Ch 18

Bella could tell there was something bothering the Undertaker after the show. When Hunter had tried to talk to him, he was very short with his answers and seemed like he was holding back something. Bella waited till they were back at the hotel before trying to talk to him. He put their bags in the bedroom then went to the window looking out over the city.

"What is troubling you?" Bella asked, coming up behind him running her fingers slowly along his back feeling the tension.

"I overheard a conversation between Vince and Hunter," he deeply sighed, turning to let her see all the conflict brewing in his eyes.

"Mark, just tell me please don't keep anything from me," she reached up caressing his face. "I know you want to protect me but keeping things from me won't do that."

"Vince has something on Hunter. I don't know what but that is why Hunter is pushing you to do things to not upset Vince and why Hunter jumps at whatever Vince wants."

"It's probably about Sable and him losing a baby in the past, maybe Hunter didn't tell him I know now," she softly said trying to not believe Hunter would be hiding something from her after he promised he wouldn't.

"I think it's something else. Hunter wouldn't still be doing what Vince wants if you knew all his secrets," Taker said, seeing the sadness overtake Bella as she let out a troubled sigh. "Darling, I'm sorry this is why I was worried about telling you. Hunter is trying to protect you. He doesn't want Vince to make you a pawn like him but bottom line he is still keeping something from you."

"He better not be and if he is I'm done. He promised me there were no more secrets," she said, not understanding what was going on with Hunter.

"Are you going to talk to him?"

"No, I'm going to let him bury himself if he is lying to me it will eventually come out. I noticed he's more agitated lately. It's only a matter of time before whatever he is hiding blows up in his face. My parents always kept me in the dark about things so I shouldn't be surprised that Hunter is acting like them," she tried to control her emotions but the tears started coming to her eyes. "We were family but I always felt on the outside now Hunter is making me feel that way again."

"Bella, you are part of a new family now that will never make you feel on the outside. I respect that you don't want to confront Hunter. You're right in the end it will all come out," he pulled her close kissing her forehead feeling her hug him tighter. "I'll never keep you in the dark. Well at work I'm trying to bring you into the darkness," he said changing the subject, making her smile.

"The lord of darkness is so very tempting. Will the angel give into the stalking sexy evil lure of him or will she keep her halo?" Bella laughed looking up into his eyes.

"Oh the angel is going to give in. There is no way she can resist him," he grinned, picking her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist kissing him deeply as he carried her into the bedroom.

The next day Hunter invited them to meet up with him for breakfast. Undertaker felt Bella tense up as he neared the table he was sitting at. He gently squeezed her hand letting her know it would be ok. He pulled out her chair letting her sit down before he sat next to her.

"Hey guys, so I talked to Vince. He wants to know if they change location to another cemetery and use other names for our parents. Will you do the segments next week?" Hunter asked, giving her a hopeful look.

"I also want the way they passed away to change," she softly said, knowing Vince wasn't going to let up on this idea.

"He already is doing that. The storyline is going to be that they died in a fire like Taker's parents did. It's going to be another way the Lord of Darkness tries to bond with you," Hunter filled them in.

"Figured Vince would go that direction," Taker said looking at Bella. "Well Darling, it's your call. I will be with you at the cemetery."

"I don't like it. It still makes me uncomfortable but what choice do I have? I have to do it," she agreed, making Hunter relax. "You look tired. Are you ok?"

"I'm just exhausted. I finally agreed to let Chyna live with me. I'm not sure how Samantha is going to handle the news. She is probably going to be against it but I'll deal with that hurdle later. For now, if you're ok with you. I'm going to have Chyna start moving her stuff into the Florida house. It's kind of pointless to have her move anything into the Connecticut house since going to move out of it very soon."

"Hunter, that is fine with me. Samantha is anxious to make the move to Florida since her school is done in two weeks. I'm going to start packing some things up this week. Hopefully soon can start having things moved. I want Sami to get settled in down there before school starts and I have to hire a new live-in nanny. I hope you understand that even if I do leave after the storyline I do plan to spend more time with Mark and Jessica in Texas. I have started moving forward on having the contractors do some work on the ranch. I will always do my best to be there for Samantha and you but it's time I start focusing on my life a little bit more," Bella felt her stomach painfully knotting up with fear that Hunter wasn't going to agree with her decision.

