AN: Heads up, I'm Australian so sorry if the facts or wording is different to what your use to. I thought I would play with the idea of Happy's family, the events of the TV show may not be right, but it's my fanfiction... Feed back is always welcomed...
Disclaimer: I do not own SOA, it belongs to Kurt Sutter. Though I do own the plotline and the characters that you are not familiar with.
In The Blood
HER grip tightened on the steering wheel as her eyes flickered to the rear view mirror every couple of seconds to the child in the back seat. She knew that this day would come, always hope that it wouldn't. Praying that something would finally go the way she planned, giving Adam a better life, one that he deserved. She turned the radio down to background music, so the sound of the boy's breathing in the baby sit filled the vehicle.
Relief washed over her as she passed the welcome sign into Charming, she was finally home after the three long years of listening to her mother.
As she drove further into town, taking a left turn off the main street into residential area. Her hands shook slightly with nerves as she pulled the vehicle into drive way twenty seven. "Ma." Unbuckling the seat belt and getting out the driver's side, she moved into the back.
"We're here baby." Picking the boy up and placing him on her hip, she grabbing the saddle bag before she making her way to the front door. Grabbing the lions head, she knocked on the door pausing as footsteps sounded inside.
"Jenny?" She smiled at the blonde woman's surprised face as she opened the door, noticing that she hadn't changed one bit since her move.
"Hey Meg, long time no see." Meg gave a shaky laugh before stepping aside and holding the door open, inviting her friend into the house. She led them out into the kitchen, taking a look at the similarities in the child's features as they continued in silence.
"His yours?" Jennifer simply nodded her head and took a sip of the cup of coffee. "And the father?" She shook her head not wanting to answer; she knew news would spread through the town like wild fire. She could hear the whispers now- Winston's daughter back in town with a child on her hip, which Son is the father? She would ignore the towns talk as she would any other day.
"Adam, this is Meg." The only response was the movement on her shoulder, Adam nodding his head in greeting.
"Isn't he a sweetie?" Meg smiled at the boy before turning her attention to Jennifer. "Have you been to the garage yet?"
"I was hoping you wouldn't mind looking after Adam for a couple of hours." The blonde searched the woman's face, not missing anything.
"He doesn't know." The silence echoing through the room answered her statement. "I'll make a bed for you." Meg grabbed the empty cups from the table. "You might want to hurry, gets dark soon."
Jennifer smiled at the older woman and took Adam into the lounge room, turning the old television on to a children show. "You be good for Meg." She knelt down beside him, his head bobbed while his eyes stayed trained on the cartoons. "I love you." Brushing his fringe off his forehead, she kissed him good bye and silently walked away to not cause him distress. "Here's my number, call me for anything." She handed Meg the piece of paper with her details before closing the front door quietly behind her.
Jennifer was grateful that Meg could take Adam; she didn't know who else she could trust after such a long time. Gemma had come to mind, but she would tell the club about Adam in a heartbeat. Not to mention the woman was probably pissed as hell for her leaving town, listening to her mother's words instead of Gemma's. Meg could be trusted, she spent years looking after Jennifer as a child, and she was more than positive that the woman still had some tricks up her sleeves in her old age not that Adam would cause any trouble.
She pulled her old Holden into Teller-Morrow Automotive only pausing for a minute as a sense of déjà vu washed over her, this wasn't a friendly visit but family matters. The automotive shop hadn't changed since the first day she stepped into the place in her toddler years. A sensation run through her, something she hadn't witness for a very long time- home.
"Well isn't this a surprise." Her car door didn't get the time to close as the voice reached her ears.
"Jax." She leaned back against her car, watching as the blonde moved towards her. In her earlier years she thought she loved Jackson Teller, which girl didn't have a crush on him sometime throughout their life. She happened to get the emotions of friends and lovers mixed up, because a friend is all Jax Teller will ever be to her. He was like another brother, always hanging around Opie, the house or club.
"You've grown up." He nodded his head at her slim frame, the curves and bumps stepped in when she gave birth to Adam, she worked dam hard not to get the veranda most mothers got after birth.
"And you haven't changed one bit. Where's Op?"
A laugh escaped Jax at the woman's blunt meeting. "I imagine at the bar." She nodded her head to him, patting him on the shoulder before heading towards the club. It was a relief not to see Gemma's car in the parking lot, she moved passed the office without flinching.
