Christmas Eve


"Marriage?" Dean questioned, a few days later after Punk, AJ and Malia got home from their short vacation away. AJ had been called into work to help close for Christmas, which meant Punk was on duty of making sure the house was prepared for dinner tomorrow. He'd invited over the guys to help him and to also share the news about he and AJ.

"Yeah?" Punk shook his head, "What's so surprising about that?" He asked them, writing a list of things he and AJ still had to pick up from the store for tomorrow's dinner. Neither had done any kind of hosting before and he knew AJ was already stressing out about it.

"You're just… not the marrying type." Dean said, "And it's a little soon, don't you think? Seth has been dating Paige for five years and they're both probably still at first base." Dean joked as Seth kicked him under the table.

"Me and Paige know that when the time is right, it'll happen." Seth glared at Dean and then turned to Punk, "This is your decision. And we're all very happy for you, Punk." Seth nodded.

"Thank you." Punk nodded.

"Did you knock her up?" Kofi questioned.

"What?" Punk shook his head, "No."

"Well, I thought maybe that's why you were rushing off to get married."

"So there has to be some sort of reason for me to marry her?" Punk asked.

"Well you have only been with her for a year." Kofi pointed out.

"And?" Punk said, "I know it's just her I wanna be with. Why wouldn't I want to marry her?" He asked, "You all just don't get it." Punk shook his head.

"We get it." Kofi nodded, "Two out of three of us have girlfriends, the other third doesn't count since he has no emotion in his body." Kofi said as Dean just rolled his eyes, "We just don't want you to regret anything. We all love AJ. We know how happy she makes you. We wouldn't want you to ruin that."

"I won't." Punk said, "I wanna be with her."

"Like you were convinced you wanted to be with Rachel when you started dating her?" Seth questioned.

"I never felt the way I feel about AJ with Rachel." Punk said, "Why are you all being so negative? It's Christmas. Lighten the fuck up." He said, "Would you rather me here, personality of a wet mop, no one to make me happy?"

"Of course not." Seth said.

"Then accept this. It's happening." Punk told them, "Now, does this list look right to you?" He asked, placing the list of food down at the table where they were sitting as they all went through it.

"Sounds good to me." Seth nodded, "Do you even cook?"

"I do now." Punk shrugged with a little bit of fear, "C'mon, we're going to the store to get all this shit in." He told them.

"You realise it's gonna be packed." Dean said as they all stood up, "Who even leaves their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve?" He shook his head.

"I do." Punk said, "I would have done it earlier but we were on vacation." Punk said.

"Where is Malia?" Kofi asked.

"She's with Judy." Punk said, "She's giving her her Christmas presents. I told her she could come for dinner but she said she didn't wanna intrude." Punk said whilst shoving them out of the kitchen and out of the house to go collect the last-minute things, aka everything they needed from any stores they could.


Later that night, Punk got home after a terribly hectic day of shopping. He really shouldn't have left things to the last minute, but the good news was, after a lot of trips to different stores, and the not so friendly help from the guys, he finally got everything that was on the list.

Malia was still at Judy's. Punk wasn't picking her up until later so that it gave him a chance to wrap all her presents. He didn't assume AJ was home either until he walked up the stairs and suddenly heard her.

"Don't come in!" She yelled from their bedroom as he paused outside the door smirking.

"Wrapping my presents?" He questioned as he heard a faint laugh from her.

"You wish." She spoke back whilst gathering herself in the room, "Ok, you can come in." She told him as he walked on in, "Did you get everything you needed today?" She asked him, "I'm sorry I couldn't help much I had to be there to close the vet up." She told him.

"It's alright, I took the guys with me, although, they weren't much help and continued to question why we were getting married." He said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"What do you mean?" AJ frowned.

"I think they think it's too quick." Punk shrugged, "I told them straight up that it's happening. They don't know how it feels." Punk just waved her off to ease her mind.

"Do you think it's too quick?" AJ asked anxiously.

"Well sure, it's quick. But that doesn't make it any less right." Punk said, "I wanna marry you, believe me." He nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into him.

"I don't like that your friends aren't ok with it." AJ said sadly.

"Fuck them. They love to moan about anything. Two of them have had girlfriends for years and just stayed on the same tier with them, and Dean… Dean can't give any criticism about a relationship." Punk said, "Don't let them put you off." He told her as she just nodded and looked down, "Hey, can I give you one of your presents right now?"

"No, Phil. I don't want to open any presents early." She pulled back and shook her head.

"It's an extra." Punk said, "I'm giving it to you anyway." He shook his head, opening the top drawer at his side and pulling out the velvet box as she smiled to herself.

