As promised, Layla and Jesse kept in touch everyday until the weekend came. They had decided that Layla would come to LA for the weekend and then Jesse would follow her back and take off of work and stay at Layla's for a week. She was hesitant at first because she didn't want to impose with a kid but, everyone had assured her that it was okay. So she reluctantly agreed. Jesse had just gotten off the phone with Layla, he'd told her to drive safely and that he would see them soon. Layla had to take off of work early that day so she could leave at a decent time. Jesse was happy that it was planned out nicely because he had another few hours of work and by time she got there he should be done with work and back at the house showered and ready. Mia was glad to finally meet the two ladies that Jesse had been talking about all week so she decided to make a big yet simple dinner so she wouldn't have to slave away in the kitchen.
Jesse was starting to get anxious to see his little girl again. He couldn't wait to see if she liked all of the toys that he bought for her. He'd gotten her a play gym for the back yard, a new bicycle and everything in between, it was scattered around the Toretto house. Nearly spent his whole check too!
Finally it was closing time around the garage and that's just what they did. It had been a long hot day and they were ready to get home and shower. Once Jesse cleaned up his work area he got into his car and made it home quickly so he could jump in and out of the shower before they showed up. He was done in such a hurry that he had to sit around and wait because they weren't there just yet. But that didn't stop Jesse from looking outside every time a car passed to see if it was them.
An hour later Layla pulled up in front of the little white house and put her car into park. That was some drive but, she was glad to finally have it over with. She smiled when she was Jesse come rushing out of the house and to her car. Without a word he had Delilah out of the car and into the air causing her to laugh hysterically. Layla chuckled and exited her car; making her way to the trunk where she grabbed their bags.
"Hey Jess," She said as he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.
"Come one in and meet everyone." Jesse demanded; showing her the way into the house.
Once they were inside everyone stood up and made introductions.
"How you doing, I'm Dominic Toretto." He said shaking her hand. "That's my sister Mia, my girlfriend Letty and that big lush over there is Vince." He grinned.
"Hi everyone, I'm Layla."
"This is everyone, is Delilah, my daughter." Jesse beamed. Mia was quick to grabbed her up and hug her.
"Hi I'm Mia, what's your name?" She said in a baby voice.
"Lilah…" The young girl replied shyly.
"Well hi Delilah it's nice to meet you." Mia said setting her down on the floor.
"Look Delilah, daddy bought you some new toys." Jesse said pointing to the corner where a large doll house was sitting. She grinned and ran over.
"You didn't have to do that." Layla mumbled with a small smile.
"Of course I did Layla!" Jesse replied smoothly.
Once dinner was over everyone made their way outside and lounged around as Delilah played on her jungle gym. Delilah had taken to the team well slowly learning everyone's name and getting to know them so she wouldn't be shy around them. Letty watched as Dominic pushed the small girl on the swing like she had asked him. Adoration filled her eyes and thoughts of having kids with Dom invaded her brain. Finally when Delilah was tired of the swing Dominic sat back down next to Letty and gave her a hearty kiss on the lips.
"You look amazing around kids…" She told him huskily.
"Well, maybe we'll have to have one soon…" He grinned at her.
Vince was into a conversation with Leon when he felt a tug on his shirt. He looked to his left and found Delilah staring at him innocently.
"What can I do for you shorty?" He asked her.
"Play football with me?" She asked hopeful.
Vince looked over at Leon with his eyebrow rose. "She serious?"
"Very." Leon grinned.
"Um, ok sure." He stumbled out.
"You play too?" She asked Leon. He thought about it and decided that he couldn't tell her no. One by one she asked everyone in the back yard until she had a full blown football match going; boys against girls. Of course it was just a fun little game since there was a three year old playing but the guys didn't fret away from tackling each other and sometimes the girls too. Causing Delilah to giggle loudly.
Mia snuck away finally to take some pictures and she was amazed at the great pictures she got of everyone. The first one she got was of Delilah running away from Vince with her pink football in her hands as he chased her with his hands out in front of him trying to catch her; they were both laughing. The next one she got was of Dom and Letty; Dom had tackled Letty from behind so the end result of the picture was Dom with his arms around her from behind and both of them also wearing large candid smiles. The next one she got made her laugh her ass off; Leon and Jesse had both jumped in the air and bumped chests with their arms in the air and somehow she had taken that picture mid-air and it came out perfect! This one was going on the mantle she thought evilly. The last and final picture she took was of Layla and Jesse both congratulating Delilah lovingly for getting a touchdown. They were both holding onto her wearing grins. That one made Mia's heart melt. Of course Mia had filled up her entire camera of tons of pictures of everyone since Delilah and Layla had arrived and she knew just what to do with them but for now she had a football game to finish.
