Chapter 52
"I told you she was a girl" AJ smirked from her hospital bed as she watched Punk cradle their newborn daughter
"I look forward to a life-time of 'I told you so" Punk remarked only briefly casting his eyes over to AJ
"We still don't have a name" AJ reminded him not able to rid herself of the smile she has had on since holding her daughter
"I know" Punk said taking a seat in the chair next to AJ's bed "What does she look like to you?"
"A very small human" AJ teased looking with a light smile looking over at her daughter
"I don't know I think she'll get picked on if we name her that" Punk said looking at his daughter…his daughter. She was his flesh and blood and what he felt the first right thing he had ever done in his life. She was going to have the world.
"We have some time" AJ said with a yawn
"You must be tired" Punk said finally looking over to his extremely strong wife
"I am but I'm too excited to sleep" AJ admitted "I'm afraid if I close my eyes I'll wake up and she'll be gone"
"I don't know a lot about babies but I'm pretty sure she's still too young to get up and walk out of the room" Punk joked
"That's not what I meant" AJ laughed "It's just everything is so perfect right now. I want to be in this moment forever"
"Maybe we'll just name her 'she'" Punk smirked
"Alright, alright" AJ laughed "How about Echo?"
"I thought we agreed we weren't naming our daughter after a comic book character" Punk said to her seriously
"It's al I've got" AJ sighed "I did just go through hours of labor so you can sit there and hold our daughter. I do all the work and you get all the glory"
"Get some rest" Punk said to her "We'll talk about it later"
"What about her?" AJ asked nodding towards their daughter still safely tucked away in Punk's arms
"I'm not going anywhere" Punk assured her "Get some sleep"
"Ok" AJ smiled finally closing her eyes. A few minutes later a nurse walked in.
"Mr. Brooks? We need you at the front desk to fill out some paperwork" the nurse told him
"What about her?" Punk asked in a low voice careful not to wake AJ
"Just put her in the crib over there. It will only be a few minutes" she assured the nervous father with a smile
"All right 'small human' daddy will be right back" he said easing her into the plastic rolling crib than followed the nurse out.
A few minutes later Punk came back into the room and saw AJ was still sound asleep. He went over to where he left his daughter and was immediately alarmed when she wasn't in there.
"Relax dad" a voice said from the other side of the room. He looked over and Scott Page was holding his daughter in the same manner he was just moments ago. He was also occupying the chair Punk had just vacated.
"Scott" Punk warned
"Shh" Scott said in a whisper "Our girls are both sleeping"
"Put her down and get out and I might just let you walk out of here" Punk warned
"Oh please" Scott scoffed admiring the newborn "She's cute Punk, not sure where she got her looks from though"
"Scott-" Punk started again
"What did I say?" Scott questioned "You don't want to wake AJ do you? What would she do if she woke up and saw that you let me in here and freely left your daughter alone? I mean any psychopath could have just walked in here and walked out with her. Aren't you two considered celebrities?"
"You're violating a restraining order" Punk reminded him "You're going to go to jail"
"What AJ doesn't know won't hurt her" Scott smiled than frowned "Or maybe it will"
"Give her to me" Punk said extending his arms and carefully making his way over to Scott
"Just give me five more minutes" Scott hissed than smiled back down at the baby "I think mine and AJ's baby would have been cuter"
"What is the point in all this?" Punk asked "Haven't you done enough? Aren't you above this? You really feel the need to become this crazy guy who sneaks into hospitals?"
"I don't know if you've heard but I have a lot of free time on my hands" Scott said with a laugh "Yea you and April should know all about that"
"Look-" Punk started than was cut off by Scott
"-I don't blame you Punk I never have" Scott assured him "This is all on her" he said nodding towards AJ who was in a deep peaceful sleep "I'm here to make sure she suffers for what she did. You can take your daughter and go"
"AJ's my wife" Punk said in a dangerous tone "I'm not going to let you hurt her"
"Even at the expense of your own daughter?" Scott asked raising an eyebrow
"No one has to get hurt" Punk sighed
"I've already been hurt" Scott shot back "What is it about her?" he questioned "I mean come on she's just a kid for crying out loud and to be honest I don't think she's going to make that great of a mother"
"If you feel that way than why don't you just leave her alone?" Punk asked
"Because it's not fair" Scott said to him "She took from me and now I have to take from her. Maybe I'll take this baby"
"I will kill you before I let that happen" Punk threatened narrowing his eyes
"Yea I've heard that before" Scott scoffed "Big bad CM Punk but where were you when I was hiding on your bus waiting for your wife? Where were you when I showed up at that autograph signing? Where were you when I showed up at your front door step? Nowhere. Paul was right about you, you're all about yourself" Scott shook his head lightly in a disappointment "I don't think either of you will be great parents. I on the other hand don't have a career to worry about so I can spend all my time focusing on this little girl and raising her the right way. Wouldn't want her to grow up like her mother" he said with a laugh
"Shut up!" Punk yelled out and that's when AJ woke up
"Phil-" AJ started than looked over and saw Scott sitting feet away with her daughter "Oh my god"
"That's right April" Scott said looking at her "Be afraid"
"AJ go get security" Punk said to her as she quickly got out of the bed
"AJ don't you can have her back" Scott smirked standing up with the baby. He walked over to Punk and placed the child in his arms "See no harm done." Punk quickly turned to place the baby back in her small crib when he heard the worst than he has probably ever heard. It was a sound he had heard in movies or on TV but he knew what it was. He turned his head and saw Scott Page holding the handle of knife while he dug deep into AJ.
