"Ok, sweetheart," Mike mumbles into AJ's hair on Sunday evening after they watch Santa's Little Helper. "So I leave for Raw tomorrow, wrestle for Main Event Tuesday, and then I'll meet you, John and Star at Alberto's on Wednesday, ok?" She nods sleepily and he smiles, stroking her hair. "Alicia, Paige, Tamina and Alberto are all booked on Tribute to the Troops Wednesday, but they'll join us on Thursday, and then we can begin the holiday fun."
They had visited AJ's OB-GYN on Friday and, after a thorough examination, she'd cleared AJ to fly out, but warned them that this would probably be the last time until the baby came. Not exactly a surprise to either of them, they'd thanked Dr. Chi and left the office, booking the flight and calling their friends to confirm.
"That sounds good," she sighs, nuzzling back into his jaw. "Can we sleep now?" She grows tired so easily, not that it's surprising, considering how far along in the pregnancy she is.
He strokes her stomach and nods. "Yeah, sweetheart. We can sleep now." He leans in and softly kisses her, feeling her hum against his lips, and smiles. "I love you."
"Love you too," she breathes out, already fast asleep as soon as the words pass her lips.
The next morning when his alarm goes off, she's still deeply asleep so he kisses her once more, watches for a few minutes before quietly getting his things together, and leaves without disturbing her. The airport is crazy and he grimaces, relieved that actually getting on his flight goes smoothly enough. He's luckier than some, at any rate.
Paige greets him at the airport and they leave together, Mike tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. She watches him for a moment. "What's got you so spastic?"
"AJ was told she's not going to get to fly out until the baby comes after this trip to Alberto's," he says quietly. "It just kind of dawned on me this is going to happen soon." He glances over at Paige at a red light. "Sara Louisa is going to be here in, like, two months, and I'm not sure I'm ready. The nursery looks great, thanks to you guys and everything you gave at the baby shower, but... I'm still on the road a lot, and..." He worries his bottom lip. "What if I'm an awful dad? I mean, I love my dad, but he wasn't... always there a lot, and what if I... what if she feels like I did when I was a kid? I mean, it's my job, I'm doing this for her, so she has a stable future, but-"
Paige's hand is soft and smooth against his as she takes his nearest hand off of the steering wheel and gives it a squeeze. "We all agree that you're going to be a great dad, Mike. Even Del Rio thinks so. You might be on the road a couple days a week, sure, but she'll know you love her. I mean, you're not going to be the first one in the business with a kid, and they seem to be doing alright. Like Roman, you know? His daughter adores him."
He takes a breath, nods. "Yeah. I know you're right. It's just... kind of scary. And don't you dare tell anyone I said that." He casts a warning glance at her before continuing to drive.
She chuckles and releases his hand. "Your secret's safe with me, Mike."
Mike breathes a little easier, relieved for the distraction once they arrive at the arena. He tries to steal Sandow's doublecross Slammy award, but gives it back to him. Because that's just the kind of chivalrous guy he is. He then watches Neville lose whatever traction he'd gained the week prior and leaves him to get beat down by Alberto, Rusev, Wade and Sheamus to announce another slammy award. Once that's done, he's out for the night, sitting backstage with Del Rio, who's in and out while handling business with his league of nations cohorts. "So, Neville, huh?" he says in lieu of conversation while they wait for Diva of the Year slammy to be announced.
Alberto rolls his eyes and picks at his arm disinterestedly. "I do not see what you see in the man, Miz. Slater would probably be a better choice."
Mike smirks a little but shrugs. He likes to have pet projects. Mentoring Daniel had been the start of it. His influence had pushed the man into being World Champion, and Alex had been on the cusp of greatness as well thanks to him before injuries and politics overwhelmed him. Sandow had been another that could've gone on to do great things, but the crowd had ruined that for him by giving him an overinflated ego. Neville would be a fresh slate, something new to try. Mike would keep a closer eye on him, make sure he doesn't overestimate his own ability or ceiling in the business. "I just see something in him. I think he could go on to do incredible things if given the chance." He points at Alberto, who looks unimpressed. "I invited him over for Christmas this week. If you can't be cordial, then just ignore him, please."
Alberto huffs. "This is my house you're inviting random people to, you are aware, Miz?"
Mike smirks. "And I'm going to be a father soon, so allow me this one thing, huh?" Alberto huffs and looks away, shaking his head. "Don't make me call Ricardo."
Alberto rolls his eyes, shoulders slumping as the fight leaves him. "Whatever," he mumbles, muttering on in Spanish until they hear R-Truth announce that Paige has won the diva of the year slammy.
"Hell yeah!" Mike says, happy for the woman... until she comes out to accept, all happy and delighted, and R-Truth confesses that he was wrong. That Nikki Bella has won. The air deflates out of the room and Mike and Alberto slump back against the bench, watching in distaste as Paige tries to be graceful in humiliating defeat and even hugs Nikki in congratulation before they leave together.
She returns a few moments later, looking bummed out. "Lo siento," Alberto tells her, hugging her.
Mike hugs her too and she clings to him, the start of tears staining his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispers into her hair. She's very quiet for the rest of the night, and during Smackdown the next day, and he hates leaving her on Wednesday, but being away from AJ for too long leaves him twitchy so he's almost relieved to board the flight to Florida.
AJ and Star are waiting on the porch as he drives up and she joins him at the stairs, his hands sprawling over her stomach as she leans up on her tippytoes and kisses him. "It's about time you got here, husband," she says teasingly, taking his hand and leading him into the house. It's clear Sofia has already begun cooking, the smells tantalizing and delicious.
Morrison slaps him on the back, hugging him quickly, before returning to yoga on the sun-kissed wooden floor of the living room. Mike then allows himself to be dragged into the kitchen, where Sofia greets him with a careful hug, her fingers stained with flour already. "Is there anything we can do to help, Sofia?" AJ wonders.
Alicia is already busy putting together the ingredients for fudge, and Star returns to forming homemade rolls, so Sofia shakes her head with a soft laugh. "The only thing I want you both to do," she says with a smile, "is sit down, relax, and taste test for us. How does that sound, hmm?"
"I'm more than fine with that!" Mike exclaims, hungry after having nothing more than a quick bite to eat at the airport for breakfast.
AJ rolls her eyes at him with a soft, affectionate laugh, but ends up nodding too. "Sounds good," she says, resting a hand on her stomach.
"Are my girls hungry?" Mike wonders, linking his hand with hers.
She chuckles and leans closer to him. "Your girls are always hungry now," she murmurs, blinking when a plate full of fruit and bread appears in front of her. "Oh, Sofia, really-"
"Eat up, mami," Star tells her. "More to come!"
AJ laughs and sighs, staring up at him. "Merry Christmas Eve Eve, husband."
He bridges the gap between them and cups her jaw, kissing her softly, warmly. Feels her eyes flutter against his fingertips, her breath against his lips. "Merry Christmas Eve Eve to you too, sweetheart," he whispers, not that surprised when a plate very similar to AJ's appears before him as well.
They grin and pull away from each other, starting to eat enthusiatically.