George and AJ are released from the hospital fairly early the next day, Mike painstakingly making sure the newborn is bundled up well, his car seat good to go, everything. AJ turns carefully and smiles back at her husband and son, eyes shining in the early morning sun. "My boys," she says fondly.

Mike sits up from where he'd been strapping George in and smiles at her. "Hey, yeah, I'm not gonna be outnumbered by ladies anymore," he says with a quick grin as she rolls her eyes fondly at him. He gets out of the car and moves to the front seat, leaning in to kiss her. "Eager to get home, mama?"

"Yes," she whispers. "I missed putting Sara to bed last night."

He smiles down at her. "Me too." Clapping lightly, he leans back. "Well, let's get home to see how her aunts and uncles have been spoiling the little princess then."

"Oh boy," AJ laughs, wiping at her eyes. "Yeah, let's do that."

The house is quiet when they arrive, Mike's hand warm on AJ's lower back as he helps her carry George in, the two of them pausing in the hallway to look around. Mike shrugs and drops AJ's bag on the couch before they walk together down the hall towards the bedrooms. George's nursery is just as they'd left it, and AJ talks softly to the baby as they show him around a little bit. "Now let's find your sister," Mike says quietly, finger stroking the baby's soft cheek.

Sara is in her bedroom, coloring quietly with Ricardo, and her entire face lights up when she sees her parents, just to fall somber when she sees the baby carrier. "Is... is my little brother?" she asks, crayon dropping from slack fingers as she stares, wide eyed and uncertain.

"Yes," AJ says softly, Mike taking the carrier from her and kneeling down so Sara can see too. "Meet George, Sara."

Sara looks uncertainly at Ricardo, who nods at her with a gentle smile, and she gnaws at her lower lip before stepping forward gingerly. She stares at what she can see of her brother for long, quiet moments, before reaching out with a shaky hand.

"Be gentle," Mike tells her softly and their eyes meet before Sara strokes a finger down the baby's cheek, touch whisper soft and careful. Mike smiles as his son's eyes open and the siblings regard each other quietly for a few minutes.

"He doesn't look like my dolls," Sara says after a moment, and Mike laughs softly.

"No, sweetie, he's not," Mike admits.

"When he's older, he'll be something much better," Ricardo tells her confidently. "You guys'll play together, and be the best of friends. You'll see."

Sara swallows, still staring at the baby. "Ge- George," she says, clearly testing the word on her tongue. "Hello, George." He waves his fists, still staring at her, and she exhales, reaching out to touch his hand. When he curls his fingers around hers, she gasps and looks up at her parents. "Does he like me?"

"Of course he likes you, baby," AJ tells her, eyes wet. "Who wouldn't adore you?"

Sara pulls away from the baby and grips at AJ's legs. "I missed you, mommy," she admits and AJ makes a soft noise, Mike scooping her up and holding her at a height AJ can reach easier.

"I missed you too, Sara," AJ murmurs, leaning in to kiss her daughter. "You were so good and so brave the last couple of days, I know things were strange and a little scary. But Aunt Taya and Uncle Ricardo say you did exactly as they asked of you. My strong baby."

Sara smiles at her and AJ smooths her hand over the little girl's hair, kissing her again. "Mama home for good now?"

"Yes, and so is George," AJ tells her. "I know things are gonna be strange for awhile, there's a lot of adjusting to do with a new baby in the house, but I know you're gonna help us lots with him. Right?"

Sara nods, some uncertainty returning to her gaze, but she calms when Mike hugs her tight. "You're the best big sister already, Sara Lou," he murmurs and she clings to him, relieved to have her parents back where they belong.

-x

Not that it's at the top of things important to him right now, but Mike gets drafted back to Smackdown. He chuckles and digs his fist into his jaw, considering all of this. "I guess I just can't get away from Brock Lesnar," he mumbles, Ricardo patting him on the back. "So guess that's that, I gotta revamp my schedule and everything, but hey. I always looked better in blue than red."

Alicia's been quiet all day, and Ricardo merely nods at this, so Mike sits back and looks at them, waiting until they both look up and catch his eye. "So what's up with you two? You're both uncharacteristically subdued and stuff. Everything ok?"

Alicia's lips twitch and she nods. "You could say that," she says. Holds out a sheet of paper to him and Mike frowns as he reads it over. "My contract's officially expired. As of right now, I'm no longer a WWE employee." Weird words on her tongue, especially after being a member of the roster for the better part of thirteen years.

Mike taps his fingers against the paper and looks up at her. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she says quietly. "It's been a long time coming, I guess. I need time to find myself outside of the company, and... well, I had a pretty good run." She smiles. "I was the first ever African American Divas champion, no one'll ever be able to take that from me."

"Damn straight," Mike agrees. "So what's next on your agenda?"

"Fashion," she says immediately. "And... maybe..." Her fingers curl around Ricardo's and they stare at each other with sappy smiles.

Mike blinks. "Are you guys...?"

"We're gonna have more time to try to start a family," Alicia giggles, leaning into Ricardo and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Si," Ricardo says, rubbing her back. "It hasn't been an easy year, but we both want this, and now seems like the perfect time. Nothing's here to hold us back any longer, after all."

"Huh," Mike says. "Another baby in the house. AJ would adore that." He tips his glass of soda at them and grins. "Here's to the future Rodriguez-Fox children."

"Here here," Ricardo and Alicia exclaim, clanking their glasses with Mike's and laughing.