AN: So here's the next update. Finished it and reviewed it today. So please excuse any mistakes I might have overlooked. This is officially the longest chapter i have written for this story at 22 pages and 8,444 words. So I really hope you guys enjoy it. Just one more chapter left before the club heads off to jail and then the time jumps begin as they deal with them being inside. So Happy Monday and Happy reading!
Chapter Nine
Instead of the happy feeling of returning home. There was a somber mood after finding out about Tara's kidnapping. Which seemed to thicken as they arrived onto the lot.
Tig opened the van's back doors, welcoming them back home before stepping aside to let them get out.
Carrie thanked him as he helped her out, before rushing and throwing her arms around Lyla.
"Missed you," Lyla stated tightening her grip.
"Not as much as you missed my brother," Carrie joked pulling back.
They both laughed before Lyla spotted Opie. Carrie watched as Lyla ran and jumped into his arms before kissing him. Before looking where Jax took the Moses basket, carrying Abel, from Gemma. Her eyes briefly met his before Gemma captured his attention.
Now that they knew Tara was pregnant, Carrie had a suspicion that Gemma wouldn't like her anywhere near Jax. Since she could potentially distract him from the task at hand. She was sure that as soon as they found Tara and rescued her. She wouldn't be too keen on Carrie and Jax spending time together either.
So instead of waiting for either Gemma or Tara to tell her to stay away she would just do it on her own. She would step aside, so Jax wouldn't have to make a decision if Tara gave him an ultimatum. No matter how much it hurt her to walk away, even though she knew he loved her, she wouldn't stand in the way of being an actual family with Abel, Tara and their son.
"Hey anything on Tara?" Jax questioned Tig.
"No brother, I talked to Unser. There's nothing new," Tig explained. "I'm sorry."
"Alright," Jax softly said before Tig patted his back.
They both started walking towards the clubhouse when Jax noticed the wooden swing set.
"What's that?" he questioned nodding at it.
"Prospects spent all night on it," Tig answered looking at him.
Before they made their way into the clubhouse and into the chapel.
"ATF and Charming PD are digging into Salazar," Tig informed them, looking around the table. "They talked to that aunt that owns the house and they're rattling a few of the Calaveras. So far they got nothing."
"Alright, I'll check in with Unser and you see where Stahl is at," Clay stated pointing at Jax.
Jax nodded getting ready to stand up when Kozik spoke up.
"We got a complication," he stated nodding at Tig.
"Yeah. Alvarez found out that the cops are all over Salazar. If Hector gets picked up he could blow a serious whistle on the whole heroin operation," Tig explained.
"If the Mayans are looking for Salazar. They're not going to give a shit about protecting Tara," Jax pointed out.
"Call Alvarez and set a meet," Clay ordered pointing at Tig before looking back at the rest of them. "And let's find this aunt that owns the house. Maybe we can convince her to share some information on little Hector."
Clay smacked the table and everyone jumped into action.
Carrie had finished making a pot of coffee, as the club walked out of the chapel, in case anybody needed the caffeine boost of energy.
She had just poured the hot water over the tea bag in her mug when Jax walked into the kitchen.
"Hey," he softly said resting his hand on her right hip.
"Hey. Coffee," Carrie answered pointing at the pot.
"Yeah."
Grabbing a mug she poured him a cup as he moved to wrap both arms around her waist.
"Jax… I don't think we should see each other anymore," She softly stated turning around and handing him the mug.
Jax furrowed his eyebrows as he set the mug on the counter behind her.
"Why?" he questioned crossing his arms across his chest. "And don't give me the excuse of Tara."
"Well it's true Jax," Carrie argued. "I can't come in between you and the woman expecting your baby. I won't be the reason why you're not in your baby's life."
"I don't have to be in a relationship with Tara to be in my kid's life."
"How are Gemma and Tara going to react when you tell them that you're going to be in a relationship with me? When I'm carrying someone else's baby and you leave the woman expecting your baby," Carrie pointed out. "I'm not going to be the reason why Tara won't let you see him or her. Or the reason if she's does something drastic."
"Tara can be mad all she wants but she won't do anything to hurt my kid or keep me from seeing him or her. I'll make sure of it," Jax retorted. "Besides I had time to think on the flight back about what we were going to do because I'm not losing you again. Not when we've finally come to an understanding,"
"What did you come up with?" Carrie softly questioned.
"Marry me," Jax stated.
"What? That's only going to make things worse Jax and you need to focus on getting Tara and your unborn baby safely back."
"They can't do shit to keep us apart if we're married Carrie. I love you and I know I want to be with you until we're old and dying," Jax stated cupping both of her cheeks.
"Marriage isn't something you rush into Jax. I don't want us to end up like you and Wendy," Carrie argued watching as he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We won't end up like that because this time I'm doing it for the right reasons," Jax retorted. "Or you don't feel the same about me as I do about you?"
"Of course I do Jax. It's just that I don't want to stir shit up between you and Tara," Carrie explained. "The selfish part of me is yelling at me to agree but the practical and sane part is telling me that I can't step in the way of you having a family with both of your kids under the same roof."
"Look, think it over and we'll talk more about it later okay," Jax answered. "You don't have to decide right now."
