Secret Birthday

[Soraya O'Toole]

For Soraya Yvonne O'Toole, birthdays had never been a big event in her life. She had grown up with an absentee father who could barely remember he had a family, much less his daughter's birthday and her mother was more concerned with her latest affair than her daughter's life.

She had never made a big deal of her birthday when dating Mark either, in fact she was certain Mark didn't even know when her birthday was. Or her best friend slash brother in Chris Jericho.

There had only been one person to ever make a fuss on her birthday and that had been the late, Chris Benoit. Before his tragic death, the Rabid Wolverine had been the closest thing to a father she had ever had. They used to have lunch at Angelo's Italian restaurant every year, where they'd celebrate her special day and Chris would always have some significant gift to display his fatherly affection for her.

Since Chris's death, Soraya still came to Angelo's but usually alone. While it was still her birthday, she also mourned the loss of the one person she thought would always be there for her and was now gone.

And since it was her Birthday, Soraya entered Angelo's dressed in black heels, blue jeans and a snug black top that Chris had given her nearly a decade ago, when he'd first learned of her Birthday. She smiled at the ever faithful Maitre De, Antonio who had been there for just as long.

"Soraya!" His age lined face crinkled with a broad smile. "I was wondering when you'd show, Happy Birthday Belle!"

Soraya blushed and ran a hand through her loose blonde hair. "Thank you, Antonio, that's very kind of you."

"Your usual table, I presume." He said, brandishing a menu. "Dining alone?"

"Yes." She smiled sadly. "I'm not sure I could do this with someone else."

"I understand," Antonio replied, leading her through the array of tables to her favorite by the window. "Pinot Grigio?"

"Cavit, if you've still carrying the label." Soraya took a seat and set her purse on the floor. "Thanks Antonio," She said, opening the menu.

"You are most welcome." Antonio said, leaving her momentarily to fetch her a glass of wine from the bar.

Neither Soraya nor Antonio realized someone else knew of her Birthday and they had followed her here.

(Anyone is welcome )

[Matt Hardy]

Matt sneaked in then saw Soraya and smiled before he slowly walked over to her. He knew today was her birthday and was sure he'd make it the best birthday of her life. Matt stood behind Soraya then put his hands over her eyes.

"Guess who." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

Soraya jumped, surprised at the loss of light, but relaxed upon recognizing the voice. "Um...Santa Claus?" She teased, smiling.

[Matt Hardy]

Matt chuckled.

"Of course it's Santa Claus and I think you are on the naughty list this year." Matt joked.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"Uh oh," She laughed. "What have I done now? I swear, Mark deserved worse than he got. All I did was give his motorcycle a new paint job...it looks good in Barbie pink!"

[Matt Hardy]

Matt laughed.

"There's a lot of reasons but if you let me kiss you I might put you back on the nice list." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

Soraya smiled. "Hmm...I guess a kiss is an easy price to pay to be on the nice list again." She replied.

[Matt Hardy]

Matt smiled before he kissed Soraya on the lips.

[Soraya O'Toole]

Soraya reached up to link her hands behind his neck and return his kiss. "Mhmm...I don't know if that got me back on the nice list, but that was a very nice kiss."

[Matt Hardy]

"You're on the extremely nice list." Matt said with a grin.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"Well that was a quick turnaround." She chuckled. "What are you doing here? I thought you were spending the morning with Katie and Robert Anthony."

[Matt Hardy]

"I was but then Robby went to sleep so I decided to follow you here and celebrate your birthday with you. Oh yeah and I have a surprise for you later." Matt said with a smile.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"What?" Soraya's jaw dropped. "How did you know today was my birthday?"

[Matt Hardy]

"I asked around when I started dating you when your birthday way and found out it was today." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"I didn't think anyone else knew." She said. "I've never made a big deal of it."

[Matt Hardy]

"In the end I had to ask Vince." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"Oh." She giggled. "Well, thank you. I appreciate the effort."

[Matt Hardy]

"You're welcome, birthdays are important and I'm going to make sure you treasure this day for the rest of your life." Matt said with a smile as he took Soraya's hand.

[Soraya O'Toole]

Soraya beamed. "Thank you, Matt. It's been a long time since anyone's cared enough to celebrate it. I love you."

[Matt Hardy]

"I love you too, more than everyone I've ever dated." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"Ditto." She said.

If Antonio was surprised at the additional dining partner, he didn't show it. He merely returned with two glasses of wine. "Two glasses of the Cavit Pinot Grigio at your request, Soraya Belle. Would either of you like to start of with an appetizer?"

"Bruschetta would be lovely, Antonio." Soraya grinned. "Matt, do you want anything different...uh beer perhaps?"

Antonio chuckled. "You never change, Belle. And yes Senor, would you like a different beverage or appetizer?"

[Matt Hardy]

"No, I'm good thank you." Matt said.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"He's good." Soraya shrugged.

"All right, take another minute to decide what you want, and I'll go place your order." Antonio left them again and Soraya turned her attention back to Matt.

"You are without a doubt the best boyfriend ever, only you would go to Vince just to find out when my birthday was." She grinned.

[Matt Hardy]

"I love you that's why I meant hours trying to find out your birthday." Matt said with a smile.

[Soraya O'Toole]

"Matt, sometimes I wonder if you're too good to be true." Soraya beamed.

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