"We think things are busy now," Ricardo muses, staring out at the LA horizon from their hotel window. "Just wait until we get deeper into the holiday season."

Alicia groans, burying her face in his shoulder. "Why did you have to remind me?" she sighs, shaking her head. "I mean, don't get me wrong, Andre is at that age where Christmas is going to start getting really fun, but I'm already tired thinking about it."

Ricardo laughs, curling an arm around her and squeezing her gently. "At least you have Sofia and I here to help you. Although 3LW and the other recovery meetings I have scheduled around then will have me pretty busy."

Alicia pouts at him, leaning up to kiss him. "Maybe I'll sneak out and check out your various responsibilities whenever the kids get to be just a little too much for me."

Ricardo laughs. "So we're going to leave everything to Sofia? We are evil, horrible parents."

Alicia hesitates. "Um. When you put it like that..." She laughs helplessly. "Well, it was a thought." She swats him. "Making me feel bad for things I wasn't even fully serious about."

Ricardo smiles at her. "Hey, it's all growth in an attempt to be a better person, right?"

"You're right," she sighs, resting her head on his shoulder. "Still."

"I know," he says soothingly, brushing his fingers through her hair. "But for now, let's enjoy the rest of our time here before we return to Pennsylvania, huh?"

"Sounds good," she says, smiling up at him as he leans in to kiss her.