Chapter 27- Love Conquers All
A few months went by and Paul and Stephanie were still going their separate ways. Stephanie was dating others as well as Paul. Andrew was released from jail and headed back to Greenwich High. Andrew has his eyes set on one thing…better yet, one person.
3 Months Later
Paul's House
Paul was rocking Aurora to sleep in his new apartment. Stephanie trusted him more to keep Aurora at the apartment when she found it convenient for her. By convenient, I mean when she feels like going out on another date. Stephanie has been going on a lot over the weekend for a month now and Paul was pretty sure it wasn't with different guys…so who could it be? Who was that lucky guy taking his place? That plan Paul had of winning Stephanie back isn't working as fast as he thought. When Paul finally got Aurora to sleep he laid her down in her crib and looked at her features. It was amazing how a little baby can carry so much of both their parents in it. Aurora had Stephanie's blue eyes, button nose, rosy cheeks and her hair seems to be getting browner by the day. While, she had Paul's smile, forehead, head shape, and skin tone. She was a perfect mix. Paul went into his room and turned on the television. He wanted to find something to watch to keep him up until Stephanie got here.
Stephanie
"Why should I believe you will stay this way?" asked Stephanie as she looked into the direction of her date. "Because you can trust me, Stephanie! I know I wasn't a good boyfriend towards the end, but you have to admit, I was amazing in the beginning and partially towards the end too" said the male sitting across from her. "I just don't think I can trust you as much as I used to, Andrew!" said Stephanie as she ran her fingers through her hair. Andrew looked at her with sadness as he replied. "Come on, Steph! You know as well as I, that if you didn't have any feelings for me left, we wouldn't be in this restaurant right now" said Andrew with a smirk. "I know and I am not denying the fact that I have feelings for you, because I will admit, I still do. But I am not in a rush to get back to the way things were between us because to be honest, it sucked!" said Stephanie as she looked at Andrew and then looked down at her hands. Andrew was great in the beginning but just like Paul, all good things must come to an end and Andrew's did…HARD! "Andrew reached across the table and caressed Stephanie's cheek. "Listen, Steph, if you don't want to start from the end then let's start from the beginning. I mean, hey, we have been dating for a month now so…what do you say? Unless you are still hung up on daddy dearest?!" said Andrew as he grinned at Stephanie. Stephanie didn't know what to say because in her heart, she knew that she was still hung up on "daddy dearest" as Andrew put it. Paul will forever be her first love and nothing will ever change that. Also he is the father of her first child, who she left with Paul so she could go on a date with her ex! The ex that smacked her, raped her and used to try to peer pressure her into sex with him, which caused her to meet Paul, which caused her to become a teen mom. But either way it goes, Andrew is the cause and she didn't know what to say. Her heart kept saying run out of that restaurant and into Paul's arms but her head was saying give Andrew a chance and see where it goes. Stephanie looked up and into Andrew's eyes to see what emotion it might show. It mostly showed hope but she couldn't read him as easily as she could Paul. Stephanie took a deep breath and said the last words she would say on that date. "Ok, but just to see how it goes" said Stephanie as she silently prayed she was making the right decision.
