AJ is waiting for Mike at the house when he returns from the latest trauma inducing week at Raw. "I've talked with the kids," she says, searching his face. "Told them that Dad needs his space for a little bit today."
"You didn't need to do that," Mike says, feeling a little guilty about it all.
"I just watched R-Truth chase you into a bathroom," she says. "Among other places. Trust me, you need some time to yourself to get your head back on straight. And we understand. Just... do what you need to do, and when you're ready to be social again, we'll be here."
He smiles weakly at her. "I love you," he says, leaning in to kiss her.
"Love you too," she says. "Now go, have a nice, relaxing time."
"Thanks," he says, taking his leave of her. Wandering through the house until he heads out the back, wandering through the grass, enjoying the feel of it against his skin, the sun kissing his face as he tilts his head back and breathes in deeply. He sits down and just ... let's life be for awhile, enjoying the peace as warm air brushes over his face, down his arms.
Eventually some of the stress leaves him and he settles back on his elbows, peering back at the house. It's huge, and large, and he thinks he probably could lose even R-Truth within its many rooms and hallways. At least he could hope so, anyway. He breathes steadily, letting the opportunity AJ gave him sooth him, help him to shake off the last of the frustration and anger caused by R-Truth and his incomprehensible ways.
Within another hour, he's ready to see the kids. Spend time with his wife. Get back to some level of normalcy until he has to fly back out and begin all of the nonsense over again. Getting up, he heads indoors to find the kids settled at the table for a snack and he leans in, pressing a kiss to Sara's forehead, then George's, before reaching over to steal some apple slices off of her plate, and some crackers off of his.
"Hey!" both kids protest, just to giggle as Mike tickles them in response, chewing cheerfully at the pilfered snacks.
George looks up at him, eyes wide and searching. "Daddy?"
"Yeah, kiddo," he says, sitting down across from them. "What's up?"
"Momma says you had a hard time of it at work," he says hesitantly. "And needed some time to yourself. Are you better now?"
"I am," he says. "Thanks for letting me have a little quiet. I wasn't mad at you guys or anything, I was just kind of stressed out and needed to calm down. That's all."
George nods, watching him. "Is it that bad man, Truth, still bothering you?"
Mike hums, considering it. "Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that. I think there's some miscommunication going on, he won't listen. I don't think he's trying to be bad, or anything, it's just... you know when you try to explain things but the words won't come out right?"
"Yeah," both kids say.
"Frustrating, right?" Mike sighs. "I don't know how to explain it in a way that he'd understand, or if I can, but the longer it goes on, the worse I feel when I try and he doesn't get it. So sometimes momma tries to give me some time to myself when I get home."
George nods. "I'm glad you feel better, dad."
"Me too," he says. "Who else is going to get to share your snacks with you?" He reaches over, motioning like he's about to scoop up what remains of their snacks.
"No!" both kids cry out, laughing as they try to stop him.
Yeah. Work might be annoying until Truth figures shit out and hopefully start to leave him alone, but this is the highlight of Mike's week, getting to tease his kids and make them laugh and squeal and just have fun.
