"You know daddy is terrified, sweetheart. Right?" Punk said with his hands clasped out in front of him.
He sat in his hotel room, watching as his one year old daughter sat on her mat with some toys which included some blocks which she had been throwing at him, some cuddly toys and some singing and dancing figures that made her squeal and giggle.
She'd just turned one last week. AJ had told him it would be a nightmare having their wedding a week apart from their daughters first birthday, and it was. Having to make sure their wedding was all sorted and ready, as well as making their daughter's first birthday as special as ever, was such a task. But they managed, and here they were.
Punk preffered being in all the panic, he'd never been more terrified to sit himself in a quiet room.
Liesel had grown a lot since Punk and AJ got home with her from Russia, which a lot had gone on in between that time until now. She could pull herself up on her own, crawl around freely, and she was even starting to mumble out little words here and there. It was fascinating to watch her grow, but also absolutely terrifying. He hoped she wouldn't keep growing so fast like this. This year had zoomed in, in the blink of an eye.
But here he was, sitting in his hotel room, his wife to be a few floors up getting ready, no doubt feeling the same nerves and jitters that he was feeling. He didn't think he'd be so nervous for this. He thought he'd be obnoxiously calm.
He was dressed in his suit whilst Liesel was sitting in her small dress, hairband in like AJ had always pictures, although she still didn't have much hair. She looked like a pretty little flower. Every day she got more beautiful. Punk was certain of it.
It wasn't even because of all the people there. And it wasn't even to do with the commitment of being a husband. It was the nerves of knowing that, April was officially his and a few hours, and he had to protect her, until death do them part.
"Hey, man..." Dean walked into the room as Liesel looked over to check who it was, giggling when she realised it was only her uncle Dean, "You good to go?"
"Yeah." Punk shook his head from his daze, just reflecting on what had really happened when they got home from Russia.
On his quest to find his father when he got back, he found out that he and Joe had both been arrested, at the hands of his little sister's evidence. He was angry. Thinking back he didn't know why. He guessed he just wanted to hurt his father, and him being locked away prevented that. But when sat down by AJ, who told him that this punishment was far worse. That he was serving life in prison, and would die in a cold lonely cell, a smile couldn't help appear on his face.
Death was too good for the man. He deserved to rot in jail until his body stopped ticking. Cold, alone and frightened. That's the way his father deserved to die.
Elise told him that he could go visit him if he liked, to say his final peace, but Punk declined. He didn't want to see the man's face again. Never.
"Yeah, let's go." Punk nodded, standing up and scooping up Liesel in his arms, "Ok, baby girl. It's time to get this show on the road." Punk kissed her head as she giggled.
"You can't see it, can you?" AJ asked, standing side on at the mirror, a white satin dress clinging to her figure as Elise had helped her get ready. She was examining her body, but mostly her 12 week gone, pregnant belly. Unknown still to Punk. A wedding present from her to him if you like.
"You're twelve weeks." Elise said, "Not eight months. You look amazing." Elise nodded, almost tearing up. She was so happy for her brother and AJ, after all the shit they'd been through in the past year. She knew they could both finally relax into the life they wanted with Jack behind bars.
"I hope he doesn't get cold feet." AJ admitted, just thinking of absolutely everything that could go wrong with their day. She was a typical bride to be, "Do you think he got Liesel ready ok? I showed him how I wanted her hairband to sit-"
"April, he gets the girl ready every morning with you. I think he'll be ok." Elise laughed, "Stop panicking and take in this moment. You look stunning." She smiled as AJ looked in the mirror.
"I don't even know if he wants another baby. I mean, it's so fast. Liesel just turned one." She turned around and looked across at Elise who was maid of honour, proudly. It made sense for her sister to be made of honour, but in this year, in this process of knowing Punk for the length she had, it had been Elise who was by her side, from the very start, before she even knew Punk. And she knew her own sister didn't mind.
"I'm sure he'll be over the moon." Elise smiled, "When are you going to tell him?" She asked curiously.
"Tonight. When we're alone. I wouldn't want him to force a reaction because he's in front of everyone. That wouldn't be fair." She said, "I really hope he's ok with it."
"He will be. Don't worry about it too much. Just enjoy the day." Elise smiled, "I better head on out. I'll get Dean." Elise said, "Good luck." She wrapped her arm around her in processed sister in law, kissing her cheek and walking out of the room as AJ turned back around to the mirror.
Since she had no male relations left, and Punk couldn't exactly do it, she'd asked Dean if he would walk her down the aisle. They were friends, and he was like a brother to Punk.
