A New Life – Chapter 9

Upstairs the party was in full swing. Dom and the others were enjoying themselves as usual. Dom was a bit upset that Leon and Akisha weren't there to enjoy the party with them. Mia who was close by could see it on his face. She knew that it hurt that even though he was at first weary about Akisha, he was able to warm up to her when she finally was the one to beat him at racing. Now when he was ready to praise her for it, she was off somewhere with Leon. She also understood how they'd want to have some time together, now that she'd finally been accepted as a member of the team. When they were ready, they'd all get a chance to congratulate her.

Downstairs in the bathroom, Leon and Akisha were happily enjoying their bubble bath. Leon held her close to him as he softly kissed her shoulders and neck and gently fingered her hair. They could both hear the loud music from the party upstairs. "Man they're really having a party up there, maybe we should join them?"

"Nah I'm happy with the one I have here."

"C'mon Leon I don't think it's fair, especially to Dom. It took some skill to beat him and he was really impressed. He wants to acknowledge, but I'm not there to receive it, it's hurting him."

Leon could see that it was really bothering her. He knew that she was right that they should be up there with the rest of the team. "Yeah maybe you're right; we should be up there with them. I'll have plenty of time to spend with you once we're together by ourselves."

"Thanks Leon, I figured you'd understand," she replied as she got up, wrapped a towel around her and stepped out of the tub. Leon followed her and they headed out to the bedroom to get dressed.

Once they were dressed and upstairs, they went searching for Dom. They found him on the couch with Letty chatting with some fellow racers. Dom looked up to see them standing there and motioned them to come over. "Glad to see that you two could join us."

"Sorry we weren't here earlier, it's just that…" said Akisha

"Hey it's okay, you two deserve some time alone. I was just hoping to make an announcement with you present."

"Why?" asked Leon.

"Cause it concerns Akisha." Dom got up and called for everyone's attention. "Thanks you all for coming, I have an announcement to make. I've known a few good racers over the years and some have been fortunate enough to become my friends. There've also been those that have become enemies. Some have even showed such great skill that they even almost outsmarted me, all except for one. This person has done what very few have been able to do, and that is beat me. This lady here," he gestured to Akisha, "came as a friend of Leon's and hoped to make a name for herself here as part of my team. At first I must admit I showed some skeptism towards her and wanted to see her worth. Well she proved it tonight when she beat me on one of the toughest roads. I would love to welcome Akisha to Team Toretto!" After that was said the entire place went up in cheers. Akisha went around and got hugged by each member of the team. When she got to Vince he hugged her and secretly kissed her on the cheek. When she got to Leon he proudly took her in his arms and kissed her hard on the lips as the crowd cheered. "Let's party," said Dom as he started the music again.

"How bout you and I go have some rest downstairs?" Leon said in her ear.

"Sounds fine with me," she said as they walked hand in hand back downstairs.

When they got back to their room they laid together on the bed in each other's arms. Leon gently kissed her on the cheek and nuzzled her neck He then looked down at the engagement ring on her finger and smiled, "I can't believe that one day I'm going to walk you down the aisle with you and we are going to be married," he said as he heard Akisha softly sob. "Hey what's wrong?"

Akisha wiped away her tears. "Nothing I'm fine," she said to him. He gave her a stern look, knowing that she was lying. "It's just that my father always told me that he would be the one walking me down the aisle, but now that he's gone, it's not going to happen."

"You know he'll be there in spirit."

"That's true, but it's still not the same."

"Don't worry everything will be fine, I promise. We also need to plan where and when we're going to do this."

"Sure thing," she said as she yawned. "Let's think about it tomorrow, I'm tired."

"Fine let's get some rest and we'll talk more about it in the morning," said Leon as he reached over and turned off the lamp. He then snuggled beside her and closed his eyes.

The next morning Leon woke up to find himself alone in bed. He quickly got out pf bed and put on his jeans. He then opened the door and looked down the hall. He heard giggling coming from down the hall near Jesse's room. He quietly walked down the hall and came upon Vince and Akisha sitting down on Jesse's laughing at pics from a photo album. Vince looked up to see Leon standing there. "Hey man what's up, is Mia calling us up for breakfast?"

"Nah I was just looking for Akisha."

"Do you need something Leon?" she asked.

"No I'm fine," said Leon as he turned around and walked away.

Akisha put her face in her hands and sighed, silently cursing to herself. She got up and walked out of the room. She went back to Leon's room and turned the knob, but it was locked. "Hey Leon it's me, let me in." Leon opened the door and looked at her with anger. "What's the matter Leon?"

