Disclaimer: I do not own the WWFE or it's wrestlers.
If anyone would like to use my story, please ask me first, thanks.
The song, "Life Together," is by Geoff Moore and The Distance, and is not mine.
Chapter 6: Life Together
"Together we live, together we walk,
Together we stand, divided we fall.
When you are weak, I will be strong.
When I fall back, won't you pull me along?"
******************************************
"Bradshaw!" Spike and Jeff chorused,
"What do ya want Bradshaw for?" Spike slurred.
"Yeah, why not Matt or Jericho maybe?" Jeff demanded.
Nora shrugged, "Matt has Amy, while Jericho does just fine on his own or teaming with Chris. Besides," Nora said with a smile, "Bradshaw reminds me of a big brother."
"It's all settled then, I'll let Bradshaw know," Vince stated, reaching over to pick up the phone.
"No, wait!" Nora blurted out. They all stared at her. "That's okay, I'll do it," she said quietly. Nora kissed Jeff on the cheek, "Now, no fighting you two," she reprimanded to Jeff and Spike gently as she left the room.
Jeff scowled, *It's like she has a schoolgirl crush on him,* but deep down he knew better. *I know she loves me just as much as I love her,* he admitted begrudgingly to himself.
"You're lucky if she doesn't dump you for Bradshaw," Spike hiccuped.
"Be quiet, you're so toasted you have no idea what you're saying," Jeff scolded.
Vince sighed over dramatically, "Look, usually I don't get involved in personal situations, but.. heck, who am I kidding, I always end up involved," he stated, rolling his eyes. "Nora doesn't have a crush on him. She does respect him though, probably a lot more than you fellows at the moment."
Jeff and Spike stared down at the floor, "Yeah probably," they muttered, shuffling their feet.
Nora walked briskly down the hall, in search of APA's dressing room. Finally reaching her destination, she timidly knocked on the door. Ron Simmons, "Farooq," opened it, a cigar hanging out of his mouth.
"Hey, what are you doing here little girl?" Ron smiled good - naturedly.
"Uh, actually, I came here to see Bradshaw," Nora replied, a bit nervously. Ron raised an eyebrow, "Hey Bradshaw, you have a visitor!" He opened the door up wide, giving Nora enough berth to enter. Bradshaw smiled easily, "Hey kid, how ya feeling?"
Behind her a puzzled Ron mouthed silently, "Isn't she engaged to Jeff Hardy?" Bradshaw scowled and dismissively waved his hand to Ron.
"I'm feeling fine, thanks to you" Nora replied gratefully. "Though, I can't help but wonder why you came out there to save me?" Nora asked, her eyes wide.
"Whoa, wait a minute, I didn't come out there to "save," you, so to speak." *Aw geez, I don't want her looking at me like her knight in shining armor or something, besides, I'm too old for her.*
"Okay, however way you want to look at it." Nora shrugged his response off, but he still felt very uncomfortable under her intense gaze. Bradshaw scratched the back of his head uncomfortably, "Well, I uh," he stammered, looking to Ron for help, whose eyes read, 'Uh, uh, don't look at me.' Nora let out a cough, breaking the silence. "Put the cigar out, would ya Ron," Bradshaw requested. Ron frowned, smashing the cigar into the ashtray. "Looking a bit green there kiddo, " Bradshaw noted with some concern. "Anyway, well I guess the reason I went out to help ya - was because Jeff wasn't there." Nora looked up at him in surprise. "Ya know how it is, every time you're in trouble Jeff comes out, but this time he didn't, at least not right away," Bradshaw trailed off helplessly. "That, and Lance Storm is an idiot," he replied bluntly. Nora burst out laughing. Both members of APA looked at her as if she'd gone off her rocker.
"I'm not hysterical," she said, still holding her aching sides, "but I haven't laughed that hard all night. I do have some information for you though," Nora's demeanor becoming more serious, "Jeff and Spike have been suspended for two weeks, because of their fight."
"Whew wee!" Ron whistled, "I saw that. Their behavior tonight reminded me of when I was sixteen and got in a fight over a girl," he said wistfully.
"I feel bad for the boys, but they had it coming to them, acting like that."
"Well, that's why I picked you as my tag-team partner!" Nora replied perkily.
"What!" Ron responded angrily. Bradshaw glanced uneasily between Nora and Ron, "Alright, hold it," he ordered. "Did Vince put you up to this?"
"Vince told me to pick a partner, so I did," Nora replied sweetly.
"We'll see about that," Bradshaw muttered under his breath, as he stormed towards Vince's office.