"Are you nervous?" Elise asked, joining Punk down at the ceremony, in a small function room in the hotel they had booked for. She'd traded places with Dean, and was taking care of the children, which wasn't a fun task. A five year old Toni, who was made flower girl, Liesel of course who was sitting on a chair, being watched under her father's supervision, and the newest Brooks, little two month old Shay.
"I was, but I'm feeling better now that I'm out here." He admitted, looking down at Shay and smiling, "Hi, little man." He smiled, looking down at his first nephew. He was proud of his sister, and Dean, for really making it work together. He was a little pessimistic, regarding Dean's efforts as a father and commitment. But the man was proving everyone wrong, day by day. He was a great father, and he kept Elise happy. Happy like Punk hadn't seen her before.
It was safe to say the earth was a better place without Jack Brooks roaming around their lives.
"I'm gonna go take my seat. Good luck." She smiled, pressing a kiss on his cheek and walking away to her seat with Shay asleep in her arms, Liesel finding her way onto her Uncle Sami's lap who Elise sat beside, leaving a space for Dean when he had got AJ down the aisle.
Punk waited as patiently as he could, looking down the aisle as he began to see a satin, white dress come into view. He always counted himself the luckiest man one earth, even when April was running around the house in sweats after Liesel who would play up from time to time, but to confirm, he was one hundred percent the luckiest man on earth, without a doubt.
She looked absolutely stunning from head to toe. Her dress, her little but effective make-up shielded behind her veil, her hair that was lightly curled and full and her smile, the best part, her never ending smile.
Dean kissed AJ on the cheek, completely honoured that she asked him to walk her down the aisle. He knew it was unfortunate that her father wasn't around to give her away like she had obviously planned, but the fact she had asked him to take his place, he was touched and honoured.
Punk lifted her veil from over her face, smiling as she giggled nervously, "Hi." She whispered.
"Hi." Punk laughed, "You ready?" He asked her as she took his hands in hers tightly.
"Ready."
There had never been a more magical day in AJ's eyes. Every moment they shared was perfect. The wedding was pact with family and friends, and full of high spirits the entire night.
AJ really could have watched Punk dance with Liesel all night, her little giggle echoing over the music as she swung from his hip, clapping her hands repeatedly with excitement. It may have been fast, but she was ready to have another baby, and add to their family.
It was almost like they were ending a hard-felt year, the best way possible. They were ending the year they had shared, with starting their lives together as husband and wife. She knew that Punk was always worth more than he let on to. Deep down he wasn't a killer or a hit man, or a thug. He was her husband. Her daughter's father. Her soul mate. In just nearly three years she had figured him all out. A thing Jack, his own father couldn't do, in thirty four years.
But he must not be names in their house anymore was in their past. There was completely no reason to bring him up anymore. The only time they would speak about him again, would be when they got the contact from the prison he was in, that he had died. That was Punk's chosen words. Not hers. But she thought the exact same. They were settling into a new life now.
"Do you think Elise and Dean will be ok with Liesel? They'll have quite the handful." AJ admitted as they walked up the stairs to their honeymoon suite. Her trail on her dress over her arm so she didn't trip. He carried his suit coat and tie whilst he unbuttoned his top button on his white shirt, which had received a little bit of sick from his nephew who he had a cuddle with before saying goodbye to.
"She's asleep anyway. You know she's an angel." Punk told her as she nodded. Their daughter was an angel, but he had her moments of playing up, but those were the moments he loved personally.
"I've been waiting for this the entire night." Punk admitted as he got the key card out, swiping it over the handle and opening the door, taking her hand as she tugged him back, coughing for his attention.
"I'm not walking into the room." She folded her arms as he raised his eyebrows with confusion, it suddenly hitting him as he scooped her up bridal style, kicking the door opened and walking in with her as it shut behind them, smiling to himself as he stole a kiss.
He couldn't wait for this night. It was the only thing that got him through the endless phone calls of organising and booking for the wedding itself. He knew he was in for a treat. He was promised by AJ herself.
He placed her down on her feet as she smiled, looking around at the huge room, petals on the king sized bed, their own complementary towels and accessories. She felt like a princess, and not just because of the dress.
"You look beautiful." Punk said, meeting her at the bottom of the bed, taking her hands in his, "I couldn't take my eyes off of you the entire night." He admitted the truth. He really couldn't. Her beauty always amazed him, but today was just on another level.
