Part Thirteen
It had been four months and AJ was about six months along now. She was sitting in the doctors office laying down waiting for her exam.
"I wonder if you're going to have a long birth?" Punk asked aloud and AJ eyed him. "I was reading about it and some women are in labor for days."
"You better hope that's not the case because I'll kill you." AJ warned.
"I feel like the baby is just super tiny." He said looking at a chart on the wall then back at AJ. "Look how big it says you should be and look how little you are."
"Every woman carries different." AJ pouted holding her stomach defensively.
"Hello mom and dad." The doctor greeted. "How are we feeling?"
"Good." AJ smiled. "Starting to get uncomfortable."
"You're at that point." She agreed turning on the machine.
AJ and Punk waited anxiously until they saw their baby on the screen.
"Heartbeat is very good." The doctor smiled.
"Good." AJ said relieved eyeing the screen.
"Baby's size?" Punk asked concerned and AJ glared at him. "I'm just concerned." He defended.
"Baby is on mark." She assured Punk who narrowed his eyes at the doctor. "Baby is following in mom's tiny footsteps is all."
"Oh crap two little people." Punk mumbled and AJ pinched his side as hard as she could.
"Do you want to know the gender?" She asked.
"Can you write it down for us? We're still deciding." AJ said to her.
"Of course." She said to them. "How are preparations coming along?"
"Good." AJ told her. "We were looking into birthing classes."
"I have a few I can recommend." She offered.
"That would be great." Punk said to her.
"Only a few more weeks." The doctor noted. "You must be excited."
"It's actually months." AJ corrected.
"Well, you're about to hit 7 months and a lot of times the first child comes early." She noted.
"We're not ready for any of that." AJ explained to her. "We haven't even bought anything yet."
"Well I would start making plans for that." The doctor encouraged.
"We have space for the baby." AJ insisted. "It's just we just moved a few months ago and I've been trying to decorate because he has no idea how to decorate." She explained pointing at Punk.
"I don't decorate." Punk agreed.
"Baby's room should be the most fun." The doctor smiled.
"We'll have to know the gender." AJ said looking at Punk.
"We'll talk later." Punk smirked at her.
"Whatever you're doing, keep it up." The doctor told them. "You're taking all your vitamins?"
"Yes." AJ nodded.
"The fun stuff is about to start." The doctor smiled at them.
AJ and Punk walked into Jeff's bar after their appointment for dinner.
"I really think we should know." AJ said holding the envelope. "I want to start decorating the room!"
"I get that but we can do something neutral." Punk reasoned.
"Hey." Cassie squealed walking over to them and AJ held her arms open but instead Cass bent down and hugged her belly. "How's my little niece or nephew doing?"
"Very good. We just got back from the doctors." Punk told her proudly.
"Do we know if I'm having a niece or a nephew yet?" Cassie asked them anxiously.
"The answer is in here." AJ said holding up an envelope.
"Yay." Cass cheered clapping her hands together.
"We don't want to know." Punk said to Cassie.
"I want to know." AJ said to her.
"What's the big deal?" Cassie asked snatching the envelope.
"Cass." Punk warned.
"You don't scare me." She said opening the envelope and looking inside. She closed it back and handed it back to AJ. "See? Totally neutral you'll never get it from me but I had to know because I have to shop."
"It must be a boy because she doesn't seem excited." AJ said to Punk.
"Oh actually can you find out? I'm throwing the baby shower and need a theme and it will give it away if you don't know." Cass explained.
"You're throwing me a baby shower?" AJ asked sniffling and cleaning her eyes.
"Of course I am." Cassie laughed hugging her. "Don't cry."
"Hormonal." Punk assured his sister. "She cried on the way to the doctor because we hit a pothole."
"I can't believe I'm getting a baby shower." AJ said in tears to Punk.
"Didn't you tell her I was going to do that?" Cassie asked still holding AJ but looking at Punk.
"I forgot." Punk admitted.
"Anyway I have the perfect theme in my head and again if you don't know the gender it will ruin the surprise I also need to tell the guests who want to bring clothes." Cassie said to them.
"Hey." Dean greeted walking over placing his empty beer on the bar. "Why is she crying?" He asked Punk.
"It's happy tears." Punk said to Dean who just laughed.
"Aw you're at that cute stage." Dean said to AJ.
"I know the gender." Cassie told Dean proudly.