"No, no" Punk said rushing over as Scott pulled the knife down and Punk caught her before she hit the ground
"I told you that you would pay" Scott said standing over the couple. AJ was covered in blood and unresponsive.
"Phil" he heard her voice but her mouth wasn't moving. Her eyes were wide open but completely glazed over "Phil!" he heard with more urgency
"Phil!" another deeper voice caused him to shoot his eyes open. He looked up and saw his friend Kofi standing over him with a worried look in his eyes. He looked over and saw AJ's side of the bad was empty
"Where is she?" Punk asked urgently
"Phil calm down" Kofi warned as Punk pushed him away
"Where is AJ!" Punk yelled out and that's when AJ appeared with a glass water of her hands
"Phil" AJ said with an evident look of worry on her own face "You were having a nightmare-" she stared but Punk rushed over to her and pulled her into her arms causing the glass of water she was holding to hit the carpet. Kofi stood behind him them as well and watched for a moment "Are you ok?" she asked nervously
"Yea, yea" Punk assured her still not willingly to let her go yet
"Man what the hell where you dreaming?" Kofi questioned as Punk finally turned away to face his friend
"I tried to wake you up, you were moving around so much and wouldn't wake up" AJ began to tell him "I went to get Kofi"
"I'm sorry" Punk told the two of them "It was just a dream"
"Must have been some dream" Kofi said seriously "You sure you're alright?" he asked
"Yea go back to bed" Punk assured him but saw the hesitation in his friends eyes "Seriously I'm good now"
"Alright" Kofi sighed. He walked past Punk and placed and gave AJ a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder than closed the door behind him
"What did you dream about baby?" AJ asked walking towards him. He looked down at her and saw she just wanted to help him. He gave her a sympathetic smile
"I can't remember" Punk lied "Must not have been important"
"Are you sure?" AJ questioned
"Yea really let's just go back to bed" Punk said to her
"Let me clean up the water" AJ said looking at the wet spot on the floor "I thought you'd want it-"
"-leave it it's water" Punk said taking her hand and leading her towards the bed
"Ok" she said giving him a weak smile. He crawled up right behind her and held her as if he was holding on to dear life "I love you " she whispered
"I love you too" He said giving her a kiss on the back of her neck forcing himself to close his eyes but he knew he wouldn't be sleeping tonight.
Arriving at Smackdown Punk was exhausted. The last thing he did last night was re-play Paul Heyman's voicemail again. He had listened to it at least four times. He couldn't shake the fear off of him now. Now he sort of understand what AJ was feeling. She was right along about him. Obviously he took in to account how much to believe because this was coming from Paul Heyman but he had not choice but to believe it. He was already out of the company and had nothing to gain by lying to him. He had Kofi promise not to mention it to AJ at all, the last thing she needed was more bad news. But he had a list of things to get done. He got in touch with Colt and told him to go ahead and hire the guard. He clearly didn't have the time to do it himself and felt he now didn't have the time to wait. He trusted Colt to make a wise decision. He also wanted to let Hunter hear the voicemail. Truth was he and Hunter weren't friends by a long shot but out of anyone there Hunter would understand where his fears were coming from. He would also take the proper security measures and report it back to Vince. He had promised the higher ups to report anything Scott Page related back to them.
