Never in a million years would Sweet pea have believed he would be traveling from his home in Spain to visit his sister in Philadelphia. The girl had come a long way from the seventeen year old she had been in avondale and he was truly proud of her. His pride seemed to lessen his guilt but there were some old friends he needed to see. And he couldn’t use his family as an excuse forever. Exiting the yellow taxi cab he would hand overs money before looking down at the letter in hand. This seemed to be the correct address but it was far more extravagant than he thought it would be. Momentarily did he smooth out his hair before making his way to the front door. Three hardy knocks was given when after ten minutes no one seemed to answer he doorbell.
shit. Had he had the wrong address? No it wasn’t possible. He had looked over both G and Colton’s letters multiple times and they all read the same as the his current location. The large windows which decorated the home were dressed in white curtains making it difficult to asses if someone was home without looking like a full on creeper. For now he remained with his back turned struggling to find cell service on his small flip phone in hopes of contacting Marcel. This was meant to be a surprise for the group, his younger cousin included. But if none were home that provided an added difficulty to things.
"Nah, look at this," Norman chuckled as he showed Colton a video on his phone from a concert h had recently put on. The boys were an instant pair when their parents had remarried to each other. They were similar in a lot of ways and the two together was very dangerous in very different ways. They were all in the sunroom, a room the Walters sibling had never heard of, but now they needed it in every home. It was obvious their mother had decorated it due to the hints of pink and the décor of the furniture. Although it was a room his mother and their bonus mom created and spent most of her tea parties at, lately the children would all meet up here to hang out. Emmlie and Gerald were also in the room chatting as Norman and Colton looked at a video. They were waiting for Winston to get out of class, Quinton seemed to do as he pleased but since Brenton was going to stop by after his shift was over and that meant Quinton would stay a while. Gwen was getting snacks from the other end of the house, and Julie was getting a coffee but should be on her way when Brenton got off.
"Yeah you have to come out next tour, hoes gonna go crazy. Gotta do a few lines too and have your performance on the road," Norman told Colton. The two had a large following and was already running in the same circle. Colton smirked, he could make time for some world travel why not, and he would get more exposure, more eyes meant more money. His own money not his step dads. "So now I have to deal with both of you guys," Emerald snickered. She normally went with her brother, the three were peas in the pods. Acted the same, Norman knew Emerald came along to grow her followers she was an influencer and a good one and Emerald knew her brother didn't mind bringing her along because she was surrounded by beauty women. Gerald was about to make a joke, but tell them to be careful and to not make brass decisions like a dad but they heard a few knocks echo throughout the hall. The four of them looked at one another as they debated who was going to open the door. Maybe Gwen would get the door. Gwen walked in with snacks in her head. "Someone is at the door. Could have opened it but my arms are full," Gwen said. The four all groaned. "Emerald go do it," Norman instructed. She looked at him and rolled her eyes. "No," She said. "Fine, you all lazy ass bums," Gerald said shaking his head as he got up. He made the trip to the front door before he looked through the peep hole. He was never use to just opening the door before he started smiling and swung the door open wide. He stepped out seeing Sweets poking around. "What you doing on my property," He joked.
As Gerald left Colton continued to stroll through his phone before his eyes got wild. "Holy shit, everyone come look at this, Jewel is everywhere."
For a split second Sweets was prepared to offer an explanation to things but the voice had been all too familiar. No caucasian man from that side of town would have a thick of a New York accent as his friend did. ” According to our friendship contract from second grade what’s your is mine “ the male joked as he stepped forward embracing his best friend in a hug. Several taps would be given to his back before stepping away. His gaze observing the male before him. He looked good, healthy, far less stressed than the last time he’d saw him. It seemed life had treated him good and Sweet’s couldn’t be prouder. ” So you gonna leaving me standing in the cold or should I call mom and tell her how bad your manners have become since getting money “ the male told with a hearty chuckle. It was far fro cold out but he often enjoyed poking fun when it came to those matters. They were brothers, not genetically and not by law like G’s new blended family had been. But brothers all the same. Hell the Walters mothers had been there for him for some of the more important moments in his life than even his own. That however was a story for another day.
