Chapter 17: Phinnigan and Shane Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Ashley and the boys decided to take a little trip to Time Square to get some Christmas shopping done. Not only was she taking care of Phinnigan and Dean but she also had Shane's two sons Declan and Kenyon.
"So boys what do you think I should buy Shane for Christmas?" she asked the two older ones.
"A Spiderman action figure" Dean suggested.
"Yeah Spiderman is awesome" Declan agreed whole heartedly.
"Sorry guys although Spiderman is a great idea I think Shane is a little too old for a Spiderman action figure"
"But we aren't" Dean had a huge grin plastered on his face.
"Nope, we are the perfect age for Spiderman" Declan added vigorously nodding.
"Well how can I say no to those faces" she kissed both boys cheeks.
"You can't" Dean's grin got even wider if that was possible.
Ashley rolled her eyes at the new tag team who was trying to extort her. Dean and Declan were close in age so they seemed to bond right away.
"Fine, all you guys can pick out one toy … and I mean only one toy" she told them.
She took a peek into the double stroller Shane had purchased for the two younger boys. Phinnigan and Kenyon were peacefully sleeping, she smiled because this is how she always pictured her life having a bunch of kids running around.
"I was thinking I'd get him a new watch since he keeps complaining that Kenyon flushed his old one down the toilet" she told the boys.
"Look auntie there's the toy store" Dean pointed excitedly at the Toys R Us that was situated on the corner of the street.
"Remember only one toy"
Ashley wore a mask of ashamed annoyance. She had been doped again, she still had no idea how she ended up spending $600 on 4 little boys.
"You boys are very lucky to have such a generous mom" the lady who had rung them out had said.
Ashley opened her mouth to correct the woman when Dean spoke for her.
"Yeah we are" he replied smiling happily at Ashley.
"Let's go you little monsters before you cost me any more money" she grumbled leading the boys out of the store.
"Thank you for the toys Ashley" Declan said.
"You're welcome sweetie"
Declan elbowed Dean in the arm "you're supposed to say thank you" he whispered.
"Oh yeah … thank you Auntie"
"Ashley when is Daddy coming home?" Declan asked.
"Well he's helping to entertain the soldiers in Iraq right now honey but he'll be home in a few days"
"My daddy is over there too" Dean beamed with pride as he talked about his dad "he's the champion"
"All you boys should be very proud of your dads because they are doing a wonderful thing for those brave men and women who don't get to see their families on Christmas"
"Daddy will be home for Christmas right?" Declan asked.
"Of course, you know how much your dad loves to see you and your brother open all your gifts"
They continued shopping for a little while and when they got back home Ashley and Dean and Declan began decorating Shane's house with all things Christmas. Two days passed and Ashley and the boys waited patiently to see Randy and Shane again.
"I see the plane" Dean shouted as the huge Military cargo plane landed smoothly on the ground.
Ashley stood up and smoothed out her cream turtle neck sweater before taking Phinnigan into her arms. Both Phinnigan and Kenyon seemed to know something was going on because both boys babbled excitedly to each other. Every once in a while she heard one of the boys say Dada. Both Declan and Dean grabbed Kenyon's hand and they all walked out to greet their loved ones. Some of the other wrestling families were waiting as well. As Ashley scanned the now crowded runway she could see Chavo Guerrero's wife with their two boys Adam and Nicholas and also Chris Jericho's wife Jessica with Ash and the twins Sierra and Cheyenne. Little children ran around everywhere. As the huge metal doors of the plane opened everything seemed to stop. Wives and girlfriend's waited on baited breath to see the men they loved walk off that plane safe and unharmed. Although it was an amazing thing the wrestlers were doing there was nothing worse than waiting and worrying that something was going to happen to them in such dangerous territories. Kenyon became a little nervous of the plane, he let go of his brother's and Dean's hands and walked over to Ashley. Ashley picked him up using her one free arm so she now held both toddlers, who just stared in wonder of the huge airplane in front of them. People began to filter out of the plane. One of the first few people were Randy and his girlfriend Courtney.
"Daddy" Dean yelled excitedly running to meet his father.
