Chapter 34: The Truth and Making Pancakes

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The week went by in a blur. Her days were filled with painting the car and shamelessly flirting with Vince during work and sitting together, talking during lunch. She got the paint job done by Friday and Jesse helped her start designing some modifications.

Every day she got a call from Mike, each one grimmer than the one before. By Friday, she was an exhausted mess and didn't know what to do. There were races that night but she didn't feel much like going and had already talked to Dom about it.

She entered the living room after showering to find Vince sitting on the couch, flicking through the channels.

"Hey," she mumbled, falling tiredly onto the couch next to him.

"Hey," he said wrapping an arm around her as she leaned into him. It had amazed him how surprisingly easy it was to be with July. They'd only been together for a week but it felt so much longer than that. He pressed a kiss to her head as she wiggled beside him, fitting herself perfectly against him, her hand resting on his chest and her head pillowed on his shoulder.

"So when are you leaving for races?" she asked and he could hear the pout in her voice.

"I'm not," he answered looking down at her.

"What? Why?" she questioned, bringing her head up to look back at him.

"Because I'm staying here with you."

"Really?"

Vince nodded his head and kissed her lightly on the lips in response.

"I'm surprise Dom let you stay. He was really reluctant about me not going," she commented with a frown.

"I don't need Dom's permission to stay," Vince said just as there was a pounding at her door.

"Right," July shot back with a roll of her eyes. "And how much you want to bet that's Dom?" July got up and answered the door, stopping Dom in mid-motion as he raised his hand to start knocking again.

"Careful, you might break my door," she tried joking.

Dom gave her a look and then peered inside. "Where's Vince?"

"I'm in here," Vince called out, and July knew well enough that he wasn't getting up. She gestured Dom in and followed after him into the living room.

"Mia told me you're not coming to races," Dom said standing with his arms crossed. July hesitated at entering the room, not wanting to get in the middle of their confrontation.

"That's right. I'm staying with JJ tonight," Vince replied back as he got up.

"Uh huh. Are you forgetting something?"

Vince tilted his head for a second, and scratched at his beard. "No, I don't think so."

"We show up together, we leave together. We're a team," Dom growled out.

"I think I know that better than anyone," Vince said absently rubbing the scar the snaked around his arm, catching Dom's attention and his eyes gave the tiniest flinch.

"Fine, just tonight," he said shooting a glance at July. "But next week we all go, together."

"Sure," Vince replied flippantly.

Dom left apprehensively, not likely the idea much but guilt was a great motivator.

"Good luck Dom." July shouted after him as he walked down her porch. He gave her a smile and nodded at her before walking to his house. July closed the door and went back into the living room. "You're lucky, he looked about ready to pound you."

"Yeah, but he wouldn't have," Vince said as he grabbed her and pulling her towards him.

"Hey," Letty greeted coming into the living room and frowning at July as she noticed her outfit. "You guys not going to races?" she asked zipping up her boots.

"No, we're just going to stay and watch some movies," July answered.

"Bet Dom had a fit. That was him pounding earlier, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, you got that one right, Let," Vince said as they shared amused smiles.

"Now kids, I'll be home later, behave yourselves," Letty teased as she dodged a pillow that July threw at her. She held up her hands in surrender as Vince picked up a pillow. "Okay, I'm going. I'll see you guys later," she said and disappeared out the door.

"So Vinnie, what do you want to watch?" July said.

"You're asking for it, better get ready for it firecracker!" Vince said as he started to advance on her.

July felt her body freeze as the word 'firecracker' echoed in her ears. It wasn't like she hadn't heard it spoken before but when Vince said it, it broke something loose in her and she felt herself spiraling into blackness, into the unknown.

Vince was helpless as he watched her face turn white and she began to fall. He caught her before she hit the ground and cradled her, gently lowering her to the floor. Her eyes were blank and wide open. The slight rise and fall of her chest told him she was still breathing, but it was shallow and his hand against her wrist felt her heart beating erratically.

"July, wake up! Please!" he yelled, shaking her lightly.

July experienced the same thing that happened at Arnold's house when she had fainted. She watched as her memories appeared before and correct themselves. She watched as the images of Sam and Mary faded and were replaced by her real parents. Everything fell into place and it felt right. She watched as all the memories rushed back and she spent what felt like hours reliving them when it was only seconds.

