Sorry for the wait on this one. I wrote a small bit of it, then I went to get my other tattoo. So my arm was kinda sore but I'm gonna ride it out until I'm done with this chapter. Thanks for the reviews. The story will be wrapping up in a few chapters. Maybe at number 60 but i'm not sure yet. Read & Review please!
Chapter 55-The Cop and the Caveman
No POV
The party had been in full swing for about two hours and everyone was having a great time. Jesse and Leon were in charge of door duties, which was handing candy to the kids who came to the door. Diana was gathering all the presents and placing them onto a table. Dom and Vince hung out around the house, scaring the children as they approached. Everyone else was hanging out around the party, having a good time.
Sasha and Charlie were catching up in the kitchen. They had met only once before, but she knew who he was the second he stepped in her view. One day when Maria was at work and Tony was at his grandmothers, Marcus brought six-year old Charlie over to meet twelve year old Sasha. Marcus warned her not to mention it with her mother or she'd suffer extreme consequences. Obeying her father, she never mentioned the little boy to her mother or brother.
Sasha, Tony, and Letty all knew it'd be a problem that their new-found stepbrother was a cop. Letty knew that once Dom found out, he'd probably disown him already. They also knew that Vince would more than likely cause trouble once he knew. The siblings agreed that they'd keep his occupation a secret. They asked him to avoid the topic as much as he could. He was confused, but agreed.
"This here's for the little lady," Hector said to Diana, handing her a gift-wrapped box. "It's a Dora doll. The wifey agreed that it'd be a good idea so," he said, smiling. Hector had found himself one girl to settle down with, though they hadn't married yet.
"Thanks Hector, I'm sure she'll love it," Diana said, hugging her friend. She looked over at her daughter, who was being carried by Brian as he walked through the house, stopping to talk to people ever-so-often. She caught sight of her cell phone ringing at the end of the table. Walking over, she smiled as she saw who was calling.
"TEJ!" she yelled into the phone.
"Hey babygirl. Let me talk to my baby," he said, enthusiasm clear in his voice. He always did call her his baby, she thought. She ran to find Brian, who was already in the kitchen. She held the phone to her daughter's ear. "It's Uncle Tej," she said, a smile on her face. She couldn't seem to stop smiling once she heard he was fine and out of the country. His wounds had healed nicely, though he was still having chest pains.
"Hi Tee-tee!" she yelled, using her own version of his name.
"Hey babygirl. Happy birthday honey," he said, happy to hear her voice again.
"Tank you," she said, using the manners her mother had taught her.
"I'm sending you a Strawberry Shortcake doll through the mail. Is that okay?"
"Yesh," Jessica replied, her attention being caught by a shiny object in the corner of the room. Diana put the phone to her ear.
"Guess she was done talking. You being good out there in Tokyo?" she asked him.
"Trying too. Man these kids out here are nuts. The only white boy I've seen here is the DK."
"Um, DK?" the Team hadn't been introduced to the world of drifting.
"Drift King. They do shit different out here on the scene. I can't make any money out here with the bets. That shit goes to the Yakuza. But I found a little mini-me out here. He's been living with me for a few weeks," Tej said, a voice heard in the background.
"Oh, is that him? What's his name? And why is he living with you?" Diana asked, oblivious to the growing party around her. She went to a more mellow part of the party, the lounge. Ricky and Erica, who not even half the party knew arrived, sat talking to each other. The smiled at Diana and left the room.
"His name is Trey by they call him Twinky. This kid's a hustler. But he's an army brat. His parents were moving to Europe and he didn't want to go. I offered him to stay with me. He's a good kid. But I'm gonna get off here, Twink wants to go to the races. Tell everyone I send my love. Bye Diana," he said, almost hesitating to get off the phone.
"Bye Tej. Thanks for calling," she said, feeling her heart ache at him being so far away. She knew he wanted to be here for Jessi's birthday. She walked back to the party just in time.
"Everyone, we're gonna do the cake now," Dom announced over the dancing bodies. "Let's go to the backyard," Dom said, leading everyone outside. There was a table set up for the cake, which was a tall, Strawberry Shortcake ice cream cake. Jessica loved Strawberry Shortcake.
"Where's the birthday girl?" Sasha asked over the crowd, looking for her niece. Jesse walked threw the ground, his daughter on his neck. He sat her down at the table and held her hands, for she was ready to reach for the cake.
