TWENTY-THREE

Kylie was released from the hospital late Saturday evening. Dom, who'd been at her side the entire time (except for during the surgery) drove her home. He had sent the rest of the team home around 3a.m., when they'd been told Ky's surgery was over and that there'd been no complications.

Dom pulled up in front of the house, the full driveway forcing him to park on the street. He rounded the car and helped Ky out. He slipped an arm around her waist to guide her as she was still a little loopy from the pain meds the doctor had insisted she take before they'd left.

Dom opened the front door, guided Kylie in first and the shut the door behind himself. When he turned around, he found Kylie had stopped just inside the door. Her left hand covered her mouth. She turned to him, her eyes glistening like sapphires.

"Did you know?" she asked, her voice husky with emotion.

Dom stepped beside her and quickly glanced around the living room. He took in the colorful 'Welcome Home Kylie' banner and smiled down at her.

"Nope," he replied grinning.

The team chose that moment to jump out shouting "Welcome Home" and tossing glittered confetti and spraying silly string. They moved forward and crowded around Ky and Dom, who'd finally stepped into the room.

Kylie blinked back tears as she gazed at the others in amazement. She snuggled closer to Dom, uncomfortable being the center of attention, and unsure of how to react. Mia came over and Dom tapped Ky on the shoulder so she turned around to look at his sister.

"Ky, we just wanted you to know that we meant what we said last night, and that we're glad you weren't hurt worse," Mia told her holding out her arms.

Kyie gazed into the other woman's eyes, and saw the sincerity there. She moved forward and allowed Mia to hug her. She grinned and hugged her back as best she could with her right arm in a sling. "Thanks."

Rachel moved in and bumped Mia with her hip. "My turn," and before she knew it Kylie was being hugged by each member of the team.

Rome made sure there wasn't an awkward moment by hugging Kylie last, and then turning to the group and asking "Can we eat now?"

Everyone laughed and headed towards the dining room. Kylie was amazed to find flowers on the table and balloons floating around the room. Mia, Lexie and Angel entered from the kitchen carrying a large pan of chicken piccata, two bottles of Pinot Grigio, and a large basket of sliced piping hot Italian bread.

Dom said grace, thanking God that his girl was home, that neither she nor Rachel had been hurt more seriously, and for Rachel's intervention. Then the food was passed around, the wine was poured, and conversations started.

Kylie was once again perched on Dom's lap. She hated that she couldn't feed herself, but loved the way Dom made it seem normal for him to do so. Then she noticed that Vince was doing the same with Rachel, although she was sitting beside him.

After everyone finished eating Mia told them to stay put. She, Lydia, Lexie and Angel cleared the table and returned with a homemade Lime Blueberry Tiramisu for dessert.

"Mia, y-you shouldn't have-" Kylie protested, knowing how long the dessert took to make.

"I didn't," Mia interrupted.

"Then who...?" Kyie asked puzzled.

"Vince made it," Mia supplied.

Kylie turned to Vince, tears in her eyes once more. She was overwhelmed by the gesture.

"V...,I-I, thank you."

"Don't mention it, Little Girl. We're all just happy you're alright," Vince replied. "After all, you're family, Sis."

Kylie thought about how they called her their little sister, she took a deep breath and told them about her real sister. (Dr. Hammond had suggested she share some of her past with the team when she and Dom had visited with her the week before. She was seeing them once a week as a couple, and Kylie twice a week, individually.)

First, she told them about her father dying, her mother remarrying, and her step-father's dislike of her. Then she told them about her sister.

"Shana never liked me," she told them, her voice soft. "She used to give me snacks, treats I wasn't allowed, and then tell our s-step-father that I'd t-taken them. She would laugh when he punished me."

"Ky," Lexie began. "maybe she was just trying to gain his approval." She hated the look on Kylie's face, as if she were wondering what was wrong with her, that her sister would act like that towards her.

"You gotta remember," Brian inserted, "that when it all started she was just a kid, too. For her, it was normal to treat you like that."

Kylie nodded, grateful for their support. "That's what Dr. Hammond said."

"Ky?" Rachel called to gain her attention.

"Yeah, Rach?"

"Thanks for telling us," she knew how difficult it must have been for the younger girl. "Now eat your cake or Vince'll whine about it all night."

Everybody laughed and finished their dessert. Then Brian, Roman, Leon and Jesse cleaned up the kitchen. Dom and Vince took their girls into the living room and put on a movie. Kylie snuggled into Dom's chest and drifted into a contented sleep.

F&F

The next few days were excruciatingly long for Dom. The guys were still working longer than normal shifts at the garage, and now Kylie was staying at home with Rachel, since neither could use their right hand.

