Flames

Megastar, part 1

"Your daddy thinks he's pretty funny, doesn't he?" Roman held Roux easily with one arm as he stood beside Becky, watching Seth start his promo. Becky wasn't scheduled to appear in the ring at all, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to catch up with friends on the SmackDown roster.

Roux gave him a big smile and kicked happily as she watched Seth on the screen, feet just catching Roman in the ribs. If she had been barefoot, it wouldn't have been so bad, but Naomi had insisted on getting her a new pair of glow boots and Roux, naturally, was enchanted by them, running around backstage like mad to make the lights change colour. Becky grabbed her feet gently before she could do too much damage. "Sorry," Becky laughed. "Her moods are sort of a whole-body experience."

Roman just grinned and shook his head. "No worries. I know what that's like. I've gotten a fair amount of happy headbutts in my day." He adjusted his hold on Roux and glanced up at the show clock. "Got a couple more minutes for our little queen here and then I have to go put Daddy in his place."

"Not too hard, though," Becky said, jabbing him in the shoulder. "It's his night to get up for her."

"Noted." Rocking from foot to foot, Roman glanced at Becky over Roux's head. "When travelling is easier, you three will have to come visit us in Florida."

"Good luck getting Seth to agree to that," Becky laughed, gaze rarely straying from the screen. Seth had been reluctant to get creative with his ring attire at first, especially after seeing some of the outlandish choices Troi had made for her, but now he was far more at ease with the bold suits and it showed. Even without a title, he was still at the top of his game. The crossover appearances on SmackDown were a bit hard to manage while having Roux on the road, but it was definitely worth it to see this newest chapter in the Roman/Seth feud develop. "I think he's convinced you're going to try to get her married to one of your twins."

Roman's laugh was so sudden that it startled Roux, making her eyes go wide. "Well, now. That would take the bloodline to a whole new level, wouldn't it?" he quipped.

Naomi came around the corner and waved at Roux. "Is he trying to make the next generation already? I swear he said the same thing about Jon and Renee's little girl. The Tribal Chief's trying to make The Shield 2.0, I think."

"What can I say?" Roman shrugged lightly. "Just taking care of my family, like I always do." Then he kissed Roux's cheek before handing her over to Naomi. "Have fun with your auntie while I go make a fool out of your daddy." When Roux's face crumpled and she looked like she was about to cry, he ducked down to meet her eyes. "Aw, don't worry. I'll be back before you know it." As he straightened up, he winked at Becky. "Now, if I had to trade words with your mama, that would be a different story."

Becky just rolled her eyes. She liked being on RAW and helping to revive its women's division, but she definitely missed hanging out with Naomi and Roman backstage. "Just remember: it's his turn to get up in the middle of the night."

"I know, I know. I'll only hurt his feelings," Roman said, winking again before grabbing his title from a nearby table and slinging it over his shoulder. "See you in a few."

"And remember this face!" Naomi called out, holding Roux up so Roman could see her. "You don't want to make this little angel cry, do you?"

Raising an eyebrow, Becky reached over and tickled Roux's belly. "Little angel, huh? What lies have you been telling your auntie?"

Naomi gave a hearty chuckle. "Oh, it's like that, huh? Did someone give Mommy a hard time last night?" She set Roux down on the floor and gave a little hop to make the lights on her boots activate. "Maybe we should have a dance party so you sleep well tonight." Glancing up, she met Becky's gaze and winked as she added, "I bet Mommy and Daddy would appreciate that."