Ch 15

Bella and Undertaker headed to his home in Houston after the shows were over. She loved spending the night with him in his apartment and listening to his stories about growing up in the area. He took her on a driving tour of the area in the morning getting them coffee and breakfast sandwiches from his favorite spot. After their tour, they stopped to pick up Jessica to head to Bella's family ranch to spend a few days. Bella was taken by surprise when Jessica gave her a big hug after hugging her Dad.

"I'm happy you and my Dad are finally together. Thank you for taking me with you guys to spend time at the ranch," Jessica said looking from Bella to her Dad.

"I'm glad you're happy about us," Taker smiled, putting his arm around Bella. "It was important to Bella that you see the ranch too."

"I'm sure Sami told you about the house in Florida and how we are getting it ready to use as a home there. I want to do the same with the ranch here so we have a home near you and your Mom. I know it's an hour drive but I'm hoping we can make it work if not we can look to find something closer to here," Bella said wanting to let Jessica know there were options besides the ranch.

"I get my license in 2 weeks. I don't mind the drive. I can't wait to see the place let's go," Jessica happily said getting into the back of the truck.

"You heard her let's go darling," Taker grinned, opening Bella's door kissing her softly trying to calm her nerves that Jessica wasn't going to like the ranch. "Tell her about Sami's idea for the Florida house on the ride."

"Ok handsome," she got into the truck turning to talk to Jessica. "We have an extra bedroom at the house that we want you to make yours, if you're ok with that idea?"

"I would love that. I want to take a road trip there when I get my license," she said, making Taker deeply sigh and frown. "Dad, come on, it's not that far of a drive."

"It's a 14 hour drive and no way are you doing that till you have a license for a few years. I'll fly you anytime you want to come spend time," Taker said looking in the rearview mirror seeing Jessica was not happy.

"I'd rather drive than fly," she shot back.

"Well flying is the only option for right now," he firmly said.

"Whatever Dad," she rolled her eyes, turning her attention to Bella. "Would you let Sami make that drive when she gets her license?"

"Honestly it's not my call, it would be up to her Dad," Bella responded, not wanting to think about Sami being able to drive.

"Her dad seems to let you make a lot of decisions so what if it was your call?" Jessica asked.

"I wouldn't let her make the drive. If you think your Dad is protective of you. I'm even worse when it comes to Sami. I try not to smother her but a drive like that my nerves couldn't handle. I would probably follow her the whole way to make sure she was ok," Bella said.

"My Dad would probably do the same thing."

"Not probably I would follow you," Taker said, glancing back at Jessica.

"You two need to learn to relax," she laughed, enjoying how her Dad and Bella thought the same way. She was looking forward to spending time with them and seeing the ranch.

An hour later, they pulled up to a red bricked entrance with two metal gates etched with roses and Emerald Rose Ranch etched in the arch above. Bella gave Taker the code for the gate.

"I really like the name of the ranch," Jessica said, rolling down her window so could get a better look as they drove up the long tree lined long driveway. . She instantly smiled when she saw horses wandering in one of the fenced in pens. "Bella, you didn't mention there were horses here. Can I take a ride? I used to go horseback riding all the time when I was younger."

"Of course you can, there are trails around the property. My cousin James and his family own the property next door and oversee this ranch. James handles all the horses. This was my Dad's favorite place. He named it Emerald Rose after my mom because her favorite gem was emerald and she loved roses. My Dad used to go horseback riding here for hours," Bella softly said, feeling the familiar sadness from the memories. She felt Taker grasp her hand trying to comfort her.

"Wow I love the front porch, I could sit there for hours reading. I can't wait to see the rest of the house and check out the barn," Jessica exclaimed, making Bella happily smile as they pulled up to the white columned farm house with the huge wrap around porch with rocking chairs and hanging porch swings.

"Jessica, I will give you a full tour of the hours. There are UTVs in the barn to use to get around the property. When you're ready, I'll have James take you out horseback riding," Bella said as they parked the truck and Jessica quickly got out looking around in awe. Bella got out of the truck enjoying the look of happiness on Jessica's face.

"I think you made her very happy bringing her here," Taker leaned down whispering in her ear.

"Mark, all I want is for her to feel comfortable here and make her happy," she said watching as Jessica went up on the porch sitting in one of the rocking chairs just looking around with a big smile on her face.

"You do sweetheart, in a few hours she'll be even happier when her surprise arrives. Even though it was a very unexpected change of plans it is for the best. I'm glad we could work out a solution and turn it into a surprise for Jessica."

