Driving her to replace her phone made him second guess his demolition tantrum. More so when the cashier rang up the new iPhone and Julie stood there with her eyebrow arched and lips pursed, waiting for him to take out his wallet. She absolutely wasn't kidding- seven hundred dollars. As they strolled out, she had the new device in her hands, snapping on the new case that she made him pay for as well. "Wait a minute" she called out, standing still on the sidewalk as she kept her focus on the screen. Happy sighed and rolled his eyes looking down at what she was doing. "Pretty sure my cousin thinks I'm dead." she sassed. "So you gotta wait for my contacts to download so I can text her, before we head outta here."
Happy chuckled "doubt that. She would've called me."
"Not unless she's planning on where she's gonna hide your body."
"You sure you two aren't sisters?"
Julie nodded as she texted Kristina "Yup. Just so happens that our moms are sisters and dads are brothers. So we've got fifty percent of the same genes instead of twenty five."
"Each got the crazy half" he mumbled as she put her phone into her bag before continuing to walk towards his bike.
"Oh it's not that bad."She chuckled and rolled her eyes, taking the helmet from his hands "So you really gonna come to New York with me to pack up my shit?"
Happy threw his leg over his bike and sighed "I said I would, didn't I?"
"I just wanna make sure that's the understanding." she nodded, climbing on behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I don't wanna hear any complainin' though. We're gonna drive, and keep drivin'. We get to New York, pack your shit and we're out. No hangin' around for a week."
She rolled her eyes, adjusting her feet on the foot pegs "Yeah. I know."
When they arrived back at his house around eight-thirty, she hung the helmet on the handlebars and pulled her phone from her bag- fourteen missed texts and three voicemails "Jesus Christ" she sighed, putting the phone to her ear as Happy unlocked the door. She followed him inside and heard her phone connect on the other end, Kristina not happy about the almost three hour silence from her cousin. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, kicking off her flats against the coffee table and falling down on the couch. She could hear Happy talking in the kitchen- obviously on the phone but her attention was focused on the screaming woman on the other end. "No. I'm gonna check out flights in a bit, probably head out either tomorrow or if I'm lucky late tonight and then drive back." Happy retreated from the kitchen, tossed his phone onto the coffee table and handed her a beer before sitting down next to her. He could hear the shouting from the other end and saw Julie struggle to twist the top off of the bottle, trying to keep herself from screaming "Well someone thought it was a good idea to smash my fucking phone with a hammer. I won't name any names though." she cut her eyes at him and held the bottle out for him to open it. He growled softly, twisting off the top and handing it back to her "Yeah, he's gonna come…. Not sure, Kris. Well it's like trying to drag a body from the morgue then trying to resuscitate it while running a marathon." Happy shoved her shoulder, making her instinctively ball up her fist and take a jab at his ribs "Baby steps. We'll see." she chuckled, trying to fight off his left hand "I'll let you know when the flight is. Alrighty, bye" she sighed, punching him one more time before ending the call. "You gotta call Jax"
"Already spoke to him. Gotta make it quick. If we're gonna go, we gotta go and get back here."
"Prez can't lose you for more than a few days?" she teased
"Shit's gotta get done."
"What kinda shit? The Wednesday run can be handled by everyone- they don't need you for it."
"Ain't just that."
"What is it then?"
Happy looked over at the clock on the wall "Better check flights. If we can head out tonight, then we should go."
Julie stood up and walked over towards her computer bag. Being shut out was nothing new for her, she was around it her entire life. She knew when she could press for information, and when she couldn't. She was learning more and more each day Happy's triggers and what she could get away with. Her father was worse though, he never let on anything and she worked for him, had to know where the money was coming from so she could process it properly and he still wouldn't tell her. Only difference is she at least had something to hold over Happys' head, so she could push him further. Sitting back down on the couch, she crossed her legs at her ankles up on the coffee table and opened her laptop. "You gonna answer my question?"
"You gonna look for flights?" he asked
She rolled her eyes and continued clicking "You gonna keep answering my questions with questions?"
"You always gotta be such a nosy bitch?"
"Always. You always gotta be such an asshole and not answer me?"
"Better get used to it."
This was absolutely a losing battle. "Tomorrow at six, we'll land in The City around three their time. I can call my brother and have him bring boxes over to my place and at least start packing up whatever shit he isn't gonna need. Or there's a flight at eleven-thirty. We'd land around eight or so their time. "
"A'ight" he nodded
Julie chuckled "A'ight isn't an answer. Which one?"
"Might as well go tonight. Better sleep on the plane, we're headin' back here tomorrow as soon as you're done packin'"
She nodded quietly and clicked a few more times before closing her computer "We better get goin'. I'm surprised you don't wanna stay there for a while and let my mom feed you."
The corner of his mouth curled up and he brought the beer to his lips "I can take that shit to go"
"You would never say that to her. How come she gets the manners outta you but I get called a bitch?"
"My mom raised me to be respectful"
Julie snorted and stood up, stretching her hands over her head "Right. You gonna pack a bag or something?"
"It'll take me less than a minute. Why don't you unpack some of that shit so it's less you gotta pack in your car." he directed, pointing at her large suitcase.
She hated how much forethought he had. "I guess. How we getting to the airport?"
Happy rolled his eyes and stood up with a sigh "What's with all the damn questions? Just get yourself ready to go."
"God you suck" she groaned, walking towards her suitcase. Happy took that as the opportune moment to reach forward and slap her ass making her gasp and jump. "Asshole!"
"You're gonna be stuck with me in a car for three straight days, get over it." he gruffly replied, heading down the hallway.
"He wasn't fucking kidding" she growled to herself, somewhere along a long stretch of road in Indiana after one am east coast time, Sunday morning. After landing in New York Saturday around eight-thirty, Vinny had picked them up from the airport in Julie's Volkswagen and made their way to her apartment in Brooklyn. The moment they stepped through the door, Happy immediately grabbed boxes and started packing. He had managed to pack up everything she was taking with her in less than two hours- which wasn't much: just her clothes, movies, shoes and accessories. Everything else was being left for Paulie who'd be moving in within the week. He expected her to be ready to leave as soon as they were done packing- although he said it the previous day, she didn't really think that's what he was expecting. Vinny drove them back to her parents' house around noon and they were met by hugs and kisses, and dinner already cooking. By two, Happy was already getting impatient, signaling they had to get on the road. After several hard glances from him, she gave in around three and they said their goodbyes. He insisted on driving from the start, but she wouldn't have it. Once they crossed the bridge into Jersey sometime before four pm, he had enough of her driving- while she was a good driver, he couldn't let go of the male pride that he had so much of and made her switch. And they remained that way ever since. Driving straight through and only stopping for gas, she begged him to stop for the night as soon as they exited Pennsylvania and entered Ohio, but he kept insisting he was fine. He agreed they'd stop once they reached Illinois and sleep for a few hours before heading off again. She fiddled with the radio constantly, trying to keep herself awake- another thing she regretted that her parents instilled in her. She was taught that when someone is driving, especially for long distances, you stay awake since they have to.
