Tuesday dawns early and they are off to Florida. Mike is looking forward to hosting Tough Talk but when they arrive, he is told that he will be the new judge of Tough Enough due to drama unrelated to the show. Confused by this development, he decides to roll with it and make it his own like he does every opportunity he's given. The only possible problem he foresees with his new role is the tension still lingering between him and Paige over Patrick, but he is a professional so he's sure that it will be OK.
After seeing Alicia off at Alex's apartment, Mike returns to Full Sail to prepare for the evening. He's not sure what to expect but he's looking forward to the opportunity nonetheless. Tamina is there with Team Bad and they exchange nods before going their separate ways to get ready for what's to come. While sitting through all of the footage of the contestants and their actions- or lack thereof- Mike drums his fingers against his knee, listening to Paige and Daniel murmur over their own thoughts of what's been going on. They seem fixed in who they want to put in the bottom three already, but his chief issue lies with someone unexpected, someone that perhaps could be considered a favorite now that Patrick is gone. His style just wasn't sitting well with Mike, so when the time comes, he announces that he's putting Mada in the bottom three.
But his controversial decisions aren't over when, on his first week out, he decides to use his save. Amanda has the look that he thinks WWE will be looking for, she's hot and kind of reminds him of what he'd first seen in Maryse all of those years ago before their careers took them in separate directions and he'd fallen in love with AJ. So he goes with his instinct and saves her, cringing away slightly when Paige immediately protests loudly next to him. His actions cause Mada to be eliminated and Mike's pretty sure Paige is going to hit him throughout Tough Talk, she looks so murderous.
He licks his lips nervously when finally Byron Saxton ends the show and all but runs backstage, diving behind Tamina. "Save me," he begs her as Paige walks backstage, a thunderous look still in her eyes. AJ's old enforcer rolls her eyes and stares Paige down as she approaches. "Come on, for AJ's sake, please!"
"I think you have AJ herself to worry about more than Paige," Tamina says coolly, slapping Mike's hands away from where he's gripping her shoulders. "Get off of me, Mike."
He immediately forgets Paige as he realizes the truth behind her words. He'd just said he'd found another woman sexy and kept her from being eliminated, while she was across the country, pregnant and vulnerable emotionally and physically. "Shit," he mutters. Tamina and Paige both watch on, perplexed, as he walks off. He sits on the trunk of the rental car, teeth gritted while he dials AJ's number. It rings and rings and finally she answers, Mike almost falling off of the car as he slumps forward in relief at the sound of her voice.
"Hello?"
"Hey, sweetheart." He coughs a bit and closes his eyes. "Did you watch Tough Enough?"
"Some," she says after a moment. He's about to think that he's clear and free, that perhaps she'd slept through it, but then... "You think Amanda is sexy, huh?"
"Well, I mean, uh-" He stutters, not sure how to get out of this, when she laughs sharply.
"Oh please, Mike. I know you wouldn't cheat on me with her... because if you did, I'd kill you." It's like a flip has switched, the old crazy AJ showing herself once more, before the cute woman that he'd married and is having a child with returns, voice turning sweet and sunny. "Right?"
"Right, yeah," he says weakly, pausing. "But I wouldn't cheat on you even without the death threats, AJ. I love you too much for that."
"I know," she whispers. "I love you too."
He hears footsteps behind him and turns to find Paige and Tamina approaching, Naomi and Sasha loitering behind them. "Hey, Tamina, someone wants to talk to you," he says, handing over the phone to the enforcer and grinning as her face immediately softens upon hearing AJ's voice, the two women reconnecting after too long. He turns back to Paige and grimaces. "You still mad at me?"
"Yes," she says bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest. "You ruined everything tonight." But she smirks a little and shakes her head, punching him in the arm. "Idiot. If not for Ricardo and AJ, I'd really make you pay for that, but I'll give you a break this once."
Mike winces, rubbing his arm. "So many threats to my life tonight," he sighs, following her towards the car. Tamina reluctantly finishes her call and gives the phone back to him, allowing him to say a quick "bye" to his wife, with the promise that he'll call her back once they're at Alberto's. "You coming with us, Tamina, or staying with Team Bad?" he asks.
"I'm staying with the girls," she says. "Thanks for letting me talk to AJ." Without another word, she turns and walks back to her team, Naomi and Sasha's voices loud in the early Florida evening.
