Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, alerted, favorited this story. Your support is amazing! Another huge shoutout to Petersgirl2011, who without who awesome feedback that makes me squee, giggle, and smile each and every time this story would still be sitting in a folder on my computer and I'd be debating on posting or not. So give her major love, and go check out her incredible Jax/Tara story Circling the Crow... Like seriously, its amazeballs.

Without further ado... I give you Chapter 11!

Chapter 11 –

Juice laid on his back on his bed in the cell. He couldn't believe that Kayleigh was actually pregnant with his kid. He'd been shocked when she told him, but he was happy and made sure she knew he was happy about it. He'd also given her his mother's number to call her, she agreed to call her and tell his family that she was pregnant, he was leaving it up to her whether or not to tell her family.

He was more than a little scared, too, now that he'd had more time to think about it. She'd said she would be two months pregnant at the end of the following week, and was positive they'd gotten her knocked up the one time they didn't use a condom. Surprisingly, to himself, Juice wasn't mad that she'd gotten knocked up; his own father had split on his mom, him and his sister. Juice had always wanted his own family that he could do better by.

In this case, it didn't look like that was going to happen for a while. Worst case, he would be out in three years. Best case, he would be out in twelve and a half more months. Either way, he would miss the entirety of Kayleigh's pregnancy and the birth of their child, along with the first months of his or her life.

His thoughts drifted to whether it would be a boy or a girl and he hoped for a little girl that looked just like Kayleigh, complete with blue eyes and her thick strawberry-blonde hair.

Kayleigh had admitted to the morning sickness that tended to occur any time of the day for her, and Juice wondered what else he would miss while she was pregnant. He wished it would be different, that he could watch her change and grow with their child from the comfort and closeness of his home in Charming, but that wouldn't happen. Juice would have to make due with the phone calls and visits from his beautiful woman and, eventually, their baby.


Kayleigh dialed the number Juice had given her and took a deep breath. It rang twice before someone picked up the line.

"You haven't called in two months Juan Carlos, what the hell have you been doing that's so damn important that you cannot call your own mother?!" a woman yelled with an accent Kayleigh hadn't heard before, it was a mix of Juice's New York lilt blended with a distinct Puerto Rican accent. Kayleigh smiled despite being thrown off guard by Juice's mother.

"Hello," Kayleigh said, unsure of how to respond. "Maria? My name is Kayleigh. I don't know if…"

"I know who you are, is Juan Carlos alive?" she said quickly, cutting Kayleigh off. The worry evident in her voice.

"Oh! No, Juice is fine! I mean, he's in prison, but he's alive. How do you know who I am?" Kayleigh asked, adding her thought to the end of her explanation.

"You are all Juan Carlos talks about, Kayleigh. It is nice to finally speak to you. Can I assume you called because my son is in prison?"

Kayleigh gave a small chuckle and put her hand on her stomach, thankful she was alone in the house and could not be seen by Juice's mother. "Sort of, that's one reason, yes ma'am. I um… I'm calling because… Juice wanted me to…"

"Are you pregnant?!" she asked before Kayleigh could spit it out. It was clear that she was excited.

Might as well jump in with two feet, Kayleigh thought. "Yes, Juan Carlos wanted me to tell you, and I thought it would be nice to meet you, sort of, if you count over the phone."

"It's nice to put a voice to the young woman Juan Carlos talks about every time he calls. How far along are you, dear?"

"Oh, two months."

"That's wonderful! Oh, I'm so excited. I just knew you would be the one for my son when he first told me about you Kayleigh."

"To be honest, Maria, neither Juan Carlos or I planned this, it was kind of an accident, and I'm not really sure we are at that point either."

"A baby planned or not, is never an accident."

"Oh, please don't get me wrong! I've always wanted to be a mom. I'm... it was a bit of a shock, we um…" she paused for a second and then muttered, "fuck it," before speaking normally, "we always used protection except for one time and well… here we are, but I am excited. Nervous, because Juice is locked up for a while and I've never done this before, but I'm excited. I think he is, too."

"How long is he going to be in prison?"

"Fourteen months, well… about twelve left now."

"Juan Carlos told me you have family in Texas. You won't leave to go stay with them while he's gone?"

"No I'll be staying here so that I can go visit Juice, plus my business is here. I couldn't just leave the bakery for a year and Juice is a huge part of the reason I stayed here in Charming in the first place."

"Really? You loved him from the beginning," Maria gushed.

"I didn't say that, but… it's probably true. Juice has… he's surprised me, he's different than other men in his… lifestyle… and I like it."

"Juan Carlos is a good young man, acts tough and hard, but he has a heart of gold, a big one, to go along with his big smile. You love him?"

"Yes," Kayleigh answered without thinking.

"Have you told him?"

"No, I… prison visitation doesn't seem like the right time now."

