Home for the Holiday's

The weeks had passed and Punk and AJ were adjusting to parenthood nicely. They were still frantic over every noise she made but she was doing well. She was doing physical therapy since she was a preemie and was doing amazing. She wouldn't have many setbacks and now AJ was beginning to back into the swing of things for herself.

"Make sure she keeps her hat on." AJ said tugging Hartley's down in the stroller. "It's going to get really cold."

"I got this." Punk said to her. "I won't be long. I just have to run into the shop to pick up a few things."

"You've never taken her out by yourself before." AJ reminded him anxiously.

"Do you think I'm not capable of caring for my own daughter?" Punk mocked.

"Of course you are." AJ said to him.

"Go get your nails done-" Punk began.

"Hair." AJ corrected narrowing her eyes at him.

"Right, sorry." Punk smirked. "Go get your hair done we'll be fine."

"Maybe I'll skip getting my hair done." AJ suggested.

"We're leaving for New Jersey tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with your family and all you have talked about was how you can't show up with bad hair." Punk reminded her.

"That's because again, they're inviting a ton of people." AJ groaned. "Alright, mommy loves you." She said reaching into the stroller and kissing Hartley. "I love you so, so-"

"AJ." Punk sighed.

"She's going to be without me for the first time." AJ reminded him seriously.

"For two hours." Punk scoffed. "She's in great hands."

"You won't let her play with anything at the shop will you?" AJ asked nervously.

"I was going to let her work the lift machine..." Punk trailed off as he glared at her.

"I'm crazy, I know." AJ said zipping up her jacket and reached up and kissed him. "I love you too by the way."

"Yea?" He teased.

"I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with you." She whispered to him.

"Me too." He practically moaned. "Tonight."

"Tonight." She confirmed. "Just don't mess up my hair."

"I make no promises." He said seriously.

When Punk arrived at the shop for some paperwork on the extension he was surprised to see Mike inside the office with Shane. Mike had promised Punk he handled the Shane situation and everything seemed to have died down. The office doors opened and Shane stepped out first and smirked when he saw Punk.

"Hey Punk." Shane greeted walking over to him stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"What's he doing here?" Punk asked looking beyond Shane's shoulder at Mike.

"It's just business man." Shane assured him and Punk jerked his head back mockingly. "And who is this beauty?" He asked leaning over the stroller and made a funny face at Hartley.

"Step back." Punk warned Shane who slowly stood up straight and eyed Punk.

"I was just introducing myself to your daughter." Shane remarked calmly. "We might be friends in 16 or so years."

"Over your dead body." Punk hissed walking towards him.

"You're not going to lift a finger man." Shane mocked. "Your wife has had you on a leash since she got here and don't forget your daughter is right there. It would be a shame for her to see her daddy get hurt at such a young and impressionable age."

"It's cool man." Mike insisted stepping between the two.

"It's cool?" Punk mocked.

"Get out of here." Mike said to Shane who slowly back away with a grin.

"See you around dad." Shane winked then walked out of the shop.

"Are you here to see Uncle Mike?" Mike asked greeting Hartley with a big smile and lifted her out of her stroller.

"What the fuck was that about?" Punk demanded. "Why is he in my shop? You told me you took care of this shit!"

"I did." Mike assured him. "It was personal."

"Are you buying off of him?" Punk asked seriously and Mike rolled his eyes.

"Maria would fucking kill me." Mike said shaking his head.

"So what personal business do you two have?" Punk demanded to know.

"He doesn't conduct business outside the shop anymore. That's all you need to know." Mike said bouncing a happy Hartley.

"Of course he doesn't, he does it inside my office." Punk remarked. "That was nice of you to house his business."

"It's not like that." Mike said to him.

"So explain it to me now." Punk said trying to stay calm.

"I pay him off." Mike said to him and Punk shook his head.

"Are you fucking crazy!" Punk yelled and Hartley began to cry.

"Aw, look what you did." Mike pouted at Hartley but kept her out of reach of Punk. "Promise you won't hit me and I'll give her back otherwise she's my security."

"Give me my kid." Punk hissed holding his arms out and he took his crying daughter into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "You pay him to not do business here? He tried that shit with David years ago too and he didn't fall for it."

"It's just temporary." Mike said to him as Punk continued to try to sooth his daughter.

"Temporary until when?" Punk asked annoyed. "Why would you agree to begin with? You told me you took care of this Shane shit and instead you just got us in deeper."

"This is how the streets work." Mike reminded him.

