Disclaimer: Not Mine

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"Mia its seven thirty in the goddamned mornin..." Vince growled into the receiver, wondering how the hell Mia could be so goddamned chipper this early.

"Come over, Vee." she said happily.

His eyes closing he murmured, "yea, yea I'll be by later"

"no, no, no." she said before he could hang up. "NOW" she said with emphasis and he shot up in bed.

"oh my god! are you in labor!!! when did it start!!! why are you still at the house!!!" he was up and trying to pull pants on with one hand, a shirt on with the other, and using his shoulder to hang on to the phone. "how far apart are they? Who's stayin with the girls? you want me too, did you call Leon? what about Letty? Goddammit Mia what's so funny..." he finished exhausted and irritated at the laughter that was burbling out of her.

"I'm not in labor." she said laughing. "I just want you to come over. I have something to show you."

He stopped what he was doing, one pant leg on and half in an arm in a shirt. "Your not in labor." he assured.

She giggled, "No. I'm not due for about four weeks."

"You fuckin scared me Mia." He sighed as he sat on the bed. She continued to laugh.

He lay back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, "Okay then I say again: Its seven thirty in the goddamn mornin, Mia."

"I just want you to come here before you go to the garage, that's all, okay." she said excitedly.

Vince's eyes were closing again, "kay."

She smiled as she hung up the phone. Grinning to herself like a mischievous three year old.

Her conversation with Leon was quite similar. He too thought the time had come. Then had been royally pissed when he realized she'd woken him for nothing, were his exact words.

Glancing to the ceiling above, imagining the sleeping forms, Mia's grin widened. Not for nothing.

She would have been surprised to know that the beings she was imagining were not asleep but in the midst of a conversation.

"Do I hafta daddy." Taylor asked him quietly.

"Yes. Taylor you do. You promised, remember?"

"But that was yester-day." he complained, his eyes following his father around the room. Dom had awoken even earlier than usual but not by choice. Rather by 28 pounds sitting Indian style on his chest.

Taylor had slept like a little rock and been up and ready to go out by six forty-five. Where children got that kind of energy Dom would never know. He had persuaded him to stay calm and together they'd unpacked and planned what they'd do today.

The boy hadn't taken the news that there week had stretched into a month happily but he didn't argue. He hardly ever argued.

Arguing was bad, his mom and dad did it a lot. And his mom never smiled or played with him anymore.

She cried a lot too, then she'd left and now they were here. Away from home.

Arguing was a bad thing.

"I know it was yesterday but you promised and that promise has to last the whole visit, Tay." He turned to look at the little boy sitting on the freshly made bed.

"She didn't even hug you yesterday." Dom said smiling at his son. It was always a source of great amusement to him, the fact that the boy hated to be touched or cuddled by any one other than his parents.

It was unnatural, one of the woman at the day care center had said to him. Comments like that had been why he'd decided to start taking Tay to work with him. Why he'd refused to leave him with anyone.

"I knows but I saw she awanted too. I's could tell." he said seriously.

And Dom laughed, "Yes she wanted too and today you'll probably be hugged a lot. But you promised Buddy, no tears, or yelling, or screaming, or biting. That was your promise."

"I know" he sighed.

Dom rubbed the boys' head and pushed him back then started to tickle. The boy's giggles filled the room.

"stop it stop it daddy stop...." he said with little gasps.

Dom did. Smiling broadly, "Lets go make some breakfast." he said scooping the boy up. "We'll surprise your Aunt Mia."

"I can cr-w-ack the eggs." Taylor told his in a solemn tone. His eyes still shining brightly but the smile gone. He didn't look upset or sad just serious. And for moment Dom wished his son would look carefree.

It was an expression he couldn't remember having ever seen on three year olds face. An expression he longed to see. They were quiet as they traipsed through the hallway. He noticed the door to Mia's and Brian's bedroom was partially closed, the door to girls' room was still wide open allowing him to see that they were both wriggling around in bed but still far from getting up.

