A/N: Hope you enjoy!
Guest: She pumps.
"Letty I can't have a baby in the garage." Tony scolded her.
"But look at him. I couldn't just leave him in that place. What if they did something to him? I saw on the news the other day that daycare centers across the country have been shut down for maltreatment of children, including drugging them during naptime. Do you want them to drug your grandchild? Do you? Because it'll probably happen." She argued.
"Letty you're being irrational. Babies go to daycare all the time. Mine did, and they're fine."
"But he's been going through separation anxiety."
"I think you're going through separation anxiety." He countered. "I'm gonna make this real simple. Get a babysitter, or you don't work."
"But-"
"That's final." Tony asserted before leaving the office.
"Urg!" Letty exasperated. She had been on official work leave for six months, and she and Dom had barely been staying afloat with all their expenses. She had to start working again. There was no doubt about it. She looked forward to working on engines full time, but Letty wanted to do it with her child attached to her, which was not a feasible request.
"Dom you need to find a babysitter for Alexus." Tony said coming up behind him.
"We did." Dom answered.
"Well why don't you go tell Letty that, since she seems to think babies and garages go together." Tony informed him causing Dom to chuckle.
"I'll go talk to her."
"Please do. I'm trying to run a business here." He hollered after Dom as he made his way to the office. Dom cracked the door open to find Letty complaining to their son.
"Grandpapi is being a big meany Lexi."
"Come on now that's not fair. He's been holding your spot for six months." Dom said closing the door behind him. Alexus perked up at the sight of him. "Hey buddy." He cooed and the baby began to kick his legs out excitedly. Dom was too filthy to hold Alexus though he desperately wanted to. Therefore, he stayed at a safe distance.
"Well excuse me for trying to protect my child from evil strangers."
"I'd be more worried about tools falling on his head or toxic grease stains on his clothes, but hey that's just me."
"That wouldn't happen because I'd be watching him."
"You mean while your head is under the hood of a car. Tell me again, where exactly will Lex be?"
"Next to me, duh."
"Let if you're not ready to come to work then don't."
"I am ready. It's just that..."
"Listen, I get where you're coming from. I've been dealing with this since day one, and it sucks. But I have to do it because we have to eat, and we need a place to live."
"Well when you put it that way." Letty said mockingly rolling her eyes. "I just don't trust anyone with him."
"Maybe we can find someone else if you don't like the center."
"There were so many kids there Dom. We'd be begging for him to sick. He's too fragile for daycare." She said looking at their child who lay in his car seat. Alexus had made tremendous strides since his difficult beginnings, but was still developmentally a month behind other infants his age.
"Wanna try asking your mom? She works mostly nights, right?"
"I don't want to ask her. It'll give her an excuse to intrude in my life."
"Baby we both know she doesn't need an excuse. She just does it." Dom pointed out. Letty chuckled at the fact Ana would drop in unannounced and take over, which Letty secretly appreciated during earlier stages of Alexus' infancy when he'd have her up all hours of the night.
"Fine, I'll ask her." Letty huffed rolling her eyes.
"Try and see if she can start today because you're already late for your first day back." Dom said pointing at the clock in the office.
"I don't really like you right now."
"You can't always get your way." Dom told her before turning to the babbling baby who had his fingers in his mouth. "Right X-man? You need to let us make money."
"Shh!" Letty hushed him from the desk as she awaited for her mother to pick up the phone.
"Halo?" (Hello?)
"Mami te puedes quedar con el niño hoy?" (Can you stay with the baby today?)
"Ya veo como son las cosas. Entonces tu solo me buscas cuando necesitas algo." (So you only call me when you need something? I see how it is.)
"Puedes o no?" (Can you or not?)
"Bueno yo iba salir y dar una vuelta pero supongo que podría hacerlo." (Well I did have plans to go out on the town, but I guess I could do it.) Ana said casually.
"Estaré allí en dies minutos." (I'll be there in ten minutes.)
"Esta bien." (Ok.) Ana said before Letty hung up the phone.
"I can't believe I'm leaving my child with a crazy person."
"You're the one who won't take him to daycare." Dom told Letty pausing his game of peekaboo. There was a sudden knock on the door before it opened.
