"Beth, what do you wear to a baby shower?" CJ asked, looking to the Glamazon as they sat in the nursery putting away the clothes her parental units brought as their baby shower gifts. "Like, are leggings acceptable attire?"

"Of course."

"That's all I ever feel like wearing these days. Like, I just want to have Olivia and heal up so I can start working out and actually want to be in jeans again." The younger blonde rambled, rubbing her stomach as the baby kicked. She was honestly feeling really unattractive at the moment and she knew that Beth would understand, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

"If you looked solely at your legs, you'd never be able to tell that you're pregnant."

"That doesn't change the fact that I feel like a whale, being in jeans only makes it worse."

"CJ, honey, you're one of the smallest pregnant women I've ever seen. All the weight you gained will fall off, and you'll be feeling like a size five and not just looking like one in no time." Beth stated, her tone telling CJ that this wasn't up for further discussion. "Let's get back downstairs."

"I need help up." CJ admitted with a laugh and Beth grinned as she stood.

"Definitely don't miss that part of being pregnant."

Adam was downstairs in the kitchen, holding Lyric while eating the chips and dip Beth had banned him from, waiting on Dean to get home with Roman. They were already two hours behind schedule and he wasn't sure what to tell CJ. She was likely to get upset and he didn't want her crying at her baby shower.

His phone vibrated and he saw a text from Dean, hoping to god that it was him saying he'd be there in twenty minutes. But that was not the case.

'Flight got delayed so Roman and I opted to drive. Not our best idea since traffic is a bitch and we still have about five hours to go. Tell CJ that I'm really sorry but I should be home tonight. If I'm not she can slap me and you can too'

"This is not good." Adam mumbled to himself as the doorbell rang, carrying his baby to the door. He was excited to see that Paul and Brock came together, since he wasn't sure how he'd entertain Brock Lesnar on his own, but both men looked happy to be here and were carrying gifts. "Hey, guys."

"It's good to see you again, Adam." Paul greeted and Adam smiled.

"I have to say the same. How've you been, Brock?"

"I've been good." Brock stated simply before Adam turned and led them through the house. "Ambrose really bought this?"

"I still don't believe it. I didn't believe it when they told me, not when they sent pictures. I spent the night last night and I still don't believe that they have a house together." Adam's admission made both Paul and Brock laugh as they entered the living room and took a seat.

"I just can't picture either of them domesticated." Paul stated, setting his smaller box on top of Brock's giant box. Both were large, and Adam knew that CJ hauled in great things for their baby. "But here we are."

"I know. I was pushing her to find somebody she wanted to settle down with and I can't believe she finally did."

"At least we know she's with somebody who will do everything in his power to keep her safe and happy." Brock stated and and the other two men nodded their agreement as they heard CJ and Beth make their way down the stairs. Paul stood up to pull CJ into a hug and Adam saw the smile on her face from seeing her old advocate. He didn't know how to tell her that Dean wasn't going to be there, because that would certainly kill her vibe.

CJ could tell that something was bothering Adam, and it was likely the same thing that was bothering her. Dean wasn't there yet. He and Roman were supposed to be there a couple hours ago and yet they were nowhere to be seen. But she kept calm, actively participating in the conversations and the little games Beth wanted to play, using every nerve in her system to not angrily text her boyfriend and demand his whereabouts. She was certain that the two had a good reason, and would hear him out when he walked through the door and if his answer didn't please her then she'd have some words for him.

"So, CJ, after you have the baby are you returning to the ring?" Adam's mom asked and CJ only shrugged. She hadn't really out any thought into a return now that she was only having one baby and not two. She knew that Dean wouldn't want her traveling and leaving the baby at home and he definitely wouldn't want their baby on the road.

"I dunno. Dean and I haven't really discussed it. I'm certainly feeling the itch, but I can't just make that decision on my own." CJ spoke, gently nibbling on her bottom lip after she spoke.

"Would you let Paul manage you if you did return?" Brock asked, playfully nudging Heyman as CJ scoffed.

"What kind of question is that? We never stopped being business partners just because I got hurt, and then knocked up. If I returned, I'd be honored to have him be my advocate." She spoke confidently, smiling at Paul. He winked over at her and she smirked, knowing that her return was probably in the future. She just had to talk it out with Dean.

