"Steph? What are you doing here?" Paul said, stepping outside and pulling the door shut behind him.

"Well there was some changes in the script for Raw so I figured I would bring them over for you. Aren't you going to invite me in?" Steph asked. Her and Paul had been friends for a long time, but starting around a year ago he kept most people out of his house. She wondered what it looked like now.

"Um, yah, just give me one minute." Paul went inside and closed the door. Steph thought that, that was kind of rude, but decided to wait anyway.

Paul ran into the living room and told Melissa to go back to Krys room and make sure she stayed quiet. He then closed all the living room doors and went to get Steph, he led her straight into the kitchen, with the excuse that he was going to make coffee.

"Hmmm, your place seems more neat. That what you been doing this last year, cleaning up?" She said sitting at the kitchen table.

"Maybe." he smirked.

"Smartass." she replied rolling her eyes as she took out his new script and sat it on the table.

"So what new changes are taking place?" Paul asked her. While he served her coffee.

"Well.." Steph was cut of by Krystal's cries. Paul looked up towards her room, and then at Steph.

"Who is that?" She asked.

"Well, it is um, my niece. She wanted to come and stay with me." He said, lying. Steph had been Paul's friend long enough to know when he was lying.

"Well aren't you going to go and check on her?" She asked.

"Yah, I was just thinking that." Paul got up and headed to Krystal's room.

"What happened, why is she crying?" Paul asked as he saw Melissa rocking Krys. 

"I think it was a nightmare, but she won't calm down." Paul took Krys from her, and she stopped crying almost instantly. 

"That's a good girl, now be a good girl for Melissa ok? Daddy will be right back." When he went to give Krys back to Melissa, she started crying again, and clinging to him. Melissa gave him a sad look.

"I''m sorry Paul, she usually isn't like this."

"It's fine. She'll be back asleep in no time." All of a sudden Melissa's face went white.

"I always thought your niece was a little older Paul." Stephanie said. Paul turned around to see her leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed across her chest. She walked over to Paul and looked at the little bundle he was holding. "So who is this little girl? Is this the reason no one comes to your house anymore, not even Shawn?" she asked looking up at him. 

"Melissa, why don't you go out for a couple hours. I'm going to take Krys to the living room and put her back to sleep."

"Sure Paul." Melissa smiled at Steph, and then headed downstairs and out the door. Paul led Steph into the living room. Once they sat down, he started speaking.

"This little girl is Krystal Lynne Levesque. She's my daughter."

"Your what?" Steph said, not believing her ears.

"Yea Steph , my daughter, mine and Joanie's daughter." 

"But Paul, you haven't been with Joanie since......" she trailed off as she realized what happened. 

Paul just nodded his head to confirm her suspicions.

"I know that Joanie was a bitch to you Paul. But to leave you to raise a child all by yourself?" she raised her voice in disbelief as she shook her head.

"Steph no...." he tried to stop her before she jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"I mean god, what kind of human being is she? What kind of a mother is she?" she rambled as she started to pace back and forth.

Paul listened to her ramble some more until finally he got up and went over to her. He put his hands in front of her, signalling her to stop.

"Steph, that isn't how it happened." he stated.

"Then how Paul huh?" she demanded.

"Joanie wanted to give the baby up for adoption. I tried to convince her to at least let me raise her if she didn't want to take responsibility for her. But she was so intent that we give her up. She said that she was the one who had to go through all the hell to bring her here, so she could decide the child's fate and not me."

Stephanie nodded for him to continue.

He sighed. "Steph, I couldn't give her up just like that. So when I signed the release claims to her, I signed it 'Abraham Lincoln'... I saw that done in a movie once." he smiled. "Anyway, so that made the document void, while Joanie was resting the nurse approached me asking about the name I had signed. I told her that Joanie and I had changed our minds and we wanted to keep the baby girl. When Joanie was released to go home, I had my mother come and pick her up because I made up some lie about me needing to get my leg checked out... I had faked a pretty good limp. During that time, I got my child, named her and all that other good stuff. Then I took her home with me."

"So all this time, nobody knows about Krys? You have kept her hidden?" Steph asked.

"Yea, pretty much. Only our nanny Melissa knows about her. But she doesn't know the story behind her. You are the only one who knows Steph. Please promise me you won't tell." he pleaded. Stephanie could see the desperation in his eyes.

"Of course I promise Paul. You know I wouldn't tell." she smiled.

He let out a relieved sigh as he hugged her. It felt so good to have someone know about his beautiful daughter.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Joanie and Sean were waiting for the doctor to return with the adoption records. They held their breath as he walked in.

"So? Who has my child doc?" Sean said.

"Yes, who?" Joanie chimed in.

The doctor sighed."I'm sorry, but there aren't any records of your child being put up for adoption. All we have is this." he replied as he passed her a folder.

"What's this?" Joanie asked.

"It's you and the father's signatures for the child to be put up for adoption."he answered.

"Actually, I'm the father."Sean replied.

"Well, whoever was with her, his signature is there then." the doctor smart assed.

