Prologue December 1991

The holiday season is supposed to be a happy time of getting together with family and making memories. This year was not the case for Hunter Helmsley, his sister Bella, and his daughter Samantha. Hunter was trying to be brave and keep it together mainly for his sister as they stood in the graveyard saying goodbye to their parents three days before Christmas. He closed his eyes reliving the terrible phone call from his Uncle Bill that his parents had been in a head on collision with a drunk driver and had not survived. His world completely fell apart that day knowing it was now on him to take care of his 17 year old sister and his 4 year old daughter. He embraced his new role head on, taking care of all the arrangements for his parents funeral and making sure he was there for Bella and Samantha. He felt Bella clutch him tighter as they started to lower the two caskets into the ground.

"I want Mom and Dad back," Bella hoarsely whispered as tears streamed down her face.

"I do too. We will be ok. Mom and Dad made sure our financial future is secure. I promise I will take care of you and Samantha. I will always be here for you, nothing will ever come between us," Hunter hugged his sister closer as she held onto Samantha.

"I promise you the same," she buried her face in his chest. Hunter couldn't control the tears as they finally flowed. He looked down seeing Samantha staring at him with her piercing sky blue eyes. He knew she didn't understand what was going on.

"Sami, you and Aunt Bella are my world now. Daddy is going to make sure the happiness grandma and grandpa wanted for you comes true," he kissed her forehead, choking back the tears. He thought of what his parents had done to make sure he could raise Samantha and how they had helped him through a very difficult bad time. He deeply sighed knowing his darkest secret was going to rest with his parents since they were the only two that knew it and they had assured him numerous times they had made sure no one would ever find out what they had done for their son.

Ch 1 1996

Hunter was pacing backstage scanning the hallways. Finally his worried expression turned into a wide smile when he saw his sister Bella come around the corner. One look he could tell she had rushed to get to the arena. Her waist length long dark blonde hair was pulled into a messy ponytail Her sea blue eyes locked on his as she gave him the I'm sorry for being late frown.

"Bella, you finally made it. I was getting worried," he said, clutching her in a big bear hug, "I am so happy to see you little sis."

"Sorry Samantha was having one of her tantrums about not being allowed to come to the shows. She was giving the nanny a hard time. I swear your daughter is 9 going on 21 sometimes," Bella laughed thinking of her niece, "so why was it so important for me to come here tonight?"

"I have a huge surprise for you. I did it. I'm getting my first title run. I'm becoming the Intercontinental champ tonight," he said with a huge proud grin as Bella happily clapped hugging him.

"Congratulations! I'm so proud of you."

"If it wasn't for you helping with Sami I wouldn't have been able to put in the work to get this," Hunter tightly embraced her, cherishing his only close family would be watching him. His eyes filled with tears as he wished their parents could be there to see he was succeeding in his career path.

"They are here. They are always watching us and Sami," Bella softly whispered knowing the tension she felt in her brother was from his thoughts about their parents.

"I know we have the best guardian angels," Hunter blinked his tears away. "Come on, you can watch the match from backstage." Hunter led her through the hallways till he came to a room with sofas and a tv showing the action from the ring. "You can watch it here. My match is in about half an hour. I'll come back here to get you after. Will you be ok?"

"I'll be fine no worries," she gave him another hug before he disappeared into the hall. Bella sat down on the couch watching monday night raw till finally she heard her brother's music come on and him come out to the ring with Mr. Perfect to support him as he faced Marc Mero for the title. The moment Bella saw Sable was accompanying Marc to the ring she shook her head frowning not hiding her dislike for Sable.

"See I'm not the only one around here that isn't a Sable fan," the deep voice took her by surprise as she looked up into the most piercing green eyes she had ever seen. She nervously swallowed realizing the Undertaker was talking to her. She had seen him many times on tv and heard Hunter talk about him but she wasn't prepared for how he took her breath away as she didn't break his gaze.

"Sorry I thought I was alone," she softly said.

"Are you waiting for someone?" he asked, coming into the room moving near her.

"I'm waiting for Hunter to finish his match. I'm Bella, his sister," she stood up feeling tiny the moment she did.

