Ricardo hums, tapping away at his phone as Alicia dozes quietly next to him. He smiles and peeks down at her, lifting his head and listening. Andre is sleeping peacefully down the hall, and Sofia is puttering around the kitchen, trying a new recipe for cookies, and he's never really felt so comfortable in all of his life.
Sofia joins them after awhile and smiles. "Cookies are cooling," she whispers. "Soon as Alicia and Andre wake up, they should be ready to dip in milk and eat."
"Amazing, thank you," Ricardo tells her, putting his phone down and absentmindedly flipping his three month chip between his fingers.
Sofia watches him quietly, a smile twitching at her lips. "You know how proud we all are of you, right, mi hijo?" He stares up at her, grip on the chip faltering, and she chuckles softly. "You've worked so hard to get to this point, and you've been so strong."
"I haven't always been," he says. "It's not easy. But I'm glad that I've made it this far. And I'm here with you all. I think it's helped to be away from California."
"I think so too," Sofia tells him. "I know California is home for you, but you seem more comfortable, at ease here. It's been a pleasure to see."
"I've noticed that too," Ricardo says. "I've always loved California, but there's something about this place... Lancaster's been really welcoming, and I hope I still feel like this long term."
Sofia smiles at him. "I'm sure you will. This is home now."
Ricardo hums, stroking his fingers through Alicia's hair. "Yeah. You're right," he sighs, leaning over to press a kiss to Alicia's forehead. "It is."