"So has Christain heard anything from Lydia?" Stephanie asked Integra. She laughed. "The silly bitch called last night."

"What's so silly about that?" Steph asked in confusion. Integra grinned. "She rang to tell me to tell Mick that if he lost at No Way Out and retired, she and the twins were gonna move in with him and Colette."

"I bet Christain was impressed."

"Not really. He really misses them, especially Lucilla. Edge didn't stop laughing for about half an hour, which only made things worse."

The two women looked at each other then started laughing again. Stephanie sobered first. "So how is Lyd?"

"In her own words - LG, Life's good. She managed to make at least three jokes about your husband's nose, so she hasn't lost her sense of humour. Missing everyone of course. I think she's finding harder to manage both the twins at once than she expected, but she's coping. Knowing Lydia, I'd say her biggest problem is that life has become too predictable and that she's lonely."

"Any sign of danger from her sister?"

"None. Simone is all talk. But Lyd loves those kids so much, she just wasn't brave enough to take the risk." She shook her head. "I can't imagine how scary that would be... having your kids taken away from you like that. Especially not when you -"

She cut herself off, suddenly realising. "Oh my god, Steph, I'm so sorry!"

Stephanie smiled bravely. "It's ok. Plus it's not exactly the same situation. But I can share her fear."

They sat in silence for a few moments as Integra mentally berated herself. "I know I really shouldn't ask and it's not really any of my business, but - have you told Chris yet?"

"I tried." Stephanie played nervously with her wedding ring. "After Lydia left, I asked him if we could talk. He asked if it was urgent, because Chyna was waiting for him." She laughed bitterly. "Chyna. God, I should've known."

"So did you go for coffee?"

"I got so flustered that I told him not to worry about it." Stephanie confessed.

"Flustered about what? Chris hanging out with Chyna?" Integra took in the miserable look on her friends face and started laughing. "You think.. Chris and Chyna.. as in Chris and Chyna?"

"Thank you for finding amusement in my suffering." Stephanie answered sarcastically.

"This is me Steph. Teg. The good twin." Integra stated the obvious. "Now, because I'm Teg, the good one and Lyd, the evil one is - where ever the hell she is, I'm going to tell you something to set your mind at ease. Chris and Chyna.. as in Chris and Chyna? Not happening. Just no."

"Are you sure?" Stephanie asked hopefully. Integra laughed. "Believe me, he wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut about it. Now, I know that Chyna has got herself someone and that when people start finding out, there's going to be a lot of interesting reactions, especially from DX, but it's not Chris."

For a reason Stephanie couldn't explain, she felt like a giant weight had lifted from her shoulders. She knew she had no right to feel this way, but she did. She always felt ill thinking about Chris with anyone else. ~I wonder if he feels the same way when he sees Hunter and I together?~

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." lied Stephanie with a smile. "Just worried about this Hell in a Cell match."

"I can't say I blame you." Integra said. "I mean... Hell in a Cell is a bitch of a match to begin with. And look what's on the line..."

"So who are you cheering for?" A new voice entered the conversation. Integra grinned at Hunter. "Why you of course. For the most part, I don't care who wins, as long as neither of you leave the arena afterwards in a hearse."

"Thanks. I don't really want to do it, Micks a good man... but that's the way it goes." Hunter ran a hand through his hair. Integra laughed. "Are you turning into a decent human being?"

"I just might be." He grinned back. "Um, not to be rude or anything, but Steph, we've got that.. thing, remember?"

"I thought that was later this afternoon?" She frowned. Hiding a smile, Hunter showed her his watch. 1:45. Steph leapt out of her seat. "Oh my god! Forty five minutes! Teg, I'm not being rude, but-"

"Go." Integra waved a hand. "Whatever the hell you guys have, it must be pretty special."

"It is." replied Stephanie. "I'll call you tonight?"

