Devon pulled her rental car over, getting out she leaned against the car, taking in the dilapidated trailer. The place needed some TLC when she lived there, the first six years of herr life. After years of neglect it was a disaster.
Leaning against the car, she closed her eyes letting the memories wash over her.
Going back to the first day of kindergarten and meeting Harry and Jackson in Ms. Whitney's class. They'd sat at the same table together, at recess she was sitting by herself.
The two boys had walked over to her, sitting down with her. She thought for sure they were going to be mean to her like the other kids. They had shared their snacks with her, spending the entire recession with her.
At lunch they sat with her, all she had for lunch was crackers, the two boys shared their lunch with her. She wasn't hungry for once in her life, there was hardly any food in her house. After school, a big boy was following her home. He knocked her to the ground.
"Your mom is a crack whore. You're a baby crack whore." He went to hit her, when she heard yelling. Harry came running out of nowhere, knocking the boy down. He straddled him, and started wailing on him. Jackson helped her up from the ground.
"Come on Devon, I'll walk you home." Harry caught up with them, walking on the other side of her. It was the first time she'd felt safe.
Thank you Jackson and Harry!"
I'm Jax and he's Opie...we are only called by our full names when we're in trouble." She smiled at them before going into the house.
The sound of bikes pulled her back to present day, she glanced up smiling as the bikes pulled up behind her. "Jackson Nathaniel" She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Devon Elizabeth !" He kissed her check. She looked at the giant of the man standing next to Jax.
Harry!" He picked her up, swinging her around in a hug. "How'd you know to find me here?"
You're predictable Dev, every time you come home for a visit, at some point you end up here."
She smiled at both men. I have to remind myself the hell I came from, so I don't end up here." She had always been afraid of ending up like Irene Main, her egg donor, aka her crack whore mother.
"You will never end up like her." Jax cupped her face. "Come on, we've got to get you back to the club and hidden. Ma is out shopping with Luann right now, then Clay is taking her out to dinner in Stockton. The party starts at eight, that gives you a couple hours to rest and shower."
She climbed back into the car, driving back to the club, thinking about how your life changed for the better on your sixth birthday.
XXX
You woke up that day, not expecting much, your mom usually ignored you most mornings. She was hung over and asleep, it was sad that you knew that at six. You found a pudding pack for your breakfast. For your lunch, you found some bread, and smeared some peanut butter on it.
She left for school that day, not expecting much, the only friends she had were Opie and Jax. At lunch as usual they brought extra food for her, then Opie gave her a cupcake. They sang Happy birthday to her. After school, Jax gave her a pink SAMCt-shirt, and Opie gave her new shoes.
They walked her home as usual, but today no one was home. They didn't want to leave her, but she knew they needed to get home. The sky had turned dark, it had started to rain. Both boys ran home, before long it started to storm.
She was terrified of storms, she crawled under her bed, the lights flickered and then went out. She curled herself into a ball, when she heard Jax calling her name. Two faces appeared at the edge of her bed, she pushed farther back.
Hi sweetheart. I'm Gemma and this is John, we're Jax's parents. Would you like to come home with us?" She nodded her head, John reached out his hand, she took it. He pulled her out, picking her up in his arms, carrying her out of the trailer.
XXX
Pulling into the TM lot you smiled at the mechanics standing around. Devon walked up behind Chibs. "How's my favorite Scotsman?" He spun around, picking her up.
Sweet girl, when did you get into town?" He kissed your check, putting you down.
A couple of hours ago." She was picked up by Tiggy next.
Doll face, we would have picked you up from the airport!"
"Me coming home wouldn't be a secret anymore if you gossip girls knew anything about it!" She laughed as Tig put her down. "Bobby!" She gave the man that taught her how to play the guitar a hug.
"Sweetheart!" He hugged her tightly.
"Do you knuckleheads mind letting me hug my step-daughter?" Clay came forward embracing Devon into his arms.
"Hey Clay! I'm hoping I'm still a surprise for ma?"
"As far as I know she has no clue!" Happy had finally made his way to the front of the garage, he nodded his head at her, smirking. She smiled at him, thinking he was sexy as hell. She usually didn't go for his type, but she was willing to make an exception for tall, dark, and hotness.
She had met him once or twice when she'd come home to visit, he was the club enforcer. "Hap, you remember my sister Devon. Dev, this is Happy, he just recently, transferred to Charming."
You watched hm play with the toothpick in his mouth, having a couple of naughty thoughts about his mouth. " Nice to meet you again Happy." She smiled at him. "It's been a long day already, I've been up since four am New York time. I need a nap, then a shower before tonight."