Carrie nodded, before he kissed her head and grabbed his mug leaving her to the whirl wind of emotions and thoughts running through her head.
Jax walked back into the main room in time to hear part of the conversation between Gemma, Bobby and Clay.
"Piney's already up at the cabin waiting for you," Bobby pointed out.
"Let him wait. Nobody knows I'm back," Gemma answered as she gently rocked Abel. "I just want to sleep in my own bed."
"We'll lock down the garage," Jax suggested. "She'll be safe."
Clay sighed and briefly shook his head, "Okay. For now," he said shrugging before looking at Jax.
"Let me just dump my shit and we'll go yeah," Jax said grabbing his bag before turning to walk down the hall to his room.
Looking at Carrie as she exited the kitchen, he gave her a wink and a smile before disappearing.
Gemma didn't miss the change in her son's walk or the look in Carrie's face. She knew something was going on between those two but with everything that was happening she didn't know how she felt about that.
"Here take the baby," she told Lyla handing Abel over to her.
Before following after her son.
"Hey baby," Opie softly said as she looked down at Abel. "He looks happy to be back home."
"Isn't he a cutie," Lyla said not taking her eyes off Abel and rocking him as he started to fuss.
Missing the look that passed Opie's face as he looked at her interact with Abel.
Carrie walked into her apartment and sighed as she dropped her duffle bag on the floor. She couldn't deny that it felt good to be back in her own place. Looking around, her eyes fell on the clock and she realized she had time for a quick shower before she went to ST. Thomas to figure out if she still had a job or not.
She grabbed the bag and quickly dumped the dirty clothes into the laundry basket before grabbing a clean bra and a pair of underwear. Making her way into the bathroom. Quickly setting the water temperature and shedding her clothes. She sighed stepping into the shower, feeling the water fall over her tense tired muscles.
She didn't have much a lot of time to waste so she hurriedly finished her shower. Grabbing a towel to dry herself and her hair before putting on her bra and underwear.
Choosing a pair of stretchy jeans and a somewhat loose shirt. She quickly threw the clothes on making a mental note that it was time to start buying maternity clothes since her clothes were starting to fit tighter.
"Can I ask you something?" Opie questioned clearing his throat.
"Well sure honey," Gemma answered moving closer.
"Lyla and me," Opie stated clearing his throat.
"I think she's sweet. Seems good with her kid," Gemma said.
"Yeah. She is," he agreed not finding the words to explain what was on his mind.
"But she earns her living catching cum in her mouth and I'm sensing that's a problem for you," Gemma stated what he couldn't put into words.
"Donna," Opie said looking down before looking at Gemma. "Begged me to give up the life. I guess now I know how that feels. I ain't got no right to ask her to give it up."
"No," Gemma agreed. "Unless you marry her. She needs security Ope. Marry her. My guess is she starts working with her legs shut."
Opie nodded and softly smiled as he looked down.
"Where's O'Phelan?" Stahl asked as soon as he had shut the office door.
Jax sighed as he sat down, "MIA. Just like Tara," he pointed out.
"Alright look. Salazar is still in the area. We've got it locked down. We will find her," Stahl explained. "I know that you're taking a bit of an emotional beating here Jax. I get that, but you and I have a lot at stake here,"
"The Irish gave Jimmy safe passage out of Belfast in exchange for my kid," Jax explained. "He's up North with the Russians."
"Putlova?"
"Yeah," Jax answered. "We're into it. We got a brother in maximum security. Lenny 'the pimp'."
"Lenny Janowitz?" Stahl questioned. "The scumbag who killed 3 ATF agents?"
"Allegedly," Jax argued. "Lenny's got direct ties to the Russians. He's a real source but he's got no visitation rights. So we got to use Otto to reach out to him."
"Otto's in the hole," Stahl stated.
"He's out tomorrow," Jax pointed out. "If you can arrange for Lenny and Otto to get some yard time together. We might get a lead to where Putlova had Jimmy stashed."
"Alright well. I'll see what I can do," Stahl said standing up. "In the meantime, I'd like you to take a look at these. Former high ranking leaders of the IRA, now make up the ruling council of the Real IRA."
Grabbing the file he opened it up to see the pictures of Peter, Declan and Brendan.
"Did you have any contact with any of these guys?" She questioned as he flipped through the file.
"A few of them look familiar," He said closing the file. "I'll be able to focus when Tara's safe."
"We don't have time for this," Stahl argued.
"The sooner we find Tara…the sooner we find Jimmy," Jax retorted, dropping the file onto the desk.
Walking away and glancing at her incredulous expression before shutting the door behind him.
Carrie walked down the hospital hallway on her way to the administrative office. Hoping she still had a job but she knew she had enough money left over to lean back on, while she looked for another job, in case they decided to let her go.
She knew just leaving without informing them of the reason would be reason enough to fire her but she hoped that they didn't.
She was turning the corner when she bumped into Margaret Murphy, causing her to gasp and drop the files.
"Sorry," Carrie said kneeling to help her pick them up.
"It's alright," Margaret answered as she took the files Carrie handed to her.
Carrie accepted the hand she offered to help her stand.
"Glad to see your back," she said raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Carrie answered looking down and fiddling with her bag strap.
