JAX'S P.O.V.
I rolled over and reached for Lexi, only to find her side of the bed empty. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 7:00am. Where the fuck is she, I wondered to myself as I threw my legs over the side of her king-size bed. I threw on my jeans and t-shirt that I had left on the floor before opening the bedroom door and heading towards the kitchen. No sign of Lexi in the kitchen, family room or in her office. I walked out onto the back deck and was hit by the chill of the cold October morning as I lit a cigarette.
I finished my smoke and turned to walk back inside when I saw Lexi leaning against the door frame. "Good Morning." she said with a shy smile. "Good Morning. How was your run?" I replied as I took in her appearance. She had on tight black and gray spandex pants, a black gray and white sports bra, and a black sleeveless spandex top with bright pink sneakers on her feet. God, she is hot.
"I reached over for you when I woke up and you weren't there. I got up to look for you. You didn't go for a run by yourself, did you?" I asked. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Nords decided to avenge the beating I gave Whistler and I was worried if they knew how important Lexi is to me, and to Clay, things could blowback onto her.
"Miles and Rat followed me. I didn't want to wake you because I didn't know what time you got here last night and literally tucked me into bed. I can't believe I fell asleep on the couch. Shit! It's already 7:30am!? I got a later start than I had planned. I want to go see Abel before we open today. Shit...shit...shit! Listen, I know we still have to talk and I know we definitely have some unfinished business but I need to shower. Maybe a late dinner tonight?" she replied before she crossed the deck, pulled my head down to meet hers and kissed me with such intensity I knew I'd be back to see her tonight, no matter what Clay said to me today.
"Go shower. I'll take a quick shower after you're done and then follow you to St. Thomas. We can go visit Abel together." I told her knowing I'd never be able to get her back into bed this morning. Strangely enough I was okay with that. As badly as I want to fuck her I want to get her into bed the right way, to prove to her that my feeling for her are different. To make sure she knows that she is important to me.
LEXI'S P.O.V.
It was 8:45am when I pulled into St. Thomas with Jax following me on his Harley. He took my hand and gave me a quick kiss before we walked into the hospital. We made our way to the NICU where Abel was in a private room. We watched thru the window as Tara and Dr. Namid examined him.
"How is he?" I asked, nervously clutching Jax's hand when they walked out of Abel's room. "Dr. Namid, this is Alexis Morrow. She is one of Abel's emergency contacts. She and my Mother will be responsible for Abel's medical care if I'm unreachable." Jax said to the surgeon. "He's growing stronger every day. Abel's stomach seems to be healing well and his heart is doing exactly what it should be doing. I think we'll be able to take him out of the incubator by Halloween and barring any complications he will be home by Thanksgiving." Dr. Namid replied before excusing himself.
"I'm going to go in and see him. I need to leave in about twenty minutes but I'll be back at lunch time and read to him then." I told Jax, ignoring Tara, before heading into Abel's room.
"Hey beautiful Abel! Did you hear what the Doctor said? You'll finally be out of the incubator in a few weeks and then your Daddy, Grandma and I can hold you my little love. I need to go but I'll be back later today. I love you little one." I softly cooed to Abel before grabbing my Michael Kors bag and red leather jacket off the rocking chair. A chair I couldn't wait to use to actually rock him in.
I walked out of the room, not entirely surprised to see Tara waiting for me. "Jax went to go see Wendy. She came out of her sedated detox late last night." she told me. "Thanks." I replied as I dug thru my bag for my keys and sunglasses. "So, what's your deal Lexi? How long are you going to slum it in Charming before you get bored? Before you decide the outlaw biker life isn't for you? Before you realize that helping care for a sick baby prevents you from taking trips to Aspen, New York, Las Vegas, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Europe? From attending all the high society parties that get your picture in the paper? From attending things like the Met Gala, the Cannes Film Festival, private parties on yachts in Ibiza and from going to the Super Bowl? I've researched you. I know all about your life. It's only a matter of time before Jax realizes you're not in it for the long run." she said.
"Why do you care Tara? You didn't want any part of Jax's life so you ran away. I know exactly what I'm getting into here. Face it Tara, you're not his Old Lady anymore. You gave up that right, that title, when you packed up and moved to Chicago. You might have kept his crow, hidden on your body where no one can see it from what I hear, but you'll never be his Old Lady again." I replied.
Before I could stop myself, I reached around to her back and lifted the bottom of her shirt. Peeking out of the waistband of her hospital scrub bottoms was Jax's crow. "Nice tramp stamp. You may want to get it covered up with a new tat." I said as I slipped my sunglasses on and walked down the hall towards the main entrance of St. Thomas.
GEMMA'S P.O.V.
