Chapter 10

The lockdown lasted another three days and I spent all those nights in Opie's arms. After that it was far too hard being home, I was lonely. I missed sleeping with a warm body next to mine. Actually, I really just missed having Opie next to me. I missed waking up next to him and smelling him on me throughout the day. I had to find a different way to focus my energy and thoughts, so I dove into my art and finally finished the kids' paintings of Donna.

It was about a week after the lock down ended when Opie invited me over to his place to have dinner with him and the kids. The morning I was heading over there I packed up the finished paintings, both of which I had wrapped in homemade wrapping paper I had decorated. I felt strange about giving the kids the paintings around Opie. I hated the idea of my art bringing up painful memories or making Ope feel some sort of regret when it came to me and our new relationship. I considered waiting but thought he might think I was trying to hide my gifts from him, so there was no time like the present.

By the time I reached Opie's house, my nerves were getting the best of me. I hadn't felt like that in ages; honestly, I couldn't remember the last time I had felt like I did. My stomach twisted in knots. I sat in my car with my eyes closed and breathing deeply for a few minutes before I was able to collect myself and I finally felt more of a resemblance of myself. I made my way to the door and as I was about the grab the knob the door swung open.

"It's about time you came in." Kenny shook his head at me.

I raised a questioning eyebrow at him, "Really? Were you spying on me?"

His laughter filled the air. "Yes. You know what?" Kenny leaned close to me and lowered his voice. "Dad is cooking for you. I don't think he knows what he is doing. You should hear the language coming out of his mouth." A grin crossed his face. That grin reminded me so much of his dad.

"How about I go in there and check in on him?" I put my bag down by the door and made my way into the kitchen.

Opie had his back to me, he was stirring something on the stove. I leaned against the wall and watched him; he looked so out of place in the kitchen. I giggled at his appearance. It wasn't until he turned around, I noticed he was wearing a Kiss the Cook apron that was spattered with some sort of red sauce. I wanted nothing more than to obey that damn apron. It had been far too long since I had felt Opie's mouth on mine. I yearned for it.

I shook my head and wiped the side of my nose with my thumb like I was some tough guy. "What's this? I come here after I work hard all day and I find that my supper is not even on the table. You're probably burning it too." I smirked.

Ope laughed and then answered me in a sugary sweet voice, "But sweetheart, I had to clean the house and take care of the children."

He closed the space between us and embraced me. I tensed worrying that the kids might walk in on us. "Don't worry they have strict orders to stay out of the kitchen." Opie murmured as his lips moved towards mine.

I met his lips, oh, how I missed the feeling of them. I had even missed the tickle of his facial hair against my face. We parted and I felt cheated, I wanted more. I was greedy.

"Ope, I think that you are in fact, burning the food." I glanced around him at the food which was sputter redness all over the stove and had started to smoke.

"Shit!" Opie muttered as he quickly turned to the sauce. He threw the smoking pan into the sink and turned on the water. "How do you feel about pizza?" He asked with a frown.

I laughed. "Sounds great."

Opie nodded and pulled off his apron before making the call for pizza.

The pizza was delicious, but I hardly had an appetite. I forced myself to eat two pieces before I tapped out. There was too much riding on the night; between the paintings I had in my bag and Opie telling the kids about us.

"Hey guys, why don't you clear the table. I have something I want to tell you." Opie glanced at the kids and then at me. He smiled, it was content and easy. It eased my frayed nerves. I hoped they weren't showing because I felt like they were.

A moan of protest came from both kids. Before I thought about it, I blurted out. "If you guys hurry up, I have gifts for you too." At the promise of gifts, they jumped up and started cleaning off the table.

FUCK! I thought to myself as I rose from the table to go get the wrapped canvases.

"You didn't need to get them anything." Opie said quietly as I sat back down at the table. His hazel eyes searched my own.

"I didn't. I made them something." I barely whispered, hoping my gifts wouldn't drudge up too many sad memories.

Opie didn't take his eyes from me, even when the kids raced back into the room. "Okay the table is all cleared!" Ellie grinned with excitement.

Ope finally turned to look at his children. "I am sure that I already know the answer to this, but what do you want first, my news or gifts?"

We both knew what they were going to choose so it was no surprise when they both yelled "Gifts" in unison.

I took a deep breath and handed the paintings to the kids. I didn't watch them open them or their reactions. I watched Opie; his face hid his reaction, but his eyes didn't do as nearly a good job hiding how he was feeling. They filled with sadness. Before he could look in my direction, I was assaulted by hugs from Kenny and Ellie.

