Flames

Bottoms Up, part 2

Wrestling had taken Seth all over the world, but most of his travel was still within the United States. European tours happened once or twice a year now, but those weren't too taxing; the Saudi Arabia deal meant two large events there, though, and those flights were definitely more draining. Australia was shaping up to be another beast entirely.

He and Becky had opted to leave Roux at home since she was sick, and he considered it a mixed blessing. He adored his daughter, but dealing with adults on a day-long flight was taxing enough; he couldn't imagine a three-year-old child handling it well even if she was healthy. On the other hand, her absence meant Becky was wracked with worry and had spent most of the flight crying. Even when he managed to lull her to sleep, there were still tears coursing down her cheeks and her hand twitched, instinctively reaching for their daughter.

"She's not here," Seth murmured softly when she jolted awake. "She's back home, remember? She's with my mom. She's fine."

Becky shoved hair out of her face and rubbed at her eyes. "You've probably told me that ten times already, haven't you?"

"Seven. Not that I'm counting or anything." Seth pulled his wife close and kissed her forehead. "It's natural. You're used to having her with us. I miss her too."

"Sorry." Becky cuddled up closer to him and pulled up her blanket—and his blanket, and his hoodie. "Last time, I promise."

It wouldn't be, and Seth knew it. She had woken up in a similar panic three more times and he did his best to reassure her each time, though he knew she wouldn't really be at ease until they had landed and she'd had a chance to check in on Roux. He tried to keep an eye out for her while they did interview after interview, appearance after appearance, and he watched it all with a sense of wonder. Even on the rare occasions where she made a gaffe or didn't understand the question, she somehow—through jet lag and anxiety and very little useful sleep—managed to spin every flub into something fun. If his interview came after hers, the interviewer almost always commented on how delightful she was. "I don't think we should come back to Australia," he said with mock seriousness when they were finally done for the night and back at the hotel.

Becky was so startled she almost dropped her coffee. "What? Why? It's beautiful here. And they have koalas! KO-A-LAS," she emphasized, sighing as she glanced down at her phone. One of the events had been at a wildlife sanctuary, and almost all the wrestlers had considered holding the koalas the highlight of the trip so far.

Seth leaned over and kissed her. "I already have a koala: you." Then he sat back so he didn't make her spill her coffee. "But everyone here likes you too much. They might not let you leave. I have too much competition—and that's not even including the koalas."

"That depends on what happens in the chamber," Becky remarked. "Australia might be stuck with me while I recover and then they'll be desperate to send me home."

"Don't even." He had opened their hotel room window to enjoy the breeze and was surprised Becky hadn't gone to close it yet. "Think we should call the kiddo before we go to bed?" he asked. "It's morning there, so I'm sure she's up."

"Up and hopefully not being too much of a handful," Becky replied. "Sure. Put it on video so we can show her the night sky. She'll probably think that's fun."

Seth grinned. "She'll probably tell us we should be in bed." He pulled Becky into a kiss before he grabbed his phone. "And I agree with her," he added with a wink, "so you're outvoted."

Becky gave an innocent shrug. "I don't remember there being a vote." She looked back at the tall headboard and smiled. "It's a nice bed. It would be a shame not to... appreciate it fully."