I waited until Lexi left and then walked around the corner. "I would say my Step-Daughter is passing her crash course in Old Ladies 101 with flying colors. Looks like she put you in your place, Doc." I said coming up behind Tara, enjoying the fact that I startled her.
"Jesus Gemma! How long were you standing there eavesdropping?" Tara asked. "Long enough. Why did you come back Tara? It better not be to mess with Jax's head again. Oh, and you better watch out for Lexi. She's got a fiery temper that matches her hair. You got off easy last night. You were just escorted out. Ima wasn't as luck." I replied with a grin.
Before I could say more I saw Jax approaching. "Hey baby. How's our little man doing today?" I asked, smiling at my son. I was beyond thrilled to hear the news about Abel. I had a month and a half to get his nursery set up, hopefully at Lexi's house. Unless Clay killed Jax today I couldn't imagine any reason why Lexi and Jax wouldn't be living together by Thanksgiving.
"I'm going to go visit my Grandson and then stop by to see Lexi before I head to TM. Clay is expecting to see you in about twenty minutes so you should get going after you look in on Abel." I told Jax, preventing any alone time Tara was hoping to have with him. Lexi was right...it's time for the good Doctor to go back to Chicago.
CLAY'S P.O.V.
I sat in my chair at the head of the table, smoking my cigar and waiting for Jax. Lexi deserves better than being with someone like Jax. She should be with a lawyer or a doctor. Someone educated. Someone who won't treat her like a sweetbutt or a croweater. Someone who wasn't part of the life that Jax and I are.
"Clay." Jax said in greeting as he walked into the Chapel and took his seat to my left. I looked at this man, a man of thirty, who I had helped raise almost his entire life. I helped shape him into the man he is today. By telling him to stay away from Lexi does that make me a hypocrite? Should I be staying away from my daughter as well? Fuck...
"Jax. How's my Grandson doing today? Gemma told me she saw you at the hospital." I said, avoiding the topic and avoiding showing him the envelope that sat on the table in front of me.
"He's good. Gets out of the toaster in a couple of weeks. Come on Clay. I appreciate you asking but we both know I'm here to listen to you tell me to stay away from Lexi. Before you even start let me tell you I won't stay away from her. I can't stay away from her. She's different than any other girl I've known, including Tara. My feelings for her are different." he replied. If it was any other girl other than my daughter we were talking about I'd be proud of him for being upfront about what he wants, but it's not any other girl...it's my Lexi-Kate.
"Look, Jax, I think you're a great VP and a good man but you're not the right man for my daughter. I'm not going to argue with you I'm just going to leave you here to read the letter that's in the envelope. It's the letter Lori wrote me before she died. I hope after you read it you will do the right thing. Either way, I want you and Opie on a protection run for Unser Trucking. You'll leave tomorrow and escort the truck up to Oregon. You'll be in Oregon for three days while the truck unloads and reloads. It will make a stop in Reno on the way back. You'll be there for two days before escorting the truck back to Charming. You'll be gone for two weeks. It's good money for you and Opie. It's also really good money for the club." I told him as I got up from my chair.
"Two weeks? Clay, I need to be here for the kid when he gets out of the incubator. I'll barely make it back by then. And if this is some ploy to keep me away from Lexi, it's not going to work. She and I will pick back up when I return to Charming." he replied, the outrage he was feeling apparent on his face and in his tone.
"Read the letter Jax. Make the right choice." I replied, walking out of the Chapel, closing the door behind me.
JAX'S P.O.V.
What the fuck!? Did Clay really think this shit-ass errand he was sending me on would really keep Lexi and I apart? I'm fucking pissed, I couldn't help but think to myself as I lit a cigarette and then opened the envelope Clay had left on the table...
Clay-
If you're reading this it means you've met our daughter...our Lexi-Kate. I have no doubt she has grown into a spectacular young woman. Even at eleven years old she's pretty remarkable. There is nothing ordinary about our daughter, Clay. I hope as you get to know her you will realize that.
Now, if Robert has stuck to my instructions, Lexi should be in her mid to late 20's when she gives you this letter. I'm hoping she is happily married by then and has given you a grandchild or two. If she's not married by the time she comes to find you in Charming I need you to do me a favor. Do the right thing, Clay. Make the unselfish right choice and keep her away from SAMCRO. Don't let our baby follow in my path. Don't let her become an Old Lady...or God-forbid a sweetbutt or croweater. She deserves more than that. Protect my baby and her heart.
My heart Clay, all these years later, still remains broken. Broken by you and by Gemma. Robert is a good man, a good husband and a great dad to Lexi. I know he will continue to raise her the right way after I'm gone. Clay, you should know that even though you broke it, Robert has always known that my heart has still belonged to you all these years later. Be good to our baby and watch over her. I'll be watching over you both.
