Disclaimer: Not mine.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! Sorry I took so long. I got a little carried away with this chapter. It has a lot happening in it. I know you were all excited to see what Dom was gonna do to remind Letty. I decided to not make it one gesture but several. I hope you like...

TrueMarine88:

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Maile:

lol! Girl don't drop outa school... at least BS your way through it! lol. Anyway, your reviews are anonymous so I can't check out this story your writin. What's it called?

Jada19:

Thanks for the compliment. I figured someone had to get through to Dom. And Vince having known him since third grade seemed like a good possibility. =)

Leticia Rose:

Yeah I like developing the relationship between Taylor and Letty.

VinsBaby1989:

Hey girl! How ya been? I'm glad you like the story.

DomLetty4eva:

lol! It is so hilarious when little kids start asking those kinds of questions. I couldn't leave it out.

Greenglowchassis:

Okay, so I didn't update soon... but I did update a lot. =) That makes up for it right?

ThePhoenix1224:

ummmmmmmmmmmmm.... naw I don't think he's doing the wedding planner... not yet at least. =) Thanks for reviewing.

Pips24:

Yeah she is good to Taylor. I'm glad your still with me. Keep reading.... =)

Tehzo:

Thanks, I always like to hear that the story is realistic. =)

Anonymous:

Yes, everything is falling into place.... soon all will be well.... ;)

Ranger Webb:

lol I'm glad you liked it.

LettyDomluva:

I hope you're feeling better. Being sick sucks! Thanks for the review.

Sugar Happy:

Wow!! Thanks so much. I read your review like five times. You absolutely made my day. All reviews make my day. But your review... grins it just made me so happy. Thank you. I like to think that I'm staying as true to the characters as I can be, considering it's five years since the movie, but it's good to know that even if I'm not the story's still good. I hope you like this bit.

LettyRodriguez01:

Okay... it's here for when you get back... =)

Vinsdaredevillvr, Angelmexicana84, Supergurl1616:

Thank you for reviewing.

Thank you all.

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"You're still pissed at me aren't you?" She said lightly, crawling onto the bed as he put on his shoes.

"No, Leticia, I'm not pissed at you. I'm upset with you," Angelo responded, his voice cool, "You know how important these Chicago connections are. Yet here you go blowing them off to spend yet another afternoon aimlessly milling around at Mia's."

Letty bristled, "I don't aimlessly mill around -- ever. And anyway... I went to the lunch yesterday," she argued.

He turned to glared at her and she realized she probably shouldn't have mentioned that, "You mean the lunch where you had just a salad and didn't order desert so that we could be out of there in half an hour?"

She cringed, ok so he had a point there, "Angelo you know how I feel about this. I'm just as excited about the Chicago house as you are, but we're moving there remember... Don't ask me to sacrifice the few weeks I have left here for them, cause I won't," she stated firmly.

"It's not weeks, it's a day!" He exclaimed, then sighed, "And speaking of the move, are you planning on ever telling your family about it, or do you plan on just stealing away in the night."

"I'll tell them," she whispered.

"You've been saying that for almost a month now," he reminded her, his voice gentling a little.

Her eyes sharpened, "Mia'll go into premature labor if I drop something like this on her," she snapped at him.

The gentleness vanished as he rolled his eyes, "You are not the first person in the world to move away from their family, Letty, hell your not even the first to do it in this family. The brother lives in New York for Christ's sake, we're only going to Chicago."

Letty tensed slightly at the mention of Dom, "I'll tell them Angelo, don't worry about it."

He studied her a moment, his eyes cold, before sighing and reaching out to softly touch her cheek, "We could do it together Letty, I'd help you tell them if you'd let me."

She shook her head, effectively dashing away his hand, "No, I'll do it. Alone. It'll be easier that way."

He nodded, "Fine, but about today...."

"I'm not spending the day with those grease monkey's when I could be in sun with my..."

"Ladybugs," he snarled at her.

She nodded, meeting his glare head on, "Exactly," she stated.

"I was downstairs waiting for almost two hours last night, Letty."

"I apologized for that,"

"Yeah but that's not the point. Your my wife not their mother, if someone was going to put them to bed it should have been..."

He was talking to air...

Letty was nearly to the door before he caught up with her, grabbing her forearm, "Don't - " he began but never finished.

She whirled around to face him with so much fire in her eyes that he took a step back and released her, "Those girls might as well be mine I love them so much," she hissed, "I am NOT your wife YET, and even when I am don't you ever expect to be put before them in my affections, Angelo, because it won't happen. I will ALWAYS be there when they need me and that isn't going to change when I'm a few states away, so if you concocted this whole Chicago idea for that, I suggest you backtrack a little."

"Letty, I didn't mean - "

"I don't care about what you didn't mean. I just cannot believe you said that...."

He cut her off, angrily stating, "Well forgive me for wanting to be a priority in my fiancée's life!"

"Oh please, Angelo!" she growled out in disgust, "Mia's almost..."

"YES! I freakin know she's almost nine months pregnant, I know the girls are grounded, I know Brian has to work, I know the guys have a lot to do with the club, I know there's another kid runnin around!! I KNOW all that, but for christs sake Letty is it possible for you to live just one freakin day without running it by them first!!!"

"Is it possible for you to go 4 hours without checking your voicemail!! Is it possible for you to go one afternoon without checking in with the office?!! Can you spend ONE DAY without runnin everythin you do by Victoria!!!"

"This isn't about the office..."

"No, you're right it isn't! This is about you not understanding that I'm relocating hundreds of miles away from my family, at a time when they're going to need me. Mia is counting on my help with the girls when the baby's born, and I'm leaving, Angelo. I'm leaving her, I'm leaving the girls, I'm leaving them all, and I'm doing it for you." Her voice had quieted a down, a deep sadness creeping into it, suddenly though the fire was back, "So don't you fuckin stand there and tell me your not a priority in my life!!!"

