ameliaxcarrasco

[ameliaxcarrasco]

❝ i see you’re not getting much sleep either. should i make us both some tea, then? ❞ (emilio)

"Tea would be wonderful, mi amor." Amelia smiled, though it didn't quite reach her tired eyes. She was exhausted, but even with the exhaustion sleep wouldn't come. She had gotten out of bed, and it was clear Emilio hadn't even attempted sleep yet tonight. Of course, the matriarch had found him in his study, likely working on some case or something of equal importance to him. Amelia hated waking up to an empty bed, but even now things were better between them it was something that happened often. "Care to share what's keeping you up so late? I think I could've fallen asleep in your arms if you were there, mi vida." A slight chide, but she hoped that was all it took these days for Emilio to see when things were taking too tight of a hold over him again. She just worried about him, about his wellbeing and Amelia knew that he would put work before self-care. He had done the entire time she had known him. "Camomile tea, if we have it?" @emiliocarrasco

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"I like fantasy. My books are dark romance, usually. But my latest which I'm hoping to turn into a trilogy if received well are dark fantasy romance, so we will see." Amelia grinned, happy to sidetrack her day for someone who was clearly nervous, and aspiring writers.

"May I ask why you chose the podcast format instead of a novel?" She questioned, gesturing for them to start walking inside the library so that they could find the conference room and Jasper could start getting setup.

"Y-yeah, I'm - that's what I'm getting at." His lips twist into something like a smile, twitchy and tired and nervous as he feels. "I'm sure, th-they'd love to talk to anyone about b-books, since they all, uh, worked really hard for this." And the pizza party later, but that's neither here nor there.

"It's - It's fictional. It's called, uh, City of Auris. Horror fantasy, which isn't everyone's - th-thing, for sure. I write all the scripts and direct. It was, uh, it was gonna be a book first."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"I enjoy cooking, mijo, you know this. It is perfectly fine. I will have a good day, and it will be worth it even more when the cumpleañera enjoys it." She smiled at her daughter, knowing that the food would go down well. Amelia often cooked enough for a small army, so she could depend on the leftovers the next day also.

"Oscar would have come regardless; the one family rule is everyone attends family dinners. I would've dragged him to the dinner table by his little ear if I had to." She was chuckling, but it was obvious that she was serious. Amelia didn't ask much of her family, just that they attend the dinners that she plans. She would only accept an emergency as a reason for not attending. "At least it is only the Hallidays, amore. We could be sharing our dinner table with a lot worse than them. They are good people, they are family."

Alex looked down at the ground with an expression Amelia had seen a thousand times before. "My darling," She started, moving over to bring the other into a warm embrace, "That is not your fault and you know it. Thank you for apologising for the cursing, but the rest of it... You are a grown woman, mija. You can drink if you want to, you can be on your meds or off your meds, puedes follarte a quien quieras. It is not any concern of anyone else aside from you. As long as you are safe, in every meaning of the word, it. is your decision. Your brothers... overreacted. It is not as though you live at home and have a curfew like cinderella. You are a grown woman, and I am very proud of the woman you have become, Alex."

"I know, mamá, but I don't mind if you'd rather not cook everything." Alex insisted. While she loved her mother's cooking and baking, she didn't want to stress her out more by requesting she provide everything.

Her mother's question threw her off slightly. Was she okay with it? Did it matter? "I mean... Oscar said he was only coming if I let him bring Flynn. And Rowan, that's Flynn's Uncle. Dad's friend. I'm not going to say no to them coming." Would she have rather it just been her immediate family? Yes. But the Halliday's were also part of the family, so she didn't mind.

"Mamá..." Alex began, glancing down at the ground. "I'm sorry about what happened at the auction." That she had cursed in front of her parents, that Oscar had bad mouthed Gael in the family chat. That she had been rude and immature. Drank too much. While she didn't believe she had been the problem that night, Alex knew that she hadn't helped the situation.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"Ah, por favor, don't call me ma'am, it makes me feel so old!" She chuckled, but even then she offered the other one of her many bags. Amelia had bought all the ingredients for both of the options, in case she changed her mind on the day. Either way, the food would get cooked and eaten. "You may call me Amelia, or Mrs Carrasco if you really feel the need, but Amelia is just fine." The matriarch smiled softly at the other; those with poor family backgrounds were like her kryptonite. She wanted to take them all in and cook for them, make sure they have full bellies and full hearts. "Well perhaps one day I will cook for you. It is my daughters birthday though, so I cannot go inviting everyone I meet. Her say so, and all of that."

