It was a week later. Punk and I, were working on painting the few rooms in his house; ones that usually looked so grim. As I continued to try and paint the wall, Punk kept trying to kiss my neck.

I giggled,

"Phillip Jack Brooks, stop right now or else you'll have yellow in your hair!"

Turning around, he had this sarcastic smirk on his face. Then he replied, with that smirk still intact,

"It wouldn't be the first time I have yellow in my hair Taylor. You know what I think?" he began taking the paint roller out of my hand, and sat it in the paint bin.

"What do you think?" I smiled, and then he pulled me to him and continued talking,

"I think that we should take a break from this," kissing my neck, he tried getting me to cave into him. I tried to resist, but my body had other ideas, "and maybe go take a nap or relax a while."

"Phil, we need to get this done." He muttered something I couldn't understand into the crevice of my neck. Then as if my saving grace, my cellphone rang.

Pushing him away, I sprinted to get my phone from the kitchen, Punk chasing me the whole way. The number was an unknown number, and I automatically assumed the worst. Can you blame me?

"Hello?"

"Is this a Miss Helmsley?"

Punk looked at me questioningly as I told the woman on the phone it was me. My worst fears were brought to life when the nurse, same nurse that worked on Hope said,

"Your mom asked me to call. Your father had a heart attack. He's in room 547. Come soon." Then she hung up.

The room started spinning and I was shocked that I heard Emma wake up from her nap. I felt as if my knees were giving out, and needed the countertop to hold me up. This can't be happening, I thought, not now, not ever.

"Taylor, baby girl, what's wrong?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but it didn't even feel like me.

"Daddy…he had a heart attack….hospital. This can't happen again; I can't lose him too."

Punk scooped me up and tried soothing me. Soon the two of us were heading to the hospital, after dropping Emma-Lynn off with Shalene.

"He's going to be okay T. He's your father and the Cerebral Assassin after all."

I couldn't find my voice, and could merely nod. As Punk tried to get me to talk, all I could think about was how much I wished John were here, him being the one to comfort me; the one to love me.

Sitting in the waiting room was the most scared I had been in my life, and not to mention nerve wrecking. I had to make sure Mom was calm. She wasn't saying anything, but was just staring off. I stood up, and began pacing, until Punk who had to make a phone call a while ago, stood up and placed his hands on my shoulders to get me to stop.

"He's going to be okay Taylor-"

"You don't know that Punk! I mean the doctors won't tell us anything! Mom's mute and I just…." I started crying and the look on Punk's face was pure horror. As if he wasn't sure it'd be okay to comfort me. He did anyway.

"Thank you for being here, Phil. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He offered a smile, but it didn't quite reach his hazel eyes. Then he kissed my forehead and whispered,

"I think you're about to find out." He let me go, and walked away with Mom, towards the cafeteria. How he talked her into going with him, I'll never know. Punk's very tempting and persuasive when he wants to be. Still, I was totally confused as to why Punk was acting so odd, but then I heard his voice.

"Taylor!" Turning on my heel, I saw John, and he was heading this way. My heart started pounding in my chest, and I thought I was going to faint or cry. Instead I chose the latter. His blue eyes looked empty, as if something were missing. He looked the same though; dimples, muscle, and the way he made me feel as if everything would be okay, and I didn't have to question if it were the truth or not.

"Johnny?" I whispered, and then he pulled me into his muscular arms, and held me tighter than he had in such a long time. How sweet he was being, and seeing him again nearly broke my heart.

"Shh. I'm so sorry about everything pretty girl. I shouldn't have flipped on you. I'm never leaving you again, I promise." I pulled away and stared up at him. He took this as cue to lean down and kiss me, and I kissed him back. God, did I miss him. The guilt of what has happened immediately started bubbling in the bit of my stomach like hot magma in a volcano, and I wondered how long it'd stay a secret before it all was out in the open. I let him hold me, until I had an epiphany. I never called John telling him to come home, or even about my dad. So, why is he here now?