"I heard about the abduction," Carrie softly said looking up at her. "I heard they took you from the hospital."
"We were on our way home from the clinic," Margaret corrected. "Tara needed a ride."
The only clinic where Tara wouldn't be able to drive would be from an abortion clinic but surely she wouldn't be capable of doing that. Either way Carrie decided to play along and try to find out if her suspicion was true.
"That's right. Tara had mentioned something about that the last time I talked to her," Carrie said.
"I didn't know you and Tara were friends," Margaret stated.
"We seem to have found a common ground because of our friendship with the same person," Carrie answered.
"The one who Tara asked about an abortion clinic for?"
Carrie felt her heart stop at that revelation before trying to keep her composure.
"Yeah that one," she softly answered.
"Well it's a good thing they both dealt with it," Margaret said. "I'm sure your friend's environment wasn't ideal to raise a child and neither was Tara's."
"What was the name of the clinic? Another friend of ours is looking for one."
Margaret nodded before telling her the name and address which Carrie quickly wrote down in her phone.
Carrie nodded, "Thanks. I have to go talk to Marcy about my schedule but I'll see you around. I'm really glad you're okay," she quickly stated before walking away.
Instead of walking towards her previous direction, she walked towards the elevators taking them up to the second floor. Exiting, she quickly made her way towards the nurses' station looking for a certain red headed nurse.
"Hey Kenz," Carrie said spotting her writing in a chart.
"Hey Carrie, what's up?" she questioned closing the chart.
"Mackenzie, I need a huge favor from you," Carrie stated.
"Uh-oh, what kind of favor Carolyn?" the red head questioned, knowing Carrie only called Mackenzie when it was serious.
Carrie motioned for the red head to follow her before entering an empty room.
"Does your sister still work at the Family Center in Merced County?" Carrie asked once she had closed the door.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I need you to ask her to get me a copy of two files," Carrie stated.
"What? Why?" the red head quickly questioned.
"I need them as proof that an abortion procedure was done."
"That's confidential. I don't know if she would be willing to take the risk," Kenz protested.
"We're talking about your sister Kenz. From what you told me she's loves a challenge," Carrie retorted.
Kenz sighed, "I'll see what I can do. What names are the files under?"
"You have to promise not to say a word to anyone about this," Carrie ordered.
The red head nodded, "I promise."
"Tara Knowles and Lyla Dvorak," Carrie said while writing it on a paper towel.
"Doctor Knowles?" Mackenzie asked confused.
"Yeah. Don't lose it," Carrie said handing her the paper towel. "Text or call me when you find out what your sisters says."
"Yeah. Okay," The red head said taking the paper towel and stuffing it in her front pocket.
"Thanks. I got to talk to Marcy," Carrie said opening the door.
"Good luck with that," Kenz said softly laughing as they exited the room.
"Thanks," Carrie sarcastically answered before smiling at the red head.
"We gotta find her Bobby," Jax said as he watched CSI work around the crime scene.
"Yeah well we just traveled half way across the world to find your son. Finding Tara should be a walk in the park," Bobby stated.
Jax nodded as Unser and Clay walked up to them.
"Anything?" Jax questioned Unser.
"Looks like the girlfriend bled out," Unser answered looking at them. "Other victim was bludgeoned. Lori Allen. Never made it home from work."
"Salazar killed her for the ride," Clay guessed.
"Probably," Unser agreed. "Grey Lexus. Put out an APB."
Carrie walked out of ST. Thomas feeling relieved that she still had her job. Although she had gotten a scolding before being put on probation for the next two weeks. Along with a warning that if she just pulled another stunt like this, then she might as well just quit and not return. Before Marcy starting fussing over whether she and the baby were okay.
After letting Marcy fuss over her, she finally put her foot down and they got down to setting her schedule for the upcoming couple of weeks.
Carrie unlocked her car just before her phone started ringing. She quickly settled in before checking the caller id.
"What's up Kenz?" Carrie questioned as she closed the door and turned the ignition on.
"Just wanted to let you know that my sister agreed to do it. She said she'd bring the files once she was out of work. So I can stop by your place on my way home in a couple of hours or so."
"That's great and thanks again for doing this and thank your sister for me as well," Carrie stated as she leaned her head back.
"Your welcome. So I'll see you in a couple of hours."
"Yeah. See you then," Carrie answered before they said they're goodbyes.
She stuffed her phone back into her purse before deciding to drive into Lodi in order to buy maternity clothes along with some new scrubs to accommodate her growing belly.
"What's happening?" Clay questioned as he and Jax walked up to Unser and Stahl.
"Sherriff's are taking over. Negotiator said not to call Salazar," Unser answered.
"If it was Tara who killed his girl. The negotiator ain't going to do shit," Jax stated.
"Jax they know what they're doing," Unser answered.
"Salazar is going to hurt her," Jax said raising his voice.
"Alright. Alright," Stahl said trying to keep the peace. "As far as we know. Tara is fine. If he was going to hurt her, he would have done so already. Now we will get her back."
"You need to keep it together son," Clay stated, patting him on the back as they walked back to the club.
"Yeah."
Jax didn't like the fact that he didn't know exactly what was going on and the feeling of being helpless. While Tara and his unborn baby were in there.
