Dom’s POV
The rest of the day seemed to pass really quickly much to my disappointment and before I knew it we were heading back to our houses and I had to say goodbye to Ava. After spending the day together just the three of us having fun and being carefree I had forgotten that this was going to happen.
“Bye baby, see you tomorrow.” I said quietly to Ava as I hugged her close pressing a kiss to her cheek. She yawned tiredly and I smiled softly as she put her head on my shoulder wrapping her tiny arms around shoulders.
“I love you Ava.” I whispered to her quietly but it was still loud enough for Letty to hear as she seemed to shift at my words.
“We need to talk about what we’re going to do for her birthday at some point too.” Letty said quietly as I leaned my cheek on Ava’s head.
“I’ve been thinking about that, everyone’s coming back for Christmas and will probably stay until Ava’s birthday I thought we could just do a family get together. Barbeque at the park or one of the houses something just low key?” I said carefully. Truth was there was a million ideas I had for her party, I wanted her to have the best but being on the run and having to keep a low profile knocked out most of them.
“I was thinking the same.” I nodded slowly and I glance at Ava seeing her eyes closed and I smiled seeing she was asleep.
“Is she asleep?” Letty asked and I nodded.
“Yeah I think she was tired.”
“She didn’t have a nap today. I’m surprised she lasted this long.”
“Listen about her birthday present, would you mind if I got her a puppy or a kitten?” I asked curiously. Letty raised an eyebrow and I smiled slightly.
“It can stay at my house, I just thought it would be something different for her.”
“I don’t have a problem having it here but isn’t it a bit much for a one year old?”
“I wouldn’t get her a big dog Letty, a kitten would probably would be better.”
“Probably.”
“So is that a yes?” I asked and she nodded.
“Yeah sure, I’ll go in with you if you like I don’t really know what to get her either.”
“Sure I don’t mind.” I placed a hand on Ava’s back rubbing it softly as she started stirring but she settled again pretty quickly and I adjusted her carefully so she was laying in my arms her head buried into my chest.
“Do you want me to put her into bed?” I asked quietly and Letty nodded opening the door as I followed her in. Making my way up the hallway I entered her room and put her down carefully tucking her in before making my way out.
“I have to head off but can I come by tomorrow?” I asked quietly and she nodded.
“Thank you for today, it was nice.”
“It was my pleasure.” I said quietly and we stood awkwardly next in front of one another. Taking a chance I took a step closer.
“I know you probably don’t like people touching you, least of all men.” I said carefully and she shifted at my words as I stopped right in front of her.
Letty’s POV
I watched as Dom moved forward a little more until there were only a few centimeters between us.
“You could say that.” I muttered uncomfortably.
“Does this make you uncomfortable?” He asked quietly.
“A little.” I stated.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to hug you but if it’s too much that’s fine.” He said as he took a step back. Weighing my options I took a careful step forward and waited a moment before wrapping my arms loosely around his middle trying not to cringe at the contact. I waited until his arms wrapped around me. It wasn’t the hug he used to hold me with, it was more careful and cautious and it made me relax a little knowing he wasn’t going to push for anything more. I gave him a small squeeze before pulling back and stepping away completely.
“Thank you.” He said quietly.
“Don’t expect it all the time.” I smiled slightly as I said it and he smiled back.
“I’ll try not to.”
25th December- Canary Islands, Spain
Mia and Brian’s beach house
Dom’s POV
The last couple of weeks had flown by and before we knew it everyone was arriving again for Christmas. Letty and I had made progress not a lot but we were actually able to have conversations now and actually be able to laugh a little with each other. I was actually getting worried about seeing Elena again, Letty and I still hadn’t sat down and talked through our past, we just seemed to be too busy spending time with together with Ava. Not wanting to put a spanner in the works I left it alone knowing Letty would tell me when she was ready. Seeing Elena again though was going to be awkward on my part and tense on Letty’s part.
“Hey man Merry Christmas. What’s been going on?” I smiled at Roman as we shook hands before I did the same with Tej.
“Merry Christmas, not much man, pretty quiet here on the island. Not much mischief to get up to.” I joked and they smiled and agreed with me.
“Where’s your rugrat?” Roman asked looking around.
“Uh…” I looked around scanning the small gathering of people and found her with Letty who was talking with Han.
“She’s over there.” I said pointing her out.
“Man she’s grown.” Tej whistled and I laughed in agreement.
“So how’s things between you and Letty?” Roman asked quietly.
“We’re taking things slowly…”
“Mia sort of filled us in about Elena.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“Yeah things got tense and I realized what I had to do.” I sighed.
“You regretting your decision?” I shook my head.
“No I did the right thing, I want Letty and Ava. I’m just sorry it took me so long to figure it out.”
