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(Deacon)
As I lie in my bed next to Emma, I just stared at her face. She does look like him, I kept telling myself. The dark hair, the shinning blue eyes, the wide smile; this was his daughter. Shut up Deke, I battled with myself. Emma's yours. You fought your ass off to get custody of this little girl and you aren't gonna give her up now. She's all you have.
I ran my fingers over her hair, trying to fight my emotions that were building up. I didn't want to lose Emma. She was all I had left, other than Lou. How could I be able to trust Vince with her? How will I know that she's fine without me? I mean, he lives in a basement for Christ sakes! How can he possibly raise a child living in a house with that many people?
Just as I continued to think about this morning's events, my cell phone began buzzing over on the table. I reached over and flipped it over, not really in the mood to talk to anymore.
"Deacon, don't hang up please!" it was Mia. Her voice was urgent and full of worry. I sat up quickly.
"What's wrong baby?" I let that slip, I told myself.
"I need you to meet me at the Cedars-Sinai hospital immediately! I think Vince had a heart attack," she said, her voice now squeaky and full of emotion. There was commotion in the background, sounds of a siren ringing in my ear.
"What happened?" I asked as I instantly jumped up, sliding my feet in my flip flops.
"It's a long story, just come please."
"I'm on my way," I replied, hanging up my phone. I shoved it in my back pocket and tried to wake Emma. "Baby, get up," I whispered to her. She stirred and sat up.
"Where ya going Daddy?" she asked as I grabbed my car keys from the dresser.
"Going to see Vince, wanna come?" I asked, knowing she'd hate if I left her with Katie again. She nodded and jumped out of bed. "I need shoes!" I smiled, despite the situation as she ran to her room. I waited by the door for her to come back out. It was dark outside, which meant the temperature had dropped from eighty-nine to fifty-two. I grabbed her jacket from the sofa, tossing it around her body.
"Daddy, don't you need a shirt?" she asked as I opened the door. I lifted her into my arms, shaking my head 'no' at her question. I walked next door to Katie's house to fill her in.
I knocked softly at the door. She came to the door, her smiling face instantly worried.
"Deke, what's up man?" she asked, stepping out onto the deck.
"Vince is at Cedars-Sinai, I'm going to see him. Wanna come?" I asked, knowing she had an attachment to the man already.
"Oh my gosh, is he okay? Nevermind, I'll get my shoes ," she said, running back into her house. I walked down the stairs to the parking lot. I sat Emma in the backseat of the Hatchback. I started the car and waited for Katie to come down. After she finally got in, I sped off out of the complex and down the road.
"We brought coffee," Rome and Brian said as they made their way back to the waiting room. Rome found Brian a wheelchair and they decided to go the lobby to get the gang some coffee. Everyone was a mess as they waited for the doctors to come out with some type of news, whether it be good or bad.
Dom was sitting in a chair, his elbows on his knees with his hands crossed under his chin. His eyes were full of tears, but he was yet to let one of them fall. He was so hurt by what happened to Vince. He didn't know if his best friend was okay or not. Letty sat next to him, her arms crossed across her chest as she stared absently at the floor. Vince was one of her best friends and for something to be wrong with him was a surprise to her. Leon was sitting on the other side of the room, one arm around Jesse. The Kid had been crying the whole ordeal and his legs were bouncing uncontrollably. Mia paced the waiting room floor, her tear-stricken face clearly worried. Dom had tried many times to get her to sit, but she only snatched away and continued pacing.
"Thanks guys," Leon said, his raspy voice snapping everyone out of their dazes. Rome handed out coffees, taking a seat next to Dom with two in his hand. He nudged Dom a bit, waiting for him to lift his head. When he did, he looked at Rome with curious, but sad eyes.
"I'm sorry about him. I could tell by the way you ran to his side that he was your main man, huh?" Rome asked, handing Dom the coffee. Dom nodded, taking it gladly. "Well Brian's my main man too. He got me in a lot of shit back in the day, but he's the reason I'm sitting right here right now. He cleared my record and took me in. He's the only family I have left," Rome muttered, hoping the conversation would stay between him and Dominic. "Brian's a good guy, man. He does a lot of shit, but he doesn't mean any harm to anyone. You know, if he was a real punk ass cop, he would've sent you to jail for life that day. Woulda turned all of you in, but he didn't. You should be thankful," Rome finished, standing up and walking over to Brian's side.