Slowly, he reached the main stair case and began descending, he'd been going to use the back stairs that led from the hallway directly to the kitchen but Taylor had wanted to see the living roo, again.

He glanced at the clock as he entered the kitchen and saw it was about a quarter to eight.

Smiling, he set Taylor on the counter and began pulling out the makings for omelets.

"dThese peoples sleep?" Taylor asked.

"yeah buddy thats why we have to be quiet." Dom told him pulling out a large bowl and eggs and putting them near Taylor.

He smiled, Mia hadn't changed the kitchen around that was for sure. Five years and the girl still had everything in the exact same spot.

"Try not to make a mess, buddy." Dom said quietly.

"I won'ts." Taylor responded seriously even as egg flem spilled over the side of the bowl and his little hand.

Shaking his head and smiling ruefully, Dom sighed, he'd have major clean up to deal with - as usual.

He was busy chopping up onions and peppers when he heard the front door squeak.

Listening carefully he heard footsteps. Maybe Brian was out and is coming back in, he reasoned. But knew it wasn't so, he'd been awake early and would've heard him leaving.

Motioning for Taylor to stay put he quietly opened the kitchen door and peeked out.

He didn't normally do things like that - peek - but something compelled him to not just shove the door open and barge in.

Whatever that something was, he thanked it, as he stared at the dark haired woman in the living room.

She was dressed neatly, in clothing that was unassuming but elegant in its simplicity.

Obviously on her way to work. She was arranging something carefully at an end table. Looking up at the stairs she grinned to herself and Dom nearly gasped.

Oh god.

He hadn't been sure it was her... from his angle he couldn't be sure...

But that smile....

Oh god.

But...She looked so... different.

For christsake she was wearing a skirt! and not a mini... a regular, normal, stopped-just-above-her-knee, didn't-cling-to-her-like-a-second-skin, skirt!

Her hair was twisted into some sort of fancy knot at the back of her head and she had make-up on! She'd hardly ever worn makeup!

With a final inspection of the table, she left as quietly as she had come.

But Dom remained staring at the spot where she'd stood. His thoughts were whirling in so many directions he had no idea what exactly he was thinking. He just stood there.

"Daddy?" Taylor's hesitant voice brought him back to earth.

"Stay there, buddy." Dom said quietly without looking back, his feet propelling him forward.

The rational part of him told him not too, that it was not only NOT his business but that he didn't WANT it to be his business. He didn't want anything to do with her to be his business.

But he ignored the rational part of him.

Walking over to the end table he saw to tiny plates each with three of the best looking oatmeal cookies he'd ever seen. On them in between the two plates was a little note. It was written on Winnie-da-pooh stationary and in big, curly, bubble letters.

It read:

For my Ladybugs.

See you tonight.

Love, Auntie Letty.

The entire note, the entire living room, the entire world blurred for Dom in that moment.

All that was left was one word, one word that flashed with neon lights in his mind.

'Tonight'

"Daddy....?" Taylor called out agian, this time anxiety evident in his voice.

Thunderstruck, Dom walked back into the kitchen numbly, refusing to allow himself any thoughts of her, of... anything to do with her.

He couldn't - wouldn't think about that, any of that, now.

'Tonight'

No! his mind screamed out, no thinking!

But he couldn't help it and as he began to heat the skillet, he told himself, it didn't' matter. It was of absolutely no consequence whether or not she came here tonight. She probably came every night anyway. It didn't matter.

Ignoring his sons questioning look he continued chopping.

Taylor seeing his fathers mood, recognizing it as one of inapproachability stayed quiet and continued cracking eggs.

'Tonight'

The word swirled in his mind. Anger, resentment, confusion, fear, all mixing with it and...

an unidentifiable emotion he didn't really want to identify.

It didn't matter. He could do this. He could face her, what they'd been. It was in the past, over with. He could do this.