“Gonna have to get that squared away with Mr. Simmons,” He snickered. Although Gerald didn’t live here since he lived with his wife he came over when he could since that meant more time with family. After having to flee so early it was nice and important to him to hang out with his family as much as he could. Even if and when Maisie couldn’t make it she knew how much it meant to him and that was why he loved her. He loved her curls, her smile, her smell-he needed to focus. As Sweets stepped closer he smiled and embraced the man. He hadn’t seen him in such a long time but was glad they were able to keep in touch even though it was very unorthodox. Who the fuck sent letters that wasn’t born in 1930s but this lad did. He held onto him for a little before he moved away. “Still fucking ugly,” Gerald teased. “You can stay out in the cold or you can follow me in. Me change? You need to be watching that meat head,” Gerald grumbled as he walked back in. Once sweets entered he closed the door behind him. “Way better than our last living arrangement,” He snickered. He looked back at him as he motioned for him to follow. The pair walked a bit before they rounded the corner. “Look who the fuck I found peeking in the windows,” Gerald joked as he moved to the side to reveal sweets. Colton quickly got out and went to Sweets before Gwen squealed seeing him. Norman raised an eyebrow before he looked to his sister. Emmlie’s eyes were wide as she was in awe by the beauty before her. Colton looked over seeing Emerald looking like a child In a candy shop. Colton wanted to say he was taken but he wasn’t but he knew once she had her sights locked in she would get them. Colton wished sweets luck. Colton made his way over and hugged his friend. “Sweets where the fuck you been my guy?” Colton asked. “Oh but sweets this is my step brother Norman and my step sister Emmlie.” “Sweets? Is that your real name?” Emmlie asked.
Mr.Simmons huh. From his letter's back and forth with Mrs.Walters Simmons. The male was a good man and far different from the boys father and first husband. But unfortunately Sweet's had not gotten the opportunity to meet the male himself. He was just glad that for once Mrs.Walters`Simmons was happy. She was a good woman and for most of his childhood and teen years looked out for him and his siblings like they had been her own. She deserved the happiness that she was able to obtain, he just felt bad that he had no way of repaying her or any of the Walters for their kindness over the years. " And yet Maisie always found me as the better looking one " Sweets joked shoving G away. Long ago in another life the three of them were inseparable but time flew by and before they'd known it the three of them were adults with lives of their own. And his two best friends had even found love within another.
Walking through the house Sweets held back the urge to let out a long whistle at the sight of the place. It was definitely an upgrade from the small two bedroom apartment they once had across the hall from him and his siblings. Before a comment could be made about how he wasn't peaking Sweets had been rushed by the other members of the clan, some he'd known well and others were new faces. " Geez Gwen grow up any more and I might have to go back in for trying to keep the boys away " Sweet's joked lifting the girl up in a tight bear hug before placing her back down again. It was hard to believe she was once a small baby he feared would break at his touch. " Life in Spain was better for me than I would have guessed" the male told hugging colt before turning to meet the newest members of the clan. He thought it was better not to bore his friend with the complicated details of his life and instead focus on meeting the newest members of the clan. " It's nice to meet you folks " The male told holding out his hand to shake Norman's hand while Emmlie got a small kiss on the hand. A boisterous laugh escaped his lips hearing the girls question. It wasn't intended to be rude but it'd been a while since he'd heard that question. " Not at all doll. I got saddled with the nickname Sweet pea as a kid, and Sweets kind of just stuck " the male informed. Mentally he counted the Walters feeling as if something was off before it hit him. " Where's Winston and Maisie ? " He didn't see Marcel either but knowing his cousin eh was off causing chaos. He'd brought them a few gifts and his sister sent a care package but it didn't feel right letting them have it if all Walter's didn't get to enjoy it.
