Disclaimer: Not Mine
Author's Note: This is pretty much a fluff chapter. I wanted to show Letty and Angelo's relationship.
It's about them. No Dom, sorry. Next Chapter is coming soon.
I've actually got the end written up, I just have to figure out how to connect what I've got with where I'm going... does that make sense?
Oh well, I understand myself =)
(most of the time,)
Hope you all like and PLEASE REVIEW
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"No, Letty, not today," Angelo's said firmly, adjusting the knot of his tie.
It was Saturday morning, she was fully dressed in shorts and a top; and ready to walk out the door. After informing her fiancée that she was headed over to Mia's.
"What do you mean not today?" she asked, as calmly as she could. Walking back into his bedroom.
"I had the clients from Chicago flown in for the weekend. We're having brunch with them," he said, still looking into the mirror.
"We are?" Letty asked, her eyebrows arched, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Angelo eyed her sharply through the mirror, before saying coldly, "Yes, we are."
"I was not told." Letty replied, feeling her hackles rising. Angelo had been in a bad mood all week, hell, he'd been in a bad mood since his return from Tokyo.
'Cold mode' is what Letty called it, where you couldn't define a single emotion in his tone of voice.
Recently, he'd been spoiling for a good argument, and as much as Letty would like to oblige him, her emotions were out of whack too; and she feared she'd end up saying something she shouldn't.
So she'd been good, she'd let all his little remarks slide off her back. She'd been calm and collected and even though she'd itched to slap him a few times, she hadn't.
Hadn't risen to the bait, not even once...
However, she wasn't made to resist arguments and he was pushing it...
"I'm informing you now," he said turning around to face her. His eyes cold, they'd been cold for a while now, even Mia had commented on it.
Angelo was not in any way a part of the Team, he annoyed the hell out of the guys, enjoyed glaring at Brian, and on a regular basis traded snide remarks with Mia.
But he was usually in good spirits while he did it. Lately, he'd been an ogre and Letty was getting sick of it.
"Angelo, I promised the girls I'd stop by this morning..." she began but never finished.
"All you do is promise the girls!" he nearly screamed at her, his eyes flashing angrily, "I've hardly seen you for a week, you spend every afternoon there and when you're not there you're on the phone talking to someone there. The boutique hasn't seen you in almost two weeks, the House has complained that you're being brusque with the models, the color scheme for the Chicago House hasn't been picked out, and you haven't so much as called Victoria to see what's going on with YOUR WEDDING!!!"
Her eyes flashed back... enough was enough!
"It might as well not be MY wedding!!" she screeched at him, "You let Victoria pick everything anyway!! EVEN MY DRESS!!!"
Angelo rolled his eyes, motioning angrily with his hands, "Are we back to that!" he growled, "I told you to tell her what you wanted,"
"Yeah, after she'd already ordered what SHE wanted!!" Letty yelled back. They were standing face to face now.
"You didn't make you're wishes known until it was too late!!"
"No one asked me!!!"
"STOP YELLING!" He roared
"YOU FIRST!!!"
Angelo opened his mouth to respond... but didn't.
Instead he blinked a little before a grin covered his face -- a real, honest, this-is-ridiculous grin.
One that made him seem not only much younger but a good deal less stuck-up.
He took a step back and eyed her, "Okay," he said softly, his green eyes twinkling, "me first."
Letty took a deep breath and nodded, a feeling relief unfolding itself in her as a small smile touched her lips.
"About time your sense of humor made a reappearance," she said, the smile growing, the tone teasing, "Next time it goes on vacation, could you send out a few memos please."
His grin wavered a little, "I've been tense, worried about things. We have so much going on right now," he paused and looked down, then looked at her through long lashes, "I want everything to be perfect. And... I've felt a little neglected too. I've missed you," he said softly, kindly.
She felt all her annoyance with him melting away, he could do that to her, erase her anger with his gentleness.
She sighed, "I know there's a lot going on. And I know that I haven't been around much lately but... I just..." to her astonishment, tears filled her eyes, and she couldn't stop them, "I'm gonna..."
She was in his arms suddenly, his lips on her hair, "It'll be okay, baby, I promise everything is going to be fine." He soothed her gently.
She let him hold her for a while, feeling comforted by his tenderness.
When she pulled away, she did so rather abrupt, "I want to go to Mia's," she insisted firmly.
Angelo sighed, running a hand through his hair, watching her. His lips drawing into a thin line.
"Her big brother wouldn't have anything to do with that would it?" he asked after a moment, his tone light but his eyes intense.
