Christmas Part One

"Merry Christmas." AJ smiled, coming up from under the sheets, enjoying the look of satisfaction on her boyfriend's face after she put her mouth to work on him as soon as they woke.

"Mhm." Punk nodded to himself as she chuckled, leaning her head on his chest, "There are worse ways to wake up."

"I bet." AJ said, "I'm excited for today." She said truthfully. She wasn't just saying it for the sake of it. Even with everything that had been going on, she was looking forward to spending the day with the people who meant the most to her. Having her aunt here was the cherry on top of everything, and seeing her best friend loved up with someone she genuinely seemed to care for was so important to her.

"Me too." Punk nodded, "Although I should warn you, I've never cooked Christmas dinner for anyone in my entire life. This could go sideways real quick." He said.

"Better get Finn on speed dial." She smiled as Punk nodded, "I'm sure it'll be fine. How hard can it be to cook a Turkey and whip up some mashed potatoes?" She asked.

"Don't forget gravy. Stuffing. Veg." Punk said, "Lots can go wrong. Do we even have enough oven space for everything?" He thought to himself, "This is stuff we should have thought about before now."

"Yeah, it really is." She chuckled, "Good job we don't take ourselves too seriously."

"We could always just get Carlo to make us a pizza." He said.

"That's not a bad idea." AJ agreed, "At least we know that desert will be perfect. Because I'm doing it." She added as he nodded.

"Yes, you will triumph, and I will fail." Punk agreed.

"We're doing everything together." AJ shoved him playfully, "Not everything has to be a competition with us."

"Wrong. I think it does." He said as she rolled her eyes, feeling him roll over on top of her, "Care for a competition right now?"

"I don't like where this is going." AJ hummed.

"I bet…" He said, kissing her neck, "You can't stay quiet…" He said, kissing her breasts whilst moving down her naked body, "For the next five minutes." He said, settling his face between her legs as she smiled down at him.

"I never lose. But if I do… at least it's for a good cause." She nodded, feeling him part her legs a little wider before pressing his mouth against her folds, using his tongue to separate them and suck on her clit as she rolled her head back, trying hard not to make a sound which felt near impossible.

Punk continued to use his whole mouth on her, from caressing his tongue against every sensitive area, dipping down towards her entrance and back up to her clit. Miraculously, she stayed quiet, but he could see her knuckles turning white due to the way she was clenching the sheets around her, which made him chuckle.

"I know you wanna tell me how good it is." Punk said cockily between busying his mouth on her, using his fingers to separate her folds to give his mouth better access, eating and lapping at her like he was starved.

AJ continued to stay quiet, rolling her head back with closed eyes and biting her lip, running his hand through his fluffy dishevelled hair. He was right, she desperately wanted to vocalise just how good he was making her whole body feel, but her stubborn ways fought against her.

"C'mon. Tell me." Punk murmured, sliding a finger inside of her, moving it slowly whilst sucking at her clit.

"Fuck." AJ cried out as Punk looked up at her with an arrogant smile.

"Ha." He said with triumph.

"Bastard." AJ whispered, allowing herself to look down at him as he gave her a cocky, arrogant smile, "Keep going." She said breathlessly, pushing his head back down towards the centre of her legs as he chuckled and went back to eating.

"What outfit?" Shiv asked, following Becca around Mister Eckle's stables where she was feeding the pigs and goats.

"You haven't showed me any." Becca said, "C'mon ladies. Breakfast!" She yelled at the pigs, throwing their breakfast in their trough as Shiv frowned sadly.

"They have no idea they're just a bacon sandwich, do they?" She frowned, looking over the pig's pen at all the pigs oinking and snorting their way over to their breakfast.

"Shh. Don't say that in front of them." Becca scolded.

"I too pictures of me in two outfits last night. Look." Shiv said, getting her phone out.

"You look like Medusa, by the way." Becca said, looking at Shiv's rollers in her hair.

"AJ just did them." Shiv smiled proudly, showing Becca the two pictures of her two different outfit options.

"First one is giving a bagpipe player." Becca said as Shiv glared at her, "But it's cute."

"So the second one then." Shiv determined.

"Both are cute. You're cute in anything." Becca shrugged.

"That's not helpful right now." Shiv said as Becca smiled to her, "What?"

"You can't seriously expect any of us to believe there's nothing going on with you and Daryl. Look at you. Rollers in your hair. Panicking about what to wear. Buying Daryl gifts."

"I bought his mom and sister stuff too." Shiv defended.

"Shiv." Becca scoffed.

"So what I want to look nice? Doesn't mean anything." Shiv said.