"Thank you so much Nora! I love it." Ellie smiled broadly at me. I hadn't seen her smile like that since being home, it eased my heart a bit.

"You're welcome, Ells." I hugged her against me again and stole a quick glance at Opie who gave me a small smile and mouthed thank you. I nodded in response, still not feeling easy with how he looked like he was feeling.

Kenny came around for another hug and to thank me. "This is my favorite picture of my mom. Thank you, Nora."

"You're very welcome, buddy." I kissed the top of his head and released him.

Opie gave his kids a sad smile. "Guys why don't you go find a spot for them in your rooms."

It was like he didn't want to be in the same room with my paintings. I knew it was a reminder of Donna and it hurt him. That the wound was still some what fresh for Opie, so I couldn't fault him.

The kids ran off towards their rooms with their paintings and chatted happily. Silence hung heavy between Opie and me; it was the first in my life I felt awkward around him. I turned my body, so I was facing him, but he was gazing out the patio window. He was lost in a memory or thought. Either way, I quietly stood, wanting to give him some space but I caught Opie's eyes gazing up at me. Those hazel orbs were filled with such gut retching sadness, that I felt my throat knot, I was on the verge of tears. I didn't know what to say, I just felt everything he was feeling all the pain and despair.

Finally, words came to me, "I'm sorry." Say something else you, idiot. "I am going to go check on Kenny and Ellie."

Opie just nodded in response. After seeing his reaction to my paintings, it made me wonder if we were too hasty in our relationship. Sure, we hadn't defined things, but Opie couldn't even see pictures of Donna without looking like it just happened. It made my heart hurt. I tried to push it away as I walked into Ellie's room where she was standing and looking at her walls.

"Hey, how is it going?" I feigned happiness.

"I don't know where to hang it." Ellie frowned. "I want to see it all the time."

I smiled, "Well if you hang it above your desk you will always see it." I pulled the picture that hung above her desk down and took the canvas from her. "What do you think of that?" I asked as we looked at the painting of Ellie and Donna, both smiling happily at us.

"It's perfect." Ellie beamed up at me.

"Good. I am glad you like it." I looked down at her.

"NORA!" Kenny must have heard me. I made my way out to his room and he was standing on his bed looking at his picture face to face.

"Ah, I see you have already found a place for your painting. I like it, bud." I said with a bit more happiness than I felt.

I sucked, I really wanted this moment to be all about the kids and not how crappy I felt and how shitty I made their dad feel. I wanted nothing more than to run away and stick my head in a hole.

"Nora…are you going to stay and watch a movie with us?" Kenny bounced on his bed.

I sighed. "I don't know buddy. I…"

"Of course, she is." Opie's voice startled me. "I already set up the movie, why don't you go get your sister and start making some popcorn for everyone."

Kenny jumped off the bed and ran past me. I didn't turn around and look at Opie even when I felt him right behind me. I stared at a spot on the floor. What the hell did Kenny spill on his floor, it was bubble gum pink.

"Nor?" Opie's voice was quiet. I stayed cemented in the same position. I knew if I looked at Ope, I would cry. "Nora, please look at me." He pleaded.

I turned slowly and willed myself to look up at Opie, but I couldn't stop the tears that were burning in my eyes. I tried to swallow the knot that was building.

"I'm sorry Opie. I should have told you." I sputtered.

Opie took me into his arms and embraced me. "Nor, it's okay. I don't know what I was expecting. Sometimes it's just hard to see her. It's just that I couldn't protect her or even to have been able to say goodbye. I feel like it is all my fault."

How could he think that he caused Donna's death? If anyone was at fault it was the club. For that I was sure. "Opie, you did everything you could to protect her. Nothing you did was the cause of her death. If what we started is too soon please just let me know. We can take a step back and just give it time." I stepped back giving each of us a bit of space. I wiped the tears from my face with the sleeve of my shirt.

"What if I can't protect you?" He mumbled quietly.

I snorted. "Ope, you don't need to protect me." Liar! Shut up inner monologue, I don't need to remember Sarah anymore, Juice saw to that. "I just need you…"

"Where are you guys?!" Kenny's voice yelled and he appeared in the doorway. "What are you two doing?" He eyed us suspiciously.

"We were just talking buddy." Opie said without turning around, his eyes locked with mine. "We will be out in a minute. You better go claim your spot on the couch, before I do."

