WrestleMania had been quite the weekend, just like expected. Thankfully, it had all gone down without a hitch and everyone had brought their A game. Maybe she was a little biased, but The Undertaker against Triple H had been her favorite match of the night. They absolutely knew how to steal the show every time. Also, Hunter had been buzzing from having Motörhead play him to the ring. Her lips curved up fondly at the memory. He'd deserved that break after the emotional turmoil of the past few days. And if Mania couldn't distract him, nothing could.

Now, looking over to the man navigating their rental through the outskirts of San Antonio, she couldn't help but frown. Hunter had been really quiet ever since they landed and every attempt at casual conversation had died out rather fast. Not that she was exactly surprised. They were on their way to his home, the place he shared with Shawn. Stephanie had a feeling it was too soon, but Hunter had his mind made up. They had been in Oklahoma City last night for SmackDown and that was when he told her almost in passing that he was using his days off to pack up some of his stuff at the house and have it shipped out up North. Somehow she had managed to convince him to let her tag along. And she in turn had sweet-talked her dad into letting her use the company jet for the trip.

Stephanie had been so lost in thought that only when Hunter turned off the engine, she realized they had pulled up at a modern two-story farmhouse that definitely still showed the Spanish/Mexican influences that were typical for the area. It looked beautiful.

"Here we are. Home, sweet home." Hunter's voice was lacking its usual warmth and she could tell he was hesitating to get out of the car.

Putting a hand on his lower arm, Stephanie tried to reassure him. "You don't have to do this today, you know?"

"Actually, I do. The sooner, the better, right?"

As if on a mission to prove those words, he hastily got out of the vehicle and went towards the trunk to grab the empty boxes they had picked up earlier. However, his pace slowed again the nearer he got to the front door.

Stephanie also stepped into the humid air, catching up with him. "Did you let Shawn know you'd be coming by today?" She had contemplated how this would go one way or the other, but with Shawn's temper, a little heads up could only work in Hunter's favor.

"I left him a message yesterday." was Hunter's only tight-lipped reply. He took an audible breath and seemed to brace himself when he unlocked the door. Uncertain and suddenly feeling a little out of place, she followed him inside.

"Shawn?" They walked through the spacious living room towards the kitchen. "Are you around?" She heard Hunter sigh when there was no answer. "Should've figured as much." He leaned the boxes against the side of the island counter and sat down on one of the stools next to it.

"You know, Steph, somehow I was hoping he'd be here today. That was the main reason I even called ahead." She watched how he let his eyes wander to the huge floor-to-ceiling windows that led to the patio in the back. There was a wooden swing that was slightly swaying in the breeze and she wondered what memories it might hold for him when his gaze lingered on it. "I really am stupid, ain't I?"

Hopping onto the counter, she turned to him, "You're not." Her voice was gentle and when he looked at her, she continued, "To be honest, I can't believe he's not here."

"That's Shawn for ya. Just shows how much he cares, right?" His face hardened before he got up. "Listen, just make yourself at home. I try not to be too long, alright?" In a rush he picked up the boxes again and walked towards the stairs that led to the upper level.

In the meantime she really hadn't wanted to snoop, but after a while curiosity got the better of her and she ended up roaming around the place a little. Her first impression from the outside mirrored itself inside the house. The décor, furniture and simply the whole vibe of it was a perfect mix of modern architecture and items on the one hand and a bit more traditional style on the other. In a way it was much like Shawn and Hunter - at first sight so different, but then you realized how well it worked together. Her smile faltered soon, though. At least for the two of them, this didn't seem to be true anymore.

She noticed the fireplace at the far end of the living room and briefly pondered why you would need one in Southern Texas. It didn't look like it was used much and her best guess was that it had mainly been added for atmosphere. That was when her gaze fell on the mantelpiece, spotting quite a few framed pictures. She didn't recognize many of the people in them but guessed they were of their respective families. Most, however, were of Shawn and Hunter. There was the obligatory Christmas shot, some definitely taken on the road, others in hotel bars with the boys, but also a couple that looked like rather private moments. One in particular caught her attention so she picked it up to take a closer look.

It was the two of them outside, Shawn was laughing at something off camera and Hunter had an arm around his waist, looking with such love in his eyes at Shawn as if he was the center of his world. Right then she actually recognized where it must have been taken. In the photo they were sitting on the swing she had seen on the back porch before.

"That's it. I got the most important stuff packed up and already in the car. The rest I can simply get whenever."

She hadn't even heard Hunter come downstairs and was startled when he walked up behind her. Gently he took the picture Stephanie was still holding from her grasp. She tried to read his expression when he looked at it and carefully traced a finger across its glass surface. For a moment she thought he wanted to say something, but instead he simply placed it back in its original spot.

His voice sounded off when he spoke, "Let's just go."

Together they walked to the door and she had already stepped outside when Hunter unexpectedly stopped. He rummaged for something in the pocket of his jacket. As he went back inside, she saw that it had been his keys that he quietly put in the middle of the table. He seemed to take one more look around the place he used to call home for the last few years before he closed the door and all but rushed past her towards the car. He hadn't looked at her when he did so, but she could have sworn that she saw his eyes well up.