Disclaimer- I don't own these Character's they belong to Kurt Sutter
Chapter 8
After about a half hour of crying Tara jumped in the Cutlass and drove to Gemma's house. She ran in without knocking
"Gemma we have a problem"
"Tara hey sweetheart everything ok with the baby?"
"Yeah the problem is with Abel."
"Tara he is right in the living room and he is fine."
"No that bitch Wendy is filing for custody of Abel"
She thrust the papers at Gemma; who began reading them.
"That stupid junkie bitch, she actually thinks Jax or I would let this happen."
"Gemma, Jax gave me legal guardianship which means custody until he gets back; Jax has no ground to stand on until he gets out. You can't do anything on house arrest; you won't even be able to go to the courthouse. I am on my own with this and I don't know what to do."
She had tears rolling down her face when Gemma wrapped her in a hug. Gemma was still comforting her when Tara felt a pull on her pants; she looked down to see Abel pulling on her. She bent down and picked him up wrapping him in a hug. She knew she had to do whatever she could to keep Abel with her.
The next day was visiting day with Jax, but her first stop of the day was to the club's Attorney, Rosen. When she left the office she felt worse than when she went in. She walked into the prison in front of Chibbs and Opie. They hadn't said a word to her realizing something was going on and letting her think it thru.
As soon as Tara walked in he knew something was wrong, but she smiled at him and pulled out a packet of pictures and put them on the table in front of the guys to let everyone see.
"These are from Abel's party, we had a great SOA turnout you guys should be proud."
No one but Jax could tell she was hiding something. He flipped through the pictures looking at everyone enjoying the party and smiled at one of Tara sitting on the couch with Abel's head on Tara's belly, he pulled it out to keep by him. The next picture stopped him in his tracks Wendy was sitting on the other side of Abel while Tara helped him open gifts, which must be what has her acting funny.
"Tara you ok?" When Tara looked Jax in the eye she couldn't help as a tear slid down her cheek. "Baby what is the matter?"
Tara took a deep breath before she began "Wendy has filed a Motion for Custody against me"
"You can't be fucking serious, why would she do that?"
"I don't know; I mean I invited her to his party told her she had a right to be there, told her she could come visit. I am an idiot; I can't believe I let her back in maybe if I hadn't"
She stopped; she didn't know how to explain her feelings to Jax.
"Babe you have to start from the beginning, I don't know what has happened you have to talk to me"
"I ran into Wendy the day I went to check on Nate. She has been sober for over 6 months and got out of the sober living house, she has a job and her own place now. She asked to see Abel so I let her come visit him and invited her to the party. I figured Abel had a right to know his birth mom as long as she was sober. Everything went fine at the party and I even told she was welcome to come by anytime. I don't know why she is doing this."
Jax hated to see her so upset and not being able to help her once again.
"Baby look at me, it's not your fault you were just trying to do the best thing for Abel and I love you for it. You need to go to Rosen and find out what to do next." The look on her face told him she already had "What did he say?"
"He said that Wendy has a 95% shot to get him back as long as she can pass drug tests. The courts tend to side with the birth mother who has tried to turn her life around over a legal guardian. With you in jail and Gemma on house arrest neither of you can be of help so we are in for a battle."
Clay spoke up "Tara you have the backing of SAMCRO on this if you need anything or any money let the guys know and it will be taken care of"
"Thanks Clay but I shouldn't need that. I put my dad's place up for sale and already have a few inquiries so I think I will be ok."
"Tara no you didn't want to sell your dads place before you shouldn't have to now, take the money from my account."
"Jax I don't care about my dad's house, my home is with my family and my family is at your house. I will do whatever I have to in order to keep my family whole."
Tara hadn't been able to see Jax for almost a month and had a lot to tell him. She was now 7 ½ months pregnant and had a court date in a week to try and keep Abel. She had closed on her dad's house at the beginning of the week and Gemma would be off house arrest in 2 weeks. She had just finished filling Jax in when a fight broke out between 2 other inmates on the other side of the room; Jax grabbed her arm and pulled her back away from the fight. He was glad he had finally been able to protect her a little anyway.
"Jax the hearing is first thing in the morning next week so I will be able to tell you how everything went next week. But I might be a little late depending on how late it goes."
"No problem babe. Listen try not to stress too much, I can't imagine anyone choosing Wendy over you!"
"But what if they do Jax, I can't lose him again" He took her hand very thankful Jake was on duty again today so he wouldn't get in trouble.
"Then we will deal with it then, I promise Wendy will not be the one raising Abel. You and I are his parents and will be no matter what"
She had to except that or she would never make it thru the next week. She had taken the week off to spend as much time with Abel as possible, just in case, and because the fundraiser was tomorrow. She was playing in the living room with Abel when Lyla came by.
"Hey Tara how are you doing?"
"Hi Lyla. I am ok stressed but ok. How are you?"
"Oh I am ok, busy but ok"
They chatted for a while before Lyla came out with the real reason she had stopped.
