CJ was having a rough night. After saying her goodbyes to Dean she was a bit upset and out of her element. Adam knew this but decided not to comment, knowing that she didn't need an outside reminder that she was attached to Dean. Even though he'd be back from Phoenix the next night, their goodbye was tearful on her end and it took her a few minutes to compose herself before they could leave the arena. And when they got home she told him not to worry about her or the baby and just let her handle it.

Judging by the way Olivia was crying, CJ needed the help that she didn't want. But Adam only watched from the doorway as CJ tried both feeding and changing her diaper despite it being dry. Olivia refused the bottle and CJ found herself on the brink of tears while she tried her hardest to console the infant whose cries were giving her a massive headache. Adam wanted to step in, he really did, but part of growing up was figuring out how to do things on her own- especially since she wasn't always going to have somebody around to save her.

"C'mon, Olivia, calm down for me. It's Mommy's bedtime and it's yours, too." CJ pleaded with the infant, rubbing her back and gently bouncing like Dean would. She didn't get how Dean was so good at calming her and was currently kicking herself for telling him to go to Phoenix instead of coming home for the night. But she hadn't been having issues with getting her to sleep over the weekend without Dean there, so she didn't understand why she was having trouble now.

Out of other options, CJ started to sway and sing an Amy Winehouse tune that had been stuck in her head for a while. She hoped that would do the trick and continued, smiling when Olivia started to gradually calm down. So she sang on, only stopping once she heard footsteps entering the nursery. Adam knew that this was his time to go to bed, since she wasn't alone anymore and headed down the hall to the bedroom so the couple could speak in private.

"I didn't know you could sing." Dean commented, smiling when she turned to face him. Her cheeks were dusted a faint shade of pink and she took a step closer, almost in disbelief that he was standing in front of her.

"I didn't know you were coming home tonight."

"It was a last minute decision, but don't change the subject Ms. Winehouse. When were you going to tell me that you could sing like that?" He asked, pulling his girls into a gentle embrace. CJ rest her head on his chest, being sure not to squish Olivia between them while she did so, and Dean kept his arm tight around her waist.

"Never. It's not really something I like to brag about and I really only sound somewhat okay when I'm singing Amy Winehouse songs." She blew off his question, pulling away so she could lay down Olivia. Dean turned on the mobile and they both watched as the infant stared up at the stars and zoo animals dangling above her in wonder. "I thought I told you to go to Phoenix."

"You did. I, obviously, didn't listen because I wanted to be with you and make sure you were okay."

"I was fine."

"You were crying, and it kills me when you do that, so I asked Seth to ask Stephanie to cancel our match tomorrow because I needed to be with you guys." He explained, pulling her back to scoop her up into his arms. She rest her head on his shoulder, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck as he carried her out and to their bedroom. After setting her down on the bed Dean stripped down to his briefs before he sat on the bed beside her, pulling her into his side before kissing her head. "What did you and Seth talk about?"

"Can we just cuddle for a minute, please?" CJ requested, lightly drumming her nails against his thigh. He nodded, holding her hand in his before pulling her to lay back on their pillows. He knew that she was trying to collect her thoughts so he didn't push, instead he just ran his fingers through her hair while she snuggled into him. It wasn't long until she spoke, recounting her conversation with Seth to the best of her ability. He didn't say anything until she was finished, knowing that interrupting would only fluster her in her current state of uncertainty.

"You miss Seth. I get it because I miss him, too." Dean spoke softly, moving his hand from her hair to rub her back. "But the real problem stems from the fact that neither of us can trust him right now."

"I know. But what if?"

"What if what?"

"Don't get me wrong, Dean. I love you and I'm happy with you. But what if Seth-"

"Magically became somewhat trustworthy and like the Seth of old?" He asked, to which CJ nodded against his chest. "I'd still be wary but I wouldn't mind having him around a bit more as long as you were comfortable with it."

"Things to consider." She sighed, rubbing his stomach. "But one more week and you're home until March."

"Words cannot describe how happy I am about that, darlin'. My first real Christmas and I get to spend it with my real family."

"Repeat that?"

"Mom was a junkie and I didn't meet my dad until I was like sixteen and I hated him. Christmas for me was watching the classic movies by myself out on the fire escape in the cold, then old wrestling tapes when I got older, the movies became too cheesy for my tastes, and had them to watch." He explained as if it were nothing, patting her back gently as she stared up at him. "It's nothing to get sad about, sweetheart."