Jax walked forward. "My room has been cleaned for you."
She looked at him. "Jax clean or Gemma clean?'
"Very funny sis! Gemma clean!" She grabbed her suitcase from the trunk of the car, walking towards the clubhouse. It was good to be home, she was looking forward to surprising her Ma later that night.
XXX
She woke up, when her two nephews crawled into bed with her. They started tickling her, and kissing her face. "Daddy says it's time for you to wake up!"
Devon pulled Abel and Thomas into her arms kissing them both, and tickling them. The little boys squealed and wiggled in her arms. "I love my little monkey boys!"
The door opened, Tara was leaning against the door frame. "Okay, boys leave her alone. Go find Uncle Tig!"
Smiling mischievously she looked at her nephews. "Uncle Tiggy has candy, tickle him until he shares." She laughed as the two boys took off yelling for Uncle Tiggy.
Tara let out a small laugh. "Does he have candy?"
"He has some hidden in his room." Tara left the room, she got out of bed, going to the bathroom getting into the shower.
XXX
Gemma filled the bathroom tub with warm water and helped Devon climb in, she helped the little girl wash her long golden brown locks. She grabbed a wash cloth and poured some vanilla scented body wash on it handing it to the little girl.
Devon couldn't help but this is what it's like to have a mommy. After she was clean, Gemma helped her out of the tub, wrapping a big fluffy towel around her small body.
"Let's comb out your hair sweetheart." John poked his head in, dropping a bag on the counter. He smiled at Devon, his eyes were so kind. Gemma picked up the bag, and pulled out clothes, helping Devon get dressed.
"We'll go shopping tomorrow and get you more things."
"Thank you Gemma." Gemma took her hand, smiling down at her.
"Now, let's go see what those boys are up too." She took her hand and lead her out of the bathroom.
XXX
Devon was sitting on the bed, waiting for Jax to come get her, the plan was for Gemma to get settled, then she'd come out and surprise her. There was a knock on the door, she got up, to answer it, Happy was standing there with a couple of beers.
"Thought you might be thirsty."
She looked at him smiling, taking a beer. "Thank you, come in." He came into the room, and leaned against the dresser, she didn't miss his eyes roaming over her body. She was wearing a black, lacy, a-line dress, with matching heels, her hair was pulled up, showing off her neck. She decided all was fair, her eyes roamed over his body.
He smirked at you. "See something you like?"
She set her beer down on the dresser, running her hands along his shoulders, and down his arms, she smiled at him. "I like everything I see." She leaned in, kissing him, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. He deepened the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck, a knock on the door, and Jax's voice broke them apart.
She might have to kill Jax later, a slow and painful death for her brother. "Dev, ma is her, come on." She pulled away, picking up her beer, she walked away from Happy.
She slowly made her way into the main room, seeing her ma, sitting at a table, she walked over, wrapping her arms around her neck. "Happy Birthday Ma!"
Gemma turned around. "Sweetheart? Oh my God! My baby girl is home!" She got out of the chair, hugging Devon. "How long are you staying for? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"It was a surprise, and we'll talk about my visit later. Tonight is about you." She had so much to tell her family, secrets that she had kept from them, but tonight wasn't the night to say anything.
"Baby is everything okay?" Gemma looked at her with concern.
"I promise I will tell you tomorrow. Let's just enjoy the night." Luann took pity on you and distracted Gemma, you made a quick get away, needing some fresh air, you went outside.
XXX
Sitting on the picnic table, she was enjoying a minute of peace when the door opened, and Jax and Opie came outside. They climbed up on the table, taking a seat on either side of her. "What's going on with you short stack?" Opie asked.
"Nothing...I just needed a minute."
Jax looked at you. "Wrong answer! You forget we both know when something is going on with you! So spill it!"
"I'm moving back to Charming, the movers will be here next week. I've retired because of health reasons, and personal issues."
"You better start talking!" Opie said.
"What do you want to know about first?"
Jax cupped your face. "Health...sis"
"I'm fine, I swear, you aren't get rid of me. I had throat surgery two months ago..."
"What the hell? And you're just now saying something?" Opie asked
She could tell both men, were angry with her. "I had a tumor removed from my vocal cords, it was benign. But my singing voice..well there was some damage and while most likely I can still sing, it won't hold up for a professional performance night after night."
"Ma is going to be pissed you didn't call. Hell I'm pissed at you." She got up, look at them.
"Then you're going to love this next part."
