SHE LOVED THE SINNERS - ꜰᴛᴡᴅ

𝘌𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌

"But you agree people can love a child that isn't there's. Love a family that isn't there's"

Nick didn't know how to argue this because he truly didn't know if it was possible or not

"He'll come home" Madison interjected before the two of them started to argue even though she appreciated Cassandra trying to defend her

"Maybe he went home" Nick replied, making Madison turn towards him with a look that screamed 'shut up'

"You know that thing you were saying about not being an asshole?" Madison said

"Hey, I'm sorry. I just don't--"

"It's happening again." Alicia walked in cutting all of them off

Madison quickly grabbed her flashlight, following Alicia into the main room.

Nick looked at Cassandra, sucking on his bottom lip guiltily

"Stop doing that to her" Cassandra whispered, jumping down off the counter
Nick quickly stepped closer to her trapping her between the counter and himself, she looked up at him. Noticing his eyes glued to the bandage on her head

"I'm okay" she told him, making him look down

"I keep saying that because if he doesn't come back, that's your life on the line and I'm responsible for it. I have to protect you because if anything ever happened to you I wouldn't forgive myself" Nick mumbled, not once blinking as he stared into her eyes

"Nick I'm not–"

"You are. I let you down so many times, I owe it to you and to your dad. To keep you safe. You said it yourself, I'm all you have. And I won't let Travis previous obligations put you at risk" Nick wouldn't let Travis put his family at risk by saving his

"Oh wow, two big words Nick. You must really mean it" Cassandra joked, trying to deflect her emotions not wanting to believe in his words anymore

Nick smiled softly. He knew what she was doing and he didn't blame her.

Cassandra tried to move past Nick only for him to keep her trapped. A smirk tugging at his face as she looked at him with an annoyed look, placing his hand on her heart. Making her eyes widened at the familer action

"I mean it" he whispered

She smiled at the action, when they were younger and he use to make silly promises he use to place his hand over his own heart but as they got older and the promises and conversations got more serious, he always placed his hand over her heart. So she knew he meant it.

Nick took a step back from her realising she wasn't going to say anything else, he quickly walked into the living room

"Stay away from the windows" she heard his voice

Cassandra followed him into the living room. All four of them hearing a scraping nose coming from the back garden. Jumping when a louder bang was heard, she pulled Alicia behind her as Madison held the torch towards the door

Nick stepped towards the door

"Nick" Madison warned as Cassandra looked at him worried