"So what do you think?" Punks asked as Hunter passed him back his phone
"I think Scott Page has a few screws lose" Hunter admitted "And I think this should be taken very seriously. But you have nothing to fear while you're on the road with us. When I tell you we are taking every possible precaution we are. Security has his photo at the front gate, his picture is all over the place. No one is sneaking in from the back, these venues are locked down"
"Alright" Punk sighed
"As far as when you're not here there's not much you can do" Hunter sighed "I mean you can't go to the police and tell them you have a feeling. What I would do is not go back to Chicago for a bit until this dies down. He knows where you live"
"I have to go back" Punk argued "We're still setting up the baby's nursery and all of her doctors are there. My family is there"
"I know but there are really good doctors in other states too" Hunter encouraged "The nursery isn't going anywhere either"
"I don't want her to be scared out of our home" Punk admitted
"You both might have to swallow a bit of that pride and take the necessary steps" Hunter argued "What about security at your house?"
"I don't have guards or anything like that" Punk told him "But I'm getting AJ a personal one"
"That's a good idea but what about you?" Hunter questioned
"What about me?" Punk asked confused
"Who's going to be watching your back?" he clarified
"Me" Punk told him "I don't need a guard the only one who is going to need a guard is him if I ever see him again"
"This guy wants to get to your wife" Hunter reminded him "If you want to get to someone who is being protected where do you strike first?" he asked Punk who didn't have to answer he knew where Hunter was going with it "If you get hurt are you really going to trust AJ's safety in the hands of some guard you barely know?"
"What would you like me to do then?" Punk asked annoyed
"For starters I'm going to talk to Vince and pull you out of some unnecessary events and house shows" Hunter told him "I'm sure he'll agree"
"I'm not bailing" Punk argued "Not a chance hell"
"Ok so we'll wait until you end up hurt or killed and than no one will get to see you ever again" Hunter told him coolly "Smart idea" Punk just glared at his boss again knowing he was right "Raw only. That's the only event we're going to need you two at. And I suggest you listen to me when I tell you to not go back to Chicago. I would stay somewhere else entirely. The last place he would think to look for either of you"
"And what do I tell AJ?" Punk questioned "Sorry honey I know you want to be at home preparing for the arrival of our child but I can't protect from lunatic so we're going to go into hiding?"
"This is protecting her" Hunter argued lightly "And I think she'll go along with it"
"Maybe this guy is just trying to scare us" Punk offered "And he's getting exactly what he wants"
"Possibly" Hunter agreed with a slight nod "But is that a risk you're willing to take?"
In the catering area AJ was sitting with Kaitlyn and Seth. They were clearly trying to avoid the topic of Scott Page but AJ could see it written all of their faces.
"What is it?" AJ sighed
"Nothing" Kaitlyn said quickly "You just look tired"
"I am" AJ frowned "I've been having nightmares"
"Again?" Kaitlyn asked worried "You need your rest"
"I know but it's kind of hard" AJ said to him "And Phil is worried he won't open up to me about it though"
"What do you mean?" Her friend asked
"He had a bad dream last night and told me he didn't remember. It was so bad Kaitlyn. He was thrashing in his sleep and yelling out my name" AJ said shaking her head "I couldn't even wake him up I had to get Kofi"
"Of course it's eating at him" Seth chimed in "It's out of his hands and if there's one thing I've learned about Punk is that he likes control"
"All of this is just tainting this entire pregnancy" AJ said feeling her tears start to come in "We should be over the moon excited and planning our next baby shopping trip or picking out names and instead we're looking over our shoulders constantly" AJ told them quickly trying to wipe her tears
"Hey now it's not all bad" Kaitlyn assured her friend "Didn't you feel the baby kick the other day? That wasn't tainted or ruined was it?" AJ shook her head no "Be careful and cautious but still have fun"
"We don't even go out anymore" AJ told them "It's like were prisoners. I mean I could deal with it if it was just me but Phil likes to go out. He hasn't been to one baseball game or concert since all of this started up again. I feel like I'm keeping him from his life"
"You are his life" Seth informed AJ "He probably feels better being with you so just let him be with you. If he wanted to go out he would"
"Come on AJ you shouldn't be crying" Kaitlyn smiled
"I can't help it" AJ admitted
"Guys like this slip up all the time AJ" Seth told her "He's angry and upset but he'll probably move past it"
"Yea I know" AJ lied wiping her eyes "This is all stupid. I shouldn't be getting so worked up over it"
"So let's change the subject, have you and Punk talked about any names?" Kaitlyn asked as AJ smiled
"No we haven't because he still she is a he" AJ smirked
"Could be" Seth argued
"I know what's growing inside of me" AJ shot back at her friends boyfriend
"Well you must have given it some thought" Kaitlyn smiled
"Hey" Punk said walking over to group "What's going on?"
