REMINISCENT

CHAPTER SIX: My Squad (FINAL EDIT)

A/N: Ashley's outfit on top though the shorts are a bit longer 😅...enjoy!

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Ashley's POV .

I stretched lazily before hopping out of bed and heading downstairs, where the familiar scent of coffee and toast filled the air.

"Morning, Mom," I greeted, sliding into a chair at the kitchen table beside her.

"Morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?" she asked, eyes still glued to the morning paper.

"Like a baby. You?" I took a careful sip of my hot cocoa, relishing the warmth.

"Fine... Oh! Your father said he'd call this morning. Quick, get my laptop!" She suddenly dropped the paper and bounced in her seat, looking way too excited.

I rolled my eyes with a chuckle. "Mom, relax. It's just Dad."

I ran upstairs, grabbed her laptop, and rushed back down. Placing it in front of her, I settled in beside her as we waited.

"Maybe we should call him instead?" she suggested, chewing on her lip, her patience wearing thin.

"Mom, j—" The laptop rang, cutting me off mid-sentence.

She answered on the second ring, practically squealing. "Hi, honey!"

"Hi, my love. How are you?" Dad's voice came through the screen, his face lighting up.

"I'm fine! You?"

"I'm okay, though it's freezing here." He shivered slightly, glancing around his room.

I groaned in amusement and grabbed the laptop. "Hi, Daddy... I've missed you." I pouted.

His smile widened. "Oh my God, sweetheart! Is that you? Wow, look at you— you've grown so much!" He leaned closer to the screen as if that would give him a better view.

I giggled. "Dad, we literally spoke two months ago."

"I know, sweetie. But still! How have you been?" His light brown eyes, so much like mine, widened in curiosity.

Before I could answer, a small voice chimed in from the background.

"Daddy, Ash!!"

A little boy suddenly climbed onto Dad's lap, hugging him tightly.

I frowned. "Dad... Who's this?"

Dad smiled, ruffling the kid's dirty blonde hair. "Ashley, this is Daniel. Danny, this is Ashley—your big sister."

"I have a big sister?! Cool!" Danny practically screamed in excitement.

I blinked. Big sister? My stomach clenched. Did Dad cheat on Mom?

Dad, sensing my thoughts, quickly clarified, "Ashley, he's your cousin. My sister's son. I'm staying with them here in Canada for a while."

"Oh..." Relief washed over me. "Hi, Danny! Nice to meet you."

"Hi, sis! I can't wait to come see you!" He grinned, his dark eyes sparkling with excitement.

I couldn't help but smile. "I can't wait either."

Danny's mom called him for breakfast in the background, and he waved enthusiastically before scampering off.

Dad sighed with a fond smile. "He's a great kid, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he really is," I admitted.

Before I could continue, a woman's voice interrupted. "Sir, the meeting you scheduled today is in an hour. It's best you prepare."