Chapter 36: The Ring (Part II)
"What about this one?" Punk asked pointing to a ring
"No" she said folding her arms in disapproval. Punk just sucked in a frustrated breath and smiled towards the clerk helping them.
"Can you give us a minute?" he asked the woman who just nodded and stepped away "What was wrong with that ring?"
"It wasn't my ring" April said to him
"April I can get you the same exact ring" Punk reminded her "You said you didn't want that"
"I don't want the same exact thing" April said to him "Because that will take away from the original ring"
"Ok so here we are at the same place I bought your last ring and you don't like any other ring" Punk pointed out growing more and more frustrated
"Can't we just wait to see if they find my ring?" April begged "It has so much meaning"
"April the ring is gone" Punk said to her
"But I loved that ring" April sighed
"You're in luck because I had that ring made for you and I can have it made again" Punk smiled "Crisis averted"
"I loved the ring because it was special. It wasn't the style of the ring it was the physical ring itself" April argued
"I have no idea what you're saying now" Punk admitted annoyed
"I want my old ring back" April said to him
"We have to face the fact that it's not coming back" Punk said to her "So let's get you a new one and hey you can help pick this one out"
"I'll be at the car" April said walking past him
"April you need a ring" Punk said stopping her from leaving
"Why?" April asked him
"Why? Because we're engaged" Punk said to her "The ring means 'off the market' I don't want you floating around without the ring"
"I was yours long before the ring ever went on" April reminded him "I'll just wear the wedding band unless my ring pops up" she shrugged
"I want you to have an engagement ring" Punk argued "Isn't that something you'd want to pass down to your own kids one day?" he did make a good point "And honestly it's a man thing- I need you to have the ring on"
"Can we just wait a few more days?" April asked hopefully "I swear to you if the police can't find it by next week we'll come back here and I'll wear any ring you want"
"Fine" Punk sighed and watched as she walked out the door "We'll be back next week" he told the employee then followed her out.
Punk was downstairs getting ready to go to a game with Colt, originally April was going to go but she told him her head was killing her and wanted to stay in but insisted he go with Colt.
"Where is she?" Colt asked
"She's upstairs sleeping" Punk said to him "You think I should stay here with her?"
"Is she sick?" Colt asked
"She said her head hurts but she had a rough night last night" Punk said to him
"But she called me up and asked me to go with you" Colt said to him
"I know what she said doesn't mean I should leave her" Punk said to him "I think she was just in shock last night and today it really hit her."
"Two guys jumping me on the street would terrify me" Colt said to him seriously "This is such a good area too I can't believe it"
"It was that fucking Jason" Punk shot at him
"Are you sure man?" Colt sighed "I mean anyone could have seen her with that huge rock"
"They were hiding behind her car specifically waiting for her" Punk pointed out "It's not like it was a random guy walking down the street"
"Did they have a weapon or anything?" Colt asked
"Nah I don't think so. They just grabbed her" Punk said
"She wants you to go the game" Colt pointed out "So let's go to the game and you could bring her back something"
"She does love those stupid peanuts they sell" Punk said to him
"See" Colt grinned
"Alright I'm just going to check on her first" Punk turned and raced up the steps
Punk walked into the bedroom and she opened her eyes when she felt him enter the room.
"Hey shouldn't you be going?" April asked him
"Yea I just wanted to check on you first, see if you needed anything" he offered
"No I'm good just have fun" April smiled
"I feel bad leaving you" Punk admitted
"My head hurts it's nothing serious. I just need to sleep it off" April assured him. He leaned down and pecked her lips. "Love you"
"I love you too" Punk said then pulled away
April had finally fallen asleep an hour after Punk had left only to be woken up by the doorbell.
"Ugh no" April groaned crawling out of the bed and walking down the steps. She was still on edge after the mugging so she made sure to look through the peephole. She looked away and contemplated not even answering.
