Return
"Did you know that Linda had a daughter that died young?" Punk asked, lying in bed beside AJ late at night. She had her glasses on and was scrolling through her phone, showing him different ideas for twin nursery's.
"What?" AJ turned to him, "No, I never knew that."
"Yeah, she told me today. It was just brief but... I realised I'd never heard her talk about kids."
"Did she say what happened?" AJ asked him.
"She just said it was an unfortunate accident." Punk said.
"That's awful." AJ sighed as Punk nodded, "I take it she knows I'm pregnant?"
"I think the whole town knows." Punk said, "People who I don't even know are ordering coffee from me and then congratulating me." He said, "I have to just nod and smile, like an idiot, pretending I know who they are."
"Famous coffee man." AJ teased, shoving him under the sheets as he chuckled, "Daryl would have opened his big mouth." She estimated.
"Probably." Punk said, "He also happened to mention that Shiv has been sort of ignoring him. Apparently, the last time she was here, she told him to stay in contact with her, but now she's ignoring him whenever he messages her."
"I'm worried about her." AJ sighed, "She put in our group chat that she wasn't coming home for Christmas this year. Her parents will be working, and she's got lots of college work to do."
"Seriously?" Punk raised his eyebrows, "Who would want to spend Christmas alone?" He frowned.
"Shiv loves Christmas." AJ said, "We always exchange gifts. The four of us. And we have a movie night on Christmas Eve Eve." She said, "This just isn't like Shiv at all."
"You think she's isolating herself? Because of the attack?" Punk wondered, "Especially because they haven't found the guy."
"Maybe." AJ nodded, "I know that's what I did after I was attacked. I barely left my aunt's house. Barely left the bedroom." She said, "Life was just easier behind a closed door."
"It's understandable." Punk nodded, "But being alone on Christmas doesn't seem like it will help her. She should be around the people who love her."
"I know." AJ said, "Maybe I'll call her tomorrow. I'd even offer our sofa up for her if she doesn't want to stay at her own house. Would that be ok?" She turned to him.
"Of course. I got no issues with that." Punk said, "How is your aunt and Lyla getting along as roommates?"
"Too well." AJ said, "I went over this morning and my aunt had Lyla meditating around crystals with incense burning." She rolled her eyes as Punk chuckled.
"Lyla is easily influenced, though." Punk said as AJ nodded in agreement.
"Where do you think that guy is? The guy that attacked Shiv?" AJ asked, sitting her phone and glasses on her bedside table before curling herself into Punk, resting her head on his chest.
"Hiding probably." Punk suggested, "He probably got wind that there was an APB put out on him."
"It's just so strange." AJ shook her head, "What would he have gotten out of that? Attacking Shiv? Throwing paint on your shop window?" She said.
"It's questionable, for sure." Punk nodded, "But my job used to be trying to explain the cause for people's actions. And people tend to reach."
"So, you're saying there probably is a reason?" AJ looked up at him.
"Yeah, but the reason might not be elaborate. The reason might be, he's a stalker. Or he's mentally ill." Punk said.
"What's the worst case you ever dealt with? The worst crime you defended?" She asked curiously.
"You make me sound evil." Punk scoffed, "I dealt with drug offences mostly. The occasional assault. And once you get to know most of these people, you realise they've got a story that's lead them to the crime they've committed." He said, "Homelessness, poverty, deadbeat parents, in and out of foster care."
"That gives them the right to commit crime?" AJ asked.
"No, of course it doesn't." Punk said, "Just puts them in a position where they're most likely to commit one."
"Did you really enjoy being a lawyer?" She asked curiously.
"Yeah, I did." Punk nodded, "Every day was a challenge."
"And now it's not?" She looked up at him.
"No, it still is." Punk assured her, "It's just a different kind of challenge. Like listening to Daryl all day." He said as AJ chuckled.
"You love him really." AJ nudged him as Punk just hmm'd, "Won't be long until my next scan. We'll find out what the babies are." She said, placing her hand on her stomach and wondering to herself.
"When is it? End of the month?" Punk asked.
"Yeah." AJ nodded, "I think in the new year we really gotta start looking at places to move to." She said quietly, with slight worry and panic in her voice.
"I know. We'll find something." Punk assured her, "Don't worry about it."
"Of course I'm going to worry about it. I don't actually want to put my babies in drawers, you know." She said as Punk chuckled.
"We won't." He assured her, squeezing her tightly in his arms, "They're going to have the cutest nursery. I promise."
"I wonder what they'll be like." AJ said, "It's just so weird to think that they're going to grow up and become little people. They'll have their own likes and dislikes. Their own little personalities."
"If they're anything like you then I'll be lucky." Punk said as she smiled to herself, "Do you think you'll have a baby shower? Or a gender reveal?"
"I don't know. Maybe a small baby shower. Definitely not a gender reveal. I think that should be a moment just for us. Nobody else." She said.
"Yeah, I agree." Punk nodded, glad to know they were on the same page.
