So, it's been way too long since I last posted and I am SO sorry that it took this long. I'm not going to bother giving excuses, I just hope that my readers are still out there and they they enjoy this chapter. I worked hard on it, even though it didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it to, so I hope everyone enjoys it. I will be adding a new link to my profile, I'm sure that everyone will know which one it is by the end of the chapter. So, I won't keep you any longer, read on my faithful readers, read on.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately for me, nothing has changed in terms of ownership.

Fast and Furious 28

Luciano was awake at seven-thirty Christmas morning, full of hyper energy, excited to open his presents. However, mommy had told him the night before that he had to wait until at least eight o'clock before waking everybody else up. So, here he sat, on his bed, impatiently waiting for his clock to turn eight so that he could wake his family and open his presents. However, fifteen minutes later and Luciano's little bit of patience ran out and he darted from his room, heading towards Auntie Venus' room and throwing the door open and jumping on the bed to wake her up.

"Auntie V, Auntie V, wake up! Wake up, wake up, wake up! It's Christmas!" Luciano exclaimed as he bounced on the bed.

"Squirt," Venus groaned, her arm darting out to grab hold of Luciano, yanking him down to stop his bouncing. "I'll let you get away with it this time, but only because it's Christmas. Who else is awake?"

"Just us, I think." Luciano chirped, still bouncing where he sat.

Venus' head poked out from her blanket just enough for her eyes to appear, a somewhat evil glint in her eyes. "Oh really?"

"I think so, I came here first." Luciano replied.

"Then we'd better go wake them up." Venus grinned as she threw her blanket off and rolled out of bed. Luciano watched as Auntie V pulled her hair up into a pony tail before they were both off, running into everyone's rooms and jumping on their beds and then hightailing it out to the living room to wait for everyone to come downstairs.

Torben had gone to sleep the night before with a giddiness that he hadn't felt during the Christmas time for a number of years. So, when Luciano and Venus had run in to Leon's room and jumped on the bed to wake them up, Torben startled for a moment before joining in the laughter, reaching out to grab Luciano and tickle him before the little boy squirmed away and he and Venus were out the door to wake their next victims. He continued to laugh softly as Leon grumbled and buried his head under his pillow, causing said racer to peek out at him from under the pillow.

"What's so funny," Leon grumbled, a yawn interrupting his, eliciting more laughter from Torben.

Leon raised an eyebrow, watching Torben laugh for a few moments before lunging at the teenager. Torben gave a startled yelp before he stated laughing again as Leon began tickling him until he was crying and begging for mercy. When Leon finally relented his tickle attack, both he and Torben were smiling and slightly out of breath.

"What was that for?" Torben cried as he tried to regain his breath.

"For laughing at me," Leon informed him with a grin.

Torben gave a gentle punch to Leon's stomach as he huffed, pouting just a little bit. "That wasn't very nice."

"Well, neither was laughin' at me," Leon mock scolded, grin still firmly on his face.

Torben tried to continue pouting, but he couldn't help it as a grin stretched across his face. He leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to Leon's lips, "Well, I'm sorry for laughing at you then."

Leon swooped down and gave Torben a longer kiss before giving the younger man a softer smile. "I supposed I can forgive you, since it is Christmas and all."

Torben laughed again, "How gracious of you. Thank you ever so much."

"You're welcome."

Torben grinned suddenly, "Merry Christmas."

Leon grinned back, "Merry Christmas."

"C'mon," Torben murmured, giving the older man another short kiss. "We had better get downstairs before the Terrible Twosome come back."

Leon teasingly gave an exaggerated sigh before rolling off of Torben and pulling the younger man out of bed, "If we must."

With a grin, Torben pulled on one of Leon's t-shirts, waiting for Leon to finish pulling on the shirt he grabbed before yanking the other man into the hall with him. Together they walked down the hall, greeting the other victims of the Terrible Twosome as everyone converged in the living room.

Mia had managed to wrap herself up like a burrito as she slept and had unfortunately been woken up differently than everyone else. Instead of jumping on her bed, Luciano and Venus had grabbed the loose end of the blankets tugged, causing Mia to be rolled and tossed out of bed. Mia had let out a short scream before she hit the ground, groaning as she sat up and glared at Luciano and Venus on the other side of the bed.

"Morning!" Venus chirped while Luciano cried out a joyous, "Merry Christmas!" And then they were both darting off again.

"I should have expected something like this. I really, really should have." Mia muttered to herself with a sigh as she hefted herself up off the floor. She heard Vince growling as Venus and Luciano woke him up as she wrapped up in a sweater and walking out into the hall, joined by Vince a few seconds later and they walked downstairs together, commiserating with each other over their wake up calls.

