Author: Moon Roses or Moony
Rating: R for language
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Feedback: Not necessary but greatly appreciated.
Recap: When she climbed into bed she fell asleep with the lightest heart she'd had since that fateful day so long ago. She knew tomorrow would be a new day. A new world really. A world where Brer would be loved by both parents.

Chapter Fifty One

The next morning Shorty woke abruptly, with the unmistakable fear everything that had transpired the night before was nothing but a wonderful dream. She rolled out of bed and right into a shower to clear her mind. The cool water did nothing to settle her worries. The more she thought about it, the more she believed it was nothing more than a wonderful dream. Everything falling into place so easily with Leon and Brer was just too good to be true.

She towel dried her hair and quickly pulled on a wife beater and baggy sweats. Brer was still asleep when she left her room, so she crossed into his to wake him. He was sprawled across the bed on his stomach; one leg and one arm dangling dangerously off the bed. Crouching to his eye level she ran her finger down the bridge of his nose until he woke slowly.

Brer's bleary eyes took only a moment to focus and he yawned as he rose onto his knees. "Hi Mami," he said, pushing the longer curls along his forehead out of his eyes.

As adorable as he looked with mused hair she knew he would need another haircut soon. He'd really taken to the faux hawk hair lately, so maybe she could convince him to let her cut it into that style. "Hey, little man. I just wanted to tell you that I love you."

He rolled his bright eyes at her in blatant irritation. "Oh Mami, I already know that," he grinned, stumbling out of bed and straight to the bathroom, one hand down the crotch of his pajama bottoms.

She laughed and made his bed while he used the bathroom and brushed his teeth. She sat next to Banjo and let him lay his head in her lap while they waited for Brer to finish his morning rituals.

Broaching the subject of Leon was absurd, but she had to know if it'd really happened. Mentioning it was the difficult part. If it had been a dream she didn't want Brer to know Leon was his father. And if it hadn't been a dream, well, she really didn't want to upset Brer again.

"Can I play with Lalia today?" he asked, as he reappeared in the room. He'd fingered the hair from his eyes with water. Droplets of water ran down his face and settled darkly onto his shirt.

"I don't see why not. I'll call Dom and Letty after breakfast."

His little old soul seemed to sense her discomfort and inner agitation. He pushed between her knees and laid his head over her heart, squeezing his arms tightly around her midsection. "I love you too, Mami."

Shorty smiled down at his head before pressing a kiss into his damp hair. She left him to dress and started down the stairs. She was just above the last step when the doorbell rang loudly. Hector hadn't told her he'd be dropping by so she assumed it was a newspaper boy or maybe even a neighbor. She was bowled over when she pulled back the door and Leon stood on the front steps with a greasy bag of food and the largest smile she'd ever seen.

It was a little unnerving to see him so delighted at being a father. It was absolutely, positively, psychically impossible to change from one extreme to the next over night. She wondered if maybe he was putting on a show to try and convince both himself and her that he was thrilled to be a father.

She opened the screen door and Leon waltzed in smelling delicious, both from the greasy food and the shower he'd obviously just taken. "I brought breakfast sandwiches. I hope Brer likes bacon."

Leon stepped inside the house just as Brer rushed down the stairs to see if any of his uncles had decided to pay a visit. The smile wilted off his face when he saw Leon instead. Banjo seemed to sense Brer's change of mood and the hackles along his spine rose and his head dropped in warning.

Shorty rolled her eyes and snapped, "Enough," at Banjo. He sat still as a statue in front of Brer, waiting for him to decide if Leon was to be trusted. "Say hello, Brer."

"Hola, Brer," he replied sarcastically. (Hello, Brer.)

"Attitude huh?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. She knew her son was feeling uncomfortable around Leon. Just yesterday he'd been without an active father, and now he was faced with one who truly seemed to want to get to know him.

"Por qué aquí?" he asked. (Why's he here?)

