Title: By My Side

Author: Crimson Coin

Disclaimer: I do not own the WWE or any mentioned wrestlers. They are merely used/borrowed for the purpose of this fictional story.

Rating: PG 13 – R, depending on the chapter

Summery: Continuing from Unstoppable and Endless Love. Will friends and love still flourish?

Timeline: October 2004 – present

Christmas Day

Chris Jericho put the car into park outside the large and seemingly packed house. He turned off the car then turned to the right, his one arm over the seat so he could see her. "Ok, Baby. We're here and ... you look nervous. Or upset or something"

Trish quickly shook her head. "Not upset. Just ... nervous ... well, not really. You know."

He chuckled, leaning over to press a quick kiss on her lips. Still laughing to himself, he got out of the car. Walking around the car, he slowed, slightly worried when she didn't move. He approached her door, opening it and stepping to her.

She unfastened her seatbelt, but didn't move out of the car.

"Hey now," he hushed softly at her, reaching out to rest his hands on her lap. "Everything will be just fine."

She sighed.

"None of that," he said then smiled ever so gently. "Kiss me, it'll make you feel better." He leaned toward her then, his mouth covering hers.

Trish sighed, his lips so soft and smooth, his hot moist tongue slipped into her mouth and she moaned, reaching one hand to rest on his still beard covered cheek. She kissed him a long few moments.

"Hey," someone called from the front porch. "You gonna release that lip lock on my cousin so I can give her a hug?"

Trish smiled when Chris pulled away from her. "Will." She slipped out of the car and under Chris's arms as she charged at the other man.

Will, a tall man with brown wavy hair opened his arms for his cousin, a huge grin on his face. "There's my favorite cousin."

"Will!" she called, ecstatic as she threw herself into her cousin's arms.

"Hey, everyone," Will yelled. "Trish is here. And it looks like she dragged some poor guy with her."

Chris chuckled, pleased at Trish's happiness and he walked to his trunk, grabbing the few bags of presents before heading towards the house.

Will released the little blonde woman, extending a hand towards the other man. "Hi, I'm Will."

"I'm Chris," Jericho said and he shifted the bags around so he could take the man's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Let's go inside." Will said in response. "John has told us a lot about you."

"Nothing bad I hope," Chris chuckled.

"Not at all." Will answered then wrapped his arm around Trish. "Come on, Sweetie. Jill has been dying to see you again."

Trish quietly sipped her drink, her eyes on Chris as he laughed with her two cousins. She savored the taste of the drink in her mouth then licked her lips.

"Trishy?"

The little blonde looked to her right at the voice. It was her mother.

Anna smiled. "Hi, Sweetheart. I've just been so busy bustling around and getting everything ready and cooking and making sure everyone is happy. Is Chris happy? Did you bring him anything to eat? Does he need another drink?"

"He ... he hasn't said anything."

"Well go check, Honey." Anna pushed. "Make sure he feels at home. Did you two have a nice week? Did you two do anything nice? I hope you made him happy. What did he give you for your birthday?"

"I don't know," she answered. "He didn't give it to me yet. He said he wanted to wait till Christmas. And he brought it here for everyone."

"Oh, that's wonderful." Anna cooed, clapping her hands momentarily in her excitement. "I simply can't wait for what it is. Maybe you did everything right and it's an engagement ring."

"Mom!"

Anna and Trish looked to the kitchen, Trish's baby sister standing in the doorway. "Mom, Aunt T wants you."

Anna quickly whisked into the kitchen.

Her sister waited for a moment and then walked up to Trish. "Was Mom telling you all that please your man shit again."

Trish ducked her head, chuckling softly.

"Don't listen to her," the sister said, a serious look in her eyes. "Mom is just old fashioned. And I was talking to Chris earlier. Trish, Sweetie, he is not the kinda guy who would appreciate that. I don't even think he realizes or expects what you're doing. Don't be like Mom. You hear me ... don't."

"But ..."

"No buts," the younger woman said. "Don't be like that. It's not what most men want now a days. There are some. But Chris ... he's not one of them."

Trish shook her head again, her eyes sorrowed and somewhat lost. "All man like to be treated that way, like they're kings. Chris calls himself the king of the world. He thinks everything revolves around him and I don't mind that. I don't mind doing everything he wants and I know he likes that kind of treatment. So don't try telling me how to please my man, Jill."

Jill turned her eyes onto Chris as he laughed joyously then made some comment or another, getting a laugh from the group himself. "You know, Sweetie. I don't think you know the kind of man you have."

"You know nothing," Trish spat then turned away, walking into the kitchen.

Chris followed the rest of the family into the dining room, standing next to Trish and he smiled down at her when she offered him a warm grin. His finger brushed playfully along her chin and he leaned down as if no one were witness and placed a soft tender kiss on her mouth.

Trish kissed him one last time then turned her attention to her father.

