Disclaimer: I do not own Sons of Anarchy or these characters. Kurt Sutter does. Aubrey Nicole Teller is my creation.
Hi everyone! I'm sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up, I had a surprise getaway last weekend. But I am back and getting this story ready for each chapter!
Now onto the fun stuff. I am so happy that so many people have read, followed, reviewed the story. I am actually stunned at how many people reviewed only the first chapter. Was it my summary that made you read?
Onto clarifying a few things:
1. Clay is dead.
2. Collette doesn't stick around (I can't stand her, but I also didn't want to use Ima or Wendy.)
3. Jax and Tara will get a happily ever after.
Tara quickly got Aubrey packed and ready to go. She had to get out of Chicago. She thought she had found a good man, someone who would help her raise Aubrey. But instead she had found a nightmare. Now she was on the run, going home to the place she had tried not think about every time she looked at her daughter. Jax had never responded to her letter about Aubrey.
It was almost 3 am when Donna's phone rang. Slapping the nightstand she found the annoying noise and looked at the screen, Tara. Getting out of bed, she made her way to the living room.
"Tara what's wrong?" she asked answering the phone, she hadn't heard from her high school best friend in almost 4 years.
"I need your help. I'm coming to California." Tara said hurriedly.
"What? Why?" Donna asked worried.
"I just need a safe place for a few weeks."
"Okay." Donna said, "what can I do to help?"
"I'm going to check into a hotel in Lodi." Tara said, "I'll call you when I have a more defiant plan."
"Okay." Donna agreed, "Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Be careful."
"I will." Tara answered hanging up the phone. Looking in the review mirror she smiled, Aubrey was fast asleep holding her green elephant, "Sleep tight Aubrey. In a few days you'll get to meet your Daddy." she said focusing back on the road.
Donna went back to bed after hanging up with Tara. She knew something was wrong. A different woman had called her two days ago asking if she knew Tara. Donna had told her yes, she then found out that the woman was one of Tara's good friends in Chicago, Jackie. Tara had run away from the man she had been seeing, Jackie told Donna, which made Donna want to tell Opie. Jackie asked to wait until she saw Tara to make any decisions, she just wanted Tara and Aubrey to be safe.
Tara tried to make the drive from Chicago straight through, but with a 2 1/2 year old that was nearly impossible. Aubrey needed breaks to play and get some out of the car time. It was almost welcomed because it gave Tara time to not think about where they were headed and what they were running from.
The drive itself had been easy, Tara would stop every few hours to take a nap, because she didn't dare stay in a hotel and to give Aubrey play time. They would stop to eat at a park and to play, usually this worked because Aubrey would be worn out getting in the car.
Tara sat in the driver's seat wringing the steering wheel. She wasn't stopping today, they were almost to Lodi. Aubrey was in the backseat screaming at the top of her lungs. She wanted to play and be out of her car seat.
"Aubrey, honey, only a few more hours." Tara tried to calm her down again, then she noticed the red and blue lights, "oh no. Aubrey please stop screaming." she begged at the end of her rope.
The police officer knocked on the window, Tara jumped and hit the down button, "Hi Ma'am, can I see your license and registration." he asked.
"Of course." Tara screamed as Aubrey wailed, "play!"
"Long trip?" the officer asked.
"Yeah, we've taken breaks every few hours, but we hit the boarder and now I just want to be to our destination." Tara said handing him her license and registration.
"Alright. I'll be right back." he said walking away.
Tara nodded and turned to face Aubrey, "I promise honey, you'll get playtime when get to Lodi." she said.
The police got out of his car and came back to Tara's window, "Here ya go ma'am." he said handing her, her information, "I just pulled you cause you had this little wire hanging down from your bumper," he said handing her the wire.
Tara stared at the wire, "thank you." she whispered taking the wire from the police officer.
The police officer nodded, "Have a good day. I hope your little one calms down soon."
"Thanks me too." Tara said starting her car.
Looking over her shoulder, she pulled out into traffic and never looked back. Finding the exit she pulled off and drove to the little out of the way hotel. Getting out of the car, she unbuckled Aubrey.
Setting her down, "Here ya go sweetheart," she said walking over the park.
Aubrey tottled over to the slides, "side." she said looking at Tara.
Picking up her daughter, she set up on top of the slide and helped her down, Aubrey squealed with joy as Tara set her at the top and helped her down again.
