A/N: Well, here's the last chapter and it's been a very long time in coming. I will admit, I am not overly thrilled with the ending but given the circumstances, it'll have to do.
25: No Differently
Sine stared tiredly down at the shopping list in her hand, blinking as she tried to focus on the words. Mark was at home with the twins, having officially retired from wrestling, and she had been sent out for the first time without him since he had forcefully reclaimed her. She wasn't alone however, she had their three month old son, Tristan –after her favorite love story-, with her. Mark wasn't an idiot, he would keep her babies near him so she wouldn't run off. Not that she was likely to anyway.
Tristan was in a sling across her chest, sleeping, thank God. He was such a fussy baby, she loved him, but if any of her babies caused her to lose her mind, he'd be the one. "Why the… Oh…" She had to reread that, and then blushed. She wasn't buying whipped cream, not with that little note on what it was for beside it.
She rounded the corner and almost walked into a man dressed in hunting gear, frowning when he reached out to steady her and stepped away from him. "Pardon me."
Shawn Michaels stared down at the woman dumbly, recognition in his eyes as he struggled to place her, to place that soft French accent. He had never met this woman before in his life, but damn it, he knew her. "Sine Reneire?" He finally murmured, nodding his own confirmation when her mouth twisted into a tiny 'o' of surprise. It was her, the woman Paul had been searching for all this time. "Sine?"
Sine was frowning now, her gaze suspicious as she began looking around. "Did my husband," She sneered the word. "Have you follow me?" it was a cold demand, but the tone also held fear in it. She had no idea who this man was. So far, nobody had recognized her, which wasn't too surprising given that they were out in the middle of nowhere. It was highly unlikely these backwards yokels would even know what a fashion designer was.
She was also looking different, curvier now thanks to pregnancy and with fuller breasts thanks to breastfeeding, not her best look. Her hair was growing to what she considered insane lengths, a few streaks of gray sprinkled through the locks. She had tried cutting it once, right after having Tristan, and that had not ended up in her favor.
"You can tell Mark I'm not trying to escape." She hissed finally, backing away.
"Jesus… he's really got you all messed up, sweetheart." Shawn shook his head and held out his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not here because of Mark, I'm Paul's friend. M'name's Shawn." He frowned when she went paler than she already was, pulling out his cell.
She began shaking her head.
"What's wrong?"
Sine turned and hurried off, arms around her baby, leaving the cart behind.
Shawn just dialed in the number, still frowning when his buddy answered. "Man, you will not believe who I just ran into…"
"What makes you think I care?"
"It was Sine."
Paul inhaled sharply. "Where?"
Shawn rattled the location off, not to surprised when the line went dead.
It was when she had finally gotten home that realized she had not bought a single thing. She bit lower lip, watching as her husband stepped out onto the porch and then down the steps, undoubtedly coming to help her unload the nonexistent groceries.
"Merde…" She groaned, getting out of the car and flashing him a hesitant smile. '"Tristan got fussy so I said forget it." She explained, it was almost honest. Tristan was seriously cranky at the moment, he was currently fussing in the backseat even now.
She was lying through her teeth and he knew it, he had always been able to read her like a book. Smiling green eyes turned venomous as he crossed his arms over his chest. "What happened?"
Sine hesitated then blatantly ignored him by turning to tend to Tristan.
"Have it your way then."
Why Mark had sent her out again a week later was beyond her, especially since he had taken up the grocery shopping the very next day after her eventful but fruitless trip. She was instantly suspicious as he had kept all three children with him, wondering just what his game was.
She had been sitting in the van for fifteen minutes now, just drumming her fingers on the steering wheel as she sat in the store parking lot. Finally, she leaned her head back and groaned. Games, it was always mind games, she never knew why but it was never any good for her.
A tap at the window roused her from her thoughts and her eyes opened, flying upwards. She met concerned hazel orbs and lost her breath. A second later, Paul had opened her door and pulled her out of the car and into his arms.
"Sine…" He whispered, burying his face in her and inhaled, his arms tightening around her. "Finally…"
She was too shocked to do much besides just stand there.
