A/N: Thank you all for the support you're giving to this story. It means a lot :D
Reviews:
- ammilligan "I think Tara's fear of Jax is a little harsh" – I wanted to show her a bit more in accordance to my portrayal of her; also, Tara from Season One, episode one I believe, when she and Jax were hugging at the hospital and she noticed blood on his shirt - she wasn't glad to see it and she kind of looked scared (but also angry) of what might have happened. But I understand what you were getting at.
-jcampbell943 – Jax and Tara will be together, don't worry about it. :D
I'm also glad to see that most of you like the relationship I'm creating between Abel and Tara. You'll see a lot of that in the future. :3
-xDaniElleLeiGh3x – hehehe, I'm glad you liked Tara's outfit. I agree with you, olive colour does suit her well.
-EugeniaVictoria- as I said before, English is not my native language. I do my best to proofread every chapter at least two times before I post it. Mistakes and typos happen.
Happy reading :D
Fuck You, Tellers!
It was already 5:30 p.m. and still, no sign of Mr. Teller.
All the children had already left with their parents, June went home, and Tara and Abel were the only ones in the classroom. Tara was getting crankier by the minute, hating Jax Teller with every ounce of her being.
Standing her up was not ok, but she was an adult and those kinds of situations were common. But standing up his own kid? That was the one thing she could never forgive him.
The poor child was looking forward to spending time with his father, and the jerk didn't even show up. He could have at least called his mother to come pick up his son.
That only showed Tara that Mr. Teller was a dick who only thought of himself.
Coupled with the lack of sleep and the fact that she had barely eaten anything that morning, Tara's body felt as heavy as a rock and her head was thumping like someone was drilling a hole in her brain.
Sick of everything, she took Abel, went to the principal and said she was going to take Abel home because she was too exhausted to stay and wait for Mr. Teller to arrive, if he ever intended to.
The principal gave Tara Gemma's address and Tara left the school with the toddler holding her hand.
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"Where are we going?" - Abel asked as they approached the ice cream shop.
"Remember when I said that if your daddy doesn't buy you an ice cream today that I'm going to?" - Tara smiled opening the door.
The boy's eyes scanned the place, and when he saw the ice cream chest with all sorts of flavours, he squealed with delight. He turned to Tara and asked, wide eyed with hope in his voice, "You're gonna buy me ice cream?"
Tara laughed and ruffled his hair, "Well, I did promise, didn't I?"
He looked indecisively at the chest until he finally spotted the one he wanted. Pointing at the apple flavoured one, he said, "I want that one. My favourite."
Tara smiled. That was her favourite flavour too.
The man from the previous time Tara was there came, and when he saw Abel he grinned widely.
"Hi, Abel. Aren't you suppose to be home?"
"Chucky! Tara wants to buy mean an ice cream! The apple-flavoured one!" - he said with childlike delight.
The man, whose name Tara just now found out was Chucky, looked at her with a frown. Tara already knew what question was coming.
"I'm his teacher. Mr Teller failed to show up today. I couldn't wait for him so I decided to take Abel home myself. This is just a slight detour."
Chucky smiled and gave them their ice creams, refusing to charge them. They said their goodbyes and Tara and Abel headed towards Gemma's. Abel licked his ice cream satisfyingly, every once in a while stealing glances at Tara and smiling his trademark shy smile.
"I'm sorry your dad didn't come. And I'm sorry about the park. I'll take you some other time, promise."
Tara said, feeling guilty that she had promised him something earlier, but couldn't fulfil.
"That's ok. This is great too," - he grinned widely.
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When they got to his grandma's house, Tara knocked. A few seconds later, the door opened and Gemma appeared. She was surprised to see Tara at her doorstep, but more so when she saw that Abel was with her.
"Abel honey, what are you doing with Ms. Knowles?" - Gemma hugged him, keeping her eyes on Tara.
"She bought me ice cream!"
"Did she now?" - Gemma eyed Tara with slight disdain, before letting Abel into the house, telling him to go wash his hands while she spoke with his teacher. The boy complied, heading towards the kitchen.
Gemma looked at the brunette in front of her, who for some reason irritated the hell out of her. Putting her hand on her hip, she glared at Tara.
"What is this? Are you a nanny as well, teach?"
Tara looked at the woman, anger boiling in her. Fuck you, old lady! - "No, but unlike your son, I actually care for this child. Your son didn't come to pick him up, and neither did you. That is very irresponsible behaviour. Tell Mr. Teller that if he doesn't show up tomorrow at three o'clock straight, I'll start handling this situation."