"It's always a good time to tell someone you love them. He's never said it, but I know he loves you. It's in the way he talks about you, dear. Stay in touch now that you have my number; I don't know why he didn't give it to you sooner, or call when you were around. I'd like to get updates on my grandbaby and hear from you, too."

Kayleigh chuckled softly, she liked this woman. "Of course, thanks Maria. It was very nice to talk to you; your son is a wonderful man."

"He's a lucky man to have a woman like you," she replied and they shared a laugh. "I'll send some things to Juan Carlos's house that were his and when you find out the gender, if you do… let me know. I want to spoil my first grandbaby as much as I can."

Kayleigh replied that she would share as soon as Juice knew and then promised to call again soon before hanging up, happy to have called Maria Ortiz. She wasn't so happy to be dialing the next number.

"Hello?" came the deep voice on the other end of the line. "Who's this?"

"Hi, Danny," Kayleigh said softly.

"Hi, squirt!" he shouted back. "I didn't think you'd ever actually call me again!"

Before he could launch into a rant she stopped him. "What are you doing Danny? Are you alone?" she asked.

That stopped him in his tracks and she could hear the seriousness in his voice when he replied, "Sitting in my house, and yes, I'm alone. Why? You okay? Do I need to come beat the shit out of your Ol' Man? Get him to get his act together?"

"No, Danny," she said with a small laugh. "Juice doesn't need you to beat the shit out of him, he's um… a few of the guys are locked up right now."

"Oh, shit. Sorry, squirt. I'm guessing Juice is one of them? For how long?"

"Parole in another year, but that's not why I called either Danny. I… I have something to tell you, but you have to promise, promise, promise, that you won't tell anyone, especially Daddy, Trevor, or Daniel."

"That's a big request, little girl."

"I know, but I don't want them to know. Do I have your word?"

"Oh, shit, you're serious." He paused for just a second, debating and then answered, "Yes, Kayleigh, you have my word."

"I'm pregnant," she said quietly, but just loud enough that Danny heard her.

"Are you shitting me?" he asked with a laugh. "Really, squirt? My little squirt is gonna have a squirt of her own? That's great, Kayleigh, but why don't you want your family to know?"

"You know my reasons, Danny. I just don't… I can't right now. Everything is still too raw."

"I understand and I'll keep my promise not to tell, but I gotta say squirt, you're gonna have to tell them one day."

"I know, but it's not today."

"Okay. When are you due?" he said, dropping the subject of telling her father and brothers.

"April."

"And your man gets out?"

"August if they behave. Three years if not."

"And you're staying there?"

"I'm not moving where I can't see Juice, Danny. I'd never take the baby away from him either," she snapped.

"I was just asking, squirt, damn. Don't jump my shit. I wanted to know so I could send you some stuff. Gotta spoil that new baby. Hey, I gotta go, your dad just pulled up. Think about calling him, too. I'm happy for you, squirt! Later."

"Bye, Danny."


The bakery was empty when the phone rang. Kayleigh snatched it off the back counter and quickly went to flip the sign to closed and lock the front door. As she was walking to the kitchen, she answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey baby," Juice's deep voice came from the other end of the line.

"Hey yourself, I wasn't expecting you to be able to call again so soon, not that I'm not super excited to hear your voice."

Kayleigh had been able to come visit twice more during the past two months since she'd first come to see him. The first phone call had been earlier in the week, so she was surprised to hear from him today, only six days later.

"Yeah, surprise to us, too. How are you feeling?"

"Better. The morning sickness is gone for the most part, but I'm tired all the time. It's hard to sleep at night without you. Chibs said he's gonna buy me this stupid body pillow thing. I told him I'd rather he took me shopping."

"Why?"

"Why? Because none of my fucking pants fits anymore, that's why."

"Aw, come on, baby. That just means my little guy or girl is growin'!" Juice said happily.

"Yes, well, it also means I'm growing, too, which is not so much fun."

"When's the next appointment?" he asked.

"Two days. Your mom sent some stuff in the mail. I haven't had a chance to look through it, but the attached note said it was yours when you were little, along with a few gender neutral things for the baby."

"Really? Cool. She's excited probably."

"Oh, she was very excited when I talked to her."

Kayleigh could hear the guards yelling in the background and frowned, knowing Juice would be cut off soon.

"I miss you, Juice," she said.

"You too, baby. See you in two weeks?" he asked.

"Wouldn't miss it."


"You headed up to see Juicey-boy?" Chibs asked as Kayleigh slid off her barstool and grabbed her purse from the hook under the bar.

"Yep."

"The appointment go good?" he asked next, walking with her out to the truck.

"Everything's normal Chibs. Thanks. Hey, I really appreciate your concern about me and the baby. I know it means a lot to Juice, too, that you're looking out for me."