With that she whirled back around and left the room.

Running an aggravated hand through his hair, he followed behind her.

========================================================

"You two are really quiet today," Sonya commented lightly as she, Letty, and Mia worked in the kitchen.

Both dark haired woman looked up suddenly, Mia from her place at the table, Letty's from hers at the counter.

Both tried to smile reassuringly at her.

Both failed miserably.

Letty had been dropped off at the Torreto house about an hour a half earlier. No one had commented on the fact that Angelo had never done that before, not with look on her face when she stepped through that doorway.

For once the Torreto household remained tactfully silent.

Angelo had gone to the hotel where the Chicago reps were staying, was going to spend the morning with them; and although he hadn't said so, was probably going to show up later today.

Mia simply found herself exceptionally tired and in a really bad mood. She'd spent the morning snapping at Brian and had had the urge to yell at the girls -- twice.

It was just not a good day for her.

"Did something happen?" Sonya asked, tentatively, trying to get them to open up.

They were silent a moment before Letty said softly, "Not that I know of."

"Everything's fine," Mia added her tone a little testy.

Sonya nodded, her eyebrows arched, "Oooookayyyyy," she said slowly, her tone telling them she wasn't buying it.

"I'm going to go check on the kids," she offered after a few minutes, the tension in the kitchen suffocating her.

The kitchen was noiseless when she left.

"So what's up with you?" Letty asked after a few minutes.

Mia stared at her a moment, "You first," she said firmly.

"I had an argument with Angelo," she answered directly, knowing that Mia would return the same amount of information she offered.

"About?"

"The amount of time I spend here."

"And you...."

"Went psycho on him -- twice. Once in his bedroom and then again in the car. I told him if he got out to walk me to the door there was a good chance I'd deck him,"

Any other time Mia would have laughed at the thought, commented that she wouldn't mind seeing that; today she said seriously, "Your marrying the guy in a few weeks Letty, don't you think it's time to start talking things out instead of threatening him?"

Now it was Letty's turn to stare back. That was Mia's version of getting in your face. The woman wanted to argue.

"Your turn," she said simply, ignoring the bait.

"I can't tell you," Mia said firmly, her gaze avoiding Letty's.

"You can't tell me what's got you in such a bad mood?"

"No, I can't," Mia confirmed, knowing the last thing Letty wanted to hear was that she was upset cause she and her brother didn't seem to want to make a go of it.

"Why not?"

"You'll get pissed at me and you'll have a right to," Mia said honestly.

Letty nodded, "Does it have to do with why both Dom and Vince look they went up against the heavy weight champion of the world?"

Mia paused, "No, actually. I don't know what that's about. I asked Vince and he avoided the question and I haven't seen Dom since yesterday morning."

"Really?" Letty asked surprised.

Mia nodded, "I didn't see him yesterday and he was gone before breakfast today," she stated her voice devoid of emotion.

"Oh," Letty said softly, her eyes on a distant spot.

There was something in the way the other woman said that that perked Mia's interest slightly, "Did you see him yesterday?" she asked neutrally.

"Uh... yeah... after I gave Taylor a bath.... he was in the room... and I took... Taylor.... to the room... you know, to get'm dressed for bed and..."

"He was there," Mia finished, humor tingeing her voice.

"Yeah."

"And...." Mia prodded.

"And nothing. I left Taylor so he could get him ready for bed and then cleaned up the bathroom," Letty said, irritation ringing true in her tone.

Mia was silent a moment before sighing softly, "We're in bad moods," she said her tone grumpy.

Letty nodded, "Yeah," she agreed.

"We need ice cream,"

"With hot fudge..."

"...and caramel..."

"...and butterscotch..."

"...and nuts..."

"... and whipped cream..."

"...and sprinkles..."

"... and cherries..."

Mia nodded, "A lot of cherries..."

"I agree,"

"Where would we get these delightful creations?"

"I could go to the Dairy Shack and bring'm back..."

"Ice cream here.... for us and not the kids?"

"We'll hide from them, sneak into your bathroom, lock the door, sit in the tub, and draw the curtain...." Letty added her tone eager all of sudden.

Mia laughed, shifting in her seat so she could face Letty, "God that was a long time ago," she said the memories of their teenage years filling her mind. They used to do that -- hide in her dad's bathroom so they'd have time to talk and not have worry about Dom or Vince overhearing.

"Doesn't mean we can't do it... or something like it," Letty responded.

Mia grinned nodding, "Okay that sounds good.... go...."

"NOW?"

"Yeah, now, go...."

Laughing Letty went to her purse pulled out her car keys and some money, she paused at the door before leaving, "Meet me in your room in twenty five minutes,"

===========================================================

"Ooooooooooo this is SO good," Mia practically moaned as she licked fudge off her spoon.

The two woman were on her bed with the door locked and two huge sundaes with extra everything in front of them. They had remained silent for the first five minutes of eating, both enjoying the silence almost as much as the treat.

Then Letty had laughed motioning towards the way Mia rested her ice cream container on her protruding belly and commented how convenient it must be to carry around one's own personal table.

To which Mia had promptly shoved a huge spoonful in her mouth and then licked the spoon.

Letty laughed at her friends proclamation, "Okay that's much better. I can be in a bad mood but not you... cause then my precious lil nephew is..." she said leaning in and laying her head on Mia's belly, "...and that is not acceptable...."

Mia laughed, "Get off me and it's a girl."

"You sure?" Letty asked sitting back up.

"Pretty much,"

"Too bad... I hate it when's Brian's right..."

"You hate it, I'm the one who's gonna hafta to listen to him explain how he knew all along it was gonna be a girl..."

Letty laughed, "On the bright side my adorable, baby niece is going to be here to soften the blow..." she said her voice dropping an octave or two as she once again leaned in and placed her head on Mia's belly.