"I'm not, but only because I know how that feels." She spoke softly, smiling up at him. "But what better time than the present to have a real Christmas?"

"And it'll be our first Christmas as a couple and a family. It can't get any better than that."

"It really can't." She agreed, laying her head back on his chest. "I need to go Christmas shopping."

"We need to go Christmas shopping. Wanna go tomorrow? Take Olive with us so she gets outside exposure?"

"What about the media and the fans?"

"As long as nobody gets too close it shouldn't be a problem."

"Alright."

"I was also thinking that maybe on Thursday we could go for a run together in the desert."

"The desert?" CJ asked, looking up at him in confusion. "Is the neighborhood not good enough?"

"The view and atmosphere will help clear your head. Thoughts and feelings are starting to pile up on you again, your highness and I want you as relaxed as possible before I leave for this last stretch of road time." Dean explained, his hand going back to rubbing her back. She nodded before laying her head back down, closing her eyes and letting his hand travel south to grope her ass before going back to rubbing her back. "Go to sleep, darlin', I know you're tired."

"G'night, Dean."

"Night, sweetheart." He whispered, staring up at the ceiling as her breathing started to even out. As tired as he was, Dean desperately wanted to follow her lead and go to sleep.

But he couldn't sleep.

Instead, his mind was running rampant with questions about Seth sharing his living space and girlfriend with him and and helping to care for their daughter. Would it all work out? Would they argue a lot? Could Seth prove that he could be trusted? Those were all questions that he needed answered before Seth set foot in his house for a personal reason again. Dean wasn't trying to get in trouble with CJ because he wasn't able to peacefully coexist with Seth.

But he did truly miss his former friend and brother-in-arms. As much as Dean wanted to, he couldn't just forget nearly two years of good times and great teamwork. The fact that he couldn't almost pissed him off because it made him think about it more. He didn't want to think about Seth anymore, but it seemed like every time Dean turned around, Seth was right there commanding his attention in some way.

This wouldn't be a problem if The Authority hadn't bought my best friend. He thought to himself, right before a lightbulb went off in his head. If Seth wanted to be trusted, then he'd have to betray The Authority. He'd have to prove that being around CJ and Olivia was more important to him than being with The Authority. He'd have to take the chance of throwing away his golden boy status. But before Dean brought this up with Seth, he had to bring this up with CJ.

"I dunno, Dean." CJ mumbled, looking at the shirt he was holding up. "Adam looks terrible in puce."

"This is purple?"

"It's puce, Dean. Get the lavender one." CJ suggested, pointing in the general direction of the shirt while she held Olivia. The infant was holding tightly onto her stuffed monkey, having one of its hands in her mouth while she stared up at her mother. "How many dress shirts do you own?"

"Four. I have my black one, my blue one, my white one, and I think the other one is grey." He listed, pushing up the sleeves of his red plaid-print button-down overshirt. Olivia turned to the sound of his voice and CJ smiled as she watched Dean turn to look at tshirts. "Do you think I should get another in case we go out?"

"No, but you should get a new pair of jeans. I would've while you were gone but I don't know your measurements and you took all of yours on tour with you."

"I only have like three pairs and they're all in good condition. No need for another." Dean commented, looking down at the pair he was wearing before looking at his girlfriend.

"Two of them have rips in the knees and I'd prefer that you have at least one pair without a single rip or tear in them and these ones are getting weak."

"Your wish is my command, your highness."

With that, Dean wandered over to the jeans while CJ stayed put to look at the tshirts. She had unintentionally shrunk a couple in the washing machine when she was just learning how to use it and never told Dean about it so she intended to replace them casually without telling him. Every few seconds she'd look up to see him still critiquing jeans and trying to find the right pair until he finally found them and came back to her.

"You're a medium, right?" She asked, placing the black tshirt over his jeans.

"Can you get me a couple larges, too? I don't like the way the mediums hug my arms when I work out."

"Since when do you work out in shirts?"

"Since I became off the market."

"Such a sweetheart. You don't have to wear shirts to the gym, I want all the women seeing what's mine." She spoke with a smug smirk, to which Dean chuckled and kissed her head while mumbling something about her being the perfect woman. "Oh look, a camera pointed in our direction."

"Let them look. We may be kinda private but it's not like they can see Olive too well." Dean commented before kissing her cheek and grabbing a couple more shirts. "I'm missing like five shirts and I think I may have left them in different hotels but I'm not too sure."

