Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the wait, school started and it was so overwhelming that I haven't had time to focus on getting this up. Sadly friends, this is the last chapter. I had a lot of fun writing this. Thanks to everyone who stuck it out with me on all of my stories. Hopefully I can keep the same readers on my future stories. Thanks again.
-Kita
A/N: Long chapter.
A few years later...
(Deacon)
"I still can't believe he's gone," Vince mumbled. We were standing outside of Lou's Garage, which was now called Cruz & Co. After Lou's passing two years ago, he left the shop to Vince and I. We talked Dom into it and decided to combine both the stores into one. Dom's half was dedicated to imports and street modifications, while ours was a regular domestic auto repair shop. Cruz & Co. was now one of the biggest garage's in L.A. It was remodeled, repainted, and furnished with all the latest car parts and accessories. All the employees from Lou's garage and DT Automechanics kept their jobs and worked well together. Nowadays, they were making twice as much than both garages combined!
"It's still pretty rough on Emma. Hell, it's still pretty rough on me," I replied, walking with Vince into our workplace.
Mia was behind the clerk's counter, looking through a baby book.
"What's up Mia?" Vince asked, making his way to the back.
She smiled and nodded in response, going back to her book.
"Hey mommy," I kissed her softly. "Hey baby boy!" I kissed her protruding belly afterwards.
"Quit that," she laughed, swatting me away. "Where's Emma?" she asked. I flopped down in a lounging chair behind her.
"She should be on her way here. She spent the night with her friend last night. I told her to come straight here afterwards. I hate that she's all grown up now, she doesn't like hanging out with me anymore," I pouted.
"Aw hun. She's only ten, she's not grown up. It's bound to happen," Mia replied, sitting on my lap. I caught a glimpse of her hand, and noticed the sparkling bright diamond ring that sat on her finger. I couldn't help the flutter my heart did every time I looked at our rings.
Mia and I got married only a year ago, but it felt like forever ago. After the custody battle, I knew Mia was the one I wanted for life. I fell in love with her and I knew she'd take care of Emma. She knew that Mia wasn't her birth mother, and it didn't seem to phase her. She loved Mia, and even called her 'mom'. Now, Mia was the step mother of Emma, and the mother of our nine-month old unborn baby boy, who was due any day now. Little Xavier Cruz, my first son. I was living in Heaven.
As for Luna, she wasn't so lucky. She was booked and charged on numerous accounts, including conspiracy to commit child solicitation, conspiracy to commit the purchase of narcotics, child endangerment, and violating probation. She received a sixty-five year sentence in a maximum women's prison.
"Gotta get to work. Buzz if you need anything," I kissed her just as a customer came in.
(No POV)
Back in the massive garage, at least six cars were getting special treatment from the extended Team. Vince was working on a Mazda 3 alone. Usually Katie would be working with him, but she was home taking care of their two month old baby girl, Vanessa Katherine Montgomery. Leon was ignoring a woman shamelessly flirting with him. This caught the attention of some, but it was left alone. Jesse was showing Ingram (from Lou's garage) something on the company computer in his own personal office. Dominic was showing a small boy how to change the oil on an Nissan Altima.
"Hey, pay attention Junior," Dom softly smacked the boy in the back of the head.
"Sorry Daddy," he replied, focusing back on the car.
Dominic Anthony Toretto Jr. was born a year after Dom and Letty got back together. Dom wasted no time asking Letty for her hand, and she didn't hesitate saying yes. Dom and Letty believe the night of the honeymoon was when Junior was conceived. He was the spitting image of Dom and everyone could see it. He had the deep brown eyes, the wide smile, and the arrogant attitude that annoyed the hell out of Letty. But when he was upset, he was definitely Letty's son. She knew he'd be a spitfire just like her and she loved it. He was their little boy and the whole family cherished him.
The company phone rang at least five times before someone decided to answer. Letty figured since she was closest, she'd get it.
"Cruz & Co., this is Letty, how can I help you?" she asked, her voice chipper than usual.
"Wow, you sound happy. You sure this is Letty Ramirez?" the familiar voice said with laughter.
"No shit, Brian what's up man?" Letty asked, happy to hear from him.
"Rome and I are just getting into Las Vegas. He wanted to stop but I told him Mia would kill us if we didn't make it on time," Brian replied.
