I own nothing you recognize. Only original characters and storylines are my own.

Chapter One

Milla sat on the picnic table with her baby girl on her lap. She knew the grin on her face was dopey but she couldn't help it. Her man was coming home today, as well as the rest of the guys. Life couldn't be better and her family would finally be a single unit like it was meant to be. As Espy chattered in babytalk her mother came up to her and handed her a cup of something steaming.

"It's a chilly mornin', don't want ya catchin' smethin'." Gemma explained as she took her granddaughter from Milla's arms and cuddled.

"Thanks Ma. You hear from the prison yet? Chantal said Phil hasn't called yet." Milla asked and Gemma shook her head.

"I expect they'll be making a surprise entrance. Your dad always had a flair for the dramatic." Gemma said with a smile before she ducked her head to kiss Espy.

"Wrong, you've always been the drama queen Ma. How's Lyla, she still mad at me?" Milla asked and Gemma chuckled.

"Furious, she thinks you ruined her big day because you were jealous." Gemma explained and Milla shook her head.

"I just knew it wasn't the right time. The kids haven't had time to adjust and Opie...he needs to work shit out in his head and his heart before they take that step. I just had a long talk with him and laid it all out on the table. I never wanted to sabotage her wedding." Milla told her mother honestly as she sipped her coffee.

"I get it baby and I know Ope wouldn'tve listened to ya if it wasn't already on his mind. The man is stubborn and if it didn't sync with him he woulda just told you to mind your own business. Believe me, he's told me often enough." Gemma smiled lovingly at her daughter. Proud of her for stepping up and laying down the law with the family and not backing down just because her ideas were unpopular.

"How's the party setting up? Since you won't let me help." Milla asked and Gemma smiled.

"Good, Chantal's havin' her baptism by fire, makin sure all the food's ready, the clubhouse is clean and the bar's stocked. We just get to sit back and enjoy our men." Gemma smiled wider and Milla felt her eyes mist up. Soon her man would be home and her life would make sense again.

Juice fumed as they were followed by a police cruiser down Main Street. They'd barely made it into the city limits when the black and white had started trailing obnoxiously behind. They were going home, couldn't the new regime give them some time to catch their breath? Taking a deep breath Juice pushed forward on the throttle and put a little more distance between himself and Koz. He was an officer, it was time he rode like one.

As they turned off Main and onto Oak he felt a grin stretch his face that had nothing to do with the cruiser finally getting off their ass and everything to do with the fact that in four short blocks they'd be home. As T-M's sign got closer and closer he felt his chest tighten with anticipation. He was going to see his wife and little girl and there was no one to stop him from holding them.

The four blocks seemed to go by fast as the speed of light while simultaneously turning into a year's journey but they eventually pulled into T-M and Juice barely waited for his bike to stop before he jumped off and ran to his wife and daughter, throwing his helmet down as he went.

"Oh god baby." He whispered as he took his wife and child into his arms and held them until Espy started fussing. "Don't worry babygirl, Daddy's gonna hold you too."

He picked up his daughter and cuddled her while tears streamed down Milla's face and she smiled wide. Her family was back together again and she was happier than she'd been in a long time. Juice saw her tears and extended his arm to her. She moved into his embrace and he closed his eyes and savored the feeling. He had his girls and he was free, it was the best feeling in the world.

"Do you have the steaks and burgers ready?" Milla asked as she walked into the kitchen, her mother had lifted the ban and since the guys were in Church and Espy was with Tara she was itching for something to do.

"Yeah, we have two boxes of steaks layered in saran wrap, at least a hundred burgers and all the salads are ready to go." One of the croweaters told her and Milla smiled as she nodded.

"Extras in case?" She asked and the croweater nodded.

"Yeah, Filthy Phil finished making the patties, they're in the fridge." She told her and Milla actually walked up and hugged her, which caused the croweater to tense up, the old ladies never touched unless it was with an open palm or claws. "Ummm, what're you doing?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just so happy and you girls have been so great with this. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you've done." She said as she released the croweater who, despite her jaded outlook on life, blushed a little.

"I'm just doing what I was told to do. Thank you for the hug, seriously, thank you." She said and Milla grinned wide.

"You're very welcome." She asked and the croweater nodded, feeling like a bobblehead doll as she continued to nod.

"No problem, you gonna need help with anything when we're done?" She asked and Milla shook her head.

