4/

It was well after ten before Abby was able to excuse herself from Lyla's presence. After finally getting the kids to bed Lyla had insisted on talking and catching up with her younger sister not to mention discussing with her what she could expect at Gemma's dinner the following day as well as the ins and outs of pregnancy and everything that she had in front of her. Opie sat on the sofa beside her occasionally flicking the channel on the tv, paying attention to their conversation enough to be able to offer his opinion when asked for it.

Abby sighed as she grabbed her phone from where she'd left it on her nightstand. Lyla had gone into over protective mode and she supposed that she couldn't blame her. She just didn't want to see her sister make the same mistakes she had.

She lay down on the bed and sent Jax a text.

Is it too late to call now Mr. President?

The phone had barely left her hands when it began to ring.

"Hey there." She answered it.

"Hey babe. I was beginning to think you weren't gonna call."

"Sorry Lyla wanted to talk and boy can she talk."

Jax chuckled. "She still concerned about us?"

"No. I think she realizes you mean well. So what ya up to Mr. President?" Abby flirted.

"I was about to take a shower before your text came through."

"Oh yeah? So that means you're not wearing anything?"

"Just a towel."

"Wow. That's a nice mental image."

"You could drive over and join me."

"As tempting as that is Jax I don't think I should go sneaking out of my sister's house like a naughty teenager."

"You're probably right besides it would probably result in you stayin' over and I'm not sure Abel is ready for that yet. Maybe another time."

"And we did say we were gonna slow things down."

"You said that."

Abby smiled. "And you agreed to it."

"Yeah. Under duress." He joked.

"So what can I expect from dinner tomorrow?" She asked changing the subject.

"You can expect my mom will want to get to know you better and she'll probably single you out to do that."

"That sounds a little scary."

"You'll be fine babe. Trust me."

"Lyla said to appeal to her sense of family, make her see that I mean well, not just by you but Abel to."

"Lyla's probably right."

"So will I see you tomorrow before we go to your mom's?"

"Yeah I'll come pick you up and she wants you to bring a salad."

"A salad? Like what kind of salad."

"She just said a salad."

"Okay I guess I'll pick something up from the store."

"Ha. Nah babe she'll be expecting you to make something. Like a test."

"Well I'm not exactly great in the kitchen." Abby admitted hesitantly.

Jax laughed. "Well I'll come get you earlier and we'll put something together here."

"Thanks Jax. That would be great."

"I'll be by at four."

"I'll be waiting."

"I'm gonna go take that shower now babe."

"And I'm going to have sweet, sweet dreams of you doing it."

"Goodnight Abby." He smiled.

"Good night Jax." She said ending the call and sinking back against the pillows.

"Alright buddy, we gotta help Abby make a salad to take to Grandma's. You wanna wash the lettuce for it?"

"Sure Daddy." Abel said climbing up onto the stool that stood in front of the sink.

"That's it buddy. Just like Grandma taught you." Jax said watching his son run water over the lettuce leaves and then shake it dry in the colander.

"Wow. I'm getting outshone in the kitchen by a two-year-old." Abby remarked.

Jax laughed. "His washing lettuce babe. It's not rocket science. All you gotta do is cut up what I said to and put it in the bowl. Think you can do that?" he teased.

"Yes Jackson." She said as he leant down to kiss her forehead before heading to the fridge to pull out ingredients to make the dressing.

"Great job buddy. Add that to Abby's bowl." He added to his son.

"Okay Daddy." Abel said climbing down from the stool and tottering over to the table with the colander in his hands. He placed it on the table before climbing onto a chair and tipping it into the bowl that Abby had placed everything else in.

"Alright, so we'll toss all that together and then Daddy can add the dressing." Abby said to the little boy who sat beaming in front of her.

"So there you go Abby. That's how you make a salad." Jax said teasingly as he poured the dressing he'd made over the top.

"Thank you Jax. I did know how to make one I just didn't know what your mom was expecting." Abby said.

"Right Abby." He said leaning to kiss her.

She giggled as he pinched her ass.