"I'm Mark, known as the Undertaker around here," he extended his hand to her. She slowly took it, feeling a weird electricity run through her as he shook her hand. Taker felt the same feeling holding onto her hand for a few more moments before letting her go. "Hunter is always talking about you. It's good to finally meet you. Is this your first time at a show?"

"No, I have been to a few shows before. I mainly watch Hunter's matches from home. I'm helping him raise his daughter Samantha so I spend most of my time with her," she said, not able to take her eyes off him.

"Have you watched me before?" he asked, giving her a smirk that made butterflies come to life fluttering inside her as she ran her hand through her ponytail wrapping a few hairs around her fingers.

"Yes, many times. You are amazing in and out of the ring", she answered not wanting to admit she was a fan of his. He had intrigued her since the first time she saw him on tv. He scared and excited her at the same time. He started to laugh, crossing his massive arms over his chest. "What is so funny?"

"You, twirling that lovely blonde hair of yours around your fingers. Do I make you that nervous?" he moved closer to her, lowering his voice to a husky whisper. "Don't be nervous. I promise I am harmless. I'm only harmful to my opponents."

"Sorry it's a bad habit I have," she smiled letting her hair go, "I'm always nervous and shy when I meet someone new."

"I know a way to make you more comfortable with me."

"What are you thinking?" She tried to ignore the flutters growing stronger.

"I'll keep you company till Hunter gets back. We can talk and get to one another make those nerves of yours vanish," he sat down patting the seat next to him.

"Ok I would enjoy the company," she slowly sat down. "Do you have a match tonight? I saw your buried alive match last night. It was weird seeing Hunter and all of them burying you."

"It was fun last night. I had a dark match earlier. While we are waiting for Hunter, tell me your issue with Sable?" Taker sat back getting comfortable, turning his attention completely to the pretty young woman next to him.

"Long story short, years ago she dated Hunter. She was very good at tearing his life apart. She caused so many problems between Hunter and my parents. I thought she was finally out of his life then suddenly Hunter got the job here and he mentioned Sable was going to be his valet. I know he is under a lot of stress being a single dad and he worries nonstop about me. So I don't say a word but he knows I don't like her being in his life one bit," she said surprised how easy it was to say what she felt to a complete stranger. "Why don't you like her?"

"I haven't dealt with her much but when I have she gives me bad vibes. There is just something about her that isn't right," he said looking at the screen watching the match. "Your brother is really improving. His love for this business shows."

"He always wanted to do this. My dad wanted him to take over the family businesses but Hunter would never be happy doing that. Thankfully my parents had good partners that oversee everything and they are trying to teach me," she said watching Hunter.

"What business is your family in?"

"My parents started in Connecticut with a few hotels that grew into more hotels, bed and breakfasts, corporate retreats, and even a few bars mainly on the east coast. They built their own hospitality empire," she felt the tears coming to her eyes thinking of how much her parents loved what they did and how they had ensured that Hunter and her would always be taken care of. She reached up trying to wipe any tears before Taker noticed.

"Are you ok?" Taker asked shifting closer to her. She was overwhelmed feeling him so close to her.

"Hey how did I do", Hunter was smiling from ear to ear when he entered the room. He was surprised to see Undertaker sitting with his sister, "I see you have met Taker."

"Good job congrats on the title," Taker stood up patting Hunter's shoulder. "I have to run. It was nice meeting you Bella," he gave her a smile.

"It was nice meeting you too," she said, watching him walk away wondering if she would see him again.

"What was that all about? Did I interrupt something?" Hunter gave her his concerned brotherly look as he motioned to follow him to his dressing room.

"No, we were just talking. How does it feel having a title?" She quickly changed the subject.

"Still don't believe it," he said, patting the title. "I'm going to get changed then we will head back to the hotel and check on Sami."

"Ok I'll wait here," she sat down on a chair outside the locker room letting her mind fill with thoughts of her meeting with the Undertaker and how much she hoped to see him again. She didn't notice Undertaker come around the corner and smile the moment he saw her. His thoughts were all about trying to find a way to talk to her again.

"Why do I feel so drawn to her?" he whispered, overwhelmed by the way she was making him feel. She had captivated him in a way no woman had ever done before and now that he met her he hoped she would stay in his life.