Paul's House
Paul fell asleep on his bed until he heard his doorbell ring. He ran to the door and smiled seeing Stephanie there. "How was your date, Stephanie?" asked Paul as he stepped to the side and let Stephanie in. Stephanie looked at him and then looked away and kept walking to Paul's room. She just needed to sit down for a bit. "Steph, are you ok?" asked Paul concerned as he saw a tear fall from her eye. Stephanie nodded but Paul could tell she was lying. "How long has Aurora been asleep?" asked Stephanie as she looked towards her daughter's crib next to the bed. "About an hour now, but forget about that, what is wrong with you and don't lie to me!" said Paul as he sat down next to her and began rubbing her back. Stephanie bit onto her lip to try to hold in the tears. "You know how I have been going on dates like every weekend for a month now?" asked Stephanie. Paul nod and Stephanie continued. "Well, I have been seeing Andrew again and he asked me to give him another chance in the relationship department" said Stephanie as she waited for Paul's reaction. Paul sat there emotionless. How could she go back to the asshole that almost screwed up her life! "Paul, are you going to say anything? I felt you had a right to know since this will be affecting ALL of us" said Stephanie putting emphasis on all. Paul glared at her as he caught the meaning of what she said. "No, this won't because I will not let that bastard come anywhere near my daughter!" screamed Paul. Stephanie looked at Paul and then back at her hands. "I know you feel that way right now, but if this relationship does work out and I began to trust him again, then I will let him meet our daughter" said Stephanie. Paul paced back and forth as the situation hit home to him. Paul couldn't believe that Stephanie is seeing Andrew again and is thinking about letting him meet their child! He just needed to know one thing before he ended this conversation. "Stephanie, do you still love me?" asked Paul as he stared at the ground awaiting her reply. Stephanie was taken aback by the question and didn't know what to say. Stephanie opened her mouth to reply but the words wouldn't come out. Paul looked at Stephanie and was shocked she hasn't answered yet. He didn't know whether to take it as a positive or negative thing. Paul asked the question again and this time stood in front of her. Stephanie looked up and into his eyes. Who was Steph kidding? She knew she was still head over for heels for him. Stephanie let another tear fall as she stood face to face with him. Stephanie grabbed Paul's face and brought his lips to her in a passionate kiss. Paul wrapped his arms around Stephanie's waist and pulled her closer to him. Stephanie moaned as Paul deepened the kiss. Stephanie knew they needed to stop soon or another crib would be added to this apartment. As Stephanie pulled away, Paul moved his attention to her neck with his arms still wrapped tightly around her. "Paul…I don't think we should be…" moaned Stephanie as Paul bit, sucked, and whatever else to her neck that was driving her crazy. Paul leaned Stephanie down on the bed and kissed her again. "Paul, please, let's just slow down…" moaned Stephanie as she tried to push Paul away. Paul stopped what he was doing and looked at her. "You started this. Stephanie, not me! I can stop though" said Paul as he sat up and leaned on his headboard. Stephanie did the same and looked at him. "I know, it's just…I haven't had sex in a while and I want to keep it that way until I feel like I'm ready to again" said Stephanie as she caressed Paul's cheek. Paul nodded and then looked down. "Do you think that you might feel ready after a couple more dates with Andrew?" asked Paul as he looked into Stephanie's eyes. Stephanie couldn't really find an answer to that question because she really didn't know. Stephanie shrugged her shoulders and replied. "I don't know, Paul. I mean, I might if the feelings get stronger, but as for now, not for a while" said Stephanie as she then leaned and kissed Paul's cheek. 'I still have very strong feelings for you Paul and as much as I would love for us to get back together and be a family again, I just need to get my life back on track. I know it doesn't seem fair that I feel dating you would mess with my plans and dating Andrew wouldn't, but I just think…I believe in the quote 'distance makes the heart grow fonder'" said Stephanie as she let out a little giggle. "So where does this leave us, I mean, what if you and Andrew do work out and it gets to the point that you end up moving in with him and taking family outings with our daughter, then will you still leave him after you get your life back on track and graduate?" asked Paul as he rubbed up and down on Stephanie's waist. Stephanie bit her lip and blew out a sigh. "Paul I do not like 'what ifs', so please just don't hit me with those" said Stephanie as she leaned in and pecked Paul's lips. Paul was still confused on one more thing. "Ok, you say that you want to stay with Andrew and give him a chance, so why are you in my bed telling me you love me and kissing me? That is the types of things that can mess with a man's emotions" said Paul as he grinned at Stephanie. Stephanie looked down and blushed. "I just can't get over you, Paul. Not to mention, you are just so damn irresistible!" said Stephanie as she licked her lips and then leaned in to kiss him. Paul leaned back. "Now, if we start this, you have to promise you are going to finish it!" said Paul as he smirked. Stephanie smirked back and replied. "I promise!" said Stephanie as she kissed him again.
I didn't want to leave you all without a chapter for months like I did before. This isn't that short but enough to give you a glimpse of what's to come. After about three chapters, it's going to go through time yearly like the song and music video. Please Review! :)