"Not anymore it isn't." Punk said shaking his head in disgust. "I can't deal with this shit right now. I knew I should have taken care of this on my own."

"There are no other options now." Mike told him. "I did the safest thing. Do you want your shop burned to the ground before you even up your extension?"

"He says this shit all of the time." Punk reminded him. "Where are you getting the money to pay him anyway?"

"My fucking paychecks." Mike scoffed. "So you're welcome."

"I didn't ask you to pay him shit. If you couldn't have handled it I would have." Punk said walking into the office with Hartley on his hip and grabbing his paperwork.

"What's the big deal? It's a couple of bucks and keeps him out of our hair." Mike shrugged.

"The problem? My daughter is here and she's going to be here a lot for here on out and I don't want that fucking sleazy piece of shit around her." Punk spat.
"I left that building because he was going to hurt my wife and now I have to fear for my daughter."

"I think you're being dramatic." Mike said to him.

"Says you. Shane never pinned Maria to the wall or had his buddy put a knife to her throat." Punk pointed out as he kissed Hartley's wet puffy cheek from tears that were now stopping. "He's not harmless and I don't want him around my family. He goes."

"I'll fix it." Mike said to him and Punk rolled his eyes placing Hartley into her stroller carefully.

"No, I'll fix it when I get back from Jersey." Punk said to him.

"Don't be mad, come on." Mike sighed as Punk walked right by him but he didn't respond he just walked out of the shop and left Mike feeling bad.

AJ walked out of the beauty salon and cringed when she saw Punk's SUV that she had to beg him to let her use to get her hair done. Keyed across the side of the car was 'bitch'. She knew who it was. Alex had been acting out a lot the last few weeks and as much as Punk wanted to call the police AJ wouldn't let him because she was harmless.

"Shit." She muttered running her hands over the door and reached for her phone. "It's me, I have an emergency and need you right away." she said into the phone quickly.

Less than ten minutes later Jason pulled up next to AJ's car and she was relieved.

"That was fast." She said to him.

"What's the emergency?" Jason asked anxiously.

"Look at Phil's car." She pointed out and Jason tilted his head.

"You do that?" He asked her and she glared at him.

"No." she mocked. "Someone did it while I was inside."

"AJ, do you realize that I was in the middle of a very important Hawks game." Jason forced out with a fake smile.

"Do you realize that Phil will never let me use his car again?" She asked seriously.

"I can't fix this here." Jason pointed out. "It would take a few days at least. So you're going to have to tell him."

"Do you think he'll even notice it?" she asked seriously and now Jason glared at her. "He's oblivious sometimes." she reasoned.

"He'll see it." Jason said shaking his head and running his hands over the letters. "Was this the girl from the crisis center?"

"Maybe." AJ shrugged. "No way to know for sure."

"Call the cops AJ." Jason said in a warning voice.

"She's a confused kid." AJ reasoned. "She's just lashing out, she needs help."

"You're right. And you're not a therapist you're a counselor." Jason told her. "This girl has some deep rooted issues."

"I'll talk to her." AJ told him and he shook his head. "She'll listen to reason."

"The only thing that girl listens to is the voices in her head." Jason said seriously. "This shit has gone on long enough. You call the cops or I am."

"I'll do it after the holiday." AJ said to him. "I have to pack for New Jersey."

"This is ridiculous now." Jason scoffed.

"I've been really busy she just feels left out." AJ explained.

"You're married and have a newborn." Jason reminded her. "You can't devote all of your time to case work anymore and she should understand that and the fact that she doesn't scares me."

"She's a confused kid." AJ told him with ease.

"Well, I don't know if Punk is going to agree with that." Jason remarked.

"It's going to be a long trip to Jersey." AJ groaned leaning against the car.

"You're driving out right?" Jason asked and she nodded.

"I don't want Hartley on a plane and we can stop if we have to." AJ told him. "And you're going to your in-laws?"

"Yea it'll be a two hour drive but I've got two screaming kids." Jason smirked.

"And Christmas we'll be together?" she asked hopefully.

"Yea. DJ is upset he's not spending Thanksgiving with Hartley as it is." Jason told her.

"I'm going to cook." She informed him and he formed a nervous smile. "I'm a good cook."

"I know it's just a lot. Are you parents coming to town?" Jason asked.

"No they'll be in for New Years, Christmas they're spending Aspen." She told him. "So I had to give them Thanksgiving. I just don't know if I can sit in the car with Phil rambling on about his car getting keyed."

