Sorry for the wait. I've been really, really sick. But thanks for the reviews. P.S. This chapter will alternate between locations, like at the garage then with Dom and the Torettos. Just be careful, it may be confusing.
Warning: Long chappie!
Chapter 18-Superdad
No POV
Dom helped the twins in the back of the Denali as they prepared to go out for their family day. Letty rode shotgun as Dom climbed into the driver seat.
"All set?" Dom asked everyone.
"Yep," they answered, anxiety in their voices.
Dom pulled off as they made their way to SpeedZone. Not even fifteen minutes away from the house, the twins were fighting.
"Shut up Elijah! Girls can box too," CJ defended.
"No they can't. Only boys can be boxers, not girls!" Elijah yelled, further angering his sister.
"Aye now, both of you shut up!" Letty yelled, getting tired of their fighting.
"Casey started it. She said she doesn't wanna be a racer, she wants to be a boxer," Elijah said, mocking his sister.
"So what, I can be a boxer and a racer," she replied, trying to one-up him.
"Nu uh!" Elijah screamed, scowling at his sister.
"Both of you, enough! You want me to turn around? I still can," Dom growled, silencing them both. They both nodded nervously, knowing not to piss off Dom. "Ok then. Eli, CJ can be whatever she wants too. She can be both a boxer and a racer. It's whatever she wants. Leave her alone," Dom finished, turning back around. Casey gave her brother one last smirk before turning out the window.
"Boxer huh? That's different," Letty whispered to Dom up front. She was happy about that. Letty had always wanted to box before, but was too infatuated with cars to pick up the gloves.
"I know you're happy. You always wanted to box," Dom smiled at her.
"Yeah. But what about racing? I did sorta wanted a little mini-me out there," she admitted, turning her attention to the passing houses out the window.
"True, but we still got Elijah. It's okay baby, we still have time. They still have time."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vince and the boys were laughing at the sight of Jeremiah carrying the heavy tool box that previously sat on the shelf. He had on his little DT Mechanics jumpsuit, the arms tied around his waist. He handed the toolbox to Leon and wiped his sweating forehead.
"Thanks lil' dude," Leon said, smiling at him.
Everyone had made it down to the garage around 2:15. Leon decided that they'd put their road trip to Miami on hold for a few days. Angel was in the back office playing with her dolls; Jerry was determined to help out the guys any possible way he could. Sasha opened the store as soon as they arrived at the garage. She had Desmond with her, since it wasn't too safe to have him in the garage with all the fumes and dangerous tools. Everyone hoped for a uneventful day. But the Team didn't have that much good luck.
"So V, I got a couple guys from Harry's to come in until we get back from Miami." Brian said, looking up from a busted Tempo that came in that morning.
"They any good?" Vince asked.
"I'd assume. They're friends of Marty's." Brian replied. Vince tensed up as he fiddled with wires on an engine. Though he was over his anger with him, Vince still wasn't too sure about Marty. Something about him still seemed...off.
"He gonna be here too?" Vince asked.
"He said he was gonna stop by, but he can't stay." Brian noticed the sour look on Vince's face, but discouraged it. He figured V was just having a bad day.
"Right. Le, when do y'all plan on leaving?" Vince asked, changing subjects.
"I don't know. Maybe later tonight if that's cool with everyone else," Leon said, referring to Brian and Roman. They looked back at him nodding.
Vince nodded too. "Leon, don't come back without them."
"Don't plan on it," Le replied, sticking a fresh toothpick in his mouth
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next door, Sasha was sitting at the counter, playing with Desmond. She had him sitting in his carseat in the seat beside her. She blasted the stereo in the back, which she kept on some punk-rock/pop station. Obviously by McFly played as she said along with the song. It had been quiet today, not many customers came in. Those who did were familiar faces, always in and out of Torettos. They'd order, engage in casual conversaton while they ate, compliment Desmond's adorable behavior, then pay and leave. It was a usual routine, so Sasha expected nothing less. That was, until she got a surprise visit.
"Wow, he sure is a looker," someone said from behind the counter. Sasha didn't bother looking up. She just smiled and continued playing with Desmond.
"Thanks," she replied.
"What's his name?" the voice asked again, taking a seat on a stool.
"Desmond," Sasha answered. Familiarity in the voice gave Sasha the curiosity to look up at the customer. Her breath was caught her in throat as she began to choke. Coughing, she grabbed a bottled water from the fridge.
"You okay?" the voice asked, slight humor mixed with concern.