"C'mon. Let's head out." He said placing the salad bowl in her hands and scooping his son up before heading to the door.

Abby took a deep breath as she followed Jax out the door. She felt her nerves relax a little as he slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead before he opened her door for her and then continued to the back to place Abel in his seat.

Abby climbed into the passenger seat of Jax's SUV and placed the salad on her lap, looking back at Abel.

"You're very happy today Abel." She remarked.

"Yup." He nodded.

"You love dinner with everyone don't you buddy?" Jax asked as he sat behind the wheel.

Abel nodded again.

"You'll see what it's all about tonight Abby. The club and the way we all work together. It's just like one big family."

"One big family with a scary queen at its head." She said.

"Who's a scary queen?" Abel asked. Abby drew in a breath realizing she'd failed to heed Lyla's advice about watching what she said about Gemma in front of Jax.

To her relief, he smiled. "It doesn't matter buddy." He said as he reversed out of the driveway. "You'll be fine babe." He continued turning his attention to Abigail, taking one hand from the wheel and placing it on her thigh. "Just do what Lyla said. Family is important to Gemma. Tonight is the perfect night for her to see how you'll fit in with it all."

She nodded and took his hand in hers. It was already on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she loved him but she knew it was too soon.

They pulled up in the driveway of the Morrow household a short time later. Jax sensed Abby's growing anxiousness beside him as he lifted Abel from the car. He slid his free arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"Listen babe did Lyla happen to mention to you what happened at her first family dinner?"

"Yeah. She did."

"That's not likely to ever repeat alright? So if Lyla survived and made the cut after that night you'll be just fine okay?"

Abby smiled. "Yeah I guess you're right. I hadn't looked at it that way."

Lyla had told her the night before about her first experience of family dinner. She and Opie hadn't been together long. Tara had been around still and had been a complete stuck up bitch (Lyla's words), and insulted her in front of everyone including Piper and Opie's kids and then the guys all failed on their rule of never bringing club business into Gemma's house resulting in a near punch up between them all. It was all capped off by news of the murder of an incarcerated member's wife which further exacerbated the tensions between everyone. Dinner had ended up all over the table and the floor when Gemma in a rare moment of losing control smashed the platter containing her famous roast.

Abigail guessed that it could not be possible to have a night as bad as that must have been for Lyla.

Jax kissed her forehead before closing the car door and leading the way to the front door, his arm still around her waist.

"Well don't you look like the perfect family?" Gemma greeted them as she opened the door. Abby couldn't read her tone but she felt sure it had to be sarcastic.

"Hi mom." Jax greeted her leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

"Jackson." Was her only greeting back, "Abby I need you to give me a hand in the kitchen."

"Sure." She answered smiling sweetly at the older woman as she turned on her heel and headed toward her kitchen.

Abby bit her lip as she looked up at Jax. "You'll be fine babe." He reassured her again and kissed her forehead before carrying Abel into the other room, filled with many of his brothers. She took a moment to watch him interact with them and began to see what he meant about family.

With a deep breath she headed toward the kitchen. Gemma eyed the bowl in her hand as she entered.

"That's Jackson's bowl." She remarked.

"I put it together at his house." She answered as she placed it aside on the counter.

"You two are getting awfully cozy very quickly." Gemma said judgingly.

"We like each other."

"I can see that. Are you much of a cook?" Gemma asked hardly looking up from the roast she was slicing.

"Um, not really but I can learn." Abby answered not sure exactly what that had to do with anything.

"You'll need to if your gonna take on an instant family. Stir that pot on the stove for me please."

"Um, sure." Abby answered understanding now the direction Gemma's questioning was going to take. She moved across to the stove and picked up the spoon that was set beside it and began to stir the pot of gravy that was beginning to bubble.

"Did Jax tell you about Tara and what she did?" Gemma asked.

"Yes. He did." Abby answered hesitantly, getting ready for the comparisons to begin.

"It took him a long time to get over her. He doesn't need someone who's going to crumble under the pressure around here."

Abby swallowed knowing that she was expected to respond.