As the eggs crackled on the hot pan he forced his mind off it. Next time, his rational half said, listen to me.

Ignoring that too, he concentrated on his task. Tried, anyway.

"mmmmmm. smells good." Brian said entering the kitchen and never had Brian been happier to see the blond ex-cop.

"Mornin, and thanks." he said.

"What the he..." he cut himself off when he saw Taylor on the counter. "What are you doin up so early?" he asked.

Dom shrugged, his not lightening up, "I get up early in New York, thought I'd surprise Mia."

Eyeing the golden eggs Brian smiled, "I could use a good surprise too." he said.

"You weren't surprised to see me here." Dom stated but Brian answered anyway.

"I figured you'd make your way back here - sooner or later..." he said, his eyes now on Taylor.

Dom introduced Taylor to Brian again and this time the boy displayed perfect manners, he could see his dad was still in a mood and wanted to be on his best behavior.

They talked about nothing for a few more minutes before Mia joined them.

Her face was rather subdued but neither man asked her about it and she didn't offer.

Instead she sat at the table with her nephew and told him all the things she planned to do with him while he was here. She kept smoothing his hair and touching his little face. Dom smirked as he saw how absolutely still Taylor held himself.

Listening to her he smiled and allowed his mind to wander a little...

Only to be assaulted with one word, that brought a frown to his face.

Tonight.

****************************************************

Mia had had every intension, after her chat with the boys of going upstairs and back to sleep.

Every single one.

She'd been going up the back stairs and had paused, waiting to catch her breath when she'd heard the kitchen door open and turned to see her brother and nephew stride in.

Too shocked to see Dom up before 11, let alone before 8 she hadn't said a word. Sitting quietly on a step she'd watched as he pulled this and that out and prepared to make breakfast, is that what he's doing? she wondered with a small smile on her face.

She almost giggled aloud when she heard her nephew refer to them as these people . Observing them she could tell that they'd made breakfast together often. That warmed her heart.

She'd heard the front door open then. And had known. She didn't have to get up to know.

She'd watched as he'd watched.

Watched as Taylor watched.

His little hands that had been eagerly, albeit messily, cracking egg after egg had stopped. His large eyes on his father.

She's heard Dom's voice tell the boy to stay put and watched as he'd walked into the living room.

She didn't know what Letty had left, it was always something different. But she knew she'd left something.

Her heart broke at the expression on that little boys' face. He was worried, anxious. The child thought something was wrong, but it was more than that, that bothered her. It was the fact that he bore that look too easily, he was too familiar with it.

He called out to his father, and the look on Dom's face when he reentered the kitchen was reminiscent of those days long ago - The Empire Days - she referred to them teasingly.

When the Torreto household had been a castle complete with King and Queen, guards and guns.

When the mood of the King dominated the Castle and the mood of the Queen dominated the King.

Taylor quietly, slowly, carefully resumed his egg cracking and Dom's thundercloud look never wavered.

It was Brian's voice that brought her back to earth and she realized that she wouldn't sleep now.

The girls were probably taking showers anyway, if Brian was downstairs.

So slowly she went to her husband and brother.

Slowly she helped Taylor off the counter and accompanied him to the table.

And slowly in a soft voice she told him to call her Auntie Mia, that she was going to take him to the pier and a carnival and lots of movies and the park. That they'd eat ice cream and hot dogs from a stand and take pictures of everything.

He nodded at all she said. His eyes never leaving hers. Her daughters eyes'. Her brothers' eyes'.

*****************************************************

"MOM" the voice called out and Mia looked up from where she was talking to Taylor.

"In the kitchen Jessa." Mia called back.

Seconds later the thumping of feet on the kitchen stairs were heard, moments later a dark haired girl with shining blue eyes and one pig tail, the other side of her hair hanging loose, appeared.

She skidded to a stop and another girl bumped into her. "hey..." the second called out. Wondering why her sister had stopped so abruptly.