"Jules" he grumbled, rubbing his eyes "Leave it"
She reached over and grabbed her cigarettes, as well as his and lit it for him, handing it over. "Hap" she sighed "Please, let's stop. You've been driving for like, ten hours."
He glanced over at her and exhaled smoke through his nostrils "I'm fine"
"Will you at least let me drive?"
Happy chuckled and shook his head "No"
"Such a boy." she smiled "You're more of a use to me in one piece. You fall asleep at the wheel, and it's gonna take us a hell of a lot longer to get back than if we just stop for a few hours."
He silently smoked his cigarette and continued driving, taping his right thumb on the steering wheel to the song on the radio "A'ight. Next place we see. But then we're out first thing."
"But somewhere that doesn't look like a place Norman Bates lives, please."
"I really don't think you got anything to worry about."
"You serious? This is how horror movies start. Where are we anyway?"
"Hammond, Indiana"
"See? Cute twenty-nine year old from New York City butchered to death at motel in Hammond, Indiana. That'll be tomorrow's headline."
"Sure as shit will if ya don't stop complainin'." he growled, pulling off the next exit and making his way to the closest motel. "Is this up to standards, princess?"
Julie rolled her eyes and chuckled, climbing out of the car and groaning as she stretched. She could hear Happy cracking his neck and back as he leaned against the car door. "I'll go in, I'll be right back"
He shook his head in protest, tossing his duffle bag over his shoulder "I got it" he closed the door and walked towards the main entrance. She leaned her back up against the door, texting Kristina to let her know where she was. While it was technically still twelve thirty in Indiana, it was only ten-thirty in California and she knew Kris would still be awake. Happy whistled to catch her attention as he stood outside the main office door "C'mon girl."
She snickered and grabbed her suitcase from her feet walking towards him, shivering at the cold January air "What am I, a dog?"
"I'd never get a female dog. They're too whiny. One bitch is enough." he said grabbing her suitcase from her hand
She raised an eyebrow and smiled as they walked up the steps "So then you plan on keeping me around?"
"Few out to New York with your ass and driving you all the way back to California, aren't I?" he replied opening the door and tossing the bags off to the side. "Fuck it's cold as shit!"
"Negative six with windchill" she said knowingly, turning up the heat in the room "Ain't used to this are ya? Maybe you'll stop calling me crazy when I'm in sandals back in Cali and it's only fifty degrees."
"Jesus fucking Christ." he growled, rubbing his hands together. "Shoulda kept driving"
She rolled her eyes and unzipped her bag, pulling out pajamas, her soap and shampoo "Oh relax." she drawled "Are you gonna at least let me drive my own car tomorrow?"
"Not a chance. We leave early, we can be halfway through Wyoming by ten. Leave early Monday morning and we'll make it back to Charming by six or so."
"New York City to Charming in a little over forty eight hours. You realize when Kris and Jess took this trip they drove for nine days."
Happy kicked off his boots and sat on the bed, grabbing the remote from the nightstand as she searched for towels "I dunno what the fuck they were doing then. Ain't such a bad drive."
"They sure as shit weren't driving for thirteen plus hours straight. They took their time. And didn't stay in places that looked like something out of a horror movie."
"Well we're gettin' back to Cali. Got shit to do."
"Like?"
"Shit to deal with"
She nodded and headed off into the bathroom, turning on the shower. Julie didn't like not knowing. She was not privy to the 'full disclosure' rule just yet and while Kris would fill her in on a need to know basis, she also didn't like going behind Happy's back for information. While he refused to go to San Francisco with her a mere thirty or so hours ago, her threat of picking up and not coming back made him bend and fly out to New York just to drive her all the way back so she could have her car. That said something, even if he wouldn't actually say what she wanted to hear directly. When she stepped out of the bathroom, she was towel drying her hair as she plopped down on the bed next to Happy. He was sitting up against the headboard watching TV "Phone won't stop beepin'" he whined.
Julie chuckled and reached over to the nightstand and tossed her towel over to the chair "Nineteen messages. Jesus Christ Kristina" she sighed, reading her texts. Happy just shook his head, keeping his attention ahead. "What?" she smiled
"Nothin'. Jax has got more patience than I do. Shit."
"Oh please." she snickered "Kris has said it herself that she's closest to you out of all of 'em."
"No doubt, she's probably one of my best friends. But Jax likes to tame that shit, he revels in it."
"And you don't?"
"Hell no. Don't go toeing that line now. You were flirting with it yesterday."
She put her phone back down on the table and turned off the lamp before crawling under the covers. Resting her head on the pillow she smiled up at him "I was not"
He narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head "A'ight. You threw a wrench."
"You're still on that? Technically, that was on Friday."
"Still Saturday back home."
"You're never going to let me correct you with anything, are you?"
"Not even by a long shot."
She took a deep breath, sighing in defeat "Have I not cooked for you practically every night since I've been back?"
"Don't ask ya to."
"You're a man of so many words, I'm having such a hard time keeping up" she said smiled, reaching back for her phone that was continuing to beep
"Smartass" he chuckled "Better turn that shit off or else it's goin' in the car."
Julie snorted and showed him her phone "I asked her if they heard anything about the arraignment. He got fined and probation. Jesus Christ."
"Shoulda made him serve the year."
"But he's only fifteen. Not that I'm defending it, I'm just surprised."
"Don't matter. They won't play with shit like that."
She nodded and put her phone on silent, laying it back down on the nightstand "Alright, what time are we leaving?"
"Seven"
She sighed in frustration "Nine"
"Eight."
It's one thing to spend all day with someone at home, it's quite another to be stuck in a car and see nothing but corn fields for nine hours straight. Julie was certain that they'd end up killing each other before they even reached Wyoming, and trips like this usually either make or break a relationship. But they ended up playing the license plate game, betting money and she ended up learning a lot about his past through his stories. He let her in on some intel from the club, how after they set up the Mayans, there was sure to be a painful blowback that they had to be ready for, which is why he wanted to get back as fast as possible. Working from wherever she could take her computer helped him feel more relaxed since he would know where she was and could make sure she was protected. But the one thing he wouldn't let her in on were his feelings towards her- sure she knew he cared about her, he wouldn't have taken this trip otherwise. But Julie was like Kris in that they both couldn't just play things out without knowing exactly what was going on. They were a little more than halfway through Nebraska, nothing but farms and eerie silence around five pm. They had stopped for gas and cigarettes when she laid back in the passenger seat with her feet up on the dashboard as he got back into the car. They had about five more hours of driving ahead of them before they'd be at their destination- halfway through Wyoming, where they'd spend the night and finish off their drive on Monday to get back to Charming. She sat quietly as he started up the engine again, lit a cigarette and stretched his neck.
