Chapter 25: Thank You

Punk and AJ were back home in Chicago and working out downstairs. She was too excited for her first televised match next Monday. She was really concentrating and he knew he would have to pry her away from the gym later so she could get some sleep. Punk on the other hand was done working out and headed upstairs to take a shower. As he headed towards the bedroom he heard voices inside the room and immediately tensed, he slowly crept down the hall. It didn't take long for Punk to realize who was in his room and quickly stepped inside.

"You both have to be stupid" Punk said starling the two men in his room

"You scared the shit out of us!" Cliff yelled annoyed

"Oh did I break into your house only two weeks after someone else already did and tried to kill you?" Punk mocked him and Colt "You better thank whatever god you believe in that it was me coming up here and not AJ because if you would have scared her I would have fucking killed you both"

"Sorry we didn't even think of that" Cliff frowned

"Yea we thought we had some time before you came up" Colt added

"Why are you both sneaking around my bedroom anyway?" Punk asked annoyed

"I wasn't sniffing through AJ's underwear drawer if that's what you're thinking" Cliff said seriously

"I wasn't thinking that" Punk said to him annoyed "But now I am"

"I wanted to show him the ring" Colt said to him

"You told him?" Punk asked

"You never said not to tell anyone" Colt defended quickly

"I thought that went without saying" Punk shot at him

"Well you were wrong" Colt smirked

"Dude this ring is huge!" Cliff said holding the ring box open "I can't believe how much you spent on it!"

"She's worth it" Punk said snatching the ring away

"So when are you going to do it?" Cliff asked anxiously "I need to know how much time I have to make a move on her before she's officially off the market"

"Shut up" Punk warned "And I don't know"

"So you went out of your way to get this ridiculously expensive ring and you have no idea how or when you're going to propose?" Cliff asked stunned

"I've never thought about proposing to anyone ever" Punk reminded them "I'm not even sure how to do it"

"You have to get down on one knee" Colt offered

"Thanks man that was real helpful" Punk remarked seriously but rolling his eyes afterwards

"You're welcome" Colt smiled happily

"With the size of this rock I think you could do it anyway and she'll say yes" Cliff said to him snatching the ring box away from Punk to look at it again

"Be careful!" Punk warned "If you lose the ring I'm going to hurt you really, really badly"

"Can I make suggestion? Try not hiding such an expensive item in your sock drawer" Cliff mocked admiring the ring

"She won't look in there" Punk shrugged

"Where is your beautiful girlfriend?" Cliff asked

"She's down in the gym still" Punk told them as Cliff passed him back the ring "Where are you going?"

"AJ is downstairs sweating in little clothing where do you think I'm going?" Cliff asked with a snort

"I hate you!" Punk shouted as Cliff walked out of the room

"So you're really going to do this?" Colt asked

"You think I'm making a mistake?" Punk asked him

"No because I know you and I know you don't make mistakes" Colt told him honestly "I'm happy for you"

"I'm really nervous" Punk admitted with a grin "I've never been so nervous in my entire life"

"It's a big step one that I never imagined you would take" Colt said with a laugh.

"Thinking I was going to lose her woke me up" Punk admitted

"You were willing to die for her" Colt said agreeing with him "You stupidly attacked a guy knowing you could have been killed instantly and if it wasn't for some freak occurrence you would have been"

"I didn't even think about it" Punk admitted "And even when I think back to it now I wouldn't have changed a thing. I want her to be happy and safe"

"She's lucky to have you" Colt told him seriously "And she'd be a fool to say no to you"

"She might not be ready" Punk said to him

"Have you two ever discussed marriage?" Colt asked

"No" Punk laughed "We never discussed living together either but that didn't stop me from asking her"

"Go for it and don't over think it" Colt told him "Alright I'm going to go downstairs and say hello to the future Mrs. Brooks and make sure Cliff is behaving himself"

"Thanks" Punk groaned

Later that night AJ had finally emerged from the gym.

"Jeez I thought I was going to have to smoke you out" Punk told her seriously

"I want to make sure I'm in perfect shape" AJ defended lightly "And it helps that you have like the best gym ever."