After four more times down the slide, Tara called Donna.
"Hey." Donna said answering her phone.
"Hey, we're in Lodi." Tara said.
"Are you at your hotel?"
"Not yet. Aubrey screamed almost the whole time from the boarder to the park so I just stopped and am letting her play."
"Poor baby."
"I know. I just wanted to be here."
"I know. I'll head to Lodi." Donna said.
"Thank you Donna."
"See you soon." Donna said hanging up her phone.
Tara closed her phone and turned to look at Aubrey who looked up at her smiling, "swing?" she asked.
"Yeah, baby let's swing." Tara said putting her in the swing.
Aubrey squealed with glee as Tara pushed her higher and higher, "higher Mommy higher." she said giggling.
Tara relaxed as she pushed her daughter higher and higher at her request. She was home and Aubrey would soon be with her Dad. Settling the swing down, Tara took Aubrey from it when she saw Donna walking towards them.
Donna hugged Tara close, "and who is this cutie pie?" she asked looking at Aubrey, who was hugging Tara's neck.
Tara rubbed Aubrey's back, "this is Aubrey." she said.
"She's Jax's?" Donna asked.
"Yeah." Tara nodded.
"You can tell." Donna said, "she has his eyes."
"I know." Tara agreed, "I think about him every time I look at her."
"She's beautiful."
"Thank you." Tara said, "Let's get to the hotel, I need to get Aubrey some food."
"Why don't you and Aubrey go to the hotel and get settled and I'll some pizza's." Donna said, "Are you getting a stocked room?"
"Yeah. Since we'll be staying for awhile."
"Good." Donna said hugging her friend again after Aubrey was buckled in, "I can't wait for Jax to meet Aubrey."
"Me either." Tara said looking at her tired daughter, "Do you know if he has gotten my letters?" she asked.
"I don't." Donna said, "I'm sure he would have responded if he had. He would be dying to meet this sweetheart." she said rubbing Aubrey's head.
"That's true. I just hope Jax accepts her as his even with her." Tara shuddered.
Donna took Tara's hands, "Jax isn't with Collette anymore. They broke up three months after he returned from Chicago, but they were over the night he got home."
"Really?" Tara asked sounding more hopeful than she wanted.
"Yeah. She saw the scratches you left and went off on him and he gave it right back to her."
"Poor woman. To be charmed by Jax is a wonderful thing until it's over." Tara said sadly.
"It's not over for you two. Not yet." Donna said, "Now head to your hotel, check in and relax. I'm going to go grab pizza."
Tara climbed in her car and took off towards her hotel. After checking in she got everything unloaded and then moved Aubrey inside. Getting her out of car seat, she laid her down on the bed and put pillows around her.
Donna called Tara after she had the pizzas, "We're in room 16." Tara said. Putting her car in park, Donna headed to the door and knocked. Tara opened the door and let Donna in.
"Thank you for getting dinner." Tara said.
"Not a problem, " Donna responded, "this is a nice room."
"Yeah it is." Tara said looking around while eating her pizza.
Aubrey didn't wake up to eat dinner and since she was sleeping Tara didn't want to wake her, "I'll give her some for breakfast." she said looking at Donna.
"Sounds good. I'm going to head home so Opie doesn't get suspicious."
"Alright. Thank you for helping me."
"Not a problem." Donna said bringing her in for a hug, "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." Tara said hugging her friend and shutting the door.
For two weeks, Donna would go see Tara in Lodi. The two friends caught up on the years they had missed. Tara learned that Donna and Opie had had two miscarriages and were no longer trying to have children. Donna learned that Tara had gotten her degree in education and wanted be a high school Art teacher.
Donna drove to Teller-Morrow, yet again she was going to miss dinner with her husband. Pulling into the lot, she found Opie, "hey I'm not going to be home for dinner tonight." she told him kissing his cheek.
"Again?" Opie asked, "Donna we barely see each other anymore."
"I'm sorry. This new job is kicking my butt and I need to get in with these women."
"I know. I just miss you." Opie said kissing his wife.
"I miss you too." Donna said, "This weekend we'll do some together time, how does that sound?"
"Good." Opie agreed, "I'll see you later tonight."
"Yeah." Donna said kissing his jaw and walking to her car.