"Hap, please let me drive" she begged, rubbing his shoulder. "Please."
He shook his head in protest "I'm fine"
"Just for a little while. You don't gotta be all macho man right now, driving long distances is taxing. Let me help. Or else I'll ask you repeatedly until you pull over." He sat quietly, continuing to smoke his cigarette "Let-me-drive-let-me-drive-let-me-drive. It's gonna sound like that." Still, no response. She fiddled with her satellite radio and turned it up "And I'm gonna put on nineties dance music. You wanna listen to this shit for the next five hours?" And with that, Happy flung open the drivers side door, and hopped out, earning a squeal from her as she climbed over the center console and slid the seat up, adjusting the steering wheel. "See" she smiled as he got into the passenger seat "Ain't so bad."
He immediately changed the radio station back to the classic rock channel and continued to pull on his cigarette "One fuck up…"
She put her car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot "Hap. I've been driving for over a decade in New York City. I think I can manage a straight fucking road."
"Ever crash?"
Julie licked her lips as she reached for her cigarettes "Maybe" she said coyly
"When?"
"When I was sixteen, and then again at seventeen. And then when I was twenty four."
"Jesus Christ. What happened?"
"When I was sixteen I still had my permit. My mom was in the passenger seat and she started shouting at me to turn, I hopped the curb and hit a telephone pole, not hard though- she lost her shit. My dad was pissed- it was his car. Then when I was seventeen, they got me a piece of shit car that was probably twelve or thirteen years old- side swiped a car my first day of senior year. Then when I was twenty-four, I was coming off the exit by my parents house, it was pouring rain and like the girl that I am, I never got the brake pads looked at, they were worn to shit and when I slammed on the brakes, I rear ended a car."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head "Wonderful. Any tickets?"
She laughed loudly and shrugged "Possibly. For speeding"
"Speeding?" He smiled in surprise, raising his eyebrow
"Oh yeah. First one I was eighteen, upstate with Kris driving to Canada for her ninetieth birthday- cause drinking age there is nineteen. She had gotten a speeding ticket on the same road two days later coming back. I was goin' ninety-three in a workzone, so the limit was forty-five. And she got the same ticket about an hour later which was hilarious. Then a few years later when I was twenty-two, right outside of the City, ninety-six in a fifty-five. My mother…." she scoffed "She. Beat. My. Ass."
Happy nodded and chuckled "When you were eighteen?"
"Both. Cause they sent a letter to my parents house with my court appearance- both times. I came home from class, that woman fuckin' whipped me to next week. Twenty-three years old and on the floor like a kid in the fetal position as she slapped the shit out of me with a wooden spoon."
"So that's why you like it rough"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes "Dick"
"Just callin' it like I see it"
"Uh huh. So I gotta switch my address over for my insurance and shit, should I use yours, or Kris'?"
Happy pressed his lips together and looked at her through the corner of his eye "Nice transition. You got the attention span of a gnat."
She smiled wide and shrugged innocently "Thank you."
"You gonna keep doin' that?"
"You gonna keep answering my questions with questions?"
Happy rubbed the back of his neck "Do what you wanna do."
"Oh my God" she groaned "Hap, you ain't on trial here. I just wanna know, it's my life we're talkin' about. I'm not asking you to put a ring on my finger right now or express your deepest feelings. If you know now that what we've got goin' on is the extent of what we're gonna do, that's okay, I just wanna know. That's fair, right?"
"What do you want?"
Her jaw nearly hit her lap. She couldn't start a fight, they were locked in a car together. So she had to keep her inner rage in check. "What do I want? I wanna be with someone that cares about me and that I trust. I eventually want a kid or two. That's it. I don't need no white picket fence life- never did. That's not how I was raised. Never believed in traditional ways, always believed that people are gonna do what makes sense for them at the time." His response was simply a nod and nothing more. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Are you trying to give me a stroke? Happy, I trust you. I trust you to protect me and to do what's right by me- I don't do that easily. Sure Kris is out in California, but I really hope that you know I wouldn't be coming out here if it wasn't for you. I want to be with you and just you. You're the reason why I'm staying."
"A'ight" he replied, as if she just told him she was stopping for coffee.
She scoffed softly and shook her head. Keeping her eyes locked on the road, she rested her left elbow up against the door and leaned her head on her hand. "Forget it"
"What?"
"I said forget it" she growled, turning up the radio. They sat quietly for what felt like forever. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, and she didn't even say exactly how she felt. After what was only about an hour of silence, Happy lit himself another cigarette and cracked the window.
He glanced over at her and saw her swallow hard, her eyes seconds from releasing a fury of tears. He sighed, exhaling smoke out the window and brought his left pointer finger up to her cheek, "You gonna stay silent forever?"
She swallowed hard again, telling herself that crying would get her nowhere. If he couldn't even give her a straight answer about their situation, he most definitely couldn't handle her sobbing. "You hungry? We can stop for food if ya want. Unless you wanna just wait till we get to where we're stopping for the night."
"Whatever ya wanna do." he said softly
"Please make this decision" she begged
Happy shrugged "Gonna get sleepy if ya eat. Better off drivin' straight through."
Julie nodded "Alright."
Happy had fallen asleep only a few minutes after she agreed to drive straight through without stopping. Once she knew he was sleeping, she let her silent tears fall. Julie didn't know what to think anymore, she felt defeated and left hanging to dry. If she wasn't so far away from home, and in the middle of no where, she would've turned her car back around and crawled back into her apartment, leaving him to fend for himself. Those were the last exchange of words they shared until nearly nine o'clock. She pulled off at the next exit, and into a rest stop. When she climbed out of the car, she slammed the door, running inside to pay for gas. Happy awoke at the sound and opened the door, stretching and letting the cold air hit him. He saw her paying for gas and grabbed the pump, putting it in the tank and leaned up against the door, waiting for it to fill up. She walked back to the car, with two bottles of water and two red bulls in her hand. "Hey" he said, his voice still scratchy from snoring. She raised her eyebrows and half-smiled in response "Where we at?"
