Chapter 28: Christmas Party
The next morning AJ was up first and quietly slipped out of the bed and got dressed. She wanted to begin preparing for the Christmas Eve meal. She was excited but also nervous about the event. It was not only her first time hosting a holiday but it was her and Punk's first time hosting a gathering together. His friends and family would be their and her brother and his family. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect. The tree was up, decorated and lit and she placed all the presents under the tree. She had never imagined when she was little girl she'd be living in such a beautiful home and having the picture perfect Christmas.
"What are you doing?" Punk asked running his hands over his face in an attempt to wake himself up as he slowly walked into the kitchen.
"Preparing our feast" AJ informed him "There's a lot to take into consideration. You and a lot of your friends don't eat meat but a lot of them do so I have a Turkey in and also vegetarian lasagna. Punk looked at her nervously and she knew what he was thinking, "Those are two things I know I can cook" she assured him
"Ok" Punk said to her "You got the Turkey in quick" He noted taking a seat on the stool and leaned on the counter
"You take it out of the package butter it up and pop it in the oven- it's simple" she shrugged
"You cleaned out the inside right?" Punk asked and she froze in place "You know the heart and stuff…you took it all out?"
"Um" she trailed off "No"
"Ew" Punk laughed loudly "I'm so glad I'm on a no-meat diet"
"What am I going to do?" AJ asked him almost desperately
"Just serve it" Punk shrugged "Don't tell anyone"
"I'm going to know" AJ said to him "What if someone gets sick?"
"As long as it's cooked no one is going to get sick" Punk promised
"I wanted today to be perfect" she huffed
"It's going to be" Punk promised "You're doing great"
"It's going to suck" she pouted "When Natalie offered to cook I should have just let her"
"I think she appreciates having the holiday off" Punk smirked "Can I help with anything?'
"You said you'd make the sauce for the lasagna" She reminded him and he nodded
"This is a lot of work" Punk noted looking around the messy kitchen "We could just cancel and take everyone out to eat"
"No we're a family" she said firmly "And this is what families do" even though she wasn't technically part of his family yet but she considered them to be family already.
"You're right" he agreed "I'm going to take a shower and then I'll be right back down to make the sauce and put out any fires you start"
"You are being mean on such an important holiday" AJ pouted as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her
"Sorry" he teased trying to kiss her lips but she jerked her head so his lips met her cheek instead
"You want to make it up to me?" AJ asked curiously
"Sure" He said to her "Unless you think you're going to get a peek at your present"
"Oh come on!" AJ yelled out defeated "Pleaseeeee" she said grabbing onto his shirt and burying her face into the crock of his neck
"You're putting a lot of pressure on me with this gift" he chuckled
"No pressure- just curiosity" she said to him tilting her head cutely at him
"Tomorrow" he said kissing the top of her head and walking away
"Ugh" she groaned
Later that night the party was in full swing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the food and everyone was mingling with each other. Robbie had really taken a liking to Colt and his wife Clara was chatting with Chez most of the night. RJ though was obsessed with Punk. She had no idea how great Punk was with children, they wrestled, played video games and he now had RJ on his shoulders so he could put the star on top of the tree.
"He's pretty great with kids" Robbie noted coming up behind his sister
"Yea he is" AJ said fondly as she watched him
"I like him" Robbie informed her causing her to turn around
"You do?" AJ asked surprised
"Yea he seems like a good guy, surrounds himself with good people and he's won over RJ who you know hates people" Robbie smirked
"I really love him" AJ admitted
"I can tell" Robbie said to her "You seem happy here. I never pictured you with a guy covered in tattoos and living in a busy city though. I always thought you'd meet a clean cut doctor or lawyer and live in some quiet small town"
"That interesting" AJ laughed sipping on a glass of water "I think I found the right one" she said glancing back to Punk who was laughing with her nephew
"Let yourself be happy" Robbie encouraged "I know you've worked hard to be where you are but make sure you take some time out for yourself and just be happy"
"I am" she assured him "Phil makes sure I do actually"
"Good" he smirked
Once RJ ran off with Natalie's son Punk pulled Colt into the deserted kitchen.
"Did you bring it up?" Punk asked him
"Bring what?" Colt asked seriously but Punk just glared at him "Kidding" he chuckled taking the small velvet box out of his pocket and passing it over to Punk. "I thought you were going to wait for new years?"
"I was but I think I would have officially ruined AJ's Christmas if I didn't" He smirked "Besides I wanted to talk to AJ's brother about it and didn't think I'd get to before Christmas but I did"
"How did he take the news?" Colt asked amused
"He gave me his blessing" Punk said to him "Even though he shouldn't have"
"Why do you say that?" Colt asked
"He kind of walked in on something…" Punk trailed off
"No" Colt laughed shaking his head "He walked in on you and AJ?"
