After everything he'd seen and experienced in life, not many things made Dean Ambrose nervous anymore. Fathering a child fresh out of high school? Piece of cake. Marrying young and moving out on his own with little to no money and living paycheck to paycheck? Piece of cake. Getting up at seven in the morning to try and bake a cake for his tiny daughter and wife for their mutual birthday? Ironically enough, not a piece of cake.

Dean read through the pages of Renee's Messy in the Kitchen cookbook that he bought for her birthday last year. He'd witnessed his wife concoct some tasty entrées using this fine piece of cooking literature, but it might as well have been a Spanish textbook he tore the pages out of to use as rolling papers like back in high school.

Dean wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with the heel of his hand, smearing a little flower across his face. His baby blues flickered between the cookbook and the mixture of ingredients sitting partially mixed in a metallic bowl.

"Ok, now we add a splash of vanilla..." Dean muttered to himself, searching the kitchen cabinets for the required addition. "I don't know what the fuck that even means, but I'm positive Rey has it."

After retrieving the item he sought after, Dean added a splash of vanilla extract to the cake batter. While Dean set the bowl under Renee's automatic mixer, the door to his bedroom creaked open. Elle, rubbing her fists against her eyes, waddled out with her mother shuffling along behind her.

Renee woke up the morning of her birthday to a mild racket in the kitchen. When she didn't find her husband, she feared the worst and thought a burglar broke in. Then she heard a bowl hit the floor and her husband curse under his breath and knew something far more exciting was happening. Renee pecked her little girl atop her blonde curls, waking the small child. Renee wished her young one a happy birthday, then tickled the baby while giggling to herself whenever Dean swore or yelled about not finding key ingredients.

Dean flipped on the cake mixer. As he turned back around to start cleaning his mess, he heard two sets of giggling from the opposite side of the room.

"Hey," Dean greeted both blondes with a smile. "I was about to come get you guys. Did I wake you up?"

Renee lifted Elle into her arms. "You did," she commented, lightly laughing. "Right about the time you dropped a bowl and started yelling about eggs."

Dean kissed his wife on the lips, then pecked his daughter on the cheek. He ruffled his fingers through Elle's hair. "Well, the cake was kicking my ass," Dean told with a shrug. "I had to fistfight the eggs and the milk was talking mad shit."

"Oh yeah?" Renee asked with a laugh. She looked at the 'Happy Birthday' banner hanging in the living room. "I like the decorating job. Did you do it all by yourself?"

Dean grinned. "I sure did," he said, sarcastically proud. "All by myself. Double-sided tape is my new best friend."

"So we're having a birthday cake for breakfast?" Renee asked, looking at the mess in her kitchen with a nervous frown.

"Well, yeah," Dean stopped and shook his head. "No, I made pancakes and bacon," he revealed. "OJ for momma and chocolate milk for the munchkin."

Renee set Elle in her high chair while Dean collected a special plate with bite-sized pieces of food for Elle. Elle giggled with joy and dove right into her breakfast.

Dean wrapped his arms around Renee's waist. "Happy Birthday, baby," he whispered, sealing the small gap between the lovers with a slow kiss. After letting it sit for a moment, he pulled back and continued his thought. "I'll buy you a pack of your favorite beer when I get back from Zerox. I told the guys that you'll let them know when to come over. I'm assuming you'll wait for me to come back from work, but you don't necessarily have to. I mean, you'll have cake and fudge bites to keep you company until I get back."

Renee's eyes grew wide. "When did you get fudge bites?" She asked excitedly.

"Last night after work," Dean recalled. Day three of his new 'job' with Corey and his girls almost made him forget to pick up Renee's favorite treat, but he remembered to after AJ mentioned a strange act her client wanted to be done that called for the chocolatey dessert.

Renee pecked her husband's lips, then moved her mouth directly against his ear. "If you're trying to get sucked off before work, you're on the right path, my love." She whispered, adding a kiss to Dean's cheek.

Dean grinned cheekily. "I literally buy you fudge bites every year for your birthday." He said.

"Dean Ambrose, are you complaining?" Renee asked with a smile.

"You know what? Yeah," Dean responded with playful faux frustration. "What makes you think I want to have sex with you after a long day? What has gotten into you these last few days? I demand to know why you want to make love to me like it's high school all over again."

