Part XXI: Rumor Has It
AJ woke up the next morning in the cold empty house that she already considered her home alone. She looked over at her phone and saw it was already 11 a.m. She never slept that late before. She was surprised by how comfortable she slept on the large air mattress. She reluctantly got off the mattress and walked out of the bedroom. She looked from side to side and saw the hallway was quiet and empty. She walked down the stairs and looked for Punk.
"Punk?" she asked looking around and almost half a second later Punk walked in the door.
"Hey you're up finally" Punk smirked walking in with a brown bag. He was also wearing his running clothes.
"You should have woken me I would have went running with you" AJ said to him
"You needed the sleep" Punk said to her "Did you sleep well?"
"It was amazing" AJ said happily "What do you have there?"
"Bagels" Punk said shaking the bag
"I am so hungry!" She cheered happily snatching the bag from him "Thank you!"
"No problem" he smirked watching her rip into the bag
"You got bacon on it for me?" AJ asked with a wide smile "You remembered"
"Of course" Punk grinned
"I really love this house" AJ said as chewed on her bagel "I was thinking of some colors to paint the bedroom. A dark brown possibly?"
"That seems fair" Punk agreed grabbing his own bagel "So after I shower you want to head over to the courthouse?"
"Yea absolutely" AJ said to him nodding "What do I need to bring?"
"I think just an ID" Punk said to her "After that we can go back to your crappy apartment and pack up the rest of your stuff"
"It really wasn't that bad" AJ argued lightly as Punk just shot her a glare "If I hadn't been mugged none of this would be happening"
"Of course" Punk teased and noticed AJ scrunched her face up after another bite into her bagel "What's wrong?"
"I think I'm going to be sick" she said putting the bagel down and running into the bathroom.
A few minutes later AJ reemerged from the bathroom.
"You ok?" Punk asked her eyeing her oddly
"With all the junk food and crap I've eaten over the last 24 hours that was bound to happen" AJ said to him a disgusted face
"Right" Punk said slightly
"What?" AJ asked him
"Nothing" he said unsurely "You don't think you're…."
"Think I'm what?" she asked obliviously
"You know…." He said trailing off and not forming the words
"No I don't know what you're talking about" AJ said honestly with a laugh
"The crying, sleeping, the eating and now you're throwing up in the morning" Punk said shyly "Are you pregnant?"
"No" AJ said quickly "It's not possible"
"Are you sure?" Punk questioned "If you are we need to know AJ. You're a wrestler, you can't exactly show up to work and get in a ring or take any kind of a bump"
"I'm always super cautious" AJ assured him
"I'm not" Punk reminded her scratching the back of his head "This hasn't crossed your mind at all?"
"No" she laughed "I think I have been traveling for days and was really tired yesterday and that caused me to cry, as for the eating I'm an emotional eater you know this which is also why I threw up" she pointed out
"You're not an emotional eater" Punk said to her "Anytime you're upset you usually don't eat actually. You smelt the Chinese food on my breath yesterday"
"I like Chinese food!" she said with a loud laugh
"Why aren't you even entertaining the idea?" Punk questioned
"Because it's can't be ok!" she yelled at him surprising him
"Is this because you want to keep working? We can still have our Wrestlemania moment-" Punk started but AJ cut him off
"It's not about work" she said to him "I know I can still fit in and they'd find something for me to do"
"So what is it?" Punk questioned
"You aren't the only one I've been with these last few months" AJ reminded him nervously. He hadn't even thought of that. She had been with Ziggler a few times before officially getting back with him. She couldn't read his face because it was as if all the blood drained from it. "It's just not possible I can't be"
"It's possible AJ" Punk said in a harsher tone "You need to get a test or something"
"I don't want to" AJ said defiantly
"You're going to have to!" Punk yelled which he didn't mean to do "I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell"
"Yes you did" AJ said to him
"Were you and Dolph….careful?" Punk questioned
"I was on the pill" AJ assured him
"What about him?" Punk asked
"Punk" AJ groaned. She really didn't want to get into details about her sex life with another man
"AJ I have to know" Punk said adamantly
"It was only three times" AJ admitted "And the first two times he…well you know pulled away before anything"
"The last time?" Punk asked
"That was at work" AJ said rubbing her head trying to think back to it "It's kind of a blur"
"Well that's my answer I guess" Punk said bitterly "Have you missed taking your pill at all?"