Mike watches her go for a moment before turning to Paige. "Well, let's get out of here." The ride is silent, Paige keeping an eye on the clock. Total Divas is happening now and he knows how tense she gets, waiting to get home to Ricardo to make sure that he's ok after whatever she's been doing this week. He walks in long enough to greet Ricardo before making himself scarce, relieved to lay on the plush guest bed to call AJ once more.
He can hear the pout in her voice as soon as she answers, a frown crossing his face. "Sweetheart? What's wrong?"
"I went to get some carry out while I waited for your call, and I didn't realize until I got it back home that they served me fruit instead of the french fries I ordered," she explains. "I don't feel like going out again, but this sucks."
He clicks sympathetically, guessing that she'd probably already kicked her shoes off and gotten comfy, looking forward to eating through whatever she'd ordered. "Poor sweetheart, I promise to get you all of the french fries you want when I'm home. How's that sound?"
"It sounds like even more proof that I have the best husband in the world," she says. "Though this fruit is ok, it's just not what I wanted."
He smiles, relieved that she really hadn't held what he said earlier against him. Considering her history, it makes him feel so happy that she trusts him enough to move past what stupid things he'd said and turn her attention to lesser devastating things like mistaken food orders. "I love you, sweetheart," he breathes out.
"I love you too," she responds, smile clear in her voice. "So the WWE events are in California next week, huh? Are we going to have a full house?"
"Maybe," he hedges. "If you have the energy for it. And if you want to be around everyone while we're still keeping this to ourselves..."
"I'll be fine," she promises. "Besides, if she's there, Alicia will probably be happy to have my focus for last minute wedding plans."
"Yeah, true," he says, not sure about that. She'd looked really out of it when he'd helped her back to her and Alex's apartment, but anything's possible. At least the concussion was minor, he thinks, all too aware how serious ones feel.
-x
AJ wakes up mid-morning on Wednesday, cell phone still in hand, and groans faintly. Fell asleep talking to Mike again, she deduces. Grimacing, she puts it on the bedside table and squints at the clock, trying to figure out what exactly woke her up. Stretching, she rests her hand softly over her stomach and hums. Although mornings without Mike are disappointing and quiet, she does enjoy time alone to just lay and absorb her pregnancy, the changes happening to her body.
The next few months will go by quickly- she knows, because the first two and a half have already zipped by- so she tries to spend a few minutes every day just reorienting herself. How she's already gained weight, not much, but enough that she marvels at it anyway. How her senses are in overdrive, smells so much more intense than they've ever been before, her sight sharper than usual. Even touch feels more heightened, the sheets under her hands feeling so soft that she can barely make herself leave them-
Her ruminations are interrupted by knocking at the front door and she frowns, realizing that there might've been a reason why she woke up so abruptly. "Huh," she mumbles. It's way too early for Mike to be home, he's probably still half-way across the country by now, but she pads out to the living room anyway and peeks out of the stained glass windows. Her eyes immediately brighten and she pulls the door open with a gasp. "Layla!"
The British diva squeals, "AJ!" back at her, engulfing her in a warm, loving hug. "I've missed you, girl!" Pulling away she looks her up and down, eyes shining. "You look good, girl! I guess retirement agrees with you, huh?"
AJ laughs and nods, "Yeah, you could say that." Slipping her hand into Layla's, she drags her into the house and shuts the door behind her, the two of them skipping into the living room like a couple of little girls, giggling. "I've missed you so much. How is everything? You taking care of the divas like always?"
Layla hesitates at that, but then nods. "Yeah, I've been trying to. But, um, there's something else I'm here for..." She lifts her hand and waves her fingers at AJ until it registers- the large, glittery diamond begging for attention. AJ gasps and grips her hand, staring at it, enamored. "We got engaged a few days ago. I'm so happy," she laughs.
AJ releases her hand and hugs her again, smiling so large that it almost hurts. "I'm so happy for you, Layla. But wow, I didn't expect to see you, I thought you'd be back east due to the events."
"Oh," she flusters, "I asked for a few days off after the engagement so I was only in Arizona... but during this time, I began to think, and... that's why I'm here," she says. "I guess it's been in the back of my mind for awhile. I'm not getting any younger, and I've been with the WWE for a very long time... so I'm thinking about retiring, enjoying my engagement... maybe start a family sooner rather than later..." She smiles bashfully. "But I don't know what life without WWE is like, I think I've forgotten how to just be. So I thought I'd come to you, because it's been a few months now and you seem to be doing well for yourself."
