The Tough Enough finale. Mike smiles and throws his arms out as he enters the Performance Center for the last time as judge. It had been a long, weird ten weeks, with his going from host to judge. But he thinks he's made the right choice in what he's done up to this point. Amanda, Sara Lee, ZZ and Josh remain and he has the feeling that it's going to be an interesting night. Especially with Alicia and Paige in the same building. He mulls over that for a moment before smiling when his phone goes off. I'm here, the simple text from AJ tells him and he grins, responding quickly that he was glad and can't wait to see her before putting his phone away and getting into the thick of things.
By the end of the night, Josh and Sara are selected as the winners after the four competitors faced off with Cesaro and Alicia. Mike had held his breath during Alicia's match against Amanda, his life flashing before his eyes a few times- still recovering or no, if the woman Mike had spared from being eliminated hurt Alicia when she'd only had a concussion a few weeks ago, Alex would surely kill Mike then and there... but she makes it through, and her match against Sara Lee goes much smoother, there's no terribly worrying moments. All in all, Sara has been fine, but her look, her attempt at skipping through her entrance... it suddenly clicks with him why he doesn't care much for her presentation. She acts a little too much like AJ, with the gear she'd selected, and it annoys him. AJ hadn't even been gone six months yet, and there definitely is no way to replace her. He's disappointed that Amanda's failed, but when Sara clearly wins the audience's vote, he's almost relieved. Amanda's match had just been so sloppy... she has the look, and the attitude, yes, but the in-ring smoothness that one needs to not hurt the other... Well, she needs some definite training on that.
Mike isn't surprised to learn that Ricardo had been watching, a small smile on his face when he and Paige return to Alberto's house, the woman immediately disappearing into the living room to see Ricardo. He wanders back to the guest room and cracks the door open, peeking in at AJ as she dozes lightly on top of the covers, waiting for him. He smiles fondly and slips inside, lightly tugging the book she'd fallen asleep on from her slack fingers. She moans and tries to hold on but it slips through her fingers and she wakes up with a sleepy protest, staring at him. "Oh, you're back," she sighs as he lifts her up and settles her in his lap, his fingers warm and gentle as he massages her back and shoulders. "Mmm, Mike," she breathes out, kissing his throat and shoulder.
As she makes soft appreciative noises of the attention he's paying her, he tells her about Tough Enough. How Alicia's match against Amanda had gone, how Sara had won. ZZ's ridiculous alligator outfit, and Josh's much better attempt against Cesaro. She listens quietly, grazing his skin with her teeth and lips, tongue and fingernails until finally he loses track of his story and gently lays her down on the bed, hovering over her and examining her face with his eyes, his fingers. "I love you, sweetheart," he whispers before kissing her, softly at first then deeper when she whimpers softly, her heels digging into the back of his legs.
"I love you too," she response, eyes half-lidded as she runs her fingers through his hair.
AJ wakes up the next morning, lazily stretching around the bed with her eyes closed, feeling for her husband. But the bed is cool, and empty, and she frowns, making a pathetic little whining noise before burying her face into the pillows to wait. It feels like a lifetime but she's pretty sure only a few minutes have passed before she gets impatient and squirms out of bed, padding barefooted through the halls towards the kitchen. Sofia greets her with a small smile and a large stack of toast, which she eagerly takes to the table, smearing grape jelly on some slices and simply butter on the others. Orange juice follows and she eats and drinks her fill before looking up at the housekeeper. "Where is everyone, and what time is it?" Her hand creeps under the table to rest on her stomach, still counting the days until her scheduled twenty week ultrasound, and getting to listen to the heartbeat on Friday before Mike has to return to the houseshow cirquit. It's all going by so quickly, yet so slowly all at once...