Letty was already awake when Luciano and Venus barged into hers and Dom's room, having had to use the bathroom, and so was exempt from their rambunctious wake up call. Dom cracked an eye open and rolled over, pretending to go back to sleep, as if he were completely unaware of their presence. Until Luciano began babbling that is. The young boy began speaking rapidly in Italian, his excitement making his words almost incomprehensible the more he spoke, only to let out a shriek of laughter as Dom rolled over and pretended to lunge at him. Both Luciano and Venus darted out of the room towards Ashlynn's rooms to wake her and Jesse.

Ashlynn was already half awake when she heard the sound of sleepy groans and shouts of protest accompanied by the sound of giggles. So she wasn't all the surprised when she and Jesse were woken- read attacked- by Luciano and Venus and she had a laugh of her own at Jesse's yelp. Both Venus and Luciano were gone before they could be scolded, running down the stairs.

"C'mon, best get up before they come back. They won't leave next time." Ashlynn advised as she sat up and stretched, only to let out a squeak as Jesse pulled her back down to kiss her.

"Merry Christmas." Jesse murmured when he pulled back.

Ashlynn smiled, "Merry Christmas."

Moments later, Ashlynn and Jesse were out of bed and straightening their sleep mused hair before making their way downstairs and settling on the floor around the tree. Everyone greeted each other with 'good mornings' and 'Merry Christmas's' as everyone settle in around the couches and the floor.

Once everyone was downstairs, it was decided that presents would be opened before breakfast. The topic was mostly debated to tease Luciano and Venus, but everyone settled down around the tree. Ashlynn dug under the tree, pulling out all the presents from her and handing them out one present per person until everyone had one. This continued until all of the presents were opened, Luciano having the majority of the presents, also some of the largest.

Ashlynn had gotten Dom a new chain for the pendant she had Letty had gifted him years ago, the current chain looking ready to break, and the keys to one of the cars she had saved from the junkyard. For Letty, Ashlynn had gifted a lingerie set from Hot Topic along with a gift card for the store, having decided that it was more likely that the other woman would like that better than Victoria's Secret. Mia on the other hand had received a lingerie set from Victoria's Secret and a gift card, along with a dog collar and leash; she was told it would make sense as soon as all the presents were opened. Vince had received a knife set as a conjoined gift from Ashlynn and Jesse. Leon had received a gift card to Macy's with the comment that he needed to find something other than jerseys to wear. Torben had received a set of theatrical make-up along with a gift card to the store that Ashlynn had purchased said make-up from with the encouragement to follow his dream. Jesse had received the keys to the junkyard car that Ashlynn had seen him looking at and adoption paper work that, if he wanted to, he could complete to legally make Luciano his son. Luciano had received a few board and card games that he had been asking for. Venus had received a gift card to Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works along with a collage photo of various points throughout her life; those pictures had been hard to come by.

Venus had gone the safe route, not knowing the Team very long or well, and got each person a toolset personalized for them with their names on them and stuffed animals that she personally thought represented each of the Team. Mia had been given a stuffed animal and a gift card to Bath and Body Works and another one for Bed, Bath & Beyond. Torben had also been given a stuffed animal, along with make-up brushes and a few costume accessories and the promise that they could go to Joanns in order to get fabrics and such for him to complete the costumes he'd been making. Luciano had gotten a couple of action figures and coloring books.

Vince had also taken the safe route, getting gift cards to various stores for everyone as he wasn't really the type of person to shop. He had however, gone out with Dom and picked out the latest remote control car for Luciano.

Mia, Dom and Letty had gifted Ashlynn with a photo album full of pictures from their childhood and some from the last couple months. Venus had also received one, full of pictures from the last few months, there were even a few pictures with Johnny. Jesse, Leon, and Vince had all received the appropriate car accessories for their cars. Typical, racers gifting car toys. Torben had been given a gift card to Hot Topic. Along with the remote control car, Luciano had received a multitude of Hot Wheels cars and a few different track sets.

Torben and Leon had bought conjoined gifts for everyone, Venus had received a boom box, Ashlynn had received a necklace with her birthstone, Jesse was gifted a new laptop, Letty was given gift cards to both Hot Topic and Victoria's Secret, the latter of which earned a raised eyebrow. Torben's response had been an eye roll while telling the Latina that she'd probably like the store if she were to set foot inside and that, at the very least, if she didn't like the stuff, Dom probably would. Mia was gifted jewelry and a nice sweater, Dom and Vince had each received a large tool chest with multiple drawers with their names stylized on the sides. Luciano had received a toy tool set workshop, said toy had Ashlynn muttering under her breath about her son growing up to be a grease monkey.