Her nose scrunched up at the awful smell that hit her, the smell of the club house unfortunately hadn't changed. "Jennifer?" The foul smell fled her mind at her brother's voice.
"Yeah." Ignoring the rest of the Sons, she took a seat at the bar next to him. Their family was never the type to be emotional in front of others but she stilled managed to stay close to her only brother.
"Are you alright?" She sank further into the chair as Opie placed a hand over Jennifer's.
"I missed you." As the words came out of her mouth she saw the conflicting emotions running through his eyes. He didn't simply believe that she was back just because she missed him, but he didn't push.
"I missed you too baby girl." Opie's voice was so soft that she almost jumped at the sound of Bobby.
"What about the rest of us girly?" She felt ten years younger again as Bobby leaned against the bar; she reached over and hugged him. Bobby was dam near the closest she had to an Uncle. Her eyes caught someone behind his shoulder with a Mohawk and lightning bolts tattooed on each side of the man's head.
"Juice? You've stepped up." The last time she was in Charming, Juice happen to sign up as Prospect, Chibs taking the man under his wing.
"Told you I'd get in, how about you? Get accepted into Uni?" Jennifer nodded her head slowly glancing down at her brother's hand with her own.
"I got there, but it didn't last." A silence spread through the conversation as each man shared a glance, all wondering the same thing. What the hell had Jennifer been doing for the past six years?
"You look starved girl, no one feeding you there?" Bobby didn't miss the black lines under her eyes or the tired form of her shoulders. He grabbed his cake tin from under the bar and opened it, showing his choc chip cookies. "Take one."
The cookie melted in her mouth, it was heaven. It didn't matter how many times she tried baking sweets, she never could get them like Bobby's'. "Oh I've missed your cooking." The compliment brought a smile to the fuzzy man's face.
"Look what the cat dragged in." The Scottish accent made her smile as Chibs walked through the club door with Clay and Tig talking in slow voices behind him.
"I see my favourite Scotsman is alive and well." Chibs pulled her into a hug, the air getting knocked out of her.
"Darling, I'm the only Scotsman you know." He planted a kissed on her cheek before setting himself up behind the bar.
"How you going sweetheart?" She leaned into Tig's arms and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Better now." The curly head man smirk at Jennifer's answer and let Clay welcome the girl.
"Gemma's going to rip you a new one." He simply kissed her forehead and grabbed a beer from Chibs. "I'm guessing you haven't seen her yet?"
"I don't have a death sentence."
"Dinner tomorrow night at our place." She nodded her head at Clay, Gemma wouldn't be too happy if she skipped out on that.
"Can I bring someone with me?"
"What's this? Our girl brought a man home with her." She smiled at the Scotsman not commenting.
"We'll have to see if his worthy enough." Clay grinned, giving her the permission she needed. Jennifer took Chibs beer and took a sip before glancing at her brother, looking for any kind of reaction, Opie simply watched her. "Church, now."
"I'll call the rest of the guys." Chibs left the bar as Clay made his way to the head of the table.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Opie patted her hand before standing up to follow the rest in.
"See you at dinner." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and made her way outside to her car.
MEG had feed Adam dinner than tried to talk the pair into staying when Jennifer finally arrive back. Jennifer stood her ground before finally getting her way and went to a hotel in Charming paying for one room with a double bed. Adam was happy in front of the TV glad to finish the show Jennifer had pulled him away from moments ago at Megs. She placed their bags at the door and locked the door not bothering to unpack but going straight to the double bed. The stress was melting her, she could deal with the MC but the trip was personal, too personal for her liking.
Her own Ma tried to convince her not to come to the funeral but she had to see her Pa one last time before he was buried ten feet under. Guilt rocked her at knowing that Adam had never got the chance to meet his grandfather and the fact that Opie had lost another family member. Jennifer could remember the phone call about Donnas death, dam she liked that girl and she managed to always keep her brother in line. Jennifer wanted to go and care for her brother, just be there but Adam fell sick and there was no was she was going to leave his side and cause her baby boy more pain than needed. She was filled with joy at the news of her brother getting married though that died down when she realise the dates would clashed with Adams school play. On the upside it meant she didn't have to go through the memories and stress on meeting him again. He was better to stay out on the open road but she knew that charters from everywhere were going to be at the funeral to show their respects to one of the first nine. Inevitable that meant he was going to be present.