"No shit." Dean said surprise and Cassie whispered in his ear and his eyes lit up then he smiled.
"Now everyone knows but us." AJ said glaring at Punk.
"Congrats dude." Dean said slapping Punks shoulder.
"We just weren't sure we wanted to know we thought it would be a nice-" Punk began to explain as AJ opened the envelope and when he saw her do it he looked down at glared at her and she had tears in her eyes.
"I'm so excited." AJ said holding the sonogram to her chest.
"I guess I have no choice but to find out-" Punk began but Cassie cut him off.
"It's a girl!" Cassie cheered. "Just as predicted."
"A girl." Punk forced out with a smile. "I thought it was a boy."
"He did that weird thing hanging a necklace over the baby." AJ explained to them.
"A girl will be fine." Punk forced out and AJ narrowed her eyes at him. "Girls are a lot of work."
"She's going to have you wrapped around her chunky little fingers the second you lay eyes on her." Dean laughed grabbing a fresh beer.
"We can do the nursery purple." AJ said to him with happy tears. "We can start thinking of names!" she added.
"Let's take a breath." Punk laughed. "Picking a name is very serious."
"I know it is. And you've had a baby name book in your office for weeks." AJ shot at him.
"Stop snooping in there." He said to her.
"I clean in there." AJ shrugged.
"What names do you like?" Cassie asked him.
"I only looked at the boy names." Punk insisted. "I was really sure it was a boy."
"Give it a lot of thought. You don't want like a Starshine or Tulip." Dean warned then walked away and AJ began to cry.
"What?" Punk asked concerned.
"I liked the name Tulip." She said cleaning her face.
"Oh boy." Cassie said walking AJ over to a table.
Punk was trying to sleep but AJ's light on the side of her bed was still on. He opened one eye and looked at her.
"I'm sorry I'll go in the living room." AJ said about to get up knowing she was annoying him but he grabbed her wrist so she wouldn't get up.
"What's bothering you?" He asked opening both eyes. "I know you."
"I'm afraid for her." AJ said to Punk who frowned. "What if she's like me?"
"A smart beautiful woman?" Punk asked confused.
"No." She said shaking her head. "What if she gets a stalker or something and has to live away from us?"
"That's not going to happen." Punk told her. "Do you know how rare a stalking is?"
"Yea I do and it happened to me." AJ reminded him.
"I thought we agreed to be excited and not focus on what ifs?" He asked her.
"I know it's just hard to shake." She said looking over to him.
"So, what names are you looking at?" He asked.
"Clementine." AJ said looking over to him and he laughed. "I didn't think you'd like that one. Rose?"
"Is she 80 years old?" Punk asked seriously.
"What names are you thinking?" AJ asked him. "I know you said you only looked at boy names but I know you and you plan for every scenario."
"You do know me well." Punk had to admit.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Prima." He confided and she eyed him. "It means firstborn and also independence. I just liked the meanings-"
"I love it." AJ told him with a slight smile. "I've never met a Prima before."
"Me either." He said to her. "I didn't give it too much thought I only skimmed the girls names a few times-"
"I really love it." She said closing the book.
"Seriously? You're letting me name her?" Punk asked flattered.
"I am. You have good taste." She said turning her light off. "You'll keep her safe, right?" She asked as she curled against him.
"Of course." He said kissing her head. "I'm really excited to meet her."
"Me too." AJ gushed. "I wonder what she's like."
"She's probably a perfect mix of you and I. Sassy, funny and obviously beautiful." He remarked smugly.
"You think she'll like us?" She asked him.
"For the first 15 years of her life sure." Punk teased.
"Don't say that. She'll be perfect and give us no trouble in those teen years." AJ said seriously and he let out a laugh. "I really love being pregnant."
"Yea?" Punk asked curiously.
"Yea." She confirmed running her hand over stomach. "I'll want to do it again." She warned.
"More kids, huh?" He asked.
"Is that not something you'd want?" She asked curiously. "We actually never discussed it-"
"We have to try for a boy at least." He reasoned.
"I agree." She said to him.
"But let's focus on this girl first." He said to her and she agreed. "How has it been living here? Is this all ok? Is it what you dreamed about?"
"No." She told him thinking about it. "And I mean no to if this was my dream. I mean I never thought I'd meet someone and have a life and a baby with. I thought Jamie would keep me scared and hidden away so I never thought about a future."