Joanie looked through the signatures. She shook her head confused as she muttered. "Abraham Lincoln? What the hell is this s**t?"

The doctor took the papers from her hands and scanned them. "This signature is void. So if your child was put up for adoption, you wouldn't be able to track her down that easily."

"So, there is nothing we can do?" Sean asked.

"There is, you can call around to some adoption centers and orphanages and see if a baby was brought there that belonged to Joanie Laurer. The hard part is that there are alot of people in this world. You never know how many one year olds could have a mother by your name."

"Thanks doc." Sean replied as he took Joanie's hand and they walked out.

Joanie kept thinking how weird it was that Paul signed as Abraham Lincoln. What possible reason could he have for doing that? It didn't make any sense at all. Unless...but no, he wouldn't do that, would he?

Sean on the other hand was just thinking of which center they were going to visit first. Nothing in his head clicked about this situation. Everyone thought he was dumb anyway, but oh how worse it would be if they knew about this.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Around 8pm, Mel came back. Krys was asleep on the chaise lounge chair, so Paul had asked her to take her to her room for him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Paul and Stephanie had finally gotten around to discussing the storyline. They had been talking all night, about a lot of things, and had brought their friendship to a new level. It was around 11 PM when Krys toddled downstairs. Paul and Stephanie watched her waiting to see what she was going to do. Krys rubbed her eyes as she walked over to the couch where they were sitting. She then tried to pull herself up onto the couch, but she was too short. 

They smiled at her for her attempts. Krys then looked up at Steph and said, "Up." in her tiny voice.

Stephanie looked over to Paul to make sure it was alright. He nodded his head and smiled. Steph reached down and picked Krys up and placed her on the couch. Krys said softly "Tank ooh." Paul laughed at his daughters choice of words. Stephanie slapped his arm while she said, "You're welcome."

Krys crawled over to where Paul was and climbed in his lap. She leaned up and kissed his cheek as she said "Hi dada." 

He said "Hey princess" as he messed around in her hair.

She then got off his lap and crawled over to Stephanie. She turned to her dad. "Who?" she asked pointing to Stephanie. 

Paul said. "That's Stephanie, she's a friend of ours."

Krys said. "Stephy?"

Paul just nodded.

Krys then did something very unexpected. She laid her head down on Stephanie's lap and closed her eyes. She was asleep in seconds.

"I think she likes you." Paul stated.

"Yea, I think so too," she replied as she looked down at the sleeping toddler.

Stephanie really did like Krys, she was a sweet little girl. She just didn't want her to get too attached. She wasn't quite sure that she was ready to play the role of mother yet. She was only 23. But then again, Paul was only 25 and was a single parent trying to raise her without anyone knowing.

"God, what am I thinking?" she thought to herself. "Paul and I aren't even together and I already think I'm going to be Krystal's mother." 

"Steph." she heard Paul say as he interrupted her thoughts.

"Yea?" she asked softly.

"Thanks." he replied as he leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. It wasn't a long kiss, but not short either. It was in one word... perfect.

"You're welcome." she replied. 

An uneasy silence fell over them. Neither knew what to say.

A million thoughts were racing through her mind. Was that JUST a thank you kiss, or did it mean more. She was about to explode wondering if he felt something more than friendship for her. Hell, she hardly knew if she felt something more then friendship. She was just so confused. Half of her wanted him to feel something more, but haf of her was scared about what would happen if he did feel something about her.

Paul was equally as confused. He didn't know what to think. He just sat there, trying to gather his own thoughts. What was that kiss for? Why would he do that? He couldn't have a relationship, not with a daughter, and his career. "But on the other hand," he thought, while looking at his sleeping daughter, "It would be nice to have a mother for my daughter, especially someone like Steph." Hell, he had went from thank you kisses to marriage? What was with him today? Did he feel something for Steph? Something more then friendship? 

What's it gonna be
Cause I can't pretend
Don't you wanna be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

I often tell myself
That we could be more than just friends
I know you think that if we move to soon
It would all end
I live in misery when you're not around
And I won't be satisfied till we're taking those vows
There'll be some lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul shaking
Oh, lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul shaking

What's it gonna be
Cause I can't pretend
Don't you wanna be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

I often fantasize
The stars above are watching you
They know my heart and speak to yours
Like only lovers do
If I could wear your clothes
I'd pretend I was you and lose control
There'll be some lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul shaking
Ooh lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul shaking, (oh yeah)

What's it gonna be
Cause I can't pretend
Don't you wanna be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

Running in and out my life has got me so confused
You gotta make the sacrifice
Somebody's got to choose
We can make it if we try for the sake of you and I
Together we can make it right

What's it gonna be
Cause I can't pretend (Noooo)
Don't you wanna be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

[image]http://bmcrazy.netfirms.com/graphics/ericaban.jpg[/image]

Co-Written By Lisa

[image]http://bmcrazy.netfirms.com/graphics/lisaban.jpg[/image]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Credit to EnVogue for "Don't Let Go"