"How's the ankle?" Alicia asks, softly kissing Ricardo's cheek as he wraps an arm around her and draws her closer.
"Better," he says. "I believe I will start training again this week, see how it holds up." She squeezes his wrist and he murmurs, "I promise I'll be careful." He gently rubs a hand up and down her stomach. "How about you? Are you ok?" She's been understandably sad ever since Emma turned on her with little to no explanation but she offers him a soft smile, leaning up to kiss him.
"I'm fine now that I'm home with you," she says softly, interlacing their fingers. There's still things to do after the hurricane, and his mind is still on Puerto Rico, the things he can do to help there, especially since hearing through Mike about how AJ can't send things over to help her family stranded there, but sometimes it's nice just to have a few minutes alone, to cuddle and talk quietly, catch up after a long week of traveling and training and whatever else.
He kisses the side of her face, brushing his fingers through her hair, and smiles down at her. "I love you, Alicia."
She beams. "I love you too, Ricardo." She leans up and kisses him on the lips before settling back against his chest, making an almost purr like sound when he hands her the remote so she can flip through the TV and find something to watch.
They're up early the next morning, on the beach, doing stretches and some more yoga poses, Ricardo's mouth going dry as she stretches one leg out high above her as she balances on the other leg and one arm. "Damn," he mumbles, wishing his ankle were better so he could do more than the beginner poses he's stuck with. Not that he was ever limber enough to do the one she's managing at the moment, but he can at least go further than the sitting ones he's doing right now.
She winks at him, distracting him further, and he huffs, blowing hair out of his eyes as he lays back in the sand and rotates his ankle, relieved when it only aches a little. Much better than from the week prior when just shifting it a little sent burning pain up his calves. He closes his eyes and enjoys the cool breeze, the soft sun on his shoulders, and isn't too surprised when he dozes off right then and there.
He stirs awhile later to find a pleasant kind of warmth against his chest and, sneaking a glance, smiles upon finding Alicia pressed against his side, breathing softly and evenly, fast asleep herself. He kisses her nose and settles back, dozing off once more, too content and comfortable to suggest they go back to the apartment.
When they wake up, it's dark out and stars are overhead, so they lay quietly and take it all in until Alicia starts to shiver, the Florida nights growing quite cool quite fast. He bundles her up in his arms then and leads the way back to the apartment, draping a blanket over her and cuddling in with her, kissing her gently. "Better?"
"Mm hmm," she whispers, leaning forward and closing her eyes, falling asleep right then and there. He chuckles, adjusts her against his chest, and slumps back against the couch cushions, following her in deep, much needed rest.
Training goes well that week. Alberto and he are doing ok. Alicia and he are on track. All in all, things are good. He stares down at his hands as he thinks about this, wondering when everything will crash down around him as it always does eventually.