Equal Partner

AJ walked outside at around seven. Punk had taken her to her doctors appointment earlier and now she was a few more weeks along. She knocked on his window and he rolled the window down without even looking at her.

"Hi honey." AJ smiled but he looked straight ahead. "I was wondering if you could take me to the crisis center? I know you're kind of zoned out right now but if you don't take me and I have to take the train I'm going to be late." he didn't respond but still looked ahead in shock. "You've been in here for an hour."

AJ gave him a bright smile even though he wasn't looking at her then walked around and got into the passenger side of the car and put on her seat belt.

"Are you going to drive or are you really going to make your pregnant wife take the train?" She asked him cutely. She placed her hand on his knee and leaned forward so she could see his eyes. "I'm getting worried you hate our baby."

"Hate the baby?" he asked finally speaking and turning to look at her. "I'm just in shock."

"You'd think the doctor told us we were having twins or something. It's just a little girl." AJ shrugged.

"Just a little girl?" Punk asked in shock. "Just a little girl? Do you know the difference between having a boy and a girl?"

"Do you?" AJ mocked.

"Girls are-" Punk began.

"Before you start I'll warn you not to say anything sexist." AJ warned him.

"I'm old fashioned AJ." Punk reminded her shaking his head. "I never thought I'd have a boy. A girl? A girl is so delicate and they date and guys pry on them and it's just a lot of sleepless nights for me."

"Do you not want her?" AJ asked fearfully and his face dropped. "I know you wanted a boy-"

"-of course I want her." Punk said cutting her off. "I love her so much and I've never even met her yet. I'm not even disappointed about her not being a boy I'm just shocked. I grew up in this neighborhood and girls get whistled at and their asses slapped- I'm going to go to jail." He warned her completely frozen in fear.

"Stop." She laughed grabbing his face and giving him a kiss. "You're just a really good man. She's going to be raised right and she's going to be safe. We're two blocks from Jason and Kate, you don't think her big cousins are going to look out for her?"

"I forgot about them." Punk admitted. "That is true."

"Stop worrying about all of this stuff. She's not even here yet." She laughed. "We have years to worry about her going off and dating."

"I guess." He agreed nodding.

"But you have to promise me you're not going to treat our daughter like I was treated." AJ said to him.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean like my mom and Hugh kept me locked up in the house." AJ told him.

"Our house is too small to do that." Punk said seriously and AJ glared at him. "Of course not." He laughed. "I'm going to teach her how to fight the minute she's old enough to learn."

"I don't want her to turn into me. Running away and never wanting to see her parents." AJ told him.

"I'm just digesting all of this." Punk said to her. "The shock will ware off."

"Good because I have to get to the center." AJ said getting comfortable in her seat and Punk started the car. "At least now we can start thinking of names. We thought for sure it was a boy and now we get to start the process all over again!" She cheered.

"Yea it was a long process of me coming up with names and you telling me he'd be named after me." Punk mocked pulling out of the driveway. "Let's name her after you."

"Nope." AJ said simply looking at her phone. "I really need to get to the center."

"Why?" He asked her. "What's the rush?"

"Someone is there to see me." She told him and he eyed her.

"Who?" He asked skeptically.

"One of the girls." She shrugged. "Alex, I told you about her."

"Yea I think so. They come to the center now?" Punk asked driving along. "She's the one with the strict parents you told me about?"

"Yea." AJ nodded. "I mean my mom and Hugh were strict but her parents are those crazy Christians type. No music in the house, no TV, stuff like that."

"And they let her go to the center?" Punk asked.

"They don't know. She sneaks out." AJ told him. "She just comes and hangs out with me for the most part."

"Is that a good idea?" Punk asked her.

"It's fine Phil." She laughed. "What's the problem?"

"You said she gets hit by her parents." Punk noted. "She's what? 20? And her parents still hit her."

"Yea." AJ said not following.

"Just be careful." He urged. "It's not just you anymore." He noted nodding towards her still barely visible bump.

"This is going to be my job Phil." AJ reminded him as they drove. "I'm going to be helping people as a counselor."