"I know you're right there" the voice said "Come on April". April gave in and unlocked the door and opened it to let her father in. "Dad" she greeted out
"Hello dear" he smiled stepping inside
"I thought you were leaving last night" April noted closing the door behind him
"I was but I didn't really like how we left things off"
"It's how we left things off years ago" April noted
"I'm worried" he frowned "I wanted to make sure you were ok"
"I'm fine I can take care of myself" April said to him "And since when do you care what happens to me?"
"Since you were mugged on the street April" Her father scolded "Why are you being so hostile this isn't like you"
"I've grown up over the years" April said to him "You wouldn't know"
"It was for the best" he said to her "I mean you are doing what you set out to do are you not?"
"Yea" April admitted
"I've seen your work" her father admitted
"You have?" April asked surprised
"I watched when you were with Dolph Ziggler then John Cena. Not a fan of the current work you're in which is not being on my screen" he smiled causing her to smile
"I can't believe you've seen me" April said taking a seat on the couch and he followed
"I watch it at night when your mother falls asleep" he admitted "I look forward to it. She blames you know? She said if I hadn't taken you and Robbie to all of those Wrestling shows when you were younger you never would have left"
"I love my job" April said to him "it's everything I have ever wanted"
"I know" he said to her "And now you're getting married" he noted
"He's a wonderful man" April said to him
"I'm not arguing that" he promised "He seems like he loves you very much"
"He does" April said to him "He's been there for more like no one else"
"That's all I've ever wanted for you" her father said to her "I stopped by earlier but you weren't home"
"Oh we had to stop by the police station and then Phil wanted to look at new rings" April said to him
"I see your hand is still bare" her father noted curiously
"I want my old ring" April said to him "Or as I like to call it the real ring. Phil just wants to pick any other ring and slap it on"
"I think he just wants you to be happy" her father smiled "Make the man happy and get another ring don't be so difficult"
"I don't want another ring" April said to him "I just feel bad that I lost the ring"
"You didn't lose it" he argued "You were robbed"
"I was stupid to tell my friend where I was" April said to him "I feel so bad about all of this. Phil has opened his home and life to me and gave me this beautiful ring that costs a fortune and I took it for granted"
"I don't think he sees it that way" her father said to her "And you shouldn't either. You're a very generous young lady you always have been"
"It's not just about me anymore" April reminded him "I've been so used to being on my own and looking out for me I'm still getting used to the fact that the things I say or do don't just effect me anymore"
"It's part of being married" her father said to her "You're going to make a wonderful wife"
"Speaking of that I don't know if I should even bother sending you guys a wedding invitation" April said to him "But having you walk me down the aisle would be nice"
"Ask Hector" Her father suggested "He deserves it"
"How do you know Hector?" April asked
"I know what you were up to April" her father smiled "He was good to you he should have that honor of walking you down the aisle"
"Yes he should" April agreed
"I did want to give you this" he said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ring
"What is this?" April asked
"It was your grandmothers" he told her passing it to her "She refused to let me give it to your mother" he chuckled "But before she passed she told me she wanted you to have it"
"It's so beautiful" April noted looking at the classically beautiful ring
"I'm sure it's not the size of your last ring or anything but it's pretty upscale" he smirked "Your grandfather told me he saved for two years to get her this ring. He said he wanted her to have something as beautiful as she was"
"I love it" April smiled and slipped it on her finger to just to see how it would look "It fits perfectly"
"I'm not saying to wear it" her father said to her "I just wanted to make sure you had it like she had wished"
"Thank you" April said admiring the ring "I loved grandma so much"
"I know" he said quietly "She was so proud of you" he chuckled "She stopped coming around after you left. She hated that we couldn't support you"
"I wish I could have said goodbye to her" April admitted
"She wouldn't have wanted you to see her like that. I wanted to call you but she told me she didn't want you leaving Tampa, she wanted you to keep working and fighting" he told her. He then looked at his watch and stood up "I really need to catch this flight or your mother might fly out and look for me" he warned
"Oh no" April said fearfully. Her father pulled her into a hug
"I love you April" he whispered "Don't doubt that"
"I love you too" April choked out and walked him to the door
When Punk walked back in the house he had a large bag with him and was surprised to see April on the couch watching TV.