"The night of the mugging I did" AJ said remembering how overwhelmed she was that night
"We were together that night" Punk reminded her and she smiled softly
"You weren't careful" AJ reminded him back
"No I wasn't" Punk admitted running his hand over his face. He walked over and grabbed his keys and phone
"Were are you going?" AJ questioned
"I'll be back" he said before walking out the door
Punk was back within ten minutes with a plastic bag in his hands.
"What is that?" she asked
"What do you think" Punk said handing her the bag
"It's too early to tell" AJ said to him "It's been like six weeks."
"I got those early ones" Punk said pointing to the bag
"How many did you buy?" AJ asked him looking into the bag
"A lot" Punk said to her "Go do your thing"
"Punk-" AJ started
"AJ please" Punk said in a low voice "We have to know, ok?"
"Ok" AJ said with a frown and headed into the bathroom.
"Well?" Punk asked her when she came out of the bathroom
"We have to wait fifteen minutes" AJ said to him "I really think its just nerves"
"Well in a few minutes we'll know" Punk said avoiding her eyes
"What if I am?" AJ asked him
"Then you are" was all Punk could muster out
"Is it all over?" AJ questioned "The wedding, the house-"
"Why would you think that?" Punk asked seriously
"If I am there is a strong possibility this child isn't yours. I don't think you want to be married to the tramp of WWE" AJ snorted "I don't think you want to help me raise another man's child"
"I told you the other night we are in this together and I wouldn't walk out on you again and I meant it" Punk told her firmly "And if you are pregnant we'll just deal with it"
"But Dolph-" AJ started
"Is an idiot" Punk said cutting her off "You don't know if that's his kid"
"I can't believe I got myself into this situation" She said with a laugh but started to cry "I'm one of these women you see Maury. I never thought I would ever be in the position of trying to figure out who the father of my child is. Oh my god" she said covering her mouth with her hand
"Hey stop" he said grabbing her lightly by the wrist and pulling her into a hug "You've got me and we'll figure this out"
"Everyone knows about Dolph and I" AJ reminded him "They're going to talk"
"Let them talk" Punk said with a simply shrug "They mean nothing to you or me"
"He's going to be so pissed" AJ said to Punk nervously "What if he tries to take my child-"
"AJ we don't even know you are pregnant and the odds are in my favor" Punk reminded her "But I wouldn't worry about Dolph because if he did get you pregnant he'll be a dead man and dead men can't disturb the living"
"How can you be so calm about this?" She questioned pulling away and looking up at him "How are you not running for the hills?"
"AJ it's not going to happen" He said with a laugh "I'm not going anywhere" he said firmly
"I don't deserve this" AJ said to him "I don't even deserve you right now"
"Are you insane?" Punk asked seriously "AJ you didn't cheat on me I knew what went on with you and Dolph you made a choice to be with him and I accepted that. And after all the crap I have put you through over the last year or so you really think you don't deserve me? I don't deserve you"
"I feel like a horrible person" AJ admitted shaking her head as the tears freely fell "I can't believe I'm doing this to you"
"You're not" Punk said lightly grabbing her by her shoulders "If the worst case scenario happens will I be happy? No I won't. I'll be angry and probably throw things and beat Ziggler just for the hell of it but I'm not going to abandon you."
"You say that now" AJ said to him "But if this kid comes out with bad blond slicked back hair and an over the top tan you might not feel the same"
"If this child is yours I would love it regardless" Punk said simply "How could I hate anything that is a part of you?"
"Stop making me cry" AJ insisted rubbing her eyes
"I'm sorry" Punk smirked
"How come every time we attempt to get our marriage license something horrible always happens?" AJ asked him "Do you think it's a sign?"
