SHE TOOK A deep breath as she walked with her brother toward Opie Winston. She hadn't seen him in years. When she had visited her hometown, she would always drop in on Donna and kids, but Opie had never been there. She had also helped Donna out financially a few times, when Donna would actually let her.

She still couldn't believe that she was back in Charming to put her best friend in the ground. How could something like this happen? You know how, an inner voice said, because of the club. If you had just never introduced Donna to Opie…

But that was crazy thinking. Donna and Opie had loved each other very much and she knew that. And they had two beautiful children together, who were the furthest things from mistakes. She just couldn't help her line of thinking. Her best friend was dead and it was all because of SAMCRO.

She had never harbored any hard feelings toward the Sons, not like her father and brothers. Her mother had always said to just stay clear of that, the way she had. It made for a happier existence, she'd said. And she was right. Instead, she became a party girl, desperately wanting a life different from the ones she knew her brothers would have.

The person she had harbored hatred for was Tara Knowles. She had played her brother for the biggest fool in high school and had broken his heart. That was unforgiveable. Especially when she hadn't only done it to him, she had done it to Jax Teller as well. Stupid bitch, she thought, determined to not let her emotions show on her face. David had informed her that she was back in town and she could tell that her brother was already falling under Tara's spell again. That's why she had been planning this hiatus anyway, even before the death of her best friend.

She felt eyes on her and looked up. She had seen him a few times when she had been home, in passing. They never spoke, just caught each other's eye for a brief moment and that was it. But she couldn't help but think of that night, her Sophomore year of high school, under the bleachers at one of her brother's football games. She wasn't some naïve schoolgirl, there weren't any feelings of love involved in their encounter. Touching, she thought, definite touching. Pleasure, absolutely. Satisfaction, sure. But not love. She had known what he was doing, using her to make Tara jealous. But she hadn't cared. Truth was that she wanted to piss Tara off as well. She hated that bitch.

As was tradition, their eyes locked, but only for a moment. She continued on until she reached Opie. He looked up and the surprise was clear on his face. The kids rushed over to hug her and she smiled. Clearly they had both been crying. Looking at both of them, her heart broke. How would these kids deal with losing their mother?

"Well well, Bridget Hale."

She nodded. "Hi Opie." He nodded back. She could see that he had been crying too. So, she placed the flowers on top of the closed casket, grateful that she hadn't had to see Donna. She didn't know how she would have dealt with that. Then she surprised Opie by wrapping him in a hug.

Opie stood motionless for a moment before finally wrapping his arms around her too. Then a sob escaped him and Bridget felt the tears begin to flow for her as well.

"I'm gonna miss her so much."

Bridget nodded and said, "Me too."