"Cool man. You paid off that shit to Desamis right? Dom'll kick your ass if you come with your hand out again," Letty laughed, putting up a finger for Dom to wait. He had been inquiring who it was that she was talking to and it was annoying her.
"Oh yeah, I finally got him off my back a few months ago. Mia called earlier this week and told us about the cookout, so we're on our way up. Hey, is it cool if Rome brings Dana?"
"Who's Dana?" Letty asked, running away to keep Dom from snatching the phone.
"His girlfriend. Is it cool?"
"Yeah, it's cool. Look I gotta go, call when you get in town," Letty hung up before Brian responded.
"Who the hell was that?" Dominic asked, now very agitated.
"Brian, Dom. He and Rome are on their way here for the Thanksgiving cookout tonight. You're such an asshole," Letty punched him in the chest hard.
"Asshole!" Junior's small voice piped up from behind her. He jumped up and down, screaming the obscenity over and over.
"Haha, listen at Junior. Learning some new vocab my man?" Leon asked, laughing at the anger on Dom and Letty's face. "I'm on my way to the store. Gonna check up on Abby," Leon said, running out to his Skyline (which he found in a police impound somewhere in northern California).
Considering Mia took the job at Cruz & Co., Dom needed to find something to do with the Toretto's Café. Mia suggested they sell it, but Dom couldn't part with the store that held so many memories. After his father bought the building and fixed it up, his mother was the first woman to work there. He wouldn't dare sell it. Instead, they hired their baby cousin to keep it running. She managed the place and hired her younger sister to work there.
(Leon)
I pulled up to store next to Abby's car. I saw her sister, Gabriella, flirting with one of the male customers. I rolled my eyes as I walked under the veranda.
"Where's your sister?" I interrupted her conversation. She huffed angrily as the guy walked away.
"In the back, asshole," she muttered under her breath. I laughed, walking to the back of the cage where Abby was working in the books.
"Hey girlie," I leaned on the frame. She looked up at me and smiled brightly, making my chest burn slightly. She wrapped her arms around my neck, our lips meeting with lust and desire. Before things got too heated, I pulled away. "Whoa there, you know if we were caught, Gabby would run her mouth to Dom. Then we'd be found out."
"So what? We're big kids Leon, we can have fun too. What's it gonna hurt?" Abby replied, her hazel eyes shining at me. She's so beautiful, I thought.
Abigail was gorgeous. Those big hazel eyes, long dark hair, tan skin, and an ass like a goddess. I was falling hard for Abby. She was so perfect. She knew nothing about cars, and didn't flaunt the fact that she was a Toretto. She was just a genuinely sweet person and after Mia moved in with Deacon, she became the one to take care of us. Dom and Letty kicked us out because they needed the extra room, so Letty reluctantly let Vince, Jesse, Katie, and I to move into her house. Shortly after is when Dom started thinking about selling the store.
It was then that Abigail came into the picture and I couldn't keep my eyes or hands off of her. We figured it'd be a good idea to keep our relationship a secret for a while. We both knew how overprotecting Dominic was of the women in his life, so we kept it between us, though it was becoming harder to hide my love for her. I was getting fed up with having to keep my hands off of Abby and soon I was afraid she'd walk away for the same reason.
"I just don't want Dom to take you away from me. You know I care about you too much for that," I told her. Her eyes seem to sparkle as she stared up at me.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. And we're telling him ... tonight," she smiled. I was nervous until a mischievous smile came across her face. I quirked an eyebrow as she pulled me into the bathroom next to the cage.
Hours later...
It was nearing eight p.m. and the cookout was scheduled to get started soon at the Toretto household. Dom stood at the grill rubbing barbecue all over the ribs. Vince and Leon were carrying out two tubs full of Pepsi, Corona and ice. Jesse, Dan, Ingram, and Mike were all playing a game of basketball, while Katie rocked Vanessa to sleep, keeping score of their game. Letty, Junior, and Abby sat the table while Deacon and Emma helped Mia bring out the rest of the food that Dom was rushing for.
Once the table was set and the food was spread out, the Team stood back and admired the delicious-looking meal. Mia always went all out for Thanksgiving, cooking corn, macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans, chicken, greens, rolls and Dom's ribs. Corona sat at the end of the table, sparkling in all its glory.