John cleared his throat and at that moment, everyone's attention focused on him. "I want to thank everyone for coming here on this wonderful Christmas day. It's so nice to have all the family together on Christmas and I thank God that we have this opportunity. Lord, we thank you for bringing us together."

Chris watched as everyone bowed their heads and he did the same, crossing his arms in front of him, his hands clasped in prayer.

John bowed his head. "We are very grateful for all you have given us and we pray for your guidance and for all those other families celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Bless us and this food we eat. May we all strive to be as giving as you and be deserving to enter your kingdom in the next life. Amen."

"Amen." Everyone repeated.

Jericho lifted his head. "Amen." He smiled when Trish grabbed his hand and led him to the table. His eyes lingered on John for a moment and a part of him wondered why the older man seemed to still be in prayer.

"Do you want something else to eat, Hun?" Trish asked the man next to her.

"No thanks, Baby." Chris answered her then patted his stomach. "I am packed to the max. Nothing else is getting in here tonight."

Trish smiled sweetly at him, standing from the table to grab his plate then hers and take them into the kitchen.

Chris stood as well, picking up both their salad dishes and glasses then following her into the kitchen.

She jumped as they nearly bumped into each other. "Oh no, Sweetie. Here. I've got that."

"No, no," he interrupted her. "I've got it." He wouldn't let her take the dishes from him and instead walked them to the sink himself.

"Chris!"

He turned at the voice, glancing over his shoulder as he heard someone call him. "Hi, Anna." He turned the water on, making sure it was hot before reaching for a sponge.

"No no," she scolded quickly, racing to the sink to take the sponge from him. "Don't do that. That's not your job. Trishy! Come in here!"

Trish bustled back into the kitchen, her arms filled with dishes. Her eyes widened. "Chris, what are you doing?"

"Just helping with the dishes," Chris answered softly, a sweet smile on his face. "I figure it's the least I could do since you made such a wonderful meal."

"Don't be so ridiculous," Anna said. "This isn't your place. Go on back into the den with the boys. Leave this to us girls. Right, Trish?"

Trish nodded, her eyes meeting his for a moment before she looked away and turned her attention back to the dishes.

Chris eyed her worriedly but he had been dismissed and was currently being ignored. A strange sinking feeling curdled in his stomach but he only turned away and walked from the room. "John?"

The older man looked towards Chris. "Hey there, kid."

"Can I talk to you?" Chris asked.

The smile fell from the older man's face. "Let's go out to the garage."

Chris could barely feel the cold as questions raced through his mind. He knew there'd been something different about Trish lately and something about what Anna had just said seemed to strike him wrong. Actually, this last week seemed to strike him wrong. Something about Trish and he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

But it hit him when all of a sudden, she stopped ... receiving pleasure. Not that he didn't try, he did. But she seemed ... distracted and he couldn't ... finish her. And everytime he would try, she would brush it off, focus on his pleasure and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. It hurt him that he couldn't bring her to that level of ecstasy. Was there something wrong with him? Was she not attracted to him anymore?

"You seem ... bothered."

"I am," Chris answered the older man with a sigh. "Well, actually, I'm really curious about one thing. You seem so new age and liberal and free thinking but then you're so religious. If I'm not intruding you know, I was just curious."

"Not intruding," John responded quickly. "And I'm not at all ashamed of anything. When I was a young man, I was so free thinking and not very religious. Sex before marriage, drugs on the weekends, rock and roll, hitting the clubs, real party animal. I found the right girl for me. She loved me and she did whatever I wanted. It wasn't until years later that I realized how old fashioned Anna was and frankly, I'm not that thrilled about it. But anyway ..."

Jericho almost questioned him but since John continued, he kept quiet.

"Trishy's my first born, you know," John said with a beaming smile. "And damn, did I love her. She was such a pretty baby. But then ... well ..." he sighed. "God, it hurts to still think about it."

"About what?"

John didn't respond at first, but just licked his lips, stilling his heart. "She was my world. And then I'll never forget it. Trishy got sick. My little girl. She was only 15 months and my wife and I were worried sick about her. We took her to the hospital, she was burning up, throwing up. God, I ... I was so scared. An hour after we arrived, there was this big problem and all this rush for quarantine."

"My God, what happened?"

"My little baby had scarlet fever." John said with sorrow in his voice. "She was so young and just so sick. The doctor's didn't think she'd live through the night. My world stopped. Everything I ever knew just ripped from my heart. My little girl. My precious baby." He cleared his throat, willing the tears to stay back. "I mean obviously she lived and she's fine. But that night ... I ... I wandered into the hospital chapel and let's just say, me and God had a meeting of minds. I know he saved my little girl. I know it. I asked him to and my baby is alive today because of God. The doctor's didn't do jack for her but I ... I know she wasn't meant to die. She was meant to live and to have a family and to be important and to make a difference."