If you were just a regular pedestrian walking by you would never guess that they were the toughest street racing crew around. All of these big tough guys were playing football with a little girl and with a pink football no less! Mia and Jesse had already melted for the kid but, Delilah had managed to make four tough grease monkeys turn into big teddy bears, it was amazing.
That night Layla and Jesse lay in his bed with Delilah in between them sleeping soundly. Jesse had every intention to bunk with Leon but he wanted to really catch up with Layla. So they did, they told each other pretty much everything that has been happening the last four years and every little thing in between. It felt good to have their old friend back.
"What was her first word?" Jesse asked. "Da da..." Layla said smiling.
"When did she start walking?"
"When she was eleven months."
"Layla, why didn't you at least try to look me up?" Jesse asked in all seriousness. Knowing that it wasn't really her fault but, still wishing that he had known sooner.
"I did Jesse and came up with nothing." Layla replied sadly.
"Well, again, I'm sorry for leaving." He said looking up at the ceiling.
"The one thing I really wish you were around for was school. They were pretty mean and it eventually got out that you were the father and they started rumors and with you leaving like you did they came up with some pretty crazy ones! Eventually though, they just let it go and it wasn't really talked about but, it still sucked pretty bad." She said.
"Well, you just tell me who to kill…" He joked lightly. She smiled.
"Here, Delilah and I made this for you." She said handing him a photo album. "There's a ton of pics from her growing up and standing on her own and birthdays. Everything you missed is in there." Those three words replayed in Jesse's head: everything you missed…
He smiled as he flipped through the book of pictures and its content held everything, pictures of Layla and Jesse as kids, Layla when she was pregnant, pictures from the day she was born, to the picture of them hugging for the first time that Mia had secretly emailed to her.
"Thank you." Jesse whispered to her. She just smiled in return.
Upstairs the rest of the team was sitting around talking about today's events.
"Do you think he'll leave us and go live with her?" Letty asked lightly.
"I don't think he could I mean he wouldn't have racing or working on cars much anymore if he did." Dominic replied.
"Yeah, but look at how he shines when he sees his little girl. Anything is possible." Leon responded.
"Then again he could talk her into moving here to LA." Vince said throwing in his input.
"How did he end up with a kid anyways?" Dominic asked Leon.
"Well, he says they were just really close through school and shit but on homecoming they lost their virginity together. Then he left and came to LA a week later." Leon grinned.
"Go Jesse…" Letty laughed.
"I do give him some props; that is one gorgeous lady!" Vince grinned his silly grin and wiggled his eyebrows. They all shared a chuckle.
"What I want to know is how he just left and never kept in contact. I mean they were close right? Why not stay in touch by mail or phone? Why did everything just stop once he left?" Mia finally put herself into the conversation.
"Well I know when she first saw him she was pretty pissed but, obviously it was because of Delilah and not being around but that is a good question." Leon explained.
They all agreed but then ended their conversation quickly as Jesse and Layla came upstairs to join them. They all shared knowing looks but continued to watch TV.
Sunday rolled around quicker than expected and now it was time for Jesse to follow Layla back to her house to stay for the week. Jesse would baby-sit for her on the days she had to work and that meant they would have one on one time as father and daughter. Once both cars were packed up they got into their own cars and pulled away from the house with a wave to the team. An hour into it Jesse decided to call Layla and they both put their phones on speakerphone so they could talk while they drove the boring ride home. Finally around eight that night they arrived back at Layla's. Delilah had slept for a lot of the ride home and she was now ready to play like no one's business. Layla and Jesse however just threw themselves on the couch with a loud thud; sharing tired sighs.
"You want some coffee?" Layla asked, lifting her head from the back of the couch.
"Please," He replied exasperated. She nodded and stood up. "I'll help." Jesse mumbled, getting up and following her.
