Two weeks after she met the other Phantoms' old ladies Melissa smiled brightly as she picked up Jake from the prison. She had managed to keep his early release a secret from Eric and the rest of their friends. Once Jake got inside her car she drove away from the prison, grateful she always had clear passage on the Devils Son's territory.

-"So I wanted to give you a small heads up. I made some adjustments to my house. Basically it has two separate living and sleeping quarters. You will have to share the kitchen and bathroom with my other tenant, but otherwise I think it will be the perfect place for you to live until your probation period ends." Melissa drove carefully on the highway.

-"You have another tenant, love?" Jake looked outside the window taking in the small changes that happened while he was away. He felt pain fill him as they passed by his old place. For a moment he could've sworn he saw Bunny waiting for him on the porch.

-"I do. My best friend is living there. She's going through a tough period and I offered her my house to live in. At the time I wasn't sure that I would be able to get you released from prison early." Melissa pulled her car into the driveway and parked it when they reached her old house.

-"I see. So what's the plan now?" Jake walked inside the house after her. Melissa placed a key in his hand, watching him quietly. "I'm guessing the boys are at the clubhouse now?"

-"They are. We're having a baby shower for Wren and Miranda's baby. I figured your presence there would be a great surprise for everyone, which means Eric and I spent our week arguing. I told him I wasn't going and he naturally took it as me not wanting to be a part of his world." Melissa tidied a small pillow on the couch before turning to look at him. "Truth be told, I'm not so keen on going because tomorrow night is mine and Eric's anniversary. I still can't get over what happened last time he and I had one."

-"I wouldn't worry about it, love. Eric adores you and if he didn't cheat on you then he sure as hell won't do it now. Sooner or later you will have to face your demons. Are you really going to let some unknown slag get the chance to flirt with Eric because you are not there? I'm meant to be a surprise for my brothers so let's go surprise them." Jake put his hand on her shoulder, forcing Melissa to look up at him.

-"You're right. I'll go change and wait for you outside." Melissa kissed his cheek. "Oh and Jake? Please don't get into trouble. I don't want to see you get back in jail after I just got you out."

-"I promise I will be on my best behavior. I'll see you in an hour." Melissa nodded her head, walking out of the house and heading back to Eric's place across the street. Jake watched her leave before heading to the bedroom.

Grabbing a change of clothes, Jake headed to the bathroom to take a shower. He undressed and stepped inside the shower, enjoying the warm water and relaxing under the shower spray. Once he was done, he dressed in jeans and a shirt before walking outside the bathroom and into his living room area. He smiled slightly when he saw his cut waiting for him on the chair. Melissa had thought about everything.

Stepping outside the house he saw her talking on the phone. Melissa wore a simple denim dress and a jacket. She frowned at her phone. "Eric, stop being an ass or I swear to God I'm moving back to my old place. No, I'm not coming. I told you before, I have a big case coming up and I need to work on it. Fine, suit yourself." She hung up the phone, rejecting his oncoming call. "So I think we should get going before my idiot boyfriend does something stupid like screwing one of the club slags. It's the last time I try and surprise him. Idiot."

-"I doubt he would. Caleb would be on his case in an instant. Apparently, his girl would not like it if you got hurt? Hanna unhappy means Caleb's going to be pissed and since Caleb was the one to put Eric back together when you left for London I doubt he would let something like this happen." Jake took her car keys and watched her walk to the passenger seat in silence. "I take it my bike is at the clubhouse?"

-"Yeah. They figured it would be best to keep it there." Melissa grinned as Jake drove through the small town. She, however, still felt a little unsure if her going to the party was a good idea. Her argument with Eric had really ruined her mood. They soon arrived at the clubhouse and noticed all the bikes lined up in front of it. Music was blasting out of the house but the front of it seemed deserted.

Jake parked the car in one of the parking places reserved for the boys and waited for Melissa to get out of the car. "Come on love, courage. What happened to the girl that escaped her kidnapper all by herself? Where did she go?"