"Yea I get that but you're not a counselor now and entertaining these people isn't your job." He reminded her. "Just remember to leave work at work."

"Says the man who spends most nights outside working on a car." AJ snorted.

"That's a hobby. That car is a hobby not a job." Punk corrected defensively.

"Speaking of the car will it be ready in six months?" AJ questioned.

"Why?" Punk asked.

"There's no room for a baby in your pickup truck." AJ laughed. "Are we strapping our daughters car seat to the roof?"

"The car won't be ready nor will it be a ridden frequently." Punk informed her.

"So what are we supposed to do?" she asked.

"I guess I have to look into a new car." He said thinking about it. "I haven't even thought about that."

"I mean we'll need to get her around." AJ told him.

"Of course." Punk said to her. "I'll trade this in or something that's all. We won't need a van though right?"

"It's one baby not a soccer team." She smirked as he pulled up in front of the center. "I'll call you when to come get me I might be late." she said kissing him as she unbuckled her belt.

"Alright. I'll be at Jason's watching the game anyway." Punk told her as she climbed out of the car. Punk waited until she was safely inside before pulling away.

"A girl?" Jason asked stunned sitting at the kitchen table with Punk and Kate.

"A girl! Finally!" Kate cheered.

"No Kate we have boys." Jason said pointing between himself and Punk. "A girl is messy."

"Really? Because your two sons are covered in ice cream right now." Kate said standing up.

"You can still use some of the boys clothes." Jason told Punk.

"What?" Kate asked. "She needs dresses. She's going to be a pampered little princess like AJ. I am so excited to shop for her." she grinned walking into the living room. "Bath time boys." She announced picking Brian out of his chair and taking DJ's hand.

"How shocked were you when the doctor said boy?" Jason asked amused.

"I didn't get out of the car for an hour." Punk admitted. "AJ thought I didn't want the baby because I was in such shock."

"A little girl will be cute." Jason pointed out.

"Girl though...I already feel like I'm never going to sleep." Punk said to him. "When the boys are old enough you can sleep soundly nightly when they're out on dates or with their friends but I'll have this little girl- who with my luck will look just like AJ- wondering if she's ok, if she's with some guy, if she's being hassled on the street."

"She will be sneaking off guys and hassled on the street." Jason told him bluntly and Punk's face dropped. "But you're not alone. She'll have me too." he pointed out proudly. "And DJ and Brian will be old enough for some extra eyes."

"It sounds sexist I know but-" Punk began and Jason stopped him.

"I get it. We grew up here. We've seen it but it's all about how you raise her." Jason told him. "Look at AJ." He pointed out. "She sheltered her whole life and she came here and took shit from nobody."

"She had her trouble." Punk reminded him. "Need I remind you of her professor?" he hissed quietly.

"And look at her now." Jason pointed out. "She didn't let it effect her."

"Yea." Punk agreed. "It's not just thought but today we can see the baby so clearly during the sonogram it's all getting very real."

"A few more months she'll be here." Jason smirked.

"How do you do it?" Punk asked. "You have two and a wife and a job."

"I do make it look easy, huh?" Jason teased. "Nah man it's just about balance. Make sure you make time for AJ, make sure you change your share of diapers and a secret." He leaned in. "Bring home dinner at least once week."

"Good advice." Punk said nodding along. "Speaking of advice I've got to trade my truck in somewhere or try to get some cash for it so I can get something that fits a baby car seat."

"I know a great spot, don't think you'll like it." Jason told him.

"Jack's place?" Punk asked.

"He knows she's pregnant." Jason laughed. "He keeps asking her, its hard to tell she's not when she's in her work uniform. He wants in."

"He'll be waiting forever." Punk said to him. "First person I'm protecting my daughter from? Jack Brooks."

"I thought you two were ok." Jason pointed out.

"We speak when I see AJ at work. He's still dragging out this search for my mom." Punk said to him.

"I went had lunch there with my father-in-law and Jack was there hanging out with AJ." Jason told him. "His wife was with him actually."

"Yea AJ mentioned meeting her." Punk said looking at his phone.

