"How do I look?" Stephanie asked came out of the bathroom nervously. Hunter whistled appreciatively. "Very nice. Not too professional and not too casual either."

"Thanks." Stephanie looked at herself in the mirror. Loose black pants, a casual red top and a jacket. "God, I'm so nervous. This is it."

Hunter had received a call from his lawyers a few days before. They'd looked through the information he'd faxed them and wanted him and Stephanie to come in and answer a few questions. Get Stephanie's side of the story, that sort of thing. Steph was terrified that she would be told there was nothing they could do.

"What time is the appointment?" she asked, glancing at her watch. Hunter thought for a second. "2:30. Why? You got other plans?"

"I cannot stress how much I do not have plans." She sighed. "But there's something I want to do first."

"Anything I can help with?"

"I think it would be a good idea if you waited here." Stephanie thought about what would happen if she took Hunter where she was going. Screaming, abuse, flying objects, probably bloodshed and possible homicide. It would definitely be safer if he stayed here.

"Steph..." Hunter looked at her worriedly. "Are you sure you’re ready to do this? Jess talked to Lydia a few days ago and she's still mad at you."

"Hunter... don't worry. I'll be fine." Stephanie disappeared into her room. "Have you seen two gift wrapped boxes? They were here a minute ago."

"The boxes that were on your bed? One had frogs on the wrapping and the other had bees on it?" Hunter asked with a grin. "Nope, haven't seen em."

"Hunter!" Stephanie came out of her room and glared at him. He smiled innocently. "Stephanie?"

"What have you done with them?"

"Nothing!"

"Hunter..." Stephanie took a breath and tried to remain calm. "There is something I need to do and those boxes are a part of it. Now this thing is something I have to do before we see your lawyers. You can either give me those goddamned boxes so we can get there in plenty of time, or piss fart around and possibly run late. Now hurry up and decide."

"The boxes are under the bed." sighed Hunter. The last thing he wanted to do was piss off Stephanie before the meeting. She went into her room and came back out holding the boxes. "I'll be back sooner or later. But definitely so we'll get there on time."

"No problem." He watched as she walked out the door. Something occurred to him. "Hey Steph... be careful ok?"

~~~~

Steph stood outside the hotel room, listening to the voices inside. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Jason & Lucilla, happy birthday to..." Lydia saw her first and trailed off. Stephanie smiled weakly. "I just thought I'd drop by and give the twins their birthday and late Christmas presents."

"Oh did you?" Lydia looked at her coldly. Stephanie willed herself to stay calm and looked around the room. Besides Christain, Integra, Edge, Vanessa & Test, there was also The Hardys, Kane, Mick Foley, Jesse, Billy, Chyna and Chris. All were looking at her with a mixture of suspicion and anger. Steph sighed and focused on Lydia and Integra. "Look, can we get together some time and talk? I want to explain a few things."

"Yeah, well I'd say you have some explaining to do." Vanessa stated, getting off the couch and standing next to Lydia. Stephanie glared at Vanessa. "Was I talking to you?"

"You think you can take me?" Challenged Vanessa. Steph laughed. "We both know I can't."

"Sit down and shut up Vanessa." Christain interrupted. "This has nothing to do with you."

"But -"

"Shut up or get out." He glared at her, then at the rest of the group. "If anyone else has a problem with it, then they can leave too. I don't want anything to upset my children's birthday party."

"Too late." muttered Vanessa, still glaring at Stephanie. Christain rolled his eyes. "Get out."

"What?"

"You heard me. Get out." He pushed her towards the door and turned to face the rest of the room as Edge and Integra silently stood beside them for back up. "Anyone else got a problem?"

"Yeah, me." Test stood up, his jaw set. "If she's gonna be here then I won't be."

"Well that's your decision." Lydia shrugged, slipping an arm around Christain. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Test glared at Stephanie and pushed past her roughly on his way out. Edge grabbed his arm. "Watch it."

They stared each other down for a second, then Test wrenched his arm free and left. Stephanie laughed embarrassedly. "You didn't have to do that. I'm not staying - I have an appointment."

"No, it's fine, really." Christain insisted. Stephanie smiled at him. "Thanks. Anyway, I really should go."

"Thanks for dropping by." Lydia said quietly. Steph smiled at everyone, then turned around and left. Integra flashed an anguished glance at Edge, who smiled gently and nodded. "Go on babe."

Integra headed out the door and into the hall. "Steph?"

"What's up?" Stephanie turned around in surprise. Integra looked at the floor. "You didn't... what you did was... " She pulled herself together and looked Stephanie in the eyes. "You did a good thing just then."

"Thank you." Stephanie smiled with relief. "Look, what are you doing tomorrow? We can meet for lunch or coffee or something and talk. Just you, me and Lydia."

"Maybe. It depends on what’s planned." Integra replied uncertainly.

"Fair enough. I'll see you around?"

Integra nodded and Stephanie waved before heading off. Outwardly, she remained calm, but inside she was ecstatic.

~~~~

"So what you're telling me is that shortly after giving birth, you had complications and lost consciousness?" Hunter's lawyer, Declan Morrison confirmed. Stephanie nodded. Declan continued. "And when you came round, Dr.. Shaw was it? Dr. Shaw told you that your daughter had died because of a hole in the heart?"

"Yes, that's correct." Her heart was pounding. What if... Hunter sensed her fears and took her hand in his, squeezing gently. Declan smiled at her. "I just wanted you to confirm it for me. Now, do you know how much I charge?"

"That's not an issue." Hunter interrupted. "My wife has suffered nearly four years of unnecessary grief and stress. She simply wants her daughter back."

"I can understand that." Declan said gently. "Mrs McMahon-Helmsley, I am one of the most expensive lawyers in this firm. That reason is because I am one of the best. Now, to give you an example of why I am the best, let me tell you what I did yesterday. I went through the information that your husband had sent to me and as soon as I read it, I decided we had a case."

"Hurry up Morrison." Muttered Hunter. "We have a long trip home."

Declan ignored him. "I took the liberty of phoning the adoptive parents, William and Sally Moroe. I explained the situation to them and told them that I wasn't presenting them with legal action, just warning them off the circumstances. The Moroe’s were quite understandably shocked and while it was stated that they would fight for custody, Daisy's - or Christina's - best interests were at heart. Mrs Moroe specifically stated that if at any stage you wished to visit them and see your daughter, then you were more than welcome."

Declan handed Stephanie a piece of paper with the phone number on it. She stared at it in shock. Her daughter lived at this number. Her daughter... lived at... this number. It was only then that what was happening sunk in. Steph jumped up and hugged Hunter tightly. "Thank you so much."

"It's ok Stephanie. It really is."