"We're going to get married in a few weeks" Punk said firmly "Nothing is going to change that. I have waited way too long for this"
"This is your chance Punk" AJ insisted "I would completely understand-"
"AJ we're jumping the gun a little bit we don't even know for sure you are pregnant" Punk said to her "And let's be honest if you are it's my kid. We have certainly been more active and less careful."
A few more minutes had passed it and it was finally time.
"Ok" AJ said to him walking towards the bathroom
"You want me to look?" Punk offered
"No I can do it" AJ said heading into the bathroom and after a few seconds she came out
"Well?" Punk asked anxiously
"I'm not" She said with a smile "False alarm! I was right it was nerves" she said with relief
"Are you sure?" Punk questioned
"Punk I've been stressed out these last few weeks obviously. Now I'm starting to think you think I look fat" She pouted
"Not at all you're perfect" Punk promised walking over to her "Completely perfect" he assured her
"Oh no" she said pulling away from him quickly "No more"
"No more what?" he asked slowly hoping she wasn't saying what he thought she was saying
"You need to go back to the drug store and buy condoms" AJ said firmly
"You're on the pill" Punk argued causing AJ to glare at him
"No way I'm not going through this again" AJ warned
"It really wouldn't be so nerve wracking knowing for sure it's mine" Punk offered but AJ wasn't changing her stance
"We need to be extra precautious" AJ scolded "Condoms or nothing the choice is yours"
"You know I hate using them with you" Punk sighed annoyed
"I can't believe you're being so difficult" she laughed "I want to wrestle, I want to have another reign and I want to walk out of this company with you knowing I did everything I wanted before I leave for good and after that we can be as careless as you'd like"
"Fine" Punk agreed reluctantly
"So now that we know for sure I'm not, what would you have really done if I was?" AJ asked him
"Everything I said" Punk said to her "And I would have beaten Dolph very badly actually I still might because I've gotten way too many details about your short time with him and it's hard to push those images out of my head"
"I'm sorry" AJ frowned "Trust me I wish I could push out those images as well"
"The images are still present in your mind?" Punk asked quickly
"No but I had to think back today" AJ said to him but he wasn't pleased with the response "Baby he's not half the man you are" she said cupping his cheek "Literally. Trust me."
"Really?" he asked folding his arms with the frown still present on his face
"I swear" AJ assured him kissing his lips gently
"You never slept with me at work" Punk pointed out
"Really?" AJ snorted "I think you have too much respect for me to do that. Dolph clearly didn't"
"That is true" Punk agreed "I'm not some horn dog"
"Oh, you are" AJ said lightly causing him to glare at her "But you're a respectful one"
"Thanks I think" he said with a light smile "How about I help you get rid of some of those awful images" he suggested leaning down and kissing her but again she pulled away "Now I can't even kiss you?" he asked with a laugh
"It always leads to something more" AJ pointed out and he knew that was true
"It's not my fault you can't control yourself" Punk replied innocently
"Well it certainly isn't my fault I can't control myself" AJ shot back causing him to laugh "Can we just go get our license now?"
"Yes absolutely" Punk said to her kissing the top of her head
Punk and AJ were on his bus a few days later heading to Raw the one good thing with Corey being suspended was there was no opponent for Punk at the house shows and no use for AJ since she just accompanied him to ring. Difference was at least Punk and AJ were being paid.
"Someone leaked we got our license this week" AJ said passing him her phone to show him the tweet
"Unbelievable" Punk muttered looking at it and passing it back to her "Doesn't surprise me though, kind of wish it did"
"It's just like last time" AJ said to him "I'm starting to get an uneasy feeling"
"Nothing bad is going to happen" Punk assured her "I won't let it"
"Hayes is going to have my head over this license" AJ said to him
"He can't talk to you and if he does I'll fix it" Punk promised her
"You don't really intimidate him" AJ pointed out
"I think I do" Punk argued lightly
"Do you think we'll get time off for a honeymoon?" she asked Punk
"Not right away" Punk told her "We're getting married right before Wrestlemania there's too much going on. After we'll go"
"Where do you want to go?" AJ asked
"Somewhere tropical" Punk suggested
"Can you narrow that down a bit?" AJ smirked "There's the Bahamas, Hawaii, Aruba-"
"I don't want to leave the country" Punk said to her "Hawaii?"
