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Adam stood beside Amy as they waited for the car. As she did every Friday early evening, Linda would be bringing Mandy.
The blond man felt a small smile tugging at his lips as the right automobile finally pulled up. He could immediately spot the little girl sitting up in the passenger's seat. She looked so tiny, almost engulfed within. Then, the car came to a stop, and Linda undid her lapbelt, unlocked the door and exited. She then proceeded to help Mandy, but the child didn't *need* any assistance. Amanda had undone her seatbelt and unlocked the door to bound out on her own. She ran directly to Amy first, the redhead kneeling to meet her with open arms.
"Mommy..." the child cooed.
Adam smiled as he watched them. It was such a precious scene. Then, his gaze focused toward the woman who was Amanda's nanny. Linda seemed to be eyeing him in a peculiar fashion. No doubt, the woman was wondering who he was.
Mandy looked up at him after the hug she'd shared with her mother, an almost sheepish expression on her face. Just as she'd done when they'd first met, she shuffled her feet for a moment, and then, as the tall blond man knelt down at her level, a smile adorning his face, the little girl warmed up. Without a word, Mandy went right into his open arms, and she hugged him tightly. It seemed to Amy, as she watched on, that the little girl knew - she really *knew* and remembered who Adam really was...
As the exchange went on, the redhead faced the nanny, who still looked perplexed.
"Um... Linda... This is Adam Copeland," she said.
The Canadian had just stood back up to full height, the child in his arms and playing with his long blond hair. He gave the woman a nod and a smile.
"Hi... Nice to meet you."
Linda smiled, but her eyes were still full of questions as she eyed the blond man and then shifted her gaze back to Amy.
"Hello..."
"Linda, Adam is Mandy's father," Amy plundered on. "Her *real* father."
The nanny's face showed definite surprise, her mouth forming an O. She seemed on the verge of asking something but then apparently thought the better of it.
"Oh... Wow," Linda said. It seemed she was nearly at a loss for words. But it certainly explained the odd resemblance she thought she could see between the tall man and little Amanda. "I'm glad to meet you."
Adam gave the woman a still brighter smile, regarding her warmly. It was clear the nanny was plenty confused, but she didn't question. And Linda could see the man adored his daughter. Likewise, it certainly appeared to be a mutual thing, as Mandy seemed extremely comfortable with him.
"Thanks again, Linda," Amy said. She smiled easily, shaking her head. "Things have been a little... crazy lately, but... Well, I don't know what we'd do without you."
The older woman offered a smile, sensing that there was a whole lot more she didn't know about. However, she didn't ask any questions. She knew her boss and knew that Amy would share and confide in her if and when she felt the need.
Moments later, the woman had bid them goodbye and left, leaving the three alone.
Adam and Amy exchanged glances, and little Mandy simply clung onto the tall blond man. She seemed to be a bit sleepy and rested her head on his shoulder.
"C'mon, let's get her inside," he said softly, nudging the redhead slightly. It felt so very good to have his daughter in his arms.
Amy smiled at him, her heart melting at the sight of their child so obviously comfortable with him. My God, it was such a beautiful, precious sight to behold... They turned around to head back into the building, and then...
"Oh, well isn't *this* sweet!"
The redhead's heart sank at the sound of that voice. It belonged to none other than Matt, who stood nearby, several feet away. He glared openly at Adam and her.
The tall blond man shot the Hardy a look of warning, his gaze shifting to the precious child in his arms. If the other man tried something with Amanda right here... Well, Adam didn't know *what* he might do.
"Matt, no..." Amy said, her gaze shooting toward her daughter. Mandy didn't need to see or hear any unpleasantries between them. She hoped he would be reasonable.
"Come on, let's just go on about our business," the tall blond man said discreetly to her. He started to resume the walk to the building, and the redhead kept to his side.
"I can't believe you!" the angry man shouted. "You're just gonna walk away from me like that? Well, *you*, Amy Dumas, are nothing but a damned selfish, worthless *bitch*!"
The redhead sucked in a breath through her teeth, more angry than she'd ever thought possible. She could handle Matt's tirade, the name-calling and verbal abuse - but she would *not* tolerate it happening in front of her six-year-old daughter.
Casting a quick glance at Adam and Mandy, who was beginning to cry, she turned back.
"We're not doing this now," she hissed, her face furious as she eyed him.
"No? Oh, well, big surprise! Not only are you a slut and a coward - you're also an unfit mother!"
Adam was having a difficult time keeping his own temper under control - but he *had* to - for Mandy's sake. The little girl was now sobbing, her face buried into the crook of his neck and his long hair. Gently, he soothed her with a soft hand stroking her back and with gentle verbal reassurances that everything was okay.
Amy's hazel eyes glittered with rage as she inched toward Matt. Her gaze hard and unwavering, she did the only thing she felt and acted on sheer impulse - and she slapped him hard across the face. A red handprint was left on the dark-haired man's cheek.
Then, silently, she returned to the man she loved and her daughter - her *family* - and
they continued to the arena doors.