"Ricardo. Hey, Ricardo," Alicia whispers to him one morning in April, only a week after his plans to leave Florida to return home to California had fallen through so drastically. She's just cleaned the last of the white powder out of her hair and she's looking damp and a little morose. "I think we should work towards California after all." His plans to move quickly had fallen through but, as she talks about saving up money, and searching more thoroughly for a place- maybe one that would actually take pets this time- his mood starts to brighten.

It's possible. But he'd been burnt already so he decides to keep all of it to himself. The search for a place to live begins anew, pushed along by his mother and sister, scrimping and fighting to save as much money as they possibly could between the two of them.

They barely even talk to each other about it, not wanting to jinx it. They quietly pool their resources, every payday, a little more going into the savings account they'd set up just for this. By late November, they check the amount and Alicia whistles softly. "I think that's enough," she murmurs and he nods, in awe. His mother searches more determinedly to find a place that's perfect for her son and his girlfriend, and finally she informs them she's found somewhere that takes pets and will lease with them starting from February on.

"We're really doing this," Ricardo murmurs and Alicia nods, leaning into him. "Are you going to be ok with this?" Her sister is here, as are a few other scattered family members, and he doesn't want her to feel isolated from them.

But she nods, running her fingers lightly over his forearm. "Yeah, I've been looking forward to it." She rests her head on his shoulder and sighs. "Will you be alright?" He'll be leaving his school behind, the place that's been his defacto home for the last eight years behind. But more than that, Alberto and Sofia.

He bites his lip before nodding. "Yeah," he reassures her. "This is what I've been wanting to do for awhile. And I'm glad you're coming with me on this adventure." She won't be with him for the whole move, he's taking his time as well. He'd gotten rid of a lot of his things, deciding to start from fresh once he's back home, trying to get rid of the bad vibes he'd picked up in Florida, but her clothes and other things are already being shipped to California, where she will greet it after her Royal Rumble week obligations conclude. He has indy dates and training sessions booked everywhere from Pennsylvania to Texas leading into the first week of February, so he'll be taking his time to get to their new apartment. "I'll miss you," he tells Alicia, kissing her.

"I'll miss you too," she says, tangling their fingers together while she hums softly and kisses his jaw. "Take care of yourself, alright? I know you have a busy week ahead. No insomnia cycles, yeah?"

"I'll do my best," he promises, chuckling as she searches his face. "I will. I promise."

"You'd better," she murmurs, easing back down against him and closing her eyes for their last full night in their Florida apartment. "Wow, the next time I fly home, it'll be... California. I can see Mike, and AJ, and little Sara all the time..." She grins into his arm and squeezes him. "I'm so excited!"

Now that it's real, now that they have the lease in hand, and the apartment is theirs, Ricardo has to admit. He is too.

Alberto shows up while he's packing the last few things of theirs in the apartment. Mostly Alicia's, but there's a couple things of his that he needs to make sure to throw into his suitcase. His green, red and white dyed bowtie, for one. He flushes when Alberto sees it but says nothing, gently tucking it into a side pocket of his bag. "So," he says quietly.

"So," Alberto says. "You're really leaving Florida."

"I've wanted to move back home to California for awhile now," he says. "I almost did last spring but it fell through. With Alicia and my mother's help, I've finally managed to handle everything I need to successfully do so."

"I could beg you not to," Alberto sighs. "Could blackmail or bribe you... but I won't," he finally spits out, the words seeming painful on his tongue. "So I guess all I can ask now is... may I drive you to the airport?"

Ricardo swallows, feeling some emotion welling up inside of him. "Yeah," he breathes out. "I'd like that." It feels like old days, Ricardo gripping his bag and walking to Alberto's fancy car, dropping his things in the back and sinking down into the plush passenger seat before looking over, watching his former employer spin his keys on his finger. He feels sympathetic as Alberto settles in next to him, starting the car up. "You know you can come visit whenever you want," he says quietly and Alberto nods.

"Si, of course, I know, mi hermano," he says softly, pulling out of the driveway to head to the highway that will take them to the airport. They travel on in silence, even the radio not droning on with Spanish music to eat up the discomfort between them.

When Alberto finally arrives at the airport, Ricardo is both relieved to bring an end to this smothering silence and anxious about actually, finally, taking this huge, monumental step. He slowly gets out and grabs his suitcase, turning as Alberto tosses his keys to a valet and heads inside to see Ricardo off. They stand for a few moments, staring at each other, before Ricardo clears his throat. "I have to... I have to get in line to board," he finally says, and closes his eyes as Alberto steps forward and hugs him hard.

"Te echaré mucho de menos y quiero que sepas que aprecio todo lo que has hecho por mí," Alberto says, pulling away and cupping Ricardo's face. "Take care of yourself, mi hermano."

Tears are filling his eyes and he swallows hard, absorbing the familiar warmth and safety that still eases through him at Alberto's touch despite everything. "You as well, El Patron," he whispers, the long unspoken words foreign on his tongue but laced with affection nonetheless. "I'll call... I'll call when I land," he promises, reaching up to pat Alberto's hand.

Alberto smiles shakely. "You'd better." He releases Ricardo and exhales. "If you need anything..."

"I promise I'll call," Ricardo agrees softly, smiling back at him as he hoists his bag up higher on his shoulder. He looks around one last time. "Goodbye, Florida." Turning his gaze towards Alberto, his lips tremble slightly. "Adiós por ahora."

Alberto's eyes are gleaming suspiciously and he nods, echoing, "Adiós por ahora, mi hermano."

Ricardo breathes in roughly and turns, walking towards the arrows directing him where to go that quickly takes him out of sight of Alberto as he prepares to board to leave Florida one final time.