Ricardo stares at the paper before him, brows furrowing. "El Patron, I assumed you wanted me as a ring announcer or commentator, or..."

"No, no, see, you are going to be my partner," Alberto says with a soft laugh. "Alongside Memo? Si. Remember how much fun that was in FCW all of those years ago? The six man?"

Ricardo's lips twitch. "Si, I do," he says faintly, allowing himself to yearn for those days for a moment- before Paige, before his suspension, when things between them were still easy, when their brotherhood was untarnished. "I would like to try that once more, of course."

Alberto beams at him, reaching over and rubbing his shoulder warmly. "Great, I will alert everyone else. I hope you have some gear at the ready."

Ricardo chuckles, flushing a little. "I believe so. My weight is a little all over the place, but si-"

"We can find someone to adjust it if you need," Alberto offers. "A seamstress. Si?"

"I may take you up on that," Ricardo nods, searching his face and smiling a little at the lack of judgment there. His weight always fluctuating depending on his mental health, he can't help but feel self-conscious about it but the two people who never judged him for it being Alberto and Alicia, well... It always helps him to feel at least a little bit better. "Muchas gracias, El Patron."

"You're welcome, mi hermano," Alberto says kindly. "Now, I have much to do before we go to Mexico. I will see you soon."

"Si," Ricardo says softly, staring at the ring they had been training in earlier, lost in thought. Just for something to dawn on him, leaving him pale and gaping. "Uh oh."

-x

Alicia stares at him, her lips almost curved in amusement. "What's the problem, Ricardo?" she asks, watching him stammer and struggle to say what he'd realized. "Baby, you're worrying me." She laughs and cradles his face. "Take a breath, ok?"

He does, and again. Finally says, "I'm going to be in Mexico on your birthday."

Her brows raise. "Yeah? And?"

He sputters. "And?! I- I'm not gonna be here- I'll miss it, and I didn't even realize-"

She laughs. Rests her fingers tenderly over his mouth. "Alberto realized," she says. "And he's already handled it. I'm going to be right there with you, and get to see the debut of this new wrestling company." She leans in and winks at him. "Maybe we can work some more on that other project I suggested. That'd be some birthday present, huh?"

He swallows. Hard. "You... Alberto..." He shakes his head, tries again. "You're not mad at me for it slipping my mind?"

Her eyes soften. "No, sweetie. I'm just glad you're feeling more like yourself." She exhales. "Those tweets you made... they, uh, they really scared me. I never wanna feel like that again, and if I have to sacrifice a birthday here and there for that, I'll gladly do it." She kisses him, smiling when he kisses her back. "I love you, Ricardo, and I'm not gonna hold stuff like this against you when you're having problems, ok?"

"I'm sorry for scaring you," he whispers and she shakes her head, squeezing his hand gently.

"Let's not dwell on that anymore. Let's just... pack, and get ready to enjoy everything Mexico has to offer us. Alright?" He nods and she giggles, lifting his hand and kissing his palm, so happy to see him looking energetic and excited for the first time in weeks that she's not sure what to do with it all. I never need another birthday present as long as he continues looking like this, she decides as they walk side by side through the apartment to go pack for the weekend.