Dean went back on the road on Monday morning and was scheduled for a three week tour. He knew it was the doing of that shithead Seth and the assholes that backed him in The Authority, but he really couldn't take being away from CJ for that long. He didn't like it and damn sure didn't deserve this just because Seth was a sore loser. But it would be okay because he got to spend his first ever Thanksgiving with a family and his Princess was due in a matter of seven weeks. The clock was tucking and Dean was growing impatient.
He couldn't wait to hold his daughter in his arms and be the father to her that he didn't have. Even if she was obviously Seth's spawn, she was Olivia Addison Ambrose and that wasn't changing because she was genetically a Rollins. She'd be raised an Ambrose because that's what CJ wanted and he wanted what she wanted.
He was getting the white picket fence life, complete with a dog, and he didn't even realize it until it was too late to freak out and run. He was grateful for that. He'd be even more grateful if that doubtful voice in his head would shut the hell up and let him go about his life. He just wanted to be happy, but his past and Seth Rollins were making it extremely hard for him to fully achieve that happiness. He'd never stop pursuing his happiness, though, since the pursuit of happiness wasn't something that couldn't be stripped of him.
His phone lit up from where it sat atop his open suitcase in the hotel room, spurring him from his thoughts to see CJ and Bear pop up on his screen. It was two in the morning in Vegas and she should've been sleeping, so he was automatically concerned that she'd call so late.
"Hey Christina." He greeted once the phone was up to his ear, taking a glance up at the clock on the wall. He was supposed to meet Roman at the gym in twenty minutes.
"Hey, Dean. Don't freak out but I'm having contractions."
Contractions? It's too soon for that. He thought to himself as he started digging through his suitcase for his laptop. "Are you in pain?"
"Kinda. It's more of a discomfort, but yeah." She sounded scared, and he was scared enough for the both of them as his laptop fired up.
"Are you having a lot of them?" He asked softly, trying to keep his tone even as he googled contractions and when you should go to the doctor. "You're not thirty seven weeks yet so they're probably Braxton Hicks contractions."
"They're bullshit if you ask me." Dean heard CJ mumble, forcing a smile to tug at the corner of his lips as he skimmed through an article on Braxton Hicks contractions.
"Are you experiencing abdominal pain, menstrual-like cramping, or more than four contractions in one hour?" He asked, hoping to god that wasn't the case. Nothing bad was allowed to happen while he wasn't home. The baby wasn't allowed to come either. He'd talked it out with Olivia before he left and the way she kicked told him that they had a deal. At least in his opinion.
"Nope."
"Any vaginal bleeding or spotting or an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge?" He felt so weird asking her these questions, but he had to cover all the bases in this article. For his own peace of mind.
"No."
"More pressure in the pelvic area like maybe a feeling like the baby's pushing down?"
"Uh-uh."
"Low back pain, especially if it's dull or rhythmic, or you didn't previously have back pain?"
"I wouldn't call it pain." She murmured, and he could mentally see her tilting her head as she thought about it. "Does whatever you're reading say anything about relieving the discomfort?"
"Let me look. I skimmed down to the part where it showed symptoms that would require you calling a doctor." He explained, smiling when she let out a small huff while he skimmed upwards. "Here we go."
"Thank god." CJ breathed, earning a chuckle from her boyfriend.
"Have you already tried changing your position?" He asked, licking his lips when she huffed at him. "Huff at me one more time, Christina, and I'll give you something to huff about darlin'."
"You're so hot. But yes, I've tried shifting around and even getting up and walking. It's not a long term relief."
"Alright. Start up a warm bath and drink a glass of water." He instructed fighting the urge to laugh when she sarcastically muttered a "yes sir" before going about going what he requested. "Sweetheart, I've got a gym date with Roman. But I want you to call a doctor if you start having more than four in an hour and then call me with the update once you get off the phone, alright?"
"Alright."
"Practice your deep breathing and pain management if nothing else works, and remember that I love you and our Princess so much, Christina."
"We love you, too, Dean." She spoke softly, and he knew that she was caressing her stomach. "We love you so much."
While soaking in the tub like Dean requested, she couldn't help but feel lonely. Whenever she had taken a bath in their huge tub, he was right there beside her and she didn't like being alone in such a large space. Bear staring at her from where he laid in the doorway certainly wasn't helping her case, either. The upside was that the bath was helping with those stupid false labor contractions and she was definitely much more comfortable.