"No interest in meeting your step-mom?" Jason questioned and Punk just answered with a glare. "No? Got it."

Before going to pick up AJ Punk drove by Jack's used car lot and couldn't help but notice Jack locking up outside. Punk pulled up right outside the gate and Jack looked over and spotted him.

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked walking over to the drivers side window.

"I need to trade in my car." Punk told him and Jack smirked.

"I just closed, actually I've been closed since eight." Jack said to him. "This truck is a piece of crap."

"On the outside, it's what's under the hood." Punk informed him as he popped the truck and Jack lifted it to get a look.

"Wow." Jack said to him fondly. "If only you'd wash this fucking thing it would be worth a lot of money." he said to Punk who got out of the car. "Why are you trading it? Realize that you can't leave the baby in the back?"

"Something like that." Punk admitted.

"I knew she was pregnant." Jack smirked. "It's so obvious."

"I guess it is." Punk agreed rubbing the back of his neck. "I need to find mom."

"I was going to stop by your new shop tomorrow and give you this." Jack said reaching into his pocket and passing him a piece of paper. "That's where she's living."

"No shit." Punk said stunned looking at the paper. "Where is this?"

"It's kind of like an assistant living group." Jack told him. "Apparently she got really bad a few years back."

"It's a mental institution isn't it?" Punk asked and Jack frowned. "Wow." he said to himself.

"Yea. Fucked up isn't it?" Jack said to him unsure of what to really say. "Are you sure you want to see her? She really might not even remember you."

"Somebody should, shouldn't they?" Punk asked.

"I guess." Jack shrugged. "I wouldn't want to see her in such bad shape but that's just me. Her sister told me she set a fire in her living room because she
was cold and the final straw was physically assaulting her boyfriend she was living with at the time."

"She got locked away for that?" Punk scoffed.

"She uh- she stabbed him with a knife in an area that is extremely important to us guys if you know what I mean." Jack mumbled.

"Oh shit." Punk said to him and Jack chuckled.

"I think you should leave it alone but that's just my opinion." Jack said to him. "She won't be able to give you any answers."

"I don't know." Punk said already thinking about what he was going to do.

"I'll tell you what? Bring your truck by in the morning and I'll see what I can get for you." Jack said to him. "I have a crap load of those minivans."

"No minivan." Punk cringed. "Maybe an SUV or something. I'll throw some cash towards it if I have to."

"I'll see what I can scrap up for you." Jack told him. "How is AJ feeling?"

"Don't you see and talk to her almost everyday?" Punk mocked.

"It's finals week." Jack pointed out. "She hasn't been working."

"She's doing good. She's not feeling as sick anymore so she can actually eat." Punk shrugged.

"Do you know if it's a boy or girl?" Jack asked.

"Girl." Punk told him honestly and Jack smiled wide.

"Finally a girl. I'm one of three boys, your grandfather was one of five boys and his father was one of two boys." Jack told him. "Girls are very rare in this family but special."

"Yea." Punk nodded.

"Don't tell me you're not happy about a girl." Jack scoffed. "I'm sure you always thought you'd have a boy you can take to hockey games but you can do that with her. There is no bond stronger than a father and daughter. You'll bet he first boy she'll love, you'll set the example of how she should be treated and you'll be the one she runs to to feel safe." he told Punk who had a weak smile.

"I guess that's true." Punk agreed thinking about it.

"I pray she gets your wife's looks though." Jack teased.

"I'm praying for the opposite actually." Punk said to him and Jack's face fell.

"Good point. We don't want her too pretty." Jack agreed seriously.

"I have a feeling she's going to be beautiful." Punk told him and Jack sighed.

"Probably." Jack said shaking his head. "Eh, you look scary I'm sure you'll scare all of the boys away."

"I'll have to grow my beard out longer." Punk said to him.

"You might end up without a wife if you do that." Jack joked.

"Does she complain about my beard?" Punk asked running his fingers off of it.

"Nah I just want you to shave it off your face, you look like a fucking mess. How you landed AJ I'll never know." Jack scoffed.

