Chapter 37: Wedding Present
The next morning AJ woke up and was hoping she'd be up before Punk so she could actually cook him breakfast at least without burning the house down this time. She made sure to set her alarm but it never went off. She looked and saw it was already almost eleven and she hopped out of bed racing for clothes. Punk wasn't there; she assumed he went for a run, which meant she didn't have much time to cook.
She practically slid into the kitchen but completely froze when she saw Punk in the kitchen at the counter.
"No" AJ said in a disappointed voice, she then saw a complete breakfast fest on the table.
"I'm really alarmed that 'no' was the first word out of your mouth upon seeing your brand new husband" Punk noted dropping the paper he was reading
"I wanted to surprise you with breakfast" AJ pouted
"We think alike" Punk said with a shrug "I had the same idea"
"I had an alarm set" AJ said placing her hands on her hips
"I know. I'm the one that turned it off" Punk smirked "Now come here and give me a kiss good morning" she smiled as she walked towards him and captured his lips with her own. "Hi wife" he smiled as she pulled away
"Hi husband" she grinned back
"Hungry?" he questioned "I know I am. I've been waiting for you to get up"
"You should have woken me up" she said as they both walked over to the table and took a seat
"You looked so peaceful" Punk admitted with a smirk "You kept smiling, what were you dreaming about?"
"If I tell you than it won't come true" AJ smirked pouring herself a cup of coffee
"I think that's how wishes work not dreams" Punk said to her "At least tell me if I was in your dream"
"Possibly" She teased "It was the first good dream I've had in a week"
"I noticed you didn't wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat" Punk noted placing some food on his plate
"I feel so at peace" AJ admitted with a happy sigh "As soon as we were officially married it's like this weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and nothing can bring me down" he just forced a smile knowing he was keeping something from her. His plan was to tell her this morning but he couldn't bring her down now "You on the other hand seem more miserable since putting that ring on your finger, is it cutting off your circulation or something?"
"No" he said with a small chuckle looking at the silver band around his left ring finger "This feels right I'm just trying to digest everything that's all"
"Are you sure?" she asked
"Well the truth is…" he started as he eyed her happy and hopeful eyes, he just couldn't take that away from her "…I was worried your wedding present wouldn't arrive on time"
"You got me a present?" AJ asked surprised
"Of course I did" He smirked "But it pales in comparison to your gift to me"
"I doubt that" AJ said to him "I'm sure it's completely over the top and amazing"
"Want to see it?" he asked arching a brow at her
"It's here?" AJ asked in a giddy voice
"It is" he confirmed "Got here about an hour ago"
"Ok" she said happily but he just starred at her "Well are you going to get it?"
"It's too big for me to bring to you" Punk told her simply and stood up "Come on" he said nodding his head for her to follow him "I actually put a lot of thought into this" he assured her as they walked through the living room
"I'm sure you did" she said unsurely "Where are we going?" she asked as they reached the front door
"Outside" He said opening the door and waited for her to walk out first. As soon AJ stepped outside she saw a large bus. "It's not very romantic, it's actually pretty practical but just imagine all the romantic nights we can have on the bus"
"You got a bus?" AJ asked in awe as they walked down the steps and towards the bus
"I got us a bus" he said taking the key and unlocking the door "Come take a look" he said stepping on first and she followed. It was huge.
"Holy crap" she said stunned "This looks like a five star hotel room!"
"It has everything" Punk informed her "Two bathrooms, a shower, plenty of seats, TV and the best part- an xbox"
"This is amazing!" AJ said with a smile
"We're traveling a lot and I hate cramping into a small car, we need to relax and this will help us." Punk said to her "You really like it?" he asked
"Yes it's great" she said with a smile "I love it"
"Good" he grinned
"How are we going fit into these bunks?" she asked him "We're going to have to sleep separately. Not really a fan of that" she frowned
"Oh my crazy wife" Punk sighed walking to the back door on the bus "This is the main attraction" he said pulling the door back to the main bedroom. It had a huge bed and a connecting bathroom "This is where we'll be sleeping"
"Wow" she said happily jumping onto the bed "It's so comfy" she said running her hands over the fabric and mattress
"Is it?" he asked pushing the bed down with his hand
"Come here" she said extending her arms to him to invite him onto the bed but instead of moving onto the bed he moved onto his wife, pressing her further into the mattress.
