Chibs awoke bright and early the next morning his right arm a bit numb from having Nina asleep on it all night long without any movement. He moved his fingers doing his best to bring the sensation in his arm back to life without disturbing his snoozing old lady.
Chibs snuggled closer to her pressing a kiss to the top of her wild curls grinning as she made a little noise in her sleep murmuring something that sounded like not yet, sleepy.
He peered over her sleeping form taking in the blocky black numbers on her old fashioned brown analog alarm clock. It was just past six am which meant he'd have to leave soon and get up to the clubhouse.
Club business seemed more brutal than it usually would be and Chibs knew why. It was seemed far more intense because there were more things than usual falling into his lap; things that Clay and Jax usually would wind up taking care of.
There were less club members to maintain club business and keep things going smoothly.
With the clubs' approval Opie had taken position as the clubs' temporary acting president and he'd made Chibs the temporary vice president.
Of course Piney would have been a good choice for club pres. He was older with a lot of experience under his belt. He was smart enough to have remained alive and unscathed this far, but the old man's drinking habit left him less than fit for the role of club president.
It was a big responsibility being temporary VP. He had to have Opie's back in every move they made.
The other brothers were looking up to Ope and Chibs to lead them until the proper leaders got out of prison.
Chibs was overwhelmed with just how much was falling on his plate. It was all so intimidating.
He was exhausted and overwhelmed by it all. He had no idea how Clay and Jax did it without completely cracking.
Opie and Chibs had a meeting with the head of a fraction of Russian mafia at the Jellybean Lounge at nine this morning, or it actually wasn't the head of the mafia. It was one of his underlings.
The head was refusing to speak in person to anyone but Clay. So Opie and Chibs were stuck dealing with some underling until Clay got out and was able to speak to the head in person.
Chibs wasn't looking forward to it at all, never mind the fact that it was taking place in a strip club...well if you wanted to call the Jellybean Lounge a proper strip club. Most of the girls working there were in bad shape; high on god knows what and in poor physical fitness.
There was nothing more unpleasant than visiting some pissed off Russians and a sad excuse for a strip club so early in the morning.
Chibs hoped that they could find a way to appease the Russians and keep the guntrade rolling.
Truthfully he'd much rather remain here locked up in his old lady's apartment with their sweet daughter far away from all the ugliness that was going on out in the real world.
He loved the idea of hiding from the world and his responsibilities. He wanted to pretend that things were still simple; that all this chaos hadn't been dropped on his lap.
Hiding from reality sounded heavenly to him; here in the apartment safe with his lasses being happy and worry free.
Chibs knew well enough to know though that even if he hid real life would rear it's nasty head in one way or another.
It was best to just get this day over with. The sooner club shit finished the sooner he could get back to Nina and Sophie.
Nina woke up as Chibs settled back against his pillows with a huff. She gave him a drowsy smile reaching up and wiping the sleep from her eyes as she spoke. "What time is it?"
"Early love. Try ta get some sleep while ya can...jus ignore me. I'm just havin a restless mornin." Chibs replied knowing that Nina had told him sleeping in was a rare treat for her.
Sleeping in late in the mornings was just another thing that wasn't part of a mom's job description.
She let out a soft laugh her arms wrapping around him a little tighter. "I can't sleep in anymore querido. Our daughter sort of wiped that out of me years ago. I think the last time I slept in was when I was pregnant...that's all I did actually, was sleep. I guess I should have known then that our girl was letting me get as much sleep as possible so I could spend my days up with her once she was born."
"Aye. Was she a fussy baby?" Chibs asked so curious about this part of his daughter's life.
He was finding it easier and easier to ask about the years he had missed with Sophie without feeling so bitter. He was a bit angry still, but he was trying hard not to hold on to the hurt.
Sophie deserved for her parents to be mature and do all they could to put away their resentment over the past.
Nina gave him a weak smile ashamed to know just what he was thinking; that he had missed their baby's first years of life.
They had been such precious little years; seeing her sleep in her crib, watching her take her first steps, feeding her first solid taste of food, hearing her first words.
Momma; her first words had been momma. Nina was sure though that if Chibs had been around back then Sophie's first words probably would have been dadda.
Sophie adored Chibs not even knowing who he was right now, if she'd grown up with him knowing that he was her dad they would be even more connected at the hip than they were today.
