Part Fourteen

AJ was inspecting herself in the mirror as she glared at her reflection. She was not a big fan of dresses but she knew today was her baby shower and she wanted to put some effort in.

"You look adorable." Punk said to her and she shot him a glare. "Hot." He corrected.

"Big and unhappy." She corrected. "I hate wearing dresses."

"So don't wear one." Punk shrugged putting on his shirt as he stepped out of the shower.

"It's a baby shower." She reminded him. "And are you sure you don't want to come?"

"I have work but I'll be there at the end to carry all the crap at home." Punk assured her and she eyed him. "What?"

"You don't look dressed for work. Normally you're in a dress shirt and nice pants but you're wearing jean and a white t-shirt." She noted.

"I have to work in the field." He told her with a shrug.

"Hm." She remarked looking back in the mirror. "How much stuff can we possibly get?" She asked Punk. "I mean we have a lot already."

"We do but extra won't hurt. I hope they give us a lifetime supply of diapers." He remarked.

"A few more weeks." She noted. "Getting excited?"

"Yes." He admitted. "I think we're well prepared as well."

"Me too." AJ agreed and looked back at him. "Are you cheating on me?" She asked casually and he laughed.

"No." He said amused. "It's really work." He assured her.

"Fine." She groaned. "Just don't be too late because you know I'm not into this."

"I know but Cass put a lot of work into this." Punk reminded her.

"I know." She sighed looking at herself again.

"Come on I'll drop you off." Punk said grabbing his keys and AJ eyed him.

"You're going to be careful, right?" AJ asked catching him by surprise.

"I'm always careful at work." Punk reasoned and she arched a brow.

"You're a really bad liar." She said grabbing her purse. "I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"What do you mean?" Punk asked.

"I know Jamie is being released today. Just happened to be on the day of my shower, where I'll be occupied and you don't need to be there so you can be there." She said to him.

"How could you possibly know that?" He asked.

"I wish I could say I'm just more of an FBI agent than you are but I received a letter from the parole board at work." AJ said him. "You don't have to lie to me you can tell me what's happening."

"I just don't want you worrying about anything other than your party." Punk reasoned.

"Of course I'm going to worry about that. Forced social interaction, I'm going to be the center of attention, I have to open presents and pretend I like them-" She began to rattle off and he had to laugh.

"Do you over think everything?" He asked her amused.

"Yes." She said simply. "Ok, let's get this horror show over with."

Jamie Meyers was being released today. But New Jersey agents arrived in Illinois and escorted him back to New Jersey. There was no reason for Punk or Dean to join their flight other than giving him attention he really wanted. Punk had other plans for the day.

"Are you sure about this?" Dean asked leaning on the counter. "This is a big commitment."

"A bigger commitment than living together and having a baby together?" Punk asked looking at rings in the jewelry store.

"Fair." Dean said. "But you're not doing this because you got her pregnant, right?"

"No. I'm doing this because I love her." He told Dean. "I mean we already want more kids. Why wouldn't I want to marry her?"

"More kids?" Dean groaned.

"Relax you're not the one raising them." Punk said to him. "Just help me pick a good ring."

"Didn't Amy give you her ring back?" And Punk slowly looked at him. "What? You can't reuse that?"

"No, Dean I can't." Punk said to him. "And I want this to be right for her. When I gave Amy a ring I didn't even know her and just picked out the first thing. I have been looking for weeks now for the that right thing for Ape."

"When are you going to propose?" Dean asked.

"After she has the baby." Punk told him. "If I do it before she'll think I'm only doing it because she's pregnant."

"I like this one." Dean pointed and Punk glared at him again.

"That's the biggest fucking diamond get down to my price range. I am expecting a kid." Punk reminded him.

"How do you feel about all that?" Dean asked curiously. "I mean it's one thing to deal with the pregnancy but now you're going to have like this tiny little human depend on you for literally everything for years."

"I'm nervous." Punk admitted. "But also excited." He added. "I mean I think me and Ape have a good connection and we'll raise Prima well."

"Prima?" Dean asked.

"Shit we weren't telling the name yet." Punk groaned. "Don't tell April I told you." He warned.

"I won't. I like it. It's different." Dean said to him.

"I got to name her." Punk informed him proudly.

"Hmm." Dean said thinking about it.

"What?" Punk asked.

"Why would you get to name her?" Dean asked curiously.

"It was my suggestion and she liked it." Punk shrugged looking back at the rings. "Why?"

