Chapter 33: Amends
"….no, no, no" AJ said into the phone while Punk watched from the kitchen table "Red- dark Red like blood red…well it is still winter" she said annoyed into the phone
AJ had been going crazy with wedding plans as the weeks dwindled away. Punk offered to help twice and both times he was shut down so he now just quietly waited for AJ to give him instructions.
"No that's pale red" she groaned into the phone "Well it's my wedding and if I want rainbow I'll have rainbow" she shot at the person over the phone "Do you think I care if it's bad luck? I'm getting married on Friday the 13th the color of the dresses aren't going to scare me off." Punk just smirked as he took a bite out of his cereal and read the back of the box. "Well then don't come to the wedding" she sighed "I don't even need a maid of honor" she said to her sister then hung up.
"Problems?" Punk asked calmly
"Erica doesn't like the color" AJ said to her "I'm letting her pick any style dress she wants all she has to do is pick the same color and she's being difficult" she said slamming her phone on the counter
"So she's not coming to the wedding?" Punk asked
"Of course she is" AJ spat "She's just being difficult"
"You've been going nuts for weeks now" Punk said standing up and putting his bowl in the sink "You need a break"
"I'll take a break once the wedding is over" AJ said to him "It's just a few weeks away."
"Anything I can do?" he asked nervously and then felt relieved when she smiled
"Yes actually" AJ said to him "You can go pick up your tux and get fitted"
"I didn't even look at tux's yet" Punk said to her
"I picked it out and gave your size you just need to get fitted and that's later today" AJ said to him "But before that I need you to do something very important" she said seriously
"How important?" Punk asked fearfully
"I need you to go over to the hotel and finalize the menu" AJ said to him
"Why can't you do it?" Punk asked her "You spent so much time picking everything out"
"All you have to do is go there and look at the samples and say 'ok'" AJ said to him "I have a dress fitting at four and the hotel chef can only meet with me at 3:30. Bring Colt it could be fun"
"Ok" Punk said to her "I hope I don't mess it up"
"How could you mess it up?" AJ laughed
"I guess" Punk said to her then looked at his watch
"And you're going to pick up the rings right?" she asked. One of Punk's only tasks was picking out the wedding bands, which he did two weeks ago.
"Yea I got a call they were ready" Punk said to her "But seriously take a breather"
"I can't" AJ argued "My dress doesn't fit right, your sisters haven't picked out dresses yet- my sister refuses to do so-"
"-relax" he said placing his hands on her upper arms and making eye contact "This wedding is supposed to be us sharing with our family how happy we are. The fact that you're going nuts over it is kind of taking away from that"
"I just want everything to be perfect" AJ admitted "This is going to be our only wedding and I want to be able to show our children one day how much we loved each other"
"And a big fancy wedding will do that?" he teased
"Yes" AJ said dramatically "I mean I'm not asking for much. A red and white wedding that's it! Red dresses for the bridesmaid, red vests for the men, red roses- I've seen Bridezilla and I don't think I'm asking for too much"
"It's that's what you want that's exactly what we'll have" he promised
Punk and Colt arrived at the Omni hotel in Chicago where they would be having their wedding and were waiting in the dinning area.
"Finally a fun task" Colt said eagerly rubbing his hands together
"It's not full meals" Punk reminded him "Just a taste testing"
"Still it's better then trying on tux's" Colt said to him "I don't know why it matters what I look like" he groaned
"AJ wants this day to be perfect so if you have to stand there for half an hour and get measured you're going to do it" Punk warned
"She's a little on edge huh?" Colt laughed
"You have no idea" Punk said to him
"Mr. Brooks" a well dresses man smiled walking over to him and shaking his hand "We were expecting your fiancée"
"Yea well she couldn't make it" Punk shrugged "So where do I sign off on this food"
"Wait we get to taste it right?" Colt asked seriously causing the man to smile
"Yes of course" the man said to him "We have the caviar coming out first, the vegetable dishes, the salads, the soups, and the three choices for the main course the steak, salmon and the vegan dish your fiancée selected and of course samples from the vanishing hour"
"Holy shit how much food am I paying for?" Punk asked him seriously
"It's just the right amount" The man assured him
"Of course you're going to say that you're the one making the money" Punk mumbled
"I thought AJ wanted this day to be perfect" Colt said quietly to Punk "Don't screw this up"
"It's just a lot of food" Punk hissed back to him
"Is there a problem?" the man asked and Punk looked up at him
"Nope" Punk said to him
"I'll be right out with the first dish" the man smiled and walked away
"How much is this costing you?" Colt asked him
"I don't know" Punk admitted "I gave her my check book well it's our check book now we had our accounts combined" he said to him "I didn't ask"
"It's a very high class wedding" Colt smirked "I always thought if you ever did manage to fins some poor girl to marry you the ceremony would be in like a barn or diner" he laughed
"I don't even eat half of the stuff on this menu" Punk said looking over AJ's selections
"Leave it be" Colt warned "I know you're a cheap bastard but this really means a lot to her as you keep pointing out. I'd hate to be you and have to tell her how you royally screwed up the only task she gave you. She would probably cry and after everything she's been through-"
"I get it Colt" Punk hissed annoyed "I'll be good"
"Good because I on the other hand think this menu looks amazing" Colt beamed looking over his copy of the menu "Red velvet cake?"
