Chapter 11- The Fall Out
A/N
Sorry it has been a while since my last update. I just moved into a new house and then had to travel for business. This is a little longer than usual and hopefully will make up for the wait.
The drama with my favorite couple is giving me angst (lol).
Laysha19: Sometimes I feel I am writing for you lol…you are almost always one of the first to review and "demand an update.
Shantigal: Amazing 10 reviews in one day. I "just love love " your reviews! LOL
SparkleMichele: You inspired me to write. I'm so glad you like my story. I love the three you currently have going, but Hazing is my absolute favorite.
Jaotvdspn1994: You are such a great writer and your creativity kills me. I don't know how you do it, multiple stories at once. I can't keep up…keep those updates coming.
It had been a few days since Wendy suggested that Jax stay at the clubhouse for a while. She went to her AA meetings at Sober Living and continued her work as an administrative assistant. She researched a place in Oregon where she could complete a preventative immersion over the upcoming weekend. This was the perfect program that would allow her to spend 48 hours focusing on her needs and what was required for her sobriety.
While Jax stayed overnight at the clubhouse, amazingly he showed up every morning to escort her to work. He also met her each night when she returned home from work. They ate dinner together 2-3 times per week. Except for the fact he was sleeping in the clubhouse at night or on the couch it was almost as if everything was okay between them.
On the surface it looked well, but Jax didn't broach the subject of what sent him to the clubhouse doghouse at all. Finally Wendy couldn't take it any longer and decided it was time to have a "come to Jesus" moment with hubby. She placed a plate of steak and potatoes in front of him and he started to dig in.
She went back to the fridge to grab a beer for him and casually said, "Jax, baby do you regret getting married?"
And here we go! Where the fuck did that come from Jax asked himself. "Babe, if I didn't want to marry you I wouldn't have asked ya! I've been putting up with this…this kick me out of my own goddam house thing. Do you think if I didn't love you I would be putting up with all this bullshit?" He responded with each sentence his deep voice became louder and louder as he banged his large hand on the kitchen table.
"This bullshit?" Wendy asked almost exasperated. She was not afraid of Jax or his temper. "You know what, I'm out. I'm going away for to rehab retreat up in Oregon. I'll be back in a week. Get your shit together Teller! Grow up and decide if marriage and all the things that come with you know… commitment, communication, and just plain showing up is what you truly want. If not, then you can go back to banging a new sweetbutt each night." She walked out of the kitchen, slammed their bedroom door and then locked it.
Jax was never one for relationship talk even when things were good. His tactic was to ignore it up to the last minute if possible. He figured she was heated and would eventually calm down. "Why let a perfectly good steak go to waste? She could cook her ass off and he wasn't going to let her latest tantrum get in the way of a home cooked meal," he thought to himself.
Just as he was about to dig in, Wendy yelled from the bedroom, "and I hope you enjoy that extra special Italian seasoning, I added just to your steak asshole!".
"She wouldn't? Yes she would!" Jax thought to himself. He choked and spit out his food. He knew Wendy was most likely messing with him. Based on how things stood between them right now, he rather be safe than sorry. Jax guzzled the rest of his beer and slammed the bottle down on the table. He left the dishes on the table, locked the kitchen door handle and slammed the door behind him as he exited for the club.
***********************************SOA*******************************************************************
Wendy and Jax didn't speak the week before she went into the program. Gemma attempted to get them to but was unsuccessful. They kept tabs on each other through Gemma who was desperately trying get these two back together before they let this rift become too deep or wide to ever repair their relationship.
That Friday Gemma drove Wendy up to the Stockton Airport so she could admit herself into the preventative rehab immersion in Oregon. Jax wanted to fly out with Wendy, but she insisted on doing this on her own. She kept glancing over at her unsure of what to say during the forty-minute ride to the airport "So does this immersion shit really work?"
"Yeah Gem. Everything going on with Jax has just been so crazy. I'm proud that I didn't use, but that fact that I came close is what troubles me the most. I need to spend time just focusing on me with out any outside distractions." She responded.
"My son is an outside distraction?" Gemma asked eyebrows arched.
"When is comes to my sobriety and the years that I struggled with addiction? YES! I'm sorry Gemma; I love him I really do. With all of our issues and our inability to communicate, I realize we have a lot to fix in our marriage. But I have to fix me first. I wonder if we should have waited to get married. It's not like I was knocked up or something. "
"From your mouth to God's ears!" Gemma said.
"Gemma!" Wendy laughed and swatted at her mother in-law in the car. "Maybe one day if Jax and I can get our shit together long enough". They rode the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Once they arrived at the airport. Gemma hugged Wendy and told her to call her as soon as she registered and settled in.
****************************************SOA***************************************************************
After Church, the Friday night party was in full swing. Jax was sitting at the bar drinking and lost in his thoughts opening and closing his Zippo lighter absentmindedly.
"Bro, are you sure you are okay?" Opie asked
"Yeah!" Jax responded as he ran his hand down his face. "How about you man? How are Donna and the kids adjusting now that you are back?