"You're family, lass. We take care of our own. Be careful on the drive up, and don't let Mr. Handsy get to you. Juice'll be pissed if you don't get to see him because you mouthed off to the guard."

"Well, if Mr. Handsy would bypass the girls and get on with his job I wouldn't have a problem."

"The girls?" Miles, one of the new prospects, asked, pausing on his way past Chibs and Kayleigh.

Kayleigh glared at him and he cowered under her stare. "Don't you have work to do, prospect?" she snapped.

"Uh.. yes ma'am. I uh…"

"Ma'am? Do I look like I'm old enough to be your mother? Get the fuck out of here!" she screeched while Chibs laughed.

"I love you, lassie. Here I've been trying to give that boy hell all day and he just takes it, but you do it and he tucks tail and runs like a little bitch."

Kayleigh giggled. "I've gotta go, but you better totally give him major hell for asking about the girls. Like cleaning shit, literal shit, off the floor kind of hell."

"Yes well, try not to tease Juicey with those too much, poor man's locked up and can't even play with em."

Kayleigh burst into laughter. "Thanks for that, Chibby." She opened the door and climbed into the cab. With a wave to Chibs she pulled out of the lot and headed for Stockton.

"Good afternoon, Miss Hanners." The guard greeted as she handed over her phone and car keys. The officer put them in a Ziploc back and stuck them into a numbered box on a shelf behind him.

Mr. Handsy was waiting with a new face as she made it up to get the standard pat down before being admitted through the doors.

"Hello again, beautiful," the fucker said as Kayleigh raised her arms up, ignoring him. "Officer Kevin is going to be doing your search today. He's new."

"Nice to meet you, Sir." Kayleigh said with a forced smile as the officer stepped forward.

Thankfully, he was shy and nervous, and made quick work of the search with no lingering hands. After getting the okay, Handsy and Newbie took her down to the visiting room.

A few other inmates and their respective family members were already seated around the room. Juice was in the corner and stood when he saw Kayleigh.

He had noticed the first time she'd come to visit that her rack seemed bigger, but there was no doubt this time in his mind that the tits he knew so well, the ones that he could easily picture in his mind, were definitely bigger.

Along with showing off her larger rack, which had to be at least a D now, the fitted black t-shirt also showed off the small bump between her hips. With a smile, she wrapped her arms around his middle and he hugged her back as hard as he dared.

"You look beautiful, baby."

Mr. Handsy cleared his throat and they separated. Kayleigh shot a glare over her shoulder, but turned back to Juice and sat down across from him again.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Officer Handsy over there is a bit a dick, but it's okay."

"Handsy? He touch you?"

"No more than would actually get him in trouble. Don't, Juice," Kayleigh said sharply, but quietly when she saw his jaw clench and his hand ball into a fist.

"I have something for you. I called ahead to make sure you could keep it." Kayleigh pulled the little square photo out of her back pocket and slid it across the table to him.

Juice stared down at the little black and white picture. It was fuzzy and not very clear, but the nurse had circled and labeled part of the picture.

"It's kind of hard to tell, but that's"

"Our kid," he finished for her, that huge grin of his spreading across his face.

Kayleigh smiled. "The doctor said everything looks good."

"That's really good. I've been worried about you. Jax said Tara is stressing out."

"Yeah, she is," Kayleigh replied with a nod and a chuckle. "But, I don't have Gemma breathing down the back my neck as much as she does. So that helps."

"When can we know if it's a boy or a girl?"

Kayleigh enjoyed seeing Juice's excitement about the baby. Even if he couldn't be there for her the way both of them wanted, he was trying to be as involved as he possibly could from Stockton State Prison.

"Soon, next appointment they'll do another ultrasound. If little squish decides to cooperate we'll get to find out. Tara is having a boy."

"Little squish?" he questioned.

"Well, I got tired of calling it, it. So, I decided to call it little squish. Squishy, either works." When he gave her a strange look she elaborated "From Finding Nemo… Dory… 'come here little squishy, I'll call you squishy and you shall be mine?' Any of that ring a bell?"

It did, she'd made Juice watch the ridiculous kid's movie when they first started living together and he'd hated to admit that he'd enjoyed it with her. "Squish it is. What do you want, boy or girl?" he asked.

"That's a loaded question. I want a healthy baby."

"And that's a bullshit answer," he replied with a snigger. "What do you really want, Kayleigh?"

She gave him that beautiful smile. "I want a boy, a little Juan Carlos."

"Oh hell, he'd drive you crazy."

"Price I'd be willing to pay. What about you? Boy? Little girl with a pretty pink bow?"

Juice looked down at the ultrasound picture again. Having the image of his baby made it all a little more real and scary, but he was so damn excited to be a father. "A girl. One that looks just like you."

"Hmm. No, let's hope she has your hair."