She met them and was able to truthfully shake her head, "No, he doesn't."
That was the god-honest truth.
Letty was completely avoiding the big brother.
"I promised the girls that I'd go by in the morning to hang out with them. There still grounded so they're not getting many treats and I feel bad. I just... I want to spend as much time with them as I can. Can't you understand that, Angelo? I need to spend as much time there as I can." She asked him, her voice that of a child's seeking understanding.
He continued to hold her gaze before sighing reluctantly, "I cannot deny you anything when you use that voice," he paused before smiling, "... and you know it."
She smiled too. After a moment though, his smile died and he pierced her with his gaze.
"I don't like the brother," he said flatly.
Her smile died.
"He thinks he's got claim to you Letty," Angelo continued seriously, "Does he? Is there anything I should know."
Is there anything you should know?!!
A hysterical laugh rose in her throat, she bit it back.
...claim to you...
Anything he should know...
"Dom and I..." she began hesitantly, "...we were.... involved once. That's all," she finished as inconspicuously as she could. Her eyes, however, couldn't meet his.
Sure, the little voice said, that's all....
Angelo nodded, eyeing her for a moment, taking in her sudden discomfort and the way she wouldn't meet his eyes.
There was a lot of history in that single word... involved...
...not in a relationship...
...not dating...
...not together...
....involved.
It was his policy, however that history... was best left in the past....
Drawing her to him, he sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap.
"Are you sure you don't want to come... it'd really be a shame..." he said putting his lips to hers.
She smiled slightly, recognizing the change of subject, "Really... why is that..."
"I was going to order you cinnamon French toast with fresh strawberries and extra powdered sugar...."
Letty bit her lip, "Mmmmmmmm" she moaned, closing her eyes and allowing him to kiss her, "That sounds good..."
"Sweet..." he murmured, his lips on hers... tasting her... loving her...
After a moment he said, smoothly without taking his lip from hers, "You should change... can't go in shorts."
She paused in the kissing, and opened her eyes a little, he was looking at her expectantly.
She sighed roughly, shoving him back as she stood up.
"I'm not going. I promised the girls," she said heatedly looking down at him.
He sighed shrugging carelessly, "No harm in trying...." he took her hand, "...is there?"
She smirked, taking a seat next to him, allowing him to smooth her hand with his.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, than she asked for the first time, "You've been a bear since Tokyo, did something go wrong?"
He shrugged, "Not really, I didn't get as much funding as I wanted but it's still a good amount."
"Okay," she said condescendingly, "So why..."
He cut her off, "It's nothing, really, like I said... just a lot of stress," he sighed suddenly, "I'll have to cancel brunch with Chicago."
She shook her head, "Don't cancel. It won't look good, just go without me."
He shook his head, "I can't go without you,"
She sighed the beginning of exasperation on her face, "Why not?"
"Because it's your business," he said simply.
She opened her mouth but shut it quickly, that was true, she thought.
Until they were married, that is, at which point he would own 49% of everything. Forty-nine, he'd insisted, that way she could boot him out if she got sick of him.
The modeling agency was his but the boutique and combination house was hers. There were several of his agencies scattered across the U.S. but only one boutique and combo house.
It had been her idea...
... it had been his gift to her.
And it was flourishing... doing better than most of his agencies... which was what had brought on the proposal...
She gave a mental sigh, Angelo was right the business was hers and they'd want to talk to her...
"How about we reschedule... do lunch instead... a late lunch..." she asked him, a little hesitant. He looked like he was about to retreat into Cold Mode.
"I don't know..." he started, then stopped when she sat on his lap again.
"Come on..."
"What do I do with them until then?"
"Hire them a tour guide or somethin..." she said putting her forehead to his, their noses nearly touching, "... show'm something cool about LA or give'm the morning off or send them complimentary breakfast trays or..."
He grinned suddenly, wrapping his arms around her and locking her into an embrace, "Got all the answers, huh?" he said.
She nodded, leaning back a little into the security of his arms, "Most of'm, yeah," she said cheekily. Her grin relaxed, there was nothing better than when Angelo was in a good mood.
He made her feel light and special. It reminded her of why she'd agreed to go out with him, to be his girlfriend, to be his wife... because, although Mia would never believe it, he did have his good moments.
"Kay, then miss-know-it-all, what do I do while you play with your ladybugs..." he said the last word sardonically but she let it go.
Touching his hair she smiled sweetly, "You could always join us. I'm sure the girls would love it."