Sofia's smile grows as she shakes off the warm water from the morning dishes before joining her at the table, sitting down across from her. "I can't tell you much, but he said he would be back soon... It's a surprise." The housekeeper winks at AJ when she looks surprised, then pouts at being kept in the cold. "I know of another surprise, as well," she says softly, staring at the rapidly disappearing stack of toast then up at AJ's face as a dark blush spreads across her face. "Congratulations, AJ. I'm so happy for you and Mike." AJ is frozen with the last slice of buttered bread halfway to her mouth as Sofia's words strike every emotional, hormonal cord in her, and she starts to cry. Sofia tsks and gets up, walking around the table to sit next to her and hold her close, rocking her back and forth. "It's ok," she sighs. "It's ok, little one. Those nasty hormones, ay? But it's worth it. I promise you, when you hold your baby for the first time, the last few months will seem like nothing."
AJ nods brokenly, her tears slowly easing under Sofia's comforting touch and words. "Thank you," she whispers. "I didn't mean to lose it like that." She wipes her eyes fruitlessly a few times, tears still pouring down her cheeks, before Sofia pulls out a soft cloth handkerchief and pats her face with it, the warm fabric soothing her even more. "I'm close to three months along," she muses. "We're going to hear the heart beat this Friday, and then tell everything." She pulls back and smiles at Sofia. "Did Mike let it slip, or?"
"No, mami. I guessed. You looked ill sometimes when you were here for the wedding," she explains softly. "And Senor Alberto's crackers went quickly, when I had only just bought them a few days prior."
Her eyes widen. "I'm so sorry, I'll pay-"
"Absolutely not," Sofia laughs, hugging her. "It is no wonder you and Mike are perfect for each other, he also offered to pay when I told him." She strokes AJ's long brown hair before pulling back, kissing each of her cheeks. Before she can say anything else, however, there's a knock at the front door and she frowns, not expecting anyone. "I will be right back," she promises.
AJ nods and finishes her toast, washing it down with the last of the juice as Sofia talks to whoever it is. Her eyes widen when Alicia walks in, a hesitant smile on her face. "Foxy!" she cries out, getting up and dashing into Alicia's arms. "How are you? How's married life?"
She laughs and kisses the top of AJ's head. "Perfect. Come here, let me look at you," she says, holding AJ at arm's length and looking her up and down. "Well, whatever you're doing is working for you," she says with a small as AJ blushes hotly.
"I just woke up," she laughs sheepishly, tugging at Mike's shirt that she'd fallen asleep in. She feels weirdly vulnerable, her bare toes wiggling against the floor and her hair held back in a messy ponytail. "I look awful."
"That's not possible," Alicia says, but there's a strange look in her eyes that AJ can't decipher. And she's not sure she wants to. "Mind coming out for a walk with me?" she asks, holding her arm out towards the former diva. "I miss seeing you, getting to spend time together laughing and talking like we used to. I've been so busy with Team Bella... please?"
Sofia bustles away, clearly not wanting to disrupt their time together, and AJ curses her politeness before turning back to Alicia. "Sure. Just let me get some pants and shoes. I'll be right with you." She rushes into the bedroom and shuts the door behind her, turning to look at herself in the mirror. She grimaces and tries to tame her hair before giving it up as a mostly lost cause for right now, returning it to the ponytail it had been. Slipping out of Mike's shirt, she hesitates for a moment and stares at the changes occuring to her body- the curves that hadn't been there two months ago, how much fuller her lips look. She smiles, shaking her head. All of these changes for one tiny little baby, she thinks, Sofia's words echoing in her mind.
Grabbing some clothes out of the closet, she puts them on- more changes, most of her clothes don't fit anymore and she knows it'll be time to go maternity shopping soon, she just hasn't found the will to admit that soon she won't be able to see her feet- before slipping some sandals on. "Let's go!" she calls to Alicia, gripping the taller woman's hands and heading outside happily. The further they walk, however, the more subdued and quiet Alicia seems until finally AJ stops a few feet from where she and Alex had gotten married weeks earlier. She squeezes her hands and stares up into her face, worried. "Is everything ok? Alicia? It's not Alex, is it?"
"No," Alicia finally speaks, trying to smile at her friend. "Alex is great, he's resuming training to return... everything's great." But she hesitates, eyes locked on their interlaced fingers. "AJ, I'm so damn sorry."
"About what?" AJ wonders, shaking her head in confusion.
