Little Havana Nights

Family Ties

After several weeks in Germany, the 6 Latin lookers returned to Miami just in time for the Summer. The couple's families greeted them as if they'd been away for much longer, but they were so proud of them.

Aunt Alice was also proud of her goddaughters, and she'd watched everything they did on TV and cheered them on.

Aunt Alice was a doctor, so she was assisting with Gabriel and Ariel's sister Ofelia, who was sick with MS. One day, Ariel and Cassandra came to visit his parents, with whom Ofelia was living.

"Cassandra, my darling, I can't thank you enough for recommending Alice to take care of our niña, she's such a wonderful and compassionate woman." Said Hortenzia.

"Is she here now?" Asked Cassandra. "I thought she might need some company."

"She's in her room, watching television." Said Jose. "I'm sure she'd love to see you."

Cassandra left Ariel to spend some time with his parents while she went to see Ofelia.

"Come in!" Said Ofelia when she heard a knock at the door.

"Cassandra!" She cried when she saw her walk through the door with a cheerful look. They hugged one another.

"How are you feeling, querida?" Cassandra asked her sister-in-law.

"Today isn't one of my best days." Said Ofelia. "I'm tired all the time, and something always hurts."

"Well we're all here if you need anything. Mind if I watch TV with you?" Asked Cassandra.

"That would be lovely." Said Ofelia. "By the way, those Creminos really cheered me up. Muchas gracias."

"De nada." Said Cassandra.

The sisters-in-law watched some telenovelas before a show came on featuring clips of ABBA singing in Spanish. This made Cassandra very excited.

"If there's one thing I know about you, it's that you love ABBA." Said Ofelia.

"And just when I thought I couldn't love them more, I came across their album in Spanish!" Cassandra added.

"They have an album in Spanish?" Said Ofelia.

"Of course!" Said Cassandra. "Gracias Por La Música! You don't know it?"

"No, I'm afraid not." Said Ofelia. "We weren't exposed to much western pop in Cuba."

"I got the album when it was released 15 years ago. I was 8 years old, and visiting Spain. My mama and Tia Safira got it for me." Said Cassandra.

"I'm starting to like ABBA more and more thanks to you. Like that beautiful song you and Ariel danced to at your wedding." Said Ofelia, smiling. "I also love ¡Dame! ¡Dame! ¡Dame!"

As is on queue, that very song came on, and Cassandra and Ofelia sang along to ABBA, and they danced in their spot on the bed. It was the most fun Ofelia had had in a very long time. Hortenzia came to check on them, just to see her daughter's happy face.

"Mama join with us!" Said Ofelia. Hortenzia didn't know all the words, but she danced along, making it a little party in Ofelia's room. For once Ofelia didn't feel like she was sick!

"Jose, get over here and take a look at what you're missing!" Said Hortenzia. "Remember when I used to dance for you?"

Ariel was also moved by the love and kindness his wife showed to his sick sister.

Later on, Ofelia had to go to the bathroom, and Ofelia seemed ok, but Cassandra still helped her to walk to her ensuite as a precaution.

"I'll wait outside." She said. Ofelia washed and dried her hands, inviting Cassandra back in to help her to bed, when all of a sudden, Ofelia felt intense pain and dizziness.