"Fine, I think." Sasha said, twisitng the cap back on the water. She turned and looked at the person. "Hi Ricky," she said, not being able to contain her smile.
"Hey Sasha. How've you been?" Ricky asked, feeling relieved that Sasha remembered her.
"Good, good. How 'bout you?" Sasha returned the question, brushing stray hairs behind her ear, something she did when she was nervous.
"I'm been good. I stopped by yesterday and saw your sister, but I had to run off quick."
"Really? Letty didn't mention it." I'm going to kill her, Sasha thought.
"I'm sure she had good reason," the conversation turned into an uncomfortable silence for Sasha, "So...he yours?" Ricky asked.
Damn, I guess everything comes out now, Sasha thought. "Yeah, he's mine. This is my son, Desmond." she introduced, lifting Desmond from the carseat.
"You mind?" Ricky asked, holding her hands out for Desmond. Sasha nodded with a smile, handing Desmond to Ricky. Desmond, who didn't have a great history to letting strangers hold him, was surprisingly content while Ricky held him. She bounced him up and down on her knee, admiring his features. He giggled as she tickled his belly a bit. "He's too adorable. Yes, you are," she said to him, smiling bright. Absolutely gorgeous, Sasha thought. Ricky was wearing black basketball shorts and a white tee shirt with flip flops. Her hair was in a messy bun and she didn't look to have on make-up. Flawless.
"So can I get you anything Ricky? You hungry or want anything to drink?" Sasha asked, remembering she was still working.
"Something cold. Popsicle if you have any. It's a scorcher today," Ricky said, frowing up at the beaming sun. Sasha walked to the back freezer, sliding the door open.
"Flavor?"
"Cherry please." Ricky said as Sasha came back over, two popsicles in hand. She handed one ot Ricky and sat the other one on the counter. Ricky handed Desmond back to his mother. "He's adorable. Just like his mom," Ricky said, smiling at Sasha. Sasha blushed, sitting Desmond back in his carseat.
"Look Ricky, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Sasha started, but was interrupted.
"I know already." Ricky said, opening the popsicle wrapper.
"Letty told you?" Sasha was panicking now.
"No, but I think she tried too. Look, I know you're married. You probably aren't even bisexual," Sasha didn't know if Ricky was mad or disappointed.
"How'd you know?" Sasha asked.
"Well for one, you're wearing a ring. And Marty told me after you guys left the bar," Ricky replied, licking the popsicle.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on or anything," Sasha said, trying to find words to explain. She really had no intentions on leading Ricky on. It was really just fun and games, she wasn't intent on hurting anyone. Ricky seemed like a wonderful girl and Sasha didn't mean to crush her spirit.
"Don't sweat it. It isn't the first time it's happened before. I dunno, I guess I was just hoping you were different," Ricky said.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dom was carrying CJ on his shoulders as they walked over to the next racing site. CJ and Elijah were 2-1, Elijah winning so far. Dom and Letty were tied, 1-1. On their way to other sites, they stopped at individual games, winning prizes. Dom won Letty a gigantic penguin and the kids two smaller ones. After winning the stuffed animals, Dom would run them back to the back of the truck, then pull the tarpulin over the back.
"Daddy, I want to ride with you this time." CJ said, running to his side. He sat Elijah back down on the ground. His smiled beamed as he nodded to her.
"Ok. It's me and you, Mommy and Eli." Dom said, informing Letty of the new partners. She smiled and nodded.
"Fine, but I'm still gonna smoke you!" she yelled, running to the go-kart site. Dom and the kids followed, chasing Letty to the park. The person working the go-karts buckled them in, then turned on the mini cars. They got off to a slow start, slowly making their way around the first turn. Finally, the karts began gaining speed. Letty drilled her foot on the gas pedal as her and Elijah sped off in front of Dom and Casey. The speed made Letty crave more, as she nearly put the gas pedal into the ground. She sped around a turn, which sent her and Elijah crashing into the curb. Elijah exploded with laughs of excitement as tears came to Letty's eyes. The crash brought back too many painful memories, which put her on edge a bit. She just sat there, taking deep breaths. Dom and CJ went flying past, CJ cheering in excitement. Dom noticed the look in Letty's eyes and turned his kart around. He stopped next to them.
"You alright Let?" he asked, reaching to cup her face in his hand.
"I think so. Just shook me up a bit," she admitted, running her hands down her face. She took a few more deep breaths and shook off her fear. Smiling, she slammed on the gas again, sending her kart flying past Dom's and over the finish line. "Woohoo!" her and Elijah cheered.