"I love you Taylor Lynn." Our sapphire eyes met, and I got lost in them. Three things I was absolutely positive; one: I love John, two: I love Punk, and three? I'm the worst person on the planet for what I did and whatever I would end up doing.

"I love you too, John. How'd you know about all this?"

He smiled, and for the first time in so long his dimples were on full display. My heart warmed at the thought of him not being hurt, at my hands, for once in the past months.

"Punk called me and told me that Hunter had a heart attack, and that you were shaken up. I had to get here Taylor. I thought maybe you'd need me again."

The way his deep voice was so soft and almost hesitant at saying again, only added to my guilt. I knew that I had caused the rift between us, but maybe it had been there for some time now, and I was the only one who noticed it.

"Oh, I didn't know he did," I muttered, but just as quickly hugged him again, "I missed you John. I'm sorry too."

As he kissed my forehead then held me again, I saw him standing there watching. The right side of my head rested on John's chest, but I had a clear view of Punk who stood by the exit doors, arms crossed. His expression was solemn, as if he tried to mask his feelings. A part of me wished he would come over here and do something, plus I was still confused why he contacted John. For a split moment, I thought I saw a tear in Punk's eye, but he turned on his heel and left out the automatic sliding doors before my mind could clearly decide or not. I kept watching the doors, even after he was long gone and the nurse said my dad would be fine. I wondered whether he not only walked out of the hospital, but my life for good or not, and most importantly, did he just make my decision for me?

"No Dad," I began, "You are not coming on the road so soon! You just got out of the hospital for Christ's sake," I told Dad as he followed me into the house, as we came back from lunch. John was going back on the road soon, and I was going with him. It's been another month since his heart attack, and also the last time I saw Phil or Emma. I tried hiding it, in every hug or kiss with John, but the fact of the matter is that I miss them. Punk and Emma have become so important to me, but I just can't go back to him; despite the fact that we left things on a bad note. Well, at least a questionable one.

"Taylor, but think," he said coming in front of me which prevented me from opening the door, "more quality time before the new baby comes. Throwing out your old man already?" Dad seemed nervous, which he never is. Then his phone vibrated and he checked it. That's when it hit me that he was hiding something.

"Daddy, what did you do?" I asked wary, and he gave me a shit eating grin, one much like my own, then stepped aside. Giving him a weird look, I carefully opened the door, and then walked onto the hardwood leading further into the living room. "Hello, anyone-"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I must've jumped three feet in the air. Once I reached the living room, there were guests all over, a banner, a shit ton of balloons, and a huge ass cake visible in the kitchen. John stood in the center of it all, until he came my way.

"Happy Birthday baby, I love you, so much." My muscular boyfriend pulled me into his arms as he softly kissed my neck. I felt so much love for John, and was elated that he remembered, in the midst of everything. Looking up, I saw Punk, with Emma in his arms, standing off in the corner. As Mickie tried talking to him, all he was looking at was me. I swallowed hopefully not audibly, and pulled away from John, tears prickling like needles in my blue eyes.

"Hey, are you okay? We didn't mean to make you cry," John spoke as everyone continued on. I nodded as Dad came and hugged me, then Mom.

"Hunt, we so got her, I told you we would!" Mom exclaimed, and I laughed at her enthusiasm. She always loved throwing me birthday parties. I nodded, and thanked them both, along with everyone else, until I came up to Punk. He was nowhere to be found, and then as if on instinct, I walked further into the kitchen. There, looking out the sliding door window, as he watched Colby play with Mira and Emma, was Punk. Clad in jeans and his old Ramones T-shirt, he still managed to cause my head to spin, and my heart to pound. I prayed to God it was just my nerves.

"Hi Taylor," he said as if he knew it'd be me. Taking a step forward, I braced myself for the verbal beating I knew I deserved.