"About fifty miles or so from Rock Springs. Wanna drive?" He nodded and she handed him the keys, getting into the passenger side. Once Happy started up the car, she turned her seat warmer all the way up as she cracked the window to smoke another cigarette. "Twenty four hours and we'll be back fifty degrees." she sighed. She searched the radio for a song to listen to in order to avoid conversation.
"You talk to Kris?" He asked.
"Just texted her. The boys went riding in the desert. Her and jess are at home doing work."
Happy nodded "those two are naturals. Abel's what, six? He's got that shit down." Julie nodded and kept her eyes on the road ahead. Happy glanced over at her and sighed apologetically "you still mad?"
She shook her head "No" she replied simply
"You sound mad..."
"Not mad, just tired."
He chuckled "A'ight. Isn't that the universal women's quote for 'I'm pissed as hell right now'?"
Trying to hide her smile, she brought her left hand to her temple "just get us to the motel please."
"I'm tryin'. Wanna make sure you ain't gonna try and drive me off the road."
She picked up her phone and tried to direct her attention in a conversation with Kristina "If I was gonna do that, I woulda done it when you were sleepin'. Thought about it though. Too bad your gun isn't on you." she mumbled
"Jules, I dunno what you want me to say"
"I don't want you to say anything. Just get us to the motel so we can eat and sleep."
"I ain't goin back home with you pissed off."
"So then you're staying in Wyoming? Just forget it."
"Nah" he growled "I ain't gonna forget it. Cause this isn't just gonna go away"
She had had it. She was gonna say exactly what she felt, and if he didn't like it, there wasn't much he could do about it anyway. "It sure is. This started three days ago, because I asked you if you wanted me to stay in California. That was it. I wanted to know what you wanted out of this, Hap. I'm not trying to put pressure on you, but for how long can I possibly just play the 'well, we're not really in a relationship, but we kinda are, but we don't talk about it' game? How long? This is going on eighteen months now. Eighteen. And never before then did I ever bring this up. I'm asking you now because I'm moving my entire life to be with you. You know why Happy? You wanna take a fucking guess?"
Happy's reply was more silence as he kept his sight straight ahead, waiting for her to continue speaking "Because almost two years ago when I first met you, after coming out with my family to see the twins after they were born, the second you spoke to me, I got those butterflies in my stomach that you get when you're fifteen and see someone you like. Once you had me out here every few weeks after their wedding, you were all I could think about. And when I didn't hear from you, I had to stealthily ask Kris how each and everyone of those guys were just to slip your name in there without it sounding suspicious. So you know why I wanna know? Because I need to know if what I'm doing is worth it, because I love you Happy. Sure you want me out there, it's an easy lay. But I need to know if you want me around permanently." She didn't expect to tell him that she loved him, but she had to add on after to soften the blow.
Happy's face remained still, she knew he heard her, but also knew he wasn't gonna say it right back "I told ya before, I wouldn't have come out to New York with you if I didn't."
"But what does that mean? I told you what I want over the next few years. If you don't want it, that's okay."
"You want a kid? If you want a kid, Jules. I'll give ya a kid."
She furrowed her brow- that wasn't the response she was expecting "Wait, what?"
"You don't wait for anything, do you?" he half-smiled "Shit, I been outta jail a few weeks. Can't even let me surprise you with somethin'?"
She was officially confused "Surprise me with what?"
He pointed to a small sketch book tucked between the passenger seat and the center console "Open it." She opened it and flipped through the random doodles and sketches he had in there. He leaned over and flipped the pages, stopping on one, and reached his hand up, putting it between her shoulder blades "Right there"
She arched her eyebrow and pulled the corner of her mouth into a smile "Right there what?"
"That's where that's goin'?"
"You're serious?"
Happy nodded his head "Do I ever joke about shit like that?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Sitting back in the chair and staring at the drawing of a crow, she looked back up at him "Wait. From what I remember Juice saying a while back, about how he wanted Kerri to get one, but he refused to do it before she was done with school. It's the same kinda thing Gemma has, right? Same meaning?"
Happy chuckled "Well, she's got two. Ain't no one else puttin' a crow on you you but me."
She rolled her eyes and bit her lip "Yeah yeah. That's not what I'm asking."
"After showing you this, how do you still have fucking questions?"
"Why doesn't Kris have one? Or Jess for that matter?"
Happy shrugged "I dunno. You put that on someone you know you're gonna spend the rest of your life with."
"So they don't think that way?"
He sighed "I dunno, babe."
Still looking at the picture, she smiled- while the words might not've been there, this was more than she could've asked for. "So who's doing this?"
"I am."
"When?"
"Fuckin' hell. Is Tuesday fast enough for ya?"
She smiled innocently and shrugged "I guess. What were you talkin' about with the kid stuff though?"
Grabbing his cigarettes from the center console, Happy lit one and cracked the window "You've already passed your question quota for one day. Try again tomorrow."
Everyone was enjoying the Monday holiday at TM. The unseasonably warm January weather enabled them to be outside. The kids were chasing Slash around the parking lot, who was more than happy to have that kind of running room. Roosevelt pulled into the lot with another sheriff, clearly with a motive in mind. Jax approached him with Opie in toe. "Teller" he half-smiled.
"Wha'd we do now?" Jax chuckled
Eli sighed and shook his head "Here to see your mother."
"Of course you are" he smiled, rolling his eyes. He waved Gemma on who was smoking a cigarette on the bench. She knew exactly what this was about.
"What can I do for you?" She asked, clearly expressing her annoyance through her tone.
"You have a little talk with a Serena Miller?"
Jax shook his head in disappointment- he knew Kris would lose her shit when she found out. Looking unimpressed, she shrugged. "Maybe"
"Well Ms Miller says that you threatened her and her son."
Gemma pursed her lips together and rolled her eyes "Eli. You should know me better than that. No threats were made."
Roosevelt laughed and defeatedly sighed "I do know you. Which tells me a threat was made."
"And what'd she say?"
"That you told her if her son goes near Abel, you'd rip her eyelashes off and glue her lips shut."
Jax rolled his eyes "Jesus fucking Christ mom" he huffed and walked away towards Kris who was looking on suspiciously
Gemma chuckled "And where's the threat to her son?"
"Just repeating what I'm told"
"I didn't threaten her kid. And what I said, wasn't a threat. It was a promise."
"Well she's considering it a threat. So I'm gonna need you to stay away from her and her son until this blows over."
"Tell me it's not what I think it is!" Kris shouted at Jax who was trying to redirect her attention
Gemma looked at Eli with annoyance "Well, I'll be on my way."
