Roman had been trying to work out on his time off, but his back kept acting up and locking up on him. Sometimes he felt like it would go numb and he couldn't turn.
They were getting ready for Australia.
"Ro", Amaya called from their room.
He walked out of the bathroom and smiled.
"So, do you know what you want to take to Australia?", she asked after zipping up her suitcase.
"My gear", he replied.
"I know, I packed yours with mine in the smaller suitcase.", she replied.
He nodded. She could tell something was wrong by the look on his face. He was usually very helpful when she asked what he wanted to take on trips.
"Baby", she said.
He looked at her and smiled.
"Talk to me? What are you worried about?", she asked.
If he told her about his back, she would force him to back out and he couldn't let Seth and Dean down. He had already pulled out on a few different shows the last few weeks.
"Just waiting on you to tell me I'm going to be a dad again", he chuckled, he meant it as a joke.
Her smile slipped. She had been checking every other day, but every time it came back negative.
He pulled her between his legs.
"Hey, its okay. It will happen. If you put a lot of pressure on yourself, its not good for you.", he replied.
"I know, I just hate the disappointment after when it doesn't say pregnant", she sighed.
"Lets make a deal, we stop trying. Lets just relax and enjoy sex, enjoy each other. We stop taking tests, stop the pressure", he said.
She smiled and nodded. Sighing, she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders.
"You're right. Okay", she replied, taking a deep breath.
He leaned in and kissed her. Feeling a tightening in his back, he tried not to show the pain he was feeling.
Hearing a knock downstairs, Amaya kissed him once more before going to Autumn's room.
"Hey kiddo, ready?", she asked.
Autumn kept asking to wait on spending time with Valerie. She was nervous, but neither Roman or Amaya wanted to push Autumn.
Autumn stood and nodded, taking her mom's hand.
"How long do I have to talk to her for?", Autumn asked.
"As long as you want. We just want you to feel comfortable. We spoke to Valerie about it and she agreed. I will be with you the entire time", Amaya said.
Autumn nodded. Amaya could see Valerie pacing outside on the deck. She was nervous too. They walked out back and Valerie stopped.
Autumn pushed herself more into Amaya's side.
"Should we sit?", Amaya asked.
Valerie nodded. They walked over to the chairs and table near the pool. She smiled at Autumn.
"You are so beautiful. Your dad and Amaya raised you so well. I knew I picked the perfect people to take care of you", Valerie said.
Autumn nodded.
"I know, I haven't always been the perfect mom to you. I hurt you and your dad, I hurt Amaya. I'm sorry Autumn, I am going to do everything I can to get you back.", Valerie said.
Valerie wiped her tears.
"I've been working really hard on myself and I have a job. I'm working on saving money so I can buy us a house so when Amaya and your dad let you, you can come and stay with me", Valerie said.
Amaya kept her eyes on Autumn and listened to what was being said. She wouldn't interrupt unless she had too.
"So, you can ask me anything you want. I promise to answer honestly, unless Amaya says otherwise. Okay", Valerie said.
Autumn bit her lip.
"Did you do drugs?", Autumn asked.
Valerie sighed, meeting Amaya's eyes. She nodded and Valerie knew it was okay.
"I did, and I got really sick because of them. Its why I was gone for so long, because I was trying to get better for you", she replied.
"A man said Amaya messed up our family", Autumn said.
"That's not true. I wasn't happy anymore with your daddy and he wasn't happy with me, but we both love you, so much", Valerie said.
Autumn nodded.
"Amaya made your dad happy again, but I didn't want her too, because I was being selfish", Valerie added.
Roman watched from the kitchen window as his ex and his wife sat with their daughter. Autumn seemed to have loosened up a bit and was now talking Valerie's ear off.
His ex smiled as she listened to their daughter talk. Amaya did too.
After a few more minutes, Autumn stood and hugged Valerie before running inside.
"Hi daddy", she said, before going upstairs to her room, probably to find Malia.
He made his way outside and sat beside his wife. Valerie smiled.
"So how did it go?", he asked.
"Pretty good. She seemed shy at first, but then it came easy to her to ask questions.", Valerie said.
"Good. I think she just needed to trust you again", Roman replied.
Valerie nodded.
"So, Amaya and I are going to Australia for a few days to do some shows.", he started.
He waited to hear her complain about how they weren't being fair and didn't let her keep Autumn till they came back.
When she didn't, he kept going.
"We decided that if today went well with you and Autumn, we would leave her with my parents.", Roman added.
"This way you can continue to see her and speak with her. Of course, either his mom or dad will be with you both", Amaya said.
Valerie smiled.
"That's wonderful, I would love that", she replied.
"This is a big step for the both of you, and we don't want anything to stop that. We don't want her to shut down on you again.", Roman said.
Valerie nodded.
"Thank you both again, you've opened up your home to me and let me see my daughter. I'm going to continue to do the best I can and prove that I've changed", Valerie said.
Both Roman and Amaya nodded.
"Well, I should get going. I have work today and I don't want to be late", Valerie said.
She stood and left. Roman sighed.
"So? How did it go from your point of view?", he asked.
"Pretty good actually. She answered all of Autumn's questions, which I'm hoping was with honesty.", she replied.
He squeezed her thigh.
"We will see as time goes on", he replied, but hoped for the same thing.
He sighed.
"Well, I'm going to hit the gym then go and see Laura", he said, before standing.
"Wait, why? Did she ask to speak to you?", Amaya asked.
"Yeah, she sent me a text", he replied.
"That's weird. Doesn't that seem weird? I mean, why did she text you?", she asked.
"Are you jealous?", he asked, a smirk on his face.
"I'm suspicious. She's Val's sponsor. She has nothing to do with us unless we have a problem with Val.", Amaya said.
Roman shrugged.
"Maybe she wants to ask how its going with Val", he replied.
"She can ask over the phone, you don't have to meet up with her. Why didn't she call me?", Amaya said.
Roman smiled and kissed his wife.
"Come with me. You can let her know this", he said.
"Why? So I can look like a jealous bitch", Amaya said.
"So cute. No, I've been with a jealous bitch before, you are nothing like her. Get dressed, I want you to come with me", he said.
"Oh, so you weren't planning to take me? You were just going to meet up with her alone", Amaya said.
He kissed her cheek.
"So sexy", he whispered.
She sighed, turning her head and kissing him.
"You're the only woman for me", he replied.
She pressed her nose against his.
They spotted Laura waiting in a booth when they got to the restaurant. Amaya noticed the way she was dressed.
"I didn't know sponsors had to wear such tight dresses", Amaya mumbled.
Roman chuckled. Laura turned and spotted Roman. Her smile slipped a bit when she saw Amaya behind him, holding hands.
"Mrs. Reigns, I didn't think you would join us", she said.
"This is about Valerie and my daughter, why wouldn't I come", Amaya replied.
Roman squeezed her thigh under the table.
"Of course", Laura replied.
She cleared her throat and asked how its was going with Val and how it was between her and Autumn.
They replied honestly and told her about today. Laura smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad. She is doing so much better", Laura said.
They ate and discussed what else they could do to help Valerie stay on the right track.
When it was time to go, Laura shook their hands.
"Actually, there's one more thing", Amaya said.
Laura nodded.
"If there is anything you need to discuss about Valerie, I recommend you text both my husband and I, we will meet with you, together", Amaya said.
Laura nodded.
"I understand", Laura said.
Amaya nodded. Laura left and Roman kissed her neck.
"Why do I suddenly feel like letting you tie me up and let you have your way with me", he whispered.
She giggled.
"I don't know about the tie up part, but we did bring your truck. Just like old times", she whispered.
He groaned.
