31st October- Canary Islands, Spain
Dom’s beach house
Dom’s POV
I woke up slowly and looked around for a moment before I realised where I was. Looking sideways I was surprised when I saw Letty asleep on the other side of the bed with Ava in between us. I relaxed again and watched her as she slept, she looked peaceful and it brought back so many memories. Being careful I reached over Ava and let my fingers trace Letty’s face carefully so I didn’t wake her. She smiled softly in her sleep and titled her face towards my hand a bit more and I smiled gently stroking down her arms before pulling away from her completely. I looked down at Ava as I heard her shift and watched as she yawned and shifted a little more before opening her eyes sleepily.
“Hey princess did you have a good nap.” She blinked sleepily at me for a moment before smiling reaching her hands up at the same time. I sat up carefully and picked her up as she played with my face smiling.
“Eh ma…mama.” I smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Mama’s sleeping baby, daddy’s got you.” She looked confused for a moment as I placed her so she was standing on my lap but then started bouncing on my lap as I held her.
“How about we go and find your aunts and uncles and leave mummy to sleep? Wanna play with cousin Lexie?” I asked her quietly.
“BA!” she squealed and I winced taking a look over at Letty but she didn’t stir.
“Sshh mummy’s sleeping. Come on we’ll go and find aunty Mia and baby Lexie.” I said as I stood up taking a glance at Letty again before I walked out of the room.
I placed Ava in the car seat as she continued to babble and make noises. Getting into the car myself I started it up and drove back up onto the road that led me towards Mia’s.
31st October- Canary Islands, Spain
Brian and Mia’s beach house
“Hey Dom, where’s Letty?” Brian asked as I stepped out of the car and reached in to get Ava.
“Asleep, Ava woke up so I thought I’d bring her here and let Letty sleep.” He nodded and smiled at Ava.
“Did you have a nap miss?”
“Say yes uncle Brian.” I joked and even Brian laughed with me.
“Where’s Mia and Lexie?” I asked as we walked inside.
“Everyone’s out on the beach, I just came in to get a bottle of water.” I nodded and caught sight of a bag on the bench.
“That’s Ava’s.” Brian said as he caught me looking.
“I’ll be down in a minute I’ll just change her.” He nodded and left and I picked up the bag and walked into the nursery.
“Ba…yaya.” I smiled at my daughter amused as she caught sight of the bear on the change table and seemed to be having a conversation with it.
“All clean now.” I said as I picked her and held her close. I’d changed her nappy as well as putting her in a cooler set of clothes.
“Let’s go find everyone.” I said as I walked out of the room and out into the sun as I saw everyone down by the beach.
“Look Lexie there’s uncle Dom and Ava.” Roman said as he caught sight of us. Lexie was laying down on her tummy on the towel with Mia and Roman.
“Hey where have you been?” She asked as I sat down with them placing Ava down next to Lexie.
“At my place I was watching Ava.” She frowned.
“Well where’s Letty?”
“Asleep…” I trailed off quietly as I caught sight of Leon not far away with Han and Tej.
“Didn’t Ava sleep?” She asked as she smiled the two girls who were watching at each other.
“Yeah she did.”
“Dom…” She warned.
“Nothing like that happened Mia. Letty went to shower and I watched over Ava until she got out but I must of fallen asleep. I woke up a bit later and saw Letty on the other side asleep and Ava was just starting to wake up. I figured Letty needed the rest so I brought her back here.” I explained.
“Okay, so how are you and Letty?”
“We’re… speaking so I guess that’s a start. She won’t say anything about her time away, just like Leon said.”
“You just got to give her time man, she’ll come round.” Roman said quietly as we watched the girls.
“Yeah I know, I told her I was going to do anything I could to make things right between us.”
“And what did she say?”
“Nothing I think I shocked her a little.” I said not telling them the rest.
“Where are you off to miss?” I asked as Ava started to crawl away.
“BA!” Mia and Roman laughed as she squealed.
“Come on back this way.” I said softly as she crawled away a little further. Smiling Roman reached over picking her up and placing her in my lap as she giggled at him.
Holding her hands I stood her up and she gripped on tightly looking around with interest as everyone started to come back over to us. She bounced excitedly as she saw Leon and I gripped onto her a little tighter before letting Leon take her. It hurt the way she laughed and giggled at Leon as he held her close but I knew I’d have to get used to it seeing as he was a big part of her life.