"Hey stranger, long time no talk." He nodded gruffly, and I wound up by his side. Glancing out at the site, Colby stared back at me as we locked eyes. As if he knew everything that had transpired the war between my head and heart, his eyes looked back, knowingly, and in that moment I feared he'd tell John, but his nod that came a beat later relieved me of that worry. Turning away, I looked back up at Punk, and it was hard not to hug him, or try to bring him solace.

"Phil, listen I-" He chuckled mockingly, then after hesitating began talking, without looking at me,

"You deserve a hell of a lot better than this Taylor. You're settling for John and we both know it. Everyone loves Superman over someone like me…or Batman. You think he's Superman, but even Superman has weaknesses, or did you not pay attention to the comics?"

"I was more into the animated series, sorry to burst your bubble Punk. You don't know John like I do, and who the hell are you to judge me? Especially John, what the fuck did he ever do to you?" In that moment I knew this wouldn't fix any problems, but I couldn't stop myself from bashing him. Maybe the fact that I love him, and he seemed not to care or the fact that he walked out on me at the hospital, had me pissed at him. Then again, what did I expect him to do, fight for me? This is C.M. Punk; he doesn't do fighting for girls, just his championships. "Plus, you called him!"

His hazel eyes went wide, and I knew I hit a nerve,

"I did it because that's how it's supposed to be Taylor. You and John, right? You and I weren't anything but a mistake."

I turned away and didn't know how to reply. My heart was broken, and I wish I didn't know why. As if he knew something was wrong, John walked in.

"Hey," his blue eyes were wide and confused, "I wondered where you were, birthday girl," he wrapped his arms around me, and I stood there like a rock, "Hey Punk, thanks for coming man." Punk nodded and John looked between us, sensing the tension. "What are you two arguing over?"

I thought for a moment, then shook my head, and stood up on my tip toes, kissing John. I didn't want him knowing anything, especially if it was just a mistake as Punk put it.

"Just comics," Phil offered and before he could reply, I pulled John away. As we stood in the hall of the kitchen, John went ahead, not realizing I walked back into the kitchen.

"Oh, and Brooks?"

The Best in the World spun around, a smug smirk on his face.

"What Helmsley?"

I ruefully smiled, and replied,

"Some people may like Superman more than Batman. I always choose Batman over Superman, any day."

With that, and before I could see his expression, I walked away. Maybe now he'll know how it felt.

Hours later, it was down to Punk, John, and me. Colby and his wife, Haley, took Emma-Lynn for the night. As the three of us sat at the coffee table splitting a cheese pizza from Pizza Hut, courtesy of Haley, the guys were talking like normal, and I thanked God for that.

"So John, you ready to go back on the road?" Punk asked, but something was different on how he asked it. John gave him a look,

"Uh, yeah, I guess so. When you coming back man, it's been four months already."

Looking between the two of them, curiosity was about to kill me here. I mean they were fine until now.

"I don't know yet man. So, what's been happening on the road, Johnny-Boy? Ya know, any new fans you've met?"

Anger began gracing his features, and I looked at Punk, who had a sly, yet self-satisfying smile. I decided to jump in,

"John, what the hell is he getting at?" Then I looked at Punk but he shrugged in response.

"Nothing Taylor, he's being a dick is all."

Punk stood up, fury in his eyes,

"No T," he used his nickname he originally gave me, and John I could tell was seeing red when he stood up, fists clenched. "I'm not the dick here. At least I don't lie to your face."

"Punk, get out now. You've done enough, don't you think?"

"Well Johnny-boy, are you hinting at something?"

Thoughts ran through my head, and I wondered what each man knew. Someone was going to tell me something. Now.

I stood up,

"Both of you shut the fuck up and tell me what the hell is going on. Dammit John, what is Phil talking about?" Looking in his direction, John looked pained, and I questioned his reason.

"I love you Taylor….so much….I…just…"

"Johnny," I spoke softly, hating myself for sounding so weak, "Say it. Please."

"Tay, I'm so sorry. I…cheated on you. I slept with someone else." I couldn't believe this was happening.

My eyes went wide, and a sob escaped me right as Punk's right fist connected with John's jaw. Happy Birthday to me.