Several Weeks Later.
"I am so glad we made time for lunch." Taylor said as her and Karen were enjoying a lunch date together.
"Me too." Karen smiled.
"I feel like I haven't seen my best friend in months." Taylor said taking a sip of her drink.
"It really hasn't been that long has it?" Karen asked looking at the menu.
"Well since right before school got out? I mean I know I've been busy at the store but you my friend have been quite the traveler as of late." Taylor said.
"Yeah I mean it's been crazy in the last three months I have been to Vegas, Chicago, The Hamptons and New York City. Who the hell am I?" She joked.
"Finally living life." Taylor joked.
"Ha ha." She smiled.
"Well speaking of life Kristi and I are going to the fair this weekend hanging at the beer tent. You should totally come." Taylor said.
"Oh that sounds like fun but I am actually flying to Washington DC Saturday." Karen said finally deciding what she wanted to eat.
"Seriously? For what?"
"Shane asked if I would go to Battleground this weekend then he asked if I wanted to go back to New York with him." She said. "He has the boys this week when he gets home so I said it would be fun."
"OK We have to talk." Taylor said after they had ordered their food.
"OK?" Karen said confused.
"What is the deal with you and Shane McMahon."
"We're dating. Spending time together getting to know one another. Honestly it's been amazing nothing like I have ever felt before. He just makes me feel loved. The love I never knew I could feel." She answered honestly.
"Karen I am your best friend and you know that I don't lie to you and I tell you straight up when something is bothering me." Taylor said.
Karen shook her head yes knowing that was exactly who her best friend was. They had been friends since they were kids and Taylor knew everything about Karen and her past.
"Right you've never been one to keep anything bottled in." Karen said.
"I am worried about you and this Shane thing."
"Shane thing?" Karen asked.
"Look you know I have always just wanted you happy. But Shane is more than 15 years older than you. He's been married he's now divorced and has three kids."
"How do you know all that?"
"I googled him." Taylor stated. "I want my friend happy that is first and for most but I am just concerned he is moving to fast with you and I just don't want you to make a mistake."
"I get that but Shane I don't know he's different when I am with him. I just feel more and more like myself. I can't really explain it . At first I was that nervous version of my self but lately I just feel like I can tell him anything and he's amazing for lack of a better word."
"Oh God Karen please tell me you didn't sleep with him." Taylor stated.
"What? No I mean not yet." Karen stated. "Wait why?"
"I don't want him to break your heart. Like I said he's WAY older than you and he's had the marriage and kid life. Those are things you want and I know you do because you've always wanted to be a wife and mom. Does he want to get married again? Does he even want more kids? Or is this just a passing fling with pretty young girl?" Taylor asked.
"I haven't really asked him about the marriage thing or well even the kid thing because we really haven't been dating all that long at this point." Karen said.
"Karen you need to because I can see it already you are falling or him hard and fast. If he doesn't want those things you have to ask yourself if you want to give that up for him. Which you shouldn't because you've always wanted to be a wife and a mom. Hell when we were kids and we would play house you would always say I'm the mom. So I just don't want him to take that away from you." Taylor said as their food arrived.
Karen thought about what her friend had said as she looked down at her crispy chicken salad.
"It's not to soon to talk about that stuff?" She asked as she was pouring her dressing on her salad.
"No! Sooner the better because I don't want it to be a year from now and you come home crying because he tells you that he doesn't want marriage or kids." Taylor stated.
Karen bit her lip. "Yeah I guess I need to talk to him."
"Yes you do and while we are being honest what the hell happened with you and Roman? I mean one minute you are dating him and now you're with Shane? Karen you haven't dated since Liam and then in the last 5 months you've had two boyfriends. Call me a little concerned here."
"Alright I liked Roman I did and he is a hell of a kisser. But if I am honest I think he always liked me more than I liked him. I am not saying that I knew that at the time but now looking back. I could see where that is the reality. I mean I never felt about Roman the way I feel about Shane. I guess maybe if Roman never got his ex pregnant I could have learned to love him or would have tried. It's hard to explain but there always seemed to be this wall there between us one that I just couldn't break down. I do like Roman but I think I am falling for Shane. But while we were together so to say it was great but then he told me in Vegas that his Ex was pregnant and I just couldn't really look past that more like I couldn't stand in the way of that." Karen explained taking a bit of her food.
"I see your point not wanting to be the third person in the relationship. Him wanting to be a Dad. But then why Shane? I mean isn't this the same thing? Shane's already done the marriage thing and has three kids. So he's already shared those special moments with his first wife." Taylor stated. "It seems to me you used the Ex as a way to break it off with Roman and I just don't get that."
Karen looked at her friend and thought for a few moments.