"Oh nothing we're trying to get AJ to spill on some possible baby names" Kaitlyn told him and Punk let out a weak smile. "She claims it hasn't been discussed"
"It hasn't" Punk said taking a seat "Unless you have given it some thought?" he questioned his wife who gave him innocent eyes
"Maybe" AJ teased
"Do share" Punk encouraged
"Well obviously I've been thinking about girl names" AJ started "I still really liked Jean or Marie but Punk has nixed those ideas"
"Our child isn't going to be an x-man" Punk told her "Or a Pokemon for that matter"
"So jigglypuff is out too?" AJ questioned
"Seriously?" Seth asked her
"You know what I think she is serious" Punk said with a smirk looking towards his wife who tilted her head innocently
"Ok seriously one of the top names is River" AJ told them and they all remained silent
"Seriously AJ?" Kaitlyn was the first to speak up
"That's horrible" Seth agreed
"No it's unique" AJ argued lightly
"What else you got?" Kaitlyn questioned
"Echo" AJ said and Punk immediately froze. That's the name AJ wanted to name their daughter in his dream "You either really like it or you really hate it" AJ said looking at Punk's stone face
"I don't like it" Punk told her quickly
"Well you haven't offered much" Kaitlyn noted
"I can't think of one right now" Punk said than looked over to AJ "I need to talk you about something"
"Ok" AJ said as Punk stood up and walked out of the catering area "I told you he was off"
"It's understandable" Kaitlyn told her "He's dealing with this too"
"Yea" AJ said standing up "See you guys later" she said with a small wave then wandered out of careering and found Punk leaning against a wall "Are you alright?"
"When we leave here tonight I don't want to go back to Chicago" Punk told her bluntly
"Really?" AJ asked surprised "We have so much to do still"
"Let my family handle that" Punk argued "They want to help and they can finish the nursery"
"So where will we go?" AJ asked folding her arms
"I don't know, maybe New York if you want or Connecticut" Punk shrugged "Wherever as long as it's not Chicago or Jersey"
"So we're hiding?" AJ questioned
"No we're taking a break from the madness" Punk corrected "I think its for the best"
"But what happens if this is all still going on after the baby comes? We live out of hotels forever?" AJ asked him seriously
"No of course not" Punk said with a frustrated groan "Just for right now. I'd feel better"
"Ok" AJ said to him. As much as she wanted to feel at peace she wanted Punk to feel it as well "Whatever you want"
"Good" Punk said giving her a light kiss on her forehead
"Did something happen?" AJ asked him curiously "Ever since last night you've been shaken up" Punk still hadn't told AJ about his message from Paul and he wanted to keep it that way
"No I'm just trying to stay a few steps ahead that's all" Punk lied "Everything is going to be fine"
"I know" AJ said forcing a smile "What about the security guy we had coming to look at the house tomorrow?"
"I'll have Colt or my sister let him in" Punk told her with ease "Like I said they want to help"
"Are you scared Phil?" AJ bluntly asked him. Of course he was terrified but he would never admit that to her
"No" he told his wife strongly "I just want you to feel safe"
"I do when I'm with you" AJ said with a smile that Punk couldn't help but admire
"We're going to be ok" Punk promised "All three of us" he whispered then pulled her into a kiss
"I believe you" AJ smiled
Down the road at a local pub a lot of the superstars went out to celebrate after the show. Dolph, Randy, Miz, Big E, Alberto, Big Show and a few of the Divas. Everyone was joking around and having a good time. It was almost one in the morning when Scott Page entered the local Pub.
"Oh man check it out" Miz said slapping Dolph's shoulder who was in the middle of a conversation with Randy
"Come on man I was-" Dolph started than turned to see Scott Page
"Is this a prank or something?" Miz questioned as all the superstars eyed there former co-worker
"Hey guys!" Scott smiled moving over to the bar and taking a seat "Can I get-"
"Don't serve him anything" Dolph said to the bartender who nodded
"That's rude" Scott laughed looking at Dolph "Hey Randy!" Scott said extending his hand but Randy looked at his hand with disgust than made eye contact with him "You really are scary" he chuckled
"Should we call someone?" Miz asked Dolph
"Yea I'll call Hunter" Big Show assured him pulling out his phone
"You're going to have to leave" The owner of the pub informed Scott Page
"Why is that?" Scott asked calmly
"I don't want any trouble here" The owner told him bluntly "You're going to have to leave"
"Come on I just had a long trip in from Chicago!" Scott said with a laugh "I didn't bump into anybody" he said in a lower voice towards Randy and Dolph
"I'll call the police" The owner warned
"I can't have a job, I can't have a drink" Scott said getting out of his seat "It's like April rules the world" he looked around and saw everyone was glaring at him but refusing to speak to him "Really cold guys" he muttered walking towards the door "Oh do me a favor if you see April could you give her my regards? Thanks guys" he said with a smile than walked out of the pub
"That didn't feel right" Big E said to Dolph and Randy "We shouldn't have let him walk out of here"
"And what should we have done?" Dolph questioned "You heard Vince"
"Yea well Vince doesn't always have the right idea" Randy said to him "That guy needs a beating to knock some sense into him"
"Do you know if AJ and Phil are still in town?" Miz asked them
"I don't think so." Dolph said unsurely "I'm pretty sure she told me they were only dong limited engagements for a bit. I think they were headed back home"
"But did you hear what he said?" Miz questioned "He said he just got in from Chicago"
"Well we know AJ and Punk weren't there" Randy told him "They were both at the show tonight"
Hunter was on the private plane with his wife headed back home while he received the call from Big Show.
