By the time she got to Toronto she wanted to smash her head off of a wall if it had been one plane ride it would have been fine but she had to fly to Georgia to drop Talon then pick up another plane to get to Canada. By the time she met up with Randy in Toronto she was tired and irritable a very deadly combination.
"Hey Brat" Randy said as he hugged her "what the hell happened to you"
"Randy I cut my hair that is it now can we please leave I'm tired and I have been on two planes" Ashley said irritably
"Like I don't get enough of that with Trish now you have to start with me too" he replied in a hurt tone
"Randy I'm sorry I'm just tired can we please leave?" she apologized
"Sure let's grab your stuff and head out" he said
Randy knew that she was going to be pissed that John was also staying with them but he had nothing to do with it that was all Trish. He was praying that she didn't kill his pregnant wife but knowing Ashley she'd lock herself in the room given to her till the trial and then leave right after.
"So how are you feeling?" Randy asked
"Why does everyone keep asking me that I am fine" she snapped
"Ok I was trying to be nice" he said
"Yeah well don't I want my Randy not some impostor" she said
"Oh this visit is going to be so much fun" Randy mumbled to himself
"What was that?" she asked
"Oh nothing" he replied
Much to Randy's relief Ashley fell asleep halfway to Trish's house which was a good thing like he had said before he wasn't to thrilled to have two women yelling at him all the time. Although Randy and Trish were married the both kept their houses and visited both often but they spent more time in the St Louis house. Anyways he pulled into the driveway and debated on waking her up he decided against in and carried her into the house. Randy smirked and the thought well she is going to kick my ass anyways why not at least make it worth it. He yelled to John so that he could hand Ashley to him so that Randy could grab her luggage.
"Take her upstairs and pray that she doesn't wake up anytime soon" Randy told him.
John nodded and took his ex fiancée into his arms. He noticed her new look and cringed a little bit he had always loved her long hair but like everything else that was gone as well. Since the breakup John had turned bitter, he was resentful of her leaving him and just as mad at himself. He never smiled anymore or laughed he went to work did what he had to do then just went back to his hotel room and brooded. He carried her upstairs and into the room where she would be staying. He placed her gently on the bed and covered her up as he had done a million times before.
"John" she whispered as he was leaving
He stopped and thought for a second that she was awake and wanted to talk to him but she turned in her sleep so he left the room. It killed him to see her again even is she was sleeping knowing that she hated him was enough to break his heart. He went to his own room and just laid on the hoping to die. He was tired but he couldn't sleep so he left his room and went into the kitchen to find Trish eating an ice cream sundae.
"What's the long face?" she asked
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea" John said slumping into on of the chairs
"You want her back don't you?" she asked
"Of course I do I love her with all my heart" he replied
"That's debatable" she said
"If I can just get her to talk to me maybe I can explain" he said
"Good luck this maybe my hormones talking but if I were her I'd tell you to drop dead" Trish said
"Gee thanks Trisha that makes me feel so much better" John replied
"John you are one of my best friends so is Ashley I just want to see you both happy" Trish said
"Trisha do you have any cheese curls I'm craving them really bad" Ashley said walking into the kitchen. Her eyes widened when she saw John.
"W...what is he doing here?" she asked
"Well Ash you remember you fiancée John" Trish said
"My ex fiancée" Ashley replied
"Well you see it's kinda a funny thing his son's biological father is trying to sue him and his ex fiancée for custody of their 9 month old son an angelic little boy you might know him his name is Talon" Trish replied
"I can't handle this right now" Ashley said walking out of the kitchen
"Ash wait can we please talk" John pleaded as he grabbed her arm to turn her around
"There is nothing left to say" Ashley replied yanking her arm from John's grasp.
"I still love you" John said
Those words hurt more than anything else that he could have said. She wanted to believe him so badly and run into his arms and never let go but her anger took over.
"If that were true John you would have never cheated on me" she said before walking away and slamming her bedroom door.
