Mike wakes up early Wednesday morning, eager to return home. See if AJ has heard anything, though he's pretty sure she hasn't. He would've been her first, and only, call, since neither of them want to broadcast it so early, just in case... in case... He swallows and collects his bags before heading outside. He stops short when he finds Ricardo sitting on the porch swing, slowly moving back and forth as he stares out at the lightening morning sky.
"Hola, Mike," he says after a moment, stopping the Most Must See Superstar from leaving him to himself and heading for the car.
"Hey, man, things alright?" he asks, dropping his bags and joining Ricardo. They swing together quietly for a few minutes before Ricardo plants his feet, stopping them abruptly. Mike stares at him curiously, not entirely certain what had happened after Total Divas last night. It had all moved so fast, he wasn't even sure what Ricardo had saw, but obviously it was big.
"Did you know?" he asks lowly. "With all of the time that you and Paige have been spending together, did you know that he proposed to her?"
That hits like a shot to the gut for Mike. He'd known Paige was pretending to date someone else so Ricardo could have his peace, and she could still have a bit of an edge on the show that's so determined by drama and intrigue, but to think that they'd taken it that far without warning the man next to him... It boggles his mind and he can only imagine how Ricardo must feel. His guilt grows as he remembers doing virtually the same thing to AJ with Maryse, when they'd been trying to hide the truth from people for reasons that now seem so stupid and ridiculous. "I had no clue," he says honestly, resting a hand on Ricardo's back and lightly massaging his tense muscles. "I'm sorry, man."
He sighs and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees while he peers out over Alberto's yard. "I know it's pretend, I know she's devoted to me, but what if that changes? She's known this guy awhile, and things like that could evolve when you least expect it..." He grimaces. "I know to her it seems innocent, but..."
"It's understandable you'd have doubts," Mike says quietly. "Ya know, Maryse and I did something similar when AJ and I were starting out. It began as a joke, but it just continued on and on... Thankfully, it didn't last too long, but ugh those weeks... it was terrible. I hated hurting AJ with this, but I couldn't see a way out once I started it. Maybe Paige feels the same way, but either way, I'd wait to see how the season of Total Divas concludes to see what happens."
Ricardo nods wearily. "I've also been thinking if a reality show, which is pretty much as fake as it can get, is enough to tear us apart then maybe we weren't as strong as I thought..."
Mike releases a grim breath. "It's true enough, but I wouldn't make any rush decisions. She's not wearing this guy's ring, right? Either she said no in the show, or she knows already not to hurt you that way. Just hang in there, man." They sit quietly for awhile before Mike looks down at his watch. "Sorry, man, but I have to get going. My flight's soon. I'll see you next week, yeah?"
"I'll be here," Ricardo nods.
Mike smiles at him before getting up, grabbing his bags and going. As bad as he feels for Ricardo right now, his thoughts are currently across the country with his wife and the possible news that will be waiting for him when he lands. Thankfully the weather is decent so his wait is lessened considerably, not having to worry about delays or cancellations. He fights to not check his phone every five minutes, gnawing at his fingernails instead.
By the time they land, his manicure is destroyed, his nails bit down to the quick, and he knows the crew that will be over later in the week to make him Hollywood pretty for the ESPYS will have a fit, but he doesn't care. He's off of the plane as soon as possible, pushing through the crowd to make it to the gate, his luggage in hand. AJ is waiting for him and he rushes over to her, dropping his bags and holding her close for a long moment, almost scared to pull back and find out, one way or the other, what the verdict is.
Finally he does, however, staring down into her dark eyes as she cups his face and searches his expression. Her lips twitching, she nods quietly and he releases a breath. "We're pregnant." His thoughts swim every which way before the meaning of the words registers with him and he picks her up, spinning her around before cupping the back of her head and kissing her. She sighs into his mouth, burying her hands in his hair, when he carries her over to the chairs and sits down, his arms snug around her.
"Doctor said everything's ok, right?" he demands, pulling back from the consuming kiss to stare into her eyes. "You, and the... the..." His hand drifts to her stomach and she giggles softly as he stares at her in awe.
"We're perfect," she murmurs. "Especially now that you're home." She rests with her head on his shoulder for a few minutes longer before speaking again. "Hormone levels suggest I'm a month and a half or so along, and the first trimester lasts until three months..." She runs her fingers over his lips with a grin. "Think you can keep it to yourself that long, husband?"