Finally, a doctor in a long, white jacket and slacks came into the waiting room. Mia was the first one in his face.
"How is Vince? Is he okay? He's still alive isn't he?" Mia bombarded the doc with question.
"Vincent is fine, ma'am," everyone seemed to exhale at the same time. "But it seems that he is extremely stressed. Vince had a mild heart attack," the doctor said, his voice low but certain. Gasps filled the air as everyone looked at the doctor in shock.
"But he's only 24, he's too young for that," Brian said, curious as to what the doctor was saying.
"True, but with the stress he showed and with him being a little over-weight, his heart was showing very much strain. Also, this could have been caused by any smoking or an excessive amount of alcohol consumption," everyone turned away, knowing how much the Coyote loved his beers.
"So will he be okay? Is it going to happen again?" Dom asked, unsure if he could take anything else happening to Vince.
Before the doctor could speak, the waiting room doors pushed open. Deacon stood shirtless at the door, Emma in his hands and Katie by his side. Mia instantly scowled at Deacon, unsure of his relationship with the woman. Dom seemed to grow angry as he noticed the woman hanging off Deacon's arm.
"Continue," was all Deacon said as they sat in seats nearest to the door.
"Well, Vince is going to be fine. We took some X-rays, blood tests, and did a EKG scan. Right now he's on some morphine for the chest pains, but he is okay. He'll need to work on losing weight if he wants to have better health. And he has got to take care of that stress. Whatever's causing him emotional and mental pain is wearing on him physically. Vince will be fine, just take care of the lad, You can see him now," the doctor smiled, calming everyone's nerves.
After the doctor left, the room grew silent again, all eyes on Deacon and his 'friend'. Deacon didn't seem to notice Brian or Rome, but Brian was staring at Deacon immensely. Where do I know you? Brian asked himself.
"Deke, you think I can talk to you outside?" Mia barked, not waiting for a reply. He sat Emma down in his chair and followed Mia outside. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mia left Deacon have it. "Who the hell is that?" Mia yelled.
"Why does it matter Mia? Last I checked, we weren't together," he knew the words would hurt them both, but he couldn't stop his mouth from spilling them. Mia winced and took a step back.
"Deacon, look, I'm sorry okay. I didn't meant to hurt you that way. I was just trying to protect my family-" Mia began apologizing.
"Save it Mia. I already know," Deacon stopped her. She grew pale and looked hurt. "Vince told me," she breathed a sigh of relief. "And I have to apologize for the other day. I overreacted and I got a little out of control," Deacon said, stepping closer to her. He placed both hands on Mia's face, his thumb wiping away the tears that managed to fall. "I'm sorry Mia. I care about you, you know. And Emma adores you. Think we can do this over?" Deacon asked, a smile curling at his lips.
"Nothing would make me happier," Mia replied, pulling Deke closer to her as she placed her soft lips against his. They shared a passionate kiss that would make the most loving couple jealous. Deke entwined his fingers with Mia's as they re-entered the waiting room.
Upon seeing them enter, Dom smiled at the joyful look on his sister's face. Deacon saw that Emma was now in Leon's arms, smiling happily. Brian heart instantly broke as he saw the happy look Mia had on her face. I used to make her smile like that, he said to himself.
"Guys, this is my neighbor, Katie. Her and Vince are becoming good friends," Deacon smiled, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"Oh shut up Deke! I'm a lesbian," she stated, ever-so-bluntly. Letty's eyebrow quirked to the sky as she couldn't help but let out a laugh. The boys lets out cat-calls and whistles, but calmed down after seeing her blush.
"Let's go see our boy," Dom smirked as he stood from his seat, patting Deacon on the back as he walked past. Leon carried Emma out the room with everyone else. Nobody bothered to introduce Brian and Rome to Deacon.
