Smackdown comes and goes. Neville is still not very agreeable to Miz's suggestions, but he decides not to give up. Not yet. The man has talent, and a bright future ahead, he just needs someone aware of this business and all it requires of a person to guide him, mold him into a more all around balanced performer.
Mike stays on the road, watching from backstage as TLC rolls on that Sunday. Del Rio retains his title, Paige loses to Charlotte again... all in all, not much changes. The car ride to the city Raw will be held at is quiet, Paige cranky and lost in thought as she stares out at the darkness, Alberto staring down at his title, also distracted. Mike taps on the steering wheel as he drives, not interested in forcing conversation.
When they finally make it to the hotel, they split up like always and Mike sinks into bed, listening to Paige get ready for bed. Her mattress squeaks when she sits down on it but she doesn't move to lay down or shut the light off so he glances over at her. "Are you alright?"
"No," she admits, fingers digging into her thighs. "It's bloody awful, I'm a terrible friend, but... I just..." She groans and leans forward, tearing at her hair. "I despised Charlotte for becoming divas champion and I ruined PCB because of it, and now..." She looks up at him, tears filling her dark eyes, and he sits up quickly, facing her. "You're going to hate me when I tell you," she chokes out.
"I doubt that," he says. "What is it?"
She struggles and finally finds the words. "I miss Ricardo. I miss him so much it's agony every waking moment, and it just gets worse the longer I go without seeing him. And now I don't think they're booking me or Alberto for the India tour in January, so neither of us will get to see him, check on him face to face, and..." She shudders. "It's nothing against you or AJ, but the more I hear you two, how in love you are and planning your future with your baby girl, I just... I want that," she chokes out. "I want a future with Ricardo, but I've messed things up so badly with Total Divas and all... I can't... I'm not sure... how it all is going to work out..."
She starts to sob, burying her face in her hands, and Mike freezes for a few moments before standing up and wrapping his arms around her, hugging her. He's not sure what to say, hoping that this is enough of a comfort as she cries harder into his chest. "I'm sorry," he whispers. "I didn't know AJ and I made you feel like that, we definitely didn't want to make things worse..." He strokes her back. "But I know Ricardo pretty well, he loves you. Everything will work out, you just need to be patient with him. He's been plenty patient with you, right?" He pulls back and brushes the hair out of her eyes, smiling sadly down at her.
"Of course he has," she chokes out, wiping at her eyes sluggishly. "You're right, I know. It's just hard."
He nods, brushing more tears off of her face with his thumbs. "I understand. You know how long I had to wait for AJ, and vice versa. We'll all be here for you, no matter what comes of this. But I'm sure it'll work out in the end."
She nods wearily. "You know I really am happy for you and AJ, right? I can't wait to meet Sara Louisa, and spoil her."
"I know," Mike says with a faint smile. "It's ok. Think you can sleep?" She nods and he stands, letting her slip under the sheets before turning the lamp off. "Night, Paige. See you tomorrow."
"Night," she says dozily, turning to look towards him. "You're going to be a really good dad, Mike."
"I hope so," he whispers back, sinking back into his own bed and nuzzling into the pillows. "I'm gonna do my damnedest."
"That's all you can do," she sighs, voice slurring sleepily.
Mike nods, watching as she falls asleep. "Yeah, you're right. Hopefully it'll be enough." Closing his eyes, he releases a breath, trying to swallow down the anxiety pooling in his stomach at the thought of how he could fail the most important thing in his life. "I won't," he mumbles. "I won't..."
The next day, Mike searches for some idea, some way to convince Neville that his way is the best way. "I don't know what to do," he confesses to AJ. "I need something big to do... to convince him that I have the influence to make him as big a star as I claim I can... any ideas?"
AJ hesitates, sounds of her pouring a drink audible. "Well," she says slowly, lost in thought. Turning towards the living room, she pauses, examining the directors chair she'd gotten Mike for Christmas. "I may have an idea."
Mike listens, grinning. "That sounds perfect, sweetheart. What would I do without you?"
"Be utterly, entirely lost," she smirks, sitting down with a soft sigh and sipping from her drink.
"This is true," he says softly. "I love you, sweetheart. Watch Raw for me."
"I love you too, husband, and always. Talk soon, husband."
"Bye." He hates to hang up, but he has things to do so he finally does so and runs off to find the things he needs.
A director's chair, a megaphone, and he's good to go. When Neville comes out to wrestle, Mike makes his way to ringside and begins to direct Neville in beating Tyler Breeze. Neville doesn't seem to appreciate it but Mike continues to try, arguing with Summer when she tries to get involved. Somehow, this leads to Neville winning, and Mike smirks. Knew it.
Neville is still far from pleased, however, the two of them arguing backstage about Mike's involvement in Neville's career. Mike tries to cool Neville down by attempting to call to his pride, asking for help learning Neville's accent for future movie roles. Instead of calming down, Neville grows even angrier and storms off.
Mike frowns. "Was it something I said?" Staring down at his phone, where the latest group picture from Thanksgiving is the wallpaper, he gets an idea and chases after Neville. "Hey, Neville, hang on a minute!"
"Miz, I don't want to hear anything you have to say, I don't need your help with my matches or anything else, so leave me alone!"
Mike hisses out a breath. "Listen, I get it, ok? All you see when you spend time with me is the guy who lectures and acts like he knows everything- which I do know a lot- but I think if you see me in a different light, you might come around to my views."
"Why would I want to do anything to get to see you in a different light?" Neville demands. "I don't want anything to do with you, Mike. The sooner you realize and accept it, the better it'll be for both of us."
Mike gnaws at his lip, watching him turn to walk away. "Neville, what are you doing for Christmas? Far as I know, your family is all back in England, and you can't fly out there to be with them because of the holiday tour. So are you going to spend the entire holiday alone in some dumpy apartment or something?"
Neville turns slowly and glowers at him. "What's it to you, Miz? We're nothing to each other."
"Maybe, now," Mike admits. "But come to Christmas with us. We're having it at Del Rio's house, so you won't even have to go that far. There'll be a ton of food, and you won't be alone. Even if you don't care to spend it learning more about me, or anything else, at least you'll have a good meal and maybe even have some fun. What do you say?" Neville doesn't say or do anything and MIke steps forward. "I'm going to give you the address to Del Rio's place. It's up to you what you do, or don't do, with it." He finds a sheet of paper and tears it in fourths, writing down Alberto's address before pressing it into Neville's hand. "But I hope you come."
Forcing a smile, Mike brushes past Neville and walks down the hall, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Neville watches him go, frowning as he stares down at the address in his hand. Crumpling it up into a ball, he turns towards a trash can, as if about to throw it out, just to stop short. Sighing, he presses it into his pocket and turns in the opposite direction, walking off while lost in thought.