"Yo, yo, yo!" a loud voice was heard coming from the front of the house. The Team was so engrossed with the dinner that they hadn't heard the two cars pulling up in the driveway. "Back here Brian," Roman yelled as he started noticed members of the crew.
"Roman!" Letty yelled, running into his arms. She blatantly ignored his girlfriend as she gave him an affection hug. "Damn it's been long man!" she exclaimed, pulling back from Rome. He had grown a goatee that would only look cute on him, and he seemed to be even more toner.
"I know, babe. This is my girlfriend, Dana. Dana, this is the Team," Roman properly introduced his girl to the crew. Letty analyzed her, a pang of jealously went through her body. Well, she's kinda cute, Letty thought. Dana had long, curly hair and light skin. Her eyes were green and she was tall and curvaceous. When she spoke, she had a Caribbean accent and pearly white that made her smile look amazing. Finally found that good girl, Letty smiled.
Everyone took a while to get reacquainted before they sat at the table. Brian's eyes fell on Emma and he couldn't help but smile.
"Look at you, Little One. Damn, has it really been that long?" Brian asked Deacon, who smiled at Emma with adoration. Her curly locks were longer, she was tall and lanky, and her dimples were deeper.
"I know. A lot has changed in five years," Deke smiled at Mia, who showed Brian her belly.
"Damn girl, congrats," Brian said, truly happy that Mia was finally being taken care of.
Everyone was seated at the picnic table, which was extended with another to fit the large group. They were all seated and talked quietly as they pretended they weren't waiting on the grace victim.
Dom eyed his family, watching them as they laughed and chopped it up about old times. He admired the strength they all had to stay together and work things out, even in the worst of situations. He loved how they were so welcoming to people coming in and out of their lives. He wanted to hold them all and tell they just how strong they are and how much he cared for them. Dom noticed changed about each one of them, and couldn't be more happy for them.
Letty was finally growing up. She was still a spitfire and would still call Dom on his shit, but she had matured. She didn't have jealous rages or throw fits. She was a great mother to Junior, and an even greater wife to him. She loved him throughout the good and the bad, and promised to never turn her back on him. Dom knew Letty was the woman he was supposed to marry from the day she first spoke to him. He knew she was the one.
Mia had done more than well for herself. She finally graduated from college and got her dream job as a nurse. Though she was on paid leave while awaiting the birth of her and Deke's child, that didn't keep her from helping out. She worked as the clerk at Cruz & Co. from time-to-time, and she even helped out at the store when Abby wasn't available. She was out of her depressed funk caused by the Buster, and was happier than every now.
Vince was a whole new man. After meeting Katie and getting to know her, everyone knew she would be the perfect candidate for Vince. He was more grounded now, and was totally a family man. Dom remembered the look on his face when Katie told them she was pregnant. He fainted, freaking everyone out. They thought he had another heart attack. Thankfully, he had been dieting often and drinking less, which led to him being as healthy as a mule. Once Vanessa was born, they hardly seen Vince for the first two weeks. He was home, holding his baby girl every second he could. He took care of Katie like she was a princess and she never even once looked at another woman. Vince and Katie were meant for each other.
Leon was still the same ol' guy; chasing chasers, racing racers, and taking care of Jesse. After moving into Letty's, and aside from work, Dom rarely saw Leon around. Leon made excuses such as "I was looking for a side job, you know, to help get Jess into M.I.T." or even "Oh, I was just out driving, getting fresh air, ya know,". Dom didn't pay any attention to it, hell, he didn't keep tabs on Leon. That is, until he found out about his baby cousin and Leon, the player.
"What do you mean, you're together?" Dom asked through gritted teeth after Abby's proclamation. The dinner seemed to freeze after what Abby blurted out.
"I mean, I've been dating Leon for a while now. Yes, that means we've had sex. Who cares? I just wanna be able to kiss him and not have to worry about his death! God Dom, you're such a fucking prick! Why do you have to ruin everything?" Abby ranted all in one breath, stunning the whole group. She slammed her chair under the table and stormed off into the house. Dom sat with his mouth dropped open, clearly confused.