"What are we going to do about them?" Bobby questioned as they looked at the Mayans.
"Buy them some popcorn," Clay sarcastically replied. "Ain't nothing he's going to be able to do now."
"Got his list of demands?" Clay questioned as Unser and Stahl walked up to them.
"He wants a free ride to Cartel country. Going to give us Hale for that," Unser answered.
"What about Tara?" Jax questioned.
"He only lets her go if he can trade her for you," Unser stated looking at Jax.
"Let's do it," Jax answered.
"Jackie," Chibs protested. "The minute he sees your face, he'll gun you down."
"He's right. We ain't going to let you take that chance," Clay said.
"Salazar needs a hostage to make it out of there alive. He ain't gonna kill me," Jax argued.
"It's too risky and it's against policy," Stahl said. "I'm going to call in FBI and we'll let tactical handle it."
"Look he's desperate. He ain't going to give us time to plan. I'm doing this," Jax stated looking between Unser and Stahl.
"They're sending in Jax," Hale said as he hung the phone up.
No one said anything as Salazar opened the duffle bag and took a knife out.
"You aren't going to kill him," Tara said.
"First I'm going to kill you. Make him watch. Then I'm going to kill him," Salazar corrected.
Plunging the knife into a book as they heard someone pound on the door.
"Come on," Salazar demanded as he pointed the gun at Jax. "Come on."
Jax walked in and shut the door behind him after Salazar demanded him to do so.
"Get 'em up," he order before searching Jax for any weapons.
Satisfied that he didn't have any, he pushed Jax into a chair after he didn't sit down when he ordered him to.
"Let her go," Jax said.
Causing Salazar to laugh before gun butting him.
"YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Salazar yelled pointing the gun at him.
Jax watched as Salazar held a knife against Tara's throat as he said how he had watched his lady bleed out. Jax knew that if he didn't do something the same thing was going to happen to Tara.
He saw Hale grab a pen and knew he would cause the distraction he needed. As soon as Hale stabbed Salazar with a pen Jax threw himself at him. Making him drop the gun and knife before he ran out the room.
Jax picked up the gun before turning to Tara.
"You kill anyone who's not a cop," he ordered her handing her the gun before kissing her forehead.
Grabbing the knife Salazar had dropped, he ran out of the room after him.
"They're in the office," Jax called out not slowing down, intent on letting Salazar get away.
The club stood outside anxiously waiting for news. Before hearing the Sheriff announce that Salazar was on the move and that the hostages were safe.
Now the only thing they had to worry about was Jax making it out alive.
"Nowhere left to run bro," Jax stated as he had cornered Salazar in a hallway. "Put the axe down and I'll let you walk out of here alive."
"That's bullshit," Salazar said not dropping the axe.
"It's not bullshit," Jax said walking closer. "You got dirt on Hale. We want to see that prick burn. I let you walk out of here but you got to rat him out."
Salazar pointed the axe at him as Jax closed in on him.
"Come on bro," Jax said urging him to accept the offer.
Salazar lowered his head as he lowered his hand, before finally dropping the axe onto the floor.
Jax took that opportunity to run at him stabbing him with the knife. Twisting it until Salazar dropped.
Hearing them break the door open, Jax grabbed the axe and cut himself. Before the cops walked into the hallway.
"He came at me with the axe," Jax explained in between breaths. "I had no choice."
"Salazar attacked Teller with a fire axe," the sheriff informed them. "Teller killed him with his own knife."
"Sorry," Clay muttered at Unser after the sheriff had walked away.
"She was only able to find Tara's file. There was no one registered under the name of Lyla Dvorak," Kenz said handing Carrie the manila envelope.
"Thanks," Carrie answered grabbing the folder. "And she must have used a different name."
"Most likely didn't want it to be traced back to her."
Carrie nodded, "Yeah most likely."
"Well I should get going," Kenz said sanding up.
"Thanks again," Carrie stated, standing in the doorway as Kenz stood outside her apartment.
"You're welcome. Take care."
"You too," Carrie answered before shutting the door after Kenz walked away.
Carrie could feel her heart racing and saw her hands begin to shake. Before she took a deep breath and took out the contents in the folder.
She leaned back against the wall and felt her stomach drop. Hearing Margaret say what Tara had done was one thing but reading the proof was different. Carrie knew Jax was going to be devastated and she was doubting giving him the information. Yet if she didn't give it to him she would feel guilty and would feel as an accomplice to what Tara had done.
Carrie grabbed her bag after a quick call to Ope. Finding out that Tara was safe and that they were all at the clubhouse. Carrie quickly made her way out of her apartment and into her car, steeling herself for what was about to come.
Carrie walked into the clubhouse and spotted Jax leaning on the bar.
"What the hell happened to you?" Carrie questioned noticing the white gauze wrapped around his arm.
"It's just a little cut," he answered. "What's that?"
Carrie looked down at the envelope in her hand.
"I need to talk to you about something. Where's Tara?" she questioned looking around the room not seeing her but catching Lyla's eye.
"She's cleaning up before I take her to the hospital to check on the baby."
Carrie nodded not looking away from Lyla.