She wasn't shocked he'd reverted into Spanish. She often did it when mad or frustrated and it was obvious he was upset that Leon was in his home. The best way to solve things in her family was usually just to let the anger play itself out.

Frowning down at Brer she answered, "El está aquí para verto. Darle una oportunidad." (He's here to see you. Give him a chance.)

Her son grumbled under his breath, and rubbed behind Banjo's ears slowly. He was trying to think of reasons why he should and shouldn't give Leon the time of day. Whether he wanted to or not, she had allowed Leon into the house and he'd have to deal with it. She knew once he'd eaten he'd probably be a lot easier to deal with. And she didn't miss the way his eyes kept darting to the greasy white bag Leon held.

"Yo no quiero." (I don't want to.)

"Brer," she warned.

Leon watched the discussion between them with wide eyes. He'd lived with Letty long enough that he should be able to understand some of what was said. And if he didn't, he was smart enough to read body language. "I can come back later," he said, handing her the bag of food.

"No, stay. Come on," she said to Leon.

He followed her into the kitchen and Brer wandered in after Leon was seated at the table. Shorty took out plates and filled glasses with orange juice, setting them on the table one after the other.

"Por qué a mi?" Brer asked, as he pulled himself into the chair across from Leon. He hadn't looked at Leon since he'd first noticed him but now he turned his gaze to the man in front of him. He watched him, completely nonplussed. (Why should I?)

"Porque él es su padre." (Because he's your father.)

Brer sighed heavily but didn't answer. He accepted the breakfast sandwich Leon had brought for him and dug in without a second thought. If it'd been her who was that upset with Leon she wouldn't have touched the food on principal. But that kind of disrespect was thankfully something he hadn't yet learned.

"So what you up to today?" Shorty asked Leon.

He swallowed the food in his mouth and studied Brer for a second before he met her eyes. "I don't really have any plans."

"Well, I'm gonna make spaghetti for dinner, if you wanna stick around."

A whole day with her and Brer was probably asking a little too much but she offered it anyways. She didn't expect him to accept the offer. However, he jumped with both feet straight into fatherhood. She may have been stunned but she smiled to show she appreciated it.

They finished their breakfast over talk of Nissans. Casual chitchat seemed like the best way to keep the intensity out of the situation. Brer hadn't been overly delighted that Leon had shown up unexpected and uninvited. Thought, with a full stomach he seemed to warm a little to the prospect of spending a day with, for all intensive purposes, a complete stranger.

Shorty kicked them out of the kitchen and into the backyard while she cleared up. Although she wanted to be present while Brer and Leon got to know each other, she knew it'd be better for them to do it alone. There were just some things she couldn't control.

Instead of joining them in the backyard she unloaded all her art supplies on the kitchen table. She trusted Leon not to let Brer drown in the pool, but she was still a mother. Sitting at the kitchen table was far enough away not to pry but close enough that if she was needed she'd be within hearing distance.

The rest of the morning was spent finishing designs for her customers. She hadn't heard a peep from the backyard, which she took to be a good sign. Shorty cleared the table of her sketchbooks and colors for lunch. Though she didn't want to interrupt Brer's time with his father she wasn't going to let either of them get away with not eating. "Hey, how about some bologna sandwiches for lunch?" she called through the open sliding door.

Brer raced in with a gigantic smile on his face, his eyes glowing in ecstasy. He scampered up the stool and climbed onto the island where she was laying out slices of bread. He reached for a slice of bologna, "Leon says he's gonna teach me how to slam dunk."

"I know you aren't thinking of eating without washing your hands, mister," she replied.

He scrambled down the stool before dragging it noisily over to the sink and climbing back up. "Slam dunk, Mami. I'm gonna be like Kobe,' he cried, as he turned the tap on and squirted some soap into the palm of his hand.

"That'll be fun."

"You won't be as tall as Kobe but you'll dunk like a pro when I'm through with you," Leon said, sitting on another stool.

