A week later the crew and roster were in Buffalo, New York. They would be there until Vengeance in Toronto. Vince liked it when the red and blue brands worked together. It gave creative a bigger pool of superstars to draw from. RAW would be live, SmackDown and other shows taped, like last week. Then they would move further down the road to WrestleMania.
Since his talk with Shawn, Adam had managed to avoid direct contact with anyone outside the Nexus. The program in the ring was strictly business. Adam had matches at house shows with Chris but if the talk wasn't about ring work, the green eyed beauty kept his mouth shut. Shawn had kept what he'd figured out to himself. He still had some ideas to work out, after all he really didn't have any solid proof, just his instincts.
At least Chris had something else to occupy his mind. His kids were with him and they were pulling him out of his depression. Jericho was more like his regular self at least on the outside.
Chris had hired Helen Wilson to look after his children. She was from Shawn's church in Texas. Helen was fifty, old enough to be motherly and yet young and fit enough to keep up with three kids under age ten. She was a widow and a retired teacher. The Irvine's loved her and she treated them all, including Chris like they were her own.
Last night had been RAW Monday. Chris had brought back his show in a show, The Highlight Reel. His guests were Del Rio and Edge. The crowd had loved it. Especially when it broke out in a "slobber knocker" between the three wrestlers at the end.
Adam Speared Chris. Chris used the Code Breaker on Del Rio and Alberto had put them both in the Cross Arm Breaker. Brodus got in the act and after a Spear/Code Breaker combination, body slammed both Edge and Jericho. Alberto Del Rio won the night.
The Nexus attacked Cena again, only this time Morrison, Kingston and Sheamus came to the rescue. It cemented Team Cena versus The Nexus at Vengeance.
The Highlight Reel as so well received, Creative decided to bring back Adam's old show in a show, The Cutting Edge. Del Rio and of course Chris would be his guests.
There was one bright spot. The Nexus was doing a promo all during SmackDown about being banned from the building. They would be outside for the entire taping. They had a luxury bus to use when they weren't being filmed.
Wade had warned Adam though. He told his "lover" to remember one thing, he had spies everywhere so Adam better behave. Barrett also reminded him that Chris' kids were there and they wouldn't like seeing their daddy badly beaten and broken.
Adam noticed something else, Shawn was treating him much differently. He'd always been kind and fatherly but now he was like he was with Chris, a "momma bear". Anytime he heard gossip about Adam, Shawn would lecture that person. With both brands together it meant that The Miz and his mouth were back as well. He'd heard rumors and once in catering when he called Adam the Nexus' sex toy, Mike Mizanin found himself slapped so hard a perfect HBK sized hand print was left on his cheek.
Hunter finally had to pull his over protective spouse back into control. Trips made it up to The Miz by giving him a push for the United States Championship. Of course he didn't go so far as to let him win. That part was for his spouse.
Adam was in his corner of the locker room. He was a little less broken looking. Although he was under watch, he could breathe a little easier without Heath constantly under foot. He just wished he knew who the spy or spies were, not that many were fond of Barrett and The Nexus. He figured Mike was one, but even then he wasn't sure so he just kept to himself.
"Daddy! Daddy! We're hungry!" Ash said as he and his twin sisters came into the locker room. Because of the kids, Shawn made sure his ex lover had a small but private locker room. Nobody minded, Hunter or Vince did the same when others had their kids with them. Like Randy and his adopted daughter, Alana.
When he was younger Randy's best friend was Samantha Speno. Sam had Alana as a single parent. When the father found out he just vanished. How well Adam knew about that. When he and Randy were dating, Sam was killed by a drunk driver. In order to keep Alana from going into foster care, Randy adopted her legally. After all he was her Godfather. Adam was a great help at the time and even now he was still Uncle Adam.
Chris laughed, oh it felt good to do that. He couldn't help but laugh around his three blond offspring. He was so thankful that Jess agreed to have his children, she was special.
"Okay guys, when I finish getting dressed we can go," Chris was adjusting his tie. He would wear his suit for The Cutting Edge segment.
"Ashy stop!" Cheyenne cried out. Ash was trying to put on his dad's wrestling trunks. Sierra was intently playing with her Edge action figure.
Chris saw his son and daughter pulling at his trunks, "Hey! Stop stretching my trunks please. Daddy isn't that fat!" Chris laughed again and helped Ash untangle from the twisted fabric.
"That's right Ashy, daddy is a flexy beast!" Cheyenne exclaimed, getting the moniker wrong.
