There isn't much to be done this week, not much to be said. They're not booked, as if WWE officials think giving them a week apart will help things cool down, which is a laugh all on its own. But Mike still gets what he wants- a no DQ match against Ciampa the following week, which gives him time to plan. To strategize. To formulate an unbeatable game plan against the man who had temporarily been a friend.
In the meanwhile, he walks along the beach, Sara's little hand in one, George's in the other, AJ, Taya, John, Maryse and Heath scattered around behind him, Monroe and Madison shrieking in the surf to his left. It's a nice way to spend the 4th, he thinks. Simple, but fulfilling, all of his favorite people in one place, which is a very rare thing to have happen. It won't last for long, Taya and John both have to fly out for AEW, Heath will be leaving for Impact business, but for now. Everything is as it should be.
His smile grows when AJ's arms slink around his middle and she kisses his shoulder. "Having a nice holiday?" she asks him, nuzzling closer. "Considering everything with Ciampa, this is the happiest you've looked in awhile."
Mike shrugs, then shifts to wrap an arm around her, Sara content to instead hold AJ's hand, swinging it back and forth happily. "I just feel like I have nothing to worry about with that," he says after a moment. "I know Ciampa's weaknesses. I know how to exploit them. So, for that reason, I feel like I deserve to just relax and enjoy today with you all."
AJ hums, massages his side with her free hand. "Well, I trust you," she says after a few moments. "I know you probably have already chose the best possible strategy."
"Exactly." He smirks and kisses the top of her head. "Ciampa won't know what hit him." Kneeling down, he swoops George up and laughs when his son squeals at the sudden change in gravity. "C'mon, let's go see what Heath and the girls are doing. Race you!"
Sara yells after him, unable to catch up at his unfair speed advantage, and he throws his head back and laughs as George eagerly lunges out of his arms and stomps his feet in the wet sand, rushing over to play with Heath and the girls in the dying sunlight.
Mike watches with a gleaming grin, exhaling slowly. He wishes he could have more time for days like these, but he can't waste the ones he's lucky enough to have so he shakes it off, hoists Sara off of her feet and careens her into the water, bracing her body with his arms and cackling maddeningly as she squeals at the sudden rush of water against her skin.