Hello, my loves! Thank you to everyone that reached out to me about the last chapter. It was not easy to write, but it helped me so much to get out. If it helped anyone else that has been in my situation, that means it was all worth it. As always, love to my ladies wwechristina, Tm12Brady, GoldenGirl1920 and ClaymoreQueen6176 for your unwavering support and inspiration!
OK, now let's find out what is next for our heroes! Things are about this get interesting to say the least... So proud of this chapter! ClaymoreQueen6176 really gave me some incredible material to expound upon! Enjoy!
The Crest
The Diamond Building
Over three and a half weeks after she came out of her coma, Christine was finally starting to feel better. Her strength was close to being back fully, and her sarcasm was back to being on high display. She often tried to joke with Drew about him allergy to underpants, but his mood seemed to be dark and brooding lately. Not that she blamed him.
It had to be tough for him to not only learn that Taryn was released on bond, but that Cherry's awful ex had been the one bank rolling her pursuit of a reunion by force with Drew. For her part, Cherry had been unusually quiet about the whole situation. Only she, Drew and Sheamus knew that Cherry suffered from PTSD due to the treatment she had received from Phil Rumsfeld. Although she managed it well, the mention of his name could trigger a panic attack. She suffered one the night Drew woke her up and told her Sheamus' news, but he was able to soothe and calm her down.
Christine was walking around playing with the dogs when she saw Sheamus' computer and surveillance equipment running. It meant one thing: the Irishman was on the trail of someone. Sheamus told her about how her ex-husband and Drew's ex, the infamous Taryn, were sprung from prison by Cherry's one time lover. Sheamus found him in Florida, apparently living off of a widow's millions.
Christine sat is Sheamus's big chair, on a whim looking at the website that was filled with collections of antiques, sports items and other stuff. She was shocked at how this man was overpricing his items, "$800 for an Undertaker autograph? Really? Asshole!" When she hit page four, she gasped and hollered, "Oh my fucking god! That bastard!" Sheamus ran upstairs when he heard. "Lass, are ya-" he froze at the doorway, looking at the item on the screen.
Christine whispered, "Sheamy, is this what I think it is?" He sat next to her, letting a deep breath out, "Yeah." Tears stinging her blue-green eyes. Sheamus was silent as he looked at the so called "Rare Scottish Crest" the douchebag had for sale. He looked at Christine, who had her head down. She shook her head, "Sheamy, tell me it's a joke. It's a lie. I mean, Drew's dad showed me a picture of it once." Sheamus's voice lost all expression, "It's...that's it, Lass. They discovered it was lost after his Mum passed."
Christine immediately went back to that horrific night of the fire, how Taryn destroyed her life. She then stood up, groaning and walking back to the bedroom, "That fucking bitch!" He asked, following her, "Hey. What's in that head?" Christine screamed, "Isn't it obvious? She stole it! She went back with Drew when his mom was sick and…fuck her! Now that piece of shit has it up for auction! Goddamn them!"
She paced as she continued, "Sheamy, those three have done enough! Drew told me about that crest. How it had been in his mom's family for six generations. And this prick's got it there like a trinket! That whore! Took it as his family was grieving!" Sheamus shook his head, "Stop. Yer not at 100 percent yet. Give it a bit of time." She refused to listen, "I don't care that I'm not 100 percent, Sheamy. I gotta get that crest. I owe Drew for loving my sister. And I owe that bitch and my shitty ex some payback." She got dressed, looking again at the information.
Sheamus said "Why don't ya just buy it outright? Only be in stealth mode. They won't know. I don't want ya hurt." She smirked, "I won't. I'm gonna place a bid." She typed in a few things. Sheamus' eyes grew big when he saw the bid, "One million dollars?! What the fuck, Christine? Lass, maybe we should tell Kevin…" Christine pressed Send, looking at Sheamus. "Nope. Sheamy, I came this close to death. I'm not taking anything for granted. Or anyone I love for granted. This one's on the house for Drew."
