It's nice to have Ricardo back in California. They spend the few days Mike gets off wandering the beach and watching weird movies with Alicia and AJ, while Ricardo plays with Sara and Mike polishes his title belt, they catch up on a lot of things in a short period of time. Mike looks up and examines Ricardo as he coos over the toddler and pokes her nose, laughing when she looks unimpressed. "So everything with Alberto has calmed down lately?"
"I think so," Ricardo says hesitantly. "We've... agreed to work together, see how that goes." He hoists Sara up and hugs her close, kissing the side of her head. "I'm going to be his ring announcer again."
"In a match against Jack Swagger," Alicia says, sounding quite unhappy about it.
Even AJ sits up straighter at this, the two of them exchanging uncomfortable glances before they turn back to Ricardo. "Oh, man, I don't know," Mike mumbles, glancing down towards Ricardo's ankle. "You went through so much already because of him..."
Ricardo nods slowly, stroking Sara's back as she dozes off in his arms. "I know. I've considered that. But Alberto's promised he'll keep an eye on things, do better at keeping me safe this time. I've decided to trust him." His lips twitch up into a bemused smirk. "He definitely owes me one after everything that's been happening the last few years."
"That is definitely true," Mike mumbles as he sprawls a hand out over Sara's back, feeling her breathing steadily. He looks up and locks eyes with Ricardo. "If he doesn't uphold his promise, I'm more than down to pay him a visit in some seedy bar again."
Ricardo laughs weakly, remembering how Mike had handled things just after Alberto had betrayed Ricardo all of those years ago. "I don't think it'll be necessary," he murmurs. "But I'll keep it in mind."
"You do that," Mike tells him briskly, ruffling his hair and making him huff as the long strands drift into his face. "I'll be glad to teach ol' Alberto another lesson or two about friendship."
-x
As a WWE superstar, life comes at you fast. One minute you're standing backstage, Bo and Axel by your side, and the next minute, you're in the ring, facing off with Cena to determine who will be #1 into the Chamber. AJ's words from the week prior are echoing in Mike's head, beseeching him to be careful with all of the injuries going around currently, and he breathes deeply, determined not to be first in. Not to lose here.
He fights with everything he has, but ultimately, it's not enough. Cena keeps kicking out again and again, ultimately taking Mike out long enough for the three count. He stares up at the lights overhead, trying to digest that he will be #1 into the chamber, exhaling roughly before pounding his fist against the floor and rolling over to stand up. Bo and Axel are nearby but he ignores them, needing to hear AJ's voice. Convince her that things will be ok, despite this loss.
"Sweetheart," he says, sweaty, tired, but not willing to stop long enough to shower or visit the trainer before seeing this through.
"Mike," she responds, voice tired but even. They sit quietly for a few moments, listening to their breaths crackling over the phone. "You'll be careful, right?"
"Of course I will," he says. "I always am."
She breathes out. "I know you are. Just... be a little extra careful this time. For me." She pauses as Sara babbles nearby. "For us."
"Always," he promises softly. "Put Sara down, I'll be home in a little bit and we can relax and watch some movies or whatever you want to do. I promise you, AJ, it'll be alright."
"Ok," she says, trusting him to not be lying to her. "See you soon then, husband."
"See you soon," he echoes, hanging up and staring off into the distance.
He hopes he hasn't just lied to her.