Later That Night.
Shane was driving to Phoenix for Monday Night Raw. Karen was quiet and looking out the window. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. Actually she could this was the story of her life she finally found someone and he called her girlfriend but then the other shoe dropped. Something happened to make her realize she was living in the fantasy world and fate had other plans. Roman's ex was pregnant with his baby. She knew Roman wanted to be a father she would never stand in the way of that. But could she really still be with him knowing that he would have those special moments of parent hood with some one other than herself. She knew how selfish that sounded in her head but the reality of her current situation plagued her mind.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Shane said finally breaking the long silence.
"Just a penny? Thought you were millionaire." She joked realizing how dumb that sounded. "Sorry that sounded better in my head and not as rude."
"No need to say sorry. It was a funny joke. You know you are funnier than you give yourself credit for." Shane told her.
"Well thanks again for driving me to Raw. I still can't believe I let you and Dean talk me into going. I would rather just go home." She stated.
"I know but I think Dean's right. Being around people will be better for you."
"Thanks. Sometimes it's nice to know people care." She said softly.
"Karen you have a great support system here. You have Dean, Charla and Seth. I see how they all care about most importantly you have me." Shane said to her as he looked over at her as their eyes met. "Just know you can talk to me about anything. I mean that. I mean what did Roman do to spark all those tears?"
"His Ex girlfriend is pregnant." Karen finally told him. "I guess she told him a few weeks ago and Roman thought it was a good idea to tell me yesterday Dean's house."
"Oh. So that's a deal breaker?" Shane asked her.
"Well she's 5 months I guess so it's not like he cheated on me. Sounds like it was right before or after they broke up kind of thing. I just don't think I can be with him knowing he's gonna share all those special moments with another woman. It's the same old story they will fall in love again any way. I would never stand in the way of him being a Dad. He wants to be a dad and he'll make a great Dad. I just need to realize I wasn't good enough for him and move on." Karen admitted.
"Karen this isn't your fault and just because his ex is having his baby doesn't mean you aren't good enough why would you think that? You are amazing any man would be lucky to have you. Believe me." Shane said. "Why do you feel you aren't good enough?"
"Because that is what I've been told and that's just how it always seems to go." Karen admitted to the silver fox driving the rental car.
"Who told you that?" Shane asked glancing her way and then back to the road.
"My dad for one. He always made me feel worthless. I mean he would promise me the world when he was around and then never deliver and it was just the littlest of things. Like he would say he would pick me up on the weekend for a movie or something and then he would never show and the older I got the promises got bigger and the reality that he would never come through on them. But that just made me stronger I think. It wasn't until college I had a room mate and I thought she was someone I could trust. I had a few college crushes over those 4 years and nothing really ever came of them until my senior year I fell fast and I fell hard for Liam. He was everything I thought I wanted in life he had a great job he owned his own farm. We started dating. I thought he could be the one for me. But my reality came crashing down. I had to go home to help my mom I can't even remember why now. When I got back to school that night I got a text saying to come to Dawson's our mutual friend who had a house off campus any way I went and they were watching some movie." Karen explained playing with her hands.
"I think it was 30 days of night or something. I sat next to Liam like always and I simply asked what was happening in the movie since it had already started. He looked at me with this disgusted look one he'd never given me before and said 'How the hell should I know.' I was like a little taken back and told him I was sorry just asking when I noticed my room mate Emma get up in a huff and go to the front porch. I thought something was wrong so I went to ask her what was going on and she was like let's meet for dinner tomorrow night at Denny's. I was like sure. I tried to talk to Liam but he kind of ignored me the rest of the night until he walked me to my car and I thought it was for a good night kiss or at the very least an apology thinking he would tell me what was going on with him. Boy was I wrong. He proceeded to tell me that he didn't want to hang out or be together any more. He told me that I was nothing more than fat poor white trash. That I always seem to want things and people I can't have. That Emma had told him that I wanted to marry him and have kids with him. That was something that was never gonna happen he would never spend the rest of his life with someone like me. I slapped him in the face and told him to go to hell and got in my car and drove back to campus. I tried to hold in tears at his words not letting a man tell me how to be. I worked my ass off to get where I was. Any way the next night I met Emma for dinner. We made small talk she asked how my student teaching was going and if I was ready for graduation. Then we started talking about Liam I told her everything he had told me and I thought her being my friend she would be there for me and tell me he was a jerk or something. No she agreed with everything he said. She told me that my biggest problem is that I always crush and fall for guys that were too good for me. Guys that I could never have. That is why I was single and why all my crushes in college never worked out. I was shocked to be honest but their words haunted me for a long long time and they still do. I hadn't dated anyone since Liam. Why I can't trust. So letting Roman in was BIG for me. Letting my guard down and opening my heart was not an easy thing and the second I did that look what happens he tells me that his ex is pregnant. Like I said I don't fault him that's not on him it's on me for being naive to think my life would be any different that my life would change." Karen stated there was a shakiness to her voice like she wanted to cry but the tears wouldn't come. "Sorry that was a long ass answer to your simple question."
