New England Fan Fest is enjoyful enough. Ricardo tries to make the most of it, hanging out with people he'd met in WWE and out of it over the years that he hasn't seen in awhile, but without Alberto it's just not the same. Especially when the stand he's put at for photo ops and autographs is almost perfectly across from John's position. He tries not to look but it's hard to ignore him entirely.

Even more so when John takes his first quiet moment and comes up to him. "Hey Ricardo."

He tenses and gnaws at his bottom lip before looking up. "Do you need something, John? A marker, perhaps?" They stare at each other for a few minutes before Ricardo continues, encouraged by some crazy urge that comes from something deep inside that he's not even sure the origin of. "Sad to say there's no glass windows nearby so you can't make it two for two. So sorry."

John grunts, crossing his arms over his chest. "C'mon, man, you know everything going on with Alberto and I has nothing to do with you. Everything that's happening I don't hold against you."

"How kind of you," Ricardo sighs, his troubled eyes turning to the empty chair next to him that had done nothing but served as a cold reminder of who wasn't here today. "I'd be more inclined to buy everything you just said if my best friend was actually next to me right now, but he's not so it feels pretty personal to me."

John's lips twitch a bit. "You know, you don't get mouthy like that often. I don't like that it's towards me, but I get it. If someone had done to Mike what I did to Alberto, I wouldn't want to hang out with them either. I am sorry he was so scared to face me that he bailed on you." When Ricardo only grows more heated at this, John shrugs and turns back towards his own table. "See you later, man."

Ricardo inhales sharply, looking up as more people cycle through. It takes everything in him to not be tense with the fans, forcing a smile even when they ask him about Alberto's whereabouts, casting quick, sharp glances towards John's table every time it happens before giving his well-practiced answer. "He had some personal matters to deal with. He's grateful for your support though."

After a few hours of this, he's more than relieved to take a taxi to the airport and head back to Florida, the fan fest concluded. All he wants now is a couple hours to himself and then spend all Sunday with Alberto, unwinding from the stresses of today.

Once he lands and makes it back to the house, he greets Sofia and Alberto, quickly realizing he's not in the right frame of mind to spend a lot of time with anyone. Dropping his bags on his bedroom floor and sitting on the bed, he folds his legs and sinks into meditation, desperate to find some sort of peace of mind.

After that, and an almost decent night of sleep, he wakes up midmorning the next day to Alberto knocking on his door. He grimaces and stirs, rolling over. "Come in."

Alberto peeks in and grins at the sleepy Ricardo before sitting next to him on the bed. "Buenos dias, mi amigo. How are you feeling?"

Ricardo shrugs sleepily. "Glad to be home," he sighs. "So many fans asked about you yesterday."

Alberto rests a hand on Ricardo's wrist, a look of understanding crossing his face. "Lo siento, mi hermano. I'm sure you handled it well, though."

"I tried," he nods, sitting up a little. "Told them you had personal things going on and thanked them for the support."

Alberto smiles. "See? You did fine. Thank you, Ricardo. I know I sprung that on you unexpectedly, but as I knew you would, you handled it perfectly."

"Si, well,..." Ricardo yawns and pushes the sheets away. "I also saw John, so dealing with the fans wasn't that big of a deal."

Alberto tenses up, staring into the back of Ricardo's head. "Did he do anything?"

"He told me that everything going on with you two has nothing to do with me," the ring announcer explains, getting up and walking over to his dresser to look for something to wear. "He was just acting so... smug and like he hadn't done anything wrong... I couldn't even stand to look at him." He ducks his head and sucks in a tense breath, releasing it roughly when Alberto walks over to him and squeezes his shoulders until he slowly relaxes. "What are we doing today? Going out, or..." He hovers over jeans, hands teasing against slacks, not sure if he should dress up a little.

Alberto, however, answers this quickly when he guides Ricardo's hand over to the pile of sweats in the opposite corner. "I saw your face last night, mi hermano. Neither of us are in the mood for social things today, so what do you say we dress comfortably and spend the day watching movies, maybe sports, and eating whatever we feel like?"