"If I drop ice cream on your head will you get off of me?" Mia asked, her dark eyes staring down at Letty's head.

"Probably not but I might reach up and pull it into my mouth," Letty answered in mock seriousness, rubbing the side of her face against the belly as the little person inside kicked.

Mia laughed, feeling her mood lift "God Letty, what would I do without you?"

Letty sat up as if burned.

"What happened? She kick you?" Mia asked dipping cherries into her caramel.

Letty shook her head, her attention focused on her ice cream.

"What is it, Lett?" Mia asked concern in her voice now.

"You'd be fine, Mia," Letty answered softly without looking up, "... if I weren't here you'd find a different way to work yourself out a bad mood, that's all. You'd be fine in the end."

Mia was silent, studying the way Letty swirled the contents of the sundae in it's container.

A knot forming in the pit of her stomach.

"Is there something you wanna tell me Letty?" Mia questioned her voice barely audible. All desire for her ice cream gone.

Letty remained silent, cursing herself, this is not the way nor the time she wanted to tell Mia.

Lie to her, lie to her, lie to her...

And she had every intension to, until she looked up and met the warm brown eyes of the only girl in the world she'd ever been friends with.

"Mia I'm - "

"Mia are you in there?!" The question accompanied by a pounding on the door interrupted her.

Mia completely ignored it, her eyes boring into Letty, "What is it Letty?"

Letty glanced at the door, before trying again, "I - "

The pounding stopped, "Mia why's the door locked?"

"HOLD ON A SEC, BRIAN," Mia growled, then added gently, "Go on, your what?"

Letty shook her head, "No, no, forget it, we'll talk later..."

"Letty - "

"No, really, I promise. We'll talk later..."

Mia looked uncertain, "You're sure?"

Letty nodded, getting up and off the bed, "I'm sure," she said as she opened the door, "What's up B?"

"Oh?" Brian said clearly surprised to see Letty, "I didn't..." he looked passed her to the bed and saw Mia propped up against the headboard and the ice cream proudly displayed around her. "I..." he continued, "... didn't see Angelo downstairs, so I thought Mia was alone up here...."

"Angelo's not here," Letty answered simply.

Brian stared at her, then seemed to snap out of it and asked, "Is Mia..."

"I'm fine," Mia called out, cutting him off.

"So I see," he turned around, "She's up here, Dom!" he yelled.

"Okay!" the deep voice carried upstairs.

"Did you send out a search party?" Letty asked, smiling.

Brian looked a little sheepish, "Kind of," entering the bedroom he examined the bed, "You two better not let the kids find out what your up to..."

"We won't," Mia answered, "You gotta relax Brian. I'm not due for like another two weeks."

He glared at her, "The girls were early."

"The girls were twins, and we'd been told there was a possibility that they'd be a little early. No such luck with this one," Mia stated, the remnants of her bad mood shining through.

He sighed, "Anyway, it's almost noon what should I feed the kids?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, they had peanut butter and jelly yesterday..."

"I'll fix them something," a voice interrupted from the doorway.

Dom stood there his eyes taking in the scattered pillows and ice cream containers and spoons. He seemed very amused at what he saw in front of him.

"You'll fix them something," Letty said before she could stop herself.

He smirked at her, "Yes, I'll fix them something... and you can help me," he added quickly before glancing at his sister, "That way Brian can stay up here and instruct Mia on the fact that given she's practically nine months pregnant we need to know where she is at all times, so we don't give ourselves heart attacks running around the house and not finding her."

Mia glared at him and then at Brian, "It's not like I left the house," she complained.

"Didn't know we had the fixings for that kind of ice cream desert," Brian commented.

"I went out and got them. We wanted time to ourselves, that's not a crime..." Letty stated.

What was it with men and needing to be the center of their women's actions.

"No, it is isn't," Dom agreed, "We still need to get three kids fed though, so lets get going..."

"But..." she commented, not understanding exactly had she and Dom had become a we so quickly.

"Come on Letty, no time to waste," he said and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the room.

==========================================================

"Did you see that?" Brian asked his wife as he collected the plastic containers and spoons from the bed.

"See what?" she said sliding down, intent on taking a nap.

Brian stared at her, "Dom grabbed Letty's hand and dragged her out of the room, that doesn't seem odd to you?"

She shook her head, "Not really, he wants help making lunches."

"Mia," Brian said patiently, "A week ago you couldn't get Dom to touch Letty with a ten foot pole."

Again she shrugged, "He probably forgot."

"Forgot that he didn't want to be anywhere near her?" Brian asked in disbelief.

A smile tugged at her lips, "Careful Brian that almost sounds like you want me to see something there."

"Maybe I do."

"Why?"

"Because maybe there is."

"And you would know because...." she drew out the word.

"'Cause I helped put it there," Brian answered smugly.

She sat up, "What did you do? And since we're on the subject, what the hell happened to him? He looks like he had a bar-room brawl with five guys named Moe."

Now it was his turn to shrug, "I think he and Vince had a.... conversation, yesterday. As for me, I did what you asked me to do. I talked to him."

Mia eyed him warily, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing bad. I just think we should keep our eyes," he said encouragingly.

She shook her head, laying back, "You keep your eyes open, I'm taking a nap."

=========================================================

"Don't get me wrong, Dom, I think it's a great idea.... it's just...."

He turned to face her, with the grater in one hand and the block of cheese in the other.

"I think mini pizza's are little ambitious for a man who can't handle a sandwich."

He glared at her before turning back around, "I'll have you know, I can too handle a sandwich. It was late that night, is all. Anyway, I've done this before."

She arched an eyebrow as she watched him grate away at the mozzarella cheese, "Have you?" she asked skeptically.

He nodded, "Yeah, I used to make this snack for Taylor and his play group..." he said simply, frowning a little he added, "...until Taylor kicked them out that is..."