She took a deep breath trying to push through her guilt as she spoke. "Yes so fussy. She was such a temperamental little thing. You wouldn't think babies could have tempers...but I think she kind of did. She would get so angry and frustrated if I didn't pick her up the instant she whimpered. Her face would get so red and she would just frown...She was such a cuddle bug...Rosa, my roommate tried to tell me that I shouldn't pick up Sophie every time she cried, but I just couldn't take it. I felt bad when I didn't pick her up. All she wanted most of the time was to be held. I used to carry her around in this little baby cocoon thing I bought."
"A baby cocoon?" He asked a puzzled look washing over his face. All he could picture was a baby wrapped up tight in a blanket like a little caterpillar.
She giggled at the look of confusion on his face at the mention of a cocoon. She shook her head doing her best to explain it to him. "It's sort of the sling-like thing that you put on over your shoulders facing you, so the baby is in front of you. The one I bought was made out of this thick linen...it was red with little white polka dots on it. I wore it everyday with Sophie in it until she got too big for it...thankfully by that time Soph was happy to be in her little jumper seat."
"What kinda nursery did she have?" Chibs blurted out wanting to know all these little details so badly.
Though it made him sad to know that he hadn't been there to experience these things, he still wanted to know every little thing about these moments.
"Butterflies... the room was filled with blue and purple butterflies. I tried to put butterflies everywhere throughout the room; the mobile, the bedding, the paintings on the walls. I didn't want to go with the traditional pink theme...I guess I'm paying for that now since Sophie is so wild about everything pink." Nina explained chuckling.
She took a deep breath anxious as she blurted out just what she was thinking. She knew that this had to be said. She had to clear the air with him. "I promise you'll never miss another moment of her life ever again Filip. I swear to god I won't let that happen...no matter what happens between us Sophie will always be in your life...I'm just thankful that you don't hate me for the things I've done...I know it hurts to have missed so much of her life."
"Oh hen...I know lass. We've both made mistakes darling. I don't hate ya love. I could never hate ya. Even when ya were pissed at me all I wanted to do was kiss you." He replied reaching out to smooth out her messy curls, an impossible task really.
She let out a relieved laugh thankful that he didn't hate her for the past. She spoke up teasing him about his last statement. "That's weird because when I was mad at you all I wanted to do was punch you in the face...and then I kind of wanted to kiss you...You have a kissable face I guess."
He chuckled wrapping his arms around her waist his grip on her tightening. He allowed one of his hands to stray down to her rounded backside a soft groan escaping his throat as he remembered that she'd fallen asleep the night before in nothing but a pair of cotton black boyshorts and a baggy blue Florida Gators t-shirt.
Nina let out a soft gasp the touch surprising her. She didn't have it in her to pull away from it despite the fact that they'd agreed to take things slow.
The little touch felt so good; his strong hand squeezing her backside. She could feel the cool of the rings he'd forgotten to take off the night before over her heated skin.
She could still remember just how good those hands had felt along her nude body; how could she forget? No man before nor after Chibs had ever made her feel that good with just a little touch.
She pressed a kiss to his lips finding it so hard to resist letting him have her right this second. She had promised herself that she'd take this slowly and she fully intending on following through.
Nina knew it was a little silly considering they had a child together, but she wanted their first time having sex with one another as a couple to be sort of special. She wanted romance; no she didn't expect any of the romantic cliches like candles, chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, and rose petals, but she still wanted it to feel a little special.
It would be nice to share a romantic night together before making love. Maybe there could be at least one candle and one rose.
She spoke giggling a bit as he nuzzled the nape of her neck his scruff of facial hair tickling her skin. "Be good you. Our daughter should be busting in here at any minute."
He chuckled as well pulling back from her neck and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. He let out a heavy sigh wishing that he could remain here in this soft warm bed forever. "Can I talk ya inta kidnappin me so I don't have ta leave in an hour fer club shite?"
"I don't think your brothers would be too happy if I kidnapped you querido." Nina pointed out shaking her head.
She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips concern flooding her features, the playful grin leaving her face. She reached up placing a hand against his scarred cheek. "How bad are things Filip? You know I meant every word I've been saying to you. You can always vent to me?"
"Aye I know hen." He stated thankful to know that she meant what she'd said about being a shoulder for him to lean on.
To be truthful though he was afraid to share too much with her. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her or change the way she looked at him. He didn't want her to know just what kind of monster he could be at times when the club asked it of him.