Three days later:
Alright, even though you're coming with us to ringside, no interference is that clear?" Bradshaw demanded sternly.
"Understood," Nora reiterated, crossing her fingers. *Just in case.*
Nora watched uneasily as APA's match against the Dudley's wasn't going so well. *Those darn Dudleys are going to slam Bradshaw through a table if I don't do something.* She sneaked over to Devon's corner, who was getting ready to hit Bradshaw where it really hurt. Grinning mischievously, she reached up to give Devon a shove..
"Oh no, don't do it Nora," Jeff pleaded. He leaned forward, his eyes riveted to the screen.
"Oh no, she's going to do it, she has that look in her eyes," Spike groaned.
"What look?" Matt asked curiously, poking his head out of the kitchen.
"That bulldog look," Jeff and Spike replied simultaneously, turning to look at Matt.
"She sees it in her line of vision, goes after it and won't let go," Jeff declared. "Remember when she hacked into the orphanage records?"
Matt stared at him blankly for a second, "Oh, oh yeah, well, what's so bad about that?" he questioned, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's terrible, when you're interfering in a match you've specifically been told not to get involved in," replied Spike matter-of-factly. Both guys turned back to the screen, their chins in their hands. Matt just shook his head and smiled, "It's the weirdest thing watching two former enemies, now friends, fight over a fiancee to one and an ex-fiancee to another, both knowing her exactly the same way but from different circumstances," Matt commented thoughtfully to Amy.
"In an ironic Twist of Fate," Amy said dramatically, "that same girl managed to bring them together in the most unusual of circumstances." Matt made a face and stuck his tongue out at her, "I guess so."
Amy laughed, "Sore loser."
"So, what happens if I'm the winner," he growled lightly, wrapping his arms around her waist. Amy dropped the potato she was holding onto the edge of the sink.
Turning to face him, she linked her arms around his neck, "What would you like?" she replied huskily.
"To have a picnic with me tomorrow." Amy pulled back, uncertainty and fear clouding her eyes.
"I see the gleam in your eyes Matt Hardy, you're holding out on me, what gives?" she asked quietly. "You know how I hate surprises," she emphasized pitifully. Matt nodded soberly, thinking of all the "surprises," she had had throughout the past several months.
Matt pulled Amy into his arms, wishing he could take back all the pain and hurt she had been through. "You'll like this one, I promise." Tenderly gazing into her eyes, he gently ran a finger down her cheek.
"Well, okay," Amy replied reluctantly.
*At least I hope she likes it,* he thought nervously.
Inside APA's dressing room:
"I can't believe you did that!" Ron exploded.
Nora hung her head in shame, "I was only trying to help," she replied pitifully.
"You knew as soon as Bubba saw you, he was going to come after you."
"I thought it would give Bradshaw a chance."
"It did - for him to come after you! With Bradshaw rushing to your aid, Devon and I started slugging it out, giving Bubba the perfect opportunity to grab a table - while Bradshaw helps the dazed and confused damsel in distress," Ron bit out cruelly. Nora lifted her head up, tears in her eyes.
"Enough!" Bradshaw roared. He strode towards them, holding an ice pack to the back of his head. "What's done is done, it can't be changed. It isn't the first time I've been put through a table and it won't be the last," he said with finality. "I hope you've learned something from this though Nora," Bradshaw said quietly.
Matt picked up Amy early the next morning, at 7:30 sharp.
"You do realize I'm not a morning person," Amy hinted, grinning wickedly.
"It's kind of hard to forget," Matt responded dryly, a smirk on his lips. "I'm sure you recall, several months back, when I got you up at 3:30 A.M. You were a little spitfire, until you realized it was me, not Jeff." Matt grinned mischievously as he shut her door. Smiling fondly at the memory, Amy said to Matt as he got into the S.U.V., "I was scared to tell you how I felt back then. I was so totally unsure about how you felt about me."
"At least I wasn't on the same boat alone," Matt responded smiling softly. Reaching over, Matt grasped her hand warmly.
Amy watched as they passed by endless acres of rolling hills, Amy turned to Matt, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Where on earth are you taking me?"
"Were almost there," he replied, smiling widely. A few minutes later Matt pulled onto a tree - filled lane. Finally, he shut the engine off and put the emergency brake on. Amy gasped, her eyes bright, "You didn't." She squealed and wrapped around her arms around Matt's neck. "Oh, but I did," he replied, his eyes shining. They got out of the car and looked up. The log framework of the home stretched upward to the second floor, moving ever higher to the gabled roof. Matt took her hand and gently pulled her towards a group of men.