"Because I love you," Renee cooed. "Because I love the man you've become for me and Elle. Because I love how tired you look in the morning but providing for us is more important than sleep."

Dean smiled. Hearing those words come from Renee never got old. Sometimes he'd lay awake at night and wonder if what he was doing was really worth it. In fact, he was wide awake during the last few nights driving the girls solely on the maddening thought of whether what he was doing was really worth it or not. Of course, it was, because he had a stunning blonde and a bubbly baby girl to care for.

"Well, I don't think I've told you what I've got planned for us," Dean teased, swaying slowly side to side with his wife to inaudible music. "Since I have to work today and tonight, I thought we could use a little time off from school and everything."

"You have my interest," Renee flirted.

"There's a train leaving here for New York City tomorrow morning," Dean said, chuckling slightly when Renee's jaw dropped. "I guess it's this fancy town. I got us a hotel for the weekend. Figure we can get back Monday morning. I already asked Roman and Paige to watch Elle for us."

"Are you serious?!" Renee excitedly yelled out, making Elle jump in her seat. "Baby, you better not be lying to me right now!"

"I'm not. Scout's honor," Dean promised. "We leave tomorrow morning. Then we have two days to do whatever the H-E-double-hockey-sticks we want until Monday."

Renee crushed her lips against her husband's, baiting a muffled chuckle from the latter. Dean cupped Renee's ass with his hands, squeezing her pajama bottoms lightly.

Renee pulled back. "When do you leave for work?"

Dean glanced at the clock above the stove. "Uh... like, four minutes?"

Renee tugged Dean's shirt, attempting to lead him to the bedroom. "You can be late." She insisted.

"No, I cannot," Dean chuckled.

Renee's face bore seriousness. "Dean Ambrose..." She growled.

"Renee Ambrose..." Dean challenged with a grin.

Renee pushed Dean lightly against the chest, trying to hide a smile with a frown and a shake of her head.

Dean kissed his wife's cheek. "We have the whole weekend in New York. We can sightsee and take a walk through downtown Manhatten and see Times Square. We can go see a broadway play. I can do sinful things to you in the bedroom. The sky is the literal limit."

Renee was on the verge of tears; The happy variety of course. She'd known this boy since she was hardly thirteen and, aside from marrying her and giving her the ultimate gift of motherhood, they never had time away for just the two of them. There were field trips and days at waterparks with friends, but never anything with just the two of them. Something good was obviously going on in Dean's professional life, and though she wanted to dwell deeper on just what that was soon, Renee was more than happy with letting Dean pamper and spoil her.

"And as for our honeymoon..." Dean added.

Renee threw her head back, sounding a single laugh. "You don't need to take me on another honeymoon, babe. Our first one was perfect."

"Two days at a spa resort that I happened to win tickets for doesn't count," Dean said. "Besides, we left early because someone had to show up."

That someone, who had bacon bits stuck her face with maple syrup, waved her sippy cup in the air as her parents looked on with twin smiles.

"I'll get her more," Renee told her husband. She kissed his lips. "You go to work. Make momma proud. Don't be afraid to cook me up a triple-decker bacon burger."

Dean cocked an eyebrow. "Ok, now I definitely know something is up with you." He said, making Renee giggle. "Ok. I'll head out. Do you know how to put the cake in the oven?"

Renee lifted her brow sassily. "Did you really just ask me that?"

Dean nodded. "Fair enough." He kissed his wife one more time. "I love you. And," he pecked Elle's sticky cheeks. "I love you. I'll see you both in a little bit."

"Hurry back," Renee called after her husband, smiling brightly when he turned back and blew her a kiss before leaving the apartment.

This morning at Fort Zerox was no different than any other day. Orders came in slow but at a steady enough pace that Dean didn't lose his mind from boredom. He had enough time between cooking and dishes to clean behind the grill and sweep out the walk-in cooler. Of course, the light conversation held between himself and Mandy did keep Dean's spirits up for most of the shift.

Mandy slapped an order sheet on the window dividing the kitchen from the dining room. "Three over-easy eggs with a side of bacon, Dean!" She called out, breaking Dean's attention from his early cleaning.

"Ten-four, rubber ducky," Dean responded, getting to the order as he spoke.

Mandy stayed at the window for another moment. "How you feelin'?" She asked, noticing Dean yawn again for at least the fifth time that day.