"Ok, my little in denial butterfly." Becca patted her on the shoulder.

"Where is everyone anyway?" Shiv looked around the pretty empty farm.

"They're all inside prepping Christmas dinner. I offered to feed the animals." Becca said, "Patrick got me this, by the way." She showed Shiv the glistening bracelet on her slender wrist, "I've had my eye on it for so long."

"It's beautiful." Shiv smiled, "You're happy here with him, huh?" She nodded as Becca nodded.

"Yeah, I am." Becca nodded, "I went and visited my mom in hospital this morning, though."

"She's still in?" Shiv asked hesitantly. It wasn't a subject matter broached lightly with Becca. It was rarely something she ever talked about. With any of them.

"Yeah, three months this time now." Becca said, "She was in good spirits this morning, though. And Patrick came with me. It's the first time they've met." She added.

"It's good you have him." Shiv nodded, "And… you always have us. If you need to talk about-"

"I know." Becca nodded to her gratefully, "Anyway… I'd go with outfit number two. Maybe wear something nice underneath just in case." She wiggled her eyebrows, "No granny panties."

"You're literally the worst." Shiv rolled her eyes, although she hated the fact the thought had already crossed her own mind.

"That Turkey is freaking me out." Punk said, crouching down and looking in the oven.

"Looking at it the entire time won't make it cook faster." AJ said whilst peeling potatoes.

"I'm scared I take it out and it's not cooked properly." He said.

They had a slow start to their morning which was perfect. They enjoyed some adult time as soon as they woke up and then had themselves pancakes for breakfast whilst exchanging gifts, some which were funny sentimental gifts and others which were touching and personal.

Shiv then came over for AJ to put rollers in her hair. Once Shiv had left, they got ready and had begun prepping dinner just as their guests arrived, merry and jolly as the day suggested.

"Phil, come away from the oven!" Nico scoffed from the couch, "Chico tonto." She shook her head as Punk turned to AJ.

"What is she saying about me?" He asked her as AJ just laughed.

"Just that she loves you." AJ nodded as Punk nodded despite believing none of it. He'd gotten used to AJ and her aunt discussing things in a language he did not know. It became less unnerving the more time passed by.

"You know you can't have our kids learning Spanish. I just know the three of you will be talking about me all the time. To my face." He said as AJ smiled.

"Then maybe you should learn, mi amor." She smiled, "You have a way with words. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly." She said as he gave her a sarcastic smile.

"At least they're having fun whilst we sweat in here." He said, looking over at their three guests who were enjoying some fizzy alcohol and conversation.

"It's nice." AJ smiled.

The apartment was decorated to the max. Like a tinsel bomb had hit them. The fire was on, and candles were lit, and with the scent of food starting to make its way around, it really was beginning to feel like the Christmas AJ had always wanted.

"Yeah, it is." Punk nodded, looking at AJ watching their friends and her aunt with a beaming smile. It made him feel warm and fuzzy to see the women he loved so much, filled with happiness and joy. He knew he'd try his hardest to keep that smile on her face forever, through whatever challenges they faced. It had become his main goal in life. To always see her happy.

"You look gorgeous in your Christmas jumper by the way." She turned to him as he smiled.

"You know me too well." He said, admiring his Star Wars Christmas jumper which she'd gotten him.

"I think it was the biggest boner I've ever saw you have." AJ nodded as he chuckled.

"Mija." Nico scolded, turning around upon hearing what she said.

"Sorry, tia." AJ said, turning back around to her potatoes giggling as Punk laughed with her.

Shiv struggled up Daryl's driveway, carrying the gifts she'd gotten for him, his mother and sister in gift bags. She couldn't understand why she was so nervous leading up to this. It wasn't like she didn't know his mother or sister. It wasn't even like she'd never spent time in his house. She figured it was the fear of the unknown. Not knowing where the night was going to end up.

Nevertheless, she rang the doorbell and waited.

Daryl opened up the door, pausing and looking at her for a few seconds without saying anything. At first, she thought he was probably staring at the number of gifts she had, but then she realised he was staring right at her, his mouth slightly opened.

"Merry Christmas." Shiv spoke after realising he seemed to have lost the ability to speak.

"H-Hey… yeah, Merry Christmas." Daryl nodded, continuing to look at her. He always thought she was beautiful, but the sight of her took his breath away. If anything, it made him realise she was no longer that sixteen-year-old girl he was hooking up with. She was very much a woman. The most beautiful he'd ever seen. Her long dark hair was bouncing and curly, her black dress making him stare at inappropriate places which was slightly inconvenient but enjoyable, and her huge green eyes staring right at him.

