Chapter 70

Two months later, in a beautiful dark cabaret themed wedding, Tahlia and Taker proclaimed their love to each other in front of friends, family and loved ones. Nobody from the WWF was invited because Taker was adamant about keeping the business away from their family. Dressed in his formal black velvet robe, Taker made his entrance with poise and had it removed by one of the staff of the theater. His wedding attire was pure black, but it wasn't a tuxedo. Tahlia and Taker didn't believe in tradition, wanting to do whatever made them happy.

A tunic and black pants, black shoes and his hair pulled back in a tight low tail at the nape of his neck made up Taker. Tahlia's dress…was the same one she had worn the night of the dark wedding to Shane McMahon. No other dress compared to it and, honestly, she loved it and knew it fit. However, she asked Taker if it was alright to wear, not wanting to dredge up any bad memories between them. He'd simply kissed her, told her to do what she felt best and promised to strip her even slower out of it once they were alone on their wedding night.

Their vows were done in both English, Latin and French all mixed together. Along with her engagement ring, Taker had bought a pure black diamond to slide on her left ring finger for the ceremony. His was a simple silver band with a black diamond in the middle of it. Engraved on the inside of the band, like hers, was a Latin saying. Verus amor semper. The translation in English was 'Real love is forever'. Dipping his bride and new wife, Taker passionately kissed her and didn't hold anything back, pressing their bodies together as tight as he could without harming her or the baby.

Breathless, Tahlia was lifted back up and felt a little light-headed, raising her arm in the air along with Taker as they made their exit from the ceremony portion of the evening. In between them was Gunner, who had a big smile on his face and welcomed Tahlia with open arms. They'd been nervous to tell the 10-year-old boy, but Gunner had surprised them again by hugging Tahlia, welcoming her into the family. Amanda and Sam had done the same thing and even Abrianna clapped with glee. They had stuck to their guns, waiting for the opportune moment to tell everyone about the pregnancy and decided at their wedding reception would be the perfect time.

Amanda cried, Sam hugged and congratulated them and Gunner beamed proudly. They had pulled Gunner aside prior to the wedding and told him separately, not wanting to spring this kind of information on the boy. He was ecstatic, demanding to have a little brother and Tahlia chuckled, promising him to do what she could to make it happen, even if they had to have another baby. That had gotten a raised brow followed by a devious smirk from Taker and Tahlia just winked at him, meaning what she said. She had found her true purpose in life and that was being with Taker, in any capacity, finding the family she'd never had before.

She didn't need revenge in her life to feel alive anymore.

After the reception, along with the macabre entertainment, Taker took his newlywed bride to their home and carried her over the threshold, her laughter echoing throughout the night. Gunner was staying with Amanda, Sam and Abrianna for a few days while they had a honeymoon at home with just the two of them. The boy had no problem with it, wishing them well and made Tahlia promise to take care of his new baby brother or sister. She'd laughed, assuring him everything was fine and kissed the top of his head, promising they would pick him up in a few days.

True to his word, Taker had taken his time, deliberately, to strip her out of the dress and kissed every square inch of her body in the process. There was something about pregnancy that made a woman glow and Tahlia was more beautiful than she'd ever been, in his eyes. The way the dress had clung to her soft curves and molded to her body sent his heart racing while she'd walked down the aisle toward him, to him. Tahlia was finally his completely, his wife and the mother of his unborn child. Taker vowed he would do whatever it took to make her as happy as possible and protect her with his own life. Never again would she have to worry about anyone hurting her because he'd destroy those who tried.

"I'll be fine." Tahlia assured him softly, caressing his face and could see the worry in his emerald gaze, resting her forehead against his. "You have to stop worrying about me so much." She placed his hand against her protruding belly, smiling. "We're perfectly fine."

"Darlin'…" Taker hated leaving her home alone being pregnant and tightened his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him. "I don't have to go back…" He felt her finger press against his lips and sighed against it.