"I've never been there" AJ said to him
"Me either actually" Punk said thinking about it "So we have a date, a honeymoon and a license"
"All we need is someone to officiate" AJ said to him "Cliff wants to do it"
"What?" Punk asked with a snort "When did he tell you that?"
"He texted me yesterday about it" AJ said to him showing him the text
"He's texting you now?" Punk asked annoyed "Some friend he is"
"He does it to tease you" AJ laughed "I think it's funny"
"At least someone finds it funny and no he can't officiate. I would like someone to do it who isn't secretly hoping you leave me" Punk mocked
"Oh stop" AJ laughed
"Seriously" Punk said firmly
"All of your friends used to comment about me" AJ reminded him
"Before we dated. Have you seen a tweet from Marty about you lately?" Punk questioned
"No and that's a shame his tweets were always the best" AJ said fondly "A little inappropriate but funny"
"A little?" Punk asked her seriously "I don't know why all of my friends thinks it's hysterical to piss me off by hitting on you"
"You have a funny reaction" AJ defended "Stop feeding into them and they'll stop"
"Whatever" Punk groaned "So now that this leaked how did you want to handle it with them?" he asked referring to management
"I mean it has leaked but we haven't confirmed or denied anything. I'd really hate to tell anyone there and have it all leaked out" AJ said to him "I mean I guess we could tell them we're getting married just not when"
"If we tell them we're getting married and we already got the license they'll know we already have a date" Punk pointed out
"You think we should tell them?" AJ questioned
"I'm leaving it all up to you" Punk said to her "I'll back you up on anything"
"It's just going to be really bad." AJ sighed "I'm still with Corey onscreen. They're going to be pissed"
"Do not let this job dictate your personal life" Punk warned "In less than a year you'll be gone from here as it is"
"True but I didn't want to piss them off" AJ said to him "They've been really good to me"
"Some of them" Punk corrected "Stephanie seems to genuinely like you and Vince but other higher up management treat you like crap and you just take it. So I really wouldn't put all of their feelings into consideration"
"So speaking of the wedding" AJ started in a giddy tone "Did you tell Colt and Cliff when the wedding was?"
"Yup and they cleared their schedules" Punk said to her "My sisters are in as well. What about your side?"
"My parents and brother and sister have already booked their flights" AJ told him
"What about Celeste?" Punk asked "Or is she still mad at me?"
"She's not mad at you anymore and yes her and PJ are going to fly in but that's it" AJ said to him "Are you sure you're ok with this small of a wedding?"
"I'm a private guy and the bigger the wedding the more of a chance of pictures and stories leaking but if you want something bigger we can wait and plan something more" Punk offered
"This is what I want" AJ confirmed "Just a few of us in a small ceremony in our brand new yard, we can just order some food- it will be super casual and fun"
"Great" Punk agreed
"But you do have to dance with me at least once" AJ warned
"Why?" Punk asked with a sigh "There won't even be any music"
"No dance means no wedding night fun" AJ warned
"You wouldn't dare" Punk mocked
"Try me" AJ shot at him dangerously "Are you willing to risk that?"
"Fine" Punk bit out bitterly causing AJ to kiss him happily on the cheek
"You're the best" she said to him
"Yea, yea I know" Punk sighed as AJ stood up but he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her back down
"Don't you ever get tired?" AJ teased as he kissed her lips
"Of being with you? Never" Punk said honestly
"We have to get inside" AJ smirked as he kissed down her neck "…we've been parked outside too long" a loud knock at the door alarmed both of them
"Who the hell is that?" Punk mumbled annoyed lifting AJ up so he could stand up
"Maybe the driver locked himself out" AJ suggested as Punk walked towards the door and opened it. "Who is it?" she asked but the next person she saw walk onto the bus wasn't Punk it was Dolph Ziggler.