"What is it?" Stephanie questioned
"Scott Page showed up at a bar the guys were at" Hunter informed his wife who gave him a disbelieving look
"Son of a bitch" Stephanie muttered "They didn't start a fight did they?"
"No" Hunter assured her "They did what we told them to do and let him walk in and once he realized he couldn't egg them on he left"
"This is really scary" Stephanie admitted "We deal with crazy fans but this is on another level"
"I know" Hunter agreed "But what else can we do?"
"I guess you're right" Stephanie sighed "I just feel so terrible. AJ is a worried mess, the fans are missing out on two of there favorites just as the storyline is picking up-"
"-it will be over soon" Hunter told her "He's going to mess up. He's getting too antsy"
"I just don't want anyone to get hurt" Stephanie told him "AJ is pregnant for crying out loud! And Phil is short fused at best- this could all blow up"
"And it might" Hunter informed her "We just have to be ready"
The next morning Phil and AJ woke up in a hotel in New York. She enjoyed the city and he even promised to take her to a show. Even though the circumstances could have been better he was feeling good about being away from it all.
"It's beautiful out!" AJ smiled "There is so much I want to do!"
"Alright but we have all week we don't have to pack it all in today" Punk reminded her not looking forward to running around crazy
"I have to pack it all in before you get cranky and change your mind" AJ smirked "You've agreed to go to a show and take me shopping"
"Yea I can't believe I did that" Punk muttered to himself
"What was that?" AJ asked raising an eyebrow
"Really looking forward to all of that" Punk said loudly covering for himself
"It's just the last few times I've been here I've been working and never got the chance to just enjoy the City" AJ told him
"Well the point of this was to relax too" Punk reminded her "Which is what I really want you to do" his phone started to ring and saw it was Colt
"Ok I'm going to take a shower so we can start heading out" AJ smiled racing into the bathroom. He just shook his head and smirked at his over-eager wife and answered his phone "What's up?" he asked into the phone
"Hey are you with AJ?" Colt questioned
"Is that a trick question?" Punk asked back
"Seriously is she in the room with you or anything?" Colt asked in a serious tone which alarmed him more
"No she's in the shower what's up?" Punk questioned
"So I'm at your place waiting to let this security guy in and I noticed you had a broken window in the back" Colt started "So I looked around and nothing important seems to be missing"
"So maybe it was someone playing baseball or something broke the window" Punk shrugged. That would be the least of his problems
"Not so fast" Colt said cutting him off "I checked the nursery because the door was left opened on a crack and it was trashed"
"What?" Punk asked stunned "What do you mean?"
"The crib was knocked over, the pictures ripped off the wall, the dresser broken-" Colt started to list the things that happened
"I just put that thing together!" Punk yelled in anger. That dresser caused him enough of grief as it was
"The kids stuffed animals are all ripped up man" Colt sighed "I called the police and they're on there way now"
"Great" Punk muttered "She's going to be crushed"
"Don't tell her. I spoke to your family and they're already in disaster mood replacing the broken items" Colt assured them
"I don't want my sisters there alone" Punk warned. For all he knew Scott was still lurking around waiting for them to come home
"I'm not going anywhere" Colt told him quickly "I'm going to have to re-paint some of it anyway"
"Thanks" Punk said to his longtime friend
"Look man this is getting a little nuts" Colt admitted "I'm actually scared for you and AJ"
"Maybe the cops will get something from it or see something on the security footage and this will all solve itself" Punk told him
"I hope so" Colt told him in a low voice "You need to be careful"
"I am" Punk promised "I'm not taking this lightly anymore"
"Good" Colt said to him "I've got to go the police here"
"Alright just call if they need anything and thanks man" Punk said to him
"No problem just take care of AJ" Colt said in a soft tone than hung up
