Chapter 44: Love You Forever
April was at the hall for the rehearsal dinner greeting everyone that came in. Thankfully it was just friends and family so she wasn't meeting anyone new for the most part.
"You can actually sit down and enjoy the dinner" Punk said walking over to her
"I'm the hostess" April reminded him "Unless you want to trade off and talk to everyone"
"Nah that's ok" Punk said with a shrug "I'd rather just talk to you since we're being separated tonight" he said to her
"One night" April laughed "We can go one night. We've gone longer than that"
"Yea but it's different" Punk shrugged "Knowing you're practically down the street is going to keep me up all night"
"How about you get some sleep because you have a lot to do tomorrow" April said to him seriously
"All I have to do is get up, get dressed and walk up to the roof" Punk shrugged
"No Phil" She scolded "You're in charge of everything tomorrow! Making sure the tent is up and heated, make sure the chairs are set up properly, the candles are in place, the judge gets there, the caterer has all the right food-"
"I was just kidding" Punk teased "I saw the notebook filled with everything I have to have done before 8pm. But while I'm doing all of that what will you be doing?"
"Um everything else" she said to him seriously
"Such as?" Punk asked intrigued folding his arms
"Such as getting my hair done" She said to him and he nodded
"Alright what else?" he asked
"I have to get dressed and I may or may not have booked myself at the spa tomorrow" she admitted quietly and he smirked "I guess it's not fair to leave you with everything…"
"I am honored you've given me at least one job and I will personally see to it everything is done" Punk promised "You enjoy your spa day"
"You make it sound bad" April pouted
"Nope you deserve it" Punk said to her "But since we'll be apart tonight and I won't see you until 8 on the roof I think you owe me a favor"
"Ok" she said to him "Anything"
"We sneak away right now and head up to your hotel room" Punk said to her and she just waited for him to continue "You really need me to be more descriptive here you haven't caught on yet?"
"I would love that" April smiled latching on to his nice jacket and kissing his lips "But you can't come up to my room. My dress is up there"
"So? I won't look" Punk promised
"It's literally on a mannequin and someone is in there putting some last minute adjustments on it" April said to him "My room isn't an option"
"Damn" He muttered
"But I have another idea" April whispered and nodded towards the exit
"Are we going to have sex in a public restroom?" Punk asked hopefully
"I already told you no to that" she said seriously grabbing his hand and leading him out of the hall. She peered down the hall and led him to a coat closet and pushed him inside.
"Ok this could work" Punk said looking around the small closet
"We're going to have to be quiet" April said dropping to her knees
"That wont be a problem" Punk lied as he watched April unbuckle his belt and undo them. "But there's really not a lot of room"
"No so this is going to be a treat just for you" April said tugging his pants down "Since I'm getting the day off tomorrow"
"I do deserve a treat" Punk agreed and watched as April ever so slowly took him into his mouth…
A half-hour later Colt was calling Punk like crazy. Dinner was served and neither Punk nor April could be found.
"The dinner is getting cold" Cliff frowned looking at the plate "Can't we just eat without them?"
"How rude is that?" Colt asked Cliff who just shrugged
"Who rude is it that Punk and April abandoned their own party?" Cliff challenged
"That is true" Colt agreed
"I mean I'm bored too and I didn't sneak off" Cliff said to him
"Alright just eat" Colt said to him. A few minutes later Punk and April headed straight over to their seats.
"Hello there" Colt said amused looking over to them. They both looked slightly disheveled and April's lips were swollen.
"You ate without us?" Punk asked him
"What happened to your tie?" Colt asked back
"I took it off" Punk said to him while April diverted her eyes to her food
"April your hair is a little messy" Cliff pointed out with a grin.
"It's fine" Punk said to her "Shut up" he said looking towards Cliff
"Did you two do it in a bathroom?" Cliff asked with a cheeky grin
"We didn't do anything" Punk said to him
"Really because I noticed your fly was still down when you walked in here" Colt said smugly. Punk looked down and saw Colt was right and quickly zipped them up.
"Stop questioning us it's our party" April said to him coldly
"Uh oh someone is grumpy" Colt teased "Did you two not get to finish?" he asked
"Or maybe she found out about the bachelor party" Cliff teased earning a glare from both Colt and Punk
"What bachelor party?" April asked them "You're having a bachelor party?"
"I was just going to tell you because I just found out about it myself" Punk defended lightly
"You can have a bachelor party" April said with a laugh
"See told you she was cool" Cliff said slapping Colt's arm
"I mean it's not like you're going to a strip club" April giggled picking up her fork and taking a bite but the table got very quiet "You're taking him to a strip club?!"