Dom missed having his girl close by. Added to that was his worry of Letty resurfacing. No one seemed to have any idea where she had disappeared to after the incident on Friday evening. Dom's anger continued to fester. He wanted to deal with it, get it over with and be reassured his girl was safe.

Instead, every day the worry and anger ate at him. He called Kylie repeatedly throughout the days when it became unbearable. Just hearing her voice calmed him, allowing him to get through a few hours more.

When he arrived home he always came straight to her. He'd gather her close and give her a passionate kiss before taking her up to their bedroom.

Wednesday evening followed the same course. Dom kicked the bedroom door shut behind them and sat down on the edge of the bed with Kylie straddling him with her knees at his hips. With one hand tangled in her hair and the other at the small of her back Dom continued devouring her mouth with his. By the time he finally pulled back, they were both gasping for breath.

"God Baby! I want you so bad!" he rasped out.

"I want you, too," Kylie assured him.

Dom reached out and, mindful of her injured right arm, gently lifted her shirt up her torso and down her arms. Then, he just as gently removed her bra. He ran his hands down her back, reveling in the soft satiny feel of her skin. His gaze focused on the skin he'd just bared.

"You're so beautiful, Baby Girl, so beautiful," he told her, his voice gravelly with desire. Then his expression changed, the look of hot desire morphing into one of irritated concern. His eyes had caught sight of the angry red line running under her breasts from her too tight bra.

"What the hell-?" His hands came around to wrap around her sides as his thumbs caressed the evidence of the unforgiving elastic.

"They've ..., I, um, gotten bigger," Kylie interjected, her face heating with embarrassment. "Y-you know, 'cause of the, um, baby."

Dom's face relaxed a bit. "Why didn't you tell me you need new clothes?"

"I just noticed it on Monday, and I know how crazy the garage is right now so I, uh, um...," she stumbled as Dom raised an eyebrow, an indication that he didn't like her answer.

"You what?" he asked darkly.

"I, uh, figured it c-could wait until we get b-back from Race Wars," she finished in a rush.

"No way!" Dom declared vehemently. "No way in hell, are you gonna walk around in too small clothes for over a week. I'll take you shopping tomorrow."

Kylie lowered her bottom to rest on his thighs, sighing. "But you're too busy -"

"Get this straight, Ky, I. Am. Never. Too. Busy. For. You. Got it?" Dom argued her, his voice hard at the idea she actually thought so.

"I know that, but it isn't fair to the guys if I drag you off to take care of me all the time," Kylie explained her reasoning.

"Doesn't matter. All the outside work at the garage is done. All we've got left is our own cars," he informed her with a smile. "so tomorrow we're going shopping."

"But what about getting your car ready?" Kylie asked, still worried that she would be pulling him away from something more important that needed his attention.

Dom gave her a wicked grin. "Sweetheart, my car is always ready to race." He brought his hands around an up to cup her breasts. "Now let me get a better look at these."

Kylie moaned slightly, her eyes drifting shut, as his thumbs brushed over her nipples. The over sensitive buds tightening into hard nubs at his soft caresses.

"D-dom?" she uttered on a sigh.

"Yeah, Baby?" he replied just before closing his lips over one taut peak.

"C-can, oh. Can w-we buy s-some p-pants too? I, uhn, I h-had t-trouble b-buttoning these t-today," she struggled to ask, the pleasure his lips, tongue and teeth creating too much of a distraction.

"Show me," he demanded releasing her nipple and pulling back. His eyes glittering like silky sweet chocolates.

Kylie slipped from his lap on jello legs. She unzipped her already unbuttoned pants, while Dom wondered how he hadn't noticed them being unbuttoned before, and slowly slid them down.

Dom watched his dark gaze never straying from her lower abdomen. He was amazed to see a slight bump where, he'd swear on a stack of Bibles, there hadn't been one yesterday. He reached out and lightly gripped her hips, then gently eased her closer. Then he placed a soft reverent kiss to the tiny bulge.

"Your mommy and I love you so much, Little One. And I promise to do everything I can to give you the best childhood ever. My dad was an amazing father so I know just what to do, and even though Mommy didn't have good role models, she has the biggest heart of anyone, and I know she's gonna do a great job," he whispered against Kylie's belly.

Kylie felt tears sting her eyes. Dom was so sweet. Here she'd been worried he'd be disgusted when faced the reality of her changing body, and he amazed her with his reaction. She wrapped her left arm around the back of his head, then leaned down and kissed the top.

AN: Sorry this took so long, hope it's worth the wait. You know how to let me know, just send me a review :P