"What'd I do?" Dom asked clueless. He shook off his clutter and turned his gaze to Leon. "So you've been sneaking around with my baby cousin this whole time, huh?" Dom asked, noticing Leon hadn't flinched. His chest kept puffed out and he held Dom's gaze.
"Yeah, because we know how you are. Dom, I care about Abigail. I think she's fucking amazing and I wanna be with her without having you on our backs. We all know how overprotective you are when it comes to the women in your family. I just want her," Leon finished, his demeanor exhausted and strained.
It was then that Dom noticed how different Leon had become. He was more conservative with what he did with his time. He tried to avoid flirting as much as he could and even stepped up in training workers at the shop. Still, he was the same hard working, sarcastic, and down-for-anything guy he was before. Dom loved Leon like a brother and knew that would never change.
When Abby finally contained herself and reappeared at the picnic table, Dom gave her a long look. He watched as she stared at Leon with regret and remorse for spilling their secret. Dom thought hard about it, then finally gave his blessing to the two. He knew he couldn't keep them apart no matter what, and he didn't want to waste his time trying.
Jesse. Dom watched the Kid laugh and joke, as he thought of how much he had grown over the last few years. Dom knew Jesse always wanted to go to college, even if it was a small, community college. It didn't matter to him. He wanted to prove everyone wrong, prove to everyone that he wasn't stupid. He knew he was unusually smart when it came to computers or anything technical. Cars were his first love, but he was really intent on getting an education. Dom offered to help, claiming they had enough money to send him to an Ivy League school if he really wanted. Jesse declined the offer, reasoning that he wanted to make the money and do it himself. "You guys have been taking care of me forever. It's time for me to be a man," he stated, ending the discussion further. Dom couldn't have had more respect for him.
He ended his daydream by stopping on Deacon and Emma. He couldn't believe how much she had grown over the few years he knew her. She wasn't so small anymore. She talked back with a wider vocabulary and truly adored everyone in the family. She even calls them 'aunt' and 'uncle'. Dom was surprised the first time he heard Emma call Mia 'mom'. He never thought of it going to that spot. She had grown up and was looking more like Deacon everyday.
Speaking of Deke, Dom couldn't believe his change. Physically, Deacon had grown immensely. The men of the family spent almost five hours a week working out every week, and clearly Deacon wanted to compete with Dom. He had bulked up to larger than Vince's size. Mia complained about how his frame was fine and how she "didn't want Dom convincing him to Hulk up". Deacon and Dom's relationship grew as he spent more time with the family. They acted like blood brothers, holding childish competitions and playing pranks on each other. Still to this day, he held down the fort as King of the Streets at the Races.
The family couldn't be in a better place. They were all happy, healthy, and as wealthy as they come. Now that the shop was buzzing throughout L.A., they were bringing in and splitting large amounts of money between the households.. After Brian paid back all debts owed to Heathrow Desamis and was off the his hit-list, the large chunk of cash won from All-Out Friday's was split between the family. A total of three hundred thousand was left to the Team. As for Brian, he finally got his shit together and Teamed back up with Roman and Tej to be crowned Deuce Kings of Miami.
"Alright, shut up. I'm gonna start, and as we go around, we say two things we're grateful for. Don't protest, you're doing it anyway," Dom demanded with a perfect smile. The table quieted as they began. Vince was happy, he was getting antsy from lack of food.
"I'm very thankful for you all. I know that's corny, but every last one of you have made an incredible difference in this family and I couldn't appreciate you more. I remember when we use to be just some punk kids racing with no respect for authority-" Dom started with a smile.
"What's changed?" Mia interrupted, causing soft chuckles from the group. Dom smiled at her, then continued.
"We have Mi, all of us. But it's for the better. I love you guys," Dom held his beer up to the gang. With the exception of Mia, Emma, and Junior (who all drank soda), the Team returned the gesture.
"What was your second thing?" Jesse asked.
"My second chance. My second chance to take care of my family and my wife. To provide with clean money, well as clean as it gets. My second chance to live as a free man."
The Team sat silently for a few seconds before it was Mia's turn.
"My turn," she sat up, her belly barely rubbing the table. "I'm thankful for the unborn blessing I've been given. I can't wait to have my first child, especially with the man I love. I love you all and these kids are gonna have some family growing up. I'm also thankful for Emma. She's such an angel, only if she would stop asking for a tattoo," Mia joked, kissing Emma's cheek.