Dean shrugged. "Little tired, but I'll live." He figured.

"Job at the post office kicking your butt?" Mandy questioned in a light tone.

"You could say that again," Dean stated with a dry chuckle. "I barely have time to blink before I gotta be here."

"At least you have the weekend off," Mandy pointed out with a smile. "I'm kinda jealous of Renee. Two days in New York with you? I'd probably kill for somethin' like that."

Dean snickered. "Sorry, kid. I'm a loyal husband."

Mandy's face flushed. "Wait, n-no. I mean just in general," she sputtered out, but only felt more embarrassed by the conversation.

"I know," Dean replied with a smirk, cracking a few eggs with one hand over the grill. "New York is a cool place. So I've heard. I've never been there before."

"The city that never sleeps," Mandy giggled. She switched topics after a short pause. "How old is Elle today? Three?"

"Yep," Dean confirmed. "Rey's twenty-one. I appreciate you buying Elle that coloring book. You didn't have to do that."

Mandy shrugged. "Sure, but a good Aunt buys her niece birthday presents." She said.

Dean chuckled. "Renee's going to kick your ass one of these days."

"Maybe," Mandy thought of what to say next but wasn't sure how to phrase it without upsetting her boss. After another beat of silence, she spoke as nonchalantly as she could. "Who were those people you were here with the other day?"

Dean nearly dropped his spatula but caught it just before it hit the floor. "What do you mean?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the grill.

"The guy and that blonde girl who was... really friendly..." Mandy recalled. "Looked like you were talking about something important."

Dean started dressing a plate for the order. "Old friends from school," he lied, keeping his tone as level as he could so Mandy didn't think he was being untruthful. "Ran into them last week. Bought 'em breakfast."

Mandy smiled, seemingly buying what Dean was saying. "That's sweet," she praised.

Dean handed Mandy the customer's order. "I'm a sweet guy, Mand," he said with a smirk.

Mandy thanked Dean and left to deliver the plate of food. Dean watched the young woman walk away, then sighed and shook his head at his own foolishness.

When Dean returned to the apartment, he was met with the soft snores of his baby daughter coming from the bedroom, and his wife cooking up something in the kitchen. Renee yelled out, not having heard her husband come home when he embraced her from behind and kissed her cheek. Renee kissed her husband hello and told him about the morning she had with Elle that was more or less the same as always: mac and cheese while watching children's cartoons.

"Whatcha whippin' up, mama?" Dean asked, looking around at the dish Renee was setting up.

"Smash burgers and frozen broccoli," Renee told, sipping a glass of milk. "And yes, before you ask, I made you a couple."

Dean grinned. "You always know how to please me, Renee Ambrose." He said, moving his hands over his wife's sides with his lips tracing a light pattern over her neck.

Renee tilted her head back, a slight moan escaping her lips. "People are on the way over," she whispered.

Dean pulled back. "Well shoot," he spoke with fake outrage. "I was spose to give you a muffin and you were spose to give me your muffin."

Renne turned around, raising an eyebrow quizzically, She rolled her eyes and scoffed when Dean was actually holding a blueberry muffin from Zerox.

"You are a dork, baby," Renee teased.

"Well... yeah," Dean stated matter of fact. "I also brought home some of your preferred alcoholic beverage of choice."

Renee pecked her husband on the lips. "Thank you so much, love," she cooed with a soft smirk.

Shortly after lunch was eaten, people started showing up for Renee and Elle's birthday. The first to arrive was Elle's godparents (and Dean and Renee's best friends) Paige and Roman. Paige spoke a million words a minute, her clear excitement to see Elle making Roman smile. A few minutes after that, Seth and Naomi showed up with gifts for both birthday girls. Dean shared a quick embrace with both of his friends, thanking both for coming and offering them a beer.

Roman, Seth, and Dean stood in the kitchen each with a beer while they chatted with each other. Naomi and Renee sat on the couch talking to each other, but Paige was sitting cross-legged on the floor playing with Elle.

Roman watched his girl with a grin.

"Don't get any ideas," Dean joked. "That one's mine."

Roman snickered. "Nah, man. I know. She's just always talking about having kids someday."

"It's pretty cool," Dean praised as he watched Elle mash a doll with her hammer, then chuckle at the horrified look on Paige's face.

