Disclaimer: All of the people in this story are owned by Vince McMahon and the WWF, they are not mine, except Lenae and Monica.
The song "Love like breathing," is by Out of The Grey and is not mine.
Matters of the Heart
sequel to "Definition of Love"
Chapter 1: Love like breathing
"I want to love like breathing.
Spontaneous like breathing.
Imagine just how lovely it would be.
If I could love like breathing, filling up completely.
Coming from the love sustaining me."
Amy looked down at Matt, her eyes shining, "Yes." Overjoyed, Matt nervously pulled the little, blue velvet box out of his pocket. Taking her hand, Matt carefully slid the emerald and diamond ring on her finger.
"You have no idea how happy you've made me. Your the one I've been waiting for all my life."
Amy cupped his face in her hands, "The feeling's mutual."
At Nostalgia USA, a small diner:
Earlier in the afternoon, the group had decided to meet here, late in the evening, after everything had started to wind down. The last couples to get there were Trish and Andrew and Amy and Matt.
"You guys have a secret," Nora sing-songed. Matt and Amy, who were holding hands just smiled at each other.
"So, how'd you like the performance?" Chris J. asked, a smirk planted on his face.
"Actually, I liked it. It was very soothing." Chris's eyes bugged out of his head and his jaw dropped. Gently, Jessica put her finger under his chin and closed his mouth.
"He's just speechless," Jess said grinning devilishly.
"The only bad part was this little kid who cried wolf once the performance was finished. He yelled that there was a bomb in the building. Everyone ran for their lives. When it was all over, the little twirp, Jamie Jr. his mother called him, was laughing his head off. He'll get his sooner or later," Andrew said, clenching his fist. Trish put her hand over his, trying to get Andrew to relax.
"Relax honey, it's over and we're all okay, that's what matters."
"I guess so," Andrew said gently, distractedly placing a kiss on her temple. At the mention of Jamie Jr. Amy shoulders stiffened immediately and Matt could feel her tense up almost instantly.
Matt's arm tightened around her shoulders and he whispered reassuringly to her, "It's no relation to Jamie hon, he's still in jail."
"You're, you're right, I just needed some reassurance that's all," Amy said, laughing shakily. Matt was relieved to feel Amy relax against him though.
"Okay, here we are, at 11 o'clock at night, and I can just tell something juicy has happened to several of you guys tonight, so spill," Nora demanded good-naturedly, her eyes dancing merrily. They went around the table, reaching Stephanie and Paul first.
"We're going to have a baby! Steph squealed excitedly.
"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" Monica said happily. She gave Steph a quick hug.
After a round of congratulations from all, Nora smiled and said, "I'm so happy for you guys. I just knew you would have a wee baby, sooner or later! Okay, half-brother of mine," Nora teased, "It's your turn." Both Jericho and Jeff looked at Nora strangely, as if she had grown three heads or something. They'd never seen her quite so - hyper - bouncing from subject to subject.
Deciding to ignore it for now, Jericho cleared his throat, "Well, Jessica and I are having baby number three," Chris said proudly.
"You guys sure work fast," Chris B. commented, smiling wickedly. "Ha, ha, very funny," Chris J. said sarcastically, glaring at him.
"Oh come on Chris, you can dish it out, but can't take it," Benoit challenged jokingly.
Nora quickly zeroed in on Amy and Matt, "You guys have been very quiet, so what new development do you have to share with us?" Nora asked eagerly.
"Well," Amy said slowly, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth, "Matt asked me to marry him and I said yes." Quiet whistles went up around the table.
"It's about time, even I beat you to the punch on that one," Jeff said, grinning, as he gave Nora a squeeze.
Lenae glanced at the group of people as if in a daze. Near tears, she asked Trish, "May I be excused for a minute?"
"Sure honey." Perplexed, Trish watched as Lenae ran towards the exit door. Swiftly, Trish got up out of her chair. Suddenly, Matt rose from his position beside Amy, walked over to Trish and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll go talk to her," Matt offered, "I think I know what this is all about."
"Sure, go ahead." Matt followed the young girl. Lenae gasped when the door held fast. She turned around and looked up into the sorrowful eyes of Matt Hardy.