Shane glanced over at Karen taking her hand softly and kissing it. Hearing those words hurt his heart. How could anyone be that mean to this special woman.
"Karen look at me!" Shane stated still holding his hand. Karen slowly looked up at him.
"Screw those assholes. Don't ever let anyone have that much power over you! I am so sorry that those people made you feel that way. You are anything but worthless or trash for that matter. I can tell just by looking at you that you are someone special. You are so smart, sweet, kind and caring. Just to name a few. You deserve the world brown eyes. I want to find this Liam and beat the hell out of him for making you think those things for all these years. Because I am telling your right now those aren't true. You are smart and beautiful and any guy would be lucky to call you his." He told her placing his hand on her face. "Never ever let anyone make you feel like less than you are." He told her as they looked into each eyes.
"Thank you Shane. That means a lot that you see those things in me even when I can't seem to see them in myself." She said. "Why are you being so good to me? You are a McMahon and I am just me a poor lonely no body."
"You're right I am a McMahon but you brown eyes you are a some body you are a young smart and beautiful. Making a difference in young peoples live. Why am I being so good to you? Why wouldn't I?" Shane said. "Karen I have to be honest since the first night I saw you I knew there was something about you. Then at Wrestlemania that feeling just grew. The way you treated my boys and the way Rogan hasn't stopped talking about you. Karen you are someone I want to get to know. So I guess for now all I am asking is that you let me in." Shane said.
Karen looked at Shane and bit her bottom lip like she did when she was nervous.
"I can try Shane. I am working on my trust issues. I just I don't know what to do about Roman." She admitted.
"What does your heart tell you?" Shane asked.
"My heart and mind seem to be conflicted. But honestly that I just need to let him go. I do like him but for some reason I can't fully let him in. I mean he's gonna be a Dad which is so great for him but I think I just need to let him go and be with Tayla I know she's gonna want him back to be there for her and their baby. So I need to be the bigger person and let him go be that man." Karen said.
Shane would be lying to himself if he wasn't a little relieved to hear her say she was breaking up with Roman. There was something about her. He hadn't felt like this in a long time maybe ever. This feeling he had was different than anything he had felt for Marissa. He knew Karen was a strong willed woman but all he wanted to do was love and take care of her spoil her and give her the best life he knew how. He felt like he could tell her anything and she wouldn't judge him.
That night when they got to the hotel. Shane checked them in when they walked in there were two full size beds.
"Are you sure Shane? I mean I can get my own room or ask Seth and Charla?" Karen said feeling a little uneasy sharing a room with another man.
"It's fine. There are two beds. Besides I think Seth and Charla are busy." He chuckled.
After Karen got ready for bed and climbed in she glanced over at Shane who was doing work on his computer.
"You work a lot huh?" Karen asked.
"Yeah. Even thou I am back in the WWE I still have my other business to run." He told her.
"Doesn't leave much time for anything else huh?" Karen said laying on her stomach facing him her feet crossed behind her.
Shane glanced over at the beautiful woman couldn't help but check her out.
"No. One of the reason I am divorced." Shane admitted.
"That must have been hard for you. Again sorry that it didn't work out." Karen told him.
"It's alright. Somethings just aren't meant to me. It was hard at first but the split was mutual she couldn't handle me working a lot and she didn't want me to return to the WWE. We just weren't happy. Sometimes you just fall out of love with someone." He told her. "But we still communicate and try not fight in front of the boys. They are getting use to having us live apart."
"Sometimes things happen for a reason we may not know what that is until it happens. But I know you will find that happiness again Shane." Karen said.
Shane knew deep down Karen was right and he hoped that happiness would be with the brown haired brown eyed beauty. They talked a little more about each other just getting to know one another and their past. Until Karen drifted off to sleep Shane continued to work late into the night but would catch himself glancing over at the beautiful sexy woman in the next bed.
The Next Day.
Roman was pacing the locker room. When Dean came in from shooting his arrival promo for the show tonight.
"Uce you're gonna ware a hole in the damn floor will ya calm down?" Dean said plopping down on the couch making himself comfortable holding the title.
"I thought you said she was coming to Raw? Seth and Charla are here and she's not." Roman stated looking at his friend.
"Yeah I know Red's here she tried to jack my title." Dean laughed.
"I just need to talk to Karen. I need to explain things to her." Roman said finally sitting in the chair back wards.
"I know. She'll be here. But listen you have to understand her point on this too I mean do you really want her to be second place to all this?" Dean asked.
"What are you talking about? Second place? I would never want her to feel that way." Roman said.
"Uce listen I can tell you both like each other but I also know you are gonna be with Tayla every step of the way you don't want to miss a moment of the kids life. That's the kind of guy you are. So I am just saying think about it." Dean said as he heard his phone buzz and glanced down. "Karen's here."
"What? How do you know?" Roman asked.
"Crazy invention called a phone man." Dean said holding up his phone.
Shane and Karen arrived at the arena and came in.
"Thanks again Shane for everything." Karen said.
"Any time Karen I mean that." He said pulling her into a hug. "Remember dinner after the show."
