Back Off

It was five weeks later and Punk and AJ's big day had finally come. Luckily enough, since they were having the ceremony in the back garden, it had turned out to be a beautiful day, a little cold, but a blue sky and the sun out.

It turned out that their small wedding had actually been underestimated, and they considered way more friends than they thought, but it wasn't a big problem, in fact, it felt warmer and better that there were more people there. People who had gone out their way to come celebrate with them.

AJ was getting ready upstairs with the girls and Malia whilst Punk and the guys were setting up and greeting guests.

"AJ, you look gorgeous." Jenny said as her and Paige stood in front of AJ who brushed her hands down her dress, constantly looking down and fidgeting to make sure it looked alright, "That dress it's just… it's beautiful. You're beautiful." She said as AJ smiled.

"Thank you for helping me get ready." AJ smiled sweetly. She didn't really know what she would have done without them. They'd helped her with her hair and her make-up, and made her feel like a princess.

"It was no problem." Paige said, "You look incredible." She said as AJ looked in the mirror and smiled to herself.

Her dress was satin and was fitted until further down where it sprawled out a little. There was no long trail, no outrageous pattern on laces at the back, it was very simple, but it suited her perfectly. Her hair was all straight, and she only had a little bit of make-up on. She didn't feel it necessary to get all glammed up, especially when Punk made her feel so comfortable in her own skin, she didn't feel like she had to impress him in anyway.

"Oh, before I forget." Jenny shook her head as AJ turned to her whilst clipping on her dainty veil at the back.

"What?" AJ said.

"Phil gave us this letter this morning." She pulled out the letter from her purse, "He wanted us to give it to you. He said it's for you." She shrugged, handing the letter over as AJ took it and looked at the envelope which read 'my daughter-in-law' with brackets 'Phil' beside it.

"Ok." AJ nodded, "Can you take Malia downstairs, make sure she's ready and everything is good to go?" AJ questioned.

"Yeah." Paige smiled, "Good luck." She winked as they both left the room, leaving AJ sitting down on the edge of the bed, tearing into the letter and straightening it up and beginning to read it.

So you're the lucky girl who's decided to put up with Phil then. I know he's probably a handful. I'm writing this and it seems strange because, he's just six years old right now but I know that if you're reading this, he isn't six years old anymore… well I hope, he always was a charming little thing.

AJ read with a smile as she held the letter tightly, continuing to read on.

If you're reading this it means that my son is happy. You obviously make him happy or else, why would he be marrying you? I hope you both look after each other. Don't ever give up on your love. Even if it seems like the right thing to do. Even if it seems like the easy way out, don't ever give up. I assume he's probably a nightmare. Leaves his dirty washing on the floor? Doesn't finish his dinner? Always watching TV? Always making inappropriate jokes? That's how he acts right now so, no doubt nothing has changed, but he has a heart of gold and I know that one day he'll grow up and be an amazing husband to you. The purpose of this letter is for me to thank you for making my son happy, for accepting him and whatever flaws he might have. To me he's perfect, I'm sure he is to you aswell.
P.s. If you haven't already had any children… I want grandchildren.

Love Veronica x

AJ smiled as she folded the letter back up, making sure she didn't let her welling tears pour out to avoid any patches in her make-up, keeping herself together as she placed the letter back into the envelope.

"God dammit." She whispered to herself as she stood up, placing the letter in her bedside drawer and fixing herself. Her and Punk had both figured out that his mother had written letters for him and Tommy to open throughout their life. AJ never knew that there were letters there for her though.

AJ got herself together and left the bedroom, walking slowly downstairs, holding her dress up so she didn't fall, finding Malia sitting on the bottom step of the stairs.

"Hey, Mal. What are you doing?" AJ asked as she stepped down off the stairs and Malia looked up, staring at AJ with wide eyes, "What?" AJ laughed.

"You look like a princess." Malia said as AJ smiled down at the ground.

"You think so?" AJ asked, "I think you look like a princess too." She said as Malia huffed.

