A/U: Little bit late for this! I forgot last night, my apologies. Happy New Years, everyone, hope 2018 brings you everything you want!
Even after all this time, buying gifts for Alberto and Sofia are both difficult and easy at the same time. She likes flowers and he has everything, so the simplest, the better. Training pays ok, all things considered, but between rent, medical expenses, and everything else, he's a little strapped, but he knows they won't mind. Buys Sofia some roses and gets Alberto this cleaner that is recommended for wrestling ring mats that he always claims to be unable to find. Mostly because the man never went to the right stores, whereas Ricardo would always buy it for him when he'd worked for him. He smiles a little and smooths his finger over the label of the bottle, shaking his head fondly.
When he arrives, Sofia greets him warmly and he leans into her hug, exhaling softly. "Senor should be home shortly," she tells him, taking his jacket and placing it in the closet. He sets his bags down with a sheepish smile before handing her the roses. "Oh!" she exclaims, holding them close and beaming up at him. "You didn't need to bring anything, mi hijo."
He shuffles awkwardly. "I wanted to. I didn't have a lot of advanced notice, but I... I hope you like them."
"They're perfect," she says softly, brushing her fingers over the soft petals. "Gracias, gracias. I'll find a place to put them." She gets a vase and sets the flowers on the kitchen counter so she can see them as she cooks and turns to smile at him. "Let's sit and talk until senor is home."
So they do, Ricardo feeling somehow distant from reality at they catch up, subdued at being back here after all of this time. "It doesn't feel different," he says, peering around the kitchen. "It's been so long since I've been here, and yet..." She cups his hands and smiles at him.
They're still sitting there, discussing Alicia and Ricardo's career and everything in between when they hear the all too familiar car door slamming outside, both waiting patiently while Alberto walks loudly around in the hall, saying something in Spanish into his phone. He makes it to the kitchen eventually and immediately freezes, eyes locked on Ricardo's pensive face. "Ah, excuse me, I'll call you back later," he says thickly, hanging up with little warning. "Mi hermano?"
Ricardo nods and Alberto steps closer. "I'm... uh, I'm alone for the holidays so if it's ok, I- I'll spend it with you both?"
Alberto's eyes soften. "That's more than ok, mi hermano. You're always welcomed here, you know that."
Ricardo smiles and stands, not surprised when Alberto engulfs him in a hug of his own, tucking Ricardo against his neck and sighing quietly. "Gracias," he breathes.
"Nothing to thank," Alberto tells him, pressing his knuckles to Ricardo's jaw before pulling away and eyeing Sofia. "I suppose we can visit until the meal is ready?"
"Si, it should be another hour," she says, getting up to check on the meat sizzling in the oven, pulling out the baster to add more fluid. "We have plenty of time."
"Si, we do," Alberto agrees, squeezing Ricardo's arm and drawing him back to the table. When Ricardo gives him his impromptu gift, Alberto laughs. "You remembered! I can never figure out how you find this so easily. My personal ring is looking quite woeful."
Ricardo shakes his head fondly, all too aware that no matter what he says, Alberto will never recall where to find it.
After a weekend of good food and good company, he returns to the apartment on Tuesday and scrolls through the texts from Alicia regarding her USO tour. He smiles, missing her. Has just gotten the puppy re-settled in, trying to get back into his own daily routine on Wednesday when a new alert crosses his phone. News from the holiday tour WWE is doing currently. That Paige has been re-injured. He sits down heavily and stares blankly at his twitter timeline, finding a video of the incident. Feels ill and clammy, watching her struggling to stand before falling back to the mat helplessly, the referee quickly calling for medical help. He breathes in and out shakily, not surprised when she's taken off of further matches for the rest of the week.
Debates with himself what to do, finally texts her. Heard about your match earlier... hope everything's ok.
Her response is subdued. Thanks, me too. I'll... let you know when I do.
He sighs, feeling for her. Wrestling injuries are awful anyway, made worse when you're fresh off of a lengthy recovery from neck surgery no less. He's still sitting there, mulling over everything, when Alicia comes home, loud and happy from her tour. She calms down when she sees the news on his phone, face falling a little. "Oh," she mumbles, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Did you...?"
"I texted her," he admits. "She doesn't know anything."
Alicia nods. Squints at his phone a few moments longer before cupping his face and kissing him softly. "If I hear anything when I go to Raw Monday, I'll let you know," she promises.
"Thanks." He kisses her, running his hand through her hair. He may be dedicated to Alicia, his feelings for Paige a distant echo of what they used to be, but the thoughts of Paige being taken away from what she loves to do again eats at him. Shaking his head, he turns his focus onto the woman in his arms and smiles a little- despite everything Paige has put her through the last few weeks, she's still willing to put it aside and help ease his mind a little bit... He sighs and hugs her, kissing her warmly, hands trailing up and down her back as she moans into his mouth. "I love you," he tells her, pressing his forehead to hers.
She smiles sweetly, nuzzling into him. "I love you too."
"Let's put everything else aside for awhile, I want to hear all about the USO tour. What mischief did you and Mike get into?" Seeing her eyes light up as she bubbles with laughter and stories, he smiles, reflecting over the last few days. I'm a very lucky man.