"Yes you do." She shook her head defiantly. "You've been going stir crazy in this house and there's nothing you can do for me right now. The best thing for you to do is going back on the road, kick ass and take names. Be the Undertaker…my Lord." Tahlia whispered that last part against his mouth, smirking. She would always think of him that way, regardless of being married and having children.

As much as he wanted to argue with her, she had a valid point – several in fact. Taker had been going nuts in the house, babyproofing and took over the nursery Sam and Amanda had used for Abrianna. They lived in their own house now instead of his because Tahlia had moved in, giving up her condo in New York. He'd yelled at her because she'd done it without his consent, not wanting her to make any more sacrifices for him. Not only had she saved his career by taking the sledgehammer shot to her shoulder blade, but she'd also given up the city she loved. Tahlia sat him down, explaining her decision and reason for giving the condo up, assuring him she wanted to live in Houston. For herself, not for him, Gunner or anyone else. Houston had grown on her during her recovery and it was actually a beautiful city.

"You and Gunner and the baby mean more to me than New York ever will. Please, let's just stay here and build our lives together, Mark."

That was it. Those words had cemented it and, within a week, Tahlia had everything shipped to Houston, using her old bedroom as a storage space for her belongings. Taker had made room in his closet, wanting her clothes hung up alongside his and spent the rest of the day making love to his beautiful wife. Tahlia thoroughly enjoyed all the attention her husband gave her, loving how they could never get enough of each other, no matter how many times they came together.

At the 7-month mark, Tahlia had a little scare with the pregnancy due to having gestational diabetes. They were having a beautiful baby girl and Taker was pleased along with Gunner. Even though he wanted a baby brother, he knew it was out of his control and remained happy for his new stepmom and Dad. Tahlia had high blood pressure and preeclampsia, which was dangerous and forced her to be on bedrest for the duration of her pregnancy. She'd been eating all the right foods, following her diet and eating 6-8 times a day, which included snacks and meals in small quantities. After an ultrasound to check to make sure the baby girl was alright, Tahlia was told she needed to relax as much as possible with no stress until the baby was born.

Taker immediately took that time off, not caring what Vince said or thought. He'd beaten the hell out of Triple H at WrestleMania and made Stephanie scream by giving her the Last Ride in the center of the ring during one of her brief title defenses against Lita on Raw. The redhead had taken advantage and Stephanie had lost the championship, which made Taker feel validated after what happened to his wife. When Tahlia called him crying about the pregnancy being in jeopardy and she needed him, Taker was on the first flight home and raced home from the airport.

"Tahlia!" Taker called out as soon as he stepped through the door, rushing to the living room where she was laid up on the couch, Gunner beside her. "Is everything alright with…?"

Watery amber eyes glittered back at him as Tahlia nodded, extending her hand to have him join them on the couch. Gunner was watching TMNT – it was something they did at least a couple times a week together. She was home with him, made sure he got his homework done and was essentially Gunner's new mother, which Amanda didn't mind. However, being on bedrest for the next 2-3 months was the reason Taker took time off the road and she was thankful he did it. Taker snuggled with his family, holding his wife and kissed her forehead, running his fingers through her still cropped blood red hair.

"Are you hungry, Tahlia? You need to have your snack, right?" Taker knew her diet and eating schedule like clockwork, wanting to make sure she didn't miss it because it could make her blood pressure skyrocket.

"Yeah, get me a yogurt with a cheese stick, please." She requested softly, feeling him drop a kiss on her forehead and watched him walk into the kitchen to grab her snack. "Mark, Gunner fell asleep. Take him upstairs and then we'll go to bed." She was tired after the day's events with the doctor and tests they had to give her.

