Ricardo sits in the semi-lit living room, one twin in the crook of each arm. The Christmas tree are glowing gently in the corner, and Ricardo is watching it while flipping his most recent recovery chip between his fingers. "You're too young to understand," he murmurs to the girls. "But I did this for you."

He strokes Mariana's cheek and stares at her. "It's not easy, I have to take it a day at a time. Sometimes I feel too weak to make it, but then I look at you and your brother and know I need to try a little harder. I'll always do my best not to disappoint you, but I hope if I stumble, you'll be patient with me."

He kisses her cheek lightly and then turns to Clara. "You too," he says quietly, kissing her forehead. "And likewise, I'll always be in both of you girls' corner. No matter what comes. Just ask your aunt, I'm a bulldog when I need to be."

Clara fusses a little, waving her little fists around before blinking her eyes open, staring back at him.

"Ah, I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he whispers. "It's ok, you can go back to sleep. I'm just worrying about grown up things. You have a long time until you have to be concerned about it. So just rest, little one. Everything be alright."

Clara yawns and stretches, turning her head to stare at Mariana before her eyes drift closed once more.

"Thank you," Ricardo murmurs, relaxing back into the couch to watch the Christmas lights glow off of the baby's faces.