"No the guys will need your special brand of comfort when the party gets into full swing. Just keep doin' what you're doin." Milla continued to grin as she left the kitchen and was met by her mother who gave her an annoyed look.

"I thought I told you to relax. Juice is gonna be tiring you out later so you need to conserve your energy." Gemma's frown turned to a smirk as Milla blushed. "What the doc say about your ticker, you fit for marital duties?"

"I had a battery of tests run last week, the old ticker's up and running. I just have to pay attention. What about you? Your ticker good?" She smiled wickedly as her mom chuckled.

"You know I'm good, now go out and wait with the family, Juice needs to see you when he gets out of the chapel." Gemma commanded her and Milla just continued to grin as she leaned up and kissed her mother's cheek before she did as she was told.

Her good mood continued as she joined Tara at the table closest to the doors and seemed to burn a hole through them. Her man was on the other side and she needed to see him. Soon Espy toddled over to her mama and climbed in her lap. As Milla kissed her babygirl's head the doors opened and Milla resumed grinning. Now that the official business was done they could start the party and she was excited to spend the night in Juice's arms.

"Hey you." Juice said with a grin before he leaned down and kissed Milla slowly like he was savoring a delicacy, then pressed his forehead to hers as they broke apart. "Wanna head home?"

"You really want to? You're one of the guests of honor babe, you need to celebrate." She told him and he took Espy out of her arms then took her hand in his and helped her to stand. Once she was tucked into his side he leaned over and kissed her hair before he whispered onto the top of her head.

"What I need is you." He whispered and Milla felt her heart speed up. She understood his feelings, she was feeling the same way.

"You can have me, just put in an appearance then we'll go. Espy can't stay up all night anyway." She snuggled into his side while he kissed her head again. If she wanted him to stay he would but he was going to get his wife alone and when he did he was going to show just what fourteen months without did to a man's self control.

"Calm down baby, we have all night." Milla giggled as Juice's mouth worked over her neck and his hands moved up the backs of her thighs. She'd gone into the storage room to get some plates and he'd followed her, cornering her as soon as the door was shut.

"I've waited fourteen months babe, there's no calming down." He told her as he brought his mouth to hers and as much as she wanted to submit they were in the storage room in the clubhouse, someone was bound to come looking for them. Just as she was about to push him away he lifted her so that her legs automatically wrapped around his waist. As she felt the hard length of him pressed against her she lost all sense of logic and reason and finally submitted to him as fourteen months of loneliness and frustration came boiling out of them as they loved each other thoroughly.

"Hey kiddo." Bobby grinned as he walked up to Milla and hugged her tight. With the hubbub of the party and all the distractions he hadn't had a chance to see Milla or speak to her.

"Uncle Bobby, I' so glad you're home." She said as she hugged him back. "Don't leave me again, no one else will bake cookies with me."

"Don't worry sweetheart, I don't plan on goin' anywhere for a long time." He kissed the top of her head and she smiled. "Now, Introduce me to that baby of yours. Pictures and stories just don't cut it."

Milla smiled and walked him over to where her dad was holding Espy on his lap while she ran her little fingers over his patches She watched as her daughter looked at the new person and after a moment's consideration she lifted her arms up and Bobby picked her up. Her smile widened as Juice came up behind her, looped an arm around her waist and started nuzzling her neck.

"What do ya say about goin' home?" Juice asked as he kissed the space behind her ear that drove her crazy.

"You think we've put in enough facetime?" She asked and his response was to kiss her neck then bite. "I'll take that as a yes."

Milla got out of his arms and started her rounds of goodbyes. Juice smirked as he watched Milla dole out hugs to Clay, Bobby and Jax while Tig put her in an affectionate headlock. He stopped smirking for a minute as he said his own goodbyes, finally leaving the presence of these men he'd spent fourteen months relying on for everything from protection to sanity. It felt good to be able to put space between him and the rest of them but a part of him felt slightly panicked by being home, alone, with Milla. After so long he wasn't sure how he was going to act, or how much had changed. After they both finished their goodbyes Milla picked up Espy and joined Juice as he put an arm around her waist and walked her out to the van.

"Ok, I'll drive and you ride home. I know you've missed it." She leaned up to kiss him before she put Espy in the van and shut the door. "Let's go home and be a family."

"I can't wait." He said as he kissed her and watched her get in her cage. Once she started up he walked to his bike and put on his helmet. He was going home and despite his nerves he couldn't be happier.


Later that night...

