AN: Yay! I finally did, lol. I finished the fic and there will be no third installment so I hope you like it. I want thank all of you guys who reviewed and kept me going with my updates...even if I did make you wait a long time for them, lol. Thank you so much and I hope you guys enjoy the very last chapter of this entire adventure. And ya know what to do...read and review! Hahahaha, that rhymes, lol.
I Disclaim
The dampened and foggy air held so much comparison to what Trish was feeling as she sat in the passenger side of the car and fiddled with her hands helplessly. Every so often, Randy would reach over and place a comforting hand on hers to stop her nerves from getting out of control while Matt and Amy would reassure that things would be okay. She loved her friends with all her heart and trusted them with her life, but even know, it was hard to let herself believe what they were saying. She was sure that if they were honest with themselves as well, they probably didn't believe in everything they were saying. Both Trish and Randy's parents had flew in to North Carolina to watch the kids and while her father had insisted on coming with them, she assured him that Randy would help her through. She had walked through the front door towards the car, when she heard her father tell thank Randy. Randy was a bit confused by the appreciative gesture by her father and asked him for what. Despite her troubles, she couldn't help but smile at his response.
"All those years ago, you had promised that you would love and stand by my daughter no matter what. Even with another man's child that you've raised as your own, you're still here by her side and you've been her rock through it all. As any father can wish that they're daughters find a good man, I'm proud to say that my daughter was one of the lucky ones."
Trish stopped by the car and continued to watch the exchange. Randy turned to look at her and smiled before turning around back to her father.
"No dad….I'm the lucky one."
Both men embraced and Randy quickly jogged down the steps and made his way towards Trish. Everyone then packed into the car and began their dreaded journey to discover what fate had in store.
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"Mr. Copeland, are you sure you want to do this?" the Judge asked once more as he eyed the tall blonde from above his eyeglasses.
Adam nodded his head before picking up the pen and signing the document. He looked over at Diane and the figure beside her. He certainly didn't anticipate all of this but once again, his bad actions seemed to have caught up with him. He desperately wanted to be a better person but he had wanted that with Trish and their son. He knew she was happy with Randy and her children but why didn't she get that he wasn't happy without her? He had taken one too many steps over the line and now he would have to spend the rest of his life in regret for what he had done to her. There was no way to make it better….or maybe there was.
"Mr. Copeland…." Judge Brown's voice broke the walls of Adam's thoughts.
"Yes, Judge Brown…"
"Do you have any final words you would like to say before we wrap this up?" the Judge offered. Adam shook his head but and the moment he did so, Diane shot out of her chair to make so that she could make an important phone call.
"Wait….actually there is something I wanna say" Adam declared. Diane turned around and shot him a curious glance before sitting back in her chair, a little disheartened that her call would have to further be put on hold.
He turned his attention to Diane.
"Can you give her a message for me?" Adam asked. He didn't say her name but there were three people in the room that knew exactly who "she" was. Diane nodded her head for him to continue.
"Tell her I'm sorry….for everything. I wanted us to be a family and I thought that having Josh in my life would mean she would be forced to be around me as well. I guess I got a little too wishful into thinking that with enough time, she'd see how much I still love her and just maybe she'd fall in love with me again. That's all I wanted. I just wanted her to love me the way I love her" he choked on his words and as the tears stung his eyes, Diane couldn't help but revel in the depth of the situation. He had done it all for love and while she had only seen it in the movies, Adam was living proof that the words can mirror life. Love can truly drive you to do crazy things. She would never condone anything that Adam had put Trish and her family through, but in his twisted mind, that's what he needed to do to win her back and on some level….deep down, she felt a pang of sympathy for him. Under all of his insane and vicious actions….there was meaning there and it was a true shame how he handled it all.
"I'll tell her" Diane promised and then got up and left the room. She quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed the familiar number. Four times and she was still getting the voicemail. This wasn't the type of message you leave on a answering machine. She gave up dialing for fifteen minutes so that she could catch a quick and very late breakfast. After she finished, she once again pulled our her cell and began her umpteenth attempt at getting through when she suddenly heard her name being called. She looked towards the entrance of the court house to see Trish, Randy and their friends Matt and Amy walking down the corridor towards her. She quickened her step to meet them halfway.
