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Chapter 3-The American Way

Sasha's POV

Once Vince left, I decided to get dressed. I knew he wasn't coming home anytime soon so I figured it would be pointless to wait on him. Once I was done dressing, I went downstairs to watch some TV. But first, I needed to make a call.

"Letty?"

"Yep."

"I hate Dominic."

"He interrupt hot passionate sex huh?"

"Vince told you huh?"

"Yep. As soon as I got in he was bitchin' about it. But him and D went to the garage. What are you doin'?"

"Bored as hell. Want some company?"

"Sure. Come on over. Bring D."

"I have to pick him up from Senia's then I'll be over. See ya soon."

I hung up the phone and picked up the keys to my car. I jumped in my Porsche and drove off to Senia's. When I got there, I noticed only Leon's car was in the garage. Great, I thought. Ever since the kiss at Le's house that night, things with us has been kinda distant. If we end up in a room alone together, the other will make up some lame excuse to leave. I didn't want things between me and Leon to be awkward, but we never got a chance to sit down and talk about it. I sighed deeply as I walked up the porch to the house. I knocked twice and waited for him to arrive. The door opened and revealed Leon holding Desmond.

"Hey Le." I said, clueless as what else to say.

"Hey Sash. C'mon in." He moved to the side as I slid in the house. Desmond's things were spread out all over the place. "Tony here?"

"No, him and Bri went to skate." He said, sitting Desmond on the floor with him toys. I nodded and stuffed my hands into my pockets. "Sasha sit. I wanna talk." I nodded and took a seat on the love couch. "I know things are still a little weird after what happened that night. I don't want them to be. You are my best friend's wife. You're like my sister. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship. I'm sorry about that night. I was thinkin' with my dick and not with my brain. Everytime I walk in a room, you leave it. I don't want things to be like that anymore." He started, sitting next to me.

"I know Leon. I don't know. That day just really scared me ya know. I lost Vince that day and I don't wanna lose him again."

"You won't, Sunshine. I don't know what I was thinkin' that day. Look, I'm sorry I scared you okay. If I promised not to freak you out again, you promise to stop being weird?" He got down on his knees and clasped his hands together.

"I promise Slick. Get up and help me clean this stuff up." I said, pulling him into a hug. I was glad we had this talk, otherwise we probably wouldn't have been the same ever again.

Later that day...

I was sitting at the house with Letty, Eli, Casey, and Desmond. When I arrived here about two hours ago, the twins were just getting out of the bath. They sat on the floor huddled around Desmond, who was sitting up playing with his bear. Letty and I were playing Burnout Revenge on Vince's XBOX that he had left here a few days before.

"So I talked to Leon." I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

"Oh yeah. What happened?"

"He apologized for what happened that night. Everything's all good now."

"Sasha, you're still trippin' over that? It was over eight years ago."

"I know Letty, but still. Things just felt awkward with me and him all the time. But it's cleared up now." I said, turning my whole body sideways as I slung my animated car around a corner. I only received a "mmhm" out of her. I didn't know what I was thinking try to start a conversation with her while playing the video game. It's like talking to a wall.

"Aunt Sashie, can I hold D?" CJ asked me, her deep brown eyes staring into mine. I couldn't say no.

"Sure. Here, come sit up here." I said, picking Desmond up into my lap. Elijah and Casey both ran to the other couch and jumped on it. I sat in between them and sat Desmond on Casey's lap. I kept one hand behind his back as she wrapped her arms around his body. The look on her face was so cute. She was smiling, then suddenly frowned at D. "What's wrong babe?"

"I wish you could talk ya know. Eli bugs me a lot. I know you won't." She said to him, completely ignoring me. Desmond tossed his hands up and down, smiling. I guess he listens when he wants too.

"My turn." Elijah said, reaching his arms out for Dez. I helped him seat D in his lap and watched for his reaction. He looked in complete awe. He admired all of Desmond; from his eyes and hair, to his hands, down to his clothes, and finally to his tiny feet. "Wow, you are little'r then me. I can wait for you to get big like me. I need a pat'na for hide-n-seek against Mommy and CJ." Desmond just looked at him with curious eyes. I could tell these kids were going to be close.

Vince's POV

It was around 7:45 and Dom, Leon (who came with Sasha), Brian (who had shown up around 6:00), and I were pulling an all-nighter in the garage. Tonight was some street convention where all the racers go out and show off their rides. Part of it was an auction. Racers would sell their brand new rides for big bucks. We never went to those conventions, until tonight of course.

"I say we check it out. I'm thinking about finding something for Letty. She's been kinda down since we never had time to get her car back up and running." Dom said, tightening the bolt on something under a Honda Civic.