"Thanks" she chuckled, walking back towards the bench. "Don't worry about it"
Kris pinched the bridge of her nose "Gem." she whined
"Baby, ain't nothin' gonna happen."
She shook her head and sighed "I gotta get home and start dinner." she said, grabbing her bag and tossing it over her shoulder. She took the twins' hands and headed towards the car. Jax followed with Abel at his side, and Slash in his arms, and watched as she aggressively threw her bag into the passenger seat. He helped buckle the twins into their carseats and held the drivers door open as she sat down, Slash sitting in the passenger seat as if he knew that was his spot. She went to grab the handle to pull the door closed, but he kept his grip on it, looking down at her "C'mon" she drawled "Stop"
"Kris. Just let it go."
"Whatever, Jax. I told you from the beginning I don't want this shit interfering with my job."
"And I told you that I couldn't promise that."
"Yeah, well it ain't you causing the trouble. Is it?"
"She's just defending Abel. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Doesn't make me look good though. What time you coming home?"
Jax shrugged "I dunno. Thought we were all waiting for Hap and Julie to get back? They should be here in an hour or two."
She scoffed and started the car "I also thought I didn't have to worry about my mother-in-law threatening my student's mother. She involved the cops. The cops, Jax. I know this is gonna fall back on me now."
"You don't gotta cook tonight. It's already six. Just stay here and we'll all get pizza or somethin'"
She shook her head "I'll call Jules later or tomorrow. I'm going home to feed my boys, and try and figure out what I'm gonna say tomorrow, because I know it's coming back to bite me in the ass. So whenever you get home, you get home. I ain't waiting up." she aggressively pulled the door out of his grip and slammed it closed.
Jess was watching sitting on the bench outside the clubhouse as her daughter sat on the ground, viciously covering the pages of her coloring book with blue crayon "How was the trip?" Jess asked as Julie sat next to her on the bench lighting a cigarette.
Julie smiled with a chuckle "Interesting. He drove most of the way, had to beg for him to stop overnight. If he had it his way, we would've driven straight through without stopping. But I'm so happy I have my car back. I missed it."
"Surprised you two didn't kill each other."
Julie bit her lip and nodded "We almost did. A few times. But we're alive. Where's Kris? I texted her but she didn't reply"
Jess sighed and shook her head "Roosevelt showed up a few hours ago, apparently Gemma threatened the mother of the kid who beat up on Abel. She went to the cops."
"And I'm guessing Kris took that like a normal person would?"
"You got it" she smiled "Don't worry about her. Jax'll go home in a little while, she'll pout and make him feel bad, and he'll make it better. It's a vicious cycle."
"Or as Happy said… Jax revels in her craziness."
Jess nodded. "And they love it." she looked down at her phone to check the time "Ugh. It's already eight. Ope!" she shouted to him across the lot where he was talking to Jax, Happy and Chibs "We gotta get goin'!" Opie put his finger up, signaling he needed a minute "Oh" she chuckled menacingly "He did not just do that."
Julie laughed "You want me to drive you and the kids back? Hap's been eyeing his bike sitting there, so I know he's hopping on that to go home."
Jess nodded and grabbed her bag, tossing Gabby's crayons and book inside "C'mon baby. We gotta get goin'" she said, picking Gabby up and resting her on her hip "C'mon El! Kenny! Let's go!"
By the time Jax got home around nine, the boys were already asleep and Kris was sitting up in bed, watching TV. Walking in the house, she waited to hear him greet Slash, that was the sign it was definitely him that came in and no one else. The lights were off and he walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. She didn't look up at him to greet him as he shed himself of his kutte and clothes, tossing them in the appropriate places in order to avoid any argument. She chuckled lightly as he got into bed "Wanna go give yourself two stars now or later? Considering you lost two for before." Jax shook his head and leaned over her, grabbing the remote from her nightstand "Heard they had a good time?"
Jax chuckled, "Hap looked exhausted."
"Them two locked in a car for three days- not the most exciting time." Kris mumbled
"You still mad?"
Keeping her eyes on the TV, she arched her left eyebrow "You still taking your mommy's side?"
"Kris" he groaned, "please."
"Nope" she said, without the slightest bit of enthusiasm as she crossed her arms and sunk into the bed.
Jax looked down at her and shook his head "You're right. She shouldn't have said anything. I don't think this will blow back on you, but if it does, i'll make sure it's taken care of."
"You come up with that all by yourself?" she snarkily asked
He pulled her to his chest, turning his attention to the TV "You really watching The Godfather?" he chuckled
"Yep. Keeps me grounded."
"How's that?" he snorted
Kris rolled her eyes and suppressed a smile as she shook her head "I always remember the cannoli"
He sighed dramatically "Uh huh"
"Oh c'mon. You are Michael."
Jax raised his eyebrows and smiled "Am I?"
"I don't know when I'll be back." she gritted out, mimicking the movie, as the actor ignored his on-screen wife.
Taking the jab graciously, he watched on and chuckled "But he's one badass motherfucker"
Kris smiled and nodded "Agreed. I'm still mad at you though."
"Oh come on" he drawled
She closed her eyes and sighed "Just go to sleep."
"It's nine"
"And I'm exhausted. Work tomorrow"
"You really gotta go?" he asked "Stay home" he whined "Have Abel stay home too"
"No" she protested, "He can't get the idea in his head that it's okay to stay home if he's not sick."
Jax rolled his eyes and chuckled "Such a workaholic"
Kris snorted "Right. Stop calling the kettle black, Pot."
"Uh huh."
"So you gonna tell me everything that's been goin' on with the club? Or am I still gonna be pushed to the side?"
He raised an eyebrow in annoyance and rolled his eyes "Just go to sleep"
"Right" she sarcastically chuckled, turning her back to him. Jax was hiding something, and she didn't know what, but she sure as hell was gonna find out.
It was a quiet drive to work the following morning. A three day weekend had everyones' sleep schedule off-track. When the girls dropped the boys off on the playground with the rest of their friends, they headed up to Kris' room. Jess watched on as she absent-mindedly went about her morning routine- taking down chairs and sharpening pencils. "You still mad at him?"
Kris half-smiled. "Ope tell you what's been goin' on recently?"
"With?" Jess asked innocently as her friend gave her a knowing glare "I dunno Kris. I get bits and pieces of info and the tail-end of his conversations. Most of his convos involve some guy named Lin"
"Who the hell is that?"
Jess shrugged "I don't ask."