"Nothing," he said as he went back into the room and finished making the bed.

"Something's wrong Leon, you just not telling me."

"You wanna know what's wrong; it's finding you and Vince together again. I wake up alone wondering where you are and I find you and him in Jesse's room laughing over a photo album."

"What you think something's happening between us?" she said on the verge of tears. "If you think I'm playing around with Vince behind your back, you're crazy."

"Well then call me crazy, because that's what it looks like."

"Leon c'mon you know me, I would never do something like that. You think that one kiss from Vince would make me stop loving you, then you're certainly out of your mind."

"Yeah man she's right, there's nothing going on between us, I can assure you," said Vince as he joined them.

"Get the fuck outta here Vince, I don't need your two cents," said Leon with a glare.

"Yeah well I'm giving it man, nothing's going on between us okay. I found her in Jesse's room looking at his stuff. She asked me about him and what he was like, so I told her."

"When I woke up you were still asleep, I didn't want to wake you. I got up, dressed and left."

"I heard her pass by my room and wondered who it was. I went to check and found it was her."

"Please Leon believe us, nothing's going on between us I swear. Vince's really happy that I helped him with his problems; he's often thanked me for it."

Leon looked at the both of them and sighed. Deep in his heart he wanted to forgive them, but it head kept telling him otherwise. "Okay I believe you, I'm sorry for getting all pig-headed again."

"Hey man it's okay, we've all got our moments when trust is on the line," said Vince.

"Yeah I know," said Leon as he went over and hugged Vince, he then went and gave Akisha a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

"It's okay I forgive you," she said. "I think we better head upstairs and see if breakfast is ready."

"Yeah I'm hungry," said Vince as they headed out of the room and upstairs. Leon still felt bad about doubting Vince, but knew that if he was going to have a successful life with Akisha, he'd need to be able to trust her at all times.

When the trio arrived upstairs, they found the rest of the team eating and watching TV. They were watching a video of last night's race. It showed everything from the pre-race bash to the race and after party. "Where you get this?" asked Vince as he sat down on the couch.

"I got it from Hector's brother, he filmed it," said Dom. "He thought I might want to see it."

"It's pretty good, especially the racing," said Letty.

"If you guys are hungry, breakfast's in the kitchen," said Mia.

"Thanks Mia I'm starving," said Akisha. She headed to the kitchen to grab some food, the guys followed close behind. She grabbed a plate and loaded it with eggs, bacon and toast. The men did the same and they all headed back out to join the others, they had just finished watching the race.

"Ah man we missed it," whined Vince.

"Don't worry we're gonna watch it again," said Letty.

Just then there was a knock at the door, Dom got up to answer it. "Who is it?" he said as he got to the door.

"It's Tanner," said an older man voice.

Dom opened the door with an angered look on his face. "What do you want?"

"Just wanted to clarify something with you; did you have anything to do with the race at Devil's Backbone last night?" said Tanner as he took off his glasses and wiped them.

"Why?" Dom responded still glaring at him.

"Because there were reports of racing going on there, a place that you'd assured me you weren't going to have a race at. I thought we had an agreement Toretto."

"We still have it."

"Good because a lot is riding on my neck. I agreed to drop all charges of theft if you agreed to race within a certain area. If you're found racing outside to area, I'd get into trouble and be forced to arrest you and your team. I want to be sure that this was a one-time mess up and won't happen again."

I can assure you it won't"

"Alright then so long," said Tanner as he headed down the steps, Dom closed the door. He then headed back to the others.

When Dom got back Akisha could tell that he wasn't happy. She knew it was partially her fault and partially Vince's. She knew that he'd suggested it and she'd been the one to go along with it. She looked over at Vince and saw that he was thinking the same thing. "Hey man I'm sorry, I forgot about the deal ya made with the cops."

"It's okay Vince, besides you know that no matter what I'd still have had it there. Forget the deal with them, it'll be broken again somehow."

"Yeah we'll just have to make sure we make more noise next time," chucked Letty.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" said Vince.

"We're going to the beach," said Dom, the rest seemed happy except for Vince. Dom could tell that Vince wasn't happy and he knew why. The beach was Jesse's favorite place to got you and now with him not there, it seemed hard enough to go without him. "You're welcome to stay here if you want?"

"Nah I'll go with, I could use some sunshine anyway."

"Well then let's get ready and go," said Dom as he headed upstairs to get ready. The others followed and went their separate ways.

To Be Continued