"Donna missing dinner again?" Jax asked coming to stand beside his best friend.
"Yeah." Opie said unhappily, "I barely see her anymore."
"Why don't you follow her and see where she is going?" Jax suggested.
"I trust her Jax."
"I know ya do, but come on Ope this is getting weird."
"I'll give ya that."
"So ya following her?"
"Maybe, I don't know. We're finally in a good place after the two miscarriages."
"I know, but following her and seeing what is up shouldn't change that."
'True."
"Alright so no man stuff tonight?"
"I guess not."
That evening Donna left the house and drove to Lodi, having no idea that Opie was following her in his truck. When she arrived at the hotel, Donna knocked the door and went inside. Opie was seeing red when he followed Donna to the hotel, she is cheating on me, he thought.
Climbing out of his truck, he stormed to the door and banged on it, Donna scurried to the door, "Opie." she said surprised, "what are you doing here?" she asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." Opie seethed, "who's here Donna?"
Tara stepped timidly out of the bathroom, "Hi Opie." she said stepping where he could see her.
"Tara?" Opie asked stepping around Donna, Tara had two matching black eyes and a bruised jaw, "what happened to you?"
"Something in Chicago." Tara said as little hands hugged her legs. Tara put her hand on Aubrey's head.
Opie stopped and looked at Tara's legs at the little girl who was hiding behind her Mom, "Opie this is Aubrey. My daughter." she said.
Opie walked to Tara and bent down in front of Aubrey, "Hi." he sweetly.
Aubrey stuck her head around Tara's legs, "Hi." she squeaked, "who you?" she asked.
"I'm a friend of your Mommy's."
"Mommy?" she asked looking up.
"Yeah baby. Opie is a friend."
Aubrey giggled at his name and came to stand in front of him. Looking up at him she put her arms up. Opie gently picked up the little girl and stared at Tara, "Is she?" he asked.
"Yes." Tara said before Opie could finish his question.
"Does he know?"
"I've sent him several letters telling him about her."
Opie held Aubrey as who was squirming, "I don't know if he has gotten them. Where did you send them?"
"To the clubhouse."
Donna squeaked, "Jax doesn't live at the clubhouse anymore."
"He doesn't?" Tara questioned taking a fussy Aubrey and wincing when she hit her side.
"No he has his own house." Opie said noticing Tara wince.
"I didn't know that." Tara said swaying as she put Aubrey to sleep.
"It's okay. We'll find the right time to tell him." Donna said.
"I hope so." Tara said laying Aubrey down on the bed.
Opie stepped closer to her, "how far are you bruised up your sides?"
Donna nodded at Tara. Tara gently lifted her shirt to show Opie her bruised sides and back.
Opie's eyes flashed as he checked out the bruises covering Tara's body, "what the hell happened to you?"
Tara put her shirt down and faced away from Opie, "After you and Jax left Chicago, I started to date this guy, Josh. He was great, he even said he would raise Aubrey as his own. But we fought quite frequently about Jax's crow. Josh wanted me to get it removed and I kept telling him that I wouldn't because it meant something to me. Finally he conceded, but I had to tell him what it meant." she began slowly turning around, "I told him about Jax. And then he found SAMCRO and started to question me about it. But since I left so early, I didn't know much." she continued, "Well Josh didn't believe that I didn't know anything, so he started to beat me." she finished.
Opie stepped closer and pulled Tara close, "then what happened?"
"Josh didn't start beating me until Aubrey was almost 9 months old. So at least she wasn't completely traumatized. " she said, "When he was satisfied that I didn't know anything, he decided that we should have a child of our own, since I had one with a man that I wasn't ever going to see again."
"Tara how did you know that you wouldn't see Jax again?" Donna asked.
Tara shrugged and sat on the bed, "I didn't know for sure, but after the second trip to the hospital, I knew I had to get Aubrey to Jax," she said, "somehow." she whispered.
Opie sat down beside Tara and pulled her into a hug, "Well you're home now. Jax won't let anyone hurt you or this little girl." he said squeezing Tara.
"Thanks you guys, but I'm asking that you don't tell Jax I'm here." Tara said standing up.
"Tara he has a right to meet his daughter." Opie adamantly stated, making Aubrey stir in her sleep.
"Opie." Donna warned.
"No, Donna." Opie said, "Jax has a right to meet Aubrey."