"You know he's Hispanic Italian, right?"

"Yeah, so?" he asked.

"Soccer first, then basketball. He'll be a natural," Shorty answered, cutting the last sandwich into triangles and arranging in on a plate.

She handed the plates to Leon and poured three glasses of water. Setting them on the table, she slid into her chair and waited for Brer to climb into his. Once he was settled, they dug into their meal, chatting about sports around mouthfuls. The conversation seemed so right, so perfect. Father and son were smiling and she couldn't help but feel this was how her life was supposed to be. Slowly repairing her friendship with Leon and watching him fall in love with his son.

Nearly a month later she was preparing the house for Brer's birthday when Leon walked through the front door carrying a large brightly wrapped gift and wearing a stormy scowl. Shorty knew whatever was bugging him would eventually make itself known but she didn't want his poor attitude ruining their sons forth birthday.

Leon placed the birthday present on the kitchen table and sighed before turning and facing her. She must have looked ready to question him because he shook his head quickly, "Where's my boy?"

"Upstairs trying to decide between his green or yellow converse," Shorty answered, letting her question slide for the time being.

In the month since Leon had entered Brer's life, he'd very rarely been anything but happy. And when he was a little down, just a few minutes with his son could cheer him up exponentially. In fact, he was excelling at fatherhood and handling everything in stride.

And even though Shorty was thrilled with his desire to be a father, changing the dynamics of her family was a lot harder than she'd thought it'd be. She was used to parenting Brer by herself, without input from anyone else. Once Leon decided he was going to be an active father he wanted a say in everything that had to do with his son. Shorty didn't mind in the least, but remembering to discuss it with Leon first was difficult.

"You two and your shoes. It's like the world stands still if you don't have the right pair on," he smiled, grabbing a carrot off a platter and biting off the end.

"The world does stand still. Where have you been?"

"Uh huh," he answered, with a roll of his eyes. "I'm gonna go hurry the kid up."

He left her in the kitchen to make his way to his sons room. She grinned down at the platter of burgers waiting for the barbeque. Leon had grown immeasurably in such a short time she couldn't help but smile at the situation. For someone who'd never wanted to be a father, he'd taken to it rather quick. And in Brer's heart, his Papi was the most wonderful man. He'd even managed to take the attention Brer bestowed upon Vince.

That lack of attention for Vince wasn't surprising, but Shorty could see how much it upset him. Not that he'd talk about it. In fact, he hadn't spoken to her since the barbeque. It was as if they'd reverted back to just after she'd brought Brer home to Los Angeles. He seemed angry that she was allowing Brer and Leon to spend time together. And although she knew it had something to do with their past, she wasn't about to keep father and son separated.

She knew what Vince was feeling was jealousy. Jealousy that Brer would rather spend time with Leon than him. Maybe even a little jealousy over the time Shorty and Leon spent together. She wanted to assure him that it would wear off; that once Brer was older he'd avoid her and Leon as much as possible and seek out the male companionship of the rest of the team. And she would have told him, if he'd stop acting like a child and hiding his face whenever she was around.

After all the time she'd known Vince and understood his mood swings, she still couldn't stop herself from feeling frustrated. All she wanted was her Vince back, and just when it seemed like she was slowly dragging him back to her, he bolted. She'd have loved to blame that on Leon, just as he was, but she knew it wasn't right. Vince was still locked in the past, unable to let go of his resentment for Leon.

"Mami, you're gonna let Aunt Mia cook, right?" Brer asked, as he bounced into the kitchen just before Leon.

Looking up from the tomato she was slicing, she spied one lemon yellow and one lime green converse upon his feet. She opened her mouth to question Leon's taste in clothes, but was cut off by his quick shrug, "I guess we know who he got his fashion sense from."

"He's your kid," Shorty replied, reaching down and lifting Brer onto the counter. "What's up with the 7up shoes?"

"I couldn't decide," he answered, kicking his dangling feet against the cupboard.

