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*Six weeks later*
Adam couldn't help but grin as he gazed over at them. His two girls... They were just so precious to him. His heart soared as he watched them. It was such a sweet sight.
They had a day off and were home... Well, not technically home at the very moment, as they'd gone out to a pretty little park in a nearby neighborhood. Adam watched as Amy knelt beside Mandy, talking softly to the girl and instructing her. They were at the edge of a small pond filled with ducks, and the redhead was encouraging the little girl to throw some pieces of bread they'd brought.
Mandy did as her mother instructed, tossing the crumbs into the water. Several ducks waddled over to eat them, and Amanda laughed at their cute antics.
"The duckies are saying thank you!" Amy exclaimed. She laughed as well as she hugged her daughter against her side. Then, she cast a glance over her shoulder up at Adam, and her smile increased even more. She felt all warm and fuzzy inside and absolutely loved the feeling. This was so wonderful... And finally, after all these years, she was home... She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was where she belonged. She belonged with Adam - she *and* Mandy.
The tall blond man knelt down at the child's other side, his gaze scanning over the lovely landscape. He put his arm around Mandy, his hand finding Amy's at her other side. He smiled softly as he felt the redhead squeeze his hand, her fingers soft and warm.
Nearly a month earlier, Amy and Amanda had moved into his house in Tampa. His daughter had been delighted, as he had two dogs - a male Pomeranian named Creampuff and a large female Rottweiler named Princess. Like himself and Amy, Mandy was a huge animal lover and dog lover in particular. She'd seen Princess and had taken off running, enveloping the dog in a big hug as Amy had stood by with wide eyes, terrified of what might happen - since Princy was, after all, a strange dog to them. However, the Rottweiler had taken it all in stride, a canine smile on her face, and the tall blond man had laughed heartily at the entire exchange.
The three of them stayed at the pond for awhile, enjoying the beautiful view and the cuteness of the ducks. One brave mallard even came right up to take a few crumbs from Mandy's hand, much to the little girl's delight.
Finally, they decided it was time to head back home. Amanda, however, protested.
"No... Mommy, I want to stay here for one more minute!" She pouted, and Adam couldn help but chuckle. His daughter was just so adorable. If he'd had the final say, he would have given in to what Mandy wanted, and he knew what kind of father he was at that very moment - the kind who was destined - or maybe *doomed* was a better word - to spoil his kids rotten.
"Mandy, I have to make us dinner," the redhead explained. "Daddy and I are getting hungry." She exchanged glances with the Canadian, whose emerald eyes were sparkling as he smiled at her.
"Don't worry, Blondie," Adam piped in. "We'll come back here next week. Scout's honor."
Amanda chewed her lower lip, as though thinking about it. Then, she nodded and smiled.
"Okay." She put up a tiny hand for him, and the blond man happily took it. On her other side, Amy was also reaching for Mandy's hand, and the little girl took it. The happy little family left the park and started for home.
*
Amy sat at the small desk in the den while Mandy sat on the floor before the TV set, playing a videogame. Despite the fact that she'd mentioned cooking dinner, Adam had refused, insisting that *he* do it and she relax. The redhead had smiled and kissed him. Besides, he was one helluva cook himself, and she could use the time to herself to check her email and catch up on things.
Now, as she sat there in front of the computer, she noticed an email from an old friend who wasn't in wresting, and it caught her eye. She clicked it open and read, a frown coming to her face. And then, her heart pounding extra fast, she clicked the link that had been pasted into the email. She had to see it for herself.
Amy browsed through a series of messages when she finally found it - and her blood began to boil.
"Oh, *hell* no!" she yelled, startling little Mandy in the process.
"Mommy? What's the matter?"
The redhead ignored her daughter for the moment.
"Adam! Adam, get in here!" she cried. "I have to show you something!"