"I need info." she demanded, taking her phone out of her back pocket. Jess watched her stare at the screen before putting the phone to her ear "Hey mama" she smiled. Kris continued to unpack her school bag, "No all is okay. Quick question. You know who Lin is?… That's why I'm calling. Full disclosure isn't happening." Jess shook her head watching Kristina talk to Gemma. "What about them?…." Kris looked at Jess and narrowed her eyes at her "Alright mama. No it's fine. I wont" she giggled "Love you too"
"Well?" Jess asked as Kris as she tossed her phone on her desk
Kris sat down at put her feet up "They've got something goin' on with the Chinese. Why can't they just settle scores?"
"I dunno if it works like that girlie."
Kris shook her head and began sorting stacks of paper "I'll go and grab coffee at lunch time. I ain't making it until dismissal if I don't."
Jess nodded as she headed out of the door. As she walked into her classroom, and put her belongings in the closet, she sat at her desk and stared at her phone. She thought about what Kris had said and she couldn't help but start to feel the same way. She warned Opie a few weeks ago, telling him she was in charge, and that she called the shots. She knew he wasn't going to tell her everything after he just got back home so she didn't worry. 'Fuck' she groaned to herself, 'That bearded bastard is in for it' she sighed, staring at a photo from her wedding, pursing her lips as her thoughts churned, looking at her husbands smile. "Ms. Winston!" One of her students shouted as he ran into the room "Hey Max" she smiled, looking up at him "Let's get this day started."
"When can we find out if it's a girl or a boy?" Ellie asked
Jess buckled her seat belt and looked at the teen "We'll find out in a bit" she smiled, starting Opie's truck and pulling away from the house. "God your dad needs to get rid of this thing. I fucking hate it."
"I think my dad needs to start going with you to your appointments." the girl mumbled
"That too"
"I hate this truck. I don't even want him dropping me off at school in it."
"He won't get rid of it, so dumb." Jess chuckled
Ellie stared out the window and snorted "Well yeah, my mom was killed in this truck. It's like the one last thing he has to be close to her." Jess' jaw dropped and she stared at her step-daughter as she came to a red light. "You didn't know…?" Ellie asked hesitantly
Jess shook her head slowly and continued driving, she felt her stomach tighten and flip, as she pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. "Well, let's get a due date, huh?"
Ellie climbed out of the car with her and looked on at Jess with hesitation "I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry."
"No don't be sorry" she half-smiled "C'mon"
Jess followed the nurse back to the room to put on a gown and Ellie stood in the hallway, waiting for her to get undressed. She could hear her dad's low, gravely voice from the waiting room, and she followed it to peek her head out of the door "You made it?"
Opie looked over at her and pushed his way in through the door "She was supposed to call me when she got here." Ellie raised her eyebrows and pointed to the closed door. Opie opened it and stepped inside, slamming it behind him. She could hear him increasing the volume in his voice and Jess shout back, rendering everything silent. He opened the door again, storming out with a look of fury on his face as he passed his daughter and nearly knocked the door to the waiting room off its hinges.
She looked at the open door and saw Jess sit on the table, taking that as a sign she could walk in. The nurse walked through holding Jess' chart. Ellie saw Jess hold out her arm as the nurse cleaned it with a wipe to take her blood. She stepped a foot through the doorway before she was distracted. "Ellie?" she heard a voice call, a familiar voice, one she hadn't heard in a while. Ellie turned her head and widened her eyes at the sight of the woman who recognized her.
"Hi" she replied skittishly, as she was approached
"What are you doing over here?" the woman grinned, wrapping her in a hug "You got so big! How old are you now?"
Ellie chuckled "Fourteen. My mom is having an ultrasound."
"Your dad remarried? That's great."
"It is. You moved back?"
"Yeah, a few weeks ago. How is everyone?"
She might've been fourteen, but she knew what was up "Everyone's great."
"I've been meaning to stop by and say hello"
"Alright. Well, I gotta go. I guess I'll see you soon." she said, putting her hand on the doorframe
Tara smiled and nodded "See you"
"You okay?" Ellie asked, seeing Jess staring at her dangling feet
Jess nodded "Who was that?"
"This day just keeps getting better and better" she scoffed, taking a seat in the chair next to the table. "That was Tara"
Her eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped "Tara? As in Jax's Tara?"
Ellie nodded "Should I call Uncle Jax?"
Jess scrunched her mouth to the side and bent her arm, holding the cotton swab in place "Call Gemma. She'll know what to do."
"I must say, I'm impressed it took you this long" her doctor laughed as he entered the room
Jess smiled and shook her head, pushing herself back onto the bed "Funny, Doc."
Snapping on gloves he looked over at Ellie who was busy texting away "Who's this?"
"My daughter, Ellie. About three inches taller since you saw her last. And clearly, addicted to her iPhone"
"Nice to see you again, Ellie" he said, trying to get the attention of the teen "I'm Matthew"
"Doctor Matthew?" she giggled "Never heard a doctor be addressed by his first name"
"What can I say, we're informal here. You gotta be when you're this close to your patients" he joked, inciting a laugh out of both women "If it makes you feel better you can call me Doctor Johnson."
She nodded in response and put her phone down "Gem said she'll take care of it and not to say anything. Said she'll talk to you when you call her about your appointment."
Jess looked over at her daughter and laughed "I have a feeling the next appointment, they're all gonna be in here."
The doctor removed his gloves and Jess sat up, grabbing her jeans from the chair and pulling them on "That's it?" Ellie asked "No ultrasound yet?"
The doctor shook his head and "Still too early. It's about the size of a poppy seed right now, four weeks in."
"A poppy seed?" she snorted "How can something so small cause so much…." she raised her eyebrows and smiled, trying to choose her next words carefully as she pointed to Jess, "You know… emotional wreckage…"
"You'd be surprised" he laughed "Your due date is September sixteenth. Start the vitamins, and keep that sugar down. We'll see you in a about four weeks, yeah?"
"Might be back sooner doc" she chuckled "You got your favorite comedian coming in on Friday for her appointment."
He leaned over the counter and clicked through his schedule on the computer "So she is" he nodded "You two both have a bet or something?"
"Yep" Ellie laughed "You bet they did."
"Did you at least win?"
Jess shook her head as she slipped on her shoes "Money's still in the pot until we find out the sex of the babies."
"You still smoking?"
Ellie looked at her knowingly as she sighed "I cut back"
"Alright, well don't get too jumpy and quit cold turkey, don't wanna add to the stress."
"I'm at seven or so a day. No drinking, nothing else."
"Good. I'll see you in a few weeks, any questions, call me"
"I will" she nodded as he headed out of the room. "Now I gotta call Gemma" she chuckled, as she walked over to the reception desk to make her next appointment "And your father."
"How come whenever you're mad at him, he becomes my father? I didn't ask for it. You chose to marry him."