"I just can't stop thinking about Shiv." She sighed to herself, rolling back onto her back and looking up at the ceiling, "I'm really worried about her. I know she's an only child and she's been used to loneliness to an extent, but… I don't like the fact she's pretty much shutting us all out."
"Maybe she really does have lots of college works she wants to do." Punk said.
"During Christmas? One of her favourite holidays?" AJ questioned, unconvinced.
"We could always drive into the city and visit her." Punk said.
"Then it feels like we're checking up on her." AJ said, "God, I'm going to be one of those suffocating mothers, aren't I?" She groaned, placing her hand on her forehead as Punk smiled.
"You mean a mother who cares about her kids?" Punk asked her.
"I don't want to be overbearing, though. And I think I might." AJ worried, "Because my relationship with my mom isn't exactly good, I feel like I'm going to be trying extra hard to do everything right. And that's a lot of pressure. Especially with two babies." She panicked.
"I don't think anyone gets parenting right." Punk said, "It's just one of those things where you're constantly learning. Lots of ups and downs." He said, "From what I hear, anyway."
"It's just scary to think that in five months time there's going to be two little babies here." AJ shook her head with surprise. It never failed to stun her every time she thought about it.
"Are you one of those people that had their kids names picked out when they were 12?" Punk asked her as AJ scoffed.
"No." AJ said, "I never thought much about kids, honestly. I knew I wanted to have them but… considering I was single for six years and wouldn't let a man touch me, kids weren't exactly on my mind." She admitted as he kissed her shoulder softly, just a little reminder of how far she'd come.
"You got any names in mind now?" Punk asked her curiously.
"No." AJ said, "You know how indecisive I am. This is going to be a nightmare. Naming someone is such a big thing."
"Yeah." Punk laughed a little.
"I know that if one of them is a girl, I'd like to have their middle name after my aunt." AJ nodded, "If you're ok with that?"
"Of course." Punk nodded, "Your aunt will love that. It's so weird, it's like she's been here the whole time. She's fit right into our lives, like she's been there all along."
"Yeah, she has that effect on people." AJ nodded in agreement.
"Have you thought any more about telling you parents about the pregnancy?" Punk asked.
"It crosses my mind every now and then." AJ nodded, "I mean… I'll tell them eventually. Maybe in the new year. After Christmas is out the way." She decided, "It's not like the babies are going to know them."
"You don't think they'd make the trip over here to see them when they're born?" Punk asked.
"No." AJ said, "I don't. And I'll pretend that it's fine and it doesn't bother me. But it will bother me." She nodded to herself as Punk turned to her, watching as she ran her hand through her hair.
"Then it will be their loss." Punk said, pulling her into his arms as she curled into him, "These babies will get plenty of love from elsewhere."
"Yeah." AJ smiled, wiping the tear that escaped down her cheek, "Yeah, they're going to be so loved." She said, hugging into him tightly as Punk kissed her forehead.
"Do you think I could take tomorrow off?" Daryl asked the next day, standing behind the counter in Punk's coffee shop, refilling the coffee beans into the filter whilst Punk was bringing out donuts from the back to put on display.
"Sure. You got something planned?" Punk asked, "Or is your leg bothering you?" He turned to Daryl.
"No. The leg is fine." Daryl said, "I was… I was gonna drive into the city and see Shiv. She's not replied to the last few messages I've sent. I mean… who tells a person to stay in contact with them and then ignores them?"
"She's probably going through a lot, kid. After the attack. Finals season." Punk said.
"No excuses." Daryl shook his head.
"You think showing up unannounced is a good idea?" Punk asked her.
"Yeah. It is. And I want to know why she's not coming home for Christmas. It's so unlike her. She loves festivities and all that stupid Christmas bullshit." Daryl said, "It's not going to do her any good to spend Christmas on her own."
"I agree, but I'd approach the subject carefully. Her attack must have been traumatic. You don't know what kind of fear it's put in her-"
"I don't, cause she won't reply to my messages." Daryl said.
"I'm just saying… don't show up all gun's blazing. She'll just kick your ass out." Punk said, "Why the sudden anger anyway?" He asked curiously.
"I sent her another message last night and I got no reply. But, I heard Becca this morning saying that she'd messaged their group chat. So why can't she message me?" Daryl questioned with confusion, "She asked me to message her. To keep in contact."
"Like I've said, you two are infuriating." Punk concluded, "But, I do think she's probably got some ptsd going on from her attack. Not to mention the stress of college. And she'll be upset that her parents are pretty much neglecting her on Christmas."
"Yeah, her parents are assholes." Daryl concluded.
"You can take tomorrow off." Punk nodded, "But handle the situation delicately. I know you're unfamiliar with handling anything delicately." Punk said.
"Says the one who smashes at least two mugs per day." Daryl rolled his eyes, loading the coffee machine on whilst Punk transferred the last of the donuts into the display area, lifting his head when he heard the door chime, alerting them to a customer coming into the shop.
"This is a busy little place, huh?" Sophie smiled, walking towards the counter as Punk looked at her with confusion.