"Never had big family and one I had... you were lucky to have nice food." Sebastian never shied away from the abuse he had to endure at the hands of his aunt and uncle. "Your family is lucky to have you." He meant it. "Ah! Birthday party. Yes, very important to celebrate." He agreed with his thick accent. He laughed joyfully as she talks of getting some wine. "If you need help carrying things to your car, happy to ma'am. Cause seems illegal to have you do everything even if wine will be good later." He joked, though was serious about helping with her bags.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

Emilio had been absent for most of the day, so she had taken it upon herself to use that time to work on her latest novel, in between editing something for a client. Finally, she had had enough and put one of her telenovela's on, glass of wine in hand. When Oscar approached her, Amelia smiled and paused the television, glass of wine safely put down on the little side table next to the couch.

"Claro, hijo. You can talk to me about anything." Amelia replied gently, knowing that her children were not without their struggles. Thankfully, most of that had ended in adolescents but she saw the impact it had on them through to adulthood and wished she could do something about it. All she could do was be there to support them. "Well, I am glad you are not seeing things, hijo." Amelia chuckled, leaning forward to show he had her full attention.

"You are? Mijo I'm so happy for you! Do they treat you nice? What are they like?" She asked with a grin, hands clasped in front of her to stop her from reaching out for her son and babying him like he was a little boy in school with his first crush. "And more importantly, for how long? I need to know when is appropriate to invite them for family dinner."

@ameliaxcarrasco | Setting: The Carrasco house | Local Time: 22:15

When Oscar finds his father absent and his mother all alone on the couch, Oscar thinks yes, finally. The artist drops his backpack to the floor, takes his shoes off and goes to wash his hand in the bathroom, before circling right back.

Oscar is not a talker, and he never has been. Every single problem is shut up about, until it all gets too much, just like it went with the bullying in High School. He had nothing to say, until his nose was almost broken, and that's when he had to tell his parents.

"Mom?", Oscar asks, slowly entering the room and sitting down on the couch, leaving a distance in between them. "Can I talk to you about something?" He has one plan, which is definitely not going into details, because god, he does not need his father finding out that one of the guys that got arrested hit him up after, and sent him into an existential crisis. One sibling knowing is enough. "I think I'm kind of.. seeing someone. Like, dating. I'm not like, seeing things."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"I feel like with the roast chicken, I'd probably have to do more than one to do for seven people. The guest list will probably be up to ten by the time I get home." Amelia chuckled softly, smiling at the other. "Maybe a casserole would be easier for the masses, but I'll see what the store has and that will make my decision for me, I suppose." It was always the way when she decided to make something, or was trying to decide between something. The stores were usually missing one of the main components. "You cook for big groups of people often, or a one off that scarred you?"

It's like preaching to the choir, and deep down he agreed wholeheartedly. Planning for a party more than four requires skill. Even more so when you're also hosting. "Oh boy— yeah, learned my lesson last time." Says he, the same man that frequently cooks a giant's worth of pasta dinner for other Brotherhood members. But he remembers the first time he had seven mouths to feed. How stressful and almost horrible it was to keep everything from burning or bubbling or overflowing. "Can't go wrong with a roasted chicken in my opinion. Then again, feels like you should go with whichever you're more comfortable with makin'."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"Rowan, food nurtures the body and the soul. You should have told me before, tonto." Amelia teased, shaking her head. "I batch cook. I'm going to do some extra and get Emilio to deliver them to you and to Flynn. I imagine your nephew mirrors you in more ways than just the policing route." She worried about them both, just as she worried about Emilio. He wouldn't take care of himself most of the time, she had to ensure that he ate, drank enough, took care of himself. Amelia wondered if the two other men in her life were the same. She should've thought about it earlier. "That's one for chicken and one for casserole. The casserole does seem easier to do for a big group of people at the least." She laughed at Rowan's comment about his mother, shaking his head, "Oh no, I very much doubt it. Nothing beats a mothers cooking."