Chris just shook his head and smiled, he'd missed his angels so much. He picked Sierra up and took Chey by the hand. Ash walked beside his sister as they went towards catering. It was a little early for most of the roster to be eating so now was a good time to take three loud kids.
"There you are! Shawn said to check catering. Thanks for the time off to shop. Shawn likes my style advice," Miss Helen laughed as she caught up with the Irvine's and followed them to catering.
"It's fine Helen. I don't expect you to be chained to us," Chris said with a smile to the older lady.
The little family walked into the huge room set aside for catering. There were only about twenty crew members in the room.
Chris and Helen helped the three children fill their plates with chicken nuggets, french fries and salad. Jericho didn't mind the junk food too much, as long they ate a salad or other vegetables with it. He grabbed three half pint boxes of milk as well.
They settled the kids and the trio ate happily. Chris ate a few chicken wings and some salad while Miss Helen just had a large chef salad.
The children had good manners and were well behaved. Just as Chris finished his last wing, Hunter came up to the table. He greeted the kids with hugs and shook Helen's hand. He looked flustered.
"Can you come with me for a few minutes? Del Rio is having a problem with his promo. We could use your help," Hunter asked his friend.
Chris sighed, he hated leaving his kids but work provided for them. "Daddy will be right back. Eat your salads and you can have a cupcake when I get back," Chris said warmly to his children. He kissed them and followed Hunter out of the room.
Adam finished adjusting the lines of fabric that ran down his left leg. He made sure the lines matched his kick pads. He realized his tummy was rumbling. When he wasn't around Wade, he found he could eat a bit more. He loved Buffalo wings and he knew they would have some in catering.
He sent Wade a text message as he was told to do. Anytime he left the locker room he was to message his "boyfriend" and tell him. He figured it was so Wade could then message his spy. It only took a minute for Barrett to reply, his message was simple, "Don't get fat, love."
Adam closed his phone with a sigh. Even food was used to make him more and more Barrett's bitch. Well for once Adam didn't care. He wanted a plate of Buffalo wings and blue cheese sauce to dip them in. He headed towards catering.
He noticed Hunter and Chris leave the food area. They were in deep conversation as they went the other direction towards the arena. Adam was glad, who ever the spy was would have nothing to tell.
The Rated R Superstar entered the catering room. He of course had the WHC title around his waist. He'd gotten so used to the big gold belt that he almost forgot he was wearing it.
The only other time Chris' kids had come for a long visit Adam was out with a heel injury. So he didn't get to meet them. He could tell right away that the three small blonds at the table with a kind looking woman were Chris' children. The smirk on the boys face as he teased his sister was so much like Chris' it stung his heart.
Ash looked over towards Adam as the tall blond wrestler took off his title belt and claimed a table with it. The boy pointed to Adam while saying something to Sierra. The little girl flipped around in her chair, then grinned.
Before Miss Helen could stop her, Sierra took off like a rocket. "Edge! Edge!" she yelled as she ran towards the super star. Normally, of the three she was the shyest and quietest but not now. She ran towards Adam like he was an old family friend.
Adam had learned because of his six foot five inch frame, kids were often intimidated once they got close to him. Around kids he would always get down on his knees or sit. Sierra came at him so fast he didn't get a chance.
Sierra Irvine stopped and grabbed Edge around the upper thighs. The top of her head stopped at the band of his tights and she hugged him for all she was worth.
Adam put his large hands around her little body and picked her up. She straddled his hip and hugged him as best she could.
"I bet your name is Sierra Irvine," Adam said in his softest voice as for the first time in weeks he smiled.
"Huh huh. How did you know? You are my favorite! See!" Sierra stuck the Edge action figure in his face, she was so excited.
"I see. Well, your daddy showed me your picture. Is this Ash and Cheyenne?" Adam looked down as the other two Irvine's joined them.
"Yeah. You are friends with daddy?" the girl asked happily.
"Yes, I am. Would you like to see the big title I have?" Adam asked as he sat down with Sierra still in his arms. She refused to let go.
Adam let each one of the kids wear his belt and with his phone took a picture of each one as they struck an Edge like pose.
Adam then signed his name for each of them on small paper pates. Miss Helen came over to check on them.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure you came here to eat. You kids come with me. You ate your salads so you can each have a cupcake," the nanny said hoping to tempt the children into not bothering Adam.