Jess laughed "Thanks for reminding me."
Gemma stood in the doorway to the office at TM and looked at Jax in the garage with Opie and Happy. She motioned with her finger for them to come to her "Me too?" Happy asked
"Nah you're okay" she smiled
"Thank God" he mumbled as Jax and Opie walked over
"Sup?" Jax smiled
Gemma rolled her eyes "What's 'sup' is Tara is back. Saw Ellie at the hospital, told her she was gonna stop by to say hello soon."
Opie sighed and Jax pinched the bridge of his nose "What do you want me to do about it, mom?"
"Nothing" she smiled "I'm gonna take care of it. I just thought you should know."
"I'll handle it." He argued "Don't go near her."
"Or what? And you…" she growled, pointing to Opie "Why are you not at her appointment?"
"Because Ellie told her that Donna was killed in the truck that she was driving."
Gemma was not expecting that response "Gotta fix that, sweetheart"
"By?" he asked sarcastically "My pregnant wife is driving the truck that my first wife was killed in. How do I justify that?"
"Just hear her out Ope. It's not as bad as you think. Get rid of it if she wants you to. Or leave it here. Go home and fix it."
"We got shit to do" Jax sighed "Got church in ten."
"Then after" she shrugged "But let me tell you, you wanna fix this Tara bullshit, you do it today. Not tomorrow, not Thursday. Today. She finds out, and finds out you knew…. Jax…"
"I can't stop her from living in Charming."
"You can stop her from coming here. Kristina sees her, or meets her unexpectedly…. That shit is explosive."
"I'm not gonna go looking for her tonight. I'll stop by the hospital tomorrow." he said, walking away from her as his phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and put it to his ear "Hey babe" he answered, strolling across the lot towards the clubhouse. "Got church in a few. I'll be home after…." He opened the door to the clubhouse followed by Opie and Happy "Whatever you wanna make is fine. Just be careful at the store, okay? Alright so you and Jess go with Jules and Ellie, leave the kids. Alright baby. Love you too"
Juice was at the bar with the rest of the SAMCRO men and grabbed a fistful of beers and placed them on the bar "At least one of our women are sane" Opie grumbled, twisting off the top to one
"For now." Jax sighed, taking a swig from the bottle
"Looks like Hap is the only one left. Cause I sure as shit can't claim she's sane." Juice laughed
Chibs cleared his throat "Watch ya'self Juicy" he warned
"C'mon, you know I'm right. She's got your anger. Will punch me right in the throat if she's upset enough. Haven't seen Jules do that to Hap yet."
"Don't bring me into this shit. Her and I got shit calm and locked down. Don't let your hens fuck it up."
Opie and Jax laughed "Hap's got a girlfriend" Jax teased as the rest of the men laughed
"A girl that's gonna get crowed"
All the men stood there, silent and mouths gaping "You serious?" Tig asked
"You ever know me to be anything but?"
"When?" Jax piped up, the only thing he was able to get out
"Was gonna do it tonight."
Opie and Jax sighed in frustration "You think you can hold off until Friday?" Opie asked "That's gonna cause another shit-storm and I'm trying to put one out as we speak." Jax nodded along to the request
"You askin' as a brother or my VP?" Happy asked, raising an eyebrow
Opie shrugged "Both. Never crowed her, neither did he" he said, pointing to Jax, "You know that shit is gonna cause an uproar. I gotta propose the idea before Jess gets wind that this girl is gettin' a crow before she does, she'll fucking kill me in my sleep. Just tell Jules to keep it on the down-low"
"A'ight. But Friday. That cool with you Prez?"
Jax nodded "Thanks man. Alright, let's get church rolling. I gotta get home to my calm and patient wife."
When the men got home, Gabby pushed her way through the crowd of men walking through the door, ignoring Gemma and her grandfather's greeting to jump up to be picked up by her dad. Opie kissed her cheek "Hey ma" he said, seeing Mary walk towards him from the kitchen. Mary slapped the back of his head and sighed "What the fuck?!" he flinched, still holding his daughter.
"Didn't even tell her, huh? And you left her at the doctors office?"
Opie rolled his eyes "I didn't leave her. She had the truck. She wasn't stranded."
She shook her head and swatted at his comment "Why is he just like you?" she hissed, directing her question at Piney
Piney laughed and shrugged "I wouldn't have kept that shit from you"
"Thanks Pop"
"Ain't my problem, shithead." Piney chuckled "Go deal with your old lady."
"Where's she at?"
Mary pointed towards the back door. Opie and Jax made their way through the house and into the backyard where Kristina and Jess were sitting, Julie was making her way back inside. "Wonderful" Jess groaned
"Love you too" Opie replied "You still pissed?"
She put her hand up "We ain't talkin' about that now"
Opie shrugged "Suit yourself. So Hap's been drawin' up some ideas for crows. You think you two wanna get inked on Friday?"
"I guess so"
"You guess so?" he laughed "C'mon"
"I find out I've been driving a car that your first wife was killed in. And your solution is to permanently brand me?"
Before Opie could reply, Jax interrupted "C'mon Jess. It ain't like that. Been talkin' to Hap about it, he's thinking of inking Julie too. Got nothing to do with anything else."
Kris smiled and nodded "That just made my day. Yes of course! She's in. Even if she doesn't say she is."
Jess furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes at Kristina "Speak for yourself."
Jess had avoided the conversation at all costs for the next two days. Friday had come and the girls arrived back at the clubhouse with Kenny and Abel. The boys didn't see their dads in the garage so they went tearing into the clubhouse as Gemma made her way across the lot with Ellie. Julie was sitting on the bench with Happy while she typed away on her laptop, keeping up with her work. "What times your appointment preggo?" Julie asked as Kris and Jess sat in front of her.
"Three-thirty" Kris smiled "You guys got a lot goin' down today?"
Happy shrugged "Quiet so far. You ready to get inked?"
"I'm sure the doc will advise against it. But I'm ready."
Gemma chuckled and took a seat next to them "Theres nothing wrong with getting a tattoo while pregnant. They advise against it because they don't know who's doing it. You and baby will be fine."
"Good. Since my husband is far too busy, am I gonna be able to go to my appointment by myself or is the entire calvary coming along? You realize that I'm not even having an ultrasound today."
"Baby" Gemma sighed "I spent all morning setting up for their party so I could go. You know I'm going."
Kris laughed and nodded "Anyone else?"
"I'll go. Let's make it a whole thing, as usual" Jess added "El you comin'?" Ellie nodded as if not going wasn't even an option, she had a long talk with Gemma and was prepared to tackle Tara if she had to. "Alright, you wanna grab coffee?"