"Taylor kicked them out of the house?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, something about all those grimy little kids touching his stuff," Dom answered in all seriousness.

"You're not serious?"

"I am, it was earlier this year. I wanted him to make some friends, so I signed him up for it. He did fine while it was at other kids' houses but the day it was our turn to host... well... they started touching his cars.... he asked them to stop but when they didn't... he through a tantrum and..."

"Kicked them out of the house," Letty finished for him. He nodded as he finished the cheese and set it aside.

"I don't believe it," she said after a minute, "Not Taylor.... he's a sweetheart."

Dom turned to face her and grinned, a very friendly grin... and she felt her heart rate kick up notch, "He has a temper, can't imagine who he gets it from though."

She found herself grinning back, shaking her head mockingly, "Can't imagine," she confirmed.

"Hold that," he said passing her a stack of large tortilla chips.

A few minutes later he had six little pizza's ready to go in the oven.

He kept going though, putting together a few more.

"Dom I don't think the kids are going to eat more than two a pieces," she said, frowning a little; wondering why she was here when he seemed perfectly capable of handling this himself.

"These are for you," he answered without looking up at her.

"Oh no, I just had ice cream," she said.

He didn't even pause just added it to the baking sheet and stuck it in the oven.

"They'll be ready in seven to eight minutes."

They used that time to put things away and wash the dishes.

He washed... she dried and put away.

Her mind was still reeling from the fact that Dominic Torreto was doing dishes when she realized that they were standing pretty close and bumping into each other a lot.

Standing back, she tucked an errant strand of dark hair behind her ear before, saying, "I'll finish up in here,"

He shook his head, "Naw, I'll do it plus I want to see the kids eat the pizza and I want you to eat one too."

"Dom - "

He was pulling out the tray and she had to admit they did look pretty good, but still, "I'm not hungry," she stated, "I'll go get the kids..."

"Nu-uh," he said grabbing hold of her wrist, it was the second time he'd touched her today, "Try one first."

"Dom - "

"Humor me," he said.

She shook her head, "Dom I don't really eat pizza anymore anyway..."

He gave her a look that simply shut her up, "You don't eat pizza anymore?" he asked his voice unbelieving.

She avoided those intense eyes, eyes that seemed to be searching her, "Not really..."

"Why not?" he asked, his tone losing it's disbelief and the casualness it had had earlier.

It was hard now and she knew why.

It was because he knew the answer.

"It's greasy and has a lot of cheese and Angelo..."

"Don't tell me he has you on a diet, Letty," he growled out and the eyes burned.

"No, no, it's not like that. I just have to fill in for models sometimes so, it's better if I watch what I eat... it's not a diet exactly," she finished off lamely.

His eyes were searing into her, she could feel the heat of his gaze as it traveled up and down her body; to her astonishment though, he didn't say anything.

Instead he lifted one of the pizza's off the tray, blew on it a little to cool it off, and brought it up to her lips.

"Forget Angelo. Close your eyes and take a chance Letty; remember how good it was," the way he said it had her eyes flying to meet his over the bubbling cheese.

Was he talking about the pizza?

With the warm, gooey cheese at her lips, she had no choice but to open her mouth.

And it was good.

Really good.

He was watching her. Watching her chew, watching as she licked her lips a little, watching with those dark eyes that were telling her something she wasn't ready to see.

And as if he read the message, he broke eye contact and set the pizza down.

"See," she heard him say, "it's delicious."

She nodded, taking a deep breath as she did so, trying to calm herself, "Yeah, I'm impressed."

"Of course you are," he said cockily.

She laughed lightly, "Okay I'm going to..."

Before she could finish, the kids came barreling into the kitchen.

"I knew it!" Taylor exclaimed, "I knew you was makin the lil pizza's."

Dom grinned, "Everyone take a seat."

Lunch was a long affair and Letty ended up eating both the little pizza's Dom had made for her. The kids loved it and she... she had fun.

Dom kept making jokes and goofing around with the girls. And the girls for their part were soaking it up, thrilled to have both their favorite adults in one place.

"Sounds like some heavy duty fun is goin on in here," Leon commented as he walked in.

He was surprised to see Dom and Letty sitting side by side and laughing but hid it well, "Uncle Leon!"

"mini-people!!" he exclaimed, kneeling down to lap up there hugs. He looked up for a moment, "There's a phone call for you in living room," he said looking at Letty.

"Thanks," she said still smiling.

She smiled all the way to the living room. Couldn't help it. That had been fun.

Her smile died though, when she picked up the phone, "Hello," she said happily.

"I'm bringing you an evening dress. We have reservations for 7:30 and we're not going to bail, Letty, or be late. They're leaving tomorrow morning. Victoria's been to the house and selected the make-up and accessories you'll need. I'll be there around 5:00 that should give you enough time to change. I suggest you take a shower and use Mia's hair-dryer before I arrive."

With that he hung up.

She stared at the phone in her hand a few moments.

Okay, so he was still pissed....

She put the receiver down and waited for the wave of anger that should follow being ordered around like that.

It didn't come though. Instead she felt frustrated, that once again, she'd have to leave early in order to accompany Angelo somewhere.

Sighing she leaned back against the couch, listening to the babble from the kitchen.

She couldn't make out what they were saying but she could here their voices. The girls were excitedly telling something and Taylor occasionally offered some of his serious input, as if to lend credibility to the thing.

She could hear Leon's laughter, the girls giggling...

...tears stung her closed eyes as she realized how rare these moments were going to become.

She wasn't going to be able to lay on the couch and listen to the sounds of her family all that often any more.

What was now common, would be become an erratic experience....

"Everything okay?"

She started when she heard his voice, her eyes flying open. He was standing above her, looking at her intently as he'd been doing all day.

"Yea...yeah," she said unsteadily, sitting up, blinking back the tears.