"I'll do my best," he promises, kissing her fingertips. She sighs and parts his lips, giving him another lingering kiss that leaves them both breathless and aching for more. If not for that pesky business of being in a busy airport... "Let's get out of here," he mumbles, standing up and putting her back on the ground. She takes his hand as he collects his luggage and they walk side by side to the car.
A couple hours later, Mike's eyes flutter when his phone rings and he grunts, pressing a kiss to AJ's shoulder before he finds his phone laying on the floor from where it'd fallen after he'd haphazardly dropped everything. It's John and he grimaces before answering it, rolling back over and brushing AJ's hair away, kissing her throat and jaw as she hums in response, shifting around to give him more room to continue. "Hello?"
"Hey, Mike. Long time no hear." John sounds his usual, easily-humored self and Mike tries to focus on his words even as he continues to make up for lost time with AJ. "Star and I were wondering, if you and AJ had some time later on today, if you'd like to go out to eat after we finish with Lucha Underground for the week?"
Mike sighs, not wanting to get out of bed, but finally leans closer. "Sweetheart, wanna go out to eat with John and Star later?" She nods sleepily after a moment so he turns back to the phone. "Sure, man, see you around 7?"
"Yep, sounds good. Catch ya then, Mike."
Mike puts his phone down before rolling back over to nuzzle against AJ. "You're really ok with all of this, right?"
"Yeah, it should be fine, Mike," she mumbles into the pillows, too relaxed and pliant to move. So he gently rolls her over and kisses her on the mouth, smirking when she cups his face and deepens the kiss. When he moves away, she whimpers unhappily, just to fall quiet when he trails down and kisses her stomach lazily. Her fingers brush against his hair as she smiles. "You're going to make a great dad, Mike."
He looks up at her and smiles, eyes sparkling as he slinks back up her body and kisses her again. "You'll be an even better mother," he whispers against her skin as she sits up and draws him closer.
That night, they meet up with John and Star outside of a nearby Japanese restaurant, Mike holding the door open for them all. While they wait to be seated, AJ looks around curiously, only having been inside a time or two. Finally the hostess comes to them and leads them to a quiet table towards the back of the place, promising that a waitress would be by soon to take their drink orders.
John and Mike are talking about Lucha Underground, debating the latest drama between he and Alberto- leading towards Ultimate Lucha in a few weeks-, Star is examining her menu, and none of them notice as AJ breathes in sharply, her senses going haywire. A waitress had just gone by with a plate of sushi, which is deposited on a nearby table, and the smell lingers, making AJ feel worse. She swallows hard, her knuckles whitening as she grips her napkin. Finally she can't take it anymore, standing up sharply and making her chair squeal against the floor. "I- Excuse me," she chokes out, dashing around the tables to where the rest rooms are by the entrance.
Mike has stood too, watching her with troubled eyes, when John tugs at his arm to get him to sit down. "What just happened? Is she ok?" his former tag partner asks him, squeezing his arm until he pays attention.
"What?" he asks, turning to look towards the bathroom. "I... I think so." He looks towards Star. "Would you mind... going to check on her for me?" He doesn't want to get yelled at for going into the women's bathroom, and he also thinks that the masked woman would be a little more considerate with this situation.
"Of course." Star stands and places her napkin back on the table before walking the same path AJ had, much slower though. She knocks on the door a time or two, listening as a toilet flushes. "AJ? Are you alright...? It's Star. May I come in?" There's a muffled sound that she thinks is ascent so she pushes the door open and peeks inside, her heart aching a little when she catches sight of AJ on the floor, pale and sweaty. "Oh, vida," she breathes out.
AJ doesn't move, wiped out, as Star finds a soft towel and drenches it in water from the sink before patting her face with it, smoothing it over the back of her neck and down her throat. Once AJ seems a little less shaky, she settles in next to her on the floor and waits, breathing in and out patiently. "I'm so embarrassed," AJ mumbles. "That... that was... I haven't done anything like that since I was a little girl. Getting sick in random places, you know."
Star nods slowly. "Si, I understand." She turns to look AJ over. "Are you... eh... embarazada?" A myriad of emotions cross AJ's face- shock, joy, regret, and acceptance- before she nods shyly. "I thought as much. Mi hermana, she was pregnant not long ago, and the smell of fish would always make her ill. It's natural."
AJ smiles wanly, resting a hand on her stomach. "Yeah, well, Mike and I promised we'd keep it to ourselves until I'm out of the first trimester... I sure kept that promise a long time." She laughs, then cringes, before getting to her feet. Stumbling over to the sink, she washes her mouth out with cool water and stares at herself in the mirror. "Poor Mike, I probably really scared him. He's so attentive anyway, since I told him, he's just been really sweet and protective..."
