"So, I do apologize for Valerie showing up the way that she did. I found out from your sister in law, which I then called Valerie and let her know she was wrong", Laura said, sending a look towards Val.
"I know. I just missed her, I haven't seen her in two years.", Valerie said.
"But if Roman and Amaya were any other people, you would lose all rights.", Laura explained.
Valerie nodded. They ordered food.
"So, Amaya and I have no problem with letting you back into Autumn's life, but we have to take things slow. Visitations will be supervised, if you want to take her out, someone must be present for it and go with you", Roman said.
Laura nodded and looked at Val.
"Val?", she asked.
Valerie looked between them before nodding.
"If neither Amaya or myself can be present, April or Phil will be. My mom as well", Roman continued.
Laura nodded. She wrote all this down.
"We'll try this out for about six months?", Roman asked.
"Val?", Laura asked.
"Six months is a bit much, don't you think?", Valerie said.
"I don't.", Roman replied.
"Three", Valerie said.
"Six. Amaya and I will not change our minds. This is for the better of Autumn. Six months is generous, if you asked me. If you still don't agree, we can handle this in court.", Roman said.
Valerie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Anything else?", Laura asked Roman.
"Yes, before the six months are up, she needs to have a stable home, and work.", Roman said.
Laura nodded and wrote it down.
"If we find out that she sets a hand on Autumn, we will take her away permanently.", Roman said.
Valerie was going to reply, but Laura held a hand up, stopping her.
"We understand. I will discuss this with her privately, then we will get back to you", Laura said.
Roman nodded. He looked at Valerie.
"We want you in her life, please don't do anything that will change our minds.", Roman said.
Valerie nodded. They brought over the food and Roman had asked for his to go. He took the bag and stood.
"Breakfast is on me. Call me when you've discussed it. Amaya and I will be waiting", Roman said.
Both women nodded before he left. Getting in his truck, he sighed and tried to relax. His back ached.
Getting home, he kissed his girls, opening the box and splitting the pancakes between his daughters.
"Daddy, I need syrup", Malia said.
"I'm coming baby", he replied.
Malia and Autumn continued their chatter about a cartoon they watched. Amaya walked into the kitchen in time to see Roman wince and rub his back.
The look on his face let her know he was in pain. He set the syrup down and turned to see her, acting like nothing happened.
"Hey hun, brought my girls pancakes", he said.
"Can I speak to you in the other room?", she asked.
"No, we are enjoying breakfast", he replied, grabbing the girls cups of milk and handing it to them.
"Thank you daddy", Autumn said.
He smiled at her.
"Roman", Amaya said.
"I said no. Now, please sit and lets enjoy this time with our babies. Then later I promise we can talk", he said.
He sighed and went over to her. Placing his hands on her arms.
"I know what you're going to say. I'm sorry I responded the way I did. I just, we haven't been home in a few days. Please", he said.
She nodded. He smiled and kissed her nose.
Malia and Autumn were playing in the back yard. They could hear their laughter. Amaya was washing dishes. Roman walked over and picked up a dish towel to dry them.
"So, Laura said she was going to get Valerie on board with our list. She thinks we are being reasonable", he said.
"Good. We are just thinking about Autumn. I mean, when we first started discussing this, we wanted her to have a year of supervised visitations", Amaya said.
He nodded.
"I know, I told her we were being generous with giving her six months", he said.
"What about everything else?", she asked.
"Told them, both women seemed to have agreed to the living situation and work. I just want Autumn to have a stable home when she isn't with us, when the time comes.", he replied.
"Same.", Amaya agreed.
"Do you think she can do this? Stay clean, keep a stable home, and get along with us?", he asked.
"I don't know her that well, so I can't really tell you. All I can say is that I hope she will, if she really wants to keep Autumn in her life", Amaya said.
Roman nodded.
"Now, about your back", she started.
Roman groaned.
"It just cramps up from time to time", he said.
"More like all the time. I see it Rome, when you think I don't, I do", she said.
He set the dish down and met her eyes.
"Please make an appointment to see your doctor. Have him check it out. For me, for the girls, our future kids", she said.
He smiled and nodded.
"Okay", he replied.
Amaya felt like they had just gotten home, and now they had to leave again. Malia had hugged her tight and cried, begging them not to go.
"Yaya, go. Phil and I have got her. She will calm down as soon as you are out of sight.", April had said, as she pulled Malia off her.
Amaya had cried on the car ride to the airport. Roman kissed her hand and comforted her.
"I'm a bad mother", she mumbled.
"No you aren't. You are the best mom to our girls. Malia is just at that stage in her life where she wants to be clingy", he replied.
"Should I stop working? Just stay home with them?", she asked.
"I can't answer that for you. I also don't want you to give up wrestling because you feel bad for leaving them. You have to want to retire, knowing in your heart that you have done everything you set out to do", he replied.
She nodded.
"My contract is almost up.", she added.
"Take your time. No rush on what you want to do", he said.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Amaya was looking over the script. They had told her they were adding a few promos hinting at her return to the ring.
Dean sat across from her. She set her script down.
"Hey, so, about that talk", he started.
She raised a brow.
"I'm leaving soon, Yaya.", he said.
She sat up more.
"What? Why?", she asked.
"I'm not happy here anymore. I didn't see it before but after my injury, is had a lot of time to think. I love wrestling, just not with this company", he said.
She nodded. She had noticed and so did Nikki.
"What does Nikki say?", she asked.
"To do what makes me happy. She's going to have my back no matter what", Dean smiled.
"Good. Any idea what those plans are yet?", she asked.
"No clue, but that's how I've always navigated", he said.
"Well, our doors are always open to you and Nikki", Amaya said.
Dean smiled.
"I know Smalls", he replied.
"Have you told Roman and Seth yet?", she asked.
"Nope. I think Seth might be a little pissed at first. Roman has always been understanding, so no problem there", Dean said.
"You are going to do great, Dean", she said.
Laying in bed after the show, Amaya was massaging Roman's back. He groaned, winced, and moaned.
"So what do you think about Dean's plans? Excited for him? Worried? Angry?", she asked.
Roman sighed.
"More sad than anything. He's my best friend, I got use to having him around me all the time. To look over and not see him next to me, its going to be hard", Roman replied.
"Yeah", she nodded.
"Seth was a little bit pissed", Roman added.
"Dean needs this. He needs to find the reason he fell in love with wrestling in the first place", Amaya said.
"I know", Roman mumbled.
"You've still got me", she whispered.
Roman smiled.
"Still got my sunshine", he replied.
"How's your back?", she asked.
"Sore, but not as bad as before", he replied.
"Did you make that doctor's appointment?", she asked.
He nodded.
"Once we get back home. Lets hope they don't snap me in half before then", he chuckled.
"That's not funny", she said, slapping his shoulder.
"I'm going to be okay my love, I promise", he said.
