Good news off the bat: this is a Max free chapter ;) As for the mystery grocery store person, you'll have to read and find out...This is probably the longest chapter I've ever posted on here, but I really liked how it came together and just couldn't bring myself to break it up, plus I've been getting so many awesome reviews lately that I figured I'd give my loyal readers a little extra :) There's some fluff, okay a good bit of it, but I like that sappy romance stuff...plus it helps create passionate arguments and better make-up scenes :)
Thanks to the anonymous guests, StephNexus, msgemgem, Ivy and KenzieMac for the kind reviews...
Also this chapter I've created a few random characters, not sure if they'll just appear this chapter or if they'll revisit later, but I hope you like what I came up with!
Enjoy and please review :D (Only 10 to 100 reviews!)
Gabby and Punk spent all day Friday laying in bed watching movies before emerging Saturday, much to Gabby's dismay. While getting ready for the day she couldn't help but feel disheartened; Punk was leaving early Sunday, their weekend together was practically over and they wouldn't see each other until the end of October, just over a month apart was a damper on any relationship, especially one that was just getting off the ground. Her gloomy mood was interrupted by the site of her handsome, loving, caring boyfriend; she just couldn't stay in a bad mood when he came around.
"Are you just about ready?"
"I think so," Gabby put her hair in a ponytail tightening her hair tie, "this will just have to do. Oh, before I forget, we have to stop at the grocery store; I forgot something the other day."
"You're probably the only person I'd agree to go to the grocery store with, I hate that place. Just promise we'll be in and out, please."
"Girl scouts honor, we'll be in and out." Gabby caught site of Punk raising his eyebrow and wearing that smirk that could make any girl forget her name.
"Girl scout huh?"
"Yes indeed, from kindergarten all the way up until I was fifteen; then boys and dating became more important." Punk laughed as Gabby pursed her lips wondering what was so funny.
"For some reason I don't find that surprising!"
As they walked into whole foods, Gabby grabbed a cart getting an eye roll from Punk because he knew this wasn't going to be a quick and simple trip; nothing with Gabby was simple. She noticed the eye roll and gave him innocent look.
"Sorry, but I thought of a few other things we need. I hope you don't mind." Gabby batted her long eyelashes and he caved suddenly not caring where they were, as long as he was with her.
"There you go again doing whatever it is you do to me. Just so you know I hate the grocery store, I think it goes back to my childhood where my mom would make us all go with her and then she'd spend a ridiculous amount of time in here; thus when I shop I'm in and out as fast as humanly possible."
"Hang in there, I promise we won't be too long."
"I'm holding you to that promise and it would be nice if you made dinner tonight. I think it's the least you can do seeing you tricked me into this."
"I did not trick you into anything, but I'm one step ahead of you." Walking through the produce aisle, Punk was juggling apples while Gabby ignored him trying to find the perfect tomato. His fun was interrupted when he saw a familiar face that he'd been trying to avoid; causing him to turn toward Gabby hoping they could quickly leave the store without being noticed.
"Did I say I wanted you to cook because I actually meant I want to take you out, so let's just leave here…"
"What is wrong with you, you look like you've seen a ghost or something."
"Not a ghost, just his sister. Punk did you honestly think you could hide from me?" Punk looked at Gabby who had her eyebrow raised and then to Shaleine who was taking great comfort in his discomfort.
"Ahh, no! Why would you think I was trying to hide?"
"Punk I've known you for 26 years, you can't lie to me or anyone for that matter because you're horrible at it. Now are you going to introduce me or should I do it myself?" Punk let out a sigh rolling his eyes at his younger sister who insisted on acting superior to him. Rubbing his neck to avoid the gaze of both of both women he let out a sigh.
"Gabby this is my sister Shaleine, Shaleine this is my girlfriend Gabby."
"Girlfriend? Why is this the first I'm hearing about this?" Punk glared at his sister wishing she would just take the intro and disappear.
"Because you have a big mouth and God forbid I try to keep something to myself."
"I don't know why you try to keep your personal life personal; you know I always find out about it. Also I am not the one with the big mouth, that would be your adorable little sister Cassie; thanks to her Joey's party isn't much of a surprise anymore." Punk's eyes went wide; he had forgot all about his nephews birthday party and if Uncle Punk wasn't there it wouldn't be good. "You're still coming tonight right? You didn't forget?"
"What, no! How could I forget my nephews surprise birthday party? Of course we'll be there."