"So are either of you planning on working today or is this place just your new hot spot?"
"Sorry Pops, we just found a babysitter."
"Well isn't that dandy. I have four cars in this garage and two of them aren't being worked on. I just hope that the next time I look over at them they will be." Tony warned sternly.
"Yes sir." Dom answered.
"Sorry Tony. It won't happen again." Letty told him softly.
"Make sure it doesn't." He said before leaving.
The couple turned to each other momentarily. "He's pissed." Letty acknowledged.
"You know he hates it when we fuck around on the job."
"But I wasn't trying fuck around."
"I know, but you know this wouldn't fly if you tried it at any other job."
"I know, but it was worth the attempt. Right Lex? You don't want to be away from Mami, do you? No you wouldn't. No you wouldn't because you love your mommy." Letty cooed at her son who babbled at her happily.
"It's time for you to let go." Dom told her.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." She said grabbing Alexus' car seat. Letty drove to her mother's house to drop off her son.
"Alexander! Como esta el niño de mamá." (Alexander! How's grandma's baby.) Ana cooed.
"Mami no lo llames así. Lo vas a confundir." (Mom don't call him that. You're going to confuse him.) Letty urged.
"A mi no me gusta ese nombre raro que tu le pusiste." (I don't like that ugly name you gave him.)
"Y? Ese fue el nombre que le tocó." (And? That was the name chosen for him.)
"Ya te vas?" (Weren't you leaving?)
"Tengo que ponerle la leche en la nevera. Te dejo cuatro botellas." (I have to put his milk in the fridge. I'm leaving you four of them.)
"Y la leche en polvo por si no da?" (What about formula incase it's not enough?)
"Va dar. Eso es lo que él bebe hasta la noche." (It'll be enough. That's all he needs until tonight.)
"Bueno, voy a tener que comprarle por si acaso." (I guess I'll just buy him some just in case.)
"No, va dar." (No, it will be enough.)
"A que hora llegas?" (At what time are you picking him up?)
"Antes de las trés." (Before three.)
"Tan temprano?" (So early?)
"Y quieres mas?" (You want more?)
"Buscalo a las cinco." (Pick him up at five.)
"Vengo a las tres." (I'm picking him up at three.) Letty emphasized taking Alexus from Ana. "I'll see you later Papito." She said giving the child several kisses and holding him to her for several minutes.
"No te tienes que ir?"(Don't you have to leave?) Ana asked motioning to take Alexus, but Letty then turned away preventing her from it.
"Esperate." (Wait.) Letty said kissing the baby's short curly locks. "I love you Lexi." She whispered to him, and the baby babbled at her. "Yes I do." She cooed. "Yes I do."
"Leticia dame el niño." (Leticia give me the baby.) Ana told her grabbing the child.
"Pero-" (But-) Letty resisted.
"Ya esta bueno. Vete." (That's enough. You should go.) Ana said to her stepping away. "Alexander porque no vamos andar? Quieres andar?" (Alexander do you want to go out? Why don't we go on a trip?)
"No-"
"Vete. Yo se cuidar niños mas que tu. Nos vemos." (Leave. I can take care of children better than you. See you later.) Ana said ushering Letty out the door.
"Asegurarte que-" (Make sure that-)
"Adios." (Bye.) Ana said sternly before closing the door in Letty's face. She stood there staring at it wanting to tear it down, but decided to turn in the direction of her car and head back to the garage. She could not help but be distracted while adjusting the breaks on a Ford truck that had come in.
"Everything ok?" Vince asked her a few hours into her shift.
"Yeah, everything is just great."
"Are you sure? You seem a little quiet, which is cause for worry because we all know how you like to run your mouth."
"Shut-up Vince." Letty growled at him.
"Is it the kid? I heard you tried to bring him today."
"You wouldn't understand."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Come on girl spill it. I got shit to do."