“Where’s Letty?” He asked as he kissed Ava’s cheek.
“Asleep at my place.” He nodded and put Ava back down on the ground as she sat looking up at everyone.
“You look like your cousin.” Han said as she smiled up at him.
“She looks like Dom.” Leon said quietly and everyone paused for a moment before switching topics.
“So when are we going to do this barbeque?” Brian asked.
“Might start it now, what do you say Dom.” I nodded at Mia as I picked up Ava in one arm and Alexis in the other.
“I’ll do the grill Dom you can sit with those two.” Brian said as he kissed both girls. Lexie smiled up at me and I reached down to place a kiss on her head as we walked back up to the house a little.
“I might go and get Letty.” Leon said and I scowled but nodded as Brian handed over his keys and told him directions.
“I’m fine with her.” I growled as he looked at me about to say something but he stopped and nodded before taking off towards the car.
31st October- Canary Islands, Spain
Dom’s beach house
Letty’s POV
I woke up slowly and looked around as everything came back to me. Looking sideways I noticed Dom was gone and so was Ava as I sat up a little.
“Evening sleepy head.” I looked up and smiled at Leon.
“Where’s Ava and Dom?” I asked.
“Back at Mia’s he brought her over not long ago. We’re starting dinner figured I probably should come and get you.”
“Thanks, I’m sorry about before I just blurted it out trying to hurt him but regretted it later.”
“It’s okay he was bound to find out at some point.”
“Are you okay?” I asked as I stood up and looked at his face.
“Yeah I’m fine, we better get going.” I nodded and slipped my shoes on.
“Let your scars…” I frowned and nodded.
“I know, I don’t have a way of covering them up. I’ll have to grab a jumper when I get to Mia’s.”
“They’re going to ask questions.” He said quietly.
“They already have.”
“Did you tell him anything?”
“No but he told me about what happened after the accident before we started tracking them.”
“Speaking of tracking… have you spoken to her?” I paused but then nodded.
“And?” I stayed quiet.
“Oh no, no Letty you haven’t” He groaned.
“What were you expecting Leon? We can’t do it ourselves... she’ll be here tomorrow sometime my guess is not long after Rosa and Elena.”
“Great just who I wanted to see right now.” He sighed.
“We need help Leon and I may not like Elena but I don’t wish her dead either so I had her track them.” I explained.
“Does Dom know?” I shook my head.
“No he thinks we were the ones tracing them last time.”
“Come on lets go before Dom starts assuming things.” I nodded and we left.
31st October- Canary Islands, Spain
Brian and Mia’s beach house
Dom’s POV
I sat on the chair watching Tego and Rico argue over the cooking again, it reminded me of Rio. I had both Alexis and Ava on my lap still as everyone else sat around talking and drinking.
I watched as the car pulled up and Ava got excited as she saw Letty walk towards us.
“Mama!” She smiled at Ava and took her as I offered her to Letty. She smiled softly at me and I nodded pausing as I caught sight of marks on her back as she turned. She’d been wearing a long sleeve top and jeans before so I hadn’t noticed anything but now in the singlet top you could see faint lines, some new and some old marring her back. Frowning she looked away as she saw me looking and Leon eyed me carefully as he accepted a beer from Roman.
I watched as he walked inside and I turned my attention to Letty again noticing some of the fading bruises on her arms but there was one scar I noted that had me angry. It was on the inside of her thigh not covered by the shorts, it was initials and it made my blood boil. DF. Who was that?
“Here you go Let, I brought Ava’s out too.” Leon said as he came out with two jumpers. Letty put Ava’s on before pulling on her own and her eyes met mine for a moment before quickly turning away.
Brian and Mia, I noted were also looking Letty over and everyone else was trying not to notice. Brian met my gaze for a moment before looking away.
“I was wondering where those shorts got to.” Mia said breaking the silence.
“You left them at my place the last time you guys came over.” I said quietly as Ava reached for me again.
“Can I hold Alexis Mia?” she asked as she passed Ava over to me. Mia looked startled at the question.
“Of course you can, you don’t need to ask Let.” I passed Alexis over after I had a good grip on Ava.