"My dress is itchy." She said, standing up as AJ laughed.

"You'll get to take it off soon." AJ promised, crouching down carefully so she didn't tear any seams in her dress, "You know what's happening here, right?" She asked.

"You and dad are getting married." Malia nodded.

"Yeah." AJ nodded, "And you're ok about that?" She said.

"As long as you don't steal him away too much." Malia folded her arms in a serious tone as AJ smiled.

"I promise, sweetheart." AJ said, leaning forward and kissing her head, standing back up straight and looking down into the kitchen at the back door to the garden where Jenny and Paige were standing. She nodded to them and watched as they walked off and out into the garden, "Ok, let's do this." AJ smiled, "You ready?" AJ asked Malia who nodded, walking down the hall and past the kitchen, stepping out of the back door and standing at the end of the aisle with Malia beside her, watching as Punk turned his head and looked at her with an in-awe smile, dreamily staring at her as she smiled to herself.

She suddenly felt a small hand grip onto hers as she looked down and seen Malia smiling up at her.

They walked down the aisle, Malia looking around at the people sitting down, some familiar and some unfamiliar, waving to her father and Dean who were standing at the bottom of the aisle with a smile as both laughed and waved back.

"Go sit with Seth, ok?" AJ whispered to Malia once they reached the end of the aisle, "Thank you." She whispered, kissing her cheek as Malia smiled and skipped away over to Seth and Paige.

AJ turned around, facing Punk eventually and smiling up at him.

"Hi." She whispered as he stared at her in a trance.

He knew in this moment, he'd give anything to freeze this image of her. She looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful, but today he didn't know if it was because she was really becoming his or what but… he just couldn't take his eyes from her. He didn't even want to blink he was that scared he'd lose the image of her.

"Hi." He finally replied with a smile as he looked into her eyes.

Later that night, the back garden had turned into a twinkly campsite it seemed. There was a tent around the whole of the back garden, fairy lights, a warm fire crackling, tables and chairs for people to sit at. AJ had no idea about it, she went to go take her shoes off and came back out to see the whole place decorated.

The day had been beautiful, from start to finish. She couldn't believe she was now married. She knew that she wasn't going to love anyone the way she loved Punk. Their marriage was going to be the strongest thing ever. She was sure of it.

"Ok, c'mon AJ, you promised me a dance." Dean said, walking over to where AJ and Punk were sitting. AJ's legs draped over Punks with her dress, both enjoying their night privately and stealing kisses off one another every few minutes.

"It's not even been a day and you're tryna steal my wife." Punk looked up at Dean with laughter as AJ smiled.

"Your wife." AJ smiled to herself.

"What?" Punk turned to her.

"I love it." AJ smirked as she spun her legs around and stood up, "Alright, Dean. Show me your dance moves." She nodded, taking Dean's hand and walking off as Punk watched with a smile. There was a space for dancing in the centre. The place really was beautiful, the whole day had been beautiful, and he'd never felt so lucky in all his life. Watching his now wife, along with Malia as she walked down the aisle, it was the greatest sight he'd ever seen. It was then when he knew he'd love no one else the way he loved her.

"Psst." Punk heard from behind him at the back door, turning his head and watching as Rachel stumbled down the steps, "Did I miss the party?" She asked drunkenly as Punk stood up.

"What the hell are you doing here? We agreed you get Malia tomorrow." Punk said. He'd spoken to Rachel and Malia had seen her mother again over the past few weeks but… something just wasn't right. It was like she dreaded going to Rachel's now.

"I thought I was invited to the party?" Rachel chuckled as she looked around, "This is a pretty party." She observed.

"No, remember I told you that you specifically weren't invited." Punk said.

"If AJ sees you she'll flip, and I swear to God you better not ruin this day for her." Punk told her, "Just leave."

"Why does she hate me?" Rachel asked. She wasn't completely out of her face, but she was a little tipsy, that was for sure, "She has you. She sees Malia more than me. Why is she so unhappy when she has everything?"