Star walks up behind her and smiles. "Good, that's how it should be, AJ." She wraps her arms around the other woman in a gentle hug and they stare at each other's reflection. "Are you ready to go back out yet?"
"Yeah, suppose I have to be or Mike'll knock the door down to make sure I'm ok." She squeezes Star's arm. "I know it's hard to keep secrets from our significant others, and you don't have to, but we really don't want people to know... so if you could keep it to yourself until Mike and I tell John...?"
"Of course," Star says simply. "It's none of our business, I only guessed by chance. No worries, mami. I'm not telling anyone. My lips are sealed."
"Thank you," AJ sighs. Together, they head out of the bathroom to find Mike outside of the doors, pacing. As soon as his wife appears, he hugs her, then searches her face. "I'm ok, husband," she says, stroking his hands.
"Do you want to leave? We can get something to eat at the house. Whatever'll make you more comfortable." He's so worried and concerned, she can tell he won't have a good time if they stay, too busy fussing over her, so she nods. He relaxes immediately and John joins them, curling an arm around Star before they leave.
They drive in separate cars, to her relief, so she explains to Mike that Star guessed, but will keep her mouth shut about the matter to John until they're ready to tell him. He releases a breath before nodding, squeezing her hand. Exhaustion creeping back in, as soon as they reach the house she excuses herself and goes to bed, relieved to get out of her street clothes and slip into one of Mike's large merch shirts, crawling into bed.
She's asleep within minutes. Which lasts until the door pops open and Mike pads over to her. She lays still, listening as he toes his shoes off, huffing when he stumbles a little on the rug by the bed. Jeans next, then his shirt, and the bed dips under his weight as he slips in behind her and wraps an arm around her. She snuggles back against him and he kisses her neck lazily, nuzzling into her. "I love you, Mike."
"Love you too, sweetheart," he murmurs.
She wakes up to a cool bed and Mike gone, getting up and frowning as she walks into the kitchen. She's about to make breakfast until she hears the car outside. She stands patiently as he unlocks the door and enters the house, walking towards the kitchen too. His arms are full of shopping bags and she gapes at him as he stops short upon catching sight of her with sleep messed hair and still in his shirt. "Where'd you go?"
He grimaces and puts the bags down before turning back to her and hugging her, kissing the top of her head. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd wake up while I was gone... I just wanted to get some things..." She huffs against his chest and he smiles, turning to pull some things out of one of the bags. She watches in perplexed uncertainty as he rests a couple boxes of crackers and some ginger ale on the table, along with some ice cream and a bottle of chocolate topping. He turns back to gauge her reaction, resting his hand on the first two items. "For morning sickness, or all around queasiness," he explains softly. "And to make an early dent in cravings." He moves his hand to the ice cream and she swallows hard, hugging herself for a moment before stepping towards him. "Sweetheart," he says, not sure if he should like the look on her face or not.
"You're the best husband ever," she says, sounding a little choked up. He strokes her hair and rocks her back and forth, closing his eyes. "Sorry, it's... hormones. I think." She pulls back and looks up at him, smiling wearily. "I wanted to keep all of this bad stuff from you, but I've really begun failing at it since we learned for sure."
He stares down at her, leaning over to lightly kiss the tears off of her cheeks. "Never hide anything from me, AJ. I want to be here with you every step of the way. The good and the bad. I can take it, I promise." He sighs against her mouth, holding her close. "It's our baby, and I know I won't be here as much as I should, but when I am here, I want to experience as much of the ride with you as I can. And I know I won't feel the physical or emotional changes the same way you will, but I still want to be able to help and support you through them. Alright?"
She cups his face and kisses him leisurely. "Thank you, husband. But I think you should put the ice cream away before it's a puddle on our counter."
His body shakes with laughter as he gently pulls away from her. "Yes ma'am."
As he turns back to the groceries to put them away, she leans back and watches him with a wistful smile, reflecting on how just very lucky she is. Considering how she felt even a year ago, she can't believe just how nice things are right now.
Mike's just finished with the groceries when there's a knock on the front door so AJ goes to answer it, slipping on some shorts as she goes. She's still a little sleepy, rubbing her eyes, when she opens the door. "If you're a solicitor, we don't want it," she's just said when arms wrap around her. "Ok, this is becoming a new thing," she mumbles, unable to resist the warm feeling that accompanies each one. Damn pregnancy hormones... Opening her eyes she blinks. "Paige!?"