"Trust me babe you're in perfect shape" Punk assured her

"Cliff showed me some new stuff too" AJ told him causing him to groan

"He just wants an excuse to put his hand on you" Punk informed her

"He was a perfect gentleman" AJ assured him kissing the corner of his mouth quickly

"Good" Punk said as he watched her reach for a cold bottle of water. Even doing the simplest things like that caused him to smile. It was just something about her….

"What?" AJ laughed noticing he was admiring her "Do I have something on me?" she asked looking down at her workout clothes

"Nope" he said simply "You just look beautiful is all" he defended

"You're the best" she laughed "But I'm far from beautiful. I've been working out for hours and I stink and need a shower"

"Ok" Punk smirked as he watched her walk out of the kitchen and head upstairs. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring once again

AJ stepped out of the shower and threw on one of Punk's t-shirts and a pair of shorts. She was letting her hair air dry tonight and stepped into the bedroom. Punk was already upstairs unpacking some of his things from the previous road trip. He looked over and saw her walk out with zero makeup, messy hair and baggy clothes- she was perfect he thought to himself.

"You're doing it again" AJ laughed at him

"Doing what?" he asked quickly

"Gawking at me like I look horrible" AJ smirked hopping onto the bed "What's going on?"

"I didn't mean to stare I just can't help it" Punk admitted with a shrug

"What's on your mind?" she questioned "Are you having second thoughts about us living together? Or are you bored with me already?" she said teasing him slightly

"Neither actually" Punk informed her coolly

"So there is something" AJ grinned "What's going on? You can talk to me about anything"

"I wouldn't even know where to begin" Punk started off

"Now I'm worried" AJ said seriously "If you didn't just my lips tattooed on you a few hours ago I'd be sure you were getting ready to breakup with me"

"I don't want to break up with you" Punk promised pulling more shirts out his bag "I never want to break up with you actually"

"You say that now but I can get pretty annoying" she teased

"I'm no prince either" Punk grinned "I was actually thinking how much I love having you this house. You've really made it into a home for me"

"I've never had a home as you know" AJ smirked "We moved so much when I was a child and after that I lived with Jay and Christian and those places weren't my home"

"Do you feel at home here?" Punk asked genuinely wanting to know

"This is the only place I've ever felt comfortable and at first I thought it was because of all your awesome comics and toys" she teased lightly "but I've realized I'm just comfortable where you are and I don't want to scare you because I know we're still new at this dating thing but-"

"I get it" Punk smirked "I feel the same way"

"Do you? Because these last few days you seem pretty distant and not for nothing you haven't attempted once to seduce me" she said to him causing him to let out a laugh as he walked over to his dresser and placed some shirts away

"I've been nervous actually" Punk admitted to her

"Nervous about what?" She asked "This has been the most peaceful time of our entire relationship" she reminded him

"It's ok if you say no" Punk said turning around and now she was really confused "And this isn't how I wanted to do this exactly but I have to do it now or I'll never work the nerve up to do it" he chattered nervously

"Phil what's going?" AJ asked concerned as Punk stepped over to her as she sat at the edge of the bed

"After what happened here I kept thinking about how quickly my life could have been gone" Punk admitted "I mean in an instant I could have been dead"

"I know" AJ frowned sadly. He didn't really talk about that night much and now she was wondering if he was suffering as much as she was

"But all I could think about was you" he told her coolly "You're all I think about actually and the more time we spend together the more I fall in love with you" AJ smiled sweetly at his words. For his reputation of being such a hard ass he always said the right things to her. "I never thought I'd ever do this in my life" he said with a nervous laugh

"Move a girl into your home and share your video games with her?" AJ smirked

"No- well yes actually" He smirked then got down on one knee "I never thought I'd propose to a woman." He said reaching into his pocket and pulling out the black velvet box. AJ was completely frozen in place "I know this is fast and I won't be mad if you say no but I'm going to be with you forever and I'm a hundred percent sure of it I can wait"

"Ask me" AJ encouraged with a faint smile. Punk already felt at ease

"April Jeanette will you marry me?" Punk asked opening the box and AJ's eyes almost fell out of her head seeing the size of the diamond ring

"Yes" she whispered. Punk wasn't sure he heard her right because he was expecting her to say no.

"What?" Punk asked now starting to feel even more nervous then before he asked

"I said yes!" she laughed as she started to cry "You already have cold feet?"

