that's happened today."

"My poor baby." Stephanie taunted as she lightly caressed Paul's face before wandering across to the back window of the car. She could see Jake was fast asleep, his head resting against the side of the padded car seat. Her fingers traced the glass watching him and Ellie who was snuggled into the side of her brother, her head flopped against his arm. She smiled softly feeling Paul behind her and leant into him as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"As you can see, he's sleeping like an angel. I think it's just a virus or something."

"Is that why you came back early?"

Paul nodded and smiled as Stephanie turned in his arms, looking up at him. "I just wanted to get him home. I knew he was getting sick when Mom took his temperature this morning. So I cleared it with Vince and got an earlier flight." He bent down to place a soft kiss on his wife's lips. "Come on. Let's get the kids inside. It's getting cold out here."

Stephanie subconsciously rubbed her arms as Paul let her go and walked round the other side of the car to get Ellie. There was a definite chill to the air and she felt her skin prickle underneath her sweater as she watched Paul tend to their daughter. She opened the door to get Jake. As she picked him up carefully from his seat, she noticed he felt extremely warm. She adjusted him in her arms and as she placed her fingers across his forehead, she noticed it was hot and clammy. She pressed her lips to his cheek and held him closely.

"Poor little Jake. You're burning up."

Paul wore a concerned expression as he walked round with Ellie, her face hidden by her blonde curls as it rested on his shoulder. "Is he feeling hot again?"

Stephanie nodded her head as she reached out to touch Ellie's back. She rubbed it affectionately. "He's definitely come down with something."

"Then I'm glad I brought him home."

"Me too."

Paul followed on behind Stephanie as they took the children into the house. The heat instantly hit his chilled skin and he felt his nose tingle as it began to thaw. He placed Ellie down on the sofa, resting her head against the arm of the chair. He stood up and smiled at Stephanie who was watching him curiously. "I promised her she could stay up to say hello to you." he explained. "She's desperate to see you and show off the new dress and shoes her Grandma bought her."

Stephanie smiled fondly as she rocked Jake gently in her arms. "I take it they were spoiled rotten."

"Of course."

"Well they're not expecting her at school tomorrow anyway. I think I'll keep her at home."

"I'm sure she won't complain about that." Paul said and jangling the car keys in his hand, he dropped a kiss on Stephanie's head as he brushed past her. "I'll go and bring in the rest of the stuff from the car."

"Okay. I'll just get Jake settled. He's out like a light."

Paul's face wore a smile as he watched his wife cradle their son even closer as she carried him up the stairs. He had to admit he was relieved they were home. Travelling with two children wasn't easy especially when one of them was sick. And of course having a throbbing headache hadn't helped matters either. Despite the pills he had taken it still hurt like a son of a bitch. Absently rubbing his fingers against his right temple, Paul looked across towards the television. He noticed that RAW had started and Jericho was cutting a promo in the ring. For the first time in a long time, he was glad he wasn't there. He sure as hell couldn't have wrestled tonight even if he'd wanted to. He wasn't sure his body could have taken it. And as Paul made his way out to the car, he chuckled to himself. He really was starting to sound like one of the old timers the difference being he wasn't ready to hang up his boots. Not yet and probably not ever.

Paul grabbed the bags from the trunk and hoisting them over his left shoulder he locked the car and carried them back to the house. As he closed the front door over and dumped the bags on the floor, he let out a loud yawn as he wandered into the living room. He rubbed at his eyes and when he looked up, he was met with a pair of similar ones which were staring at him from the couch. He smiled at his daughter who was now sitting up, awake and alert.

"Ready to go to bed now, short stuff?" he teased.

Ellie scowled as she crossed her arms over her chest. She pouted her lips at him as she glared. "But you said I could stay up and show Mommy my new things. You promised."

Paul playfully slapped his forehead pretending he had forgotten but suddenly flinched as he felt the stabbing pain that shot through his head. He clenched his teeth together as the pain passed. Damn stitches. He had forgotten about them. But his grimace quickly turned to a smile as he heard his daughter giggle. Paul shook his head as he sat down next to her and poked her gently in the side. "What's so funny, Miss Ellie?"

"You're silly Daddy. You hurt yourself."

"Oh I'm silly am I?"

Paul grabbed for Ellie and throwing her down on the cushions, he began to tickle her sides. Ellie screamed and kicked her legs as she thrashed around underneath.

"Stop Daddy. Please stop. Please. I didn't mean it."

Her shriek was bubbling with her laughter. As Paul's hand moved to ruffle her hair, Ellie managed to wriggle free. Her animated face beamed back at him.

"Can I go and see Mommy now?"

"Sure. I'll race you."

Paul shot up from the sofa and made a mad dash for the stairs. He grinned as he heard Ellie giggling behind him and he turned round as he reached the top landing. He threw his arms triumphantly in the air.

"What do you know? Daddy wins again."

Ellie was still laughing as she reached the top step. He picked her up in his arms and made his way along the hallway looking for Stephanie. He poked his head in the nursery but noticed she wasn't there. He found her in the bathroom, turning on the faucet in the bath with one arm while she sat on the edge of the tub and held Jake in the other. Their son was fully awake and seemed quite content, wearing only his diaper as he sucked on his thumb.

"Mommy!"

Stephanie looked up and beamed at her little girl. "Hi my sweetheart."

Paul had wandered across in her direction and lowered Ellie enough that she could kiss her perfect lips.

"Did you have a good time with Daddy?" she asked.

