After the near disaster the day before, Mike's relieved that New Years Eve goes off as easily as it does. There had been an LA houseshow on Tuesday so Alicia is there, and Alex had flown from Raw to be at the party. With John, Star, Tamina and Mizdow already here, the only members of their group missing are those who are remaining in Florida- Ricardo, Paige, Alberto, Sofia... Miz makes a quick mental note to Skype them after the fireworks die down at midnight, not sure how Ricardo's doing after his stomach bug, but hoping he's well enough to enjoy the end of the year.
He's distracted from his thoughts by his wife slipping under his arm and kissing him. "Hello," she greets him with a bright grin. Now that he knows the truth and has forgiven her for keeping it from him for so long, she looks younger, lighter, happier. He lightly tickles her side as she giggles and squirms under his fingers, gasping and squealing until she escapes him and dashes into the living room, John and Tamina looking at her as she all but dives behind her former enforcer, tugging at her leather jacket. "Save me, Tamina," she begs, giggling helplessly as Mike appears in the doorway, tilting his head at her.
Mike and John lock eyes and the former hosts of The Dirt Sheet work together to trap AJ, Tamina refusing to get involved in this nonsense as AJ looks left to right, her lips parting in shock as her husband smirks at her. "Oh come on!" she cries out, trying to run past him and failing as he snags her around the waist and pulls her closer, resuming tickling her. "Mike, no! Mike- stop!" He listens, in a sense, as he draws her over to the couch and settles her in his lap, his fingers still and warm against her ribcage as she shudders and stares at him incredulously. As he smiles at her innocently, she huffs and wraps her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder as she catches her breath.
"She alright?" Tamina asks after a few moments, Mike nodding quietly as he brushes his fingers through her hair.
"I'm fine," she breathes, comfortable in her husband's arms and in no rush to move. That is, until Alex and Alicia return from their grocery run, wanting to make sure that there's enough food for the eight of them. Mike eases her onto her feet and they walk into the kitchen to help their friends put the items away in their proper places. Alicia looks especially pleased with herself, fresh off of a media tour advertising Total Divas, and AJ makes a face at her. "Total Divas returns this weekend, huh?"
"Yep," Alicia says, positively beaming as she winks at Alex, who looks up from his bag of groceries to stare at her. "I'm so excited, I hope you all like it too."
"She's been quite mysterious and tight-lipped about what they've been filming for the show," he comments, pushing a pack of soda into the fridge to chill. "No matter what I do, she won't admit a thing."
"I want you to see it first hand when we're watching," she tells him, running a manicured nail down his shirt. "Why spoil the surprise?"
He makes a face at her and rests his chilled fingers against her back, laughing as she squeals and swats at him, twirling around to get away from the cold. "Yeah, so that should be interesting," he mutters to Mike once she and AJ leave the kitchen.
"Are you worried?" he wonders, folding the re-usable grocery bags that they bought when California began charging for the disposable bags and stuffing them in the cupboard. Alex shakes his head slowly and Mike rolls his eyes, trying not to laugh in disbelief. "Alright, whatever you say, man. C'mon, let's go in before Alicia and AJ completely scare Star off." Sexy Star had grown accustomed to the dynamics of the group, but still, he doesn't want her to second guess her place in their circle before Morrison and she could grow even closer.
The afternoon is spent quietly, the group watching TV and working over appetizers, chatting about whatever they may have missed discussing over Christmas, until Mike gets up to prepare supper, which is steaks and shrimp on the grill, various vegetables chopped and added to appease Morrison. Mizdow is standing nearby, mimicking him and looking like a child playing with a invisible cookset while Alex and John are wandering around, grinning when Mike gets possessive of his grill and refuses to listen to their suggestions, shaking his fork at them whenever they get too close to the heat waves coming from the racks of meat. AJ, Alicia, Tamina and Star are settled on the grass, letting them do whatever while they suntan and relax, enjoying the California warmth.
Bored and hungry, Alex grabs a bottle of water and sneaks down to the women, zeroing in on Alicia, who's dozing under her sunglasses... until the first splash of cool liquid across her bare flesh, her loud squeech causing everyone in the vicinity to look up. All that's visible, however, is a flash of color as she jumps to her feet and chases Alex around until she catches him and pushes him onto the grass. He rollings over, sputtering and gasping as she smirks down at him, hands on her hips. He pouts up at her, holding a hand out towards her until she groans, feeling a little bad at how pitiful he looks, reaching down to help him up... just for him to grip her wrist and tug her on top of him him, laughing out loud as she slaps and pushes at him, kicking wildly... until he reverses their positions, hovers over her and kisses her, pressing her into the ground until the fight leaves her, replaced by warm pleasure.
