Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with the WWE. I also don't own the lyrics to "Against All Odds" or "Total Eclipse of the Heart." They belong to Phil Collins and Bonnie Tyler respectfully.

Author's Note: I can't believe we're here already, but this is the last chapter of this story! Thank you so much to Mattaggot, Kenndy2006, QueenofQueens, FormerlyKnownasJackie, lizzy-beth-lizzy, devin, WWECenaFan, JVottoGurl, BQuinn, x0allisonqt0x, Marrymebrandon, KityKat-1, and HappyasHell for your reviews and for your support throughout this entire story! It's much appreciated! Also, thank you to devin for giving me this challenge story. It was fun, and I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did! So, without further ado, here's the last chapter. How did Mickie's life turn out? Well, you're about to find out. Thanks, guys, and enjoy!

Chapter 11

Fourteen months later...

Mickie sighed as she sat down in the rocking chair near the window in the living room, running her hand through her hair and closing her eyes. It had been a long day, but a good one. She and her now six-month-old son, Cody, had met with Maria, Adam, Melina, and John for lunch to celebrate. With their busy schedules with the WWE, this was the first time they were actually able to all get together, but she didn't mind. Court proceedings usually took a long time, she knew, but she didn't realize just how long they could stretch out for. Shane McMahon's high-priced lawyers had only continued to push his court dates back and challenged the testimonies they had given, always finding some legal loophole to get him out of trouble.

Twelve months before- Maria Kanellis

"I knew Shane had done something to Mickie. They had been involved before, and he wasn't happy when she broke it off. Whenever I was with her and Shane was around, he would always act like he was trying to get her to sleep with him or something. She never agreed to it since she was in a relationship. But once she started acting different, I knew something had happened. She told us what he did when we were at the hospital for a pregnancy and paternity test."

The lawyers in Shane's corner had torn her testimony to shreds, getting out of Maria that the younger McMahon wasn't the only potential father of the child. The single account wouldn't be enough for a conviction anyway, and after a couple pushed back court dates, the trial continued on.

Ten months before- Adam Copeland

"I was Chris' tag team partner in the WWE at the time. We were getting ready for our match at the pay-per-view event backstage. I left my locker room and saw Shane wrenching back Chris' arm, which I knew had been giving him problems, and pulled him away. I never actually hurt him, just told him to leave. Later that same night, I had to bring Chris to the hospital because of that arm. He couldn't move it at all."

Their group had Adam focus more on the assault charge since he had witnessed it, but it still wasn't enough for Shane's lawyers. They brought up that Chris had previously threatened Shane, which provoked him. When Adam tried arguing he had never implied any bodily harm so it shouldn't have been an excuse for the attack, they didn't listen. They also added that Chris' shoulder had been injured for at least a month without Shane even touching it, so he couldn't be held fully responsible. The trial rolled on after some more delay.

Eight months before- Melina Perez

"I admit I was involved with Shane for a little while. Not something I would do again. But when he told me what he had done to Mickie, I got out of it. I was done. I don't know how much clearer I could have been. Soon after, I got back with John, my ex-boyfriend. The day of the pay-per-view event, Shane got a hold of me and said he wanted to meet about my title defense. I didn't think anything of it, so I went to his hotel room. And... he tried to force himself on me. He got a phone call, and I left. I still have the record on my cell phone from when I called John for help. You can see his phone as well."

Melina's testimony had gotten a little more attention since something had almost happened to her, but the lawyers continued to find ways around it. They blamed her for getting herself in that situation since she had gone to Shane's room, and they had also brought up her attack on him after when he had never actually done anything to her. The trial moved forward.

Six months before- John Hennigan

"I do have the record on my phone from the day of the pay-per-view event when Melina called me after Shane attempted to rape her. I got there after she had taken care of the situation herself and told him I would press charges if he got near her again.

"As for the assault on Chris, yes, I did see it. It was what Adam described- Shane attacked him without any warning. Chris was just walking, he hadn't done anything. Shane was just angry that he had been fired. I know this because I talked to Vince McMahon, his father and chairman of the WWE, about what he had done to Mickie, my ex-girlfriend. I would have separated them, but Adam got there first. Chris never fought back, nor did Adam.