Gerald was a bit apprehensive to Mr. Simmons. Just because he had money doesn’t mean he was a good person or that he was good for their mother. Although any and everyone was better than his dad. It was odd sometimes to hear the Simmons siblings talk about their parents and how they had a wonderful and loving relationship. It was something he hadn’t known or seen before, healthy love? He had no idea what that was and it was something he has been working on himself and something he took day by day with Maisie. G laughed hearing sweets talk about how Maisie thought he was the cuter one. “Might be in her eyes but ugly as fuck In mine. At least you have a decent personality,” He snickered. As he walked inside sometimes he stared at things in awe. Never in his life did he think he would be in a place so lovely like this and his mother would be happen and he would have a dad who actually supported and liked his spouse. Gwen squealed as he gave her a bear hug. “Don’t worry, Colton and G does it very well. I get no breathing room at all,” She grumbled. “You don’t need any,” Colton chimed in. Gwen rolled her eyes as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders. She was sure it was just because she was the youngest. Everyone was so beautiful. No one guarded Julie that much, they did but she was an adult and most people didn’t want to speak with her. “I mean you look way better Sweets. Hell maybe we all need to go to Spain,” Colton joked. After the brief hug he stepped back to give sweets some breathing room. He didn’t want to be all around him so he thought he was closed in or anything. Norman and Emmlie waved and told him it was nice to meet him too. Emmlie looked at him as he kissed her hands. Was he boldly coming onto her? She liked it. It was nice. She looked at his hand and saw that he didn’t have a ring on his hand like that would even matter. “Saddled with? You from up North with them huh?” Emmlie teased as she flashed him a flirty smile as he called her doll. Colton saw the flirting in her eyes and looked to Gerald before going to Gwen. Should they tell him Yvonne was around. Gwen looked at her brothers and shook her head. She kinda wanted Yvonne to drag Emmlie around. “Sweets, I like that. It’s cute like you,” She told him. Now Norman looked at them debating and weighing in on the eyes battle to allow Emmlie to play or not. Gerald cleared his throat as Sweets asked a question. “Winston is in class. He on his way over here, Maisie didn’t want to leave the baby with her mother but still wanted me to come over, I think she just wants more time with him since as of now. I have most of the time with him,” Gerald laughed. “But have a seat Sweets get comfortable because we are going out tonight to celebrate you.”
" that's because no one is beautiful as you in your own eyes " Sweets joked lightly shoving Gerald. Some friendships over time and distance died out, but they were not mere friends. Brothers was a more accurate term for the bond they built over time. Even when Sweets went to Jail and Gerlad moved from their hometown to live a better life, they still were able to remain close. It was something he cherished even to this day. Neither had the perfect life or family growing up when they were young, but the Walters-Castro clan had one another and to him that was all that really mattered. " They're just trying to protect you Baby, Try not to hate them too much for it " Sweets told ruffling Gwen's hair a bit. Hell, he was no one to judge the protective measures one took when it came to little sisters, he was certain whatever the group was doing he'd do the same or perhaps far worse.
" Just say when. I'm sure my abuela would love to finally meet the Walters family she's heard so much about " Growing up he and his siblings didn't have much family in their town. Hell, they didn't have anyone who was blood family. Their family was consisted by chosen few that were held close to their hearts, the nearest family to them lived 3,000 miles away in this city. They never remembered anyone else being mentioned so when he and Vixen moved back to Spain during her junior year it was shocking to find out they had grandparents halfway around the world. It wasn't the same as his family back home in Avondale but they accepted him and his siblings and eventually they came to call them their own. So, when they began hearing stories about their life back in America there wasn't a single one that didn't contain the Walters or another Vice lord Hearing Emillie's question sweets smiled and gripped Gerald and Colton's shoulder. " That's right. We were neighbors for a bit. Mama Walters basically helped raised us, G and Maisie went to school with me and Colt with my sister and cousin Marcel " He didn't have single memory growing up that didn't contain them even before his parents ditched them. But he liked to believe it was always supposed to be that way. As if they were always meant to be one big dysfunctional family one way or another. It sounded like Maisie and he guessed the gifts would have to wait for another time. " I'd love to but I probably shouldn't just yet. Marcel finds out I went out before visiting and he'll kill me " although in his defense Sweets thought the little runt would have been here along with the rest of the clan.
Gerald laughed before he shrugged. “Besides Maisie no one tops her,” He said with starry eyes. It was clear he was head over heels in love with the girl and he had no qualms about being sweet on her. He could never be embarrassed over anything like that because it wasn’t something he would ever feel ashamed about. The two families had been together for such a long time and they had seen mostly everything between the two of them. They had seen the best and the worst. Now sweets was seeing the two sides of it. The lows and now the new highs they were having. “We aren’t even doing anything badly, or as intense,” Colton said with a roll of his eyes as Gwen frowned as her hair was ruffled. “They can let me breathe,” Gwen frowned. “Please no one has time to be worried about a high schooler,” Gerald grumbled. The males weren’t even as terrible as they could be about tighten their grip on her. They had lives and a lot of time was taken away daily. “Your abuela? Actual family?” Colton questioned as he spoke about family in Spain which surprised the male. “Neighbors? They didn’t tell me about you running around,” Emmlie flirted as she smiled at him. So they were buddy buddy which meant he would be around often so she could pounce. “We haven’t seen Marcel but we are going to this club. Norman is performing so we have a section. Marcel can join meet him there,” Colton snickered. “Yeah it’ll be fine sweets,” Emmlie winked “Yeah everyone can be there. Julie will definitely need it. Some dude threw up on her,” Norman said. “Some dude did what!”