"You forgot! Well you're welcome for the reminder, which reminds me you really need a calendar or something. Anyway I have a million things to do, but I will see both of you tonight at 7? It was nice meeting you Gabby and I look forward to seeing you tonight." Gabby smiled nodding in response, feeling completely overwhelmed by the happenings of the last five minutes. What was originally going to be a nice, quiet night at home was now going to be spent meeting the entire Brooks family, something Gabby wasn't sure she was ready for. Punk noticed her expression and regretted opening his mouth. He made the rash decision to introduce Gabby as his girlfriend, but perhaps he should've said roommate. One thing he knew for sure was neither of them was prepared for a Brooks family meeting, not this soon, hell possibly not ever.
Gabby was quiet the whole way to Shaleine's; despite a million thoughts going through her head, she couldn't seem to come up with one intelligent sentence. The more she thought about meeting Punk's family, the more she thought it was a horrible idea, but how was she going to get out of it. Glancing at Punk out of the corner of her eye she could see he was just as lost in thought as she was; she could also see how sexy he was when he was thinking. She couldn't help but notice how he chewed his lip ring and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel; just looking at him made her butterflies flutter and he was clearly just as nervous about this unexpected meeting as she was. Letting out a quiet sigh she knew there was no ducking the family.
Punk chewed his lip ring as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel desperately searching his head for some sort of excuse to bail on this party, but when it came down to it he knew his nephew Joey would be heartbroken if his favorite uncle wasn't there. Glancing at Gabby he noticed her biting her cheek and fiddling her thumbs, just two of the nervous habits he'd noticed over the past two months. I'll be damned she even looks adorable when she nervous… Shaking his head, he turned his eyes back to the road knowing he had to break the silence because after how much they had talked over the past two days, the silence was deafening.
"So I know you're nervous about meeting my family, but I think you'll be fine. Gabby you managed to win me over in two weeks; I think that charm of yours will get you far." He placed his hand above her knee giving it a slight squeeze.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Honestly I think it's a horrible idea, but the way Shaleine is she's already called everyone in the family and they're expecting to meet you. Granted I can show up solo, but the nagging won't go away until they meet you, so it's now or the next holiday, which I can tell you right now will be much worse." He stopped at a red light and caught site of Gabby twirling a blonde curl around her finger, which he recognized as nervous habit number three. She looked at Punk meeting his gaze as he took her chin in his hand, "Gabby you'll be okay; you're a beautiful, intelligent, well spoken young woman. Consider this practicing your interviewing skills for when you're a big shot reporter." Gabby smiled one of her dazzling smiles feeling herself relax a little. You've got this Copeland…granted you don't have a lot experience in the meet the family department, but you'll be fine…stand your ground and show them all you're not going anywhere anytime soon!
Punk parked the car in front of Shaleine's and Gabby took a deep breath as she unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled down the over head mirror to check her hair and lip gloss one last time. Punk opened her door and she stepped out adjusting her dress, still unsure if what she was wearing was appropriate. Punk took notice that something wasn't right and decided to ask.
"What's wrong Gab?"
"Are you sure I look okay? My dress isn't too short or anything is it?" Gabby tugged at her strapless flower print a-line dress that stopped just above the knee.
"For the tenth time you look great; like I said just calm down and be you. I'll be right beside you the whole time, so don't worry." She gave him a slight smile as he leaned forward kissing her forehead; taking her hand in his, they walked up the driveway and into the house.
As soon as Punk entered the house pulling Gabby behind him, his nephew made a beeline for him almost knocking him to the ground.
"Uncle Punk, you came!" Punk let go of Gabby's hand and picked up his nephew giving him a bear hug.
"Of course I came; I wouldn't miss your fifth birthday for anything. I can't believe how big you're getting, you should probably stop growing." Joey smiled at his uncle as he looked past him noticing Gabby for the first time.
"Hey Uncle Punk is that Gabby?"
"Yes it is, how do you know about her already?"
"I heard mom talking to grandma about her. Is she going to be my new aunt?" Gabby blushed at the question as Punk stood speechless on what to say completely thrown off track by Joey's question.
"Ahh…how about you open your present?"
"You brought presents?"
"Don't I always bring presents? Besides it's your birthday goofball, you knew you were getting something! Go get your sister because I have something for her too." Punk put Joey down and turned to Gabby running his hand through his hair. "Kids say the damndest things when you least expect it!" Gabby smiled one of her dazzling smiles as she let out a giggle.
"He's five, it's perfectly normal to be curious. Does he ask that about all of your girlfriends the first time you bring them around?"
"Uhh…actually no because you're the first one I've brought around..."
"Oh…" Before Gabby could say anything else Joey came running in from the kitchen with his three year old sister following close behind.
"Uncle Punky!" Punk smiled picking up his adorable niece. Gabby smiled in her direction causing her to shy away twirling one of her pigtails.
