Chapter 32: Preparation
After Colt's birthday bash the following Monday Punk and AJ were headed to Raw. Punk was playing with his xbox on the bus while AJ skimmed over bridal magazines.
"Big or small?" AJ asked
"Medium" Punk shot back as he kept his eyes on the TV
"Are you even trying to take this seriously?" AJ asked with a huff "This is your wedding too"
"I know and I want what you want" Punk said to her
"Could you at least tell me how many groomsmen you want?" AJ asked
"My brother is my best man" Punk said without hesitation obviously not his blood brother but his adopted one "Colt, Cliff and Lars" he shrugged
"See was that so difficult?" AJ asked him "Now I know how many girls to have. My sister and your three sisters should work out just fine"
"Great" Punk said keeping his eyes locked on the game
"What kind of food do you want?" she asked
"Do we really have to pick this all out now?" Punk asked pausing the game to look at her
"We're getting married in March" she reminded him and he nodded "We are also in our last week of January" she pointed out "February and most of March we're going to be promoting Wrestlemania so the only time we have to plan this is while we're traveling"
"Ok" Punk said not seeing the big deal
"A lot goes into a wedding" AJ argued "I need to find a dress and bridesmaid dresses, we need to pick food, a photographer, a venue, a date, theme, flowers, guests, invitations, party favors, music-"
"Ok so give me a list of things you want me to do and I'll do it" Punk said simply
"Well first we have to pick a date otherwise everything else can't be done" AJ said to him
"What week is your brother back?" Punk asked
"What if Vince doesn't give us the time?" AJ asked not even considering that before
"What week is he back?" Punk asked slowly. Punk had no fears that Vince would give them a hard time.
"March 12-22" AJ said to him
"So pick a weekend date" Punk said to her
"March 13th?" AJ suggested "It's a Friday though…"
"I like it" Punk grinned "Friday the 13th"
"Are you sure?" AJ asked
"Yes" Punk said to her "It's awesome"
"Ok we officially have a date" AJ grinned happily
"See? Easy" Punk shrugged "Now put those magazines down. One task a day"
"Speaking of tasks…" AJ trailed off
"I contacted my attorney" Punk said knowing where she was going with this "He's working on the restraining order as we speak"
"I just don't want her to ruin the wedding" AJ frowned
"Trust me she won't get into our wedding" Punk promised her
"She was at the club the other night" AJ said to him
"This isn't going to be some open party AJ" Punk said to her "No one is getting in unless they're invited and she is not on the invite list"
"Alright" AJ said letting it go for now
"Nothing or no one is going ruin your day" Punk promised
"It's our day" she reminded cutely and he just offered a smile
"Our day" he corrected
AJ was sitting in catering eating with Punk and Paul Heyman when Randy Orton walked over.
"Hey AJ" Randy said kindly and Punk immediately rolled his eyes "How's the lip?"
"It's good. It's gone to a normal size" she assured him
"Good. I really want to go over tonight to avoid any other accidents" Randy said to her
"Of course" She said to him
"Oh hey Punk" Randy said mockingly
"Randall" Punk retorted taking a bite of his salad
"Someone is here looking for you by the way" Randy told him
"Who?" Punk asked almost annoyed
"Matt Hardy" Randy told him and Punk was now fully annoyed
"You're kidding" Punk remarked deadpanned
"Nope he was hanging out in the men's locker room and he was asking for you" Randy said to him "Not sure what it was about but the only thing you two have in common is a certain red haired beauty and I don't mean Maria" before Punk could respond Orton already was making his way out of catering.
"Interesting" Paul noted calmly
"Do you think he's here about her?" AJ asked him nervously
"I don't care why he's here" Punk informed her "And if he is he's wasting his time because he is the last person I would discuss Amy with"
"Maybe you should see what he wants" AJ suggested
"I'll get around to it later" Punk said to her "Right now I'm enjoying my crappy dinner"
"Oh so by the way Erica called me" AJ said to Punk "The same guy that attacked me also attacked the other woman in my building"
"Wait what?" Paul asked
"A woman in AJ's old apartment building was assaulted and I guess it was the same guy" Punk said to him
"So it wasn't Amy?" Paul asked confused
"Just because the same guy attacked another woman doesn't mean Amy and her stupid friend T didn't do it to AJ" Punk said to Paul
"The DNA didn't match him" Paul reminded him almost fearfully
"Maybe we were wrong" AJ suggested quietly
"We weren't wrong" Punk argued loudly "Something is fishy with this entire situation I'll give you that but there is no way that those two didn't have anything to do with it"
"But-" AJ started
"No AJ no more buts" Punk said cutting her off and standing up "I need to get ready" he then walked out of catering
"Whenever we talk about the attack he gets like that" AJ noted to Paul
"He's still shaken up by it" Paul said to her simply "It's going to take some time"
"What if I was wrong" AJ said to Paul "And now I've made Amy crazy for no reason"
"She told you she did it, you remember T being there" Paul reminded her
"I just want it to be over" AJ groaned "But Phil won't let it go until someone has paid for this"
"He loves you" Paul informed her "He wants to make it right"
"It's not his fault" AJ argued lightly
"He thinks it is" Paul said to her "Even if Amy had nothing to do with it he feels it's his job to protect you- any man feels that way with their girlfriend. Punk has a lot of pried and he's very old fashioned in that aspect."
