It was Monday, April 14th, 2003, the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, and she was feeling depressed.  In two years, she would be thirty, and what did she have to show for it?  She had a great career, yes - but it had been put on hold due to the serious neck injury she'd sustained a year earlier.  She had no relationship any longer, as about eight months ago, she'd discovered her then boyfriend, Matt Hardy, in bed with Torrie Wilson - she of newfound Playboy 'fame.'

The redhead grimaced with disgust as she recalled that night.  She'd been so appalled and shocked.  However, she'd prompty broken up with Matt and had never looked back.  The dark-haired, elder Hardy brother had tried to win her back, but Amy had been strong and remained that way.  She would never take the jerk back, not in a million years.  Besides, she would always have the memory of seeing Torrie straddling Matt etched into her brain to prevent her from ever going back to him.

She yanked her bag up and headed for the door.  At the very moment, not only was she depressed - she was furious as well.  She'd returned to in-ring action only two weeks earlier, and as of RAW tonight, Eric Bischoff and Chief Morley had had her in a match against the bleached blonde slut - that in itself was bad enough - but she'd had to job out to Torrie!  For Amy, that was the ultimate humiliation.  Even the fans had booed like crazy when the blonde diva had won - they knew what was credible and what wasn't, and who the true wrestler was.

"Amy!  Amy, wait!"

The redhead stopped abruptly in her tracks as she heard the voice.  She closed her eyes tightly as she turned around to face the person who'd called out to her.  Her first instinct had been to just continue walking, but she'd decided against that.

Dawn Marie practically ran to catch up to her.

"Are you all right?" she asked, a look of concern on her face.

Amy looked away from her friend's brown eyes.

"I'm great...just great," she muttered.  "Another year older, no relationship, my job is now officially going down the tubes...I'm perfect."

Dawn winced, knowing all too well how the other woman felt.

"I don't blame you for being upset over that so-called 'match.'  I know first-hand how humiliating it is to lose to Barbie..."  She wrinkled her nose in distaste.  Then, looking the redhead directly in the eye, she said, "Amy, don't leave just yet...please?  How about you and I have a late dinner or something?  For your birthday..."

The high-flying diva considered it for a moment, chewing on her lower lip as she did so.  Then, shifting her hazel eyes back to Dawn's brown ones, she said, "Okay...Why the hell not?  Thanks."

The brunette smiled and reached out to nudge the other woman's shoulder.  "Great...I can't wait."

"Neither can I..." Amy said without enthusiasm.  In truth, she really couldn't wait to leave this damn arena.  All she wanted to do was spend the rest of her birthday alone, soaking in a bathtub and later sleeping.  She turned back to walk to the women's locker room, Dawn Marie following closely behind.

As the brunette was heading back, she became aware of a presence nearby, approaching her.  When she saw who it was, she smiled up at the man.

"Dawn," he said in a discreet tone, "I need to speak to you for a minute."

"Sure," she replied with a grin, noting that Amy was gone.  "What can I do for you?"

"Well...I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Amy a minute ago," he said.  "I feel so bad that she's feeling so down on her birthday...I want to do something to surprise her...Cheer her up a little."

Dawn Marie arched an eyebrow at his words.  "Really?  I think she'd like that."  She crossed her arms under her breasts, cocking her head to one side.  "So, what do you have in mind?"

"Well...do you mind if..."  He began explaining what he wanted to do.

Dawn's smile grew as she listened to the young man's spur-of-the-moment idea.  She nodded as he continued, agreeing to help out.

*

A couple of hours later, the young man sat nervously in the small hotel cafe.  He'd gone to great lengths to make arrangements and for everything to be perfect - he'd managed to get the place all to himself for the next hour, and now all he had to do was wait.

He checked his watch a couple of times, nervous that Dawn Marie somehow would be unable to hold up to her promise.  Maybe Amy would change her mind about that late dinner with the brunette that she'd agreed to.  He'd overheard pretty much their entire conversation at the arena earlier, as he'd been returning to his own locker room nearby.

He raked a hand through his long blond hair, fighting the impulse to get up and pace.  Damn it, he wanted everything to be perfect.  He would be taking a big risk in doing this and telling her how he really felt about her - but what was life without risks?

Suddenly, he heard Dawn Marie's voice.

"Here we are..."

"What the...?" Amy said, glancing around.  The restaurant was deserted.  She was about to turn back to her friend when she suddenly caught sight of him.  "What's going on?  Adam...?"

Adam Copeland stood up from the table at which he'd been sitting and approached the surprised and confused redhead.  Taking her hand, he smiled, then handed her a bouquet of pink sweetheart roses.

"Happy birthday, Amy..."

The diva was so shocked, her mouth fell open, and she seemed speechless.  A glance over her shoulder at Dawn Marie told her that the brunette had been in on this.  The other woman was grinning widely, her brown eyes sparkling.  She turned back to the tall blond man and finally smiled, though uncertainly.

"Thank you...You...you did all this for me?" she asked, flustered, finally rediscovering her voice.

"All for you," Adam said, his emerald-green eyes locked on her hazel ones.

"I'll leave quietly now," Dawn said, a soft chuckle escaping her.  "Have a good time, sweetie - and again, happy birthday!"

"Thanks..." the redhead replied, not bothering to turn around.  She couldn't - it seemed as though her gaze was glued to the handsome Canadian's face.  "I...I'm so surprised!" Amy said, a tiny smile playing at her lips.  "Shocked, actually..."  She cocked her head as she regarded him wonderingly.  "Why did you do all of this?"

Adam blinked as he kept his gaze on her.  Then, stepping closer, he lowered his head until his lips just brushed over hers.  His kiss was soft and tender, and the redhead felt herself positively melting.  She also found herself responding in kind, parting her lips as an invitation, and their kiss deepened.

Afterward, Adam raised his head, grinning at her, and Amy bit her lip gently.  Her heart was swelling pleasantly in her chest, and she couldn't take her eyes off of him.

"Come on - let's have some dinner.  There's cake for later as well...And you'll open your present.  But meanwhile, I'll tell you all about how truly amazing I think you are..."  He kissed the back of her hand, then led her to the table at which he'd been sitting when she'd entered.

Amy's smile grew as she sat down across from him.  This was turning out to be a much better birthday than she'd ever imagined.

She had to remember to thank Dawn Marie later on...

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