“Elena here yet?”
“No but uh when she does get here can you give me a heads up?”
“We hear ya man.” I nodded in thanks and walked over to Gisele giving her a hug.
“Merry Christmas. She’s grown so much.” She gushed to me and I smiled happily nodding in agreement.
“Merry Christmas to you too, yeah don’t I know it.” I joked.
“She walking yet?”
“Along furniture not on her own. But she’s getting there.” I said happily.
“Such a proud daddy.” She teased and I grinned.
“You bet. Now I’m off to see my daughter.” She nodded and I continued over to where Letty and Mia were standing with Han. Both Lexie and Ava were with them.
“Dom merry Christmas man how have you been?” Han said as I arrived next to them.
“Busy.” I said smiling and he grinned.
“I bet. I’m going to go and find Brian.” I nodded and took Lexie as she reached for me.
“Hello.” I said quietly giving her kisses all over her face and she grinned giggling. I noticed Ava looking at us strangely and I looked to Letty but she shrugged. Ava curled into Letty and just stared at me sadly.
“Ava baby what’s the matter?” I asked quietly as I adjusted Lexie in one arm my other reaching out to brush Ava’s cheek softly. She rubbed at her eyes almost tiredly and I noticed her little pout.
“I think she’s tired.” Letty said as she smoothed Ava’s hair down. I nodded and kissed Lexie on the cheek again.
We were all sitting around on the beach talking and laughing Lexie in my lap as we played with a ball. Ava was sitting quietly cuddled into Letty’s side and she hadn’t made as much as a sound for a while. I was getting a little worried but Letty insisted she was just tired but the way she kept looking over had me upset to see her so sad.
“Ava wanna play with uncle Roman?” Roman asked as he rolled a ball to her but she pushed it away angrily as she laid her head down on Letty’s lap. Brian laughed a little.
“No one wants to play with you man.”
“Hey now that’s not nice O’Connor.”
Lexie grabbed at my hands and played with them as I spoke with Tej.
“Hey man what happened to your hand?” Brian asked and I looked down at my hand. Shit I had forgotten about that.
“Uh nothing just knocked it on something.” I said vaguely but I saw the look Letty gave me.
“Wouldn’t happen to be a wall would it?” she said quietly but I stayed silent.
“Ava.” Letty warned and I looked up as Letty removed her hand from Ava’s mouth.
“You okay?” I asked.
“She bit me.” She muttered as Ava started crying.
“Did she sleep last night?” I asked.
“Yeah she slept fine. I don’t understand where this has come from.” Ava calmed down eventually but she was still in a bad mood and wouldn’t let anyone touch her including Letty.
“Leave her she’ll snap out of it.” She said quietly and I nodded but it hurt to see her so upset.
I looked up as a car pulled up and I held my breath as I saw Elena get out followed by Leon, Rosa and Nico.
“Hey guys sorry we’re late.” Leon said but I smiled at him. He looked between me and Letty and I gave a small smile. He ran a hand over Lexie’s head as I held her and he looked over at Ava who was sitting by herself crying softly still.
‘What’s wrong with my girl?” he asked as he looked at Ava but for once she didn’t respond to him.
“Dom.” Elena said quietly and I smiled lightly at her.
“Hey. How have you been?”
“Good, you?” she asked and I nodded.
“I’ve been okay.” I felt someone come up behind me and I smiled at Letty as she stood by my side.
“Letty.”
“Elena, how have you been?” I tried not to look shocked at the civil conversation between the two.
“I’m doing fine. Ava doesn’t look too happy.”
“No I don’t know what’s gotten into her today.” I bounced Lexie softly as I listened to the small conversation.
“Hey everything okay?” Leon asked as he looked between us all slightly afraid.
“Everything’s fine.” Elena said softly I noticed the silent conversation pass between them and I frowned.
“Something wrong?” I asked quietly.
“Uh look we have something to tell you both.” Leon said nervously.
“What?” Letty asked.
“Please don’t be mad… it just kind of happened.” Elena said softly.
“You’re together?” I asked quietly and they nodded slowly waiting for our reactions.
“I’m happy for you both. I treated you like shit Elena I’m glad you found someone that will treat you better than I ever did.” I said as I adjusted Lexie in my arms.
“Let?” Leon asked quietly as she had yet to say anything.
“You hurt him you deal with me.” Was all she said and Elena nodded seriously while Leon sighed in relief.
“Guy’s Ava’s getting pretty worked up.” Brian said as Letty rushed to Ava’s side.
“Well that could have gone worse.” I said quietly to them and they nodded smiling gratefully as I smiled at the two before leaving the couple alone.
