The closer Christmas gets, the more things Ricardo sees to do with charity. He gnaws on his lower lip, wishing he could afford to give more, had enough time to do more. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and shakes his head, looking up as Alberto joins him, eyes bright, teeth flashing as he grins. "Hola, hermano!"

"Hola, El Patron," Ricardo responds with a small smile. "How are you?"

"Doing well." He nudges him. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," he hedges. Seeing the concern on Alberto's face, he shrugs. "Just wish I could do more charity wise. Everything so far has been great, but there's still so much need and suffering out there..."

Alberto's eyes soften. "Si... si..." He stares ahead blankly for a few moments before turning to look at Ricardo. "I was going to wait to give you your gift, but I think now is as good a time as any." He reaches into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulls out his check book, staring down at it with a furrow in his brow. "Si, here it is," he says, relaxing.

Ricardo's jaw drops as Alberto stacks five blank checks into his outstretched hand. "El Patron!" he exclaims, staring down in amazement. "What is this for?"

Alberto grins at him. "You know my finances, mi hermano. Take these checks, fill them out how you like, to where you like, what amount you like. No questions asked. Si? I have the money to spare, as you know. I've... I've been wanting to do more charity, and you know much more about where to donate to than I do. Of course, you will be receiving an actual present on Christmas, but I figured it best to handle this now so places can use the money before-" He shuts up as Ricardo throws his arms around him in a tight hug, happy tears pouring down his face and soaking through Alberto's shirt. "Ay," he breathes out, stroking his fingers through Ricardo's hair and trying to sooth him. "Is ok, mi hermano. Shhhh..."

Ricardo pulls away finally with a small smile and wipes at his eyes. "I've been thinking how I wish I could give and do more, and now... now I can." Beaming at Alberto, he sniffs and releases a soft breath. "Mucha gracias, El Patron. It's the best gift you could've given me."

"You gave me a great gift when you forgave me despite everything I have done, so I suppose this is the least I could have done," Alberto offers, watching Ricardo's face and smiling, happy that his friend is so happy. "Si, let's go walk around and look at some decorations, si, mi hermano?"

"Si," Ricardo agrees, getting up and following him as they walk a few blocks side by side, staring at various houses decorated with Santa and snowmen and other holiday themed things.

-x

"I won! I won! Me and Jinder are gonna go on vacation and we're not even gonna think about bringing those nasty Singh brothers and it's going to be so much fun! And I am going to be #30 in the Royal Rumble!" Alicia sings out aggressively, leaping into Ricardo's arms and wrapping her legs around his waist, kissing him enthusiastically.

He laughs and holds her, kissing her back. "I'm happy for you," he mumbles, trying to ignore his deep down unease at her going on vacation with Jinder. "Where do you think you would go?"

"I'm not sure!" she says, staring down at him happily. "Jinder is being a real pain about it all, honestly, but it'll work out!" She presses more kissis all over his face and neck, laughing happily. "I can't believe we actually won! Things were going soooooooo bad because of those damn Singhs but now everything's so perfect! I can't wait for Sunday!"

Ricardo smiles, sitting her down on the couch when she starts struggling to find a way to untangle herself from around him. "I'm happy for you too," he says, brushing the hair out of his wife's bright, happy eyes. He yelps when she grips him and tugs him down, straddling her. "Whoa..."

"I wanna celebrate," she says into his mouth, kissing him hungrily and deep. "This is going to be the greatest Christmas ever..." The tree shining brightly behind them reflects gorgeously off of her hair, lighting up his skin as he shifts and moves over her to get into a more comfortable position, kissing her back. "I love you, Ricardo," she whispers to him and he feels the usual burst of contented warmth deep in his chest whenever she says the words to him.

"I love you too," he responds and she beams at him before slipping her hands up his shirt, the warmth of her soft skin making him groan softly. As they resume kissing and teasing each other with exploring touches, the more he thinks she's right- this is going to be a pretty amazing Christmas.