"That's really sad." Punk said to her and she smirked.
"I know." She agreed. "But these last few months have been the best of my life. I'm so sad it's almost over."
"It's not almost over. I told you not to think about Jamie Meyers." He reminded her.
"It's hanging over my head, Phil." AJ sighed. "But you're right. I want to focus on happy stuff."
"Like?" he asked.
"Doing the babys room." AJ said to him.
"Let's go to the paint store tomorrow. We can start." He said to her.
"And we can look at cribs?" She asked hopefully.
"Yea that too." He said to her.
"But I want something untraditional." She warned. "I want the walls purple and the furniture black and since you got to pick the name I want to pick the colors."
"I love that idea. Don't know how many black baby cribs we'll find." He remarked.
"It's fine you and Dean will just have to paint a white one." AJ said with ease.
"Sounds like a lot of work for me and Dean." Punk forced out and AJ nodded.
"I mean he's always offering to help." AJ reasoned.
"If that's what you want it's what you get." Punk promised
Dean was sitting in a room in that local prison when Jamie Meyers was bought in.
"You requested to see me?" Dean asked with a smile.
"You son of a bitch." Jamie hissed. "Why are my letter being returned to me." He asked.
Jamie had tried sending AJ hundreds of letters over the course of his prison time but they all were returned back to him.
"I have no idea. Maybe its the order of protection?" Dean suggested. "And she moved." He added with a smug smile.
"She moved?" Jamie asked. "Where did she go?"
"Oh, you want the address?" Dean offered then slapped him upside the head.
"This isn't right." Jamie argued.
"You're going to be out in a few months." Dean reminded him. "I suggest you be on your best behavior because your probation? Will be taking place in New Jersey."
"What?" Jamie asked. "I was charged in Chicago for the order of protection."
"Yea but your probation is for assault which took place in New Jersey." Dean reminded him. "Had to pull a few strings but made it happen. You're welcome."
"You can't do that!" Jamie yelled.
"Yes I can!" Dean yelled back. "And believe me if you break your order of protection again-"
"That is lifted. It was temporary." Jamie pointed out.
"It's been renewed and made not only permanent but a full order of protection. Do you know what that means? No hanging around her job, her home, her BLOCK, where she's having dinner, where she is meeting friends- you violate that you're back for over a year. But that won't be a problem because you'll be all the way back in New Jersey and she'll be….well, not in New Jersey." Dean said to him.
"She's not in Chicago anymore?" Jamie asked confused. "She has to be if an Illinois judge issued this."
"This is issued here because it's where you are at the moment." Dean corrected.
"How am I supposed to get back to New Jersey?" Jamie asked.
"I'm going to have a federal escort for you. They are going to walk you right back to your home and that's where you're going to stay unless you want to end up back here. And if you think you're uncomfortable now just WAIT until you get a taste of federal prison." He grinned. "And don't worry I'll be there the day you're released and I will be in New Jersey when you least expect me watching you. I actually travel there often."
"Because you're banging Celeste." Jamie scoffed and looked away annoyed.
"What did you say?" Dean asked tilting his head.
"I know about you and AJ's friend." Jamie said to him. "I know about you Agent Ambrose."
"You're a guy with a lot of resources." Dean remarked then grabbed Jamie by the collar of his jumpsuit. "How do you know how I'm spending my free time? Huh?"
"I have friends in New Jersey they see you around don't flatter yourself into thinking I give a shit about you or Celeste for that matter." Jamie spat and Dean released him. "But maybe since I'll be in New Jersey I'll go visit her. If I can't have April I'll just enjoy the next best thing-"
Dean went to lunge at Jamie when he heard the door open.
"It's enough." Kofi said stopping Dean.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Dean asked as Kofi pulled him out of the room.
"What are you doing here?" Punk asked from behind Dean and he groaned. "You didn't tell me you were coming to see him."
"It's my case I don't run it by you." Dean reminded Punk.
"Can you give us a minute?" Punk asked Kofi who nodded and stepped away.
"I pulled some strings and got Jamie to do his probation in New Jersey and not here." Dean said to him.
"How the fuck did you pull that off?" Punk asked snatching the paperwork from him smiling.
"A lot of fucking ass kissing." Dean said to him. "Favors for judges, begging- but I pulled it off."
