A/N: I just reread the last chapter and it was AWFUL. I'll be editing it, but in the meantime:


Part VII

Rosedale Cemetery

"How come you never told that love was going to be this hard, Dad?" Letty sat with her back to the headstone. It was cooler than she'd expected, so she shoved her hand in the pockets of her hoodie. She came here often to think, and to voice her thoughts aloud without feeling insane or judged. He never would have judged her when he was alive. And the advice? God, she missed the advice. There were times when he would reaffirm exactly what she had been feeling, and others that made her really think before she reacted. That wasn't her strong suit. Letty was the kind of person who reacted first and talked things out later. And so was Dom. That's how they ended up in this mess.

"I know life doesn't come with an instruction manual, but Jesus H." She huffed and leaned her back a little too hard. "Ow." Letty rubbed her head underneath of her skully hat and sighed, looking to the sky.

"Is this your way of trying to knock some sense into me?"

The brunette took one hand out of her hoodie pocket and stroked the soft petals of the flowers she'd brought.

She came here because she couldn't go to her own father. Even if she could, she wouldn't. He had been an alcoholic who hit Letty's mother. On Letty's fifteenth birthday, he took a swing at her. She'd ducked it and with quick reflexes punched him square in the nose. He never tried to hit her again. And as far as her mother, well, Letty became her coach, teaching her self-defense moves. Eventually, he drank himself into an early grave and while she and her mother hadn't lived happily ever after, it was close enough.

They weren't extremely close, but the love was there. Alex, Letty's mom, doted on Mateo as if he was still a baby. Candy, toys, soccer paraphernalia. Anything he wanted, Alex was sure to get for him. In the beginning, she was always around, constantly fussing over Letty's huge belly and making sure she ate and slept right. When Mateo was born, Letty swore he was going to think Alex was his mom. She did everything for him and for Letty and Dom.

But when things went downhill with their marriage and fighting with Dom wasn't enough to quell Letty's rage, she began to take things out on her mom. In their last argument, Letty rudely reminded Alex that she was only his grandmother and should stay out of the parenting. Then, Alex became a holiday grandmother. She saw Mateo on birthdays, thanksgivings, Christmases and New Years. She wanted to keep a safe distance from the small family. Letty had no clue, but Mateo and Alex spoke often. And the longer Letty waited to call her in between holidays and birthdays, the more guilty she felt, until eventually those occasions were the only time they spoke. It was wrong, she knew. But she was turning over a new leaf, hopefully along every path in her life.

That meant reconnecting with Alex. She didn't know if it would include a rejection or a celebration. Letty only knew that it was necessary.

So, she pulled herself up to her feet and kissed her fingertips before placing them against the name Anthony.

"Love you, Dad. See you soon."


Dom's house, Saturday, 2:30PM

"So, top two?" Letty asked Dom.

"Top two." He agreed with a nod. They tapped their beer bottles against each other.

"Should I call and set up a meet with both of them?" Letty asked.

"I'll call and set one up with the first one. I don't want to waste the other one's time if we decide that this one is the one we want."

"Fair enough." Letty replied and drank from her beer. "So…"

Dom looked up from the paper he had been studying and dropped it in front of him. "What's wrong?"

Letty tinkered with the raised logo of the Corona bottle. "I was thinking about calling Mom."

His eyebrows raised but he remained silent.

"I just feel like if we are going to work on being okay, then I should work on being okay with her too."

"I think that's a great idea, Let."

"Really? I'm not insane?"

"Well, I never said that." He teased. Letty untucked her legs and used her foot to shove his shoulder. Dom grabbed her to defend himself and held it firmly in his hand, chuckling. "But I think it's a good thing. You and your mom have been through a lot together."

"Plus she's Mateo's grandmother. He should be able to see her more."

"I'm not saying that's not something important, but I think you and Alex's relationship should be the focus here. Stop using Mateo as a shield. If you want this, let this be for you. You worry about everyone else and never about yourself."

"It's easier to focus on everyone else's bullshit."

"Yeah, but that's not healthy."

She grinned. "It's like I should be in therapy or something."

Dom smiled at her, his thumb rubbing soft circles against her ankle. "She says with no irony."

Letty refrained from rolling her eyes and instead reached for the paper that Dom had dropped.

"This one first?"

"Yeah."

"Did you make the schedule for next week?"

"It's your turn to make the schedule."

"Shit." She told him, her eyes widening.

"Well just use the schedule from this week."

"I'll have to check vacation times to see if anyone requested off."

It was insane, really, how Dom and Letty could be managers of DT's and Toretto Family Market without complaint, but they couldn't manage their personal lives. They effortlessly traded off days as management at the shop and the corner market, making sure everyone got the shifts they wanted and the paychecks they deserved.

"Should I be cutting hours at the market? I know you said things aren't the best at the shop right now."

"I think we'll be fine."

"I told you so."

"Couldn't wait to say that, could you?"

"Nope."

"Speaking of money, have you checked on Rosa and Nico lately? She didn't sound too good the last time I spoke with her."

"I know. I wish she would consider moving here."

"The DR is her home. We can't rip her or Nico away from all of the memories she shared with Vince."

"I know."

"I'll have Tej wire her a safety net, just in case."

Dom nodded. "Good."

Letty looked at the time on the cable box. "Shit, I have to go get Mateo from Mia's."