"You tend to forget the little things." She stated before leading him to the register. He paid for it all, despite her wanting to, and watched as she moved Olivia so the infant was resting her head on her shoulder and she looked up at Dean with a smile.

"Hey there, Princess." He greeted, bending over to kiss her forehead before gently running his hand over her little blonde hairs. "And I do not forget the little things."

"You had to buy six new razors over the past two months because you keep leaving them in hotel bathrooms."

"Speaking of which," He started, moving to walk by her side to sandwich Olivia between them and wrapping his arm around her waist. "I need a new one."

"Forgetful man. We should try to play the 'I gave you a granddaughter' card when it comes to Adam." CJ suggested with a small smile, making Dean chuckle. "I just never know what to buy him."

"While you try that, I'll get him a watch and put your name on the card."

"Or we could do that."

"What should we get Beth?"

"A granddaughter."

"Be serious, CJ." Dean playfully scolded, nodding his acknowledgement to fans that waved at him and his girlfriend. "I was thinking maybe a watch."

He's really bad at this whole Christmas shopping thing. CJ thought to herself as she nodded her agreement to his suggestion. But at least he's trying his best.

"We can probably find a his and hers watch set around here somewhere." She murmured, smiling when Dean moved his hand into her back pocket. "We are in Vegas."

"That we are, darlin'."

"Can we go in there, Dean?" CJ asked, pointing to the store that had a bunch of aromatherapy stuff.

"Might be too poignant for Olive." He mumbled, leading her over to sit on the nearby bench for a moment. "What's in there that you need?"

"I wanted to get something that helps with sleep since neither of us have been sleeping too well these days."

"That's a good idea. I'll take her, but please be quick."

"In and out, I promise." CJ stated before kissing his cheek and handing Olivia over. "Be good for daddy."

"She loves me, don't you Princess?" He asked, looking down at her before holding her close to his chest. Like many times before, and just like with her mother, his heartbeat kept her calm and gave him the opportunity to watch CJ in the store. She was investigating bottles and even smelled a couple before she found what she wanted and grabbed two bottles. Then she disappeared from view but it was okay because she wouldn't be long. She promised. "I should've given her my card, huh?"

"Talking to a baby, Ambrose?" The unmistakable voice of the man who helped in CJ's conception sounded from his left and Dean felt the bench shift with extra weight. Glancing to his left made him upset to see Chris Jericho sitting beside him and so close to his Princess. CJ was going to be pissed when she saw him there. "She looks so familiar, like my little junior when I first held her."

"Fascinating. Why are you here?"

"No special reason. Just popping in here and there. This was an unexpected surprise, though." Chris commented, reaching to touch Olivia but Dean pushed his hand away. "Feisty."

"Stay the hell away from my family."

"It won't last." The older man laughed before standing and putting on his sunglasses. "She's too mentally fucked up."

I'll show you mentally fucked up you scarf wearing douche. Dean thought, watching with scornful eyes as the rockstar walked away before looking down at his daughter. "We're not telling your mother."

"Not telling me what?" CJ asked, taking the seat where her father once sat. "Dean?"

"It's nothing, sweetheart." He assured, kissing her cheek.

"You sure?"

"Trust me, darlin'." He whispered before handing her Olivia and putting her small bag into the bag with his clothes. She nodded as she stood, letting him pull her into a hug. "Let's go find these watches and get the hell out of here."

After their shopping adventure Dean and CJ picked up dinner for the house before heading home, both in a really good mood about taking their daughter out into the world. Despite being iffy about all the cameras at the beginning, CJ was relaxed because nobody came up to them and asked to hold their kid. Dean, on the other hand, could've cared less about the cameras. His concern was more when people walking by them got a little too close to CJ for his liking, regardless of whether or not she was holding Olivia at the time. But since there was no incident or scare, neither really had any other reservations about taking their daughter out.

"How was your adventure?" Adam asked when the couple walked through the door and they both smiled.

"Fine. Fans didn't get too close or ask us for pictures so I'd say it was a success." CJ spoke, looking up at Dean for confirmation. He nodded and kissed her forehead before taking Olivia upstairs, leaving her with dinner. "We picked up dinner, like you asked."

"Thank you, kiddo." Adam smiled, pulling her into a tight hug. "Today we learned that the world isn't so terrible when you have a baby."

"These old ladies shopping for their grandchildren in the baby clothes store were all up on her, though."

