bA/N: As you'll notice, in my version, Bobby was not shot during the attack on Clay's transport. I did this because Tara is not out of prison in my SOA world, therefore she would not have been able to doctor Bobby. I hope this does not cause any undue confusion. As always, reviews and critiques are welcomed and appreciated! (:

- Lacey/b

Jessie, Gemma, and Nero watched in stunned silence as Clay stared back at them through the open blinds of the office. Then there was a pause before a ringing gunshot sounded, Clay jerking as blood began spurting from his throat. Gemma emitted a choked sob before she stumbled into Jessie, grabbing hold of her to keep from falling. Jessie wrapped her soon-to-be mother-in-law in her arms, Gemma sobbing into Jessie's shoulder. Nero encircled both women in a hug, the three of them in shock over what Jax had just done.

Finally the door to the office opened, and Jax stepped out. His face creased in worry when he saw his mother and girlfriend crying, but he tried to keep his tough exterior up for the sake of business. As he approached, Jessie nudged Gemma, the matriarch righting herself and drying her tears. Jax placed a hand on the side of his mother's face, looking into her eyes.

"It had to be done." His voice was low, stern, but there was also a hint of pleading present, as if he needed her to say that what they had done was right.

"I know." Gemma could not keep the teary wavering out of her voice, but she assumed the same stoic facade Jax wore.

The President pressed a kiss to Gemma's cheek, then turned to Jessie. His Queen looked pale, a hand resting on the tiny swell of her stomach. Jax saw Nero take Gemma to the car, leaving him to have a moment alone with Jessie.

"Are you okay, Jess?" He put a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to him to kiss her forehead, feeling her shaking nervously. "Jessie?"

The blonde reached up to take Jax's hand in hers, putting the weakest smile he'd ever seen on her face. "I'll be fine." Her eyes flickered from Jax's to the ground and back again.

Jax pulled her into an embrace, resting his chin on top of her head. Jessie snuggled into his chest, her nose inhaling the familiar blend of spicy cologne, cigarettes and motor oil. It calmed her down, her shaking gradually subsiding. She knew that Clay's death had been for a reason. This ended the relationship between SAMCRO and the IRA, solved their problem with the DA. Clay was a dangerous man who had caused so much pain and suffering among SAMCRO members, and now he had paid for his sins with his life. It was all justice in the eyes of Jax and the club. Jessie knew it, and she accepted it.

"I'm fine, Jax, I really am. I'll take Gemma home, and then I'll go get the boys from T-M. I'll see you when you get back home." She pressed a kiss to his lips, then turned and headed for Gemma's car. The club members exited the office, and Jax called Rat to him.

"Look, I want you to follow Jessie to Gemma's and then to T-M. Take her home with the boys and stay there until I get home. She's upset, so just keep her company."

Rat nodded at Jax's instructions, then headed to his bike and followed Gemma's car out of the airplane hangar. Jax watched until the two vehicles disappeared onto the road, then shut the doors quickly. Connor would be here soon, and he had to prepare.

Connor's reaction would determine if he made it home to Jessie tonight.

After arriving at Gemma's, Jessie left her with Nero and got in her own car to head to Teller-Morrow to pick up Abel and Thomas. She noticed Rat following behind her and smiled to herself. It was just like to Jax to be about to meet with a member of the IRA, facing someone who could kill him, and still be worried about her and their babies. She drove silently to the garage, smiling as she saw two of the girls that worked there pushing Abel on the swing as Wayne played with Thomas nearby. Jessie parked in the lot, Rat pulling up beside her. As she crossed the parking lot, Abel saw her, jumping out of the swing and running towards her. Jessie caught him, picking up and hugging him, although wincing a little at the bolt of pain from her collarbone.

"How's my favorite little man today?" She pressed a kiss to his forehead, Abel hugging her tightly around the neck.

"Christy and Emma pushed me on the swings all day, and me and Thomas played with Wayne. Can we have macaroni tonight, Jessie?" He talked excitedly, and Jessie smiled.

"Of course, baby. We'll make macaroni when we get home and then we'll make cupcakes for when Daddy gets home, alright?"

Abel laughed, playing with Jessie's hair. She put him down, taking his hand in hers as they walked over to get Thomas. The toddler greeted Jessie with an enthusiastic smile, holding his arms out as she lifted him from Unser's lap.

"Thanks for watching them, Wayne. I appreciate it."

Wayne stood up slowly, smiling. "It's no problem, Jessie." He brushed her hair back off her face, examining the bruises still lingering. "You look like you're healing up."

Jessie nodded. "The Irish didn't work me over too bad. The ribs are still a little sore, but I'm getting better. The concussion's gone, it's just the collarbone that still hurts pretty bad. But it's healing too, so I should be better in no time."

Wayne gestured to her belly. "What about the twins, how are they?"

"The babies are perfect, Wayne. Just think, in another couple of months you'll have two more munchkins to watch. Enjoy these two for now." With a laugh, she gathered the boys' things, then headed back to her car. Rat approached her, silently taking the diaper bag and Thomas from her.

"Here, I'll help you, Jessie."

Jessie smiled, leading Abel to the car as Rat followed. "Thank you, Rat, that's nice of you."

With Rat's help, she got the boys loaded in the car, strapping them in their carseats and sitting the diaper bags in the front seat. She got in the driver's seat, backing out of the parking lot and heading towards home with Rat following.

At the Teller house, Jessie and Rat unloaded the boys, Jessie thanking him for his help. Once inside, she invited Rat to sit inside and keep her company as she pulled a box of macaroni from the cabinet for Abel.

"Jessie, can we put macaroni on the cupcakes?" Abel looked up at her wide eyed.

Jessie laughed. "I don't know how good that's gonna taste, little man. But we can put extra cheese in it."

"Alright!" Abel took the box of macaroni from her, shaking it vigorously and laughing. Thomas giggled from his high chair, tossing an animal cracker at his brother. Jessie stepped in and caught it, tossing it in her mouth.

"Hey now, no animal cracker violence!" She smiled at the youngest boy, ruffling his hair.

Rat, sitting at the kitchen table, laughed. "You're a good mom, Jessie. The boys really love you."

Jessie smiled, finding a pot to make the macaroni in. "Thanks, Rat. These two are my world. What about you, where's your old lady?"

The newest member of SAMCRO smiled shyly, looking at the floor. "I'm dating a girl, but she's not my old lady. I hope one day she will be, though."

Jessie raised an eyebrow, laughing. "That's good, Rat, real good. Family's everything."

The back door opened, and Jax entered the kitchen, Abel running to greet his dad.

"Daddy! Jessie's making macaroni and cupcakes!"

Jax smiled at his son, kissing his forehead as he picked him up. "Is that so? Well, I think dinner's gonna be pretty good tonight." He kissed Thomas as well, pressing another kiss to Jessie's lips as he sent Rat out the door with a quick man-hug. "Thanks for watching out for them, Rat. The boys are heading home, you should go. I'll see you at T-M in the morning."

The newest member left with a quick nod, Jax hugging Jessie to him. "I love you, babe."

"I love you too, Jax. Dinner should be done in about ten minutes."

Later that night, Jax pushed open the door to the nursery, smiling softly as he saw Jessie. She was sitting in the rocking chair, rocking a very sleepy Thomas while Abel lay on the daybed beside the crib cuddling with his teddy bear. She was singing softly to Thomas, her free hand resting on her belly. Jax leaned on the door frame, watching her. The mother of his children and his two boys, along with his two unborn children, his whole world contained in this one room.

It was a beautiful ending to this horrible day.