"Hey how was the game?" she asked with a smile, clearly her spirits had been lifted
"Good" Punk said to her
"What do you have there?" April asked
"Glad you asked dear" Punk grinned putting the bag on the table "I got you a Cubs jersey" he said holding it up "A burger and fries from the diner you love, cookies from your favorite bakery" he rambled as he pulled items out of the bag "A stack of comments and Rent on DVD since you've been talking about losing it in the move"
"Oh wow" April smiled wide "You're the best" she said happily as he passed her a container of food "What's the occasion?"
"You don't feel good I wanted to help" Punk shrugged "How are you feeling?"
"Good" she said opening the top and he caught a glimpse of something sparkling on her left hand
"Um babe?" Punk asked nodding towards the ring
"Oh I thought I took it off" April said realizing her grandmother's ring was still on her. "While you were out this really attractive rich man came by and proposed to me and guess what? I said yes" she said holding up her left hand proudly
"Congratulations" Punk teased "Where is he?"
"He's upstairs waiting for me in bed" April said as seriously as she could "I was just on my way up"
"Well don't let me interrupt" Punk said to her "Just tell me honestly, it was the mail man wasn't it?"
"Yes you know how much I love the way he fills my b-" April started but Punk stopped her
"Too far" Punk warned causing her to laugh
"My dad dropped by and gave this to me" April said slipping off the ring and passing it to him "It was my grandmothers engagement ring and she had wanted me to have it"
"It's really nice" Punk said looking over the ring "You should wear it" he suggested
"Oh no Phil" April said shaking her head "You spent so much on the ring-"
"I don't want to hear about the price of the ring again" Punk warned "Clearly you love this ring, it means a lot to you and that's what matters to me. Besides it's about the same size of the ring I got you speaking of how loaded is your family?" he asked seriously
"My grandfather made good money but he spent a long time saving for this" April said to him
"I think you should wear this one" Punk said slipping it on her ring finger "It fits you beautifully"
"Are you sure you don't mind?" April asked him
"Yes I'm sure" Punk assured her
"Thank you" she smiled giving him a kiss "You're the best fiancé ever I can't wait to call you husband"
"Only a few weeks" Punk smiled
"Speaking of that I really want to go see Hector" April said to him "I know we're sending him an invitation and all but I need someone to walk me down the aisle…"
"I think we can squeeze it in" Punk smirked "What about your family? Still going to send them an invitation?"
"No" April said but this time she said it with confidence. "That chapter is officially closed. I realized tonight that I don't need a family because I already have one with you" she said truthfully "But uh- speaking of the wedding-"
"No I'm not going to tell you where I'm planning on the honeymoon" Punk said cutting her off
"Come on!" April whine "It's my honeymoon too"
"Yes but I want to surprise you" Punk smirked
"I hate surprises" April pouted
"You are such a little kid" Punk laughed "You're going to love it" he promised
"But not even a small hint?" April asked
"It's going to be hot" Punk said to her "So you don't have to pack heavy clothing or much clothing in general because we're not going to need it"
"Are we going to some nudist colony?" April asked with wide eyes
"You think I would let you walk around naked?" Punk asked seriously
"True" April agreed "Well that doesn't really narrow anything down"
"Just worry about the wedding and I'll worry about everything else" Punk told her
"Including asking for the week off?" April questioned
"Yea" Punk said with a chuckle "I have a meeting with Vince Monday night anyway I'll tell him all about it"
"What if he doesn't give us the time to get married?" April asked
"If he wants me to continue making him millions he'll have no choice" Punk smirked
"I'm getting so excited and now I have a ring again" she smiled looking at the elegant diamond on her hand "Everything is perfect"
"It only gets better" Punk promised
"I love when you say that" April sighed happily eating a fry "Because it really does only get better when you say it"
"I won't ever steer you wrong" Punk assured her "It's going to be great I can feel it"