"Jerk," she mutters, pushing at him once he pulls away, grinning down at her.
"But I'm your jerk," he whispers, tracing his lips down her sun-kissed shoulder.
"True," she concedes with a soft sigh. This time when they get up, she curls into him as he wraps his arms around her and walks back towards the others, who smirk at them but say very little.
"Supper's ready," Mike offers, handing off plates to everyone. "Dig in, there's plenty." He steps aside and watches as his friends serve themselves, proud of his natural ability with a grill. Like with everything else, he's awesome, the smug look remaining on his face as AJ joins him. They stand arm-in-arm, waiting for their guests to be finished before they approach the food, relieved to see there's plenty left for the two of them, which considering how much Alex had taken is nothing short of a miracle. They exchange a grin before piling their own plates full of food, then joining their friends at the table Mike had set up so they could watch the sunset while they eat.
It's beautiful, he can't help but think, glancing over at AJ, who looks even more incredible under the pale purples, reds and oranges streaking across the sky. She notices his stare and beams over at him, finding his hand and squeezing it before she returns to eating her shrimp and talking with Star in Spanish, the two of them sharing stories of their childhood homes, their origins as wrestlers, and other things that his high school level of Spanish does little to help him decipher. He has other things to keep him entertained anyway as he finds Morrison staring at Star with a goofy little smile on his face. Mike rolls his eyes and nudges him. "John. Hey, John!" When his former tag partner finally looks over at him, Mike makes a face at him. "Are you going to actually do something or just continue staring at her?" He's careful to keep his voice low, doubting that Star would notice anyway, too intent on continuing her conversation with AJ in a language she knows well than try to translate the conversations going on around her, but not wanting to risk it just in case.
Alicia giggles as John gapes at him, a light flush taking over his face. "This is new," she murmurs to Alex, leaning against him. "I've never seen the Shaman of Sexy blush before."
"Be quiet, Mike," Morrison mutters, staring determinedly at his food.
"Take it from one with experience, John. You never know what'll happen until you try. Maybe the best thing ever." AJ hears, shooting a sweet smile at him before focusing back on her conversation with Star, content to keep her occupied until John and Mike stop talking about her. Even so, John looks ridiculously relieved when they all finish eating and retreat inside to wait for midnight and the fireworks that will be visible from Mike's backyard in a few hours, the sun now long set. Casting about for something to do, Mike sets up an iPod dock to play music to pass time. Once this is done, he joins AJ and Tamina, curving an arm around her waist. "How's rehab going, Tamina?" he asks, eyes glinting happily as AJ leans into him.
She's just begun explaining how she hopes to return shortly, alternating between stenuous rehab and icing it most days, when AJ turns to look over Mike's shoulder, a distant look in her eye. It takes him a second to realize that one of their wedding songs, Matchbox 20's Overjoyed, is playing, a slightly apologetic look on his face when he excuses himself from Tamina and holds his hand out towards AJ. "May I have this dance?" She giggles and nods so he takes her in his arms and they begin moving slowly to the music, Mike not surprised to notice that Morrison is standing by the iPod dock with a pleased smirk on his face. He turns away from him just to spot Mizdow a few feet away, swaying in slow circles while clutching thin hair. "Oh, for-" Mike mutters, shaking his head when AJ looks up, her eyebrows furrowing. He spins her around, allowing her a quick glance of Mizdow before drawing her back in to his chest.
He's about to say something to the ridiculous man when Tamina speaks up. "This is pathetic," she declares to the room as a whole, officially tired of watching Mizdow mimic Mike for the last week. They all freeze, watching as she gets up and storms over to him, slipping into the space between his arms, the look on her face daring anyone to say or do anything as she takes Mizdow's hands and begins to fall into step with the lazy path so similar to the one Mike and AJ have taken around the room. Mizdow's already large eyes are about to overwhelm his entire face when Mike finally shakes off his shock and begins to spin AJ around again, his eyes still locked on his stunt double and AJ's enforcer.
"What is happening?" AJ mutters, digging her nails into Mike's shoulders as he shakes his head.
"Follow my lead," he says after a few minutes, the two duos dancing through another song- Kings of Leon's Wait For Me (Another of their wedding songs, dammit, John, enough already!)- without Tamina or Mizdow killing each other... AJ's only just nodded when Mike spins her towards the middle of the room, pausing long enough to dip her. He's watching as Mizdow does this, clearly frightened that he might drop the formidable diva, but it's just a distraction as Mike brings AJ back up and resumes slowly circling the room... until they arrive where he'd wanted to go, both pausing and looking up, a michevious glint in her eye as she realizes what his intentions are.
