Chapter 5- Happy Birthday Letty, My Girl!

School finally let out and summer was in full bloom. Mia helped out a lot at the Store and I helped Tony and the boys out at his garage. I worked the week away, sweating and slaving away on people's cars. The good part about it all was that Tony's customers would tip me for my hard work. I would end each day with a little over 20 dollars in my pocket. Dom and Vince earned a lot more but that was because they officially worked there. I was just a volunteer helper.

Days passed by and before I knew it, I was being awakened by Tony's gentle voice.

"Wake up, birthday girl. It's time to get ready for the hearing."

I snapped awake and sat up quickly. I had completely lost track of the days. I couldn't believe today was the day.

I got up, showered, and got dressed. I refused to dress up for my hearing so I just slipped on some jeans and a black tank top. Tony raised a brow in disapproval when I came downstairs for breakfast but I shrugged him off and took my seat..

"Happy Birthday, Letty." Vince punched me lightly on the shoulder as he got up and got out some cereal. "I owe you 13 more."

I reached out and hit him before looking over at Mia who was beaming proudly at me.

"Happy Birthday Letty! Dad said that you could open your presents after the hearing. We're gonna barbeque afterwards, anyways."

I nearly choked on my orange juice. "Pres.sents?" I coughed out as I set my drink back down. I never got presents for my birthday. My father didn't have the money to splurge on me and my mother and brothers never even acknowledged my birthday. Christmas was the only time in the year that I recevied gifts.

Dom laughed as I half choked, half coughed and patted me lightly on the back.

"Yeah, you know. Those little boxes that have neat shit inside of them and they're all wrapped up and decorated with a pretty little b—OW!"

I kicked him hard in the shin and shot him a cold look.

"I know what they are, stupid. I just didn't think that I was going to be getting any. I never did before."

"That was then and this is now." Mia said in a matter-of-factly voice.

"I guess so."

We all got kind of wild during breakfast. I don't know what it was but we were all hyper. Vince overflowed his cereal bowl with milk and Dom was experimenting what strawberry poptarts would taste like when dipped in orange juice. We all tried it and spit it out at the same time. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard before.

It was 9:45 by the time we got in the car and headed off. Tony was in a foul mood because we were going to be late but I just told him he was worrying too much. Nah, he was nervous. He was hella nervous and I was too. My heart was racing and it only quickened its pace when we all stepped inside the courtroom.

We all took our seats after the Judge took his and waited quietly for the session to begin. I hardly recognized my mother. She looked pale and fragile. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was actually trying to fight for me. That bitch just couldn't let go. She actually missed abusing me!

I lowered my head into my hands and blocked out everything that was going on. I pictured myself sitting alone in my room, staring up at the stars. I stared up at them every night in hopes that maybe some day…some night, I'll catch a glimpse of my father up in the sky. I would be satisfied with just a simple sign that told me he was happy and that he was okay. Just one sign, God. That's all I want.

I snapped back into reality for a brief second and noticed that the hearing was still going on. I quickly closed my eyes and went back into my daze. There I was again, staring up at the stars, waiting for my sign. Waiting for my papa. I leaned back against the wall as I sat on the windowsill, searching the never-ending sky.

And finally I saw it. I sat up quickly, resting my gaze on the shooting star that traveled the sky. A voice in my head was telling me that it was just a shooting star but I knew better. It was my sign. It was him.

"LETTY! LETTY! GET UP! WE WON, WE WON!" I heard Mia suddenly cry out.

I jerked up and looked around. Tony and the others were beaming down at me. Mia was jumping up and down wildly. I shot up, once I realized what had happened,and hugged Tony tightly as he picked me up, returning the hug.

"We won, Tony! You did it! Oh my god, we did it!"

Tony laughed and twirled me about happily. "Happy Birthday Letty, my girl. Happy Birthday!

After we got home, everyone was in an uproar. We all helped out in preparing lunch. Tony was barbequing with Dom and Vince and Mia and I were preparing the side dishes. Once Mia and I finished up we all sat around outside, celebrating away. Tony let us have 1 Corona each and together we made a toast to each other…to my new family.

"Let's open presents now!" Mia chimed in and got up, moving over to the small picnic table that was behind us and brought over my gifts. There more than 4 presents so I knew someone, probably Tony, bought more than he should have. I blushed and took the first one, carefully tearing off the card and read it.

'As much as I hate to admit it, you're pretty good with cars. V.'

I smiled and ripped off the wrapping and then opened up the box. Inside there were 5 car magazines. I smiled and shot up, hugging V. He hugged back shortly and the cried out.

"Ahh! Get her off, dawg! Chill out, Letty!"

I peeled myself off him and giggled, moving back over to my seat. I picked up my next present and read the card.

'Don't think this is my way of saying that you can hang out in my room. Dom.'

I rolled my eyes and unwrapped the present, nearly falling over when I opened up the box. Inside was a light purple/magenta model of my favorite car: A Nissan Silvia 240SX. I looked pretty much everywhere to find a model of this car but none of the stores had them in stock.

"Holy shit, Dom! How'd you—"

Dom smiled at the expression on my face and leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

"It was mine. I knew how much you loved the car and since you're not old enough to drive yet, I figured a model would do for now."

I smiled and hugged him tightly and then quickly stepped back when I felt him shift to pull me away.