"Opie, I know that. I just need to make sure that Josh is going to prison." Tara said, "I don't want him to cause trouble for SAMCRO." she added wiping away tears.
Donna went to Tara and hugged her close while glaring at Opie, "I'm sorry Tara." Opie said, "It's just I've seen Jax the past 2 and half years, it hasn't been pretty."
"I didn't mean to cause him anymore pain." Tara cried looking Aubrey.
Opie walked over and pulled the small woman towards him, "I know you didn't. That night in Chicago, you two needed that. You needed to know that the other still cared."
"And look at where that got me?" Tara said, "on the run, trying to get my little girl to her Dad."
"Okay, we're going to go home." Donna said, "This has been an interesting night."
"Donna's right." Opie agreed, "I didn't mean to barge in here like I did."
"It's okay, Opie." Tara said hugging him, "Donna, I'll call you tomorrow."
"Sounds good." Donna said hugging her friend.
Two days after Opie found out about Tara being at the hotel, she got a phone call. Hurrying from the bathroom, she got to her phone and saw that it was her lawyer, Katherine Turner.
"Hello."
"Tara, its Katherine."
"Hi Katherine. What's the news?"
"Not good. The charges against Josh are being dropped. The other three women he has beaten all recanted their statements."
"No." Tara shuddered.
"I'm so sorry Tara. I hope and you and Aubrey are somewhere safe."
"We are. Thanks for trying Katherine."
"Not a problem. Call me if you need anything." Katherine said before hanging up.
Tara sat down on the bed and started to cry until she felt hands on her knees, "Mommy okay?" Aubrey asked.
Picking her up, Tara kissed her head, "yeah Mommy okay." She said, "lets clean up and go find Uncle Opie."
"Opie!" Aubrey squealed happily.
Aubrey went about picking up her little toys and putting them in her backpack while Tara took apart her playpen.
Getting everything into her car, Tara looked in the rearview mirror at Aubrey and smiled. Starting the car she headed towards Charming.
As they got closer Tara started to take deeper breathes, she didn't know if Jax would be at the clubhouse or not. He had never responded to anything about Aubrey, so Tara didn't know what to expect.
Turning into the lot Tara pointed out Opie's bike, "looks like Uncle Opie is in."
Aubrey clapped as Tara parked and got out. She was unbuckling Aubrey when she heard a voice behind her.
"What I can help ya with?" Chucky asked starling the woman, "sorry didn't mean to startle ya." He added.
"Its okay. I'm looking for Opie." Tara said with her head still inside her car. She finally got Aubrey unbuckled.
"Hey Jax is Opie back yet?" Chucky called.
Jax came out of the garage and wiped his hands on the towel, "no why?" He answered coming to where Chucky could see him.
"This lady is looking for him." Chucky answered.
Jax walked around to see who Chucky was talking about. It was a raven haired woman. But not just any woman, Tara. He could recognize her build anywhere.
Jax stood rooted to the spot. He was staring at blue eyes that mirrored his own, looking at him over Tara's shoulder.
Tara didn't move to face Jax. Aubrey had gotten his attention all on her own.
Aubrey looked up at Tara's face and laid her head against her chest, snuggled under her chin. Tara kissed her head as Jax came closer.
"I'll take it from here Chucky." He said calmly.
Chucky nodded and headed back to the shop, where Gemma, Collette and Nero were standing. Collette stood in disbelief, Gemma stepped closer to get a better look at the little girl her sons old lady was holding, and Nero he headed towards the clubhouse to get some whiskey, cause they were all going to need it.
"Tara." Jax spoke in disbelief.
Tara turned around to face him, holding Aubrey close, "Hi Jax." She said shifting Aubrey with difficultly, she didn't need Jax to wonder anything.
"What's going on?" He asked not able to take his eyes off the little girl in Tara's arms.
"I just need to talk to Opie." Tara said.
"Whose is she?" Jax asked stepping closer.
Tara looked down and readjusted her sunglasses, "yours. Shes's 2 ½."
"2 ½? That would mean."
"Yeah, she came from that night."
Jax's eyes flashed, "why didn't you tell me?" He asked in an angry tone.
Aubrey spouted before Tara could, "no mean to Mommy." She screamed glaring at Jax.