"Where are the kids?" He asked after letting go of her long enough to scan the backseats, frowning.
"With him, I'd say." Shawn said quietly from his place off to the side.
Not surprising, 'Taker was such a bastard. "We'll get them back Sine, and I'm going to take you far away, where he can't hurt you anymore. I prom-"
Sine had pressed a finger to his lips, shaking her head. Over his shoulder, she could see John, or Bradshaw, whatever he went by now. He was lying on the roof of the thrift store, and the weapon in his hands was aimed at Paul's back. Her husband had apparently had enough and set this up. "You have to go." She said softly, moving so she was the one in the line of fire. "I'm not leaving him Paul, I can't. We have a new baby." She murmured, knowing she was going to have to break his heart to save him.
Paul could see the fear in her eyes and shook his head, cupping her chin to force her to meet his gaze. "You have to get away from him Sine."
Shawn was getting more antsy by the moment. "If we're leaving, we need to do it now."
Panic was clear as day in his eyes, and Paul didn't know what to do. He had her, right here in front of him, but that was it. "Come with me, Sine. We'll get the kids, we'll figure it out. Don't go back to him."
"I am not leaving my children behind!" Sine was appalled and it showed. "I would never see them again. Don't you understand? No matter where I go or who I'm with, he will always find me. Always." She brushed a tendril of hair back from her face, forcing herself to be cold. "Get out of here Paul, forget me. I've already forgotten about you."
Shawn couldn't keep the 'ouch' expression from crossing his face.
All Paul could do was stare down at her, trying to see something, anything in her eyes, anything besides the lack of emotion that was causing his chest to constrict. There was nothing. Where there had been fear and a hint of surprise, it was empty, gone. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." He whispered, wanting to touch her, wanting to hold her again but didn't. She couldn't trust him to protect her, or her children, and he couldn't blame her. He had promised her more than once he'd keep her safe time and each time, he had failed and broken that promise.
It struck him now, the truth of it, the realization painful. Nobody could protect her from the Deadman, unless he decided to let her go, and that would never happen. They had three kids, 'Taker had retired, he wasn't going to let her go. He had chained her to him in every way he could. "Goodbye Sine."
"Goodbye." She whispered, watching as he gestured for a confused looking Shawn to follow him.
From the rooftop, Bradshaw nodded. She'd done the right thing and he hadn't had to kill anyone.
"I hope you left him alive."
Mark shelved the last dish before turning around. Sine had been gone… not as long as he had figured. He had thought she would run when she had the chance, or tried too. He had insured that chance would never reach fruition, hence Shaw.
"You've won. I'm yours."
"I know." He couldn't keep the smugness from his tone, not that he tried, and walked over to pull her into his arms, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "You made the right decision, Sine. I would've had him killed."
She nodded, already knowing it.
Chuckling darkly, he ran his hands down her sides, resting his head on top of hers. He knew it was over, the frustration of knowing she would run to another man if given the chance, of knowing there was a man out there willing to take her from him. she was his and would be until the day she died.
FIVE YEARS LATER
"Gavin, Kalea, and Tristan, get back here now!" Sine ordered, chasing after her seven year old twins and five year old son. She tried not to laugh as they raced down the hallway, hearing Mark sniggering behind her. He was busy with their second set of twins, who now three, both girls. Lily and Victoria, who was usually just called Vic. "Mark, help!"
They had arrived early for the Hall of Fame ceremony where Mark would finally be inducted. She glanced back at her husband, love sparkling in her eyes. It had taken her a long time to finally come to terms with what her lot in life was, but when she had… the entire world had opened up again.
When she had finally realized she was in love with her husband, he had shown her just how boundless his own could be.
"Dad, Kalea just-"
"Shut up you snitch!"
"Mommy, they won't wait for me!"
"Hold on, darlin'," Mark laughed, catching the two toddlers and hoisted them on either hip, dropping kisses on each of their tiny heads. "Gavin and Kalea, enough."