"Mistletoe," she hums, carding her fingers through his hair as he leans towards her.
May not get Morrison to act on his feelings, but I can at least see the look on Damien's face when I do this... He kisses AJ, relieved when she obliges him by spinning them around so they can both watch Tamina and Damien out of the corner of their eyes, and dammit, Damien's frozen with a terrified look on his face, Tamina starting to look annoyed until finally something in him snaps- maybe sensing all of the eyes on him, who knows- and he shifts, gripping her face.
He examines her for a moment before pressing his lips to hers. It's a tentative kiss, almost as if he's scared to really put pressure into it, but her nails are digging into his shoulders, not allowing him to move away, Tamina taking charge of the kiss as he flounders, lost in her intensity for a moment before he regains control of himself. Even when Mike and AJ stop kissing, Mizdow and Tamina remain there, her grip tight on his collar and his feet planted even as he sways into her, not wanting to lose this moment. The only thing that finally pulls them apart is Mike's rough, disbelieving laugh, the two looking around, Mizdow with a dazed look on his face and Tamina looking quite pleased with herself.
"You did that on purpose," John calls out to Mike. "I'm so glad you never forced me to be your stunt double when we were tag partners."
Mike rolls his eyes at him before taking AJ's hand and drawing her back over to the couch, growing amused when Tamina refuses to let Mizdow follow, forcing him to remain on the floor and continue dancing with her. They cuddle close, watching their friends while Alex and Alicia soon take the floor, giving Mizdow and Tamina plenty of space while they alternate between slow dances and more club-like dancing. AJ's eyes have started to flutter shut when Mike gasps next to her, causing her to jerk awake. "Wha- wha?"
"Oh, sorry, sweetheart," he whispers, guilty. "Star's dragging John out to dance."
"Oh, that's nice," she murmurs, quickly sinking back into sleep against him.
He smiles, pressing a kiss to her forehead. It is, really. Call him a sap, but he wants to see all of his friends as happy as he is, and right now, all of them that are present are laughing with or grinning at a woman in their arms. Things aren't perfect, his tag title loss still weighing on him, and AJ's future after her recovery period has past, but for now, things are good. He watches his friends dance and enjoy themselves until his wife's warm, steady breathing eases him off to sleep as well, the two of them dead to the world until they're shook awake gently. "What is it?" Mike mutters, squinting up at John and Alex. "Hmm?"
"C'mon, old man, wake up," Alex teases him lightly. "It's ten minutes to midnight. Gotta help us get the drinks ready so we can toast 2015, right?"
"Oh, right," Mike mumbles, leaning over to kiss AJ as she blinks sleepily up at them. "I'll be back in a minute, sweetheart." It's a bit of a scramble, getting the drinks and whatever else together, Mike staring incredulously at John as he forces a garish, sparkling silver hat on Mike's head, a red one on his own head. It only takes a quick glance around to realize that the others all have similar hats on and he relaxes, shaking his head fondly as the countdown begins on the TV, which Alex had turned on just for this reason. "Eight... seven... six..." they chant together, eyes locked on the TV. "Three... two... one! Happy New Years!" they call out, Mike tugging AJ close to him and kissing her.
Alex beams down at Alicia as he cups her face and kisses her deeply, feeling her fingers interlace with his as she hums into his mouth. Mizdow is hesitantly glancing towards Tamina when she grips him, pulling him in so she can press her lips to his, tugging slightly on his lip when he tries to move away,causing him to gasp as he clings to her, head spinning from both the champagne and her.
Mike's words from earlier are fresh on John's mind as he slowly turns to look at Star, a new year and fresh start giving him the courage to step towards her, her eyes gleaming in the soft light as he puts his drink down and wraps an arm around her, leaning in to search her face. Seeing nothing that would possibly dissuade him from this course of action, he finally bridges the gap between them and kisses her, soft and sweet but with the promise of more should she want it. It feels strange, considering she's still wearing her mask, but he likes it, loath to move away when the fireworks start a few moments later. Even so, as the group head outside to watch, her hand is warm and solid in his and that's enough to help that overwhelming, tingly feeling to remain with him. It's going to be a great 2015, he thinks, smiling at her as the bright flashes reflect off of her mask, making her seem even more radiant.