(Vince)
I woke up in a hospital with a pounding headache and my chest was aching bad. I felt like I had been stabbed in my chest multiple times. I tried to sit up, but immediately regretted it when a pain shot up my left arm and through my chest again. I struggled to remember what happened as I looked around. I noticed an older nurse sitting at a chair next to the door, filling out paperwork.
"Nice to finally see you awake, Mr. Montgomery," the nurse said, standing from the chair and walking over to me.
"Please, call me Vince," I said sarcastically.
"I'm just going to check your vitals, then I'll give you some privacy," I nodded as she checked my IV, then wrote some things down on her clipboard. Just as she was walking out of the room, there was a group of people walking in.
"Hey pumpkin, you sure do know how to shake things up, huh?" Leon asked as he was first to walk in. I smiled brightly as I saw Emma was in his arms. She waved slightly, her hands shyly in her mouth.
The rest of the Team piled in, including Katie and Deacon. I smiled at Katie, and gave Deacon a curt nod.
"Thanks for coming, you know, despite everything earlier," I whispered to him. He took my hand in his, giving it a tight squeeze.
"No sweat. I need you to be alive for that test," he smiled, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.
I noticed the Buster in a wheelchair and a larger man by his side enter the room last. I remembered that Brian's face was the last that I saw before my world went dark.
"Well, well, well. Who beat your ass, Hot Wheels?" I said coldly, staring at Brian with anger.
"Vince, cut the shit. We gotta talk to you," Dom spoke, pulling a seat up next to my bed.
I obeyed Dom, turning my attention to him. "What happened to me Dom? All I remember is seeing the cop, then bam! I was out."
"Vince, I dunno how to say this..." Dom struggled speaking, running a hand down his face.
"What?" I asked, starting to panic myself.
"Vince, you had a heart attack." My breath caught in my throat at the words that were just spoken. You had a heart attack.
"What? I mean, how?" I asked. I was so young, why would something be wrong with my health?
"Vince, you're over-weight, you drink too much, and the doc says you're under a lot of stress," Letty spoke blunty as she sat on the other side of me.
"Please, Let, don't sugarcoat anything," I said sarcastically, struggling to understand the situation.
"You're not gonna get any better if you don't take care of yourself V," Jesse spoke finally. It seemed like everyone on the Team was trying to get through to me.
"Yeah Dawg, Jesse's right. We don't wanna end up in here again, except the doc telling us your dead," Leon spoke, everyone nodding in agreement. It was then that I noticed that everyone had truly cared about me. They weren't living just for themselves, they cared. Even Deacon, who didn't move from my side. My eyes landed on Katie. She smiled brightly at me, which instantly gave me a fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Was that just butterflies? Since when did Vincent Montgomery get butterflies?
"Wait, Vince you said something about the cop. This the same cop from the story?" Deacon asked. I nodded with my eyes shut. I knew the Team wouldn't take to me telling him about our past.
"Yeah, that'd be the Buster in the wheelchair. He was the cop who fucked my family over," I bellowed, pointing to Brian. Brian rolled his eyes at me, the guy at his side not looking happy either. "But he saved my life," I smiled, nodding at Brian. I wanted him to know that I forgave him and that I was thankful that he got me off that truck.
"So you're Brian O'Connor?" Deacon asked as he walked around to Brian. I could tell he was angry, but was holding it in.
"In the flesh, and you are?" Brian returned the question. He had a glint in his eyes as if he had some familiarity with Deacon.
"Deacon Cruz, Mia's boyfriend," he put emphasis on the word. I smiled. I easily liked Deacon better than Brian.
"Deke, you mean, Deke from way back when? Deacon Cruz from high school?" How the hell did the Buster know Deacon? I could see that look upon everyone's face, especially Mia.
"'Zona? No fucking way," Deacon spoke, looking Brian up and down.
"You two know each other?" I asked, looking between a shocked Brian and Deke.
"Yeah, we went to high school together for a few years. He's the reason I have my 'Stang," Deke said, his eyes not moving from Brian. "What the hell happened to you?" Deke asked, the same question I was wondering.
