"I don't like this." Adam spoke as CJ drove through the streets of Las Vegas to the arena. She sighed, glancing into the rear view mirror to see her daughter still fast asleep before focusing back on the road. CJ wasn't at all excited to be in the arena but she was doing this for Dean's sake, whether or not anybody liked it. "I do not like this one bit."

"I don't either, but we don't exactly have a choice right now."

"I know." Adam sighed, shifting in the passenger's seat. "Can you please tell me what sex with Jay was like?"

"It was amazing. He was very attentive to my needs and never disappointed." She had to laugh at the gagging noises Adam made at the information despite how immature it was. "Hey, don't ask if you can't handle the answer."

"Does he rank higher than Ambrose?"

"No. Ambrose gave me Olive. No one can rank higher than him."

"Good answer." Adam mumbled, sighing when CJ parked in a parking space close to the building. Fans were already waiting by the security fence and CJ looked back at Olive with a frown. She didn't want sneaky pictures of her kid getting out before she, Dean, and Seth talked it out later in the night.

"What do I do?"

"Sunglasses first, so you're less recognizable." Adam instructed, following his own instruction and watching as she did the same. "Now get out of the car and cover the carrier with her blanket until we get inside."

"Alright." She mumbled, getting out of the car and making sure to mind her bun while she got out. She worked hard on her messy bun and she wanted to look her best for Dean. "Can you come detach the carrier from the base-thing?"

"You don't know how?" Adam asked over the roof of the car and she bit her lip. "How do you- I don't want to know."

"I always keep it attached and just take her out of the carrier to bring her in." CJ defended herself, stepping back so Adam could take care of removing the carrier. "Baby boo knows how to do it, and that's what matters to me."

"We coddle you so much," Adam teased, tickling her neck before handing the carrier off. "and yet you say he loves you for your independence."

"Shut up." She laughed, speed walking to the door before she was recognized. Adam was right behind her, opening the door for her before she had to. "I hate this, Adam."

"I do, too. It won't be long, though, and nothing is going to happen to you."

"Nothing can happen to me, or else my fist will make its home in Hunter's face."

"That's my girl." He praised, gently patting her back as they walked down the corridor. She nodded, looking at every door with hope to see her name on one. It wasn't too long before they came across The Authority's door and Adam knocked, both Canadians cringing when Stephanie called out her assurances that she'd be there in a second. But they collected themselves in time for the door to open, smiling at the Billion Dollar Princess when she came into view.

"Chris! It's so good to see you!"

"Yeah, hi." CJ mumbled, not bothering to take off her sunglasses or pull the blanket off the carrier. "Where should we set up camp?"

"Down the hall and it'll be the second door on the left." Stephanie directed, smile still on her face despite CJ's uninterested countenance. "I can't wait to hold that little cutie."

"I can imagine." Adam cut in, beginning to usher CJ in the right direction. "We'll see you later, Steph."

"Best believe it!" Stephanie called, watching the two walk away.

Adam could feel his daughter's tension and he didn't like it one bit. It was The Authority and concern for her boyfriend that had her worried, and those were things he couldn't fix. It wasn't until the moment the door closed behind them that CJ relaxed, setting the carrier on the couch and pulling the blanket off. Olivia was now awake, blue eyes watching her mother with interest as she sat down and let her head fall against the back of the couch.

"I don't like this, Adam."

"I don't either, kiddo. I'm going to see if Jay is here, you stay put and call your boyfriend or something."

"Alright. I'll be here." CJ mumbled, taking the diaper bag from Adam before watching him go and redirecting her attention to Olivia. Despite her fears of bring a terrible mother, she had fallen into motherhood perfectly as if it were second nature. She had to admit that she was honestly proud of herself and even pat herself on the back for it from time to time. This would be one of those moments; while she held her daughter close and gently bounced her around the room she was calling the lion's den, for the sake of her child's bond with her father. Dean may disagree with the idea, but eventually he'd realize that it was for the best when he got two uninterrupted months to be with them.