On a hot July evening, 2 months later, Taker and Tahlia were blessed with a beautiful 8-pound, 4-ounce baby girl named Teralyn Luciana Calaway. She had wisps of dark red hair and what looked to be green eyes, but they wouldn't know for a while. Baby's eyes always changed color within the first few months of life. Tahlia cried her heart out, holding Teralyn close after being in labor for nearly 40 hours. The doctor had to induce her or else she would've had to have a C-section, which Tahlia didn't want. Teralyn had been stubborn like her father, but in the end she finally made her grand entrance into the world at 3:45 AM.

After Tahlia passed out from exhaustion, Taker gazed down at his beautiful daughter and couldn't believe how lucky he was. Tahlia was the love of his life and somehow he knew Jodi had sent her to him, though he'd never ruined it with his big mouth. Somehow, love had prevailed and here they were, with a beautiful daughter and handsome son. Taker wanted to have so many more babies with her, if that's what she wanted. She'd expressed interest in giving Gunner a little brother, but after being in labor that long, Taker didn't know if she'd feel the same way. Hell, he'd been scared out of his mind throughout the entire process and hadn't left her side for a second, trying not to have flashbacks of when Jodi had given birth to Gunner.

Two days later, the Calaway's left the hospital to bring Teralyn home and Tahlia couldn't stop gazing at her, making sure to give Gunner attention as well. The boy was completely enthralled with his baby sister, not able to leave her alone and Tahlia could tell they would be inseparable the older Teralyn became. Gunner would be her big protector, big brother, and stop anyone from harming her. Kissing Taker, she stepped through the front door and made her way to the nursery to show Teralyn while Taker played with Gunner, doing whatever he wanted.

Two months later, Tahlia had just put Teralyn down for the night and checked on Gunner, seeing the boy sleeping in his bed. She took his Gameboy away from him, kissed his forehead and covered him up, tucking him properly. She loved him so much, both kids equally, and nothing would ever change that. Just as she shut his door, a rumble sounded in the distance and made her heart leap in her throat, amber eyes narrowing slightly. Padding down the hallway, Tahlia made her way to the stairs and slowly descended them, hearing heavy boots just outside the front door. Taker had gone back on the road one month after Tahlia had Teralyn, after she pushed him to do it, because she couldn't have any kind of intimacy until she was completely healed.

"Mark…"

The moment the front door opened, Taker shook the water out of his hair since it was pouring down rain outside. His acidic eyes looked up and saw his beautiful wife standing on the stairs, staring back at him with hunger in her molten gold eyes. No words had to be said. With leaky boobs and all, Tahlia flew down the stairs and jumped in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist their mouths crashing together. Taker caught her, steadying himself and chuckled darkly against her lips, feeling it surging through him much like the night they had spent together by the lake and cemetery. He knew she was healed, but Tahlia had no idea he was coming home tonight, wanting to surprise her.

Carting her upstairs to their room, Taker kicked the door shut and guided her down on the bed, caressing every portion of her body. She had gained some weight from the pregnancy, but Tahlia was still as beautiful as she was the day he abducted her into the Ministry. He loved the extra curves she had, though he knew she would shed the baby weight in no time. Tonight marked 8 weeks since Teralyn was born, his angel, and he wanted to make sure he was home to properly thank his wife, to make love to her.

Hours later, surprisingly without Teralyn waking up, Tahlia was sprawled on top of her husband, naked and traced his tattoo on his arm. His fingers slid through her hair, both of them comforting each other and perfectly content, a wistful sigh escaping her. Two years ago, Tahlia didn't know where her life was going and didn't think she'd get Taker back. When he confessed he couldn't pretend not to love her anymore, every other thing in her life became secondary, including wrestling. Taker and their family was the most important thing to her and revenge had become obsolete, though she was happy her husband had gotten it for her at WrestleMania.

Taker had completely changed her life the moment she was brought into the Ministry, in more ways than one, and now they were married, in love, with the most amazing children. As obsequious as she was to Taker, he was the same way with her, even during her time with the Corporation and Shane McMahon. They were subservient to each other, always had been and it would stay that way until the end of time.

The End.