"It's an adjustment. Man I'm just happy to be home with Donna and the kids. What the hell is going on with you and Wendy? Are you moving back to the clubhouse?"
"I'm just trying to figure out what I should do about Wendy and our marriage. Man, I'm wondering if I jumped into it too soon. No matter what I do I can't seem to get it right. I love her and I know she would do anything for me. Until recently I never thought she would leave me or ask me to leave. " Jax downed another shot of whiskey.
"I'm here if you need me bro, but I'm headed back home to the wife before she has my head." Opie patted Jax on the back of his cut and headed out to the club.
"Grunt come with me". Jax yelled as he stood up from the bar stool and lit another cigarette. Jax swaggered back to his dorm room with Half-Sack close behind. When he entered his room, he spun around to face the prospect. "Your job is to guard my door so I can sleep. I don't want any crow eaters or sweet butts hanging around my door. Got it?"
"Got it!" Half-sack replied.
"Did I say you could speak?!"
"Uh, no…I mean I don't know…." Half-sack stuttered and rambled on as Jax shook is head, smirked and slammed the door his dorm in his face.
*****************************************************SOA**************************************************
Wendy couldn't believe the weekend had flown by as fast. She was reminded that addicts come from all walks of life and we should never judge a book by its cover, literally. She'd taken a liking to an older lady from the Northeast with the thickest Long Island accent, which reminded her of home. This lady was a retired librarian grandmother who was addicted to painkillers.
During her time there Wendy had a time to reflect and share her struggles and dreams with her counselor and the participants in the rehab. It was her last session and the doctor overseeing the program wanted to have a private word with her afterwards regarding her progress and next steps.
"Wendy, during our last session you mentioned you wanted to finish school and find a way to help those going through rehab?" Dr. Collins asked.
"Yeah Doc! I really want to make a difference in someone's life; I feel this pull to pay it back. Without counselors and my support system, I wouldn't have been able to stay clean as long as I have." Wendy responded.
"Good, very good!" I hope you don't mind, but I did some research and found out the clinic where you currently work is affiliated with the California State University System. If you were enrolled in college the work you are currently doing would count for a certain level of credits toward your degree. Have you ever thought about finishing your BA and becoming a certified drug counselor?"
"I always wished that I finished my degree but then life just sort of happened."
"Well here is the packet of information I obtained. Think about it! You are already working there and from what you mentioned you are less than two years away from finishing your sociology degree. The certification process will be cut in half due to your work experience."
"Really, Doc, get out of here!"
He chuckled. "Yes really. Here review this paperwork when you get home and settled. I already spoke with your supervisor, Chris and both of us have agreed to be your reference for your college application and during the certification process."
Wendy couldn't help herself and gave the Dr. a huge hug in appreciation. She was going to pursue this her dream of completing her education and helping others get and stay clean. She was so proud of herself she started humming and dancing her way down the hall back to her room to pack.
She was a site to see as she was backing it up and singing down the hall. She was dressed in her typical weekend get-up of loose fitting sweats and Chuck Taylor's. She was so caught up in singing and dancing she ran into the janitor.
"I'm so sorry, excuse me!" She ran into her room and jumped on the bed like a little kid. She was so pleased and proud of herself. She couldn't wait to return to Charming and get started on completing her degree. She was grinning and giggling like a teenager.
***************************************SOA*****************************************
**6 weeks later** ( Jax's world)
Wendy was doing great! She came back to Charming with the same energy and determination she had when she left for Oregon. When Gemma picked her up she was talking a mile a minute about her plans and had already filled Donna in before she arrived. She was enrolled in night classes and took a few online. If she timed it right and didn't take the summer off she could graduate in a year versus a year and a half.
When she first came back, Jax was supported of her independence and agreed to financially support his wife as she perused her dreams. He really wanted her to succeed and he thought that if he supported her, that would bring them closer together. Of course this didn't work because Jax was still fighting his demons and didn't make an effort to change on his part. Wendy was a little too busy to sit on the sidelines and continue to beg him to open up to her like he used too.
Jax was a miserable bastard. At least that is what his brothers said behind his back. Usually he and Wendy would have big blow up, make up and things would calm down. This time the rift lasted a lot longer than usual. It has been almost two months since she had suggested Jax stay at the clubhouse. When the spoiled prince wasn't happy no one was. To Jax's credit he grew up a little bit and his love for Wendy changed how he usually dealt with affairs of the heart.
At least this time he didn't bury himself in alcohol and crow eaters. He was always in a fowl mood. Tig practically begged him to get drunk and take a sweetbutt or croweater back to the room when Church was over the week before.
"Hey Jax, can I get you a drink with a little sweet butt on the side?" His brothers just looked at him and shook their heads. "What Bros before hoes!"
"You callin' my wife a hoe?" Jax said as he turned on Tig. Opie and Chibs stepped in and talked Jax down as Bobbie pulled Tig outside.
Gemma looked on from the bar area and threw her towel down. This shit had to stop. If they didn't get their relationship together soon, the rift may become to wide to ever repair. She thought back to what if felt like when she and JT started to unravel. This was looking eerily similar and she didn't want that for her son and Wendy. Sure they chatted about bills and household things when they absolutely needed too, but Gemma fell into the role of the pissed off go between for the two.