“We were saying before how much a like they look.” Brian said and she nodded.
“Yeah I noticed that myself.” She said smiling at Lexie. Ava sat with her back against my chest as she looked over in interest.
“She’s very taken with Lexie.” I said as she tried to lean forward to see the four month old better.
“So I see.” Letty said as she handed Alexis over to Brian as she started fussing.
“Sorry baby you’ll have to do with daddy uncle Dom’s a bit busy.” Everyone laughed except Letty and Leon.
“She favours her uncle Dom. If we can’t calm her down we give her to him and she stops all most immediately.” Brian explained and they nodded.
“It’s funny to watch really, never picked him to be so taken with a kid.” Han said.
“The two have pretty much been inseparable since her birth.” Mia added and I watched as Letty looked hurt at the words before the look disappeared and her expression became blank.
“I’m going to make the salad.” Mia said as she stood up.
“Do you need help Mia?” Letty asked and I could see the shock written all over Mia’s face before she quickly snapped out of it and nodded.
Mia’s POV
I was sort of functioning in a trance as Letty asked to help. We worked almost silently in the kitchen only talking about the girls, I was asking her questions about what to do for teething.
“Mia…” I stopped cutting and turned to her.
“Yeah?”
“I came to help you because I want to explain something to you. It’s something only you could understand.” I nodded and we stared at each other for a moment before she sighed.
“I know what you must think of me after seeing me shoot….him. It was never my intention I swear, but he… when he said she’s beautiful he was meaning Ava. I just lost it… you’re a mother too Mia, you’re the only one who knows what it feels like.” I nodded.
“I understand… I would have done the same thing. Brian and Dom and everyone else love Alexis and they’ve taken to Ava… Dom and Brian would do anything to protect those little girls but when it comes down to it…”
“Nothing compares to a mother’s love.” She finished and I nodded.
“I’ve pretty much been on my own for a long time Mia, she didn’t know Dom and he didn’t know about her…she had Leon but he wasn’t a replacement. That little girl is the only thing that got me through.” I listened as she spoke not wanting to say anything in case she clammed up again.
“Being away from her was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I didn’t have a choice I needed her safe. I don’t remember much of the accident all I remember is fleeing to Mexico, which if I think about it now wasn’t a good idea but I didn’t know that at the time. I must have hit my head hard during the crash because I couldn’t remember anything… who I was, how I got there…nothing.” I got upset as she continued.
“I fled to Mexico and took myself to hospital, at the time you can only imagine my shock when I found out I was pregnant. When I eventually started remembering I was surprised I hadn’t lost it….” She broke out of her trance suddenly and looked away turning back to the food.
“Um it’s where I met Leon and we’ve just been keeping in contact ever since.” I couldn’t help but show my disappointment as she clammed up again as she realised who she was talking to.
“The man you killed… who was he?” I asked.
“The leader of the group.” I eyed her carefully as she looked away.
“And your boyfriend?” I asked carefully. She looked up startled.
“NO! I mean…not really no. He…he took a liking to me, I…I didn’t have a choice.” I looked on worriedly as she stumbled over her words and started acting cagey and jumpy.
“Ladies is the…” Brian trailed off as Letty jumped dropping everything she had in her hands.
“Sorry Let… I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said slowly.
“It’s okay.” She said as she bent down to pick up what she dropped. Brian sent me a look while she wasn’t looking and I shook my head telling him I’d tell him later.
“Um Ava’s calling for you too by the way.”
“Thanks, are you right with this Mia?” I nodded and smiled softly at her and she left leaving me and Brian alone.
“What was that about?” I sighed and looked sadly at Brian.
“She wanted to explain why she shot that guy but then she started talking, she was in a trance like she was living it all over again but she snapped out of it and realised what she’d done and started to close up again. I asked her about that guy, she said he was the leader of the group. I asked if…well it was probably a dumb move really but I asked if he was her boyfriend and she started freaking out. I think he might have hurt her...” And he nodded wrapping his arms around me tightly.
“I want my sister back… I want my brother back and he won’t be the same if they don’t work things out.” I said quietly as we stood wrapped around each other in the kitchen.
“It will get better baby, you’ll see.”
“What if it doesn’t?” I asked looking up into his eyes.
“…I don’t know.”