"It's a high class one" Colt said coolly "Very upscale"
"There's 'upscale' strip clubs?" April asked
"It's not even for me they just want to go and could never get into this place without dropping my name" Punk said to her "But if you're not cool with it I'm sure they'll gladly move the party elsewhere"
"Yea I mean it's not like I've been planning this for weeks now" Colt said with an obnoxious laugh "I'm sure it would be super easy to find somewhere else in less than an hour and having to call everyone and tell them it's being moved would also be simple"
"You'll do what you have to" Punk warned him
"It's fine" April said to him "Go and enjoy your strippers I might have a crazy night myself" she said to them
"It's not going to be crazy" Punk assured her "I won't even be there long"
"It's fine" April assured him "But if you're feeling a little turned on tonight just remember the coat closet" she said simply and he grinned
"The coat closet?" Cliff asked the two "Tell me you have a sister" he said to April seriously
"Seriously have fun tonight" April said kissing his cheek
"Are you sure?" Punk asked
"Yes besides after my behavior Saturday I'm no one to judge" April reminded him
"What happened Saturday night?" Colt asked very intrigued
"Nothing" April said quickly and glared towards Punk
"Not saying a word" he promised.
"Excuse me" A man said standing over Punk and April "We found these in the closet" he said holding out a pair of panties and April's face fell.
"Thanks" Punk said quickly snatching them from him
"And again so sorry" April said to the man with a red face. He just nodded and walked off
"Oh my god you two got caught" Cliff said laughing hysterically. Punk wasn't very amused by Cliff and Colt's enjoyment out of this.
An hour later and the dinner was over and Punk was saying goodbye to April.
"Have fun tonight" April said kissing his lips "But not too much fun or I will kill you" she warned in a sweet voice
"Noted" he smirked pecking her lips one more time
"Oh Phil" she said grabbing his arm before he left with Colt and Cliff
"What?" he asked
"My underwear" she whispered
"Oh" he smiled reaching into his pocket and placing them into her hand "I'm willing to blow off this entire night if you want me to come up to your room and finish what we started in the closet"
"Tempting but that just makes me look forward to our wedding night more" April smiled warmly "Next time you see me we'll be getting married. Colt feet?"
"Nope they're nice and toasty" Punk confirmed "I've really got to go I'll see you tomorrow" he said giving her one last kiss
"Love you" she said to him
"Love you too" he smiled then headed off with Colt and Cliff
April headed up to her room and smiled when she saw her wedding dress. She gently ran her fingers over it and couldn't believe this was actually happening to her. As she got ready for bed someone knocked at her door and she smiled knowing it was Punk. She grabbed a sheet and covered her dress and swung the door open but it wasn't Punk on the other side.
"Mom" April said surprised
"April" She said coldly walking into her room
"What are you doing here?" April asked her
"It's the eve of your wedding is it not?" she asked properly
"Um yea" April said unsurely "How did you know?"
"You think I wouldn't know when you were getting married?" her mother questioned
"Not even you can rain on my parade right now" April informed her "And I really can't believe you traveled all of this way to insult me- again"
"I'm not here for that" her mother admitted "I know your father came to see you and your fiancé"
"That's right" April said folding her arms "Don't worry he didn't stay and he made it clear that coming to my wedding wasn't going to happen"
"He resents me for it" she admitted "Hasn't talked to me since. The quiet was nice for the first week but now it's just troubling" she said with a smirk and that was the closest to a smile April had seen from her mother in a long time. "It's actually rather annoying"
"So you're here why? You want me to tell him its ok that my family isn't here?" April asked "Because I won't lie to him"
"What is that?" her mother asked reaching for her left hand noticing the ring
"It's grandma's ring" April said to her "Dad gave it to me"
"I thought it looked familiar" Her mother said admiring the ring "I loved that ring. Your grandmother refused to give it to me"
"Dad thought I could wear it since I lost my other ring" April said to her
"You lost your engagement ring?" her mother asked surprised
"It was stolen" April admitted "Off of my hand actually"
"You were mugged?" her mother asked surprised
"Yea I'm surprised dad didn't tell you he was there" April said to her
"Like I said April he's been very quiet" her mother noted "I hope you're alright"
"Not a scratch on me" April said to her "I still don't know why you're here"
"I'm here to apologize to you" her mother said to her "I saw you won that butterfly belt-"
"The Diva's championship" April corrected
"You proved me wrong" Her mother said formally "I'm not someone who admitted when they're wrong but I was"
"That's not the only thing you were wrong about" April said to her "You called Phil a thug"
"Your father was very fond of him" her mother smiled "I'm very surprised actually"