"Hey, Lenae, how about you and I have a talk?" Matt suggested.
"Yeah, I guess so," she muttered.
"Word has it you have a crush on a certain wrestler," Matt said, smiling faintly.
"Hey, did Jeff tell you?" Lenae asked defensively. She clapped a hand to her mouth, realizing she had just given herself away.
"I know it hurt back there, when you found out I was marrying Amy, but when I was a kid the same thing happened to me."
"Really?" Lenae asked, her eyes wide, "what happened?"
"I was twelve years old, and in sixth grade. My teacher was Miss Carroll." Matt was so engrossed in his story, that he didn't hear nor see the figure slip quietly through the exit door. "I thought she was the prettiest, sweetest teacher I ever had."
"What did she look like?" Lenae asked eagerly.
"Actually, she looked a lot like you, long blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Right before school ended that year, she told us that she was getting married and that we were all invited to the wedding. I was crushed, and it felt like my little heart was going to break. As the wedding loomed closer, all of us kids chipped in, and using our allowance money, bought her a wedding present. We presented her with the wedding present the last day of school. She thought it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. Matt found himself smiling wistfully at the memory. Regretfully, Miss Carroll told us that this would be her last day of school too. Her fiancee had gotten a job in Indiana and they moved there shortly after their honeymoon. The last time I heard, she was living on a farm in Gary, Indiana, still happily married, and blessed with three children.
Lenae looked at Matt quizzically, "What's a fiancee?"
"The person that you are going to marry."
"Do you think I'll ever have a fiancee?" Lenae asked, pronouncing her new word slowly.
"Oh, I think you will," Matt replied, brushing a white-blond strand of hair from her forehead. "You're a very pretty, young lady and will snag a fine, young man someday."
"You really think so?" Lenae asked, her face beaming.
"I know so," Matt reaffirmed, a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks Matt," she said, reaching up to give him a hug. Matt watched as Lenae got up and skipped through the restaurant doors.
"So," a throaty voice said from the shadows, "did that certain young fellow ever get over his teacher?"
"Of course," Matt said airily, "otherwise I wouldn't have met you," Matt said drawing Amy into his arms. She pulled back from Matt, her hands resting lightly on his forearms. With the moonlight spilling down on them, Amy, warmth in her eyes and a soft smile, was just content to memorize every feature of his face.
"What?" Matt asked smiling.
"You were great with her, you know."
"Thanks," Matt said, slightly embarrassed. "Come on, we'd better get back inside, our public awaits," Matt said grinning. Amy slid her hand down his arm, and linked her fingers through his. "You'll make a great Dad someday, Matthew Moore Hardy," Amy whispered to herself as they walked back inside.
As they approached their table, Amy saw Nora reach for another cookie but Jeff stopped her. "Uh, hon, I think you've had enough sugar for one evening," Jeff said disapprovingly.
"So that's why she's been so wired all night," Matt realized. "And I just thought someone spiked the punch," Matt cracked.
Amy frowned at him, "Nora ate some peanut butter pie earlier this evening, at the hospital. She warned me that Jeff would see a whole other side of her tonight."
"Jeffrey, I'm a big girl, I can have a cookie if I want to," she said indignantly, her lips forming in a pout.
Jeff cupped his hand around her elbow, "If you'll excuse us a minute." Leading Nora out to the front porch, Jeff released her elbow and turned her around to face him. "What has gotten into you?" Giggling incessantly, Nora replied, "Too much sugar, I had peanut butter pie earlier this evening, then the cake tonight, not to mention the cookies. I couldn't help myself, everything was so tasty."
"Aw, geez!" Jeff clapped a hand to his forehead.
"I told Amy you would find out, when I have too much sugar I get - loooopy!" Nora cried, twirling around in a circle.
"Obviously," Jeff said with a roll of his eyes. He put his hands on Nora's waist to stop her spinning. Turning her around in his arms, Jeff asked, "So what calms you down?"
"Oh, I don't know," Nora sing - songed, throwing her arms back. "Kiss me!" Nora said suddenly.
He frowned, "I don't really want to kiss you Nora, when you're behaving as if you're falling down drunk," Jeff replied honestly.
