2/8/06, Amanda's perspective…
Somehow, I knew I had to be here… I knew something wasn't right.
We're all surrounding the ring as Matt is talking to us and the fans… and then his eyes lock with mine as tears fall.
"Mandy, come on in here, kiddo." Matt whispered after lowering the microphone, Phil and Maria helping me up onto the ring apron and me getting into the ring… and Matt pulling me into his arms, me burying my head into his right shoulder and sobbing.
"I don't… want to lose you…" I said in between sobs, Matt gently tilting my head up so I can look at him.
"I know, sweetheart. I'm gonna beat this thing and I'm gonna come back stronger… because there's still a lot that I haven't accomplished. And I want to see you live out your dreams, Mandy…" Matt whispered, brushing my tears away and kissing me on my forehead. "And if you ever feel like you're in over your head, call me." He responded quietly before we all headed to the back.
Matt's right arm remained around me, physically holding me up… I want to be strong for him because he was strong for me when we all lost Eddie.
But I don't know if I can be strong.
"Hey…" Matt whispered, gently turning me to him. "It's gonna be okay… they caught it in time and I'm gonna make it through this, kiddo." He responded quietly before we embraced each other again, neither of us wanting to let go.
But eventually, we do because I have to get ready for the next event and he has to go home and start the chemo.
I'll have to be strong… we'll all have to, he needs that strength.
At the hotel, I find it impossible to sleep… standing up, I pull my thick coat on and walk outside onto the balcony.
The snow falls around me, becoming heavier as I rest my hands on the freezing railing.
Why can't it just swallow me up with it?
Too many are gone and we're gonna lose countless others… life truly isn't fair...
Present time, 6/29/18, Third Person Perspective…
Amanda re-read the article over and over again on her phone… but every time, it remained the same and the 28 year old couldn't believe it, setting her phone aside after closing out the article.
The headline would remain burned into her mind.
'Matt Cappotelli, WWE Star and 'Tough Enough' Winner, Dies at 38'
"Mandy…" She heard, turning to Finn… and Finn pulled her into his arms as she cried… he rubbed his right hand up and down her back after the two were lying back on the bed.
Amanda didn't know how long it had been before she had stopped crying… she had been planning on calling Matt and telling him the joyful news she and Finn had gotten a few weeks back, having not shared it with too many people yet.
"I wanted to ask him… if he wanted to be this little one's godfather…" Amanda replied quietly, her left hand resting on her slightly swollen stomach as Finn rested his right hand on her left one.
"Somehow, I think he knew before we had the chance to tell him… you always said he had a strong sixth sense, love." Finn responded before they kissed.
A slight breeze blew past them for a few seconds… and they knew that his spirit hadn't left this world yet.
"I'll always be here, watching over you… you're living out a dream you've always wanted."
'Thank you, old friend.' Amanda thought.
7/2/18, Sioux Falls, South Dakota…
Amanda was looking through the script for tonight's event when she heard footsteps and looked up, seeing Bayley… who pulled her into her arms, the two friends holding each other.
"I'm so sorry, Mandy." Bayley whispered as they let go.
"He fought through so much… and never gave up, he kept fighting." Amanda responded quietly. "We were gonna tell him… and ask if he wanted to be the godfather." She replied.
"I think he would've loved that." Bayley replied.
With Raw getting closer to going on the air, Amanda was heading back to hers and Finn's locker room when she stopped.
"Look, Lexa, it's a lot more than you think that's got Mandy so down." Mickie replied, Alexa rolling her eyes.
"Whatever's got her so damn upset, she needs to just bury her feelings instead of backing out of obligations." Alexa responded in a snotty tone, flipping her blonde and pink hair over her right shoulder.
Amanda's rage surfaced and she stormed over, Alexa yelling in pain as Amanda grabbed her by her hair… and with one more tug, a good chunk of the dyed strands were ripped out and Alexa turned around, rubbing her head as Amanda dropped the fistful of hair.
"Looks like the stylist is gonna have to put in some hair extensions… and you really should shut your mouth. The only reason you're a five time Women's Champion is because you slept your way to the top!" Amanda responded angrily.
"Lexa, go!" Mickie growled, Alexa leaving and Mickie turning to Amanda. "You've got to try to stay calm, for my little niece or nephew." She whispered, pulling Amanda into a hug.
Amanda knew she was right but Amanda also felt like she had no calmness left.