"Phil." She whispered in a happy humming voice.

"What? I can't tell people we're engaged and have you going around with no ring on." Punk told her as she just smiled and blushed, watching as he stood up off the bed, kneeling on one knee in front of her as she grinned, watching him open the box, a sparkly, beautiful, simple ring sitting in the small cushion within it, "I think you've gotten the gist but… will you marry me?" He asked her.

"Of course I will." AJ smiled as he stood back up, taking the ring out and sliding it on her finger as she looked at it. It suited her so well. It was nothing too extravagant but it was so sparkly and a perfect fit too, "When did you get it?" She asked.

"On our way home last night." Punk told her, "You and Mal were asleep in the car so I took my opportunity." He smiled, "There was so many to choose from but the woman at the desk helped me." He said as AJ just raised her brows, "AJ, I was in the shop looking for an engagement ring, not to look at other women."

"She might have been looking at you though." AJ said, placing her hands on his arms possessively.

"She was older and had two rings on her finger." Punk said, "No need to worry." Punk just shook his head as she smiled.

"I never thought of myself getting married until I met you." AJ smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I can't believe how much of an impact a person can make on your life." She admitted truthfully as he smiled.

"And you were with Tommy to begin with." He said, "Could you imagine if he never went back overseas?" Punk asked her.

"I think we still would have wound up together anyway." AJ shrugged as Punk smiled.

"You're probably right." Punk nodded, "You're happy, right?" He asked her.

"I have never been this happy in all my life." AJ said as he smiled, "I mean… I can show you just how happy but… I was saving it all for tomorrow night." She admitted truthfully as he smirked.

"Keep saving it." Punk nodded, "I need to wrap Malia's presents." He said.

"Oh, good. I love wrapping presents." She smiled. They'd both bought Malia presents. Punk bought more of the bigger things whilst AJ located in the new dolls, sneakers, pyjamas and teddy bear areas. Although, they did both input their ideas with each other. For Punk, it was a lot more easier and fun going out and buying Malia's presents with AJ, and they both couldn't wait to see her open them.


"Can I help you, sir?" The receptionist at the police station asked as Tommy nodded.

"I'm looking for the officer April Mendez spoke to, around a week ago." Tommy said, head down as much as he could have it whilst still looking across at the receptionist.

"And you are…" The receptionist waited.

"Just a friend." Tommy said as the receptionist nodded slowly.

"Wait here." She said, walking off through the swing doors as Tommy waited, eventually watching as a man walked out of the doors and round the reception.

"Officer Clarke, how can I help you?" Daryl said, extending his hand as Tommy shook it graciously, "I believe you know April."

"She's a friend." Tommy nodded, "I just wanted to talk to you about her." He said, looking around and hoping they could talk more in privacy.

"Come through to my office." Daryl said, walking back through the swing doors whilst Tommy followed behind, walking into his office and closing the door over behind them, "So how is it you know April again?" Daryl asked.

"She's dating my brother." Tommy said, missing out some information, "She's been having a hard time recently… I assume she came and spoke to you?" Tommy asked suspiciously. He was playing this all by ere. He really had no idea what AJ had told him, and he was trying his best not to blow his cover.

"Nothing too traumatic I would say." Daryl said, "Why?"

"Well, you know April, starts off a story and never finishes it." Tommy laughed, "She said she'd come to the police, never really mentioned much more. She's stubborn like that. I don't know how my brother puts up with her." Tommy laughed, "You see, I was a marine."

"Much respect to you, sir." Daryl nodded.

"Thank you." Tommy smiled, "I just… wanted to make sure she's ok. Did she say anything to you that should be of concern?"

"It's not my place to discuss what people come talk to me about in private." Daryl said, "If April wanted you to know, she'd tell you." Daryl said, "But I wouldn't worry. She's got a good boyfriend in your brother."

"Yeah, he's a real keeper." Tommy nodded, "It's nothing for me to worry about, though? She's not in any trouble or anything?" He asked as Daryl raised his brows slightly.

"No." Daryl said, "Wouldn't your brother mention it to you if she was?" He asked.

"I suppose he would." Tommy nodded, "I can't help but stick my nose in their business. I just want to make sure they're ok." Tommy said.

"They're fine." Daryl said, "I'm pretty sure of it." He said with more suspicion growing, "What's your name again?"

"Tommy." Tommy said, "I really appreciate your time, I'll get out of your hair." He said as Daryl just leaned back on his chair and watched as Tommy upped and left the office quickly.