Kenny ran down the hallway yelling about where he was sitting on the couch. That spot ended up changing because he wanted to sit next to me. So, I was squashed between the kids on the couch both of who fell asleep during the movie. There were a few points throughout the movie I glanced over at Opie and he was staring at me and the kids. It killed me that I couldn't read his expression, it was too dark in the room. When the movie finally ended, Opie moved closer to us and picked up Ellie and carried her sleeping body back to her room. I grabbed Kenny and brought him to his room and tucked him in.

I started back towards the living room, it was probably time for me to go. I noticed the light was on in Opie's room. I glanced as I passed, he had taken off his shirt and looked like he was in the process of changing.

I stopped in the doorway, "I think I am going to head home." I said quietly to Opie.

"What?" He stopped what he was doing and stared at me.

"I don't have to go." Something inside me stirred as I walked into Opie;s bedroom.

Children's voices invaded my mind, but not just any children, Ellie and Kenny.

"Dad?! Did you know that Nora is asleep in your bed?" Kenny yelled, he sounded further away.

I stretched out in the bed; the last thing I remembered from the previous night was being snuggled with Opie and talking. We had just cuddled and talked. It was nice, we hadn't really had a chance to or choose to do since Opie had talked to a man about a mermaid. I climbed out of bed, not wanting to overstay my visit, since Opie hadn't told the kids about us yet.

I made my way down the hallway and Opie's voice made me stop where I was. I just listened to him, I had missed part of what he said.

"I want you both to know how much your mom loved you both. She would be so proud of the people you are growing into. I know you two miss her and wish she was here. I hope you both know how much I loved your mom, even when I wasn't here with you guys. I thought of her and both of you every moment I was away." I immediately felt inadequate. I started to step back towards the room, but Opie's words pulled me back in. "This has been a very sad time for all of us because there has been a giant void in our lives without your mom. I feel like Nora has helped fill that void."

"We love Nora." Ellie said quietly.

"I don't know if you two know it, but she has helped me too. I wanted to know what you thought about me seeing Nora. I want you to know that she will never replace your mom and she will help you keep the memory of her alive." Opie was tentative.

Both the kids yelled "YES!" in unison.

I took that as my cue to walk through the entryway in the kitchen. Kenny and Ellie were both sitting on the kitchen counter with their backs to me. Opie had them both in an embrace when his eyes met mine.

Thank you. I mouthed to him. He responded with a wink.

Shit, I got the approval of the kids and he got it from my dad; there was nothing standing in our way.

"So, tell me again what you are going to be doing." Gemma stared at me in disbelief.

"Going camping." I shrugged like it was something I did every day. When in reality I did not know the first thing about camping. "The kids have been asking to go, so we are going. I tried to suggest backyard camping, but that was a big fat no from them."

Gemma shook her head, "Does Ope know that you, don't know how to camp?"

She had found out about Opie and me, when she walked in on us kissing in the office of Teller-Morrow. We hadn't made our relationship very public, but we also didn't go out of our way to hide it from the club. We were still trying to figure out how we fit together as a couple; didn't need to involve the whole club in that relationship as well. Once Gemma found out I was sure we made the right decision of not telling the club yet. She wanted to know everything about how things were going. Hence our conversation about what we were doing over the weekend.

"No, but I think we are actually just staying at Piney's cabin." I was glad that Opie had suggested that, so we still had modern amenities still. I don't think I could go a weekend without running water.

Gemma laughed, "Well that's good sweetheart. Close enough but far enough away and there is still privacy for you."

I was about to say something to her, but they guys filed out of the chapel. There was something happy about how they were talking. Most of them were laughing and boisterously talking. Opie had asked me to swing by his house and pick up the kids. He had everything that we needed packed in his car and we were going to head out after Church.

"Princess." My dad kissed my head as he walked by on his way to the bar.

I stood and followed him, if only to get away from Gemma. I needed a break from her prying. "How's it going Daddy?"

He chuckled, "Now do you really want to know that, or do you need a break from Gemma?" He had lowered his voice so she would not hear him.

I couldn't help but laugh at my dad's intuition. "I suppose a little bit of both. I mean I do want to know how you are doing. I feel like we still haven't been able to spend much time together since I got home."

I knew he was thinking and whose fault is that? "I know. I get that your priorities have changed from spending time with your old man to spending time with your new man." He smiled and hugged me to him. "We will find time, I have no doubt about that."

A hand touched the small of my back and I turned to see who it was knowing that only one person would touch that intimately. "Hey, you ready to go?" Opie smirked down at me. "Where are the kids?"

I smiled up at him. "Yes, and they are outside, I couldn't get the to come in, I think they are super excited about going camping."

