The trip to Florida isn't as bad as Mike fears. Sara sleeps through most of it, spending the rest of it in a sleepy fugue. When they land, AJ exhales and settles into the backseat of the car, making sure the baby is safe in her carseat before Mike drives towards Alicia's apartment. He hums under his breath, peering in the rear view mirror at his girls whenever there's a lull in traffic. Once they arrive, Sara is awake and wiggling around, AJ giggling whenever Mike makes faces at her.
Alicia meets them at the door and throws her arms around AJ, guiding them inside. "Ricardo's napping," she says softly. "I'm pretty sure he's still suffering from jetlag, but you know him. Barely likes to complain." Mike nods, placing the baby down on the couch and stepping back as the women hover over her, cooing and patting her stomach and playing with her feet and fingers. "She's gotten so big!"
"He's had a hard week anyway," Alicia continues once she's had her fill of playing with the baby. "Paige needing neck surgery, well... it messed with his head." She scratches at her arm, looking uncomfortable. "He, um, was drunk a few days ago. But I think he's going to be ok. I'm just glad he's home so I can help him through this. Or at least try to."
AJ rests her hand on Alicia's and smiles at her. "I'm sure you're helping more than you realize," she tells her kindly. The three of them are still sitting there, watching as Sara attempts to crawl around a bit more, getting the hang of it bit by bit as her upperbody strengthens with each try, when they hear a door open and shut, water running a few moments later.
When steps approach the living room, Mike stands up and carefully steps around his daughter, greeting Ricardo in the doorway with a hug. "Hey, man."
"I didn't know you were coming," Ricardo says sleepily, patting Mike on the back. "Hola, AJ."
"Hola," she greets him, smiling.
"Yeah, it was supposed to be a surprise," Mike tells him, pulling away from Ricardo and pointing at the baby. "We know you both kind of had a hard week, so thought maybe some baby adorableness would cheer you guys up." Ricardo immediately kneels down and hoists Sara up from the blanket, hugging her as she coos and slaps her fists against his forearms, squirming around. "Guess we were right," he chuckles, sitting down next to AJ and watching as Alicia and Ricardo play with the baby
It's a relaxing couple of days, Sara helping to keep Ricardo's mind off of things and Alicia distracted from her lingering soreness after the confrontations with Nia Jax. Zero quickly becomes a guard dog of sorts for the baby, laying by her carrier and snarling at anyone who dares to come too close. Ricardo is impressed and surprised, the dog knowing enough to calm down whenever Mike or AJ approaches to get their daughter. "Well, who would've guessed it," Ricardo sighs, slumping down next to Alicia. "Zero's a naturally born babysitter."
She chuckles and rubs his shoulders. "Appears so."
Mike settles the baby on his lap and turns to look at Ricardo. "So I guess you've heard what's going on with me and Ziggler."
"He's put his career on the line? Yeah, well, here's to you if you actually retire him," Ricardo offers, nodding towards Mike as he chuckles.
"I'm trying to think of something... special... to give him for his possibly last appearance on Smackdown, but I can't think of anything."
Ricardo considers this, poking at Sara's lips as she babbles and waves her fists around, blinking up at him with innocent, wide blue eyes. "Well, has anyone heard from the Spirit Squad in awhile?" he wonders.
Mike gapes for a minute, almost ashamed he didn't think of it. "Ricardo, you are a genius!" he exclaims, wincing as Sara fusses and whines. "It's ok, baby girl, sorry I got a little loud, Daddy's just happy. Shhh."
She calms and settles back into the crook of Ricardo's arm before falling asleep.
Mike smiles and shakes his head. "I can't believe she'll be walking before very long. I feel like it was just yesterday when she born." He sighs and pats Ricardo on the arm. "I know you probably don't want to talk about anything right now, and I get that, but I'm here for you. Anything you need."
"Thanks," he exhales. "It's just a hard time. Alicia is very understanding and kind though. Not sure I'd have made it this far without her."
Mike clearly isn't sure what to say to this so they turn their attention back to the baby, watching her sleep.
They've just left, AJ returning to California with Sara, while Mike flies north to research a few things, when the news hits. Alberto had no-showed a Mexico event. Mike rolls his eyes, unsurprised, but continues on with his business. It takes some looking but he finally finds what he wants. It takes some money, but that's fine. He figures it'll be worth it. "Half now, the rest after Smackdown," he says over the phone, eager to hang up and plan out the last bit. Placing another call, he taps his fingers. "Is the video package put together? ... I'm paying you so much for this, it better be exactly what I asked for," he warns. "Right, Tuesday. Good. See you then."
He hangs up and sneers as he drops back against the pillows and stares up at the ceiling. Everything will be perfect for Ziggler's farewell appearance...
Monday night passes by peacefully until the news comes that Del Rio had no-showed because he was attacked and stabbed by assailant outside of a restuarant. Mike bites his lip and tries to decide how to feel, shaking his head. If I feel so off about all of this, I can only guess how Ricardo feels, he thinks, tempted to call and check in, but he'd hate to interrupt something important and ruin Ricardo's focus, should he be training at the dojo or something.
Ultimately, Mike decides to refrain and wait until he hears something, one way or another, carrying on with his Smackdown plans. Which go off without a hitch. Of course.