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*One and a Half Weeks Later*
"So, I know we said it before on the phone," Jay said as he eyed his best friend and then his wife in turn, "but again, we are so sorry." He glanced over at Nora, his girlfriend's blue eyes full of compassion. She stepped forward with those last words, reaching out and handing the huge bouquet of flowers to the tall blond man.
"I know this won't do anything in the world to make up for your loss... but please accept these as a token of our sympathy."
Adam accepted the bouquet and nodded.
"Thank you, Nora... Jay." he turned and glanced down at Amy, who'd stood silent beside him the entire time. However, the redhead responded in an instant as the brunette moved in to hug her.
He found himself feeling extremely glad, even relieved, for that. Amy certainly hadn't been herself over the course of the last week and some odd days after the miscarriage... Not that he could *blame* her.
"Thank you," the redhead said, her voice soft yet surprisingly event. "I know you two don't have a lot of free time, but..." She pulled back from Nora's embrace, her gaze fixing on the brunette's as she played absently with a strand of her friend's hair. "... you cared enough to come over."
"Hey," Jay said placidly, "you don't have to thank us. What are friends for?"
This time, it was Adam's turn to remain silent as his thoughts focused on the past week and a half. All the tears and heartache they'd endured had been unbearable. People had called non-stop. Both their mothers had come for visits on separate days. Trish and Chris had been here two days earlier. Stephanie - and her boyfriend John Cena - Shane, Linda, and even Vince McMahon himself had called *and* come over to see them.
Their lovely General Manager, Eric Bischoff, had yet to call them. That angered the tall blond man to no end, yet he wasn't the least bit surprised. The callousness spoke volumes about Bischoff's character. And Adam had known long enough what a prick the man was.
He came back to his senses moments later, as Nora and Jay were about to leave. They had a flight to catch in a few more hours for a houseshow.
"I know it's easier said than done," the brunette said, holding one of Amy's hands, "but hang in there. *Both* of you."
The redhead nodded, swallowing hard as she met her husband's green eyes.
"We will."
Shortly after that, with more hugs, thanks and farewells, Jay and Nora left.
Amy let out an audible sigh as she allowed herself to sink down onto their living room couch. Branny jumped up and instantly perched on her lap. She began to almost mechanically pet and stroke the tiny poodle, her gaze focused ahead on nothing, yet something seemingly far, far away.
It broke Adam's heart to see her like this. He sat beside her, and he pulled her to him, in his arms, just holding her there and stroking her hair. After a long while, he finally spoke again.
"Nora is right," he said. "We *will* get through this."
The redhead said nothing, but she sighed as she clung more tightly to him.
*
Several hours later, it happened... The phone rang, startling Adam, as, for once, it had been perfectly silent since their whole horrible ordeal had begun. He put down the magazine he'd been reading and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
Amy turned from where she stood, before the stove in the kitchen and eyed her husband. Somehow, she sensed who it might be who was finally calling them. Actually, she had no sure indication at all until the blond man handed her the phone.
"It's for you." Concern was written in his eyes as she accepted the receiver and spoke.
"Hello?"
"Amy... Hi, it's Eric Bischoff. I'm really sorry for your loss - you and Adam both."
"Thank you," she said in a flat tone, although she found the RAW General Manager's words to be completely empty and devoid of emotion.
"I understand you'll be returning on the twenty-seventh?"
"Yes, that's right," the redhead replied. So, that was it, his *real* motive for calling - he just wanted to confirm the date she would be returning to work. She couldn't say that surprised her.
"Good," Bischoff continued, "because I did get a brainstorm. We're going to turn negative into positive."
Amy's mouth went dry as she gazed over at Adam, meeting his eyes. She had no clue as to what the GM was talking about, but she supposed her woman's intuition somehow *knew* it wasn't good.
"What... What do you mean?"
"What I mean," Eric explained, "is that we're going to turn this unfortunate incident into a storyline. We'll incorporate it into your storyline with Kane - it'll be *perfect*!"
The redhead listened to his excited words with horror. He couldn't be serious! He just *couldn't*!
"You have *got* to be kidding me!" she cried. She could feel the tears burning just behind her eyelids, and her hand that held the phone began to shake.
Adam frowned as he noticed the drastic change in his wife's demeanor and speech alike. Whatever Bischoff was saying was obviously distressing her. Damn it, he *knew* it was a bad idea to let that miserable worm speak to Amy now! He gestured to her, wanting to take the phone and find out what the hell was going on, but instead, Amy hung up.
She was visibly shaking ever so slightly, and the Canadian was already furious. However, he knew that would be nothing compared to the rage he'd feel once he found out what Bischoff had said.
"What was that all about, Ames? Tell me!"
"He... He said that... Oh, God," she moaned. She shook her head, tears finally breaking free. "Adam, they're going
to incorporate my miscarriage into the storylines!"