Mike hasn't seen Maryse much this cycle, which he thinks is understandable. He also doesn't mind it that much, because it gives him time to video chat with his wife and daughter in peace and quiet. "So what are you dressing her up as for Halloween? You haven't even given me a hint," he teases AJ, unable to stop making faces at Sara as she stares, intrigued, at the phone screen, patting it with her pudgey fingers sometimes and making things blur up on his end as AJ's hand rocks with the movement.
"I'll show you closer to the time," she smirks, winking at him. He huffs and makes a face at her as she laughs. "I promise you, it'll be adorable."
"Well of course it will be, she's the cutest baby in the world," he huffs, settling in to talk a little longer. "Sometimes you're too good at keeping secrets, sweetheart."
Her grin grows. "I have to be sometimes to keep up with you, husband." They're still talking when the baby yawns and snuggles into AJ, eyes blinking slowly. "Ok, I think someone needs some attention and then bedtime, huh?" AJ kisses Sara on top of the head. "I'll talk to you later, husband. Good luck with the live events this weekend." She blows a quick kiss at him and he exaggerates getting hit with it, sighing dramatically.
"Alright, good night, sweetie," he says to the baby. "Love you, AJ. Sleep well."
"Not as well without you by my side, but I'll do my best," she promises with a small smile. "Good night. Love you too."
He watches until the screen goes blank, then rolls over with a tired sigh, missing his girls but looking forward to finding a new way to taunting Ziggler on Smackdown in a few days. Sleep comes easily enough.
-x
Mike meets up with Maryse backstage at Smackdown, lips quirking up at her pleased expression. "Have a good week?" he wonders, loosely pressing a hand against her mid-back, trying to play up the charade they've got going while in public.
Her teeth as she grins at him, nodding. "Oui, it was... incredible."
He's not sure what magic Heath has to put that look on the woman's face, but he thinks he's better off not knowing. They go out to the ring early on that night and it's a strange contrast, Mike and Maryse dressed in dark colors, still in mourning over the loss of the Intercontinental title, while Kenny and Mikey are dressed as garishly as ever, yelling and doing their ridiculous cheerleader things. Mike begins to talk once they quiet, somber and thin-lipped as he explains about what the loss of the Intercontinental title means, how the legends who came before are affected by someone like Ziggler holding the belt.
He's not that surprised when Ziggler interrupts, insulting his lengthy title reign, daring him to challenge for a rematch. Mike doesn't bite, however, knowing he's not prepared mentally or physically. Instead, he urges the Spirit Squad on- just for Heath's music to hit. He rolls his eyes skyward as the man comes to the ring, Rhyno by his side. Maryse ends up standing between the six men and Mike listens, his eyebrows raising, as Heath lays into him for using her a human shield.
It's easy from there to push them into putting their tag belts on the line against the Spirit Squad- Heath is nothing if not easy to predict, even when Maryse and he can't keep their eyes off of each other, and Rhyno is even more so, so all it takes is Mike to say they're scared of Male Cheerleaders, and Rhyno's accepting before Heath can even say or do anything else about his "tricks and shenanigans". Maryse doesn't look that thrilled as they head to the commentary desk, Ziggler sitting on the far side, but Mike isn't too concerned- Heath will be fine, one way or another. It had taken a double team attack the week before for them to lose, and Rhyno will be watchful this week.
"He's very protective of you," Mike mumbles into Maryse's ear before they get the headsets on, amused and surprised by the blush creeping up her cheeks as she shoots him a glance, exhaling harshly. The match itself is about as one would expect, Heath gets some offense in but the Spirit Squad keep fighting, then things between Mike and Ziggler go from verbal to physical as they meet in front of the commentary table, about to brawl it out finally, when Kenny comes flying out of nowhere and takes Mike out, opening Mikey up to a loss by Rhyno's Gore. Miz is not thrilled but he can tell by the look deep in Maryse's gaze that she's fine with it even as she helps peel him off of the floor, Dolph laughing at him before rolling into the ring to celebrate with Heath and Rhyno.
"Ow," he mumbles, staring unimpressed at Kenny as he scrambles on the floor, still in disbelief of what's just transpired the last few minutes. It's tempting to kick him but Mike refrains, rolling his eyes skyward as Maryse rubs his arm in a comforting way.
They leave and spend a few minutes backstage, the Spirit Squad bickering before disappearing into the showers while Miz and Maryse watch the main event. He's not that surprised when Maryse quietly gets up and walks towards the door, an eager look on her usually composed face. "Maryse?" he asks once her hand's on the door. She turns towards him and he smiles vaguely. "Just... is he good to you?"
She pauses for a moment, clearly surprised by the question, then nods, her flush from earlier intensifying. "Yes, he is." She swallows. "We... we're falling in love with each other."
He's not surprised. The looks on their faces just then, while in the same ring, it had been almost palpable. He smiles at her. "I'm happy for you both."
She inclines her head and beams at him. "Merci, Mike. I'll be back before we have to leave."
He chuckles, giving her a knowing look. "Take your time. There's no hurry. I'm the Miz, I leave when I want to leave."
Her blush continues to grow as she nods quickly and leaves, the door clicking shut quietly behind her.
"Aw, young love." he muses to himself, eyes closed as he leans back against the couch. "Isn't it sweet."