"Jamie called around earlier." Punk told AJ who was sitting at the breakfast bar on a stool in the kitchen, looking up at him as he finished up cooking breakfast.
"What did he want?" AJ asked curiously, watching Punk sit down across from her.
"He said he was going to be around all day today, and that he wanted you to go talk to him, to sort out everything. I think he wants to talk about a divorce." He said as AJ sighed.
"Well at least he's willing to give me the divorce or even talk about it. The way I treated him, he shouldn't have to." She said.
"He wasn't all perfect either, April." Punk reminded her.
"Yeah, but he didn't sleep with anyone else. Did he?" She raised her eyebrows, "Did he say where he'd be?" She asked whilst picking at her toast, having lost her appetite these past few days from everything that was going on. From Punk getting shot, to telling Jamie, to it sinking in now that she had to get a divorce. It was all just a little overwhelming.
"No. He'll probably be in the house, next door." Punk said, "I have to go to work, so I'll get out of your hair." He said to her, figuring it was best to leave her and Jamie to it.
"You're going to work?" She shook her head, "Phil, you should still be resting." She said. His arm was no where near healed. She hated the thought of him out, getting even more beaten up, coming home blood stained and injured. But she supposed that was what she had to deal with now. With feeling protected by him, also came having to deal with injuries that he may get in the future. But she was fine with it. She knew how strong and clever he was. She had confidence in him to always get home safely to her. Because that was she was to him. Home. Just like his arms were home.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." He told her, "I'll probably be in the office all day anyway." He told her as she nodded.
"Well be careful. You don't need that arm getting infected or hurt anymore." She said like she was talking to a child.
"Yes, m'am." He saluted her, "I'm gonna go shower." He said, walking on by, pressing a kiss on her head as he left the kitchen to go get ready for work.
Later on that day, AJ had gone to her own home, which wasn't exactly far. Jamie was indeed in it, having still got the keys to the place. She figured she would be staying with Punk now. Whether Jamie wanted to keep the house or if he wanted to sell it, it was completely up to him.
It was awkward at first. She wasn't sure what Jamie wanted to actually talk to her about. Punk had told her he said he wanted to 'sort' things out. But she had no idea what that meant. She hoped it didn't mean he was going to beg for her back. Who was she kidding? He was done with her. Who would want to take back a cheater?
"So have you been living with him since I left?" He asked whilst standing awkwardly in the living room.
"You only left two days ago." She shook her head, "But yeah. I have." She nodded.
"Don't wait around much. Do you?" He gazed over at her as she looked down at the ground with guilt.
"I don't want to fight, Jamie. I really don't." She shook her head, "What's done has been done." She said.
"I don't want to fight, April. I just came here, to tell you, you're on your own now. The house, the car, the money, it's all mine."
"What do you mean it's all yours?" She shook her head.
"Well, let me see… the house, we bought together before we got married, yeah… I don't remember you contributing much to that. The car, money out of my wallet when I had the job in the city, but you decided you were gonna use it anyway, and all the insurance that I have you covered with, well… you can get loverboy next door to have you covered, with the wage you get I assume you'll need some help."
"Stop it. Just stop." AJ drew a line with her hand in mid air, "You think that was what I married you for? You think taking that stuff away from me will hurt me? I married you, Jamie, because I loved you, and I wanted to spend my life with you." She spat, "None of that shit ever mattered to me. Our love was all about, being together no matter what. We always said if we were homeless, or if we had no money, we would still love each other. I meant that." She told him, "But it didn't even take us being homeless for you to stop loving me. You done that on your own." She said.
"I never stopped loving you, April." He said, "I don't know why that idea is in your head. Probably because he told you next door."
"It has nothing to do with him, besides the fact he actually loves me, and he treats me in a way you never have. He treats me like I'm the only girl in the world." She said, "So go ahead. Go take this place, and the car, and the money and everything you think matters to me, because it doesn't. The only thing that ever mattered to me, was that I was loved, and guess what? I am. I'm loved somewhere else." She said.
"Good." Jamie said, "Well I'm glad. As long as April is happy, right?" He looked across at her, "I'll see you in court." He shook his head, pushing by her and out of the door.
Later that night, Punk got home from work after spending his entire day sitting at his office. They still hadn't found the killer on the loose, but they were prepared for when they came into contact with him again. Punk was sure they'd have him within the week, unless somehow he'd managed to get out of the state, which he doubted it.
He got home to find AJ in his house, boxes around the living room and in the hallway, AJ herself unpacking things onto the couch.
"Everything alright?" He asked her as she turned around suddenly.
"You're home." She smiled, "Eh..." She scratched her head, looking around. She was hoping she could have unpacked before he came home, "Jamie is selling the house, taking the car and basically everything I own but the clothes on my back. I'll find a place if you want me to, I just thought I'd put things here for the time being." She rushed, hiding her embarrassment with her fast speech. Although she told Jamie it didn't matter, she did feel low that he had was taking everything from her.
"How can he take it all from you?" He asked her with confusion.
"Because he paid for it all. I'll have to sort out all my insurance one night. He used to cover that for me." She said, "And I'll have to look into getting a new car. I'll be fine though. I'll be fine." She panicked as he sighed.
"AJ, it's ok. You're fine staying here with me. And if need be, you can use my car. And one night, I'll sit with you, and we'll get all your insurance sorted out." He promised her, "Calm down." He asked her as she sighed.
"Really?" She looked up at him as he approached her closer.
"Really." He nodded, "It's me and you now. I'm not… I'm not like him. I have your back." He smiled, "What do you say we get all this unpacked, get your clothes hung up. There's plenty of space in my wardrobe. And fall asleep on the couch together." He finished, "I don't want you to get drained by all of this, and him." He said as she smiled.
She nodded as he took off his sweater, beginning to help her unpack the different boxes she had boxed up from next door earlier today, packing everything away in the right places, making the house feel more full, and meaningful. Having more clothes in his wardrobe was a good feeling. Going into the bathroom and seeing all her feminising products, although emasculated him a little, made him feel good. It made him feel like he wasn't alone. He liked not being alone now.
Once they finished with the unpacking, they lay on the couch, completely exhausted and ready to turn in for the night. AJ knew he would be supportive, but she didn't imagine him to be this supportive. Was this what a real relationship was about? Having each others back at all times. Supporting one another and helping one another. He really was everything she was missing out on. She couldn't believe she had been such a fool as to tolerate Jamie all this time. She had been blind to what real love consisted of.
"I just want it to be all over now." She sighed, curled into him on the couch. She hated this process, and it had barely began.
"Once it's said and done, you can forget about him, and we can move on." He promised her, "It's just gonna take some time."
"I know." She nodded, "I'm just glad I have you." She sighed with good nature, resting her head on his shoulder, obviously leaning into his non injured arm.
She felt him kiss her head, which was the physical way of saying, 'it'll be alright, I love you.' And she smiled.
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