The Love that You Gave Me

Disclaimer: I own no one

A/N- The title comes from the Madonna song, I'll Remember

Italics indicate flashbacks

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The closed casket beside the open hole reminded Trish Stratagias why she was here. Her best friend and savior, Chris Irvine was being buried.

Turning, she faced Randy, Chris' boyfriend. Tears rolled down the young man's face. Silently, Trish reached out and squeezed the young man's hand.

"Christopher Irvine was a man loved by all..." the minister droned on. Trish rolled her eyes. From the minister's tone of voice, it was obvious he had no clue who Chris Irvine really was.

Did the minister know Chris had saved her from suicide? Did the minister know Chris had been the only one who had said it's alright to cry after the death of Amy, her lover? Did the minister know how much Chris had meant to Randy?

"He will be missed," the minister mumbled.

Randy collapsed in Trish's arms. His sobs were heart-wrenching, particularly for Trish. She had been there once. It wasn't pretty to lose the one you loved.

Trish, give me the knife.

Why should I? Amy was my only reason for life!

Trish, you always have a reason to live

If it wasn't for Chris, Trish would have been dead. If it wasn't for Chris, she would have lost her will to live.

Amy would have been thirty today!

Each annivarsary is going to be tough. We met four years ago today. Our first kiss was three years yesterday.

How am I going to survive? It's impossible!

Believe me, Hon, you will.

Day or night, whenever he was needed, Chris was there. If she was having a particularly hard night without Amy, all she had to do was call. One call, he was at her door, prepared to make everything better.

"His best friend and boyfriend, Randy will now give a brief eulogy,"

Trish moved Randy to his feet. The young man quietly approached the podium.

"Today, we gather to remember the life of Christopher Irvine. There is not much that can be said about this wonderful man,"

Trish, I know it feels like your world is falling apart. Trust me.

What? Why should I live without Amy?

Life will get better.

"He always thought of someone else before himself,"

Trish?

Chris, I'm sorry to be calling so late.

No problem. What's wrong?

I can't sleep. I miss Amy.

Don't you hate that?

Yeah. Besides, I don't understand why Amy had to die. I miss her so much.

Tell you what. Start the tea kettle and I'll be right there. Let me wake Rand, and tell him I'm going out.

Thanks.

"He wasn't easy to get along with. I'll admit that. We argued like crazy,"

The door slammed shut. Startled, Amy glanced up from the couch.

"What's wrong?"

"Randy and I were arguing,"

"He was never afraid to cry,"

Are you crying?

I can't believe Amy's gone!

Chris, I loved her.

So did I.

"He always said he'd die young."

Trisha, you're not going to need me much longer.

Chris, you're my best friend! Course, I'm gonna need you!

Trish, I'm not making it to forty.

Don't talk like that.

"I miss him. He was my muse. Without him, I'm nothing. I'll remember and love him forever,"

He just passed away.

WHAT?

He's gone. He told me to tell you something.

What?

You don't need him anymore. Remember his love. You're on your own.

"Life will never be the same,"

THE END