And be convincing. Very, very convincing.

It was two in the morning when Dean and Roman finally made it to the house. Both knew that they had a lot of explaining to do and a lot of making up to do for their bad decision making, but they'd make it work. Dean bought her a bouquet of pink, red, peach, and yellow roses to get across that he loved her, was so happy to be with her, cared about her, and was thankful for her. Above all, that he was sorry that he missed out on the baby shower and time with her. Roman had the gifts from himself and his family as well as a well thought out apology.

"'Dean, Adam and Beth are in the guest bedroom beside the nursery and there's food in the fridge if you and Roman are hungry.'" Dean read CJ's note aloud and looked to Roman. "Amazing. The woman is pissed off and hormonal, yet she still is kind enough to make sure that we don't disturb anybody's sleep on accident."

"She loves you, of course she still cares despite being pissed." Roman reasoned, patting dean's shoulder before heading up the stairs with his bags. Dean took a moment and sat down at the table to put some food in his stomach since he hadn't eaten since they got on the road hours ago.

The silence of the dining room was good for him. He needed to just sit and think about everything. Especially now that he had officially missed something baby related because of work. What if he missed Olivia's first birthday? Or her first steps or first words? He'd never forgive himself if that were to happen. He didn't want to be a dad through a computer screen. That idea just didn't sit right with him.

He and CJ had to work out some system because he was going to be there for everything from their daughter's birth to her wedding. He wanted to hold her hand when she started walking and hold her while she cried because her heart was broken for the first time. He couldn't do any of that through the internet and he didn't want to disappoint their daughter.

A set of small hands came to rest on his shoulders and he leaned back into his girlfriend's touch. Neither said anything while her thumbs moved in small circles on his skin, the gentle pressure bringing great pleasure to the stressed out blonde. His eyes fluttered shut and she smiled at the soft sigh that left his parted lips. She continued her ministrations until she felt that he was much more relaxed than he was before, then slid her hands down to rest on his chest.

"I missed you today." CJ whispered in his ear, her lips brushing against the shell of his ear with every syllable uttered.

"I missed you, too. I'm really sorry about missing the baby shower. Our flight got delayed so Ro and I, being the geniuses we are, decided to drive. Traffic was bumper to bumper for most of the trip and it got worse when we were in town." Dean rambled, placing his hands on hers. "I hope you can forgive me."

"You know I can." She whispered her assurance, pressing her lips to his cheek. "What matters is that you're here."

"Until Monday morning."

"Did something happen?" CJ asked quickly, pulling away from him when he took a deep breath. She moved around to sit in his lap, pushing his hair back to see that there was something wrong in his eyes. "Dean?"

"I, uh- I hit my head pretty hard. They're not calling it a concussion just yet, but they want me taking it easy." He explained, one of his hands resting on her stomach while the other cupped her cheek. When he saw the tears welling in her eyes. "I'm okay, Christina."

"You're hurting." She argued, stroking his cheek before pecking his lips.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I will be fine because I've got a few extra days with you and your presence is my medicine." He assured, kissing her again. It was a longer kiss, his mouth coaxing her into opening up for him. Both knew that breakfast would be awkward if somebody came down and caught them amidst a session of tonsil hockey but neither cared because they were together. That was what mattered in that moment...until the baby kicked and CJ pulled away.

"I think she's feeling ignored by her daddy."

"That's no good. I could never ignore my Princess." Dean spoke softly, gently rubbing her stomach. "Let's head upstairs so I can talk to my Princess before bed."

"I'd love to."

"I got you some roses, as an apology and to tell you how much you mean to me type of deal." He told her as he helped her to her feet, following suit and scooping her into his arms. Her head came to rest on his shoulder and he smiled as she nodded.

"That sounds lovely." She murmured, stifling a yawn as he started up the stairs.

"Tired?"

"Very. Today was long and eventful compared to my usual days."

"But still good?"

"Still good." She confirmed. Dean nodded and carried her through the open door to their bedroom, not setting her down until she was on the bed. "Dean?"

"Yes, 'Stina?" He asked as he pulled his shirt over his head, not sure what she'd ask.