Finally, the images cleared and she was left looking at Vince, who looked like he was shouting at her. She couldn't hear him, the sensation making her feel like her head was underwater. She tried to say something but found she couldn't. She felt like she was choking and after what seemed like an eternity, she gulped in a big breath of air and resurfaced to find Vince cradling her to him.

"Vince?" she whispered quietly.

"July? You okay?" he questioned, smoothing back her hair, his eyes still wide.

"I'm okay," she said reaching up with a shaky hand to cradle his cheek. He nuzzled his face into her hand.

"What happened?" he asked, concern written on his face.

"I need some water first," she said, her throat feeling dry and rough.

Vince lifted her onto the couch and left. He reappeared seconds later with a glass of water and handed it to her. She sipped it carefully and then set it on the coffee table.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked sitting next to her and brushing her hair out of her face.

"Yeah, this is not the first time it's happened." July let out a shaky breath and pulled Vince down next to her. "It's time for you to know everything," she whispered.

July spent the next hour pouring out her life story to Vince, about how she found out she was adopted to meeting Amy again. She told him everything, hardly leaving a detail out. When she was finally done, she sat back, drained but feeling like a weight was lifted from her shoulders.

"Wow," Vince said sitting back too.

"Yeah," she agreed.

"So does anyone else know?"

"Just Mike and Dom," she admitted almost unwillingly.

"Dom knows?" Vince repeated, slightly upset that he wasn't the first person she told, well after Mike, since that was a given.

"I only told Dom because he kept asking questions and wouldn't leave it alone. I got mad and just kind of blurted everything out. I didn't tell him because I wanted to."

Vince was quiet or a moment, still letting everything sink in. "So why haven't you told anyone else?" he finally asked.

"Because then everyone would be like 'poor lost little girl' and I don't need a pity party," July began to explain. "I just wanted everyone to treat me normal and not make exceptions for me because they felt sorry for me."

Vince gave an understanding nod. He knew that if the tables were turned, he would have felt the same way.

"So we're okay?" July asked, biting her lip.

"We're more than okay," Vince said kissing her lightly.

"Good. So… what movie are you going to put in?" she asked curling up and batting her eyelashes at him.

Vince couldn't help but give a laugh as he kissed her again. They finally decided on a movie, and he did get up and put it in. They ended up falling asleep on the couch. Vince was stretch out length wise on the couch, July lay next to him, half on top of him as she rested her head on his chest, her black hair fanned out on Vince's shoulder as his arm curled possessively around her waist. This was the exact way that Letty found them when she got home. She quietly turned off the movie and covered them with a blanket. She stood admiring them for a second before turning off the lone lamp and heading upstairs.

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July woke up and found herself resting on something warm and solid. She rubbed herself into the warmth after realizing it was Vince. He was still asleep and she could hear him snoring very softly. She propped her chin up and watched as he slept.

It was a few minutes later when Vince began to wake up. She felt him stretch out his body underneath her, his muscles stretching taut and then relaxing, his outstretched arms curling around her again. Vince could feel July's eyes on him and slowly opened his eyes, savoring the moment. It was one of the few times he'd woken up with someone beside him.

"Hey," July whispered softly.

"Morning," he replied, his voice a low rumble.

"So I'm guessing we both fell asleep," she commented, amusement glittering in her eyes.

"I think so," Vince said, his breathing making July slowly rise and fall with his chest.

"So what are you making me for breakfast?" she asked and could feel the rumble of his laughter.

"You really want me to cook?" he asked incredulously. "You might die, or get really sick."

July rolled her eyes at his typical reply. "I figured that much. I just asked to see what you'd say."

"And what if I had said I was a really great cook?" he challenged back.

"Then I'd probably say you were lying."

"Hey, I can cook…something."

"Vince, I'm sorry to tell you that cereal and take out don't count," she teased, leaning towards him.

"You sure?" he asked focusing on her lips and had to suppress a moan when her tongue darted out to moisten them.

"Uh huh," she mumbled, hovering her lips over Vince's until he couldn't take it any longer and grabbed her face to pull her down for a fiery kiss. July could feel Vince's tongue trace her bottom lip and she slowly parted her mouth.

They started slow but their kisses began to build, hands delving under shirts, and July pulled back before they went farther than she wanted to. They were both breathing a little harder and July could feel that her face was flush. Vince's eyes were hooded and he brought his hand down to caress her cheek, pressing one last kiss to her lips.

"Come on, I'm going to teach you how to make breakfast," July said abruptly.

Vince blinked, trying to remember what they had been talking about. "Right, breakfast."