"I think I'll be able to handle things if that's what you're wondering." She answered.

"Only time will tell. So if you're not a porn star or a croweater what do you do?" Gemma asked turning now from what she was doing.

"I'm a student."

"What are you studying?"

"I was studying law before I came here."

"So are you gonna transfer? We could do with a good lawyer around here sometimes."

"I'm not exactly sure yet." Abby answered thinking about the reasons she couldn't.

"And why is that? You running from someone?" Gemma began to pry.

"I … well … no not really." Abby stumbled not knowing how she could avoid divulging her pregnancy if this line of questioning continued much further.

Gemma raised her eyebrows. "I'm not gonna pry into what's obviously pretty personal but just make sure that Jax knows about any potential problems that could turn up on his doorstep."

Abby nodded as Gemma approached her carrying a jug for the gravy, which she proceeded to pour it into.

"Listen Abby, my son and my grandson appear to like you very much so I'm going to give you a chance around here. We'll see if you're up to the task of handling it though. Help me carry the food out."

"Um sure." Abby answered her having no idea how the woman now felt about her as she picked up a platter of roast vegetables Gemma had pulled from the oven not long ago.

She carried it to the long dining table that everyone had begun to gather at and placed it down. Jax stood beside her as he settled Abel into his seat. He could tell looking at her that she was no less nervous than she had been when they arrived.

"Go grab the salad." Gemma said as she placed the meat and gravy on the table.

Abby nodded and headed back to the kitchen. Gemma watched as Jax followed her.

Jax was surprised to see tears in Abby's eyes as she turned from the counter. "Hey babe. What's up?" he asked her, taking the salad bowl from her hands and placing it back on the counter as he pulled her to him.

"Your mom, I mean she's just … well you were right when you said she can be a little full on." Abby answered.

Jax sighed, "What'd she say?"

"It's kind of more what she didn't say. She still doesn't like me Jax."

"Babe, it'll be alright. She's probably just worried about how fast things are moving between us just like Lyla was."

"Yeah Maybe."

"So stop those tears," he said kissing them away making her giggle, "and come enjoy dinner and get to know everyone. She'll come around when she sees the way you interact with everyone else okay?"

Abby nodded smiling a small smile. Jax picked the salad up off the counter and placed it in her hands and turned her back toward the dining room with it.

Abby placed the salad onto the table and sat in the seat that Jax pulled out for her. He placed his hand on her leg as he sat down beside her. She smiled at him and tried to relax and join in the conversation. Throughout dinner she could feel Gemma's eyes judgingly upon her and hoped that she was making a good impression as she tried hard to watch her tongue and not say anything out of line.

She caught Lyla smiling across at her and took that as a good sign.

"You're doing great babe." Jax whispered in her ear. "So now is where I take Abel out the back with the guys and you and Lyla help mom to clean up."

Abigail nodded as she watched the others around her begin to rise; the men leaving the table and Gemma and Lyla beginning to clear it. She rose from her seat and began to gather empty plates together. Jax kissed her cheek before he headed outside with Abel.

"So you two couldn't be more different if you tried could you?" Gemma asked once the last of the men had left the room.

Lyla smiled. "She got the brains along with the looks."

"Don't be hard on yourself Lyla. It takes courage to make a life for yourself and a baby on your own and you did that."

"Even though you don't approve of how I make a living."

Gemma smiled. "You and I got off on the wrong foot Lyla but I can see now that you've been good for Opie. You're good for each other. And Abigail I think you've got what it takes to fit in around here. Welcome to the family sweetheart."

Abby smiled with a sigh of relief. "Thanks Gemma."

"Do you think you'll continue to study law?" Gemma asked as she gathered together all the platters and carried them to the kitchen.

"I'm not too sure. I needed a break from it. That's part of why I came here." Abigail answered following her with an arm load of plates.

"And what's the other part?"

Abigail breathed in a deep breath before she spoke. "I'd prefer not to say just yet if that's okay."

Gemma eyed her somewhat suspiciously before her face warmed to a look of concern. "I can tell your running from something Abby. Like I said before just make sure Jax knows of anything that could cause trouble."