Jesse and Diana started off the 'happy birthday' song, getting everyone to sing along. After the applause had died down, Jesse began speaking.
"Before we get to the cake, I just want to thank you all for coming. It means a lot to us and I know it means a lot to Jessi. I also want to say thanks to my family. You guys have stuck with me throughout all the shit I put you through. Dom, Letty, Leon, everyone. You know I'd never do anything to purposely hurt you guys. I love everyone here. You guys gave me a family when I didn't have one. Leon, I know I fucked up before, but I'm doing everything I can to make you proud of me again. I'm glad you guys got me out because I missed out on a lot of Jessi's life. But I promise I'll never do anything to jeopardize her happiness or health. Thanks again guys," by the end of Jesse's heartfelt speech, he was crying tears of joy and true happiness.
"Aw Kid. No matter what you do, I'll always be proud of you. We all will," Leon said, hugging his baby brother close. Everyone cheered and clapped and passed hugs down to Jess. "Let's do this thing," Leon said, helping Jessica blow out the two candles that were in the cake.
"Let's eat!" Vince yelled, walking over to the cake.
Jesse and Diana helped their daughter cut her first piece of cake. They had to hurry and dish it out before the ice cream began melting inside the cake.
The party wound down a few hours later. It was approaching midnight, so the guests had been discharging for the past half hour. After all the cake was eaten (mostly by Rome and Vince), the guests partied for a few more hours. Jesse and Di agreed that they'd do the presents the following day. They knew baby Jessica wouldn't be up for much longer. The guests departed, leaving only the Team and Charlie at the house.
The remainer of people sat around the backyard of Sasha and Vince's home. Desmond too was asleep, only in his father's arms. The kids were all inside sleeping, leaving the adults to have a mellow conversation.
"That was a great party guys. Thanks for putting it together," Diana said, craddling her sleeping daughter in her arms.
"Oh it was no problem. We know you'd do the same for our rugrats," Letty said, rubbing her hands over her stomach.
"So Charlie, where you staying at?" Tony asked, standing from the lawn chair he was sitting in.
"I have a place in Pasadena. I'm sleeping in a hotel tonight so I don't have to drive back," he replied, running his hands over his short, dark hair.
"Why don't you just stay at our place?" Vince offered, causing everyone to look at him. Vince had never offered anyone he didn't know to stay in his home.
"Vince, I'm sure he just wants a peaceful night to himself," Sasha said, hoping Charlie would agree. It wasn't that she didn't want him there, she didn't want Vince questioning him about his career.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind to stay. If the ol' chap would like me to stay, I'd be a bloody fool to refuse," he smiled at Vince, giving him a nod.
"Charlie, you have got to teach me to speak like that. I bet you get lots of chicks with your accent," Tony said, causing the group to burst into laughter.
"Yes, some American lasses love the accent. I'll teach you mate," he agreed, laughing afterward.
"YES!" he cheered. "Well, we have to get going. Bye everybody. Nice to meet you again Charlie," Tony said, shaking his younger brother's hand. Brianna did the same and waved bye to the family.
The Team sat around for another half hour before they decided it was time to call it a night. They gathered their children from around the house and left for home, leaving Sasha, Vince, Jayden, Desmond, and now Charlie in the home.
Later...
"Okay, you'll sleep in here. There are extra sheets in the closet. There's a bathroom down the hall and a television in the living room. Make yourself at home. If you plan to eat breakfast, you'll need to wake up really early. Vince is a savage," Sasha joked, standing at the doorframe of her step-brother's temporary bedroom.
"Thanks Sasha. I know we don't know each other well, but I'd like to say thank you. You're family is full of nutters, but they are bloody extravagant. You have a beautiful little boy. You've done really well for yourself," Charlie said, smiling sincerely at his older sister.
"Thanks Charlie. You have too. You seem really well put together and a fun guy. That goes a long way in this family," Sasha replied.
"Yeah, I don't think Dom fancies me one bit," he mentioned, placing all of his accessories, such as his watch, wallet, and badge, on the dresser. Sasha glanced at it and panicked. She knew if Vince saw it, he'd flip.
"It's okay, Dom just doesn't trust many people. Neither does Vince. But Dom will come around. The rest of your family seems to love you," she replied, remembering the good time they had together.
"I like them too. Especially Letty. She's a little animal, eh? Is she always that..." he tried to think of the most polite way to call her bitchy, "outspoken?"