He eyed her curiously.

She prayed he'd leave.

He didn't.

Taking a seat next to her he said gently, "It does look like it," he said softly, perceptively with a gentleness that disarmed her.

Later she'd be able to explain exactly why she'd burst into tears.

She'd realize it was because she'd almost had to tell Mia, because Angelo was mad at her, because her life was going to change so drastically it was going to leave her head spinning.

It was because he was too close, because the voice was too gentle....

At the moment though, all she could do was bury her face in her hands as the tears started flowing.

"Now it really doesn't look like it," Dom commented softly, his brow furrowed in worry.

Tenderly he moved her hands away from her face, "What is it Letty? What's wrong?"

"I can't... I haven't told anyone..." she whimpered, fighting the urge to crawl into his arms.

"You can tell me, what is it?" he whispered.

She shook her head, her eyes closing as more tears spilled out, "I thought I could do this, but... I don't know..."

"Do what?"

"Move away," the words were on strangled on a sob, accompanied by another rush tears.

He froze for an instant, his heart pausing in it's rhythm.

Dear God she was leaving!!

Now, when he'd finally made up his mind to try for her... now she was leaving...

It hit him then, though.... he was leaving too... eventually...

He was leaving too.

...right?

"What do you mean move away," he asked his voice suddenly hoarse.

She looked up, her eyes full of sorrow, "Angelo and I moving to Chicago."

She almost sighed when she said the words. All she'd done since agreeing to the move had been repeat them over and over -- to herself.

She hadn't said them out loud -- ever -- and the look on Dom's face reminded her why.

"Your what!?!" he hissed at her, pulling away.

She sat up straighter, her eyes wide with sudden fear, "You can't tell anyone Dom, no one knows... I don't..." she paused, taking in deep breath, dashing at the tears with the back of her hand, "I don't even know why I told you... it's just... I don't want Mia to find out now... and... I know it means she'll have less time to get used to the idea, but she'll be so upset... and I don't think I could really make her feel better since... since I'm kinda upset too...." she trailed off.

He was staring at her, "Is he making you do this?" he asked his voice tight.

Hoping she'd say yes, so he'd have a reason to kill the guy.

She shook her head no, her eyes not meeting his.

"Promise me you won't say anything..." she pleaded suddenly, desperation in her eyes.

"Letty..."

She sighed, miserably, "I don't even know why I told you..." she regretted again.

He stared at her a moment, she looked dejected all of sudden, and his breath caught. He didn't want to make her sad... he was trying to be nice to her.

"You told me because I asked," he said, reaching out to wipe away the remnants of her tears, "I won't tell, Letty, I promise."

She nodded, meeting his eyes, feeling his fingers on her face, letting it soothe her.

He always could.

Soothe her, make her feel calm, even if the world was falling apart around them.

He was right, she'd told because he'd asked.

It was that simple...

....had always been that simple...

...had always been the problem.

He'd ask for forgiveness, she'd give it.

He'd say he'd never do it again, she'd believe him.

He'd say it was going to be okay, she'd trusted that it would be.

He was doing it now.

Gently smoothing her cheek, caressing her with those dark eyes, telling her it was going to be okay, that he was there, so everything would be okay.

And god help her... she sniffled... she believed him.

===========================================================

The kids had interrupted the moment, with Leon close on their heels. Letty had been ready to fly apart, Dom hadn't.

The hand at her cheek had slid to her arm and suddenly she'd found herself hauled up to her feet as he was proclaiming that, 'sure he'd walk her upstairs'.

The kids and Leon stared at him like he'd gone insane, Letty too, until they'd reached the base of the stairs and he whispered, "Go wash your face before somebody asks why you've been crying."

The smile that touched her lips was grateful... and sweet... and confused...

....what was going on with him?

He'd left her there after that, walked out the front door, leaving her with a tearstained face and a heart that was telling her something she didn't want to hear.

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"Where's Letty?" Dom asked a few hours later as he surveyed the yard.

Vince and Leon were playing cards at the table, where Mia was sipping iced tea. The kids were playing jump rope and Brian was setting out the things needed to resume yesterday's barbecue.

"She's taking a shower," Mia answered him without looking up, "Apparently she and Angelo are headed off to some dinner later."

Dom's eyes narrowed, "We're having a cookout."

She shrugged carelessly, "It's business and Angelo hates the barbecue's anyway, so he doesn't care."

"Letty cares," Dom argued.

Mia sighed, finally looking up to meet his gaze, "Letty doesn't fight him on business things."

Dom remained silent, turning around he headed back inside.

He took the stairs two at a time, and stood outside the bathroom door.

Okay, Einstein, now what?

Good question, now what?

He stared at the door, listening to the sound of rushing water. Now what? He wasn't going to go in there... that would probably not go over to well...

Staring at the door, he realized the question was quite applicable to his whole relationship with Letty.... Now what?

He wanted her, but that's as far as his reasoning had gone.

Marriage would be great, but she was engaged to someone else. He had a son, a business, a wife - yeah she was an ex-wife, but still the mother of his child.

He had a life that wasn't here.

And she had a life that was taking her away from here.

And together they had a past that would never go away.

Turning he leaned his back against the wall, and sighed, why did everything have to be so complicated.

It didn't use to be complicated, the voice reminded him, You had your chance at uncomplicated.

He'd had his chance... there had been a time when she'd loved him and he'd loved her.

A time when she'd belonged to him and he to her.

A time when there had been nothing in the way of that.

Nothing except his idiotic belief that they had time. That he could do it tomorrow, say it tomorrow. That things would always be the same.

He'd been wrong. Things didn't stay the same. Time was unforgiving and with it's passage it brought forth complications.

The door opened, suddenly, but he didn't move instead inhaled the scent of vanilla that he knew was her favorite.