"That's not fair, I'm not drunk Jeffy, and you know it!" Nora exclaimed indignantly. Jeff smiled, "That's much better than Jeffrey," he muttered. She threw her arms around his neck and puckered up her lips. He sighed, but couldn't resist a smile, she looked so sweet and vulnerable. His lips covered hers and she slowly felt her lips soften under the gentle pressure of his.
"Wow!" she said, almost falling backwards as he released her. As they made their way back to the table, a flushed, but more subdued Nora sat down next to Jeff. Matt looked on, an amused expression on his face. Leaning over, he whispered to Amy, "What do you want to bet Jeff kissed her? Women always get moony - eyed over Jeff, including the ones that aren't dating him!"
"His brother is no different," Amy said with a gleam in her eye, "I seem to recall the blonde chick that was hanging all over you last year and the certain redhead that caught his eye.
"Oh yeah, can't forget that girl, what a babe!" Matt whistled softly, playing along with Amy.
Curiously, Jericho leaned over to Jeff and asked, "What did you do to get Nora to calm down?
"I kissed her," he said simply, though Jeff was grinning from ear - to - ear.
Chris stared at Jeff in surprise, but quickly recovering, he leaned forward, a devilish grin on his face, "So, Monica, have you and Erin gone out on a first date yet?"
Monica blushed to the roots of her coal black hair, "Uh, no, not yet," she responded nervously.
"We're working on it though," Erin replied, a mischievous grin playing on his face.
Later that evening:
Erin risked a quick glance over at Monica as they came to a stop at a traffic signal. "Penny for your thoughts?" She looked over at him, giving him a soft smile. "You've been silent the whole way back."
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking about Chris."
"Which one?" he joked.
"Oh you," Monica said, slapping him lightly on the arm. Turning serious, the smile left her face. "Ever since I re-entered his life, Chris has spoken very little to me, unless it's to torment me or get me into trouble."
"He's always like that," Erin said with a shrug.
Monica gave him a sideways look, "Heck, I'd sure hate to see what he's like with his enemies. He's pretty much hated me always, even though I am his half sister," Monica said, her voice hollow.
"Perhaps, Chris has changed, and you just don't know it yet," Erin suggested.
"Yeah, when pigs fly," she snorted.
Erin pulled into a hotel parking space and shut off the engine, "There's Chris now, why don't you go talk to him?"
"No, I, I can't do that," Monica stammered.
"If there is anything hanging in the air between you two, you need to get it out in the open and take care of it," he said firmly. "Now go," he commanded, giving her a push towards the entrance.
"Chris!" Erin imitated in a higher, woman's voice, cupping his hands around his mouth.
"Erin!" Monica hissed, turning back around to face Erin.
"What is it Monica," Chris said tiredly, stopping to face her.
"Um, Chris, can I talk to you a minute?" Monica asked uncertainly.
"Can you make it quick, Jessica and I have an early day tomorrow."
"I think I'll head inside and wait for you," Jessica said, taking the hint.
"Do you hate me?" Monica asked, point - blank. Chris's eyes widened in shock at the forwardness of her question.
He sighed, "I used to, but not anymore. For the longest time I didn't trust you and believed little of what you said, but the more I'm around you, the more I realize that you're the real deal."
"Thanks, I think," Monica said, a wry smile on her face. "But, why didn't you tell me? All this time I thought you hated me. I've felt like the walking wounded for the past several months!" she blurted out.
"I'm sorry, I wish I could take it back, all this time - wasted," Chris said regretfully. "When it comes to certain issues, I'm not Mr. Touchy feely."
"So I've noticed, you're not big on sharing," Monica commented dryly. "So, when did you start to like me?" Monica questioned, raising one eyebrow.
"It was when you helped put Jamie behind bars, you risked your life for someone you really didn't know and deep down if something would have happened to you it would have hurt me. I'm beginning to care about you. That's why I asked how you and Erin's relationship was coming along. I want to see you find somebody that makes you happy and want to see you start enjoying life," Chris said honestly. Tears came to Monica's eyes.
"Aw, I don't want you to cry".. before he could say any more, Monica barreled into him and buried her head in his chest, "You should have told me!"
"I know half sis," Chris said softly. Pulling away, Monica looked up at him thoughtfully, "I wish we could love - like breathing. It would come so naturally and easily. To love like that would be - wonderful!" Monica breathed.