Ricardo purses his lips thoughtfully. "You mean... one of those elusive cheat days I hear about in some circles?"

Alberto laughs. "Si, exactly that."

Ricardo grins up at him. "That sounds perfect, El Patron. Gracias." Alberto hugs him before leaving the room so he can finish changing. He watches him go with a small smile before turning back to his clothes, relieved that it's going to be a lowkey day with his best friend.

After a quiet day with Alberto and Sofia, Ricardo is eager to return to the dojo and begin helping the students train while waiting for Paige to return to Florida for Tough Enough. He stares into his closet, perplexed when he sees something in there he'd almost forgotten owning. Miz had given him a pre-release of his "I'm Awesome" shirt sometime after he'd tag teamed with Alberto, and Ricardo had held onto it since. Along with all of Alberto's various shirts and even the RVD shirts that had been made for him during their temporary allegiance, his closet is full of bittersweet memories.

The best part of Tough Enough is getting to see Paige at least a little more, but he is also happy to see Mike more too, without worrying about running into John as well. Training that night goes really well, and he suspects it's partially because all he has to do is look down at his shirt to feel a little stronger, a bit more like his old self before WWE and everything else battered his self-esteem to near non-existence.

Kind of like how he used to feel when he was Chimaera...

Tuesday is about as busy, but in a much better way with Paige arriving early afternoon and all but flying into his arms. He holds her, kissing her slowly, not minding whose path they're blocking or who may be watching. That is, until Mike slaps him on the back. "Ricardo, stop or I'm gonna get jealous. Kissing her after wearing my shirt yesterday? Kinda hurts, man."

Ricardo pulls away reluctantly from Paige and rolls his eyes at Mike, wrapping an arm around Paige's back. "Better not tell AJ that, neither one of us'll be breathing for much longer if you do."

Mike laughs wearily, glancing at Paige. It seems like something passes between the two of them but before Ricardo can ask, or try to figure out what's going on, Mike waves half-heartedly at them. "I'll see you two later."

He walks off, Ricardo frowning at his back before turning to Paige. "Was it something I said?"

Paige looks pained, resting a hand on his chest. "We need to talk, love. Come with me?" He nods dumbly, allowing her to lead him outside. "Where are you parked?" He takes the lead now, through row after row of vehicles until he finds his own.

She drops her luggage in the backseat before joining him in the front, turning to face him. "I wasn't sure if I'd make it here in time," she admits wanly. "You have so many friends, and there are just as many people who would like to hurt both of us... but I guess..."

He reaches out and takes her hand, effectively stopping her anxious rambles. "Paige, please," he tells her weakly. "You're worrying me. What is it...?""

For a moment, she leans forward, her black and blue hair curtaining her face. Squaring her shoulders, she sits up and stares at him. "You know ever since AJ retired, it left Mike and I kind of on our own." He nods, a wary look crossing his face. "We began rooming together and driving together. It just made sense, because we were both missing our better halves." She smiles weakly, taking his hands and squeezing them gently. "But nothing's innocent in this business."

He nods, all too aware of the ugly rumors and gossiping suffusing the locker rooms. "Ok... and...?"

She closes her eyes, not wanting to face him while she explains what's been going on. "Mike and I didn't think much of it, but we learned yesterday that people think... well, they think Mike and I are... into each either like that."

He doesn't say anything for a long moment and she starts to worry, peeking an eye open just to find he's sitting still, except for his shoulders, which are shaking in silent mirth. Her jaw drops and she smacks at him. "Ricardo!" He laughs harder at this, reaching over and dragging her into his lap, which is awkward due to the steering wheel, but neither mind. "It's not funny, I thought you'd be mad or worse, believe them..."

His laughter slowly tapers away, Ricardo kissing her softly as his fingers tangle in her hair. "No offense," he murmurs against her lips. "It's just... the thought of anyone thinking Mike would cheat on AJ..." He winces. "Not to mention I'd rather believe that you wouldn't do that to me, especially with one of my closer friends."