Jax looked his little girl, "she's a lot like you." Tara said smiling, "and I sent you letters, every six month since I found out it was a girl." She defended shifting Aubrey with some difficulty.
"Can I hold her?" Jax asked looking at Aubrey.
"If she'll let you." Tara said, "Aubrey, this is your Daddy." She said looking into a second set of blue eyes.
"Daddy?" Aubrey questioned, "no hurt Mommy?"
Tara looked at Jax and then back at Aubrey, "no Daddy would never hurt Mommy. He wants to hold you."
"Okay." Aubrey said turning to Jax and opening her little arms, knocking off Tara's sunglasses.
It didn't get past Jax that Tara quickly fixed them and looked at the ground, "where did you send the letters?" He asked as Aubrey ran her stubby fingers over his scruff, giggling at the sensation.
"Here. I didn't know you had your own house." Tara admitted.
Stepping closer Jax removed her sunglasses and came face to face with her two black eyes, his eyes darkened, "You should have called. I would have come to Chicago and helped you with her." He said holding his anger.
Tara rubbed Aubrey's back, "I didn't think you would want to hear from me after that night. I never wanted to hide her from you." She started, "I just didn't want to come here or have you come to me with the woman who has replaced me."
Jax put his fingers under Tara's jaw, "no one had replaced you." He said, "no one will ever be able to replace you."
Tara wiped away tears, "no hurt Mommy." Aubrey squealed kicking at Jax to get back to Tara.
Taking their daughter back in her arms, "Aubrey, I'm okay." She said patting her back, "I'm okay."
Aubrey looked at Tara and then back at Jax. Blushing she put her head under Tara's chin, "she needs a nap."
"Come on, we'll put her in my dorm room and then you and I will talk." Jax said stepping towards Tara's Escape, "what bags do you need?" He asked looking inside and noticing the whole back end was loaded.
"I just need her diaper bag, the purple one with green swirls." Tara said laying Aubrey sideways against her and rocking back and forth.
Jax grabbed the diaper bag, shut the door and headed inside the clubhouse with Tara behind him.
Once they were in Jax's dorm room, Aubrey let it be known that she didn't want to take a nap by screaming at the top of her lungs.
For five minutes Jax watched Tara deal with their wiggling and screaming daughter, she was a natural. Finally Aubrey couldn't fight any longer and went o sleep soundly against Tara.
Putting her knee on the bed, Tara gently laid Aubrey down and surrounded her with pillows. Aubrey automatically curled her little fist into the one that Jax used all the time.
Jax got up and went to Aubrey's diaper bag and handed Tara the baby monitors. Setting one on Jax's nightstand Tara kissed Aubrey's head and followed Jax out into the common room of the clubhouse, wringing the monitor between her hands.
Gemma was standing behind the bar rotating envelopes, the letters Tara had sent Jax. All were addressed to him, with only her name as the return address.
When she heard Jax coming out, she moved from behind the bar with the letters in hand. "Jackson." She said when he rounded the corner with a nervous Tara behind him.
Jax looked at his Mom and then the envelopes in her hand, "you've had them?" He asked taking them.
"Yeah. I didn't know." Gemma said looking at Tara, "I may not like you, but if I had known you two had created a child I would have given Jax the letters."
Tara nodded and looked at the ground.
Jax glared at Gemma and then turned to walk into the chapel, with Tara following behind him, "guard the door." He told Bobby and Chibs, both nodded.
Jax sat down at the head of the table and looked at Tara, "how long?" He asked.
"Since Aubrey was 9 months."
"How bad?"
"I can usually hide them."
"Why?"
Tara shrugged, "don't do that." Jax seethed.
"Since he found out that the crow on my back is for you and what SAMCRO was." Tara said quietly.
"Who is he?"
Tara shifted from side to side, "an ATF agent, Joshua Kohn."
"Jesus Tara."
"I'm sorry." She said facing away from, so he wouldn't see her tears.
Jax got up and went to Tara. Turning her around he pulled her against him and held her close, "he can't hurt you now." He said kissing her head, "I need to see how bad." He said pulling away and walking back to his seat.
Tara nodded slowly and crossed her arms to take off her shirt, there was a look in Jax's eyes, but this time it wasn't lust. Lifting her shirt, she heard Jax inhale deeply, he was angry. Closing her eyes she took her shirt off the rest of the way.
