Mike flies back to California the next day. He had seen pictures of what the others had done with decorating their house, but to actually get to see it in person... he hesitates outside of the house and looks up at the lights surrounding the door and the windows, the wreath hanging from the golden hook over his head. He smiles and unlocks the door, listening. It's quiet inside of the house so he walks through the hall to the living room as carefully as possible, settling his bag on the floor and taking in the Christmas tree and garland sprawled across the mantle, a line of stockings pinned there.
Releasing a breath, he approaches them and smiles, finding a soft purple stocking with Sara scrawled on it in blue block letters. He rubs a finger over it and smiles. "Next year, we're going to have the best Christmas because you'll be here," he whispers. "I can't wait." Making sure that the stocking won't fall off, he turns back around and walks to the bedroom, pushing the door open lightly. The room is subdued, black out curtains covering the windows, and he leans against the doorway, peering inside.
AJ is fast asleep on her side, half-hugging a pillow and breathing softly. Mike smiles and approaches the bed, brushing the hair out of her face before toeing his shoes off and shrugging his jacket off as well, resting both on or under the chair in the corner before laying down next to AJ, smiling wider when AJ immediately snuggles up into his warmth, pressing her face into his neck. She doesn't wake up and he sighs, brushing his fingers through her hair. "Love you, sweetheart." The house looks good, and even the bridal shower gifts were moved and the living room cleaned up. He sighs and kisses AJ's forehead. "We have some good friends, sweetheart. I'm happy about that." Resting his hand over hers on her stomach, he smiles. "This little girl deserves all of the love she can get... and she's already getting so much of it. And it's only just beginning..."
He closes his eyes, relieved for the silence to think. He's still considering Neville, if he'd want to mentor the man. His style is good, his wrestling skills are definitely there, but his charisma... eh. He reminds Mike of Daniel Bryan, and look at the levels that Mike had helped him reach before his body's weakness had left him unable to compete any further. He yawns and kisses AJ's temple once more before giving in to his body's need for rest, AJ's warmth next to him enough to comfort him.
A couple of hours later, he finds himself awake and inside the nursery, AJ sitting in a well-padded chair and watching as he organizes everything, putting together what needs it from the pile of things. He sits back from the crib and wipes the sweat off of his forehead. "This is a lot more work than I thought it'd be," he admits quietly, standing up and peering around. "Wow, we're getting really close to being ready, aren't we?"
AJ gets up and walks slowly up to him, the curve of her stomach pressing against his side. "Yeah, we are," she muses. "It's a little overwhelming, isn't it?" Adjusting the cute little elephant toy that Ricardo had given their daughter, AJ smiles around at the soft green and yellow walls and pastel baby furniture. "I love all of this. Little Sara is going to have such a sweet childhood in this room."
Her hands are soft against her stomach and Mike turns towards her, resting his hand on top of hers. "Yes, she is," he whispers. He lifts her hands and kisses them gently. "C'mon." Leading her out of the room, he guides her into their bedroom and settles her back in among the sheets and comforters. Kneeling down in front of her, he kisses her softly and sighs, his heart beating faster as he thinks about how miserable the last few days have been without her. "AJ, would you hate me if I went to Smackdown tomorrow?"
She pouts against his lips and pulls away. "Why? I thought you said maybe you'd get it off if you wrestled on Main Event..."
"Well, I considered it, but I've been told that Neville's going to be there, and I'm still thinking I'd be good for his career. I just need to convince him... but I can't do that if I'm laying in bed with you, no matter how much I'd love to stay here..."
She groans. "Fine, fine. I guess you need something new to do, huh?" She cups his face and kisses him hard. "But we still get tonight, right?"
Mike pulls away and nods, eyes shining. "Yes, sweetheart. We definitely do." He eases closer to her and kisses down her throat. "Better make the most of it, huh?"
She nods and then gasps as he kisses along her flushed skin, rubbing her thighs gently with his thumbs. "I love you, husband."
He smiles, nipping at her lips knowingly as she digs her fingers into his shoulders, breathing heavily. "I love you too, sweetheart."
