Uncomfortable Conversations

AJ set a coffee pot on the coffee table with three cops and bit on her nails.

"Aren't you not supposed to drink coffee?" Punk asked.

"I can have a small cup." She scoffed. "I'm nervous now. Now I want to vomit from nerves."

"You'll be fine." Punk told her.

"And you're sure you want to be here?" she asked.

"Stop asking me that." He said to her. "For better or worse, right?"

"Right." She smiled a bit then the doorbell rang.

AJ walked over to the door and let Christian in.

"Didn't think you'd be here." He said to Punk and looked around. "Where's your stuff. Where's Gracie?"

"She's at a baseball game with Grandfather and Uncle." AJ told him. "And our stuff is in our rooms."

"What's going on?" Christian asked.

"Why don't we sit down." AJ offered.

"I don't want to sit. I want to get the hell out of Chicago." He laughed a bit. "This place is awful."

"We're not leaving Chicago." AJ told him bluntly.

"I have a job waiting for me in New Jersey." Christian reminded her.

"I have a job here and Gracie is in school and has family here." She told him.

"Alright, I mean I can see if I can get a job here." Christian reasoned. "It's going to take some time-"

"You don't understand." AJ began nervously and looked to Punk.

"They're not leaving this house." Punk told him for her as he walked over. "AJ and Gracie want to live here with me."

"Why don't you let April talk?" Christian asked annoyed.

"It's what we want." AJ told him. "We have a family-"

"We're a family." Christian corrected.

"It's been a long time-" AJ began.

"Two years." Christian corrected. "Two years! I thought maybe you'd start dating I didn't think you'd be married. You moved on awfully quick."

"Don't judge her." Punk warned.

"This is a conversation between husband and wife." Christian shot at him. "You're not included."

"Phil and I are married in my heart." AJ told him.

"We're married by law." Christian reminded her. "You are my wife and Gracie is my daughter."

"Gracie is my daughter." Punk responded.

"What are you talking about?" Christian asked amused. "I was there the night she was born, I was there for her first birthday- you're a fill in."

"Phil legally adopted her." AJ explained and Christian's face dropped.

"Excuse me?" Christian asked coldly.

"He legally adopted her." AJ said a bit louder. "Gracie loves him-"

"Of course she does! Look where you're living!" He yelled and she flinched.

"Relax." Punk warned.

"Had you discovered your wife and daughter were alive and were living with another man, you'd be fucking pissed too!" He yelled.

"I'd want them to be happy." Punk told him.

"Why can't they be happy with me? They were before you showed up." Christian snapped.

"We were." AJ reasoned. "It's just-"

"Just what? You found someone with some money? Is that with this is about?" Christian questioned.

"It's not about money." AJ whispered. "It's about how I feel."

"You have no reason to stay here with him." Christian told her.

"I love him." AJ said simply. "We took vows."

"They don't even count, WE are married." Christian reminded her.

"I want a divorce." She said to him.

"So, what? I just go off? I spent years fighting to get back to you." Christian argued. "To you and our daughter and you seem like I've burdened you."

"It's not a burden. I'm happy you're alive-" She began.

"Say that with a little more emotion." Christian requested.

"She's under a lot of pressure." Punk said to him. "She's happy you're alive and she wants you to move on happily. If you want to see Gracie we can work something out but your marriage is over. She's filling for divorce and it would be wise you don't try to dispute it."

"Wow." Christian said looking at AJ. "He does your speaking for you?"

"You're making me nervous." She admitted.

"I have rights. I have rights to Gracie." Christian reminded her.

"You don't." Punk informed him. "I just told you we'd work something out where you can see her but if you push, we won't."

"She's my daughter." Christian reminded him.

"No. She's my daughter. In her heart in the eyes of the law." Punk told him. "She was just a baby when you left."

"I didn't go on vacation!" Christian yelled.

"Keep your voice down. You're in my house now." Punk warned him calmly.

"I can't talk to you with him here." Christian told AJ.

"Gracie and I are staying here with Phil." AJ said simply. "We're happy and we're a family."

"So, fuck me than?" Christian asked in disbelief. "You're not even thinking this over? We were happy, we were going to have a baby!"

"A lot has changed." AJ told him.

"Fine." Christian said to her. "I'm staying in town a few more days. I want to see Gracie though. I deserve at least that much."