Jessa's eyes scanned the strange man before she sought her father's eyes, he smiled, "Come in here girls and meet your Uncle."

The two took hesitant steps forward, looking up shyly at the enormous man in their kitchen.

Dom looked down at them and couldn't help but smile, he'd gotten it wrong again.

The one the dark hair and coloring had Brian's blue eyes - Jessa - that was Jessa. He thought.

The blonde one had Mia' brow.... no they weren't brown... they were black... ebony, really..

And suddenly it became clear to him why Mia had named the girl Dominique.

Dominique Leticia, to be exact a voice in him reminded,

Dolly, that was Dolly, he thought to himself pushing thoughts of Leticia as far away as possible.

Both girls looked up at him with wide eyes.

He widened his smile and dropped down to one knee. "Hey" he said softly.

Dolly stepped forward, "You our Uncle Dom?" she asked him.

He nodded, "That's right. You my niece Dolly?" he asked his eyes twinkling.

She nodded her head vigorously. "And I'm your niece Jessa." the other said, not to be outdone.

"Well, Jessa, Dolly, its a nice to finally meet you" he said sincerely.

"Its nice to meet you too, Uncle Dom." Dolly said.

"Yeah finally." Jessa added.

"Girls come over here, I want you to meet someone else." Mia called softly.

"This is Taylor. Your cousin." she said when they approached the table, "He's your Uncle's son."

"Hi" Jessa said gayfully, pulling out a chair and sitting. "I'm Jessa, that's Dolly. How old are you? Do you go to school? We do. Well, its pre-school really but its still school. Our teachers name is Ms. Riley and we have a hamster as a class pet and..."

"Would ya let the kid breathe, Jessa." Dolly interrupted climbing and sitting on the same chair as her sister, while glaring at her. Her light brows furrowing over her dark eyes.

"He's breathin." Jessa stated, glaring back.

"well your not when you talk a zillion words in a breath." Dolly said defiantly.

"Girls.." Mia said quietly but firmly.

Without even looking at their mother they returned their gaze to Taylor who sat there staring at them.

Never in his little life had any child spoken so much to him, ever, let alone in one breath.

His serious eyes and quiet attitude didn't produce many friends, not that he had many places to meet kids. He used to go to day care but then his dad started taking him to work with him. And he liked it better to go with his dad then to stay behind with all the ladies that touched his head and made him share his things.

Going to the garage was more fun.

"So?" the dark haired girl was asking him, as if waiting for an answer to something.

Had she asked a question, he wondered. Mutely, he looked at his Aunt then his dad, both were smirking.

"Does he talk?" Jessa asked looking at her mom. Then at her Uncle, "Does he?" then back to Taylor, "Do you?"

"Just shut up Jes..." Dolly said, aggravated, rolling her eyes.

"Moooommm." Jessa exclaimed beginning to shove her sister off the chair.

"Stop it Girls." the order came from Brian and both stopped immediately.

Dolly looked at her cousin and they clashed gazes a moment before she asked, "how old are you?" in a serious voice.

Oh, that's what she asked, a light bulb went on in Taylor's head. "three." he answered simply.

Dolly nodded and gave her sister a triumphant smile, "See he talks to me." she said before shoving her sister with all her might.

Jessa slid of the chair and glared evilly at her sister, her mouth open, she was about to unleash unspeakable venom when Brian interrupted.

"Have you girls been in the living room yet? I think I saw something interesting in there." he said enticingly and both girls flew in that direction.

Knowing exactly who had left something interesting.

Taylor's eyes followed them longingly. Wow was the only thought in his little mind. He'd never known anyone that energetic.

Mia saw Dom's smile waver slightly at Brian's reminder. It was unavoidable though, Letty was just as much a part of their lives now as she was then. He was just going to have to get used to it.

"oh mom, dad, look..." the girls came back in the living room. Grinning widely.

"Oh, those look yummy." Mia said standing. "Jessa where's your other ribbon and Dolly do you plan to get shoes on or will socks do for today." she said, sighing.