"And Mickie. We had been together for a year before we broke up. Yes, it was because our relationship was rocky, but that doesn't mean I couldn't help her. When she told us about Shane, I decided to talk to Vince so something could be done."

John had been one of their most crucial witnesses since he was somehow involved with all three of the charges against the younger McMahon. But just like the other testimonies, Shane's lawyers picked his words apart, using a lot of the same arguments as they had with previous accounts. They also included John's anger at the situation and with Mickie, leading to possible clouding of judgment. With only one testament left, they managed to push the next trial date back a little more.

Four months before- Mickie James

"Before I was in my relationship with John, I was having a fling with Shane. I'm not proud of it. He couldn't let it go once I was through. And though I had kept telling him I was done and refused any advances he made, he forced himself on me one night against my will. Shortly after, I found out I was pregnant, afraid he may have been the father. He told his father about this, costing me my job so he wouldn't have to worry about being found out in case the child was his. He saved his skin until John said something to Vince. The only mistake about the situation with Shane I made was I didn't say something sooner."

Her testimony had been the most personal, the one that would really help to sway the jury's decision. But Shane's lawyers hadn't made it easy on her, bringing up like in response to Maria's account that Shane hadn't been the only potential father. They added Mickie had also made the mistake of sleeping with Chris, who had turned out to be the one the child belonged to.

The trial stretched on for about another month after that, leaving time for both sides to leave their closing arguments. Mickie had stayed in constant contact with her friends who had testified with her, only able to nervously wait for the decision of the jury as they reviewed the evidence on Shane's fate. Since the younger McMahon had such high-priced lawyers who had certainly tainted the case their way, she hadn't been expecting the results they had gotten.

Account of rape- guilty

Account of attempted rape- guilty

Account of assault- guilty

Shane McMahon would be going to prison. Mickie remembered how relieved she had been when Shane got convicted on all accounts a couple of weeks before, knowing the nightmare of what he had put her and everyone else through was truly over. She just wished Chris could have shared in their victory.

"Take a good look at me now

Cause I'll still be standing here

And you coming back to me is against all odds

It's the chance I've gotta take..."

Mickie slowly opened her eyes. The past couple of weeks had been more relaxing and enjoyable than what she had felt in a long time. It had been only her and her young son, not a care in the world. She turned to look at the wall of pictures next to her, smiling slightly when she looked at her favorite picture of her and Cody, both of them grinning broadly. Her eyes then moved to the one next to it, looking at the picture she had of her and Chris since she had first joined WWE. They both looked so happy and carefree, much different than her life had been recently.

"We got him, Chris," she whispered, her smile slowly vanishing. "We got him."

"You're the only one who really knew me at all..."

Then, Mickie gasped and quickly looked to her left when she heard a loud sound, a smile appearing on her face. Cody was sitting on the floor in front of Chris' old guitar, running his small hands over the strings a second time. He then glanced back at Mickie, a broad grin spreading across his face as he laughed. Her smile lingering, Mickie got to her feet and crossed the room before sitting on the floor next to him, running her hand through Cody's blond hair as he continued to strum the instrument.

"You really are my mini Chris," she muttered thoughtfully. Aside from loving that guitar, his hair and striking blue eyes were very similar to Chris'. He looked so much like his father.

Cody looked back at her, holding his arms out to her. Mickie pulled him close before getting to her feet, kissing the side of his head as he snuggled into her chest. "Tired, Cody?" she asked, knowing the answer already.

"Ma," Cody mumbled through a yawn.

Mickie smiled, wrapping her arms around her son tightly as she headed for the staircase. "Time for bed then, little man." She made her way up to the second floor and walked down the hallway to the door second from the end. She entered the room, immediately going to the crib set up in the middle and setting Cody down. Before long, she had him changed into his pajamas and ready for bed.

"There you go. All set," Mickie said, smiling when the young boy held her finger tightly.

