Another long one, hope you don't mind!
Quick tidbit – I wanted to give you a visual of my characters – Billie is based off of Ramsey from Furious 7; Kara Milan is based off Ronda Rousey's character, and Oz Daniels is loosely based off Josh Holloway ('cause he's a cutie pie). And also, I flubbed up with Jack's age in this story, so for my sanity and yours, he's four.
"Hello?" Mia said through strained vocal cords.
There was a long pause on the other end, then a deep sigh.
"How ya livin', Mi?"
The familiar words coming from the voice on the end other stabbed Mia in the gut. She wasn't expecting anyone to answer, and she surely wasn't expecting it to be raspy voice she knew so well. Mia was at a loss for words.
"Let.. Letty? Is it you?" Yvette's eyes bugged out of her head, she herself shocked at the turn of events.
"Yeah, girl, it's me."
"I can't believe it," Mia's heart-rate increased dramatically and she could feel the phone trembling against her face. She fought back the tears. "I didn't think I'd ever hear from you again."
"I know. I'm sorry, Mia. I truly am. I should've called."
"You're damn right, you should've called," Mia retorted, her emotions getting the best of her. She then remembered Yvette's words, and by the guilt in Letty's voice, Mia knew she had to give her a break. "But I understand why you didn't. It would've been hard to get the space you needed with people calling you constantly, begging you to come back," Yvette saw this as a moment to give the two some space, so she gave Mia her privacy. "Well... how are you? I mean, where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm close. And I'm fine, Mia. I've had my ups and downs, but I'm all right."
Mia didn't know what else to say, so she took a chance, "You think it'd be possible to talk in person?"
There was a hesitation on the other end, and Mia worried if she pushed the envelope with her offer. She was nearly floored when Letty did respond.
"Yeah, I think that'd be good. But only on one condition."
"Name it."
"Don't tell Dom. Not even that we spoke. I'm not ready to see him just yet."
"Fine," Mia agreed with a huff. She didn't like keeping things from her brother, especially things that involved Letty. He didn't like being left out of the loop.
"I'm not kidding, Mia. Not even Brian. No one. I'll handle that when I'm ready, but now is not the time."
"Okay, Letty. No one," Mia agreed honestly.
"When?"
Mia didn't want to waste time, or miss an opportunity to see her oldest friend. "How about now? I'm at the beach house in Malibu. The shop's been overloaded lately and Dom wanted the guys to get a break. He and Brian went out for the night with the others, so it's just Jack and I."
Letty let out a sigh before replying, "Let me finish my bath and I'll be on my way."
"Great! See ya soon!"
Mia disconnected the call and nearly jumped out of her skin as the realization of what was happening hit her. She spoke to Letty first the first time in eighteen months, and in a short time, the two would be face to face once again. A cloud of bittersweetness hung over her though; keeping her meeting with Letty a secret would devastate Dom, but telling her brother could send Letty running for the hills once again.
Mia made her way upstairs to check on Jack. She peeked her head in the room where he laid sound asleep, looking every bit like his father with his wild hair in a fray. Stepping back out of the room, she ran into Yvette and her sons making their way down the stairs.
"So... what's the update?" Yvette asked.
"She's gonna come over. I'm panicking, Yvette," Mia admitted, taking a seat on a bench near the stairs.
Yvette gave her bags to the boys and directed them to the car before taking a seat with Mia. "What's the problem? You heard from her, and she agreed to come see you. Why panic?"
"Because I can't tell Dominic that she's back. She doesn't want him to know."
"So don't tell him," Yvette said simply. Mia looked at her bewildered. Yvette smiled, "Mia, she answered your call. That means she's ready to talk to you, not Dominic. You have to honor what she wants if you want to get close to her again."
"I can't lie to him. He'll be so hurt," Mia responded.
"Think about how hurt she'll be if you give her up to Dom when she's not ready. Letty's like a scared new puppy right now; she wants to come closer but she needs to at her own pace. Force her into a situation she's not ready for, and she will go on the defense, or run away. Don't let Dominic scare her away. She'll go to him when she's ready."