Abby nodded. "Yeah I will." She answered glad Gemma wasn't pursuing her line of questioning.

"I can finish up here ladies. Go see what those men of yours are up to."

"Thanks Gemma." Lyla said as she placed the tea towel she'd been using and headed from the kitchen with Abby close behind her.

"You still think Gemma is a judgmental cow." Lyla asked quietly as they walked to the backdoor.

Abby smiled. "She is pretty judgy but I can tell she just has her family's best interests at heart."

"That she does. I don't think you're quite in yet though. Don't be surprised if she does a backwards flip on her impression of you when she learns you're pregnant."

Abby nodded. "Yeah I know. Jax and I were gonna tell her together."

"Good idea. She'll probably be more supportive if she sees that Jax is on board with it."

"I'm hoping so." Abby said biting her lip feeling her anxiousness return.

Lyla gave her sister a reassuring hug before heading over to where Opie sat watching Paige and Abel play together.

Abby spied Jax sitting nearby them seemingly deep in conversation with Tig.

"Am I allowed to hear whatever you're talking about?" She asked as she approached.

Jax smiled as he reached for her hand to pull her to take a seat next to him. "You know club business is always off the table here babe." He answered her draping his arm around her shoulders.

"We were talking about you actually and whether you'd win Gemma over." Tig informed her.

"How'd you go?" Jax asked.

"Pretty good I think."

"I told ya you'd be fine." He smiled placing a kiss on her forehead. "She still inside?"

Abby nodded.

"I'm gonna go talk to her. You don't mind if Tig keeps you company for a bit?"

"No that's fine Jax." She said as he rose from her side.

"So a lawyer huh? That's pretty hot." Tig said when Jax had left.

"Not yet. I'm still only studying." Abby answered him knowing he was flirting. She tried hard not to do the same back.

"The outlaw biker and the law student. That has porn written all over it Doll." He said with a wink.

Abigail blushed. "I told you I have no intention of doing porn."

He smirked. "So you and Jax are pretty serious if you've impressed Gemma."

"I guess so."

"You know I woulda made a spot for you in my bed right?" He asked watching her blush rise.

"I guess the blond hair and blue eyes won over your dark and handsome features." She answered losing her internal battle not to flirt back as she noticed how absolutely captivating his eyes were.

"Better not let Jax hear you guys chatting each other up." Happy commented as he joined them.

"Nothing wrong with a little flirting Hap." Tig responded.

The tall bald headed man raised his eyebrows at the pair as he saw Jax returning from inside.

"I need to get Abel home babe. Are you ready to go?" He asked sliding his arms around her shoulders.

"Oh yeah okay." She said rising to his side.

She watched as he slapped hands and followed up with a hug to both Tig and Happy, saying goodbye like he wasn't going to see them again for a long time.

"You wanna find Abel for me babe? I wanna say goodbye to Ope." He asked returning to her side.

"Sure." She answered as he turned away.

"Been nice getting to know you tonight Doll." Tig said once Jax had turned away.

"Yeah. You guys too." Abby responded addressing Happy as well. "I'll see you both around I spose." She smiled as she headed away to find Abel, shaking off the butterflies she felt at Tig's intense gaze as she turned away.

Abigail found Abel inside, Gemma helping him into pajamas.

"There you are little man. Daddy sent me to come find you." She said as she entered Gemma's lounge room.

"Are you and Jax heading off soon?" Gemma asked.

"Yeah. Jax is saying goodbye to Ope."

Gemma nodded. "Abigail, please don't cause him any more heartache than he's already seen."

"I don't intend to Gemma." Abby answered.

"Good. I know you've already slept with him but make sure you know there's more to it than that. This little man doesn't need any more confusion in his life."

Abby nodded. "I know it seems sudden Gemma but I really like your son and crazy as it seems I know already that there is more to us than just sex."

"It's not crazy at all Abby. I was young and in love once too. I soon found myself knocked up and sucked into this life. Just be careful okay?"