Adam had asked questions about his father the usual curiosity of a child but never pushed. If anyone knew him and spend a few minutes in the present of her baby boy, one would be able to see the similarities. Sometimes it scared her knowing how dam common both males were, it also brought her comfort knowing that Adam had picked up personalities from his father, the silent nature and watchful eyes that was always present. "Ma?" Adam had crawled onto the bed, the ads flashing on the TV.
"Mmm..." Jennifer run her fingers through his dark hair making Adam lay down beside her and she instantly wrapped her right arm around him while her left stroked his hair. Jennifer knew for sure that Adam got his cuddly side from her.
GEMMA'S family dinners was something you never missed, it was Gemma to get the family back together. It was one of the key aspects that Jennifer missed most, family and love, to do anything for them. When in her Ma's presence she sometimes doubted that love for family, Gemma showed so much towards everyone in the MC, that some days she just wanted to leave town for that one reason. Charming was always calling her back home.
"So their family?" Adams little hand held tightly onto Jennifer's as they stood outside the door to a very big and luxurious house.
"Yeah." Jennifer knocked on the door instead of been greeted by Gemma it was Jax. He looked like he did yesterday with the cut and white sneakers though the facial expression was different. "Hey Jax." His eyes quickly glanced at the two in front of him before smiling.
"Is this your man?" He bent down to Adams level and shook his hand, reminding Jennifer that Jax did know how to act around kids with his own boy Abel. "I'm Jax."
"Adam." The boy shook the man's hand before taking a step back to watch him.
"Mum is waiting for you in the kitchen." He nodded his head to the cake in Jennifer's hands. She knew that it was proper to bring something with you whether it was for the main or dessert.
"We'll go see her." Jax gave her a sympatric grin before opening the door wider for them. The house in itself hadn't changed one bit, though there was a few new pieces here and there. It still held the bright and homey feeling making her relax until hearing Gemma in the kitchen.
"Jennifer-" The Queen Bee stopped mid sentence as her eyes took in the small boy standing beside her. "And ..." Gemma smiled at the young kid who reminder her so much of someone else , she knew by the way he held himself.
"Adam." The boy held his hand out getting use to the introductions and curious at the same time.
"Why don't you go to the backyard and play with the boys." At the mention of other boys Adam shot off through the house, Jennifer tried to go after him but the grip on her arm held her in place. "You have a lot to explain missy." Gemma pointed a finger at the woman before taking the cake and placing it with the other deserts. Jennifer's Ma could yell and scream at her but it never striked fear within her, fear Gemma Teller Morrow could. Gemma gave the few crow eaters a sharp indictor with her head, kicking them out of the kitchen leaving the few Old Lady's still preparing dinner. "Jennifer you remember the Doc." A very pregnant Tara gave her smile before the attention was turned to the blonde; she knew who it was from the wedding pictures. "Lyla."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lyla stepped forward giving Jennifer a side hug before turning her attention to the carrots leaving Jennifer with Gemma.
"You mind telling me about the kid."Gemma turned to the potatoes slicing them up and Jennifer couldn't help but feel nervous with the knife in the woman's hand.
"I'm sure you know the birds and the bees." Lyla cracked a smile but Gemma didn't look impressed.
"I thought you were going to university...instead of coming back with a degree, you come back with a kid." Jennifer sat up on the bench half worried about Gemma and the other worried about Adam outside with new people though she knew Jax would keep a close eye on him, hell everyone probably knows the truth already. "Worse of all we hardly hear from you and...I'll bet my new heels that the father doesn't know."
"Jesus Christ Gemma, how do you except me to tell him? It wouldn't change anything; he will always be on the open road no one can ever make him sway." Jennifer watched for Gemma's reaction at her little outburst, she hadn't spoken to anyone about it. God everyone knows that Mary hates the motorbike club and it was a kick in the gut every time Mary looked at her son with hatred.
"You don't get it baby girl, if anyone could convince that man to leave the road it is you." Instead of being angry, Gemma's voice held understanding. Jennifer knew the woman's words were right but she couldn't imagine what a life would be like to have him all the time, in her bed in the morning or helping Adam with one of his puzzles. "The man needs to know about his own kid."