Mia let Yvette's words sink and agreed to keep Letty's secret, for now.
"Can we keep this from Hector too?" Mia asked her.
"Say no more, girl. I've always liked Letty. I want her to come home, for Dom and your sake. You need her just as much as he does."
Mia smiled sweetly at her friend and walked her out of the house. She tidied up the beach house, checked on her sleeping son one last time, and changed into something more comfortable before grabbing her wine glass, making her way back outside to begin making the calls that Dom requested. She got ahold of Rosa first, who was now living in the Santa Domingo area of the Dominic Republic. Rosa was happy to agree to flying out to LA with her son Nico for the upcoming weekend. Mia next called Tej, who was working hard at Tej's Auto Service garage on the outskirts of Miami. He eagerly agreed to fly out in a few days after finishing up a few projects for a work.
Last but surely not least, Mia phoned Roman Pearce.
"Mia! Ha-ha! What's up girly?!" his loud and obnoxious tone blasted through her speaker.
"Hi, Roman," Mia smiled with a roll of her eyes. She loved Roman, but his dramatics drove her crazy at times. "What are you doing this weekend?"
She could hear a raucous that could only be described as women laughing loudly, "Well currently I'm swimming in a pool of beautiful Jamaican women, so you know that could last quite a while. Hello, sweetheart, I love that dress."
Mia rolled her eyes again, "Roman, focus! Dom wants the family to fly in for the weekend. Are you available?"
She could hear him shuffling on the other end, and the loudness in the background silenced, "Is everything okay? Something happen?"
"Everything is fine, Ro. It's just been a while since we all got together. Brian and I drove down for the week, so he wants to get everyone in one place. Can you make it?"
"Anything for you, my love," his tone said sweetly. "Tell Brian I couldn't find anything on our girl. I know he's been searching hard since Letty left."
A pair of headlights and a roaring engine caught Mia's attention, and kicked-up her heart-rate.
"No worries, Roman. I've got it taken care of. I'll see you soon!"
Mia stood on shaky feet as she awaited her company. She heard barking before she saw the massive German Shepard dog running her way. Mia nervously backed away as the dog sniffed around the perimeter of the porch before closing in on her. The pup furiously sniffed at Mia's feet, licking her toes through her sandals.
"Ginger, leave her feet alone, you weirdo."
Mia's eyes followed the familiar voice to the woman standing at the bottom of the stairs. There Letty stood, dressed in her favorite leather jacket over a white camisole and light blue jeans, her hands shoved nervously in the pockets. Her curly hair was wet as it swept her shoulders, and her facial expression was one of nervousness, but her eyes... they were clear. Mia didn't see pain, or fear – much like the Letty she knew she disappeared into the night. Letty's eyes were stoic but her body language told Mia that Letty was just as nervous as she.
"Sorry," Letty said while tucking a few strands behind her ear, "She's got this weird thing with feet."
Mia smiled to try to cover the tears threatening her vision. She wanted to speak, but the lump of emotion in her throat prevented it. Instead, Mia dashed over to Letty so fast that she nearly knocked them both to the ground. The younger woman tossed her arms around Letty's neck and prayed that she didn't react harshly. Surprisingly, Letty laughed while hugging Mia back with just as much intensity, squeezing her arms around Mia's stomach tightly. Mia could no longer hold back her tears and sobbed freely as they embraced for nearly a minute. They finally pulled away, both women wiping tears as they took a seat on the steps of the home, Mia never relinquishing her hold on Letty's hand.
"I can't believe it's really you. You have no clue how much I've missed you. And not just since you left, but even before that. When I thought you died, I felt like a piece of me died, too. You've been in my life since I was twelve, and I know that doesn't mean much now, but you are my sister, Letty. You always have been. I know that you're different now. And as hard as it is to accept, I think I finally understand it."
Letty looked into Mia's watery brown eyes and saw their history together. Memories of Letty giving Mia racing lessons, shopping together, working in the cafe, designing decals for the team, and many more danced around in Mia's eyes, awakening Letty to the best friend she lost years ago. The woman she considered a stranger only a short while ago was actually the only woman she had ever connected with in her thirty-one years of living.