"Red, White and Black are the colors of the wedding" Punk said to him
"Awesome" Colt said to him
AJ was feeling good after her final dress fitting and wanted Punk out of the house so she could bring her wedding dress in. She knew he would be too curious and want to see it so she wanted to make sure he didn't know it was in the house. As she walked towards the building and past the downstairs tattoo parlor she heard a familiar voice.
"Hi AJ" the man said causing AJ to turn around and face him
"James" AJ said surprised.
"I really need to talk to you" James informed her nervously
"How did you know I lived here?" she asked him
"I googled Punks address" James admitted "It's very easy to find out things"
"I don't think talking to you is a good idea" AJ said to him
"I really need to get this off my chest" James said to her "I'm not going to hurt you or anything I would never do that"
"Ok" AJ said eyeing how upset James appeared "Come with me" she offered nodding for him to follow her
After test tasting what he could Punk officially signed off on the menu.
"This can't be cheap" Colt said to his cheap friend
"It's not" Punk groaned standing up
"…yea he's really here" a young waiter said into his phone only a few feet away from Punk and whispering into the phone "….dude he's getting married here and I'm probably going to get to work it!"
"Wonderful" Punk groaned "Creepy fans are going to be working my wedding probably taking photographs and posting them online"
"It's one kid" Colt assured him
"Hey" Punk said walking over the manager "Did my girlfriend mention to you that this wedding is to be kept very private?" he asked the man
"Yes and we will see to it" the man assured him
"Really? Because I've only been here half an hour and half the world knows I'm here" Punk said annoyed "Mine and my fiancées privacy should be your number one priority. This wedding isn't cheap and you're charging me more than enough for all of is the least you could do is make sure this is kept quiet"
"Chill out man" Colt warned Punk
"I apologize Mr. Brooks and we are doing all that we can" the man promised
"Well it's obviously not enough" Punk said to him "Maybe getting married at such a famous hotel is the wrong move"
"Oh crap" Colt muttered rolling his eyes
"I assure you that your privacy will not be violated but if you feel so strongly I would completely understand if you wanted to cancel" the man said to him "But deposits are none-refundable"
"Of course they are" Punk laughed "I could afford it" he said annoyed at the man's arrogance
"So you want to cancel your wedding?" the man questioned
"One minute" Colt said smiling towards the man and pulling Punk away "Dude come on" he said to him "Do not screw this up we were so close"
"This guy doesn't give a shit about our privacy just his money" Punk said pointing to the man
"Give him a break he can't control everyone" Colt said to him "I was kidding before about you screwing this up for AJ but now I'm serious. Do not go too far. Go over there and apologize to the man and thank him for helping us"
"Thank him?" Punk scuffed
"Come on now" Colt sighed "This is AJ's dream wedding swallow your pride for her" Punk glared over the man "For AJ" Colt repeated
"Fine" Punk groaned and walked over the man
"Is everything all sorted?" the man asked
"Yea and sorry so snapping" Punk said to him
"Well I was going to say your future wife has also gone over security for the evening and told us how important the privacy was for you but if you'd like to speak to the head of our security I could do that for you right now" the man offered
"Really?" Punk asked happily
"Yea I mean your wife choose minimal security which in my opinion could be a bit more especially with your privacy issues" the man said to him
"She spent thousands of dollars on the food and choose minimal security?" Punk asked with a laugh "My fiancée is a little too trusting" he said to the man who nodded
"I'll grab our head of security Mr. Harris and he can go over security with you" the man said to him and Punk nodded
"Thank you I'd appreciate that" Punk said to him
"Please take a seat and we'll bring over some water" the man said gesturing for Punk to sit
"You do realize this guy is just trying to get more money out of you right?" Colt asked Punk as they took a seat
"At least I know the money is for a good reason" Punk said to him "I mean after everything that has gone on and the threat of Amy still looming she decided to spend the extra money on three desert choices"
"Look about this Amy thing…" Colt trailed off "The DNA doesn't match her or Frank maybe AJ was wrong"
"Just because Amy wasn't there and just because Frank's DNA wasn't under AJ's nails doesn't mean they are innocent" Punk said to him "They had a hand in this and when I put it all together everyone involved is going to pay"
"Mr. Brooks" A large older but burley man greeted walking over to him "I'm Mr. Harris I was told you had some security questions"
"Yes a few actually" Punk smiled
Punk and Colt walked back into the house together another hour later after getting fitted for their tuxes.