"She'll be home later. You can come by tomorrow." Punk replied stiffly. "But I suggest you calm down a bit or you won't be seeing her at all."

"Whatever." Christian huffed then walked out of the house.

"That wasn't so terrible." AJ sighed. "He's different, he's angry-"

"Can you blame him?" Punk asked.

"No. It's just not him. You know?" She asked.

"You don't owe anyone an explanation." he told her.

Later that day Gracie came running in all excited.

"Ready for this?" AJ asked Punk.

"I guess." Punk said nervously.

"I'm home!" Gracie announced. "Miss me?"

"Of course we did." Punk smiled.

"Look! I got the foul ball in my own glove!" Gracie showed Punk.

"That's awesome." Punk said to her.

"That's for you." Gracie said as she gave it to Punk. "I caught it for you."

"I can't keep this." Punk said to her.

"You have to. You caught me one and I caught you one. It's my present to you daddy." Gracie smiled.

"That's so sweet." Punk said kissing her cheek.

"Gracie, we have to talk to you." AJ announced and Gracie sighed.

"Oh, no." Gracie groaned sitting at the table. "I didn't do it, Larry did it."

"You didn't do anything." Punk said sitting next to her.

"That we know of." AJ added with a smile sitting on her other side.

"Am I getting a present?" Gracie asked and AJ glared at Punk.

"No. Well, sort of." He said to her.

"Remember we've talked about you being a big sister?" AJ asked.

"Yes I do." She nodded.

"Well, in a few months you're going to be a big sister." AJ told her and Gracie's mouth opened in shock.

"We're having a baby." Punk added and Gracie was still in shock.

"I'm going to be a big sister?" She asked the two.

"Yea, how do you feel about that?" AJ asked.

"Happy!" Gracie cheered.

"Yea?" AJ asked nervously and she nodded.

"When do I get to hold the baby?" She asked anxiously.

"It's going to be a little while." AJ warned. "The baby needs time to grow inside of my belly, just like you did."

"Oh." Gracie said with a frown. "I don't think I can wait that long."

"It will go by fast trust me." Punk told her.

"I'm so excited!" Gracie cheered.

"There's more we have to talk about." AJ warned.

"We're not moving again, are we?" Gracie asked fearfully.

"No." AJ assured her.

"Good." Gracie smiled.

"Christian, your dad, would like to see you." AJ told her.

"But I have a new daddy." Gracie explained.

"You do. But you remember your other dad, right?" AJ asked.

"Only a little bit." Gracie said using her fingers to show how small. "I don't want to go with him."

"You're not going anywhere with him." Punk told her. "But if you want to spend time with him here at the house we can work that out."

"I don't think so." Gracie said shaking her head.

"Are you sure?" AJ asked. "He loves you very much."

"I know but I don't know him." Gracie shrugged. "I'm confused."

"Ok." AJ said simply. "So, we don't have to make and decisions right now."

"Good." Gracie said to her. "Because I don't know what to do."

"Alright, that's ok." Punk told her. "This is a very big decision and you should take your time."

"I will. I really will think about it." She told Punk.

"That's all I ask." AJ smiled. "You're a good girl." She said kissing her head.

"Do you have any questions for us?" Punk asked her and she shook her head.

"Oh, I do have one!" Gracie announced. "Where is the baby going?"

"Probably in the room across from ours." AJ told her.

"That's my play room." Gracie pointed out.

"Oh, well we'll move the play room somewhere else. We have to be really close to the baby." AJ explained.

"But where would my toys go?" Gracie asked warily.

"You and the new baby will share a new play room." Punk told her.

"Share?" Gracie asked confused. "Don't I get my own play room? The baby can have another one."

"No." AJ laughed a bit but Gracie didn't even a crack smile. "You two will share a play room but different bedrooms."

"Then we should have different play rooms." Gracie explained. "I'm six and the baby is a baby."

"Honey, we don't have the space to give everyone their own play room." AJ told her.

"I like where my play room is now. The baby can sleep down the hall." Gracie explained to them. "And then you can have the play room in the room with the baby so I can keep all of my stuff."

"Gracie." Punk sighed as AJ looked at him to put his foot down.

"Yes, daddy?" Gracie asked sweetly and AJ knew he was about to fold, he always did.

"We'll think about it." He smiled and she hugged him.