"Naw, that's my favorite part of you, besides you know." Juice waggled his eyebrows and glanced down at her rack before back up to meet her laughing eyes.

"Yeah, I bet." Kayleigh reached across the table and ran a finger across the new tattoo on his forearm. The black cursive script started just above the bend of his elbow and went a little past. "Luctor Et Emergo," she read. "That's new. Happy do it?"

"Yeah. It means I struggle and I come through."

"Very nice."

"How's the bakery?" he asked her.

"Oh, it's good. I might be hiring some help. Oswald came in with his wife and daughter the other day, Tristen. She's starting high school, wants to be independent. I overheard her talking to her parents about getting a job. I offered her a spot at the bakery if her father agrees."

"Oswald's cool with the club, he should be a go."

"Yeah. I think he'll let her. She's a sweet young girl. Gemma filled me in on what happened before I made it to Charming. Poor girl, but she's seems to be okay."

"You thought about names?" Juice asked suddenly, making Kayleigh laugh.

"For the baby? No, not really. I'm working up the energy to clean out the guest room so I can turn it into a nursery. You know you have like three giant boxes of computer parts and other technology shit, right?"

"Yeah. Have one of the prospects move them to the dorm at the clubhouse."

"You sure? I'm not trying to get rid of your stuff."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Baby's gonna need the space."

"Hmm." Kayleigh reached for Juice's hand and he held hers tightly. "This is the hardest part," she whispered, knowing their time was coming to an end and she'd have to leave again.

"I know baby, a year to go."

They stood and Juice wrapped her in a quick hug, sneaking a kiss to her lips before stepping back. "Miss you already."

"See you soon, Juicey," she replied with a soft smile.


Tristen Oswald was set to start working for Kayleigh at the beginning of the next week. Her father had sat down with her and Kayleigh and worked out a schedule when she could work. Since Kayleigh had extended the hours of the bakery, Tristen would come by after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and work until Kayleigh closed at six.

Kayleigh had arrived early at the bakery to get the day started and now, halfway through the day, was dragging. Her energy gone after being on the move since she woke up at five. When the last customer left from the large crowd that had come in for an after lunch treat Kayleigh went and flopped down in the chair she had bought for behind the counter.

The chime rang out a few minutes later and Kayleigh moved to stand up.

"Oh, no please, sit. Don't get up for me." The African American woman smiled and waved her hand at Kayleigh to sit back down. "I wanted to come introduce myself. I'm Rita Roosevelt. I'm opening the flower shop next door."

"That's you?" Kayleigh said, standing back up and coming around the counter. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Kayleigh Hanners. You're the new sheriff's wife?"

The woman laughed, but nodded. "God I hate being introduced that way, but yes. Eli is my husband. Have you met him?"

"Yeah, he's come in a few times for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Welcome to Charming, Rita."

"Thanks. I don't mean to be rude, but little town and people talk. You're connected to the Sons of Anarchy."

Kayleigh nodded slowly, wondering where the other woman was going with this. "Yes. Why?"

"Oh, please don't take it the wrong way. I listen to Eli talk about shutting down the gang all the time, but I really don't see what all the fuss is about. To me, it seems like they look out for their town."

"The Club does," Kayleigh replied, stressing the word club. "It's been pretty quiet here recently, a lot of our boys are locked up right now, but they are good men."

"Eli mentioned that some were in prison. Yours?"

"Yeah. My man's locked up."

"Are you married? I'm sorry, that was rude of me, and none of my business." Rita was clearly embarrassed that she had spoken out and Kayleigh gave her a reassuring smile.

"It's fine. No offense taken. I wouldn't ask some of the other Old Ladies that same question, but I'm cool. Promise. But no, we aren't married."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed because…"

"I'm pregnant?" Kayleigh provided.

"Yeah. Sorry, again."

"It's okay, Rita." Kayleigh gave her a reassuring smile. "I didn't find out I was pregnant until after he went inside. Bit of a surprise for both of us, but not unwanted, just unplanned."

"Those can be the best surprises." Her phone beeped and Rita checked it quickly. "I've got to go, head home before Eli gets off work, but I'd love to buy one of your pies. Is there a customer favorite? I've seen people coming and going all day."

Kayleigh grinned and moved back behind the counter. "The Pecan is a big hit, but if you don't like nuts... the Chess and the Triple Berry are also favorites."

"Your favorite?"

"The chocolate pie, for sure."

"That sounds delicious. I'll take it."

"Whole pie, or a few slices?"

"Ooh, the whole pie," Rita said with a smile.

"Lucky for you, it's the last one left!"

Kayleigh rang her up and with a wave and an 'I'll see you around' Rita left the shop.


"Hello?" Tara called as she opened the door to the house. Kayleigh had the day off and offered to babysit Abel while Tara had gone to work her shift at the hospital. She'd cut back her hours, but was trying to work as much as possible before she went on maternity leave in a few months.