"I thought I told you to stay at home." Dean commented, entering the room and successfully startling his girlfriend. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you're trying to make me paranoid."

"I thought I told you that I wasn't throwing away two months with you at home with our daughter." She responded, smiling when he pulled her into a hug. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you weren't happy to see us."

"I'm so happy to see you two, so don't you ever try to play that card again." He scolded and, although CJ couldn't see his face, she heard the smile in his tone while he kissed her head. "It was only a couple days, but I missed you guys so fucking much."

"We missed you, too. She sleeps better when you put her to sleep."

"It just kills you to admit that." He chuckled, stepping back to pull Olivia from CJ's grip. "Hey there, sweetheart. Was she good on the drive?"

"Of course she was." CJ assured, going to get her phone out of the diaper bag. Dean took a moment to appreciate the view of her ass while she was bent over, but rolled his eyes when he saw that she was still wearing sunglasses.

"Take your sunglasses off so I can look at your beautiful eyes."

"Look at hers and you'll see mine."

"You're wearing sunglasses indoors like a douche. My lady is not a douche so please take them off." Dean requested, smirking when she pouted but did as he asked and tossed them onto the diaper bag. "You look good today, babe."

"Thank you. I'm gonna run and grab some fruit from catering, want anything?"

"You to go and come back as quickly as possible. Maybe some chicken if they have it." Dean stated, taking a seat on the couch and letting CJ take a picture of him and Olivia. "Be safe."

"I will." She assured, heading out the door and making sure it shut behind her before heading down the hall. She paid close attention to her surroundings, phone held tight in her hand while she walked. The click of her boots echoed in the halls with every step and she smiled at familiar officials she passed on her way until she finally reached catering. Unfortunately for her, it seemed as though all the divas were congregating there for some reason.

"CJ! It's so good to see you again." Natalya called, to which CJ waved without stopping on her way to the table. This prompted her fellow countrywoman to stand and approach her, something she didn't actually want at the moment. "You look fantastic. Time off really did you some good."

"Thanks."

"So are you returning, or are you just here to support Dean? By the way, you two are the cutest little couple."

"Thank you. And I'm here to support Dean. I'm not ready to come back."

"Physically or mentally?"

"I'll let you decide on that one." The younger blonde spoke softly before making her leave, praying that the older didn't follow along. Being honest with herself, CJ needed the ring. But her boyfriend and daughter- her family- needed her more. She knew she wasn't emotionally ready to part with Olivia nor was she physically ready to put her body on the line on a weekly basis. Mentally, she was paranoid that she'd start wrestling again and then have another hit put out on her by her father.

"CJ,look up." Jay called from somewhere to her left, bringing her attention forward and stopping her right before she walked into Hunter.

"Thanks, Jay." She stated before adjusting her stance and looking up at the COO of the company. "Can I help you?"

"I'd like to speak with you."

"I'm not coming back any time soon. I just had the baby threeish weeks ago, I'm not in ring shape and I don't want to be away from her."

"We could work something out."

"No, Hunter."

"It pains me to say this but we need you, Chris." Hunter spoke, gently gripping her arms when she tried to walk around him. "You're the best we had to offer, everyone else is sub par."

"Just say they suck, Hunter."

"Compared to you, they do. Come back. We'll make your first match for the title and it'll be like picking up where you left off."

"I'd have to talk to Dean and Adam before I make any decisions regarding my career."

"I get Dean, but why Adam?"

"Because he'd make sure that you didn't screw me over."

"Well, you talk to Ambrose and then talk to me about a contract extension. Whatever you want, I'll give you. Just come back."

"You're really desperate, aren't you?" CJ asked, studying the older man's face. Hunter gave a solemn nod, something that CJ wasn't expecting in the slightest. Hunter Hearst Helmsley was a badass who didn't lay his cards on the table, yet there he was practically begging her to return. Feeling needed like that made her smile on the inside, but she stepped back from him before looking around for Adam or Jay.