Ashley collapsed to the floor and sobbed why did this have to happen she was trying so hard to get her life back together and now he has to come and ruin it if he only knew what she did. There was a knock on the door.
"Go away" she yelled
"Brat it's me Randy and I swear I had nothing to do with this" he said
"Fine come in" she said
Randy came and sat down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried.
"He's hurting just as much as you are" Randy said
"You know what kills me is he says he still loves me but he knew what he was doing when he was being unfaithful, if she had kissed him I'd understand but he slept with her more than once" she cried
"I think you should talk to him and see what he has to say" Randy told her
"It hurts too much to even look at him right now" she said
"You are going to have to speak to him eventually if not for you then for your family no matter how much you want to deny it you are still a family no matter what" Randy said
"Yeah and what if we loose Talon?" she asked
That fear had always been at the back of her mind but she had to ask now because tomorrow it could become a reality.
"You have to think positively" he said
"I love you Randy" she said
"I love you too Brat now you must be really tired so go take a nap or something I'll call you when dinner is ready or if you want you can eat up here" he suggested
"Yeah ok" she said
Randy watched as she pulled her headphones and climbed into bed she closed her eyes and seemed to be relaxing. He left her and returned to his wife and best friend.
"She's ok now" he said "she's relaxing"
"Do you think she'll speak to me?" John asked
"Not tonight her emotions are out of control right now but hopefully after you are finally able to adopt Talon tomorrow you can get her to listen to you" Randy said
"He must be so big now I have seen him in 2 months" John said
"He is walking a little now and he says a few words" Trish told him "He calls Randy Coco"
"What the hell" John said with a small laugh
"Did i just hear a laugh maybe there is hope for you yet now like I was saying he calls Randy Coco" she said "we think it is because he hears RKO a lot so he calls Coco because they sound alike"
"What does he call you?" John asked
"Tata" Trish replied "and he just learned how to wave bye bye he is so cute"
"My mom told me that she talked to him on the phone the other day" John said
"Really must have been a long conversation" Randy joked
"Shut up Coco" Trish said
"Don't call me Coco I'm not a poodle" he said
Trish just laughed and shook her head sometimes men are just too cute and this was one of those times.
"Randy I'm hungry why don't you go make dinner" she suggested
"So you want me to order a pizza?" he asked
"Yeah sure whatever" she said waving him away
"How does it feel know know in a few months you are going to have a baby?" John asked
"It's amazing" Trish replied. She bit her lip in fear of saying something else
" I wanted Talon to have a few brothers and sisters but I guess that isn't going to happen" John said sadly
"Maybe it just might" Trish whispered softy to herself.
John hadn't noticed that she said something or if he did he didn't say anything. The pizza came about 20 minutes later. Trish made Ashley a plate full of food and brought it upstairs to her after dinner was over. She heard the faint sound of singing as she walked closer to the room.
"Someday I will understand in God's whole plan and what he's done to me. Oh but maybe someday I will breathe and I'll finally see. I'll see it all in my baby." Ashley was singing along with the radio. She was looking out the window so she didn't see Trish enter the room.
"Didn't realize you were a Britney fan" she said
"I sing it to Talon before I put him to bed" she replied looking still out the window.
"Never pictured you singing pop music to your son" she said
"Yeah well I never pictured myself doing a lot of things that I do now" Ashley replied
"I brought you food" Trish said holding up a plate. On it was a peanut butter sandwich, reeses pieces, pizza, cheese curls and oreos.
"Aw Tris I love it when you cook" Ashley said sarcastically
"Hey you try getting all this food without being noticed" Trish retorted
"You know I love you for it" Ashley said
"Sometimes I wonder" Trish said as she sat down on the bed.