"Deal." Integra managed to keep a straight face until Hunter and Stephanie had both gone, then cracked up laughing. Seemed married life was working out just fine for them.

~~~~~

Stephanie felt her heart pounding as she got out of the car and looked at the house. It was your typical suburban house - white picket fence, flowerbeds surrounding a perfectly manicured lawn, paved garden path.

"Are you ready for this Steph?" Hunter asked gently as they walked up the path, stepping around some toys. Stephanie shook her head, looking like a dear trapped in headlights. "Not really. But I'm this close.. I can't back out now."

Hunter hugged her tightly, before ringing the doorbell. Stephanie noticed that his hand was shaking a little as well. After a few seconds, a woman in her early thirties, answered the door. "Hi, I'm Sally."

"Hello Mrs Moroe, I'm Hunter and this is my wife Stephanie." Hunter introduced himself shaking the woman's hand. "I'm sorry we're running late. The traffic was terrible."

His voice was smooth, and it seemed to instantly relax Mrs Moroe.

"Oh, no that's fine. Please Mr Helmsley, call me Sally." She laughed. Hunter smiled back. "Only, If you call us Hunter and Stephanie."

"That's a deal then. Hunter noticed how Stephanie surreptitiously glance around the house as Sally lead them through to the lounge room. With a supportive arm around her waist, Hunter guided her to a couch opposite Sally. There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Sally, I'm sorry for -"

"Stephanie, I was very -"

They spoke at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed. Stephanie realised that Sally was probably just as nervous as she was. After all Christina - Daisy! she reminded herself sharply, - had been Sally's daughter for nearly four years now. That bond was even stronger than the blood that tied them together. Stephanie smiled at Sally. "Go ahead."

"I was very distressed when I heard what had happened. Believe me, I had *no* idea that the adoption had been arranged without your knowledge. If I'd had only the slightest clue.." She trailed off and shook her head. "I can't imagine how much you must have suffered over the years."

"It was quite hard." Stephanie admitted. Hunter sat back and listened as the two women talked cautiously, trying to read between the lines of each question and answer, that only the women seemed to understand.

Eventually, Sally smiled. "Now to the real reason you came -"

"We only came to meet you and talk to you about Chri- Daisy." Stephanie protested, catching herself. Sally laughed. "Don't tell me, deep down you weren't hoping to see her? That's why you agreed to come here instead of meeting on neutral ground."

"Well, I.." Before Stephanie could finish her sentence, a little girl in overalls and a long sleeved top ran into the room. Her untamed curls were loose and Stephanie felt her stomach lurch. Christina.

"Mommy!"

"Hi baby." Sally kissed her on the cheek. "Did you have fun at Aunt Toni's?"

"Yup. She let me finger paint." Hunter saw a clear view of the little girl's profile and shivered. There was no doubt that she was Jericho's daughter. Sally laughed. "Good. Now Daisy, I want you to meet some friends of Mommy's. This is Hunter and this is Stephanie. I want you to be extra nice to them."

"Nice to meet you Daisy." Hunter said softly, worried about Stephanie. She hadn't moved since the girl had come into the room. Daisy smiled at him. "Hi!"

She looked at Stephanie for a minute, then ran back to Sally and whispered something in her ear. Sally hid a smile and looked at Stephanie. "I think that might be just what she needs."

Hunter held his breath as Daisy climbed up onto the couch between him and Stephanie.

"Are you upset?" She asked carefully. Stephanie shook her head, trying to hold back tears. "No, I'm very happy."

"It's just that you look kinda upset." Daisy said with the bluntness only a child can get away with. "And when I'm upset, I like getting hugs.. would it make you feel better if I gave you a hug?"

Stephanie gasped and started crying. Alarmed Daisy looked at Hunter. "I didn't mean to!"

"It's ok Daisy." He said gently. "I think a hug from you is what Stephanie needs right now."

Encouraged, Daisy put her arms around Stephanie's neck and rested her little head on her shoulder. Without reservation, Steph hugged the little girl back, crying even harder. At last, her baby was back in her arms.