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There were a few more days left before Christmas, and a festive atmosphere surrounded the WWE. Amy relished the season, and she could plainly see that Mandy had taken after her in that regard.
The little girl was with them for the next few days until they were off for their holiday vacation. Amanda was already off from school and wasn't expected back until after New Year's. And she was excited about being able to meet her other grandma for the first time.
"I wanna get grandma Judy a present," she declared, and Adam's face lit up. She was an adorable and generous kid.
"She'd like that, Blondie." He was holding onto her hand as they made their way into the arena for the night's houseshow. "Why don't you make her a card?"
Sometime recently, the blond man had discovered that his daughter had inherited the same artistic talent with which he himself had been blessed. She'd been drawing with a regular pencil, and had sketched her mother - and despite being done by a six-year-old, the portrait had an amazing likeness. It had nearly taken his breath away to know that Mandy had the talent.
"Okay," she agreed. She had her little backpack filled with construction paper, pencils and crayons, not to mention other things, so he was sure she would immerse herself as soon as they got to the locker rooms.
Amy wasn't feeling all that well, thanks to a particularly nasty case of morning sickness. Lately, it seemed to be worse than ever. She knew she was going to have to step out of the arena at some point to get some crackers, which seemed to be the only thing that helped. She'd run out of her box of Ritz earlier, when they'd been on their way - but she hadn't had the chance to buy more.
"Okay," Amy said as they reached the locker room Adam would be using that night, "Daddy has a match to get ready for. I'm going to the bathroom. Mandy, do you have to go?"
The little girl shook her head.
"Are you sure?"
Now, Mandy nodded.
"Okay... Daddy needs to get ready, and I have to go out for awhile after I use the bathroom, so you'll stay with Aunt Trish until I come back. Okay?"
"Okay, Mommy," came the soft, small reply.
Adam smiled warmly as he gazed from his daughter to his wife. They were so precious to him - his two girls.
Amy edged closer to the tall blond man, a soft smile on her face as she pushed up on her toes to kiss him. He didn't have to know that she wasn't slipping out just to get more crackers. Besides, he'd find out about her surprise gift soon enough.
"I'll be back soon," she promised.
"I'll be waiting anxiously," he replied. Then, he watched as the redhead took hold of Mandy's hand. With the other, the little girl waved at him.
"Bye, Daddy."
Adam raised a hand to wave back, and then they were gone.
Amy walked briskly down the hallway, as speedily as Amanda could manage with her short little legs. Her urge to pee was growing worse by the second. She was relieved as she saw Trish in a nearby locker room, the blonde unzippering her bag.
"There you are!"
Trish whirled around.
"Oh, hey!" she cried. "Hey, Mandy!" She offered both her friend and the little girl a bright smile.
"Listen, I have a favor to ask of you," Amy said.
"Sure... Anything."
"Would you watch Mandy for awhile? I need to run out for a bit. But I'll be back as quickly as I can."
Trish glanced back down at Amanda as her smile returned.
"I'd be glad to," she replied, reaching a hand out to the girl. "Come on, Mandy. We can go for a walk around the arena."
"Okay, Auntie Trish." The child smiled and eagerly took hold of the blonde woman's hand. "Bye, Mommy."
"See you later, sweetie," Amy said. "Thanks, Trish." With that, she hurried off to the nearest ladies room.
The Canadian diva looked down at Mandy.
"Are you hungry? We can get something to eat if you want."
The little girl shook her head.
"I wanna make my grandma a card."
"Well, all right," Trish said cheerily. She eyed the child as she crossed over to the floor near a low table. Amanda opened her small knapsack and pulled out an array of art supplies - crayons, construction paper and pencils. Immediately, she began to draw, immersing herself in the task.
The blonde woman smiled, then turned back to her bag for her hairbrush.
For several minutes, all was peaceful and normal. Mandy was still drawing as Trish was fiddling with her hair and then a new moisturizer she'd recently bought. Then, a sharp yelp outside in the hallway drew the blonde's attention.
Trish frowned as Mandy didn't even look up. She detected a sound like a woman crying and started toward the door.
"Honey, stay right here, okay?"
"Okay, Auntie Trish."
The petite blonde ducked out the door, closing it behind her, and noticed a form crouched on the floor a few feet away - it was Stacy Keibler.
"Stacy!" She hurried toward the fallen tall blonde woman. "Are you okay?" Trish was amazed that no one else was around to help.
"My ankle," the taller woman muttered with a wince. Gratefully, she allowed the Canadian to help her up, but once standing, she limped, crying out. "I think I sprained it."
*
Meanwhile, Mandy was still seated on the floor Trish's locker room, on her knees, coloring. The little girl was so busy that she didn't hear the door suddenly open and close.
"Hi, Amanda."
The girl looked up with surprise at the sound of the voice.
"Hi!" she said with a smile.
The person smiled back as the child bounded up for a hug. He couldn't help it.
"Your Mommy sent me to come get you. Come with me."
In her six-year-old mind, Mandy didn't think much of the man's words in spite of the fact that her mother had brought her to Trish Stratus.
"Come on," he repeated. "Forget your coloring."
Mandy said nothing and got up, abandoning her things. They left, the man's hand firmly gripping her tiny one.
No one noticed them, and for that, Matt Hardy was glad.