Punk got home later on from work, getting into his house where AJ was sitting in the kitchen, doing whatever work he assumed she had from her own job. He knew this was going to be a war. Why would she move without a good explanation? Was his position being moved really believable? Did he even want to lie to her? When he had already been lying to her, and promised he wouldn't keep anything from her. But no… he was lying to protect her. He didn't want her to know she was still in danger. He didn't want her to be frightened.
She would have to leave her work, her friends, her mom, everything behind, and completely trust him in a different state. Whether she had the trust in him, he didn't know. He knew she'd know by now that he loved her, and would protect her at any cost, but whether this would all be too much for her, he didn't know.
"Hey." AJ smiled to him, glasses on, hair tied back, one of Punks sweaters wrapped around her to keep her warm in the winter seasons. She enjoyed his comfort, especially at this festive time, where being with family and significant others was everything. No one wanted to be alone on Christmas, and she was glad she had him, despite what had been revealed to her last night.
"Hey, you alright?" Punk asked her with a smile as she nodded.
"Yeah, I'm just marking these jotters." She said, "How was work?" She asked him whilst continuing to concentrate on what she was doing. She hadn't made dinner yet. Being a Monday, where the effort to day anything was hard, she figured they may as well just order take out.
"It was ok." Punk said, "Slow, but ok." He smiled to her, taking a seat across from her at the table, "Can we talk?" He asked her as she looked up with a worried feature, nodding slowly.
"Is everything ok?" She asked curiously, pushing her work aside as he nodded quickly.
"Yeah. Everything is fine. Don't look so worried." He assured her quickly, "It's just… My time here, in Jersey, is pointless now. I was only transferred here to keep an eye on you, and well… keep you safe, and I think I've done a pretty ok job of that." He said as she smiled, "I'm being transferred back to Chicago, April." He told her, looking up at her, hating to lie to that sweet, innocent, beautiful face.
"Can't you stay?" She asked, shaking her head. She knew his job was very unpredictable. Not just in life or death, but with where he was positioned. He was right. His job was obviously done, and the Chicago force were obviously in need for him back. What could she argue with him about?
"I can't. If I'm needed somewhere, then I need to go." He told her as she nodded.
"Then I'll come with you." She said without so much as a hint of hesitation.
She had viewed his lying ways as just that, lies, but when she slept on it, and really thought about what he had done for her, he'd really been protecting her, way before she even knew of his existence. If it wasn't for him, who knows what could have happened to her whilst under the watch of her careless ex husband. She owed her life to Phil, and although still annoyed that he lied and never told her until now about everything, she appreciated everything he done, and she still loved every inch of him.
"Are you sure?" He asked her, surprised at how willing she seemed. He thought he would have to have gotten on his knees.
"I don't want to be without you." She whispered quietly, "Now that I know about… you know, what was going on before you got here, and that it's all finished with, maybe it makes sense for us to move on, together." She smiled.
She knew it was such a big thing. Moving across state with a man whom had been her bodyguard this entire time, who she'd fallen in love with, and who she couldn't live without, but at the same time, it seemed so right and fitting. What better than to move their love somewhere else? Where they could really settle down. Where he could show her Chicago and it's finest spots. Where they could maybe, just maybe one day get married.
But she was just jumping ahead. It was all in her mind of course. She was a woman, who was in love to add, of course she was thinking of the future with Phil, and this felt like a step in their future that they had to take. Together.
She had no idea that they were really moving to Chicago, because she was still unsafe in New Jersey, even in Punks arms.
It wasn't like they needed to find a house, Punk had explained to AJ that his house was ideal for them both, and was close to everyone essential like the supermarket, a gym, parks and local bars and cafés. It was two bedroomed and extremely well kept, just the same size as the house they were living at in New Jersey.
AJ had handed in her notice to her job in New Jersey, as well as letting her mom and friends know, and before she knew it, she was unpacking her things into Punks home in Chicago, where it was even more freezing than in New Jersey, which was hard to believe.
Her mom wasn't happy about her moving, nor were her friends, but they let it go, considering her friends knew Phil well at this point, and trusting him to keep AJ safe. Her mom knew she was capable of looking after herself, but wouldn't admit to AJ that she felt at ease that Punk was looking after her. Although she had suspicions about him, what better than to be under the protection of a cop? And he was a pleasant man with a heart of Gold, she could tell from their thanksgiving encounter.
Punk had told her there was no rush in finding a new job at a local school. Not only did he believe he would get one right away, but he wanted her to relax and take her time whilst moving into his home, which he had actually missed very much. It felt good to be back in Chicago after a year of being in New Jersey. But he'd never forget that year. That year he had found something he wouldn't ever find again. The woman he loved and adored. Moving to Jersey had changed his life around, for the better.
"So what do you think?" Punk asked her whilst she finished off unpacking her clothes into the dresser, hanging up her things besides Punks, taking up the majority of the space, along with taking up the majority of the space in the bathroom.
"I like it." She smiled to him, "It's a lot more raw out here, I guess. But I think I'll settle in just fine." She said, "You glad to be back home? You preferred working here, didn't you?" She asked him as he nodded.
"Yeah. I know more guys on the force here. And I'm closer to my little brother which is a plus. And moving back here means I can get back down to normality, and go back out on the beat with the guys in the squats." He said.
"No more, looking out for piny damsels in distress. Right?" She smiled as he laughed.
"Nope. Just back to taking down the scum of the earth." He smiled, "How long do you think you'll be here? I was thinking we go out. I think it's time you try your first Chicago pizza." He smiled.
"Oh my god…" AJ gushed whilst tucking into the deep dish pizza, in the heat of the Chicago city. In a dusty, dreamy little pizza place with Punk where she was enjoying what could only be described as the most heavenliest pizza on earth.
"Good huh?" He smiled, having missed his beloved pizzas.
They sat in the corner in a booth whilst sharing a pizza with their chosen toppings. It was a homely little place. The kitchen was opened to the customers where flames would burst up every so often, gushing heat throughout the already warm room. It was dimly lit, with soft Italian music playing, not too loud that the conversation between them couldn't be heard. It was just right, and she really was enjoying herself. It was the perfect welcoming for her, after finishing unpacking all her things into her new home.
"So… what now?" She smiled to him, letting her half ate slice of pizza rest on her plate, enjoying taking her time, not wanting to rush.
"Well, I guess we can start living normally." He supposed. Not that they were out of the deep end yet (not that AJ knew they were still in it), he didn't want to promise her all this safety constantly, when things were still lowkey. The chances of AJ getting hurt through Jamie's fault was slim, considering she had fled to Chicago at his acceptance, and she had also divorced him almost a year ago. But that didn't mean she was out of danger, and out of the Albanians eye.
"And what is your vision of normal?" She smiled to him as he chuckled.
"Working, earning, sharing a life with you." He smiled, "It's the only thing I want to do, April." He confessed to her. Now that he had met her, and everything had changed, and he was now suddenly one of those men he never thought he would be, depending on AJ to always be here for him, so he could love her forever, he didn't want to do anything else in life, other than be there with her, laugh with her, protect her, kiss her and love her.
"It's the only thing I want to do too." She agreed with him, smiling across at him.
"And you can take your time in finding work again. I'm sure a school round here will take you on, but just take your time." He nodded to her.
She felt like she was living in a different world now with Phil. A better world. With Jamie, normally he wouldn't even so much as wish her a good day on her way to work. Punk really took care of her, the way she always longed for, but just hadn't realised how much she longed for until coming into contact with him.
Whichever state she was in, whichever country she was in, as long as she was with him, she was fine. She would do anything for their love. It was unconditional and unbreakable.
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