"In here!" Kayleigh called back from Abel's room.

The toddler was sitting on the floor playing with blocks while Kayleigh, and her growing belly, sat on a giant pillow beside him.

"That has got to be uncomfortable," Tara commented. "Hey, buddy," she added to Abel, ruffling his hair.

"No worse than the fact that my kid feels like it's sitting on my bladder."

"Nice. Those are the best feelings." Tara sat down in the rocking chair in the corner.

"Oh yeah. I love feeling like Squish is bouncing on my bladder."

"I know that feeling, it gets worse. I swear I feel like I constantly have to pee, but don't. It's awful. Did you find out the gender yesterday?"

"Sort of. I don't wanna know without Juice, so I had them write it down and stick it in an envelope. When I go up to visit next we can find out together."

"That's really sweet. How's he doing with the idea of being a father?"

"I think he's good, nervous, but it's easy to tell he's excited."

"And you?"

"Me? I'm all of those things, too. I've always wanted this, a baby, my own family. I can't wait to meet my little squish. What about Jax? He's about to be a dad for the second time in like two more months."

"He's good, too. Wishes he could be here when Thomas is born."

Kayleigh smiled at her friend. She'd found out the gender and had picked out a name shortly after. Gemma was over the moon to be having another grandson and had already bought tons of new clothes and things for him.

Without knowing the gender of their baby yet, Kayleigh hadn't started shopping for anything. She had managed to finally clean out the guest bedroom and had Phil and Miles take Juice's computer shit to the dorm.

Kozik had volunteered to paint the room for her, since she couldn't be around the fumes, and had finished painting the room a soft gray last week. No matter if it was a boy or girl, Kayleigh decided a neutral gray would work with either pink or blue and she could decorate in whichever color.

"You look great," Tara said. "I'm super jealous. I look like a whale, pregnant from every angle, and if you turn your back to someone you can't even tell your pregnant."

"You look great, so stop that shit, and yeah, Juice says I look like I've smuggled a little watermelon under my shirt."

The girls laughed and Tara helped Kayleigh off the floor so they could make dinner for themselves and Abel.


Juice couldn't wait to see Kayleigh again. The guys had teased him relentlessly for the fact that he had checked out as many books about pregnancy, fatherhood, and anything that had to do with a baby from the library. He couldn't be with Kayleigh through the process, but he could at least be knowledgeable and aware of what was happening to his girl and his kid.

They greeted each other the same as always, although hugging her was getting to be a little challenging since she was now almost seven months pregnant; he'd been keeping track. She teased him about his hair that had grown in fully and was thick and dark. Juice thought she looked beautiful across the table from him as she set a white envelope between them.

"Open it."

"The guards will…"

"Kevin is on duty today, not Asshole Handsy, and Kevin already said it was fine, he knows what it is. Now, open it. I want to know if Squish is a boy or girl so I can go crazy buying baby stuff."

"Wait, this is... this will tell us if it's a boy or girl? You don't already know?"

"Of course I don't know yet, Juice. I didn't want to know without you, and yeah. If you open the damn thing the paper inside will say if we are going to have a little Juice or a little me."

Juice picked up the envelope with so much care Kayleigh wondered if he thought it would bite him, or disappear.

"Holy Shit," he said as he opened it and let the slip of paper inside fall to the table. In neat handwriting were the words: It's a Girl!

"Congratulations, daddy. You're gonna have a little girl."

"I'm never gonna get outta here with a girl. First dude that looks at her is gonna wind me back up in prison."

Kayleigh burst into laughter. "Oh, honey. You have a while before that will happen. Unless, you know…Thomas Teller will only be a few months older than her."

"Shut the fuck up, no way. No Ortiz Teller babies in the future. I'm sure Jax will agree with me."

"Oh? I'm sure Tara will agree with me," she challenged back with a smirk.

"Fuck." He said, giving in to her. "Have you thought of names?"

"I have… I had a really good one for a boy, but… I've been stuck on girl names. I have an idea, but I'm not sure what you'd think about it."

"What is it?"

"Well, your sister's name is Graciela and I thought it would be nice to name her after someone from my family and yours so I came up with Gracie Lynn Ortiz."

Juice was silent. Unsure of what to say and trying hard not to choke up at the same time. Of all the things he thought Kayleigh would say, naming their little girl Gracie wasn't what he thought she'd come up with. He was touched, and he loved the name.

"Gracie… Lynn… Ortiz… not Hanners?"

Kayleigh shot him a look that made him wish he hadn't asked. "She's your daughter Juice, not Ryan's. Of course she's going to have your name."

He nodded. "Gracie… I love it."