"Got his ass beat because he's dumb," the dark-skinned man standing next to him said. I chuckled at his bluntness. "I'm Roman Pearce. Been rolling with this fool for years," he scowled at the back of Brian's head.
(Dom)
I sat next to Vince's bed, rubbing my temples with the tips of my fingers, with Letty behind me rubbing my shoulders. I was becoming bored with this conversation. Vince was okay, but he wasn't in the clear. I just wanted to get out of here, but I knew that we had to make a decision about the reason Brian and Rome were here. It was then that a nurse entered the room.
"Ma'am, when can Vince be released?" I asked, as she walked over to a machine hooked onto Vince's chest and began writing something on a clipboard. She removed the IV from his hands and placed a bandage over it.
"Well, the doctor wants to keep him overnight just in case. But Vince, you can go home in the morning," she smiled politely. Vince nodded and smiled back. The nurse finished writing, then she left the room, leaving us to the awkward silence again. We needed to get down to business.
"So, what are we gonna do about Brian's situation?" I asked out loud, looking around at the group.
"What situation?" Vince asked. Emma was now in his arms, and I couldn't help but notice the love he had for her. I looked at Deacon and saw the bothered look on his face. He knows, I thought.
"We need to make a mill in two months, or Brian's no more," Leon said, smirking at Vince. Leon never really cared for Brian, he could care less what happened to him.
"How the hell are we gonna do that?" Vince asked, eyebrow raised in amusement.
"Racing," I said, not able to hide the smile that appeared on my face. We hadn't been back on the scene much since that night against Deke, and I was itching to get back on the blacktop.
"We can't raise a million dollars on racing," Mia stated, her arms wrapped around Deacon's waist. I noticed the distant and sad look in O'Connor's eyes. That's too bad man, you wasted too much time, I thought to myself.
"What about bets?" the girl known as Katie suggested.
"What do you mean?" I asked, curious as to how that would help.
"Well, it's simple. You guys are like, the best, right?" she stated, oblivious to the understatement she just made. More than the best, I corrected mentally. I nodded. "Well we get some punks who think they can race, and we place bets. Big bets. You win, you get the money from the bets, at the race."
"A collection plate?" Jesse asked quietly. I smiled, looking at him confused. He continued, "Well like for the after parties. Charge people for coming in," Jesse suggested, shrugging a bit.
"We could do that," I replied, smiling at his relieved look. "Anymore ideas?"
"What happens after you get your money Brian?" Vince asked, his arms over his chest. "What, you run away again? Are you using us?" Vince questioned, curious as to why Brian was really here. Vince did have a good point.
"No, I'm not gonna run. I'm gonna pack my shit up in Mexico, and find a place here in L.A. I just came back for some help and a little closure," he whispered the last part. I turned my glance on Mia, who shifted nervously under everyone's gaze.
Thankfully, at the awkward moment, the nurse returned to the room.
"Visiting hours are over. He'll be released at noon tomorrow," she spoke, a smile playing on her lips.
We nodded and she left again. No one moved, only sat in silence.
"So V, how 'bout I come pick you up and we'll go to breakfast?" Katie spoke, surprising us all. But I thought she just...
"Sounds like fun," Vince smiled brightly. Poor Vince, the lug had no clue about her.
"Alright guys, let's head out. Where you two staying?" I asked, instinct getting the best of me. I was always ready to take in the needy. Which was what landed us in hell in the first place.
"We were gonna rent out a motel room," Roman answered.
"No need, stay with us," I noticed the incredulous looks that Mia and Deacon were both shooting me, but I ignored them.
"You sure? I don't wanna cause any problems," O'Connor spoke, his tone directed to Deacon.
"Nonsense. It'll be fine. We have an extra room and sofa in the basement," I spoke, standing from the chair.
After everyone said their goodbyes to Vincent, we all departed to our homes. As Letty and I made our way to my Road Runner, she decided to finally speak.
"You think that was a good idea back there?" she asked, sliding into the passenger. I slid in after her, slamming my door.
"No, but hopefully they can find the closure they're looking for," I said as I sped out of the lot.