Short update today, in celebration of Jeff's long-awaited return to the WWE! (i know, i'm excited too) annnd because Janine asked me too. tehe. ..thanks for all the amazing reviews! ..you know i love them.

-Candy

(( Chapter 10 ))

Only a short while later, after sneeking into her room to avoid Ashley, Trish sat on the edge of her bed, the small package clutched within her hands.

Her body, numb. Her mind no different. But she couldn't help but feel the overwhelming and powerful emotions fluttering about inside her. A part of her felt loenly, another felt completely and utterly in love. But all in all, the small blonde concluded that most of all, she wasn't much of herself anymore.

This wasn't Trish Stratus, who was so constantly busy with photo shoots and appearances and family that she didn't have time to even ask herself who she was. This wasn't the blonde supermodel that looked as good as she wrestled, and fell for men that were tall, dark, and handsome.

No, this wasn't her at all.

This was someone completely different. Although who she wasn't sure.

Trish stretched her arms above her head, then let her tired body fall back upon the bed, the small package falling from her hand as she did so. She didn't want it yet, she still needed more time to think.

She had been tired lately, even with her sudden decrease in workouts and failed diet plan. Her body was sluggish, her mind too full of thoughs, her heart too stuffed with emotion. And although she had all the reason to be just fine, the small woman had felt as if she were slowly dying from the inside out.

Aside from her time spent with Jeff, that is. Then, she was alive.

But lately, all there had been was half-hearted and failing attempts at mustering up the life inside of her.. Or more so, the lives inside her.

Rolling on her side to face the open window, Trish welcomed the site of the North Carolina clouds, the swaying trees, the gorgeous leaves as they danced within the wind.. Oh, that wonderful wind that spoke to her silently.

Her eyes glancing back to the package beside her, she wondered if she really even needed it. Sure, it would be solid proof.. but she could feel this. The way her body changed so suddenly, the manor in which her whole being was now so different, unlike it has ever been before.

Yes, it all made sense to her. She didn't need this now.. They would all believe her word, wouldn't they?

Sighing to herself, Trish swung her legs over the side of the bed and hopped off, opening the package on her way into the bathroom.

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Only an hour later did Trish slump down the stairs into the kitchen, her eyes swelled with the tears of confusion she had cried earlier. Ashley was now leaning against the counter, picking apart the cookies as they laid on a massive plate infront of her.

"There you are," The exotic blonde greeted as she spotted Trish come down the stairs, "cookie?"

She forced a smile as she waved off the offer, taking a stool and sitting across from Ashley. "Hey, can I talk to you about something?"

She must've not caught the stong sense of pain in Trish's voice as she spoke, for she just stuffed her mouth with another piece of a cookie, she held up her finger as if to ask Trish to wait. "Sorry," She murmered after forcing it down her throat. "Sure, but first I have good news for you.. Jeff called earlier while you were out."

Trish lifted her head up, already feeling the tromendous ache in her heart. "Did he?" She tried to speak without her voice quaking, but the attempt seemed useless. "What'd he have to say?"

"TNA offered him a new contract," Ashley said with a huge grin, as if to expect Trish to burst out in the same amout of happiness. "He signed it, and he'll be starting as soon as possible."

Releasing a choked gasp, Trish bit her lip, forcing herself to keep the now uncontrolable emotions bottled up inside her. But it all was so strong now, her body was a mere snow flake compared to the fierce and burning emotions inside her, and it could not keep them at bay.

"Trish..?" She spoke, her voice ever so soft as she laid a hand on Trish's arm. "Hun, are you alright?"

Trish lowered her face into her hands, crying harshly now. Yes, it had been wonderful news.. and if she had not been so conflicted herself she would've been happier than anyone. But the burden she now carried made it impossbile to do so. She had planned on telling Ashley, then the moment she saw Jeff she'd jump into his arms and fake a happiness only he could match as she told him the news.

But no, she couldn't do that to him now.. He had one last chance at fulfilling his dream, and the last thing she wanted to do was ruin it all for him just because she had made a small mistake that turned into something bigger than she'd ever imagined. Jeff was a million ways too good for her, he didn't deserve this now.

"I have to leave." The blonde suddenly blurted out in defeat, her upper body sprawled across the counter as tears fell upon the cold stone. "I can't stay here anymore."

"Trish?" Ashley asked again, both her manor and voice frantic as she tried to comfort the broken woman laid before her. "Trish.. did something happen? Are you okay?"

"Ash.. I need to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone, mostly Jeff.. it'll ruin both of us.."

As the moments passed on, Trish continued to tell Ashley all about her and Jeff's recent passion, and the sudden outcome of it all. She spoke everything; from the sleepless nights of love-making in his painting shed, to sneaking into Matt's house when everyone was home, all the way to the night that started it all.

And only 20 minutes later, after a long talk, and a promise that Ashley knew she'd somehow break, Trish was booked for a plane to Canada that very night.

Where she'd fly to her real home, and stay there, with plans never to return to North Carolina again.