"Quit it!" 13 year old Amanda squealed with laughter as Brock was tickling the small teen he was watching backstage while her brother was in one of his matches.
"Quit tickling you? I can't help it." Brock says with a smile, giving Amanda a chance to breathe before she sat up on the couch and he sat down next to her.
"You'll think he'll be okay in that ring?" Amanda asks, Brock knowing where that question was stemming from as it was only two weeks after the ring had caved in.
"Yeah. They know what they're doing, kiddo." Brock says, Amanda readjusting her hair into a ponytail… and Brock noticing a small speck of chocolate shimmer under her eye, grabbing a tissue and brushing it off her before confirming what it was, eyeshadow. "Seems like I missed something when I blinked… but you're subtle with it, that's a good thing." He says.
"John was a bit startled, tried to get me to scrub it off." Amanda says.
"That's how brothers are with their sisters, don't like seeing them grow up… just don't grow up too fast, Mandy. Who knows… in the next blink, I'll see you accepting a marriage proposal." Brock says, Amanda chuckling.
"Long time away for that, Brock. I just turned 13." Amanda says, her and Brock hugging.
"But you're never too old for the tickle monster!" Brock says, exclaiming the last three words and Amanda's laughter starting up again when he tickled her…
I just… I lost… and she's hugging the new champion now.
It isn't too long before they're kissing… 27 years old, Mandy is… I still remember her as that kid I would watch out for.
I pull myself up as she and Finn let go and see him grab something from the pocket in his leather jacket after setting the title down… a small black velvet box.
This is… actually happening in front of me as Paul gets into the ring.
"Heyman… is he really going to…" I try to ask, Paul nodding as Finn gets down on one knee and opens the box, a slow smile forming on Mandy's face.
"I know surprises tend to scare you… but don't be scared off. Amanda Rose Cena… will you marry me?" Finn says, asking the last part.
Amanda nods as tears stream down her face, too stunned to speak as Finn puts the ring on her left ring finger, stands up and picks her up into his arms, the two kissing as the audience cheers like lunatics… and camera lights start flashing.
The Onyx stone and diamonds on both sides fit perfectly on Amanda's slender finger, the marquise cut of the setting and silver band… it just seems like yesterday that she was just starting out her career.
"Brock? You okay?" Mandy asks after the now engaged couple turn to me and Finn has the title on his right shoulder.
Memories flash in front of me…
Mandy as a young girl, pranking Spike Dudley…
Then her hugging Chris Benoit in the middle of the ring after Wrestlemania 20…
The look on her face at just 21 years old when I returned to the company…
Her helping Undertaker sit up after his loss to me at Wrestlemania 30…
Her comforting Goldberg after his loss at Wrestlemania 33… was that really just a few months ago?
I extend my hand to Finn, who looks at me like he thinks I'll pull his arm off… but he reaches out and shakes my hand before I pull Mandy into my arms and we hug.
"Blink and time's gone by, kiddo." I whisper.
"It has… for both of us." Mandy whispers as we let go.
It truly has… and now the next chapter of her life is starting.