It's hard to sleep with everything going on as it is. For this reason, Sofia finds herself sitting in the kitchen, late into the night, watching time tick slowly by with a warm mug of tea in her hands. She sighs, feeling the yearning to rest but knowing that as soon as she lays down, her mind will be running in a million different directions once more.

She looks over at the soft sound of shuffling in the hallway and smiles as Ricardo turns the corner and blinks sleepily at her. "Oh, hello, mi hijo," she says softly. "I didn't wake you, I hope?"

"No," he whispers. "Couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to bother Alicia." He joins her, careful to be quiet as he settles in the chair next to her. "Why are you up?"

She smiles and rubs her thumb over the brim of her cup. "I also couldn't sleep, and sometimes I just like to sit out here in the silence and watch the nighttime world from here."

He nods, turning slightly to see just past her. "It is beautiful and peaceful at this hour," he agrees with her, smiling vaguely as she turns to look at him. When she reaches out and clasps his hand in hers, he gazes at her with a small smile. "I never took you for the insomniac type. That's my gimmick."

She grins at the tease and shrugs. "Sometimes, I suppose anyone can have a bout of it, si? Especially in these times."

"True," he concedes, content to sit in silence for a few moments and stroke her knuckles. "I think I was dreaming about the baby." She tilts her head and watches him and he exhales. "I... I wish things were a little different. I wish... I could be there with her when she goes in to have it." His eyes are lowered, resting on their fingers, and Sofia aches for him. "I wouldn't even mind much if she re-broke all of my fingers when I held her hand to try to guide her through the labor pains and everything, I just... want to be part of it. Does that make sense?"

"Of course it does," she says, carding through his sleep mussed hair with her free hand. Leaning forward, she kisses his forehead. "It's natural, mi hijo. You should be there. But it's safer this way, unfortunately."

He stares at her beseechingly. "If anything happens to either of them, and I'm not there..."

She cradles his jaw and shakes her head. "Don't think like that, love. Alicia is a strong, determined woman. And your child is the best of both of you. It'll be alright. I'm sure of it."

"I wish I could be," he sighs, gripping her hands as tightly as he dares.

She stays close to him for a few moments, trying to comfort him with her warmth, before slowly easing away. "I'll make you some tea," she says quietly, going to reheat the tea kettle.

"Gracias," he sighs, and she casts a soft smile over at him as she prepares their mugs.

"Any time," she says softly, listening for the taletell bubbling of the water so she could grab it before it whistles and disturbs Alicia. When she returns to the table and Ricardo, he smoothly takes the mugs from her and places them on the table. Once she's settled, they both take sips and his eyes flutter. "Is it good?" She smiles fondly at him as he takes another sip.

"Si, you've always made the best teas, Sofia," he says softly, and she beams, eyes glinting with affection for him.

He's going to be such an incredible father, she thinks, leaning back in her chair to once more glance outside as the horizon slowly shifts to show the first signs of the sun rising. I'm glad I'll be here to witness it.