"It means more than you know, Mia. I may be different, but I remember you always had my back. Whether it was with some skank, the guys at the shop, or your brother - you've always been like a rock for me. And I haven't always been appreciative. I feel even shittier for missing you wedding day, and I'm sorry. So I got you something. I know it's late but..." Letty stood and walked to the side of the home, quickly returning with a black box. "Congrats on the wedding, girl."
Mia frowned before opening the box, her face soon lighting up at the beauties staring back at her.
"Oh my god, your Zanotti's?! You bought these for the wedding. I thought you loved these heels, " Mia held up the expensive cheetah-print curved wedge heel with one finger.
Letty smiled at her reaction, "Yeah, but I can't walk in them for shit. And I know you loved them, too. I never wore them. They're yours, so treasure them. It was hard keeping them away from Brooke."
"Brooke?" Mia questioned.
"Yeah, a friend that I live with. She's been bouncing around with Ginger and I for a while."
Mia felt a twinge of jealousy sting at her chest, "Well, it's good to know you weren't alone out there. Where is she?"
"She went out. Never been to LA, so she was anxious to see the sights."
Before either had a chance to continue, loud screams came from the house behind them. They turned quickly to see Jack standing in the doorway with tears streaming down his face as Ginger licked haplessly at his feet.
"Shit! Ginger, come on, girl!" Letty said while snapping her finger, ordering the dog over to her. Ginger trotted over as Mia hurried to scoop the frightened Jack up in her arms. "Sorry, Mi. She's not dangerous, just friendly."
"It's okay. Jack's not used to dogs yet. Brian's been dying to get one, but it'd just be like having another boy in the house to clean behind. I've finally got my limit down to two, and that's where I intend on keeping it for a while."
"Aunt Letty!" Jack hollered as he finally took notice of the woman standing near the stairs.
Letty's heart melted at the beautiful little boy in Mia's arms. She fell in love with Jack when he was only eighteen months old, and he seemed to adore her the same. She appreciated him more because the only memories he had of her were post-amnesia, so she didn't have to feel bad about not remembering.
"Hey Jacky," Letty replied happily. Jack wiggled out of Mia's arms and bolted for Letty, wrapping his small arms around her thighs the best he could. Mia turned away to keep from crying, and Letty bit down hard on her lip to prevent her own waterworks. She scooped him up and settled him on her waist. "Goodness, man, you've gotten big."
"Where were you?" he asked, his eyes frowning as he fiddled with the zipper on her jacket.
"I had to get away for a little while, Jacky," she tried to explain to the four year-old. "I was feeling scared, and nervous, and anxious about the future. I had to take a breather, buddy."
Jack presumably analyzed her words, "Are you leaving again?"
Letty's eyes shot over to Mia, who seemed just as eager for her response.
"Not just yet. There's some things I have to take care of, but I'll be around," both Jack and Mia seemed satisfied with that answer. She pulled a small chew toy from her pocket and handed it over, "Jack, why don't you take Ginger inside and play for a while? I know she looks big and scary, but she's a sweetheart."
Jack was apprehensive as Letty placed him back on the ground in front of Ginger, whose head and floppy ears tilted as she looked curiously at the boy through bright Amber eyes.
Letty sensed his nervousness and knelt next to him, "Sometimes when she's having too much fun, she likes to jump up. If she does, you just snap your fingers and say no, and she'll sit, okay?"
Jack practiced snapping his fingers a few times, and though it wasn't as well as Letty's, it still got Ginger's attention. He was suddenly eager to play with the puppy and led her on a high-speed chase into the house.
"Jack be easy!" Mia yelled after him before turning to Letty, "You know they're gonna wreck the place, right? Dom's gonna chew me a new ass."
Letty returned back to her seat on the steps, staring off into the ocean. "He'll live. It's not like we didn't leave a few trashed houses for Dino to come home to back in the day. Serves him right."
"No shit," Mia smiled at the memories, while making her way to sit. "Wait, you remember that?"