Abby bit her lip and swallowed thinking about how Gemma would react when she and Jax told her of the baby.

"You two getting along?" Jax asked cautiously as he entered the lounge room.

"Yeah baby. You take care of her alright?" Gemma answered her son.

Jax smiled glad to hear her turnaround.

"I love you mom." He said embracing her. "You ready to go home buddy?" He asked his son as he drew away from his mother.

The little boy nodded sleepily as his father lifted him into his arms.

Gemma followed them to the door and watched as they walked to his car. They did make a good couple she had to admit and she hoped for the sake of both her boys that it lasted.

"I assume you're dropping me back at Opie and Lyla's?" Abby asked as he pulled the car onto the road.

"I was hoping we could share that shower." He answered her.

"But that would mean spending the night." She said.

"Yeah it would." He said placing his hand on her leg.

She bit her lip before she spoke. "We agreed to slow things Jax."

"I want you to stay Abby, please?"

"But what about Abel?"

"He's already asleep. And he won't stir when I put him to bed."

She continued to bite her lip as lust and anticipation built inside her. She nodded. "Yeah okay." She answered unable to resist his charms.

He ran his hand down her leg and glanced across at her dropping that irresistible smile as he turned up his street.

She took a deep breath and smiled back still feeling a little overwhelmed at how quickly things between them were progressing.

He pulled into his driveway and shut off the engine before he leaned across and took her chin in in his hand, gently turning her to face him. She heard the slight creaking of his leather as he leaned forward to kiss her. She returned his kiss soft and warm upon her lips and smiled as he pulled away. "Let's head inside." He said softly.

Abby nodded. She watched as he pulled his sleeping son from the car and carried him to his front door. She smiled at what a down to earth family man he was. She could tell that family was incredibly important to him in a way that she had never experienced. She found herself looking forward to the love and warmth she expected to feel being a part of his family.

He flicked the hall light on beside him and hung his keys on a hook beside the door before turning back to Abby. "I'll be right back okay? Make yourself at home."

She nodded as he carried Abel who hadn't stirred up the hallway to his room. She moved across to the sofa and sat down waiting for him, somewhat nervously with anticipation.

"So it seems you won my mom over?" He asked as he entered the lounge room.

"Yeah. I think so but she doesn't know about the baby yet." She said as he sat beside her.

"We'll tell her in a couple of weeks once she's gotten to know you a little better." He took her hand in his as she nodded, "Is there anything else I should know?" He asked.

"How do you mean?"

"Mom picked up on there being something in your past that led you here. She's concerned that's going to cause problems."

Abby nodded. "She mentioned that I could tell you anything that might bring trouble knocking on your door."

"And is there anything?" He pressed as she pulled her knees up to sit facing him.

"I don't think so. My ex didn't want the baby and was going to pay me to abort it so he's not likely to follow."

"He's not anyone notable that may come looking if he finds out you didn't abort?"

"His father was running for mayor and they offered me fifty thousand dollars for me to take care of it and keep quiet."

"You didn't take the money?"

"No. I refused it and came here."

"I guess if you're not there to cause scandal they'll leave you alone."

"That's what I figured."

He nodded. "Let me know if he contacts you in any way okay?" He said stroking his thumb along the back of her hand.

"I will Jax." She answered her voice soft and trusting as he ran his hand down the side of her cheek and leaned in to kiss her.

She let out a soft gasping moan as he pulled away slightly gazing into her eyes. She bit her lip as he pressed his hand up her back and pulled her close, meeting her lips once more this time deeper and with more passion. They stayed making out on the couch for some time before Jax pulled her to her feet and toward his bedroom.

He pulled her top over her head as he backed her toward the bed and pressed his lips against her neck, her breasts and finally drew a nipple into his mouth, circling it with his tongue before sucking hard on it. She gasped as she ran her hands up under his shirt desperate to feel his bare skin against hers. She pulled it over his head and ran hers hands across his pecks. He took her into his arms and laid her down on the bed before gently lowering her jeans down her hips and pulling them off at her ankles. She bit her lip and looked on lustfully as he stripped himself down to his boxers.