Seeing Gerald gush over his sweetheart Sweet pea couldn’t help but feel proud. There was a time when one would bet that the roles would be reversed and Gerald would be the bachelor while sweets would have settled down. Yet here they were trading places and he couldn’t be prouder than the man his best friend had grown up to be after all those years of hardship.
Hearing Gwen whine about the overprotectiveness of the others he couldn’t help but chuckle. If she thought this was bad she would have never survived spending her teen years back home where there were even more people to watch her movements. ” Be glad you don’t have Jesus in on the action. “ The Castro brothers were known to be hard on their younger sibling and Marcel. But Jesus had always taken things up a notch. Burdened with making sure they weren’t a product of their environment after their parents left. He’d felt guilty in many ways for leaving his brother to shoulder it alone but Sweet’s chose a gentler approach, although anything was gentle when compared to him.
Gwen would survive it and she’d be better off for it in the end. Or so that was the logic he had used to convince himself when the others were younger. ” Turns out there was more of us than we thought. Not much but it helped “ Sweets told rummaging through his wallet and pulling out a photo before handing it Colton. Within the photo, Sweet Pea stood proudly in a cap and gown with his siblings on one side and an elderly could on the other.
They’d been raised to believe all they had were their chosen family, The Walters, the Marchetti’s, the Kings, and Stevie. So it was a surprise when they found out there was blood out there. But they adjusted and now one could even call them a family. ” I see how much you missed me. Guess the money made you forget about the little guys “ Sweet’s joked pushing Gerald lightly after hearing Emmlie state how she’d never heard of him until that day. ” I don’t know, I’m not exactly club-ready “ Knowing the city they were in and how his friends liked to show out Sweet pea couldn’t imagine his current attire fitting in with the group at a nightclub. And considering he had left his bag where he was staying he didn’t have much to work with at the moment.
Seeing the video of a poor girl being barfed on Sweet pea grimaced. ” Yikes. Guess things haven’t been too boring for you guys after all “
Colton looked over at his brother as he spoke Maisie in that tone. A tone that he had been use to for years since he was small. He use to feel that way, but right now he needed to focus on himself and his daughter. Speaking of which he knew when Sweets found out he would crazy, or the fact that he broke off his engagement with Kat. He still loved her, wouldn't mind trying to recover that, but he was sure Kat wouldn't take him back. Her pride would not allow such a thing and would understand that. Gerald glanced down at his phone speaking of Maisie, to see if she had responded back to him yet. His eyes made their way back to Sweets. If people knew them in the past no one would imagine that Gerald would be the married one and trying to start a family and Sweets would be the bachelor traveling around. It was funny how the world worked, but he was sure Sweets could and would find that if he wanted that. G didn't want to assume that Sweets even wanted to settle down.
"That is what we are trying to tell her Sweets, we are going so easy on her," Colton said to Sweets. Neither him nor Gerald was being as bad as they could have been and they weren't anywhere near how Jesus was. Gwen still pouted, in her reality this was still bad. People tended to flee just at the sight of seeing Colton, or the towering presence of Gerald just being 6'6. A lot of her friends weren't worried about Winston since he was sweet, but they didn't know Rory existed which she was fine with. On that note Gwen rolled her as she sat back on the couch it was getting a bit crowded over there since everyone was excited and the others curious to see what Sweets was about.
"How do you feel?" Colton asked as he took the photo out. Gerald moved so the both of them could observe the photo for themselves. "Yup this is your family, congrats," Colton added as he handed the photo back to him. It was good to see him so proud and happy. Colt smacked his lips as Sweets tried to say they didn't miss him. He wasn't telling Emmlie about anything about Sweets. So she can go yapping around about how Sweets was still in contact with them. Seeing Yvonne so sad they weren't going to feel her wrath just because Sweets dropped her. Regardless he didn't want Emmlie to be acting like she was now, a horn toad which annoyed him. But he would hold his tongue. "Didn't think you would pop up, thought we would fly over to see you than explain who you are," Colton chuckled with a small shrug. Emmlie's eyes sparkled as they spoke about going out which meant more time with him and be tonight he could be inside her.
"I'm going to get you club ready come with me," Em said as she wrapped her hands around his nice muscle arms before dragging him on. She pushed herself up on him as she dragged him to Colton's closet. "You're going to look great," She winked.