"You're right this is comfy" he said seriously
"You haven't even felt the bed yet" AJ reminded him
"Well this is how I plan on sleeping every night" Punk told her seriously as he nipped his lips gently
"You'll squash me" AJ giggled as Punk pressed his lower body into hers
"I'll be gentle I swear" Punk promised kissing her lips again only this time he didn't pull away and neither did she. It wasn't long before Punk pulled down her night shorts and his own boxers, christening their new bus already.
Later that day Punk and AJ were packing up for the next set of shows. And he still hadn't told her about Christian being back. He just hadn't found the right time yet.
"This feels wrong" Punk said to her "We should be packing for a long two week honeymoon not for work"
"We'll get the time eventually and besides that bus really helps things" AJ said to him
"You really like it?" Punk asked her
"It's seriously great. I can't believe you never had one before" AJ noted as she folded up some shorts
"I don't like to really spend money" Punk admitted
"Really?" she asked with a laugh holding up her engagement ring
"I like spending it on you" Punk corrected "Which is why getting the bus was easy for me"
"My gift sucks in comparison" AJ pointed out
"Getting my name tattooed onto your body where it will be for the rest of your life isn't only really romantic it shows just how much you love me and how much you believe in us. You can't put a price tag on that" Punk said to her
"You got my lips tattooed on you like a month after we started dating" AJ reminded him
"I have a lot of tattoos" Punk shrugged "Each one means a lot to me but this was your first and only it really says something"
"I'm glad you approve" AJ said to him "But I just can't get over the bus" she marveled causing him to smile lightly to himself, he was glad she loved it so much "What are we going to do with all of those bunks?"
"Well obviously I want Langston on the bus while we travel" Punk told her
"I don't think he'll fit in one of the bunks" AJ smirked "Besides I think it's all going to be ok" she told him optimistically "I think we've seen the last of Christian Scott at least for a long time. I mean I'm married now there's nothing he can do or say that will change that. Why risk coming back here for nothing?" she asked him with a laugh
"Yea" He muttered "Look about that" he started
"Yea?" she asked noticing he stopped talking
"I really need to tell you…" he said eyeing her carefully and saw she was still so upbeat "….that I think Langston on the bus with us is a good idea. Just for now"
"Ok whatever makes you feel better" AJ said with a laugh "I'm going to get the laundry" she announced then walked out of the room leaving Punk to mentally kick himself.
Punk and AJ were lounging on the couch watching an 'Office' marathon. A show that he didn't really like but she adored.
"Have you noticed the cop car outside?" AJ bought up casually
"What?" Punk asked her trying to ignore the question
"I saw it out there this morning when we went to the bus and when I looked out the window before it was still there" AJ said to him
"Drew said he'd have cops in the area until Christian was caught" he told her simply "So what's this guys deal?" he asked pointing to the TV hoping to get her attention away from the cop car
"Dwight?" AJ laughed "He's in love with paper and Angela"
"Who loves paper?" Punk mocked "And why does he look like that?"
"I happen to think he's very sexy" AJ told him proudly as he looked down at her
"Him?" He asked gesturing to the TV "The nerd with big glasses?"
"He is not nerd!" AJ defended "And he's wonderful. If I hadn't have met you I totally would have married him"
"You do realize this is all scripted, right?" he asked his wife
"I bet there are tons of Dwight K Shrutes in the world" AJ said to him
"So it was either me or someone like him?" Punk asked her and she nodded "You are so strange"
"I happen to-" AJ started but stopped when the doorbell rang "I'll get it" she said standing up but Punk shot up out of his sight and darted past her to the door
"I got it" he said opening the door to reveal Drew Keith
"Hey" Drew smiled "Can I come in?"
"Yea" Punk said stepping aside to let the detective in
"Hi Drew" AJ said to him "Is everything ok?"
"Yea I just wanted to give you an update on Christian" Drew told her
"Babe could you grab me a bottle of water? And one for Drew here?" he asked
"Yea but don't start without me I want to know everything" AJ warned before turning and heading into the kitchen
"You didn't tell her?" Drew asked surprised
"No not yet" Punk said to him
"You said you would!" Drew hissed in a low voice
"She's too happy I'm not blowing that now" Punk informed him "Don't say anything about it"
"She has to know-" Drew started
"No she doesn't" Punk shot at him "Don't kill her spirits, Christian has done that to her enough times already"
"Here you go" AJ said walking over to them and passing each one a water bottle "So what's the update?" she asked Drew folding her arms and he glanced towards Punk who had a down right threatening glare on his face
"That there really isn't an update" Drew said with a nervous laugh "I just wanted to let you know I'm still working on it though"
"You came all the way down here to tell us that?" AJ laughed "You're really dedicated"
"Yup" Drew said glaring towards Punk
"And we know you're doing everything you can" AJ assured him
"I'm trying" Drew gritted out "Also I wanted to just see how married life was treating you both"
"It's great!" AJ squealed "Did you see the bus Phil got me?"