"Mike is cheating on you," Alicia says. AJ's face falls, then darkens as she tries to slip her hands free of Alicia's. "Look, I know there were a lot of stupid rumors going around, but AJ please, I've seen him and Paige together. They're not... I mean, they laugh and they play and it just looks like... it might be more. And she's on the outs with Ricardo now, and they travel together and stay in the same room together, and-"
"It's not what you think," AJ says through numb lips. "He's not cheating on me. Not with her, not with anyone. She's still trying to fix things with Ricardo, and he wouldn't do that to me."
"How can you be sure? I just don't want you to get hurt, AJ. I love you too much for that, you're my best friend-"
"Best friends wouldn't try to spread bullshit like this around," AJ snaps, tears pouring down her ruddy cheeks. "You came here just to tell me this? Really? Under the guise of taking a walk to catch up? You really have been spending too much time with the Bellas." Releasing Alicia's hands angrily, she turns and storms towards the house, her hand resting against her stomach as she goes, hoping that the baby isn't developed enough to sense something is wrong outside of its safe little bubble.
Alicia is fast though and catches up, grabbing her shoulder and stopping her. "No, AJ! Just last week, she was wrapped all around Mike, and they ended up laying side by side, laughing and looking so close and there have been other times- when Ryback and Big Show attacked him, she was holding him so tightly and I thought they might kiss or something then, but-"
AJ's hand across Alicia's mouth sounds like a gunshot, echoing through the trees, and both of them stop and stare at each other, a particular kind of hurt rage crossing Alicia's face. AJ is angry too, but she knows that first and foremost she has to think about the baby. "Shut up. Just shut up. Mike would never hurt me like that." Alicia is still glowering, though there's doubt in her gaze now as she realizes where AJ's other hand is resting. "He wouldn't because I'm pregnant."
Alicia gapes for a moment before her legs give out on her and she sinks into the grass, gazing up at AJ in awe, tears filling her soft brown eyes. "Oh my God," she groans, crawling forward and wrapping her arms around AJ's waist. Here, now, she can feel and see the changes in her friend's body as the pregnancy progresses. "I'm so sorry," she mutters, horrified at the accusations she had thrown around, the pain she could've caused had AJ believed her. "I'm such an idiot." She nuzzles against AJ's stomach softly and whispers, "I'm sorry, baby. Of course your daddy wouldn't do that to your mommy. Forget I said anything."
AJ laughs and cries at once, stroking her fingers through Alicia's soft hair. "I doubt the baby is developed enough to hear you, but I appreciate you admitting that none-the-less." They don't move for a few minutes, Alicia's ear pressed to AJ's stomach. "Can you hear anything?" she asks with a small smile, not holding this bit of amazement against her friend. Many a night when Mike isn't at home is spent with her laying on her back or side, trying to hear or feel something. Most sites say it's a little too early, but she still does it anyway.
"I don't think so," Alicia murmurs. Finally pulling away, she gets up to her feet and wraps her arms around AJ properly. "I am so sorry. I won't ever misconstrue something again. Of course you're right, they're just friends. I just never want you hurt like that, you know?"
"I know," she says softly. "But if you really need proof..." She pulls out her phone, finding a video that Mike had filmed a few days earlier, after Summerslam.
"Hey, sweetheart, just checking in and wanted to say hi. It looks like you're asleep already, and I didn't feel like just leaving a message- thought it might comfort you to wake up and actually see I'm fine, so here I am." He winks at the screen before flipping the phone around. "Someone else wants to say hello too."
Paige is wrapped up snugly in her bed across the room, all kinds of snacks and toys, books and clothes scattered messily around her. "Hullo AJ! I miss you!" she calls out, sitting up and waving ecstatically, her face falling as she knocks half of the things onto the floor. "Bloody hell!"
Mike laughs uproariously, pointing at her as he guides the phone back in his direction. "Hahahaha look at you-"
"SHUT UP MIKE!" The screen abruptly goes black as Paige throws something at him.
"HEY! You hit my phone!"
"Good!"
Alicia giggles as the video comes to an end, the phone somehow surviving Paige and Mike's torment long enough for him to finish the video and sign off. "Alright," she sighs. "I see, they get along like siblings."