"I do understand that completely. You have to have your own life too not always be taking care of Samantha. She is my daughter not yours. I'll help you out with finding a nanny. Maybe we should find a nanny that is willing to travel sometimes in case you end up staying on with work. The nanny could bring Sami to some shows like you do now," Hunter expressed what he was thinking, relieving some of Bella's tension but not all of it. She knew Hunter was good at acting like he good with things then getting upset when they actually happened.

"That isn't a bad idea. Sorry I'll be right back, have to use the ladies room," Bella said needing to get a hold of her emotions. She was still having issues with letting Samantha down by having Hunter and a nanny help out more with her. She kissed Undertaker softly leaving the men alone.

"Are you coming home with us later today, Taker?" Hunter asked.

"I don't have any plans. If Bella wants me to come I'll tag along. I wouldn't want to intrude on family time," Taker said, making Hunter laugh. "What is so funny?"

"It's funny you think you're not part of our family now," Hunter said, patting Taker's shoulder. "You just heard the same thing I did. She is planning her life with you now. I know she loves Samantha and me but she wants to be with you. I can take one look at my sister and know she wants you to tag along anywhere she goes. Her moving forward with the ranch shows how much she wants a home with you. Thank you for making her happy. This is the happiest I've seen her. After all she has done for me over the years she deserves happiness."

"I love your sister. Her happiness is very important to me," Taker firmly said, looking down at the table for a moment calming himself. A part of him wanted to ask Hunter about what he heard between Vince and him, but another part of him knew it would upset Bella.

"I still worry about her but I know I can worry a little less now that you're with her. I know you'll take good care of her."

"I plan to take care of her till my last dying breath and I won't let anyone hurt her in any way," he gave Hunter a stare that made Hunter squirm for a moment.

"Bella doesn't deserve any more emotional pain. She has had enough and I admit a good part of it is my fault. My parents and I used to keep things from her. My parents were always trying to shelter her but could always see in her eyes she was wise beyond her years and understood we were hiding things. We thought it was best but it always hurt her in the long run," Hunter confessed, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"She mentioned she felt like she wasn't part of your family at times. All the hush conversations and keeping her in the dark caused her quite a few emotional scars. You're not hiding anything from her now are you?" Taker took a chance asking, watching Hunter nervously swallow.

"No, I'm not anymore. I'm sure she told you about the secret I kept from her about Sable and I. So are you planning on marrying my sister soon?" Hunter changed the subject.

"Do I need to ask your blessing if I do since your Dad is gone?" Taker let the topic of the secrets drop knowing it was best to not push Hunter.

"You two don't need my blessing," Hunter said, staring at Taker for a moment. "If you did ask I would give it to you if that means anything."

"It does mean very much. Thank you," Taker softly said as he saw Bella come back into the restaurant. She gave Taker a worried look when she saw how nervous they both looked.

"Everything ok?" she asked, sitting back down.

"I was just asking the Deadman if he is coming home with us later today. He said it's up to you."

"Well if it ups to me then he will be coming home with us," she smiled winking at Taker.

"I'm all yours darling," Taker took her hand.

"We can hit the road in about an hour. I'm going to go wake Chyna and Samantha up. Also I'll call Vince to tell him the storyline is a go. Go ahead and order whatever you guys want. It's on my tab. I'll see you guys in a bit," Hunter quickly left the table.

"Did something happen between you two?" Bella asked, looking at Taker.

"He opened the door for me to ask if he was hiding anything from you."

"What did he say?"

"He said he isn't hiding anything. He abruptly changed the subject, asking me a question."

"What was the question?" she asked, turning in her chair to face him.

"He asked if I was going to marry you soon," he stared into her eyes. "He also basically gave me his blessing to marry you."

"Oh ok," she softly said, feeling her stomach filling with a million butterflies. She turned back in her chair picking up the menu.

"What's wrong darling?" he asked.

"Nothing, just trying to decide what I want for breakfast," she said, flipping the page of the menu.

"Darling, don't get upset. I didn't mind his question," he moved closer to her, brushing the strands of hair away from her ear. "I love you and I have every intention of making you my wife in real life not just for a storyline," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too very much," she said with happy tears in her eyes, kissing him deeply.