Alicia sits under the Christmas tree, eyes shining and bright, as she waits. Ricardo peeks in from the kitchen a time or two, his lips twitching up into an adoring grin as he takes in just how beautiful she looks, the lights gleaming down on her skin enticingly. He sighs and hums under his breath, finishing up a plate of finger foods and miniature desserts they'd decided to have for New Years. Nudging his way past the dogs, he settles in next to her and kisses her lightly, handing over the food.

"Thank you," she says, cuddling closer to him. "This is amazingly." She chews on crackers and dip, sips from the sparkling cider, and closes her eyes. "I'm glad we agreed to just have a quiet night at home. I love our friends and everything, but it's all been so busy lately..." Her fingers entangle with his and he smiles, lifting their hands and kissing her knuckles.

"Yeah, I agree, it is nice just to relax and spend time with each other. I feel like we don't get to do that much." He brushes some of the hair out of her eyes and leans in to kiss her, feeling the lingering bubbles on her lips pop against his skin. He smiles down at her and then glances at the tree. "Another holiday season, almost gone," he murmurs.

"Yeah." Her fingers tense against his shirt, but she relaxes, brushes some of the wrinkles out of the fabric. "It's been a lot of fun, I've enjoyed spending a few days with everyone."

He nods, kisses the top of her head. "So have I. And hey, Alberto was on his best behavior."

She giggles, rests her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, I think he knew there'd be a major problem with a lot of people if he tried to step out of line."

"You all are quite protective," Ricardo says with a soft laugh.

She sits up a bit, cradles his face in her eyes, and smiles shakily at him. "No one deserves to be taken care of more than you, Ricardo." She hesitates and exhales. "I know your self-worth is shaky, sometimes, which makes sense because of how some people have treated you in the past, and I never, ever want to make you feel like that. Alright? So please... if I ever make you feel lesser than, or anything, you let me know." She searches his face desperately. "I've been hurt by people in the past and I never ever want to do that to you."

He smiles weakly, not sure what exactly brought this on. "I promise," he says quietly. "Though I don't think you could ever hurt me, not like that."

"I hope not," she says. "I do things... I act out in ways I'd never want to act like in front of you, especially when I'm at the lowest of lows, and... if I ever backslide, if I- if I relapse... I just want you to be prepared..."

He rubs his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her up as she shivers and clings to him. "You never have to worry about that," he tells her tenderly. "I know it's a process, and you may lose some ground here and there, but I will always be there to catch you, pull you back up where you deserve to be. Alright?"

She exhales, leans into him and just lingers, absorbing his strength, his warmth. "Thank you."

He smiles down at her and scoops up some more crackers, making sure the dip covers most of it before nudging it against her lips. "Come on, let's put aside for right now and enjoy the evening, alright? Does that sound ok?"

She bites into the cracker, only just missing his fingers, and looks up at him impishly, releasing a happy little chuckle. "Yes, Ricardo. That sounds beautiful actually."

"I think so too," he sighs, pressing another kiss to her lips before putting together a couple of crackers for himself as well.

They lay side by side under the Christmas tree until the fireworks go off, and then slowly head for bed, content to snuggle in side by side and listen to their neighbors having their own celebrations to ring in 2020, bright lights flashing through the curtains and casting soft glimmers over their faces and sheets. "Happy New Year," Alicia giggles, voice drowned out by a rambuctious cheer from a nearby neighbor.

Ricardo buries his laughter in her hair, shaking his head. "Happy New Year," he echoes, unable to be too annoyed by everything going on around them. Especially with Alicia in his arms, looking so happy and content.