CHAPTER 36: Planning
Over the next few days, AJ and Punk continued on with the planning of their wedding. "I can't wait until we are finally married" said Punk. "Oh I know that you can't" said AJ as she kept working on her handmade decorations. "At least we're saving a ton of money this way" said Punk. "Yes my parents, my family rather has always had stuff made by hand" said AJ. "We didn't have a lot of money so this way it was more of a team effort you know?"
"I just keep thinking about a date" said Punk. "We haven't set one yet." "True but let's just finish with this invitations first" said AJ. "So far we've only finished 18 and we need another 7." "I'm sorry that I'm not going to have anyone come for my side" said Punk. "It isn't your fault" said AJ. "And besides, I'm still not sure if my own parents are coming." "Try not to think too much about it" said Punk. "It isn't healthy to start dwelling on that again."
"I just think that it's completely horrible that the very people who gave me life doesn't want to see me have one" said AJ. "I love my parents and I don't think that I could ever comprehend why in the world that they would do this to me. Why would my father do this to me?"
"I wouldn't know anything about fathers much less mothers" said Punk. "I did everything I could to make my father happy" said AJ. "My whole life consisted of me doing so." "Maybe it's time that you start to make yourself happy" said Punk. "They've lived their lives and now it's time that you begin living yours." AJ nodded as Punk scooped up a pile of scrap paper and tossed it into the nearby wastebasket.
"April?" "Yes Phil?" said AJ. "You're the coolest woman I've ever met" said Punk. "You truly are." AJ smiled at hearing these words. "So now what's next for me to craft?" asked Punk. "Mind you now I haven't cut anything like this since the 80's as a child. Hell I'm surprised that my parents were smart enough to even send me to preschool." "They had to. Wasn't it a state law or something?" said AJ. "Or something" said Punk. "Ok next you can make…." AJ paused as she quickly scanned the table. "Hmm. I guess we really are done for today then." "How about I order something out?" said Punk. "After cutting and pasting all day, my hands are sure as hell tired."
"Sure" said AJ. "There's a takeout place around the corner now. I'll take my usual but with a bottle of water instead of the free can of soda." She got up from her chair and walked towards the bathroom. "Are you alright honey baby?" asked Punk. "Yes Phil, it's just that the baby's pressing down on my bladder right now" said AJ as she made her way into the bathroom. Punk picked up the house phone and began dialing. "Hello I would like to put in an order for a small beef fried rice with extra broccoli, an order of 4 chicken wings, hot and sour soup, duck sauce, a can of Pepsi and a bottled water. Ok $22.07? Alright and the address is 741 West 73rd Street, Apartment B. April Mendez. Half hour? Alright thank you and goodbye."
"$25 for some takeout? We've really gotta cook at home for now on" AJ joked. "Well you do live in a very pricey neighborhood" said Punk. "Our food will be here in a half hour." "That's great because I am starving" said AJ as she walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a jar of Nutella. "Want some?" "No thanks, I'm saving up for all of that food that's coming over" said Punk.
After about 40 minutes, their dinner arrived and Punk gave the delivery man a $10 tip. "Yes I'm starving, completely starving" said AJ as she took a hold of the steaming clear plastic bags. "I'll get some utensils" said Punk as the AJ made her way to the table. "Absolutely starving." She unpacked her box of fried rice and began to ferociously dig in. "You weren't kidding" said Punk as he sat next to her. "Why would I?" asked AJ as she continued eating.
"Now that I've been thinking about it" said Punk. "I would actually like for us to get married a whole lot sooner." "What do you mean?" asked AJ. "I'm thinking on a date of February" said Punk. "No, I can't" said AJ. "I won't be able to fit into the dress by then and besides it's costly to have them refit it over and over again." "How about January?" asked Punk. "Yes January's good" said AJ as she opened up her bottled water. "It's reasonable but as for a date…that's still up for discussion." Punk nodded as the couple continued their dinner and after finishing, they retreated in their bedroom to relax to television.
"Dinner was amazing" said AJ as she readjusted her pillows. "But my back is screwed and I'm probably going to have heartburn because of it but it was totally worth it." Punk chuckled. "Whatever you say." "I want to watch some reality shows" said AJ. "Gameshows are much better on our psyches" said Punk. "I'm rubbing off on you" AJ teased. "Yes you are" Punk said as he leaned over to kiss her. "I'm calling the girls over so that they could try on their dresses" said AJ. "I need to make sure that everything's still good on them."
"Luckily for Nikki and Brie, they're already on a strict diet" said Punk. "So you'll never have to worry about them." "Yeah but I'm still allowed to have my little check-ins from time to time" said AJ. "You're turning into a bridezilla" said Punk. "Stop it you!" AJ said as she playfully hit his shoulder. "So gameshows it is?" asked Punk. "Yes but then we're watching that new soap opera I was telling you about" said AJ. "It's not a soap opera. I thought it was a scripted drama" said Punk. "Same thing" said AJ. "Ok" said Punk as he flipped through the channels.
AJ yawned. "I'm so exhausted" she said. "Who knew that it takes this much to plan a wedding?" "Well don't ask me because I'm still completely new on this" said Punk. "On that note, I'll be right back to join you" said AJ. "My bladder is weaker than a…well I don't know if I can actually have a comparison to this but you get my drift." She got up and left and after several minutes she returned.
"Feeling better?" asked Punk. "I thought I heard you puking your guts out in there." "Ok so the baby didn't want takeout tonight. I got it" said AJ as she got back up into the bed. "But yes, I am better." "There's still a ton of stuff we have to get for them you know?" said Punk. "We have millions of items to buy and there's no one to help us." "Let's just take it one day at a time" said AJ. "For now, let's relax and then get some rest. The both of us could surely use it." With that, the two continued watching their program as their day ended.
A/N: Thank you again for all of your reviews. I really appreciate them. Also I have a new story out, "Smoke and Flames" which is a continuation of the cliffhanger I left from "Entitlements and Deception 2" :-)