6th April- Los Angeles, United States
Toretto house
Letty’s POV
Driving through the familiar streets towards the old Toretto house that I had called home for so many years felt bittersweet. My chest tightened with each tree I passed, my heart pounding harder and faster as I turned into our old street.
My heart all but exploded out of my chest as I slowed to a stop in front of the old run down house. 1327.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the place. It felt like a dream.
I let my eyes wander down the street, passing over every house trying to remember what all this looked like just a couple of years ago. My eyes stopped short on one particular house. A house that was once my original childhood home. The emotions that bubbled within me became a mixture- pain, happiness, anger, love, fear. The house itself now really held no meaning to me, it was simply the people who had lived within it with me. My last memories in that house had been painful, full of anger and hurt. Hurt from Dom, anger from my father. I had never said it at the time but I had been glad when mum had sold the house.
Shaking my head I forced those thoughts away as I turned the car off. The place was run down and in need of some repairs but it really was home. With a smile I got out of the car and walked up the path to the front steps. The front yard was littered with cars; almost the same way it had all those years ago.
“Been wondering when you were coming home.” A voice from my right startled me. I whipped my head around but relaxed as I met his eyes.
“Leon don’t do that.” I snapped as he chuckled.
“Sorry baby girl.”
“What are you doing out here anyway?” I asked as I moved towards him. He was leaning against the side of the house making it look like he’d just come from around the back.
“I heard your car pull in. I thought I’d come and see how you were doing.” He spoke up looking at me seriously.
“I’m fine, now anyway. Now that I know he’s going to be okay.”
“Dom’s always been a fighter Let.”
“Still scared the shit out of me.”
“Yeah well you scared the shit out me. Jesus Letty…” He stressed as we both sunk to the ground, our backs pressed up against the house.
“Oh I keep forgetting to show you this. I wasn’t sure if the doctors had so I just kept it, I haven’t looked. I wanted you and Dom to be the first to see.” He spoke as he handed me a sealed envelope.
“What is it?”
“When you were admitted they did an ultrasound, to check on the baby. Baby’s first picture I guess.” He joked as I opened the small envelope.
My eyes zeroed in immediately to the small disc shape in the black and white picture.
“It’s bigger than I thought it would be.” I spoke amazed.
“Doctor said you were eleven weeks.” Leon spoke up, looking out across the street.
“Ha I guess breast feeding really doesn’t prevent pregnancy…Here.” I offered still amazed as I went over the math in my head.
‘Wow, I fell pregnant back on the Island, around the first time we first slept together again.’
“No, show me after you show Dom. He deserves to see it first.” Leon spoke as he pushed it back towards my body.
“Thank you.” I whispered a little teary.
“Uh oh hormones starting up already?” He teased as I laughed, a few tears escaping as I pocketed the photo.
“Been a long couple of months.”
“Yeah it has. It feels so surreal to be back home.”
“Yeah it does…” I trailed off as I thought back to mine and Dom’s earlier conversation.
“Dom and I had another talk tonight.” I mentioned and Leon turned is head towards me with a smile.
“How did that go?”
“Good. Really good. It was hard to hear why he did what he did and to talk about Jesse, the heists, Mexico and the D.R but it was…” I trailed off looking for a word.
“Relieving?” He supplied.
“Yeah… yeah I guess it was. To be able to let that part of our past go and forgive each other for it.”
“What about the Michelle stuff…?” He hinted quietly and I screwed my nose up at the mere mention.
“That still needs work.” I spoke frostily and he laughed.
“Well whenever the two of you decide to have that particular talk make sure you hand me over Ava for the night. I have no doubt the two of you will get loud, and I don’t mean that in a bedroom kind of way.” He supplied.
“Noted.” I spoke with a small smile.
“Thought of any names yet?”
“No but Dom and I did talk about what we wanted.”
“Oh, let me guess he wants a boy?”
“Actually I want the boy, he wants another girl can you believe it?” I laughed as I thought about Dom trying to raise two teenage girls. It was a funny thought.
“He must have had too many drugs.” Leon joked and we shared a laugh.
“I think I’m gunna head up to bed. As much as I want to sit out back with you guys and reminisce about the old days I’m emotionally and physically done for the day. I need sleep.”
“Have you eaten?” Leon accused lightly and it made me want to roll my eyes.
“Yes. I ate with Dom.”
“Good. Go to bed mama and try and get some sleep. If you need me, I’ll be in my old room.” He spoke honestly and I smiled.
“Thanks Le but I’ll be okay. I’ve got Ava. Besides I have a feeling you and Elena won’t be getting much sleep tonight and as much as I love you and I’m starting to like her, I don’t need to see that shit.” I snorted as I stood. He laughed loudly as he stood up, pulling me in for a hug.
“Point taken. I’ll lock my door then.” He joked as he wriggled his eye brows.
“Gross.” I groaned as I pushed him away and left, leaving him outside on the porch laughing.
The house really hadn’t changed. Like at all. Everything was still in its place like we had never left. I was surprised to see no dust or dirt but then I thought about Mia and her crazy OCD cleaning routine.
I walked up the stairs and made my way quietly to our old room. Opening the door I could hear Ava’s quiet breathing and I relaxed, stepping inside before shutting the door behind me. There was a small amount of light coming in the window, just enough for me to see the outlines of furniture. Walking into the bathroom I switched on the light, glancing back into the room as I checked on Ava. With the light on I could now see most corners of the room but it was a photo on the side of the drawers that caught my attention.
I picked it up gently and I stared down at it. My heart gave a lurch and a sad, heavy feeling settled in my chest. The photo held four people but to the side was another person, cut out and taped onto the glass. I let my eyes wander over the younger version of myself, Dom and Mia before they settled on the face of my mother. The photo had been taken on her wedding day with the three of us, James had been the one behind the camera. I can’t remember who had done it, whether it was me or Dom, or even both, but one of us had cut out a picture of Tony and placed him into the photo as well.
“You’d be so ashamed of us now. I can’t imagine what you think of Dom now ma, you think I’m dead and Mia… Oh Tony you’d be rolling in your grave.” I whispered sadly as I gently touched the photo.
A small whimper made me place the photo down and turn towards Ava. A port-a-cot had been set up next to the bed and I could see her little form wriggling around in her sleep.
“Shh baby girl. Mama’s here.” I whispered gently as I brushed a hand over Ava’s head. Immediately she relaxed and stopped moving, her breathing evening as she slept on.
“Night baby girl. Mummy and daddy love you so much.” I whispered as I placed a kiss on her forehead before heading into the bathroom. I had just enough energy for a shower before I finally succumbed to sleep for the night.