"Nay talks about it too," Seth chimed in. "Like, it's only been a few years. Maybe we should take it slower."

"You're engaged," Dean and Roman shot back at the same time. Dean added, "Like, right after graduation too."

Seth shrugged. "Yeah, well... when you know you know, ya know?" He said.

Dean nodded. "Yeah. I totally get that. Which is why I'm stunned Roman hasn't popped the question yet." He stated.

"Soon," said Roman, who was back watching Paige play with Dean's daughter.

"Where'd you say you guys were going tomorrow?" Seth asked Dean, who was helping himself to another beer.

"New York for the weekend," Dean answered. "Figure we need a few nights off. I'm just going to sleep the whole time."

"Where the hell do you work now?" Seth asked. "I've been working nonstop and I couldn't afford a trip to Greenwich."

"Robbing banks, you know how it is," Dean said. "Maybe we call up AJ and start a crew with him. You can be the driver, I'll be the batshit insane gunman. Roman will bring snacks."

Roman nodded, sipping his beer. "Ya know, as much as that appeals to me, I'm gonna have to say no."

"Prude," Dean muttered, making both his friends laugh.

Dean sat up in bed, being careful not to disturb Renee. The small gathering had dissipated some time ago after cake and ice cream were served. All the adults sang happy birthday to Elle and Renee. Beer was drunk and a few pizzas were ordered, then eaten. All in all, it was a pretty good birthday in the end. Renee was practically out cold when she crawled into bed after the others went home; Aside from Roman and Paige, who were spending the night on the couch so Dean and Renee could leave right away in the morning. Elle was running around the apartment all night, high on sugar and ice cream until she crashed hard and sleep soundly.

Dean threw on his jacket and silently crept out of the apartment. After double-checking the lock, he hurried for his car and took off for his second job.

Like every night he showed up, Dean was greeted by the same blue-haired minx that answered the door the first time he showed up. Ever since Dean shot down Sasha's advances, things were a little tense between the two. Things didn't get heated, but the most Sasha would give Dean these days were simple instructions to her destination or one-word phrases when he asked a question.

Dean nodded once at the same trio of women he saw on the couch every night: Tay texting on her phone, Candace killing boredom by scrolling Netflix, and AJ who was still hogging her dark-purple bong that always sat tucked between her knees.

And much like every night since his first day on the job, Dean entered the kitchen to find his boss and his boss' wife sitting around the kitchen table.

"How's it goin'?" Dean asked the couple.

"Definitely fuckin' goin'," Corey muttered, re-assembling the gun Dean was always given after apparently cleaning it. "County Sheriff showed up looking for Sonya. Had to convince him I had no idea who she was, so she'll be staying home tonight. One less girl to worry about."

"Right, right," Dean cleared his throat. "So, listen, I got a weird request..."

"No, your cut is not negotiable," Corey set the gun aside and smiled. "I'm kidding. What's up?" He added.

"So, can I, like, ask for time off? Or am I expected to work all the time?" Dean asked.

Corey shook his head. "Nah, man. If you need time off that's cool. I just have to do the driving if you don't show up and I really hate fuckin' driving."

"It's just tomorrow and Sunday," Dean explained. "I can be back right away Monday night."

"What do you got goin' on?" Corey asked.

"I'm taking the wife to New York," Dean said.

Carmella's face lit up. "Awww, that's so sweet!" She cooed. She threw her husband a dirty look. "Why don't you ever take me to New York?" She snapped.

Corey rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Dean," he said half-seriously. "Here," he held out the gun for his driver to take. "Keys are in the van. Get the girls together, minus Sonya. AJ is not allowed to control AUX, because that argument is a headache no one needs to go through again."

Dean nodded. "Girls, keys, no AUX AJ. I'll let you know if I capped someone."

"Preferred if you didn't," Corey chuckled. "But... well, you know..."

"Yeah," Dean agreed, knowing what his boss was referring to.

Dean stepped into the living room. He scanned the room, making a quick headcount for each girl in the room; Carmella entered the room from the kitchen, making it a perfect seven without Sonya, who was sulking in an armchair.

Aliyah flashed Dean a smile. "Ready, boss?" She asked.

"As I'll ever be," Dean sighed, baiting a giggle from the woman.