"This is Bruce, he helped me design the plans," Matt explained.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Dumas." As she shook his outstretched hand, Amy found herself feeling slightly uncomfortable. *I'd much rather be called Amy, that's what I'm used to.* For a fleeting moment the words, Mrs. Amy Hardy, burned into her memory. She smiled softly as Matt introduced her to the sub-contractors surrounding them.
Matt showed her the plans, "What do you think Red? If there's something you're not keen on, I can change it," he offered, eager to please.
She squeezed his arm gently, "Matt, it's okay, I'm sure I'll like what I'm looking at." She studied the plans intently for the next few minutes. Her eyes widened as she took in the full scope of Matt and Bruce's designs. Excitedly, she looked up at Matt, "A wrap around porch on the main floor, and an open balcony for the master suite?!"
He nodded, thrilled that Amy was pleased with the design. "On several acres of wooded land?" she questioned, hardly believing what she was seeing.
"Uh, huh," Matt replied, smiling broadly.
"I love it! Thank you!" Amy hugged him tightly and kissed him on the lips. Pulling back from Matt, she asked, "Is this an early wedding present?"
"Um, yes. Here, would you like to go for a walk - on our land?" Matt asked, offering his arm.
"I would love to," Amy smiled brightly, hre dimples showing in her cheeks.
As they followed the narrow path that lead towards the back of the house, Matt opened his mouth in surprise, "I didn't know there was a lake on the property." Amy withdrew her arm from his and made a beeline for the log sitting directly in front of the lake. Sitting the picnic basket down, Amy plopped down on the log, drinking in her surroundings.
Matt sat down beside her, enjoying the contented look on her face. "It's so quiet here Matt, peaceful." Chin in hand, she turned to look at Matt, who was now drinking in their surroundings as well. "When we need a break from the hectic schedule, when we need to just be alone, we'll have a real place to come to, not just a house, but a home!" Amy exclaimed, enveloping his hand in both of hers.
Matt covered his free hand over hers, "Which reminds me, I have an important question to ask you," he finished nervously.
"Shoot," Amy replied easily.
"I know we were planning on getting married in four months, but the house won't be finished until at least four more months after our wedding, so how do you feel about moving in with Jeff after we're married?"
If anyone would like to use my story, please ask me first, thanks.
The song, "Life Together," is by Geoff Moore and The Distance, and is not mine.
Chapter 6: Life Together
"Together we live, together we walk,
Together we stand, divided we fall.
When you are weak, I will be strong.
When I fall back, won't you pull me along?"
******************************************
"Bradshaw!" Spike and Jeff chorused,
"What do ya want Bradshaw for?" Spike slurred.
"Yeah, why not Matt or Jericho maybe?" Jeff demanded.
Nora shrugged, "Matt has Amy, while Jericho does just fine on his own or teaming with Chris. Besides," Nora said with a smile, "Bradshaw reminds me of a big brother."
"It's all settled then, I'll let Bradshaw know," Vince stated, reaching over to pick up the phone.
"No, wait!" Nora blurted out. They all stared at her. "That's okay, I'll do it," she said quietly. Nora kissed Jeff on the cheek, "Now, no fighting you two," she reprimanded to Jeff and Spike gently as she left the room.
Jeff scowled, *It's like she has a schoolgirl crush on him,* but deep down he knew better. *I know she loves me just as much as I love her,* he admitted begrudgingly to himself.
"You're lucky if she doesn't dump you for Bradshaw," Spike hiccuped.
"Be quiet, you're so toasted you have no idea what you're saying," Jeff scolded.
Vince sighed over dramatically, "Look, usually I don't get involved in personal situations, but.. heck, who am I kidding, I always end up involved," he stated, rolling his eyes. "Nora doesn't have a crush on him. She does respect him though, probably a lot more than you fellows at the moment."
Jeff and Spike stared down at the floor, "Yeah probably," they muttered, shuffling their feet.
Nora walked briskly down the hall, in search of APA's dressing room. Finally reaching her destination, she timidly knocked on the door. Ron Simmons, "Farooq," opened it, a cigar hanging out of his mouth.
"Hey, what are you doing here little girl?" Ron smiled good - naturedly.
"Uh, actually, I came here to see Bradshaw," Nora replied, a bit nervously. Ron raised an eyebrow, "Hey Bradshaw, you have a visitor!" He opened the door up wide, giving Nora enough berth to enter. Bradshaw smiled easily, "Hey kid, how ya feeling?"