Forever Yours In This Life And The Next-
Lori
"Fuck!" I swore out loud. I need to talk to Lexi and I need to talk to her before the morning. Clay's going to listen to a letter written to him twelve years ago by the woman who kept his daughter from him!? And how the fuck did Clay and my Mother break that woman's heart!? That would be something to deal with later. Lexi and I need to get some ground rules established before I leave Charming tomorrow morning.
I stormed out of the Chapel and saw Clay talking to Piney at the bar in the main room. I ignored them both and headed out to the lot. I sat on my bike and was fastening my helmet when my Mother pulled into the lot.
"Where are you off to baby? How did things go with Clay?" she asked as she walked over to my bike. I pulled the letter out of my kutte and gave it to her to read.
"Goddamn it. Lori never had what it takes to be an Old Lady. It was obvious to everyone but Clay. What are you going to do Jackson?" she demanded to know after reading it.
"I'm going to talk to Lexi about this. Clay is sending me and Ope on a two-week Unser protection run tomorrow morning. We're going up to Oregon and then to Reno. I'll be back just in time to hold Abel when he comes out of the incubator." I replied, bitterly.
"Jax, you need to make sure Lexi knows how you feel about her before you go. And no road pussy this trip. It will get back to Clay if you hook up while you're on the road and he'll use that to divide you and Lexi even more. Make sure you keep your dick in your pants, Jackson." she told me before assuring me she and Lexi would watch over not only Abel but Donna, Kenny and Ellie as well. Donna and Opie's twins were now three years old and quite a handful.
LEXI'S P.O.V.
"There is no way Jax Teller tucked you into bed and slept with you all night long without trying anything else. I don't believe it!" Donna exclaimed after I finished filling her and Sophie in on my night. I had just walked into my office when they followed me in. "I don't really have any other details to give you, but even if I did it would have to wait until later today. I want to do a quick walk-thru of the salon, café and boutique before we open in thirty minutes." I said as I quickly glanced thru my e-mails. Nothing urgent to reply to now, thankfully.
Donna followed me down to the salon, not realizing she was in for a surprise of her own today. I was happy having the stylists and manicurists all dressed in black and the estheticians and massage therapists in a light purple Un-Southern Charm uniform, but as a manager Donna needs to stand out. She also needs to promote our products. Therefore, I was treating Donna to an Un-Southern makeover today. The full works...mani, pedi, facial, massage, cut, color, highlights, make-up application and a few new items to add to her wardrobe.
"So, Donna there's only one thing that has me concerned about the salon." I told her, trying to hide a smile. "What is it? I thought after how well yesterday went, everything was good up here." she said as she looked around worried and confused. "Oh, I'm very happy with the salon itself. But you my friend are the face of The Salon at Un-Southern Charm and we need to make sure you reflect the work of our talented staff. Enjoy your day of pampering." I told her, hugging her and then turning her over to Chelsea Unser.
Sophie and I continued downstairs to where all sorts of mouth-watering scents were coming out of the café's kitchen. "Is that?" was all I could get out before Sophie blurted that today's soup of the day was butternut-squash bisque, one of my favorites she makes from scratch. "I'll put it in a to-go container and you can eat it at the hospital while you visit Abel. But since I'm sure you didn't eat breakfast this morning let me warm you up a chocolate filled croissant. Sit at the counter for five minutes. I'll get you a chai latte as well." she said.
Minutes later I was in heaven. "You know your cooking is the reason I get up and run five miles every morning. I wouldn't be able to fit into my clothes otherwise." I teased my best friend as I finished my croissant and poured my latte in a to-go cup. "I'm pretty well staffed in the boutique today so if you need help in here let me know. My plan is to pop in and out of the café and salon throughout the day, each day I'm working, in order to get to know our clients on a personal level. I'll see you later." I said before walking across the foyer into the boutique.
"Good Morning Melissa. Good Morning Ashley. Y'all did such a wonderful job yesterday. I have a feeling today will be just as busy. It will probably be a week or two before things slow down a little. November should be steady with business picking up after Thanksgiving for the holiday rush. Susan will be in at 1:00pm to help cover breaks and assist you while I'm at St. Thomas." I told the boutique supervisors. They each would be working ten hour shifts four days a week once we got thru opening week. The plan was to have Melissa cover every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday with Ashley running things each Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. I was hoping with this supervisor schedule I would eventually be able to take Sundays and Mondays off. I had hired two other full-time sales associates and two part-time associates as well.
"Let's plan on having lunch on Friday in the café. We can discuss schedules from this point forward and review our first few days. Oh! What beautiful flowers!" I said, admiring the two dozen yellow and burnt orange roses that sat in a square glass vessel on the register counter.