"I did notice the bus" Drew said to her
"How about I show you it" Punk offered "I'll be right back AJ"
"Ok, goodnight Drew" AJ said to him and he just waved goodbye to her
Punk offered to escort Drew to the bus simply because he wanted the update on Christian himself.
"So what do you know?" Punk asked anxiously
"He's near" Drew informed him and Punk just nodded "You're awfully calm"
"We're leaving first thing in the morning for a show" Punk said to him "We'll be gone all week because we have a pay-per view on Sunday"
"That's actually reassuring" Drew said to him "I doubled up on security here just so you know"
"She noticed the cop car" Punk said to him
"Well now she'll see two of them" Drew said to him "You really should tell her"
"I am" Punk said to him "Just not yet"
"When?" Drew asked
"When you catch him" Punk shrugged as Drew just rolled his eyes
"At least for her own safety she should know" Drew argued "She needs to keep an eye out"
"She's had an eye out ever since she broke up with him" Punk said to him "She won't be anywhere I'm not"
"Ok what about at the shows and you go out to work?" Drew asked him
"She has a guard at events now and I'll tell him" Punk told him
"So everyone is going to know but her?" Drew asked him
"I'm going to protect her just like I promised but I'm also going to keep her happy" Punk said to him
"I don't think you could do both" Drew informed him
"Watch me" Punk said confidently "So you think he's here in Chicago?"
"Probably" Drew told him "He went through a camera light that we picked up on. It was an hour away"
"How long ago?" Punk asked
"Three hours ago" Drew informed him
"You're going to keep me updated on everything right?" Punk asked and Drew nodded
"Of course" he assured him "But I can't stress how important it is that she knows."
"Great. Catch him soon, will ya?" Punk mocked before turning and walking back into the house
The next morning Punk was loading up the bus and talking to the driver. He didn't want to have to make any stops for security reasons and gave the drive the low down on some of what had been going on. Thankfully the driver understood and assured Punk there shouldn't be any detours or issues.
"He seems nice" AJ said to him as she stepped onto the bus with him
"Yea" Punk agreed "You have everything?"
"Yes" AJ said to him. They stopped at the local deli for coffee and the newspaper first so they were ready to go. The bus took off and it only take AJ a few minutes to get the game system on. "Are you sure you don't want to play?" she asked her husband as he watched her dominate in grand theft auto.
"No, no I'll play when you're sleeping" Punk said to her as he began to open the newspaper
"Jealous?" AJ teased
"It's really scary how good you are at video games. Especially these very violent games" Punk noted honestly "And you would put me to shame"
"At least you admit it" AJ said turning to focus back on the TV. Punk just smirked as he looked at the headline of the paper.
'Local Chicago Detective gunned down two months after reinstatement'
Punk looked at the accompanying photo and saw Drew Keith's photo. He read the article at least three times. He was shot in his car before entering his house at around 10pm and they had no suspects. It must have been right after he left Punk and AJ's. He bit on his lower lip as he looked over to AJ. He felt bad for the Detective who he had grown to like over the passing weeks. He was only one of the only cops Punk had trusted. Now he'd be battling Christian all alone.
"AJ" Punk started as she paused the game to turn and look at him. It's like she paralyzed him every time he tried to speak to her.
"Yes husband?" she smirked tilting her head in an adorable way
"Um I really-" Punk started as he eyed her carefully
"What?" she asked with a laugh
"I really want a turn now" he said folding the paper so she couldn't see the headline and tucked it into the kitchen bench casually so she wouldn't notice.
"You know I'm only going to embarrass you" she smirked
"I was hoping you'd go easy on me since I am your husband" he teased standing up and walking over to the couch where she was seated
"Fine you can have a turn" AJ said handing him the controller "Don't screw up my scores or you're really going to have me second guess this whole marriage thing"
"Ouch" Punk laughed "Don't worry sweetheart I am damn good at games- well everything actually" he finished off smugly