"Mexico City is beautiful," Ricardo says over the phone.

"Well yeah, I'd hope so, considerin' ya left us without sayin' goodbye to go live there," Heath drawls, Monroe Skye's soft babblings and attempts at speech echoing in the background.

"I'm sorry," Ricardo says with a small, sheepish smile. He hadn't had time, had spent his final night in the States with Alicia, reminding themselves what exactly they were fighting to salvage, even now, while living so far apart. "But it's just temporary, I'll come back to Texas as soon as Alberto is comfortable with leaving his federation in other hands." He's not sure when that'll be, Alberto has trouble trusting most people, but he's always so busy between all of his little ventures, that he's much more comfortable with Ricardo nearby so he can step in as needed, stop various disasters before they can become tragic for the company or Alberto's financial prospects.

"You'd better," Heath says with a soft laugh. "Maryse is so close to bein' due, man. It feels like just yesterday she was announcin' it to the world." He goes quiet for a long, tense moment, both of them remembering- her with Mike, declaring it proudly before his tag match, yet again letting him lay claim to yet another of Heath's children for the sake of the lie, for their careers, for the reality show they're contractually obligated to provide.

"I wish I could be there," Ricardo murmurs. "I'm sure she's gonna be gorgeous. And Monroe's gonna be such a good little sister."

Heath chuckles. "Yeah, I think so too. She's such a great little girl already." He smoothes his hair back with a rough, quick movement, and exhales. "Just... take good care of yourself, yeah? And you'd better call often, cause we know what happens when I try callin' to another country."

Ricardo laughs fondly, remembering all of the times when they were in the UK and Heath kept struggling to figure out the codes, before eventually giving up and hitting all of the buttons at once, so confused when the only thing that happened ending up being the phone squawking in confused protest at him. "I swear,\' he says softly. "I will keep in contact with you all, and I want pictures as soon as you all have a second to breathe."

"So you'll be good with a photo of her when she's 25 then," Heath laughs.

"...If that's the best you can do, sure." Ricardo smiles for a moment before sobering. "Hey, Heath, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure. Name it."

"Keep an eye on Alicia for me? I know she's trying to be brave while I'm gone, but this was impossibly sudden for her too and I hate her being alone in that apartment with no one but the dogs to keep her company."

"Course, man. You know we woulda done that either way. She'll be just fine, we'll take good care'a her, I promise ya."

Ricardo feels some guilt easing off of him. Not much but a little. I have some really great friends... "Thank you," he exhales softly. "Thank you so much."