"I'm about to head out to the ring," Alicia says quietly. "I know you said not to be nervous, that I'd be fine, but I just wanted to hear your voice first. Remind myself that, I guess, I can do this."
"You can," Ricardo says warmly. "I have no doubt, Alicia. You're a pro, you'll have that crowd eating out of the palm of your hand."
"I hope so," she says softly. "So much has happened since I was last doing this regularly, I hope I don't disappoint the crowd, or Booker. I'd never forgive myself."
Ricardo gives her a second, then says, "Even if things don't go quite the way you expect, I still know you'll give it your all. Just remind Trick Williams to keep his hands to himself."
Alicia laughs at this, which feels like a victory to Ricardo, some of her tension easing with the sudden burst of humor. "Oh, trust me, he's been very respectful and polite," she says. "He knows better than to try anything."
"Good, keep that rookie on his toes," Ricardo says teasingly. "The girls are asleep and Andre is out with Sofia, playing in the backyard, but I'm sure by the time you're back at the hotel, they'll all be around, waiting and anxious to hear their mommy's voice."
Alicia exhales. "Oh my babies, I can't wait to hear them too! You give them lots of kisses when you see them next, please?"
Ricardo smiles. "You know I will."
There's a garbled noise in the background and Alicia makes a soft, squeaking noise. "It's time to go to the ring," she tells him in a hushed voice.
Ricardo nods. "You go kick ass, mami. We'll talk soon."
"I love you, Ricardo," she says, voice tight with nerves.
"Love you too, Alicia," he tells her. "Relax, have some fun with it. You'll be fine."
"Thanks," she breathes, before the line clicks and she's gone.
Ricardo hums, settling in to wait. He has no concern, knows she'll own it, like she does everything in her, in their life.