They spent the rest of their short time together discussing how Kayleigh was going to decorate the nursery and Juice admitted he'd read the books about pregnancy, labor, and parenting. Kayleigh teased him for only a second before confessing that she was pretty damn proud he had done so. He quizzed her about different parts of being pregnant; food cravings, doctor appointments, swelling hands and feet, and even about her giving birth. He was pretty scared when she said she wanted to do it all natural, but agreed with what she wanted.

When she winced Juice almost freaked, but Kayleigh waved him off. She got up from her seat and moved to sit beside him. She took his hand and pressed it to the side of her belly.

"Kayleigh?"

"Shh. Just wait."

A few seconds passed before Juice felt it. "Jesus. Does that hurt?"

"Sometimes, she's getting bigger and stronger, and a well placed kick to the bladder or especially the cervix is painful, but for the most part it's just weird feeling when she moves around, but I love it. She's way more active now, and I get nervous when she's still for a long time."

Kayleigh pushed hard against Juice's hand that was still on her belly, even as he protested that she'd hurt herself or the baby. She rolled her eyes and watched as Juice's widened when the strong kick landed against the center of his palm.

Kayleigh was all smiles as she left Stockton and headed back to Charming. She set up a day to go shopping with Tara, Gemma, and Lyla when she made it back to the house. Kayleigh was more excited than she'd been yet for the baby to come.

She laid a hand on her round belly as she sat on the couch, smiling down at her baby bump. Her little Gracie.


Chibs helped Kayleigh onto the barstool, holding it so it didn't move and her hand so she didn't fall, as she hoisted herself up and sat with a sigh. "Oh that's nice. My feet are killing me."

"Prospect. Foot rub, now," Chibs yelled.

"Oh no." Kayleigh objected as Phil came around the bar. "No offense Phil, but one man gets to touch my feet and he's not here. So no, no foot rubs. I will however, take a very tall glass of cranberry juice, please."

Phil handed her the glass at the same time Kozik came in carrying a large box with holes in it.

"What the hell is that?" Opie asked.

"A present for Kayleigh," he replied, setting the box down on the floor and looking at her. "Since you won't let any of the prospects stay with you, and you're too damn stubborn to argue with, I came up with my own solution."

"Which is?" Kayleigh asked nervously.

Kozik bent down and opened the box, and when he stood up Kayleigh saw the little dark grey puppy.

"You've got to be shitting me? A puppy? Kozik I'm seven months pregnant! I don't have time for a puppy!"

"Well, I'll help take care of her and shit, but damn Kayleigh. You gotta have someone at the house to guard you and if not one of us the next best thing is this little girl."

"Really? That's your logic? I'm about to have a newborn and you think I should have a puppy too?"

"She'll get big soon, be able to protect you. Warn you if someone pulls up."

"What kind of dog is it?" Opie asked. "Her paws are huge."

"Great Dane and something mixed together."

"A Great Dane! You might as well have bought me a fucking horse to ride around on, Kozik!"

"At least hold her for a bit. See if you like her. If not, I'll keep her."

"Does she have a name?" Kayleigh asked, reaching for the silly puppy.

Her fur was soft, a dark grey with little splotches and spots of black. She was little, small enough to curl up on top of her bump and rest against her arm, but Opie was right, her paws were huge, disproportionate to the rest of her.

"Not yet. Dude I got her from just called her little girl."

"Hmm…" Kayleigh looked down at the little puppy in her arms. It raised its head, sniffed at her face and then licked her. "I guess I've got to think of another little girl name, don't I?"

"So you're gonna keep her?"

"Yeah. But I'm gonna kill you," she retorted, glaring at Kozik before snuggling and cooing at the puppy. "You are a little cutie, aren't you? Yes. The first thing we're gonna learn is to bite blondie in the ass every time you see him, okay?"


Juice was pissed, because of a fight that had nothing to do with the Sons, the prison had been put on lockdown and no visitors were allowed, which meant Kayleigh wouldn't be able to come up and see him.

The phone call he was granted soothed his anger a little. Her voice on the other end of the line helped more.

"Hey baby, god I wish I could see you. How's Gracie today?"

"Active." Juice could hear the smile in her voice. "Or I should say, she likes to be active at night, when I'm exhausted and trying to go to sleep."

"Is that normal? That's normal right? I read that babies are calmed by mom's movements during the day and then when you rest they're more active."

Kayleigh giggled. "Yes, Juice, it's normal, and what you read is correct."

It sounded like a dog barked in the background, and Juice wondered where she was. "Was that a dog? Are you home?"

"Oh. Yeah. When you see Tig next tell him he may not have to worry about Kozik being around when y'all get out."

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm gonna kill him."

Juice chuckled and asked, "Why?"

"He bought me a damned puppy. Juno is the most adorable little thing ever, and I couldn't turn her away, but he's lost his mind buying me a puppy when I'm about to have a newborn baby in two months."

"Why the hell did he buy you a dog?" Juice asked, kind of pissed off Kozik had bought her a puppy.

