Gone

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Amy felt emotionally and physically exhausted and overwhelmed. The last two days had been so stressful - not that things had been smooth-sailing before.

They'd gone to a clinic a few days earlier. Adam and Mandy had had a DNA test done, as Matt had demanded take place. The redhead knew without question that there was *no* necessity for this test whatsoever. Adam was the *only* man she'd been with six years earlier - the *only* man she'd been with when she'd conceived. Before him, she hadn't had sex with anyone for almost a year. Likewise, she hadn't slept with anyone *after* him until Matt - and she hadn't even met him until Mandy was nearly a year old. So, in her eyes, the whole idea of this paternity test was just ridiculous. The only purpose it served was to make her look like some kind of whore - which was exactly what Matt Hardy wanted to accomplish. All he was was an angry, bitter, jilted prick. This was his way of getting back at her... Nothing more, nothing less. But when the papers containing the DNA test results came back, she would be the one to have the last laugh between the two of them.

Adam cast a glance her way. The tall blond man could read about a million different emotions on her lovely face. This was so hard for her, and it touched his heart. She was so desperately terrified still - scared that he wouldn't or didn't believe her that Amanda was really his. But he knew... Deep in his heart and mind alike, he knew. There was no doubt in his mind that their first night of passion all those years ago had resulted in that beautiful, precious child.

"Calm down, babe..." His smile was easy and quick for her. His heartstrings tugged at the evident anxiety on her beautiful face. "Everything's going to be fine."

"I know," the redhead replied. She wasn't the least bit worried about the test results. In fact, she would *enjoy* rubbing them right in Matt's smug face. She could understand him being upset, but it was unforgivable that he'd caused such a ruckus in front of Mandy. That was just plain wrong on so many different levels.

Speaking of Mandy, the little girl was sound asleep on the hotel bed. To Adam, she looked like a little angel, all curled up on her right side, her stuffed dog clutched against her. Her long, fine blonde hair was mussed from sleep. She would have to be awakened shortly, however, as they needed to get her ready to go back home for the week. The tall blond man hoped to someday be able to bring the little girl to her school himself. Although Mandy was only in first grade, Amy had told him she got good grades, and Adam couldn't be more proud.

A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Amy looked up sharply, fearful that it could be her ex-boyfriend. The Canadian held up a hand to her and strode over to the door.

"Who is it?"

"Federal Express," a male voice replied on the other side. "I have a package for a Ms. Dumas..."

The tall blond man quickly turned back to Amy to exchange glances with her. The look in her hazel eyes said it all - this was it, the DNA results were here. He turned back to open the door.

"Thank you." He accepted the manila package and reached into his pocket for his wallet, handing the delivery man a bill.

Amy groaned.

"I have to call Matt to come over here," she said disheartedly. The pushy dark-haired man had to be present for the reading of the results. And why was she feel apprehensive about that? She wanted to rub his damn face in it! She grabbed her cell phone and dialed his number. When he answered, she didn't bother to even say hello.

"The test results are in," she said. "So I suggest you come over to our room - 342."  
 
 

Part 36

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