"He's a great man" April said to her
"I'm sure he is" her mother admitted surprising her "I'd like it very much if you'd allow your father and I to attend your wedding tomorrow"
"Dad is here too?" April asked
"Yes he's staying at our hotel across town" her mother said to her
"Are you doing this for him?" April questioned
"Of course" Her other admitted honestly "I promised I'd try"
"He's more than welcome in my home and at my wedding" April said to her
"What about me?" her mother asked
"Do you even want to be there?" April asked her
"Yes" she admitted "I'm trying April. I wasn't raised with a lot of affection and I've made mistakes but if I missed my youngest daughters wedding I'd never forgive myself"
"We're not getting married in a church" April reminded her "Remember the last time you saw me you said I'd go to hell for that"
"I also said you couldn't wear white" her mother added "I couldn't wear white on my wedding either" she said with half a smile and April scrunched up her face
"Ok you can come if you stop the story there" April said quickly
"Wonderful" her mother said to her with a smile and the last thing April ever expected she felt her mother hug her. "Thank you"
"You can not insult Phil" April warned "Or his family"
"I'll try" her mother promised and April glared at her "I'll stay quiet" she sighed
"Thank you" April said to her "So do you want to see my dress?" she asked taking a shot that her mother would actually care
"Yes I would like that" her mother smiled and April pulled the sheet off of her dress
"Oh my" her mother said placing her hand over her mouth
"You hate it" April sighed annoyed
"No it's very beautiful" her mother admired "The lace is just gorgeous and you have the figure to pull this off. I always wanted to wear a dress like this but your Nana made me wear her dress"
"You two were a lot like" April pointed out
"I know" her mother said then frowned "I hated her so much sometimes and it took your father to show me that. I don't want you to hate to me but I'd I understand if you did"
"It's not all gone" April said to her "But I'd rather have you at my wedding then not there at all"
"Good" her mother smiled "I'm looking forward to it"
"But uh- I know with dad being there this is going to be weird but I already have someone walking me down the aisle" she told her mother nervously
"Hector" her mother smiled "He was good to you"
"You know about him too?" April asked
"Your father and Hector went to school together and they're old friend" Her mother informed her and April was stunned "How do you think we kept tabs on you?"
"You kept tabs on me?" April asked with a smile
"Of course" Her mother said to her "I'm not complete ice"
"Well your certainly thawing" April mumbled
"I deserve that" her mother agreed "What time is the ceremony tomorrow?"
"Eight pm at our home on the roof" April said to her
"Very modern" Her mother forced out "I'm sure it will be nice"
"You'll like the food" April said walking her to the door
"I'm sure I will" she said to her "I'll see you tomorrow"
"Mom" April said before she walked out the door "Please don't let me down"
"I'll try" her mother told her honestly and then left the room.
The next day Punk was getting everything set and directing everyone around. He hoped this was the way April wanted everything.
"You have got to start getting ready" Colt said to Punk who was already dressed
"What time is it?" Punk asked
"It's seven" Colt informed him
"Shit" Punk muttered "Can you make sure the candles get lit"
"Can I just say by the way the heated tent thing was brilliant" Colt said fondly "It's really nice out here and it's snowing"
"Well if it snows too heavy the tent is going to collapse" Punk said to him
"It's not sticking don't worry but it does create a nice backdrop" Colt said to him "But seriously you have to get dressed because people are arriving" he said to him seriously
"Oh fuck" Punk muttered before he walked away "The rings-"
"They're right here in my pocket" Colt said slapping his jacket pocket
"Thank you" Punk said to him seriously "You've really helped me out a lot"
"No problem" Colt said to him.
"I still can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something" Punk mumbled to himself
Punk was dressed and headed downstairs to greet the guests when he came upon two people he wasn't expecting to see. April's parents were chatting with Hector and Punk wasn't sure what to do.
"Of course she left me in charge" Punk muttered walking over to the three
"Oh there he is" Hector grinned
"Hey Hector" Punk said to him "And Mr. & Mrs. Mendez…um why?" was all Punk asked
"April knows we're coming" her mother told him "And might I say you look lovely in that suit" she said running her hand down his arm
"She took a little something to get through the ceremony" her father whispered to Punk who just nodded
"Great" Punk forced out and now he felt himself starting to sweat
"She'll be on her best behavior" he assured Punk "You're doing great son" her father said to him
"April booked and picked everything out but left me in charge of the most important things" Punk admitted nervously "I mean she left me out of everything how am I supposed to know how she wants everything now?"