"Yep." AJ pushes the phone back into her pocket. "I know you only had good intentions though. Just never suggest that to me again, I'm getting hormonal enough that I'm likely to hit all three of you."
Alicia nods, her eyes lighting up. "I know exactly what we have to do!" AJ looks plumbstruck as Alicia grips her hands and draws her towards the house, the last few minutes forgotten. "Time to go shopping for adorable maternity clothes!"
"Oh, uh- no, I'm not-" AJ falls quiet as Alicia turns back to her and spans her stomach with her hands, the point made to both of them.
"Look, I know it's a big change, but you need to make it sometime. And what better time to do it than now, when I'm here and can help you find the most stylish clothes that will be just perfect for you?"
"Fine," she gives in. "Let's do this then." She stares down at her feet woefully. "I think I'm going to need bigger shoes too."
Alicia cups AJ's face and smiles at her. "You've never looked more beautiful, AJ. You know that, right?" AJ makes a weird up-down-left-right motion with her head, as if unsure if she agrees or disagrees, and Alicia laughs sadly. "Trust me, you're radiant. And this little one is extremely lucky. Based on what you were wearing this morning when I barged in with my stupid ideas, I'm guessing Mike agrees." When AJ blushes again, Alicia laughs. "Come on, let's go."
After hours of trying on clothes and shoes, Alicia helps AJ pick out ten maternity outfits that give her just enough room to move around in, with some to grow because she knows now that she's in her second trimester, she'll be doing plenty of that. Two pairs of shoes later, sneakers and some sandals that she can wear in California, they decide they've both had enough for one day and Alicia drives them home. AJ barely makes it inside and to the bedroom before dropping onto the bed and falling fast asleep, worn out from all of the shopping.
Alicia laughs fondly as she enters, laying the bags on the nearest chair and leaning closer to kiss AJ on the forehead. "Rest well, and I will see you later." She tucks AJ in before leaving, closing the door softly behind her.
Mike returns a little over an hour later and stares down at her with a soft smile before settling in next to her and hugging her close. "Get plenty of rest, because we're going to Disney tomorrow before we leave," he whispers, kissing her softly. "Remind ourselves of all the best spots, and what to avoid, before we have our little girl and have to go through it all again." He strokes her stomach gently and closes his eyes, lulled asleep by the sound of AJ's steady breathing.
That was his surprise. First, buying enough tickets for everyone, talking with the staff in detail to get a list of pregnancy safe rides, then driving around and convincing everyone from Alex to Ricardo to come along. Alberto and Paige are easier sells, since they're just at Alberto's house and Mike doesn't have to drive from one side of Tampa to the other to talk to them- he hadn't realized how far Alex's apartment was from Ricardo's dojo until this moment- and she even looks excited, even though Alberto's bored stare and reluctant nod would make anyone look ecstatic in comparison.
Mike brings AJ breakfast in bed the next morning, along with the list of rides she can go on safely with him and she muses over his handwriting as he feeds her scrambled eggs and toast, Sofia providing milk and orange juice this go around with a knowing smile when he mouths a quick thank you at her. AJ grimaces at the milk but drinks it anyway while they circle rides they agree on and crosses out those they don't. "What will the others say when we don't go with them?" she wonders, closing her eyes as he spoons some more eggs into her mouth. "Oh God, Sofia's such a good cook..."
"Alicia and Sofia will distract them, I'm sure," Mike says, leaning in to kiss her, his hands warm against her sides. "No worries, sweetheart." She sighs as he lays the mostly empty plate down and pulls her closer, his lips trailing against her skin, guided by her hand and the various sounds she's making. She sighs out his name, a question on her tongue, and he moves up to kiss her on the lips, staring into her eyes. "No way we're going out in this heat, we're going later on when it's a little more comfortable. I won't let my girls get heat exhaustion."
She groans needily and, missing the feel of him pressed against her, arches up into him, wrapping her arms around his neck to stare into his blue eyes. "We still don't know if the baby is a girl..."
"Call it a gut feeling," he tells her. "No pun intended." She rolls her eyes but before she can respond, by words or by swatting him, he resumes kissing her and soon has her laying back against the sheets, melting under his affection.