AJ stares at her for a long moment before shifting closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Well, it was an adjustment period at first," she admits. "I didn't know what to do with myself either, but Mike was there for me, and we went to Vancouver for awhile... and when I came back home, it wasn't that hard to fall back into normalcy. I had my book to finish, and other projects outside of WWE to focus on. Giving up on that part of my life wasn't the easiest thing, I admit, but I've adjusted and I don't regret my decision." She cups Layla's face and stares into her brown eyes. "I know you, you wouldn't have made this decision easily either. Just know that, as weird as the first few days are, it gets better and you'll be happy you did it sooner than you'd expect. If you need anything, I'm here for you."
Layla hesitates, staring down at her hands. "Actually, can you stay with me while I do an interview over the phone? I've told staff that I want to do an interview but they don't know why exactly, and I'm afraid I'll lose my nerve."
"Of course," AJ says. "Is this the first WWE's hearing of it, or...?" She tries not to giggle at the thought of Layla doing an interview before actually telling WWE higher ups her plans.
"No, I've notified Stephanie McMahon. She's the one who granted me this interview time," Layla says softly, dialing the number. "Thank you, AJ."
"Of course," AJ murmurs, sitting with her as she talks, explains her decision, the reasons behind it, and answers the staff's questions to flesh out the interview, try to make it easier for her fans to accept. She's just finished it, the two of them sitting side by side, Layla's head resting on AJ's shoulder, when AJ comes to a decision. "Hey, Layla?"
"Mm hmmm?"
"Can you keep a secret?" Layla pulls away sluggishly and wipes at her eyes, blinking at AJ. Taking it as a yes, AJ cups Layla's hands and grins at her. "You're the first I'm telling... except for Mike..." Leaning closer, she whispers, "I'm pregnant."
Layla gapes at her, tears dripping down her face for a whole different reason. "Oh, darling, that- that's amazing," she gasps, pulling her close in another hug. "I'm so happy for you, and for Mike!" Releasing AJ, she laughs and wipes at her eyes, shaking her head. "If I keep this up, California will never have another drought again."
AJ smiles and gets up. "I'll be back in a second," she promises. Returns to the bedroom, where she finds the ultrasound picture waiting by the bedside table, and takes it out to Layla, resting it in her outstretched palm. As she coos over it, AJ settles down next to her and takes her hand, staring at the picture with a sappy smile on her face. "Just think, if you get pregnant soon, our babies will be best friends for life."
Layla laughs and cries at the same time, kissing AJ on the forehead. "That sounds perfect," she murmurs. They're still sitting there, marveling at the ultrasound and Layla's wedding plans- AJ demanding an early invite, which Layla rolls her eyes to and says is already in the mail with a fond grin- when Mike returns home, tired and relieved to be at the end of another lengthy travel day. He stops short upon seeing Layla holding their ultrasound, dropping his bag on the floor. "Congratulations, daddy," she tells him with a smile as AJ gets up and greets him with a kiss.
"You told her?" he murmurs against AJ's lips. She nods quietly as he runs another violet up her arm, grinning as she takes it and breathes it in.
"It only seemed fair since AJ was the first one I told my truth to," Layla says, getting up to join them. "We're not colleagues anymore, Mike. I'm retiring from WWE... I'm engaged, and you both are invited to the wedding," she says, winking at AJ as she giggles into the flower. He gapes at them, overwhelmed by this flood of news, as Layla hooks arms with AJ and stares at the purple flower. "Now what is this about?"
As AJ follows her, explaining about the February flower, he shakes his head and stuffs his hands in his pockets, dropping down into the couch cushions and yawning blurrily. "Always something," he sighs. "Two weddings to look forward to now, oh boy..."
Once Layla leaves, it's late and AJ looks dead on her feet too, slumping into Mike's lap. He holds her close and kisses her shoulder, resting his hand over her stomach and rubbing softly. She groans and buries her face in his neck, feeling cranky and sore from having to be on all day for Layla. "Hmph," she grunts as Mike lightly lifts her up and settles her back down on the couch. "Hey-" But her words die away as his hands cup her feet, lightly massaging. "Oh," she breathes out, closing her eyes as his finger knead away her aches and pain slowly.