One she finally reached them, she quickly shared a hug with Trish.
"Okay….so what are our chances?" Trish asked, quickly getting to the point.
"Actually, I received a little insider's tip on my desk two days ago after our meeting but I didn't contact you guys because I wasn't sure who the source was and if it was anything reliable enough….I didn't want to get your hopes up."
Trish nodded her head in understanding as she prodded Diane to get on with it.
"Guys….the case is closed" Diane said.
The four individuals in front of her all held the same expression of shock.
"What?….Don't tell me he won the case! Wait….how could you guys have the case trial without us there?" Trish asked half confused and half in anger.
"Relax….that insiders tip I mentioned….it turned out to be pretty valuable. The person agreed to testify on your behalf and since they had a pretty good story for the judge, I decided to contact Adam and have a quick meeting with him and his lawyer. When my witness presented her story, Adam informed his client that he would withdraw from the case seeing as how my witness would have killed his chances at winning the case. We called the judge in to make the final authorization and with the proper documents, it was signed, sealed and official….we won the case!" Diane said enthusiastically.
At first, Trish stood mouth agape. Everything was a lot to take in, but the moment she felt Randy squeeze her hand, the reality was sinking in. They had made it through it all and they had won! She leapt forward and straight into Diane's arms. She murmured thank you several times as she finally let the tears overcome her….except this time, they were tears of joy. Diane pulled away from her and quietly asked her for a minute of her time. Trish informed them that she was going to talk to Diane for a minute before both women moved away from the little crowd and to a quieter corner not too far away.
"Adam wanted me to give you a message." Diane pulled out a tape recorder and handed it to Trish.
"I recorded the session in case you wanted to hear it all. Adam's message is at the one hour and fifteen minute mark. I think it'll be better if you hear it for yourself" she said.
Trish nodded her head and looked down at the tiny device that held all the answers of how God answered her prayers.
"Where is he?" Trish asked as her eyes darted around the building. Her eyes quickly landed on Randy and her friends talking
"He left about ten minutes ago" Diane replied. She took a moment to survey the woman in front of her before asking her question.
"I know this may be too personal for me to ask and I won't be offended if you don't want to answer it….but, am I wrong in assuming that somewhere deep down, there's a part of you that still loves Adam?"
It might've sounded like a stupid question to any casual stranger who knew only the basics of Trish's relationship with Adam, but to Trish, the question made a lot of sense.
"Adam is a shell of the man that he once was. A man that left me with some really bad memories…but also left some really good ones as well. He was the first man I've been with that made me feel like I deserved the world and before Randy, I prayed everyday that I could somehow find the right love to offer Adam in return so that we could be together again. A part of me will always love Adam….but not the Adam that I've seen these past months, and not the Adam that had hurt me all those years ago. But the Adam that would have moved heaven and earth to show me how much he loved me in the most caring and loving way. The Adam that wasn't just a boyfriend but one of my best friends." Trish sighed as she looked up from the ground with tears slowly making its way down her face.
"Is it so wrong to feel that way after all he's done to me?" she asked helplessly.
Diane shook her head.
"You've spent so much time with him and while you were together, you got to see a side of him that not many got to see very often. I think you're heart wants to remember him as that guy, even if you're mind can't forget all the bad things."
"I just wished that things didn't have to end this way" Trish said as she quickly dabbed at her eyes with a tissue that Diane had offered her.
"That's perfectly understandable….Hey, why don't we head back to where the gang is?" Diane suggested. Trish gladly agreed to the idea.
Once they returned to the group, Randy turned to Diane.
"Thank you so much for all that you've done." He quickly embraced her and pulled back.
"No need to thank me….I can't explain it really, but there's something about you guys that I feel very attached to….I made this case a lot more personal than I usually do for my others and I think it's because you're wife reminds me a lot of myself" Diane laughed. Randy shared in the good natured comment before Trish interrupted them.
"Hey Diane….Amy and I just realized something…you mentioned a mystery witness….who is it?" Trish inquired.
