Chris vaulted the garden fence effortlessly and ran across the lawn, skidding to a stop under a lit window. With a grin, he pulled some stones that he’d picked up on the walk over for this very purpose out of his pocket and threw them at the window. A familiar head peered out to see what was going on and Chris called "Shouldn’t you be getting your beauty sleep?"

"You think I need it?" Stephanie called back laughingly.

"Not at all." Jericho drew on his limited knowledge of Shakespeare. "Soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Stephanie is the sun."

"Oh for Gods sake!" Steph rolled her eyes. "Get inside, if you get caught you’re a dead man."

"And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love."

Stephanie ran downstairs, pausing only to let Linda know that Chris had arrived and unlocked the back door for him. He was barely through the door when she threw herself at him, clinging tightly. "Chris…"

"Oh Steph…" Words failed both of them as they embraced tightly. It had been just over three months since they’d seen each other, but it felt like three years. "Christ I’ve missed you."

"I’ve missed you too Chris." Stephanie replied immediately. "It feels like it’s been at forever."

"It’s only been three months." Linda looked at them with a smile. "Come inside and sit down, you must be tired. It’s good to see you again Chris."

The three of them moved into the kitchen, so Chris could get something to eat. Linda insisted that they sit down at the table so she could prepare a meal. Chris held Stephanie on his lap, neither of them talking, just taking delight in being together again. He looked around the room and caught sight of a photo of Stephanie and Shane together as children and remembered his reason for being here. "Linda? I have something to tell you. I think you’d better sit down."

"Chris, what’s wrong?" Stephanie asked worriedly. Linda gripped the side of the bench. "They’ve got Shane, haven’t they?"

Chris quickly told them the whole story. He left very few details out, both women were used to hearing gory details and he knew that if he omitted something, then most likely they would hear it from someone else. Linda listened, then sighed. "I’ll have to contact Vince."

"No Mom. We’ve lived through enough without his help. Why bring him here now?" Stephanie’s voice held a pleading note. Linda looked at Stephanie carefully. "I’m sorry honey, I wasn’t thinking. But your father will find out sooner or later."

For a brief second, Chris had the impression that the women were discussing other than Shane, but quickly dismissed the notion. "I don’t think there’s any reason to get Vince involved at this stage. Tomorrow night there’s a meeting with our men on the inside to start planning the break out. Working as group – the NCC, the rogues, the Mothers Club and Mother Lil’s almost scary weapons collection, I feel confident we’ll get Shane and the others back safely."

"Well that’s good enough for me." Linda stood up and stretched. "I better get to bed. I’m not as young as I used to be and I need my 8 hours sleep. See you both sometime tomorrow."

"Goodnight." They replied in unison. Stephanie silently made Chris a cup of coffee. He watched her closely. "Is everything okay baby?"

"Just worried about some stuff." She replied. Chris got up and stood next to her. "We’re gonna win this Steph. We’ll bring those fuckers down. Then, when the partying is done, we can get married."

Stephanie dropped the coffee mug and it shattered into thousands of pieces. "What?"

"Married. Like, become legally stuck with each other till death do us part." He grinned at her mischievously. "Or do you wanna just live in sin?"

"Wow, what a romantic proposal." She replied sarcastically. "Do I get a say in the matter?"

"Stephanie Marie McMahon, I love you. The past few months have been living hell without you. When this ends, then I never want to leave your side. I want to be your husband and have a family with you. Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" She cried, throwing her arms around him. "God yes! But there’s one problem about our future family."

"What?" He asked, looking worried. Stephanie’s acceptance hadn’t been that much of a surprise, Chris had always just assumed that when this was over they’d get married. With a smile, Stephanie took his hand and slid it under her t-shirt. "I may have to start it without you."

Chris gasped. "You’re…"

She nodded and grinned. "I’m pregnant."