IT was packed to the rim and Jennifer was tempted to walk the other direction with Adam in hand but Tara had promised the other kids would be here which was evident to the loud noise coming from the playground. She made the destination to the play set, taking a spot next to Lyla who smiled in greeting. "Is he here?"
"Inside with the reach of the Sons." The MC had people piled everywhere for tomorrows funeral and she knew that with the amount of bodies it would be hard to bump into him but she really didn't want to take any chances, after all the years he still gave her the thrills and nerves at the same time. "Opie wanted to check in with you and Gemma wanted to see Adam and you." She nodded her head at Lyla tempted to shot the messager but chose to walk the other direction with Adam.
Pushing the reaper door open she was hit with loud voices and the many smells that never seem to leave the clubhouse. To her relief there wasn't any pole dancing, it was a member's only night and all croweater no matter their position was elsewhere for the night. Her eyes set on Opie and Jax at one of the back table, Tara was comfortable sitting beside him. Jennifer put Adam on her hip not wanting to lose him in the crowd and nodded to a few members showing their respect.
"Heard you wanted me." She took a seat next to Opie having Adam on her lap.
"Just wanted to make sure my baby sister was holding together." She gave him a sympatric smile leaning her head against Opie shoulder for a second before answering.
"I'm alright Opie, just wish I was in bed relaxing."
"I want the same, though I have something more than relaxing in mind." Jennifer looked at her brother almost horrified, she knew what he got up to but it was different hearing it. She glared at Jax as he snorted in his beer at the siblings.
"I really don't want to hear what my brother does in his alone time." She stood back up taking Adam with her. "Anyway, I need to find Gemma."
"Last I check...she was in the kitchen." Jennifer waved her thanks to Jax and took another swim in the crowd.
She breathed a sigh of relief at the getting closer to the kitchen door; Adams hold on her was almost choking her as he hated the crowded areas as much as herself. "Gemma I swear to god this better-" The relief washed away as Gemma and Happy turned at the sound of her voice. Jennifer knew she had walked straight into the bitch's plans as her smug look proved it, Happy's eyes trained on Adams. For the first time Jennifer was cursing herself for not doing something sooner.
The silence seemed icy though Gemma seen to have it under control as she stepped towards Adam holding her arms out for the boy. "You need to talk to your man." Jennifer gave Adam a small squeeze handing him over, the child seem unfazed about been in the arms of one of the dangerous women on earth. Gemma closed the kitchen door behind her, closing the sound of the club and the rest of the world, leaving it with Jennifer and Happy.
She didn't dare speak waiting for some kind of response from the bald man in front of her. The sound of the heavy boots closed in on her before he stopped in front of her, she didn't dare look in his eyes, the sign of anger was shown in his hands as he fisted them. She wasn't afraid of him physical, he may be known as the killa but he would never lay a hand on a woman. "Why didn't you tell me about the kid?" She shook her head only to be boxed in as he crowded her space, each arm blocking any escape.
"You once told me that nothing could ever make you stop riding, that the open road called to you, called you home." She finally looked at his eyes, the intensity of them making it harder. "I couldn't take that from you." Jennifer couldn't stand the closeness of him, she broke free and came to face with Gemma at the other side of the door, without wasting time she grabbed Adam and made her way to the car. She had no power, she knew that if he wanted her to stay he could have stopped her but like always he sensed her need and answered it.
JENNIFER felt the air get knocked out of lungs as the world shattered and came into focus; the pale skin of her father brought everything to life. Adam was sitting with Lyla and the kids though the sudden realisation made her wish for her boy to be standing next to her, to centralise her. Instead an arm went around her shoulder and she knew it was Opie without taking her eyes away from the body. "Ma is here." Mary, she never called her first name to her face but the resentment for the unstable woman in her life was forever there. What could the outcome be if father and Mary hadn't got the devoice? Would there still be the fights at night? Would he still be alive and well? The possibility that he could meet his grandson.
"I don't want to see her." Her voice left no room for argument and Opie knew better than to push while she was in this state. The only other time he had ever seen the stand in her shoulders and the straight line of her lips was the day their dog died from eating the rat bait in the garage.
