ATM: Seth and the God Girls – The Good Housekeeper

After the havoc caused by her brother Shane, Stephanie tries to rebuild the McMahon family name, but the DX family are weary of her intentions and Seth and the God Girls wonder who in the wrestling world they can really trust as they prepare to go to war with Bray Wyatt.

Chapter Eight – Austin's New Theory

Mia's Brooklyn Bakery, Manhattan, New York City, New York

Carla McCool and Austin Theory sat in the back of Mia's famous Brooklyn Bakery drinking coffee. The shop wasn't even open yet but the owner let Carla in as a special favour because she sent so much business her way during office hours. In fact, Carla had cakes ordered special for years in the shape of her custom-made cushions, but Carla hadn't made any cushions in a while. She was too busy being mad at her sister LC and the rest of the DX family.

There was an opaque jewellery bag resting by Carla's coffee cup and it contained her DX jewels. Austin's eyes were fixed on the bag as it was the thing Shane McMahon and Bray Wyatt asked him to get from her. However, after last night's confrontation with her paternal mother Chyna and her sister LC, Austin was intrigued by all the issues Carla was having with her family members on the DX side. While Bianca Belair and the God Girls had backed off, Carla's sister and mother were adamant that she not be on this date with Theory. Now Austin was rethinking the whole thing himself, as the more Carla talked about her family, the more Austin realised how powerful and fearful the DX family was and he really didn't want to get on the wrong side of them. Taking the most coveted DX family jewels would definitely put him in some hot water with Carla's sister and he was pretty sure the elder sibling would have no problem cutting his head off with her Axe of Judgement. Theory didn't understand that LC's weapon of warfare was spiritual and that she wouldn't literally sever his head from his body with it. LC's weapons were commissioned by God to pass judgement and so while still having his head, Austin would be covered in God's wrath for taking the DX jewels from Carla and giving them to Shane and Bray Wyatt.

Carla noticed the nervousness in Austin's face and she gave his hand a squeeze to re-assure him.

"Are you okay? I sure hope my crazy family didn't scare you last night. They're such a bunch of jerks, I hate them so much," Carla said and Austin nodded.

"I can see that, they sure care about you though," he said and Carla sighed.

"The only thing my sister and mother care about are these jewels," Carla replied pointing to the little jewellery bag. "They couldn't care less about me,"

Austin gave Carla a serious look, "With all due respect Carla, I don't think that's true. From what you've told me, all the adventures ya'll have had together, escaping murder and spiritual monsters, I don't think a family could ever be closer," he said and he gave Carla a shy smile, "I think you should do what your sister says and give her these jewels. For them to get at you the way they did last night, they must care about what happens to you if you don't hand them over. I know for a fact that if you hand them over to me, something bad will happen and I don't want to be a part of that,"

Carla stared at Austin in shock before laughing in disbelief that soon turned to anger, "So those supernatural buttheads got to you to eh? I suppose you want a Gift from God too now Austin, am I right?" she said resentfully.

"By what I've heard of the adventures your family has gotten into, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Are you sure you're on the right-side Carla? I'm not so sure you are anymore," Austin said and Carla shook her head furiously.

"What are you saying Austin?" she asked confused by his sudden but unsurprising change of heart; that happened all the time when she introduced people to the DX family.

"I'm saying I don't want these jewels; you just wanna give them to me to make your sister and the DX family mad and I don't want to be on the receiving end of a DX family a**-kicking," Austin replied and Carla crossed her arms across her chest angrily.

"That's just great, you're taking my sister's surprise, big surprise. It must be her boobs, she always got Mom's portion of the DX breast club," Carla said resentfully and Austin laughed at that comment but this was no laughing matter to Carla. She had been rivalling against her sister with the opposite sex since Carla, Cameron and LC were kids. "So, if you don't want my jewels, what do you want Austin Theory?" Carla asked abrasively and Austin gave her his most handsome smile.

"How about a real date right here in Manhattan, with no strings attached?" he replied and Carla unfolded her arms slowly and blushed.

"You like me, like, for real?" she asked shyly looking down into her coffee cup and Austin nodded.

"Yeah, Lexi told me you were cute and she wasn't wrong when she set me up with you. Just because I don't wanna stooge for Shane McMahon anymore doesn't mean I've lost interest in you. I think you're hot on a whole other level and no, I don't find your sister more attractive just because she's got bigger boobs; those things might interest some guys but not Austin Theory," Austin replied and Carla found herself blushing even harder.

"I can't believe this is a real date!" she said excitedly.

"This isn't our date, this is just coffee on an early New York morning. How about we go on a real date, at a nice restaurant?" he asked and Carla was really excited now.

"Yes, that would be great!" she replied. "You pick the time and place!"

"Okay I will but you gotta do one thing for me first," Austin said and Carla nodded vociferously.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I want you to give your jewels to your sister. Whatever Shane wants with them is not good and as long as you have them, I don't think you'll be safe from Shane and Bray Wyatt. Those dudes have some evil intentions and I don't want you to be arguing with your sister when you should be using her for protection," Austin said and Carla grumbled.

"You want me to make up with my sister, that's so lame Austin but I'll do it. You're too cute to turn down," Carla said and Austin nodded with a smile before squeezing Carla's hand fondly and Carla radiated with gratitude to Alexa Bliss for setting them up. It was truly the best cup of coffee she had never had and it wasn't because the beans were made in Peru, it was because Austin Theory turned out to be the perfect date to have coffee with.

"Alexa Bliss might be a God Girl but she certainly knows a thing or two about guys," she said and she vowed to send Seth's Maid of Armour a basket of not-so-mini muffins after she made up with her sister and went on her first real date with a guy in a long, long, long time.