"Supposedly, I'm a stubborn little shit that doesn't let the prospects stick around and the three Sons y'all left behind are too pussy to argue with me."

He heard Chibs yell in the background, "I ain't pussy, lass, I like my balls attached!"

"Ignore him. I've tasked him to put together Gracie's crib because I refuse to let one of the idiots do it," Kayleigh muttered. "Anyway, Juno is living in our house and she's a smart little thing. Only took one nose rub in piss for her to figure out that we do our business in the backyard. She has this cute little bell that she rings with her nose when she has to go."

"She big? Did the idiot at least get a dog that will be decent at guarding you?"

"Oh, she's not too big right now, but she'll be a damn good guard dog, if not that she'll be good at making someone think twice about trying this house or coming at me. She's a Great Dane mix, and she already barks and does this cute little growl at every noise she hears."

"You've still been eating good? Are you going to cut back the bakery hours?" Juice asked. He worried about Kayleigh more than he let her think he did.

"I'm eating fine, Juice, all the organic, healthy shit you can imagine. I'm still opening the bakery Tuesday through Friday, but since Tristen is only there to help on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I'm going to keep those days as full seven to six days and close at two on the other days."

"What about when Gracie comes?"

"Well… that's a bridge I haven't even thought about crossing."

"You don't need to be working right after you've had her. It's not healthy for you or Gracie," Juice warned.

"You read that in a book too, concerned papa?" she questioned with a hint of laughter in her voice. "Chibs said to tell you, he's got your back and he won't let me do anything I'm not supposed to do."

"Good."

"Oh, hey… before I forget, I found something of yours. Black box, second shelf to the right in the guest bedroom closet ring a bell?"

"I can explain Kayleigh I…"

Kayleigh started laughing and he wished he could see her smile, knowing she knew he was busted. "You should probably find a different hiding spot for your panty fetish when you get home, Juicey," she teased.

"Yeah, okay, smart ass." He sighed. "They're about to kick me off, baby. I miss you so much, Kayleigh." The urge to tell her that he loved her was almost overwhelming, but he stopped himself before the words came tumbling out.

"I miss you too, Juan Carlos."


Kayleigh flinched as another scream echoed from inside Tara's hospital room.

"That will be you in two more months, lass."

"Shut it, Chibs. She's screaming like that and she got an epidural. My plan for labor involves no drugs, so just… shut up."

"Really? All natural?" Lyla asked with a shudder of her own. "Ouch."

"Yeah. Ouch doesn't really describe it, I don't think," Kayleigh replied with a laugh.

They'd all come to the waiting room earlier in the day when Gemma sent out the call that Tara had gone into labor. Gemma was in the room with Tara, heaven help her friend, while the guys and Lyla and Kayleigh hung out on the waiting room.

"This chair is killing me. I've got to get up and walk around," Kayleigh said.

It took her a second to get to her feet and when she finally did, Chibs stood up too.

"Ain't going anywhere without someone else, lass. Let's go walking." He held out his arm for her and she took it with a smile.

They were silent as they made a lap around the hospital before going outside so Chibs could smoke a cigarette. Kayleigh sat on the metal bench and Chibs sat beside her.

"Nervous, lass?" he asked. "For your own labor?"

"Not really. A little, more nervous to do it by myself. I wish Juice could be there for so many reasons. Mainly to see her born, and to be there beside me."

"I'm proud of you, lass. You know, your name is Scottish, the way you spell it. It means warrior, and that's a very fitting name for you. You've done wonderful without him here, and you'll be great when the little lassie is born."

"Think so?"

"I don't think so, I know so. You're a strong young woman. You remind me of my wife, Fiona, and you remind me of Gemma in some ways too. You're strong willed, strong minded, and strong in your physical strength as well. You are brave, caring, and a wonderfully beautiful soul. Juice is a lucky man, and that little girl is lucky to have you for her mother."

"Thanks, Chibs." Kayleigh quickly rubbed away the tears that had formed. "Damn pregnancy hormones," she muttered.


Juice was expecting Kayleigh and was scared to see Chibs come through the door.

"Where's Kayleigh? Is she okay? Gracie?" Juice asked, panic building up inside and making his heart clench at the thought something bad had happened to either of them.

Chibs gave him a grin and patted his shoulder. "They're both fine, Juicy-boy." He pulled three pictures out of his pocket of his jacket and sat down, setting the pictures face up on the table.

"Congratulations, brother. You're a father to a beautiful seven pound three-ounce little girl. Kayleigh delivered two days ago. Gracie arrived at seven o' nine in the evening. Both Kayleigh and Gracie are doing just fine. Gemma took them home this morning."

