Over the next few weeks, AJ had been dedicating her time to working of course, but also filing for her divorce. Something she never thought she'd have to do. Not until she met Phil. The man who changed her perspective on love and the unity and relationship between a man and woman who were in love.

Punk had been spending the majority of his time healing up his arm, but also working too. He was enjoying the company from AJ every morning noon and night, as she was now officially moved in and sharing the house with him. Since Jamie had selfishly, but quite rightly so after being treated the way he was, had taken everything from April, Punk sat down with her one night and helped her sort out her own insurance and paper work. He took her through all the steps, and hinted to her also about saving up to buy a car for herself. He didn't have a problem with her using his, but there was occasions were he did need to take it to work.

Things were headed in the right direction. AJ was heading to court in a few weeks to settle the divorce, where she could then move on completely after getting that out the way. She couldn't wait for it to be just her and Punk. The emotional feeling of guilt and disgust had passed her now, and she knew that what she done, was because of how strong her feelings were for Phil. It was instant love between them. A connection like no other. They were friends, lovers, soul mates, partners. Little things like having dinner with him, or falling asleep in bed to the rain with him, cooking with him or watching TV with him on the couch, they warmed her heart. And doing those things with Jamie, never meant as much to her as what they did with Phil. Which told her everything. He was the one.

Punk loved that sense of home he felt when coming home from work. For a while, he didn't really feel like anywhere was home. Not even Chicago. But coming home to AJ, that was a real home. Coming home where it was warm, and intimate, and secluded. It was never what he imagined love to be like. He was overwhelmed by how much he really loved having a significant other. He couldn't imagine being without AJ now. He felt like he had to protect her and keep her safe from everything. Which he would. He promised himself he would.

"I can't believe this is all happening." Sasha admitted whilst sitting at the lockers in the gym, looking on at AJ who was digging inside her locker for her bag, whilst Paige guzzled on a bottle of water. It was a Tuesday night, which was typical gym night. Monday was always a horrible day, where coming home from work was followed by a quick dinner and a cuddle on the couch. Tuesday was her gym day. It worked out pretty well that way since Punk worked late on Tuesday nights.

"You never liked Jamie anyway, Sasha." AJ looked across to her friend who just shook her head.

"I know. I didn't. But I'm still in shock that you two are actually… you know. Done." She admitted.

"Yeah, AJ. You've been with him for ten years." Paige added, "What has this Phil guy got that Jamie didn't?" The black haired girl asked.

"Everything." AJ replied, "He actually treats me right. He looks at me like… like I'm the only girl in the world. He makes me feel special and loved. I just… I love the way he makes me feel." She admitted.

"Well, of course… if you're happy we are." Sasha looked to Paige who nodded, "But just be careful." Sasha sighed.

"You guys!" AJ exclaimed whilst slinging her gym bag over her shoulder, "Phil isn't going to hurt me. Once you guys meet him, you'll understand. I mean… yeah he's a little crazy, and he's big and scary, but he's amazing. I really love him." She told them, "Stop treating me like I'm twelve and incapable of looking after myself."

"Well… you always depended on Jamie to look after you, April." Paige said as AJ scowled.

"Well I have Phil now." She said, "Not that he'll be interested in meeting annoyances like you." She joked with a smile as Sasha and Paige gasped dramatically, "What do you say we go out this weekend? I know he's off work, and obviously I am. We could go for some food and drinks. Maybe then you'll both realise how much better off I am with him than I ever was with Jamie." She said.

"Ok." Sasha nodded with her hands in the air defensively, grabbing her bag from her locker.

"We'll be there." Paige said, "You know we're just looking out for you." She added whilst placing her arm around her smaller friends shoulder, as they all walked out of the locker room area and through the gym entrance to head outside.

"Well I'm older than both of you, and quite capable of looking after myself." She said, "But I know." She nodded.

She was lucky to have such caring friends. They went way back to high school. They had been tight ever since. She knew they were just worried about her hooking up with Phil, but once they met him and got to know him, they would love him just as much as she did. Maybe not just as much.

"How was work?" AJ asked as Punk had came home, late on, exhausted from his long day of work. She had gone for a shower when she came home from the gym, and was now finishing off cooking dinner for them whilst marking jotters, her least favourite thing to do.

"It was ok." Punk said, holding the back of his neck, exhaustion settling in now that he was home and in the heat and warmth of the secluding walls. He loved nothing more than to come home and see AJ. Her beauty, her warm heart,her. "Glad to be home with you now, though." He told her as she smiled.

"Me too." AJ nodded as he made his way around the kitchen counter, smiling to himself at the kids jotters she was in the midst of marking, little smiley faced stickers sitting by along with a red pen. She had patience. Anyone who was willing to spend six hours with kids, five days a week, had the patience of a saint. And he loved that about her. She loved what she done for a living. A lot like him.

"How is divorce paper work going?" He asked her as she turned around to face him, taking her eyes from the pots on the stove.

"I have it all filled in. I just want it over and done with. I mean… all I'm gonna do is go in there and be looked down on. Jamie will make it perfectly clear on why we divorced. I just… I want it all over." She sighed.

"So do I." Punk nodded, "Because then we can move on, and carry on with our own lives." He said.

He had to admit. He hated waiting around on this divorce. He felt like, out of respect, that it was only right to take things slow and keep things lowkey until the divorce was granted and settled. He hated that it was making AJ miserable, but he was more than happy to give her the visual motivation of what to look forward to after officially being finished with Jamie.

"I just want him out of my life." She shook her head, "And I want to start a new chapter, with you." She said, wrapping her arms around his waist as he smiled down at her, "Is this really what you want? Because I can't stand doing all this, having all this belief in us, for you to shut it down." She said, looking up at him as he cupped her cheeks.

"I have never wanted anything so much in my life, April." He said, "I wouldn't string you along like that just to drop you the minute I get bored. I haven't let anyone in like I've let you in these past few months. I feel like I can talk to you about anything. I trust you." He said, "I want to be with you." He made himself clear.

AJ blushed, smiling down at the ground at his sweet words. This was why she had left her husband, because Phil made her feel special and wanted, even just from his words and actions. He made her feel apart of something. Like she was worth something in his eyes. She just loved this feeling, and with their love, the way things were going, if she was with him forever, she couldn't wait to feel loved this way forever.

"I love you." She smiled up to him. She felt safe and secure with him. She felt like she could laugh with him, cry to him, moan to him, be angry at him, love him, entice him, have him wrapped around her finger. He was everything she was ever looking for. She had no idea she was so lost with Jamie until Phil had found her. Where had he been all her life?

"I only wish we could have met sooner." Punk added as she nodded, "That way, we wouldn't have to be dealing with divorces, or feeling guilty." He said.

"I don't feel guilty anymore." She said quietly, "What we done… it was between us, and we done it because we love each other. It has nothing to do with anyone. It's just me and you now." She smiled, "Promise me it'll just be me and you now." She whispered.

"I promise." He smiled, pressing a kiss on her head, "I love you."

10 REVIEWS = New Chapter

Thanks guys for the reviews so far and the support! I really appreciate it. We're gonna take a time jump in the next chapter. Not much of a time jump, but just keeping you aware. Thanks so much again for the reviews. They mean everything! Hope you are all enjoying! Stay tuned for the next chapter coming soon.