“Ava stop.” Letty said as she tried to pick Ava up to comfort her but she just cried and screamed louder. Walking up to Ava I shifted Lexie to one side and reached forward carefully as I picked up Ava as she kicked and screamed at me and I held her in my other arm.
“What’s wrong with you miss?” I asked as she cried but stopped struggling. I tried to give her a kiss but she pushed me away and I frowned at her.
“Come on princess calm down.” I said as I moved to sit placing both girls in my lap. She looked over at Lexie as she started giggling but I was shocked when Ava reached across and smacked Lexie making her cry.
“Ava.” I scolded and I handed Lexie to Brian as he took her calming her down.
“That was naughty.” I said sternly and Ava started crying again throwing herself into my chest. I looked up at Letty as she frowned watching what was going on.
“Sorry Mia, I don’t know what’s gotten into her.” Letty apologized but Mia shook her head.
“Let they’re kids. It was bound to happen at some point.”
“Yeah I guess.”
“Seriously Let it’s fine.” Brian said as he patted Lexie’s back.
“In all honesty I think someone’s jealous.” Mia whispered to us and I frowned as I looked down at an upset Ava as she clung to me. I guess I should have expected it I had spent so much time with Ava she was used to having me to herself. I looked at Letty and she sighed nodding and I hugged Ava close.
“Aww baby...” I said as I rubbed her back calming her down. It took a while but eventually her crying stopped and she just laid there limp in my arms.
“I’m sorry baby was I not paying enough attention to you?” I asked quietly as she sniffed. I placed a kiss on her head and rocked her slowly.
“Someone’s become attached.” Han said as they all sat around watching.
“I should have expected it, I’ve spent so much time with her over the last couple of weeks she hasn’t had to share me.” I said quietly. Ava looked up and rubbed her eyes leaning her head against my chest. I placed another kiss on her head and she looked up at me quietly.
“Can daddy get a smile?” I asked but she stayed quiet as a few stray tears still rolled down her face. Brian came and knelt down next to us as Lexie looked at Ava unsurely and Ava stared back at her.
“Give cousin Lexie a kiss and say sorry.” I said quietly but she stayed where she was just staring at Alexis.
“Lexie wants to give you a cuddle.” Brian said softly.
“Give the baby a kiss?” I asked again as she leant forward slowly and planted a soft and wet kiss on Lexie head which made Lexie squirm as we all laughed.
“See you need to be gentle with Lexie.” I said softly and she cuddled back into my side clutching my shirt tightly.
“So since Dom’s out of cooking who wants to help?” Brian asked as he handed Lexie back to Mia.
“I’ll help you.” Tej said as he and Brian made their way into the kitchen to finish off lunch.
“So any news from Charlotte?” Roman asked and we turned to Letty. I noticed she hesitated but then nodded and I frowned.
“You didn’t say anything.” I said quietly and she nodded again.
“It’s nothing major Hobbs has put together another team and they’re planning on moving soon. I don’t know where yet.”
“So he’s still in the states?” Gisele asked and Letty nodded.
“For now, they don’t have any leads as far as she knows.”
“So what they’re just planning on tearing the world apart one country at a time until they find us?” Han asked.
“I think they’ll head back to Berlin.” She said quietly.
“What makes you think that?”
“Demetri and Carlos. Carlos is still alive Hobbs will want to go after him to get answers on us.”
“Demetri’s dead.” I said softly looking at her meaningfully and she nodded looking away.
“Carlos isn’t. He knows everything about us, if Hobbs catches him… we’re all in trouble.”
“You used an Alias.” Elena said quietly.
“Carlos knew though” Leon said quietly and we all stopped.
“How?”
“The finger prints remember? Half because I lied, I’d given him false information and the other half was because I’d been caught, nearly gotten him caught.” We were silent as she spoke.
“You should have killed Hobbs when you had the chance.” Letty flinched.
“No I’ve killed enough already.” Sensing she was starting to pull away I changed topics again and she sent me a grateful smile.
“Guy’s foods ready.” Tej called as everyone started inside the house. Letty and I waited until everyone was inside and I turned to her.
“You okay?” I asked and she smiled slightly.
“Yeah we better go eat. She okay now?” I looked down at Ava who had fallen asleep in my arms and I grinned over at Letty.
“She’s asleep.” And Letty rolled her eyes.
“Typical she always falls asleep after a tantrum.” I smiled and kissed Ava’s head as I stood up carefully.
“Hey Dom.”
“Yeah?” I asked as I looked over at her.
“Merry Christmas.” She said quietly as she hugged me softly. I smiled and used my free arm to hug her back.
“Merry Christmas Let.” I whispered as we pulled away from each other and moved inside to eat with the rest of the family.