"So have you and Randy picked out any names?" she asked
"Yeah Tyler if it's a boy and Adriana if it's a girl" Trish replied
"Good names" she said "I like the name Christian for a boy and Isabella for a girl"
"Hey let's watch Crossroads" Trish suggested
Ashley sighed but agreed Trish went to go get it and Ashley got comfortable on the bed. She would never admit it to Trish but she really like the movie Crossroads she had seen it in the theaters with her cousin Carissa. They both cried at the part when Lucy's mother told her she never wanted her for Ashley it hit a little too close to home they were both exhausted by the time the movie was over that they fell asleep. Randy walked into the room and smiled. He picked Trish up and brought her into their room.
Ashley woke up at 5 the next morning she was the first one up she thought out every way that Talon's father could possibly try to take him away from her. Sighing she got up and headed for the shower. The instant the hot water hit her body she relaxed she could have spent all day in the shower but there was a banging on the door. Of course John let himself in.
"Seriously Ash hurry up or I'm getting in there with you" he said
"Yeah like that will ever happen again" she said "and what are you doing up so early"
She looked out at John through the shower curtain he was sitting on the toilet waiting for her to finish her shower.
"You aren't the only one worried about making a good impression" he said
Ashley finished her shower and John handed her a towel. She was walking out when she heard him yell because he had just stepped into a cold shower and Ashley couldn't help but laugh. She dressed in a white button up shirt and a black skirt that went to just below the knee. She was just finishing brushing her hair when John walked into her room. He seemed to be shivering.
"You are a bitch" he said his teeth chattering
"Aw did John have to take a cold shower" she taunted him "I'm sorry I thought you might enjoy it" She was now standing in front of him with her arms crossed.
"So is this how it is going to be from now on?" he asked
"Yeah" she replied
"Do you think maybe we can talk after the hearing I realize it won't change anything but if you would just hear me out" he pleaded his eyes were so full of misery and sadness Ashley almost felt sorry for him.
"So you can tell me that is was all just a big mistake and you have regretted it since it happened well that isn't good enough John, do you have any idea how much you hurt me no and you never truly will until you find someone who you fall madly in love with and they cheat on you only then will you know what it feels like to pick up the broken pieces of your heart and try to move on" she snapped
"Like you haven't moved on with my cousin right" he accused
Ashley couldn't take it she slapped him hard in the face. He just stared at her in shock that she had actually hit him.
"I can't believe that you actually think I would do that Marc has been nothing but a friend to me since we broke up he listened to me when I cried at all hours of the night because I was so upset" she yelled
John wouldn't look at her not that she expected him to because she knew him all too well he was caught being an ass she put him in his place and now he wouldn't look at her because he knew he was wrong.
"This whole game is getting to be too much John" she said
"Well if you'd just let me explain maybe things wouldn't be so bad" he replied
"I can't" she said
"What?" he asked
"I can't go through all this again just to get my heart broken in the end I know that you'll promise never to hurt me again but you see John you already did and it is going to take me a long time to be able to look at you the same way" she said
"Well I should go get ready" he said walking to the door
"Yeah you should" she replied.
The ride to the court house was silent Ashley sat up front with Randy and John and Trish were in the back. Randy was playing around with the stations until one came on that was playing Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson's Where you are and Trish threatened his life if he changed it. Trish began to sing happily along with the song because it was one of her favorites and convinced Ashley to sing along with her. Trish sang Jessica's part and Ashley had Nick's. Ashley could feel the tears gathering behind her closed eyelids. She had always wanted the love that Nick and Jessica shared and for a while she thought that she had it. They pulled up the the court and she quickly brushed the tears away. There were television cameras all over the place as soon as they stepped out of the car they were swarmed. John put his arm protectively around Ashley and helped her walk into the building.
"Thanks" she said
"No problem" he said offering her a small smile
John and Ashley had a seat next to Lucy both Ashley and John attorneys were present. Along with Randy and Trish they also had Marc, John's parents, and about half the WWE.
"I think we have enough character witnesses" Ashley whispered to Lucy. She offered her a weak smile but Ashley could tell she was as scared as they were.