"No, no" he said taking the ring out of the box with shaky hands and placing it on her left hand

"It's beautiful" she smiled as she lightly cried

"Like you" he said getting off his knee and standing up so he could pull her into a kiss

"This ring is amazing" AJ said admiring the ring fondly "You're amazing, everything just makes sense finally"

"I wanted to plan it out a little more" Punk admitted with a smirk taking a seat next to her "Maybe hire an airplane to write it out or something but I couldn't wait"

"This was perfect" AJ smiled looking over to him

"Don't cry" he said with a smile using his thumb to gently wipe away the tears falling from her eyes

"I'm just happy" AJ admitted "You make me so happy. Did you really think I would say no?"

"Yes" he laughed lightly "We haven't been together that long"

"I don't believe it's about how long you've been with someone" AJ said to him "It's about how you feel and this feels so right" she said leaning in to kiss him again then pulled away "I can't wait to tell my family!" she said happily "They'll never believe I'm actually getting married, they never thought it would happen"

"Yea about that" Punk started off "I didn't call them or anything-"

"Relax they're not very traditional" she smiled "They probably won't even come out for the wedding"

"Why?" Punk asked

"It's just been strained for us since Christian" AJ said with a subtle shrug "You're my family now"

"Yes I am" he confirmed happily "But you should call them, I can call my sisters and let them know you didn't turn me down"

"Yes we should call people…" she trailed off "But I want celebrate with you first" she smiled

"I like the idea of that" Punk smiled as AJ moved to straddle his sitting form and pulled him into a kiss. It started off sweet but before long their tongues were battling for dominance. "I love you" he whispered against her lips as he tried to take in this perfect moment with her.

"I love you so much" she responded before reaching down and kissing him again. He ran his hands under her t-shirt and tugged her as close as possible to him. He removed his hands and tugged her t-shirt over her head and carelessly threw it on the floor and before they began kissing again he unclasped her bra and tossed it to the other side of the rom

"So beautiful" he muttered before kissing around her collarbone. He left a small bite in one of his favorite spots and ventured down to her chest He took one of her breasts into his mouth and began to suck lightly causing her to moan and gently rock her hips against his growing erection. Once he felt her harden in his mouth he moved over to her other breast.

"Baby" she whispered resting her head on top of his while he pleasured her in the only way he could.

"Hmm" he questioned pulling away

"Take your shirt off" she demanded sitting up and he quickly complied. She reached for his shorts and tugged them down leaving him in his boxers.

"I want to make you as happy as you make me" AJ said kissing his lips quickly before slowly getting on her knees.

"You saying yes made me happy" Punk assured her as she ever so slowly tugged his boxers down his legs with some help from Punk. She grabbed his already hard member and started to stroke him carefully. "I want to take you to bed- now" he said in a strong voice causing her to smile

"We have all night" she reminded him before lowering her head and taking his tip into his mouth and moved slowly until she almost swallowed him completely

"Fuck" He muttered looking up at the ceiling. She began to bop her head up and down and he moved her hair out of her face so he could see how she perfectly took him into her mouth. "You make everything look so beautiful" he muttered. She reached for his hands and placed them on the side of her head

"Do it baby" she pulling away for a moment "Show me how you like it" she said licking her lips and he could have lost it right then and there. He didn't respond but just helped guide her head onto his again. He slowly lifted his hips as he carefully thrust into her mouth. He kept this up for a few more short minutes.

"AJ" he muttered trying to concentrate on his movements and watching her face "I'm going to-" he let go of her head so she could pull away but she didn't stop and that's when he felt himself reach the back of her throat and he couldn't hold back anymore and completely let go into her. He collapsed against the bed while AJ gave him one more lick and swallowed everything he gave to her.

"Was it good for you?" she asked crawling up his body so her bare chest was lying directly on top of his.

"Jesus" Punk muttered "That was better than good" he assured her trying to compose himself

"You taste really good" she smirked kissing his lips. Even though he was uncomfortable kissing her after that he didn't seem to care and pulled her against him harder, not wanting to stop kissing her ever. When the need to catch their breaths became too strong they reluctantly pulled away

"You taste better" he informed her seriously causing her smirk He rolled her over so he was hovering over her. "So much better as a matter of fact" he said pulling her small shorts down her legs along with her thong. And inserted a finger into her already soaking core. Punk loved watching her face as he entered her even if it was just with his fingers. She always rolled her eyes to the back of her head and tried to absorb it as much as she could. As quickly as he entered her he exited her pulling his finger out and bringing it to his lips. She watched with lustful eyes as he slowly placed the finger into his mouth "Mmm" he said sensually "So much better" He said as he pulled his finger out and placed it into her mouth and it was something she had never done before and never thought she would but being in the moment she really didn't care. She lightly sucked onto his finger and loved watching her do it.