He could remember how frightened she'd looked when he'd mentioned his past life with the IRA. He hated to know that she feared any part of him.
Chibs just didn't want to make Nina afraid of him; of what he was capable of.
He rolled over on his back letting out a huff his body tensing up as all his worries and insecurities flooded his brain.
He spoke again knowing that he had to trust that she could handle anything he threw her way. He had to trust that Nina trusted him to never harm her or Sophie. "It's jus so much shite is fallin on me. I'm takin care of things I could usually avoid if the guys were out. I don't feel equipped ta handle it...I don't think I'm a good leader...I'm more comfortable followin to be honest...It's less responsibilities...less worries. I just don't wanta do anythin wrong."
She pressed a hand to his cheek still frowning. "What kind of things are falling on you babe?"
"Dealin with people I'd much rather avoid talkin to...keepin the gun-trade going. Dealin with the Irish is one thing...I understand a bit bout the Irish, but I don't know a thing bout the Russians." He admitted thankful that Nina's eyes remained fearless.
He knew that he could never handle her staring at him with a look of fear in her eyes. He couldn't handle seeing those eyes he adored so much filled with horror.
She gave him a weak half smile hating the look of defeat in his eyes. It was something she'd never really seen from him; defeat. He was always so strong.
She adored that about him; his strength. He had so much perseverance to have survived all that his life had thrown at him.
The things he'd been through in his life were beyond unfair. She hated knowing that he had known such pain in his life.
Nina wanted to make it okay somehow. She wanted to be good to him; to love him and take care of him.
She just wanted to help him stay strong. She needed so badly to give him some happiness after all the pain he had endured in his life.
Nina wasn't sure where to stand in all this. She didn't know how to respond to this club business. It was all so intense.
She wasn't sure what to say or what to do. She wasn't sure how to support him. There wasn't an old lady handbook after all.
She felt so lost in this all. A big part of her was still frightened knowing all Chibs had done in the past imagining all the things he'd do in the future.
Part of her wanted to pack up Sophie and run far away from Charming and SAMCRO.
The more sensible part of her knew that this wasn't the right move though.
She knew she had to just focus on the good; Chibs made her happy, he made their daughter happy.
Despite his past he seemed to be such a wonderful man; so full of love.
He was sweet and funny. He made her laugh. He made Nina feel loved; like she and Sophie were the most precious things on the planet in his eyes.
She knew that Chibs deserved the chance to know his daughter. Sophie deserved the change to know him.
Nina knew that she couldn't just runaway from him again. It would break his heart if he up and ran and she never wanted to hurt him.
She had promised Chibs that she would remain here by his side and she knew that she had to follow through on that.
She took a deep breath hoping that she was saying what he needed to hear from her. "I'm sure you're doing great Filip. The guys wouldn't have made you the temporary VP if they didn't think you weren't right for it."
"Aye...I hope yer righ love." Chibs replied his stomach in knots over all that had been going on lately.
Nina pressed a kiss to his cheek trying to lighten up the mood as she spoke up. "Of course I am. Women are always right babe. That's a free life lesson from me to you."
He chuckled the little comment lightening the load on his shoulders for a short moment at least.
Nina let out a deep breath her stomach knotting up as she spoke. "You'll be back in time for...everything tonight right?"
"Aye of course love. I wouldn't miss it." Chibs replied his own stomach in millions of tiny knots.
They'd decided that tonight they would tell Sophie the truth about just who Chibs was. Tonight Sophie would know that he was her father.
Nina and Chibs planned on sitting the little girl down tonight and explaining the truth in a way that Sophie might understand.
They weren't quite sure what they would say just yet. They just prayed that they would be able to find the right words to explain this all without upsetting Sophie.
They didn't want to upset the girl or confuse her too badly.
It was nerve wracking to say the least.
Chibs was terrified. He would never admit to anyone how afraid he truly was.
He was afraid that Sophie just flat out wouldn't want him. He was frightened that Sophie would be angry; that she would think that he had been out of her life for so long because he simply didn't love her.
He hated the thought; Sophie ever thinking for even a second that he didn't love her with all his heart.
Though the child had only been in his life for a short while, he adored her. She was his baby. It would shatter him if his baby rejected him.
He spoke up his voice unrecognizable to his own ears; he sounded almost like a child, frightened and vulnerable. "She won't hate me will she love? I don't want her to hate me...I don't think I could take that Nina. I love her so much."