He remembered how she'd kept bottles of the soap in the bathroom, of the perfume in their bedroom, of the lotion at the garage...

She loved it and he loved it... because it was her....

The smell comforted him now.

Maybe...

Not all things changed.

She stepped out, her hair dripping wet, wearing tiny shorts, a wife beater, and no shoes. Pausing before turning, she ran a hand through the wet mass of hair on her head.

"So no barbecue for you tonight, huh?" he asked.

She jumped back, her hands flying out in front of her, "What the fuck is wrong with you Dom!!!!" she screeched at him, "...you wanna give me a freakin heart attack!!" she finished angrily.

He grinned, "Of course not,"

"It's the second time you do that, cut it out!" she said glaring at him.

"Kay," he agreed amiably, "So no barbecue today?" he asked again.

She shook her head, heading towards Mia's room, he followed.

"I have a business dinner to go to," she said a little warily. In the bedroom she went to the dresser and pulled out brushes and a hair dryer.

"Do you need something Dom?" she asked, wanting him to leave her alone. She wasn't in a good mood, not after having broken down in front of him; not after having trusted him with one of her secrets.

He's always guarded your secrets well... the voice reminded her.

Thankfully he broke into her thoughts before she had a chance to examine just how true that single thought was.

"Do you like your business Letty?" he asked.

"Of course," she answered, glancing at him quickly, "I love it."

"That's why you're moving cause you love it so much," he said a touch of reproach in his tone.

The glance turned into a glare as she went to the door and shut it firmly, "Don't talk about that," she said a little angrily, "What if someone had been walking by?"

"You can't keep it a secret forever."

"I don't plan too - just until the baby's born," she told him, her voice irritated, he had no right to rebuke her.

He frowned at her, "So you're just gonna leave, right when Mia needs you - "

"Why not?" she cut him off, "You did?" she spat at him, doing nothing to hide the bitterness, the resentment in her tone, "You left right when we needed you. Why can't I!"

His fist clenched, this was not going well, "You left too Letty. I know you did."

"Yeah, but I came back Dom." she spit out, "You didn't."

"I'm here aren't I!"

She turned away from him quickly, "Your too late," she whispered.

"What?" he asked, his brows furrowing as he took a step towards her.

"Nothing, I just.... get out please. I have to do my hair."

He stared at her, studied her again. The hair dripping on the carpet, the shorts clinging to her long brown legs, the wife-beater revealing the curve of her chest.... the mouth drawn into a tight line, the anger evident in her stance... the hint of uncertainty in her eyes...

"I wanted to go out for a drive with you," he rumbled out.

It took a moment for the words to register with her, when they did, her entire poise shifted and her mouth dropped in a silent 'O' , before she whispered, "Why?"

He smiled softly, shrugging, "We used to," he continued, "...remember? Back when we were friends... we were friends once Letty... remember?"

She stared at him an instant before nodding dumbly, a funny feeling filling her body.

"It wouldn't be so bad to get that back, to try for that... so I wanted us to go, before the barbecue..." Reaching out he tugged on a strand of damp hair, "It's too bad you can't."

She said nothing, so taking another step forward, he whispered, "Rain check?"

And she found herself nodding, her eyes wide, as she envisioned herself with Dom in a car.

They'd gone out for drives in the beginning. When she'd still been in her teens, he'd taken her to places - no where special. Just to get ice cream or sit on the beach or walk the board walk.

They would drive into the next county and that single part of the day --the drive -- would be the best part.

Because she'd gotten her two favorite things in one: Speed and Dom all to herself.

It had been intoxicating and the memory of it blocked out everything else.

"Good, we'll go tomorrow," he said firmly.

Then very slowly brought the strand of hair up to his lips, "I'll see you outside," he said lovingly.

Turning he left the room, closing the door behind him, and leaving Letty trembling with that same feeling she'd been getting all day.

He was telling her something.

The looks, the words, hell, even the actions...

He was telling her something loud and clear; and she knew what it was. Deep inside she knew it, felt it, relished it.

But her conscience self wouldn't allow her to accept it.

She was happy.

Taking a deep, steadying breath she made her way back to the dresser.

She was happy.

And it was too late....

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Angelo was pacing the yard, checking his watch every three seconds, and attempting, with little luck, to avoid the smoke coming from the barbecue.

Brian and Dom were watching amused from beside the grill.

"I think I'm gonna go offer him a beer," Dom said a small grin on his face as he started to move.

"He doesn't drink," Brian offered.

"I know," he responded.

Brian laughed, "Do what you want, but watch the grill too. I wanna go check on Mia."

Brian was a few steps away when he realized that by him leaving, Dom and Angelo would be alone outside.

"Don't hurt'm please. Mia made us all promise not too, the first time Vince swung at him and Letty got pissed."

Dom smirked, "I didn't promise."

"Dom," Brian warned.

"I'll try. It's the best I can do."

Brian sighed, considering the wisdom of leaving.

"Just go," Dom encouraged.

"I'll be right back," he said nervously. Wishing Leon or Vince or even Sonya would show up.

"Want a beer?" Dom asked a few minutes later, as he walked over to Angelo.

The man glared at him, "I. Don't. Drink." he said slowly, his green eyes flaming.

Dom smiled, "Right... I forgot," he said as he took a drink, his entire stance telling Angelo he hadn't.

The air between them was tense with palpable dislike.

"I'm ready," a soft voice said between them.

He looked down...

His breath caught for a moment. He'd never seen her like this. Taking a step back so he could see her fully, he marveled at the clear-as-glass fact that his racer babe had truly and fully disappeared.

The dress was a long, a pale gray silk that clung to all the right places. It had tiny, black, spidery vines crawling up and around it with slight straps at her shoulders to hold it up.

Her hair was up, with a single strand... the one he'd kissed... touching her face.

She was stylish and graceful, and elegant, and the polar opposite of what she'd been.

