Hello, my loves! You've been waiting a while for this, I know. We went to SummerSlam and life is crazy right now. But a quick shoutout to my girls wwechristina, Tm12Brady, ClaymoreQueen6176 and GoldenGirl1920 for their love and support!
OK guys...this one will be a HARD one to read! So much emotion and sadness! (I promise there will be a happy ending, but conflict makes for a more beautiful love story in the end!) ClaymoreQueen6176, Tm12Brady and myself all contributed to this chapter! So, get your tissues and take a breath because this is INTENSE! Enjoy!
Angels In Scotland: Part 7 - The Confrontation
Jester and Christine pulled in first to the restaurant parking lot, Drew was right behind them. All three went to go inside. Drew stopped when his eyes met Christine's. He felt a pain and an anger. A different anger than he had bubbling up inside him. Suddenly he felt betrayal and loneliness. When he glanced at Jester, he shook his head at the look on his friend's face. He asked, "Phoenix?" He asked. "Tell me. You know what I mean."
Christine only gave him a stare. In the past few hours, she stopped two old friends from fighting at a cemetery and found out her beloved wanted to marry her. But she couldn't shake the pain and anger at her words. Her friend, her sister, the woman who saved her life. Cherry knew that she couldn't carry a child. That she couldn't conceive. She just told Sheamus earlier in the day about it. Yet, he still loved her and wanted to marry her. Her chin rattled as she tried to hold in the venom, "Drew. I can't."
Drew raised his eyebrows at her. Most of his life, Drew had a dream, more like a nightmare. He dreamt of a raging fire, things falling around him. Being hurt in the flames. A picture of a man and woman, being torn up as he heard an evil laugh. He never recognized the picture. It wasn't anyone he knew.
Until Christine took the Angels and the guys home to Cleveland one year prior. There in the old cemetery, after it closed, on a cold November day, she told them all about her past. When she brought out the picture of her young parents, smiling and holding up their left hands showing off their wedding rings, he gasped. He dreamt about her. The couple were her parents. Drew went back to Scotland for an ICW event he told Jester.
He made up his mind not to tell Cherry about it. Though she was aware and had been told about their strange connection before, he didn't want her upset or even think that the two Geminis had anything between them other than a brother and sister love. A family bond put together after Christine's loss. She didn't dare say a word. She was trying in vain not to let Cherry's words fester. She knew she had to confront her, but Drew needed to hear Randy's side before any of that could happen. She shook her head and said, "I'm fine. Drew, I'm fine. We got business to take care of."
Inside the restaurant, Cherry sat with her mind in a whirl. Her fiancé had walked away from her, she had said some words to Christine she wished she could take back, and he had learned that her tormentor was here in Scotland to ruin her wedding. Her brain still in the fog from her panic attack. But mostly, she was worried about Christine. By now, she knew that Adam Ridge was in the country looking for them. Lady sat beside her and patted her knee, "You holding up OK?" She sighed, "No, not at all. Why do I feel like my whole life is over?"
She put her arm around her and said, "It's not. It's only beginning. Once Drew comes back, you guys can make up and you'll live happily ever after with your babies." Cherry said, "I've never seen him like that though. It was like he lost all trust and faith in me. I just don't know where I stand anymore." Denise looked over at her friend, the young, naïve girl she had helped when she first moved to Nashville and watched become a confident, kickass woman.
Seeing her doubting her future hurt, so she just said as she stood with Randy, "It's simple, Cher. You stand beside him and fight for your love." Randy looked at the raven-haired beauty in front of him and realized he really owed Cherry for his happiness. Had she not pushed them together with that "distraction", he would not have the life he had at that moment. He simply said lowly as he took her face in his warm hands, "I love you." She looked into his eyes, ready to tell him the big news, "I love you too…"
But that moment was short lived when Drew, Christine and Jester come barreling back into the room. Drew scanned the room and saw Cherry with the wounded and sad look on her beautiful face. His heart skipped a beat and longed to run to her and tell her how much he loved her. But before that, he needed to hear Randy out. Hearing Stu tell him what he had observed on the plane reenforced what Randy had initially said. It was time to see if this Viper could truly be trusted.
"Alright Randal…start talking. Tell me why I should even bother listening to you and why I should trust a word you have to say.", Drew spits at Randy and he sighs, releasing his hold on Denise to face Drew. Nodding, Randy says, "I deserve that. I don't blame you for it. But your whore of an ex-wife is coming here with fucking Corbin and Madcap to ruin everything for you guys.", he begins and Drew snorts with a shake of his head, not believing it.
