The annual Christmas party is winding down, Mike relieved that nothing's really gone wrong. Karrion's group didn't crash, the Wyatt Sicks didn't find a way to ruin everything. It's just been a regular kind of party with him, AJ, Heath, Maryse, John and Taya. They'd invited Ricardo and Alicia, but they were busy with Ricardo's school and couldn't make it. Tamina had opted to spend the day with her family, so it had been quieter than usual this year. Which, considering how things had been going lately, Mike is somewhat relieved for.
"Did you have fun?" AJ asks once everyone is settled in the guest rooms, leaving them alone to decompress on the patio as night settles around them.
"Yeah," Mike says softly. "Did you?"
"I did," she says, resting her head on his shoulder. "The older the kids get, the more fun I think it gets to be. I enjoy their faces when I actually succeed at getting them something they want." She smiles.
"I can't believe how fast they're growing up," Mike muses, brushing his fingers through her long hair. "They were just little babies comfortable in the palms of my hands the other day."
"Yeah," she says, kissing his shoulder. "It's amazing how fast time moves. I miss my babies, but I am proud of the people they're growing into."
"Me too," Mike says. "We're raising some pretty amazing kids."
"We absolutely are," AJ murmurs. "I'm happy to be on this journey with you."
He presses a finger under her jaw and tilts her face up so he can kiss her. "So am I," he murmurs against her lips, smiling as she giggles and tangles her fingers in the collar of his shirt. "Wanna go to bed?"
"Yes please," she murmurs, kissing him.
He stands and reaches out for her, gripping her hand and helping her to her feet, kissing her once more before turning her to the doors so they can go inside, make the most out of the rest of their Christmas night while their guests sleep.