"Not exactly but it wasn't flattering" Punk admitted annoyed
"Well I'm sure he saw that giant hickey AJ is trying to keep covered with that cute little scarf" Colt teased
"I wish it was only that" Punk sighed
"Come on you have to tell me" Colt insisted
"We were dressed-" Punk started
"That's a great start" Colt teased
"We were in clothes but she was dressed like an elf and I was Santa" Punk informed his best friend and his eyes widened
"You tainted Christmas!" Colt shouted seriously and Punk just rolled his eyes "All for some sort of weird kinky sex role play"
"We didn't really role play" Punk said shyly scratching the back of his head
"Hey I don't blame you" Colt said to him seriously "Was she wearing that elf thing she wore on Raw?"
"Shut up" Punk said annoyed "This is why I don't tell you anything"
"I'm just saying-" Colt started
"Hey Punk!" RJ shouted running into the kitchen
"Hey little man" Punk said to the kid "Are you ready for some presents yet?"
"Yea! What are you doing in here?" the little boy asked curiously
"Can you keep a secret?" Punk asked him and he shook his head "What do you think Colt?" he asked Colt "Do you think RJ here can keep a secret?"
"I don't know…" Colt teased with a grin looking at the excited little boy "I think you have to be at least this tall to hear secrets" he said holding his hand up just above RJ's head
"I can do it! I can do it!" RJ shouted jumping up in an attempt to reach Colt's hand
"Ok I trust ya kid" Punk said picking him up and putting him on the counter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring for AJ
"Is that for Aunt April?" RJ asked looking at the ring
"Yep" Punk said to him "Think she'll like it?"
"Yea it's all sparkly!" RJ said with a wide smile
"Think she'll marry me?" Punk asked the kid only half seriously, he did want to get an opinion on it.
"Yea you're so cool!" RJ told him as Punk placed the box back in his pocket "You're going to be my uncle!"
"Maybe" Punk smirked
"This is the best Christmas ever!" RJ cheered
"Don't say a peep to your Aunt" Punk warned and RJ just nodded
"Don't worry" RJ said zipping his lips "I can keep a secret" he told him proudly
"Good" Punk said taking him off the counter and placing him back on the floor
"RJ your mom is looking for you" AJ said entering the kitchen
"Ok!" RJ said running out of the kitchen
"What's going on in here?" AJ asked walking over to Punk and Colt
"Punk was just telling me about your elf costume" Colt informed her casually
"Really?" Punk asked glaring at Colt
"Really Phil?" AJ shot back
"I was just curious about that" Colt said tugging her scarf down and pointing at her large hickey
"Don't touch my girlfriend" Punk warned tugging AJ away from him
"And don't pick on me either" She warned wrapping her arms around Punk's waist "Or my boyfriend will kick your ass"
"Please" Colt scoffed with a wave of his hand
"She's not wrong" Punk said and AJ stuck her tongue out at him
"You two are just tainting Christmas all around" Colt said disgustingly and walked out of the kitchen
"So are you having fun?" Punk asked looking down at her
"Yes I think it's been a successful party" she said looking up at him "What about you?"
"Best Christmas ever" Punk said to her seriously and he leaned down to kiss her. She cupped his face with her hands to deepen the kiss and he pushed her against the counter. "I just want to disappear for an hour" he admitted against her lips then taking them against his again
"That may raise some eyebrows" she smirked against his lips
"No one will even notice" he insisted
"Aunt April!" RJ shouted running into the kitchen causing Punk to jump back "It's present time!" he said eagerly
"I'll be right there" she smiled towards her nephew "So do I get my present now?"
"Nope tomorrow morning under the tree" he said to her and she frowned "Just a few more hours I know you can do it baby" he cooed as if she was child
Punk and AJ walked back into the living room and watched as their families exchanged gifts.
"Psst" AJ hissed towards RJ as he was about to open his gift. He looked over to his aunt who was now waving him over. "Hey RJ I saw you were in the kitchen with Punk"
"Yep" RJ said proudly
"Was he talking about my Christmas present?" she asked
"Uh-huh" He nodded
"Do you know what it is?" she asked surprised
"Yep" He said to her
"Are you going to tell me?" she asked happily
"Nope" he said zipping his lips "I know how to keep a secret" he informed her proudly then ran back over to his gifts
"Good man" Punk smiled towards RJ as he took a seat next to AJ on the couch
"You've turned my own nephew against me" AJ said looking to Punk in shock
"Stop being such a baby" he teased
"Cool an xbox!" RJ shouted once he unwrapped his gift
"Wow how extravagant" Robbie smirked towards his son then glared towards AJ
"It was from both of us" AJ defended
"What do you say RJ?" Carla asked her son
"Thanks Aunt April" he said hugging her "Thanks Uncle Punk" he said hugging Punk now and AJ felt her heart melt a little. He had called Punk Uncle; he was accepted into her family.
"Well there's one condition" Punk said to RJ "Whenever I come to visit you have to let me play"
"I'll kick your butt!" RJ laughed
"We'll see about that kid" Punk said giving RJ a glare that RJ returned in kind
"Challenge accepted" RJ said seriously causing AJ to let out a loud laugh
"Oh AJ this is for you" Colt said handing her a wrapped box
"Is it going to explode?" AJ asked nervously
"Do you hear it ticking?" Colt asked amused
"Is it going to make me punch you in the face?" Punk questioned in a sweet tone
"No at least I don't think so" Colt said giving it some thought. She just smiled and unwrapped the box. It was a box set of Adam West's 1960's Batman TV series.