"It's just coffee, gosh." She replied smiling. "I think I can handle it." She shot him a playful look. Jesse stuck his tongue out and followed her anyways into the kitchen. Delilah had retreated to her bedroom to play with toys. For that they were glad because they were too tired to play with a three year old who's not even close to wanting to sleep.
She pulled out the can of coffee and filled the filter before putting in the water and turning it on. They sat around silently as the room filled with the smell of coffee. Layla leaned against the counter and tapped her fingers silently as she waited for it to finish brewing. She glanced at Jesse but quickly looked away when he looked at her. Jesse smiled towards the side of her face and watched her stare at the coffee machine intently.
"So how did you like the team?" He asked her casually.
"I liked them, they're cool, and Delilah likes them also, thank god." She smiled. He nodded and smiled also.
"So you have to work tomorrow?" He asked her in a blank tone.
"Yeah, I have the early lunch shift and I'll have to pick up the dinner shift too, I need the extra money with her birthday coming up." Layla explained.
"Well, I can help out now so you don't have to pick up more shifts then needed." He responded as she got out two coffee mugs.
"Yeah, well having that extra money still helps you know? Plus, I won't have to worry about paying the baby sitter extra and it gives you guys a chance to get to know each other better and spend father/daughter time. I think I should take advantage of this week and work as much as possible, that way I can take it easy next week." She said pouring the hot coffee into the mugs.
"Ok, I understand, just promise you'll make some time for us to go do something this week." He told her sternly. Layla smiled towards him.
"Of course," She nodded sipping her coffee.
Jesse fixed the coffee just the way he likes it before leaning against the counter once again. He was deep in thought and his main concern was that he wouldn't see Layla very much while he was here. That kind of irritated him and he hoped that she wasn't going to work all week to avoid him but, that sounded ridiculous because she really has no reason to do such a thing. After all, they had gotten along just fine over the past couple weeks. Jesse looked over at Layla who was sitting at the table with her leg crossed as she concentrated on reading mail she had just opened. Oblivious, to his stares he smiled to himself. Layla had been on his mind a lot lately and the only explanation he had was that he had feelings for her but, he hadn't said anything because he didn't know if Layla had felt that same and saying something about could make them uncomfortable to be around each other so he silenced his thoughts for now and waited until she said or did something to show him other wise.
"Well, I think I'm going to get a shower. I'll fix something to eat when I come back ok?" She said standing up, finished off her coffee and set the cup in the sink.
"Alright," He replied, pouring himself another cup.
He watched her leave the room and with a tired sigh he walked into the living room to watch some TV, Delilah came out a few minutes later and joined him on the couch. Jesse had found cartoons, which he and his daughter both loved so they sat close and laughed at the screen. She came downstairs a little while later wearing short denim shorts and a tank top; her hair was brushed out, but still very wet. He could see the curls forming as it dried. She walked past him nonchalantly as she made her way into the kitchen. Jesse couldn't help but watch her as she walked. He leg muscles flexed as she padded across the floor. His brain shut down as he fell into tunnel vision. His heart started to race…
"Daddy!" Delilah yelled, smacking him happily before pointing towards the screen. He snapped out of his daze and looked towards the screen before smiling, pretending to have seen what happened on the cartoon. Delilah, happy with his reaction turned back towards the TV.
"I'll be right back baby…" Jesse mumbled standing up. He strolled over to the doorway to the kitchen. Stopping short, he leaned against the door and watched her silently. She was shaking back and forth to the quiet music that was coming from the radio as her back was to him, unknowingly. Unconsciously, a smile formed on his face. His heart swelled with so much love towards her and he was very much crushing her on her so bad and he wanted nothing more than to grab her and kiss her silly but, he didn't dare make things awkward between them since they had a daughter to think about.
Pushing himself off the doorway he walked into the kitchen further. He came up behind and looked over her shoulder. The gesture was very innocent but he had a secret motive behind it. Either she would figure it out or she just wouldn't think anything of it. He wasn't pressed against her back but, he was close enough for her to know just how close he was. He could smell her shampoo and possibly some perfume. "Huh, smells good…" He said casually, walking over to the counter and jumping up, to sit on it; never figuring whether he was talking about the food or her. Layla cocked her head like he was crazy.
"Jesse, I'm just boiling water…" She snorted. Jesse blushed and put his head down, grinning.
Busted.