After an afternoon in bed, and a leisurely, hot shower and laughter as he picks out clothes for her- both of them avoiding the maternity wear, for now- she twirls around in pale red cotton capri pants and his white I'm Awesome shirt, his lips parting into a grin as she rests between his legs and kisses him. "You look amazing," he tells her. He's wearing jeans and her old merch shirt that reads "Love you till your last breath" and she trails her hands down the ribcage spiderweb.
"I always liked when you wore my merch shirts," she says softly, staring into his eyes. "Every one of them were true, you know." He nods and sighs as she kisses him slowly, searchingly.
"If we don't move, sweetheart, our friends are going to think we've decided against-" His words fail him as she settles down in his lap, pressing her forehead to his neck. He can feel her pressed against every inch of him and it takes his breath away, the baby bump more and more obvious with every passing day. "Damn." He blanks on everything as she kisses up to his face and slowly molds her lips over his, the two of them sharing breaths as they stare into each other's eyes, fixated on the sea of emotions found there.
"What took so long?" Alberto snaps once they finally appear, hand in hand. The others kindly keep their thoughts to themselves when they finally leave, talking about rides and food and what they want to do. AJ nor Mike join into this conversation, still lost in the intimate moment they'd shared.
"Hey, guys," Mike says once they're at the grounds. "AJ and I are going to wander around for a little bit. We'll catch up with you later, alright?" Ricardo, Sofia and Alicia all look understanding, although the others look confused. "Have fun!" Arm snug around AJ's middle, he leads her away from the group and they walk slowly around, neither moving away from the other. "So tomorrow's the big day," he comments, kissing her shoulder softly.
She nods. "The baby's heartbeat. Are you nervous?"
"No," he says simply, fingers smoothing over his shirt over her stomach. "Are you?"
"No. Not right now, when I'm in your arms." She leans into him as they continue to walk towards quieter rides. They visit the Mad Tea Party and Dumbo Flying Elephant rides, AJ's eyes alit and adoring as she holds Mike's hands, before he checks his phone, eyes widening at the time.
"Sweetheart, do you trust me?" She looks confused but nods anyway as he grips her hands and leads her away in a hurry, through crowds of people and towards the Magic Kingdom Resort area.
"Mike-" she's just started to say when he leads her into a hotel. "What-"
He kisses her hands before rushing to the front desk, whispering to the woman there. She nods and talks to someone else, who takes her place. "Follow me, sir and madam," she says with a smile as Mike rejoins AJ and guides her after the woman, down one hall and the next.
"Oh my God-" AJ whispers, realization dawning on her as they walk through a spa. "Mike!" He kisses the top of her head and follows the woman into a room off the side, soft music playing relaxingly overhead. "No way..."
"Your masseuse will be in shortly," the receptionist says softly before leaving to go back to the front desk.
"Mike-"
"Shhhh, sweetheart," he tells her. "This place specializes in pregnancy massage. And since you're past twelve weeks, they're good to go to make you nice and stressfree. Maybe even do it a little better than I can."
"I doubt that," she mumbles, lifting his hands and kissing them. "Thank you so much." This explains his need to go to Disney, to distract their friends. She feels the familiar prickle of tears as she changes into a soft robe to prepare for the massage, laying down on the table. Mike is across from her, scheduled for his own massage, and she listens as the people set to work on them enter the room, softly talking. Mike begins describing various aches and pains he's had recently from matches against Big Show and Ryback, but her mind quickly grows fuzzy as hands begin to massage away stress and tension her own body has been holding, the soft scents of the massage oils leaving her in a blissful daze. She's not fully asleep, but close enough that it feels like she's floating on a cloud as her body is carefully rubbed down.
She's not sure how much time has passed when the hands slowly leave her and she fades back into reality, turning her head to stare at Mike's soft blue eyes, fixed on her. "You're gorgeous," he tells her softly, looking much more comfortable after his own massage as well.
"How long was that?"