Randy dropped his bags and bent down to scoop his little boy into his arms before he showered him with kisses. Then he handed Dean over to Courtney who did the same thing. Ashley was happy to see Dean happy, she knew he missed his dad terribly that whole week. She exhaled a shaky breath, she still hadn't seen Shane yet. Finally he did emerge from the plane and smiled at his make shift family. She put Kenyon down and both of Shane's boy ran to greet their dad. Much like Randy he took the boys into his arms and just held them there. Then he walked over to her and Phinnigan with both boys still in his arms.
"I missed you" he said when he reached his girlfriend "both of you"
"We missed you too … haven't we Phin" she kissed her son's cheek.
"Sane" Phinnigan said.
"Did he just try to say Shane?" Shane asked.
"Yep, he's been saying your name all week I think that was his way of asking for you" Ashley beamed at her son.
"Daddy can me and Dean go play with the other kids for a little while?" Declan asked.
"Sure you can buddy but only for a couple of minutes because we have to be heading home soon"
"Ok daddy" Declan said before taking off with Dean.
"Those two have been inseparable since Dean has been staying with us" Ashley informed her boyfriend.
"Well it's good that they both have a friend who knows the lifestyle" Shane said watching the two boys playing with some of the other kids.
"I've been thinking we should start a little daycare thing maybe even preschool and tutoring for the older kids" Ashley said "I know Randy is going to be able to part with Dean when he starts school next year and wrestlers miss so much of their kid's lives why not make it a little easier for them to have their kids around"
"That is a great idea sweetie I promise to talk to my dad about it"
"Speaking of your dad he is coming over this way" Ashley said.
"Afternoon Ashley … Shane" he greeted them "I was wondering if I could talk to Ashley for a moment or two"
Ashley and Shane exchanged worried glances. They had been lucky that Kelly hadn't pressed charges on Ashley but that still didn't mean there weren't going to be some repercussions.
"Sure Vince" Ashley said handing Phinnigan to Shane.
"What do you need to talk to me about?" she asked once they were out of Shane's range of hearing.
"My niece Kelly has taken a permanent leave of absence and I was wondering if you knew anything about it" Vince questioned.
"I'm sorry Mr. McMahon I have no idea why Kelly left" she said.
"I think that ass kicking session you gave her really scared her off" he said.
"I'm sorry Vince I have no idea …" she started but Vince cut her off.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me … Kelly has always been very manipulative ever since she was a child and it is about time someone put that spoiled brat in her place" he cracked a smile.
"So you aren't mad?" she asked surprised.
"Are you kidding me grateful is more what I am now I don't have to listen to her whine anymore"
"Why hire her in the first place if you couldn't stand her?" Ashley asked.
"As a favor to my brother and sister-in-law" he said.
"I pity you having to be related to her" Ashley momentarily shuddered.
"All I'm trying to say is now that Kelly is gone if you want to continue traveling with us you are more than welcome to" he offered.
"I'll think about it … but for right now I am enjoying my time raising my little boy but there is something I'd like to pitch to you that might make everyone a lot happier" she explained to him her whole child care idea.
"Ashley that is a wonderful idea and I am putting you completely in charge of it" he said.
"Me … Vince … are you sure?" she asked amazed that Vince would trust her that much.
"Shane trusts you and I trust my son's instincts" he said.
"Well then I have so much to do then" she got a little too excited and actually hugged Vince McMahon before running off to find Shane.
But Shane didn't seem as happy at Ashley did at that moment.
"Randy we have to find him man … if Ashley finds out I let her son wonder off she'll kill me"
"We are doing the best we can and Court said she'd buy us a few minutes" Randy said as he and Shane raced around the crowded air strip.
Phinnigan didn't seem bothered at all that he could no longer see the adults that were supposed to be watching him. He was too interested in exploring the huge air strip. He kept walking until he collided into a pair of strong legs. He was knocked onto his rear end as he stared up at the man he ran into.
"Hey there little buddy you should be more careful" John said picking the young boy up.
It wasn't until he got a good look at the boy's face did he realize he was holding his son. He had no idea what to do … so many things ran through his mind.
"Wow … Phinnigan look how big you got" he said hugging his son.
Phinnigan had no idea who this strange man who was hugging him was but even now he wasn't afraid.
"I've missed you so much" John said. Which was the truth he had missed his son so much more than he ever thought he would.
Phinnigan just laughed at him and tried to take the hat John was wearing off his head. He succeeded and placed the hat on his own head.
"Looks better on you anyways" he said pulling the hat down over Phinnigan's eyes.