"These are kinda heavy." Shiv laughed awkwardly.

"Shit… yeah." He nodded, "Come in. I'll take some." He said, stepping outside and taking some of the bags from her, realising that she not only looked good, but smelled good too.

"I'm not late, am I?" She asked, walking into his house as he followed behind and shut the door.

"No. Right on time." He said, "You really didn't have to bring any gifts."

"I wanted to." Shiv simply said, following Daryl into the cosy living room where his mom and sister were.

"Looks like Santa came again." Daryl teased as his little sister looked over with excitement.

"Oh, Siobhan. You didn't have to bring anything." Carol shook her head.

"I know I didn't but… I wanted to. I really appreciate you having me for dinner." She nodded.

"It's our pleasure." Carol nodded to her sincerely as Shiv smiled, "Merry Christmas, sweetie." She hugged Shiv tightly as Shiv raised her eyebrows, hugging back eventually, thinking about the last time either of her parents had given her a hug as genuine as this one felt. She shifted the thought to avoid getting upset. She wanted to have a good day today.

"Did you bring me something?" Sadie asked Shiv.

"Sadie." Daryl shook his head.

"I might have. See if you can find your name in the bags." Shiv nodded to her, pulling back from her hug with Carol.

"Give me your coat and I'll hang it up." Carol said as Shiv shrugged her coat off and handed it to her.

"Thank you." Shiv smiled.

"That's a pretty dress." Sadie smiled over at Shiv.

"Not as pretty as yours." Shiv replied as Sadie smiled shyly, turning her attention back to the gifts.

"We've got you some stuff, too." Daryl said casually, grabbing some wrapped gifts from under the tree.

"You didn't have to." Shiv mimicked his voice as he made a face at her whilst she sat on the couch and took the gifts from him.

"Here's a drink for you, Shiv." Carol said, returning from the kitchen and handing Shiv a glass of some kind of fizzy bubbles.

"Is this ok?" Shiv asked.

"Oh, c'mon. I know it was you and Daryl that used to steal from our alcohol cabinet." Carol waved her hand as Shiv looked over at Daryl who shrugged with a smile.

"A bracelet making kit!" Sadie squealed as Daryl looked over. Normally he would roll his eyes at his sister's childish excitement, but Christmas was always the exception.

"You're very lucky, Sadie. What do you say to Shiv?" Carol said to Sadie.

"Thank you, Shiv." Sadie smiled, admiring the bracelet making kit.

"That's ok. I hope you have as fun as I had with mine." Shiv smiled.

"You have one?" Daryl raised a brow, taking a seat beside her on the sofa whilst Carol sat across on the other sofa, with Sadie on the floor amongst her gifts.

"Yeah." Shiv shrugged as Daryl just shook his head.

"You guys should open your stuff too." Sadie said with curiosity, wondering why they hadn't opened their things right away.

"Yes, we should." Carol nodded, beginning to open her gifts from Shiv whilst Daryl and Shiv began ripping into their own labelled gifts.

"This is the third apron I've gotten this year." Daryl scoffed as Shiv turned to him with confusion, "Phil got me one. My mom got me one. And now you."

"So now there's no excuse for you to have a dirty one on." Carol inserted as Shiv chuckled, watching Daryl open up an old football jersey she'd also gotten him, noticing him smiling like she'd never seen before.

"My dad had one like this." Daryl turned to her as she smiled softly.

"Shiv, you're not opening yours." Sadie said impatiently, keeping her eyes on all the gift opening.

"Ok ok." Shiv nodded, getting distracted by watching Daryl admire the jersey, "Ok, I'm opening." She said, opening up her first gift which was a small box.

"What is it?" Sadie made her way over curiously.

"I'm not sure." Shiv said, opening up the box and looking at the glass Christmas bauble inside with a painted picture of the town inside, addressed to her and signed off from Daryl, "Where did you get this?" She turned to him, holding the bauble in her hand, looking with amazement at the painting inside of it which resembled the town's main street so well.

"I got Sally to make it for you. You seemed upset you couldn't get one at the Fair." He said, "She's retired from doing them but I… talked her into it."

"It's beautiful." Shiv shook her head, tilting the bauble back and forth as the painting slightly moved. It was the most precious thing she'd ever seen, along with the necklace around her neck. She figured it wasn't the items but the thought behind them. The person behind them.

"Thought you'd like it." Daryl nodded casually.

"I love it." She shook her head whilst Carol looked over with a discrete smile, pretending she was fussing with her gifts, keeping her eyes on them the whole time.