-"Ran away to freaking Alaska." Melissa mumbled under her breathe as Jake laughed and escorted her inside. Silence fell inside the clubhouse when Melissa stepped inside the room. Jake remained hidden from view, waiting to make his entrance.

-"Phoenix? I thought you said you weren't coming?" Eric frowned as he made his way to his girlfriend. Caleb was standing by at the pool table playing a game with Alex while Wren was near the bar talking to the old ladies.

Most of the guys watched them silently while the rest of the women that were inside the room looked at Melissa with unhidden envy inside their eyes, as she stepped towards Eric and kissed him. "I lied. I was planning a surprise and I wasn't sure I would be able to pull it off in time."

-"Jake?" Wren turned his head slightly and was the first to see Jake walk through the door. A huge grin appeared on his face as he made his way to their former president. "Welcome back, brother." That was the signal for the rest of the Phantoms to welcome him.

The last one to greet him was Eric, who gave him a one sided hug, his hand still resting on Melissa's waist. She settled her head against his shoulder and smiled back at her boys. "I'm so not surprising you another time, Eric. You drove me up the wall with your constant complaints. But you're welcome by the way."

-"I don't deserve you." Eric mumbled as his mouth covered hers, his hand kneading her ass cheeks through the denim of her dress. Jake grinned, watching them, before turning his head to the place where the rest of the old ladies were waiting.

-"Miranda, you look glowing. I hope Wren is treating you right, love." Jake headed over there and hugged the petite woman. Miranda smiled at him, a small tear falling down her cheek. Jake then turned to look at Sydney and Hanna. "Sydney, it is good to finally meet you. And you must be Hanna."

Temperature dropped a little inside the room as Jake studied Hanna curiously. Sydney had simply nodded her head muttering a small "Hey" when Jake introduced himself to them. Hanna, on the other hand, didn't quite know how to act around him.

Samara, Jake's wife, had been killed by Noel, a man who betrayed not only the brotherhood but also the blood connection he and Eric shared. A few weeks after that Noel had tried to kill Hanna as well and she ended up killing him in self-defense. The boys had stepped in, taking care of the problem but Hanna still had trouble sleeping at night because of it.

-"Is everything alright? Jake? Hanna?" Melissa walked over, her eyes narrowing when she saw the tense posture both of them were having. Eventually though Jake relaxed, smiling down at Melissa.

-"Everything's fine. I was just curious about the girl who managed to get Caleb's attention." Jake smiled towards Hanna and she finally started to relax, looking at him. Melissa continued frowning, feeling she wasn't told the entire truth.

-"Now, now. Phoenix, do remember there are things you don't know about the club out of your own choice." Eric felt sorry for Hanna. He knew for a fact Melissa was getting ready to get some questions answered. So he approached the group, his lips kissing Melissa's neck before his hands turned her around.

Next thing Melissa knew Eric threw her over his shoulder, leading them towards his own room. Catcalls and whistles were heard behind them as she hit Eric's back playfully, trying to release herself. Eric closed the door behind them carefully before placing Melissa on the floor in front of him. "Eric, oh my god."

-"I asked Caleb and Alex to give me a help planning this. Happy anniversary, baby." Eric's room had been cleared of the furniture except for the bed. Rose petals and candles were all over the floor, encircling the bed. Melissa eventually noticed a bottle of champagne and two glasses waiting for them in a corner. "Now do you understand why I was so frustrated this entire week with your refusal to come over here? I had been preparing for this for a long time."

-"I love this." Melissa turned around and kissed him on the lips as his arms circled her waist, guiding them over towards the bed...

So you guys never cease to amaze me. 9 reviews for a frst chapter? I'm falling of my chair now. Thank you so much for them all. we will see some more interactions between the ladies and the boys over this fic. Also please say thank you to my beta who has managed to edit a lot of my stories chapters today. she's one of the main reasons yours truly managed to update now. Remember to read and review

Nico