Chapter 36: Love, Honor and Protect
Today was the day that Punk never imagined would come. Today was going to be the day he declared his love and devotion to only one woman. And surprisingly he wasn't nervous at all, no cold feet, no fear just excitement. Was something wrong with him? He thought to himself. He glanced at himself in the mirror of the guest bedroom where he was getting dressed and thought he looked damn good but he was more excited to see AJ. The wedding was going to be small, very small. Only a handful of people were in attendance for this evenings nuptials and he was ok with that. He had made an attempt to get AJ's family to take the trip out they weren't interested. He knew deep down it broke her heart but all that meant was that he'd have to piece it back together and he'd do it happily.
"Come in" Punk said when he heard the soft knock at the door. He was surprised to AJ sneaking into the room. She had on her short little silk robe, one that he loved so much or actually loved taking off of her. "Hey you ok?"
"Yea you look hot" She grinned. Her hair and makeup were perfect, all she needed was her dress but she didn't want him to see that at all.
"Isn't it bad luck to see each other before the wedding?" Punk asked
"I thought you didn't believe in luck" AJ pointed out as she closed the door behind her
"Good point" He agreed "You want a pre-wedding quickie?" he asked seriously causing her to roll her eyes at him
"No you perv" she said to him "I wanted to give you your wedding gift"
"You got me a gift?" Punk asked her and she nodded "We're not even married yet"
"I can't wait I'm too excited!" She admitted happily
"I think the fact that you're marrying me is gift enough" Punk replied smoothly
"You're sweet" she smirked "But no I have to show you the gift before the wedding" she told him. He noticed she wasn't holding anything in her hands and now eyed her suspiciously.
"Ok" he said removing his jacket "But we really have to make it quick because I still need to talk to Cliff about what he's going to say-"
"Put your jacket back on!" AJ laughed then turned around so her back was facing him. That's when she slowly pulled down her robe so her bare back was free, covered only by her long hair
"I don't get it" Punk admitted
"Move my hair you jerk" she giggled and he did as he was told and brushed her hair to the side- and there it was. Punk was stunned to see the name 'Punk' tattooed right on her neck. "Do you like it?" she asked anxiously since she couldn't see his facial reaction
"No, I love" he said with a broad smile running his fingers over the mark "When did you do this?"
"This morning" She said to him "Do you really like it?"
"Yes I do" he said lightly kissing the fresh mark. She then lifted her robe back up and tied it in front of her
"Are you surprised?" she asked him arching a brow
"I'm surprised, I'm flattered and honestly I'm a little turned on" Punk told her seriously causing her to grin
"I'm so glad you like it" She said kissing his cheek "I was really nervous"
"Nervous about showing me a tattoo?" Punk smirked "I do kind of wish I could have been there. I would have loved to been by your side while you got your first tattoo"
"I was actually glad you weren't there just incase I cried" she told him "But I didn't, it wasn't that bad"
"That's my girl" he said wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her flush against him "You couldn't fit 'property of' above it?" he asked kissing her cheek lightly
"I'm pretty sure the name says it all" AJ said to him as she tilted her head to the side as he kissed down her neck
"Phil" she said to him as she felt his hands creep to her butt to pull her in even closer "We're getting married in an hour"
"I know I'm just….having fun" he said as he kissed back up her neck
"Seriously we can't" she warned but making no effort to escape him
"It's your fault" Punk defended while his hands now moved to the front of her robe "Seeing my name tattooed into your perfect skin really excited me"
"We really-" AJ started but Punk covered her mouth with his open
"No!" a voice yelled scaring both of them. They leapt apart as the intruder stepped further into the room "This is very bad" Cliff said grabbing AJ lightly by the wrist and pulling her away from Punk "Do I have to start squirting you with a water bottle as if you're some kind of a dog?"
"She came in here and jumped all over me" Punk defended causing AJ to glare at him
"AJ I went to help you get dressed and you were gone- don't scare me like that" Cliff said to her
"Yea AJ you-" Punk started then stopped "-you went to go help her get dressed?" he asked his friend
"I wasn't literally going to help her into her dress" Cliff laughed but Punk just eyed his friend "Unless you want me to?" he asked AJ hopefully
"Alright I'm going, I'm going" AJ said quickly then shot Punk her signature smile "I'll see you on the roof" she said with a wink. Cliff went to follow AJ out but Punk just grabbed him by the back collar of his shirt yanking him into the room.
"No" he scolded Cliff as if he was a dog
"But I just-" Cliff started
"Don't push me Cliffy" Punk warned
"Fine" Cliff muttered
AJ was now fully dressed and she honestly loved the dress Phil's sisters picked out for her. She wasn't big on dresses like this but it was elegant and casual at the same time. It was a long ivory silk gown, she kind of thought it could pass as nightgown but she didn't care. It didn't matter what she wore all that mattered was she became Mrs. Brooks by the end of the night. As she grabbed the single rose she was going to walk down the 'aisle' to she caught Paul Heyman about to knock on her door.