"Oh, I don't know if it's impossible," Chris said, a twinkle in his eye.
Out of the blue, Monica asked, "Chris, do you think I'm good enough for Erin?"
Chris looked at her in surprise, "What makes you ask a question like that?" he asked in surprise.
"Well, Erin liked me at first, until he found out about my past. Then he became angry at me and wouldn't talk to me for about a week."
Chris nodded, "True, but didn't he help save you two months ago, at Steph and Paul's wedding?"
"Yes. We talked later. Erin accepts me as I am, not caring about my past."
"So, what's the problem?"
"I just have my own doubts as to whether I'm good enough for him or not."
"Come here," Chris commanded, once again pulling his half-sister into his arms, "your a great person, warm, caring and willing to risk anything to help a friend, and dog-gone it, Erin is in love with you and I think you're in love with him. Am I right?" he demanded.
Monica nodded, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Good, then let the past lie, where it should stay, buried."
"Alright, I'll try," Monica said softly.
"You'd better, otherwise I'll send my better half to have a talk with you," Chris said, shaking a finger at her. Chris chuckled, "I can't believe I've said all this to you. After my behavior towards you, who would have thought."
"Well, I'm glad you did," Monica said, giving him a squeeze.
The next morning:
All the wrestlers gathered around the long, conference table.
"So what's the exciting news you wanted to tell us Vince?" Jeff asked, easing himself into a chair.
Vince smiled, "As you all know, I've acquired ECW and WCW, giving us quite a roster of talented wrestlers. As a result I have no further plans to hire anyone else at this point, however I did make one exception to my rule. Everyone, I'd like you to meet Matt Hyson, alias Spike Dudley, to the WWF." Nora stood up abruptly, the freckles standing out on her pale face.
"Nora, babe, what's wrong?" Jeff asked, touching her arm in concern.
Curiously, Chris watched as the lean, young man with stringy, blond hair reached out to shake her hand, "Hello Nora," Matt said softly, "long time no see."
Chris leaned over and whispered in Monica's ear, "Does your wish apply to ex-boyfriends?"
The song "Love like breathing," is by Out of The Grey and is not mine.
Matters of the Heart
sequel to "Definition of Love"
Chapter 1: Love like breathing
"I want to love like breathing.
Spontaneous like breathing.
Imagine just how lovely it would be.
If I could love like breathing, filling up completely.
Coming from the love sustaining me."
Amy looked down at Matt, her eyes shining, "Yes." Overjoyed, Matt nervously pulled the little, blue velvet box out of his pocket. Taking her hand, Matt carefully slid the emerald and diamond ring on her finger.
"You have no idea how happy you've made me. Your the one I've been waiting for all my life."
Amy cupped his face in her hands, "The feeling's mutual."
At Nostalgia USA, a small diner:
Earlier in the afternoon, the group had decided to meet here, late in the evening, after everything had started to wind down. The last couples to get there were Trish and Andrew and Amy and Matt.
"You guys have a secret," Nora sing-songed. Matt and Amy, who were holding hands just smiled at each other.
"So, how'd you like the performance?" Chris J. asked, a smirk planted on his face.
"Actually, I liked it. It was very soothing." Chris's eyes bugged out of his head and his jaw dropped. Gently, Jessica put her finger under his chin and closed his mouth.
"He's just speechless," Jess said grinning devilishly.
"The only bad part was this little kid who cried wolf once the performance was finished. He yelled that there was a bomb in the building. Everyone ran for their lives. When it was all over, the little twirp, Jamie Jr. his mother called him, was laughing his head off. He'll get his sooner or later," Andrew said, clenching his fist. Trish put her hand over his, trying to get Andrew to relax.
"Relax honey, it's over and we're all okay, that's what matters."
"I guess so," Andrew said gently, distractedly placing a kiss on her temple. At the mention of Jamie Jr. Amy shoulders stiffened immediately and Matt could feel her tense up almost instantly.
Matt's arm tightened around her shoulders and he whispered reassuringly to her, "It's no relation to Jamie hon, he's still in jail."