"What took you so long?" Angelo hissed as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

She started... she'd been as caught up in Dom's gaze as he'd been with gazing at her.

"I..." she mumbled as she faced her fiancée, "I..." then frowning she said, "I'm early. You said reservations were for 7:30, it's barely 6:00."

"We have to do cocktails, Letty," he said frustration shining through his voice.

He surveyed her, coolly, nothing like the way Dom had, "The dark blue would have been better don't you think?"

Letty shrugged, "Your golden girl chose it."

Angelo's eyes narrowed, "Victoria does the best she can Letty. If you took a more active interest in your wardrobe her job wouldn't be so difficult."

Letty sighed, not wanting to get into an argument in front of Dom, she turned to face him again and found that he had been waiting for her.

His eyes met hers instantly and he said softly, his eyes burning with intensity, "You look divine."

Absentmindedly, she felt Angelo tighten his hold on her, but at the moment all she knew were his eyes.

Eyes from her past....

"Thank you," she croaked out, her mouth suddenly dry.

He smiled sweetly at her, not an ounce of pretense, "You're very welcome. I'm sure you've heard it often, but I've got to say it anyway, you're beautiful."

"It's good to hear it from you though," the words were out before she could stop them. She wanted to cut her tongue out.

He just smiled, "You could hear that and much more if you wanted to," he said, then tipped his beer at Angelo and casually walked towards the house.

As if he hadn't just flirted with his ex-girlfriend in front of her fiancé.

Letty just stared after him, her face flushed, her eyes wide. Her heart thumping in her chest as that part of her -- the one deep inside -- shouted out the message he was telling her. The message she was afraid to see.

"What the hell was that?" Angelo growled in her ear.

His arm still firmly around her waist, she turned out of his arms. "What was what?" she asked, her expression as guileless as she could manage.

His eyes narrowed, "What was..."

"L-w-etty..." Taylor interrupted softly, tapping her leg with one hand as he held cup of soda in the other; he extended his small foot forward, "...can you ple-w-ase tie my shoe?"

Letty looked down at him a smile on her face as she prepared to kneel down. Angelo was faster though, "Are you blind, kid? Can't you see she's busy? Get lost..."

Taylor took a small step back, his eyes wide with alarm, "I jus..." he began, Angelo cut him off.

"I said get lost!" he yelled motioning with his hand - and knocking the cup from Taylor's grasp.

The cup flew out of his hand, spilling the bubbly dark fizz across the patio and splattering over his clothes.

Taylor stared up at the tall man in the suit, before his eyes filled with tears, and he turned to run away. No one had spoken to him like that since coming to his Auntie Mia's and he'd forgotten how to listen to it without letting it hurt his feelings.

He was halfway to the house when he felt Letty grab his arm gently, turning him to face her.

"I'm so...s-w-orry," he said as the tears spilled out.

He wanted his Daddy.

The pale silk rippled as she knelt in front of him, her eyes as kind and gentle as they'd been since the day he met her, "No, no, baby, you don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong, kay..."

He sniffled shaking his head, "You busy and I.... I so-w-rry..."

"I'm never too busy for you or girls, kay, I want you to stay right here for a minute," she soothed.

"...bu..."

"Right here, kay,"

He nodded, "kay."

She smiled sweetly at him. The instant he couldn't see her anymore the smile vanished from her face. Walking back towards Angelo it took every restraint she had to keep from breaking his nose.

Her eyes burned as she glared at him, "Don't you ever talk to him like that again..."

"...Letty..."

"EVER again Angelo, because I swear you'll see a side of me you can't even imagine exists."

She glared at him a moment longer, making sure he understood he was not to follow her, before turning around and stalking over to the little boy. In one smooth motion she lifted him into her arms and settled him against hip.

Reaching the table she sat with him on lap. Watch the dress, something told her, she ignored at as she looked into the boys eyes. They were no longer filled with tears. Instead they were dark, darker than she'd ever seen them.

"Which shoe did you need tied, sweetie?" she asked him. He didn't say anything just very slowly extended his foot.

As she tied it, he spoke to her in a very quiet, solemn voice she hadn't heard since the day she'd been introduced to him.

"I would'a asked daddy or Uncle Brian but d'they's was busy. An' Uncle Leon an Uncle Vee not here an Auntie Mia is nappin an I not supposed to 'other her. I didn't know you was busy too. I s-w-orr - "

"You don't have to apologize, Taylor. It wasn't your fault. Angelo's in a bad mood and he took it out on you. Do understand what that means?" she asked after a moment.

He nodded, "He mad at everybody for nothin," Taylor explained, "...it's somethin grownups do."

Letty smiled, "Your dad told you that?" she asked.

"Yeah, my mommy gets mad like that," he answered, then added, "I'm so-w-rry anyways..."

"You didn't do anything wrong, lil T. You have nothing to be sorry about, okay."

He stared at a her a moment before nodding as a huge grin covered his face. She smiled back ready to take him back inside when suddenly he threw his arms around her neck and cuddled against her.

She was shocked stiff for a moment -- he'd never done that -- never hugged her.

After a moment though, she wrapped him securely in hug, closing her eyes as she smelled his baby scent.

"I love you, L-w-etty," he whispered in her ear.

The breath left her in gasp. The sweetness, the seriousness, the absolute sincerity in those words robbing her of breath.

"I love you too," she whispered back, realizing how true the words were. She was going to be as heartbroken as Mia when he left.

She pressed a kiss to the side of his little face, holding him tightly.

He sighed happily as he pulled away, "I'm gonna go get anoth'der soda.'

She nodded releasing him, "Okay honey."

She watched as he ran to the house, once he was inside her gaze sought out Angelo. He was on his cell phone, a scowl firmly in place.

And things had been going so well... She thought miserably.

He wanted her complete devotion to him and the business, and she was willing to give it...

...just not yet.