Phinnigan grunted his disapproval and fixed the hat on his head. John laughed at how cute his little boy was.
"What are you doing with him Cena?" Shane asked seeing John with Phinnigan.
"He found me" John replied holding his son tighter to his chest. Now that he had found his son he was not going to give him up.
"Please John don't make this harder than it has to be" Randy pleaded with his best friend to return the boy.
"No man I haven't seen my son in almost a year and now that I have him why should I give him back"
"Because Ashley doesn't need to be upset" Randy said.
"Something can be worked out after the holidays please John don't hurt Ashley like this" Shane also tried to reason with him. But it was a half hearted argument because he sympathized with John, if Marissa took his boys away from him he wouldn't be happy either.
"What about the way she hurt me and my family by taking Phinnigan away from us" John snapped.
"John do you love Ashley?" Randy asked.
"What kind of question is that … you know I do" he replied.
"Then don't take her son away from her … both me and Shane will talk to her and see what we can do about you being able to spend time with your son but please don't do this right now man" Randy pleaded with his best friend.
"I'm so sorry" John said finally realizing what he was doing. He kissed the top of his son's head. "Daddy will you see you soon I promise"
He handed Phinnigan over to Randy and watched as they walked away. He knew he had done the right thing but now that he had seen his son again there was no way he was letting him out of his life again.
"Hey baby where did you 3 go?" Ashley asked giving Shane a kiss.
"We just walked around a little" Shane managed to get out.
"Yep, you know us guys standing in one place for too long makes us antsy" Randy added.
Ashley gave Randy a look that said she didn't believe him.
"So we should be heading out" Randy said "Christmas is in a few days and I don't know about you folks but I haven't finished my shopping"
"Rans … are you ok?" Ashley asked.
"Yep never better" Randy replied.
"Randy is right sweetie we should be leaving we have a long drive ahead of us" Shane reasoned.
"Phinney baby where did you get your hat?" Ashley asked her son.
Both Randy and Shane wanted to mentally kick themselves for not taking the hat of Phinnigan's head. Phinnigan pointed his little finger over Shane's shoulder but luckily for both Randy and Shane he was just simply pointing to the plane. Phinnigan held his hands out to Randy and Shane passed the toddler over to his uncle.
"It's so good to have you back" Ashley hugged Shane. She had her eyes closed for a few seconds and when she opened them again she found herself staring into John's blue orbs from across the runway. He gave her a weak smile and a wave before walking away.
Shane was in the drivers seat while Ashley sat next to him in the passengers seat, her head rested against the the seat and her eyes were closed.
"Ash, honey can I talk to you about something?" Shane asked.
"Go for it" she replied sleepily. She lazily opened one eye to look at him.
"Don't bite my head off please this is just an idea but ... I think after the holidays we could think about maybe letting Phinnigan spend some time with John"
She opened her other eye and looked at him like he had 3 heads. Shane stole a glance at her and swallowed hard.
"He hasn't been the same since you and Phinnigan left and it's not like I'm telling you that you have to take him back or that you even have to like him ... it's just I know how I would feel if Rissa tried to take away my boys ... I wouldn't be able to live without them"
"Why is this coming up all of a sudden?" she asked fully alert by now.
"Phinnigan wondered away from me and Randy and John found him" Shane told her.
"You let my son wander away" she wanted to scream at him but all 3 boys were asleep in the back seat.
"It was an accident Ash ... one minute he was standing with Kenyon just watching the kids play and the next moment he was gone and then when I found him with John and I saw the look in John's eyes I knew how much it must be killing him not to see his son"
"So are you telling me I was in the wrong to take Phin away?" Ashley asked.
"No, I applaud you for taking your son out of an unhealthy situation with Kelly but John loves his son and I think it could be good for both him and Phinnigan to spend a little time together ... if you don't feel comfortable with John being alone with him we can have Randy with them or something like that but I think Phinnigan needs his dad"
"I don't want to discuss this right now" she said.
"Ash ..."
"Listen I'll think about it alright but I don't want to talk about it right now" she stated.
He just rolled his eyes and bit his tongue this was the first major fight they had ever had. But he felt he was right ... he felt that a child's father should have the right to see his child whenever he wanted unless the man was a danger to the child which John certainly was not. They didn't speak for the rest of the car ride and when they finally did get back to Shane's house Ashley busied herself with the boys so she wouldn't have to talk to Shane. Finally when all the boys were tucked into bed Shane tried once again.