"Then go do it." Letty told him turning back to her work, but Vince did not leave. "Ok fine, ever since I had Alexus I've always been there. I'm the one who feeds him, watches him all day, and stays up all night because Dom has to go to work early and wouldn't get back until late. I missed the garage. I missed being around cars. I miss racing. I miss going out. I thought I was starting to go crazy being all cooped up, but then today I just couldn't let him go. As much as I missed all those things, I miss him more. My mom has him now and I don't know what they're doing or if he's crying for me. She's not gonna take care of him like I would, and it's just weird being away. I feel guilty being here, but I need to be here because at the end of the day it's for him. I'm just feeling some type of way." She blurted out.
"When the kid was first born Dom fucked up some wiring in this civic that came in." Vince began.
"Really?"
"I know, right? He never fucks up. He would leave every three hours and come back all distracted and shit. I knew he was worried even though he wouldn't talk about it, but when the kid got better so did he. So I think you just need to give it time. At least he's healthy now, you know? Why don't you call and check in?"
"She stopped picking up after my fifth call. She's so annoying."
"Damn five calls."
"You called ten times when they were working on your new ride so don't judge me when I'm concerned for an actual human being." Letty snapped causing Vince to laugh.
"I had a hot date that night. I had to make sure shit got done right. Speaking of hot, you heard from Mercedes lately?"
"V I don't think that's gonna happen man. She just broke up with whoever she was seeing, Eric or whatever."
"She's so hot. I just wanna…" Vince said reflectively.
"Alright, I have work to do." Letty said cutting him off and turning her attention back to the breaks she had been working on. "And I suggest you get back to yours before Tony comes at you too."
"But you should hook me up though."
"Nah, you're a dog."
"Don't say that. I'd do her right. Those other girls don't count."
"No. Bye." Letty dismissed and Vince glared at her before walking away.
"What was that about?" Dom asked her.
"Vince being Vince."
"What'd you say?"
"The truth."
"Why you always gotta hurt his feelings. You know he's mad sensitive."
"What the fuck? He's the king of insensitivity, and he needs to face the music. He expects me to hook him up with one of my friends when I know all the nasty shit he be getting up to. Nah, never that."
"Oh it was about that? Ahh, then he'll be aight. Anyway, I just got off the phone with your mom."
"You called?"
"Yeah"
"She's fucked up. She picks up your calls, but not mine."
"She said you were harassing her." Dom told her with a shrug.
"I may have made a few calls, but I wouldn't call it harassing."
"Well anyway she said she was going to take him out and that she'd be back by five."
"I told her three." Letty angrily.
"Well I guess she decided five. We can't complain. It's not like it costs us money." Dom pointed out.
"No, but it will cost us favors and privacy." She countered.
"We can find another babysitter, but I don't think you'd trust anyone else." Letty rolled her eyes at Dom's statement. It was true. She only trusted five people with her son, and until she got over her phobia of daycare centers she would have to settle with her mother. "And you did tell her his name isn't Alexander right?"
"Only a million times, but she won't listen."
"She is too much." Dom said with a small laugh.
"It's not funny. She's fucking his development." Letty complained.
"He'll be aight. Do I still have to take him to get his shots tomorrow?"
"Yes, I can't go through that again. I literally almost killed the nurse last time."
"It's wasn't that bad."
"It wasn't that bad? He was crying so hard he almost turned blue. I don't know how you can deal with our child being stabbed and tortured."
"Wow, I think you deserve an award for most dramatic recountal. He wasn't stabbed. He was getting immunized. It's for his own good. Did you say something to the nurse?" He asked suspiciously, but Letty did not answer. "Now I know why we got a different nurse."
"She don't like me and I don't like her." Letty dismissed waving her hand.
"She was doing her job."
"What's your point?"
"Alright, now you're just being ridiculous, and your not going to take him to his appointments anymore because you obviously can't handle them."
"Fine, I told you you could do that."
"Well Let, you have to understand where you need to draw the line between a caring parent and being overprotective."
"You're such a hypocrite. You shouldn't talk anymore, you really shouldn't." Letty told him warningly.
"I'm gonna go over there." Dom said pointing to a car needing repair.
"That's a good idea." She told him with a scowl. Letty had always been a possessive person, especially with the few things she had. She had gotten into several catfights over Dom, and altercations with her mother's past boyfriends. So, it was no surprise she had dealt with issues concerning her son in a similar matter. After the pregnancy hormones finally wore off, she was back to her feisty self. She was very vocal and not afraid to get a little dirty if it meant guarding what was important to her. Dom was similar, but he was subtler in his approach. His size and domineer were usually warning enough for most people, but when he snapped it was lights out for anyone in arms length. He like Letty was reasonably worried for their child's wellbeing, but was more practical when it came to Alexus' needs.