"The order of protection is all full and permanent?" Punk asked looking through the pages. "How did you pull this off without me knowing?"
"I was going to surprise you." Dean shrugged. "You ruined it and I have to get back in there-"
"You want to go antagonize a guy who just threatened your girlfriend?" Punk asked him seriously. "Take a breather." He ordered. "How long have you been seeing Celeste?"
"It doesn't matter." Dean said annoyed.
"It matters." Punk insisted. "April must not know because she'd tell me."
"It's just casual." Dean insisted.
"Right." Punk said warily. "Why didn't you tell me you had all this in the works?"
"Because I wasn't sure I'd get it any of it done." Dean said to him. "But I did and you're welcome."
"Thank you." Punk said genuinely. "You have no idea what this is going to mean April."
"I do know and that's why I did it." Dean said to him. "I just want her to enjoy motherhood. Having a new baby and an old baby like you is going to be enough work. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I just wanted to talk to him." Punk said to him with ease.
"Threaten him? Rough him up?" Dean asked and Punk didn't answer. "No need. It's all squared away. He's being escorted back to New Jersey the day he's released."
"That's a relief." Punk had to admit. "Lets get out of here." He said to Dean.
"Something is very wrong with that man." Dean said pointing at the door he came from.
When Punk walked into his apartment that he and AJ made a home he was impressed. Lights were deemed, there was a table set up and candles on it.
"I made dinner." AJ greeted dressed a slinky black dress.
"You did." He grinned eyeing her. "How do you not look pregnant?"
"Oh your daughter is there." AJ said turning to the side to reveal her bump.
"Yup there she is." He said walking over to her and kissing her but AJ pulled away.
"Eat first." She insisted pulling a chair out for him.
"I feel spoiled, what's the occasion?" He asked.
"No occasion. I just wanted to do something nice for you." She said grabbing a plate from the kitchen and placing it in front of him.
"Salmon." He nodded impressed.
"And veggies." She pointed out proudly. "I know you're big on healthy crap."
"Healthy crap." He laughed to himself grabbing a fork and AJ sat across from him with her own dish.
"It's not salmon don't worry. Regular steak." She grinned.
"I've got some good news for you." Punk told her as she sipped her water from a wine glass.
"I love good news." She smiled.
"Dean pulled some strings and when Jamie is released he's being escorted back to New Jersey to do his probation there." Punk told her and she her eyes widened. "If he even crosses state lines by an inch he's in violation and sent back to prison."
"No way." AJ gasped.
"Your order of protection is also permanent and full now. If he even looks at you within a mile he's back to prison." Punk told her and she jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around him. "It was Dean who did it but I'll take the affection."
"That makes me feel a lot better." AJ said to him as they were nose to nose. "It doesn't erase all my fear but it helps and it means a lot."
"We've got a lot of tricks up our sleeves." He assured her. "We got this."
Punk leaned in and kissed her deeply cupping her face entirely and she pulled away briefly.
"Eat before your dinner gets cold." She insisted.
"I like cold food." He shrugged standing up still kissing her and leading her towards the bedroom but before they could reach their destination his phone started going off.
"Fuck." Punk groaned letting go of AJ and grabbing his phone. "Yea?" Punk asked annoyed. "What? I can't-" he began then rolled his eyes to his ceiling. "I didn't even realize you were in town." He remarked annoyed. Punk looked back towards AJ who looked so beautiful he just wanted to hang up the phone. "Fuck it- fine!" He snapped then hung up.
"Everything ok?" AJ asked as he grabbed his wallet and keys.
"I'm sorry babe." He sighed. "It was Amy."
"Amy?" AJ asked surprised. "I thought she left town."
"She's here today and she's all upset and said she needs help." He said annoyed. "I'm sorry-"
"-it's fine." AJ lied. "You're a good guy it's what you do."
"I won't be long." He assured and went to kiss her but she turned her face and knew she was more upset then she let on. "I swear Ape it means nothing."
"I know. I can still be annoyed." She shrugged. "I get it you have to go, go before I change my mind." She said opening the door for him.
"Hey." Dean greeted before Punk could leave.
"My hero." AJ smiled giving him a hug and Punk glared at her. "You can go, I'll feed Dean."
"I'm hungry." Dean said seriously and Punk shook his head and left. "Where is he going?"
"Amy called." AJ said to him and Dean cringed.