-x
Neville doesn't seem too enthused by the thoughts of looking to Mike on Smackdown, but he doesn't give up. Goes back to Neville on Monday when trying to figure out what Alberto is doing gives him a headache. He re-iterates his offer, hands Neville his card once more after Doony Deutch's speil. He watches from Alberto's locker room as Neville tears his car up and keeps Donny's with a smirk. "Idiot," Mike mutters, looking up when Paige walks into the room.
"Hey, I need your help, gotta a minute for me," she asks.
He frowns up at her. "Of course I do, what do you need?"
Her face clears. She smirks before settling across from him and explaining her thoughts. Mike quickly eases into hte idea and adds in a couple of suggestions of him own, Paige's eyes brightening as she agrees to a couple of them. "Thank you, thank you," she says simply. "I'll see you soon."
"Yep." He's hosting MizTV again this week, and he starts the segment off by explaining that ordinarily he'd have surprised Charlotte with Paige, but plans had changed, so he calls out Charlotte and Ric Flair, waiting as patiently as possible for the two of them to get into the ring. He does what he can to antagonize them, but he loses his focus when Flair starts going on about there being nothing like watching your son and daughter succeed.
Mike believes it, so lost in thought about what he thinks Sara Louisa could do when older- a genius, a doctor, a famous author, anything or everything she'd want to do. He barely hears Charlotte say that she feels bad for Mike's wife. His temper automatically wises and it's all he can do not to wreck both of them with his words.
Charlotte promises to destroy Paige this Sunday, but before she can say or do anything else, Mike speaks up, shaking it all off and forcing himself to concentrate enough to invite Paige out. As the battle continues, he slips out to ringside and watches in awe as Paige slaps Flair across the face and sends him off of the ring onto the floor not far from his daughter. That's all it takes as Flair siccs his daughter on Paige and the two of them brawl for a few moments before Paige gets away and backs up the ramp, Mike a few feet away.
They escape backstage and Mike pats her on the arm. "You alright?"
She nods grimly, shaking her hand out from where it still stings after slapping Flair hard across the face. "Yes, I'm bloody well perfect." He guides her into Alberto's locker room and they sit down, lost in thought about their various things. "Ricardo's sick," she says after a moment, checking her phone. "He has the flu, meanwhile I'm stuck here slapping old men and continuing to struggle to win back my title belt... fat load of good that's doing anyone..." She buries her chin in her hands and groans. "I wish I was there with him, hold him, make him soup or anything else he wants..."
Mike nods. "His colds were always so bad a couple of years ago. Hopefully it won't be like that this time and he'll be fine."
"I hope so," Paige mumbles, hating all over again that Ricardo's so very damn far away. They're still sitting there when Alberto comes in with a pleased expression on his face. "Done with Colter already, hm?" she asks, her accent thick as she looks up at him, standing up. As Alberto stares at her in confusion, she pushes his phone into his hands and glares at him. "Our boy's sick and neither of us can do anything about it, so maybe if you could stop for five minutes with all of your stupid plans, we could facetime him and make sure someone's taking care of him properly so he's not working himself to exhaustion while sick."
Alberto grimaces, his fingers flexing from the adrenaline of finally leaving Colter behind, breaking up this stupid MexiAmerica idea that the man had thought of to try to explain what they were doing together. His current stable, the League of Nations, isn't much better... Sheamus had been a long term rival of his as well, and he hates working with the man, but he too had cost Ricardo a lot over the years... Swagger, he would destroy this Sunday and then after he'd make Sheamus trust in him, the ridiculous looking man would be next. But Paige's worries are valid so he nods. "Si, we can do that."
She looks appeased, slightly. "Then let's leave. I can't concentrate here."
"Si," Alberto says. The three of them return to the car and, as Mike drives, Paige and Alberto talk quietly to Ricardo, Mike interceding where he can while driving.
To their relief, Ricardo sounds alright, if a little tired, and he quickly appeases their nerves. Afterwards, Mike sinks into bed and yawns, staring at his phone. Running his finger along its cool screen, he makes another X on a makeshift calendar he'd made with a drawing app. "Two months to go," he whispers in awe. "And then your mommy and I will be able to hold you, and meet you for real, Sara Louisa. I can't wait to feel your hand gripping my fingers..." He smiles and closes his eyes, unaware of the jealous eyes trained on him as their owner listens to him.
He's asleep within moments.