"Yep, but she's also pregnant with another child and Letty doesn't fancy pregnancy at all," they shared a laugh together.
"I'm knackered. I think I'm gonna hit the sack now. Thanks again Sash," Charlie said, pulling her into a hug. She returned the gesture and backed out of his room, shutting the door behind her.
The Next Morning...
The following morning, Sasha was awaken by screams. These weren't the crying screams that she was used to from Desmond. No, these were much louder. Full of testosterone and anger. Slipping on her gown, Sasha walked down the hall to Jayden's room. Knocking on the door, she opened it.
"Jay? What's goin' on?" she asked, finding Jayden watching the television in her room.
"Uncle V found something. He and Uncle Charlie are fighting," Jayden said, clicking the TV off.
"Well didn't anyone think to come and wake me? Where's Desmond?" Sasha asked.
"Right here, he's sleeping," Jayden said, pulling the covers back on her bed to reveal the sleeping baby.
Sasha nodded and ran downstairs. What could Vince have found to make him yell the way he was? Sasha tried to remember everything she could from last night. The badge, she thought. She ran throughout the house, finding it empty. She walked outside, finding a topless Vince looking ready to pounce on her half-British brother. According to the cuts and bruises on Charlie's face, Vince had already had a piece of him.
"What's goin' on V?" she asked, stepping in between the two men.
"What the FUCK is this Sasha?!" he asked, holding the badge up in his hand.
"It's a badge Vince. Why are two fighting? Charlie?" she asked, trying to get his side.
"I was sleeping and I wake up to this bloody idiot going through my things!" Charlie yelled, stumbling to put his other shoe on.
"I'll give you a bloody idiot!" Vince yelled, charging at Charlie. Sasha pushed Vince back just in time.
"Charlie, get in your car and go! I'll call you later," Sasha said, pointing to Charlie's dark blue Chevy Impala. I snatched the badge from Vince's hand and tossed it to Charlie. He staggered as he went to his car, speeding off down the road.
"I won't have another cop come around and fuck up our lives! I won't have it Sasha!" Vince yelled, storming off back into the house. Sasha followed him, slamming the door behind her.
"What the fuck is your problem Vince? It was your idea to let him stay here!" Sasha yelled to his back.
"That's before I knew he was a cop!" he screamed, turning to face her. "You knew didn't you? You knew he was a cop?" Vince squinted his eyes at her in anger.
"Yes, Vince, I knew okay. And I knew you'd act like this, that's why I didn't tell you," Sasha replied, walking to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and pulled out essentials for breakfast. Before she could start cooking, Jayden came downstairs, Desmond in hand.
"I already ate and I fed Desmond already. I'm just gonna change his diaper," she said, grabbing the diaper bag that hung next to the candy bowl by the door. The decorations were still up and probably wouldn't be took down with the way the morning was going. After Jayden had exited the room, they continued their argument.
"Vince, what do you have against cops? Why are you so damn evil to every one you've seen? Ok, so you've had one bad experience with a cop. Must you take it out on every one?" Sasha asked, placing the breakfast food back in the fridge.
"That one bad experience almost got me fucking killed Sasha!" Vince growled, slamming his hand down on the kitchen countertop.
"No V, Brian saved your ass! YOU almost got yourself killed! YOU were involved in the heists! YOU did that job at Race Wars! YOU got on the truck! That was all you Vince, not a cop!" Sasha yelled, her true emotions coming to the surface. She knew she'd regret the words, but she couldn't stop the word vomit.
"Are you hiding anything Vince?" Sasha asked, her tone quiet and somber.
"What?!" he yelled, looking at her in bewilderment.
"Are you hiding something? If you weren't hiding anything, you wouldn't be so nervous and paranoid about police," Sasha asked, raising an eyebrow at her husband.
"I'm not hiding anything! I just don't want our lives screwing up again," he said, bringing his voice down some.
"Look, my brother is not the bad guy here V. He's not out to hurt us. Give him a chance," Sasha begged, staring at Vince from across the kitchen.
"No, I did that for the Buster and you saw where that got us. No way. I don't want him around here again!" Vince yelled, storming out of the house.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Vince gonna let up? Will his anger and rage cause even more problems in the marriage? I still pose my question...will they make it? Read to find out. REVIEWS PLEASE! I'm gonna start on chapter 56 right now lol. I'll try to have it up today, but I'm not making any promises.
-Kita