"Watch what you say, teach."
"I'm not afraid of you, Mrs Teller or your son. Tomorrow, three o'clock sharp. Good day."
Tara turned and went her way, leaving Gemma with her jaw dropped.
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The next day, three o'clock sharp, Jax Teller and his mother stood by the door, waiting for the other parents and kids to go before they came in. Ten minutes later, after everyone was gone, Tara appeared and invited them in. Abel held his backpack as he ran towards them.
"Daddy! You came!"
The surprise in the boy's voice broke Tara's heart. Poor child. Her anger towards the Tellers grew even bigger because of that.
"Yeah buddy. Listen, grandma's gonna take you to uncle Opie's, ok? Daddy's gotta talk to Tara, but I'll come later, ok?"
He hugged his son and kissed him on the temple.
"Bye, Tara. See ya tomorrow," - he waved at her.
"Bye, sweetie," - she waved back.
Abel went with his grandma, who gave Tara a venomous look before heading to her car.
Tara turned her attention to Mr. Teller, who had his hands in his pockets, nervously shifting from foot to foot. He could barely look her in the eyes and Tara was glad that for the first time, he was the one looking uncomfortable.
"Please, sit," – her voice was cold and stern.
She gestured for the couch, and just like last time, she sat at the chair opposite it. This time she made sure there was enough distance between them so that the situation from the last time didn't repeat. Also, this time she wore jeans, not a skirt. She met with him with a clear goal in her mind and there was nothing that could mess that up.
Not his beautiful eyes, not his handsome face nor his charm.
Jax on the other hand, sensed that this time, he shouldn't try anything with Tara. Somehow he knew she was pissed and saying or doing anything like the last time would only do worse. He just sat on the couch, waiting for her to start talking.
"Mr. Teller, I must say that I did not expect this. I did not expect that we would have to have this conversation again. I told you the last time: Abel is still very young. He needs a stable male role model in his life. He needs his father to be there for him. You agreed, saying that you weren't aware of his behaviour. And then you said you will be paying more attention to him."
With each sentence Tara's voice became louder.
"Where were you yesterday, Mr. Teller? Or better yet, where were you for the last two weeks? Abel cried the entire day yesterday because you failed to show up. Because you forgot you were a father first. I can't see what could be more important that your own child!"
Now she was practically yelling. Jax blushed, feeling like he should at least defend himself.
"I had some business to take care of for the club."
He wanted to sound casual, but his voice was strained. Again, he felt like he was just digging a deeper hole for himself. And in two seconds he knew for sure he had said the wrong thing because Tara was fuming with wrath. She stood up abruptly.
"The club? How do you even dare say something like that?! This child is your son, your own flesh and blood. Nothing can be more important than him! Nothing! Do you have any idea what you're doing to him? That poor boy is asking for you, your love and you keep ignoring him! You keep choosing something else over him. You are being irresponsible towards him!"
Oh, now she hit a nerve. Jax stood up to defend himself.
"That club is the way I provide for him! I'm not choosing anything over him. I'm doing this for him!"
The next second, the argument turned into a full blown screaming match.
"Is that what you tell yourself at night so you can sleep better? This is abuse! You are abusing your son!"
Jax was starting to lose his patience. And that sentence was the last drop. - "I have never laid a hand on him!"
"Well you might as well do just that. Because the emotional and mental scars he's going to have because of you are far worse than that. I told you this was a serious matter! I told you not to ignore him! I told you a grandma cannot act like his mother! I told you to be there for him! And you didn't listen! "
Tara felt bad for telling him all of that, but she just couldn't control herself. Somehow, Abel's situation seemed to reflect her own, when she was a child.
"I did! But this was something I couldn't delay. If I could've, I wouldn't have left in the first place. Because I did listen to you! Because I love my son! Because I care for him!"
Now they were both fuming, fire burning in their eyes as they looked at each other.
"This is the last time I'm telling you this, Mr. Teller. Get your shit together. You are a father. Act like one. "
Jax was done. He couldn't argue with her anymore because he didn't know what else to say. Somehow, he knew she was right. Jax just nodded then headed out, when Tara said:
"And Mr. Teller? It's Ms. Knowles to you." She smiled bitterly.
He gaped at her, jaw dropped, before smirking and shaking his head. He turned towards the door.
"Good day, Tara."
And left.
Damn him. Does he always have to have the last word?