Juice tenderly picked up the middle picture. Kayleigh was laying in the hospital bed with a little bundle cradled in her arms. Gracie's eyes were closed as she slept peacefully against Kayleigh. The picture on the right was one of just Gracie, wrapped snuggling in a blanket with a little pink hat that had a bow almost as big as her head on it. Her eyes were open in this one, they were dark and it was hard to tell what color they were going to be. The last picture was a candid shot. Kayleigh was staring down at their daughter, who was latched to her breast, with a huge smile.

Juice sniffed, set the pictures down and wiped his eyes. "Shit, man."

"Your girl did good, Juicy. No meds, all natural, thirty-eight hours of labor. She was a goddamn trooper."

"Was someone in the room with her?" he asked, staring at the picture of his daughter and Kayleigh. He'd known of her plan to have a natural birth; he was unsure if she'd decided to have someone in the room with her.

Chibs shook his head. "No, she didn't want anyone but the doctors and nurses because Danny couldn't make it up in time. Gemma offered, so did I, hell, even Kozik and Ope offered, but she refused."

"Stubborn bitch," Juice muttered, making Chibs laugh.

"She is that, boy. She was pissed off that she couldn't come up here today. Told Gemma to drive her here instead of to your house. I made Kozik and the prospects tail them both to make sure Gemma didn't give in."

Juice chuckled. He could just image Kayleigh demanding that she was fine and more than capable of coming here two days after giving birth.

"She's really okay though? No tears or complications? Stitches?"

"You really did read too many of those damn books. I thought Kayleigh was kidding, damn. Kayleigh is just fine, but I'm not sure about any of that. I didn't ask, and I sure as fuck didn't look. The doctors released her so no complications or issues."

"Gracie?"

"She's as healthy as a horse. Got a set of lungs on her, too, like her ma."

Juice stared at the pictures Chibs had given him later that night. Unable to sleep as his mind was racing with thoughts of his daughter. He had a daughter. Kayleigh had given him the greatest gift in his entire life.


Kayleigh was nervous, more than she had ever been when she'd come to see Juice at Stockton. Thankfully the officers on staff were the friendly nice ones, and not Mr. Handsy, and they ooed and awed over Gracie who was asleep in her car seat.

Juice wasn't in the room yet when Kayleigh entered so she chose a table where he'd be able to see her when he came in. She set the car seat and diaper bag on the floor at her feet and checked on Gracie.

Her sleeping daughter was beautiful, with a skin tone closer to Juice's, dark hair, and her mother's blue eyes. At three weeks old, she was almost eight pounds now and Kayleigh couldn't wait for Juice to meet her.

The doors opened across the room and the guard undid Juice's handcuffs and he walked quickly over to Kayleigh. He wanted to hug her, but didn't want to hurt her either. Her big baby bump was gone, but she still wasn't the same as she'd been before. He'd read that it was normal…

Before he could decide to hug her or not she had wrapped her arms around him and hugged him as hard as she could. When she let him go, he sat down next to the car seat and looked at his daughter, in person and not through a picture, for the first time. Fighting back the tears that he could feel coming on, he smiled at the mother of his child.

"She's perfect, Kayleigh."

"Wanna hold her?"

"She's asleep, I don't want to wake her up," he said, but Kayleigh was already unbuckling the car seat buckle and scooping her up.

Gracie stirred, made a soft coo, and then was out again. "She sleeps all the time. Here, support her head with one hand," Kayleigh said softly as she handed him their daughter.

His hands seemed massive compared to her little body and head, and he cradled her carefully against his chest. Juice smiled as he read what was on her little pink onesie; 'My daddy rides a Harley'.

"She's so small."

"She's gained several ounces since she was born, but she is a cute little thing. Thomas looks huge compared to her," she said with a smile.

"Juno okay with her? She hasn't tried to bite her has she?" Juice asked, worried the rapidly growing, hyper pup would be too much around the tiny baby in his arms.

"The damned dog is actually really good around Gracie. She takes her job as guard dog very seriously. She'll spaz out if you let her out in the backyard, but when she's near Gracie she chills out. It's like a really weird switch is flipped," she finished with a giggle.

Gracie stirred, scrunched up her face, and let out a small cry. Juice almost panicked for a moment, but shifted her slightly in his arms and shushed her as he whispered to her quietly.

Kayleigh watched Juice with Gracie and fell just a little bit more in love with the man across from her. She had no doubts that Juice was going to be a wonderful father. He was the father of her child, her wonderfully perfect daughter who was smiling her father's smile at him.

"I love you, Juan Carlos," she said without thinking, and held her breath as Juice turned his head quickly to look at her.

Juice studied her, for a moment wondering if he'd heard her correctly, but he was positive he had. Slowly, a grin spread across his face.

"I love you, too, my beautiful girl," he replied. Cradling Gracie in one arm, he used his free hand to pull Kayleigh to him and kissed her. It was quick, but enough to reflect his love for her in a physical way.