Riverside
As Christine was placing the bid on the heirloom crest of Drew's family, across town at Riverside, Cherry and Drew were getting ready for bed. It was a rare day of no work for either one. Drew had a few days off being that the WWE shows were around Nashville, and Cherry had nothing to do at HQ. It was then Cherry noticed something up with Drew again. He was very quiet. Almost stoic. He had been a little withdrawn since learning the terrible truth about her past and the news about her ex and Taryn from Sheamus.
She found him out of the second-floor balcony outside their bedroom, looking out at the dusk and stars starting to appear. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and held him, "Hey, you're a little too quiet for my taste. Thinking about something?" He sighed, "It's nothing." She went around to face him at the rail, "Drew, you're not exactly good at hiding your emotions, Baby. What's in that sexy, doofy head of yours?"
He looked up, "Well, if ya must know. All that crap with Christine, her being like that. I guess it spooked me a bit." She nodded, "Yeah, me too. But I knew she'd be fine." Drew groaned, shaking his head and swallowing the lump in his throat., "Scared me a lot actually. I never knew what that evil bitch meant by burning shit up. She laughed and talked about destroying a girl's life. I thought she was drunk or something."
Cherry put her hand up, "Wait, Drew, what are you talking about?" He spat out, "We crossed paths later in life after the divorce. Much later. When I was in Impact, not long before I left fer NXT. I heard her laugh, telling the other women in the locker room about how she knew this guy who had money. Apparently, more money than me. Then she talked about destroying a weak little girl. Her husband used her." Cherry gasped and covered her mouth, "Oh God, Drew? Seriously?" His eyes met hers, "Yes! She didn't see me. I was outside the door. Cherry, she described how she tore up Christine's parents wedding picture and everything!"
Drew stopped talking suddenly. His mind went back and he started talking about the events after his mother's funeral. How the family wanted to have the crest on his mother's gravestone. But it was gone. She put her hand on his shoulder, "Drew, Baby. What's wrong?" Cherry's voice brought him back. Her arms were around his neck and she was looking up at him, "Drew, you were saying something about a family crest. Your mom's funeral."
Again, Drew shook his head, not caring when the hot tears that stung just as bad when his mom passed were down his cheeks, "She...stole...my mum's family crest." He choked on his tears. "She fucking took it, Cherry! We came back home ta see her when she was sick. It was the last trip before… Gods, she...damn it! We had ta bury Mom without that crest because that sticky fingers bitch took it! Can I prove it? No. But I just know…"
Cherry felt Drew weaken. Cherry sighed, sitting next to Drew and holding his hand looking up at him, "Hey, come on, let's sit down. The last few weeks have been rough on all of us." Drew's hands shook as he talked slowly, "She's just so...evil. I understand totally how frightened Christine felt around the flames. I wasn't physically tied down, but she broke me mentally. There wasn't actual flame and fire, but I was burned and I wear scars."
Drew laid his head back, closing his eyes, "Don't laugh at me, Cherry, I'm gonna tell you something very important." She held his hand, hoping he'd stop shaking, "First, you are not broken. You put yourself back together and made yourself whole again." He squeezed her hand, "Ya did that fer me, my Love." She faintly smiled, "And second, I'd never ever laugh at you. You know that."
He sighed, "There's times, plenty of times, myself and Christine. We...just know things. We just know. I dunno if it's because we're both Geminis, or were born in June. We just know. Too many things add up with us." She said, "Well, you both have open souls. Maybe you were related in a past life." He said, "Christine does say she's had past lives." She chuckled, "Yeah, then she says she was probably a fish or Catherine the Great."
They both laughed at the stuff their friend said. Cherry sighed, "She's crazy. I'm glad she's on our side." Drew blinked his eyes after rubbing them, "That makes two of us. Sorry I was being such a baby and putting all this on ya. I know ya haven't felt great recently, with ya being so tired lately." She said, "Really, I'm fine. I always want you to talk to me. And you're not being anything but a man who misses his mother. That's all. There's nothing wrong with that, Baby."