"There you are" Paul smiled warmly and pulled her into a hug "You look exquisite" he told her as he eyed her from head to toe
"Are you sure?" she asked nervously looking down at her dress "It's not really my style, I just want Phil to like it"
"Trust me sweetheart he'd love anything you were in" Paul told her sincerely "Or not in for that matter" he added with a cheeky smile
"Thank you again for doing this for me" AJ said lightly grabbing his hand "It means a lot to me that I don't have to do this alone"
"You're not alone anymore kiddo" Paul reminded her "You're not just marrying Phil but you've inherited all of us as well. And I am honored to give you away"
"I really appreciate it" AJ told him with a warm smile
"Nervous?" he asked her as he held out his arm for her to grab onto
"No. Is that weird?" she asked him
"Not at all" Paul said happily "It just means you know you're doing the right thing"
"I hope I can make him happy" AJ said to Paul who look surprised
"I've known Punk for many, many years dear and I've never seen him happy except for when he's with you" Paul assured her
Punk was on the rooftop and the few people invited were there as well. It was close to midnight and the roof was lit up with candles and even he had to admit it looked great. The way the moon was shinning tonight, the brisk cool air- it was all perfect, maybe too perfect.
"Second thoughts?" Cliff asked as he stood near Punk
"No" Punk said to him
"Are you sure?" Cliff asked him seriously as Punk just glared at him "Alright, alright"
AJ arrived at the roof with Paul and he walked her down the makeshift aisle to Punk. AJ wasn't wearing much makeup and her dress was simple but he thought she was breathtaking actually she literally was breathtaking. He watched her make her way towards him with a slightly nervous smile she hated attention on her.
"You look amazing" Punk said as Paul passed her off to Punk
"Thank you" she said blushing slightly
"Wow" Cliff said eyeing AJ "You look…."
"Get on with it and don't make me throw you off the roof" Punk warned as Cliff looked hurt, AJ just smiled.
"Right sorry" Cliff said to him "Hi everyone! You all know who I am and I have agreed to perform this wedding ceremony thankfully neither of them are traditional because I have honestly have no idea what the hell I'm doing" he told them honestly as the few people laughed- except for Punk who looked like he was going to Cliff "Anyway welcome to the day we thought would never come- Phil Brooks' wedding day. I remember when Punk had girlfriend after girlfriend after girlfriend-" Punk shot him another glare "-after girlfriend" he finished looking at Punk in the eye then back towards everyone "I would ask him is she the one? And he always laughed in my face. He told me the one didn't exist. He said it was impossible for someone to be made for him, he didn't believe in love or fate or happiness for the most part" he chuckled "That all changed when he met our little AJ" he said smiling towards her "I don't blame Punk for marrying her because I would marry her in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact how about skip all of the sappy crap and just get to the part where I ask if anyone objects?" he suggested
"Cliff" Punk warned
"Fine, kidding" Cliff said to him "Which brings me to my next point he hates that I'm in love with AJ and whenever I'd make comments about his other ladies he used to laugh with me now he just threatens to kill me"
"It's true" Punk agreed as AJ giggled
"That's when I knew I would never have AJ" Cliff told the crowd sadly "She already had Punk's heart. I personally don't see what she sees in him but eh I'm not going to judge"
"Get it on with it" Punk warned
"Ok, ok" Cliff said to him "I'm honored that I was asked-"
"Volunteered" Punk corrected
"I was honored to volunteer to perform this ceremony" Cliff corrected with a broad smile "Seriously though they're not into that sappy crap so all I'm going to say is that I love both of you and I'm truly happy for you both. You two are truly meant to be and the fact that you two found each other in this crazy messed up world makes me believe there's hope for everyone- except for me because well you kind of stole her from me dude. Another part I'm leaving out of this speech is the promise to love, honor and protect because let's be honest they've already done that for each other time and time again. They don't need to say the words when their actions show it everyday"
"I am proud to officially wed two of the strongest, generous, loving and kind of mean people I have ever met. I know pronounce you man and wife" Cliff said to them "You can kiss my bride- I mean the bride" he said with a wink towards AJ. Punk ignored it and pulled AJ into a kiss.
"Ok now you can kiss the officiator" Cliff smiled as they pulled away. AJ leaned over and kissed his cheek
"I'll kiss you alright" Punk muttered "With my fist"
"I didn't want one from you anyway" Cliff teased back then shook his hands "Congratulations" he said pulling Punk into a hug
"Thanks" Punk said happily and soon everyone surrounded them to give them their well wishes.