"Yeah maybe I did. Maybe I was scared to jump all in with Roman. But like I said there was always this wall something I couldn't break down. I don't know why not to mention the fact that I never felt good enough for him. I didn't feel good enough for Shane at first either but over the last month I've been able to break down this wall with Shane that I couldn't with Roman. It's like Shane brings out a different side of me one that I think got lost in college a piece of me that Liam took, I feel like Shane is bringing that back. I know it makes no sense but that is how I feel. I guess I couldn't fully give myself to Roman like I can with Shane. There is something about Shane McMahon that I just can't escape he makes me feel loved and wanted a way I never thought I would ever feel in my life not after Liam. Shane is the one bringing me back to life. I don't care that he's older than me or that he has kids we can make it all work." Karen said.
"I truly hope your right. But just know I don't want you to lose a part of you again. I can see your old self coming back one that I haven't seen in a long time and that's great. But I am afraid that you getting this piece back Shane just might be taking another one." Taylor said taking a bite of her food.
"I love you Taylor and you are my best friend. But I do care about Shane a lot and I took a chance here. I am letting him in and so far I have never been happier. Like I said that piece of me that never felt good enough or like I deserved this is fading and Shane makes me feel so a live." Karen said. "I trust him."
"I can see that you do Karen. But I am still worried just promise me you wont sleep with him right away. I know you've waited a long time for this but I don't want you to fully give yourself to him if he can't fully give himself to you. This is HUGE for you and I don't want to see you hurt. So talk to him and please talk to Roman because he deserved better from you too." Taylor said.
Karen thought about it and agreed with her friend. She didn't treat Roman fairly at all she couldn't seem to let her guide down with him like she could with Shane so she knew this weekend she needed to openly talk to Shane and apologize to Roman as well.
A few days later. Saturday evening.
Karen landed in DC and headed to the hotel. Shane has already landed in DC and was waiting on her at the hotel when she came in.
"Hey Brown eyes." He smiled getting up from the chair and greeting her with a soft kiss on the lips.
"Hey stud." She smiled kissing him back.
"How was your flight?" He asked grabbing her back and bring it into the room sitting it near the bed.
"It wasn't bad. I sat in between an old couple. They were super cute they didn't realize their seats weren't together so I switched with the older man and let him sit next to his wife." Karen smiled.
"You know I could have stopped to pick you up in the jet?" Shane said.
"I know but that would have been a waste. Michigan is not on the way from New York to DC." Karen smiled.
"Well I could have at least got you bumped to first class." Shane told her giving her another kiss.
"Thank you but I managed just fine in coach." She smiled kissing him back.
As Shane looked at the time.
"You hungry?" Shane asked.
"A little." She said looking around the room.
"Well tonight Stephanie and Paul wanted us to go to dinner. Paul got us reservations at The Capital Grille for 7 pm." Shane said.
"Oh umm Ok." She said a little nervous.
Shane chuckled. "Don't be nervous you've met Steph and Paul before."
"Yeah but I mean not since we've been like dating."
"You mean since we've become official."
"Well yeah." She said.
"It will be fine. Now go get cleaned up." He smiled smacking her butt which always made her jump which made him chuckle.
After Karen showered she was getting her stuff out of her suit case trying to think of what to wear. She finally decided on a pair of her nice black dress up pants, her red tank top and her white blazer jacket. She did her hair and make out and came out of the bathroom Shane was sitting at the desk working on his computer. As Karen noticed that it was already well after 6 pm. She looked in the mirror and checked her hair and make up in a different light. Hoping her outfit was nice enough for the fancy restaurant.
"You look so beautiful." Shane smiled coming up and wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Thank you. This looks alright? I mean I didn't pack a dress or anything. I guess I should have but didn't think about it." Karen rambled making Shane laugh.
"I love it when you ramble it's cute. Yes you look amazing." He smiled kissing her cheek his arms still wrapped around her. "You smell so good." He told her as he started to kiss her neck as she felt her heart race and her stomach fill with butterflies as he was turning her on.
"Shane we should probably get going." She said softly.
As Shane growled a little bit kissing her again.
"I guess so. I will see if the car is here." He said as he went to grab his cell. While Karen sat on the bed and put on her cute open toe high heel shoes. As she was bent over putting the strap around her ankle Shane couldn't help but stare at her. "Cars here sweetheart." He stated.
On the way to the restaurant Shane softly grabbed Karen's hand and kissed it as he held it.
"This city is just so amazing isn't? I mean the history and the stories it could tell." She smiled as she was looking out the window and could see the Capitol building in the distance.
Shane smiled. "I bet it's got a lot of stories. That's one thing I love about you Karen the littlest things make you happy."
When they arrived at The Capital Grille and walked in they were escorted to their table as Stephanie and Paul had already arrived. They greeted one another and then sat down.
"Paul already ordered a bottle of wine." Stephanie smiled as the waiter came over and poured a glass for everyone.
"Thank you." Karen said softly to the waiter.
"So it's so nice to see you again Karen." Stephanie said.
"Thank you it's nice to see you both again too." Karen smiled.
"So are you excited for Battleground tomorrow?" Paul asked Karen as he drank from his glass.
"I really am. Should be a good show. Now if Dean Ambrose can win the title and take it to Smackdown live then all the better." She smiled.