"Want me to get him so you can work on the schedule?"

Letty looked beyond relieved. "You would do that?"

Dom looked at her like she had three heads. "He's my son."

"I just meant," Letty stopped herself and instead said, "thank you."


Letty's, 6:20PM

She'd just finished working on the schedule when her doorbell rang. Assuming it was Mateo, Letty shut her MacBook and sat it on the opposite end of the couch before hopping up to answer the door.

"I hope you didn't lose your key again, little boy." She said as she opened the door. "Owen? Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I figured I'd surprise you and Mateo with dinner." He held up two bags full of Chinese takeout.

"You definitely have the surprise aspect down pat." She told him. "Mateo isn't here though."

"More takeout for us, then." Owen smiled.

Realizing that she was being rude, Letty snapped out of it and opened the door a little more to allow him to enter. She led him into the dining room where he began to unpack the food. Letty retrieved plates and eating utensils from the kitchen and brought them back.

"This was really nice of you. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure. Anything to get to see you again."

Letty smiled before quickly bowing her head to give thanks for the meal. As they tucked into the delicacies that Owen brought with him, he asked "Where is Mateo?"

"Dom picked him up from his aunt and uncle's house." Letty replied. "I had some work to complete."

"Did I interrupt?"

"No, I was finishing up when you arrived."

"Good, because I need your undivided attention."

"Okay?" Letty replied, unsure.

"There is a fundraiser that my company sponsors every year to honor the men and women who fight bravely for this city." He tried to gauge Letty's reaction, but she gave nothing away. "The Los Angeles Police and Fireman's Ball is in two weeks. I was hoping you'd do me the honor of being my date?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I mean, I'd love to, but I don't own a single gown."

"Let me worry about the details. Just say yes."

"Yes."

"Fantastic."

"Now, I have something to ask you."

"I'm all ears," responded Owen as he put a forkful of broccoli into his mouth.

"Why me?"

"Because you're witty and charming and absolutely stunning. I can't think of a single soul I'd rather have by my side they evening."

"You're not so bad yourself."

The sound of the door opening and Mateo shouting his arrival was music to Letty's ears. She loved hearing him come home.

"Mom, you'll never guess what happened!"

Letty turned to the living room and saw Mateo rounding the corner of the front hall. Dom was right behind him. Letty swallowed roughly, unsure of how this exchange was going to end.

"Hello, my love." Mateo raced to stand beside his mother and kissed her cheek. "Say hello."

"Hi, Owen!"

"My main man, Mateo!" Owen put his fist out and Mateo bumped it.

"Dom," she started as he walked further into the house, "you remember—."

"Owen, yeah. Can't forget him." He said and the genuine smile he had in the living room became forced and tight. Dom handed Mateo his backpack.

"Go get your clothes, kid." He told his son.

"Clothes?"

"I'm taking my son for the night."

"Yeah! That's what I was trying to tell you. Papí got us tickets to see LA Galaxy play Toronto!"

"He did, did he?"

"Yup!"

"Well, isn't he just the best dad in the world?"

"Yup!"

"We'll be out late, so he'll be home tomorrow after the barbecue."

Letty nodded. "Church?"

"We'll be there."

"Do you want to join us for dinner before your big game? There's plenty to eat." Owen offered and gestured towards the plentiful meal before them.

"No." Dom said before remembering his manners. "Thanks."

"My pleasure."

"I'll be outside. Send Mateo out when he's finished."

"Dom, you don't have to—."

"Have a good night."

Letty shut her mouth and closed her eyes briefly. When the front door slammed shut, Letty turned to Owen.

"I'm sorr—."

"You have nothing to apologize for." Reaching over, Owen put his hand on hers and squeezed reassuringly. "I understand."

And how was she supposed to argue with that? From their first date, he'd been understanding of her situation with Dom. Sure, it wasn't ideal for Owen, who Letty thought felt constantly disregarded by Dom. But here he was telling her not to apologize because he would rather be in her company with a small rude disruption from her ex-husband than not be in her company at all.

Did that mean she wouldn't have to choose Dom or Owen? In all fairness to her, she and Dom hadn't even considered getting back together. Or at least, they hadn't addressed that topic. There was a small voice in the back of her head that told her not to get too close to Owen. However, there was a louder voice telling her that she wasn't getting any younger.

She would be forty soon, and while she didn't look it, she was beginning to feel it. Forty, divorced with a kid, and this handsome Englishman wanted to court her. He wasn't the only man who'd shown his interest, but he was the only one who she was even slightly intrigued by. His genuine patience, in the end, was what was truly keeping him in the running. She hadn't had that in a long time.

Still… why did she feel guilty?

An hour and a half later, Letty was walking Owen to the front door, thanking him yet again for the surprise dinner.

"Thank you for not making me eat alone. See you soon?" He asked.

She nodded and allowed him to place his hands on either side of her face. She knew what was coming next but she wasn't necessarily sure that she wanted to stop it.

So, Owen kissed her soundly and she kissed him back. And afterwards, she waited for him to reach his car before shutting the door behind her and sagging against it.

The quiet engulfed her. And when she closed her eyes, her mind replayed that minuscule moment when Dom had walked into the house. His eyes had been twinkling and when he realized Owen was there, his face fell before he quickly stilled his features.

Letty was stuck.