"I'll be back okay. I just have to talk to Lyla really quick," Carrie stated before motioning towards the kitchen.
"Tell me you didn't," Carrie stated as soon as she turned to face Lyla.
"Didn't what?"
"Tell me you didn't have an abortion," Carrie demanded.
Lyla didn't say anything as she crossed her arms and looked down.
"Lyla…"
"I'm sorry," Lyla softly said.
"How could you do that Lyla? Opie had a right to know before you made this decision."
"I just couldn't do it. I can't compete with a ghost Carrie. You have to understand my situation," she said as her voice began to quiver.
"That was his baby too," Carrie argued. "Both of you should have made this decision. If you loved him, you would have told him."
"Don't. Don't try to make me the bad guy here."
"But you are," Carrie said raising her voice. "Don't you realize that?"
Lyla didn't say anything, instead she began to cry.
"I told you that I wasn't going to lie to my brother," Carrie said reminding her of their previous conversation. "Because I thought you were going to come clean about your pregnancy but I was wrong. So either you tell him what you did or I will. Either way he's going to find out today."
"Please don't Carrie," Lyla pleaded as she continued to cry.
"I'm not going to stand around as you continue to lie to him, Lyla, so you decide either you tell Ope or I will."
Lyla didn't say anything, so Carrie made the decision for her. She began to walk towards the kitchen entrance but Lyla intercepted her, pleading for her not to tell Opie.
Carrie tried to disentangle herself from her but Lyla wasn't letting her out of her grip. She demanded Lyla to let her go but she wouldn't listen as she continued to plead and hang onto her.
Hearing raised voices coming from the kitchen had the conversation in the main room stopping. As they turned towards the kitchen, trying to decipher what was happening.
Opie and Jax looked at each other before making their way to the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Opie questioned as they saw the scene before him.
"Tell him Lyla," Carrie said managing to get out of Lyla's grip.
Lyla, however, didn't say anything as she continued to cry.
"Tell him Lyla. Now, or I will," Carrie demanded.
Lyla's only response was to shake her head as she hugged herself, before she pleaded with Carrie to not say anything.
"Tell me what?" Opie questioned looking between Lyla and Carrie.
"Are you going to tell him?" Carrie questioned.
Lyla didn't answer as she pleaded with her eyes for Carrie not to say anything. But Carrie couldn't find it in herself to feel even remotely sorry for her.
"I told you I wasn't going to lie to him," Carrie warned Lyla giving her one last chance to tell Opie.
When Lyla made no move to say anything, Carrie shook her head and scoffed. Glaring at her, before turning to face her brother.
"I'm sorry Ope that I didn't tell you sooner," Carrie softly said. "But I really thought she was going to tell you and that she wouldn't do something this stupid without talking to you first."
"Carrie…please don't," she heard Lyla say.
Looking over her shoulder Carrie shook her head, "I don't you owe you shit."
"Lyla was pregnant before she got an abortion," Carrie said sadly looking back at her brother. "I only found out about it today but she had told me about the pregnancy before we left for Belfast. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you then Ope."
"Is this true Lyla?" Opie questioned.
"I'm so sorry Ope," Lyla softly said before she started crying again.
Carrie's heart broke for her brother but she didn't want him to live in a lie.
"Why didn't you fucking tell me?" Opie questioned.
"Let's give them some privacy Carrie," Jax said guiding her out the kitchen.
"That's my brother Jax. I need to be there for him," Carrie argued.
"You can be there for him after they hash their shit out," Jax retorted.
He had barely finished saying that when the kitchen door was closed behind them.
"You just love coming in between relationships don't you?" Tara questioned.
"That's my brother. What did you expect me to do? Sit back and let her fuck him over?" Carrie questioned feeling her blood begin to boil.
"Hey, calm down," Jax softly said.
"Besides that's rich coming from you," Carrie said ignoring Jax. "You're the one who fucking took her."
"What?" Jax questioned turning to look at Tara.
"She asked me for a favor," Tara retorted. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Say no. That's what you were supposed to fucking do," Carrie argued. "You should have advised her to talk to Opie first."
"She didn't want to," Tara answered.
"Just like you didn't want to talk to Jax about it first either?" Carrie angrily questioned.
"What?" Jax questioned looking between Carrie and Tara.
"Why don't you tell him Tara," Carrie stated. "Before I tell him. You know I just love coming in between relationships."
"What is she talking about Tara?"
"Nothing Jax. You heard it yourself. She just wants to come in between us," Tara nervously answered.
"Stop lying to him Tara," Carrie stated. "Tell him the fucking truth because I'm so over hearing lies."
"You're just a jealous bitch who would do anything to come in between us," Tara angrily said. "Now that David's dead you want Jax to take responsibility for your bastard. Since you lost his baby."
"You fucking bitch," Carrie said clenched teeth.
Carrie moved forward but Jax stood in her way.
"Both of you need to calm the fuck," he said, standing in between them.
"You know its true Jax," Tara said. "She just wants you to raise her kid as your own. Since she couldn't carry your baby to term."
"I was attacked bitch. I didn't lose my baby on purpose," Carrie angrily stated.
"Well maybe you should have tried to protect yourself harder," Tara said.
