Ch 13

The day before they left for Fort Lauderdale, Bella asked Hunter to bring Samantha to meet up with them at their parents vacation home. Undertaker and her arrived before them. The moment Bella put in the code to the gates and they started to swing open her anxiety started. She felt the familiar sadness as they drove up the long driveway passing the pond her mom loved so much. All the memories of the times she spent with her parents there flooded her mind.

"Talk to me, tell me what you're thinking," Undertaker said, reaching out and taking her hand.

"There are just so many memories here. I remember the first time they brought us here when I was 10. I was amazed how big it was. It was like our own private escape from everything," she said as they pulled up to where the driveway split one way leading to a massive 3 car garage with a second floor and the other leading to the sprawling light blue stucco with white trim ranch home. "You can park right there," she pointed in the direction of the garage.

"It's good to have the memories darling," he said, kissing her hand.

"I know and I would love to make more memories here. The place needs some work. My parents were almost done with the renovations when they passed away. Hunter and I could never pull the trigger on having the contractors finish the kitchen and the two bedrooms," she paused for a moment looking around. "It's time to let them finish. There is no reason to not use this place when we are in the area. Come on, I'll show you around."

"How many acres is here?" Taker asked, looking around not seeing another house nearby.

"We own almost 35 acres. My Dad wasn't going to buy it at first then my Mom fell in with the house and having her own pond. My Dad could never tell my Mom no to anything," Bella paused for a moment remembering her Mom's smile every time she saw the pond. "There is a 2 bedroom in-law suite over the garage that is completely renovated," she took his hand walking towards the main house. "The main house has 6 bedrooms. My parents insisted on having plenty of room for guests," she opened the lockbox taking out the key. She unlocked one of the double doors revealing the columned entryway with a marble floor leading into the living room. "Mom would never let us hang out in this living room. She was always worried about someone stopping by unannounced," she took him past the living room through the massive kitchen into the family room. "This is where we spent a lot of time when we weren't out in the pool," she smiled thinking of all the movie nights and game nights.

"You look so much like your mom," Undertaker said looking at all the family photos adorning the walls.

"My dad would always say that I was her mini version," Bella softly said as Undertaker took her in his arms holding her close. She rested her head on his chest feeling safe knowing he would get her through all the memories.

"Aunt Bella, Taker, are you here?" Samantha's voice echoed through the house.

"Yes princess," Bella answered, stepping away from Taker. Samantha came into the room followed by her Dad. "Why did you want us to meet you here?"

"Well if your Dad is ok with it I would like to have one of my contractors finish the house so we can start using it again like you want. We will have a home here so you can go to school here," Bella said, making Samantha race to her and hug her.

"Thank you. Dad, is it ok?" Samantha asked, looking at her Dad. He looked around feeling so many emotions. He half expected to hear his Mom start yelling about not slow poking in the living room for too long.

"Yes it's time," he said, knowing deep down it was time to bring the house back to life. "Nothing wrong with having a home here too. Do you need me to do anything, Bella?"

"I'll let you know once I have someone come look at what needs to be done but I'm pretty sure there won't be much for us to do except make design choices. Sami, you can pick which bedroom you like and anything you want done let us know." Bella said seeing how happy Sami was.

"I'll go take a look now," Samantha was about to step away when Bella motioned for her to stop.

"Before you go, I need to tell you the other reason I wanted to see you," Bella looked down into her niece's curious eyes.

"What's wrong? Did you decide to not take the job?"

"Relax, nothing is wrong. I signed the contract, I wanted to tell you in person that Mark and I are dating now," Bella barely said the last word when Sami started jumping up and down in excitement.

"Really?"

"Yes, your aunt and I are together," Taker spoke up.

"I'm so happy. Jessica and I were hoping you two would start dating," Sami said, taking Taker and Bella by surprise.

"You two have been talking about us?" Taker asked.

"Yes, we didn't understand why if you like one another so much why you wouldn't date. Did you tell Jessica yet?"

"You two weren't the only ones you didn't understand," Hunter chimed in. "Good news is they finally both smartened up. It just took a few years."

"Good things come to those that wait," Taker said, wrapping his arm around Bella. "We haven't told Jesse yet. Do you think we should call and tell her now or tell her in person?"

"Let's tell her now I don't think I can keep it from her," Samantha said knowing she wouldn't be able to stop herself from telling Jessica.

"Ok let's do it," Taker pulled out his phone calling his daughter.

"Hey Dad," Jessica answered right away.

"Hey I'm with Bella, Hunter, and Sami right now. I wanted to share the news we just told Sami with you," Taker paused for a moment.

"What news? What's wrong?"

"Everything is good. Bella and I are dating," he said, hearing his daughter happily sigh.

