Andre has had a handful of restless nights since Alicia flew out for Raw Legends Night, and Ricardo exhales sharply, holding his son close and rocking gently, trying desperately to get the little boy to sleep. His eyes are gritty, his hands feel shaky, and he knows Sofia has to be as close to her breaking point as Ricardo is at this moment. They facetime with Alicia often, but it's not the same. The house feels empty without her. But she'll be back within a matter of hours now, her two week quarantine period up. "Everything will be fine, soon, Andre," Ricardo murmurs to his son. "Mama will be home soon." He hums under his breath, wishing he could remember more of the songs his mother used to hum and sing for him and his sister. "You're probably better off with me not remembering," he says with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I'm not a very good singer."
Andre blinks up at him, eyes so very dark, not like his own hazel eyes, and Ricardo sighs at the thought of his son looking so much like Alicia- her complexion, her eyes... he hopes the boy has her fire and zest for life as well. "Either way," he murmurs, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the baby's forehead. "I love you, Andre. And I always will."
He's not sure when exactly he falls asleep, but Andre is snug against his chest and must get some sleep too because the sun has risen by the time Ricardo blinks himself awake, trying to make sense of things, when he hears voices by the door. It takes him awhile to recognize them, make sense of what they're saying, and then he stands, cradling Andre close. "Mama's home, just like I told you," he tells Andre, relieved to find the little guy still fast asleep. He's almost at the door when he hears Alicia's rushed footsteps and he quickly steps back just in time for the door to be pushed open, and then- there she is, eyes lit up and face glowing as she takes them in.
"My boys," she gasps, dropping her luggage and throwing her arms around Ricardo, careful not to squish Andre between them but clearly eager to feel her husband. "Oh my God, I've missed you both so much." She lets go of Ricardo within seconds and leans in to coo over the baby, taking him smoothly from Ricardo and hugging him close. "Oh, my sweet baby, did you have fun with your daddy and Sofia? Yeah?" She presses kisses along his face, breathing in his gentle baby scent, and just enjoying the moment, before she eventually looks up with a sheepish smile at Ricardo. "Hey," she says with a laugh that he echoes, shaking his head at her.
"Welcome home, Alicia."
She beams at him and he exhales, relieved and enjoying the sight of his wife cradling their son and talking happily down at him as he squirms and shifts in her arms.
The day goes fast, and by the time bedtime comes around, Andre is out like a light, Sofia retired to her bedroom quite awhile ago as well. Ricardo showers, then brushes his teeth before collapsing into bed in a tank top and some pajama pants. He folds his arm under his head and waits for Alicia to join him, smiling when she does, towel drying her hair after a shower of her own. As she crawls up the bed to join him, he watches her under half-lidded eyes, reaching out to grip her and pull her close, letting his fingers dance over her warm, soft skin. "So Garza gave you a rose, huh?" he teases her and she scoffs.
"He was weird, I don't even know." But she smirks up at him, eyes twinkling a little bit. "Thank you, by the way, for sending me all of those weird commercials to keep me entertained while I was stuck in that hotel room." She kisses him, slow and lingering, and he sighs, hand creeping up her spine, brushing under the thin fabric of the sports bra she sometimes chooses to sleep in.
"Any time," he murmurs. Continues to explore, lifting her bra up inch by inch. "What do you think? Too soon?"
She stares down at him, pleasant tingling sensations creeping down her body at the careful pressure of his fingers. "No," she murmurs. "I think this is just the right amount of waiting."
He smiles at her and sighs when she shifts, easing one leg over him and straddling him. "Perfect," he tells her, his other hand beginning to make a slow, teasing journey up her thigh. "I love you, Alicia," he whispers and she smiles, nails beginning to bite into his shoulders.
"I-" She forces a deep breath, already trembling at Ricardo's gentle ministrations. "I love you too."