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Chapter Ten

It had been a month since Juice was shot and I was still persona non grata at the clubhouse. As soon as Juice could be moved we moved him to the apartment so that I could be with him and I was with him, twenty four hours a day. At least for the first week, then he could move around without the crutches and was working in the garage. He had his club position suspended until he could ride again but he wasn't kicked out. That was one small mercy. His leg was still stiff after he rode, so Chibs recommended that he only ride to and from the garage. Juice accepted it but resented the restrictions. I was worried that the resentment was going to move to me.

"Hey babe, I'm going to the garage." Juice called as I started the shower.

"Don't you wanna join me?" I went to the doorway naked and stared at him before turning around and walking back to the bathroom.

"I suppose I could go in a little late." He took off his clothes and joined me.

He left for work with a spring in his step and I couldn't help but smile. I needed to find a way back in my dad's good graces, not for me but for Juice. He was a Son and needed his loyalties undivided. The only problem was finding a way to apologize without caving completely. I knew my mom could help me so I drove to the house and was happy to find my mom's Mercedes there. I got out and knocked, hoping she was alone.

"Hey baby, come on in." That was all she said before she pulled me into the house.

"Hey mom, what's all this?" I swept my arm over the chaos filling the living room, there was tulle and ribbon everywhere.

"Just getting ready for the wedding babe. You need to get your dress fitted." She said as she cleared off the couch, "Sit."

I sat and she joined me. I had barely seen her this month and it bothered me. Before I got kicked out of school I could go months without seeing any of my family and I thought nothing of it. Now it was killing me not to be around them all the time.

"I need your help Mom." I started slowly not wanting my desperation to come through.

"I know, I talked to Juice the other day. He's worried about you baby, he thinks being away from the family is hurting too much but you've got the Morrow blood in you and it makes you stubborn. I'm having a family dinner tomorrow night and you and Juice better be there." Her phone started ringing and she got up to answer it, dismissing me with a gesture.

She had thrown herself into the wedding, eager to help her baby boy. It didn't matter that she despised Wendy; she would be there for Jax. I was doing what I could, which for the last month had been staying out of my dad's way. Now I could see that I would actually have to participate. With that thought I left the house and drove to my staff meeting at the Charming Gazette.

Once Juice was shot I had to take stock of my life. I realized working at Cara Cara could be dangerous to me and to Juice, especially since the Mayans had started riding in that area more frequently. I also realized that even though I didn't think there was anything wrong with Cara Cara I wanted a job I wouldn't be ashamed to tell my children's teachers about some day. I also wanted to be able to help the club in some way. This led to a job at the Charming Gazette where I wrote the entertainment reports and the "This Week in Charming" feature. I also kept an eye out for information that could help or hurt the club. One of my colleagues was going to write a report on the rumored gun running, a quick "conversation" in the break room kept her from going through with it.

"Hey Morrow, there's someone waiting at your cubicle." I groaned, I had barely made it through the door and I already had something to do. I walked back to my cubicle and couldn't hide the pleased smile on my face when I saw Bobby with a plate of cookies.

"Hey baby girl. I come bearing cookies." He set them down on my desk and crushed me in a bear hug.

"Hey Uncle Bobby, I've missed you." I smiled and returned the hug with ferocity.

"So am I the only one to remember your birthday?" I looked at him in shock; even I had forgotten my birthday. "I'll take that as a yes. Listen honey I know you and Clay are on the outs but the rest of us love you like you're our own. Come to the clubhouse with Juice tonight and we'll do up your birthday right."

"I can't Bobby, not until Dad and I work through this. I've forgiven him for everything but I think he's still pissed at me." I started ringing my hands as I sat at my desk.

"Does he know you've forgiven him? He mopes around that garage and doesn't even tease Juice, its bad baby. I better run but you call me and we'll party. I love you kiddo." He gave me another hug and walked out.

I sat back down and grabbed a cookie from the plate biting into it thoughtfully. Dad was moping around? That didn't sound like him; I'd have to ask Juice about it later. I gave myself a mental shake and went to the meeting. It was a good thing I'd finished my article for the week, I was really distracted.

When I came out of the meeting I went straight for my cubicle, intent on calling Juice to talk about what was happening at the garage. When I got there I found out I didn't have to call him, he was spinning around in my chair, grinning like a kid at Christmas.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked as I leaned against the entrance to my cubicle.

"I took the day off at the garage so that we could spend the day together. Happy birthday baby." He got up and crushed me in a hug.

I grinned as I sunk into his arms. Nothing in the world felt as good as being in my man's arms. I leaned my face up and he took the hint, crushing his lips with mine. We seemed to forget where we were when he lifted me up in his arms and held me to him.

"Ms. Morrow, Please screw your boyfriend on your own time." My boss and editor came around and I crawled down.

"I know I didn't hear him tell you off baby." Juice whispered dangerously as he held me with my back to his chest.

"Did your "man" say something Ms. Morrow?" James Dart, editor and chief of the Charming Gazette did whatever he could to knock me down. He had no fear of the club, which shows how someone who's supposed to be smart can be too stupid to live.

"Yeah, I asked if you had a death wish." Juice let go of me and got in James' face. James shrunk back until he hit the wall of the cubicle across the hall.

"Ms. Morrow, call off your guard dog." He tried to sink into the wall.

"Let him go baby, I do work for him." I came out into the hallway and put my hand on Juice's shoulder.

"Fine, but if you don't want me back, rearranging your face you'll let Milla off today, paid. It's her birthday." He stared him down and I saw James cave.

"H-h-happy birthday. See you tomorrow." He ran.

"Yeah, when she feels like it." Juice called and took me outside. "Follow me home baby, I think we'll start your birthday celebration in the bedroom, we might end it there too."

He was right; we only left the bedroom to get dinner and the birthday cake Juice decided to eat off my body. The next morning I called in and we continued the celebration until Juice had to leave for club business. I knew my dad let him off to spend time with me and that let me know dad was ready for reconciliation.