Ricardo exhales, slouching down in the ring after another lengthy training session. He looks around the room, taking it all in. "I still can't believe it sometimes," he admits, glancing over. "So much has happened, things are so much better than they were. It's a bit overwhelming sometimes."

Mike nods, looking up at him. "You know we're proud of you, right? Wasn't sure how things were going to shake out for awhile there, but you took control of things, you fixed a lot of stuff, and started so many good things. It's kind of amazing to look back and see how far you've come."

Ricardo smiles. "Not sure I'd have been here without you," he admits, rolling out of the ring and standing shoulder to shoulder with him. "After everything with Paige? To be here now, with Alicia and three children, a wrestling company of my own?" He shakes his head. "Hell, just getting to prove that doctor wrong is incredible to me."

Mike nods, squeezing his shoulder. "I'm really glad you've been able to," he says. "First time you told me that diagnosis, I was so scared for you."

"Yeah," Ricardo sighs. "It was definitely a wake up call. Course falling in love with Alicia and having Andre was another, bigger one. I couldn't risk leaving them here, alone, struggling just to get by. I wouldn't ever do that to my family, not the way it was done to me."

Mike nods. "You know we'd be here for them, though. if the worse had happened."

"Yes, I know, and I thank you for that," Ricardo says. "I know you'd have done your best for them. I'm just glad that never had to fall on your shoulders."

"Me too," Mike says. "Imagine the madhouse my place would be, with your kids and mine under one roof." He smiles as Ricardo shakes his head fondly. "Not that you guys wouldn't be welcome, but you know."

"Yeah." Ricardo chuckles. "I know. Come on, we should go. I bet you're glad you're not in California for that torrential downpour right now, huh?"

"The one time I'm thankful to deal with winter weather," Mike says, following Ricardo out to his car. "Thanks for inviting us over for an early anniversary present. Think we all needed a break from California in general."

"My pleasure, you know we love having you all up here. Andre's really glad to have someone closer to his age to play with. The twins will be good for him when they're older, but right now, they're so little, he doesn't really feel comfortable around them for the most part."

"He'll get over it," Mike says, resting his arms on top of the car and looking over at Ricardo as he unlocks it. "It took Sara Louisa awhile to get adjusted to George, but once he got a little older and she got a little more comfortable around him, they became thick as thieves."

"Yeah, I expect it'll happen with the three of them as well, it's just a little bit of a disappointment for Andre, I think," Ricardo says. "He expected instant friends."

"And probably brothers," Mike says with a laugh. "Sara wanted a sister, but she loves George now, and would do anything to protect him. I'm sure Andre will be the same way given time."

Ricardo nods as they settle in their seats and he starts the car up. He can't wait until that day comes, for all three of his children.