Letty chuckled, "Some of it. Here and there I get clips... like flashbacks. Of course they don't come in chronological order, so a lot of it is just jumbled videos. Like a damn puzzle I put together everyday without looking at the picture, but now I can't fucking figure it out how to do it anymore."
"I can't imagine how frustrating that must be," Mia sympathized.
"You have no clue," Letty waited for a barrage of questions, yet Mia seemed as peace as she watched the waves crash against the shore. " You not gonna ask where I've been?"
"No. As curious as I am, it was your journey, not ours. You're alive and safe, and that's all that matters," Mia looped her arm with Letty's, "Unless you're wanted, or apart of some mob now, or planning to steal some national treasure."
Letty laughed and shook her head, "No gangs or jobs, Mia. I promise."
"You didn't say you weren't wanted," Mia looked at her and Letty looked away with a smirk. "Shit, Letty are you here to hide?"
"No, Mi! I was working in this garage for a while. The owner was pinching my checks, so I took what was rightfully mind... and awarded myself a few thousand in damages. He may or may not be looking for me. No big deal."
Mia shook her head with a laugh. Though Yvette tried to convince her that Letty was a different woman than the girl she grew up with, she quickly realized that it didn't matter how much time or distance was between them, Letty would always be Letty. The brutally honest, tough, street-smart girl who never backed down from a challenge, and didn't need a man to fight her battles for her. She would always be her sister.
The boys made their way back to Los Angeles and followed Hector to their old hangout spot, El Gato Negro. Several tricked-out Hondas lined the front of the establishment and Spanish rap blasted from inside. It appeared the party had started without them.
"I guess Mamma Mia let you guys out, huh?" Sonny teased as Dom, Brian and Oz headed his way.
"Shut up, punk," Brian retorted and playfully lunged for him, catching Sonny in a headlock. "Where's that twin of yours? He's not here to rescue you, you little shit."
"He went to pee. You better cut it out, or I'm telling your wife. You won't be getting any for a second night in a row!" Sonny taunted back as he tried to fight the much-stronger Brian off.
Dom laughed at their antics and turned to Hector, "So who are these special guests you keep mentioning?
"Well one is already here. Follow me," Hector led them over to a candy red '83 Oldsmobile Cutlass, where a bald dark-skinned man leaned against it with his back to them. He was muscular, and it took Dom a moment to think of who it could be. "Yo, yo!"
The mystery man turned at the sound of Hector's voice, and Dom smiled from ear-to-ear.
"Oh shit," Brian said with a grin, "Look what the cat dragged in."
"I could say the same thing," Edwin said with a perfect smile. "I see the Snowman was worthy enough to be kept around."
"He is," Dom looked at Brian with a smile. "Edwin James. Always good to see you brother."
"Always, dawg," Edwin replied as they embraced. The high school friends hadn't seen each other since Brian's first race. "Glad to see you still breathing and not in prison. In fact, I hear you're doing better than that."
"I see Edwin still knows a few things," Brian ribbed. "What've you been up to, man?"
"Moved to New York a few years back to start focusing on my music. Shit spread like wildfire. I'm actually on break from touring so I had to stop in and see my homeboys. Hey I never got a chance to give my condolences for Jesse. I know it's been years, but he was a good kid. Didn't deserve to go out like that."
"Thanks man," Dom replied.
"And Letty... I was caught up overseas with this tour at the time. You know-"
Dom cut him off, "No sweat brother. It was a mix-up, she's alive and fine."
"That's one hell of a mix-up," Edwin said, "Where is she? Your whole crew switch up?"
"She's around. Not completely. They're just out livin' man," Dom replied, happy that his friends were living the good life after so many years of hard times. "Hector, what's it lookin' like tonight?"
"We're about to ride out now, ese. Follow us."
Dom felt right at home in the throng of speeding cars heading towards the Warehouse District. Dozens of cars and people were already there and the energy radiating from the event was magical. Music blasted from the popped trunks of colorful cars and scantily clad women danced along to the beat. Racers were comparing engines and trash-talking the competition, but most were cheering for the return and arrival of Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Conner.