It was going to be a big evening, that was for sure. She just hoped that Alex enjoyed herself, even though she knew the guest list wasn't exactly one that she had picked. Everyone coming was still family, though, and that's what birthday dinners were in the Carrasco household.

The Carrascos had always been like a second family to Rowan, even before he and Emilio were given the two most important roles in the NYPD. There was always a dinner he was welcome to attend, or a movie night, or some kind of outing. They were a lovely family and away from work they made Rowan feel grounded, like normality wasn't too far away from his office doors. He was always so grateful that they treated him like one of their own and they knew that if he could do anything for them, personally or professionally, he’d be there in a heartbeat.

"I hardly even decide to cook for myself most of the time," Rowan laughed. "So you'd better save that advice for somebody who will actually use it. Either way, though, I'm sure it'll be good; and I think casserole is a good shout. You always seem to make it just right, Amelia. My mom's was pretty good, but yours might have taken top spot."

Alex's birthday was fast approaching and with his mind being on work (when was it not?), Rowan was finding it difficult to think of a present she might like. Buying for a kid was far easier than for a grown woman and Rowan hoped that no matter what he settled on Alex would like it or appreciate it. Like the rest of the Carrasco family, she deserved the world, but that was something far beyond Rowan's budget or capabilities.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"I'm sure it'll be delicious." The plate was put in front of her, and she could see that the chef was waiting for feedback so she picked up the cutlery and got herself a small bite of the dessert. It was glorious, in all honesty. One of the best desserts that Amelia had ever tasted in her life. "Now, I don't usually finish desserts but I'll be finishing this off that's for sure." She chuckled, smiling up at her. "A Malbec sounds wonderful, thank you. It would pair very nicely with this."

It's always hard to say no to sweets, especially when they're offered for free -- and Yenna knows that it's proven itself to be the best customer catcher. At the end of the day, she's a businesswoman, too, after all.

"Nowadays, I only have time to cook myself on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but I can assure you that my team consists out of the best of the best. This dessert, I made myself." Yenna motions for her fellow cook to place the plate on the table, and patiently folds her hands in front of her stomach, "Is there anything else you'd like? I could top you off with one of our gorgeous wines, a Malbec perhaps?"

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"Well if it makes you feel more at ease to have a friendly face in there, I can come in with you if that's where you're going with this?" Amelia asked softly, she could still work in the conference room and had an interest in podcasts. They were similar to her own line of work sometimes, depending on the topic at hand. "Is that so? Maybe if they're avid readers, or aspiring writers, I don't mind saying a few words. My books aren't for the audience of children but that doesn't mean that my advice can't be."

"What's the podcast about, if I may ask? Fictional, non-fictional? Something in between?"

Jasper's smile is easy in response to the woman, and he rubbed a bit at the five o'clock shadow already forming on his chin. "I was th-thinking of asking, yeah. I, uh, it's a meeting." Not a meeting, but an event. One he needed to speak at. "Upstairs we're, uh, we're doing a little thing in one of the co-conference rooms."

How to explain? She said she was working on a book, though, so - "I h-have a podcast, and the library organized a small, uhm, meeting- for them to ask questions about it. It was -" He moved to scratch the back of his neck. "R-really, it's a bunch of middle schoolers who won a reading contest."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

"A family dinner like this is different, you have to do more than just order some pizza. Effort is required, no?" She chuckled, looking over the other. "For dessert I'm making Pionono with Lucuma Ice Cream, I think my daughter will appreciate it, that is for sure. Even with the guest list becoming ever growing, but you only have a birthday once a year and so the effort is worth it." Amelia threw a family dinner for all of her children's birthdays, Emilio's too. Her own she didn't like to make a fuss over, and honestly whenever it was her own birthday she wasn't overly inclined to cook. She would rather go out to a restaurant than have to be in the kitchen for most of the day. "It will be fine. A couple of glasses of wine whilst in the kitchen is the chefs privilege after all."

