Ricardo isn't used to winter, not like this. He's always lived down south, and even though he's been in Pennsylvania for awhile now, this level of cold is creeping through him, leaving him achy and chilled, grumpy. He tries to take it easy, desperate to not entirely lose his temper when Andre wants to play or the twins are hard to put down for the night, but things aren't easy.

He sits in bed after a rough day, snapping at Andre and bringing tears to his eyes, staring absentmindedly out of the window at the growing frost outside. He's still lost in thought when Alicia joins him, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm sorry," he mumbles, although he'd already apologized to Andre while putting him to bed.

She presses her face against his shoulder and kisses his skin lightly. "It's ok," she says. "Just a rough day. I know this weather isn't helping."

He shakes his head, reaching up to squeeze her hand. She hums and laces her fingers with his, kissing his palm. "It's not, but it's not a good excuse," he says.

"Not an excuse," she says. "Just the way things are. Andre forgave you hours ago."

"I know, I just... don't want to be like that," he says. "Risk the kids being scared of me, or... start to feel like I did before rehab. You know."

She hums. Rubs his back gently. "Do you feel like you're about to relapse?"

"No," he says after some thought. "It's not like that, I'm just... in a rough place, I guess. Do people still call it seasonal affective disorder?" He scrubs at his face. "Whatever it is, it really sucks."

She nods, kissing him again. "We understand," she tells him. "Don't worry about it, Sofia and I will do what we can to help the kids understand when things are a little rough. Just like you would do if we needed you to, right?"

"Of course," he says, leaning back into her. "Whenever."

She smiles, cradling his jaw and making him look at her. "It's going to be ok."

He nods, searching her face. "I believe you." Oddly enough, it's the truth. The easiest thing he's ever been able to commit to saying. "Thank you."

She smiles. "You're welcome. Now, are you ready to get some sleep?"

"Yeah," he says. "Can try." His insomnia is a good deal better than in years prior, but sometimes, after days like today, it's a little more difficult.

She rubs his back a moment, then grabs their blankets and cocoons the both of them up in it. "Just try," she encourages him, smiling when he tucks up close to her and rests his head on her shoulder, her fingers carding gently through his hair.

He exhales, relaxing into her. Despite the lingering guilt, the warmth and her comforting presence is helping, and he thinks maybe tonight won't continue the cycle. He hopes not anyway.

Alicia hums, glancing down at him after a little while. She smiles when she realizes he's fallen asleep already, looking peaceful in her arms. "Good night," she murmurs, kissing his forehead before shifting around until she gets comfortable as well, sleep quickly drawing her in as well.