Mike leans back against the wall of his house, breathing in deeply. It's the 4th of July and he's... relaxed, for the first time in a long time. He's not chasing R-Truth around, trying to keep track of what he's doing or saying depending on what it'd have to do with their tag titles. Because they don't have the tag titles anymore. Which, he's come to find, is actually ok. For now.

Let Judgement Day have them, let them do whatever they want with them. He's tired, and he's realizing he's too old to continually chase after R-Truth and try to keep things on the straight and narrow. He-

"Daddy?"

Mike looks down quickly and finds George tugging on his pantleg, a frown on his face. "Oh, hey, bud, what's up?" he asks, hoisting his son up and holding him close. "Everything alright?"

"Where are the fireworks?"

"Oh," Mike laughs, rubbing his back. "Well, it's still a little early, we have to wait until the sun sets. See how light it still is? When everything's dark, then it'll be about time."

"Will the fireflies be scared?" he wonders, resting his head on his dad's shoulders.

"Hm, they might be startled for awhile," Mike admits. "It is a lot of noise and light, isn't it?"

"Yeah, daddy," George says, looking up at him. "But they'll be ok, right?"

"Yeah, buddy," Mike murmurs, rubbing his back. "They'll be ok." He kisses him and adjusts his grip on him. "Wanna go find Uncle John? Maybe he'll help you find a couple before the fireworks get started."

"Will you come with us?" George asks, eyes gleaming in the faint light remaining. "Please, daddy?"

"Well, how can I say no to that?" Mike chuckles, swooping his son around while he walks over towards the patio where John, Taya and AJ are sitting. "Who's up for some firefly hunting?"

John chuckles. "I am," he calls out, standing up. "Taya? AJ? Wanna join?"

"Maybe later," Taya says lazily, drawing her legs out over John's now abandoned chair. "Have fun, you three."

John winks and leans in for a kiss before bounding over and hoisting George out of his dad's hands. "Let's go find these sparkly little goofballs," he cheers as George laughs and squeals.

Mike chuckles and glances back at AJ in time to see her blow a kiss at him before catching it melodramatically and holding it close before turning to chase after his best friend and son. "Hey, wait for me!"

Yeah, life without the stresses of being champion is actually pretty damn sweet sometimes.