"Definitely." Kris smiled "I need that since I can't drink. You drivin?"
Gemma pulled her keys from her bag "Mary and Fiona will be here in a little bit." she said to Julie who was still preoccupied with her work "Make sure the kids don't light anything on fire."
"You mean Opie's kids?" Happy gruffly laughed "That little fireball is one spark away from blowing this place up."
Jess playfully narrowed her eyes and hit his shoulder "Don't talk about my baby like that"
"Have you met her father? She's gonna be fixing cars and lighting fireworks before she gets into school."
"I know" she groaned "That's the part that scares the shit out of me. Let's go. We'll see you guys in a bit." She stood up and adjusted her jeans as Kris and Ellie headed towards Gemma's truck with her "And Hap- that tatt better be perfect. Ope won't let me see the sketch or tell me where it's going."
He smiled and shook his head "I got you girl, go with Satan to her appointment"
"I heard that!" Kris shouted
"Fuck" Happy drawled
"Ooooohhhh" Julie chuckled, nudging his side and closing her laptop "You know you in troubleeeee"
"I'm dead"
She nodded and stood up, pulling his arm "C'mon. Let's go check on the kids."
Walking through the maternity wing of the hospital, Kris was let into an empty room by the nurse and Jess. Gemma stood outside with Ellie while Kris got undressed and her blood drawn, eying the personnel together like hawks, waiting to see that familiar brunette. The nurse emerged from the room and went towards the whiteboard by the circulation desk, placing Kris' last name up next to her room number, and sliding her chart into the rack. And there she was, Ellie's breath hitched at the sight of the back of her head, she knew it was her. She looked up at Gemma and then towards the woman who was staring questionably at the last name. "Why can't we just have a normal day for once?" Ellie asked
"Because we're part of the club, sweetheart. That's why." She smiled, waiting for Tara to turn around and recognize her. She chuckled menacingly as she watched Tara look through Kris' chart, clearly trying to see what she could find after seeing the last name. She turned around and made eye contact with Gemma, who was staring her down with her typical threatening glare. Before words could be exchanged, Kris opened the door to let them in.
Ellie quickly walked in and looked at Jess who was on the other side of the room "Tara's here" she mouthed to her mom who closed her eyes and sighed, knowing she couldn't have a normal day… ever.
Gemma didn't look away as she watched Tara's eyes look at Kristina and saw her breathing stop. Tara boldly walked towards Gemma "I'll be right back" Gemma said to Kris as stepped forward trying to close the gap between her and her son's former old lady.
Kris looked at the stranger who was walking towards them and didn't go back into the room. "Hey Kris, can you show me how all these machines work?" Ellie asked from inside the room, trying to distract her from hearing what was about to transpire.
"Who is that?" Kris asked, looking back at the Winston girls.
Jess shook her head "Who?"
"Gemma is talking to some woman. She obviously knows her"
"You ready to go?" Dr. Johnson asked, standing in the doorway blocking her view.
Kris half-smiled at him and nodded "One sec." she said, stepping aside to let him in "Gem!" she called out, trying to grab her attention. Gemma pointed her finger in Tara's face before delivering what appeared to be a threat and turned on her heels, heading back towards her daughter-in-law.
"Sorry baby." she smiled, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.
Kris climbed up onto the table and kept her attention on the three women as she was being examined "Who was that?"
Gemma swatted at her comment "Old trash."
"Everything okay?"
"Peachy. How's my grandbaby doc?" Kris lowered her legs and slid her panties back up. Gemma was the queen of everything, including changing the topic.
"So far so good" he smiled "Are we aiming for one this time?"
"God, yes" Kris begged "Please tell me it's one"
"Hey, I'm fine with however many grandbabies I get"
Kris pulled on her jeans and pulled her top over the gown before pulling it off underneath "Please Doc, tell me it's just one. And I made the dumb ass promise of trying until he gets a daughter."
The doctor chuckled and continued writing on her chart "It's still a little early just yet. You'll have an ultrasound at your next appointment. I'll see you around week ten, maybe the two of you can get in together. Two birds with one stone. Although you know I love your presence" he said looking over at Gemma
She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes "Nice try Doc. So we're about four weeks in?"
"Same as Jess. Due date is about the same, Kristina you're due on September thirteenth."
"Three days apart" she smiled looking over at Jess as she toed on her heels
"You remember the rules?" he asked "Vitamins, cut back on the smokes…"
Kris nodded and rolled her eyes "I got ya doc. Been cutting back."
"Good. Like I told her, no cold turkey, too much of a shock."
"Well, thanks so much for giving me the go-ahead to light up." she chuckled
"How are the boys?" he asked, leading the women out of the room
"Huge and troublesome! Maybe I'll bring them along next time. Dad would have to be here though, two mini-Jax's are a lot of energy to look after on my own."
He laughed and nodded "Call me with any questions"
Kris nodded and smiled "Thanks. I will"
The women started out and headed towards Gemma's truck "You gonna tell me who that woman was that got you so worked up?" Kris asked
Jess and Ellie kept their heads down as they continued to walk "Don't worry about it sweetie" Gemma smiled, unlocking the doors
"Gem" she sighed, pulling her phone out of her bag and climbing into the passenger seat "C'mon."
Gemma started her truck and rolled down the window, lighting a cigarette "Tara"
Kris snorted and kept her eyes on her phone "Yeah okay." When she looked up, she saw Gemma staring at her, with no hesitation. "You serious?"
She nodded and backed out of the parking space "Yes I'm serious."
"But- Did you know she was here?"
Gemma glanced in the rearview mirror at Jess "Ellie saw her the other day when I came for my appointment. She texted Gemma but we weren't really sure until today, it was confirmed."
"Alright" Kris shrugged "I mean, so what? She lives here."
"She doesn't belong here" Gemma growled, heading towards the clubhouse
Kris chuckled "What is she gonna do? Steal Jax away? C'mon Gem."
"She's toxic. Absolutely toxic. Do not underestimate her."
Both Jess and Kris lit cigarettes at Gemma's words. They sat quietly as Gemma pulled up to TM "I told Jax to keep her away, so hopefully she stays away."
Kris tossed her cigarette out the window "Wait." she snapped "Jax knows she's here?"
Gemma bit her tongue but she knew it would've come out sooner or later "I told him after Ellie texted me."
"He went to see her?"
Gemma cut the engine and grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder "Said he did. She was gonna come by to say hello, he didn't want you to have to deal with it. That's all."
"Kinda wish he would've told me." she sighed, shaking her head "All this past old lady drama this week. C'mon Jess, let's go get permanently branded."