I moved on to Mia's and read the hand made card. It was decorated in swirls of pink, pink, and more pink.

'Happy Birthday, Letty! I hope my present isn't too girly for you. Love ya lots, Mia.'

Uh oh. Too girly? That would mean the present would have to be slightly girly to start off with and that worried me. I unwrapped the present and opened the box. Inside there were 4 beautiful silver rings, a hand-made beaded choker, a wrist cuff watch and a golden bracelet that had my name imprinted on the long bead that rested in the in the middle of the gold loop. Weird. I didn't find anything girly about her gifts. In fact, I liked them a lot.

"I love them, Mia. Thank you!" I hugged her and then put on the necklace, adjusting it so that the silver chain that held my dog tags came and overlapped the beaded choker.

"Perfect." Mia said sweetly.

I then slid the rings, placing one on my right index finger and middle finger and the other two on my left index finger and the other on my ring finger. I then slid my cuff watch on my left wrist and the gold bracelet on my right.

"Nice." Dom commented and I smiled, blushing softly.

"Next gift!" I said as I eyed the last two gifts that were on the table still. One was a very small box and the other was a medium sized one.

I picked up the smallest box and read the card. Tony stopped grilling and came over, smiling proudly.

"The card isn't exactly updated. You'll catch on though."

I nodded slightly and read on.

'Even if I lose the case in a couple of days, I want you to have these and know that from now on, my door will always be open for you. We all love you so much, Letty.'

My hands shook softly as I lowered the card and picked up the small box. I unwrapped it and slipped off the lid, gasping when my eyes fell on the 3 objects that rested inside.

There was a little card inside that had the words 'Workers Permit' in big bold letters. Underneath that it had my full name, my address, which happened to be the Toretto's, and Tony's signature on it.

"Oh my god…" I breathed out. I then grabbed the two keys and looked them over. One was silver and the other was gold. The silver key was labeled 'Home' and the Gold key was labeled 'Garage' in tiny print. I quickly looked up at Tony and let out a shaky breath. Everything became blurry through the watery haze that clouded my vision. I blinked away the tears and smiled weakly. I was speechless.

Tony came over and slid his arm over my shoulders. He reached out and grabbed the last present, and handed it to me. I took it and slowly unwrapped it. Mia was beaming up at me. I guess she knew what was inside.

I opened the box and coughed out a weak laugh.

"No shit…" I picked up the picture frame and stared at the picture. Tony, Dom, Mia and Vince were all posed in a silly fashion, holding up a large sign that read: Happy Birthday Letty!

I set the picture down and spun around, hugging Tony tightly. He laughed and picked me up, twirling me in his arms like he did at the courtroom. When I pulled away Dom and Vince quickly stood up. They grabbed me by my arms and legs and carried me over to the grassy yard. I was so confused because Mia was just sitting there, laughing her ass off and Tony went back to grilling.

"Jesus, what the hell are you doing? Let me go, Dom! Vince, knock it off!" They tackled me to the ground and Dom started tickling me. Vince on the other hand, playfully gave me the 13 punches he promised me this morning. I squirmed beneath them, laughing too hard to put up a good fight. Mia came over and joined in, only to be tackled to the ground by Vince and get assaulted with tickles.

"T-Tony, come get your son off of me!" I squealed out while Dom continued to tickle me some more.

We all wrestled for a bit after that, ate, and then we all retreated back inside once the sun fully disappeared behind the hills. Everyone stayed up to watch a movie but I had too much excitement for one day. I said my good nights and then headed upstairs to collapse in my bed.

I changed into my pajamas and then took my usual spot on the windowsill and stared up at the stars but tonight I wasn't looking for my Papa or a simple sign from him. I was looking for that shooting star I daydreamed this morning. I heard a faint knock at the door and I looked over, seeing Dom standing in the doorway. I smiled over at him as he took a seat beside me on the windowsill and stared out the window.

I looked over at him and nudged him gently with my foot. "Why thehell are you in my room?" I tried mocking the sarcastic cold tone he had in his voice the night I peeked into his room.

He laughed and slowly got up, grabbing my hand to stand me up. I stood and looked up at him, my smile immediately fading away. He pulled me close…so close. I gazed into the warm brown pools and let out a shaky breath. I wanted to kiss him so bad. I wanted to tell him that I loved him so much but I couldn't. I didn't know how.

He led me over to the bed and helped me get in under the covers. He tucked me in and smiled down at me before turning and walking away. That's it? That's all he wanted to do? What the hell?

I sat up quickly and blurted out, "I love you!"

He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned back around to face me. I laid back down and let out a long sigh.

"Yeah…good night." I rolled over and closed my eyes, furious with myself.

Dom smiled and took a seat on the edge of my bed. I opened my eyes and looked over at him, surprised that he didn't leave. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead softly before pulling away, his big warm hand resting on top of mine.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you, Letty. You know that right?"

I nodded weakly, unsure of how else to reply.

"Happy Birthday, Letty."

"Thanks…" I whispered softly. I was sad that I never got an "I love you, too" out of him.

He got up and walked out, closing the door behind me. I sighed and buried my head in my pillows, mentally scolding myself over and over for telling him that I loved him. I was even more mad at myself for implying that he felt the same way. How stupid of me!

I rolled over and sighed, closing my eyes tightly.

Dom's promise was already broken. Unknown to him, he was hurting me. Oh, how he was hurting me.