It's a quiet week. Mike's still on his vendetta to annoy the Mysterioes, and he does, but it's far from the top of his list of things to do. The world is a mess, and he wants to spend as much time as he can with his kids, so he does, up until he has to fly out for Raw. Sara and George are out in the grass, laughing and squealing, Mike crawling around after them, when he hears footsteps nearby. He blinks and looks up to find Ricardo standing nearby, an awkward kind of smile on his face.
"Oh, hey, man, what's going on?" It's been awhile since they've seen each other, even with Ricardo and Alicia staying in the guest house. Their schedules never really jive, Mike always going somewhere or Ricardo having something to do, or just plain COVID caution keeping their families apart. So this, this is a surprise.
"Hey, Mike. Um, there's something I've gotta talk to you about." He looks nervous, suddenly, and Mike wonders if maybe he should make AJ come out and take the kids back inside, but Ricardo squares his shoulders and smiles a little, easing some of Mike's tension.
"Yeah, sure, what's going on?"
Ricardo clears his throat, shuffles around on his feet a little longer, then meets Mike's gaze. "Alicia's pregnant again. And, well, we were talking, and she kinda... she wants to have a big family, you know? So we're probably going to continue trying even after... after this." He kicks at some dirt and smiles, blushing a little. "We're not getting any younger, her or I, so it's kind of a time sensitive project."
Mike thinks about that, how John and Taya seem happy, childfree, and he and AJ, and Maryse and Heath had both stopped at two kids each, content with the 2.5, white picket fence kind of lifestyle. "That's- wow, I'm so happy for you both. Get over here." Hugs are kind of rare since COVID but Ricardo doesn't hesitate, wrapping his arms warmly around Mike's back and squeezing.
"Gracias," he says softly. "But uh, it led to other conversations and, well, I believe Alicia and I have decided it's time to find our own place here."
Mike examines him for a moment. "You're moving out of the guest house?"
"We're moving out of the guest house," Ricardo confirms. "We owe you and AJ so much for housing us through the uncertainty of the pandemic and everything going on with me and Egypt, but it looks like I'm staying in the States, at least for now, and especially if our family is going to keep growing, we want our own space, you know?"
"Oh, I definitely understand that," Mike says with a soft sigh. "Hey, though, if you need help finding something, we both know a person with pretty decent ties into local real estate."
Ricardo laughs. "We do, don't we?" He nods a couple of times. "Yes, I will probably be in contact with Maryse. Thank you again, Mike, for everything- and, well, for being so understanding about all of this." He hesitates for a few moments and then exhales. "I'm going to be a father. Again. I still can't quite believe it."
"You're going to be great, I have no doubt. You've always been really great with my kids, and Andre clearly adores you, so this second kid will be like a cake walk," Mike says, apodictic. "We'll miss having you all around here though."
"Well, it'll probably take us time to find anything. I expect us to be here well past Wrestlemania," Ricardo says. "I just wanted to let you know so I could also thank you for the last few months. You've gone above and beyond or us and I don't know how to repay you."
"No worries," Mike says with a smile. "It was my pleasure to help you, honestly." He squeezes Ricardo's shoulder. "Now go back home and spoil that pregnant wife of yours."
"Yes, sir," Ricardo says with a laugh and a wave, already heading back the way he came towards the guest house.
Mike watches him go and exhales, smiling. "Another kid, wow." Clapping his hands together after a few moments of silence, he attracts his children's' attention. "Who's ready for some lunch?!"
He laughs as Sara and George tumble towards him, acting as if they haven't ate for days, and scoops both kids up, dangling Sara upside down a she squeals and giggles, pigtails going every which way.
"Daddy!"
"Yeah, alright," he laughs, turning her right side up. "C'mon, Mommy's waiting," he says with a growing grin as they walk back towards the house.