"It's just what's her last name going to be?" Dean asked him and Punk eyed him.

"Prima Mendez has a good ring to it. You two aren't married yet." Dean remarked.

"You think she's going to cut me out of the name?" Punk asked with a bit of sadness and Dean just shrugged.

"I mean you aren't married and if I was carrying a kid around I'd give her my last name but that's just me." Dean defended lightly.

"So you think Ape let me name her to soften the blow of her not giving the baby my last name?" Punk asked and Dean just shrugged.

"Maybe I'm over thinking it." Dean offered and Punk looked ready to strangle him. "This is how my mind works! I can't help it!"

"Keep it to yourself." Punk said annoyed then went back to looking at the rings.

AJ was sitting at Jeff's after opening all of her baby presents and was joined by Celeste who flew in with her mother.

"You're getting so close." Celeste said placing her hand over AJ's belly.

"A few more weeks." AJ grinned. "Thanks for flying in. I'll pretend it was all just for me and Dean didn't come into play." She teased.

"He's an added bonus." Celeste smirked. "You got a lot of stuff." She noted.

"I don't know where I'm putting it all." AJ admitted looking at all the stuff. "That seems like a Phil problem."

"How are things with Phil?" Celeste asked and AJ just nodded.

"He's amazing. He's attentive, kind, patient, generous, thoughtful and I know he's going to be the best father." AJ said to her but Celeste frowned.

"Why do you sound so sad about that?" Celeste questioned.

"It's not that." AJ said to her. "I just put up such a big stink about wanting to move slow and we're living together and we're having a baby together and we both want more children-"

"And what?" Celeste asked.

"It's just I thought he would have asked me to marry him but I know he rushed into marriage the first time and doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes." AJ reasoned. "I mean I guess we can forever just be boyfriend and girlfriend and raise a family, a lot of people do it."

"They do." Celeste agreed. "Is it a deal breaker for you?"

"No, not at all." AJ said to her honestly. "I just think it would be a cherry on top, you know?"

"Well maybe he's afraid to ask because you were so hesitant." Celeste shrugged.

"I mean, as long as he keeps giving me cute kids we'll be ok." AJ teased.

"Give the guy a chance." Celeste insisted. "He seems pretty dedicated to you even before the pregnancy."

"I know." AJ sighed and Celeste looked to the door.

"Speak of the devil." Celeste nodded and saw Punk and Dean walk in the door.

"Hey." AJ greeted and he gave her a kiss. "Everything go ok?" She asked as Dean greeted Celeste.

"Yup." He said to her and looked around. "Is everyone drunk?" He asked confused looking at the crowd of women.

"Yup. That's what happens when you have a baby shower at a bar." She teased. "Don't know how you're going to fit all this stuff in your car." She said nodding to the presents.

"A lot of big things I see." Punk remarked a bit annoyed. "That's why I bought Dean. He has a truck. Did you have fun?" He asked and she nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." AJ said to him giving him her full attention and he loved that she did that. She made him feel like the most important person in the room all of the time.

"What are we naming the baby?" Punk asked her.

"Prima." AJ smirked. "You forgot already?"

"No, I mean last name." He clarified. "I know we're not married yet and it would be weird if she had my last name-"

"But you think she should have your last name?" She asked seriously and he hated when she did that. It was so even toned he couldn't tell if she was mad or not.

"I don't know." He shrugged and AJ smirked.

"It's going to be Brooks." AJ assured him. "I know it's old fashioned but I just assumed it was going to be your last name."

"Oh." He said with some relief.

"That really bothered you that much?" AJ asked cupping his cheek teasingly. "Why didn't you just ask me?"

"I never thought about it until today but then Dean-" He trailed off. "That's not the point. Point is I feel much better."

"I don't." She said to him. "My feet hurt so bad."

"Foot massage coming up." He told her and she grinned.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked. He felt so much better talking about what was bothering him what would be the harm if she bought up marriage?

"Of course." He said.

"There he is." AJ's mom greeted walking over and hugging him. The conversation was going to have to wait for now….

Back at their apartment AJ looked around the crowded living room and frowned.

"There's just too much stuff." She said to Punk as he carried the last of the presents in.

"Yea." Punk noted scratching the back of his head.

"Is the baby going to fit in here?" She asked him seriously.

"We have to take it out of the boxes and stuff." He reasoned.

"What is this?" She asked.

"A diaper genie." He said to her.

"I don't even know what that does but I hope a genie pops out and changes the baby." AJ said seriously and he laughed.