"Listen Tara I had a reason for stopping by…I don't have a lot of good friends and I have none that know the M.C. life. So I was hoping that you would be my Maid of honor."
Tara was shocked she definitely hadn't been expecting that. They had been getting closer and closer but she didn't expect that.
Lyla continued on quickly "look you don't have to answer right away; I mean we won't be getting married until the guys get out and stuff so no rush"
"No Lyla you just surprised me, I would be honored to be a part of you and Opie's wedding. Thank You! You have been a great friend to me even though I was a bitch to you."
"Hey, I can't say I completely blame you and you were only bitchy for the first few times then you eased up and you have been a great friend to me also." Lyla smiled "Besides Jax will be Opie's best man so having you two together will be great for pictures."
They both laughed at that and continued laughing as they joked about funny pairings for pictures. They spent most of the afternoon laughing together and discussing wedding plans. Tara felt happy for the first time since Jax went inside. After Lyla left Tara loaded Abel up and went to Gemma's to visit.
"Gemma you must be thrilled to only have another week of house arrest, I know how stir crazy you have become."
"Sweetheart you have no idea! I just wish this custody thing was after I get out. I hate that you have so much on your plate without much help. I am proud of you baby and grateful for all your help these past 6 months." Gemmas rubbed her belly "And thank you for taking such good care of my new grandson"
Tara laughed "You and Jax kill me, what will you guys do when this baby comes out a girl?"
"The same thing we do with Abel love her with everything we have. Although I feel bad for any girl born into this club but if you two have a girl the poor thing will be twice as protected as most."
The next day Tara was at the park setting up everything for the fundraiser. She had Abel in a pack'n play under the SOA tent and was watching as Opie set up the fireworks and the other tents were being set up. Once everything was set Tara relaxed and decided to take Abel to the petting zoo. She was still there when everyone began showing up. Abel had just petted a calf when Tara heard her voice. She turned to see Wendy walking past with some guy she had never seen before, but she had seen those same tattoos he was a NORDS member. Tara went back to the SOA tent to help Lyla and was enjoying watching everyone have a good time when Wendy came over.
"Hi Tara how's your last few days with my son been going?"
When Tara didn't answer Wendy continued on "You know I don't know why you are even fighting this, we both know I will win and then when Jax gets out he will come back to me so he can be with his son"
"Really Wendy are you high again or what because Jax is never going to go back with you. He hates you for doing this and even if you win tomorrow, it will be short lived because Jax and I will come at you full force to get our son away from some addict."
"You stupid bitch" Wendy made a step toward Tara but Chibbs and Opie stepped in her way
"I think you should be leaving Wendy" Opie said
"Opie, Chibbs how can you be kicking me out. I mean I thought we were friends" Wendy seemed genuinely shocked
"Wendy we put up with you for Jax but he divorced you. He and Tara are together and that isn't going to change. On a personal note even if Jax and Tara were not together I would always protect her from you."
Wendy stormed away and Tara had to sit down.
"Thanks guys and thanks Opie that was really sweet."
"Anytime and I meant everything I said"
"Well I may not have been able to tell her; but we love you doc with or without Jackie boy" Chibbs told her as he walked back to the booth he was helping run.
The next day Tara got Abel and herself ready for the custody hearing. She and Neeta walked into the courthouse to try and get everything settled once and for all. It had been a long day and during the recess Tara had walked out to see the remaining members of SAMCRO and Lyla standing outside the courtroom. When they went back in to get the verdict Tara took comfort in the fact that the members were there showing support.
"I have come to a decision in the matter of custody of the minor child Abel Teller I would like to say a few things before I give my ruling. Mrs. Teller I commend the fact you have straightened your life out for your son. I also appreciate the fact you waited until you had put in over 6 months of sobriety before trying to get your son back. Dr. Knowles I want to commend you on stepping in to care for a son who is not yours by birth. You are a very capable guardian and Mr. Teller did well in choosing you to take care of his son. As anyone who has seen Abel can tell you have done a wonderful job taking care of him, he is thriving under your care."
Jax was sitting outside smoking waiting for visitation to begin; he knew Tara would be in the courthouse right now fighting to keep custody of his son. The other guys were around but keeping their distance they knew he wasn't in the mood to talk. His life seemed to be spiraling out of control, he thought everything would be taken care of but instead everything was falling apart. He only had 8 months to go before he got out but if Tara doesn't keep custody today it will be a long 8 months of worrying if Abel would be taken care of. He knew once he got out he was going to propose to Tara and he was going to have both his kids living with them. Just then he was called to a visit, but only him. He looked at Clay wondering why no one else was getting a visit. He walked in and sat down waiting for Tara; when the door opened he was shocked to see the clubs attorney, Rosen, walk in. Rosen looked like he would rather jump off a cliff then be there talking to Jax, so Jax knew the news coming was going to be bad.
"Rosen where is Tara?"