Dom scoffed at her as they walked off of the racing site. The kids were ready for more, but Dom noticed that Letty still seemed tense.
"Kids, I think Mommy needs a break. Why don't you go in the arcade and play a few games?" Dom handed them a few dollars a piece and watched them run off.
"Thanks D." Letty smiled, kissing Dom softly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yo Jerry! Get the dogs from out back and feed them," Rome screamed from under a Toyota Corolla. He had just finished the breaks of a PT Cruisier.
It was turning 4 o'clock and the garage was packed. Every guy had at least two cars to work on. Leon was working with a '03 BMW convertible; Vince was assigned a '96 Honda Prelude VTEC and a '00 Ford Focus; Brian had a '04 Volkswagen Passat and a '04 Volvo 260. While they all rushed to fix cars, they still hand to keep a close eye on the children. Jerry was assigned watching Bam and Roscoe while Angel kept the garage as clean as she could. She picked up tools and placed them where they belong, got the guys fresh hand towels, and cleaned up any mess she could find.
"Yo Sasha, tell Dan his Honda is done," Vince said in the phone. The customers from the garage were sent to the cafe until their cars were ready. He hung up and wiped his sweaty brow. "Dom picked the perfect fuckin' day to play Superdad. We're busting all asses in here!" he shouted, relieving some bent up anger. He let down the hood of the Honda and waited for the customer to come get his car. Soon enough, a middle-aged man came walking back into the garage.
"Wow, you sure do work fast," he complimented Vince.
"Well you see how many cars we got. Don't have a choice but to work fast," Vince said, starting to become irritable.
"I see. Well how much do I owe?" Dan pulled out his wallet, revealing several crisp hundred dollar bills.
"Come to the back, we'll talk," Vince said, leading him to the office.
Twenty minutes and $120 paid later, Vince and Dan exited the office. Both were smiling.
"Good doin' business with you Mr. Palmeriti, I'll have to tell my buddies about this place," Dan said, fixing his sun glasses on his eyes.
"Please do." Vince said, slapping Dan on the back. He said goodbye and drove off out of the garage. "Guys, that man just paid over a hundred dollars for me to change his tires. I mean, he could have done that his self. Rich bastard." the guys let out a laugh as they continued to work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as the garage, the cafe was full. The tables outside were full and soon the stools were to be full. Ricky assisted Sasha with taking orders and fixing meals as the customers became impatient.
"Hurry up back there!" one man shouted.
"Shut the hell up! I'm going as fast as I can," Sasha screaming, losing all her patience. She fixed his sandwich quick and grabbed him a soda, slamming it down in front of him. Ricky smiled at her lack of control and walked up behind her.
"It'll be okay, just take it easy." she whispered lustfully in Sasha's ear, sending shockwaves down her spine. Before she could react, the phone rang again.
"How you hangin' over there?" Leon's voice asked.
"These guys are bustin' my balls man. But I got a little help," she said, looking over at Ricky, who was talking to Desmond in his makeshift playpin in the air-conditioned area of the cafe.
"From who?"
"Ricky from the club," she answered.
"Holy shit. Vince is gonna shit his pants," Leon laughed.
"Yeah I know. Le did you call to bust my balls or do you want something?"
"Tell Mr. Vetchio that his BMW is ready." he laughed again before hanging up.
"Mr. Vetchio, your car is ready," she said aloud. The man who screamed previously paid and left the store. She let out a sigh of relief. One less bitchy mouth to feed, she thought.
She had all the customers fed and seated. She exhaled loudly and flopped down on the large sofa in the back. Her muscled ached and she was sweating like a dog. She could feel her feet swelling. Sasha wanted to cry, but wouldn't. She knew it would be stupid. Just because she was having a hard day didn't mean she should cry about it. Go be Superdad you asshole, feed me to the dogs, she thought. She laid back on the sofa, shutting her eyes momentarily. Suddenly, she felt warm hands on her shoulders, rubbing and massaging slowly. She knew it was Ricky, but didn't speak right. The massage felt soothing. Her hands were like magic. She felt as if she could fall asleep. She was close to it before...
"Can I get some fuckin' service out here or what?!" another irritable customer yelled, ringing the smal bell. She groaned and ran out to him, taking his order.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There it is. So sorry for the wait. But I've been down with the flu for a week or so. But I'm back so expect more frequent updates. Hope you like this chapter. Please read&review.
-Kita