"It all looks great" Hector said to him "She'll love it"
"She should she picked it all out" Punk spat then rubbed his head
"I've never seen you nervous before" Hector chuckled
"Like I said she's left a lot in my hands" Punk said to him
"Well she's going to be here any minute" Hector said to him
"Good because I think everything is done" Punk said to him then looked around the room
"What?" Hector asked
"The judge" Punk said to him "I haven't seen him" he then took off in search of the man who was supposed to be officiating the wedding.
April was in her room checking herself over just one last time. Her long tight fitted lace dress was beautiful and the train was just long enough. The veil was lace as well and her hair was in waves.
"This is it" April said to herself and put on a smile. She was shaking from nerves when the door opened and Hector walked in. "What do you think?" she asked
"You're the prettiest bride I have ever seen" Hector choked out proudly
"Thank you" April said smoothing out her dress
"Wow" Hector said stunned "You're all grown up"
"I wore Pokemon pajamas to bed last night" April admitted and he laughed
"Well you're certainly more grown up then the first time you stepped into the diner" Hector noted
"Working at your diner changed my entire life" April said grabbing his hands "Everything good that has ever happened to me happened there. I owe you everything"
"I just gave you a start you did it all" Hector said to her kissing her cheek "And I am honored that you asked me to give you away tonight"
"Thank you again for doing this" April said to him and he grabbed her arm
"Are you ready?" he asked
"Yes" April said confidently
Punk was bouncing on his heels at the end of the makeshift alter. Langston, Dean, Roman, Seth, Kofi and Paul were the only WWE superstars who attended and April's mother was seemingly happy sitting next to Dean Ambrose. He looked down and saw April. She stole his breath as soon as she appeared and as far as Punk was concerned she was the only one in the room. The walk towards him felt like an eternity to him but she finally made it.
"Are you ok?" April whispered nervously "You look like stone cold"
"You're beautiful" was all he could say. She smiled and looked towards who she thought was the judge so he could start but was confused to see Colt standing there.
"Hey" Colt smiled "You look great" he whispered
"What's going on?" April asked Punk
"I lost the judge" Punk admitted "But don't worry Colt went online and he can legally do this"
"I got this" Colt said winking at her
"Alright" April forced out as Punk took her small hands into his own.
"Don't worry I've got this" Colt assured her
"Just start" Punk said to him not taking his eyes off of April
"Hey everybody!" Colt shouted out and Punk rolled his eyes "Um I think we all know why we're here. My best friend Punk finally found a woman who could put up with all of his crap" he laughed causing April to giggle "Seriously though I've never done this before so I'll just say what I was going to say in my toast" he said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper "I don't know if a lot of you know this but Punk was a super miserable guy" he informed everybody "Until he went to a diner in Tampa"
"My diner!" Hector shouted out proudly
"And he called me on the phone to tell me this tiny little waitress spilled hot soup all over his favorite t-shirt and ruined it" Colt said to them "I thought this would be followed by curses and anger but instead he proceeded to tell me how this little waitress was an aspiring wrestler and she liked video games and he never shut up about her. He told me she was the prettiest woman he had ever seen" April looked over to him and smiled lightly. "I've know Punk for many years and I've never heard him use the word 'pretty' or 'beautiful' to describe a woman he wasn't related to so I knew he was in love he knew it too. When he would pry himself away from April long enough to show his face he was always smiling and talking about her and I'll never forget one night I turned to him and said 'just shut up and marry her already'" Colt chuckled earning some laughs "And he looked at me and said 'I will' and that was probably a month before they even started to date. I have never seen my friend this way and as much as I tease him about how he always has a goofy smile on now I never want him to go back to the way he was. And I speak for all of Punk's family and friends when I say thank you April and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness"
"You did good" April whispered to Colt who just smiled proudly
"Oh the rings" Colt said reaching into his pocket and passing one to Punk.
"I love you" Punk told her simply as he slipped the ring on her "And I'll love you forever" Colt passed April Punk's band and slid the ring onto his finger.
"I would have waited for you forever" April whispered to him "I have no regrets and no hesitations. I can't wait to grow old with you and I'll love you every single day of my life"
"Ok kiss" Colt whispered to them. Punk leaned down and tenderly captured her lips and the guests applauded.
"Ladies and gentleman Mr. & Mrs. Brooks" Colt cheered
"You've made me so happy" Punk whispered against her lips before kissing her again