"I don't mind at all. Let's all have a cupcake!" Adam suggested. The three little Irvine's laughed and ran to the food table. Adam told Helen it was fine and to go finish her lunch. She did, after all the kids were only a few feet away.
Adam got each child the cupcake they picked out. They were frosted in bright, rainbow colors. Adam took a blue one. He also picked up more milk for all of them. He took the plate of cupcakes and cartons of milk back to his table. They all sat down and Sierra was happily enthroned on Adam's lap.
Soon they were laughing. Cupcake frosting was being smeared on noses. The three kids and a wrestler were having a blast.
Chris stopped short when he got back to catering. Tears instantly came to his eyes. He saw the most beautiful sight, not only because his kids were laughing but so was Adam.
Jericho quickly wiped the tears away. They would cause too many questions. He walked up to the table, where a frosting party had taken place.
Adam panicked when he heard Chris' voice, "Looks like your having fun. Were the cupcakes good?" Chris asked with a smile.
The kids answered and told him about the pictures and autographs. Sierra was talking more than anyone, a fact that Chris didn't miss.
"I hope they didn't bother you, Adam." Chris said in an emotion filled voice. He was happy for any chance to talk to his Kitten.
Adam's head hung a bit, his fear for Chris' safety taking over, "No, no it was fine. I was here for lunch. They are great kids. I have to go now though. You kids have fun," Adam set Sierra down, grabbed his title and left quickly.
All the way to the locker room he hoped the spy would just see it was a quick, innocent exchange about the kids and nothing more. He couldn't have Chris hurt, not with his kids around.
"Daddy? Was Edge mad?" Sierra asked as Chris carried her back to their locker room. Helen carried Cheyenne and Ash followed them.
"No honey. It was time for Edge to go to work. You like him?" Chris asked as he gently brushed a strand of blond hair from his daughters face.
"He was nice. I liked him a lot. Why is he so sad, daddy?" Sierra asked. Chris knew she was more tuned into people. She was a mini version of Jess. Jess had always known when something was bothering him, sometimes eerily so.
They got to the private locker room. As the family entered, Chris tried to explain, "He and his special friend are having problems. That happens sometimes. You've seen mommy and daddy yell at each other. Sometimes it makes you sad." Chris hoped the young child got what he was trying to say.
"I don't think that's it. He got sad when he saw you, and you did too daddy," Sierra had picked up on way more than Chris could ever hope to explain.
"Go play Candy Land, sweetie. They are waiting for you," Chris changed the subject. He put his child down and she went to play the game with Miss Helen and her siblings. Chris sighed and watched his kids. If things had been different, Adam would have been the one playing Candy Land with them. Jericho sighed again.
Adam decided it was better to be honest. The grappler typed a long text message and told Barrett everything that happened in catering. He hit send.
While he waited for a reply he looked at the three pictures. He decided Chris would like to have them. He sent the pictures without any kind of note to his Lion's phone. He then deleted any evidence of the message but kept the pictures.
Wade sent a text back, "Since you were honest with me and I confirmed what you told me, Jericho is safe." The message was short but greatly eased Adam's mind. Then it hit him, Wade said Jericho was safe, it said nothing about him being safe. Well, he'd been punished before, this time it would be worth it.
Chris had been talked into joining the game of Candy Land. He had the time before his segment with Adam would be filmed. They always did matches first then promo spots. It was better for the crowd.
Jericho was stuck in the molasses swamp when his cell phone vibrated. He pulled it out to check, it could be from Jess about the kids. He was stunned when he saw who the message was from. He opened it.
Chris smiled as he looked at the pictures of his kids wearing Edge's title. Jericho was sad there was no message but he loved the title Adam had written in the message subject line, "To The Handsome Father of Three". Something about that gave Chris hope. He closed his phone happily.
Later that night after another exciting fight filled show in a show, it had been announced that Chris and Del Rio would have a number one contenders match at Vengeance and of all things Adam would be the special guest referee. The crowd went crazy for the idea.
Chris packed up his three very tired children and took them and Miss Helen back to the hotel. The kids slept with their dad while Helen had an adjoining room. The kids could then stay with her if Chris was out late.
The Irvine's laid curled up together, getting sleepier as Lightning McQueen pushed The King over the finish line. The DVD soon clicked off and nobody noticed. They were sound asleep.
Things were not so good up in Adam's championship suite. Adam had been right, while Chris was safe, he was far from it. After the night of taping had finished, Adam changed and went to find Wade. He didn't have to look hard, the Englishman was waiting for him.
