It's interesting to wake up to Sofia puttering around the kitchen, humming under her breath, preparing breakfast. She greets Ricardo with a bright smile every morning and offers him a taste of whatever she's making before he sits and keeps her company as she finishes up. There's a silent agreement between them to let Alicia sleep as much as she wants, especially considering how difficult sleep is for any of them to get a decent amount of currently.
Sliding a plate in front of him, she smiles and settles in with her own food, watching as he takes the first bite of the pancakes. "Oh," he sighs. "I've forgotten how much I've missed your cooking, Sofia."
Her eyes twinkle. "I'm glad you still enjoy it, mi hijo."
"You'd have to have no taste buds not to," he sighs, pouring some syrup over them before eating more. She smiles fondly at him and begins to eat as well, the two of them content to sit quietly and listen to the sounds of birds outside, chirping repetitively under the warm California sun. "Hey, Sofia, I have some calls to make this afternoon, but wanna go for a walk later? It's a beautiful place and I feel bad we haven't really been able to go anywhere or do anything since you've arrived, but you know." He shrugs.
She nods. "I'd like that, mi hijo. Would Alicia come with or just us?"
"Probably just us," he says, remembering the look on her face as she'd told him how far along she actually was. "Geez, Sofia, four months," he breathes out, still a little overwhelmed at the thoughts of it.
"I know," she says softly, reaching out for him and squeezing his fingers. "It probably explains a lot, hm?"
Ricardo nods, remembering certain times when she'd looked ill at food that she used to love, random mood fluctuations that he hadn't understood. Until she'd finally taken a pregnancy test and informed him shakily of the results. Even so, he can't help but smile when he thinks about it. "This child's going to be so lucky if it looks like Alicia," he says quietly and Sofia tsks at him.
"This child will be lucky to resemble either of its parents," she chides him tenderly, still stroking his knuckles soothingly. "Your sister's children are adorable, so it clearly runs in the family."
He chuckles and shrugs, looking away. "Ah, nah, I am nothing special, but as long as our child grows up healthy and happy, I will be thrilled either way."
Sofia stands and leans over the table, gripping his jaw and forcing him to turn to face her. As their eyes lock, she frowns at him, never truly liking how little worth he sees in himself. "You are plenty special, mi hijo. You are loyal and kind, and loving, and everyone who truly takes the time to get to know you adores you. So por favor, do not say such things about yourself."
He's just about to say something in response, try to sooth the stress in her expression, when there's a sleepy sound from the doorway. "She's right," Alicia murmurs, still wiping her eyes as she blinks blearily at them. "You're more precious than you realize, Ricardo."
They gape at her, having not heard her come in, and Ricardo lightly pulls away from Sofia before rushing over to his wife and guiding her to the table. "Hey, how are you feeling? Did you sleep well?" Sofia pulls a chair out for her and Ricardo eases her to sit in it.
"I feel good," she says, yawning behind her hand. "I slept incredible for once." She peeks at the clock and her eyes widen. "Thanks for letting me sleep in." She almost looks embarrassed as Ricardo leans in and presses a slow, tender kiss to her lips.
"You clearly needed it," Sofia chirps, already heading to the kitchen to serve Alicia. As they sit and wait for her, Ricardo lightly playing with Alicia's fingers and smiling tenderly at her, Sofia continues their conversation. "I agree with Alicia, Ricardo, by the way."
Ricardo rolls his eyes fondly and leans closer to Alicia, enjoying how adorable she looks in her rumbled sleep wear, sitting at the table, sleepy and soft under the gleam of sun pouring through the kitchen windows. "You guys, teaming up against me," he tsks at them, brushing some of the hair out of Alicia's eyes.
"Only when it's to your benefit," Alicia says with a soft smile, reaching out to smooth her fingers over his jaw. "I love you, Ricardo."
He leans into her touch, tilts his face to kiss her palm. "I love you too, Alicia," he says quietly.
They eat, Alicia ravenous after her nice sleep, and then while she wanders off to get dressed and try to tame her hair, Ricardo flicks through his phone a bit. "So where do we want to go?" he asks Sofia. "I doubt either of us will want to go too far, but we can explore the neighborhood a bit, see what we can see."
The beach is out of the way, as is most other things, but there are some nice houses in this area, and he thinks she'll just enjoy getting some sun and fresh air, especially after so long of being cooped up in first Mike and AJ's guest house and now his and Alicia's place. "That sounds fine," she says, smiling at him. "Anywhere you want to go, mi hijo."
"Can I come with?" Alicia asks, reappearing, and Ricardo stares at her. She's wearing one of his shirts, and some baggy jeans that he thinks she wore while they were moving here all of that time ago.
He shakes himself out of these thoughts and exhales slowly. "Sure, if you feel up to it," he says as she walks up behind him and wraps her arms around his waist, kissing his shoulder.
"I do," she sighs softly.
"Then sure," he whispers back, rubbing her arm. "The more the merrier." He turns in her touch and brushes his fingers down her sides. "Hey, Alicia, as sexy as it is to see you wearing my clothes..." He pauses long enough to kiss her until her eyelashes flutter, a small shiver creeping down her body. "I think it's time you order some maternity clothes, huh?"
She nods slowly, still a little dazed from the intensity of his kiss. "Yeah," she breathes out. "I know. I'm looking, a little. It's just..." Her gaze skitters away from him and he waits patiently. "It's just if I do, it makes it real." She looks sad, suddenly, and he touches her, concern clear in his gaze. "Why is this timing so awful? Now, during a pandemic? I... I want children so badly, but now? Our baby having to deal from its first breath?" She sniffs. "It's just..."
He understands with a sharp clarity, having felt it as well deep in his bones, sometimes when he really thinks about it. "I know," he sighs, pressing her close and kissing the top of her head. "I'm so sorry, I wish things weren't like this. But we'll deal with it, everything will be fine." He lightly rocks her back and forth as she cries quietly into his arms.
Finally, however, she pulls away and, wiping her eyes, walks over to the area where they keep their masks by the door in case they need to go somewhere. "Well, I still want to go on that walk," she says with a small smile, her voice sounding stronger than it had, her eyes bright and looking a little more cheerful. "You guys still up for it?"
"Yes," Sofia and Ricardo echo each other, exchanging a smile before moving to join her.
Once allowed out on their leashes, the dogs bound around, overjoyed as ever for any sort of fresh air or activity, and Alicia rests her head on Ricardo's shoulder as they trail behind Sofia, watching her playfully chide the dogs. "Thank you," she whispers to him. "For always supporting me, even when I'm an emotional mess."
He brushes his hands down her shoulders, slowly shifts them to rest over her hips, rubbing where he'd felt their child kick the last time. "Hey, I always will, rain or shine, ok? It's the least I can do considering all you've ever given me, and what you still continue to give me to this day." He runs his fingers through her hair, pulling her close, and kisses her again, slow and deep, as she sighs into his mouth, toes curling in her sandals, overwhelmed by both his words and the emotions behind his kiss.
By the time they remember about Sofia and the dogs, they're a good couple blocks ahead and they laugh, racing to catch up, feeling younger and lighter than they have in a long time as they hold hands and grin at each other.