"Hey don't get all shy on me! This is Uncle Punk's friend Gabby, and Gabby this is Abby."
"Her names like mine!" Punk smiled as Abby forgot all about her shyness instead giving Gabby a smile.
"Uncle Punk I thought you said you had presents!"
"Oh yes, presents," Punk put Abby down where she stood by her brother and Punk reached behind him to get the gift bags he had set on the floor. Both kids didn't hesitate as they ripped through the bag both squealing with happiness when they got to their gifts. Abby found a new Barbie complete with accessories, while Joey found a new GI Joe action figure.
"Thanks Uncle Punky!" Abby gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek making his grin even bigger.
"You're welcome sweetie pie. I hope it's not one you have already."
"Nope, this is a new one." With that Abby turned running for the kitchen to show off her new toy.
"Thanks Uncle Punk, this is just the one I wanted."
"You're welcome buddy. Also, because it's your birthday you get something extra. We have a show next month and I managed to score some tickets and a special pass just for you."
"Really! Can I meet John Cena?" Punk shook his head letting out a laugh.
"What is it with you kids and John Cena? I'm the WWE champ yet my own nephew is more excited for John Cena."
"Uncle Punk you know you're my favorite, but John Cena is so cool!"
"Alright, I'll tell you what I'll make sure you meet John Cena but only if you wear your CM Punk shirt and you tell him that I'm the best wrestler and uncle in the world."
"You are the best uncle in the world!" Joey gave his uncle a big hug before following his sister into the kitchen to tell everyone the news. Gabby was completely enamored by Punk's interactions with his niece and nephew. It was a side of him she'd never seen before, but she was amazed by it to say the least. If he's that great of an uncle, imagine what he'd be like as a dad…NO! Slow down Gabby, you're getting way ahead of yourself! Gabby shook the thought from her head as Punk grabbed her hand again.
"You okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine. You're really good with both of them and they seem like great kids."
"They are; I just wish I was around more, especially with Joey. Anyway, are you ready to meet the rest of the family? I promise I won't leave your side."
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be and they can't be that bad." Punk didn't respond not wanting to scare her off. The reality was his family wasn't any worse then any other American family. His sisters had big mouths, his mom worried too much and his dad didn't say much of anything. He'd had an okay childhood with some bumps along the road with his father's drinking problem, but it made him a stronger person and helped to shape his straight edge lifestyle. His favorite family members were his niece and nephew seeing they were still young, innocent and carefree; he cared about those kids so much and did everything he could to make their childhood as awesome as possible. After all, they deserved it.
Walking into the kitchen Gabby felt her stomach drop looking at the room full of intimidating women that were all staring at her. She'd always seen herself as a strong person, but she felt herself start to sweat and her knees start to shake as the anxiety and the overwhelming feeling of wanting to make them all like her got to be too much. At that moment Punk noticed how pale she was getting and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze bringing her to look at him where he gave her a wink accompanied by a smirk that helped her feel at ease a little bit.
"Everybody I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Gabby, Gabby this is everyone."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you all…" Gabby managed to get the words out despite her dry scratchy throat. Everyone was quiet for a minute until a woman in her late 50s stood up and pulled Gabby in for an unexpected hug.
"Phillip where did you manage to meet such a beautiful, young girl? You're not one of those diva wrestlers are you? No, of course not, you're too petite, you should eat something, get some meat on your bones." Gabby gasped at the comment as Punk ran a hand over his face.
"Mom!" Gabby cleared her throat and pursed her lips before letting out a laugh, getting curious stares from everyone in return.
"No Mrs. Brooks I'm not a diva, not even close and you're right I do need to eat more, I love food. Phil and I were originally roommates, my brother used to work for the WWE." Punk shook his head amused at the look on his mother's face. Gradually his mom went from looking amused to letting out a laugh.
"Well Gabby if you need to eat then you've come to the right party because we have tons of food. Come on let's fix you a plate, I have a feeling you're going to fit in just fine." Gabby gave a dazzling smile as she let go of Punk's hand and followed his mother to where the food was. "Oh Phillip, why don't you go outside with the other men; Joey was complaining he needed another player on his baseball team and apparently you're the best."
"Actually mom I was just…" Punk rubbed the back of his neck searching for an excuse not wanting to leave Gabby alone with his mom, two sisters, three aunts and five cousins; surely she'd be overwhelmed and eaten alive in no time. Gabby noticed his hesitance and walked over to him.
"Go ahead; I'll be fine; just practicing my reporter skills." She gave him a smile and a kiss on the cheek before rejoining his mother. Shrugging his shoulders he headed outside looking forward to playing some baseball.