"Oh before I forget Punk and I picked a date" AJ said cheerfully trying to rid her mind of all things Amy and T.
"Wonderful" Paul said pulling out his phone "Give me the date so I know to cancel anything I have planned that day"
"March 13th" AJ said to him and noticed Paul frown "You have something that day?"
"No it's just- it's a Friday" Paul said to her and AJ just smirked
"Phil loves the idea of us getting married on Friday the 13th" AJ chuckled
"Of course he does" Paul smirked putting it into his phone.
"I don't think we're ever going to get everything planned and ready in time" AJ said to him
"So why so soon?" Paul asked
"My brother has leave in March and I really want him there" AJ said and Paul understood
"Don't worry about it" Paul assured her "I'm sure you and Punk will find time between Wrestelmania appearances and live shows to plan everything. I mean any free moment you have from now and then is going to have to go into this" Paul pointed out "I mean a dress alone is going to take-" he stopped when he noticed AJ's fearful face. "You'll do fine" he assured her with a smile
"Punk!" Punk heard his name being called as he walked down the hall but didn't stop or acknowledge it. "Come on man!" Matt Hardy yelled jogging up to him
"Oh sorry Hardy" Punk remarked turning to face him "I didn't hear ya"
"Sure" Matt smirked "Look I need-"
"If you're here about Amy I'm going to save you some time right now and tell you I have nothing to say" Punk said to him
"She asked me to see you" Matt said to him
"I don't give a shit" Punk said bluntly
"I do. She's really hurt" Matt argued
"You know who else is hurt? My fiancée when Amy and her little friend jumped her" Punk spat
"I don't know what you're talking about" Matt said to him honestly and Punk just rolled his eyes
"You have no idea what's going on at all so I suggest you stop talking about things you couldn't possibly understand" Punk said to him
"She's in a bad place" Matt said to him "Are you really getting a restraining order against her?"
"That's not your business" Punk said to him
"So that's a yes" Matt scuffed "Why are you treating her like the bad guy when you're the cheater?"
"Why are you even here?" Punk asked him
"Amy asked me to come" Matt repeated
"Do you hear what's wrong with that sentence?" Punk laughed "She cheated on you a few years back and that pushed you into a downward spiral but yet she calls you up and says jump and you say how high?"
"She's my friend she means a lot to me" Matt argued "She wants to see you"
"That's not going to happen" Punk said to him "I've moved on and I want Amy out of my life"
"You can't do that to her" Matt argued
"Why the hell not?" Punk asked "She had an opportunity to stay in my life but she blew it. She attacked AJ in a club bathroom a few days ago and tried to take her ring"
"She's upset" Matt defended
"She's upset?" Punk laughed "Well why didn't she just say that! All is forgiven- I'll make sure to mail her a wedding invite"
"You did her wrong!" Matt yelled
"I did and I admit to it but I didn't beat anyone or harass them" Punk said coldly
"She said she was going to kill herself" Matt confided "I'm scared for her"
"What am I supposed to do?" Punk asked annoyed "Call off my wedding to make her feel better?"
"Just talk to her" Matt practically begged "She needs to hear from you. I'm trying to help but there's only so much I can do"
"Well I suggest you try harder" Punk said to him "The day Amy sanctioned AJ to get beaten is the day she died to me" he told him bitterly "She's not my problem but if you want to take her on then good luck to you because you'll need it" Punk then walked off leaving Matt alone in the hallway.
AJ was watching Punk's match against Seth Rollins with her arms folded. Punk was always saying how he had gotten old and wasn't what he used to be in the ring but he looked great to her. She couldn't help but smile as he worked the card and taunted Randy who was at ringside.