Cody looked at her for a moment before whimpering and pointing at something across the room with his free hand. Mickie glanced in the same direction, knowing what he wanted. She kissed his hand as she pulled her finger from his grasp, walking across the room to the small bookshelf with a stereo sitting on top if it. She picked up a CD without a cover and pulled it out of its protective sheet, her gaze faltering slightly when the small slip of paper that went along with it fell out. On it was a simple but heartfelt message.

To Mick, my best friend. Forever and always. Love, Chris.

Love, Chris. It was those last two words that stood out to her the most. Mickie sighed as she put the demo copy of Chris' band's new album into the stereo, something he had given to her before her life changed forever.

"You want to hear your dad tonight, huh?" Mickie asked with a small smile, turning to look at where Cody was sitting in his crib.

A grin appeared on Cody's face when he heard the opening words of the first track. "Da!" he exclaimed.

Mickie laughed a little as she walked back over to him, kissing his head before laying him down and covering him with the blanket. "Goodnight, sweetheart," she murmured, running her hand up and down his back.

Cody began to relax at her touch, his blue eyes slowly closing as he grasped his blanket tightly in his small hand. She stood by his crib for a few minutes, simply watching her son sleep. She thought about everything that had happened to her, how much of a nightmare her life had been when she discovered she was pregnant. But as she looked at the small boy before her, she also knew she couldn't be happier. Despite all the stress, Cody was a blessing to her, and she loved him with all her heart. She was so glad to have him.

Once she was sure he would stay asleep, Mickie crossed the room, glancing at her son one more time before shutting off the light. She walked to the door across the hall at the end and entered her room, changing into her tank top and shorts for sleeping before she fell onto the bed and closed her eyes. She was exhausted as well since Cody hadn't been sleeping through the night lately. It was only going to be a matter of time before he was awake again. Sighing, Mickie turned to look at the picture of her and Chris she kept on the nightstand close to the bed, his smiling face the last thing she saw before she slowly drifted off into sleep.

She wasn't sure how long she was lying on the bed, but Mickie slowly opened her eyes when she heard crying coming from across the hall. She took a deep breath as she sat up, rubbing her tired eyes as she looked at the alarm clock next to her. Judging by the glowing green numbers, she had been asleep for a couple of hours, though it didn't feel like it. She also couldn't hear the CD playing anymore, which was what she assumed had woken Cody. Stretching a little as she got to her feet, Mickie yawned again as she left the room and headed toward her son's.

But then, she stopped for a moment when she heard a gentle voice float out into the hallway.

"And I need you now tonight, and I need you more than ever, and if you only hold me tight, we'll be holding on forever..."

Mickie's eyes narrowed slightly with confusion as she slowly walked forward and stopped in the doorway, leaning against it as she gazed into the dark room.

"... I really need you tonight, forever's going to start tonight..."

Chris was standing next to Cody's crib, holding him as he quietly sang to him. In the moonlight sneaking into the room, Mickie could see their son was content in his father's arms, eyes closed with his head resting on his chest.

"There's nothing I can do, total eclipse of the heart..." Chris finished the song, smiling slightly as he looked down on the now sleeping Cody. He lightly kissed his head before setting him back in his crib and covering him up, walking over to the stereo and restarting the CD to hopefully keep the boy from waking up again for a while. He then turned to leave the room, pausing with surprise when he saw Mickie leaning against the doorway, watching him with a smile.

"Oh, hey, Mick."

"When did you get home?" Mickie asked quietly, her smile lingering.

Chris returned it. "Just now," he answered, slipping his black coat off and putting it over one arm before crossing the room and wrapping his free one around her waist. "Heard the little man fussing, so I came to see what I could do."

Mickie leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. "Well, nice song choice," she muttered, laughing a little when he kissed her head. Memories from when she sang that same song with Chris at the bar came back to her, that night seeming so far away.

"Thought you'd like it," Chris replied, glancing back at Cody to make sure he was still sleeping before leading Mickie out of the room. They crossed the hallway into theirs, Chris dropping his coat over the chair by the door before sitting on the bed. Mickie sat next to him, winding her arms around him as he pulled her close.