"I was wondering why it was suddenly so hot out, hell has released some residents." Dean remarked.
"Salmon?" AJ offered and Dean nodded sitting down. "I heard what you did and thank you."
"That's nothing." Dean said brushing it off.
"Why is Amy back?" AJ asked him.
"I have no fucking idea. I haven't heard her name in almost a year and I liked it that way." He said eating Punks dish.
"Are you here to tell me you're dating Celeste?" AJ asked him.
"Punk tell you?" Dean asked.
"He knew before I knew?" AJ asked offended. "And no. Celeste told me a few days ago."
"It's not dating. It's hanging out. She lives far away." Dean reminded her. "But I like it that way."
"So does she." AJ remarked. "You two are freaks."
"We are." Dean agreed.
Punk arrived at the hospital where Amy had called from.
"Here he is, I told you my husband was an FBI agent." Amy told two uniformed officers.
"What's the problem?" Punk asked the officers.
"She was drinking and driving." The officer told Punk. "We went to pull her over and she sped into a fence."
"Classy." Punk said glaring at Amy.
"You're the husband?" The officer asked.
"No. She has a new husband, I'm the ex-husband and I'm not sure why I was called." He said looking at Amy.
"Me and Rio are taking a break. I needed you here because you have badge." Amy said to him.
"You think I'm going to get you out of this?" Punk asked amused. "Have you lost your fucking mind?"
"Don't be like that." Amy argued.
"You should be arrested you know better than to drink and drive." Punk scolded. "I don't want to be involved." He said to the officers.
"Come on Phillip." Amy groaned. "Be a friend."
"I'm busy, Amy." Punk said annoyed.
"With what?" Amy asked. "What could you possibly be doing that is more important than helping me?"
"Literally anything." He stated. "But I was having dinner with my girlfriend."
"Ok, I'm sure she'll get over it." Amy shrugged.
"We're having a baby." He told her and Amy's face dropped. "I can't keep dropping my life to bail you out of trouble!"
"A baby?" Amy asked stunned.
"Yea." Punk said to her and Amy let out a sigh. "Let it out."
"What? You want me to throw a tantrum?" Amy asked. "We haven't been together in a while and it is what it is. Who is she?"
"You don't know her." Punk reasoned.
"The little brunette who worked at Jeff's?" Amy asked and Punk remained silent. "She's pretty." Amy had to admit.
"I just don't have time to play these games with you anymore." Punk insisted. "It's not fair to me."
"I know." Amy said shaking her head. "I'm sorry."
"And this isn't an emergency." Punk pointed out. "You made a mistake I can't get you out of trouble for this one."
"I get it." Amy said annoyed. "When is she due?"
"April." He told her and she nodded slowly.
"It's coming up." She said to him. "I'm glad you found someone who wanted to have kids. I know that's something you really wanted."
"I hope you get your shit together." Punk said to her.
"Yea, yea." She said rolling her eyes.
"Take care of yourself." He said to Amy who just nodded and he left.
Hopefully that would be the last time Punk would deal with Amy.
When Punk got home less than an hour later the apartment was cleaned up and food was away. AJ was on the couch in sweats watching TV.
"I'm home." He announced and she turned her head.
"Oh, hey." She smiled. "Hope your wife is alright."
"She got into a car accident." He told AJ knowing that would win some points. AJ was too caring to not be curious.
"Crap." AJ said annoyed muting the TV and looking back at him. "Is she alright?"
"Yes. And I told her not to bother me again that I was very busy with my pregnant girlfriend." He explained removing his jacket.
"You told her that while she was hurt?" AJ asked stunned.
"She was fine. She wanted me to get her out of trouble which I wouldn't do." He said sitting next to her. "No dinner left?"
"No. Dean was very hungry and ate your dinner." AJ said to him he rested his chin on her shoulder. "He also ate mine."
"He has no bottom." Punk said to her. "Don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad." She said to him. "Just annoyed but I get it. If I was in trouble you'd be the first person I'd call."
"Want to order pizza and eat it in bed?" He asked her hopefully and she glared at him.
"Of course I do." She said angry at herself. "I should be mad at you but I'm very pregnant and I'm hungry and horny so you win I guess." She said standing up and he smiled. "Don't smile." She warned not even turning around to see him smiling, she just knew him that well.
"Right." He agreed in a serious voice removing his clothing as he followed her into the bedroom.