"You're, you're right, I just needed some reassurance that's all," Amy said, laughing shakily. Matt was relieved to feel Amy relax against him though.
"Okay, here we are, at 11 o'clock at night, and I can just tell something juicy has happened to several of you guys tonight, so spill," Nora demanded good-naturedly, her eyes dancing merrily. They went around the table, reaching Stephanie and Paul first.
"We're going to have a baby! Steph squealed excitedly.
"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" Monica said happily. She gave Steph a quick hug.
After a round of congratulations from all, Nora smiled and said, "I'm so happy for you guys. I just knew you would have a wee baby, sooner or later! Okay, half-brother of mine," Nora teased, "It's your turn." Both Jericho and Jeff looked at Nora strangely, as if she had grown three heads or something. They'd never seen her quite so - hyper - bouncing from subject to subject.
Deciding to ignore it for now, Jericho cleared his throat, "Well, Jessica and I are having baby number three," Chris said proudly.
"You guys sure work fast," Chris B. commented, smiling wickedly. "Ha, ha, very funny," Chris J. said sarcastically, glaring at him.
"Oh come on Chris, you can dish it out, but can't take it," Benoit challenged jokingly.
Nora quickly zeroed in on Amy and Matt, "You guys have been very quiet, so what new development do you have to share with us?" Nora asked eagerly.
"Well," Amy said slowly, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth, "Matt asked me to marry him and I said yes." Quiet whistles went up around the table.
"It's about time, even I beat you to the punch on that one," Jeff said, grinning, as he gave Nora a squeeze.
Lenae glanced at the group of people as if in a daze. Near tears, she asked Trish, "May I be excused for a minute?"
"Sure honey." Perplexed, Trish watched as Lenae ran towards the exit door. Swiftly, Trish got up out of her chair. Suddenly, Matt rose from his position beside Amy, walked over to Trish and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll go talk to her," Matt offered, "I think I know what this is all about."
"Sure, go ahead." Matt followed the young girl. Lenae gasped when the door held fast. She turned around and looked up into the sorrowful eyes of Matt Hardy.
"Hey, Lenae, how about you and I have a talk?" Matt suggested.
"Yeah, I guess so," she muttered.
"Word has it you have a crush on a certain wrestler," Matt said, smiling faintly.
"Hey, did Jeff tell you?" Lenae asked defensively. She clapped a hand to her mouth, realizing she had just given herself away.
"I know it hurt back there, when you found out I was marrying Amy, but when I was a kid the same thing happened to me."
"Really?" Lenae asked, her eyes wide, "what happened?"
"I was twelve years old, and in sixth grade. My teacher was Miss Carroll." Matt was so engrossed in his story, that he didn't hear nor see the figure slip quietly through the exit door. "I thought she was the prettiest, sweetest teacher I ever had."
"What did she look like?" Lenae asked eagerly.
"Actually, she looked a lot like you, long blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Right before school ended that year, she told us that she was getting married and that we were all invited to the wedding. I was crushed, and it felt like my little heart was going to break. As the wedding loomed closer, all of us kids chipped in, and using our allowance money, bought her a wedding present. We presented her with the wedding present the last day of school. She thought it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. Matt found himself smiling wistfully at the memory. Regretfully, Miss Carroll told us that this would be her last day of school too. Her fiancee had gotten a job in Indiana and they moved there shortly after their honeymoon. The last time I heard, she was living on a farm in Gary, Indiana, still happily married, and blessed with three children.
Lenae looked at Matt quizzically, "What's a fiancee?"
"The person that you are going to marry."
"Do you think I'll ever have a fiancee?" Lenae asked, pronouncing her new word slowly.
"Oh, I think you will," Matt replied, brushing a white-blond strand of hair from her forehead. "You're a very pretty, young lady and will snag a fine, young man someday."
"You really think so?" Lenae asked, her face beaming.
"I know so," Matt reaffirmed, a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks Matt," she said, reaching up to give him a hug. Matt watched as Lenae got up and skipped through the restaurant doors.
"So," a throaty voice said from the shadows, "did that certain young fellow ever get over his teacher?"
"Of course," Matt said airily, "otherwise I wouldn't have met you," Matt said drawing Amy into his arms. She pulled back from Matt, her hands resting lightly on his forearms. With the moonlight spilling down on them, Amy, warmth in her eyes and a soft smile, was just content to memorize every feature of his face.