"Just like you should have tried to protect Abel from Hayes harder," Carrie angrily retorted. "Kip died because he was doing what you wouldn't. So get off your fucking high horse before I knock you off of it."
"Don't put the blame on me. You weren't there," Tara retorted.
"I didn't need to be there, to know you were a coward to protect that little boy."
Jax looked towards the guys for some help but no one made a move to help him. Clay merely shrugged, while the rest simply raised their hands. Except for Tig, who was watching the scene unfold as if he were a little boy on Christmas.
Jax gently pushed both of them back while telling them to calm down. But neither would listen to him. Looking towards the kitchen, he could hear raised voices coming from in there. So he knew Ope wouldn't be much help either.
"Would both of you just calm the fuck down," Jax angrily said. "This isn't good for either of you."
"She fucking started it," Carrie said. "With all the bullshit that she's pulling. I'm merely going to end it."
"So why don't you tell him the truth Tara before I do or Margaret opens her mouth again," Carrie stated. "Tell him how you didn't get taken from the hospital. Where were you really coming from?"
Carrie smirked as she saw Tara blanch. She knew she had her. There was no way Tara could lie her way out of it not when she had proof. Carrie just hated that Jax would end up getting hurt.
"What is she talking about Tara?" Jax questioned dropping his arms.
"You don't know what you're talking about. You can't prove anything," Tara said, ignoring Jax's question.
"Don't I?" Carrie retorted holding up the manila envelope. "Guess you should have used another name."
Jax was fed up with not getting any answers. So he took the envelope from Carrie, before looking between both of them.
"Don't Jax," Tara said as he went to open it.
"What are you hiding Tara?" Jax questioned.
"Yeah what are you hiding Tara," Carrie sarcastically said.
Tara glared at Carrie before turning towards him, "Whatever's in there isn't true. She most likely faked it."
"Oh yeah because I'm that desperate," Carrie sarcastically retorted. "I'm not you. So I don't need to stoop to low measures."
"Isn't that what you're doing?" Tara angrily questioned.
But Jax wasn't paying attention. As he took the contents out, he felt his heart stop.
"I'm trying to protect him from a lying selfish bitch like you," Carrie angrily stated.
"How could you do this?" Jax asked. "That was my baby too."
"Jax-"
"No. I don't want to hear lies or excuses Tara. Tell me why you did it," Jax said.
"It's not real," Tara protested. "I can prove it."
"Really? By faking an ultrasound with the help of Murphy? Because that'll cost both of your careers," Carrie said.
"Did you fake it?" Jax asked turning to look at her.
"What? No. Why the hell would I fake something like this Jax? Especially when I knew it would only hurt you," Carrie answered, hurt that he would believe she would do such a thing. "Check the date. Have Juice hack into the clinics system. Talk to Margaret Murphy. I don't give a shit but I would never hurt you on purpose. Especially not with something like this."
Jax looked back down at the paper, clenching his jaw.
"So this is where you were coming from," Jax softly stated. "You weren't taken from the hospital. You were on your way home from an abortion clinic."
"Abortion? Really Tara?" Jax questioned raising his voice. "Why?"
"We weren't on good terms Jax," Tara answered.
"So you decided to get an abortion. Did you really think that would solve anything?!"
Even though Carrie wasn't on the receiving end of Jax's wrath. She still couldn't help but cringe every time he raised his voice. She knew that he would never physically lay his hands on Tara but that didn't mean he wouldn't verbally rip her a new one. Especially when it came to his own flesh and blood.
Hearing the voices in the kitchen abruptly cut off, when Jax started screaming, and she didn't have to wait long before Opie stood in the kitchen doorway.
Opie looked at her before crossing his arms and looking at Jax and Tara. Ready to step in if he needed to calm Jax down.
She didn't mean for it to happen this way. She was going to talk to him in private and let him know. Not air it out in the club's main room for everyone to hear. Although she was glad that Gemma wasn't here because she wouldn't have the same reservations of not hitting Tara that Jax did.
"Maybe you should finish this in private," Carrie softly said.
"Now you suggest that after airing it out there in front of everyone," Tara stated as she scoffed.
"Listen, I was going to tell him in private but you couldn't keep your mouth fucking shut," Carrie answered. "And were you even going to tell him or were you going to put the blame on Salazar, and make Jax feel guilty, when he found out that there was no baby. Or were you going to get Margaret to help you out with this?"
"This doesn't fucking concern you. This is between me and him," Tara angrily stated. "Or did you think that by getting me out of the way, he would go to you? Face it Carrie he doesn't love you and he never will. It always will and always has been me."
"You really are a delusional bitch to think that. Aren't you?" Carrie questioned. "People change Tara. What makes you think he's going to continue to love someone who causes him nothing but pain?"
"The only delusional one here is you. In thinking that he could ever love you," Tara answered.
Carrie wasn't angry anymore. All she felt was pity for Tara because she was still holding onto the love the Jax had once felt for her. The same love that she could clearly see wasn't reciprocated anymore.
"I pity you," Carrie softly stated. "I really do because you're so caught up in old feelings that you can't see that he doesn't love you anymore."
"Well you can take that pity and shove it," Tara retorted. "Because I don't fucking need it."