Around one AM, Dean found himself parked in front of a residential home near the high school. His night had been relatively uneventful, except for Tay constantly telling stories from the backseat in Spanish or Candice returning from a job with her shirt so tattered that one of her breasts was exposed. Ambrose kept hoping he'd get a text from his loving wife about anything ranging from their child to a wish of good luck, but nothing of the sorts came through.

Every girl was accounted for, except AJ; AJ was the last girl to be picked up before they all got to go home for the night.

"Tay!" Candice snapped, cutting the Latina off mid-sentence. "Te quiero. I love you, but you seriously need to shut up for two seconds."

Tay, with a shrug, folded her hands in her lap and stopped retelling her story.

Dean glanced at the house, then back at his phone.

"Where is she?" Aliyah asked from the front passenger seat.

Dean shook his head. "AJ said to come back five minutes ago. Maybe she's-"

BANG!

"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!"

Dean glanced at the house again. AJ, all five feet of her, was screaming at the top of her lungs at the front door. Dean hurriedly grabbed the keys and set off to see what the issue was, instructing the other women to stay in the car.

"AJ!" Dean yelled, keeping his voice low to keep attention away.

"I'LL CUT YOUR FUCKING DICK OFF AND SHOVE IT IN YOUR EAR!" AJ screamed at the top of her lungs, kicking and punching the door.

Dean wrestled the woman back from the door. "What the hell are you doing?" He demanded to know.

"This fucking one-pump chump stiffed me and threw me out," AJ patted Dean's jacket. "Where's your gun? I'll fucking get my pay."

"Stop," Dean said. "I'll talk to the guy, ok?" He stepped up to the door and rang the bell. "Come on, man. Open up."

"KISS MY ASS!" A male voice yelled from inside.

"Oh, you are so getting your ass kicked," AJ hissed.

Dean knocked on the door. "Come on, man," he called out. "It's been a long night. Just pay what you owe."

The man chuckled. "Oh yeah? What are you going to do? Call the police? Please!"

Dean turned to AJ. "What does he owe?" He asked.

"Ten for the bj and five for the pegging," AJ answered.

"Ten for the b... wait, what?" Dean waved his hand, cutting AJ off. "Never mind. I got it." He banged on the door again. "You can't be talkin' tough when you let a circus midget fuck you in the ass, dude! Let's go already!"

"I'm not paying her! I shouldn't have to pay if I have to provide the toys!" The man called out.

"Waste him," AJ growled.

Dean rolled his eyes. He banged on the door again. "Come on, bro. Nobody's gotta get hurt tonight." He warned.

AJ made a gun gesture with her fingers. "Fucking ice this pussy!" She insisted.

"Go away or I'll call the police!" The man threatened. "I shouldn't have to pay if I have to provide the toys!"

"Well, it's not my fault I didn't have pigtails and a skirt all ready for you!" AJ shot back.

Dean's eyes widened. "I'm fucking sorry?" He snapped. "What did you do?"

"He's got a... daddy-little girl fetish..." AJ cringed. "Dude, I don't know! I just want my money!"

Dean shrugged and kicked his foot against the door, bashing it down in a rain of splinters. The man on the other side fell flat on his back, scrambling to get away. Dean pinned the guy to the floor with a knee in the back.

"You like dressing up people like kids before you fuck 'em, huh?" Dean whistled sharply. "I should fucking waste your ass right now, but you owe my girl a payday."

"It's in the living room," the man whimpered pathetically.

AJ ran into the other room. Dean shook his head.

"I have a daughter," Dean told the man. "If I ever saw you at the playground, I'd fucking kill you. Don't make me come back, understand?"

AJ returned with a paper bag. "I got it. Let's go," she told.

Dean stepped off the guy. "See ya, freak."

"Tell your daughter I said hi," the man shot back.

Dean, without a second thought, drew his gun and fired twice. The first shot missed the man by a mile but the second hit him in the back of his knee. Dean, his eyes growing wide and his face losing its color, stared in stunned silence at what he just did. His ears rang and his mouth felt dry. The only thing he could feel was AJ frantically tugging at his jacket sleeve.

"Dude, let's go!" AJ screamed.

Dean, finding the ability to walk again, ran for the van. He managed to get the keys into the ignition again. Dean threw the van into gear and sped off, just barely fleeing when the sounds of police sirens sounded in the distance.