After she said that, Drew was overcome with emotion and kissed Cherry lovingly. He picked her up and carried her to their bed. They made the sweetest, most beautiful love they had ever made before. They came together with declarations of undying love. She woke to a text from Christine: "Out of town for the day. Be back sooner than you can say McInfart!" She gave a sleepy laugh, but then looked at the date. A wave of shock, panic, and overwhelming happiness hit her all at once. She may have just figured out why she's been so exhausted lately.
The Diamond Building
The next day, it was quiet, too quiet when Sheamus woke up late alone in their bed in the Diamond Building. Panicked given the most recent events, he got up, looking for her. The dogs were still sleeping. After he looked for her on four floors, Sheamus sat down, confused. It was then he saw his computer open, and still on Phil Rumsfeld's website, now displaying the business address of Tampa Comics & Collectibles.
He said, cursing that she had left but at the same time, couldn't be prouder of his angel, "She's gone ta get it. Damn it, I love her! She'll be back by tonight, lads...", he told the four dogs who now were running about. He sighed as he looked at his phone, seeing the same text Cherry had received, "Can't stop an Angel on a mission."
Tampa, Florida
About the same time, Adam Ridge was unlocking the store for his boss, excited about the huge bid that came in the night before, only to find the door already unlocked. He thought, no big deal. Taryn was probably already there. With his greasy blonde hair and slight frame, he called to the feminine figure in the shadow and smiled, "Taryn. Oh Taryn, my buttercup!" The woman answered, "Hmm?" He said in a nasty, sniveling tone, "We got a huge bid on that stupid crest you stole from your ex's parents' house all those years ago."
Adam didn't see the woman's hand become a fist. He also didn't see the fiery form turn to him, hitting him square in the jaw with the force of five years of pain and hurt. He fell back hard, hitting his head on the floor. The last thing he heard was laughter. It almost sounded familiar. It couldn't be. She died in that fire when the house collapsed. The police officer he knew saw a body taken from the wreckage.
As his eyes closed, she stepped into the light of the main room. Christine looked down at him, rolling her eyes, "Adam! My sweet bitch ex! It's no fun being knocked out, is it?" She took the crest from the case. She straddled his chest and pulled her hand back, jacking his jaw with all her might. She said calm as the grave, "Tell your skank girlfriend it's not nice to steal or kidnap!" She was ready to hit him again when she heard another car pull up.
When Taryn opened the locked door, everything looked normal. Until she looked where the crest once sat. In its place was a wooden bird carving. A Phoenix. Taryn had one of her usual hissy fits, screaming, "Goddamn it! ADAM! WHERE'S THE FUCKING CREST?!" She looked at the man on the floor, her lover she stole from Christine. There were cuts and marks from what looked like brass knuckles, jewels, all over his face. Taryn was too angry to realize that Christine was driving off, just her and the crest, headed back to Nashville.
The Diamond Building
Sheamus was sitting on the outer deck watching the sun slowly set as he heard the familiar roar of the dark red El Camino pull in. He looked at the dogs and smiled, "Told ya, ma would be back after sunset." He sighed, walking to meet her halfway. Christine walked into the diamond building, whistling and laughing. When the doors of the third floor opened, the Irishman was there, waiting for her with his large arms folded.
He said, "Ya didn't leave a note or nothing. Sent me a text when you were already down there." She shrugged, "I'm sorry, Sheamy. I had to act on it." She handed him the crest, "I got it." Sheamus smiled at the antique oak and golden crest of Drew's family, "Aye, ya did." Christine started to explain,
"Three years ago, the first time we met him after we started the operation, Drew's dad told me about the crest. Poor guy! Trying to maintain for his boys, keep the family together, and his wife..." She groaned.
Sheamus nodded, "Andy's a helluva man, Lass. I love him like my own Da. Yer right, Drew's Mum was so proud of this. She knew she was sick. That she, uh, was dying." Again, she groaned, "That's what hurts, Sheamy. Drew's mom. My parents. Cherry's mom. They're gone. But those assholes are still here causing chaos and hurt in their gross path! It's not fair!"