Carrie shook her head exhaling a deep breath, "I'm just gonna go. You two have to resolve this on your own. Me being here isn't going to solve anything because we'll only end up going back and forth," Carrie said motioning between herself and Tara.
"I'll walk you out," Opie said, causing her to look at him.
Carrie knew he wanted to talk to her, so she nodded before grabbing her bag from the bar top.
"First you stir shit up and now you're just going to walk away," Tara said scoffing. "Nice."
"Like you always stir up shit Tara?" Carrie retorted. "You never offered an explanation then. So I don't owe you shit now."
Carrie went to walk away but Jax stopped her.
"You're not the one who has to leave," he said looking at Tara.
"Seriously? You're not even going to let me explain anything?" Tara questioned. "You're just going to go and play family with her."
"What other explanation could I possibly need besides you killing our kid," Jax answered. "I had to find out through my mom you were pregnant and I found out through Carrie you got an abortion. You can't offer me anything that I won't find out through someone else."
"What I choose to do now doesn't concern you anymore," Jax stated. "We were done before we left for Belfast and this was the final nail on that coffin. So get your shit out of my house. I don't care if you go back to Chicago or you stay in Charming but I don't want you anywhere near my family."
Jax turned to Opie, "I'll take Carrie home. You stay and work your shit out with your girl," he said motioning to Lyla who had taken Opie's previous spot in the kitchen doorway.
"Take care of her," Opie said before motioning for Lyla to follow him.
Carrie watched them disappear around the corner leading to the dorms.
"Jax," Tara called out as he moved to leave.
"Make sure she doesn't come back here," Jax said looking at his brothers.
"Sorry for ruining your night guys," Carrie softly apologized.
"Don't worry about it doll," Tig said. "We got a free show out of it."
Carrie rolled her eyes and shook her head. Only Tig would enjoy something like this.
Jax grabbed her hand before guiding her out of the clubhouse. The adrenaline she had running through her veins started to fade as the cool summer air hit her. Causing her to feel some discomfort, as she took a deep breath as her and Jax made their way to her car.
At first she chalked it up to the baby moving around or possibly gas, but when she started to feel some sharps pains as well she knew something was wrong.
"You okay?" Jax worriedly questioned as her saw her hunch over.
Carrie shook her head as she took in a deep breath as another sharp pain hit her.
"Can you make it to the car?"
Once the pain had settled, she let out a shaky breath as she looked up and saw they were only a couple of feet away from the car.
"Yeah," She shakily stated.
Jax nodded before they both picked up their pace. Reaching for the keys before he settled her in the car and quickly made his way to the driver's side.
Hearing her take another sharp intake of breath, had him quickly reversing and pulling out the lot.
Carrie could feel Jax's gaze on her but her anxiety didn't let her tear her gaze from the white hospital ceiling. Remembering the last time she had been in the hospital, because of pains, was when she had suffered a miscarriage. Which she didn't know if she could handle going through again.
Finally looking down, she took in the IV in her left hand which was resting over her baby bump. Her doctor had given her some medication to stop the cramping before running some tests.
There was a knock before her doctor walked in, causing Jax to stop bouncing his knee and sit up straight.
"I'm going to perform a cervix exam while we wait for the results before I do an ultrasound," Doctor Green informed.
Moving the stool to the foot of the bed before washing and gloving her hands.
Carrie released the breath she was holding and turned to look at Jax who had grabbed her right hand.
Squeezing his hand, she gave him a soft smile before she heard the doctor snapping the gloves off.
"There doesn't seem to be any changes in the cervix to signify a miscarriage or preterm labor," She stated writing in the chart. "And I didn't see any ruptured membranes. So I'm guessing it was most likely your body reminding you to take it easy."
Carrie watched as her doctor flipped through her chart.
"Have you been under a lot of stress lately because your blood pressure was a little high when you came in," Doctor Green informed her.
Carrie shared a look with Jax which caused her to quickly look away.
"Somewhat," Carrie softly answered.
She knew Doctor Green was about to lecture her but luckily there was a knock on the door. Causing the doctor to open the door before closing it as she looked through the lab results.
"Everything seems to be fine except for the slightly higher blood pressure," she informed her. "But I'm still going to perform an ultrasound just to make sure."
Carrie nodded and felt Jax squeeze her hand before he kissed her head.
She turned to look as Doctor Green rolled the ultrasound machine to the bed. Before they fell into the normal routine of prepping for an ultrasound.
She watched the screen, unconsciously tightening her grip on Jax's hand, as Doctor Green moved the ultrasound wand around. Before she pressed a button, filling the room with the steady swoosh of her baby's heartbeat.
"Steady and strong heartbeat," The doctor said smiling at Carrie. "Everything seems to be fine but I'm going to advise you to take it easy from now on. No getting yourself into stressful situations."
Doctor Green gave her a pointed look before printing out the ultrasound picture. Handing it to her before she turned the machine off. Rolling it back to its proper place against the wall.
Carrie let out a sigh of relief before turning to Jax and showing him the ultrasound.
"He's fine," she stated smiling with relief.
"Yeah," he softly said handing the ultrasound back before kissing her. "I love you."
"I love you too," Carrie softly replied.
