I made sure I didn't update this story until I gave Something I Need the update, and I finally did. Unfortunately our Punk is injured…it does let my brain slow down a bit because as he moved away from MJF my brain was still going with how Jess and Punk would be in the current situations. After this, I may just give scenes of them…we'll see. For now AEW owns theirs, I own mine. Enjoy!
Jessica's POV
I sighed as I put my keys on the counter and abandoned my suitcase at my door. I took a moment to take in the silence of the apartment against the noisy streets of New York. This was usually a huge moment of peace for me after returning from the road, but this time it wasn't.
While I thought I wanted the quiet…it was too quiet. Its amazing how after a week I had gotten so used to Phil and his little noises or the jingling of Larry's collar. Neither were here with me tonight and it made me sad.
I took my phone out and laid it on the counter, countless notifications appearing on the screen. Most were Chris, followed by Phil and some scattered between Renee, my sister-in-law, and Mike. To be honest, I didn't want to see any of them. Chris was yelling at me, Phil and I are weird after our segment…he was very quiet and stand offish when we went to bed, Renee is just wondering what the hell our segment even was, my sister-in-law just wanted me to talk to Chris and Mike was just…what did Mike want? I kicked off my shoes and picked my phone back up.
"Well…that was a little too close." Was all he said.
"You're telling me." I wrote back.
"You have to find away out soon…I had to talk Max out of posting the video." I bit my lip…fuck.
"I know…and thank you." I responded.
"Anytime…you know I have your back before any of theirs." I smiled at his answer. We really did become good friends through all of this horror we've endured. My phone buzzed a few more times before full on ringing began. As I walked into my room I answered.
"Hello." I said with a sigh.
"I feel like maybe I shouldn't have let you get on the plane." Phil's voice came through.
"Or you could have gotten on with me." I said, plopping on the bed.
"But Larry…" he said.
"Phil, get to the reason why you called, I'm tired." I said not in the mood for his beat around the bush tactics.
"I'm calling to say I'm sorry for being quiet last night…I didn't like that you wouldn't kiss me in the ring…that's us controlling the situation and the outcome." He said.
"I told you, Chris stops all that." I said.
"Just tell him…so we can live our lives." He pleaded, I stayed silent. "You know, maybe I'll catch an evening flight to you today." He continued.
"I may go to Florida." I said, reading through my sister-in-law's texts.
"Why?"
"It may help with Chris and I have nieces and a nephew I'd like to see." I told him.
"Can I come?"
"Are you crazy?" I asked.
"Maybe it will help…" he started.
"Oh yeah, hey Chris…I've brought my friend with me and I'd like it if we slept in the same room and in the same bed." I said.
"Okay relax…can you just go next week…give me a week to soften him again." He pleaded.
"That went so well the first time." I said rolling my eyes.
"Baby, please." He started.
"Phil."
"I'm booking my ticket to New York now." He said.
"Don't you dare…"
"Pick me up at 7:15 from JFK, I love you!" And with that he hung up. I could kill him. I leaned back on my bed and started to go through my texts with Chris…he was calling me out on Phil again and how it was too close for comfort and then moved his aim to MJF and how I was letting two men control me. I wish he could see he was trying to do the same thing. I took a huge breath and dialed his number.
"Im surprised your even calling me, where are you?" He asked without saying hello.
"New York." I said.
"Are you really?" He asked.
"Yes, would you like photographic evidence?" I asked him, he stayed silent. "Listen I didn't call to argue." I said.
"So why did you call?" I winced…he really didn't have faith in this.
"I called to arrange a trip to Florida after next week's show."
"Oh really…and why is that?" He asked…he was being an ass and he knew it.
"I think I need to see the kids and we need some time away from the road for the two of us."
"Will you be coming alone…or with a friend?" He asked.
"I have plans to come alone. As far as I know there is no friend to bring." I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Last night looked different." He said in a sing song voice.
"Last night was on national television." I said.
"Fine…come next week the kids would love to see their favorite Aunt."
"Their only Aunt." I said back.
"Their favorite none the less." I could hear him smiling, for the first time my brother was laughing at me.
"I'll see you Tuesday." I said, he repeated and we hung up. I turned and looked at the clock and saw that it was already 1. I sat up and decided to run to Trader Joe's now that I had to feed Phil for the week. As I hit the street and began my walk I pulled my phone and texted Phil.