When five o'clock rolled around Dom thought it best for him to go pick up Alexus on his own because Letty was still very angry with Ana, but she insisted that she would go. "Alexander mira quien llegó. Quien es ese? Quien es ese?" (Alexander look who just got here. Who is that? Who is that?) Ana asked the baby in his walking chair as he turned around to look at Dom. The baby excitedly reached in his father's direction as he instantly recognized him.
"Hey X-man. Were you a good boy?" Dom cooed kneeling down. The child began to cry impatiently wanting to be picked up.
"Oh no, what's wrong baby?" Letty asked soothingly as she reached down to grab him from his chair, and he quickly settled in her arms grabbing at her face. "Did you miss Mami? Mami missed you. Yes she did."
"Toma."(Here) Ana said handing the diaper bag to Dom.
"How was he?"
"Bien, lo llevé al salón. Te gusta mi pelo?" (Fine, I took him to the salon. Do you like my hair?) Ana asked flipping it.
"Si, te quedo-" (Yea, it's really-)
"Que? Como lo pudiste llevarlo ahí." (What? How could you bring him there?)
"Todas las mujeres se enamoran de mi nieto. Ay si no verdad Alexander. Tú vas hacer muy guapo como tu abuela. Claro, nadie me lo creia. Yo soy demasiado joven para ser abuela." (All the women fell in love with my grandson. Right Alexander. You're gonna be good looking just like your grandmother. Of course, no one believed me. I'm too young to be a grandmother.)
"Es-que quieres que se me enferme?" (Do you want him to get sick?) Letty asked tersely.
"Tranquilizate. El andaba de lo más bien en su coche. Cuando vuelve?" (Calm down. He was perfectly fine in his stroller.) Ana told her nonchalantly.
"Mañana" (Tomorrow.) Letty gritted out.
"Esta bien. Pero ojo, yo trabajo jueves a domingo en el día." (Fine, but I work days Thursdays through Sunday.)
"Esta bien yo me ago." (Fine, I'll figure it out.) Letty told her before turning to Dom. "Let's go."
"Give him to me I have the car seat all set up in my car." He told her holding his arms out.
"Fine" She handed Alexus over reluctantly.
"Gracias Ana." (Thank you Ana.) Dom said before leaving with Alexus.
"De nada querido." (You're welcome love.) She beamed.
"Adios." (Bye.) Letty said annoyed.
"Pero te vas asi? Como si yo no te crie buena sinverguenza." (You're just gonna leave like that? Like I'm some nobody who didn't raise to you, you little ingrate?)
"Cion Mami" (Blessiings) Letty obliged kissing Ana's cheek. It was rude not to leave on a formal note. In her younger years Letty's grandmother would spank her if she were to forget, and she was sure Ana would do the same to Alexus. Cultural formalities were very important in any Dominican household.
"Dios te bendiga." (God bless you.)
"Nos vemos mañana." (I'll see you tomorrow.)
They made their way home and Letty was able to relax knowing her child was safe in her arms. She bathed and breastfed him, and in turn Dom lulled him to sleep.
"I like watching him sleep. He looks so fucking cute." Dom doted from Alexus' crib.
"That's because he looks like me." Letty told him cheekily.
"You're right. You dominated with this kid, but I got the next one."
"Let's just hope it's not a girl, because that just wouldn't look right."
"Damn, that's so true." He said in agreement and they both quietly laughed.
"Don't worry he has the best of you though." She said smiling at Dom.
"You think so?"
"Mhmm" She said leaning in to peck his lips, and they soon found themselves in a greedy kiss. "Dom wait. We're gonna wake him up."
"Oh yeah I forgot about him for a minute." He said before lifting her of the ground and over his shoulder.
"Dom!" She whispered. "Dom, put me down."
"Oh Ima put it down." He informed her as he carried Letty out of the nursery.
"Wait, wait…"
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