"See?" he smirked pulling his finger away and kissing her lips again. He rested his pelvis against hers and her hips immediately started to move in attempt to capture him into her.

"You're better" she whispered pulling his face down to hers and giving him a kiss that literally took his breath away. "No one can make me feel the way you do" she whispered against his ear "No other man can compare to you" she said to him and he felt himself already ready to go again. She reached her hand in-between them and started to stroke him again. He let her move her hand against his him for a few more moments. He reached for her hand and pulled it away and intertwined his fingers with her. He held her arm up over her hand.

"Are you ready sweetheart?" he questioned kissing her cheek and just nodded closing her eyes getting ready to be taken to the place only Punk could take her. She felt him run his member up and down her, coating himself in the process. "I can't hear you" he said in a soft voice as he kissed the corner of her eye

"Yes Phil" She let out and that's when he entered her with ease. He pushed in as far as he could and gave her body a moment to adjust. Her hand clenched against his while her hand clutched the bed sheet next to him and her legs were bent up as he fit perfectly in-between her small body.

"Are you ok?" He asked before continuing

"Better than ok" she rasped out "Please move baby" she begged trying to lift her hips. And in an instant he was moving in and out of her. He looked over past her head and saw their hands locked together and noticed he had her left hand and the huge diamond was very present, it all became so real to him.

"You make me so fucking happy" he said against her body as he started to move faster. He was moving at a pace that literally made her toes curl against the comforter

"Oh god Phil" she yelled out as her eyes shut as tight as possible

"Open your eyes" he requested "I want to see your beautiful eyes" he told her in-between thrusts. She opened them as much as she could and looked up at him.

It didn't take too much longer before both collapsed against the bed and curled up together. His arm was draped around her, her back to his chest. He reached over to grab her left hand and looked at the ring.

"I can't believe I'm doing this" Punk muttered

"It's too late for you to back out" AJ warned with him "I'm keeping the ring regardless" she teased

"I'm not backing out" Punk said kissing her cheek quickly "I just can't believe I did this. It's just not like me. You've turned me into some romantic"

"You've always been this way I just help bring it out" AJ teased kissing his hand lightly before tucking it against her as she rested against his arm "Don't worry I won't spread the word around that the resident jerk is actually the sweetest man on this planet"

"Yea keep it to yourself" Punk warned

"You're still a jerk" she informed him

"Gee thanks" He mocked

"But you're my jerk" AJ said happily "And I wouldn't have you any other way."

"I am yours" Punk said to her

"Thank you for loving me" AJ said to him softly

"Thank you for letting me" he whispered into her ear and left a small kiss there.

Christian Scott was sitting on the porch of some beach house all the way around the world.

"What do you know?" Christian asked Jack

"Not much" Jack said to him

"You're lying" Christian said sipping on a scotch

"Nothing is confirmed" Jack reminded him

"What is it?" Christian asked again calmly

"According to his credit records Mr. Brooks made a very big purchase at a jewelry store" Jack informed him

"He doesn't seem much like a jewelry man to me" Christian noted with a chuckle

"It wasn't for him. Unless he's buying himself an engagement ring" Jack told him. Christian's hand clenched so tightly around the glass once he heard that it shattered.

"Are you sure?" Christian questioned

"No that's why we didn't want to tell you but that is what he bought" Jack told him "It could have been for a friend-"

"No he's going to ask her to marry him" Christian remarked bitterly "I can't let that happen"

"And it won't" Jack promised

"We need to get back" Christian said to him "I barely have eyes on her anymore!"

"We will but we can't right now you know you'll be arrested as soon as you enter the country again" Jack reminded him

"She can't marry him" Christian said shaking his head in shock "He can't have her!"

"We just need more time. I'm working on getting more people out there" Jack told him "A few more months-"

"Less than that!" Christian yelled standing up

"I'll do the best I can sir" Jack assured him