Dom smiled as he drove through the seemingly endless crowd, absorbing all the love coming from the people clapping and cheering for them. The moment was bittersweet for him. Dom loved everything aspect that came from Race Night; the environment and friendly banter, and especially the cold hard cash. But it never felt quite right without the others. Especially the Queen. His Queen.
Dom parked his Charger between Brian and Oz, with Sonny and Neil parking near them. They all got out and leaned against their rides, waiting for the start of the event.
There was a commotion coming from a few feet away that caught their attention. The amped-up crowd cheered louder as a yellow Nissan parted the soiree like the Red Sea and stopped short of them.
"Looks like someone stole the Toretto thunder," Edwin said with a smirk.
Dom tried to identify the driver, but the dark tint on the windows made it impossible. The driver's door finally opened and everyone craned their necks to see who could make such an entrance. Dom secretly prayed for long caramel legs to step out, but was disappointed when a man's jeaned-leg appeared instead. He was shocked to see the man wearing them.
"Is that Leon?" a stunned Brian asked.
The young boy they knew as Leon was now a well-dressed grown man shaking hands with a couple of smiling faces. He glanced around at the boys with a grin. When his eyes landed on Dom, his smirk quickly turned into a sneer before turning his attention back to greeting his fans. His disinterest didn't go unnoticed.
"When was the last time you've seen Leon, Dom?" Brian asked as his instincts picked up on tension between the two men instantly.
"It's been a while," Dom vividly remembered his last encounter with Leon Diaz, and it wasn't a good one. "The night of Letty's funeral."
Dom wiped his weeping eyes after pulling into the driveway of his LA home for the first time in years. He took a few deep breaths before shutting off his Chevelle. He realized Mia's white Subaru WRX was parked ahead of him and decided to compose himself for her sake. He knew she would be in shambles today, because he was too.
The day was Letty's funeral. The day he had to watch the love of his life be laid to rest near an oil refinery due to his fear of arrest.
Dom grabbed his six-pack from the passenger seat and headed inside. He headed toward the voices coming from the kitchen, and stopped short at the sight of Leon - whom he hadn't seen in five years - consoling Mia.
"You son of a bitch!" Leon growled when he noticed Dom entering the room. He stood from his chair and sauntered over to him, his rage and anger written brazenly on his face.
"Excuse me?" Dom replied, his tone just as brassy. "Back off, Leon. Seriously."
"Guys, don't," a blubbering Mia tried to intervene, but they both ignored her.
"Fuck you Dominic!" Leon screamed as he shoved Dom hard against the countertop, "Where were you? You didn't show your face for her funeral?!"
"I'm still a wanted man!" Dom bellowed back.
"And whose fault is that? Whose fault is it that you don't know when enough is enough? It wasn't Letty's fault, yet I watched them bury her today! My best friend, because of you!"
Leon threw a hard punch at Dom's face, landing square on his jaw and staggering him to one knee.
"Please, stop it, guys!" Mia begged again but to no avail.
Dom rubbed his aching jaw as he stood to his feet, ready to release some pent-up frustration on Leon's face, but one look at Mia halted him in his tracks.
"Leon, I did what I had to do to keep her out of prison," Dom explained emotionally,"I tried to keep her safe. I didn't know she would turn to the people I was trying to keep her away from!"
"You knew! You knew because Letty would've done anything for you!" he pointed as the tears began to roll down his face. "Even if it meant dying so you could be free!"
"Leon, enough!" Mia yelled at him, "Dom was a moron for leaving her, he knows that. Everyone knows that. And I don't think I could ever forgive him for it," the words sent another crushing blow to Dom's already broken heart. "But you also know that no one could ever tell her what to do, or what not to do. She made the choice to risk her life by working with the Feds."
Leon turned to Mia with a look of bewilderment, "You are putting the blame on her?! Mia, Letty would've never worked with the cops for any other reason besides to help him. To be with him again. You know that as well as I do."
Leon closed the distance between Dom and himself, standing toe-to-toe with the wounded giant fearlessly.
"All she ever wanted was to be with you. I never understood it, but I accepted it. How could you leave her? How could you abandon her?" the tears flowed freely as Leon's shoulders racked from his sobs.
