Despite losing for the second week in a row on Mixed Match Challenge, Alicia is cheerful and calm, pointing her fingers together and beaming at him under her wide brimmed hat. "Shanti," she says with a wink and Ricardo shakes his head at her, laughing softly. As he reaches out for her, she takes his hand and allows herself to be pulled to her feet, Harley bounding around at their feet as she dances around him, Ricardo's eyes locked on her as she sparkles happily under the moonlight, the dew in the grass tickling her toes as she giggles happily and wraps her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek.
He hums and presses her close, resting his forehead against hers. She actually has a few days off because a lot of people are in Australia for the Super Show Down, but she'd not been booked so they'd decided to have a bit of a honeymoon staycation, exploring new places that they've wanted to try but haven't been able to since moving to Texas. Like the beach they'd found earlier, sand still pouring out from Harley's fur whenever she shakes herself off sometimes. He's growing more and more fond of Texas, even with all of the butterflies traumatizing them all day by day as it's impossible to avoid them all with vehicles or even just walking a few feet to enter a business. But for now, things are relatively calm and Alicia chuckles as he lifts her up and spins her a little, her teeth gleaming as she smiles down at him. "I love you," she says softly and he brushes his thumb over her lips.
"I love you too," he says softly. They continue unwinding together, kissing slowly under the stars, until his phone beeps. He pulls back and finds it, staring at the message there. "Maryse and Heath are inviting us out to dinner," he says, laying the phone down. "I guess there's a steak place they've been wanting to try out and they want some company. What do you think?"
She nods enthusiastically. "Yes! Maybe Maryse has the wedding photos back by now." As she slips out of his arms to go get dressed, he smiles a little bit and watches her sway back into the house, Harley making each step just a little bit interesting and probably more than sort of trecherous. He chuckles before brushing his hands over his clothes, brushing some of the sand off of his shorts. Sighing, he heads inside and changes into clothes more suitable for an evening meal at a half-way restaurant.
When they arrive, Maryse and Heath are already waiting, baby Monroe tucked into her stroller, fast asleep. Ricardo clicks his tongue, leaning over to look in at her, while Alicia hugs Maryse. "Hey, wifey!" she chirps, beaming as they turn into the establishment. "How are things going?"
"Perfect," Maryse says with a soft sigh. "Heath is incredible, as always. And Monroe Sky is so beautiful." She hesitates. "I was almost reluctant to do so because of Mike, but leaving the road to spend more time with my baby girl was the right choice. She's growing up so fast." Heath rests a hand on her back before leaning in to pull her chair out, waiting as Maryse settles herself in comfortably, putting the stroller next to her seat.
They sit for a few moments, perusing their menus and placing drink orders, before Maryse and Alicia put their heads together, whispering about the wedding and other things Heath and Ricardo only sort of listen to. "So how are things going for you?" Ricardo asks and Heath grins.
"Pretty damn good, man. Got on the Network this week with Drew'n'Jinder, and y'know, can't really complain on a weekend off."
"I know, Alicia and I have been making the most of it too. Did you know there's a beach off of Elmendorf Lake Park? It's really beautiful, Alicia and I went there earlier."
"Maryse and I'll have to check it out," Heath says with a small grin. "Maybe you'd like to babysit while we do, huh?" He nudges him. "Let us have some fun on our impromptu honeymoon too...?"
"Sure, amigo. You know Alicia and I love Monroe Sky." Ricardo grins at his friend. They pause long enough to order steaks or grilled chicken salads, Alicia deciding to try a baked potato with hers.
"The photos are going to be available soon," Maryse is saying as Heath and Ricardo begin paying attention to their quiet conversation. "I'll send you the link, then we can figure out what we want for albums." She claps her hands together gleefully. "I can't wait to see them, they're going to be so beautiful." She rests her hand on Heath's arm. "And my groom was so handsome." He beams and leans in to kiss her while Alicia and Ricardo make faces at each other, laughing just a little.
"So was mine," Alicia says, tugging Ricardo towards her and pressing an open mouthed kiss against his lips, sighing when he quickly responds in kind.
Heath and Maryse laugh when they pull away. "Sorry, we get lost in the moment still sometimes."
"No worries, we do too," Alicia chuckles, brushing her fingers against Ricardo's lips.
They eat in peace for a few moments until Heath turns towards Ricardo. "So I've kinda been wonderin' if you'd mind givin' me some tips... since you've been trainin' guys for a lot longer, sometimes I feel a little lost still whenever I got a few minutes to spend at my school... Then I realized Ricardo would be perfect to ask! So... if ya ever have a few minutes or something..."
"Of course, man," Ricardo says, smiling softly. "I'd be honored to."
Heath sighs, some of the tension immediately leaving him. "Thank you so much. Most of my students are good, but we're growin' so fast and I try to be as involved as my touring with WWE'll allow... ya know how it goes..."
Ricardo nods. "I'll give you a call to figure out a good time for us to talk through some things. We'll work this out."
Heath beams. "Great, man. Again, thank you."
Alicia and Maryse are still lost in conversation about Evolution, and Heath is smiling contently as he cuts at his steak, and Ricardo nods, feeling pretty damn happy himself. If this is what living in Texas is going to be like, I wish we'd made this decision sooner, he decides, sipping from his glass of water as he smiles.