Go On

A Visit to an Old Friend

Disclaimer: I only own Rhiannon. I own no one else.

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Glancing up at the high-rise, John shook his head. He hadn't been there since Randy died. Preparing to walk through the door, John couldn't help but remember the first time he had ever walked into the building.

Our first home together! Isn't it gorgeous, C?

Yes, Rand, it is. I know the real reason why you were so insistent on living in this apartment.

Why, C?

It's Trish adjacent. Now, you can just go down the hall to gossip, instead of calling across the country.

I do not gossip!

Things seemed so carefree then. They had felt invincible. Nothing, it seemed, would ever seperate them. The future had seemed so clear. They had had big dreams.

Chris and Trish were expecting him. Since leaving the country five years prior, John had kept in touch with his good friends. They had visited him and Rhiannon on more than one occasion. He hadn't been in their apartment since Randy's death.

Life had taken the Canadian couple on a strange journey. After having Rhiannon, they had struggled to have a child of their own. After two more miscarriages, they had gone to China and had adopted a baby girl.

Lian Reese had been adopted at the age of six months. She was now three years old, the mischievous child. She was the apple of her parents' eye.

John stepped into the elevator. Pressing the button for their floor, he remembered when they had lived there. They had called this building home for two years. The only reason they had moved was for Rhiannon. Yet, they had always intended to come back to the city they had loved so much.

The door opened, and John got out. He walked down the narrow corridor, pausing at the door of their old apartment. Shaking his head, he continued on.

Stopping in front of Chris and Trish's apartment, John made a fist and knocked softly. Within seconds, the door opened.

"John!" Chris Irvine exclaimed, hugging his old friend. John glanced at the other man. Chris had been his best friend for a good thirteen years.

"You haven't changed a bit!" John exclaimed, grinning. Chris rolled his eyes.

"You only saw me six months ago! Besides, I know Trish sent you pictures," Chris said. Lian ran in. Chris scooped her up.

Uncle John!" she exclaimed, reaching out for her godfather. Chris allowed John to take her.

"Hi, Li!" he exclaimed, kissing the young girl's cheek. "How are you?" She squealed with laughter.

"Mommy's having babies!" she exclaimed, laughing. John glanced towards Chris. The other man gestured to the living room. John maneuvered himself through the apartment.

Trish sat on the couch, eating strawberries. John's eyes flew to her belly. She looked about full term. Catching sight of her old friend, Trish grinned.

"John!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. John placed Lian on the floor. Then, he hugged Trish. "Surprised?"

"Who is this?" he asked, gently touching her belly. She chuckled.

"THEY are Randi Jade and Ryleigh Keith," she said. John's eyes widened. Ryleigh had been his back-up name during Trish's pregnancy with Rhiannon. Well, Randi was kind of obvious.

"Twins?" he asked. She nodded vigourously. She could hardly contain her grin. Catching a gleam of silver, John glanced at her wrist. He was surprised to see she still wore the ID bracelet he and Randy had given her after Rhiannon's birth. "When are you due?"

"Dr. O'Carol's giving me a c-section tomorrow afternoon. Are you going to be in town?" she asked. John nodded. He had been planning to go home, but now he wanted to see Trish through her delivery. "Great. Could you stay with Lian?"

"Of course! She's too cute. Randy would have loved her," John murmured. Trish nodded, wiping her eyes.

Great, I got her crying! he thought. Trish dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

"I wish he was with us. He was always confidant that my dreams of being Mommy would come true," she said. Reaching behind her, she handed him a framed letter. Sitting beside her, he held the frame and began to read.

6/12/06

Dear Trish,

Finally, I have a break! Rhiannon just went down for her nap. Who knew two year two month and eleven day year olds were so exhausting?

Thank you for calling me about your latest miscarriage. I wish I could have been with you, Sweetie. I tried so hard to get a flight, but John's grandmother got sick. He had to be with her, and I didn't think bringing Rhiannon would have been fair to you.

Sweetie, you will become a mother. I promise you that. With all the love you have to give, God will make sure of that. I have faith in the divine, despite how the divine has hurt me.

I know I can say nothing to ease your pain. Feel better, Trisha.

Love,

Randy

"Babe, Li and I are going to get pizza," Chris murmured, the door closing behind him. Trish glanced to John. She could sense something was wrong.

"Spill it, Cena-Orton," she said, rubbing her belly. Rolling his eyes, he sighed. Trish was always able to tell when something was wrong.

"I think I'm falling for Lance," he blurted out. Trish sighed. She had seen this coming years ago. In fact, she had expected it.

"Do me a fav," she said, looking at him seriously. He looked at her. "Get the picture of me and Rand taken at your wedding," Getting up, John handed her the picture. She removed the back and handed him an envelope, yellow with age. "Read that when you're ready,"

"Alright. Anything else?" John asked, sighing. He had always known Randy had more letters out there.

"Yeah, I'm your new neighbor. We bought the house next to Lance's house and we're moving as soon as Randi and Ryleigh can travel,"

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Revelations, revelations. Don't worry. Rhiannon appears in the next chapter. Promise :)

JenLea

Read, Review but most of all...ENJOY!