Gavin and Kalea both froze at his tone of voice. Their dad wasn't abusive or mean, but he wasn't above taking a belt to their behinds it they didn't heed warning. They were heeding. They followed him, quietly, into a locker room, Tristan trailing behind slowly.
He watched as Sine entered and then followed, setting down Lily and Vic and shutting the door. He sometimes couldn't believe that they had five children, two sets of twins, and then surprised himself when he would occasionally wonder if she'd be up for another rugrat. "Alright, enough, all five of you sit your backsides down now."
"Pere needs to practice his speech," Sine said, setting down the clothes bags with their outfits on a table. "So why don't we let him and we'll be his audience?"
"Sine…" Mark groaned, shooting his suddenly oh so sweet looking children a look. When she just flashed him a tiny smile he shook his head. "Fine…"
Sine listened as he began practicing the speech he had been working on for what seemed like months, keeping quiet when Gavin and Kalea would offer suggestions. She gathered there were parts he was leaving out but kept her curiosity to herself, knowing she would hear it later.
Even though Mark was the most confident, self-assured man she had ever met, she could detect the nervousness that he was trying to hide. This was a big moment for him, one she personally should have come much sooner. He hadn't been active in the business ever since his retirement, she knew he was worried that he had been forgotten.
As if that could ever happen.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and put your hands together for… the Undertaker!"
Sine was instantly on her feet along with the five children. Shane McMahon himself had gathered them when it was time, escorting Sine and the now very calm kids out into the arena for the show. Just a few seats down sat the McMahon prince himself, along with his own family, which now included two adorable little boys.
Gavin and Kalea were whistling, shouting encouragement as their dad walked out onto the stage, in a tux designed by their mom. "Go daddy! You rock!"
Thank God Tristan, Lily and Victoria were having fun with simple clapping. She blew him a kiss when he looked at her, gesturing the kids to take their seats. She wasn't surprised by the ovation he was receiving, it was thunderous and well-deserved, even she knew he was a legend.
The speech itself was pretty much the same one she had been hearing over and over for the past few weeks, but it was also different. It was different because he wasn't rehearsing it nervously, or cursing when he stuttered. He was delivering it with emotion, without hesitation, and that made it seem new to her.
"Before I go, I'd like to say something to my wife,"
Now this wasn't something she had heard and Sine cocked an eyebrow. Not too many people outside the business were aware he had a wife, and with good reason. The man had been insane.
"Sine, I love you darlin',"
Not what anyone was expecting, this was the Undertaker after all.
"And as I look back on everything, us, I realize that if I could do things differently,"
Her other brow rose.
"I wouldn't change a damn thing."
And she shivered, especially when his penetrating gaze zeroed in on her and he gave her a very wicked smirk. In the past it had always sent shivers of fear down her spine. Now it was lust and a delicious addition of knowing what was going to come later.
"Mama, why are you cryin'?"
"Hush Gav, didn't you hear Dad? He-"
Sine gestured for them both to shut up, wiping away the tears she didn't she was crying. She knew he wouldn't change anything, he still would have hunted her down, pursued her, tormented and tortured her… but tonight, this was his way of apologizing, in public no less, or apologizing as best as he could. He wasn't a saint after all.
Their marriage had been hell on earth, at first, but once she got past her hatred of him and started to actually care for him outside of their bed, well… then came understanding and finally love. There were so many things that could have been differently but in the end… she wouldn't change a single thing either, she wouldn't have done anything different. If she had, then maybe they wouldn't be where they were today.
Mark was the only man for her, as he always liked to tell her. It had just taken years for her to realize what he had always known. They were complete; they were each other's missing piece. It's just how it was.
A private smile played her lips as she watched her husband enjoy another standing ovation, remembering how they had met, in her backyard, their respective cats had been the catalyst. Then she recalled the incident that had set things in motion, things that would change her life forever and even now, it still brought a wicked smirk.
She had hit him with a sewing machine, attempting to crush his skull in and instead getting his shoulder. His fall to the cement floor had gotten his head, with much more care than her murderous blow would have been.
In the end, she hadn't been strong enough to try walking away one more time and he had never been strong enough to let her go. For that, she was grateful.
FIN