For a man who typically loves his job, Mike hates pulling himself away from his wife and daughter for Smackdown this week. He ponders it while rocking the little girl to sleep for the first time, kissing her forehead lightly before settling her back in the transparent hospital crib, turning back to AJ's bed. They're being released in the morning and this is the only reason he's considering going- because everything had gone smoothly, AJ is healing well, already up and walking around, and the baby is doing typical baby things at this stage.
"You can go," AJ tells him, taking in the solemn look on his face. "I know you have some finished business with Jericho. Sara and I will be fine, and it's not like we're going to be alone anyway."
Paige, who had been in and out since Monday night, looks up from a flier of baby information that the nurse had given her. "That's right, I'm not booked on Smackdown, so I'll be staying to coo over that beautiful little girl over there, and make sure her mummy takes good care of herself. Ontario is even closer than Anaheim was, so no worries, Mike. We'll get these two home and tucked in and spoiled for awhile, and you'll be able to call us to check in whenever you want. I'll keep my phone on vibrate so it doesn't bother the little princess."
Mike sighs and kisses AJ gently before nodding at Paige. "Fine. I guess that'll work." He still has his misgivings, not wanting to let either of his girls out of his sight so soon, but he does want to confront Jericho one last time before the PPV, before WWE leaves California, before he has to decide when he next wants to leave the state, his family, to compete.
Mike stays in a cot next to AJ's bed that night, the two of them waking up now and again to take care of Sara whenever she fusses, needing fed or a new diaper or just missing their touch. After another of these, Mike settles back on the limp hospital pillow and rolls over to face his wife. "Can you believe this?" he whispers, watching as her eyes glint in the soft light from the window behind them. "Tomorrow, we get to bring our little girl home and introduce her to the place that she's going to grow up in."
AJ's hand reaches out and finds his in the darkness, and he grins, squeezing her fingers gently. "I can't wait," she whispers, smiling softly as he kisses her knuckles.
"Me neither," he murmurs back, watching as she falls asleep. The baby's breath mixes with AJ's and lulls him to sleep too, all of them eager for morning.
Dr. Chi comes in briefly, examining the baby and teasing her with funny faces and gentle tickles along her feet, before turning to AJ and giving her a quick exam as well. As she finishes up, Mike has just buttoned Sara into a black and pink checked bodysuit that Paige and Alicia had brought over, wrapping her up in a blanket before he lifts her up and shows her to AJ, whose face lights up as she coos at the baby. "Ready to go?" a nurse asks, holding onto a wheelchair that AJ grimaces over but accepts, settling into the monstrosity with a put-upon sigh.
Mike has already been to the car, putting a car seat in place, so they're good to go. He settles the baby gently into place and straps her in before leaning in to kiss her. It's torture to move to the front seat but he's more excited to get her home so after making sure AJ is settled and the bags are secured in the trunk, he gets into the driver's seat and heads off carefully towards home, all too aware of the responsibility on his shoulders now with the newborn in the backseat. AJ can't exactly complain about how slow he's driving, since LA traffic is what it always is, and it gives him a good excuse.
When they finally arrive, John, Alicia and Paige is waiting for them, bright grins on their faces as they greet the family and help them into the house, Paige and Alicia cooing over the baby and AJ while Mike and John bring everything else into the house. "Hey, I have a question for you," Mike says as he places AJ's hospital bag in the closet. "Now I'm more than thankful that you were with AJ while I was at Raw, but she called Star first and... I haven't seen Star for weeks, now that I think about it. She wasn't even at the Superbowl thing. So what gives?"
John sighs, leaning against the closet door. "I didn't want to worry either of you, but... Star went missing a couple of weeks ago, after Lucha Underground started again. I think it's... Marty the Moth again, but I'm not sure. I didn't want to drag you back out in some unknown danger again, not with AJ's due date so close, so I've been looking for her on my own... just haven't had much luck yet. I'm not giving up yet though."
Mike steps forward and claps him on the shoulder. "Of course you're not. Look, I know a lot of things are happening around here, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. I want to help you. Besides, Star's been a great deal of support for AJ, so... please, anything I do, you know my number."
John nods. "I do. Thanks, man." He leans forward and hugs Mike, sighing. "Come on, let's go see that beautiful baby of yours."
Mike grins and nods, eagerly pulling him down the hall towards the nursery.
Smackdown goes about as can be expected when his mind is in LA, with his three day old baby cooing and fussing in her crib while AJ and Paige play with her. Mike confronts Jericho and loses to him. He has no regrets or shame towards it though, knowing he'd tried his best. So he leaves, makes the 50 minute drive back to LA in thankfully quick fashion, the traffic easing off enough that he makes it sooner than expected. The house is quiet, Paige is watching TV in the living room, and the baby and AJ are asleep in the bedroom, the baby more comfortable in the smaller bassinet than in the overwhelming crib for now.
He waves at Paige on his way through and sneaks into the bedroom, watching AJ sleep for a few moments before kneeling next to the bassinet and running his finger down Sara's cheek, relieved when she sleeps through it but unable to resist touching her sweet face. "I used to think it was cliche," he whispers to her. "That you don't know pure, unadultered love until you look into your child's face... but it's true, you know? You had me from the second you took your first breath, Sara Louisa. And I promise to keep you safe, guide you to be as beautiful inside as you are out... but I don't think I'll have to work hard at that one, I can tell already you're going to grow into a sweet, loving person."
He runs his finger along her hand and smiles, his eyes widening when she squirms, opening her eyes and staring back at him. "Hello, sweetie," he whispers. "Go back to sleep. It's just daddy being silly." But she continues to stare at him before wrapping her fingers around his, squeezing with all of her strength as he stares at her. She coos and yawns sweetly before closing her eyes, slowly losing her grip on him as she falls back asleep. "I love you," he whispers, leaning in to kiss her one more time before moving to join AJ. She stirs too when he settles in and wraps his arms around her, but quickly dozes back off after snuggling into his warmth and he smiles. "Good night, my girls," he whispers, the pain from the match, the aggravation of losing again, all meaningless while he's here, surrounded by their love and support.