"She just doesn't wanna cross paths with you. Ok?" Punk said, "Now can you leave, please." He said, tugging on her arm lightly as Rachel just shook her head as the two continued to bicker.

Meanwhile Dean and AJ were dancing to the mellow music, of course they weren't taking anything serious, Dean was spinning her around and embarrassing her just like he loved to do. He was happy for Punk, especially after everything he'd been through. He deserved this happiness.

"You know, Punk told me he almost jizzed his pants when he seen you walk down the aisle." Dean told her over the music, having had a lot to drink but still standing firm.

"That's lovely." AJ laughed, "What every wife wants to hear on their wedding day." AJ nodded as they danced slowly and spoke.

"In all seriousness, I'm really happy for you both. I've never seen Punk so in love… so happy." Dean said as AJ just smiled to herself, "And he's lucky to have you." He said as AJ smiled.

"Oh, Dean. Don't get all soppy on me." AJ laughed, turning her head to take a glimpse at Punk as her smile faded, her hands loosening from around Dean as a scowl overtook her features.

"AJ." Dean looked at her, "Hey, what is-" Dean turned as he seen Rachel speaking… no, yelling at Punk as he yelled back angrily, "Best just leave that alone, huh-" Dean turned around as AJ whizzed by him and past the tables, lifting her dress so she didn't trip, walking in her bare feet and approaching them both.

"What are you doing here?" AJ asked as she looked at Rachel, "I thought you said she was getting Malia tomorrow?" She turned to Punk.

"She's supposed to be." Punk said, "She was just leaving."

"No. I wanna stay for the party." Rachel said, "You're my daughter's father, you're my ex-"

"Which means you shouldn't be here." AJ said as she stepped in front of Punk and glared at Rachel.

"Oh, well I guess we know who wears the pants in this relationship." Rachel laughed, "You're pretty." She smirked.

"Leave." AJ spat, "Now." She said, not backing down as she moved into Rachel causing her to stumble back whilst Punk stood behind chuckling silently, "You're not ruining my wedding." She said as Rachel gulped and looked around.

"Shit party anyway." Rachel shook her head, "I'll be picking Malia up early tomorrow so make sure she's ready." She warned as AJ backed off and stood back beside Punk, waving to Rachel as she scolded and marched off.

"She was shaking in her boots." Punk laughed, not being able to help it.

"Who does she think she is? Ruining my wedding? I don't think so." AJ spat as Punk smiled, kissing her head and looking over as he seen Malia fast asleep on one of the outside couches, watching as Paige pulled a blanket over her.

"She secretly loved that dress." Punk said as AJ turned around, her anger fading as she looked at Malia fast asleep, "You know, I don't think that Rachel is… being the same with her."

"What do you mean?" AJ asked as she turned around to Punk.

"Well before, Malia was always so excited to back home to her mom's. She used to love being there with her, and… despite how you feel, Rachel is a good mom." He said, "But now… haven't you noticed whenever I tell her that Rachel is coming to pick her up she gets all stroppy, drags her feet across the floor, looks bored?" Punk said.

"What? Do you think Rachel isn't looking after her right?" AJ asked.

"No, I just… I don't know." Punk said truthfully, "Something isn't right."

"Malia would tell you." AJ assured him, "I'd drag my feet along the floor too if I had to go spend the day with her." AJ rolled her eyes.

"Hey, play nice." Punk said through his laughter as AJ smiled, "She's not all bad."

"She was working with Hank." AJ countered with raised eyebrows.

"Not out of choice." Punk said, "She's a good mom, and I know she loves Mal. I can't fault her for that." He said.

"You can be a good mom and a bitch at the same time. Don't you remember she attacked me?" AJ questioned.

"Oh, I remember." Punk nodded, his nostril flickering a little, "But this is a new chapter of our life now." He smiled, "Right?" He took her hands in his as she nodded.

"I know." AJ nodded, "I just want her to know that… she better back off." AJ said, "You're all mine now." She smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck as he smiled.