"Daddy! Shadow is eating the carrots for the Rudolphs." Malia said as she tried to pull the dog back from the carrots in the bowl on the floor that she was setting out. She was already in her pyjamas and was completely ready for Santa coming. Just like any child at this time of the year, she was on cloud nine.

"It's fine, we can put more out." Punk said, entering the kitchen with AJ whilst Malia tried to tug the dog back from the carrots, "Just let him eat them." Punk waved his hand.

"Bad doggy." Malia laughed playfully, patting Shadow on the head.

"Have you put milk and cookies out for Santa?" AJ asked her as Malia nodded.

"Here." Malia said as she walked over to the kitchen table, "Do you think he'll see them here."

"Santa sees everything." Punk added casually as AJ smiled, watching Malia nod as she supposed that was right.

AJ couldn't have imagined that she'd be spending this Christmas engaged and with a child under her roof. She couldn't wait to see Malia's face in the morning when she seen all the presents beside the tree.

"Ok, it's time for bed." Punk told Malia as he looked around the kitchen to make sure everything was set for the next day.

"I don't think I can sleep." Malia sighed.

"Well you're gonna have to try. Santa doesn't deliver to kids who aren't sleeping." He raised his brows as Malia nodded with a serious face, "Go up and clean your teeth, we'll be up in a minute." Punk told her as she nodded, running away and upstairs whilst Punk then turned to the plate of cookies and lifted one up.

"Phil." AJ tutted.

"What?" Punk shook his head.

"At least wait until she's asleep." AJ shook her head as Punk bit into the cookie and shrugged, "C'mon, let's go tuck her into bed." She told him as he nodded, rubbing his hands together to get rid of the cookie evidence as they headed out of the kitchen and for the stairs.

Everything was organized and ready for tomorrow. All they had to do later was move the presents from under their bed downstairs next to the tree. It was both their first experience doing this as a family. Both had never really been in that family state of mind for Christmas, and it really was wonderful. That's what family was about after all.

Punk began heading upstairs when there was a knock at the door which caused him to turn around.

"Go on up. I'll get it." AJ told him as he nodded, walking off upstairs as she walked to the door and opened it up to see Daryl standing.

"Daryl, why are you here?" AJ asked calmly.

"Sorry to bother you. I know you'll be busy." Daryl said, "I just wanted to ask you a few things about Tommy, Phil's brother." Daryl said.

"What about Tommy?" AJ asked.

"Well he came to the police station today, asking if I knew if you were ok." Daryl shrugged, "I'm a little confused, April." He admitted, feeling foolish as being a cop, he normally knew everything, scratching the back of his head.

"Why would he ask you how I was?" AJ shook her head.

"Well he asked reception who you had spoken to last week." Daryl said.

"He was watching me?" AJ questioned.

"I'm under the impression that Tommy and Phil don't speak anymore." Daryl began to gather.

"Something like that." AJ nodded, "What was it he said again?" AJ asked trying to piece it together as to why Tommy was asking about her.

"It was just like he wanted to know why you came to talk to me last week." Daryl shrugged, "Maybe he saw you go into the station and got concerned. Maybe he did want to know if you were ok." He shrugged.

"You didn't tell him anything we talked about, right?"

"No. I'd get into trouble for that." Daryl said, "It was only alarms and cameras we talked about anyway." Daryl shrugged seeing as he still didn't know AJ was attacked. AJ knew what he was like, if he knew she was attacked he'd be out questioning people and wanting to find out who it was.

"I have no idea why he'd be so interested." AJ shook her head, "That's all he asked… if I was ok?" She asked.

"Yeah." Daryl nodded, "More or less. And then he was gone." He said as AJ just shook her head, puzzled.

"I can't think for the life of me why he'd be so interested." AJ shook her head.

"Just… be careful." Daryl nodded, "The guy looked a little on edge. Couldn't really sit still. Didn't look me in the eye." He said, "Just… stay safe over the holidays, ok?" He nodded to her.

"You too." AJ nodded politely, "Thank you for letting me know. You didn't have to do that."

"I know." Daryl nodded, "Merry Christmas… to you and Phil, and the little girl." Daryl said, not remembering her name, "Remember and let Phil know he's welcomed to that study case about his parents any time. You know where I am." Daryl said.

"Thank you." AJ said, "Merry Christmas." She smiled, watching as he walked away, treading through the snow as she closed the door over and locked it over.


A/N: Not all ex's have to be evil and bad! Some. But not all. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and gets everything they want! I probably won't get a chance to update tomorrow, but no doubt I'll be back with a new chapter the next day! Hope everyone has a great time and stays safe! Merry Christmas.