Jax got up and went to Tara. Gently he felt every bruise on her body. Cupping her face, "never again." He said before kissing her.
Tara grasped at his shirt as Jax's seeked permission to her mouth.
Opie cracked the door to the chapel to Jax and Tara in a lip lock, but that wasn't all. Tara's upper body was covered in bruises.
Shutting the door, he grimaced at Bobby and Chibs giving them a heads up of what was going to be coming.
Jax pulled away and handed her, her t-shirt. Sitting back down Jax sat Tara on the reaper table, "how much does he know?"
"I'm not sure. Since I left before things all happened. I couldn't give him much."
"Did you?"
"I didn't tell him anything Jax." Tara defended crossing her arms.
Jax put his hands under knees and pulled himself closer, "Tara I didn't mean."
Tara was about to respond when Aubrey's scared voice came over the baby monitor, "NO MOMMY!" She screamed.
Tara rushed out of the chapel with Jax on her heels. Collette came out into the common room holding a very angry Aubrey, who had a handful of the blondes hair.
Tara stepped closer, "give me my daughter." She demanded putting out her arms.
"Only if you promise to leave and never return." Collette snapped as Aubrey pulled her hair.
"Collette, now." Jax warned stepping to Tara's side.
Collette shuffled Aubrey off to Tara, "we need to go." Tara whispered to an upset Aubrey. Making her way back to Jax's dorm room, she stopped when she heard the ultimatum.
"Jax its either them or me." Collette stated hands on her hips.
Without a second thought, "there's the door." Jax said turning to help Tara with Aubrey.
"Jackson where are you going?" Gemma asked to her sons retreating back.
"Home. With my family" Jax said not looking at his mother.
Tara got Aubrey into her car seat, with little fuss. Jax loaded Tara's car down and told Tara to follow him. Tara got in her Escape and followed Jax to his house, getting out of her car she smiled.
"Jax, you have your own house." She sighed smiling.
Jax walked to stand beside her, "Yeah I do." he said taking Aubrey from her, "come on little lady, let's go explore Daddy's house."
Aubrey giggled and pulled at Jax's hair. Jax smiled and unlocked his door.
Tara smiled and watched as Jax walked inside holding Aubrey, she was excited that her little girl was getting to know her Daddy, especially when Tara still loved him. Gathering some of their bag, she followed them inside and looked around.
Walking down the hall, "Jax?" she called.
Jax appeared beside her, "what's wrong?" he asked rubbing her shoulders.
"There's only one bedroom."
Jax smiled and walked back down the hall way and bumped a wall, opening the door, "there's two, I just sealed this one."
"Why?"
"It was after Ope and Donna lost their second baby. Opie and I were going to make it a nursery for the baby."
"Where they going to live here?" Tara asked confused.
"No, it was just so I would have a place to put the kid." Jax explained.
"Oh. That makes sense." Tara said looking inside. The room was pale grey with light green touches, "It's beautiful room." she noted turning to look at him.
"Yeah, Donna wanted it to gender neutral." Jax said as Aubrey latched onto his leg.
"Well I think our daughter likes it." Tara said smiling as Aubrey made her way into the room and started to play with the toys, "Are you okay with her using this room?" Tara asked.
Jax walked to Tara and pulled her close, "Of course I am. Plus that means you'll be in my room." he said kissing her neck.
Tara wrapped her arms around his neck, "Jax this is how we ended up with Aubrey in the first place." she said fighting back a moan as Jax rubbed her hips.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Jax said kissing her.
"Of course it's not. I love Aubrey." Tara said kissing him, "I just think we need to talk about whatever this is."
Jax kissed her again, "You're right. We have a daughter to think about." he said picking up Aubrey.
"Yes we do." Tara said kissing Aubrey's chubby cheek making her giggle.
Jax smiled at his two girls, "How about some lunch?" he asked.
"Ya!" Aubrey agreed going to Tara, "Okay. Do you want to help Mommy bring in our bags?" Tara asked setting Aubrey down.
"Ya!" she squealed making her way towards the front door.
"Aubrey." Tara warned. Aubrey stopped and offered up one of her little hands for Tara to hold, "thank you." Tara said looking back at Jax and shrugging.
Jax smiled and went to fire up the grill in his backyard. He was kind of happy that Donna had forced him to take cooking classes with Opie, now he could impress Tara.