Jesse had taken a page out of Ashlynn's book and gotten collage photos made for each of the members of the Team, Dom and Letty received two, one of the Team and family and the second of just them. Torben had also received one with a multitude of pictures from the last couple of months. Venus received baking utensils and a gift card for the local tack shop she bought everything from. For Luciano, Jesse had found a '69 Chevelle toy that had to be assembled, with the promise that he would help him put it together. While Ashlynn had been watching Luciano open his gift, Jesse had been toying with her right hand, and when she looked down she noticed that he had put her ring on her index finger, where she'd worn it after she'd grown enough for it to fit.

"I figure it's about time for you to have that back," Jesse told her as he held out a present for her.

Ashlynn smiled softly, murmuring a soft, "Thank you," before opening the wrapped present. It turned out be the pair of ballet flats that she'd been looking at a few weeks back when they had gone out shopping and the debut album for the band Good Charlotte that Ashlynn remembered only having mentioned in a fleeting conversation about music they had had months ago. What had her stumped though was the Labyrinth charm bracelet.

"That's only half of the entire present," Jesse informed her. "You'll get the other half for your birthday."

"Well, now I'm really curious." Ashlynn murmured as she let Jesse take the bracelet and put it on her left wrist. "Now however, I think it's time for the rest of Mia's other present."

"Of course, I'll be right back." Jesse replied as he stood up and disappeared up to Ashlynn's room, returning a few moments later with a German Shepherd puppy.

"Oh my!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took the squirming puppy from Jesse. "You guys got me a puppy?"

"Well, we figured that you needed someone to keep you company." Ashlynn replied with a smile as Jesse sat back down next to her. "It is a boy and we have arranged for you to take him to training classes after school."

"Thank you," Mia smiled, scratching the puppy's ear. "Now I just have to figure out a name for him."

"You're welcome," Ashlynn replied with a smile of her own. "Now, I think breakfast is in order."

The rest of the day was spent as most days had been for the past few weeks; Venus either out in the stable or in the kitchen with Ashlynn whom, when not in the kitchen, was playing games or reading with Luciano, Torben was out with the Team learning a few things about cars from Leon, and Mia was alternating between playing with her still unnamed puppy and Luciano or in the kitchen with Ashlynn preparing dinner. Unfortunately, as the day grew later, Johnny still hadn't shown up and Ashlynn could tell that it was taking its toll on Venus, knowing that the other girl had been looking forward to spending their first Christmas together. Ashlynn did her best to keep Venus happy, but if Johnny didn't show up by dinner, she was going to have to have a talk with him.

Venus sighed softly, rearranging all of the presents that she had received so that they were out of the way until tomorrow when she could figure out where to put everything. Christmas had been awesome, but Johnny hadn't shown up at all, and with only fifteen minutes left of Christmas Day, it seemed as though he wouldn't be making it for Christmas. Which was fine, except that she wished that she could have spent the day with her fiancée. Venus was feeling depressed despite the fun day that she had with Ashlynn, Luciano and the Team. She had even gotten along with Mia, for the most part. But it just wasn't as perfect as it could have been if Johnny had been there. With another sigh, Venus made her way to her walk in closet and changed into her pajamas before going into her bathroom to complete her before bed routine. Therefore, she was very surprised when she exited her bathroom to find Johnny sitting tiredly on the ended of her bed, turning a present over and over in his hands.

"Sorry I'm late," Johnny murmured, looking up at Venus, an apologetic smile playing across his face. "Traffic was a bitch and my phone died, otherwise I'd have let you know I was going to be late."

Venus glanced over at her clock, "Well, I guess it's still technically Christmas, three minutes to spare."

Johnny smiled as he stood from Venus' bed and approached her, handing over the present in his hands. "Merry Christmas."

Venus moved over to her bedside table and grabbed a small box that she then handed to Johnny, "Merry Christmas."

They both opened their gifts at the same time, Venus smiled when she saw that Johnny had boxed and wrapped her bracelet up and pulled it from the box and slipped it up over her hand without bothering to undo the clasp. She watched as Johnny pulled the sterling silver dragon pendant out of the box she had handed him. She watched as Johnny ran his finger over the engraving on the back before he put it on.

"Thank you," Johnny murmured as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

Venus smiled as she wrapped her arms around Johnny's waist and rested her head over his heart. "Thank you."

Johnny led Venus back over to her bed, "C'mon, it's late."

Venus burrowed against Johnny's side as he joined her in bed, resting her head over his heart again, "I'm glad you made it."

Johnny pressed a kiss to the top of Venus' head, "So am I. Next year we'll be together all day."

Venus snorted, "You're damn right we are." Johnny laughed and pulled Venus closer as they drifted off.