He hugged her, "Hey. Don't let them in yer head. I don't know if I can take another episode like last week." She pulled back and looked him in the eyes and knew what she had to do, "I gotta give it to Drew. Now." Sheamus eyes widened, "Lass, it's late. Have ya seen the time? Drew and Cherry are probably sleeping. Or, ya know, having relations. Don't make me say it or witness it!" Christine took the crest from him, winking, "Nope. I gotta give it to him now." Sheamus shook his head and grabbed his keys.
Riverside
At Cherry's, Drew and Cherry both lying tangled up sweaty in bed, enjoying the afterglow of their hot lovemaking. She laughed, kissing his chest, "You know, you're kind of a doofus sometimes. But I love you." Drew sat up, mocking shock on his face, "Me, a doofus? Eh, yer right. I'm your big ole doofus. And yer my Love." She sat up and decided it was time to tell him, "Well, my doofus, before you seduced me, I was trying to tell you something."
He raised his eyebrow and looked at her with that damn hot look she couldn't resist, "Seduced ya? All I did was this." He leaned over and started ravaging her neck with hot kisses and caressing her naked skin with his fingertips. She was exasperated, but completely turned on, "Drew! I need…oh god! Baby, I love it when you do that!" He chuckled as his mouth went lower, "I know."
Just as he reached his destination at her breasts, the driveway alert that Sheamus installed for Cherry went off. Drew cursed, "Fuck! Sheamo and his toys. Must be important." He got up, picking up his shorts and putting them on. Cherry, frustrated and exhausted, got her red tank top and shorts and dressed as Drew went to the door.
She came to the top of the stairs as he was letting them in, "Sheamo! Why are ya here? At this time? Ya interrupted more sexy time!" Sheamus said as Christine came through the door, "Please! I don't wanna know, fella! Ya can blame her." Christine was quiet as she walked to Drew. He couldn't believe his eyes when she handed him the crest. He recognized it immediately. He never thought he'd see it again. He stuttered, "Where...how...I mean...how?
She smiled, "Shush. Don't worry how I got it or how many times I hit the bastard. But it was six if you're counting." Drew shook his head in disbelief, "I thought this was lost. Gone. Fer good." She smiled, "Nope. Cherry's dickhead ex was trying to sell it. Let's just say, I got it back." He asked her, "But did ya pay fer it?" She shook her head, "Nope. Oh, I bid on it, but payment felt so good. Felt more like a little bit of payback. Of course, the tart wasn't there, but I'll get her in time. That's a whole bag of karma."
Drew said, putting the crest down on the table, "I should get this ta Dad. It belongs home. In Ayr with him and John." Christine suggested, "You know I got that plane, Andrew." He nodded, "I still don't believe ya on that. But I can't thank ya enough." Drew hugged Christine tightly, letting a moan out. When Christine pulled a bit from him, both smirked at their tears.
Drew blinked, "Yer probably only the third or fourth person I cried in front of." Christine said, "Well, you're probably the second or third one for me. And don't worry about owing me anything. You love my sister and make her happy. That's enough. It's on the house." He said, "Ya scared the shit outta me when you were out of it." She said, "I know. I heard everything you said. I heard everyone."
Sheamus looked up and saw Cherry sitting at the top of the stairs. She had her knees up with tears streaming down her face. He motioned for her to come down but she shook her head mouthing "No". He looked at her concerned, since her ex was mentioned in the conversation, but she waved him off. He silently nodded at her.
Cherry had sat and listened to everything that transpired downstairs. Her ex was the farthest thing from her mind. She was so happy had his family crest back, but his heart and mind were now on this. She felt like her knees had been cut out from her a little, but not on purpose. She knew her news would have to wait. She went back into their bedroom and laid down, crying into her pillow and putting her hand on her lower belly, "It's OK, little one. We'll find the perfect time to tell your Daddy about you."