Why couldn't he understand that?

She was leaving with him...

... going to be all his... forever,

In a city where she'd know no one, be no one...

...a city where she'd be completely dependent on him...

What more did he want?

Her thoughts turned to Dom suddenly. What was up with him? He'd been acting strange lately.

She flushed just thinking of the way he'd been looking at her earlier...

...undressing her with his eyes...

...reminding her that he knew every curve, every line of her body...

He remembers, and he wants you to too, the voice told her, he wants you to remember how good it used to be...

That's what he'd said about the nacho pizza's he'd made, but he'd been talking about something else.

She'd felt it then, she knew it now.

He was talking about them, about how good they used to be.

Sighing, she stood and stretched a little, noticing the dress was wrinkled.

It was too late, she told herself, too late.

She was happy.

Intent on making her way over to Angelo, her eyes were drawn away from the business man to the patio door which flew open with so much force it slammed against the side of the house.

Through it strode Dom.

Dom with furry in his eyes.

Fury directed Angelo who was too engrossed in conversation to realize the imminent danger he was in.

A glance behind him showed a worried Mia holding the hand of a wide-eyed Taylor, as she maneuvered the boy inside, so he wouldn't see what his father was about to do.

Shit, she thought, as she headed over to Angelo. Knowing Dom would reach him first -- especially since she was in heels -- but just hoping she'd make it in time to stop the murder.

By the time she got there, Dom had Angelo by the neck and shoved up against the fence, "You wanna smack things outa ma kids hand, huh? Your a tough guy?"

They were rhetorical questions since he was blocking Angelo's airway and the man couldn't breath let alone talk; he was turning colors.

"Dom let him go, let him go, Dom," Letty tried as she grabbed onto his shoulder to push away.

She couldn't.

"The ass yelled at my son," Dom gritted out, shoving the nearly unconscious Angelo against the wall every other word.

"Let him go! You're strangling him!! LET HIM GO!" Letty screeched.

"He deserves it."

"Let him go or I'm gonna knock you on your ass Dom!" she yelled at him moving to his other, "I'm not lettin you go to jail over this!" She was pulling at his other arm.

He glanced at her quickly and finally released the man.

Angelo doubled over, trying to catch his breath.

"What the hells wrong with you?" Letty yelled, shoving Dom back, as she bent to see if Angelo was okay.

Dom ran a hand over his head, shaking it, clenching his fists. He was going to leave had already turned around.

"If you... if you taught the kid some manners... it wouldn't've happened..." Angelo gasped out before Letty could stop him.

Dom bit down hard on his lip.

It didn't help.

In one swift motion he turned and delivered a solid fist to Angelo's face, dropping him to the ground.

He didn't wait to hear Letty yell at him or to see the guys face swell up, although that would have been. He just turned and left.

Letty watched him, ignoring Angelo's groans for the moment.

She couldn't blame him, she'd felt the urge to deck the guy twice today.

She looked down at him, he was sitting up, "The guys a Neanderthal; I'm gonna take him to court, he can't go around attacking people like rabid animal... I'm gonna sue his ass...."

Letty kneeled down in front of him like she'd done with Taylor earlier, "He's not a Neanderthal, he's a dad," she said simply, then reached out to help him stand, "And no your not," she said firmly.

"I know you don't have much experience with kids, but let me give you a pointer," she said when he was up, "It doesn't matter whether it's a mother or a father, whether they're 4'9 or 6'3, do that to a kid and you can expect to get messed up."

His hand was still holding his side, "The kid is..."

"...probably the best behaved three year old on the planet," she cut him off.

He tried to glared at her, but found the process to be to painful.

"Let me see," she said softly after a minute, moving his hand away. She winced the whole side of his face was one swollen mass that was changing colors.

It had to hurt, but she honestly couldn't find any real sympathy inside herself for him.

"You had no right to yell at that boy," she said as she pulled out of the yard and towards the door. He needed to put ice on that.

Angelo remained silent. Thankfully the kitchen was empty as Letty put ice cubes in a small towel.

"I know," he said quietly as he took it.

She just watched him as he pressed the ice to his face, "You're not suing him," she repeated.

He stared at her, after a moment he asked her, "Why because he's your best friends brother or because he used to be your lover?"

She leaned back as if he'd slapped her.

"Just how involved were you two," he continued, his gaze hard.

"Angelo..."

"Don't give me bull shit Letty. I want the truth."

The truth...

"We were together from my sixteenth birthday until three months after my twenty-second. I've known him since I was nine. And he was my first..." she paused, meeting his eyes and holding his gaze, "...everything."

He was silent a moment, digesting the information, "Everything?" he asked.

She nodded, "Crush, kiss, boyfriend... lover. My first everything," she said softly. Her gaze never wavering.

He nodded slowly, "What happened?"

It wavered now, suddenly, she couldn't look him in the eyes anymore, "We broke up," she said her voice hoarse.

"Why?"

"Because..." she cut herself off, sighing. Anger and frustration evident in her every move, she stood quickly, "...because we did! It's none of your business! It was over before I met you and that's all you need to know."

"Letty - "

"Can we go please?"

"Go?!" he asked shocked, "I'm not going looking like this! What am I supposed to tell them!"

"FINE," she gritted out, "I'LL GO," at the moment she just wanted to get out of the house while everyone seemed to be busy doing something else.

He stood, nodding, "I'll drop you off."

They were at the door when Vince and Leon opened it.

"Whoa Warden, what the hell happened to you?" Vince commented.

Leon opened his mouth to do the same, but a look from Letty silenced him.

"Don't ask," she growled, grabbing Angelo's arm and pulling him out of the house.

Vince and Leon stared after her.

Slowly they faced each other -- grinning. It didn't take a genius to figure it out, one solid punch that made you face feel like it was gonna explode was Dom's trade mark.

It was time to add money to the betting pool....

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