"Get off my bus" Punk warned walking behind him but Dolph headed straight towards AJ and he looked furious it actually kind of frightened her.
"AJ-" Dolph started in a loud voice but Punk grabbed him by his arm and tugged him away just short of reaching her "Get off of me!" he yelled tugging his arm away
"What is going on?" AJ asked standing up trying to defuse the situation
"Were you even going to tell me?" Dolph questioned with a red face "You didn't think I had a right to know!"
"Off- now!" Punk shouted
"Wait, what are you talking about?" AJ asked confused
"You're pregnant and you don't think I didn't realize that there's a very a good chance this kid you're carrying is mine?" Dolph asked spitting as he did "Who the hell do you think you are?! You thought you were just going to run off and marry Punk and let him raise my kid!"
"Woah" Punk said to him "You don't know what you're talking about-"
"I know you went to a drug store and picked up a ton of pregnancy tests" Dolph said to him "Funny thing about being top guy, there are eyes everywhere. And right after that you ran out and got your marriage license?"
"I'm not pregnant" AJ said to him firmly
"And I'm just suppose to take your word for it?" Dolph mocked shooting her daggers
"I wouldn't be here working if I was" AJ shot at him "And you're really going to take a fans word over mine?"
"You've turned on me since we were together" Dolph pointed out "Did you get a marriage license this past week?" he questioned
"That is none of your business" Punk responded before AJ could
"So I'll take that as a yes" Dolph said the two of them "And did you buy pregnancy tests? If you are you aren't that far along and I know I was the first guy you were with since Punk and that was a few weeks ago"
"I'm not pregnant!" AJ yelled starting to get upset
"I don't believe you!" Dolph shouted back but he felt a grip on the back of his neck
"You're done now" Punk seethed into his ear "You've said your piece, she said hers get lost and don't come back here" he said pushing him towards the door
"I didn't know this leaked" AJ said as Punk walked back towards her once he had thrown Dolph of his bus
"I didn't realize I was being watched" Punk groaned "I'm sorry AJ"
"It's not your fault" AJ assured him "I've never seen him mad like that before"
"He's an idiot" Punk spat "And if he comes at you like that again you get me, ok?"
"He's going to tell everyone" AJ warned "He has a huge mouth. This is why he's always being buried"
"I know and don't worry about it because you're not pregnant" Punk pointed out "He can say what he wants but once you get in there and back into the ring no one is going to believe it. It's going to be the shortest lived rumor in history"
"You're right" AJ said calming herself down
When they arrived inside the arena people were whispering all around them.
"Perfect" AJ muttered "They think I'm pregnant and think that's why we're rushing to get married"
"These people are idiots" Punk reminded her as they were approached by Michael Hayes "Speaking of idiots" he said loud enough for Michael to hear
"AJ, Vince wants to see you in his office" Michael informed her completely ignoring Punk
"Right now?" she asked nervously "I haven't even put my bag down"
"No Vince McMahon who is the CEO of this company and your boss will gladly wait for you to be ready to see him" Michael mocked "Yes now" he clarified
"Fine" AJ said following Michael
"This meeting is for AJ not you" Michael said when he noticed Punk was walking with them
"I think I'll tag along" Punk responded grabbing AJ's hand into his own "I'm sure Vince won't mind" they reached Vince's door and Michael knocked before stepping in and notified Vince AJ and Punk were here and led them inside
"You can go Michael" Vince said to Michael
"Are you sure?" Michael questioned
"Make sure you close the door on your way out" Vince responded to Hayes who regrettably walked out of the office "Do you know why I called you here AJ?"