This angers Randy and he realizes that he's going to have to be firmer if he's going to get Drew to trust him at all. "Dude, they're here to sabotage everything! When she heard that you wanted to marry Cherry here, she blew a fucking gasket. She…they are here to ruin that and she plans on trying to win you back. Whatever the fuck that means. She's fucking psychotic in thinking that you'd ever go back to her. I was a fucking dumbass to even let her manipulate me a second time.", Randy tries to explain.
"Tell me why I should believe anything you've said just now! You held me hostage. You beat on me and treated me like shit when I've done absolutely nothing to you. You're the one who fucked my wife and helped her screw me over and do terrible things to me!", Drew roars back, but Randy stands his ground. "Because I've been hurt and fucked over by her too! She's lied to me more than you can even imagine. I just found out that fucking bitch lied to me about not stealing my goddamn title 10 years ago! Just like she stole your family's crest from you when you were in such a vulnerable time in your life. She's broken us both down to nothing, Drew. She…", Randy stops short then releases a deep breath,
"She lied to me about being pregnant with my child, Drew. She lied to me about being pregnant at all to keep me around so I could do her dirty work. That's one of the lowest things you can do to a man, and I know you know I'm right. That's why I'm here to warn you guys and help you to stop them because they won't stop until Taryn gets what she wants. And that's Cherry gone for good with you back in her clutches!", Randy struggles to get out and Denise gasps at hearing what that whore has done to the love of her life. Drew stood taken aback by what he had heard.
"Randy…", Denise begins and grabs his hand, turning his attention onto her, "…how come you never told me that before? How could you not tell me that she lied to you about something so personal and so life changing?", she begs him to answer her. "Because Denise. It's not something I'm proud of. I thought I was going to be a father and I was so excited about it too. Only to just have all of that ripped away from me and left me with absolutely nothing but pain, despair and rage," Randy replies, shaking his head, looking down at Denise with agony in his eyes.
Reaching her hands up, Denise frames Randy's face within her hands, "I'm so sorry that she did that to you. You don't deserve to have that done to you. No one deserves to have that done to them. Just know that I'll never do that to you. I'd never lie to you about being pregnant with your child.", she tells him quietly, passionately and her tone has Randy looking down at her with confusion dancing in his eyes.
"Denise…why are you telling me this? We've never talked about…", Randy says and then thinks back to when she was straddling him on the plane, just before they made love for the first of many times on that flight when he absentmindedly rubbed his thumbs along her belly. The reaction she had to him doing that. Looking down, Randy reaches out and grasps Denise by the hips.
Denise can see the wheels turning in Randy's head and she smiles, grabbing his hands, guiding them to her lower tummy. She can hear Cherry, Lady Christina and Christine all gasp, finally grasping what Denise is trying to tell Randy, but she ignores them. She keeps her attention on Randy. His eyes suddenly widen and dart up to meet hers while a huge smile graces his handsome face, "Wait Denise, are…are you…pregnant?", Randy whispers, his voice catching and she nods her head, beaming up at him.
"Yeah. You're gonna be a daddy, Randy. I have the sonogram pictures back at the hotel. I'll show them to you when we get back so you can see your little boy or little girl.", Denise whispers back, tears beginning to brim her eyes. Randy keeps one hand on her tummy and the other frames her face, pulling Denise in for a kiss. "I can't believe I'm gonna be a father. I'm actually going to be a dad," Randy breathes a laugh, pressing another kiss to Denise.
Cherry was still upset, but she was very happy for her friend. She got up to move to the other part of the room, allowing Denise and Randy to have their moment. But her way was blocked by Christine. Cherry stared her down. She never wanted to think ill of her best friend, but she couldn't shake the feeling. What if Christine's bond with Drew really was stronger than hers? What if he felt he made a mistake and went after the wrong Angel?
Cherry choked on the thought of her doing this. But too many things added up in her mind. She suddenly went back to the night of the fight Drew had in the bar lot after two guys tried to rob him. did Drew follow her home? Then, she thought about the night she wanted to tell Drew about her pregnancy, only to have Christine bring the crest over and steal that moment, even if unintentional. But what had her ire the most was her drunken moment on the plane. She spilled everything to Drew about their stupid antics and wouldn't stop, even when she was asked repeatedly to.
That flame of anger grew as she caught Drew's gaze again. Drew blinked his eyes at Cherry, not knowing what to say. He loved her. He loved her more than he put into words. But now, his impulsive anger had interfered with his happiness. He left her standing there when all she did was try to get him to listen to reason. The hurt in her green eyes was apparent, and he didn't know if he could ever forgive himself for putting it there.