"I'll think about it and talk to Ambrose, then I'll get back to you with my answer."

"Alright, I'm here all night and so are you."

Sadly. She thought to herself as she walked away, trying to wrap her head around why Hunter would be do desperate. AJ wasn't too bad and Paige was alright, the two put on good matches together. Natalya and Naomi weren't too bad, either, so the division wasn't exactly suffering since they only had on average two televised matches a week. Why was Hunter so desperate to have her back?

"Everything okay, darlin'?" Dean asked when she entered the room, bring her attention from the plate of fruit and chicken to where he was kneeling in front of the couch changing Olivia's diaper.

"I was talking to Hunter."

"And?"

"And he wants me to come back soon."

"And what did you say?" He asked, looking at her as she sat down and distracted Olivia enough to get her to stop kicking her legs. "Christina?"

"I told him that I'd have to talk over the idea with you and Adam."

"I get Adam, but why me?"

"Because it's not just me this decision would affect, anymore. We have a daughter and a house and a dog. We're a family, therefore it affects us both equally." She explained, pushing Dean's hair back while he slid a fresh diaper under Olivia. "If you said absolutely not, then I would tell Hunter no."

"I couldn't do that to you, babe. You need to be in that ring just as much as I do. But I wouldn't want you in the ring every week."

"Hunter said whatever I wanted, I'd get."

"He's so desperate." Dean commented, sliding Olivia's jeggings on before CJ picked her up and sat her down on her lap. "Never thought I'd see the day."

"Same here. I was thinking that I'd only appear on the televised shows and not wrestle house shows."

"That's a good plan. Would you valet for me at house shows?"

"If you wanted me to."

"Think we could demand a bus while we're at it?"

"We could try for one."

"Because if we had a bus, I'd bring you guys and Bear along on the road and then train you both on and off the road and probably have you back in the ring by 'Mania."

"Do you think you could do that?" Stephanie asked, bringing the couple's attention to the open door. "Sorry to interrupt, I got antsy and couldn't wait to hold your little one. Also, and I hope you don't mind, Hunter and I got her another little gift that's in our office."

"That's fine." CJ stated, plastering on her best smile. If Dean didn't know her better, he'd say that she was actually happy to see Stephanie sitting beside her. "Did you want to hold her now?"

"Please. I've already put sanitizer on my hands and everything."

"And to answer your question, Steph," Dean started, watching as CJ handed their daughter to the queen of the vultures. "I've got faith in both my training abilities and her learning capabilities that I could have her ready and in ring shape by 'Mania."

"But we do have requirements." CJ added, to which Stephanie nodded before smiling back down at the baby.

"I heard the bus, and we can do that in March when Dean comes back. You can talk to Hunter about the rest."

"Alright."

"She's such a beautiful little girl."

"Thank you." Dean and CJ spoke in accidental unison before looking at each other in confusion. It was then that Olivia started fussing but Stephanie was quick to start bouncing the baby gently to calm her before Dean and CJ even considered jumping in.

"Skilled mother of three, no need to worry you two."

CJ sat between Adam and Jay, Olivia in her lap while they watched Dean's match against Cesaro on the monitor. He was doing fine, but she could tell that Olivia was falling asleep again now that all the excitement of new people was over. CJ herself was burned out, but was fighting sleep for the sake of wanting to watch Dean's match.

"You know that your douchebag dad is here, right?" Jay asked, not at all surprised when CJ only shrugged.

"Why should I care, Jay? He's the reason why I got hurt in the first place. As long as he stays away from me, we'll be fine."

"Amen." Adam praised, bringing his hands together in a quiet clap once a knock sounded on the door. CJ handed Olivia over to Jay before she stood, yawning as she walked to the door. She wasn't expecting Seth, but wasn't surprised since she'd yet to see him.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

"Can I hold her?" He asked, looking only at her and ignoring the glares from Adam and Jay. He wasn't there for them, he was there for CJ and the baby that was twenty four percent his DNA.