"Hi there" Matt Hardy smiled walking up to AJ. "I'm Matt" he said extending his hand
"Hi" she smiled shyly accepting it
"I know this is going to sound weird-" Matt started
"You're here about Amy" AJ guessed and Matt nodded
"Yes I am" Matt admitted "I tried talking to Punk but he wouldn't hear me out"
"Whatever Punk said to you is it" AJ said to him firmly "I can't change his mind"
"I think you could though" Matt said to her with a sly smile "From what I've heard you've got him house broken"
"Wow" AJ said with a bitter chuckle
"I don't mean it negatively" Matt added quickly
"You don't even know the entire the story" AJ pointed out
"I know enough. I also know you idolized Amy growing up" Matt said to her
"Believe me I've been getting those digs for months now" AJ smirked not letting the comment bother her
"I'm not judging you or Punk for that matter. You can't help who you love" Matt said to her "All I'm saying is that she's still a person and still had big impacts on both of your lives and she needs help"
"You're right she does" AJ agreed "I just don't think Phil or I could provide her with it"
"You won't know unless you try" Matt said to her
"The last two times I came face to face with Amy I ended up on the floor with her" AJ said to him "She's dangerous"
"No she's not" Matt said shaking his head
"Tell that to my doctors who treated me after my assault" AJ shot at him
"You don't have to talk to her" Matt reassured her "Just Punk"
"Phil and I are a unit" AJ said to him firmly "I support any choices he makes and he doesn't want to deal with her and I back him up completely"
"She's going to hurt herself" Matt argued
"Better herself then Phil" AJ shot right back
"Wow" Matt said with a surprised laugh "You really are cold"
"I'm not cold I'm a realist" AJ said folding her arms "And I'm not going to discuss with you anymore."
"Hey guys" Paul Heyman smiled walking over to the two "I hope I'm not interrupting"
"Hi Paul" Matt said forcing a smile
"We were just finished" AJ said to Paul
"I had to give it a shot" Matt said to AJ who just nodded
"And you did" AJ shrugged simply "Have a safe trip home"
"Yea and uh- enjoy your wedding" Matt said to her then walked away
"What was that about?" Paul asked her
"Yea what was that about?" Punk asked coming up behind her scaring her
"Hey you had a great match" AJ said kissing his lips
"Thanks" Punk said drinking from a water bottle "What did Hardy want?"
"He was just pleading Amy's case" AJ said to him "No biggie"
"I already spoke to him about it" Punk said to her
"I know and I informed him that I stand with you on the issue" AJ said proudly
"Good" Punk said to her
"So I was wondering if I could take you two out to dinner to celebrate the big wedding news?" Paul asked looking between the two
"Yea ok" AJ said to him "Are you up for it?" she asked Punk
"Yea I can eat" Punk said to them "Just let me take a shower"
After dinner Punk and AJ headed back to the hotel.
"Wow it's still early" Punk remarked casually hoping AJ would catch on to what he really wanted to do.
"You're right" she said cheerfully and walked over to her bag and pulled out a bridal magazine. He just frowned at her.
"I thought we agreed to one task a day" Punk said to her
"I need to pick a dress" AJ said to him "I've never given any thought ever to what kind of dress I'd want"
"You're kidding right?" Punk laughed hopping on the bed while she looked at pictures of dresses "You're a girl isn't that what you do?'
"Well when I was a little girl I wanted to a wedding dress like Ariel from the Little Mermaid but I've kind of outgrown that" she smirked
"I've never seen that movie so I couldn't even comment if I wanted to" Punk admitted
"Well you never should have said that because you're going to have watch it with me" AJ said casually not removing her eyes from the magazine.
"I'll help you pick one" Punk offered and AJ shot him a look
"You can't help you can't even see it" AJ said to him horrified "It's bad luck"
"I don't believe in luck" Punk remarked smugly "Here let me see" he asked trying to the magazine but she moved it out of his reach
"No way" she said to him "I want to surprise you"
"So you really have never given it any thought?" Punk asked again
"No I mean I haven't really had serious relationships before" she said to him "There was Jay, Trent then you and Jay and Trent never discussed marriage except for their dislike for it. Maybe we should hire a wedding planner"
"No" Punk said shaking his head "We don't need a planner"
"But I've never thrown a wedding hell I've only been to one in my life" AJ said to him seriously "And I was the flower girl so I really don't remember much"
"You were a flower girl?" Punk asked amused
"I'm serious Phil" She sighed "This is too much work already"
"We'll be fine. It doesn't matter what you wear or where we have it all that matters is that you're there" Punk said to her sweetly "This is about you and I no one else."
"You're right" She said to him "But I want it to be perfect for you"
"Just say I do at the end of the day- that's all I need" he said to her which earned him a sweet kiss.