"They were delivered for you about thirty minutes ago. Here's the card." Ashley said handing me the envelope. I opened it and almost cried as I read it...
"I'm watching you. You can't believe how excited I am to see you again. Payback is a bitch and you will have to pay, Lexi."
There was no signature or name. "Get rid of them, please." I instructed before walking in the direction of the changing rooms. I sat down in one of the rooms with the door closed. I had five minutes to pull myself together before we opened for the day. I was shaking but refused to cry. This has to be some sort of sick joke. Kohn still has to be in jail, I thought to myself.
"Lexi? Open the door." Sophie's voice softly called out. I opened the door, wordlessly handing her the card, walked out of the boutique to the building's entrance and opened Un-Southern Charm for the day. "Lex...we need to talk about this." Soph said coming up behind me. "Later. We have clients coming in." I replied, turning with a forced smile to greet the women walking thru the front door.
SOPHIE'S P.O.V.
I knew something was wrong when I saw Melissa run over from the boutique to get me. When I read the card Lexi handed me I realized what it was. Not feeling quite comfortable enough to trust Jax just yet, I decided to call the man who had become like a big brother to my best friend. I walked into the café's kitchen and grabbed my iPhone. I scrolled thru my contacts until I found the name I was looking for. I took a deep breath and as I listened to the phone ring, I hoped I was making the right choice.
"Hello?" a gruff sounding voice said, leading me to believe I had interrupted him in the middle of something. "Opie? It's Sophie. I need your help. It's about Lexi. Can you swing by the café around 1:00pm when she heads to St. Thomas? It's important."
After I managed to convince him not to mention it to Jax and he agreed to meet me, I walked back out to the front of the café to check on my customers. Thirty minutes later I was seating three women for an early lunch when I caught a glimpse of Lexi in the boutique. My beautiful, sweet best friend stood looking out the window with such a worried look on her face that my heart ached for her. Within seconds that look was gone and it was replaced with a smile, that didn't quite meet her eyes, as she greeted a customer.
JAX'S P.O.V.
I rode around for a bit before deciding to wait for Lexi at St. Thomas. It didn't seem right to bombard her with this shit at her store. I sat there, in the rocking chair in Abel's room, reading to him trying to envision our future. As I looked at my son I only saw one future...a future that included Lexi by my side, here in Charming.
"Hey! I didn't expect to see you here this afternoon! How's Abel doing?" Lexi asked, with a smile I knew was forced, as she walked into the room. There's something wrong and I couldn't help but wonder if Clay had already spoken with her. God, she's beautiful I then thought to myself as I looked at her in a black and white strapless knee length dress that she wore under a red leather jacket. Today she had on a pair of red heels with straps around the ankles that added at least four inches to her tiny 5' frame.
"You're gorgeous. You know you always manage to take my breath away, even when you're asleep in sweats on the couch." I said, making her blush before I kissed her. "Mmmmm...something smells good." I told her after ending the kiss. "Butternut-squash bisque from the café. My lunch. I'll share it with you if you want." she said handing me the container and a spoon before walking over to Abel's incubator.
"He looks so much better than he did six days ago. God, Jax I can't wait to pick him up, hold him and give him kisses! How did things go with Clay?" she asked, turning to look at me.
I didn't say a word. I reached into my kutte and pulled out the envelope, noticing her eyes widen with surprise as she recognized Clay's name on the outside of the envelope, written in her Mom's handwriting. "He told me to stay away from you and then gave me this to read. Before you read this I need to tell you that he's sending me on a two week protection run. Opie and I leave tomorrow at 5:00am. If we're going to do this Lexi and make it work we will need to set some ground rules for the both of us. I don't want the type of relationship Ope and Donna have. He can't tell her shit and even though he loves her it makes him miserable. I need a partner I can trust...one I can talk to about everything...the good, the bad and the ugly. Lexi, there's a lot of ugly in my life. I need to know what the right choice is for you. You can't just be halfway in, with one foot out the door. It's all or nothing. That's the only way we can have a relationship that will survive my SAMCRO life. Read the letter. I'll wait for you outside." I said handing her the envelope. As I walked out of the room I realized I had never been so honest with a female in my entire life.
LEXI'S P.O.V.
Jesus Christ, Mom I thought to myself after I read the letter. She tells Clay to keep me away from SAMCRO but she gives me everything I need in order to take down SAMCRO. As my feelings for Jax have developed and I've fallen in love with that sweet baby boy in the incubator, I didn't think I would be able to follow thru with my Mother's plan. I couldn't hurt Jax and Abel that way. I couldn't betray Opie, who had become like a big brother to me. I wouldn't do it to Clay and Gemma. But there was something I could do. I could call Clay's bluff and let him make the right choice...the right choice for me and the right choice for the club.