Judge Andrew Forester walked in and the bailiff told him which case it was and what it was about. Ashley looked over to see a big Talon's father being lead into the courtroom he was handcuffed and his feet were in shackles. He was tall and muscular like John but he also looked very dangerous. Ashley was intimidated but she wouldn't let anyone know that.
"District Attorney Michael Driscoll for the defendant" Talon's father's lawyer said
John's attorney would be taking the case Ashley's was there for moral support or if the other attorney messed up she would step in.
"James Turner for the plaintiffs your honor" John's lawyer said
"Be seated everyone" Judge Forrester said
Michael began the questioning and of course his first victim was Ashley but because she was almost in her second year at Stanford she knew what was being asked of her and how to answer.
"Ms. Harris how long has the child been living with you and you ex?" he asked
"For about 6 months" she replied
"In that 6 months time has he adjusted to living with you?"
"Yes" she answered
"Do you think you have what it takes to take care of him?"
"Yes I do"
"How old are you?"
"19"
"Why is it that you broke up with your ex fiancée?"
"He was unfaithful"
"Has the baby ever witnessed you and Mr. Cena fighting?"
"No we rarely ever fought but no he never witnessed it"
"You where there the day the baby's mother was killed correct?"
"Yes I held her hand as she died"
"What is it that Mr. Cena does for a living?"
"He is a professional wrestler"
"Has he ever been violent to you or the child?"
"I have never seen John raise his hand to anyone and no he has never abused me or Talon"
"What is it that you do?"
"I'm a student at Stanford Law School and I work at a legal aid clinic that specializes in foster care and battered women"
"So you are trying to become a lawyer?"
"I don't see how that is relevant but yes I am"
"No further questions your honor" he said.
James was up next Ashley had met with him before so she was basically putting all of her trust on him.
"Hello Ashley"
"Hello"
"Where is Talon right now?"
"He is with my father in Atlanta right now"
"How do your and John's families treat Talon?"
"They treat him like he was a member of their family"
"Who does Talon live with?"
"He currently lives with me and my roommates in California"
"Why is that?"
"John and I thought it would be better if Talon lived with me until I finish school that way he could be with one parent instead of going from John to relatives while John travels for his work"
"You and Mr. Cena love that little boy correct?"
"John and I love Talon as if he was our own son we would do anything for him"
"No further questions"
Ashley left the stand and took her seat John was questioned next and he basically got the same questions then Talon's father who Ashley found out name was Greg Reed was brought up to the stand. His lawyer went easy on him but that was expected. James was up and Ashley knew it wasn't going to be pretty.
"Mr. Reed is it true that you hired your brother to kill your son's mother?" James asked
"That ain't never been proven" he replied
"How old are you?"
"18"
Ashley was shocked she had thought Greg was older than she was.
"Why are you in jail?"
"I got busted for drug trafficking and then I beat the officers who tried to arrest me till they were near death" he replied nonchalantly.
"Why is it that you won't let my clients adopt your son you are serving a life sentence?"
"I want him to be raised by his real family" he replied
"Greg your mother is already raising 3 children of her own plus 2 grandchildren how is going to manage another on that isn't fair to her or Talon"
"No further questions your honor" James said sitting down.
"I'm going to think about this and I will give my ruling when I return" Judge Forrester said before returning to his chambers.
An hour later he finally came back out John had gotten so bored he and Randy were playing tic tac toe but they stopped when the judge returned.
"This is a very difficult case because we have two loving parents against genetics, but I have made my decision I award full custody of Talon to Miss Harris and Mr Cena"
Ashley wanted to cry when she heard the ruling after all this time they could finally adopt Talon and make him really their son. John seemed chocked up as well but he controlled himself better than Ashley. After hugging practically everyone in the court room Ashley went over to thank the judge.
"You honor thank you so much" she said
"My wife and I have 3 adopted children each one of them is a blessing take good care of that little boy" he said shaking her hand.
The day she had been waiting for had came and passed but why didn't Ashley feel as happy as she should, Maybe because John wasn't around to celebrate.