"That's my girl! Team Blue." Shane smiled placing his hand on Karen's knee.
"Or Team Red." Stephanie smiled watching her brother.
"Really think he can win?" Paul asked.
"I know he can. He's great in the ring and on the mic. Not to mention he will be the face of Smackdown if creative let's him." Karen said. "I mean he has so much talent that sometimes I think it is wasted with hokey comedy."
Paul chuckled. "The Vince comedy."
"Yes. I mean Dean makes it work but sometimes it's just corny." Karen admitted. "I mean no offense."
" None at all. That's what I tell him. But when he's set in his ways." Paul smiled at her.
"Yeah makes sense." Karen smiled. "But I think the brand split will be good for the guys who get forgotten."
"That is the hope." Paul said.
As they all sat their and enjoyed their dinner. Karen got to know Paul and Stephanie as a couple outside of their characters on WWE programming. They were a lovely couple and super sweet. Stephanie being Shane's little sister of course asked Karen about herself and got to know her a little bit as well. It was a nice getting to know you kind of dinner. After dinner Paul walked Karen out as Shane and Stephanie walked out together.
"I do really like her. She is really sweet and kind. I can tell you really like her. But Shane the age thing. She's rather young. That does concern me and Mom too." Stephanie whispered to her brother.
"Karen is great and age is just a number. Look I have the boys this week and we are planning a trip to Connecticut to see Mom and Dad. Karen's gonna come to. So bring the girls over and the kids can hang out. Then you and Mom can see just how amazing she really is. The age thing wont even be an issue." Shane told his little sister.
"Alright Shane O." Stephanie agreed.
When they got back to the hotel Karen changed into some comfortable clothes and Shane was in a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. Karen got comfy on the couch when Shane joined her pulling her close to him as they cuddled and started watching a random movie on TV. The conversation Karen had with her best friend was replaying in her mind over and over.
"Hey Stud can I ask you a question?" Karen asked slowly sitting up on the couch to face him.
"Sure thing Brown eyes." He said taking her hand.
"Do you see yourself getting married again or having more kids?" She asked all in one breathe then taking a deep breathe and biting her bottom lip.
Shane was a little surprised by her question but answered.
"Yes with the right girl I could see me getting married again probably." He smiled kissing her hand. "More kids that I honestly haven't thought about because Marissa and I were done."
"Yeah I understand that. I just wanted to know. I just think some day I would like to get married and have kids."
Shane just nodded.
"I didn't mean to put you on the spot or anything. I just wanted you to know kind of what I am looking for in my future so that if it's not something that you want then we aren't wasting our time." Karen told him. "Because Shane I have to be totally honest here you are amazing and you've pulled me out of this hole I was in. I feel like for the first time in a long time I am free to be myself with you. That I am good enough for all these wonderful things in life. With you by my side I feel like I could do anything." She smiled at the silver fox sitting before her.
"Karen I never thought I would find anyone after my divorce. I went on a few dates but that was it. It wasn't until the day I ran into literally ran into you that all that changed. The more I saw you the more that feeling inside me grew. I don't think for one second we are wasting our time together. We will take our relationship one day at a time and see where it goes." Shane said cupping her face in his hand. "You're letting me in Brown eyes and I am opening up to you." He said as he slowly leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
She slightly opened her mouth and Shane took that opportunity to shove his tongue in her mouth as he started to caress her tongue with his. She moaned slight when she felt Shane's hand go under her shirt his hand roaming her body as they continued to make out.
"Shane." She said pulling away Taylor's words of "Don't sleep with him yet." in her head.
Shane looked at her. "Karen know that I wont hurt. You are so damn beautiful. I want you brown eyes all of you. I want to feel you and for you to feel me." He said kissing her again Karen's heart racing as he was turning her on. But again Taylor's words in her head.
"I know Shane. I want you too. I really do but I am not ready to give all of myself to you. I don't mean to be a tease or anything. I just want to makes sure when I do finally give myself to you that it's at the right time. Please understand you've been so patient and I know that you might not understand but this will be a big deal for me." She explained as Shane sat back and listened to her.
"I don't mean to pressure you or come on to strongly. I sometimes forget you are still a virgin." He told her. "I respect you and we will wait whenever you are ready." He said kissing her cheek.
"Thank you that means so much to me." She said.
That night as she drifted off to sleep she was falling in love with Shane McMahon. But she knew before anything else she needed to talk to Roman. She needed to make things right with him before she could fully move on. She would do that tomorrow when she saw him at the arena before WWE Battleground.
Thank you to Jessica619, Kinley Orton- Mcmahon , jj022980 , Lisee and Ctinaisfashion for your comments and reviews. They mean so much to me so thank you thank you.
Another big thank you to all of you who read and follow this story! You rock.
Please forgive any errors you may find I do my best when editing but I am not perfect and more times than not I miss things. So sorry or any mistakes you may find.
Happy Weekend to you all hope you enjoy it.