Sebastian chuckled. "Aye ma'am! Does ordering pizza counts?" Catering sounded like a pain in the ass and reminded him of the last party his aunt had thrown before burning. "Very courageous!" He said, accent as thick as ever. Sebastian was thoughtful for a moment. "Casserole for sure! Easier to alter for dietary requirements." He pointed out. "What's for dessert? Cause I'm getting jealous." He joked.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

[ hospital ] sender wakes up in a hospital bed and finds receiver sitting by their bedside (Gael)

@gledesma + reverse because i'm a dummy

Amelia wakes up in hospital: Amelia felt like she had been hit by a train, like it took one hundred attempts to open her eyes before they finally opened and she was greeted with the overwhelming hospital lights. She swallowed, her mouth dry as she tried to speak and nothing came out. Her head turned and she swallowed again, seeing the person by her bedside. "G-Gael?" Amelia stammered, voice weak. Furrowing her brows she looked down at herself, analysing herself to see if she could see any obvious injuries. None that she could see, so why was she here? "¿Qué pasó? ¿Dónde está Emilio?" She questioned, moving to try and sit herself up somewhat. Her whole body ached. "Necesito a Emilio. Are the kids okay?"

Gael wake up in hospital:

She wasn't sure what had happened, but her daughter had called her upset and asked her to come to the hospital. Amelia dropped everything, and when she got there and found Alex there was a brief relief that it wasn't her daughter that was injured. "Who is hurt, querida?" She asked, before being led to Gael's room. After a few hours of sitting by his bedside, she told Alex to take a break. Go get some food, freshen up, regain her strength. Even nap if she could. Amelia would stay.

She was glad she did, because an hour later Gael started to stir. As he woke, Amelia took his hand and squeezed softly. "Gael, querido, we've got you. You're okay. You had a fall, but everything's okay. Alex was here for ages, I told her to go refresh herself. She'll be back soon, but I'm here, amor."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

[ sobs ] sender sobs uncontrollably while receiver holds them - alex

@alexxcarrasco

She had been through a lot with her daughter throughout Alex's life, things that Alex hated her for at the time but later understood. Their bond had gotten stronger in the woman's adult life, and Amelia was more than thankful for it. It wasn't something that she was unused to, Alex being emotional and needing just to be held and heard. "I've got you, bebita." She spoke softly over and over, rubbing her back in slow circles as she held her daughter. Something that she had never said to Alex was 'it's okay', because in Amelia's eyes it was minimizing the emotions that her daughter felt. It might not be okay in her mind, and that was fine so long as she knew her mother was there for her, and would always have her and look after her. "Is there anything you need that can help right now?"

She was aware that the family was under the impression that Alex was off her meds, and that might explain the sobbing but she wasn't about to question her about it now. Amelia had always fought for her daughters autonomy - except when she became a danger for herself and the matriarch had to take control. It was up to Alex and Alex alone if she took her meds, forcing her would make her dislike for them worse. "I've got you, querida."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

If she had to wear one outfit for the rest of her life, what would it be?

This green dress. She loves how it makes her feel, and the confidence she has whilst wearing it is sky high.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

Which one of your kids is your favorite?

"Ah darling, I do not have favourites. I love all of my children equally. I do feel like some need me more than others though." It was honesty, in it's finest form; she loved all her children equally, in their own way and for their own reasons. Favourites wasn't something she believed in.

[ameliaxcarrasco]

[ bruises ] sender finds bruises of unknown origin on receiver (Gael)

@gledesma Amelia had thought that she was home alone. Honestly, even with such a big family it wasn't often that she wasn't. Things were better with Emilio but he still worked a lot, and the kids had her own lives and didn't all live at home anymore. She hadn't thought anyone was home when she decided to go to the bathroom and grab the arnica cream, unbuttoning her blouse and taking it off so that she could put it on the bruises. The door swung open, and she was face to face with Gael. "Ay dios mio!" She exclaimed, hand moving to her chest to try and slow her heart rate down from the surprise, hurriedly grabbing her blouse to put it back on. "Gael, cielo, what are you doing here?" She had hoped he hadn't seen the bruises, but it was clear from the look on his features that he had. "Darling, don't worry. It's nothing, I promise. No one hurt me just... I bruise easily. Always bumping into things."

[ameliaxcarrasco]

Has she read any personal development books or listened to any personal development podcasts recently?

No, they're not really her thing. She knows who she is and Amelia doesn't need any help in her development as far as she sees it. In all honesty, Amelia doesn't read much aside from the books that she edits for people, and the podcasts she listens to are more within the same category as her own books (dark romance) or true crime/mystery podcasts.

[ameliaxcarrasco]