"You're the best." Gracie cheered and jumped out of her chair. "I have to tell Grandpa I'm going to be a big sister!"

"That went really good." Punk said to AJ who glared at him. "What?"

"Phil, she wants to put the baby in a linen closet and not give him or her any room to play." AJ told him. "And you went along with it."

"What was I supposed to say? We have plenty time to worry about living situations. Besides, the baby will be in our room in the beginning." He reasoned.

"I still want a nursery set up before the baby is born." AJ told him. "I have a lot going on and since I'm the one carrying the baby, you have to handle this." she said standing up.

"Me?" Punk asked and she nodded as she stood up.

"I have to plan a new wedding, get back to work, get Gracie ready for school all the while carrying your child in my womb." She pointed out. "You're going to handle the living situation." She shrugged.

"But- Gracie will be mad at me." Punk frowned.

"You'll get over it." AJ said as she walked away.

AJ walked into her bedroom later that night and saw Punk sitting up looking at the sonogram photo.

"Hey." She greeted taking her robe off.

"I can't stop looking at it." Punk admitted. "I also can't stop thinking about Christian."

"That's something every woman wants to hear." She mocked getting into the bed.

"I think I'm going to talk to him tomorrow." Punk told her. "Just us."

"Is that a good idea?" AJ asked him.

"I'm not scared of him." Punk laughed. "But he's lost everything. I know what that feels like."

"You're a really good man." AJ said to him. "Doesn't mean I'll be able to convince Gracie to spend time with him."

"Yea, I know but still." Punk said to her. "I've been where he's been, you know?"

"Yea." AJ said with sad smile. "Or maybe I should talk to him."

"Or just let me." Punk smirked.

"You know what I'm in the mood for?" She asked and he placed the sonogram photo on bedside table and laid down straight. "Not that." She laughed and groaned. "Ice cream."

"Ice cream?" He asked and she nodded.

"Mint chip." She informed him.

"You want me to go get you mint chip ice cream at 11 at night?" He asked amused but she didn't even crack a smile.

"Yes I do, please?" She asked. "If you want I'll send you off with a smile."

"Oh, that sounds fair." Punk said as crawled over his body.

AJ leaned down to kiss him when their bedroom door flew open.

"Punk! You have to watch the fight downstairs!" Benny announced.

"Benny." AJ hissed.

"Oh, come on. You two can keep it in your pants for a bit, can't ya?" he asked disgusted.

"He's going to get me ice cream." AJ told him.

"I'll send my assistant for your ice cream." Benny told her as she moved off of Punk. "Phil, downstairs you won't believe this fight."

"I'm coming." Punk said getting out of the bed and AJ glared at him. "He wouldn't get me unless it was really good." he insisted. "And he'll send someone for your ice cream." he said quickly then left.

The next day Punk arrived at the motel Christian had said he was staying in. He knocked on the door and saw a maid inside cleaning.

"Hey, the guy who was here-" Punk began.

"He checked out last night." The maid informed him.

"Huh." Punk said to himself. "Did he say where he was going?"

"No." The maid shrugged and put her headphones back in.

Punk walked out of the room and peered around. Was he really giving up without a fight? Was he suicidal? Did Punk push this guy who truly did nothing wrong but surviving to the breaking point? The guilt was slowly eating at him. He could feel Christian's pain. He wasn't going to pass his family over to Christian but he didn't want him to take off like this. He had lost his wife and daughter and although it wasn't the same, he could imagine how painful it would be to be rejected by them. Knowing they were alive and out there and wanted nothing to do with him.

Punk went back home and saw Gracie chasing Larry around who she had put a dress on and AJ was in the kitchen baking her cookies. The guilt of Christian was even now starting to wash away knowing he came home to a happy and full home.

"Look at his dress!" Gracie cheered holding Larry up to show Punk. "Doesn't he look pretty?"

"Very pretty." Punk agreed. "Purple is your color, Larry."

"I told you." She said to Larry and put him down.

"Hey." AJ greeted as he entered the kitchen. "Did you talk to him?"

"He was gone." Punk shrugged. "I think he left town."

"Really?" AJ asked surprised.

"Yea. He didn't call you?" Punk asked and she shook her head.

"We still had more to talk about." AJ sighed. "I wanted to work out something with him seeing Gracie and we had to talk about divorce."

