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Amy stood waiting patiently for Amanda's arrival, a small smile on her face. She couldn't help it... During this entire week, she'd felt so good - in love and loved back.
She and Adam had been mostly discreet as they'd continued to meet at night in one another's hotel rooms, and various times and places during the day as well, when they had a chance. Of course, due to Matt's absence, it wasn't quite official just yet. The elder Hardy had called her a couple of times - once when she and Adam had been stowed away in her hotel room - but she couldn't break up with him over the phone. Matt *had* been really good to her, and she owed him that much.
"Mommy!" Mandy cried, breaking away from her nanny, Linda, and rushing directly to her. The redhead stooped down to gather the little girl in her arms, pressing a kiss to her soft, sweet cheek.
She looked up after a moment, offering the woman who'd delivered her daughter to the arena a bright smile.
"Thank you, Linda, I really appreciate it - and everything you've done."
The kindly woman, blonde and in her late forties, gave a genial smile.
"You're very welcome, Amy. I'll see you soon." With that, the woman turned and left.
The redhead's face still contained a soft smile as she watched Mandy's nanny leave. Then, grasping her daughter's hand, she turned to head to the locker rooms.
She froze as she caught the brilliant emerald green gaze of Adam. The blond man's handsome face donned a smile as he eyed them. Apparently, he'd been standing there for at least a few minutes.
"Uncle Adam!" Mandy exclaimed, the little girl releasing her mother's hand to run to him.
"Hiya, kiddo," the Canadian said with a chuckle as he knelt down so that she could jump right into his arms.
The instant the little girl's arms were clasped around his neck in a hug, he pressed a kiss to her soft blonde head.
Amy stood there, transfixed as she always was while watching them interact. It was so very sweet - just as the entire week had been. The only damp spot was that she still hadn't garnered up enough nerve to spill her guts and tell Adam the truth. But she knew she had do to exactly that, and soon. Now that they were so very close, it was perhaps even *more* pertinent than it had already been that she do that. And of course, Amanda would have to know as well - as would Matt Hardy.
Adam straightened up, the little blonde girl still up in his arms, and he offered Amy a sweet smile. He was already dressed for the ring, in a pair of black tights and boots. How he wished he could grab the redhead and kiss her right here, now. But he couldn't - not out in the open while she was still technically with Matt. Despite all that, it was damn difficult for him to not act on his desires.
"Got a match tonight, huh?" the tall blond man asked Amy as they began making their way through the hall.
She nodded.
"Against none other than Trish... I hope she takes it easy with me, since she's pretty stiff."
"Aww, don't worry, sweetheart - you'll be great."
Amy smiled as she met his warm green eyes. God, he made her feel so wonderful - so special and wanted... loved. She couldn't help regretting all the years they'd lost when she'd left for Mexico. Who knew? Maybe they would have been married for the last few years had she never gone.
"Do I get to watch your match with Auntie Trish?" Mandy's small voice suddenly penetrated her thoughts.
"Sure, honey." She couldn't shield her daughter from her life, her career, even though it could get violent. In fact, the only times she wouldn't allow Mandy to witness a match or segment was when she knew beforehand that there would be blood, swearing or other inappropriateness involved. And she couldn't help but wonder if the girl would end up growing up to be an adult who shared the same passion for wrestling as *she* felt - that her father felt.
"Do I get to watch Uncle Adam's match, too?"
Amy exchanged glances with the tall blond man, who gave her a knowing look.
"I won't be blading tonight," he assured her, "and neither will Chris." He would be facing a fellow Canadian, Chris Benoit, in the night's houseshow.
The redhead smiled.
"I don't see why not," she said, shifting her gaze back to the little girl.
"Yay!" Mandy exclaimed. "Mommy, you and Uncle Adam are my favorite wrestlers!"
Adam chuckled as he met Amy's beautiful hazel eyes. The kid was just too adorable.