Chapter 9: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

see chapter 1-7 for disclaimer info and italics represent character thoughts

Hand-in-hand, Amy and Matt made their way back inside and joined the other

wrestlers.

"Is Monica still outside, Jeff?" asked a concerned Trish.

"Yes."

Trish adjusted the 3 day old babe in her arms. "I'm just worried for her."

"So am I," a voice boomed. "I have no problems loaning my house and all, but I will

need her to be ready to wrestle as soon as possible."

"I'll be ready when you need me, Mr. McMahon." Everyone turned to stare at

Monica.

"Good. I'll make sure you will have a match next weekend."

Angrily, Jeff bit his tongue. If it wouldn't have been for his weak legs keeping him

confined to a wheelchair, he would have defended Monica against such a ridiculous

agreement. Monica, however, never tore her red-rimmed gaze away from Vince's

predatory expression .

"I can't believe she offered," Amy said with a shake of her head as Matt pulled out of

Vince's driveway.

"I don't think she is ready," Jeff ground out as Matt pulled into Jeff's driveway.

"No, Monica is not ready, emotionally," Chris said. "I'm going to call her when I get

home and try to change her mind."

"If she inherited that hard head of yours, I doubt it will be that easy," Jessica said,

smiling slyly.

Matt popped the trunk and pulled out Jeff's wheelchair. "Hey, I'll call you tomorrow,

okay Jeff?"

"Yeah, sure thing Matt," Jeff replied listlessly. He waved half-heartedly to Chris,

Amy, Matt and Jessica, as Matt pulled out of the driveway.

Nora wheeled Jeff into the house, then shut the door behind her. "Jeff, what's wrong?

Ever since Monica announced her quick return to wrestling, you've been

uncharacteristically silent."

"Nothing - I just . . . I want to get back to what I love!"

"I take it you don't mean me," Nora said coolly.

"You know I love you baby, but wrestling is my life."

"Well, maybe you should re-think your life, since three more are about to enter it,"

Nora stated as she half stalked, half waddled into the bedroom.

"The, three?" Jeff stammered. He wheeled into the bedroom and narrowly missed

running into Nora as she abruptly stopped.

She whirled around to face him. "I want you around to see our children grow up,

Jeff."

"I, I will be."

"You can't guarantee that. I realize that now."

"I can't quit, Nora. I've worked too hard to throw it all away.

"So, you want to throw us away?" Nora demanded, as she collapsed onto the bed.

"Well, what else is there for me? This is all I know."

"Jeff, you have a wonderful, creative mind. There is so much untapped potential inside

of you, use it." Jeff wheeled out of the room and slammed the door behind him, hoping

that this situation would fade into obscurity by the next week.

Howevever, by weeks end, the problems were just beginning. Monica paced the floor

of her WWF dressing room, wandering what she had gotten herself into. The past week

had flown by and her tears barely seemed to have dried on her pale cheeks before she

was headed back to the ring. Monica's heart shattered, emotionally, when her name was

announced over the loud speakers. 'Erin would always be here with a warm hug,

passing his strength and encouragement to me.' "This is for you, Erin." She raced

out to the ring and crouched down warily, wondering who her opponent might be.

The announcer bellowed, "And now Gina's opponent, John Cena!"

P.S. As a reminder, I created Monica's wrestling persona/name as 'Gina,' in this series. Thanks!