"Um….they said that I didn't need to reveal their identity because they were just doing what was right" Diane replied.
"Yeah, well….this mystery person is the very reason why we still have our son" Trish said as Randy nodded in agreement.
"I want meet this person, Diane….please" Trish pleaded.
"Okay, hold on". Trish watched as Diane walked down the corridor and opened up a door and disappeared behind it.
Ten minutes passed and Trish was beginning to wonder if Diane had forgotten that they were waiting outside. However, moments later, Diane stepped out and motioned for all of them to approach. They all made their way down the hall and into the room and the sight before them left all four of them in shock. Sitting in one of the several chairs that was placed along the executive table sat the one person none of them expected. Amy was the first one to recover from the surprise and found her voice.
"Gail…..?"
Gail Kim gave them a small smile and quietly and even shyly responded,
"Hi guys…."
The room was silent for a moment before Trish stepped forward out of Randy's embrace. Gail immediately stood up when she saw Trish near her. She looked into the blonde's eyes and she saw the look of confusion and relief.
"Why?" was all that Trish could manage to say.
Gail sighed since she knew that Trish was going to ask her this very same question though the answer was quite simple.
"Trish….in the past, I've been really good at being a bitch. I was rude, insulting and I even seduced Randy while the two of you were trying to get together." Gail quickly darted her eyes Randy's way who didn't say anything but simply waited for her to continue.
"I lied, I cheated, I manipulated you and Randy and yet when my son was sitting in a hospital with the very good chance of dying, you saved him Trish….without any reason to do it….you saved him." Gail's tears couldn't help but fall and her voice grew even quieter so that Amy, Matt and Randy who weren't standing as close to her as Trish was, struggled to hear her words.
"Kevin has become my life…he's made me want to be a better person and I have become a better person because of him….for him. I can look in a mirror and be happy with the person I see staring back at me and it's all because of him….and you. You gave me back my son Trish…..and now I've given you back yours. It's my way of saying sorry and thank you,….for everything."
Gail waited for Trish to respond but rather than words, she was enveloped into a tight hug.
"Thank you so much Gail….you don't know how much this means to us" Trish whispered.
"Oh but I do….and that's why I had to do it" she replied as both women let go of the hug.
Randy stepped forward and slightly turned his head to the side.
"Really Gail….without you, I don't know if we would've have been able walk away from this trial with Joshua's custody papers. Thank you."
Gail nodded her head, before responding.
"Randy…about everything, I'm sor…."
"Forget about it…it's all in the past. We've all moved on and I think your actions have shown that you are in fact sorry for everything" he interrupted her.
Everyone in the room nodded their head in agreement before a long silence fell between them. Gail cleared her throat and was the first one to break it.
"Uhhh….I need to catch a flight back home to Toronto. I left Kevin home with my mom and I know he can be a handful" she giggled.
Trish laughed,
"Well, Randy and I have a home in Toronto where we go in the summertime with the kids and Matt and Amy come along with their family as well. Maybe we could meet up some time. Josh loves Kevin's company from what he tells me" Trish smiled.
"You know what, I'd love that." Gail pulled out a pen and paper and quickly scribbled on it before handing it to Trish.
"That's my number….whenever you're in town, gimme a call. It was nice seeing you guys again after so long" she said before heading to the door.
"Hey Gail" Trish called out. Gail turned around and smiled,
"I know….and you're welcome" and with that she was gone.
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It was past midnight as Trish stood at the bay window of the master bedroom that she and Randy shared. It had been so long since they had been home that she reveled in the simplicity of being around something familiar. Matt and Amy had been more than gracious to her and her family but coming back home with her family was the perfect to come full circle. She looked down at the tiny tape recorder that she rested on the window seat. The same tape recorder she listened to more than three times. The same tape recorder that held Adam's message….one she listened to more than fifteen times since their arrival home. She believed he was sorry, but an apology wasn't going to change Adam and the scary thing was, Trish wasn't sure what would.
She felt a pair of hands sneak around her waist and she braced back as she just relaxed in the embrace.