Christine walked up to her, "Cherry, oh my God! Stu called Drew and…" Cherry hissed, "Spare me the concerned sister shit!" Christine stiffened, "Cher! What?" Cherry let all the hurt surge out, "You! It's always about you! Cut the innocent crap with me! Everyone loves you. You and Drew and that bond you share! So strong you couldn't resist hurting him and me with those stories about our Vegas trip! You know how he gets when he gets jealous and yet you wouldn't stop! Was that your plan? To ruin our relationship before we even touched down in Scotland?"
Now Christine shook her head. Tears burned her eyes, "Cherry, please. I don't know if it's hormones, or stress but you need to calm down. It's not healthy for you or the babies." Cherry hollered, "Why should I be calm when you're trying to steal my man!" Shocked at the accusation, Christine was flabbergasted, "What? No. I'd never! Cherry, you know me! Oh my God, never!"
Cherry bit out, "Sure! I see how you look at him. Just last week, you were saying how handsome Drew looked on that interview. How he smiles and it lights up a room." Christine shook her head in disbelief, "Because he made all those kids happy. Cherry, I can't believe you! Me, of all people." Cherry hollered, "Yeah, you of all people! I saved you! I gave you my blood. And this is what I get? And you were true to his word! You got him back here. Just like you said you would. He sure as fuck trusts you more than me! Congratulations!"
Christine angrily wiped tears away, "I didn't convince him! He wouldn't listen to me neither! Or Jester! He only came back when Stu finally got a hold of him and told him about those assholes on the plane! But let me ask you. Does it feel good to hurt someone? How dare you say I should have Drew's children when you know I can't?" Cherry screamed, "You know damn well I didn't mean it like that!" The room fell silent. Sheamus only watched stunned.
"Yeah! That's right everyone! I can't give him a child because I'm damaged goods!" She looked across the room at Sheamus. Hurt was etched on his handsome face, "Stephen, I'm so sorry I can't be the woman who can give you anything other than heartbreak." "No!" Sheamus wailed, walking across to her, swallowing the lump in his throat. He glared at Cherry, then looked back at Christine. He held her tightly to him.
"Ya know I love ya, woman. Yer not broken or damaged or any of it. I wanna grow old with ya. All those times I slept, and you'd confess yer love. I heard all of it, Lass." Christine sniffled, "Stephen. Stop." He refused to listen to anymore, "Nah. I won't stop. Yer my heart, my breath, damn it yer my life, Phoenix! Yeah, I wanna marry ya."
A malice took over Phoenix as Sheamus said those words. She had once told him that she had an evil lurking inside of her since the fire. It was now unchecked and it had Cherry in its crosshairs. She pushed Sheamus over to the side and was ready to unleash, "Now you've crossed a fucking line." Cherry shot back, "So what? Are you going to hit me? A pregnant woman?"
She sneered, "Oh no. That's too easy. Let me tell you a little story. One I had promised never to tell. You say I want Drew? I could have had him. Remember the bar fight? He almost got carjacked? Oh, course you do." Drew knew he needed to step in before things got worse, "OK Phoen. That's quite enough. Let it go." Cherry waved her hand, "Oh no! Let her tell me all about it! I feel like I need to hear this!"
Christine didn't hold back, "Drew kissed me. And I mean he KISSED me. So, all those times you told us about his lips, and his amazing kisses? I nod because I've tasted those lips! I had those big, strong arms holding me. I understand when you say he makes you feel safe. I felt it too." Cherry barely breathed out, "What?" Drew warned her, "Christine, I said that's enough!" Kevin demanded, "Phoenix, stop this now!"
She shook her head in defiance and looked Cherry right in the eyes, "Oh, and he wanted to fuck me that night. Yeah, honey! Me and him in front of my fireplace!" Christine sighed, her tears stopped, and she grew nasty, "And know what? He was so weak with wanting you! He yearned for you and thought he couldn't have you. I could've done it. I yearned too. Hell, I survived a fucking fire! Don't I deserve something?"
Everyone couldn't believe their ears. Lady Christina only grabbed Kevin's hand. She explained, "Christine told me about this other side. The evil. The hurt." Kevin sighed, "I don't know what to do, Lady. This is bad! Are we going to even have a team or friendships after this?" She squeezed his hand, "She needs to release this. I know it sounds horrible. Phoenix needs to purge this."