The next few days had passed quickly and was soon New Year's Eve, which was spent as most are, a huge party with friends. Said friends brought birthday presents and late Christmas gifts and it was loud and fun. And despite staying up until early hours of the morning, everyone was up early, preparing for Ashlynn's surprise. Ashlynn had been very insistent that no one buy her anymore gifts, having received more than necessary for Christmas, so everyone agreed to spend the day together as Jesse surprised Ashlynn with the other half of her incomplete Christmas gift. And so, at nine-thirty in the morning on New Year's Day, everyone piled into cars and they drove out to San Francisco. Everyone had a great time just wandering the streets, checking out the little shops and kiosks, and looking out over the bay. It was a very fun and beautiful day with many a picture taken, many that would most likely be added to photo albums.

Ashlynn smiled as Jesse led the way into the Grace Cathedral. "You remembered," She whispered to him with a smile.

"Of course I did." Jesse whispered back, keeping Ashlynn distracted as the others situated themselves in and around the Labyrinth. "You told me that you liked this place, how could I not make sure to remember something like that?"

"Awe," Ashlynn cooed with a smiled as she leaned forward to kiss Jesse quickly. "You're such a romantic sap, I love you."

Jesse grinned, "I love you too." He gently nudged her towards the Labyrinth where Venus and Johnny were already walking and Luciano was skipping along in front of them.

Dom joined Jesse a couple seconds later, watching as Ashlynn sort of danced around the other people walking the Labyrinth as she made her way towards the center. "If you hurt her," Dom began as he handed over the engagement ring that Jesse had asked him to hold onto in order to keep it a secret from Ashlynn.

"I won't have to worry about you, she'll get even before you have a chance to do anything." Jesse finished for Dom as he turned the small box over in his hands a couple of times.

Dom chuckled, "That's true enough," He nudged Jesse towards Ashlynn. "Go get your girl."

Jesse grinned, "Don't mind if I do." And with that, he made his way to the Labyrinth, following after Ashlynn until they both made it to the center of the Labyrinth. Jesse watched as Ashlynn closed her eyes and tilted her head back, just standing there for a few minutes taking deep breaths. With a nervous smile, Jesse stepped up next to her and threaded their fingers together, causing Ashlynn to turn to him and open her eyes. "Hey there."

Ashlynn giggled softly, "Hi."

"So, there's this guy I know," Jesse began nervously. "And he's madly in love with this girl that he's only known for a couple of months. And he's completely convinced that she's The One, you know? Only, he wasn't sure how to tell her that, how to tell her that she's the main reason that he wakes up in the morning, what keeps him going, what keeps him from thinking straight, and he was trying to think of all these elaborate ideas to tell her. But he wasn't sure which of his ideas to go with." Jesse continued, squeezing Ashlynn's hand gently as she looked at him slightly confused. "He thought about doing any number of those clichéd fairytale ideas, but decided that this girl, well, she deserved more than a fairytale." Jesse got down on one knee and opened the ring box. "So, here's that guy, spending the girl's birthday with her, her family, and her friends, in one of her favorite places, asking her to marry him. Ashlynn Marie Toretto, I never thought I'd be the guy doing this," Jesse gave a nervous laugh, "I kinda thought Dom would propose to Letty before I even found myself in a stable relationship," Ashlynn and a couple of the others laughed. "But here I am, asking and hoping that you would do me the honor putting up with me for the rest of our lives, dealing with our crazy family and the trouble that we're all likely to get into." Ashlynn had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face as Jesse spoke. "Would you allow me the privilege of marrying you?"

"Oh, you crazy, silly man," Ashlynn spoke, choking on her tears. "Of course I'll marry you!"

Jesse grinned as he pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto Ashlynn's finger, gently laying a kiss on her knuckles before standing up, only to nearly be tackled to the ground by Ashlynn in her excitement. The two were pounced on by Luciano, the young boy babbling about them being a real family now, his eyes wide with happiness. As a group, Ashlynn, Jesse, and Luciano walked the rest of the Labyrinth amidst applause from everyone in the cathedral that had witnessed the proposal. Upon exiting the Labyrinth, they were greeted by their friends and family, all of whom were giving them congratulations. Hugs were passed around and Ashlynn was informed that they had gotten video footage and photographs of the occasion, causing her to grin wider. As they all made their way out of the cathedral, strangers stopping to give them congratulations along the way, Ashlynn looked down at her ring; it was a beautiful, three stone ring, with smaller diamonds on criss-crossing vine-like paths. As she mused on the beauty of her ring, she briefly noted that now she understood what the Labyrinth pendant was for, and she would always cherish it.