"Larry?" I asked him.
"Coming if he would cooperate with me." He answered instantly. I laughed and turned a corner heading to Petco instead. I needed everything if Larry was coming, a bed, toys, food, bowl…I had to make sure my boy would be at home here. Once leaving I regretted not taking my car as my arms were now full and I had to return home…I walked back, dropped my bags at the front desk to take up later and went back out. As I shopped for food Phil texted again.
"Did you give your ring anymore thought?" He asked me. I raised my eyebrow…why would he want to know that?
"Not really…" I wrote back.
"Can you share your thoughts with me?" He asked.
"I'm not sure what to do." I said honestly.
"Think it out with me."
"On one hand…its our history…the other…its a reminder of the end"
"I see." Was all he said.
"You see what?" I asked.
"Don't worry." He said. I raised an eyebrow and put my phone away. I finished shopping and got home around 4:30…I put everything away and ran to take a shower to get ready for Phil. I made sure clean sheets were on the bed and all of Larry's things were set up…being in a new place tonight would be rough for Larry and Phil and I would likely not get any sleep as Larry adjusted. By the time I was done it was a little after 6 and time to get in the car to fight through traffic to pick up Phil.
I made it with time to spare and I waited it out until I saw Phil walk out with Larry. I could already see on his face it wasn't an easy flight with our furry boy. Phil pulled his hat down and put his hood up to cover his face as he looked for my car. I also pulled my hood up and kept my hair blocking my face as much as I could. The last thing we'd need is for someone to see me picking him up here. He opened the door, threw Larry in, who delightfully found his way into my lap, and threw his bag in the trunk. He got in and I drove off quickly so we couldn't be seen. When we finally hit a light before the Van Wyck, he leaned over and kissed me hard.
"I promise I'll always run after you." He said, holding my gaze. A honking horn broke us out of it and I kept driving towards my apartment.
"Larry didn't make it easy?" I asked, my smile could be heard in my voice.
"He did not, we almost were removed from the flight because someone couldn't stop barking at the nice people on the plane." He said looking at Larry, who simply glanced in his direction, "Yeah, now you're quiet." Phil said with a scoff.
"Now he's with his Mommy, he's happy." I said, happily, Phil just frowned. We made our way back to my place and up to my apartment. Phil and I opted to order food as it was late and neither one of us had eaten all day. We ate while making small talk as each of us took turn stopping to accommodate Larry. He was completely off his game and was unsure about where to go, sit, or lay. We finished eating and cleaned up and Phil grabbed is jacket.
"Gotta walk Larry before he destroys your white carpet." He said.
"I'll come too." I said grabbing mine. I tied my hair up and Phil pulled my hood up followed by his.
"Gotta disguise ourselves. I nodded and ran to get an old pair of prop glasses from an old photoshoot. I figured maybe I'd look less like me. We hit the streets with our heads down but hands tightly wrapped together.
"Did you speak to your brother?" He asked me.
"I did." I said back.
"How did that go?"
"Surprisingly at the end we were okay. I'll go next week after the show."
"Did you tell him I was coming too?" He asked me.
"I told him that I'm coming by myself…he did ask though." I said.
"So why didn't you say yes?" He asked me confused.
"He was being sarcastic, Phil."
"Well, I'll convince him to let me come…you'll see." He said, rather determined.
"Okay…" I said, not fully believing him.
"So, Valentine's Day is coming up…" He said changing the topic.
"It is." I said.
"Our first back together."
"We've been back together for a week." I said, laughing.
"I know, but it doesn't mean its any less special…where's the place to be on Valentine's Day in New York?" He asked, squeezing my hand.
"Um, my apartment because we can't afford to have more photographic evidence against us." I told him, he sighed.
"Your right." I frowned, I didn't mean to take the wind out of his sails. I squeezed his hand tight as we rounded the corner back to my building.
"It doesn't mean it won't be the best one yet." I said smiling as we walked in and up. He kissed me as we entered the elevator.
"I promise you, it will be."
Sorry this was a bit of a filler chapter! I am going to skip the Valentine's Day date, I will have Jess gloss over it but they'll be back and Dynamite and the trip to Florida where plans will start to be made. I hope you enjoyed this none the less!