"Just be happy that it was his SUV and not his other car." Jason smirked.

"You mean the car he was quick to sell?" AJ scoffed.

"He loves that car. The list goes you and Hartley, his car and then the Blackhawks." Jason teased. "He would do anything for you."

"I know." She said with a smile. "I should get going though before he sends out a search party or dares leave the house again with the baby."

"God forbid." Jason mocked and he gave her a hug. "Have a safe trip and I'll see you in a couple of days."

That night when AJ got him her and Punk didn't have anytime to reconnect since Hartley was extra fussy the entire night. Every time Punk tried to make a move she cried and they both gave up. They had a long trip ahead of them anyway. The first thing Punk noticed in the morning was the side of his car that was keyed and to AJ's surprise he didn't even argue about it, he packed up the car and baby and they took off peacefully. AJ was pleasantly surprised and the road trip went off perfectly. Within two days they were at her parents house.

"We set up a room for her." Pricella said taking Hartley right out of AJ's arms.

"She's going to sleep in our room." AJ told her.

"Right now, sure. But of course there will be a time when she's older and stays with us." Pricella smiled.. "You two get settled and I'm going to show off this little angel to the staff."

"Ok." AJ said reaching for her bag and Punk took the rest of them.

They headed into AJ's wing of the house and she was surprised to see her old room fully decorated as well.

"Wow." AJ whistled dropping her bag. "They really-"

"What the fuck are you going to do about this Alex thing?" Punk asked before she could finish and shut the door behind them.

"I thought we discussed this." AJ stated confused.

"I didn't say a word when I saw my car scratched up." Punk pointed out. "You thought that was it? That I would let it go? That I'd stay silent on a matter like that?"

"You stayed silent for two days." AJ shrugged and he laughed.

"We were in for a long trip and every time I yell Hartley cries." Punk told her. "Are going to handle this or am I?"

"She's a kid." AJ sighed.

"No Hartley is a kid." Punk corrected. "Alex is an adult who knows what she's doing and it's dangerous and you're going to have to talk to your boss at the center about her or the cops. I think it should be the cops since she should be paying to have my car fixed."

"Don't you like my hair?" AJ asked running her hand over new blonde streaks.

"Don't change the subject." Punk warned her.

"I've been neglecting some case work." AJ pointed out. "It's really my fault."

"AJ you almost died." Punk reminded her slowly. "Our daughter couldn't even breathe on her own, these last few weeks she's been home is the first time alone we've had with her. You're not an assigned case worker or counselor you volunteered and you're entitled to take some time to be with your family."

"My job doesn't work like that." AJ argued.

"Of course it does and again this isn't a job this was you volunteering out of the goodness of your heart." Punk reminded her. "It ends now with this lunatic. I don't need anymore psychos around my family."

"I'll take care of it." She promised him. "But what do you mean by anymore psychos?"

"It's nothing." He said running his hand over his face. "I just drove for two days straight I need to rest-"

"Don't do that." She warned him grabbing his arm as he walked pass her to get to the bed. "If something is happening I have a right to know."

"Shane was killing our business at the new shop." Punk told her and her eyes widened. "He was doing business outside and it scared the locals and business away. Mike told me he'd take care of it and by take care of it he's been paying him off."

"And you weren't going to tell me any of this?" AJ asked him. "What kind of crap is that? I have to tell you every little thing that happens in my life-"

"Our life." Punk corrected her.

"Exactly!" AJ yelled. "So how could you not tell me this? You keep telling me when I start work that Hartley is going to go to work with you whenever you can take her and you're going to bring her to a place where someone is dealing drugs?"

"Don't be stupid." He warned her coldly. "I wouldn't let you live in the same building with him you really think I'd let him withing hundred feet of my daughter?"

"Why wouldn't you tell me?" She asked him placing her hands on her hips.

"You went through a lot AJ the last thing you need to worry about is some stupid bullshit!" he yelled.

"And you didn't go through it with me?" She asked him. "You weren't there at the hospital day in and day out splitting your time between me and Hartley? You weren't losing sleep? You weren't worrying about paying our bills? Stop trying to be so macho! We're a family- we're husband and wife and if there's a problem with the shop or with money you have to tell me."

"Same goes for you." He snapped.

"I didn't lie!" She laughed. "I told you right away!"

"You only told me because I asked you and I only asked you because my car was fucked up!" He yelled back.

"We'll come back later." Pricella smiled holding Hartley at the door then walked out with her and closed the door.

