✧ ✦ ✧ ═══ CHAPTER SIX :: CHEERS, MY FAMILY

Julia Kim smiled upon entering the open-air marketplace, gaze flitting over all sorts of colorful fruit and vegetable.

Mia Toretto led the way, with the younger tagging behind like a baby duckling following its mother.

"It's crazy how we are the ones they send out to do the grocery shopping," Julia grumbled, huffing as she looked around.

Mia chuckled, turning to look at the younger. "It's crazy how we are the only ones who can make edible food," she responded. "You and I both know what talented cooks the boys are."

Julia's brows raised, getting flashbacks to the time Brian somehow made instant ramen ... that was stuck in the pot, crispy brown. She shuddered at the thought, nodding in agreement as they went on with their shopping.

As the brunette looked around, a startled gasp from Mia brought the younger's attention back to her.

Instincts kicking in at lightning speed, Julia threw her fist square on the nose of the man who had his arms around her friend before pulling her away from him.

"Jules, it's alright. This is someone I know," Mia uttered, seeing the brunette bring back her fist for another punch. "Vince, what are you doing here?!"

The burly man held onto his nose, struggling to stop the bleeding. "Reyes' men have been tracking you," he replied, gesturing them to follow him. "Also, what the fuck was that for?" He turned to look at the woman he didn't recognise.

"Well, pardon me, I didn't know we could just grab people when they are shopping for food!"

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Throughout their walk back to their temporary base, Julia Kim mustered the harshest look she could, glaring holes into Vince's head.

Even though the man was built like a bear, he felt chills down his spine upon meeting her gaze.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

"Yes, very much. Thanks for asking."

Julia followed behind Vince as Mia walked into their base, not trusting the man enough yet. 

Brian's smile contorted into a frown upon seeing the uninvited guest, calming down once his girlfriend explained the situation.

"Reyes' guys were waiting for me at the market. Vince saved my life."

"You don't have to worry about anyone hurting Mia," Vince spoke up, nodding to Julia behind him. "Especially when this one's with her."

Brian raised his brows, seeing the dried blood on the man's face. "Jules, did you punch his nose?" He asked, mildly surprised.

Julia shrugged. "He's a burly ass man built like Vandal Savage. Of course, I'd punch him!" She defended, pointing at Vince. "Just look at him. Mans looks like a predator!"

Everyone struggled to stifle their laughs, finding the youngest's argument hilarious. "You shouldn't have punched him, Jules," Brian muttered, though the smile on his face suggested otherwise.

"I am not guilty because it was all in Mia-defense."

"Mia-defense?"

"Yeah." Julia nodded, as if it was obvious. "He attacked first, and as a member of the Mia Protection Squad, I only defended."

Han Lue found himself smiling at the brunette's antics, watching as Mia went over to Julia, wrapping her in a tight hug.

He shook his head to himself, snapping out of his daze when he saw Dom staring at him. The bald man smirked, having seen all the feelings his friend went through. 

Han merely ignored the expression, going back to his work before looking at Dom again.

"What?"

"Nothing."

The male raised his brow questioningly. "You are doing that weird thing with your face," he grumbled. "Something is up." He tilted his head, waiting for a reply.

"I mean, it's nothing," Dom responded. "It's nice seeing you smiling like that because of someone."

Han couldn't argue with his friend's words, taking time to let them sink and settle. 

Julia is someone I just met. Why is she making me feel like this?

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More often than before, Julia Kim looked at her lockscreen, staring at the picture she took with her father.

It was almost six years after the accident that she stepped into a car, and it had to be when they were getting chased by the police.

And the race that followed only put her more on the edge, getting flashbacks to the car accident she got into.

If it hadn't been for her father shielding her with his body, she wouldn't have made it out alive, either.

Julia didn't think she'd ever find anyone who'd care enough to protect her, but Han was making her double check her thoughts — especially after he threw away the race.

Of course, she knew. Julia knew Han lost on purpose, and she knew it had something to do with her — considering he checked on her before anything.

"Do you think I'm reading into it too much, Dad?" She muttered, looking at her lockscreen. "It's impossible, right?"

"Hm?" The man Julia had just been thinking of walked towards her, holding a beer in one hand and a cola in the other. "What's impossible?"

"You guys pulling off this heist without me?"

Han chuckled, clearly amused. "No comment," he stated, handing the younger a can of cola. "Whatever helps you sleep at night," he added.

Julia grimaced at the non-alcoholic beverage. "Well, I'll let you know a cola won't help me sleep," she quipped.

"What'd help you sleep then?"

"You."

There it was. The overrated pickup line with an effortless delivery. 

It killed Han how much enjoyed them — because he knew if anyone else said them, he wouldn't have the same reaction.

The silence that followed wasn't awkward. Julia knew he wasn't annoyed, and Han knew his lack of response wouldn't make her uncomfortable.

The wordless mutual understanding between them was surprising — even to them.

Roman's loud voice snapped them out of their trances, turning towards the others to see what was the issue.

The brunette smiled upon seeing Brian's hand over his girlfriend's stomach, realising the cat was out of the bag.

"May I just gloat a little and say that I was the first one to know out of y'all?" Julia announced, grinning victoriously. "Sucks to be you guys, honestly."

Laughter went around, the gang having bright smiles on their face as worries of getting the job done left them, simply enjoying the night they had together.

Dom cleared his throat, raising his beer for a toast. The others fell silent, turning towards the man they all collectively respected, listening to what he had to say.

"Money will come and go. We know that," he announced, meeting everyone's eyes as he toasted. "But the most important thing in life will always be the people in this room. Right here. Right now."

"Salud, mi familia," the youngest cheered, not knowing a better phrase to sum up everything. "Cheers, my family."

Julia Kim looked around as she raised her soft drink, locking eyes with a certain brunet as they clinked their drinks together.

Cheers to something more too, I guess.