"Never boring," Gwen called out as Sweets was whisked away. The remaining people shook their head as they all sat back down and spoke about what PR will come from this Julie situation. "Wait, shouldn't someone go back there just in case he needs help?" Gwen asked.
Em chuckled as he spoke to her again as she grinned. ”You sound right out of the 1950s but it fits you. An old man in a fine ass body,” She told him. She didn’t understand what he was talking about and it was probably wasn’t that simple.
Em gritted her teeth as Gwen swooped him away which annoyed her. She knew it was a matter of time and was surprised it was Gwen and not one of those boys. Hm maybe Sweets did mean a lot to them since Gwen was intervening. Majority of the time she minded her business and stayed to herself. A bit was due to her still being in high school and the rest of them being adults and working. She huffed after he left and made her way to her room. She needed to plan out an outfit for tonight since she would have to look amazing.
”Always welcome now you just need a jacket and this look will be complete,” Gwen whispered as they walked back to the large group of males. “Oh wow you’re alive,” Colton snickered as he spotted the pair rounding the corner. ”No thanks to you,” Gwen frowned as she stuck her tongue out at him. “But he is fine,” Colton chuckled. “Are you staying here? Or do you have a place,” Gerald asked him as he sat down on the arm of the couch.
———
Hours passed as the group caught up and Em made her way back to the group and tried to wiggle her way to sitting next to sweets but Colton and Gwen stopped that from happening causing her to pout and mop around. “So are we going to the club or not? I’m going. I have to perform. I mean I’ll have a section for you guys,” Norman told them all. “Sweets you have to come,” Em grinned. “You’re not sneaking in,” Gerald said scolding Gwen before she piped up. “We have a driver so you can get as fucked as you want,” Colton smirked looking at his friends. “Even if you say no we are kidnapping you.”
For many of their younger years the Castro - Walters - Marchetti clan had become accustomed to swapping clothes and handymen downs whenever they could get them between their tiny tribe and that hadn't even included the. clothing of the others in their circle. But something about wearing Colt's new clothing had felt wrong and not because the two were finally similar sizing or that Colt chose to wear his own clothing far tighter than sweets was comfortable with but because the idea that one mistake could cost so much hadn't sat well with him. Although he knew in his heart his friend would never pressure him to pay anything back if something had happened to the items Sweets still couldn't find comfort in the items as he sat fidgeting in the clothing as the group converse.
" Don't worry about that now. You know I keep mine close by " Even though the male was living his life in the sun these days he never kept that old leather jacket too far away. It was like a piece of it and while he had lent it out a time or two Sweets could never truly get rid of the one thing that kept him linked to his past, like his elder brother with his bike or his sister with her chains. The family looked good in leather and while they moved on they enjoyed keeping their armor the same. Sweets couldn't help but jokingly push Colt over the couch at his statement before sliding to lean against one of the armrests. " I got a place over in sacred oaks family sort of " truthfully it was the only way he could surprise them and in the event, they hadn't yet forgiven him or had space he knew he'd have a couch to crash on. Even if it came with his cousin's paramours coming and going at all hours.
The hours passed and it seemed they had spoken about just about everything under the sun when Em finally joined them. He'd almost forgotten she was getting ready and out of the room if it wasn't for her need to garner his attention the moment she arrived or perhaps he was just imagining things. " Don't worry Gwen if you take any college tours away I know a couple of snakes who would love to take you out dancing " Sweets told with a wink knowing his siblings would love a crack at helping the littlest Walters disobey her big brothers. " I guess I have no choice then, " The male told not bothering to fight the group on their stance. Knowing they would get their way one way or another.
The uber ride was filled with silence on Sweet pea's end as he attempted to compile his thoughts on the day they just had thankfully Em seemed eager enough to speak enough for the both of them as she filled him in on the little things within her life and how she would have liked more time to dance with him although only one dance was promised to her. Opening the door he would hold his hand out to help her out the uber before making sure she found her way safely to the front door. " Again I'm really sorry about Yvonne. She can be a little hot headed at times but she has a good heart " He knew the two women had know one another but he found himself compelled to apologize on Yvonne's behalf once more. He'd known the girl could be a little rough around the edges as even they had their moments when they weren't the best of friends. He knew not everyone would agree with such an idea but he didn't enjoy others thinking poorly of her, of anyone he was close to or rather thats what he told himself.