"Veo que. No importa lo que su papi dice, tenemos mucho gusto en la moda. Comprender?" she asked, switching to Spanish. Leon still hadn't learnt enough of the language to understand what they were saying, and she still got a kick out of seeing his lips purse in frustration. (I see that. No matter what your Papi says, we got great taste in fashion. Understand?)

He nodded his agreement and popped a slice of tomato into his mouth. She didn't need to reassure him he looked fine, because he was confident enough to take a little teasing now and again. "Si, Mami." (Yes, Mother.)

By the time her team arrived, hauling presents and platters of food, she had finished the fixings for burgers. The kitchen and patio tables had been cleared to make room for the other party guests. They unloaded everything onto the counters and snatched Brer from Leon's arms.

"Let's get this party started, eh, little man?" Beto said, as he tossed Brer to Hector's waiting arms.

He caught her son easily and hoisted him over his head and sat him on the back of his neck. Brer clutched at Hector's head and squealed with glee as they ducked under the doorframe and made their way to the pool.

"Take off his clothes before you toss him," Shorty called after the boys.

They answered briefly before she heard another shriek and the sound of splashing. Leon leaned out the door to make sure his son was uninjured before turning back to Shorty, his eyes smiling.

"They didn't take his clothes off, did they?"

He shook his head, and then dropped his grin; "I want to talk to you before the rest of the team gets here."

Shorty started arranging the platters of food on the kitchen table, "What's up?"

He grabbed a glass dish of seven layer dip along with the matching chip bowl and brought them to the kitchen table as well. He waited until she was looking at him before he continued, "I broke up with Kim."

Although she wasn't surprised with his confession, she was still a little sad it'd come to that. She hadn't seen eye to eye with the girl, and she had truly cared for Leon, but she knew Kim had received the sharp end of the knife. Since Leon had accepted his fatherhood he'd spent less and less time with her, so little in fact that Kim hadn't seen her since the night of the barbeque.

"Is that what you really want?"

He shrugged, as if unsure what his answer should be, "I don't know. I was kind of getting sick of her anyways."

"Oh," she replied.

There wasn't much she could say to a comment like that. She had no doubt it had to do with Kim's issues surrounding herself and Brer. Shorty didn't see their arguments first hand but she could see the havoc it was wreaking on Leon, the slump of his shoulders, only lifted when he was relaxing with Brer.

"She was hassling me about Brer, asking if we were gonna have kids. Shit like that. I just found out I have one kid, I'm not about to run out and have another."

"Totally understandable," Shorty said.

She wasn't ready for another child yet, although she knew she wanted one or two more eventually. So she couldn't find any fault with his comment. She was pretty sure one would be enough for Leon anyways.

"She's pissed at you."

"Shit happens."

Leon laughed, pulling her into a hug. Their interactions, while much more confortable, were now simply friendly. He hadn't pushed her since his kiss, and she knew he understood her intentions clearly. They'd be friends forever, parents together, but they would never be lovers again.

He released her and gave her a light slap on the ass as she moved back to the counter to grab some more food. As she set the dishes of burritos and veggies on the table the front door opened and the rest of the Toretto team made their way into the house noisily. Lalia streaked past her, her arms wrapped tightly around a large box wrapped in neon blue paper.

"Hey Boo, how ya livin?" Letty asked, as she appeared in the kitchen. Her arms full of the delicious fare of Mia's superior cooking and Shorty wondered how all of them weren't a few hundred pounds overweight.

"I'm great," she answered, taking the load off Letty's arms and depositing it on the kitchen table. "You?"

"Same as always," Letty smiled back, kissing her full on the mouth before following Lalia into the backyard.

Dom smiled at their affection, stooping to kiss her check as well. "You get more action than I do," he teased, grabbing a handful of chips.

"I'm cute."

"I don't know about that," he added, as he followed his wife and child out of the kitchen.