Let the morning ritual begin, she thought, a bit sourly, and that made her more upset because it meant she was in a bad mood. And a bad mood this early would only get worse.

"But mom look, look...." Jessa said shoving the piece of paper in her face.

"Ok ok ok I see." she said taking the note and reading it. Yes, I see, she thought.

I see what caused a reaction in Dom. Oh well, he'd have to get over it. And come to think of it, so would Letty.

If they weren't going to be together, then they'd have to learn to be family.

'Cause that's what they were - officially or unofficially they'd always be family.

Of course she'd have preferred for it to be official. For them to be married by now, with a child or two of their own, but she could deal with disappointment.

And Letty was happy - reasonably happy anyway.

And Dom was okay.

So she was fine. As long as they were fine, she was fine.

And they were both fine with not being together, she told herself, so she had to be fine with it.

"Looks like you guys are gettin a visit today." she said to the girls, forcing a smile. She was not going to be in a bad mood. "How about we shake a leg and get you two outa here." she said smiling, wider.

The girls giggled and ran around getting this and that. Jessa decided she wanted her hair down instead of in pig tails. Dolly decided she wanted sandals instead of sneakers. They ooohed and aaaaahed over their Uncles Omelet and how good it was. Told Taylor he could play in there room if he wanted, just not to break anything. And were whisked away by their father.

All the time Dom and Taylor just watched them.

They were like mini whirl winds - arguing, fighting, pushing, correcting each other, finishing the others sentences, sharing juice and food, offering advice - they never stopped.

As soon as they were gone a silence descended upon the kitchen. Dom met Mia's gaze and couldn't help it.

He laughed.

A deep, throaty laugh that came from the heart.

"They're adorable." he said gruffly. All thoughts not relating to those girls banished from his mind.

"yeah, yeah try that every morning." Mia said, it came out a little more irritated then she meant it to and Dom frowned.

She was picking up the girl's empty plates, not looking at him.

"Here, let me do that." he said grabbing the other end of the plate she had in her hand. Speaking quietly, very aware that Taylor was watching every move and hearing every word. "Why don't you go sit or somethin. Does Brian leave you alone every morning?" he continued frowning.

She frowned back, "No." She hadn't let the plate go, so they stood there, each holding on to one side of a plate frowning at each other.

"Can I have something to dr-w-ink Auntie Mia?" Taylor's little voice asked from the table. He knew when an interruption was necessary, even at that young age.

Mia blinked and relinquished her hold on the plate and turned to her nephew. "Of course sweetie. What do you want? juice? milk?" she said as she opened the refrigerator.

"juice." he said softly. Silently she poured the juice into a sippy cup that had been one of the girls and she hadn't thrown out yet.

Taylor had never appreciated sippy cups but he'd deal with it, he'd promised.

Mia sighed, and went over to where Dom was loading the dish washer. "I'm sorry. I didn't sleep too well last night." she said softly.

He looked up and smiled at her, "this pregnant you is kinda funny."

She smirked, "I'm happy you find my uncontrollable emotions amusing." she said lightly.

He stood, having finished. And glanced over at Taylor who was quietly sipping his drink and poking at what was left of his omelet.

"He hates those, Mia." Dom said grinning.

"What?" she asked looking over.

"Those cups. Would throw tantrums at the day care. Said he wanted a big person cup. Could handle a big persons cup."

"oh." she said observing the look of distaste on his face, as he drank from the cup. "note made. He's very.... bright. Isn't he?" she asked a moment later.

Dom shrugged. "I guess. So Brian leaves you alone all morning?" he asked again moving to the table, avoiding the subject.

Mia conceded, she didn't want to push, if she pushed, he might not let her in at all. "No, not all morning." she answered his question, as she too moved to the table.

"He has to open the garage up for Rickie and Pete... they're hired mechanics..." she explained, at his questioning look. "...then Vince and Leon get there and one of the three shows up here to keep me company." she added.