"Grannies live for babies. They don't have to be related for them to gush over them." Judith stated, to which CJ nodded her understanding. "What's Dean's favorite color?"

"I didn't know he had one, but I'll guess and say dark blue."

"You don't know your boyfriend's favorite color?"

"It's not something we've ever talked about. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know mine."

"You don't know your own favorite color." Adam stated as he pulled paper plates from the cabinet. "And when are you two going to get actual dinnerware?"

"Tomorrow." Dean cut in as he entered the kitchen, pulling CJ into his arms. "Would you mind watching Olive while we did that?"

"Not at all." Beth assured as she sat down in the dining room with Lyric's dinner. "How long will you two be out on Thursday?"

"What are you doing on Thursday?" Adam asked, looking between his daughter and her boyfriend in slight confusion.

"Dean says I need to clear my head and relax before he leaves for this last stretch so we're going running in the desert."

"That's how people die."

"I've been doing it since I got here and nothing bad has happened to me yet." Dean defended, giving CJ a gentle squeeze. He didn't want Adam putting thoughts in her head to second guess her decision to go with him, because they desperately needed the time together and she desperately needed to relax. He could feel the tension and confusion bubbling within her and he just wanted to make it better. The desert was Plan B because Plan A wasn't available for another two weeks.

"How long will you two be out on Thursday?" Beth repeated her question, looking to Dean and CJ before sending a warning glance to Adam so he'd shut up.

"Couple hours, max. Can't be out there too long."

"He can't be away from Olive for too long, either." CJ teased, leaning into Dean while he chuckled at her statement. e can't be away from Olive for too long, either." CJ teased, leaning into Dean while he chuckled at her statement. While her back was turned Dean mouthed 'we need to talk' to Adam, who looked confused but nodded nonetheless.

"Talk, Ambrose." Adam stated, now that the two were walking Tundra and Bear around the neighborhood together. There were a few neighbors out and about, but none seemed too concerned with the two men and Dean wasn't concerned with them either.

"I saw Chris today."

"At the mall?"

"Yep. He waited until she was in some aromatherapy store to approach me and Liv."

"What did he say?" Adam asked, looking to see that Dean had his eyes fixated on the sidewalk.

"Is that part important?"

"It is if it's obviously getting to you. You can't let him get to you, and you certainly can't let her know he was near the baby."

"That'll piss her off?"

"She'll go fucking ballistic." Adam chuckled dryly, knowing that she tried her best to keep her temper in check but when Chris tried invading her bubble it brought out the worst in her. "Now what'd he say?"

"That we wouldn't last because she was too fucked up. But what if I'm too fucked up?"

"Lets face facts, Dean. You're both fucked up. But your jagged edges fit perfectly in her little personality holes and its good. You're too good for each other to fail. Seth would've balanced you out well, but we know how well that worked out."

"Which leads into my next question. I wanted to run this idea by you before bringing it up to her." Dean commented, looking to the older blonde with a small smile. Adam only nodded slowly, letting Dean know that he had his full attention. "What if I came up with some way to make Seth prove his worth?"

"You already have a way in mind, I can tell."

"Having him betray The Authority."

"That would prove where his loyalties truly lie, but unless you have a foolproof plan she's not going to want to take that chance." Adam stated, looking over to Dean. "Why do you want Seth back anyway? After what he did, I-"

"I know. But she misses him and, as much as I hate to admit it, I do too." Dean spoke quietly, avoiding eye contact with the older man. "I don't know why, and I really don't want to know why I miss him. But part of CJ loves him like most of her loves me and I know she's happy with me, but I think she might be happier with both of us around. Maybe having Seth around more than just a few times a year would do that for her. I dunno."

"That's real big of you, Dean. I thought you were more territorial."

"That little shit isn't going to just jump into bed with her. She's still my girlfriend and I don't really want to share her. Especially with Seth. I just think he should be around more."

"That's more like what I was expecting." Adam laughed, patting Dean's shoulder as they started the walk back to the house. "Just don't tell her about the sperm donor showing up. That secret is definitely for the greater good."

Sorry this one took a while. I've been busy with work and finishing the Jay/CJ oneshot which is called Sweet Pea and is posted so if you're interested go check that out.

Thanks to nattiebroskette, Claire Moxley, angelsdee327, Sarcastic Nightmare, Guest, Guest, TajiaK, UntilNeverDawns, and Deanambrosesmile for reviewing the last chapter! I definitely appreciate it!