"80 minutes." He smiles as she hums, trying and failing to understand this large number. "As soon as you're ready, sweetheart, we should go. The others'll be wondering where we're at." She feels like melted chocolate as he helps her into her clothes, keeping her from stumbling and hurting herself as she wakes up the rest of the way. She watches as he dresses himself and then kisses her slowly before leading her out of the spa area of the hotel. Returning to the front desk, he hands the woman who had helped them an impressive tip and thanks her before guiding his wife outside.
Their friends are waiting for them at the 50's Prime Time Cafe and they all look a little bored, the ladies sipping at milkshakes while the men sip at beers or sodas. "There you guys are! Did you get lost?" Alex wonders, his bad leg propped up on a chair. He moves it, though, when AJ and Mike approach, there being only two chairs left at their table.
"No, we were just walking around," Mike says, his hand lightly resting against AJ's lower back as she sits down and eyes Alicia's milkshake hungrily. He takes a seat next to her, both of them pausing when Alicia lets out a soft little huff.
"You smell like massages! Did you go to that nice resort?" she demands, smiling when AJ nods. "I knew it! Was it as great as I imagine?"
"Better, I think," AJ muses, smiling at her husband before turning to look at the menu. Desperate not to make the others wait for their food, they select their drinks and food at the same time. The others are lost in conversation about the various rides and games they'd experienced, while AJ traces Mike's fingers lazily with her own, when their drinks arrive, followed by plate after plate of food. There's barely room for it all, but the workers somehow make it fit on the table, and soon they're all eating and sighing happily at the tastes of the various food.
Mike watches as Alicia and Alex share bites of their vegetable lasagna and meatloaf, Paige and Ricardo examining their own plates of fried chicken and ceasar salad with salmon before she offers him a bite and he returns the action, the two of them exchanging small smiles. Alberto and Sofia seem content with their chicken pot pie and ceasar salad so Mike turns his attention back to his wife, glad that they're delaying the meal hasn't kept the others from enjoying themselves. He notices her eyeing his stuffed pork chop and smirks, nudging her and motioning towards Alex and Alicia. "Wanna steal their idea?"
She nods eagerly, forking up some of her pot roast and holding it to his lips, waiting until he swallows to stare at his plate again, requesting a bite. He acquises, feeding her some of the pork as she smiles and hums, eyes shining. "I love you, sweetheart," he tells her softly.
"I love you too, husband," she murmurs, leaning against him. The food is incredible, but very filling and rich, and makes them all feel a little sleepy. "I want dessert," AJ whines afterwards. "But I'm so sleepy..."
He leans against her, the combination of the massage and the food doing a number on him too. And he's not even pregnant! "Maybe we can get some to go?" he suggests, only imagining how worn out she is. Upon learning that this is an option, they all go for it, the waitress scribbling as quickly as she can to get down all of the brownie sundaes, the apple crisps, and the pineapple upside down cakes that they want. After they get their desserts and pay, the group head back for the car, relieved that out of all of Alberto's ridiculously expensive vehicles, Sofia had bought a van for days like today, aware of how random groups of wrestlers would need transportation sometimes.
Sofia is driving, with Ricardo next to her, while Alex, Alicia and Alberto sit in the second row and AJ, Mike and Paige are way in the back of the van. Paige giggles softly as AJ dozes off and Mike quickly follows, tempted to play a trick on them... but losing her nerve as she observes just how adorable they look, leaning against each other and breathing softly.
The flight back to California goes smoothly and before they're fully ready for it, Mike and AJ find themselves in the doctor's office, waiting to be seen. AJ is already sitting on the table and waiting, her nails digging lightly into Mike's hand as she stares at the ceiling. Finally the door opens and the examination begins, AJ confirming that things are going well, she hasn't noticed anything wrong. Mike absorbs all of this, his guilt for not being there for her for the cravings and the sleepless nights growing, but then Dr. Chi urges AJ to lay down and raise her shirt a little and prepares the Doppler monitor, pressing the small device against her stomach. It takes a little bit of searching but soon the doctor leans over and presses a few nobs on the machine and soon the room is filled with the sound of the baby's heartbeat, fast and strong and Mike feels like he's been punched, breathless and overwhelmed like he was with the ultrasound all of those weeks ago.