Ellie's curls bounced up and down as she enthusiastically nodded her head. "But I missed you lots and lots. Can I show you my new dress?"

Stephanie laughed and nodded. "Sure but I just want to run Jake a bath first, okay?"

Ellie's moan of disappointment told them it was far from okay. Paul shook his head in amusement as he grinned at Stephanie.

"How about we do a swap? I'll give Jake his bath and Miss Ellie here can show off her new clothes."

He saw Ellie beam with delight as he placed her down on the floor. Stephanie mouthed a thank you as she handed Jake over. Paul was relieved to notice that his skin didn't feel as hot and clammy as it did earlier. It was still warm to the touch though and his eyes were extremely heavy. He also stank of vomit.

"Come on little man. Let's get you freshened up before bed."

Stephanie smiled at him as she took their daughter's hand. "You might want take your own advice."

Ellie giggled as Paul stuck his tongue out at them. As he turned round to check on the water, Stephanie and Ellie left the bathroom and made their way back down the stairs. Stephanie saw the bags at the front door where Paul had left them earlier. She watched Ellie rush over and try to drag one of them along the floor.

"My dress is in this one, Mommy."

Stephanie smiled as she took the bag from her daughter. She lifted it up and placed it on the chair in front of her. She unzipped it and as she opened it, she saw the lilac dress folded neatly on top.

"Daddy put it there for when we got home."

Stephanie grinned at her daughter as she pulled out the dress in front of her. "That was very clever of Daddy, wasn't it?"

Ellie nodded her head as Stephanie pulled out the matching shoes. She whistled in appreciation.

"Ellie, your stuff is beautiful. Did you pick it all by yourself?"

"Uh huh. Do you want to see it on?"

Stephanie ruffled her wayward curls affectionately. "Of course I do. I can't wait to see what it looks like."

"And can I wear it when you watch Cinderella with me?"

Stephanie raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Don't you think it's a little late for watching movies?"

Ellie scowled as she took the dress that her mother held out to her. "But I asked Daddy on the plane and he said yes."

"Well, if Daddy said it's alright, then I guess we can."

"Yay!"

Stephanie shook her head in amusement as Ellie began to strip off her clothes. As she let out a tired yawn, she decided she really would have to talk to Paul. He needed to learn how to say no to the children. Ellie already had him wound round her little finger and it wouldn't be long before Jake cottoned on that when it came to his children, his daddy was a soft touch. He always had been. But right now, she was just pleased to have Paul and her children home especially after everything that had been happening with Mark.

Shaking her head, Stephanie refused to dwell on that thought any longer. She also ignored the wave of guilt she felt at keeping it from Paul. But really, what was the point in telling him and upsetting him in the process. What happened had happened and it was all over now. It had been a mistake and one that would never happen again. And actually now her family was home, it was pretty easy to put the kiss and Mark to the back of her mind.

"Mommy, do you like it?"

Ellie's voice caught her attention and turning to her daughter, Stephanie happily focused on her forgetting everything else.

A couple of hours or so later, Stephanie was upstairs. She shut the door over behind her making sure to leave the night light on at the side of Ellie's bed. Her daughter was fast asleep after crashing out watching the movie. Yawning heavily as she wandered along the hallway, Stephanie realised she must have crashed out too. She had woken up on the sofa with Ellie in her arms and the movie over. She guessed the lack of sleep from the previous night was catching up with her.

Raking her hands through her hair, Stephanie quickly checked in on Jake. She was surprised to see his room in complete darkness. He usually had a light on too in case he woke through the night. Paul must have forgotten to leave it on. As she crossed the room and flicked the switch, she glanced over at the crib. It was empty and the covers still neat and tidy. Jake wasn't here but she had a pretty good idea where he would be.

Smiling, Stephanie flicked the switch once more bathing the room in darkness. Walking into her bedroom, she paused, lingering in the middle of the floor for a moment. Her heart swelled with love and pride as she took in the sight in front of her.

Paul was on his back, his head propped up by the soft pillows. His blonde hair was fanned across the white cotton. Jake was lying spread across his bare, muscular chest. They were both fast asleep with Jake's chubby hand wrapped tightly around Paul's finger. The dimmed light from the nightstand illuminated their beautiful faces which were both turned to her. In that moment, she wondered how she could have ever gotten so lucky; to have everything she ever wanted right here under this roof. Because her family, they meant everything to her. Her husband was so much more than she had ever dreamt possible. Her children were so beautiful and absolutely perfect. In fact her family were her entire world. She loved them with all her heart and soul. She really was truly blessed in her life.

Smiling, Stephanie tiptoed towards the other side of the bed, careful not to wake them up. She quickly removed her clothes and pulling on her pyjamas, she slowly crawled into the bed beside them. She pulled up the covers which had managed to fall away and as she smoothed back her son's hair, she was pleased to find he was cool to the touch. She gently leant across and kissed the back of his head before placing a soft kiss on Paul's cheek. She smiled as he mumbled something in his sleep before turning his head towards her. Stephanie carefully reached across him to switch off the light before lying back down on the bed. She shifted her body to lie on her side, facing her husband and son and wrapped her arm across them both. The soft white light of the moon gently danced across Paul's face and he looked so peaceful as he slept. Stephanie felt her heart swell as she lay just watching him listening to his steady breathing. Her hand gently rubbed her son's small back. It wasn't long before she felt her eyes get heavy and as she closed them, Stephanie's whispers of love echoed in the silent room before her breathing evened out and she fell asleep next to them.