Suffocate (Sequel To: Together)

Family Portrait

Angel's POV

"I'm lying here on the floor where you left me I think I took too much Advil. I'm crying here, what have you done?" I cried and Marshall groaned.

"Go to rehab Angel." Marshall said.

"We have a son and I have to work. I can't stay on morphine, cause it's making me itch." I faded off.

"What?"

"I said I tried to call the nurse again but she's being a little bitch, I think I'll get outta here, where I can-"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going on run when I get better."

"Why?"

"Why are you so bitter?"

"I'm not damn." He said and left. I walked to the kitchen and called Angelina.

"Hey Mommy." She said and her voice was hoarse.

"I want you to spend the night. I'm coming to get you in five minutes." I said.

"Okay." She said nervously.

I went and brought her home and she ran to her room.

A day later

"Angelina." She was covered up in a turtle neck, skinny jeans and combat boots.

"Hey Mom." I looked at her and I snatched off the turtle neck. Bruises on her throat, on her chest, and on her stomach.

"You're not going back over there Angelina." I said and she started crying. I took pictures of her bruises and I had her lie down.

"Marshall, can't know about this." I said and stroked through my hair.

"I know."

"If he founds out I knew- this is going to court he's going to find out." I flipped the phone up and down in my palm and I dialed Marshall's number and He answered.

"What Angel?"

"Don't start, I need you to come see this." I said

Five minutes later

"WHAT THE FUCK! I KNEW IT, I FUCKING KNEW IT!" He screamed and I sighed. Mario was going to wake up from his nap now. I walked in the bedroom and I checked on him. He was dead asleep so I ran to the living room and he was sitting on the floor.

"We can't go to court." He said and I sighed.

"Then what the hell do we do?"

"We lock down at night he hasn't came for her so it's good. You are going to be alright." He said and I sighed. I hugged him and rubbed my hand against his chest and started crying. Angelina cleared her throat. It reminded me of couple years ago when she was six and Marshall and I had broke up for the first time.

November 24, 1995

"YOU CHEATED ON ME!" I screamed and threw the wine glass down on the floor.

"When do we have the A. Time and B. money? YOU WANNA TELL ME A MONTH BEFORE SHE'S DUE!"

"I LOVE YOU ANGEL!"

"NO YOU DON'T!" I screamed, "YOU'RE A PIECE OF SHIT YOU KNOW! WHY DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS SHIT!" I screamed and dropped to the floor my sobs filled the glass as he sat on the counter. I heard him say something to someone.

"Mommy didn't mean those nasty things she said." Angelina said and Marshall sniffled. I felt her come over to me and-

Present time

"Momma please stop cryin, I can't stand the sound. Your pain is painful and its tearin' me down. It ain't easy growin up in World War III never knowing what love could be, you'll see

I don't want love to destroy me like it has done my family." She said, " Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything. I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't leave." Angelina said and fell to the floor, "Daddy please stop yelling at Mommy. She's doing by herself with some help. Y'all fight too much and I can't stand the sound make mama stop cryin, cuz I need you around. My mama she loves you, no matter what she says it's true I know that she hurts you, but remember I love you too." She said and I cried and I hugged them both.

Six Weeks Later

"Are you sure you'll be okay."

"I'm positive. Now let me see you." I stepped down the stairs and she gasped when she saw me.

"You look great." She said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah Mamma you look great, perfect. Be safe on your date, for certain. If he brings you home too late, I'll hurt him." I laughed.

"You'll be okay right."

"Don't worry 'bout me I'm safe, I'll close the curtains." I kissed her and ran to the truck outside. Marshall passed me a fruit bar and started doing a video. I bit into it and because it was good I raised my eyebrows and he laughed.

"It's not funny asshole." I said and he laughed again. I smiled as we stopped at this Irish place. They were fun people. Nobody cared that Marshall was here they just danced. We got in a circle and danced with them. I kissed him and smiled.