Mi Salvador

Too Quick to Blame

Ascella's POV
I sat at the table, turning my ring around my finger. Opal held my head to her chest and Shireen got us milkshakes. Liv walked over and pulled up a chair, "So...what will you guys be doing before leaving for college?"
Shireen responded, "I leave earlier than them to go to England, so I'm trying to spend as much time with them as I can."
"Yeah, Ascella and I leave around the same time, so I might find a job or travel around with my family..." Opal smiled, "Ella, you're welcome to come with if-"
"I have to find a job too, and I might continue those night classes at Fordham..." I said blankly. Liv smiled weakly and grabbed my hand, stopping my motions. She opened her mouth to say something, but her phone rang, "Brian? Hey, yeah, yeah sure I can..." she got up and kissed my head, "You guys stay safe."
"You too..." we all said in unison. She walked off and Zara came to me.
"I'm sleepy.." she murmured, rubbing her eyes. I nodded and picked her up, grabbing my phone and purse.
"Can you guys wrap up here?"
"We will." Opal nodded. I smiled and waved, walking out of the diner with Abuelita.
"You sure you don't want me to come, niña?" She pet my head. I nodded, "I'm sure, Abuela...buenos noche."
She kissed my cheek, then Zara's head, and went to her car. I walked around the corner towards home.

Once I got there, I saw mom putting luggage into a car. I made sure Zara was fully asleep as I approached her. Her eyes were red and puffy as she looked at me.
"I...I'm just gonna stay with a friend for a little bit. Can you get the rest of Zara's stuff packed by the end of the week?"
My chest started to tighten, but I nodded. She got in the passengers seat and I watched as they drove away. Once I got into the house, I went to put Zara down. There were already boxes and luggages filled with her things. It broke my heart seeing everything like this. I sat at the edge of her bed and started to cry.

I helped load the taxi and looked to Mom, who held Zara's hand.
"We'll have the rest shipped down there." Dad said, picking Zara up and hugging her. Mom hugged me cautiously before Zara went to me. I kneeled down and hugged her close, tears streaming down my face.
"I'll come visit, I promise..."
"I love you..." she whimpered, causing me to hold her tighter. I just realized that I probably spent more time with Zara than both dad and Maria mixed together. This was harder than I hoped it'd be. I pulled away and set her down in front of me, "I love you too..." I gave her her favorite doll, she shook her head.
"You take it when you go to school."
I smiled, "You sure? I think Nicky the Lion will be a bit jealous..." she giggled and hugged me again before taking the doll. Mom strapped her in and got in next to her. I waved weakly and watched as the taxi drove away.
"Ascella...I have to go. They need me at the precinct." Dad whispered. I felt hurt, but it washed over quickly.
"Go...I'll be okay. Might call Opal and Shireen to come over..." I turned to him. He looked at me for a moment before going in to change into his suit. My phone buzzed and I looked, seeing a text from Liv.

Liv: Could you do me
a favor?

Yeah, sure! What's up?

Liv: Cassidy is in the
hospital right now
and I'm just concerned
about him. Do you
mind keeping him company?

No problem.
I'll be there soon.

Liv: Thank you so
much, Ella. I owe
you one.

I smiled and went inside to get my purse, "I'm going out!" I called up the stairs.
"Okay! Love you!"
I walked out and headed to Mercy Gen. Once the front desk directed me to Cassidy's room, I knocked on the door and Liv answered.
"Hey, thanks for coming."
"It's no problem." I walked in and saw Cassidy, "Hi! You don't know me but I'm sure you hate my dad. My name is Ascella Amaro."
"Well, I'd rather look at you right now than him."
I looked to Liv and waved as she walked out. I then sat beside his bed, "Ms. Benson has requested I keep you company. If you don't mind."
"You're making me feel ten times better." He smirked, "What were you doing before coming here?"
"Watching my family fall apart. This is a total improvement."
"Fighting?"
"Separation actually. My mother just took my sister to DC and I'm here..." I huffed, pushing my hair back before looking at him, "So...you got shot?"
"Yeah, but docs say I'll be fine..."
"What's it like? To be undercover for so long?"
"Like wearing a mask." He laughed, "Your dad been undercover that long before?"
"No, I don't think so...but he never really came back the same..."
He nodded and sighed, an uncomfortable look on his face. I reacted immediately, "Cassidy? You okay? Do you need-" he grabbed my wrist.
"Just stay. I'm fine. It's nothing I can't handle."
I nodded and scooted my chair closer to the bed, "What do you need?"
"Just talk. Not about your dad and the divorce or cop stuff...just talk..."
"I...was accepted into Harvard and I'm going to major in Criminal Law."
"So you're smart."
"I guess..." I responded, my lips curling up, "I have a friend who you remind me of...I dated his best friend..."
"How'd he take it?"
"Well, lets just say my prom night is a night to remember."
I continued until we both drifted off...

Nick's POV
Liv and I drove to Mercy to visit Cassidy.
"You sure I should be there? We're not on good terms right now." I looked at her briefly as we pulled into the parking lot. She shook her head and smiled, "I'm sure."
We walked up to where his room was. Liv knocked gently and opened the door. I looked around the room before looking to where Cassidy was. To my surprise so was Ascella. She was asleep against the bed as his hand rested on her hair, caressing it.
"Hey, Amaro."
"Hey..." I furrowed my brows. Liv laughed, "I asked her to keep him company...I'm sure they both needed it."
Cassidy chuckled weakly, "Liv knows best...you should take her home. There's a lotta shit on her mind."
"I'm sure there is." I murmured. Ascella shifted and turned to us, "Hi."
"Thanks for watching him."
"Didn't do much watching." She rubbed her eyes. She got up and grabbed her purse, turning to Cassidy.
"Bye."
"See ya, kid."
She went to me and I walked out with her. We got to the car and it was unbearably quiet as I drove. I didn't know what to say...

"Dad..." Ascella turned to me, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be." I cleared my throat. The way she looked at me caused my chest to tighten. I couldn't help but blurt our, "If you want to go stay with your mom, you can."
"What?"
"If you want to-"
"Stop the car."
"Ella?"
"Stop the car. Now."
I pulled over into a small lot. Ascella took the key out of the ignition and crossed her arms. Her eyes were watering, but she was holding it in.
"Ascella, I-"
"How could you say that?" Her voice cracked, "How-why-Do you want me to?"
"What?"
"Jesus. Do you want me to go? Do you-do you want me to leave?"
I looked away, pouting slightly. She turned her whole body to me and slammed her hand on the dashboard.
"Look at me and tell me!"
I couldn't not look at her once she raised her voice. Ascella hated yelling at others. I took a deep breath, "No. No, I don't want you to leave..." I huffed, "That's what keeps me up at night! Ever since...ever since Anders got you, I've had to get up every night and see if you were in your room. And then, when Olly died, I made sure I swung by your school too see if you were still on campus and I would follow you all the way to Forham when you have night classes. Ascella, I would go crazy if I ever lost you again." I sat back and ran a hand through my hair, "When your mom told me she was moving...I begged for her to leave your sister and you...she didn't hesitate to let you stay and I-I don't know how to feel about that. Ascella, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I let this stupid job get to me. I'm sorry this shit happened with me and Maria...I was wrong. About everything. I should have never-"
"Stop...don't finish that sentence..." she whispered, her hands gripping the car keys. I took them and held her close, "I love you so much..."
"I love you too, dad..."

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just a quick warning...your favorite sassy Cuban DA will be arriving very soon 😁😜