Alberto has the week off. Why, Paige isn't sure, it's none of her business, but it gives them the opportunity to take Sofia to California and introduce her to Sara Louisa. Watch the baby stare up at the housekeeper, deep blue eyes locked on her as Sofia handles the little girl like an expert, which considering she's good at everything else involving nurturing other people, shouldn't be as much of a surprise to Paige as it is.
At night, when the baby is asleep, and AJ and Mike are taking a few minutes to themselves and Paige is too restless to sleep or be quiet, she goes outside and walks around the neighborhood. Hums loudly, sometimes sings under her breath. It's beautiful and warm in comparison to some of the States she's been to for WWE lately, it's nice. On the third night, Alberto is laying in the front yard and, when he sees her coming, he sits up. "Hola, Paige."
"Hullo," she says awkwardly, adjusting her hair tie before tilting her head at him. "So what's up?" As she walks off, he gets up and follows her. "Enjoying your time off?"
He shrugs lazily, hands held behind his back as he follows her. "I get restless easily. I suppose you know what I mean." She nods noncommitedly and he smirks grimly. "I suppose you'll be flying out soon for Main Event."
"Yes." She'd only been booked for Main Event matches lately, which is fine, at least it's something. She thinks perhaps the break from the divas title scene is just as well, because her mind and heart really isn't in it anymore. They walk side by side through the darkening neighborhood for awhile longer, glancing around at the houses and the surroundings before she realizes Alberto is looking at her. "What is it? Something on my face?"
"No," he says slowly. "I am just pondering. See, I... promised something and to go back on my word means I wouldn't be a very good friend. But I look at you and everything you've been going through and perhaps keeping my mouth shut would make me an even worse friend. So it is a conundrum, you see."
She purses her lips, shakes her head. "No, I don't think I do. What's going on, Alberto?"
"All I can say," he says slowly, carefully thinking about each word, "is that I don't think things are going to be this bad for as long as you think. Just hang on a little longer, si? Things will be better soon."
She looks up at him, confused, until he smirks and turns around, walking back towards Miz's house. "He's weird," she mumbles, burying her hands in her pockets and walking around the block before deciding to turn back around as well.
After a couple more days spent helping out with Sara Louisa during the day and going for lengthy walks at night until she tires herself out, Paige flies out for Main Event. She teams with Natalya against Naomi and Tamina in a losing effort, grimacing over it as she walks backstage, sore and cranky. Del Rio and Sofia are still in California so this time Paige returns to Florida, takes advantage of having the house to herself for a few days.
She sleeps in Ricardo's bed, reacquainting herself with his things, his rapidly fading scent. She lounges in the hammock, she sits by the lake and drifts her fingers through the cool water, remembering how Ricardo's touch had felt that first time when they'd sat here, getting to know each other better. Closes her eyes and dreams about running her fingers through his long hair, reminding herself of every cadence of his voice. "Damn, I miss you," she sighs, quickly counting the days until he'll be returning.
It's too far away, it makes her head ache as she runs her fingers through the grass, trying not to think too much about it. As she dozes off, she remembers Alberto's words and hums uncertainly, rolling over and sighing softly once the sun isn't in her eyes any more.