"You can still file. It will just take a little bit to track him down. Maybe he just switched motels." Punk told her.

"I hope he's alright." AJ said to him. "I think I was too harsh. I was so defensive of you and Gracie I didn't even get a chance to tell him how happy I truly was that he was alive and breathing. I didn't ask him what he had gone through."

"It all happened suddenly." Punk reasoned with her. "You were kind of caught of guard."

"I was but maybe I could have handled it better?" She asked. "What if he's hurting himself?"

"He's probably just clearing his head. He'll pop back up at some point." Punk assured her. "That's what I would have done- that's actually exactly what I did when he showed up."

"I know but you're not like him." She said shaking her head. "You came home, you have a home. He has nothing. He just woke up and everything was gone." she began to tear up.

"AJ." He frowned putting a hand on her.

"I'm just really emotional." She sniffled. "Sorry."

"It's alright." Punk smiled. "I'm sure he's fine. He's probably collecting himself and trying to figure this all out."

"I never feel like I do the right thing." She said shaking her head.

"You mean picking me over him?" He asked.

"No! I mean the way I handled it. I just didn't want to meet him alone and give him the wrong idea-" She began.

"AJ, there's no handbook on how to handle something like this." Punk reasoned. "You were worried about your daughter and me. You put us above yourself and him that says a lot about you."

"Really?" She asked. "Does it say I'm a terrible human?"

"No." He laughed lightly. "It says you're protective and I love you for that."

"You still love me even though I'm not your wife?" She asked him curiously.

"Yea, I loved you before our fake wedding and I love you now." He teased.

"You're not Daddy's wife?" Gracie asked curiously coming up behind them.

"It's complicated." AJ told her and Gracie rolled her eyes.

"You always say that." She said.

"You do always say that." Punk teased.

"I don't think Gracie is old enough to understand his mother committed polyamory." AJ whispered.

"Hey, maybe we can get our own reality show." He teased in a serious voice and she glared at him.

"Ouch! Hot!" Gracie yelled dropping a cookie that AJ had just taken out of the oven.

"Gracie." AJ gasped as Punk picked her up and rushed her over to the sink and turned the cold water on.

"It hurts!" Gracie cried.

"Put your hand under." Punk urged and she did.

"Mommy the cookies were hot!" Gracie scolded.

"I know, that's why I didn't give you permission to take one." AJ reminded her as she held Gracie's hand under the water. "Let me see."

"Is my hand burned off!" Gracie yelled horrified.

"No it's a little red." AJ said and put her hand back under. "I'll get her some ice, keep it under the water." she told Punk and Gracie.

"You are a little danger magnet, aren't you?" Punk asked Gracie.

"They smelled so good! I had to have one!" Gracie argued and Punk laughed a bit. "Am I having a brother or a sister?" she asked Punk.

"Uh, we don't know yet." Punk said to her. "Regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl you're going to be a great big sister."

"Yea?" Gracie asked.

"Yea. You're going to share with the new baby, including your play room and you're going to be the older one so you're the boss." Punk said before she could argue about sharing.

"Really?" Gracie asked and Punk nodded.

"And that's why we're going to move the playroom to the bigger room since you'll be sharing it." Punk told her.

"Oh." Gracie said to him. "I guess that's ok. But what if I have a brother and he doesn't want to play with my toys?"

"He will and if not we'll get him what he wants. But you have a lot of cool stuff." Punk pointed out.

"Yea, your dad loves playing with your monster trucks." AJ teased wrapping an ice pack around Gracie's hand.

"I have no shame in admitting that." Punk said to AJ. "And your transformers."

"You still can't put them together." Gracie sighed.

"I'm working on it." He defended.

"Feel better?" AJ asked and Gracie nodded. "Go over and sit at the table and I'll get you some milk and a cookie when they cool."

"Ok." She said as Punk put her down. "How are you so great with her and I'm not?"

"You are great with her." Punk shrugged. "I'm just very immature and speak the language of kid."

"And by the way, you owe me for last night." She reminded him.

"You fell asleep by the time the ice cream got here." Punk defended. "It's still in the freezer."

"I'm not talking about the ice cream. You stayed up with my dad all night." She pointed out.

"We were playing UFC on the xbox." He shrugged.

"You have to play with me tonight." She whispered.

"Oh, you know I will." He growled in her ear before nipping on it.