"So, how did wrestling down in FCW go?" she wondered, looking at him curiously. "Everything okay with your shoulder?"

Chris nodded. "Yeah, my shoulder was fine," he told her, moving it around a bit for emphasis. "No pain, no stiffness. Think I got my rid of my ring rust over the past couple weeks wrestling there. They want me back in WWE next week to start a feud with Adam."

Mickie smiled broadly. "That's great!" she said excitedly. "I know how much you've been wanting to get back there."

"Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it," Chris agreed, his smile mirroring hers. "And working with Adam is always fun. I couldn't ask for a better way to go back." He paused for a minute. "Going to that rehab program after the surgery really helped a lot."

Sighing, Mickie ran her fingers lightly over Chris' cheek. "I'm just thankful the surgery went well. It easily couldn't have..."

Chris placed his finger on Mickie's lips to stop her. "It did, and that's all that matters," he replied. "I promised you I would be there, remember? I had no intention of not making it through that procedure. And now look. Next week, I'll be back in the WWE ring. I never would have gotten back there if I hadn't gotten that surgery. And I'm here with the two most important people in my life. I wouldn't have been able to just hold my own son if I hadn't gotten that procedure done, Mick. Nothing matters to me more than that."

Mickie looked back at him for a long moment, a thin line of tears in her eyes as she smiled. "Yeah, I know it was for the best." She placed her hand lightly on the shoulder that had once given Chris so much trouble. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mick," Chris muttered, leaning forward and catching her lips in a soft kiss. He pulled her closer when Mickie wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned it with more intensity.

"Da!"

Mickie laughed as she pulled away, hearing Cody calling out. "You're being summoned," she said, grinning. "He missed you while you were gone."

"I can tell." Chris laughed a little as well as he got to his feet. "I missed him too. I'll be back in a minute."

"Okay, sweetheart." Mickie shook her head slightly, her smile lingering as Chris left the room to check on their son before she laid down and stared up at the dark ceiling. She was glad he was home too, even though she was happy for him since he was able to do what he loved again. After everything they both went through, she was grateful for the family she now had. Shane McMahon may have almost ruined her life and nearly took away the man she loved, but she still had Chris and their son, and that was what mattered to her. He hadn't been able to take away the most important people in her life.

Chris came back into the room a little while later, smiling when he saw Mickie had dozed off lying on her pillow while she waited for him. He changed into his shorts for sleeping and climbed into bed next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Mickie acknowledged he was there as she snuggled close, but didn't fully wake up.

He wasn't sure how long he laid awake, absently running his hand up and down her back as he simply watched her. She looked so different when she was asleep, all evidence of what had happened to her lost in her tranquil expression. Chris knew it was going to take time to get over what Shane had done, the stress of being pregnant without knowing who the father was, and the possibility he wouldn't survive the surgery he had to get done, but he knew it would only get easier since he was still with her and they had their blessing in the form of Cody.

Though he wasn't able to be present for it due to the recovery process for his injury, Chris had kept in contact with Mickie and Adam every step of the way over the course of the trial while he was in the rehab program for his shoulder, feeling discouraged when he heard about what Shane's lawyers had pulled. He hadn't wanted to go to FCW until everything was done, only leaving for the squared circle when he heard the younger McMahon had gotten the guilty conviction on all charges.

It was finally over. He and Mickie could now focus on raising their son and spending the rest of their lives together.

"... Chris..."

He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Mickie murmur his name in her sleep, and Chris smiled as he lightly kissed her forehead. "I'm right here, Mick," he whispered to her, watching a shadow of a smile appear at the corner of her mouth before he closed his eyes. "And I always will be."

The End

Author's Note: Just a fun little note, Cody Irvine didn't have a name for the longest time. He was always known as "Mini Chris," hence the line where Mickie says that. And everything's how it should be! So, it's a happy ending. If interested, I'll be putting a list of upcoming stories toward the top of my profile shortly. Thanks again for reading this, guys! Your reviews are much appreciated. Thank you!