"You cleaned up not too bad yourself." She smiled, "I really can't wait to rip your shirt off you." She grinned as he nodded with excitement, "But first I… I have a present for you." She said, walking away as Punk put his hand over his mouth, his stomach dropping. They were supposed to get each other presents? He hadn't got her anything!
He started looking around the room frantically, to see what he could pass of as a gift without her knowing, watching her walk back into the bedroom with a gift bag, looking at him with confusion as he halted his frantic steps.
"You uh… you got me a present?" He asked as she nodded.
"Well it isn't for you… well it is, just… open it." She said, her palms sweating as she fidgeted around, watching him as he took the bag from her, digging inside and taking out the miniest of all mini, Blackhawks jersey.
"Surprise." She smiled, looking on as he looked across at her with disbelief and awe.
"You're pregnant?" He asked.
"Twelve weeks." She nodded, "I know it's quick but-" She didn't get to finish as Punk pulled her into him from around the waist, laying the small jersey on the bed and capturing his wife's lips with his own. His wife. It sounded weird.
Another baby. Why would he be anything less than over the moon? Another baby. Another daughter, or a first son. He was on cloud nine. Just when he thought his day couldn't get any better. He knew it was fast, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. He was thrilled.
"So you're happy?" AJ asked as he pulled away from the kiss.
"I'm more than happy." He said, "Everything is finally right." He said, pressing his lips back on hers, this time wrapping his arms around her back, unbuttoning her dress as fast as he could, not being able to wait, despite how wonderful she looked with it on.
The dress slid down off her body, laying on a pile on the floor, nothing but her lacey underwear and white garter on her thigh on, "Not so innocent looking now, are you?" He smirked, lifting her up as she circled her legs around him, pressing her lips back against his as she took in this wonderful moment.
"Do you think you'll be ok with getting them in?" Elise asked Dean, "I… have to go to the store and get more diapers. We're out." She said as Dean nodded.
"Yeah. I think I'll manage." Dean nodded. Toni was able to walk into the house on her own, and with Shay in his car seat, Dean managed to hold it whilst having Liesel sleeping in his arms. Toni helped him with the doors too. She loved being a big sister to her little brother. She loved helping out and feeding him. She was shaping up to be an excellent big sister.
Elise headed away down the road, not intending to get any diapers, knowing they had plenty, stopping by at a place she had in mind, taking the developed pictures with her that her and Dean had got from the nights events. She was still in her dress, and her hair had came undone a little, but it didn't stop her from walking into the dark prison, and asking to see her father.
She sat at a chair, waiting for her father to come from the cells, leading by a warden, which he eventually did, heading over to her and sitting down in front of her.
"What?" Jack shook his head, "Why are you… why do you look like that?" He asked with confusion. He was going insane in here, day by day. He didn't know how long he could take it. Knowing he was never getting out made him feel sick.
"Phil and April got married today." Elise said, "I know you said you didn't care, but I know deep down you do." She said, "Here's some pictures." She passed them along as Jack hesitantly picked them up.
His fingers swiped across the glossy pictures, looking on at his son and daughter in law, happy as ever. There were pictures of them cutting their cake, their first dance, a picture of Punk and Liesel, a picture of all three of them, a picture of Elise and Punk, and other funny and unnecessary ones, just to whined her father up. Pictures of happiness and joy that he missed out on.
"It was a beautiful day." Elise said, "And I hope you realise that you could have the chance to be there and be a part of it. But you chose other things. You chose business over family, and look where you are now. Rotting in this hell." She spat, "You have no one to blame but yourself."
"They look good." Jack nodded.
"They're having another baby." She replied as he looked up, "That'll be you got four grandkids who will have nothing to do with you." She pointed out, "But I hope that doesn't eat you away, I hope the fact that you had the chance, to be a good man, and apart of their lives, eats you away." She said.
"Tell Phil to come visit. I want to see him-"
"You won't be getting anymore visits from anyone. I'm done, and so is Phil." She spat, "I hope you die before you have the chance to sink in your own guilt. It will be less painful." She said, "Whenever you feel good about being in here, you just think about your son and daughter, out in the world, happy and free." She stood up, "You think of us, happy without you. And I'll guarantee you, you're frustration and anger will kill you before your old age." She spat, snatching the pictures from him.
"Elise-"
"I'll let you have one." She spat, throwing down the picture of her and Punk on the desk as she then turned on heel.
"Goodbye, dad."
Hey guys! Next chapter will be an Epilogue and the last I'm afraid. But good news, there will be a sequel to this story, so stay tuned for more soon. Hope you all enjoyed and thanks for the support. REVIEW!