"…so are you going to tell AJ about all the new security measures?" Colt asked as they stepped through the front door
"Of course and I bet she'll be thrilled that not every wacko in Chicago can just walk right into-" Punk stopped short upon seeing AJ's former landlord sitting on his couch. "-my house" he finished slowly
"Who is this?" Colt asked pointing to James
"Here you go" AJ said handing James a cup of coffee and entering the room "Hey guys how did it go?"
"AJ what the hell is he doing here" Punk said pointing to James
"He was in town and stopped by" AJ said to him and Punk narrowed his eyes at her then looked over to James
"Get out" Punk said to him
"Phil can I have a word?" AJ asked nodding towards the kitchen
"No" Punk said bluntly "I don't want this weirdo in my house- get out" he said again looking at James
"Phil" AJ hissed then walked into the kitchen
"Watch him" Punk said Colt who nodded "If he tries anything break his scrawny neck" he said bitterly and James eyes widened fear
"Really AJ?" Punk asked stunned "You invited this guy who played a big part in your assault into our house"
"He came here to apologize" AJ said to him "Look at him he hasn't slept in weeks. He just wanted to apologize"
"Are you insane?" Punk asked her "You're the one who told me he was connected Frank"
"Well obviously I was wrong" AJ said to him "I've been wrong about a lot of things apparently"
"Don't do that" Punk warned shaking his head "Don't second guess yourself"
"Come on Phil let's just put this all behind us" AJ insisted "Obviously Amy and Frank are out of the question but let's try to move past this James thing. I mean he's no threat. I could take him any day" she said confidently
"He stinks of this" Punk said to her in a low voice "The guilt is written all over his stupid face"
"He does feel guilty but he's always been nice to me" AJ said to him
"I don't trust him and I don't want him in my house or around you for that matter" Punk said to her
"I thought you said this house was much my house is it is yours?" AJ asked
"Don't twist my words" Punk sighed "You know what I mean"
"Just go out there and shake his hand" AJ said
"What!" Punk laughed "I'm going to go out there and shake his neck until his head rolls off"
"Wow really?" AJ asked in a disappointed voice "He was my friend and I don't have many of them. While I was doing the seating arrangements I noticed 90% of the wedding is your friends and family"
"Is that what this is about?" Punk asked her
"No not exactly" AJ said to him looking down at the floor then back at him "It's just- I feel bad. Maybe telling him it's ok will help him feel better and I know if I helped him that would make me feel better"
"No" Punk said standing his ground
"I want to forget what happened" AJ said to him "Amy and Frank are obviously a none issue now but talking to James might help. Maybe he can even help me remember other parts of that night. I've barely spoken to him since it happened and he is the one that found me."
"Fine" Punk said to her
"Really?" she asked surprised
"It's your life and you can talk to whoever you want to" Punk said calmly
"Thanks" AJ said kissing his lips
"You're welcome" He grinned and followed her as she entered the living room. Before she could take a seat next to James Punk plopped down in-between the two. AJ shot him a confused look. "What? You didn't think I wouldn't part of this little reunion did you?"
"So James was just filling me in on how he used to be AJ's landlord" Colt offered striking up conversation to ease the awkward tension.