John took a few steps closer to Chris, tears in his eyes as he looked at the younger man. "Chris, she was meant to be with you. She's alive today because she's meant for you. I can feel it."

Chris only shook his head with a sigh. "Oh John, I ... I'm sorry. I didn't know."

John waved a hand at the younger man. "It's nothing to be sorry for. This happened to her. Chris ... I want to tell you something very important. I want you to promise me something."

"Of course, anything."

"You love my daughter, right?"

"With all my heart," Chris pledged without hesitation.

"Marry her, Chris."

The young blond's eyes widened, taken off guard by that sudden comment. "What?"

"I'm not going to be around forever," John said. "I haven't told the family yet ... but I'm not a well man. Now I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. But I want my little girl happy and taken care of. I want to know she has a man in her life that's not going to hurt her."

The older man shook his head. "I've met many of her other boyfriends and they were all outright awful. But not you. I like you, kid. I want you in this family. And one day, you're going to be the man of this family."

"Pops, I ..." Chris stammered over his words. "I don't know. It's not that I don't want to marry your daughter. I do. But we never talked about this stuff or anything like that. I ..." he raked a hand through his hair. "And Trish has been acting funny lately and I don't understand why and ..."

"It's probably her mother," John answered. "Anna's very old fashioned like and I wouldn't be surprised if she has Trishy thinking the same way. I know my little girl hasn't had the best of luck with men."

Chris nodded, biting on his lip a moment.

"Can I count on you, kid?"

Chris paused for only a moment, meeting the older man's soft brown eyes. God, they matched Trish's. A soft smile pulled at his lips. "I'll take care of your daughter, Pops. Don't worry. She's safe in my arms."

A bright smile spread across John's face. "That's fantastic."

Chris kept the smile on his face as John re-entered the house. He knew he'd have to keep a close eye on Trish. If she really was following in her mother's footsteps, he'd have to fix that.

"Chris?"

His eyes flew to the door and he couldn't help but beam when he saw the woman there.

Trish walked down a few steps, her eyes on him. "Chris, I was looking everywhere for you and Daddy. We're about ready to do gifts and ..." she trailed off as Chris approached her.

He moved easily right in front of her, standing on the other side of the railing, on the floor so he had to look up at her on the stairs. "Kinda right out of Romeo and Juliet, isn't it." He said softly, every emotion glistening in his eyes. He reached up then with a hand, brushing the tips of his fingers along her arm.

Trish smiled, facing him and leaning slightly over the banister. "Your Juliet wants a kiss."

He licked his lips. "Your Romeo obeys." That said, he swung around the stairs, pouncing up two until he stood next to her. His heart swelled at her giggle. This was the Trish he loved. He leaned up towards her then, his lips covering hers for a long extended moment.

Trish placed a hand on his cheek, leaning closer to him to press her lips more forcefully against his.

He growled at her display of aggression, it had been days since she showed such want for him, despite all their love making. He wrapped his arms around her, seizing the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth.

Trish moaned, her body weakening at the sensations and she willingly returned his wonderful embrace. She wanted to kiss him forever.

"Trish," he breathed, pulling away from her but only far enough to speak. "Trish, I want to give you your biggest present now."

She licked her lips, her eyes glassy and hazed, there was lust behind her gaze. Her eyes widened when he pulled a box from his suit coat pocket and presented it to her. Cautiously, she took the box, her eyes glimmering with love and she slowly opened it.

Chris watched as her face dropped in awe and shock before her eyes met his.

"Chris ..." she whispered, her voice on her breath. "I can't accept this. It's ..."

"It's for you," Chris said, stopping her from handing it back to him. "I saw it in a dream. I was giving it to you and then when I saw it in real life, I knew it was a sign. Please, take it."

Trish didn't resist as he took the diamond drape from the box and slowly fastened it around her neck. "Chris," she sighed.

"I love you." He pledged. "I love you."

"I love you too," she answered, grabbing his head and viciously pulled him down, crashing her lips onto his.

Chris responded with equal fervor to her kiss, instantly deepening it, their tongues tangled in heart stopping passion.

"Chris," she breathed onto his lips and then he trailed his mouth down her jaw to her neck, running his tongue over her throat and the new diamond drape necklace.

"Do you know how much I love you?" he moaned into her neck, his hands roaming down her sides in his caress.

"Show me, Chris," she begged, arching into him. "Show me now."

"I'll show you physically tonight," he responded then pulled back to look in her eyes. "But I'll prove it now. Take my hand. We'll walk back in there, hand in hand. And sit close together, my arm around you. And we'll each grab a cup of coffee."

"You want coffee? I can get that for you."

But Chris shook his head. "No. We'll both get a cup and then sit with the family. My arm around you and the biggest smile on my face. And then you're going to smile too because when your sister Jill sees that necklace around your neck, everybody's going to be cooing over you for hours. I'll be long forgotten."

"Not by me," she answered then leaned up to prove her words with a tender kiss.