"I'm really sorry plans had to change. It was beyond my control. I didn't expect that call last night," Bella turned looking up into his eyes.

"Bella, I'm not upset. You don't have to apologize, it was out of your control," Taker leaned down, kissing her softly. "Forgot about the call last night and just focus on how happy Jesse is going to be."

"Ok handsome. Are you ready to take a tour and see what you think of the place?"

"Yes my lovely tour guide," he took her hand as they went to join Jessica.

A few hours later, Jessica was relaxing on the front porch in one of the swings thinking about the tour Bella had given them. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw the back yard with an inground pool and a rock waterfall with a slide. She was excited to spend a few days there swimming, horseback riding, and spending time with her Dad and Bella. She frowned for a moment wishing Samantha would have been able to come with her aunt to Texas so they could all spend some time together at the ranch. Even though Samantha was a few years younger, Jessica and her had gotten very close. At times, Jessica felt like Samantha was her little sister. She knew they could have so much fun exploring the ranch. She was about to go back into the house to see what Bella and her Dad were making for dinner when she saw a black truck coming up the drive.

"Dad, Bella, someone is here," she went to the front door, opening it and calling for them. Her dad came right away. "Are you guys expecting someone?"

"We might be, I can't remember," her Dad smirked as Bella came out on the porch.

"It may just be my cousin checking in," Bella said as Taker nodded in agreement. Jessica watched with curiosity as the truck backed up next to her Dad's truck. Her face filled with surprise and she ran off the porch when she saw her Uncle Kane was driving it.

"Uncle Kane, I'm so happy you're here. This place is amazing," she said, running up to him giving him a big hug.

"Hey Jesse, I'm happy to be here. I didn't come alone," Kane said motioning for her to look as the passenger door opened and Samantha got out.

"Sami!" Jessica exclaimed, running to her and hugging her. "I was just wishing you were here."

"Well your wish came true," Taker said, joining them.

"How did this happen? Yesterday when we talked you were going to go with your Dad and Chyna to spend time in Miami," Jessica asked, seeing sadness fill Samantha's eyes.

"My Dad had to do something for work so he had to cancel our plans," she softly said looking at her aunt as she joined them.

"Come here Sami," Bella called her niece over, giving her a tight hug. "It's ok now, you're here with us. You got to surprise Jessica and think of all of the fun you two can have over the next few days."

"I'm so happy you guys worked out Kane bringing me here. I didn't want to stay with Chyna. Dad didn't understand. He is pretty mad at me," Samantha's voice cracked as tears started to flow. "I don't like spending time with Chyna. She tries too hard to be like a mom to me. It just feels awkward most of the time."

"Your Dad will be fine. He is just stressed out because he had to go do promo work instead of relaxing at the beach over the break. We will call him later. Taker and I are making your favorite for dinner chicken parmesan with garlic bread," Bella kissed her forehead. "Come on, let's head inside Jesse and you can help set the table." Samantha nodded in agreement going into the house with Bella and Jessica.

"Thank you for bringing Sami," Taker thanked Kane as they walked towards the house.

"It was no problem. Hunter really was being an ass towards her at the airport. He doesn't understand she isn't comfortable with Chyna. I tried to say something and he told me to stay out of it. Hopefully she will cheer up being here," Kane filled Taker in.

"He was a jackass to Bella last night too. He was trying to force her to tell Sami to stay with Chyna. When Bella refused and came up with the plan of you bringing her here, Hunter lost his shit till I took the phone and reminded him I won't tolerate him upsetting Bella. She only has Sami's best interest in mind. He simmered and knocked off his bullshit but Bella was upset for a while," Taker deeply sighed. "He is so used to Bella doing what he wants that he doesn't handle her not agreeing well at all. He turns into a toddler and starts having a tantrum."

"Well we dealt with this tantrum. I'll help you guys deal with the rest of them if I can till he learns to stop the nonsense," Kane said as they paused on the porch for a moment before going in.

"I just hope he stops his nonsense sooner than later," Taker softly said looking in the house at Bella, Samantha, and Jessica having fun setting the table and getting dinner ready to serve. "Let's forget about Hunter and go have a nice dinner then I'll show you around." Kane nodded in agreement as they went into the house. Undertaker went right to Bella wrapping his arms tightly around her as she stirred the spaghetti pulling her gently back against him. She melted into him happily sighing feeling complete happiness being in his arms looking forward to the next few days together.