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Flashback - February 14, 2007
A strong sense of dread overtook Amy as she let him into her house. MacKenzie, her little dog jumped up as she greeted him excitedly.
Adam smiled and knelt to greet the terrier mix, picking her up so she could kiss him on the chin.
Amy smiled softly, sadly. It was sweet how they got along. The tall blond man was just about as big an animal lover as she was, especially where dogs were concerned. In fact, he'd helped her out quite a bit with her ADORE charity earlier in their relationship.
She bit her lip nervously as he straightened up again to face her. How was she ever going to do this?
"Hey," the tall Canadian said with a smile. He handed her a bouquet of roses and kissed her.
Amy stayed silent except to thank him for the beautiful, fragrant flowers. She wondered how she hadn't even noticed them as he'd entered the house. That was exactly how very distracted she felt, because she was by no means normally that oblivious.
"Here, let's put those in water," he offered, and he ran off to get a vase. MacKenzie followed at his heels.
The redhead sighed and plopped down onto her plush sofa. She listened to her boyfriend puttering around in her kitchen. Moments later, he came back carrying the pretty crystal vase, the roses inside, with MacKenzie following. She eyed him intently as he placed the flowers in the middle of the dining room table and then came over to sit beside her.
Amy bit her lip again as their eyes met, and, try as she might, she couldn't keep the contact. She couldn't recall a time she'd felt more awkward around him - not even when they'd first kissed and he'd been married to his second wife. To say the least, it was not a comfortable feeling.
She looked back up at him as she felt Adam's large warm hand on her forearm. His handsome face was adorning a warm smile.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he said, and she felt a crushing sensation inside of her as she could so easily detect the love in his eyes - the love he held for her and always had.
"Thank you, Adam..." It was actually on the tip of her tongue to say it back to him, but that would be ludicrous. Besides, he was from Canada, and they didn't do Valentine's Day. And what a cop-out thought that was, since he had been living in the States the last several years - and his last two relationships had been with American women. "... Adam, we need to talk." She couldn't help but wonder if the words were more dreadful to her than they were to him.
The tall blond man shook his head, his hands up in his shoulder-length hair. He looked over to meet her eyes, and expression of desolation within.
"So, that's it? I can't believe you're breaking up with me," Adam said, "and on Valentine's Day, of all times."
Amy held back the wince she felt, squaring her shoulders in an attempt to stay strong. She hated doing this to him. She knew she was breaking his heart, but for once she had to think of herself first.
"I'm sorry," she said gently. "I just... I don't feel the same way. Ever since I quit wrestling, I seem to have drifted away."
He stared at her with just about the saddest green eyes she'd ever seen. It tugged at her heartstrings, but she really had drifted. Things were so different now, all the months apart...
"Maybe we just need some time together alone - somewhere else, just the two of us," Adam suggested. "A change of scenery does wonders for lots of couples in a rut."
She shook her head.
"We're in more than 'just a rut,' Adam. I'm sorry, but... Everything has changed. I've changed."
"You seem the same to me," he said softly. He seemed to be pouting as he stepped close to her and took hold of both her hands. Only then did Amy notice the twin unshed tears shining in his eyes. "Amy, I love you... I don't want to lose you."
The redhead was momentarily at a loss for words, but then rediscovered her voice.
"I-I'm sorry, Adam." She merely met his eyes and somehow stayed firm in her stance, and after a beat, she gently pulled her hands from his.
"One thing I can promise you is that no matter what, we'll always be friends - always."
The blond man stared at her sadly, then turned his back as the tears finally slipped free. While he did want to remain friends - he had to, had to keep her in his life - he knew it would never be the same. He loved her and knew he always would.
= End flashback =
Amy woke up with the memory-dream still fresh in her head. She felt awful as she sat up and clutched her chest.
Momentarily disoriented, she remembered that she was in a hotel room... RAW - she'd appeared on the fifteenth anniversary special.
It was still dark outside, which told her it was probably still quite early. However, she knew she'd never get
back to sleep... Not after the memory of Adam looking so heartbroken.