"Do we NEED all this?" She asked.

"I mean, it can't hurt." He shrugged. "We're new at this so I'm sure this stuff is important for some reason."

"I told everyone the nursery was black and purple and no one got me anything black." She frowned and he smirked moving the stuff around.

"I'm sure they just thought that was weird." He said opening the nursery that was freshly completed and only missing the baby at his point.

"We can start putting clothes away." She said to him. "We got A LOT of clothes and I'll throw out the ones I hate."

"Ape." He warned.

"Sorry you're right, donate." She corrected walking over to a gift bag filled with clothes.

"You can't just give away a gift." He said following her and she pulled a puffy pink dress out of the bag and glared at him and he tried not to laugh.

"I'm not putting my daughter in this and I don't know what my mother was thinking!" AJ scolded. "Prima is cool and casual and I know this because she's in my belly." AJ reminded him.

"You're the mom." Punk agreed.

AJ grabbed some gift bags and headed into the nursery while Punk picked up more stuff and followed her in.

"Hey, so what were you going to ask me earlier?" He asked her.

"It's nothing." She said waving it off.

"It's not nothing if you wanted to ask. Is it about Jamie?" He asked.

"No and I'm trying to keep him out of my mind." She sighed. "It's just…"

"...it's just what?" He asked.

"You're with me for me, right?" She asked.

"Yes, Ape." He said to her.

"It's not like the pregnancy forcing you to stay with me?" She asked.

"No. Plenty of people raise a baby who aren't together." He pointed out. "Why?"

"Just wondering where you see us in the future." She remarked pulling tags off of clothes and putting them in a hamper to be washed.

"I see us very happy raising our family." He reasoned and she smiled.

"Me too." She said to him.

"Why do you ask?" He asked her.

"Just curious." She shrugged.

"Ape" He warned.

"I know you're really tainted from the idea of marriage-" She began.

"I'm not." He said cutting her off. "You want to get married?"

"It's not that I was just wondering if we were ever going to end up at that point." She said to him. "I know it's crazy like we don't have enough going and we're still getting to know each other-"

"I think I know you pretty well." He remarked. "I know your favorite food and movie. I know your sleep patterns. When you're having a nightmare, I know you stay up late watching true crime shows and when you do that you never sleep soundly. I know your facial expressions. I know you Ape."

"And you still want to be with me?" She asked seriously and he let out a laugh.

"More than anything." He told her. "Marriage is going to happen."

"It is?" She asked intrigued.

"Just let me do it my way." He requested and she smiled.

"You have a ring already?" She asked curiously.

"Ape, please." He pleaded.

"You are such a bad liar." She laughed.

"I can't lie to you." He corrected. "Other people, no problem, you? Impossible."

"I just wanted confirmation." She said relieved. "Take your time."

"I will." He answered.

"So how did it go with Jamie?" She asked.

"I thought you didn't want to think about him." He noted.

"Please, just tell me he's in New Jersey." She said to him.

"He landed 45 minutes ago and was escorted back home. Has to check in with his parole officer first thing tomorrow." He told her.

"Good." She said to him. "I really just don't want to take this time to enjoy our daughter, you know? I don't want Jamie to take this time away from me."

"He's not going to." Punk assured her.

"Are you hungry?" She asked him and he laughed. "I know I ate at the shower but I'm still hungry and so Prima."

"I'm very hungry." He said to her. "Usual?"

"Yes." She grinned.

Punk walked out of the room and began to make a pizza order on his phone and smiled as he watched AJ talk to her belly as she went through the clothing.

"I really don't think you want a Barbie bow." She said to her belly and tossed the bow into another pile. "Now this is nice." She said holding up a cute black dress with sugar skulls. "Your Aunt Cass gets you." she reached for another item and frowned. "This is boring." She remarked and felt the baby kick her. "Ok, we'll keep it." She said throwing it in the hamper. "You're going to give me a lot of trouble when you're out, aren't you?" She asked her belly seriously.

A week later Punk was in his office looking at the ring he had purchased. Was this worthy for her? He wanted her to have the absolute best.

"It's fucking fine." Dean said annoying tossing a report on his desk.

"It has to be better than fine." Punk said looking closer at it.

"She's going to love it." Dean assured him.

"I hope so." Punk said to him. "She's hitting that really mean stage of her pregnancy. She's getting really uncomfortable and crabby."

"My sister turned into a monster her last two weeks." Dean cringed. "She even made me cry. Don't propose until after that kid is out or she's going to say no."