Jax came to stand on her other side. "We got to get him in the hearse." Jennifer nodded her head receiving a light kiss on the side from Jax as he got some of the club members came to help carry him out to the hearse. Unfortunately Opie was one of those men and she had to let go of her tight grip on his hand to trail behind them.
THE cold soda in her hands stayed full as she sat on the swing in the backyard of Opie's place watching the children laugh in the sand pit, even Elli was getting involved in the building castles. She didn't know how to act towards the people surrounding her, they had just buried her father and all she wanted to do was be left alone in peace. Opie was holding off better than her, he accepted the hugs and sorrys for both of them, the local club members stayed scattered in the backyard and house showing their support with their presence. "Jenny?" She looked over at Tara seated in the swing next to her. "Jax and I are looking after Opie and Lyla's kids, one more won't be a problem." She wanted her little man to keep herself together but one night alone to collect herself sounded like a wise choice.
"That would be great Tara, thanks."
"It's no problem, you need anything just give us a call." Tara left Jennifer in peace to talk to Jax about tonight's events.
She walked over to the children bending down to her little mans height, "Do you want to have a sleepover?" She nodded her head to the rest of the kids, she may have said yes to Tara but she always gave him a choice, he locked up tight like his father if he was given no choice.
"Yes please Ma." His voice turned to happiness, she couldn't blame her son, he didn't know his grandfather and that only reminded her of the mistakes in her life. Jennifer gave Adam a kiss on the cheek with an affection hand messing up his hair before sending him back over to the children.
She made her way to Opie giving her brother a much needed hug before saying her goodbyes and nodding to the bikers and locals who attended her father's funeral. She kept her eyes wondering during the whole way to the front door, hoping and praying that she would see those deep brown eyes.
By the time she made her way to the car bitterness had filled her stomach, cursing herself for being weak and slipping of the well placed armour.
THE usual flashing light of the hotel sign at night was left with blunt dark colours that matched the mood swirling within her as she parked the car. Heading up the stairs to the second floor she didn't bother checking behind her to make sure the car had locked, she was dying for a bubbly bath and the hotel wine in the fridge.
As Jennifer entered the room a ragged breath escaped her at the man leaning back with his arms behind his head on her double bed, she knew without a doubt that he had picked the lock like he use to do so often when she kicked him out of his bedroom at the Club house. "Not now Hap." Placing the keys on the table she turned her back to him, the action in itself saying that she trusted him, he always told her to never turn her back to a stranger.
The thud of the boots were heard behind her making her tense and for the first time in years she wish that God hadn't answered her prayer. She felt the heavy soft hand against her arm and instead of turning into his embrace; she walked over to the connected bathroom to start that dam bath.
It didn't take long for the hot water to fill the bath, without hesitation with the man on the other side of the wall she stripped her clothes and stepped into the bath, letting the warmth sink into her stiff bones and relax her straining muscles. She leaned forward on her knees smoothing the wash cloth over her legs and closed her eyes at the peaceful sensation.
The rough hands on her back made her eyes flashed open, she hadn't heard him enter the bathroom and soon she was leaning forward with him slipping behind her in the bath. She was tempted to yell at him but she knew these moments were rare and no doubt it would change back to normal, the rough man she fell in love with would return in the light of day.
As the bath water cooled against their bodies and her tears vanished in the water, she slipped out of his hold and wrapped a towel around her naked body before walking back into the main room to the bed.
She split the panties on and one of her old shirts before making her way to the double bed, like an old dance they blended into each other. She rolled onto her side and stared at the lamp waiting, the strong firm arms would wrap around her mid section before she reached over to turn the lamp off. It was the old routine they had before Adam came into her life.
It surprise her by not fighting and rolled into his embrace, staring at his dark form as he stroked his thumb in circular movements against the flat on her stomach underneath the shirt.
They were quiet for a long time, gently petting, but to her relief, not really holding. He laid soft kisses on her shoulders and fingered her ribs, while at the same time, she gently ran her fingertips over his healing stitches, grateful that the harm wasn't to bad as she knew the dangers of his job. From there she examined the other bruises, healing cuts, scrapes and scars across his arms, chest and shoulders, each one telling stories of his life experiences and the identity of the man in her arms.
"I'm not going anywhere." His words washed over her with relief, she wasn't sure whether he meant now or forever, but the truth in his words would be tested no doubt in the morning.