Inside Punk and AJ's home Drew Keith was picking on his food when Paul Heyman walked next to him.
"They look disgustingly happy don't they?" Paul smirked. AJ was sitting on Punk's lap and they were both stealing kisses from each other and gazing into each other's eyes. The complete opposite of something CM Punk would do.
"They deserve it" Drew said with a frown
"You're supposed to be happy" Paul laughed "Why are you being such a downer"
"I've got some news" Drew said to him "I just don't know how to tell them" he admitted "I really don't want to"
"That doesn't sound good" Paul said while his smile disappeared
"It's not good" Drew confirmed taking a sip of his drink "Not at all"
"What is it?" Paul asked him
"I really should talk to them first" Drew told him
"Talk to me" Paul said to him "And I'll make the call on whether you should ruin this night for them. I'm their family let me decide how to protect them"
"FBI picked up some photos" Drew started "Christian Scott is back in the country"
"No" Paul said in disbelief
"Afraid so" Drew said to him "I hate to do this to them but they have to know"
"Yea" Paul agreed "Just tell him" he said to Drew
"AJ has a right to know" Drew reminded him
"She does but let him tell her" Paul insisted. "Give him the information and let him handle it. She deserves to be happy for a little"
"She deserves to be safe" Drew retorted
"Trust me" Paul said glancing over to them "He'll keep her safe"
"Fine" Drew said to him
When Punk eventually pulled himself away from AJ he headed upstairs to use the bathroom and as he stepped out of the room Drew was waiting for him.
"You know I have four other bathrooms here right? You didn't have to wait" Punk smirked
"He's here" Drew told him and Punk knew what he was talking about instantly
"What do you mean?" Punk asked slowly
"He's back in the country" Drew told him
"Where in the country?" Punk demanded
"The picked up some surveillance photos of him arriving in Miami yesterday" Drew told him
"So I'm assuming by your face and tone that the FBI didn't pick him up?" Punk asked and Drew shook his head no "Holy fuck" he said running his hands over his face
"We're working on it" Drew assured him
"He's coming for her" Punk told him
"I know" Drew said to him "I have two officers assigned here until he gets caught"
"Comforting" Punk muttered "What am I supposed to say to her?"
"I'll tell her he volunteered" Drew offered
"No" Punk said to him "Don't mention this to her tonight. I want her to have one night"
"Phil-" Drew started
"-don't tell her" Punk said in a lower tone "She's just starting to slowly get over this Jack thing. And today is the first day she hasn't mentioned it, she's actually happy and I'm not going to ruin that and either are you"
"She should-" Drew started
"-I know what she needs!" Punk yelled "I'll worry about AJ you just worry about getting this guy before I can get to him"
"You have to tell her" Drew repeated
"And I will" Punk said to him " Just not right now. Right now she gets to be a happy bride and tomorrow she can go back to being scared of the doorbell ringing and cars backfiring"
"I'm really sorry about this" Drew said to him honestly "I wish this didn't happen especially today"
"Yea I'm sorry too" Punk mumbled as Drew walked away
"I was beginning to think you fell in" AJ said with a smile as she walked down the hall towards him "Are you ok?" she asked noting how pale he was all of sudden
"Yea" Punk said forcing a smile
"You're pale as a ghost and you're sweating-" She said nervously
"I'm fine" he said grabbing her hand and kissing it gently
"Come back down and eat something" she said still unsure about his health.
"Yea good idea" Punk said to her as he led her down the stairs.
Later that night Punk and AJ were finally alone and it was close to three in the morning.
"Did someone upset you?" AJ asked him
"No" he said quietly as he took his shoes off
"You'd tell me if something was wrong right?" AJ asked and it was as if she knew and was testing him but he wasn't going to ruin this night for her.
"Mrs. Brooks how many times do I have to tell you I'm fine?" Punk asked trying to distract her by calling her by her new last name
"Until I believe you" AJ said with a frown as Punk walked over to her and kissed her lips.
"I love your tattoo" Punk said to her as he ran his hands up and down the silk dress
"You're trying to distract me" AJ smirked and Punk was surprised by how well she really did know him
"Is it working?" Punk asked as he nipped her neck gently
"Yes" she said with a sly smile then pulled away
"What? What are you doing?" Punk asked in a disappointed voice
"I have something special for you tonight" AJ smiled as she backed away
"For me?" He asked pointing at himself and she just nodded as he smiled wide "I didn't get you a thing" he said with a laugh
"Oh you can just go ahead and take all that off" she said motioning to his clothes "I'll be out in ten minutes-"
"I'll just be here" he said pointing to the bed "Waiting!" he shouted with a laugh as she headed into the bathroom. He smiled towards the door as she closed it then frowned. Now he knew he was in deep and was already intentionally lying to her but he was far more worried about not only keeping her physical safe, but mentally sane.