That had been the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. This is the most beautiful sound. He can tell by the look on AJ's face that she feels the same as they lock eyes and grin at each other emotionally. "Your baby is perfectly healthy. We'll have a couple of appointments leading up to your twenty week ultrasound, just to make sure everything is progressing normally, but I foresee no problems." Dr. Chi smiles at them. "Keep doing what you're doing."
AJ schedules her next appointment and gets more prenatal vitamins before Mike leads her out to the car, hugging her close as soon as he gets into the car to drive them home. They spend the rest of the day in bed, staring at the ultrasound picture from weeks ago and imagining the changes their baby's gone through, replaying the sound of its heartbeat in their minds.
"I want to go to Florida with you this week," AJ tells him. "So we can tell everyone... Which means we need to tell John soon too. He'll feel left out if we don't." They can't go out to dinner, or anything special, as Star is still recovering at his apartment, despite the tension between the couple. But she has a point, they were going to tell people after this appointment, and now there's no need to wait any longer. The baby is healthy and strong, and everything is moving along so fast. He wants more than a few people to know. So he agrees.
They first head to John's apartment however. Star is asleep, her face contorted in pain- physical or emotional, he's not sure- and they stare at each other, not sure how to start. "What's up, guys?" John finally asks with an awkward laugh.
Mike glances at AJ and she nods, smiling at him as he hugs her from behind. "John, how would you feel about being Uncle John?"
John looks utterly confused until he peeks over at AJ, the placement of their hands, and it dawns on him. "No shit."
"Yes shit. I'm gonna be a dad." Mike wisely moves away from AJ as John shakes off the stupor he'd fallen into, rushing forward and grabs Mike, picking him up and hugging him like he used to when they were a tag team. It's not the same as when he'd have a monsterous coat to bury Mike in, but it still feels pretty amazing.
"I'm so happy for you, man," he mutters into Mike's hair.
"Thanks," he sighs, laughing when John lets him down and turns to hug AJ, much more gently.
"Congratulations, AJ." He pulls away from her and wipes at his face, still a little shocked at this. "I should tell Star..."
"She knows," AJ shakes her head. "She recognized the signs when I was having morning sickness a few weeks ago."
"The sushi place!" John realizes, smacking his forehead. "Damn, sorry about that, AJ." She shrugs it off and smiles at him as he hesitates, clearly unsure what to do. "Do you need anything? Something to drink? A pillow?"
"Oh my God," she laughs. "No, I'm fine. Really."
"How about we order in some pizza?" Mike offers, grinning when it defuses some of the discomfort and both of the closest people in his life jump at the suggestion.
He's worried, because of the tropical storm, but AJ is right. They had agreed to tell their friends so they fly out to Florida together, hand in hand. "Let's tell them after Raw," she says, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Sounds like a plan," he agrees, smiling. They would be more relaxed, things would be calmer. It's something to look forward to all around.
When he arrives at the arena for Raw that Monday, he's not booked for anything in particular but Big Show is facing off against Ryback for the Intercontinental title and he stews at getting excluded again. So he instead heads for commentary and makes sure to cost Big Show the match, getting away before he can really be harmed by either man. Ryback is dumb and lumbering, and all in all a better option than if Big Show should win. At least against Ryback Miz feels like he could have a chance.
He's lost in thought about that but even he can't ignore when MizTV is announced for Smackdown, with Ziggler and Lana as his special guests. "Great," he mumbles. He finds Ziggler despicable on a good day, some wounds over his relationship with AJ still a little fresh, and now Ziggler had done it again, by taking Lana from Rusev. And now Mike has to interview the two of them. "Hmph. At least I have a few days to figure out how to use this crap against them," he mutters, eager to pack up and return to his wife. Have a few hours to themselves before collecting their Florida friends and telling them everything that's been going on in their world lately.
As he heads out, he smiles upon realizing his hand is shaking, a mess of anxiety and excitement. "Geez if I'm this bad at just telling people..." He closes his eyes, takes a breath and steadies himself. "I'll have to get it together before the delivery, AJ deserves better than a nervous wreck for support." Squaring his shoulders, he leaves the building.