Dom nodded, "So Vee and Leon still work there?"

"Of course," she said smiling. "where else would they be?" she asked.

He shrugged, "I dunno. Thought they'd've moved on or somethin." he said rather sheepishly.

"Oh, they've moved on. They just still work there, its kind of like a habit you can't break. But they're doin other stuff too. They opened up a night club. Its pretty hot actually, doing very well. That's why they don't get to the garage until about quarter after ten maybe later. One of'm is over at the club each night, last night it was Vince. So Leon will probably be in earlier than him. Tonight is Leon's turn so tomorrow...."

"Vince will be in earlier...." Dom finished for her.

"yep that's how it works. They're fully staffed at that club but they refuse to higher a manager. Its gotta be one of them there or Let..." she trailed off.

Dom smirked, "You can say it Mia. Or Letty. Its not a big deal, that was a long time ago."

Mia shrugged, "that's what she says too. Its just... I don't know... I feel like things between you two... just... never ended, like you never got closure for it, you know.

"We don't need closure Mia we broke up pretty completely." he said rather stiffly.

She nodded slowly, "I know its just.... it wasn't a clean break. It was messy, jagged and I felt like you guys just left things hanging." she paused here, her mind miles away - to those days of anguish and fear, of yelling and tears - but she shook herself out of it and adding in a bright tone meant to divert the conversation,

"Anyway that's just me. Letty doesn't feel that way and neither do you sooooo. Any-who, Brian runs the garage, we got Rickie and Pete as mechanics, and Sonya as book-keeper, cause I haven't done much but raise the girls lately."

"Oh... and Sonya also happens to be Vince's girl." she added casually, her eyes on Taylor.

Dom's mind reeled. Christ, that was a lot of information. So the guys still worked at the garage but it was a side thing.... or was the club a side thing?

Whatever, it sounded like they were doing good. And Vince with a girl... who would've thought.

"All finished baby?" Mia's questioned posed to Taylor broke into his thoughts and he cringed. Taylor hated being called baby.

Sighing the little boy nodded.

And Dom grinned at him. He was a doing a good job. But the effort of it, was putting him in a bad mood. And if he fell into enough of a bad mood, promise or no promise he'd show his true colors, of that Dom was sure.

"was it good buddy?" he asked.

"uh-huh." he said.

"You know Taylor my girls have a lot of cool toys in their room. You can go up there and play if you want." Mia said gently. He was silent.

"Do you want me to come up and play with you?" she asked expectantly when he hesitated.

To her surprise he nearly leapt off the chair at her last words. "Nuh-un Auntie Mia. I pa-lay by self." he said and headed for the stairs at almost a run.

Mia stared at the empty chair a moment before lifting amused eyes to her brother, "why do I feel like was just soundly rejected?" she said smiling.

He laughed, "because my dear sister. You were."

"he doesn't' like me." she said pouting.

"he doesn't like sippy cups or being called 'baby'." Dom countered.

She rolled her eyes, "my god could he be any more like you." she said exasperated, standing.

"So what're you doin today?" He questioned.

"You mean what are you doin today. I suggest you leave here and let me bond with my nephew." she said walking out into the living room.

"And where would you like me to go." he said following her.

"Oh puh-lease Dom like you're not itching to go over to the garage." she said turning to him suddenly.

He almost ran right into her. "I'm at a garage everyday Mia." he said logically. He couldn't let her get him all excited and enthusiastic about anything here.

He was only here temporarily. He had things to do... in fact he had to call the garage.

"Yes but that isn't your garage. Not the garage your father owned. The one where you installed your first engine, not the one where - "

"Kay Mia I get it." he cut her off.

She was smiling intent on saying more when the front door burst open.

"That was some fucked up stunt you pulled this mornin Mia."

"And on both of us..."

Both stopped dead in there tracks at the sight of the man standing next to Mia.