"How did he rope you in to camping sweetheart?" Tig's asked as he came up to the bar. "Needs to bring the nanny with him. Damn it, I wish I had a nanny when my girls were little. Hope he is paying you well." There was a twinkle of mischief in Tig's icy eyes.

I glanced up at Opie, who shrugged with an amused look on his face. I giggled at Tig. "What's wrong Tiggy? Are you jealous?" For some reason Tig had thought that I was Ope's nanny, so we let him believe that. Little did he know how far from the truth he was.

Tig nodded in admission, "Actually…yes. You want to nanny for me?"

If I had been drinking anything, I would have spit it all over him. I was not expecting that response. "Your girls are too old and if you are thinking for yourself, well I don't change diapers. Plus, Opie pays me too well to leave." Opie and my dad both laughed hardily at my retort.

Tig threw his hand over his heart. "Ouch Nori, just ouch."

I laughed. "I am sure that you will find someone to fulfill your fantasy over the weekend." I winked at him as Opie and I took our leave. "Bye Daddy."

"Be safe Nora." He smiled and gave Opie a nod and a look as if today keep my kid safe or else.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Tig yelled after us. Opie and I both laughed heartily.

The drive to the cabin was peaceful, the kids happy chatter died off about half way up, when they both fell asleep. Opie took my hand into his while he drove us through the winding roads up into the mountains. It had been ages since I had been to Piney's cabin; my dad had brought Tiki and me up to the cabin when we were younger. It brought back memories; mostly happy memories. Now it was time to make more good memories with Opie and the kids.

"You look content." Ope glanced at me and gave my hand a squeeze.

I smiled at him. "I am. Thank you for making this trip happen. I have to admit something."

"And what is that?" He had a bit of humor in his voice as if he knew what I was about to say.

"I do not know the first thing about camping, so I am glad that we are going to the cabin." I admitted.

Opie's laughter filled the car. "Oh Nora. So, there wasn't much camping in New York City?"

I laughed, "No. Honestly the last time I was camping was at the cabin with my dad and Tiki. I think I had to have been 15 or so. I hated every minute of it. I wanted to go to some party a friend was throwing." I paused for a moment before continuing. "Now I am glad I have that weekend with my dad and Tiki. I will never get moments like that with them again. I'm so happy I have those memories and to make new ones at the cabin." I smiled thinking about it.

A sad smile crossed Opie's face. "The last time the kids were at the cabin was before I was right before I ended up in jail. We came up and spent the weekend with my old man. And you're totally right Nor, I am glad we get to make new memories and give the kids good ones to remember."

The remainder of the drive we chatted about what we were going to do up at the cabin. The kids were set on sleeping in a tent, me not so much. I was not an on the ground sleeper. Don't get me wrong I liked sleeping outside and under the stars but just not on the ground. Opie told me he had something else for us, but it was a surprise. I loved surprises, well good ones.

"Nora, Kenny and I have to run to the store." Opie walked into the house, where I was getting settled in and putting away our groceries. "I had the audacity to forget the stuff for s'mores." He smirked.

I laughed, "How dare you!" I feigned shock.

"Do you need anything or think of anything we could use now that you see what I packed?" Ope questioned.

I shook my head, "Not that I can tell."

He kissed the top of my head. "Alright well stay out of trouble while the men are gone."

"I am nothing but trouble." I grinned.

"Oh, don't I know." Opie's smiled as he left me.

"To many happy memories." Opie tapped his beer bottle against mine, before taking a drink out of it.

The kids had tuckered out earlier than I thought they would, but I suppose the excitement and the fresh air wore them out. It left Opie and me alone by the fire, I snuggled up next to him and watched the fire slowly flicker. That moment was what life was meant to be, sitting and enjoying the small moments in life. It was such a peaceful moment.

"So where exactly will we be sleeping tonight?" I questioned as I looked up at Ope.

Opie stood and put out the fire. "Come with me." He held out his hand for me.

I took his hand and followed him to the back of the cabin. There were bistro lights hung across the yard, adding enough light for me to see a mattress had been set out under the trees. On the picnic table next to me, there was a single red rose in a beer bottle. I stood in awe of his thoughtfulness.

"Say something, Nor." Opie's voice was quiet in my ear.

That man yet again, left me at a loss for words, a hard task to do or so I have been told. Instead I let my actions speak the words I could not find for me.

A/N: Thank you to all my dedicated readers, new and old! This was one of my favorite chapters to write mainly because of the moment with Tig. Ang, again thank you for all your support as I write this story, you have been a HUGE help and I don't know what I would do without your beautiful mind or friendship! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. Some shit is going to be come down the line here in the next few chapter. :/ Until the next time.