"Another year come and gone," Ricardo says, looking over at Alicia from where she's sprawled out next to Clara's crib. "Did you expect all of this at the start of the year?"
Alicia hums. Glances around. "No, can't say I did," she says with a soft chuckle, reaching in through the bars to pat Clara's stomach. "It was a pretty good year, though."
"It was," he agrees. "Think the school will have a good 2024?"
Alicia smiles over at him. "Should I give you a tarot card reading to give you some idea of what to expect?"
"Maybe later," he says, leaning over to look at Mariana. "Do you think we'll have the same luck with them that we did for the 4th of July?
"Once can hope," Alicia giggles. "Hopefully Sofia and Andre have a good night, as well."
"He usually does ok with the fireworks, unless he gets too excited and tries to stay up to see them." Ricardo chuckles. "Silly kid."
"Our kids are all great," Alicia says, smirking over at him as she crawls over to his side of the room to kiss him. "You know it."
"I do," Ricardo says, squeezing her hand. "We make some really great kids."
Alicia chuckles and shrugs. "Let's just stay here, we're close enough if something happens. I think they'll be ok though."
"Alright," Ricardo says softly. "No complaints over getting to hold you at midnight."
Alicia smiles and leans into him. "Agreed," she says. "And this," she adds after a few moments, leaning up to kiss him.
He smiles at her, stroking her cheek as fireworks start, even though it's still far from midnight. "I love you."
"I love you too," she hums, settling back in against him to wait for the clock to tick over, and 2024 to begin as they listen to their babies breathe, fast asleep and peaceful.