The British woman laughs and pulls back, brushing the hair out of AJ's eyes, grinning down at her almost sheepishly. "Hullo, AJ. Sorry for dropping in, but I... wanted to see you." She ducks her head. "I know Mike told me you're not mad at me, but I wanted to hear it in person, I guess." Her dark eyes look desperate as she squeezes the other woman's arms. "Can we talk please?"
"Sure, of course," AJ shrugs. "Come on in..."
Paige grows even more awkward. "Uh, I meant... maybe we could go somewhere? No offense to Mike, but he had time alone with Ricardo after everything came out, and I think I need to have... some girl time with you, just to make sure you're not really hiding some anger at me or something. Please?""
AJ hesitates, staring down at herself. "You know, let me change, fix my hair up a bit and then sure." She smiles at Paige. "I'm really happy to see you. Just give me a few minutes, yeah?"
Paige nods, walking inside and standing awkwardly in their living room. She'd been here quite a few times over the last year, but still. This situation makes everything feel weird. So she takes a breath and stays where she's at, rocking back and forth on her heels until Mike walks in, pausing only for a second upon seeing her. "Hey, Mike," she greets him.
"Hey, Paige." He sits down on a chair facing her and they eye each other. "What's going on? I didn't know you were going to come to LA."
She shifts, sighs. "It was kind of a last minute decision. I just wanted to talk to AJ face to face and make sure things really are ok between us. Uh, that's ok, right?"
"Sure," he shrugs. "You two are friends, I'm not going to keep you from talking to her just because of some stupid rumors that everyone who matters knows are false anyway." He smiles at her before turning as AJ walks in, wearing a simple white shirt and blue jeans. As she leans over to kiss him, he winks at her. "Have fun, sweetheart."
"I will. See you later, husband." She brushes her nose against his before standing up and grabbing her purse off of the hook it and her keys wait on by the door. "Ready to go when you are, my British muffin."
Mike watches them leave before sighing, this being the first time AJ's been out of his sight- and out of the house- since telling him. He grimaces and picks at his still short nails. "Ugh." If this feels so awful, I can't even imagine how leaving for Raw will feel now that we know for sure...
He's still tooling around the house, trying to find something to do and failing when AJ returns a couple hours later, Paige giggling next to her. He looks up from where he's picking at shelf paper in the kitchen pantry, watching as they walk into the kitchen. "So things go alright?"
"They went great," AJ smiles, releasing Paige and wrapping her arms around Mike. "How was your afternoon?"
"... Fine," he says slowly. She laughs into his chest and he sighs. "I couldn't find anything to do. It was awful."
"Poor boy," AJ mumbles, kissing his throat. "Well, we're home now so let's see what we can do to cheer you up." She grips his arm and leads him back into the living room, Paige following them. "How about charades?" His groan makes them both giggle harder. "We could watch Marine 4 again."
"That's more like it," he says with a smirk as the women roll their eyes.
-x
Leaving on Monday is as awful as he'd expected. AJ doesn't want to let him go at the airport, and he doesn't want to walk through that gate, but finally he has no choice. So, after one more kiss, and stroking her stomach gently, he slouches through to board his plane. The event itself is almost funny.
He commentates a tag match with Big Show and Sheamus vs Orton and Ryback and antagonizes them the best way he knows how... until it leads to Big Show chasing him up the ramp and through the halls. It's not hard to stay away from him, because he is slow, and has trouble staying away from moving objects but still, Big Show is crafty and eventually Mike starts to worry that he won't be able to avoid him forever. He's just taken a turn sharply when a hand reaches out from a doorway and grips Mike by the collar, pulling him into a room.
"Shut up!" Paige's accented voice snaps at him as he tries to fuss and slap, throwing a punch into the darkness. As soon as he registers it's her, he quiets. "Just stay here, he'll go away and you'll be safe."
"Smart," he breathes out. They stand awkwardly for a few minutes, waiting until after Big Show's lumbering steps have gone past. Paige grips his hand and drags him outside, leading him towards the main locker room. She peers inside before pushing him inside. He gasps and looks around, standing up straight as the few competitors inside look up. Big Show isn't in sight, so he relaxes and goes to get into street clothes so he can leave as soon as Paige handles some business.
Two more nights of this, he thinks. Then I can go home for a few days... He examines his short fingernails and sighs, sitting down to wait.