a/n: So sorry for the delay in updating, to (hopefully) make up for it, I've decided to add one more chapter in addition to this one. Which I hope to have up sooner rather than later. I hope that y'all enjoy this one!

CHAPTER 25
a whole lot of new

Darkstar Tattoos.

The gang stared at a drawing Sara had put together on her iPad. They had come to the tough decision to change the name of the shop, it took some convincing from Seth; but they finally decided to do so. Since they all had some sort of star tattooed on themselves, their new name was a no-brainer.

"Are we completely sure that we have to change the name? It has been this way for years, it's what makes this place ours."

"Ashley, Ashley, Ashley..." Seth spoke, "it there a tanning bed in here anywhere?"

She sighed, "No."

"And what does the name Tattoos and Tanlines imply?"

"That you can get a tattoo and a tan in the same shop."

"Which is?"

"False advertising." running her fingers through her hair, she sighed again, "Alright fine."

"Okay," Seth smiled, "so if we can agree on one of these designs, I'll get it sent to a company and your new lighted sign will be up by this weekend. I'm calling in a few favors to rush order this thing for you guys."

Once everyone looked through the designs and agreed on one, Seth grabbed the device and with a couple clicks, had it sent. Placing it on the counter, he glanced over at Punk, his face still had a bit of uneasiness written all over it, "everything is going to work out just fine, bud, I promise."

"No, I believe you... I'm just anxious is all. It feels like we're starting all over... three kids just hoping that we made the right decision, you know?"

"Yeah, I definitely do... but we've got this under control." he reached for his phone, "so did anyone make progress on promotions of any kind?"

"Amy said that she was down for a beach concert. She'll finalize deets in a couple days."

"Mhm... and did you talk to your friends AJ?"

Placing her phone down, she looked over at him, "I've spoken with all of them, they're more than willing to help. We just need to direct them on what we need, I guess."

"We could maybe join forces with Amy. Just do a big shindig for the shop."

"For sure, just let me know so I can pass on the message."

After a couple minutes of silence, AJ felt a tap on her shoulder, she looked up to meet the blue eyes of Randy Orton, "can you um, come help me with something real quick?"

"Sure thing."

Kissing Punk on the cheek, she followed Randy to the back room, she leaned against the door frame and looked around, "what did you need help with?"

"What's wrong?"

"What? Nothing."

"Liar... you got an email or something and your demeanor changed. What gives?"

She sighed heavily, "I-I got accepted to Veterinary School."

"Uh-huh..."

"I submitted my application with my adviser my last week of school," she sighed, "they usually do acceptances within the month of June, we're in August now. I just wasn't expecting to hear anything, my life was finally getting back to the way I wanted it. Now, I don't know what I'm going to do."

"But you want Vet School don't you?"

"It's my dream, but Punk," she gestured out to the front room, "Punk is my life, I can't walk away from him again."

"I understand that. But he wouldn't want you to walk away from your dream, just talk to him alright?" walking over to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, "Because I really don't want to be the one to do it."

Nodding, she stepped aside so he could walk by. Leaning against the door frame, she took a deep breath; she had quite a decision to make.

Either one she decided on, she'd just have to deal with whatever consequences came her way.

The clock next to the bed read 12:30.

She could hear the shower running down the hall, Violet and Sara talking downstairs and Seth rustling through some papers in his room. They had just gotten home from next door, Randy decided to order some pizza and wings. Seth went straight to his room, he had said something about looking more into the financial situation of the shop; he also said he needed to make some phone calls to his Wall Street friends for advice, they were some of the best in the business, they'd know what to do. Seth really thought that he could save the place.

For the sake of everyone involved, she hoped that he could. Lord knew that they could use the break. Also, it would be good for Punk to have something positive to look forward to. Since she didn't know how he'd tale the news that she had in store for him... the plan was to tell him tomorrow after their morning run. He was always calm after it, so it was obviously the best time.

"You're still awake? I figured that you'd be out by now."

She smiled, "I was drifting off, but I decided to wait on you instead."

"Well, that was sweet," he smiled and slid under the sheets, the smell of his body wash intoxicated her, "so today was pretty successful. I like the direction we're heading, how about you?"

"Oh yeah," she snuggled up close to him, "I think that Seth can really help you guys."

"Yeah, I'm glad that everyone gave him a shot."

Me too."
He rubbed her shoulders gently, "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours? You've been distant since this afternoon."

She gulped... well there went her plan. It was now or never.

"Well," she sighed, sitting up a bit, "I want to start off by saying that I want this to be a joint decision... I don't want to hurt you again."

He scrunched his eyebrows together, "What do you mean? What's going on?"

"I-um... got a late acceptance to Veterinary School in Atlanta." seeing his face drop, she placed a hand on his chest, "I don't have to go. I'll take and assistant's position at the clinic here. Hell, I'll work at the shop or with Emma."

"This is your dream. It'd be selfish of me to keep you from living out your full potential."

"But you are my life, I don't want my dream if you aren't with me."

He sighed and got up, "You have a dream, a dream you had way before you had even met me. I can't take that away from you. I wouldn't be very happy with myself."

"But-"

"You're going. I see it in your eyes, you want this, you deserve this." he pulled her up and kissed her passionately, "we'll make this work. These next four years are going to be tough, but we'll make it through. I'm not going anywhere, AJ Lee."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

With that they fell into bed and made passionate love, until she drifted to sleep listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

a/n: I definitely feel like that last sentence was cheesy, but I also like it at the same time. lol I hope that everyone liked it, review and let me know what you think! Stay tuned for the FINAL chapter! Let me know if you'd rather it be present day or four years down the line (after AJ finishes school) :) love y'all.