"Dad, that's awesome news. I was hoping this would happen."

"Bella and I are going to come see you after the shows. I'm happy you're good with us being together, We will have to talk about you spending some time over the summer with us traveling," Taker said seeing the big smile Sami got hearing Jessica might be spending some of the summer with them.

"I would love to do that. We can talk to Mom. Tell Bella I'm happy for both of you and I'm looking forward to seeing you guys next week," Jessica said, making Bella smile that she was happy.

"I love you Jesse. I'll talk to you soon. Do you want to talk to Sami?" Taker asked, seeing that Sami was anxious to talk to Jessica.

"Yes I do. I love you too Dad," Jessica said before Taker handed his cell to Sami and she disappeared into the other room.

"See everyone is happy you two finally are together," Hunter smiled feeling like his sister was on a good path with Undertaker.

"Mark was saying there might be backstage unhappiness when people hear I got a job and I'm dating him," Bella stared at her brother, seeing right away he agreed with Taker.

"Bella, not going to lie there will be some wrestlers who are going to be brutal and say cruel things. You just ignore them and if it gets too bad let one of us know. In time they will see you belong there too and if they don't who cares," Hunter tried to reassure her everything would be ok.

"There will always be someone unhappy in the locker room, it's part of the business," Taker caressed her back, feeling her tension. "Darling, don't worry about it now. What is the first thing you are going to have the contractor work on?" he asked, trying to distract her.

"I think the kitchen then the rest can be done once Sami picks a bedroom. Hunter, is there anything you want changed or done?"

"It would be nice to have a work out area, maybe turn the garage into a gym or …," he got excited as an idea popped into his head.

"Or what?" Bella asked.

"If that area is big enough I want to put a wrestling ring and a work out room there, are you ok with that?"

"Hunter, this place is ours. If you want to do that, go ahead. We have plenty of land you can build what you want if the garage doesn't work. I'll let you know when the contractor comes out you can talk to him."

"It would be great to have a personal place to train," Hunter said thinking of how much use he could get out of having his own training space with a ring. "Taker, do you think it's a good idea?"

"Yeah, better to have your own space than sharing. Also a good way to try out new ideas without prying eyes or Vince's opinion."

"If you have time you should be here when the contractor comes. I would appreciate your input on figuring out the space," Hunter said, hoping Taker had time.

"Well since I'll be traveling with my soon to be dark bride very soon, it shouldn't be a problem making sure I'm here," Taker grinned, kissing Bella's forehead.

"I'll make sure to schedule the contractor when we can all be here," she smiled.

"If it's ok with Bella, I'll take you over to the garage and show you the space," Hunter looked at his sister.

"Go ahead, I'm going to go check on Sami."

"Ok, we will be back soon," Hunter said, heading towards the front door.

"I'll be back soon darling," Taker leaned down, kissing her, sending all the butterflies fluttering happily.

"If Hunter drives you nuts just lock him in the garage," Bella softly said.

"I heard that sis," Hunter yelled, making Taker and Bella laugh. Taker kissed her one more time before leaving her alone. She sat down on one of the kitchen stools for a moment enjoying the amazing feelings Taker gave her still not believing it was all real and at any moment she would wake up from a dream.

"Aunt Bella, you look so happy," Samantha said, coming back into the room.

"I'm very happy. Are you excited with the news about us getting this house ready so we can use it?"

"Yes, it's a very good day. Finally we will have our own place to stay and you're dating Taker. Jessica and I both hope it turns into more and you guys get married," Samantha said, seeing her aunt blush at the idea.

"One step at a time, Sami."

"Taker and you are soul mates. I hope to find my soul mate one day like you did."

"I'm sure you will. How about for now you concentrate on choosing your room and picking out the colors you want?"

"Ok Aunt Bella, can we decorate the other bedroom for Jessica? We were just talking about her spending some time here. She will be getting her license soon so she wants to go on a road trip here one day."

"Of course we can do that. We will have to talk to her Dad about setting up time for her to come here."

"Thank you Aunt Bella, where is my Dad and Taker?"

"Your Dad is showing him the garage. Your Dad wants to turn it into a work out area with a wrestling ring."

"Oh that would be awesome. I want to wrestle one day too," Samantha's eyes lit up at the idea of having her own ring to learn in.

"Sami, your Dad will definitely be happy to train you if you decide to do that. For now you have your dance recitals to focus on and we will have to find you a new studio once we get you enrolled in school here."

"I like to dance but I really want to wrestle one day."

"We will see what happens as time goes on. Come on let's go see check out the room you choose," Bella stood up motioning for Sami to follow her. Bella hoped Samantha would stay as happy as she was right now as time went on and they went through with letting her move to Florida.