The UK tour finally ends. Mike leans against the airport glass, thinking about the flight back to the States, having to do one more Raw, and then finally have a couple of days with his girls. Heath's already flown home early, probably eager to see Maryse, how she's doing with everything. It's been awhile since Mike's had time to really sit and think about it but she's getting pretty far along now, and it's clear they're both really excited for their daughter. He remembers the feeling well, still has it whenever he comes home and Sara greets him with one of her hugs, babbling in longer sentences with actual words now.
He laughs sadly at the thought of his little girl learning so much without him, growing accustomed to a father who's only with her part of the time. He sighs and scrubs at his eyes, relieved when it's finally time to board and Bo and Axel distract him from his grim thoughts. "Ya alright?" he asks Axel.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he says, gripping at his braced neck as he follows them onto the plane. Because Mike is a good guy, he's rewarded them with first class throughout the UK tour. Expensive, but worth it. These guys have taken some ridiculous beatings the last few weeks for him.
Raw is... well, Raw is being put in a match against the Shield. Raw is observing everyone around them tense and watchful in case the Smackdown crew should make another appearance. Mike mocks Baron Corbin, who he will be facing on Sunday unless Corbin loses to Sin Cara on Smackdown the following night, and then interviews the Bar a bit on MizTV. They lose to the Shield, and Mike eats a triple powerbomb for his troubles. He had not missed that move in the slightest, writhing around on the mat before rolling out to relative safety.
He does not involve himself in the brawl that Angle and the other Raw guys put together for Smackdown the following night. He does watch Corbin beat Sin Cara, almost disappointed- everyone else is getting a last minute opponent swap but he still gets stuck with that guy... Once it's all over, and the lengthy two weeks he's been gone are complete, he jumps on the first plane out to LA and tries to be quiet as he unlocks the door, but AJ is sitting up waiting for him, and she smiles over a glass of chocolate milk, putting it down and going to greet him. "Hello, husband."
"Hello, sweetheart," he says softly, kissing her. "Sara asleep?"
"Should be. But I'll forgive you this one if you want to wake her up." He rests his forehead against hers and smiles before taking her hand and heading upstairs. They stand over her for a few minutes and AJ kisses his shoulder. "I've been looking at big girl beds for her. I know we have a little bit of time, but she is almost two, so... yeah, I think we should consider it soon enough."
Mike groans. "Big girl bed, then she'll need a bike, then a training bra, then she'll be wearing makeup and skirts that we both hate, and she'll be learning to drive, and-"
AJ laughs, cupping his face and making him look at her. "Someone needs sleep," she says, stroking his jaw gently. "Our baby girl has a long way to go before she gets to any of that." Picking sleepy, warm Sara up, she settles her in her daddy's arms and watches Mike's face soften as he kisses her forehead, smelling the shampoo and other general scents that is just... Sara. "We have time," she tells him, kissing his back. "I know you feel like you miss out on a lot, but we really do. We have days, weeks, months, years of her growing and learning and loving, and slowly, in time, doing all of the things you mentioned. And you know what, daddy?"
"What?" he asks softly, wondering if Sara needs fed or changed, or anything. Considering how she's still asleep in his arms, he guesses she's perfectly content.
"She's going to love you more and more with each milestone. I promise."
"Even if I'm not there?" he asks, troubled blue eyes locking on her earnest face.
She sighs. Eases the baby out of his hands and eases her back into the crib, relieved when she stays asleep. "Yes, Mike. Even then. Because she'll understand you're doing what you have to to support this family, keep us all secure and happy and safe." She kisses him long and slow before guiding him back down the hall, into their bedroom. Helps him with his shoes, his clothes, then drapes the sheets over his prone body. "Get some sleep, husband. You'll feel better in the morning," she tells him with a small smile.
"I know I will," he mumbles, gripping her around the waist and drawing her into bed on top him. "What do you know, I feel better already?"
She laughs and squeaks, trying not to make too much noise and wake the baby up. "You are ridiculous, Mike!"
"You love me for it."
"It's true," she gives in with a sigh. "I do, so much." He beams at her and runs his fingers gently through her hair before closing his eyes and falling asleep right then and there with no warning, AJ gaping at him in shock. "You really were exhausted," she sighs, adjusting the pillows under his head so he won't wake up with a crick in his neck.