From her toes to her heel, he works quietly, and she counts her breaths lazily as he works up, running his fingers over her ankles. He goes slowly, spending more time on the places that she's more reactive towards, and pressing a soft kiss to each when he leaves it for the next. She keens as he massages her knees, thumbs pressing into the soft flesh underneath, slowly slipping up to work on her thighs. She bites her lip as he kisses her legs lingeringly, hands moving over her hips. She sighs and murmurs his name as he glides along her body, hovering over her and staring into her eyes when he begins to rub a gentle hand over her stomach. "Feel better?"
She nods, digging her fingers into his shirt collar and pulling him down into her for a slow, tantalizing kiss that doesn't dissaude him from concluding his massage, his hands warm along her ribs and up, up, up until he cups her face and deepens the kiss, lifting her up and holding her close. "Mike," she sighs, burying her fingers in his hair as he nuzzles at her throat and neck, grazing her skin with his lips and teeth. "Please..."
He pulls back slightly and rests his forehead to hers, smiling faintly. "What is it, sweetheart? What do you need, hmm?"
Staring into his dark blue eyes, she breathes out, body overwhelmed with so many sensations that it's hard to speak in more than a whisper, "You. Just you..."
It's really late when Mike slips out of the house, tugging at his shirt to make sure that he doesn't look too ridiculous, even though no one will probably see him. He drives through Wendy's and taps his fingers as he waits for the line to diminish. Finally he makes it to the window and orders two large fries and two large frosties, one vanilla and one chocolate. After paying and getting his order, he stops by the nearest light and peers inside the bag, glad to find there's no fruit in sight before turning the car towards home.
AJ is still fast asleep on the couch, covered in the blanket he'd drifted over her before leaving. He smiles at her, marveling over how adorable she really is, before sitting down on the floor in front of her. The fries are still somewhat warm, miracle of all miracles, so the smell quickly causes her to stir. She whimpers and sighs as he waves a couple under her nose, waking her up the rest of the way, and when she stares incredulously at him, he smiles and holds a fry out towards her lips. She opens her mouth, expecting to be fed, but then he takes it away, her lips settling into a pout. "Mike..."
"Chocolate or vanilla?" he asks, stopping her in mid-complaint. She stares at the frosties in amazement before looking at him. "Maybe we can share both?" She nods and he gets to his feet, bringing the bag of fries with him. "Now, there's a trick... I'm sure you've heard of it..." She rolls her eyes, trying to oblige him his traditional explanation of dipping fries in frosties, but she's so hungry that he's barely dipped the fries in the vanilla frostie when she squirms between his arms and eats it, right then and there. "AJ! Now come on, who taught you manners?" His voice dries away, however, when she licks and sucks at his fingers lazily, a flush spreading up his neck towards his face.
She smirks and leans against him, waiting for her next bite with a pleased gleam in her dark eyes.
-x
"I don't know, Mike," Alex sighs. "WWE cleared her to come, but not compete, but it just... I hate having her out of my sight at all. I know she's mostly ok, but the thought of something happening..."
Mike taps his fingers against the base of his phone. "I know it sucks, Alex. But she's already on the flight here, and I promise, man, between AJ, Paige, John and I, we'll keep an eye on her. She'll be fine. Even Tamina will step in and help out if need be, I'm sure. No matter where we're at in our careers, we always have each others' backs. Don't forget that."
"Kind of hard to," Alex admits quietly. "Thanks, Mike. I know you'll take good care of my girl."
"Damn straight. I can't let the bride-to-be get her bell rung too badly. I'll call you after Raw to let you know how things really went, so you won't doubt what she tells you. How's that sound?"
If Alex had sounded relieved before, he sounds close to melting in gratitude now. "Thank you. I appreciate everything you've been doing, Mike."
"Any time. Now I'm going to go and make sure my wife's prepared for the next few days. Talk later, Alex." Hanging up, Mike puts his phone down and sighs out a breath. No one but Layla and Star know about the pregnancy yet, and here they are hosting a lot of people- Team Bad, Alicia (The Bellas definitely were not invited, which didn't seem that awful since Brie just lives in Arizona anyway), the Submission Sorority... and Mike has no doubt that John and Star will be in and out as they please the next few days. It is only going to get messier from there because when he and Paige return from Tough Enough on Wednesday, they'll be bringing Alberto, Ricardo, Sofia and Alex with for the Lucha Underground season finale on Wednesday...
