Sofia doesn't look thrilled. "Mi hijo, are you sure this is a wise idea?" she wonders, standing at the sink and frowning down at the dishes she's currently washing.

"We need the money," he says with a weak attempt at a smile as he waits to dry them. "Sofia-"

"I know," she sighs. "I do, it's just." She glances over at him and blows a breath out, ruffling a few stray strands of her hair out of her eyes briefly. "Your health isn't always the best, and Alicia is pregnant, and..." She frowns. "Planning on more training seminars right now..."

He exhales and squeezes her hand. "I know. That's why I haven't been promoting it too much. But I'll be as careful as I can be, and just hope for the best. Mike's agreed to let me stay at his guest house for a couple weeks, like you did, so I'll at least have that to fall back on. You and Alicia will be alright for a little bit, right?"

She rolls her eyes, squeezing the rag in her hand even tighter. "Si, but what about you?" she mumbles, growing more and more displeased with this the longer they talk about it.

He pulls away from the sink and looks hopefully at her, arms outstretched for a hug. She grimaces at him but eventually shakes her hands semi-dry before pulling him in, hugging him tightly. "Ridiculous," she huffs, and he laughs into her hair, rubbing her back.

"I know you're worried," he says softly. "I kind of am too, but I miss wrestling, I miss training. I will wear a mask, I will be as careful as I can be." He pulls back and smiles kindly at her. "I promise you."

She grips his arms for a moment, Ricardo marveling at the strength in her all over again, before exhaling in annoyance and letting her hands slip down to his, lacing their fingers together. "You best keep that promise, Ricardo," she says, staring up at him. "I know I'm not truly your mother, but I feel like it sometimes, and I won't forgive you if you get sick."

His eyes soften and he kisses her forehead. "I will do my very best," he promises her.

-x

Alicia lays in the grass, a book and bottle of water laying at her side, basking in the warm California sun. Ricardo stands nearby, enjoying the view as she stretches and looks up at him with a sleepy sort of smile. "Hey, there," she says, grinning as he settles in next to her.

"Hola." He rests his head on her shoulder and she hums, playing with his hair. "What are you reading?"

"Pregnancy book," she whispers and he chuckles, trailing his hand over her stomach. "There's so much to think about, and do, and..." She shakes her head, falling quiet as he shifts up and kisses her. "You're gonna be here to help me with it, right?"

"Yes," he promises. "I was talking with Sofia, there may be a couple weeks after whatever seminars I plan where I probably stay at Mike's guest house just to make sure nothing goes wrong, but after that, I am all yours."

She pouts at him and trails her fingers over his lips. "You'd better be."

"Always," he promises, kissing her fingertips and making her shiver. "I know it's not ideal, but you understand why I'm doing this, right?"

"Yes," she sighs. "I'm still not really thrilled with it, but I do understand. That itch is always under your skin." She trails her fingers down his chest, and he nods, leaning in to kiss her again. "Before I decided to retire, I would feel that way too, sometimes. So yes, I get it. Just please be careful."

"I will be," he tells her with a soft smile, amused at how alike she and Sofia are in ways. "And I'll call you every day."

"Well, yeah, that's a given," she informs him, smirking a little bit as she tugs him closer and initiates a more thorough, deep kiss.

As he leans into her, enjoying the warmth of her sunkissed skin under his fingers, how she tastes as her lips part under his, and every other heady sensation tingling throughout his body in this moment, he wonders if perhaps he is insane for leaving it all behind for any possible reason.