Chapter Quote:
"Salud, mi familia."
~Dom Toretto, Fast Five
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Chapter 34

Six months later...

Ember

"Shit!" Jack exclaimed, swerving back behind me. "I can't do it!"

"Neither can I!" Jace responded, pulling up alongside my brother. "This isn't good."

"How could we let this happen again?" Brandon said with an accompanying groan. The three of them were struggling on this mission, and while I felt for them, I had to focus on my goal. My target was within reach, and I intended to get it.

"You boys doing okay?" I asked, checking my rearview mirror.

"What do you think?" Jack replied sarcastically.

My car zipped past the marker, and I came to sliding halt. The boys were soon to follow. As I stepped out of the car, I grinned at them and said, "So that's... ten to zero?"

"You're a freak of nature, you know that?" Brandon remarked.

"Considering Jack and I are related, he's one too."

"Yeah, but I haven't won ten races in a row. In a day. And we've only been doing this for two hours," Jack chimed in.

"I may hate losing, but I'm really proud of you," Jace said.

I gave him a peck on the cheek. "Good, because you're stuck with me."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, smiling at me adoringly and causing my heart to melt. "I think I can live with that."

"Hey, kids, lunch is ready!" Dom hollered. The four of us stepped off the racetrack and headed over to the rest of the family. Dad, Dom, Roman, and Tej were at the barbecue pit. Mom, Letty, and Gina were at the table, chatting gaily. I slipped out from under Jace's arm and sidled up to my dad. He kissed me on the top of the head. I still couldn't believe he was really here. More than once, I found myself waking up in the morning, still thinking he was dead. Then I'd go downstairs to see him and mom making breakfast.

Dad made a remarkable comeback considering his malnourishment and mental state. He had PTSD from the ordeal but had been seeing a therapist to help him through it. He said mom and I were the reason he recovered so well and so quickly, but I also made sure he gave himself credit. Dad spent every day these last six months getting back into shape and getting healthy.

"We late?" Hobbs' booming voice asked. Everyone turned around to see him strutting over with Sam. I hid my disappointment at the fact Nico wasn't with them. I'd invited him to come, and heavily insisted upon it, but I guess his hatred for Dom won out.

We all sat down at the table except my uncle. I noticed Roman snag a piece of bread and shove it into his mouth. My dad saw it too, declaring, "First bite! He's got grace. House rules, man. House rules."

"Before he does, I want to say a few things," Dom said. All eyes turned on him. "I know I've repeated these words before, but the most important thing in life will always be the people right here, right now. All of us have been fighting different demons, some longer than others, and some are still fighting them, but we got each other, and whatever comes our way, we'll handle it together as a family. To Brian and Jack, there was always a hole in the family without the two of you in it, and I know I speak for all of us when I say we weren't complete without the two of you." Dom lifted his Corona. "To Brian, Jack, and family. Salud, mi familia."

We echoed his sentiment. I nudged Jack, giving him a smile as he flushed at the attention.

"Roman, if you'd say grace." We joined hands and bowed our heads.

"Father," Roman began, "Thank you for the gathering of our family. We thank you for bringing Brian and Jack back to us. Let us cherish the memories of those we have lost along the way, and savor the moments we have with the ones here today. Thank you for the food we have on our table, the family you've given us, and most importantly, thank you for giving us fast cars. Amen."

"Amen," we repeated. With that said, we dug in. Conversation ensued with everyone breaking off into groups. The adults chatted together; Brandon and Sam talked about new technology. Jack and Jace discussed cars (unsurprisingly). I simply smiled and listened to them, enjoying the time with my family.

"Emmy, you okay? You're quiet," Jack said. Jace had joined Brandon and Sam's conversation and wasn't paying attention to me or my brother.

"Yeah, I'm just... happy. My family is back together again. I only dreamt of this happening. I never thought it actually would," I replied.

"Whatever we face next, we're doing it as a family. Besides, I need to stick around to put the fear of god into Jace in case he ever hurts you again."

"I can do that myself."

"I know, but I still want to. I finally get to be an overprotective brother again."

I groaned. "Just don't kill him."

"Who are we not supposed to kill?" Jace inquired, joining our conversation.

"You."

"Please don't kill me. I have a lot I still want to do."

"Then don't hurt my sister," Jack countered.

"Don't plan on it."

"Good."

"Good."

"Are you two done?" I asked, raising my eyebrows at them.

"We're done," they said simultaneously.

"Good, because I-" My phone interrupted my would-be threat. Frowning, I answered, "Hello?"

"Ember? It's Nico," my cousin said.

I stood up and walked a little ways away so I could hear him better. "Nico! Are you on your way over here?"

"I was, but I got into some trouble."

"Are you okay?"

"I am for now, but I could really use your help."

"You're family. I'll always help you. Tell me what's going on and where you are." Nico told me his location and a brief overview of his situation. I told him we'd be there soon, then hung up. Walking back to the table, Jack and Jace waited for my explanation. I turned the phone over in my hand a few times, mulling over what I'd just listened to.

"That was Nico. He's in trouble," I said.

"What kind of trouble?" Jack asked. Overhearing our conversation, the other discussions stopped, eyes resting on me.

"Some old acquaintances Nico separated himself from years ago have found him, and they want to settle the score. Thing is, settling that score involves killing him. He needs our help. I'm going. I was wondering if anyone else wanted to."

"We're in," Jack said, speaking for him and Jace.

"So am I," Dom added, standing up. "I got his father killed. I'm going to make sure I keep him safe."

Hobbs stood too. "Count me in too. If it involves taking down some bad guys, that's my job."

"We're a family. We stick together. If you're going, we all go," Dad claimed.

I looked around the table at my family, wondering why I'd been blessed with such incredible people. One day, and hopefully soon, Nico would recognize the same thing I did. But, in order for him to do that, he had to be here.

Steeling myself for another mission, I said, "Let's get going."
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That's the end of the story! I hope y'all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I've left it open-ended in case I decide to write a sequel :) Hope to hear from you again soon, and remember people: Ride or die.

Love,

Wisegirl502