Dom's anger washed away at the sight of Leon, a man he had always considered a brother, breaking down. He dropped his guard and pulled Leon over to console him. Leon allowed the moment of comfort, crying on Dom's shoulder as his hands gripped tightly at Dom's white polo shirt. The sweet gesture was cut short when Leon shoved Dom away and stormed out of the house.
"Shit, Dom. Why haven't you tried talking to him?" Edwin asked as Leon closed in.
"Does he look interested in talking to me?" Dom asked with a cocked brow.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally found their way back home," Leon cracked, his attention ignoring Dom and going straight to Brian, "Buster.. should've known you would cross over to the dark side. How you been, man?"
"It's better cars over here," Brian joked back with a bright smile as the two shook hands. "I'm good, Leon. It's been a while, bro. What happened to the Skyline?"
"I still have her, but she scares the shit out of me, so she's just eye candy right now. Where the hell did you find Edwin James?"
"You know Edwin's always around, baby!" Edwin said jokingly as he and Leon embraced in a hug.
"Looks like you're the top dog around here, now," Dom said, annoyed with Leon ignoring him.
Leon smirked while looking around the lively crowd.
"Nah, I haven't raced in years. I've just stuck around. Sometimes all it takes is being there," his words spiked the tension until Hector jumped in.
"Now that we're all here, how 'bout we get started? A few runner-up races to start us off. Two grand buy-in, who's up?"
A few no-name racers jumped at the chance to impress the legendary Team Toretto and eagerly put their money up. While most of the crowd headed off for the starting, Dom and his boys stuck around, along with Hector and Leon.
"So how's it hangin', Leon? Hector tells me you guys have your own shop now?" Edwin said to break the awkward tension.
"Yeah, man. The Lab. Business is great."
"Hector didn't mention you two working together," Dom said, his sharp gaze now on Hector.
"I wanted to surprise you," Hector shrugged. "Maybe you guys can catch-up later. I know it's been a while since you've talked, and clearly you have unfinished business."
"I thought we came to see a race?"
All heads turned to Leon's Nissan, where a tall brunette in a crop-top stood in the passenger doorway.
"Who is that?" Oz spoke for the first time that night.
"No one. Brooke get in the car," Leon sighed annoyingly and turned back to Dom, whose attention was still on Brooke. Leon wasn't sure if he was just curious, or working on a way to take her home, but he didn't like it either way. "I see some things never change."
Dom focused back on Leon, "Nothing changes, except what has to."
Leon thought about his day, the emotional roller-coaster it was, "You're right about that. Sometimes fate has a way of forcing necessary changes, even if it is ugly."
Dom stared at the back of Leon in confusion. He wasn't sure what he meant, but he knew it didn't sit well with his gut.
He finally noticed Leon's limp while watching him walk back to his car and slide in the driver's seat. Brooke smiled sweetly at the men before following suit. As the Nissan rolled by, the men strained to get a better look through the tint at the mystery woman but there was no use, but she was able to get a better look at them and was more than impressed. While she deemed the presence she instantly recognized as Dom 'cute', his large blonde friend was more of her type. His long blonde hair pulled back into a man-bun, deep dimples hidden behind a thick black beard, and tattoos peeking out from blue button-down. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes and casted a shadow of mystery over him, and she was more than intrigued. "I fucking love L.A," Brooke said energetically.
"He get the limp racing?" Dom asked Hector while heading to his car.
"Nah, drunk driver in an 18-wheeler. Shoulda killed the fool, but somehow he only comes out with a mangled leg. And a five million dollar settlement from the company."
"Holy shit. Little Leon became the man, huh? Sexy ass ex-wife, his own garage, and bringing back Race Wars - all as multi-millionaire? Now Edwin's impressed!" the jokester laughed while sliding in his Cutlass and peeling out toward the race.
"The looks on your faces right now," Oz smirked at both Brian and Dom before hopping up in his SUV.
"Looks like I gotta put on a show for my fans," Brian grinned wide, aiming to get a rise out of Dom.
"You're delusional, O'Conner," Dom finally cracked a smile.