"What?" Matt asked smiling.
"You were great with her, you know."
"Thanks," Matt said, slightly embarrassed. "Come on, we'd better get back inside, our public awaits," Matt said grinning. Amy slid her hand down his arm, and linked her fingers through his. "You'll make a great Dad someday, Matthew Moore Hardy," Amy whispered to herself as they walked back inside.
As they approached their table, Amy saw Nora reach for another cookie but Jeff stopped her. "Uh, hon, I think you've had enough sugar for one evening," Jeff said disapprovingly.
"So that's why she's been so wired all night," Matt realized. "And I just thought someone spiked the punch," Matt cracked.
Amy frowned at him, "Nora ate some peanut butter pie earlier this evening, at the hospital. She warned me that Jeff would see a whole other side of her tonight."
"Jeffrey, I'm a big girl, I can have a cookie if I want to," she said indignantly, her lips forming in a pout.
Jeff cupped his hand around her elbow, "If you'll excuse us a minute." Leading Nora out to the front porch, Jeff released her elbow and turned her around to face him. "What has gotten into you?" Giggling incessantly, Nora replied, "Too much sugar, I had peanut butter pie earlier this evening, then the cake tonight, not to mention the cookies. I couldn't help myself, everything was so tasty."
"Aw, geez!" Jeff clapped a hand to his forehead.
"I told Amy you would find out, when I have too much sugar I get - loooopy!" Nora cried, twirling around in a circle.
"Obviously," Jeff said with a roll of his eyes. He put his hands on Nora's waist to stop her spinning. Turning her around in his arms, Jeff asked, "So what calms you down?"
"Oh, I don't know," Nora sing - songed, throwing her arms back. "Kiss me!" Nora said suddenly.
He frowned, "I don't really want to kiss you Nora, when you're behaving as if you're falling down drunk," Jeff replied honestly.
"That's not fair, I'm not drunk Jeffy, and you know it!" Nora exclaimed indignantly. Jeff smiled, "That's much better than Jeffrey," he muttered. She threw her arms around his neck and puckered up her lips. He sighed, but couldn't resist a smile, she looked so sweet and vulnerable. His lips covered hers and she slowly felt her lips soften under the gentle pressure of his.
"Wow!" she said, almost falling backwards as he released her. As they made their way back to the table, a flushed, but more subdued Nora sat down next to Jeff. Matt looked on, an amused expression on his face. Leaning over, he whispered to Amy, "What do you want to bet Jeff kissed her? Women always get moony - eyed over Jeff, including the ones that aren't dating him!"
"His brother is no different," Amy said with a gleam in her eye, "I seem to recall the blonde chick that was hanging all over you last year and the certain redhead that caught his eye.
"Oh yeah, can't forget that girl, what a babe!" Matt whistled softly, playing along with Amy.
Curiously, Jericho leaned over to Jeff and asked, "What did you do to get Nora to calm down?
"I kissed her," he said simply, though Jeff was grinning from ear - to - ear.
Chris stared at Jeff in surprise, but quickly recovering, he leaned forward, a devilish grin on his face, "So, Monica, have you and Erin gone out on a first date yet?"
Monica blushed to the roots of her coal black hair, "Uh, no, not yet," she responded nervously.
"We're working on it though," Erin replied, a mischievous grin playing on his face.
Later that evening:
Erin risked a quick glance over at Monica as they came to a stop at a traffic signal. "Penny for your thoughts?" She looked over at him, giving him a soft smile. "You've been silent the whole way back."
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking about Chris."
"Which one?" he joked.
"Oh you," Monica said, slapping him lightly on the arm. Turning serious, the smile left her face. "Ever since I re-entered his life, Chris has spoken very little to me, unless it's to torment me or get me into trouble."
"He's always like that," Erin said with a shrug.
Monica gave him a sideways look, "Heck, I'd sure hate to see what he's like with his enemies. He's pretty much hated me always, even though I am his half sister," Monica said, her voice hollow.
"Perhaps, Chris has changed, and you just don't know it yet," Erin suggested.
"Yeah, when pigs fly," she snorted.