"Of course." She spoke with a smile before looking to Adam and Jay as she took Olivia back. "Fix your faces, you look like whales."

"We're going to run to catering. Need anything?" Adam asked, to which CJ shook her head as she and Seth sat down on the couch. She handed Olivia to Seth as Adam and Jay left and smiled as he interacted with her.

"I feel like she's grown so much since I last saw her."

"Yeah, she has." CJ agreed, her smile never faltering. "I don't know if Dean ever found the time to ask, but how long did you want to wait before putting anything about her online?"

"I get a say?"

"Why wouldn't you?" She asked quietly, making eye contact with him. She saw a glimpse of the old Seth, despite the dark suit, and it tugged at her heartstrings. But she knew that it was a road she didn't want to venture down again. Seth proved to be more of a wildcard that Dean was and she didn't want to deal with that. Besides she was madly in love with Dean, and Seth would never be able to measure up.

"Because I'm technically just her uncle. But either way, I don't have a preference. Whatever you and Dean decide is fine with me."

"Alright."

"Have you ever given thought to what we could've been had I not-"

"No, Seth." CJ cut him off, looking down at her phone to check the time. "Do you ever think about what could've happened had The Shield lost at Payback?"

"I try not to, because that makes me feel like you and I would still be together. Only we'd have the twins and Dean would've come and lived with us in Iowa and we'd be a happy family. Then I get depressed because I know that I fucked up."

"You, me, and Dean as an item?"

"Yeah. It's weird, I know, but I would've made it work if that was what you would've wanted us to do."

"Seth-"

"You don't have to say anything, CJ. I know that you and Dean are happy together and I'm trying my hardest to achieve some sort of happiness, so don't worry."

"Seth, I know that we're far me trusting you with anything but Olive, but you can talk to me if you need a listening ear. I'm here for you and I don't talk to anybody so you don't have to worry about me spilling your innermost secrets."

"It's funny, y'know. I've never had no reason to trust you and I've never stopped trusting you." He spoke softly, looking down to see Olive fast asleep in his arms. "Did you want to lay her down?"

"Yeah, you can just lay her in the carrier or I can take her. Whatever you want."

"You should take her, I'm afraid she'll start crying if you don't." Seth stated, watching as CJ scooted closer so that she could take Olivia back. He loved the small smile that settled on her face when she had their daughter's attention. "Do you think she recognized my voice even though it has been forever in baby time?"

"She was pretty relaxed with you so I'd say maybe. With Adam, she fussed a bit until she got used to him."

"That definitely makes me feel better." Seth commented, standing when commotion was heard down the hall. "I'm gonna check that out. Stay put and I'll try to find Ambrose while I'm at it."

"Thanks, Seth. It was nice to talk to you again."

"We should definitely chat some time soon." He spoke as he left, leaving CJ to smile down at Olivia as she rocked her back to sleep. The commotion grew closer and she recognized Dean's voice among the fray until the door was slammed open and she saw him stomp in and slam it shut. The commotion woke Olivia and CJ glared at her boyfriend while she tried calming their baby.

"You're not coming back because Orton isn't allowed to get his hands on you." Dean stated loudly, further upsetting Olivia and pissing off his girlfriend.

"That's great. Go shower or cool off because you're upsetting her."

It was almost as if mention of their daughter made something click in his head, because his whole demeanor changed. Pissed off, rigid, and volatile professional wrestler Ambrose was subdued into caring daddy Ambrose and he sat down beside CJ to take Olivia and began bouncing her in an effort to calm her. As much as it confused CJ, she definitely wasn't complaining because now she knew that he wouldn't go off on a bitch tirade while caring for her. He'd calm down for their daughter, and that's what really mattered.