Tara scooped up her little girl and kissed her cheeks, "we're home Aubrey." she smiled.
"For good?" Aubrey asked.
"Yeah baby. For good."
"Yay! Daddy stay?"
"Yeah Daddy's going to stay." Tara said sitting Aubrey down as she gathered her little back pack, "he loves you bunches."
"Not like mean man?"
"No. Not like the mean man." Tara said, "Your Daddy is going to keep you safe."
"Mommy too?"
"Mommy too."
Aubrey smiled and headed inside in front of Tara carrying her little backpack filled with her toys. The rest of the afternoon was filled with Tara and Aubrey moving into Jax's house. Jax helping Tara get settled and comfortable and spending time with his little girl.
Across town something else was happening. Gemma was coming out of the office when a blue Chevy Impala pulled into the lot. Stopping she watched a guy get out, "Can I help you?" she asked.
Joshua Kohn turned and looked at Gemma, "I'm looking for my wife and my daughter." he said pulling out a picture of Tara and Aubrey.
Gemma looked at the picture, "Did you say your daughter?"
"Yeah. My wife is off her meds and ran away from home with our daughter. I'm worried about them."
"Does your wife drive a grey Ford Escape?"
"Yes. Have you seen them?" Josh asked worried.
"They were here earlier." Gemma said not buying the act, "But that little girl isn't your daughter."
"Excuse me?"
"That little girl isn't your daughter. She's my sons." Gemma said, "Those blue eyes are identical to my son, Jacksons."
"Blue eyes are common."
"Not if both parents have brown." Gemma retorted, "Now I believe you better leave."
Kohn shifted from foot to foot, "At least take my card and call me if you change your mind. I'll be in town for a few days."
Gemma snorted as he got back into his car, "yeah right. I'm already on thin ice with Jax."
As the day wore on, Jax spent more time with Aubrey. Tara was getting them settled into his house, making it their home also. Laying on the living room floor, he let Aubrey climb all over him and would occasionally capture her and tickle her.
Tara leaned against the bar and watched Jax with Aubrey. He was a natural with her. She was happy that Aubrey was finally meeting her Dad. "Alright little miss it's bath time." she said breaking up play time.
"Mommy, no." Aubrey argued.
"Aubrey." Jax said.
"I wanna play with Daddy." she protested sitting on Jax's chest.
"Daddy will read you, your bedtime story after your bath." Tara said.
"Mommy's right. But you have to take a bath first," Jax agreed lifting her up to Tara.
"Pomise?"
"Promise." Jax said kissing his little girl.
Tara got Aubrey into the bathtub, while Jax picked out her pajamas. Setting them on the sink, he smiled and went out to pick up the living room.
Soon Aubrey was coming out to get him to read her, her bedtime story. Following her back to her room, Jax tucked her in, sat on her floor and read her the story of the princess and the pea. By the end Aubrey was fast asleep with her little hands folded under her head.
Standing up, Jax kissed her head and turned out her light. Turning he saw Tara watching him smiling, "You're a natural." she whispered cracking the door.
"She's a good little girl." Jax said putting the book back on the shelf. Taking Tara into his arms he twirled her around, "what are you going to do?" he asked swaying with his favorite lady in his arms.
"My degree is in Education. Art to be exact." Tara said laying her head against Jax's chest, "I want to teach high school."
Jax smiled and kissed her head, "Well I know Charming High is looking for a new Art teacher." he said.
Tara jumped back, "They are?" she asked excited, "Wait how do you know?" she asked squinting at him.
Jax laughed, "Old Mr. Higgins retired last month. Left the school in a lurch."
"Oh. Wow I can't believe he finally retired."
"Me either. I thought he would die in that classroom."
"I think he did. Several times." she smiled thinking back to them in high school.
"Those were good days." Jax smirked.
"Yeah for you." Tara laughed, "Take me to bed."
"Always babe." Jax said picking her up bridal style and carrying her back to their bedroom.
The next morning, Tara got up, showered and got ready to go by Charming High and apply for the Art teacher position. Walking out into the living room she turned and looked at Jax, "How do I look?" she asked smoothing her plum colored dress.
"Like a hot teacher fantasy." Jax said smirking.
"Very fun."
"Babe I'm not kidding." he said wrapping his arms around her, "You look amazing."