He buries his face in his hands for a moment, thinking about how things are going to round out on Thursday: AJ had decided to hold a bachelorette party for Alicia, which means the guys will be on their own for an impromptu bachelor's party. Hell, we could've almost had the wedding this week while we're all in California, but with Alicia's concussion delaying everything, there's just no way it'd have worked anyway, he thinks grimly. "Not to mention they want to have it in Florida..." Shrugging, he turns and walks into one of the guest bathrooms where AJ is putting out towels for Alicia and, later in the week, Alex.
He hugs her from behind and kisses her neck before turning her around in his arms, pressing his lips to hers. She gasps as he lifts her up and sits her down on the counter, settling between her legs. "Mike, we're gonna have company soon," she rebukes him with a small smile.
He smirks and shrugs, trailing his hand along her arm. "I know. I just want to make sure you're really up for all of this. You still tire really easily, and..." She grips his hands and squeezes gently, wrapping her legs around his waist. "I don't want you overdoing it..."
"I'll be fine," she promises, resting her head on his shoulder. "I won't be alone in this. I will have you here to help, and Tamina knows me. If something is wrong, she'll take care of it. She always does. I can't wait to see her again. Everyone else too..."
Mike smiles and strokes her hair, kissing her forehead. "I know they've missed you too. Especially Alicia." He considers, for a moment, telling her about Alicia's comment about Paige getting everything, including the final match with AJ, but he lets it go, not wanting to stress her or leave her guilty. "Just promise me if it gets to be too much with everyone here, especially between Team Bad and the Sorority Sisters, you'll let me know. "
AJ laughs. "I think it's Submission Sorority, Mike." His eyes widen and he pouts at her for correcting him, her laughter continuing as she tugs at his lip and kisses him. "Sorry, husband. Try to get it right though, I'd rather you not get locked up in one of those three moves on the living room rug. Or God forbid, all three at once..."
He stares over her head, trying to invision it. "Is that even possible?" Either way, he definitely does not want to find out...
Raw that night is somber. Most of them are wearing shirts in tribute, and Mike himself reflects on how shows like MizTV had come to be, taking a deep breath as he closes his eyes and grips the mic a little tighter. Releasing it in a gust, he then returns to his role as host, "The Miz" taking over for Mike once more. He announces that, since Ryback is still unable to defend his Intercontinental title, that he should be stripped of it and the belt be given to the right person- himself. He then introduces Kevin Owens to the show, glowing with pride when the man who's captivated WWE audiences for weeks tells him he owns every one of Mike's movies on blu-ray.
Their time of mutual appreciation, however, goes south when Cesaro interrupts. Mike tries to be helpful, even sorting things out when Kevin's chair malfunctions- Shoddy craftsmenship, I'm never buying from them again- but at the end of the day, he's there to put on an entertaining show so he tries to goad them into fighting, at which Kevin yells at him to let the men who can actually fight have at it, eventually pushing Mike hard into Cesaro when they'd both thought he'd left the ring.
He huffs and hits the floor, staring up at the ceiling. "Ugh, whatever," he grunts, leaving ringside and heading backstage. Alicia and the Bellas are nearby, waiting for Paige vs Naomi, and he lurks around, trying to keep his promise to Alex without eliciting their scorn too.
Thankfully, once Paige beats Naomi, the Bellas say farewell to Alicia and flounce off, leaving her with Mike. She smiles up at him sleepily. "How you feeling, Alicia?"
"I'm fine," she says softly. "Can't wait to get back to your place and fall asleep though. You alright? That was kind of a hard hit."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Takes more than that to take me out." He smirks and shrugs. Once the Submission Sorority joins them, Team Bad not far behind, he holds a hand out. "Before we head to my house, I just want to get one thing straight. We're opening our house to you because AJ encouraged me to. She likes most of you, and she doesn't want to divide your teams up, especially when some of you are new to the main roster. But I'm keeping an eye on you all, and if any of you physically fight, or distress my wife, other accomodations will be made. Understand?"
"Yes," the women all chorus. Paige, Alicia and Tamina exchange glances, a silent kind of understanding passing between them.
Mike releases a breath, hoping that this isn't a mistake. "Then let's go."