Starting at her feet he kissed a trail up her body, loving the soft gasps and moans that escaped from her and the tiny shudders every time he hit a more sensitive spot. She ran her hands through his blond locks and across his shoulders as his kisses moved further up her body. He lowered the band of her panties as he kissed delicately along it. She moaned as he trailed his tongue across the already swollen nub of her clit. He continued his trail across her hips, the for now flat of her belly, to her breasts beneath the laciness of her bra. He unclipped her bra as she raised herself up to allow him to, and sucked on her nipples as he pulled it down her arms. His lips kissed and nipped at her neck before finally meeting her lips.

She pushed his boxers down his hips and he kicked them off as he continued to move over her bringing their bodies closer together. He laced his fingers through hers and gazed deep into her eyes as he pressed himself into her. She gasped at how satisfyingly full she felt and moaned as he began to move in and out of her. She rolled her hips up off the bed meeting each thrust and feeling him deep within her.

He kept the fingers of his right hand laced through those of her left while his other hand pushed the mousy blonde hair from her face. He pressed his lips against hers as she lowered her hand to his ass and immediately loved how it felt rolling beneath her fingers. She gripped it hard and pressed her nails into it as the waves of her orgasm began to build. "Oh Jackson," She moaned as with each thrust she felt him press further and further into her.

He rolled his hips against her and met the ecstatic haze in her eyes. He knew she was close when her hips began to tense beneath him. "Say my name again baby." He murmured.

"Jackson, oh Christ, Jax." She moaned as her orgasm hit her like an overwhelming crescendo. She gasped breathily as it slowly simmered away, only to build again as he quickened his pace to reach his own release. "Oh Jackson!" She moaned at the top of her lungs as a second orgasm hit harder than the first as he groaned through his own. "Abigail." He murmured before pressing his lips against hers stifling her moans.

She lay beneath him catching her breath as he slid from her. "You glad you stayed over?" he asked her, that amazing smile spread across his cheeks.

"Aha." Was all she could manage back.

He smirked at how satisfied she was. "You wanna take that shower now?"

She bit her lip and nodded allowing him to pull her from the bed and lead her towards the bathroom.

She woke with a dull ache between legs and smiled thinking back upon the night's activities. He'd made love to her again after their shower together and had fingered her afterward giving her the most delicious external orgasm she'd ever experienced.

She rolled to face him and found him sprawled on his stomach, the early morning rays of sun that crept around the corners of the blinds splashed against the reaper on his back. She reached her hand over and began tracing her finger softly over the lettering at its base, C-A-L-I …

"Morning beautiful." She heard him murmur sleepily from the pillow beside her. She smiled meeting his sleepy gaze momentarily. F-O-R …

"That tickles you know?" He murmured.

She smiled and raised herself to her elbow before she continued. N-I-A …

He lifted his arm from the bed and pulled her lips down towards his as he rolled to his side. He placed his hand on her hip as he drew away from their kiss to meet her eyes, a soft blue with an inner circle of green.

"Last night was amazing Jax." She murmured.

He smiled a sleepy lusty smile back at her. "We can repeat it now if you like."

"I was thinking I should probably get going before Abel wakes up." She said.

"And how were you gonna do that? We picked you up remember?"

"But you said you don't think he's ready for me to be sleeping over yet."

"He's two babe. It's not like he's gonna understand what you bein' here means."

She nodded, biting her lip as he ran his hand down the inside of her thigh. He watched the green in her eyes deepen the more he turned her on, until he had her gasping and almost begging for him.

"Daddy!" Rang out Abel's voice across the house.

Abby moaned in frustration. "I guess we're taking a raincheck on that repeat performance, Jax." She said.

"I guess so." He said kissing her lips one last time before moving off her to pull his boxers on.

"Daddy!" Abel called again.

"Hold up little man. Daddy's coming." He called as he headed toward the door and cast a wink back at Abby.

"Get dressed and meet us in the kitchen babe." He said with a smile.

Abby smiled back, totally content with where things were headed.