Adam was grabbed by a lock of hair and pulled to their waiting rental. Heath was behind the wheel, he smirked as Adam was roughly pushed into the back seat.
Justin watched in disgust, he decided it was time to tell someone what was going on. The Nexus member only hoped the person could actually help.
In the hotel room, Adam was face down on the bed. His jeans and thong were down around his knees, his t-shirt was in shreds on the floor.
His ass was red and white corded welts marked where the belt had struck the hardest. The green eyes rained tears as the belt came down for the fifteenth time. Five lashes for each picture. Five more followed as Barrett made his point.
"Next time it won't be you! It will be Jericho. The belt will be my fist to his body. Stay away from that bastard and his ugly brats! Am I understood?" Barrett barked as his hand pressed down hard on the back of Adam's neck.
"Y... yes... Wade. Y... yes... pl... please... my … ne... neck... hurts... ple... ase..." Adam gasped between sobs. One thing Adam was thankful for was that nothing sexual went on between he and Wade. Sex had been replaced by punishments like this. He'd much rather be whipped than sexually tortured.
When he was done Barrett left Adam on the bed to take care of himself. If anyone tried to help him they would get the same. Adam pulled himself up. He slowly worked his jeans and thong off. He limped naked to the bathroom. He filled the large tub with hot water and bubble bath. He managed to slide in to the soapy water.
At first he could hardly stand sitting but as the water enveloped him, the blond relaxed. This was the one place Adam could let go, safely locked in surrounded by hot water and bubbles. He broke down and sobbed into his wash cloth.
Adam's mind ran with thoughts of Chris. He replayed their one night of passion. He'd never felt like that before. He hadn't know how much his soul could sing but Chris knew how to play him, like the most beautiful and delicate instrument ever created.
He remembered how their bodies fit together. His hips cradled Chris' perfectly. His Lion's cock was curved just perfectly to hit his prostate. Chris' hand was also made to stroke his cock and their lips felt like pieces of a jig saw puzzle. They were created to make love to each other.
For Adam though the sex was a secondary benefit. It was the feeling of love and tenderness that came first. He and Chris were instantly compatible together. Like old childhood friends. With Chris, Adam hadn't had the feeling he usually got around his lovers. That feeling was awkwardness.
With Chris, Adam didn't feel like he had to prove anything so he was relaxed. With other lovers the blond always felt like he had to be worth loving. That often led to nervous, tittering talk or clumsy hands. Knocking things off tables or dropping things. Basically turning him into a bundle of nerves. Chris didn't make him feel that way, not once.
Adam cried a bit more as he washed his broken body. He was thankful that Wade knew better than to leave bruises on his bronzed flesh. A small thing to be thankful for.
As he continued to soak his pain away, Adam smiled again. He thought of the reason he had been punished earlier, three beautiful blond headed children. He almost laughed out loud remembering how Sierra had said he'd look pretty with pink cheeks. She'd taken a finger full of pink icing from her cupcake and smeared it, accidentally on his nose as she aimed for his cheek.
Adam had turned his head at the same time so his nose got iced instead. That lead to more icing being put on noses and a lot of laughing. They were wonderful kids, Chris was lucky to have them. He wished he could spend more time with them but Adam knew Chris wouldn't want them around Wade or Heath so he gave up the idea.
The wrestler's thoughts turned to business. He was excited, he'd never been a Ref before. Every grappler had the basic idea but maybe one of the Zebra's would give him some quick lessons. He didn't want to make an ass out of himself.
It would be nice to be able to watch Chris and Alberto dance up close. Alberto took Chris back to his early years down in Mexico. It would be more of a Lucha type match. Fast with some flying rope work.
Many people didn't know that Chris and Del Rio had a common connection. Alberto's Uncle had been the one to recruit Chris from Monterrey to Mexico City. Jericho had even stayed at the man's house. Alberto remembered Córazon de León as Chris was known. Lion Heart in English, how apropos.
Adam knew he'd get to at least spend sometime with Chris, even if it was just in the ring. He just had to remember to keep all talk to work. He wouldn't put Chris in danger, especially not with his kids there.
The superstar had soaked enough. He got out of the draining tub, stiff but not as sore. He dried off and finished grooming. He walked naked out into the now quiet, dark room, Barrett had gone to bed.