Silence filled the living room as Dom studied the men that were his brothers in every way but blood. It struck him that they looked almost exactly the same. No major differences. Yet the way they were looking at him was different. No warm welcome here, he thought.

"Well look who the fuck decided to remember we were alive." Vince said walking fully into the room and giving the front door a backhanded slam.

"Nice to see you too Vince." Dom said sarcastically. Meeting the man in the center of the room.

"Bullshit Dom" Vince growled. Leon hadn't said a word but his normally lighthearted expression was dark and menacing.

"okay, okay." Mia said inserting herself between the two men. "I think we should skip the bullshit."

Facing Vince and Leon, "You two are happy he's home." Facing Dom, "Your happy to be home. Your dieing to see the garage and figure out what's been going on." Facing the boys. "Your dieing to show him the garage and tell him what's going on. So lets skip all the drama and get right to the happy stuff shall we."

"Dom was idiot to stay away so long. We know it, he knows. And he will never, ever do it again. Will you Dom?"

He didn't reply.

"Will you Dom?" she asked again.

He sighed, and lowered his head, running his hand over his bald head, "no. I won't."

"See. So come on. We all know by the end of today we'll be having a barbecue so lets...."

"Geez Mia maybe we would if you'd shut up." Leon said a good-natured smirk on his face.

"We haven't had a decent barbecue in a long time." he said looking at Dom and Mia stepped out of the way.

"I haven't had any barbecue in a long time" Dom answered, meeting his blue gaze.

"That's cause your a fuckin idiot." Vince interjected his dark eyes still glaring at Dom, his stance was much less hostile though, and he too bore a slight smirk on his face.

Mia had hit right on with her little speech.

"A fuckin idiot I missed. But still a fuckin idiot." he added after a second and Dom grinned.

What ensued were several minutes of tender insults and manly hugs.

Mia sat on the couch and watched the three guys. Her eyes misting.

"So where've you been?" Leon asked as they all sat.

"Wait before we talk about this I need food. What's for breakfast Mia?" Vince asked.

"Dom made breakfast and we ate it all so you'll have to stick with cereal." she said grinning, and blinking furiously.

He made a face and retreated to the kitchen only to emerge moments later with a huge cereal bowl.

Meanwhile Leon had made himself comfortable on the couch next to Mia and Dom sat across from them. He was grilling Leon, in as subltle a way as he knew how, about the garage. Leon laughed and gave him some tid-bits.

It was then Dom noticed - there weren't any game systems attached to the television.

He lost track of the conversation as he stared at the set. It was a small thing but it just... it just said everything. The guys were the same but they were different too. Just like everything else in this house. They made the same jokes and acted the same way but there was a new look in there eyes. An awareness that wasn't there before. A knowledge.

It was a good thing. Basically, they'd grown up. All of them had. Dom, Mia, Leon, Vince, even Letty by the looks of things.

It had been a long time in coming but it had happened, unfortunately it had taken the loss of their boy wonder for it to happen.

Dom was oblivious to the fact that the conversation around him had stopped. That they were all watching him.

"Shit bro, don't depress yourself we just moved'm up to the girls' room." Leon said thumping him on the back, grinning from ear to ear.

"What?" Dom said jumping a little.

"The game systems." Mia said smiling at her brother gently.

"We moved'm up to the girls' room, so they could play." Vince said eyeing the man he'd grown up with.

"Why do you think Taylor's been up htere so long?" Mia added a moment later when Dom didn't reply.

"Whose Taylor?" Leon asked.

"My nephew." Mia answered before Dom could open his mouht. Her smile was cheeky and Leon just stared.

"No shit." Vince said as he jumped off the couch and head for the stairs.

It took Dom a split second to realize where Vince was going but he was a split second too late. He followed him upstairs, Leon helping Mia up.

He entered the room in time to see a look of wariness light his son's eyes as he looked up.

Upon sighting his father, Taylor visibly relaxed. He was sitting on the floor of the girls room looking up at the shelves and shelves of model cars that lined the back wall of the room.