"Jackson!"
"What ma?" Jax responded with a sigh. Gemma only called him by his full name when she was pissed off at him. "Let's talk in private." She said as she nodded toward his dorm room. She followed him in to his room. It smelled of stale cigarettes and old food due to the take out containers littered all over the place. It looked like a tornado hit it.
"Jesus Jackson. You are too old to be living in a pigsty when you have a wife at home. When did you become so stupid? Go home to your wife and fix this shit. You aren't going to fix it staying here. So what she doesn't put up with your shit. Isn't that what you admired about her and why you married her? She's old lady material and has proven that by kicking you out so you can get our shit together. She's not crawled up in a ball crying her eyes out because you aren't there with her. And you, haven't you realized you are miserable? Yet you haven't cheated on her yet…that's big even for you!"
Jax just sat in front of his mother looking defeated.
"Sweetheart go home. Even if you are on the couch go home to your wife!"
Jax listened to her and knew what she said was right. "Alright ma, we have business up in San Fran tomorrow. The quick ride up and back will give me a little time to clear my head before I go talk to her or try and talk to her again. I'll head to the house after."
"I love you baby". Gemma said as she hugged Jax and gave him a kiss. She patted his shoulder as she walked out.
*********************************SOA***********************************************
Wendy and her supervisor attended seminar earlier that day and decided to stop for coffee before heading back. While there, they ran into some of the other attendees of the seminar and decided to stay for a small bite to eat. Wendy recognized a fellow student in the café and they became engrossed in discussing their latest assignment. They decided to become study mates and he walked her to her car. She thanked him, got in her car and pulled off. She had just enough time to make it to class.
SAMCRO was just finishing up a meeting with Henry Lin at one of his family's many restaurants in San Francisco. Jax was anxious to get back to Charming and Wendy. He was the first SON outside and ready to go. He didn't want to linger as his brothers did for the typical small talk after business was concluded. He figured they would feel his absence and move a little quicker if they knew he was waiting.
Jax lit a cigarette and looked up just in time to see a khaki dressed nerd escorting a woman with a gorgeous body and dirty blond hair to her car. Even without seeing her face, Jax knew the girl was way too hot for that geek. His thoughts went quickly to Wendy. He smiled thinking about heading home to his wife. The glimmer of happiness was short lived when he saw the car they were walking toward. Just as it registered in his brain who it was, the blonde looked up as she waved goodbye to her nerd. The blonde was his wife.
Jax started to stalk across the street but the car pulled off and just like that she was gone. Nose flaring, he started towards the khaki clad man thinking of the beat down he was about to serve him. All of a sudden a strong hand landed on his shoulder.
"Hey Brother, we've been looking for you. The bikes are parked on the other side of the building. You alright bro? Opie asked.
"Yeah let's get out of here, I need to head home."
"Home?"
"Yeah, home!" Jax replied
************************************SOA******************************************
It had been a long day for Wendy. After heading back from San Francisco, she made it just in time for night class. She struggled through the front door of the house. Her book-bag, purse and the take out she ordered weighing her down.
As she moved inside house she almost managed to get everything onto the side table she noticed the light was on in the living room. She didn't recall leaving it on when she left the house that morning. She was pissed that she wasn't close to one of the guns they kept around the house. She moved further into the house toward the living room and stopped short. Jax was sitting in the chair next to the side lamp, legs crossed and running his hand along his jaw line and over his beard.
"Jesus Jax. You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?"
"It is my house and where are you coming from so late?" Jax spit out.
"I had one of my late classes this week and …wait why am I explaining myself to you? When is the last time you took an interest in what I have been doing in the past month?"
"I'm your husband dammit. That's why! And just what the hell were you doing in San Francisco today and who the fuck was that guy you were with?"
"Were you following me? Oh now you want to be my husband? Actions speak louder than words!" Wendy responded.
"You want action? I can show you Darlin more that I can tell you!" Jax stood up and crossed the length of the room in record speed. He grabbed Wendy with such force he lifted her off of the ground. He slammed his mouth onto hers.
Initially, Wendy tried to protest and push him away. Ultimately she gave into her own desires and wrapped her legs around his waist. She grabbed at Jax's long blond hair and pulled him closer. They quickly shred their clothes as they groped each other and gave in to their pent up desires. It had been way too long since they had been together. They spent the rest of evening making up for lost time.
"What have I done?" Wendy asked herself the next morning as she rolled over and looked at her husband snoring slightly as he slept without a care in the world. She slowly and painfully slid out of bed and slipped into the bathroom. Her muscles were sore from the night before. She was full of mixed emotions. Of course she loved Jax that was the easy part. Living with him and the drama his mama and the club brought with it was another thing.
As she began to get ready for work, she noticed her unopened pack of birth control pills on the vanity. Since she and Jax were living separately over the last two months she failed to keep up with her morning routine.
"Shit! Not now, not like this! " Was all she could think of at the moment. She decided to panic later if and when she needed to. This morning she had bigger things to worry about. What was she going to do with the man in her bed?