Cherry was sobbing, "Christine! How could you? Both of you? And you never told me!" Christine screamed, "How could I? I didn't! Because my love and respect for you and for Drew outweighs any one nighter I could have had! That night, when you left my place, I dreamt about the two of you, getting married having children. Nothing about it involving me." She started to come out of that dark place as she saw the devastation in Cherry's eyes, "Cherry, all I've ever done is be there for you. I told you I'd protect your babies. Just like Kevin and Lady's child. I'd kill to protect them, just like I would for you and for Lady."
Drew had come back to listen to what Orton had to say. But this altercation was way more than he bargained for. He couldn't believe his ears. These two women were closer than sisters in their bond, but they had just laid into each other like mortal enemies. He knew he had to set things right for both of them.
Denise had come to Cherry's side. She tried to guide her to a neutral place as she said, "Cher, come over here. Both of you said some nasty, unnecessary things to each other. Let's cool things down." Cherry, full of tears, hurt and fury, cried to her, "When I said that, I wasn't even thinking about her condition, Denise! I was just hurt and frustrated. And after hearing Adam Ridge was on the country, I was worried about HER! But goddamn, now I know how she feels! Jack, Sheamus, everyone in this room I offended! I'm sorry! I guess I'm a terrible person when someone hurts me!"
Denise rubbed her arms, "Cher, you are not a terrible person! But you need to calm down. The babies…" Christine, realizing the impact of her words and feeling terrible about her tirade and revelation, tried to apologize, "Cher! Oh god! I'm so…" Denise put her hand up, "Christine, no! Please just give her some time! You just threw a lot of unnecessary shit at her that she was not prepared for. And you weren't here when she had her panic attack." Christine blinked, "Panic attack? Oh no! I just…" Denise was insistent, "Please just walk away and leave her be for right now."
As Denise walked a dejected Christine away, Drew came to Cherry and and tried to take her hand, "My Love, listen to me…" Cherry jerked her hand away, angry and hurt, "Don't you dare fucking touch me! I don't want to talk to you, Drew!" Drew yelled, "Well, ya need ta hear what I have ta say, damn it! That kiss happened that night because I thought I couldn't have ya! I wanted ya and loved ya even then! I wanted ta kiss ya that night!"
Cherry railed at him, "So you just had to kiss someone and decided my best friend would do in my absence?! I can't believe any of this! You left me, Drew! You left me just standing here crying for you to come back and talk to us! Are you going to run away from me every time things get rough? You shut me out! And now, I have to hear this bullshit? How dare you? Leave me alone!" Stu got up and took a pleading Drew by the shoulders and led him away, "Mate, come on. You need to let her process this. You guys will be fine!"
Lady said, "Guys! All of us need to calm down! We are all supposed to be a team and we have a big problem. We have the real enemy here and they could be on their way if they found out where we are! We need a plan!" Kevin stepped up, "Lady is right. We can resolve these personal issues after, but we need to stick together."
Stu and Randy looked at each other. Randy said, "I told you before I'm here to help." Drew walked over to Randy and nodded, "I never thought I'd live ta see tha day I'd fight alongside ya." Randy huffed, "You and me both. But I meant what I said. I want to make things right with you. But you need to set things right with Cherry before me. She was in a pretty bad way when you left. That Phil fucker must've done a number on her."
Drew nodded and walked over to Sheamus and Jack. He looked at them and shrugged, "I really fucked things up, didn't I?" Jack embraced him, "Nothing that cannot be fix, mate. True love always wins, right?" Drew distantly said, "I hope yer right, Jack. I don't want to live without her. She's my everything. And my babies…"
Sheamus clapped him on the shoulder, "I was shocked by the things that were said, but I know neither of them meant it. And Lady is right. We all have to stick together." Christine looked around and noticed something, or more like someone was missing. She got a terrible, sinking feeling as she looked around. She panicked as she said loudly, "Guys! Where is Cherry?"
Cherry had run outside the back of the restaurant in a crying fit. She felt like her entire world and life was crumbling down at her feet. Nothing she knew and loved was as real or safe as she thought. Words were said on anger on all sides that would be hard to take back. She needed air to breathe. She paced, trying in vain to think of something to do that would make the situation better. She put her hands up to her face, crying harder than before, "It's hopeless! I've lost everything!"
But then her world completely shattered. Fear struck her like a lightning bolt and her breath was stolen. Because she heard that voice behind her. That cold, nasty, deep, hellish voice that plagued her nightmares since she was a teen. Phil Rumsfeld, all 6'4" of him, with his short brown hair and cold, hard brown eyes, sneered at her icily and said, "Looks like you're still running away. Aren't you...Leslie?"