A Stamford Christmas Carol pt 9

Greenwich...

Andre nodded and Trips woke up on the floor of the men's room in the diner.

"Paul? Wake up! You passed out or something. We're you mugged? Where's your wallet?" Stephanie shrieked as she checked him over with a police officer.

"I'm fine. Get off me. I slipped and hit my head…or something. My wallet is right here." He grumbled and stumbled out of the diner with Steph behind him.

"Maybe you should talk to a doctor? You've been in and out all day Paul. I'm worried."

"I'M FINE!" He growled so close to her face their noses nearly touched. "Forget it. It doesn't matter." He climbed into the SUV and started the engine. "I'm fine. We have to stop at the mall. I have some presents to pick up." He answered more quietly and squeezed her hand.

Cameron...

"It's snowing!" Amy smiled and looked out the back window. "Come on Matt. Come out on the porch?" She waited patiently for him as he hopped out on his crutches. "It's so pretty."

"It is." He agreed and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Are you happy with me, Amy?" He asked suddenly.

"What do you mean? Of course I am. We're getting married, Matty. Why would you ask such a thing?" She was worried at the tone of his voice.

"I spoke to a doctor the other day. I went to a leg specialist in Raleigh. He said I need a few more months to heal up. I'd go the company doctor, but that costs a fortune and management won't pay for it anymore."

"That's not too bad. You'll be back on the road by summer. Then..."

"After I heal..." He stopped her. "He recommends that I don't wrestle anymore." Amy looked shocked while Matt looked almost heartbroken. "If I can't be on the road, we can't be together as much. Do you still want to be with me, Amy? If I'm not a wrestler?"

"Matt, don't ever say that. I said the same thing when my neck was broken and you told me to never think that way. I would love you and want to be with you no matter what you do for a living. But you always have been and always will be a wrestler. No broken leg, or arm, or neck can take that from you." She kissed him softly and walked him back inside out of the cold.

Stamford...

Trips cell phone rang as he banged around his kitchen looking for things. "Ah, shit...hello?"

"Hello, is this Triple H from the WWE? This is Melinda Bates from the Boston Children's Center."

"Yes, that's me. What can I help you with? Dammit! Oh, sorry. I burnt my finger on a cookie pan."

"It's okay, sir. We wanted to thank you for the donation you made this afternoon. The children are beyond happiness. There should be more people in the world like you."

"Donation? What donation?" He asked confused.

"Don't be modest, sir. I know with the size of your wallet, this seems like nothing, but to these children, it means the world. Have a merry Christmas." Melinda hung up leaving Trips baffled.

"Can I give you a hand?" Steph asked pulling on an oven mitt. "Who was that on the phone? Business?"

"Something like that. Did we donate something today? I don't remember anything about a children's hospital."

Steph smirked. "The Boston Children's Center recieved a truck load of toys today.I put your name on the papers for you while you shopped in the mall. You didn't say what you wanted for Christmas, so I gave you what you like best."

"What's that?" He questioned.

"You love to take credit for other people's efforts. Doesn't this gift make you happy?" She stared at him.

"I don't know what makes me happy anymore."

"Paul? You don't look so good. What are you talking about?"

"Do you believe in ghosts?"

"You should go lie down. I think the cold weather is going to your head. I'll finish with these cookies. Yes, I can bake cookies. Even princesses can find their way around a kitchen." She pushed him back gently and got to work.

Paul Shrugged and walked to his bedroom. "There's no such thing as ghosts. Now she hates you and she thinks your crazy."