He seemed to consider it a moment, before saying softly, "Although they're by far the most intellectual residents of that family I'm gonna hafta to pass..."
Letty pouted, "Awwww, whyyyyyy?"
His hands moved to her hair, "I think I might be a little out of place,"
She shook her head, "Never..."
"You and I could play...." he said, slyly, his hands unlocking and moving to her sides.
She leapt off him, holding out her hands in front of her, as if ward off an attack, "uh-uh, no, uh-uh" she was shaking her head emphatically but her dark eyes were twinkling.
"I'd love to play with you..." he said standing and advancing on her.
"OOOOOOOhhhhhhhhh...." Letty cried running around the bed.
"Come on...." he started following her, his eyes a menacing green, "You wanted to play didn't you..."
"Don't you have a phone call to make or something..."
"But you wanted to play..."
"No, no, no," she insisted, they'd been rounding the bed slowly and were now almost back to where they'd begun.
He grinned, "Yes, yes, yes..." he advanced more quickly on her, they'd gone completely full circle now.
"Don't, Angelo, don't... you have... you'll be late..."
"I'm going to a late lunch now... not brunch..."
She met his eyes and faked a move to the right but went left. He was fast though and had long arms which he used to snake around her waist.
She screeched with laughter as he lifted her up and tossed her onto the bed, following on top of her.
He began tickling her as they rolled around on the bed; she in her shorts, he in slacks, a shirt, and tie.
"Stop, oh god, stop it, stop it..." she gasped out between laughs. She could hardly breathe, she was laughing so hard, her eyes glittering, her dark hair flying wildly around her face...
"God, you're beautiful," he breathed suddenly, almost reverently.
She stopped too, stopped to look up at him, the caring and affection in his eyes was undeniable.
This is why, she thought all at once, wishing she would show Mia those eyes. This is why I put up with it, she realized.
He loves me.
She reached up to touch his face gently, "You're not so bad yourself..." she whispered. The laughter gone, leaving warmth in it's place.
He backed off her a little, leaning on his side, propping himself up with his elbow.
He looked a little embarrassed that he'd spoken aloud, "I'm sorry I've been such a pain lately," he said quietly.
She smiled, "It's okay, you're right, there's a lot going on right now."
He nodded but didn't smile back, instead he studied her, after a moment, he asked seriously, "Are you happy?"
She started a little, "Of course," came the automatic reply.
He studied her again, "You're sure?" he asked hesitantly, "I know these next few months are gonna be hard for you... If you want to change your mind..."
"I don't," she cut him off firmly.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving her face, "All I want is for you to be happy. You know that don't you? I promised you."
She nodded slowly, looking down, "I know," she whispered.
"The move will be hard, but if you let me Letty. I will make you very happy. I promise."
Yes, she thought, he'd certainly try. Just like he had since they'd met. Since they'd been together... he always wanted her to be happy.
"I know," she said more firmly this time, looking into his face, "I know you will."
Of course he would... and she was happy now. Why wouldn't she be? She had a wonderful family, a thriving career, a blossoming business, a wedding on the way, and a man who adored her. How could she not be happy?
"I'm happy," she whispered, "I am."
He smiled at her gently, the way he had when she'd agreed to be his wife, "Good," he said sincerely.
Angelo had his faults, he tended to lose his temper, was rather domineering when it came to her -- everything about her -- clothes, food, jewlrey, hair etc.; he demanded the best of her and expected no less, and had mood swings that rivaled those of Mia in a pregnancy... but he loved her.
Adored her really, and the thought made her melt inside.
He stood suddenly, pulling her up with him, "I want to give you something," he said quickly. Grabbing her hand and tugging her out of the room.
They went past her bedroom down the hall and into the guest bedroom, which was void of anything but a bed and a dresser.
Opening the closet, he reached up onto the highest shelf and retrieved an envelope.
He was grinning when he handed it to her.
"What is this?" she asked as she started opening it.
"I know you've kind of been stonewalled out of your own wedding. I admit Victoria is a tad aggressive for a publicist, she means well but I know you've resented a lot of her meddling." She was looking up at him now, her eyes wide and suspiciously moist.
"Anyway," he continued, "I figured... you'd appreciate your choice of a honeymoon."
The tears spilled and she threw her arms around his neck, squealing with delight, "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you...."
He laughed, holding her tight.
In her hand she held a piece of paper that extended the lease on their apartment for three weeks.
They'd honeymoon right here... which meant... she didn't have to leave right after the wedding... she could stay a little longer...
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