Her phone vibrated from where it sat beside her on the ledge where she assumed soap was supposed to go but she and Dean used a shower caddy so it was her makeshift phone holder for her bath. When she saw that she got a text from Seth, she sighed but she opened it. For nothing more than needing something to laugh at. She figured that it would be a desperate plea for her to give him another chance. But she was wrong.
'Hey I'm outside your house. Just give me a shot to explain myself and I'll leave you alone.'
'Or you could leave me alone and get the hell off my property. Once again you found out where I lived without asking me and I owe you an ass kicking.'
'Lets get it over with then.'
'Go away Seth. I want nothing to do with you.' CJ sent her reply before calling Dean, but thought better of it once he answered.
"Is everything alright?"
"Uh, yeah. Everything is fine. I just thought I'd call and let you know that the bath did well for me." CJ covered, hoping that he didn't catch her on her small fib.
"That's good. Are you going to bed now?"
"Yeah. But feel free to update me about your day as things go on. I always like to hear about your days while you're on tour."
"I will certainly keep you updated, darlin'. Roman says hi."
"Oh, tell him I said hello. Both of you be safe out there." She said, pulling the stopper out of the tub and easing herself onto her feet. "I cannot wait until I don't have this balloon on my stomach."
"Is this an image conscious thing?"
"It's more of a movement conscious thing. I want to be able to touch my toes again, Ambrose." She clarified, smiling when Dean let out a small "oh". "But I'm going to get to bed. Love you."
"Love you too, Christina." Dean spoke before hanging up and she smiled as she stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel. Her back honestly felt a lot better after her bath and she'd have to properly thank Dean for that one, as well.
Time to make Rollins go away. She mused once she was dressed and in pajamas that didn't make her feel like a whale. She was careful on the stairs, and then took a few feel breaths before opening the door to see Seth sitting on her porch with a bouquet of roses in his hand.
"I thought you'd never answer."
"Just like I'm sure you'll never leave me the fuck alone?" CJ asked, watching as Seth stood and stared her down. He was in an ADTR shirt and skinny jeans, which was more like the Rollins of old, but she wasn't in the mood to deal with him. "Seth, you're hurting yourself with this more than you're hurting me."
"CJ, I just want to be in their life. I have this gut feeling that this is my baby, and I want to be part of everything."
"Seth, no. You were so certain that she wasn't your kid when I told you about the vanished twin."
"I was heartbroken-"
"And you think I wasn't?" She asked, prepared to shut the door in his face. "I really want nothing to do with you, Seth. Besides, it's three in the morning."
"I know. I just want to talk to you."
"I will talk to Dean when he gets home in a few weeks and we will decide where to go from there." CJ stated, her tone and the look in her eyes telling Seth that she wasn't budging. So he nodded, murmuring a his thanks to the blonde before walking to his rental car while she shut the door. She made sure to lock all the locks and arm the security system, not sure how far desperate Seth would go to get her attention. Fucking asshole.
Bear sat at the top of the stairs, his tail waving excitedly since CJ was visible to the Newfoundland puppy. It had only been a few days, but CJ was she was really enjoying having the little guy around. The fact that he was a rescue made it all the more sweeter that Dean brought home a dog. Add in the fact that he was going to grow up and be huge was even better.
Once CJ was comfortable in bed, Bear laying in his bed on the bed so that way his fur wouldn't be all over the bed, she looked to see that Dean had given her an update on his day. She knew that she had to tell him about Seth, and soon, but she didn't know how. She didn't want to upset Dean while he was on the road, and she didn't want him feeling as though she needed him while he was away.
She was depending on Seth staying solid about never calling again. But she was proven wrong and now she didn't know how to deal with it. Not only did she not know how, she feared the repercussions of her previous actions. She knew that she never should've opened the door, but she feared her and Dean's image if neighbors saw a strange man sitting on their porch. She knew that Seth would never physically hurt her, so there was that. She just had to have a chat with Dean over the phone so she wouldn't have to see the disappointed look on his face. If she ever got around to telling him before Seth started running his mouth.
There were too many wildcards in this game now, when CJ wanted to be the only one. Dean was becoming less predictable and Corporate Seth was following suit. She didn't like it at all.
Thank you to Sammie94, TajiaK, UntilNeverDawns, ChelleLew, and Sarcastic Nightmare for reviewing the last chapter!