"My fight with Amy?" AJ was almost hoping that was the cause
"No." Vince said to her "But since you mentioned it maybe you can work on being a tad more professional when she's around? I know there's bad feelings there but she's going to be around from time to time"
"I will" AJ promised
"I'm here to talk about the latest gossip about you" Vince said leaning back in his chair "I don't like listening to gossip to AJ but from a creative stand point I have to know"
"I'm not pregnant" AJ told him quickly and she could tell Vince seemed relieved
"Ok" He said with a smile "Great! I mean unless that's what you wanted-"
"It's not at least not now" AJ assured her nervous boss
"Now I have to ask, are you two getting married?" Vince questioned
"How does that affect your show?" Punk asked arrogantly
"AJ is in a story with Corey" Vince reminded him
"Are you asking us not to get married?" Punk asked starting to get annoyed
"Punk" AJ whispered
"No of course not" Vince said with a laugh "You are both grown adults and I don't expect you to change your personal life plans I just need to know if I'm going to have to speed up your story, that's all" he told them
"We can have AJ turn tonight and put her with you. She'll still help you at Wrestlemania and you two will still have your moment" Vince suggested
"I was really looking forward to that Wrestlemania moment" AJ said to him "We're not going to have a public ceremony. No one will be able to confirm anything. Even this license thing is hear say"
"Ok" Vince said to her "I suppose if you two are getting married shortly you'd want some time off?"
"We are getting married" Punk confirmed to Vince "And yea after Wrestlemania if we could a week or so that'd be great. I mean last year Daniel got the week off for a honeymoon" he reminded him
"He did" Vince nodded "And so will you, both of you"
"Great" AJ smiled "Thank you"
"No problem" Vince said to them "Have a good show tonight guys"
Once they stepped out of the office AJ felt relieved.
"That wasn't so bad" AJ said happily
"What were expecting?" Punk smirked "Are you sure you're ok with waiting until Wrestlemania though? I'm sure working with Corey isn't going to be easy for you"
"I worked with Dolph for a long time and in the beginning we didn't get along either" AJ reminded him "Maybe I'll try to talk to him though. I don't want things to be awkward"
"I think that's a bad idea but you can handle it anyway you want" Punk assured her as they stopped by his locker room "You're not sharing the locker room with me?" he questioned
"I will" she said handing him her bag "But I have to go get my shirt for tonight first I'll be back in ten minutes" she said giving him a kiss on the cheek
"Alright" Punk said heading inside
AJ was about to reach the wardrobe room when she felt someone tug on her arm
"Corey" AJ said relieved "I really wanted to talk to you"
"I want to talk to you too" Corey said to her nervously
"I'm sorry about you suspension last week and-" AJ stopped when he held up his hand
"Can we talk in private?" Corey asked "I don't want everyone listening"
"Yea of course" AJ said following him out of the arena "Where are we going?" she asked following him to his car
"In my rental" he said opening the door for her "I don't want people to get the wrong idea if they see us chatting in or around the arena"
"Alright" AJ said unsurely getting into the car while he got in the drivers side "Look Corey I'm so sorry about your fight with Punk and running out on you last week you just really freaked me out"
"I've been going through some stuff" Corey admitted "I don't blame you for running out on me. I'm sorry I went about talking to you all wrong. Both times actually"
"I hate that we can't be friends" AJ admitted "I really like having you in my life"
"I feel the same way" Corey said with a relieved smile as he started the car
"Where are we going?" She asked confused
"Vince informed yesterday that I'm getting an early release" Corey said as he began to drive
"Wait- I can't leave right now" AJ said to him nervously
"I get to work through Wrestlemania but they want to change my match to a loser leaves to add a little 'something' to it" Corey mocked repeating Vince's words
"Corey stop the car" AJ said in a firm voice
"I mean I've worked my ass off in NXT for years and watched while everyone else got called up. I watched as Rusev, Bo, Big E even most of the girls pass me by. I finally got my chance and now it's gone over one screw up" Corey told her bitterly
"Corey I need to get out of the car" AJ said trying to open her door but it was still locked and the car was in motion so she couldn't do much
"Relax AJ I'll get you back." Corey said to her casually "I just need to talk to you in private that's all"
"Corey I'm sorry about what's happening and I can try to talk to Vince for you but you really need to let me out I'm uncomfortable" AJ said to him in a serious voice
"AJ you have nothing to worry about" Corey said in a low voice "I just need you to hear me out that's all"