"Hey boys," Shorty said, when Jesse and Vince maneuvered a huge box into the kitchen. She knew from the size and the three packages of different colored wrapping paper that it had to be a child sized automated toy car.

"I got favorite uncle in the box," Jesse said, tapping the box smugly. He'd established his position with Lalia but had yet to win the same amount of affection from Brer.

Shorty grinned at him, but couldn't find it in herself to ruin his day. As much as Brer loved Jesse, his favorites were already determined and he divided most of his attention between them. "It's gonna be a harder win than Lalia was, man."

"No way. I got a way with kids," he answered.

"Bribes don't count, kid," followed Vince, with a quick shove and a smile.

Vince seemed more at ease than he had in their last encounters and she wondered if maybe he'd smoked a joint minutes before. She wouldn't, and couldn't blame him for wanting that relaxed feeling before entering her house. He was determined to make the best of the situation for Brer's sake but Shorty knew he was agitated already. He may have been able to fool the rest of the partygoers but she could feel the distance between them.

"He won't know it's a bribe," Jesse countered smugly.

"You'd be surprised what that kid knows," Vince replied.

"Yeah, yeah," the younger man called as he left the kitchen.

Vince was right. Brer saw a lot more than he should have at only four years old. And even then he was never turned off life. He took everything in stride and made the best of every situation. Maybe he'd show some extra affection towards Jesse for a few days but ultimately Hector, the boys, and Vince would return to the all adoring limelight.

"Didn't get in on that, Vince?" Shorty asked.

"No way. I won the kid over a long time ago," he answered, casting a glance at Leon to gage his reaction.

Shorty caught the look but it was obvious the comment went right over Leon's head. Either he was choosing to ignore the remark or he honestly didn't catch the bait behind it. Whatever the case she was glad he didn't react. Instead, he puttered around the kitchen a moment longer before taking a beer outside to join the rest of the group.

It was the first time she and Vince had been alone since the night Leon decided he'd step up and be a father. She fully expected him to bolt the moment he realized he was alone with her but he remained where he was. Shorty's heart sped up a beat and she couldn't help but feel her throat constricting in anticipation. The moment had been coming for a while and she was finally ready to settle their differences.

"How you been?"

Shorty wanted to say she was lost without him, miserable that she couldn't talk to him whenever she wanted. Despite her overwhelming desire for the truth, she shrugged nonchalantly, "Can't complain."

He tilted his head and gazed at her silently for a few moments, "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Would I lie to you?"

The instant she said it she knew it was the wrong thing to say. What had once been so innocently amusing; now held years of bitterness. Shorty wanted to take it back but once it was in the open all she could do was wait for the explosion. She'd yet again thrown it in his face that not only could she lie to him; she could desert him without a second thought.

Vince raised an eyebrow in question but didn't answer. She could see his willingness to talk wilt away and she was left with the intensely angry man she'd come to know lately. It seemed like nothing she did was ever right. All she wanted to do was patch up the hole she'd made, rather than gouge away at it slowly.

Surprisingly, Vince shook his head slowly then left her standing in the kitchen by herself. Although she'd avoided the confrontation again, this ridiculous skirting they were doing couldn't last forever. In fact, it was more tiring to avoid the situation than to just deal with it like adults. But if there was one thing she or Vince weren't, it was adults.

A/N: Yikes! Sorry for the delay. Real life has taken over. Anyways, thanks to Violet201, Teleliniel, Ashes2Dust18, hikachan3, ILoveAnime89, wrestlenascargirl, RunningFromShadows, Reject's Angel, MissLuLu2010, and Leon's Angel for the reviews. Shout outs to Skotadi, fleuret, SeSsYlOvEr2956, elfgirl30, Danielle89, Rihimesama, NightyNight, Leon's Angel, MissLuLu2010, Villiana Del Amor, and Chloe2112 for the alerts and favorites. If I forgot anyone I'm sorry! I will inbox my personal thanks you's tomorrow!

Cheers!