Behind her a puzzled Ron mouthed silently, "Isn't she engaged to Jeff Hardy?" Bradshaw scowled and dismissively waved his hand to Ron.
"I'm feeling fine, thanks to you" Nora replied gratefully. "Though, I can't help but wonder why you came out there to save me?" Nora asked, her eyes wide.
"Whoa, wait a minute, I didn't come out there to "save," you, so to speak." *Aw geez, I don't want her looking at me like her knight in shining armor or something, besides, I'm too old for her.*
"Okay, however way you want to look at it." Nora shrugged his response off, but he still felt very uncomfortable under her intense gaze. Bradshaw scratched the back of his head uncomfortably, "Well, I uh," he stammered, looking to Ron for help, whose eyes read, 'Uh, uh, don't look at me.' Nora let out a cough, breaking the silence. "Put the cigar out, would ya Ron," Bradshaw requested. Ron frowned, smashing the cigar into the ashtray. "Looking a bit green there kiddo, " Bradshaw noted with some concern. "Anyway, well I guess the reason I went out to help ya - was because Jeff wasn't there." Nora looked up at him in surprise. "Ya know how it is, every time you're in trouble Jeff comes out, but this time he didn't, at least not right away," Bradshaw trailed off helplessly. "That, and Lance Storm is an idiot," he replied bluntly. Nora burst out laughing. Both members of APA looked at her as if she'd gone off her rocker.
"I'm not hysterical," she said, still holding her aching sides, "but I haven't laughed that hard all night. I do have some information for you though," Nora's demeanor becoming more serious, "Jeff and Spike have been suspended for two weeks, because of their fight."
"Whew wee!" Ron whistled, "I saw that. Their behavior tonight reminded me of when I was sixteen and got in a fight over a girl," he said wistfully.
"I feel bad for the boys, but they had it coming to them, acting like that."
"Well, that's why I picked you as my tag-team partner!" Nora replied perkily.
"What!" Ron responded angrily. Bradshaw glanced uneasily between Nora and Ron, "Alright, hold it," he ordered. "Did Vince put you up to this?"
"Vince told me to pick a partner, so I did," Nora replied sweetly.
"We'll see about that," Bradshaw muttered under his breath, as he stormed towards Vince's office.
Three days later:
Alright, even though you're coming with us to ringside, no interference is that clear?" Bradshaw demanded sternly.
"Understood," Nora reiterated, crossing her fingers. *Just in case.*
Nora watched uneasily as APA's match against the Dudley's wasn't going so well. *Those darn Dudleys are going to slam Bradshaw through a table if I don't do something.* She sneaked over to Devon's corner, who was getting ready to hit Bradshaw where it really hurt. Grinning mischievously, she reached up to give Devon a shove..
"Oh no, don't do it Nora," Jeff pleaded. He leaned forward, his eyes riveted to the screen.
"Oh no, she's going to do it, she has that look in her eyes," Spike groaned.
"What look?" Matt asked curiously, poking his head out of the kitchen.
"That bulldog look," Jeff and Spike replied simultaneously, turning to look at Matt.
"She sees it in her line of vision, goes after it and won't let go," Jeff declared. "Remember when she hacked into the orphanage records?"
Matt stared at him blankly for a second, "Oh, oh yeah, well, what's so bad about that?" he questioned, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's terrible, when you're interfering in a match you've specifically been told not to get involved in," replied Spike matter-of-factly. Both guys turned back to the screen, their chins in their hands. Matt just shook his head and smiled, "It's the weirdest thing watching two former enemies, now friends, fight over a fiancee to one and an ex-fiancee to another, both knowing her exactly the same way but from different circumstances," Matt commented thoughtfully to Amy.
"In an ironic Twist of Fate," Amy said dramatically, "that same girl managed to bring them together in the most unusual of circumstances." Matt made a face and stuck his tongue out at her, "I guess so."
Amy laughed, "Sore loser."
"So, what happens if I'm the winner," he growled lightly, wrapping his arms around her waist. Amy dropped the potato she was holding onto the edge of the sink.
Turning to face him, she linked her arms around his neck, "What would you like?" she replied huskily.
"To have a picnic with me tomorrow." Amy pulled back, uncertainty and fear clouding her eyes.
"I see the gleam in your eyes Matt Hardy, you're holding out on me, what gives?" she asked quietly. "You know how I hate surprises," she emphasized pitifully. Matt nodded soberly, thinking of all the "surprises," she had had throughout the past several months.