"Oh c'mon brotha. You can't tell me you wanna go to some stupid convention where wannabes are showing off cars they're just gonna sell or lose later on? It's stupid man. I'm not going." I refused, wiping my greasy hands on my towel.

"The way I see it is this. Either you go, or some other guy will be checkin' out Sasha's bumper." Brian said, smiling up at me. He was working under the hood of his Lancer Evo. I growled at the thought of another man staring at my wife.

"Shut up Buster. Fuck, what time does it start?" I gave in, scowling at Brian.

"Twelve sharp. Who's gonna watch the kids?" Dom asked, looking between the us.

"I'll talk to Mia and Lily tonight. I know they won't mind." Brian answered, taking a swig of his Corona.

We continued to work in silence for another hour or so. Drinking, singing oldies, and fixing cars -- this was the American way. I wish Jesse was here. He'd love this. Just kickin' back with the boys having a good time. The mood was chill and not a worry in the air. It felt good to have a care-free day for once. After finishing off the last of the cars, Dom closed up shop and we went over to the house.

When we got in the house, I greeted the other two children and walked straight to Desmond. He looked up and smiled at me. That made my heart feel fuzzy. I picked him up and twirled him around in the air, receiving a giggle in return.

"How's Daddy's boy?" I asked him, kissing him on the forehead. He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something, but closed it again. This confused me. "What is it D?" I asked, sitting him down on my lap as I sat in the recliner behind me. "Say 'Daddy'. C'mon say ... 'Dada'." I begged, sounding the words out for him. He only scrunched is face up in return.

"Vince he can't understand a word you're saying man. He's only a baby man. Give him some time." Dom said to me, patting me on the back.

"Naw brotha. He was about to say it. Watch," I said, praying he'd say his first words. "Say 'Dada'." Again, I was shot down with a giggle. "It's okay. Daddy still loves you."

I stood and walked over to the couch where Sasha was sitting, staring at the TV. I sat next to her and kissed her lips softly.

"How's Mommy?" I asked her, smiling a goofy grin.

"I'm fine. What's up for tonight?" She asked, kissing Desmond's cheek.

"Convention's tonight. The boys, and Letty I'm sure, wants to go."

"Seriously? Those things are so lame." She said, scrunching her face up in disgust.

"Yeah that's what I said. But you know Letty can't do anything without you and I don't want to be home alone so." I admitted, immediately regretting it.

"Aww is the big bad Vincey scared to be home by himself?" Letty teased, ruffling my hair.

Sasha pushed her and laughed. "Leave my man alone. But I guess we're going. Who's watching D and the twins?"

"Mia and Lily. I called them on the way here and they said they'd love to." Brian answered, fixing his baseball cap on his head.

"I'm gonna call Jess. I'll be right back." I said, standing from the couch. I sat Desmond in Sasha's lap and stepped out on the porch.

"Ello?"

"Jess, man what's up?"

"Oh hey V. Nothing much just sitting get ready."

"For what? You goin' out?"

"I'm racing tonight." My breath caught in my throat. Last time I remember Jesse racing, he nearly killed himself. Long story short, he overshot a turn and flipped his car. Thank God he came out of that okay.

"You sure about that?" I asked him.

"Yes, V, I'm sure. Just because I don't tell you every time I race, doesn't mean I don't do it. I've been racing and I've been winning. I'm like a king around here." I smiled. He's achieving his dream finally.

"That's good man. How's my niece?"

"She's good bro. She said her first words last night. Guess what she said? Da-da. Man I nearly passed out." I felt a growl threatning to escape, but I kept it in for Jesse and the neighbor's sake. How come Jessica was talking before Desmond? It angered me.

"That's great man. How's Di?" I changed subjects before he could notice the sadness in my voice.

"Don't worry V, Dez will come around to talking. Give him time. But Di's great. She's been hanging out a lot with Suki though. I swear, them two are vicious when they're together." I laughed. Jesse knew me all too well.

"That's good. Hey, we're going to a convention tonight."

"What? Seriously? I thought y'all hated those? You guys always made me go by myself."

"Yeah well Dom wants to go to find a car for Letty. They still haven't gotten the SX up again. I'm goin' to tag along I guess. But I'll talk to you soon Jesse. I have to take Sash and Di home and get ready."

"OK V. Tell everyone I said hi and I love them. Tell Leon to call his little brother sometime."

"Ok brotha. Gotta go." I hung up and entered the house.

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There's number 3. I know, wasn't that interesting. I wanted to save the 'convention' for the next chapter. Read&review please.

-Kita