The day is warm. There's a soft breeze coming from the ocean, bringing in some really crisp, amazing smells, and Ricardo tilts his face up, breathing in slowly. He's been coming off and on for the last couple of weeks, but it feels really, really good right now. There aren't a lot of people around this early in the morning, thankfully, and he has a mask in his pocket just in case, but it's just him and the net, and he opens his eyes and fixates on the goalie in his mind before surging forward, body reawakening to the movements required to properly play. His feet pound against the dirt, his breath sounds loud in his ears, and he feels incredible, everything else around him disappearing into a distant reality as all that begins to matter is the game.

Alicia chuckles from where she's sitting with Sofia on a blanket across the way, sunbathing and absolutely relaxed. "He looks happy," she says contentedly, settled on her side and examining her husband with a fond smile.

"Si, he has always enjoyed this, ever since he was young," Sofia agrees, looking up from her book and taking in the pure focus on Ricardo's face, the joy in his eyes.

Alicia hums, stroking her stomach. "I wonder if this one will too," she muses, turning thoughtful eyes to Sofia. "What do you think, should I find out the gender? Or...?"

Sofia blinks and puts her book down, sitting up properly to look at Alicia. "When is your next appointment?" she inquires.

"At the end of the month," Alicia murmurs. "My six month check up, I almost can't believe it's going to fast." She sighs. "I figured it out so late, and with the pandemic and everything, it feels like I haven't gotten to just sit and enjoy it much at all."

Sofia reaches out and rests her hand over Alicia's, smiling up at her. "Do you want to know the gender?"

Alicia hesitates. "On one hand, I do. The fashion designer in me is all over the place with ideas either way, and it'd be nice to be able to narrow it down. On the other hand, it doesn't really matter, because I just want a healthy, happy baby. And... we both know gender in an ultrasound only tells you so much."

"Well, that is true," Sofia says softly. She squeezes Alicia's fingers, waiting until the woman looks up at her. "You're going to be an incredible mother, Alicia. I can tell already."

Alicia smiles at her and ducks her head, looking sheepish. "Thanks, Sofia. I... I hope so. There's... so much going on right now, it almost... it almost feels selfish to just... go along with all of this."

"It's not," Sofia says quietly, blinking when the baby kicks under their fingers, as if to say it agrees. "You were as surprised about this as anyone, and it may not be an ideal time to have a child, but nothing's ever perfect and we all know you and Ricardo will protect this child as best as you can."

Alicia sniffs, tears starting to trail down her cheeks, and Sofia clicks her tongue, gently brushing them away. "I love you, Sofia," she says with a small laugh. "I... I never understood, when I first met Ricardo, and he spoke so glowingly of you all of the time. But now I get it. You're incredible."

Sofia chuckles and glances over at Ricardo, pride and happiness filling her eyes. "He's far too complimentary towards me. I do what simply any other maternal figure would do for the people they love."

Alicia sighs and leans into Sofia, resting her head on the woman's shoulder. "Everyone's mother should be as amazing as you," she murmurs, closing her eyes. "I wish I'm even half as dedicated to this baby as you are to all of us."

Sofia hums. "I believe you already are," she whispers, stroking Alicia's hair gently, brushing it out of her eyes and smiling down at her. "This baby will never doubt it's loved, between you and Ricardo. I can already tell."

By the time Ricardo joins them, sweaty and breathing heavily, but grinning and absolutely relaxed, Alicia is asleep, her head resting in Sofia's lap. "How is she?" he asks, kneeling next to them and running his fingers through his hair.

"Fine," Sofia hums, smiling over at him. "We had a nice conversation about the baby, and then she dozed off. It's been peaceful."

"Good." Ricardo shifts closer and presses a gentle, lingering kiss to Alicia's cheek. She stirs under him, letting out a sleepy murmur, and he laughs softly. "Time to go home, mama," he tells her and she sighs, pressing her face into Sofia's lap.

"Noooo," she whines, clearly too comfortable to want to move.

"Alright, alright," he whispers. "You keep sleeping. It's fine." Alicia's always been pretty tall and lean, even the pregnancy not changing too much for her weight wise so far, and Ricardo may not have been working out traditionally the last few months, but he's still able to lift her up and carry her through the park as she dozes on with only a few protests under her breath, quickly relaxing into his hold.

Blanket held folded in her hands, Sofia hovers close to them and helps Ricardo with the car doors and whatever else he needs as he tucks Alicia gently into the backseat, watching on fondly. Once he gets her situated in a way he hopes is comfortable for both her and the baby, he stands up straight and she smiles at him, reaching out and cradling his face in her hands. "I'm so proud of you, mi hijo," she tells him and he chuckles, covering her hands with his. "I can't wait to see you with your child."

His eyes gleam, imagining this. "I can't wait either," he admits quietly. They stand like that a few moments before he clears his throat. "C'mon, let's get Alicia home and into bed so she can rest properly."

"Si," Sofia says, slowly pulling away from him and going to the car. She pauses at the passenger side door, watching Ricardo peek back at Alicia once more before turning his focus to getting in and starting the car up. She smiles. We can't wait to meet you, little one, she thinks, settling into her seat and exhaling softly, watching with a small smile as Ricardo carefully navigates the way back home.