Matt pulled Amy into his arms, wishing he could take back all the pain and hurt she had been through. "You'll like this one, I promise." Tenderly gazing into her eyes, he gently ran a finger down her cheek.
"Well, okay," Amy replied reluctantly.
*At least I hope she likes it,* he thought nervously.
Inside APA's dressing room:
"I can't believe you did that!" Ron exploded.
Nora hung her head in shame, "I was only trying to help," she replied pitifully.
"You knew as soon as Bubba saw you, he was going to come after you."
"I thought it would give Bradshaw a chance."
"It did - for him to come after you! With Bradshaw rushing to your aid, Devon and I started slugging it out, giving Bubba the perfect opportunity to grab a table - while Bradshaw helps the dazed and confused damsel in distress," Ron bit out cruelly. Nora lifted her head up, tears in her eyes.
"Enough!" Bradshaw roared. He strode towards them, holding an ice pack to the back of his head. "What's done is done, it can't be changed. It isn't the first time I've been put through a table and it won't be the last," he said with finality. "I hope you've learned something from this though Nora," Bradshaw said quietly.
Matt picked up Amy early the next morning, at 7:30 sharp.
"You do realize I'm not a morning person," Amy hinted, grinning wickedly.
"It's kind of hard to forget," Matt responded dryly, a smirk on his lips. "I'm sure you recall, several months back, when I got you up at 3:30 A.M. You were a little spitfire, until you realized it was me, not Jeff." Matt grinned mischievously as he shut her door. Smiling fondly at the memory, Amy said to Matt as he got into the S.U.V., "I was scared to tell you how I felt back then. I was so totally unsure about how you felt about me."
"At least I wasn't on the same boat alone," Matt responded smiling softly. Reaching over, Matt grasped her hand warmly.
Amy watched as they passed by endless acres of rolling hills, Amy turned to Matt, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Where on earth are you taking me?"
"Were almost there," he replied, smiling widely. A few minutes later Matt pulled onto a tree - filled lane. Finally, he shut the engine off and put the emergency brake on. Amy gasped, her eyes bright, "You didn't." She squealed and wrapped around her arms around Matt's neck. "Oh, but I did," he replied, his eyes shining. They got out of the car and looked up. The log framework of the home stretched upward to the second floor, moving ever higher to the gabled roof. Matt took her hand and gently pulled her towards a group of men.
"This is Bruce, he helped me design the plans," Matt explained.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Dumas." As she shook his outstretched hand, Amy found herself feeling slightly uncomfortable. *I'd much rather be called Amy, that's what I'm used to.* For a fleeting moment the words, Mrs. Amy Hardy, burned into her memory. She smiled softly as Matt introduced her to the sub-contractors surrounding them.
Matt showed her the plans, "What do you think Red? If there's something you're not keen on, I can change it," he offered, eager to please.
She squeezed his arm gently, "Matt, it's okay, I'm sure I'll like what I'm looking at." She studied the plans intently for the next few minutes. Her eyes widened as she took in the full scope of Matt and Bruce's designs. Excitedly, she looked up at Matt, "A wrap around porch on the main floor, and an open balcony for the master suite?!"
He nodded, thrilled that Amy was pleased with the design. "On several acres of wooded land?" she questioned, hardly believing what she was seeing.
"Uh, huh," Matt replied, smiling broadly.
"I love it! Thank you!" Amy hugged him tightly and kissed him on the lips. Pulling back from Matt, she asked, "Is this an early wedding present?"
"Um, yes. Here, would you like to go for a walk - on our land?" Matt asked, offering his arm.
"I would love to," Amy smiled brightly, hre dimples showing in her cheeks.
As they followed the narrow path that lead towards the back of the house, Matt opened his mouth in surprise, "I didn't know there was a lake on the property." Amy withdrew her arm from his and made a beeline for the log sitting directly in front of the lake. Sitting the picnic basket down, Amy plopped down on the log, drinking in her surroundings.
Matt sat down beside her, enjoying the contented look on her face. "It's so quiet here Matt, peaceful." Chin in hand, she turned to look at Matt, who was now drinking in their surroundings as well. "When we need a break from the hectic schedule, when we need to just be alone, we'll have a real place to come to, not just a house, but a home!" Amy exclaimed, enveloping his hand in both of hers.
Matt covered his free hand over hers, "Which reminds me, I have an important question to ask you," he finished nervously.
"Shoot," Amy replied easily.
"I know we were planning on getting married in four months, but the house won't be finished until at least four more months after our wedding, so how do you feel about moving in with Jeff after we're married?"