The next morning she went with her mom and brother to the cancer center. They sat in their cubicle chatting about old times. Her mom teased that every time the hospital told her something bad they sent in the hot doctor to soften the blow. Her mom at her weakened state still loved to joke and flirt with the sexy men. Her mom was in good spirits and always smiling. The people in the center loved her. She raved how one day her daughter would be on WWE and she worked for Triple H.

"I'm tired sis. Sing to me so I can rest." Her mom lay her head back on the reclining chair.

"Mom I don't know what to sing. People are watching."

"Sing that song I use to sing to you when you were little and sleepy." Her mom smiled holding her hand.

"Ok, mom." She held her mom's hand to her heart just as she did to her as a kid. Looking down so she couldn't see her tears fall. Her angelic voice swept over the room as other patents and nurses listened on. The song from Disney's Dumbo filled the air.

Baby mine, don't you cry.

Baby mine, dry your eyes.

Rest your head close to my heart,

Never to part, baby of mine.

Little one, when you play,

Pay no heed what they say.

Let your eyes sparkle and shine,

Never a tear, baby of mine.

If they knew all about you,

They'd end up loving you, too.

All those same people who scold you,

What they'd…

But, you're so precious to me,

Sweet as can be, baby of mine.

Her mom fell to sleep. Sam looked up to see Hunter fighting back tears standing across the room. She walked over to his side taking his hand leading him outside.

"What are you doing here?" Wiping her tears.

"Your voice...it's beautiful. I see why she likes to listen to you. I...uhh..had to see you. Sam, I ordered her chair and a few other things your bother said she needed. They are being delivered today. But, uhh….man I don't know how to ask you this. I know it's not the right time. You should be in there with her. We can talk later." Hunter pulled his hand away.

"Wait. She will be asleep for about an hour during treatment. Do you want to go grab a coffee or something? I could use a break." She didn't want him to go.

"Yeh. I saw a Starbucks around the corner." He took her hand and pulled her arm through his.

"How are you? How are you holding up? I can see she's bad. Took a lot out of her last night didn't it?"

"Umm. Scared. Tiered, sad, happy, confused, Lonely. I don't know how to feel cause I feel everything and nothing at the same time." Sam confessed. Hunter walked her into the coffee shop.

"Two caramel lattes. Here Sam, sit. I'll get it." As she watched him she saw his face was different since she last spoke to him. More...kind. At peace. "Here you go. Sam, I don't know how to say this. So please just listen."

"Ok. You're not firing me, are you? I'm trying really hard. I am." She looked scared of his answer.

"Oh no. You're stuck with me there. If I did your mom would get Big Show to kick my ass. She threatened that last night." He chuckled. "Your mom made me realize something. She is a remarkable woman. So positive in all her pain. It made me feel selfish for feeling sorry for myself all these months. I have everything in the world. While I fight to stay on top of it. Here is this woman fighting for her life. Her only concern over the past couple weeks was calling to check on how I was feeling. She asked me to be nicer to you. Can you believe that? She asked me to be nicer to you. I just realized that she is right. I'm not nice or kind to you. And damn it. I know it's for selfish reasons. Steph hurt me and I shut out every beautiful woman I meet. And here you are just asking me for friendship. I don't even have the balls to do that. I'm sorry Sam. I am. I'm hurting you and I see that. Every day I see the pain I'm causing you. How I blew off your feelings like they were nothing. But, your feelings are just as important as my own. I know you still like me. I see it. The way you look at me sometimes when you think I don't notice. But, all you ask from me is to be your friend. Well, if that's what you want. I want to try. Okay….uhh... you can jump in anytime here cause...I really don't know what I am doing here." Hunter confessed.

She just sat in silence. Froze in her emotion. What did he want? A trophy for being nice. She needed more. But she knew what her mom meant about people needing things from him. She was wanting something from him bigger than anyone one else wanted. His love. Something he just wasn't able to give her right now. Her mom was right she was needing to show him she wasn't going to want from him anymore. She was just going to be there for him.

"Hunter, if that's what you're offering, that's what I accept. I won't ask you for more than your willing to give. I don't want you to feel like I'm one more person wanting to use you. I want to show you, you are worthy of kindness. You know I still have feelings for you. I'm not good at hiding it. I can't keep my eyes off you most days. But, I see now you need the same things I do. A friend. If that's all I can have from you. That's more important to me than any money, job, power, fame, or anything you can offer me. I want to try too. I think if we just let our hearts be open to it. We could be great friends. I see how kind you can be. But you really broke my heart. You treated me like I was nothing. I have a hard time knowing you can't share that part of you with me. You can your real friends but, not with me. That weekend seeing you happy with the girls gave me some hope that the real Paul was in there some place. I hide my heart more than anyone so, I know how hard it's been. But I want to try to see if you will let me in. Thank you for the things for my mother. It will help her so much. You're a generous man. I always knew that."

She got up and sat in his lap hugging him to be what seemed forever. He never fought it, He just let himself take her in. He wanted to tell her he was falling for her. But, the words never came. A sigh escaped him and he held her close.