Another week, another new disrespect. Mike huffs a frustrated laugh, scrubbing his hand down his face before looking over to squint at the screen, watching as Rhea carries on as if she hasn't just trashed yet another day of his. As much as he agrees women deserve their time- he does have a daughter, after all, and he wants only the best for her in the future, knowing people like Rhea Ripley are opening doors that will ultimately make things easier for her in whatever steps she takes professionally, be it wrestling or something else- but the fact that it's at his expense makes him ground his teeth.
He stares at his schedule and adds in Ricardo's invitation, finding himself looking more and more forward to it. Maybe getting back to basics, meeting the future of the business, helping to train some of them if he feels up to it, will help get his head back on straight. He's still considering what he could tell them, lessons on connecting with an audience, shaking off stage fright and whatever else they could benefit from, when his phone rings. He blindly answers, still lost in thought. "Yeah?"
"Daddy!"
Immediately it's like the sun's come out and he chuckles. "Sara? Hey, honey. What's up? Did you steal your mama's phone again?"
"Didn't steal," she says, and he can almost picture the pout on her face. "Just borrowed! I wanted to talk to you."
"Well, you know I love hearing from you," he tells her, eyes soft with affection. "What's going on? Everything ok?"
"I saw you on TV," she says, excited.
It isn't too much of a surprise considering, but he bites his lip, smiling a little anyway. If it's still novel to his kids, well, he'll enjoy it as long as he can, until they're too old for anything Dad does to be considered cool. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. That lady, that- uh-"
"Rhea," he supplies.
"She was really mean to you," Sara says softly.
"Yeah, a little. it happens, I'm ok though. Especially now that I get to talk to you." He smiles as Sara giggles breathlessly.
"Are you going to be home early tomorrow?"
"Yeah, baby. Gotta help get your Halloween costume together, right?" Even with a week before Halloween, she has a few school activities to do where she's allowed to dress up, and she's definitely his daughter because she's been running around for days, excited to take advantage of the opportunities.
"Yes, daddy!" she exclaims. "I wanna be something different each day!"
"I know you do," he chuckles. "Mama and I are working on it, I think we have a pretty good start, don't you?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Ok, well," he says, noticing the time. Her bedtime is creeping up on them and he knows AJ will still have a few things to do before she can tuck Sara in. "I'll let you go. I'll see you in the morning, alright?"
"Alright, daddy. Sleep tight!"
He chuckles, glancing over at his hotel bed. "I'll do my best, sweetie. Good night."
"G'night!"
When the line clicks, he puts his phone down and exhales slowly, leaning back in his chair. He feels a little more stable, Sara's sweet voice always enough to tug him back from the edge. It won't last forever, he knows, the next disrespect he endures probably sending him spiraling even worse, but it's something to hold onto for now, at least.