"I don't want to fight in front of my parents." She said to him.

"There's nothing to fight about." Punk said to her. "When we get back to Chicago you're going to file a police report against Alex or I'm going to do it."

"I don't want to do that." She argued.

"Too bad." He said simply and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Are you my husband or parent?" She asked annoyed.

"Husband. A husband that loves you so much and doesn't want to have to worry about you." Punk informed her leaning down slightly so he was looking her directly in the eyes. "This is the way it's going to be."

"Fine. Handle the Alex thing." AJ said simply.

"I was planning on it." Punk said pulling the blankets down on the bed.

"And while you handle Alex I'll handle the Shane thing." She said to him and he jerked his head to look at her.

"Don't play games AJ." He said shaking his head tiredly. "I am tired, did you not hear me say how I needed a little sleep from all the driving?"

"You think you can swoop in and take care of my problems so I will do the same." She said to him. "Shane is very fond of me I'm sure I could convince to stay away from the shop."

"Why do you insist on driving me fucking crazy?" He demanded grabbing her by her arms and tugging her to him and cupping her face roughly. "Huh?"

"Because you drive me crazy. I'm just returning the favor." She said looking directly up at him.

Punk grabbed her face and pressed his lips roughly against hers and she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and he lifted her so her legs would wrap around his waist. The kisses were rough and Punk was sure she nipped his lip so hard it was bleeding. Punk carried her over to the bed and dropped her roughly and he quickly removed his shirt as she removed her own but both didn't take their off the others.

AJ reached forward and grabbing him by the top of his jeans and tugged him over to her as she got on her knees on the bed and quickly opened his belt, unbuttoned his jeans and pulled his zipper down. Punk reached behind her and tugged her hair back so she was looking straight up and moved just inches from her lips that she was anxious to kiss but he didn't. Punk pulled himself out of his jeans and boxers, letting them bunch around his ankle and stroked himself as he looked directly into her eyes. He cupped her face no and lead her to where he wanted her.

AJ didn't need directions or instructions, she knew what he wanted and she wanted to give it to me. She ran her tongue over him before taking him into her mouth. She was now on her hands and knees on the bed sucking on him as he guided her head at a quick pace. Punk was fully hard, so hard he was in agony but this wasn't how he wanted to end this. He pulled her face away and she stood up on the bed now and it was his turn to begin to move her lower half of clothing.

Punk gently tugged the back of her ankle sending her flying onto the bed falling on her ass and he tugged her jeans and underwear down her legs and roughly flipped her so she was on her stomach and grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto her knees. Punk buried his face into her to plump cheeks and AJ clutched the bed sheets as she looked behind her to watch him. His finger was sliding into her body while his mouth remained in the back. AJ began to squirm and he kept going and going for as long as it took until she came. Once she did she sat upright and looked at him and took his hand and tugged him onto the bed.

Punk was laying flat on his back and AJ moved to straddle him and slowly sunk herself onto him, taking him fully into her body. She dropped all of her weight onto his chest and now she was kissing him sweetly. It had been five months since they were intimate and both missed it terribly. His arms wrapped around her body loosely as she continued to kiss him, neither moved besides that.

After ten minutes of just kissing he moved his arms to the back of her bra strap and unclasped it and she began to move up and down over his body while hers remained pressed against his.

Punk kept one arm on her back gently running his fingertips over her spine and one hand at her ass, clutching it and holding on for dear life. This went on for over fifteen minutes until AJ's movements began to increase and now he was holding her tightly as he began to match her pace as both desperately searched for their releases.

Finally a few minutes later they both peaked together and AJ smothered her mouth over his.

"I love you." He said finally pulling away from the kiss.

"I love you more." She whispered looking into his eyes.

"Not possible." He said eyeing up her face with such love.

"Possible. You gave me everything." She reminded him. "A life in Chicago, a life I used to dream about and now you gave me a beautiful little girl."

"I'd do anything to keep her safe." He told her sternly. "Don't ever doubt the things I would do for you two."

"I know that." she said nipping his lips.

"I mean it AJ. I worry about you." He said to her. "I just want you to be safe because without you I'd lose it all. Promise me you'll go to the police about Alex."

"I promise." She said willing to agree with anything he said.

"Promise me you'll stay out of this Shane mess." He added.

"Only if you promise me that you won't put yourself in danger." She responded. "You're not just our provider but we love you so much it hurts."

"I promise." he agreed and she gave him a weak smile.