"Baby, wake up." The voice spoke and Juice began to wake up from his deep sleep. He didn't know where he was and for a brief moment panic set in as he felt a hand shake his shoulder. He lashed out and his hand came in contact with whoever was shaking him. The force of the blow woke him quickly and when his eyes focused he saw Milla on the other side of the bed holding her cheek looking hurt and confused.

"Shit, are you ok?" He asked and Milla shook her head before she looked him in the eye, her hurt and confusion turning into concern.

"You were having a nightmare, tossing and turning and mumbling. I was just trying to wake you up." She explained as he reached over and turned on the light then turned to her and took her hand from her cheek to check out the damage.

"I'm so sorry Milla, I would never consciously hurt you." He explained as she nodded.

"I know, it was just a shock. Want to talk about the dream?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Nothing to tell, I never remember them. I've been having 'em on and off since I went in. I never know when I'm gonna wake up yelling or end up tossing so hard I hit the wall. Clay says a lot of guys have the same shit when they go in for the long haul, especially if they land in solitary for a while. I'm sorry you have to put up with this." He told her and Milla simply closed the gap between them and snuggled herself into his side again.

"You'll get your head straight again baby, it just might take some time. I'll be with you the whole way." She told him and he smiled at her before he shut off the light again and laid down with her resting on his chest. He never wanted to bring this shit home but he knew his lady would help him work through it.

Juice woke up the next morning to the feeling of little hands using his head for a bongo. When he opened his eyes he felt a smile stretch his face as he saw his little girl staring down with a determined look on her little face. He rolled to his side and started tickling her as she rolled back on the bed and giggled.

"Where's Mama?" He asked as she continued to giggle and his question was answered as Milla came through the door carrying a tray laden with breakfast goodies. His eyes lit up as he saw her but he frowned when he noticed her attire. "You goin' somewhere?"

"I'm sorry Juice, I know today was supposed to be our day, just you me and Espy getting into the groove again but I got an emergency call from Dondo. He needs me to smooth over a faux pas he made to a big distributor. I'll try to hurry." She explained as she sat on the bed and put the tray down near him.

"You're not going anywhere. Today is our day and I'm not letting anyone take you away from me. Call him and tell him you can't make it." He said as his voice took on a hard edge and Milla stared at him with widened eyes. He'd always been so understanding about her work so this was new for her. "Or you could give me the phone."

"No, I'll call." She told him slowly before she got off the bed and took her phone from her pocket. As she made the phone call Juice picked up a piece of pineapple from the plate on the tray and put it in his mouth as Espy did the same, her eyes watching him intently. He decided to see what she would do so he picked up a strawberry and chuckled when she did too. When he took a bite she followed suit but quickly spit it our of her mouth before she slapped the strawberry from his hand.

"Ick, no." She told him as she shook her head and he grinned.

"I guess you don't like strawberries, huh babygirl? Ok, Daddy will eat these later. Want to share Daddy's eggs?" He asked and she nodded so he sat up and pulled her into his side before he started to feed her. After the first successful attempt Milla walked in, her face betraying her disappointment. Juice wondered if the disappointment was aimed at him or herself.

"I just talked to Dondo. He offered to give me a raise to go to work. I had to turn him down. I just hope he won't hate me." Milla sighed as she sat on the bed and Espy crawled from her place next to her Daddy and climbed into her mama's lap. "So is there anything special you wanna do?"

"Finish breakfast then just spend the day with my girls. Nothing sounds better than that." He grinned with crinkling and Milla found herself grinning back. She may have felt bad about disappointing Dondo but she couldn't deny that being here with her husband and daughter made up for it. They were her life and making sure they were happy and secure was her top priority.

Juice watched as Milla took the extra spoon from the tray and started feeding Espy the eggs again. He felt a momentary surge of envy when he saw the familiarity of her movements, which was quickly replaced by awe over the fact that this was his family, a woman who loved him enough to put her life on hold for him and a little girl that was formed from the best parts of each of them. When Milla looked over at him he smiled wide again and loved that she smiled with him. Things were how they were supposed to be and he was going to do everything he could to make sure they stayed that way.



Author's Note: Hello all, here's the new story. I'm going to be focusing on the changes in Charming and the men adapting to life on the outside. I'll of course be focusing on Juice's transition from prisoner to family man, especially dealing with a wife that's become independent and self sufficient over the period he spent inside the prison walls. I know Juice may seem a little off but it's intentional. Prison changes people and 1%ers are no different. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy this story.