"John is a good man Ash" he said.
"So date him" was Ashley's reply.
"All I am asking is to consider it"
"Shane, do not take this the wrong way because I love you and it kills me that we are fighting right now but do I tell you how to raise your boys ... no I don't because I trust you and I know you would do anything to keep Declan and Kenyon safe and healthy but when you throw this all at me it makes me feel like you are doubting my parenting abilities" she explained.
"That isn't what I am trying to do Ash not at all it's just I saw how happy John looked to see Phin again and I couldn't help but feel for the guy" Shane said "you are an amazing mother and I trust in your parental abilities completely but please just think about letting Phinnigan spend some time with his dad"
"Fine I'll think about it" she huffed.
Shane grinned at her. Relieved that their first fight was over.
"What are you grinning about?" she asked.
"Well we had our first fight now we need to make up"
She just laughed at him and shook her head "You are too much you crazy man"
"I'm only crazy because I love you so much"
"I love you too Shane with everything I have" she said kissing him softly.
"I was thinking that maybe if you and Phinnigan wanted to ..." Shane started "what I mean to say is ..."
"Jesus man spit it out already"
"Move in with me"
"We would love to but I'm not having any of our boys being raised in the city so what do you say we relocate to Jersey" she suggested.
"Ashley have you ever thought about adopting again?" Shane asked out of the blue.
She looked at him funny "Don't tell me you want us to adopt a child too because that would be way to fast in the whole relationship scheme"
"No ... no nothing like that right now I was just wondering" he said.
"I'd love for Phin to have siblings but right now he needs to much so I want to wait for him to be a little older" she explained "although my father is no help with his constant pestering about wanting a granddaughter to spoil"
Shane laughed "He still won't give up on that?"
"No, I swear he thinks adopting a child is like going to the supermarket" she over embellished.
It was Christmas Eve now and Chris and Connor had flown in to help celebrate Shane and Ashley's first Christmas.
"Yeah Randy we have it all planned out I'm going to be playing Santa for Phinnigan and Dean" Shane said with mild excitement. He only wished his boys could see him play Santa but they were spending Christmas day with their mom.
Shane was doing so very urgent last minute shopping as well as picking up his Santa suit rental. He strolled down the streets casually sipping his latte and talking to Randy on the phone.
"So what did you get Ashley for Christmas?" Randy asked .
"I found this amazing diamond pendent in one of the little shops in the East Village so I bought that for her and I also got her a guitar which I had signed by the entire E Street Band" Shane smiled at what he imagined would be her reaction to the guitar.
"Dude that's awesome you know how much she loves Springsteen" he said.
"You know that fool is actually looking for houses in Asbury Park" Shane said with a sigh.
"All the more power to her I've learned not to mess with her Springsteen infatuation" Randy retorted.
"Well man I'll see ya in a few"
"Ok talk to you then"
Shane returned home about 2 hours later and as soon as he entered the house wonderful smelling aromas filled his nose. Declan and Dean ran to greet him. Both boys were covered in flour.
"What happened?" Shane asked not sure he wanted to know the answer to his question.
"We were helping make pies" Declan started
"But we ended up starting up a flour fight" Dean finished "so now we can't go anywhere near the kitchen"
"Boys go play before you get yourselves into more trouble"
The boys ran off to go play and Shane ventured into the kitchen. It was a mad house in there Ashley, his mother and sister and Randy's girlfriend Courtney and Chris's girlfriend Lilian.
"Hey baby" Shane greeted his girlfriend with a kiss.
"The men are all in the living room with the babies so take a hike" Stephanie told her brother.
"Mom, are you going to let her dismiss me from my own kitchen?" Shane asked.
"Move your butt boy" Linda agreed with her daughter.
"Fine" Shane pretended to be mad as he left.
True to her word all the men and Phinnigan and Kenyon were in the living room watching The Year Without a Santa Claus. Kenyon was sitting in Vince's lap and Chris had Phinnigan.
"Aww look at the two grandpas" Shane said.