Erin pulled into a hotel parking space and shut off the engine, "There's Chris now, why don't you go talk to him?"
"No, I, I can't do that," Monica stammered.
"If there is anything hanging in the air between you two, you need to get it out in the open and take care of it," he said firmly. "Now go," he commanded, giving her a push towards the entrance.
"Chris!" Erin imitated in a higher, woman's voice, cupping his hands around his mouth.
"Erin!" Monica hissed, turning back around to face Erin.
"What is it Monica," Chris said tiredly, stopping to face her.
"Um, Chris, can I talk to you a minute?" Monica asked uncertainly.
"Can you make it quick, Jessica and I have an early day tomorrow."
"I think I'll head inside and wait for you," Jessica said, taking the hint.
"Do you hate me?" Monica asked, point - blank. Chris's eyes widened in shock at the forwardness of her question.
He sighed, "I used to, but not anymore. For the longest time I didn't trust you and believed little of what you said, but the more I'm around you, the more I realize that you're the real deal."
"Thanks, I think," Monica said, a wry smile on her face. "But, why didn't you tell me? All this time I thought you hated me. I've felt like the walking wounded for the past several months!" she blurted out.
"I'm sorry, I wish I could take it back, all this time - wasted," Chris said regretfully. "When it comes to certain issues, I'm not Mr. Touchy feely."
"So I've noticed, you're not big on sharing," Monica commented dryly. "So, when did you start to like me?" Monica questioned, raising one eyebrow.
"It was when you helped put Jamie behind bars, you risked your life for someone you really didn't know and deep down if something would have happened to you it would have hurt me. I'm beginning to care about you. That's why I asked how you and Erin's relationship was coming along. I want to see you find somebody that makes you happy and want to see you start enjoying life," Chris said honestly. Tears came to Monica's eyes.
"Aw, I don't want you to cry".. before he could say any more, Monica barreled into him and buried her head in his chest, "You should have told me!"
"I know half sis," Chris said softly. Pulling away, Monica looked up at him thoughtfully, "I wish we could love - like breathing. It would come so naturally and easily. To love like that would be - wonderful!" Monica breathed.
"Oh, I don't know if it's impossible," Chris said, a twinkle in his eye.
Out of the blue, Monica asked, "Chris, do you think I'm good enough for Erin?"
Chris looked at her in surprise, "What makes you ask a question like that?" he asked in surprise.
"Well, Erin liked me at first, until he found out about my past. Then he became angry at me and wouldn't talk to me for about a week."
Chris nodded, "True, but didn't he help save you two months ago, at Steph and Paul's wedding?"
"Yes. We talked later. Erin accepts me as I am, not caring about my past."
"So, what's the problem?"
"I just have my own doubts as to whether I'm good enough for him or not."
"Come here," Chris commanded, once again pulling his half-sister into his arms, "your a great person, warm, caring and willing to risk anything to help a friend, and dog-gone it, Erin is in love with you and I think you're in love with him. Am I right?" he demanded.
Monica nodded, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Good, then let the past lie, where it should stay, buried."
"Alright, I'll try," Monica said softly.
"You'd better, otherwise I'll send my better half to have a talk with you," Chris said, shaking a finger at her. Chris chuckled, "I can't believe I've said all this to you. After my behavior towards you, who would have thought."
"Well, I'm glad you did," Monica said, giving him a squeeze.
The next morning:
All the wrestlers gathered around the long, conference table.
"So what's the exciting news you wanted to tell us Vince?" Jeff asked, easing himself into a chair.
Vince smiled, "As you all know, I've acquired ECW and WCW, giving us quite a roster of talented wrestlers. As a result I have no further plans to hire anyone else at this point, however I did make one exception to my rule. Everyone, I'd like you to meet Matt Hyson, alias Spike Dudley, to the WWF." Nora stood up abruptly, the freckles standing out on her pale face.
"Nora, babe, what's wrong?" Jeff asked, touching her arm in concern.
Curiously, Chris watched as the lean, young man with stringy, blond hair reached out to shake her hand, "Hello Nora," Matt said softly, "long time no see."
Chris leaned over and whispered in Monica's ear, "Does your wish apply to ex-boyfriends?"