"Did you have a good nap?" Randy asked. She nodded against his bare chest.
"I've been awake for almost three hours….I was listening to the tape of the session that Diane recorded and gave to me. Adam wanted to give me a message" Trish said.
"I know….I overheard it while I came to check on you a couple of hours ago….how many times have you listened to it?" Randy asked with a small smile.
"Too many times" Trish laughed. She turned in his arms and snuck her hands around his neck.
"You know….it's been awhile since we were able to enjoy each other's company" she suggested playfully. Randy raised an eyebrow as he sent her his famous smirk. He quickly lifted her in his arms and threw her on the bed before laying down on top. Their lips met in a sweet kiss at first which quickly turned passionate. As their hands roamed over one another's body, Randy was about to remove the tank top that stood between him and Trish's bare skin, however, a knock at the door quickly pulled them apart. Both flushed and a little needy for more desperately answered the call.
"Come in…." Trish called out.
When the door opened, Trish and Randy saw their kids file into the room. Emma held Noah in her arms as Josh trotted along beside them.
"And what can we help you little people with" Randy laughed.
Emma looked to her brother who motioned for her to talk.
"Well, you guys have been pretty busy for the past couple of months and we haven't really got to spend much time with you….can we sleep with you guys tonight and you guys tell us stories like you usually do?" Emma asked innocently. Randy grabbed a pillow and placed it over his aroused member while Trish laughed at his antics.
"Sure….hop in the bed" Trish said as Josh and Emma jumped in between herself and Randy. Noah was settled on Randy's stomach, sucking his thumb. Trish would admit that she was looking forward to some along time with Randy, but looking at her family now….she couldn't complain or ask for anything more. They were together and that's all that matter to them.
An hour and half later….
Trish and Randy laughed as they remember the prank that Matt had played on Amy the first Halloween as a married couple. The two of them were so caught up in the story telling that they didn't stop after the kids had fallen asleep a half hour ago.
Randy said something and Trish laughed out loud to which Randy reached over and covered her mouth with his arm so that the kids didn't wake up. Trish quickly quieted down before hopping out of bed and running out of the room. She quickly came back, rolling Noah's crib in front of her. She placed the crib next to the bed before picking Noah up from off of Randy's stomach and placing him in the crib. After she tucked him in, she made the rounds for Emma and Josh as well before she came around to Randy's side of the bed.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him up as she led him out of the room.
"Where are we going?" he asked as he allowed her to pull him through the house. She opened the guest bedroom and sent him a naughty smirk.
"We're going to finish off what we started earlier" and with that she pulled him into the room and closed the door behind them.
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Adam sat at his desk as his mind muddled over everything he had written in the letter that he sent to both Gail and Trish. He had mailed the letters two hours ago and now all he had to do was to go through with the rest of his plan. He looked at the row of pictures that sat on his desk. Pictures of Kevin and even some with Kevin and Josh that he had taken. But most of the pictures were of he and Trish….before everything had gone so wrong. He looked at the face in the picture frame smiling back at him and he broke down. It was no longer tears, but loud, heavy sobs that escaped his body while his body shook with emotion. He was a monster who had hurt the one person he had vowed to love and protect forever. He had lost it all. He lost Trish, he lost his chances to be with Josh, he had even lost Kevin to his new "daddy" at least that's what Kevin called his mother's fiancée. No one needed him but it seemed as he desperately needed someone or something to keep afloat.
The silver colored object stared back at him for some time before he had the courage to pick it up. He rose from his seat behind the desk and made his way to the bed where he laid down. He pressed the sharp silver point to each of his wrists and slit them.
"I'm sorry Trish….I'm so sorry" he kept murmuring as he allowed the darkness to take over him as he slowly slipped away from the world to which he no longer belonged in. He would finally show her how much he loved her….by protecting her from the very essence to which caused her danger and sadness.
As the minutes ticked away and her name died on his lips, without the selfish temptations that the world around him had taunted him with, Adam Copeland could now be happy that the love of his life was happy as well. He knew that in another life, they would meet up again and next time he knew that he'd much rather have her friendship than nothing at all. Until then….life would go on without him.