Dean and Roman left the locker room and when Roman saw Shane hugging Karen close to him he felt anger and jealousy bubble inside him.
"You are just to good to me." She said looking at him.
"Karen!" Roman stated coming up to them eyeing the younger McMahon.
"Hi Roman." She said taking a deep breathe knowing it was now or never she needed to talk to him.
"Hey Roman. Dean or is it Champ?" Shane smiled.
Dean grinned. "Champ is fine."
"McMahon." Roman stated. "Karen we need to talk."
"I know Roman. I am ready to talk now." She said looking at Shane.
"I'll see you later." He said.
"Dude right here." Roman said in a low growl.
Karen just nodded she looked at Roman as he grabbed her hand and they went to the locker room to talk. Dean followed but was distracted by Charla talking about his shiny new toy.
"OOO I love that title." Charla smiled.
"I know but back off it's mine now." Dean winked glancing at the locker room door.
"They are finally talking now huh?" Charla asked.
"Yeah. For the record I am kind of team Karen on this one." Dean said. "I will support Uce in whatever he decides but Karen is my friend now too."
"I am right there with you." Charla agreed.
In the locker room Karen came in and looked around then sat down on the couch. Roman sat in a chair in front of her. Taking her hands in his rubbing them softly.
"I've miss you." Roman said.
Karen smiled and nodded. "I've missed you too. But Roman I need to be honest OK and I want you to hear me. I really do care about you so much. I only want the best for you. But I just don't see how we are gonna work." She admitted.
"Baby girl we can make this work. I want to make this work." Roman said.
"Roman. I have thought about this and as much as I do want us to work. I just can't see an end where we are truly happy with one another." Karen said softly. "You want to be a Dad and that is so great and I am happy for you but I just don't think I can take being the other woman."
"Karen you wouldn't be the other woman." Roman said. "I am falling in love with you and I can't lose you."
"Oh Roman." She said looking into his eyes. "I would always be that other woman. I know you wouldn't mean to but I know you or well at least I think I do. You would put the mother of your child first and make sure she and the baby are taken care of and like I said I don't fault you for that. I respect that is the kind of man you are. I just don't think I can live like that and that's on me not you. I don't want a relationship where I always feel like I'm not good enough. I hope you can understand."
"So that's it? You're breaking up with me? You don't even want to try and work this out?" Roman asked.
"I'm sorry. I just don't see how I can look past this. I mean I guess if I was a better person but Roman I'm not good enough for you any way. We both know that." Karen said.
"Please just don't give up on me on us." Roman said.
"I'm sorry Roman. I just hope that we can remain friends." She said kissing his cheek getting up and walking out of the locker room in tears.
"Karen?" Dean asked as he was leaning up against the wall outside the locker room.
"I had to let him go." She said looking at Dean and walking away. Dean sighed as he went to talk to his friend.
After Monday Nigh Raw.
Karen was talking with Charla and Seth.
"I am so sorry sweetie." Charla said hugging her friend.
"It's alright. I will mend this broke heart some how. I just had to be the bigger person and let him go because I don't think he would have let me go. If that makes any sense." She said.
"I think I know what you mean Karen." Seth said. "He just wants it all and doesn't really see how that could effect some people."
Karen just nodded when Shane came up to them.
"Great Show tonight Seth! Triple Threat will all three members of The Shield at Battleground will be amazing the fans love it." Shane said.
"Yeah it will be great. Now we just gotta see who gets drafted where." Seth chuckled. "Any hints McMahon?"
"Nope sorry only Vince knows those classified details." He chuckled wrapping his arm around Karen like it was the most natural thing to do. "You about ready brown eyes?"
"Yes. I am starving." She said.
"We are heading to dinner would you like to join us?" Shane asked Charla and Seth.
Roman came up with Dean fast on his heels trying to stop him.
"What the hell McMahon!" Roman growled getting into Shane's face.
"Roman is there a problem?" Shane asked stepping back away from him.
"Yeah you are my problem. Get away from my girlfriend." He said.
"Roman please stop!" Karen said. "We talked about this."
"Yeah I know you talked. But you didn't hear me out. I come out here and find him with his hands on you. You seemed to have moved on quickly! Did you sleep with him?" He said in the heat of the moment.
"ROMAN you are out of Line!" Shane growled.
"Uce bad move." Dean said shaking his head.
"No you putting your hands on my girl is out of line!" He said punching him in the face as Shane fell backwards holding my jaw.
"ROMAN!" Karen yelled making sure Shane was alright. "I know you are hurt and upset so am I! But don't accuse me of sleeping with someone. If you really think that is who I am then you don't know me and I guess I don't know you. You aren't the guy I thought you were." She said checking on Shane.
"Roman you're FIRED!" Shane growled.
Thank you to Blaze , espeon44, Jenna, Lisee, jessica619, jjd022980,Kinley Orton-McMahon and Wolfgirl2013 or you amazing comments and reviews. Love hearing your feed back on the story. Thank you so much to all who are reading and following this story. Thanks bunches.
This goes with out saying but I am not a professional writer and I do my best when editing but I do tend to miss things. So I am sorry for any mistakes you may find.