Adam slipped between the sheets. He wqs roughly pulled up against Wade as the Englishman grabbed him. Adam was just a teddy bear, something for Wade to hold as he slept. There was no loving comfort in the action. Just a reminder that he was just a thing, a possession.
Adam fell into a semi deep sleep, dreaming about Chris. Dreams were the one place Wade couldn't be. The blond dreamed of being taken away by another darker, tawnier blond. He lived in hope.
Chris woke up from his slumber, he smiled at the three sleeping children. He needed a drink. It had been a long, hard day then seeing Adam laughing with his kids.
Carefully and quietly he got out of bed. He dug down deep in his bag, his fingers groping in the darkness. He found the small airline sized single shot bottle of his favorite, Grey Goose Vodka. One shot was enough and he wouldn't be affected. Had the kids not been there he might have had three or four but not around his angels.
He cracked open the tiny bottle and sat on the couch. All he could think of at the moment was Adam. He replayed their one night of passion. He'd never felt like that before. He hadn't know how much his soul could sing. Adam had felt like the most beautiful, delicate instrument he'd ever touched.
In all his sexual life, Chris had never had anyone so responsive under him. Their bodies fit like a jig saw puzzle, or at least Chris thought so. He'd never felt or tasted a mouth so perfect, not even Shawn When he and Adam kissed it was like paradise.
When his cock breached Adam's hot, tight heat it was like a lock and key. His "key" fit the "lock's" channel perfectly. Adam's bundle of nerves was in just the right place as he prodded into it. And the sounds Adam made, oh those glorious whimpers and soft moans. So... delicious was the only word Jericho could think of.
For Chris though the sex was just a wonderful benefit. The real thing he loved the most was the instant comfort he felt around Adam. For a long time he'd been wanting the tall blond. It never worked out that he could make a move for him. Now he wished he'd been more aggressive in his pursuit but Adam always seemed so happy. Chris knew now it was a front, the blond was fragile when it came to relationships.
When he finally had Adam, he was ripped from him like a badly written letter torn from the notepad. There was a reason why Adam left him and decided to stay with Barrett, but what? That was the thing that puzzled him most. What? And of course why? He knew Adam had meant it when he said "I love you my Lion". Chris was never more sure of anything.
He had to figure out what was going on. The what to do to get Adam away from the Englishman and back into his arms where he belonged. Then he'd just marry Adam and be in heaven forever with his Kitten.
Chris also loved the fact that his kids liked Adam. He'd never seen little Sierra talk so much at once. He always worried about her the most. Sierra was different from the other two. Both he and Jessica had worried that maybe there was some unseen complication when she was born.
Jess had gone into labor nearly six weeks early. The twins were born prematurely. They were terrified that they weren't going to make it. Chris and Jess prayed and kept vigil over their tiny daughters as they fought to live in the neo natal unit of the hospital.
The parents were rewarded when the girls started gaining weight and getting stronger. A month later they took them home. Ash was disappointed they were human babies and not some kind of mystical sea creatures. It made them all laugh.
It wasn't long after that when Jessica came to him and said she had met someone and wanted to be free to pursue the relationship. Chris was more than happy for her and said as long as he remained the father of their children she could file for divorce with his blessings.
Jess told Chris no matte what, they would always be the kids parents together. Chris had made it possible for her dream of being a mother to come true. Chris thanked her for marrying him to protect his image. Being gay was no big deal now so it was no longer necessary to keep Jess locked in a sham marriage, so they divorced.
Jessica was happily married to a man named Peter and while he was good to the kids and loved them, he never interfered with Chris. The kids loved Peter as well but they knew who their real father was. It was a great relationship.
Chris smiled, he was lucky. He finished his small drink and quietly climbed back in bed with his three blond monkeys. They curled around him instantly. Now if only Adam was on the other side of him in the bed, life would be perfect.
Jericho laid awake a bit, thinking at least now he'd have a chance to do ring work with Adam. Maybe he could get some answers, find out what was really going on and get him away from Barrett for good.
Suddenly a light went off in his head. What would be the only reason Adam would stay with Wade? He was threatening Adam and probably using himself as the reason. Adam was with Barrett to protect him. Chris grew angry, how dare Barrett do that! And of course Adam would fall for it. Now all he needed was proof that was really the reason.
He'd get the proof. He now had something to confront Adam with. Jericho couldn't wait till he was able to be in the ring with Adam.
"Hang on Kitten. I'll get you back. I promise," Chris whispered as he fell into a dreamland. Dreamland with his kids and Adam by his side.