-x
Mike doesn't bother flying out for Smackdown, content to remain at home and spending the weekend with his wife and best friend, absorbing the California warmth for a few more days before he has to return to reality, touring and competing, seeing what can be done about those trecherous Usos and Naomi. Her betrayal still stings a little... he had thought she'd really be his best opportunity at taking the divas title away from Nikki Bella, making a connection between her and his manager just an excuse to keep her from being suspicious over his true agenda.
When he walks into the Raw arena, Mizdow by his side, he's relieved to see this is already handled for him. Authority's good for something after all, he thinks, staring up at the match listing. Towards the middle, his name is scribbled in, for a six person match with Mizdow and an unnamed diva against the Usos and Naomi. He smirks and taps his finger against his arm, thinking as he walks towards the divas locker room. When he knocks, Paige answers, staring up at him. "Hey, Paige," he greets Ricardo's girlfriend. He hesitates in his decision, staring down at her as he reflects on her questionable relationship with AJ. "Are you... on the show tonight?"
"Yes, actually," she says. "I believe I'm going to try to make up what I did on Total Divas by being there for Natalya during her match against Nikki. Why?"
He shakes his head, relieved that he doesn't have to change his mind. "Just wondering. Glad you're on the show tonight." He offers her a faint smile before looking over her shoulder. "Is Alicia around?"
"Yes," Paige mumbles, her distrust towards the other diva obvious in her voice. "Hey, Foxy, come here," she calls out, raising her eyebrows as the sound of Alicia's flouncing footsteps approaches them.
"You called?" she hums, peering out into the hallway. "Oh, hey, Mike, what's going on?" Paige backs away and resumes touching up her hair and makeup in the locker room while Alicia joins Mike and Mizdow in the hall, glancing back and forth between them as Mizdow mouths after Miz, the girl unable to stop grinning.
"We need a tag partner," Mike tells her, motioning to Damien. "We've been put in a six person intergender tag match against Usos and Naomi so my first thought was... you. You in?"
Her dark eyes brighten as she nods enthusiastically. "Yes! This is going to be..." She hesitates, grinning up at him. "Awesome."
"Damn straight," he tells her, smirking. "Those three ain't going to know what hit them when we're all done with them."
"I can't wait," she exclaims, spinning around. "I'll get ready and meet you at gorilla," she promises him before dashing into the room, the door shutting with a solid click behind her.
Mike laughs weakly, glancing over at Mizdow before slapping him on the chest, the two of them walking side by side to the main locker room to do the same. It's hard, adjusting back to being back among the ordinary people, but Mike ignores them as he changes into his gear, taping his wrists up while Mizdow echoes his motions alongside him. They're watching on the monitor as Alicia confronts and mocks Naomi for being taken off of Total Divas before beating Naomi up backstage, the other cast members of Total Divas pushing her off. He grows more and more certain that he'd picked the perfect tag partner, a calculating smirk on his face.
Finally, it's time, a tech knocking on the door and calling to them that they're up. Alicia keeps her promise, meeting them at the curtain and he greets her with a quick hug, glad that he's teaming with AJ's closest friend in the business outside of Tamina- and that she hadn't held it against him when he'd been supporting Naomi against her a few weeks ago. Between Mizdow mimicking Mike and the various dramas between himself and Jimmy, and Naomi and Alicia, things are confusing and loud and Jimmy almost bumps Naomi off of the apron, stopping short just in time and allowing Mike the opportunity to roll him up to a victory for his team. He's lost sight of Alicia but she joins them higher up on the apron, gleefully exchanging a couple of high fives with him, merely laughing at Mizdow when he tries to get in on it too, so happy that she's barely paying attention to anything. As soon as they're backstage and out of sight of the tens of thousands of fans, Mike throws an arm around her shoulders and allows her to lead him towards the diva's locker room, laughing at getting some measure of revenge against those lying Usos and Naomi. "Hey, what do you say, Alicia? Let's go find Alex and get something to eat, alright? Do you like burgers and shakes? I feel like a cheat-day kind of celebration."
"Sure, I'm in," she agrees easily. "Let me go find Alex."
As she rushes off, twirling her black shawl-type thing around her body in time with her steps, Mike smirks and turns to wait, staring at Mizdow as he too crosses his arms over his chest and stares ahead. "I'm far from done with the Usos. They will learn what happens to those who messes with me," he tells his stunt double darkly. "This is more than tag titles anymore... this is personal..." Naomi's sabotage had not only ruined his plans but it had left AJ with the uncomfortable awareness that her beloved title was still in the hands of her mortal enemy while she recovered... He grits his teeth until Alicia returns, Alex in tow, the two of them eager to go eat. He then forces a smile, abruptly understanding how AJ could go from pissy to sunny in moments.
This business tends to bring it out in all of them.