"Hush, Princess. Daddy's so sorry he woke you up." Dean whispered, holding her up so that her face was close to his while he continued to rock her. "I'll make it up to you and mommy tonight by staying home tonight and then hauling ass to Phoenix for SmackDown."

"Don't do that, Dean. Go to Phoenix tonight and get your sleep so you can come home safe." CJ requested, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her in uncertainty, but nodded when he saw in her eyes that she wasn't backing down.

"Alright. If you truly want to come back, you can. I mean, it'd be selfish of me to demand that you not come back just because Orton pissed me off."

"We can talk about it later, babe. Did you want me to take her so you can shower?"

"Let me put her to sleep, since I woke her up. We've got another hour left so it's no big deal when I shower... Unless I stink, then I can-"

"You don't stink." CJ assured, leaning in to kiss his stubbled cheek. "You smell like Ambrose and I can live with that."

"Was Seth just in here?"

"Yeah. He wanted to see her and I asked about when he wanted to tell the world and he told me it was on us."

"I feel like you talked about more."

"It's not an arena conversation, Dean." She spoke softly, leaning into him. She didn't know what to make of the fact that Seth wanted to share her with Dean. What concerned her is that she would've welcomed it when they were still The Shield. Seth and Dean both brought different qualities to the table and they didn't offer a lot of the same qualities.

Dean liked to have a plan while Seth was more spontaneous. Seth was a teddy bear twenty four seven and, while Dean was trying his best to be super cuddly while he was home, it just wasn't second nature to him like it was to Seth. Seth was a big feelings guy, always wanting her to open up to him, but Dean really only asked when he could tell that something was bothering her. Seth had a tendency to pry, while Dean knew his boundaries and had yet up push them with her. It was weird how the two personalities complimented each other and it almost bothered her.

"She sleeps a lot like you." Dean commented, noticing the way Olivia turned into his chest and had a grip on his grey wifebeater. "She likes cuddling with me."

"She just has a good eye for comfort. Did you want to lay her down in the carrier?"

"Yeah. Then I want to do something I haven't done in a while."

"Which is..?"

"Patience, darlin'." Dean spoke as he stood, kneeling in front of the carrier so he could lay Olivia down. CJ put the blanket over her small body, watching as Dean sat down before lifting her to straddle his lap. CJ's hands cupped his cheeks, her thumbs rubbing his cheeks in small circles while her eyes stared into his. It was almost as if time started to slow down when he leaned in for a kiss, and he watched as her eyes fell shut before following suit and losing himself in the sensations CJ made him feel.

"You're thinking too much, baby." CJ whispered against his lips, smiling when he pecked her lips. "Go shower, you're poking me."

"Little Ambrose gets excited at just the thought of you these days. It's been so long, babe."

"I understand, Dean. Two more weeks and it's yours as long as you're quiet about it."

"Okay, gross." Adam cut in as he and Jay entered the room. CJ slid off of Dean's lap and he kissed her cheek before he left the room, Jay quickly taking his seat on the couch and Adam sitting on CJ's other side to sandwich her in. "Hunter wants you back badly."

"Whatever I want, I'll get. Dean and I were thinking about only having me wrestle for the taped shows and just being his valet on the house shows."

"What about training?" Jay asked, letting CJ lean into him while she yawned.

"Dean wants to get me back into ring shape and teach me some new things. He was a personal trainer way back when, y'know."

"You've only got two months together, though. How are you two going to train and watch your kid?" Adam asked, looking over at CJ. She looked up at him briefly before snuggling into Jay, mumbling about how Dean had a plan. The two men exchanged a look but let the subject drop, since she was obviously too tired to want to continue this discussion.

I apologize for the wait. Things have been so busy at home and at work and I'm being forced to plan a birthday party that I don't even want next month and it's been a lot for me to deal with. But I'm back.

Thank you to nattiebroskette, TajiaK, Sarcastic Nightmare, UntilNeverDawns, ChelleLew, and Deanambrosesmile for reviewing the last chapter! I certainly appreciate it.