She shakes her head, cupping his face. "Never," she promises. "I never forget how lucky I am to have found you." She stares into his eyes with an affectionate smile on her face. "Besides, my mum adores you. There's no way any other man is that lucky."

He smiles and tilts her head, kissing her. "It is a special thing when both Knight women approve of you," he acknowledges, nuzzling into her.

"Exactly right," Paige grins, leaning back in his arms. "If I had done anything with Mike, I'm not sure what would happen first- AJ killing Mike, or my mum disowning me."

"She likes me that much, huh?"

Paige's smile grows a little as she traces circles in Ricardo's arm. "Yeah, you should hear her talk about the grandchildren we're going to give her some day."

Ricardo's breath catches in his chest. "You... you'd want kids with me someday?" he whispers, as if scared that she'd take it back, change her mind should he make too much noise or move wrong.

She looks up at him and stares into his eyes with a loving smile. "Yeah, I would, Ricardo. When we're both ready."

He inhales and nods as she strokes his cheek. "That... that sounds perfect."

"Yes, it does," she smiles, leaning back against his chest as he kisses her.

-x

"I'm sorry we can't spend my birthday together," Alicia murmurs, crawling up the bed slowly, careful to avoid Alex's bad leg as she settles into his waiting arms. "If I could, I'd skip Smackdown to stay with you... but we can make up for it today, right?"

He nods, cupping her face before pressing a warm kiss to her lips. "If you don't mind spending it with the invalid, sure," he sighs with a self-depreciating smile.

She swats at him, pouting. "Hey, don't talk about my fiance like that. Besides, the progress you've been making is so impressive..." He scoffs a little but she shakes her head. "I know it still feels slow to you, but I can see how well you're doing and I'm glad Ricardo was here for you. I'm just sorry it wasn't me."

He smiles at her. "I know, I wish you could be home in my arms like this more often too." He hugs her tighter and buries his face in her hair. "I have something for you, by the way, but I think you're gonna have to get it."

She twists around in his arms and beams, her eyes alit with happiness. "Gifts? Where are they at?"

"Top shelf of the closet," he's just barely said when she scrambles off of the bed and races to the opposite wall, pulling the doors open and pushing things aside wildly. He laughs, listening to her frantic search trashing their storage. "Try the wedding box," he calls out, listening to her freeze before grabbing the box of things she'd been collecting almost since the moment he'd proposed to her and pulling it open, rifling through the articles and samples piled up inside for her perfect wedding. He lays back and waits, knowing it won't take her long. Ricardo had laid it on top of the pile for him only a couple of days ago.

Sure enough, barely a few seconds later, she squeeches and runs back to him, laying in his arms with a jewelry box in hand. "Are you going to open it?" he asks, amused by her enthusiasm before she even knows what's inside.

"Yes," she breathes, prying it open with trembling fingers. He searches her face as she goes very still and stares at the brilliant ruby earrings with diamonds surrounding them. "Oh my God..."

But Alex is far from done, smiling at her as he reaches in and pulls up the velvet backing securing it. She blinks at him before realizing that there is a reason behind his actions, as a sliver of white in the corner of the box attracts her attention and she digs it out, holding her breath when she realizes it's a note. Her eyes devour Alex's rough, nervous handwriting scrawled upon the paper as she unfolds it.

"Will you wear this for our wedding on August 12th?"

She stares at the date, jaw dropping as she thinks quickly. A Wednesday, most of them will be in state for Tough Enough and she's sure that the rest of the group could make it work well enough to come for the wedding. Her eyes well with happy tears as she looks up at Alex. "I would be proud to," she cries softly, leaning into him and kissing him.

He laughs softly, stroking her back. "Happy birthday, Foxy."

"Thank you so much," she whispers. "You've made this the best birthday I've ever had and it's only just begun."

He grins, brushing some of her hair out of her eyes. "Well, let's see if we can continue that streak..."

"What do you have in mind?" she wonders, laughing when he lays the earrings haphazardly on the bedside table before drawing her into his arms and kissing her neck. "Oh, right,." she sighs, tilting her head to give him more room. "I love you, A-Ri."

He grins against her warm skin. "Love you too, Foxy."