Both Vince and Chris shot him a look saying shut up. He had a seat next to Connor on the couch and watched the movie with them. Phinnigan got down from Chris's lap and walked over to Shane and tried his best to climb up into his lap. Shane helped the toddler up and Phinnigan cuddled against Shane's chest. All the guys looked at Shane and smiled. They discussed everything from football to the business while they waited for the women to finish cooking dinner.
"I'm thinking we should give Jeff Hardy a bigger push" Shane said.
"I don't know Shane I mean that is taking a big risk the fans have been kinda iffy with him lately" Randy added his two cents.
"I think this could be good for him" Chris said.
"Me too" Vince finalized it.
"Guys enough business it's time to eat" Ashley announced "everyone to the dining room now"
The guys walked into the dining room and were overwhelmed with all the food that was spread out all over the table.
"Damn you guys" was all Randy could say.
"Get that many women in one kitchen and you are bound to get tons of food" Shane whispered to his father who nodded in agreement.
Dinner was eaten and everyone was passed out in the family room. Everyone except Shane who had to leave to take the boys back to Marissa's house. Ashley looked out the window.
"Look Phinney it's snowing" Ashley held her son up to the window so he could see the snow falling for the first time in his life. It started snowing really hard so Vince lit a fire and everyone sat around sharing stories. Randy's cellphone went off and he excused himself to answer it.
"Hello" he said answering the phone.
"Hey it's me ... right now I'm stuck at Rissa's house cause it's snowing really bad up here" Shane said "I don't think I'll make it back in time to play Santa for the kids"
"Well I can't do it cause Dean will notice I'm gone" Randy looked around to make sure no one would overhear him "I know someone who would do it but I don't think Ash would like it too much"
"Call him" Shane told him.
"Alright dude I will" he hung up the phone and called John's number.
John agreed to play Santa without even having to think of it. He wanted to be there for his son on Christmas and what better way then to play Santa. He was just counting his blessings that he had decided to spend Christmas at his dad's house in Massachusetts and not his home in Tampa. He told Randy he'd be there in about 3 hours which would be perfect because the kids would just be getting ready to go to bed around then.
"Sane" Phinnigan kept saying as he looked around for Shane.
"Baby he went to go take Declan and Kenyon home" Ashley explained to him.
"Oh" he replied "otay mama"
He went over and played with his trucks. Aurora went over to join him, at first he didn't want her to play with his trucks but he eventually shared one of his toys with her and they played quietly by themselves.
"I miss Declan" Dean pouted.
"You'll see him again soon" Randy told him.
"I don't think anyone is going to leaving here tonight I'm afraid" Courtney said looking out the window at the snow which was falling down hard by now.
"I just hope Shane is ok" Ashley said also staring at the snow.
"He's a McMahon ... they can't die it's like against nature or something" Randy said.
Everyone looked at him funny. He just shrugged and returned his attention to his son who was drawing a picture for Declan. It was amazing how those two little boys had become best friends so fast. It was getting late and everyone was starting to get tired.
"Kids it's bedtime soon" Ashley said.
"Oh no mama" Phinnigan retorted.
"Oh yes baby"
There was a knock on the door and Randy got up to answer it.
"I wonder who that could be" Randy said.
"Oh Santa come on in" he said ushering "Santa" into the room.
"Ho Ho" Phinnigan laughed upon seeing Santa.
Ashley walked over to him and gave him a relieved hug.
"I'm glad you made it through the storm" she said to who she obviously thought was Shane.
The truth was she had been very nervous about Shane driving out in that snow storm. She wished he had stayed where he was until the storm had passed but she knew he promised to play Santa and he didn't want to disappoint the kids. She leaned in and kissed him without even thinking. Randy just stood there with his mouth open, he was the only one who knew who Ashley really was kissing.
"What the hell" Ashley broke away from who she thought was Shane to see Shane standing the the door way with snow all over him.
"Shane... if you are there then who is he" she pulled off his beard and was shocked.
"... John"
A/N: I apologize for taking so long with this chapter I started writing it 2 days before Christmas with every intention of having it done by Christmas Eve or Christmas day at the latest. But things with Christmas kept me away from my computer. Then the day after Christmas we had to put Rosie, the dog I had since I was 11 to sleep and then 2 days later I lost my job and to top that all off I got sick with a bad case of the flu which I am still recovering from. But I was determined to finish this chapter and I finally did. I will try to update as soon as I can probably sometime this week. Happy New Year to everyone.