"You really haven't heard from Ciampa?" AJ asks after a few, quietly tense moments. "How long has it been?"

"Approaching two weeks now," Mike says, frowning down at his phone. "At first I thought it was because of Willow's birthday, then I thought maybe the hurricane was keeping him busy, but... I don't know, with Lumis still lurking and everything, I'm concerned there's something worse going on."

"Yeah," AJ sighs. "Do you know another way to get ahold of him?"

"Gargano, maybe," Mike says slowly. "I don't know if he'll actually want to talk to me, but it's an idea. I mean, even when partners have issues, you know, they'd probably still know how to get ahold of each other. Like, everyone knew if they had to talk to me, John would be the one to turn to."

"Yeah," AJ hums. "Well, I hope it works out. I'm getting concerned too, he hasn't even updated his Instagram since a couple Tuesdays ago."

"Aww, look at you, stalking my tag partner's Instagram page," Mike teases her.

"What can I say?" AJ asks. "Willow Belle is adorable."

"She is," Mike agrees. "Once I figure out what's going on with Tommaso, we should figure out a time for them to have another play date."

"Sara would like that," AJ agrees. "She enjoyed the last time they played together."

"Yeah," Mike says, toying with the trading card he'd made of himself and Tommaso. "I really hope he's ok, if something happened to any of them because of this Lumis bullshit..."

"You can't lay the weight of it on your feet either way," AJ tells him somberly. "You're being stalked by an insane man, it's not your fault, you didn't ask for any of this."

"Maybe," Mike says, exhaling slowly. "But the fact that Maryse, Heath and their children, and now maybe Ciampa and his family are being affected because of me being targeted by this... this lunatic, I just... I won't forgive myself if anyone gets hurt just because of their association with me."

AJ stares at him quietly, then nods grimly. "I love you, Mike," she says softly.

He glances at her, forcing a smile before his gaze shifts away again. "I love you too," he murmurs. "So how's Alicia doing? The twins hanging in there?"

"So far so good," AJ says, settling in more comfortably on the bed. "Alicia's getting really restless, I'm thinking it won't be long now. Then maybe things can return to some semblance of normalcy." She rubs her thumb against the phone screen, wishing not for the first time that she could actually touch her husband. "I'll be happy to come back home once Alicia and the babies are all healthy and settled."

Mike exhales. "I... I kind of think you should stay where you're at, until we have this entire Lumis thing sorted."

"Mike," AJ protests quietly.

He meets her eye finally and shakes his head. "I can't handle it if something happens to you or the kids. Please, AJ. You've been safe up there the last few months, could you please... just consider staying a little longer? Please?"

AJ frowns, taking in the fear in his voice, the dread in his eyes. "I mean, yeah," she says slowly. "I'll consider it. I'd rather not be separated from you for any longer than I already have been, but I understand why you think this is best for now. I think we have some time yet to discuss it, and come to a decision."

He nods, relieved that she's not just refusing his suggestion out right. "Thank you," he says softly.

"You should come over for your birthday," AJ suggests. "Alicia's already said you're welcome any time, and I... I'd love to spend some time with you."

He smiles at her. "That would be the best birthday gift I could ask for. I'll see when I can work it out, and let you know."

"Perfect," she says, blowing a kiss at him.

He winks at her and catches it, holding it close to his chest.