The process continued around the table for the next half hour. Of course, by the time it was Vince's turn, he was blowing smoke out of his ears with irritation.
"I'm thankful for this lovely food which I can't eat because this is taking so long. And I'm extremely thankful for Katie. She's an amazing woman and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have my beautiful daughter, Vanessa. I love these girls very much," Vince choked up, as it held his tiny baby in his arms. The group 'awwed' at the sensitive man Vince had become.
The process continued on, finally ending with Deacon near the middle of the table. He held up his beer and cleared his throat.
"I couldn't be more grateful for the group of people sitting here with me. We've been through a lot together and I couldn't love anyone more. Sometimes you can be rough and just plain brutal, but I wouldn't want you any other way. I'm thankful that I have an incredible family, wife, daughter, and soon-to-be baby boy. Plus, last year was my five-year reign as King of the Streets. Life doesn't get any better than this," Deacon laughed, taking a long gulp of his beer.
"Amen!" Dom cheered, the group echoing him. After food and plates were passed around the table, the Toretto and family roared with different conversations, including one about Abby and Leon, the racing in Miami, and Junior's new found language, which he couldn't stop yelling.
"Unc Vince, asshole!" Junior screeched with a bright smile on his face. Everyone busted up with laughter from the irritated look on Vince's face. He couldn't help but chuckle at the grin on Junior's face.
"What did I tell you about that?" Dom threatened Junior. "Eat your food."
When Mia burst into a random laughing fit, the group looked at her with confusion.
"Mia, it wasn't that funny," Letty said, nudging her in the arm.
"I'm not laughing at that. My water just broke," she laughed nervously as a pool of water sat at her feet. Deacon immediately rushed to her side.
"Fuck, guys move your cars! We gotta get her to a hospital quick!" Deacon urged, the men of the family moving quickly to retrieve their rides.
"Katie, help me take the food in the house. We'll meet you guys there," Letty urged as she began clearing the food from the table.
Dom lifted Mia with slight ease as he carried her to Deacon's Civic. Dom questioned his own strength, wondering how he could pick up a pregnant women who had gained more than twenty pounds to her body. He jumped in his own car and floored it to the hospital behind Deacon and Leon.
Fifteen hours and plenty of coffee later, the Team was awakened in the waiting room. Deacon stood in the door way, blue scrubs covering his body, sweat dripping from his face. They all thought the worst from his defeat. That is, until he smiled wide with tears in his eyes.
"Xavier Louis Cruz. Seven pounds, three ounces. Blue eyes, brown hair, ten toes and fingers. Come see," Deacon led the family into a small room. Mia was exhausted as her face was covered in sweat and tears. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and the gown that covered her body was a wrinkled mess. She sat up in the bed holding a small bundle in her arms, smiling down at it.
"You look refreshed," Leon commented wittingly. She rolled her eyes as he kissed her cheek.
Dom was the first to hold the small baby. He looked microscopic in Dom's huge hands. He held Xavier gently, placing kisses at the top of his head. He began to talk baby talk that went unheard to the group as they crowded around Mia.
"So how you feelin'?" Letty asked, pushing the hair out of Mia's face. She grabbed a warm wipe from the table and cleaned the sweat from Mia's face.
"Fuckin' exhausted," she tossed her head back on the pillow as Jesse began massaging her feet. This was her favorite part of pregnancy; being pampered like a baby.
"He's gorgeous Bella. You did good, Mommy," Dom kissed Mia's forehead as the infant was passed around the room.
"Look at us Toretto's. I guess Daddy did do something right with us," Mia smiled up at her big brother, staring into the mirroring, chocolate eyes that held so much pride and passion.
"Yes he did, baby sis," Dom looked around the room at his friends and family and wanted to cry himself. They were truly a blessing that forced Dom to straighten his life up and get his shit together. He had and his family had benefited from it in the best ways.
"Thank you Papi," Dom whispered to the sky as a tear fell from his eye.
I know that wasn't the way you probably picture the ending, but I wanted to get it finished quickly so I could start another story. Plus, school just started and I had to get too much shit together. But I hope you enjoyed this story! Thanks for reading!