Jax opened the door letting Carrie go in ahead of him. Closing the door behind him as he saw his mother standing by the stove holding Abel.
"I thought you were taking Tara to check on the baby," Gemma said looking between him and Carrie.
Jax motioned for Carrie to sit down at the table as he took Abel from Gemma.
"You might want to sit down for this," Jax stated before taking a seat himself.
"That little bitch," Gemma said after hearing the story from Jax and Carrie.
Gemma hadn't been too thrilled when she learned about the pregnancy but that was still her grandbaby and to hear that Tara had gotten an abortion while they were in Belfast. Only added to the list of why she couldn't stand her in the first place. Which she was willing to overlook since Tara had been carrying her grandkid but now nothing stood in her way to give the doctor aa good ass kicking.
"Don't do anything stupid ma," Jax stated, knowing what she was thinking. "I already told her to pack her shit and not get anywhere near my family."
"Like she's going to listen Jax," Gemma argued.
Looking between her son and Carrie knowing something was going on that they weren't telling her.
"So how's the baby?"
"He's good," Carrie answered.
"That's good," Gemma said not missing her son squeezing Carrie's hand. "So what's going on between you too? And don't say nothing because I can clearly see something going on."
Carrie didn't look up from looking down at Abel while Jax looked at them.
"I love her," Jax simply stated.
Causing Gemma to raise her eyebrow at him before she turned to Carrie. Noticing the way Carrie started blushing but didn't look up.
"Do you love my son?"
Carrie looked up at her before turning to look at Jax, "Yeah I do," she softly said.
Before turning to look at her, "I do love him," Carrie firmly stated.
Gemma looked between them before nodding, "Okay," she said. "What are you planning on doing about it?"
"We're going to be together," Jax stated, silently daring her to say otherwise.
"You do realize she's pregnant with another man's baby right?" Gemma questioned before turning to Carrie. "And he has a son."
"I know. I plan on looking after him as if he were my own," Jax answered. "Carrie already thinks of Abel as hers anyway."
"This true?" Gemma questioned her.
Carrie nodded, "Yeah," she said looking down at Abel and softly smiling at him.
Carrie looked up and locked gazes with Gemma, "I'm not going to hurt either of them Gemma and I'm not going to cast Abel aside once my baby is born. I'll love and treat both of them the same. So you don't have to worry about that," she stated not looking away from Gemma's hard stare.
"You're good with him but it's not my grandson I'm worried about," Gemma said glancing at Jax.
"You don't have to worry about me breaking your son's heart," Carrie answered. "I'm not going to walk away so easily. I haven't dealt with shitty situations to just walk away when it gets tough."
"But I'm not going to sit back and watch or hear about you screwing some croweater," Carrie warned looking at Jax. "As soon as you start to think with your dick, I'm done. I'm not going to tolerate you cheating on me when we have an argument. We have to work it out ourselves. Got it?"
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going to screw some croweater and risk losing you. Not when we've barely come to an understanding," Jax answered.
Carrie was worn out by the time they got back to her apartment. Kicking off her shoes, as she pulled her hair up in a messy bun. She motioned for Jax to make himself comfortable as she walked towards her room.
Grabbing a hair tie to secure the bun, she quickly found and changed into a pair of shorts before walking back out into the living. Finding Jax holding a still awake Abel while he flipped through the channels.
She gently took Abel from him before settling into his side as he chose to leave the TV on a Nicholas Cage movie.
"What movie is it?" she questioned as she handed Abel a small stuffed toy.
"National Treasure," Jax answered before looking down at her.
"What?" Carrie questioned looking up at him.
Jax shook his head, "Nothing. It's just that I could get used to this," he answered.
"Good because you have no choice," she joked causing him to chuckle.
"You know what would make it better though?"
"What?" Carrie questioned catching Abel's toy before it fell to the floor.
"If we got married," Jax stated.
Carrie froze before she looked at him, "You're serious about this aren't you?"
"I'm going to be doing some time. That's a fact," Jax answered. "And I don't want to spend my time in there worrying about you just up and leaving one day."
"I'm not just going to leave while you're in jail Jax. I wouldn't do that to you or Abel," Carrie said glancing down at Abel before looking at Jax once again. "Besides I have my family here. I won't just up and leave."
Jax nodded, "I know but I just want to do this before I go inside," Jax stated turning to face her directly before grabbing her hand. "I promise you once I get out, we'll have a real wedding but just do this for me now. It's probably going to be the only thing that'll keep me sane in there. Knowing I have a wife and kids to come home too."
"You don't think we'll be rushing into this?"
"I love you and I'm sure you're the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with," Jax answered. "I'm not going to change my mind about that. So I don't see what the point of waiting is."
"If we do this… we won't end up like you and Wendy?" Carrie questioned. "Because I don't want us to end in divorce or with us hating each other."
"That's not going to happen to us," Jax firmly stated. "You're not some junkie and any problems we come across we'll face them together."
"Your mind's completely made up on this, isn't it?"
"Yeah. So it all falls down on you babe," Jax answered. "So what do you say about making us legally a family."
So there you have it. What did you think? What are your predictions on Carrie's answer? Do you think she's going to accept or put it off until Jax gets out of jail?