The next day Punk was holding Hartley as the many guests at the Thanksgiving dinner came over to see her. AJ had her dressed in a beautiful dress and hat that Punk knew Hartley must have hated but like him, Hartley put on a brave face and didn't cry or fuss with all the strangers approaching her.

"I know this blows but it makes your grandparents happy." He whispered into Hartley's ear.

"My turn with her." AJ said holding her arms out.

"No way." Punk scoffed. "These are your people, Hartley is my people."

"They are not my people." AJ hissed stomping her foot and Punk chuckled.

"I hope you don't act like this when you're older." Punk said looking at Hartley and sticking his tongue out at her.

"This is torture." She sighed latching onto his free arm. "This is so boring and I am so hungry that I'm considering eating Hartley."

"Back away from the child." He teased.

"Doesn't she look like a little turkey?" AJ asked smiling at the baby.

"No, get out of here." He snorted.

"April." A voice greeted and AJ turned around and plastered on a smile.

"Sam." she greeted and instinctively reached behind herself for his free hand.

"It's been a long time." she forced out and Punk turned to face the man, still holding up Hartley with his arm. "My parents didn't mention you'd be here."

"I don't know if they knew. My fiancee and her family were invited." Sam told her. "I'm sure enough time has elapsed."

"Sure." She said as friendly as possible. "Sam, this is my husband Phil."

"Nice to meet you." Sam smiled extending his arm but AJ wouldn't release his hand and he was still holding Hartley.

"Hands are kind of full." He shrugged without a care. "How do you know my wife?"

"I was friends with his sister." AJ said looking at Sam.

"Is this your daughter?" Sam asked pointing at Hartley.

"No we found her outside and decided to keep her." Punk remarked with a grin.

"She's a real beauty." Sam smiled looking at the little girl.

"She is." AJ agreed letting go of Punk's hand and taking Hartley right out of his grasp. "She needs to be changed, bye." she then scurried out of the room and up the stairs.

"Nice meeting you." Sam said to Punk then walked away from him.

Punk found AJ in their room sitting in the bed holding Hartley and running her fingers through her short barely there hair.

"You ok?" Punk asked walking into the room and standing over her. "Who was that guy? Should I beat him up?"

"No." She said shaking her head. "I told you about him."

"I don't recall ever hearing about a Sam." Punk said honestly.

"Do you think we could eat up here?" She asked hopefully.

"This is your house." Punk reminded her tucking his hands into his dress pants. "What's going on? Who is he? Did you date or-" he stopped himself then it hit him. "Your friend's brother? Candice was it?"

"You remember that?" AJ asked in disbelief.

"Yea I remember that." Punk said uncomfortably. "He shouldn't be here."

"He didn't do anything wrong." AJ reminded him.

"So what's the problem?" Punk asked sitting on the edge of the bed.

"This was almost my life." She whispered.

"What?" he asked amused. "That's what's gotten you so upset?"

"Being here and seeing someone like that just reminds me of what could have been and how I would have still locked up in this room and be around all of these fake people constantly. It's just I get the worst flashbacks." She said shaking her head.

"You're not stuck here." Punk reminded her. "Tomorrow morning we're packing up and heading back to the shit storm in Chicago." He teased. "If Sam being here bothers you so much I'll ask him to leave. I don't want you spending Hartley's first Thanksgiving locked up in this bedroom."

"No it's alright." She sighed and looked down at her happy daughter and smiled. "I have a lot to be grateful for to show off."

"We both do." He agreed.

"Oh before I forget, Jack was a little sad about missing Hartley's first Thanksgiving so I invited him to Christmas." She told him quickly as she got up out of the bed holding the baby.

"You did what now?" Punk asked.

"It's just him and his wife. They're lonely and should be with family and you know he's great with Hartley." She pointed out.

"Yea but I told you that I've been seeing my mom and was going to sign her out for Christmas so she could have dinner with us." He reminded her.

"Jack is cool with it, so is your mom." she shrugged.

"You've met her?" Punk asked.

"No but Jack still goes to see her once in a while and he said they talked it over and it would be fine. They both just want to be around their granddaughter." She said to him.

"Jeez AJ." He groaned running his hands over his face. "Next year we're going away for every holiday to avoid all of these uncomfortable situations."

"Don't say that. Hartley misses her cousins." AJ pouted.

"We'll take them with us." Punk said seriously and AJ laughed walking out of the room.

"AJ! Where are we going to put everybody!?" He asked following her out of the room.