"Yeah, I'm going to show you how to cook," she repeated and saw the apprehensive look flutter over Vince's face. "Come on, it's not that bad, plus I'm teaching you," she assured, standing up and pulling on Vince's hand until he sat up.

"Fine, but I don't think it's a good idea," he grumbled standing up.

"Quit being a big baby, or I might have to start calling you Vinnie," she said with a wink and grabbed his hand. She started to walk to the kitchen, a reluctant Vince trailing behind her. She let his hand go and grabbed everything they were going to need to make pancakes. Vince watched as she put a frying pan on the stove and set a bowl on the counter.

"Okay, this is easy," she started turning back to him. "We're making pancakes, which are the simplest thing. Now come here Mr. Macho Man," she instructed, crooking her finger at him. Vince walked towards her, unable to do differently. "Since you're taller than me I'm going to stand in front of you and walk you through it." She turned back to face the counter and felt Vince stand directly behind her, making her heart beat just a little faster. His hands settled on her hips but she grabbed them with her hands. She then started to make the batter, causing Vince to move even closer and force her towards the counter.

"What next?" he asked into her ear, his breath a warm caress against her skin.

"Now we cook," she said as she let go of one of his hands and moved towards the stove, the bowl of batter in one hand. She heated up the pan and melted some butter in it. Grabbing Vince's hand again, she spooned in some batter into the pan. "When the middle starts to bubble, you flip them," she said stepping out of his arms to grab a plate.

Vince waited as July grabbed a plate before coming back over and setting it next to the stove. She stood in front of him again and grabbed his hand, both waiting for the pancakes to be ready to turn. When they finally were, she helped him flip them. She let them cook on the other side before scooping them out of the pan and onto the plate.

"Your turn," July said, holding out the spatula to him.

"Hey, I never agreed to do anything," Vince protested, holding his hands up.

"V, come on, it's just pancakes, they're not that hard," she said but Vince still refused. "I can't believe that Leon can make pancakes and you can't."

"Leon can make pancakes?"

"Oh crap, I wasn't suppose to tell you that," she muttered with a guilty look, but figuring the damage was already done, she continued on. "Yes, Leon can make pancakes. He made some for us when he was over. Maybe I should go get him and ask him to make me breakfast," she suggested with a raised eyebrow.

"All right, all right, I'll try," he growled, taking the spatula from her.

July moved away from the stove, sat on the counter next to it, watching as Vince made pancakes. A few minutes later he put a golden pancake on top of July's.

"Happy now?" he asked setting the spatula down.

"Very," she answered grabbing his shirt and pulling him towards her. He stood between her legs and felt them cross behind him. "Told ya you could do it," she murmured against his lips and then kissed him.

"Well, if this is my reward, I'll happily make another," Vince mumbled in between kisses.

July pulled back to chuckle. She gave him one more kiss and then unwrapped her legs from around him. "Sit, I'll finish making the pancakes."

"Hmm…food or keep kissing you, tough choice." Vince pressed forward again, capturing her lips.

"Good to hear it," she replied, before pushing him away and hopping off the counter as he finally stepped back.

She could feel his eyes watching her as she bustled around the kitchen, taking out the syrup and butter while still cooking the pancakes. July finish making the pancakes and set the large pile on the table. Vince gave her a peck on the cheek before digging into his stack. Letty walked in just as they were finishing.

"Morning," she said as she grabbed a plate from the cabinet and grabbed some pancakes.

"Guess who actually made a pancake?" July asked turning to her and eyeing at Vince.

"No way!" Letty exclaimed with a stunned expression.

"Hey, you don't need to go around telling everyone," Vince grumbled.

"Yeah, we need to protect your manly reputation," July said patting him on the hand. Vince scowled at her but the grin that threatened to show let her know he wasn't mad.

"Well Coyote, looks like you're shaping up," Letty commented, sitting down. Vince raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say anything.

"So what do you want to do today?" Vince asked July.

"Hey, don't you have plans with Amy?" Letty reminded.

"That's right. Yeah, Amy wants to hang out today. I don't know what we are doing but you could probably come with," July suggested.

"I don't know," Vince trailed off.

"Come on, please?" she whined, pouting out her lips.

"Fine," he agreed after a moment. "I'll go get showered and be back in a few."

"Okay," she said, giving him a kiss and smiled after him as he left out the back door.

"Well aren't you two just cute," Letty mocked.

"Whatever," July said with an embarrassed grin. "I'm going to go get ready."

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tbc…