"Yea he's also the one that 'lost' the copy of her key" Punk pointed out
"That's why I'm here" James said to him "I want to apologize again for that"
"You want to apologize for giving AJ's key to Frank?" Punk asked him
"I didn't do that" James said quietly looking at his hands
"Phil" AJ sighed looking over to him
"So tell us James I heard another woman was attacked in your building as well" Punk started off "Did you loose that key too?"
"No" James said shaking his head "The police think it's gang related"
"Gang related huh?" Punk asked nodding his head
"Yea that's also why I'm here" James admitted "Besides the key being misplaced obviously I wasn't doing my job protecting my tenants"
"Hopefully you fixed your security problem so the innocent women of your building don't end up like the last woman or April for that matter" Punk said seriously
"Yea I've hired a 24 hour security guard" James said to him
"That's great" AJ said to James before Punk could sarcastically respond.
"I feel so terrible for what has happened the last few months" James said to them "I want to make it right"
"And how are you going to do that?" Punk asked curiously
"This is a check" James said passing it over to AJ who looked at it "It's your last three months of rent. I can't accept it"
"Oh don't be silly" AJ said trying to pass the check back but Punk just rolled his eyes and snatched the check from her before James could take it.
"How very thoughtful James" Punk said folding the check and placing it in his pocket.
"I know it's not much but with the wedding coming up I'm sure any amount of money could possibly help" James offered
"You're not wrong" Colt muttered under his breath causing AJ to glare at him "Punk's words not mine"
"I'm a millionaire" Punk informed James smugly "And AJ is a millionaire as well so really this does nothing but we'll accept this check as some form of compensation"
"Ok well I'm going to go" James said standing up
"Great" Punk said happily standing up as well "Don't crash your car or anything when you leave" he said casually
"Oh my god" AJ said glaring at Punk
"It's ok" James said with a light laugh
"I'll get the door for you" Punk said eagerly walking to the door
"Bye AJ" James said giving her a hug. Colt watched from his position behind AJ and noticed something odd. "Have a wonderful wedding"
"Thank you" AJ said to him
"I'm letting all of the heat out" Punk said pointing to the open door
"Right" James smiled and stepped outside the door "Look I-" before James could say anything Punk slammed the door in his face.
"You always do that to him" AJ said to him
"So he should have expected it" Punk shrugged locking the door
"See he was harmless" AJ said to him
"He sniffed your hair" Colt said seriously to her
"What?" AJ laughed
"He totally sniffed your hair when you were hugging him goodbye" Colt said to her and AJ just rolled her eyes
"No way" she said shaking her head
"I know what I saw" Colt said firmly "And normally I find Punk's hatred for people to be ridiculous but this guy is a little off"
"My hair smells good" AJ shrugged "I just washed it"
"So? I don't sniff your hair" Colt pointed out
"I told you" Punk said pointing at AJ "He's a creepy little pervert"
"Enough about this" AJ said cutting them both off "How did it go at the hotel?"
"Punk almost cancelled the entire thing" Colt admitted quickly
"What?" AJ asked feeling her heart fall
"I didn't" Punk said to her "But I did change some things"
"I didn't send you there to change things I send you there to sign off on food" she reminded him "It was an easy task!"
"Relax I just had some security changed" Punk said to her "And it's costing me a fortune so I'm glad we got this" he said pulling out the check that James had given them and looked at it.
"What do you mean upped security?" AJ asked
"I want people checked before they come in, I don't want any strangers wandering into our wedding reception and I certainly don't want one of the three freaks finding their way in" Punk informed her
"Amy, Frank and James?" AJ asked looking for clarification and he nodded
"Fine" AJ said to him "As long as you ok'd the menu we're good"
"Yep" Punk said to her "Easy task" Colt just shot him a look
"Alright I'm getting out of here" Colt said to them "Thanks for the free food"
"Don't worry you'll get more of it on the wedding day" Punk remarked
"Sweet" Colt grinned then walked out the door.
"So do I get to see it?" Punk asked once Colt was gone
"See what?" AJ asked
"The dress?" Punk asked
"How did you know?" AJ asked with a sigh
"My sister called me and asked if you picked it up yet" Punk said to her with a smile "So do I get a sneak peek or what?"
"No you don't" AJ said to him "And it's hidden and if I find out you peeked I will not marry you"
"Wow that's harsh" Punk frowned "You'll just have to distract me from looking for it"
"And how am I going to do that?" she asked him but he just walked over to her and picked her up so she was slung over one of his shoulders and ran up the stairs with her….