Chris and Ashley hugged the boys tightly as they left them at Steve's house. It was Monday, February 20th and they were leaving for a four day trip to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. They had booked the villa last year and they had gotten permission from Dr. Ragsdale to go. "I love you boys." She said and kissed their foreheads.
"I love you mama!" Noah cried and then rushed into the play room.
Austin shifted back and forth looking up at his parents. "What's up bubba?" Ashley asked.
"Mama you're not sick anymore?" He asked looking up at her.
Ashley sighed. "I still am bubba. I just need a bit of a break." Ashley said.
"That's not fair! When I am sick I have to stay home!" Austin cried.
Ashley laughed and kissed Austin's cheek. "My sickness is different bubba. Mine is a long term one and I can't get other people sick."
Austin shrugged. "Right mama." He said in a sarcastic voice.
"Alright Austin we have to go." Chris said.
"Okay. Love you!" He cried and followed Noah.
Ashley smiled and hugged Steve. "Thanks daddy. We'll be back in a couple of days."
"Be careful." Steve growled.
"We will be. I love you daddy." Ashley said and kissed his cheek.
"I love you too." He said.
Ashley smiled and kissed his cheek. "Have fun." She said and skipped to the car.
Chris and Ashley sat on the small ferry taking them to St. John's. It was sunset and the sun was setting in a blaze of orange and red. "It's so beautiful." Ashley murmured. Chris smiled his arms were locked around her waist and his head rested on her shoulder.
"Not as beautiful as you." He whispered in her ear.
Ashley shook her head. "I am not pretty." She said.
Chris shook his head. "No you're beautiful. Don't deny it Ashley. You're just as pretty as you were the day I married you."
Ashley smiled and leaned up and kissed her husband. Chris towered over Ashley as she only stood 5'5 and he was 6 feet tall. "Do you even remember our wedding?" She asked slyly.
Chris chuckled. "You wore a spaghetti strapped sundress that was white and there was a light blue ribbon tied around it. You wore no shoes which I adored because it was so you and I had done the same knowing you would love it. Glen performed our ceremony."
"Those are simple there are pictures all over our house." Ashley said with a small smile.
Chris thought for a moment then said. "You were born to be together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in your silent memory. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heaven dance between you. Love one another, but make not bondage of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread, but eat not of the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping, for only the hand of life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together, for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in shadow."
When he finished with the poem that Glen had chosen for their wedding he looked down and saw his wife with tears in her eyes. He wiped them away and kissed both of her cheeks. "You are my world Ashley Faith." He whispered.
"You are my world Christopher Keith." She whispered back and kissed him deeply.
Chris awoke in the morning to an empty bed. "Ashley?" He called as he got out of the bed. He searched the villa but couldn't find his wife. He sighed and walked out onto the beach. Ashley sat in the warm sand her feet were being tickled by the surf. Chris smiled and sat next to her. "What are you doing up so early?"
Ashley shrugged and looked down. "Do you ever wonder why we were so right for each other?" She asked.
Chris smiled. "I know why."
Ashley with a smirk on her face looked up at her husband. "Why's that sweetie?"
Chris pulled her closer. "Because we are both crazy." He said with a smile.
"I must've been crazy to have married you!" She said with a giggle.
Chris kissed her softly. "No we were just crazy for each other."
"I am still crazy for you."
"And I you!" Chris said and kissed her deeper. It had been far too long since they had been able to just hold each other a kiss. Everything was just so crazy with the boys and Ashley's sickness they never had time for just them.
Ashley smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if you had stayed with Jess and if I married Brian?" She asked.
"No, why would I want to? I love you Ashley!" He said and kissed her deeply.
Ashley smiled and sighed. Everything was okay, she knew Chris would never hurt her and that they would be together forever.
That night Ashley sat with a huge burger and a plate of fries. For the last two months she had been following a strict diet she had decided to splurge on her vacation. "Your not suppose to be eating that." Chris said with a smile.
"Hush up you!" Ashley said as she sipped her Pepsi.
Chris smiled. "I was just messing with you sweetie." He said as he sat down and took a bite of his own burger.
Ashley laughed and smiled. "How do you think dad's doing with the boys?" She asked.
Chris chuckled. "It's bath time. So Noah's running around naked screaming he doesn't want a bath while Austin's almost drowning because he won't get out." He said.
Ashley smiled and nodded. "I love those boys. They are going to make great wrestlers some day." She said.
"What if they wanna be something other then wrestlers?" Chris asked.
Ashley shook her head. "Not my boys. They are going to be part of a dynasty that all started with you and Steve." She said and kissed him.
Chris smiled and laughed. "A dynasty?" He asked.
"Our boys are going to be second generation on your side and third generation on my side. Austin and Noah Jericho tag team champions." She said with a smile.
Chris shook his head. "I think you like wrestling way too much."
Ashley giggled. "I grew up in this profession Chris. I just wish we had a little girl who would carry on my tradition." She said sadly.
Chris hugged his wife. "Once your cancer is gone we'll have one."
"Really?" Ashley asked looking up with a smile.
"Yes really. I want more kids." He said and kissed his wife.
The third day was Ashley and Chris' anniversary. The first two days they had played tourist but today Chris sent Ashley out by herself. Ashley had her head wrapped in a white scarf, and she wore a sundress that was white too. It had reminded Chris of her wedding dress so he had bought it for her. She smiled as she walked though the small market. She loved it here and she loved feeling semi normal.
Chris stood in the kitchen cutting up vegetables and making Ashley's favorite dinner. He had found an outfit that looked a lot like his wedding one. The same type of pants and everything. He had yet to put it on as it would mean maybe getting it dinner. Chris hummed softly to himself and soon enough dinner was on. He rushed and took a shower then dressed.
He looked at the time and knew Ashley would be home soon. He plated the dinner and set it down on the patio table. He lit the candles as her heard the front door open. Ashley walked in looking beautiful. "Hello baby." He said and kissed her cheek.
"It smells wonderful in here." She said.
"I made your favorite." He said.
Ashley giggled and Chris escorted her over to the patio. "God your perfect." She said and kissed him deeply.
They were half way through dinner when Ashley handed Chris a wrapped gift. "Happy Anniversary sweetie." She said.
"Thanks baby." He said and pulled open the paper. There laid a lion necklace. It was made out of jade and gold. She had bought him one like it before but it had broken long ago. With a chuckle he handed Ashley a box. Ashley tore it open and giggled. Inside laid a lion couple made out of lapis lazuli. Ashley shook her head. Chris had given her a single lion made out of lapis lazuli for her college graduation.
"We are too much alike." She said and slipped the necklace on. Chris nodded with a smile.
"You know it baby." He said and they kissed deeply.
"I love you."
"As do I darling." Ashley smiled and grabbed her stomach in pain. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Ash you okay?" Fear creeping into his voice.
Ashley nodded and forced a smile. "I am fine." She said as she stood up. She cried out in pain and collapsed to the floor.