"It's my plan. Right after she has the baby." He said then heard his door swing open and it was AJ. He quickly closed the ring box and tossed it into his desk. "Hey, babe." He greeted nervously. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on maternity leave." She announced dramatically slowly sitting in the chair while Dean tried to sneak out. "Where are you going?" She asked Dean annoyed.

"I was going to get you some cold water." Dean offered with a smile.

"Oh, that's really sweet thank you." AJ suddenly smiled and Dean ran out of the office. "Anyway, the office is sick of looking at me and I didn't want to go home I'm trying to keep active so here I am."

"It's always nice to see you." Punk smiled and she rolled her eyes. "Even when you're so mad."

"It's hormones." She defended.

"I know." He said to her.

"And your daughter is kicking me like crazy." She sighed placing her hand over her stomach.

"Water." Dean said passing her a glass then tried to run back out.

"Where are you going?" AJ frowned. "The baby is kicking don't you wan to feel it?"

"No." He answered nervously and AJ glared at him. "I mean yes!" He laughed walking over and placing his hand over her stomach and moved his hand. "Wow. That's a kicker." Dean remarked. "You have a soccer player on your hands. Or a kick boxer."

"Or a violent criminal." AJ added and both looked at her. "She's really been acting up in there." She defended.

"I was going to leave early today so how about I take you to dinner?" Punk offered standing up.

"You still want to be seen with me even though I look like this and eat like an animal?" She asked sweetly.

"Yes. Even more so." He teased.

"I want something spicy. I know I still have a week before I'm due but I want her out now." AJ informed him as he stood up.

"You got it." He agreed putting on his jacket.

"Can you help me up?" AJ asked sweetly and both Punk and Dean helped her out of the chair.

"Getting heavy." Dean smirked and AJ glared at him. "I just- I'm going"

Later that night Punk was sleeping soundly and AJ couldn't. She stood up slowly and got out of bed. She walked over to the window and looked at the view from their luxurious apartment. It really was beautiful down there. It didn't matter the time, there were always people. She was so uncomfortable and standing was all that she seemed to be able to stand.

"Ape?" A tired voice asked and she turned her head.

"I couldn't sleep." She said to him. "Go back to bed."

"What are you looking at?" He asked ignoring her request and walking over to her as he ran his hand over his face.

"It's just really nice out." She said to him. "I also still wonder if he's out there."

"He's not." Punk assured her. "I speak to his parole officer every other day."

"I know. But he can hide well among the crowd." She noted.

"Even if he was he wouldn't be able to see in here." Punk reassured her.

"Oh." She sighed holding her stomach gently. "She's so wild tonight."

"Yea?" He asked feeling her stomach. "Yea she really is."

"She wants out." She warned Punk and he smiled.

"Good. I want to meet her finally." Punk said to her.

"Go to sleep I'll be up all night." She told him.

"I don't feel right doing that." Punk said to her.

"You're going to be doing night duty for a while so enjoy it while you can." She suggested.

"I mean- wait, what?" Punk asked.

"I just figured since I'm doing all the heavy lifting you'll do some of the nights." She shrugged innocently.
"You know I will." He practically growled. "You always win."

"And don't you ever forget it." She said shooting him a wink.

"Can I get you anything before I go back to bed?" He asked and she shook her head.

"Alright." He said walking back into the bedroom.

"Phil!" She instantly yelled out and he strolled back out.

"What did you forget?" He asked.

"My water broke." She informed him with a smile and he looked down.

"Ew." He couldn't help but say.

"Phil!" She scolded.

"Right, on it." He said running to the closet and pulling out her bag. "What am I missing?"

"A shirt." She pointed out.

"Right." He said running into his room and she could hear him knocking things over. "Shit!" She heard him yell and then he came out with an inside out shirt.

"I need to get changed." She told him.

"We should go." He encouraged.

"We have time. I want to clean up and get changed." She told him calmly.

"Do we really have all this time?" He asked annoyed.

"We do." She told him. "I don't even feel anything."

"Can you hurry?" He asked anxiously.

"Relax!" She yelled out from the bathroom and he looked up at the ceiling annoyed and glared when he heard the shower running.

"Are you kidding me?" He asked walking into the bathroom.

"I need to shower." She said to him. "Just call the doctor, call my parents, call your sister and I'll be done before you are."

"I have to call the hospital too." He argued.

"So, call them." She shrugged.

"Five minutes." He warned her.

"Ten!" She yelled from the shower and he could strangle her.