Even Dom was awed, there were at least two dozen if not more. In every style, color, and size.

Vince was grinning, studying the boy. "no shi..."

"Hey Tay, what ya doin buddy." Dom interrupted, shoving Vince aside so he'd get the point.

It wasn't that he minded cursing around Taylor, hell he did it all the time. No, it was just he didn't' want the first words his son heard from his Uncles' mouth to shit.

"Look daddy, look at all the cars. I never knowns girls who gots cars. And they's got cooler designs then our, the one on the b'very top is the coolest, I wants one like it daddy." the boy responded enthusiastically. Dom could tell he was relaxing about being in a strange house.

"Yeah this is amazing." Dom said as looking around.

"Its the collection." Vince said, squatting down next to the boy. "you like cars?" he asked him.

Taylor nodded vigorously, "uh-huh daddy and me go to work with cars. Its b'very fun." he responded. Than asked curiously, "who're you?"

"My name's Vince, guess you could say I'm kinda like your... Uncle." he responded gruffly. Wonderin how the hell a kid could have such intense eyes.

"I'm Taylor. Can I see that car up there?" he asked pointing.

Taylor was much more familiar with guys then he was with women. The only experience with the female species he'd ever had was his mother.

He loved his mother. She could be the best. She could play with him for hours. Make him everything he loved to eat. Talk to him as if he were an adult. Answer all his questions. She could teach him things and show him things.

He loved his mother.

But then there was that other lady. The one who lived inside his mother... and came out to yell, and scream, and tell him he was useless and that it was all his fault.

He didn't know what it was that was all his fault but he knew it was bad. Especially when she'd grab him and shake him and tell him that if he ever told his father she'd make him regret it.

So he didn't. Tell his father. Ever.

He didn't think his Auntie Mia had a bad lady inside. But just in case he'd stay away for little while. To make sure.

Guys though, guys were fun. At the garage they'd let him work on cars and never yelled at him. Even though sometimes they yelled at each other.

"Sure." Vince said lifting the kid up so he could reach for the car.

Leon entered then, "Look at that its like a mini-Dom." he said grinning.

Vince lowered Taylor and the boy held the car in his little hands as if it were sacred scripture. "You be careful with that, I know some people who'll be pissed if you break."

"I will, I mean I won't" he said eyeing it.

"Buddy that's your Uncle Leon." Dom said when Taylor sat and put the car on the carpet without looking up.

"hi." he said quietly. Still without looking up.

The guys grinned at each other. "You like that car?" Leon asked plopping down next to him.

Taylor nodded lifting it and looking on the bottom of it. He seemed to be examining it.

"You wanna see it big?" he continued.

The little boys' head whipped around. "really....?" he said his dark eyes glimmering.

"Yeah there's one at the garage." Leon continued.

"Will you take me Uncle Leon? will you? please. I'll be good." he said eagerly.

"Sure, I'll take ya. But you know what we gotta hang here for awhile kay. Cause I think they got some work to get outa the way over there first. In an hour though we'll go and you can look it over."

He nodded but looked a little disappointed, "that don't mean we can't have some fun here though." Vince added. Bending down and scooping him up, Taylor had the car in his hands and Vince held him high and told him to put that back.

The boy followed order and when he was back at eye level with his Uncle, searched for his dad's gaze.

He was silent.

"These guys can be a lot of fun, Taylor. Trust me I know." Dom said meeting his sons gaze.

Taylor looked over at each man before smiling a little, "can we play tag?" he asked.

Before the guys could answer Dom interjected, "that's not an indoor game Ta - "

"What the fuck Dom. You sound like my grandma, if the kid wants to play tag we'll play. In fact..." Leon said smirking.

"We've got this game Taylor.... cause I assume that's your name even though you didn't tell me...." the boy nodded, "right so this game we play with girls - its like tag and hide and seek in one..."

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Next chapter: Letty shows up.