Letty’s POV
I left the room in a rush and I leant against the wall near the kitchen as I took a deep breath and listened as Mia relayed everything happened to Brian. I was just about to leave when she said something else that made me pause.
“I want my sister back… I want my brother back and he won’t be the same if they don’t work things out.”
Not wanting to hear any more I walked away and back outside. Frowning there was no one there instead they were all down at the shore line laughing and playing. Gisele holding Alexis and Dom had Ava as the two of them splashed in the water. Seeing the way he laughed and hearing her giggles my heart ached with sadness.
“Let you okay?” Leon asked as I approached.
“Yeah I’m fine.” I said as I smiled slightly at him but he didn’t look convinced as he looked back towards the house.
“Dinner’s ready.” I said quietly and he took off down the beach letting everyone one else know.
Dinner was a loud affair as usual as everyone chatted and drank. I held Ava on my lap as I fed her the mashed up veggies Mia had done for the girls.
“Ba…” She babbled as she started reaching and picking up things within her reach looking interestedly at them before holding them out for Dom or Brian who sat either side of me.
“I don’t think uncle Brian wants that baby, it’s yours.” I said softly as she held out her dummy that she’d picked up.
“When’s her bedtime?” Dom asked quietly as he took the dummy she had offered him instead.
“Soon, I should give her a bath first.”
“I can take you soon if you want.” I nodded.
“Here I’ll take her so you can eat.” He took her and she sat on his lap facing me as he wiped her face and gave her the dummy. As she sat there quietly just staring around her and at him with interest.
I ate what was left on my plate before gathering our stuff together again.
“See you in the morning.” I said quietly to everyone as they said they’re goodbyes. Mia was taking Alexis to bed as we left as well so I didn’t feel so bad about leaving.
31st October- Canary Islands, Spain
Dom’s beach house
“Thank you.” He said as we drove off.
“For what?” I asked confused.
“For telling me about her. She’s an amazing little girl and I’m already falling in love with her, she reminds me so much of you.” I just nodded and stayed quiet as we arrived at Dom’s. I walked into the bathroom with Ava and ran the bath as Dom got a spare towel.
“Ma.” I smiled as I turned the water off and got her undressed.
“Yes baby.” She giggled as I tickled her tummy and I kissed her cheek before I placed her in the water holding onto her as she laughed and splashed around in the water.
“Ava the water stays in the bath.” I mumbled as Dom laughed quietly from behind me as I got splashed with water. Turning around from my place on the floor he walked in placing the towel next to me and he placed her bag down on the counter.
“I thought you might need that.” I nodded and smiled slightly.
“Thanks.” I said as I turned back to wash her.
“Can I help?” I paused and shrugged.
“If you like.” I said quietly. I heard him rummaging around in the bag and he placed a nappy and a jump suit down next to me.
“If you hold the towel I’ll get her out and you can dry her off.” I said as I handed the towel up with my free hand.
“Sorry baby only a short bath tonight.” I said as she kicked and squealed when I took her out and gave her to Dom.
“Likes baths.” He guessed as he wrapped her up in a towel.
“Yeah big time.” I said as I ran the water out and stood up picking up Ava’s clothes as I went.
He was drying Ava off as she lay on the bed and I placed down her things next to Dom. I sat back and watched as he got her dressed before picking her up cuddling her close as he spoke to her softly.
“Does she get fed again?” He asked.
“I’ll give it a go see what she does.” I said as Dom passed her over to me.
“I’ll go get the travel cot out of the car and set it up.” I nodded as he left as I arranged Ava and myself so she could feed. She latched on for a bit but then started to get fussy so I switched thinking maybe she wasn’t getting anything but she fussed again trying to sit up. So I rearranged myself and picked her up laying her down in my arms as walked around the room rocking her.
“Is she okay?” he asked as he walked back in the room and started setting up the cot.
“Yeah just over tired and fussy. It’ll be a long night I think.” I said as she finally quietened.
“The cots set up.” I nodded walking over as I placed her in covering her over as I leant down giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Night baby girl.” I whispered and stepped away as I watched Dom say goodnight before we shut the door half way and walked back out into the lounge. I noticed his gaze on my leg and shifted so that it wasn’t visible and his eyes flickered to mine. My breath caught as we stared at each other.