"You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Of course I would." He stated, looking directly into her eyes as he undid his belt and started on his jeans. "Christina, you're my queen and the love of my life. That means that I am incapable of keeping anything major from you as long as you do the same for me."

"We're in this together." She agreed, nodding as he dropped his jeans and walked towards the bed.

"For the long haul." He added, kneeling in front of the bed and pushing up her tank top to expose her baby bump. His hand was met with a gentle thump and he smiled before pressing a kiss to CJ's skin. "It's your daddy, again, Olive. I can already tell that you're going to be a little ass kicker just like your mommy. I love you, and your mommy, so much but I need you to go to bed so that way your mommy can get some sleep. Okay, Princess?"

"You called her Olive." CJ commented as Dean kissed her stomach again and he playfully glared at her as he pulled her tanktop down.

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did." She teased with a playful grin as Dean moved her up their bed. "I love you, too, by the way."

"What the fuck is this?" He asked when he saw her get comfortable with her large maternity pillow.

"A maternity pillow. It's comfortable on the bump." She explained with a smile, looking back to watch her boyfriend position himself around the backside of her large U-shaped pillow.

"So do you cuddle the pillow and I'm all alone over here?"

"I think you could just slip in." She suggested, watching with a smile as he muttered about the pillow while positioning himself behind her. Eventually he got comfortable and pressed his forehead to her shoulder like always, smiling when she placed her hand on his. He knew that this was where he was meant to be and that she was who he was meant to be with. There was no questioning it anymore.

"I don't think it goes like that." CJ and Beth said in unison from where they sat in the chairs in the nursery watching the men put together the crib. Lyric let out some gurgles and all three men looked to the women, having heard three days worth of their judgement in the last forty-five minutes.

"I love you to death, but I'm going to slap you, Beth." Adam warned, pointing at the blonde holding Lyric.

"Well, maybe if you read the instructions, we wouldn't be judging you." CJ stated, rolling her eyes as she felt the baby kick. "I know, Olive. Daddy, Grandpa, and Uncle Roman are stubborn."

"Make sure you tell her that you're condescending while you're at it." Adam spoke, glaring at his daughter before making a show out of picking up the instructions. "Step four."

"Out of how many?" Roman asked and Adam flipped through the booklet to the last page.

"Seventy four."

"Why did you two have to ask for such a complicated crib?"

"It was fancy looking and you know that I can't say no to her." Dean defended himself, raising the hand that wasn't holding the drill in his defense. "That pout of hers is deadly."

"Whipped." Adam coughed before being the recipient of a piece of styrofoam being thrown at his head by Beth.

"You're always talking about how she needs an alpha who will step down when she steps up." Beth argued and the oldest man in the room looked to the mother of his child.

"You think I'm an alpha?" Dean asked Adam, winking at CJ. She only rolled her eyes, biting her lip to keep from smiling at her boyfriend. She wouldn't admit that she was having a lot of fun not getting anything done.

"Yes. Anyways, onto more pressing matters." Adam changed the subject, making CJ and Roman laugh. "Step four."

"Like, alpha dog or alpha lion?" Dean asked, looking over at Adam when he further buried his nose in the instructions booklet. "Adam?"

"I'm genuinely curious, now." Roman stated, looking over at Adam as well.

"Adam we all want answers." CJ stated, smirking at her father figure when Beth nodded in agreement.

"Lion." Adam muttered, much to the delight of everyone in the room. "You all fucking suck, by the way."

"Not in front of the baby." Beth scolded, throwing another styrofoam piece at Adam. Dean picked up the first one she threw and gently hit Adam with it, the Canadian quickly grabbing the second piece Beth threw and hitting Dean back.

"This crib is never getting built." CJ muttered to Beth, who nodded her agreement with a smile and a laugh. The two blondes watched with smiles as the fathers of their children used the styrofoam pieces as swords and attacked each other while Roman was texting somebody. This was her family, and she couldn't be any happier about it.

If my math is right, then CJ is supposed to go into labor in late December/early Januaryish and right now in the story we're in early October. I felt that I should clear that up since we've been time skipping.

Thank you to Sarcastic Nightmare, Sammie94, TajiaK, ChelleLew, and UntilNeverDawns for reviewing the last chapter!