"Thank you." she said kissing his jaw, "Do you want me to drop Aubrey off at Teller-Morrow?"
"Yeah, we're going to have to look into another cage."
"This weekend?"
"Sounds good." Jax said kissing her forehead, "I'm going to change. I'll meet you at TM."
"Okay." Tara said kissing his jaw. Walking into Aubrey's room she smiled, "Mommy I packed." she said handing her Mom her backpack.
"Awesome sauce, Miss." Tara said, "Take your back pack to the door and wait for Mommy."
"Okay." Aubrey said heading towards the door.
"I can't believe she is only going to be three." Jax said from the doorway.
"I can't either. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was looking at the test wondering about how far along I was."
"Did you have any doubts?" Jax asked.
"No." Tara answered stopping and turning around, "You're the only man I wanted to be with."
"Wanted to be with?" Jax asked.
"Tonight."
"Okay." Jax said grabbing a shirt and following Tara out to the living room.
Jax buckled Aubrey into her car seat while Tara got everything into the Escape. Taking off they headed towards Teller-Morrow. After getting Aubrey all settled into the common room of the SAMCRO clubhouse, Tara got ready to leave. As she pulled out of the lot she knew there was no safer place for Aubrey to be.
Opie was the first to pick up the little princess. Aubrey giggled and wiggled as Opie played with her. Soon Chibs took her off Opie's hands. Aubrey didn't know what to make of the scars on his face so she kept lining them with her fingers, "ouch." she'd say.
Chibs smiled and talked Scottish to her, making her giggle at all the different sounds. Bobby was the next to be smitten with the little girl. Aubrey loved his curly hair and pulled and pulled. Bobby would pretend to be hurt and would squeal; making Aubrey giggle away.
Tig was a harder sell, until he tickled Aubrey's little socked feet, making her giggle away. Tig tickled her feet until she would kick his hands away. Soon everyone watched as Happy took the little girl. Aubrey stared up at him and then smirked just like Jax, "Dad's already teaching you things huh?" Happy asked making Aubrey smirk again.
Aubrey loved clapping together Happy's hands, he let her have complete control of them. Nero came in from the office and took Aubrey off Happy's lap so that he could make an run for Gemma.
"Hi little princess." he crooned.
"Hi." Aubrey beamed.
"Are you having fun with your uncles?"
"Yeah, where Mommy?" she asked looking around.
"Mommy is out getting herself a job."
"Good?" Aubrey questioned.
"Very good." Nero said, "Your Mommy is a strong woman."
"Yes." Aubrey squealed.
Nero gently tucked Aubrey in closer as Tig turned on the stereo. Spinning around Nero danced with Aubrey, making her giggle and smile. She was the happiest little girl.
Gemma came into the club house to see what was going on. She stopped when she saw Nero dancing with Aubrey. Walking over she tapped Nero on the shoulder.
Nero smiled at Gemma and went to hand Aubrey over to her when the little girl tightened her grip on his neck, "No." she said adamantly.
"Aubrey, your Grandma wants to hold you." Nero said looking between the two women.
"No." Aubrey said again clinging to Nero.
"Aubrey sweetheart can I please hold you?" Gemma asked holding up her hands.
Aubrey shook her head, "No."
"Why not?"
"Scary." Aubrey spouted out as Jax came walking inside, "Daddy." she squealed.
Jax looked up and saw Gemma staring/glaring at Aubrey, walking over "What's up darlin?" he asked taking Aubrey from Nero.
"Your little girl won't come see her Grandma." Gemma seethed.
"Aubrey?" Jax asked looking at her.
"Scary." she repeated hiding under his chin.
"Sorry Ma. I can't force her to come to you."
"Tara did this." Gemma said glaring at Jax.
"How?"
"I don't know, but that bitch poisoned her against me."
"You're being paranoid." Jax said, "come on darlin let's get you ready for a nap." he said walking away.
Gemma glared as Jax walked away, she was done taking a back seat to Tara Knowles, that bitch had taken her son from her once, but not this time. Walking out of the clubhouse she pulled out her cell phone and the business card that Joshua Kohn had left the previous day.
"Hi, it's Gemma. I changed my mind." she said.
"Good. Meet me at the town diner in 30 minutes and we'll discuss what we want to do." Joshua said hanging up.
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