"She likes my beard." Punk defended. "You're just old and out of touch."

"Maybe." Jack agreed. "I'm happy for you son." he said looking at him. "You've got your own shop, a gorgeous equally hardworking smart wife and a little girl on the way. You've done well for yourself."

"When you put it like that." Punk teased.

"I mean it." Jack said to him. "Letting you live with David was the best decision I have ever made in my life."

"How did you know you couldn't raise me?" Punk asked him. "When did you realize it?"

"Don't go there." Jack chuckled. "You won't have the problems I have."

"How can you be so sure?" Punk asked him.

"You keep thinking you're going to end up like me or your mother but you'll end up like the person who actually raised you which was David." Jack pointed
out. "I couldn't raise you because I didn't have steady work, patience or a partner to help me. You won't make the same mistakes we did. You're already ten times better than we ever were. And I can tell this because of the kind of husband you are. Your wife walks into work with a smile on her face everyday, you pick her up every night, you hold the door open for her, you concern yourself with the little things with her that most people wouldn't. You're going to be a great father and you'll make David very proud."

"I need to go get AJ." Punk said closing the hood of the car pretending like what Jack just said didn't make him happy. "I'll be by tomorrow to look at some cars."

"Alright." Jack said trying to toughen up himself. "You know, if you go see her I'll go with you."

"Mom?" Punk asked surprised.

"Yea I mean she'll probably recognize me at least." Jack shrugged. "Maybe the two of us together will help her or something I don't know. I just don't think you should go alone."

"Yea maybe, we'll see." Punk shrugged climbing into his car.

Later that night AJ was up in bed reading with the light on by her side of the bed while Punk tried to sleep.

"Please turn the light off and go to bed." Punk groaned.

"I can't sleep." She said to him and he rolled onto his back and looked over to her.

"What's going on?" He asked her.

"It's that girl." AJ admitted and Punk sighed. "She had a bruise on her neck."

"AJ please stop getting emotionally involved." He groaned.

"I have to show some emotion, I am a person." She pointed out. "And I am hormonal." she reminded him.

"You should call the police then." Punk suggested.

"I can't." AJ said shaking her head. "I feel like if I could just sit down with her and her parents-"

"Stop it." Punk warned her. "This goes beyond the call of duty. Talk to her, keep her company but do not throw yourself in the middle of a family issue."

"Phil-" She started.

"AJ you have your own family." Punk reminded her. "You're pregnant, you're taking finals, you're working and you need to take a break." He told her.

"I can do it all Phil." AJ informed him closing her book putting it on the bedside table. "I can study, graduate, get a job, be pregnant, help others and take care of my husband."

"Who me?" He teased. "I make your list?"

"Yes. You're always first on my to-do list." She remarked rolling on top of him and kissing him.

"Is this a literal do list?" he asked intrigued.

"Yes." she smiled leaning down and kissing him.

Ten minutes later both were naked and AJ was still on top of him with her body pressed to his as she moved up and down rubbing her breasts over his chest and moving up and down his shaft. One of Punk's hands were tangled in her hair while his other hand was over her right ass cheek squeezing it. AJ was moaning into his mouth as she kissed him and desperately searched for her release.

AJ increased her speed and moved her mouth off of his and began gasping while Punk gripped her hips to keep her in place. Finally after five more minutes both climaxed and AJ collapsed onto his chest.

"Damn AJ." He grinned running his hand through her hair.

"Yea, I've still got it." She remarked smugly as she yawned into his chest and closed her eyes.

"No, no, not me." He warned sliding out of her and rolling her onto her back.

"I don't drool." She pouted tiredly.

"Yea you do." he replied seriously.

Punk reached for the bed sheets to pull them over each other and saw her bump and leaned down and kissed it before pulling the sheet over her body. AJ smiled with her eyes closed and rolled onto her side and laid half of her body over his.

"You're going to be an amazing father." AJ assured him.

"That's because I'll have an amazing partner." He replied and she briefly opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Get some rest."

"I can do that now." She said resting her head on his chest and closed her eyes.