"Colt! This is awesome!" she squealed standing up and hugging him "Thank you so much"
"I'm glad you like it" he said hugging her back happily
"Wasn't that such a nice and thoughtful gift?" she asked Punk
"I have a gift for you!" Punk laughed "And it's better than a DVD box set"
"I'm telling you she's been like that since she was little girl" Robbie said to Punk "No patience"
"Tell me about" Punk muttered
"Stop ganging up on me" AJ warned
"Yea leave Aunt April alone" RJ said walking over to his aunt and hugging her
"Thank you RJ" she said gratefully accepting the hug "Now you can tell Aunt April what Punk got her"
"Nope!" he laughed at her
"All the men in my life have turned on me" She mumbled
AJ's phone alarm went off at five in the morning on Christmas day. She sat up anxiously just like she would when she was a little girl.
"Turn that off" Punk mumbled curling into his pillow with his back to AJ
"It's Christmas morning!" She cheered shaking him
"No it's not morning it's still dark out" he mumbled "Sleep"
"You said I had to wait until Christmas morning and it's Christmas morning" she reminded him getting out of the bed "Come on!" she said pulling on his arm but when he didn't move she raced out of the room by herself. He sat up and let out a laugh.
"She's something else" Punk said slowly dragging himself out of the bed.
He walked down the stairs and found AJ waiting anxiously in the living room.
"You bought me all of this?" she asked referring to the multitude of wrapped presents under the tree
"Yep" he said taking a seat on the couch "I really need coffee-"
"Presents first!" she said "Which one should I open first?"
"Whatever you want" he said to her
"I only got you one thing though" she frowned
"I'm sure I'll love it" Punk assured her and watched as she reached for a box and handed it to him
"Merry Christmas" she said kissing him sweetly "Open it!"
"You've been pestering me for weeks about your gifts and here there are and now you want to wait?" Punk asked her
"You first" She insisted sitting on the couch cross-legged and facing him. He unwrapped the medium sized box and looked confused at first. There were two plane tickets inside.
"You're taking me away?" Punk asked surprised
"Yep" she said to him "A sun filled week of just you and I"
"You're taking me to Mexico?" Punk asked with a smile then picked up one of the tickets and noticed the date "These are dated for next week" he noted
"Yep" She said to him happily "It wasn't easy to talk Vince into it but he felt you could use a week away. I thought spending New Years away together would be fune. And inside there's a brochure of were we're staying" she said handing it to him
"A private villa" Punk noted fondly
"This way we can hang out and enjoy complete privacy" she pointed out "I know your last vacation was kind of lame since you spent it in my cramped Tampa apartment"
"This is amazing" Punk said to her with a genuine smile "It's exactly what I needed"
"I don't know if you had plans next week so I kind of took a long shot" she said to him
"Not anymore" Punk said to her "My only plans are to be in Mexico with you" he said seriously and kissed her "Thank you I love it"
"You're welcome" She said to him
"This couldn't have been cheap" Punk noted looking at her
"Don't you dare mention money to me." She warned "You pay for everything this doesn't even tip the scale and that entire week is on me" she warned "No arguments"
"Go open your gifts" he said to her amused
"Ok" she said jumping off the couch.
Punk had gotten her video games, a bunch of t-shirts she wanted and a ton of comics but even he could see some disappointment in her face.
"Did you like your gifts?" he asked her
"Yea they were great thank you" she said to him as she picked up the wrapping paper
"I think there's one thing missing" Punk said looking at the floor
"I'm pretty sure I ripped through everything" she laughed
"Nope there's defiantly one box missing" Punk said standing up looking around
"What does it look like?" she asked him
"It's about this big" he said gesturing to the size of the ring box "It's small- maybe you missed it"
"I'm pretty sure I hit everything under the tree" she said to him
"What about in the tree?" Punk asked seriously and she looked confused. He reached into the tree and pulled out the small box "There it is" he smiled and since it wasn't wrapped AJ knew exactly what it was.
"Phil" she whispered. She had deep down expected this but she was suddenly nervous.
"Are you going to open it?" he asked handing it to her casually. She took the box from him and opened it slowly and inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.
"It's just a promise ring" Punk said to her quickly she looked up at him and he started to laugh "I'm sorry I couldn't resist" he said then got down on one knee. "April-"
"Yes!" She said to him happily
"I had a whole speech prepared" Punk frowned
"You don't have to say a word" She said to him "You're everything I've ever wanted and I'd be lucky to be your wife" he stood up and reached into the box and pulled the ring out
"Will you marry me?" he had to at least officially ask the question
"Yes" she said in a whisper and watched as he slid the ring onto her slender finger.
"Perfect fit" Punk said proud of himself "They asked what size the ring should be and I told them you were freakishly tiny" he shrugged
"I love you" she said choosing to ignore the dig at her size and pulling him into a kiss
"I love you too, you have no idea how much" he said pulling away "Merry Christmas"