"Of course she won't hate you Filip. She might be a little confused at first...but as long as we explain that sometimes adults make mistakes...if we let her know that our mistakes don't mean we love her any less, then she'll understand. She might be a little confused, but we'll find a way to make it right babe. I promise we'll fix this." Nina struggled to put her words together.
It seemed that her brain was so filled to the brim with all that she wanted to say that any time she opened her mouth her words just came out as a big jumbled mess.
Chibs let out a shaky breath his nerves feeling so shot. He hoped that Nina was right; that their wee lass wouldn't hate him.
He spoke his voice still weak. "I hope yer righ hen. I love our baby so much. I jus want her to call me da."
Nina felt her heart expand so filled with adoration for the man beside her. I just want her to call me da. I love our baby so much.
It was so beautiful. She hoped and prayed that Sophie would call him dad.
Chibs and she had already decided they wouldn't force it. Sophie could call Chibs dad when she was ready to do so. They just wanted her to know the truth.
Nina pressed her lips to his their kiss passionate. He pulled her close to him letting his hands roam her body over her clothing.
Despite the fact that he wanted noting more than to rip her clothing off and claim her as his woman, he was holding back. He had promised her that they would take things slow and he intended on keeping that promise.
The couple pulled apart as the bedroom door crashed open to reveal a somewhat hyper Sophie. The girl hopped into bed between Chibs and Nina.
Chibs chuckled at the sight of the little girl; her wild locks having long ago half fallen out of her high pony tail. She was wearing mismatched knee socks one blue and one green. She was wearing her purple Little Mermaid nightgown that she insisted on wearing every Monday night.
Chibs reached up placing a gentle hand against her rounded cheek as he spoke up. "Hey wee love. How are ya this mornin?"
"Good." Sophie remarked more than happy to curl up between her parents scooting under the covers.
Nina chuckled pressing a kiss to the girl's cheek. "What's wrong with your bed peanut?"
"Nothing. Your bed is warm and big. And I wanna watch Snoopy cause your tv is big." Sophie giggled as Chibs leaned down pressing a kiss to her other cheek being sure to rub his goatee against her cheek and tickle her.
Nina shook her head at this request. Her tia had bought Sophie a Peanuts dvd that held all the holiday specials on it. Sophie adored it, but Nina was quickly getting sick of Snoopy and Charlie Brown.
"Aye usin us fer the tv." Chibs teased pressing another kiss to the girl's cheek causing her to giggle again.
Sophie snuggled against her mother wrapping a tiny arm around the woman's waist. Chibs smiled at the sight; his lasses together both in their pjs their curly locks wild from sleep.
It was a gorgeous sight; one he was sure he'd never grow tired of.
He let out a heavy huff hating what he was about to say. "I better go my loves. Opie'll skin me if I'm late."
Nina did all she could to ignore the way her stomach churned at the thought of him leaving to do club business. She spoke up hoping that her worry wasn't visible. "Be careful querido."
He grinned loving that petname still it was unique to Nina and he. It was something no one else had ever called him. "Aye I will hen."
He pressed another kiss to Sophie's cheek as she spoke up. "You'll come to dinner right? Mommy is making shrimp and crab craps."
Both Nina and Chibs burst out laughing at the mispronunciation of crapes. Nina managed to recover before Chibs at least.
She was quick to correct her daughter doing her best to put a straight look back on her face. "Crepes peanut."
Nina sent a glare at Chibs who was still locked in a giggling fit.
Sophie tilted her head to the side eying Chibs. "What's funny?"
Chibs took a deep breath Nina's glare enough for him to snap out of his laughing fit.
He couldn't help it; it was just funny to him the word crap slipping out of Sophie's mouth. It was the sort of cute misunderstanding that he would probably tease the child about when she became a teenager.
He spoke up the lie slipping out his mouth. "Nothin love...I was jus thinkin bout a funny joke I told yer ma earlier."
He felt his stomach drop as Sophie spoke up an excited look on her face. "What is it? I like jokes."
Chibs cleared his throat unable to think of a kid friendly joke. He silently reminded himself to force one of the prospects to google some kid-safe jokes as soon as he made it to the garage. "I'll tell ya later love. I gotta go."
Sophie frowned unhappy that she was being forced to wait to hear the funny joke. She leaned up pressing a kiss to Chibs' cheek as she spoke her voice cheery. "I love you Filip. Come home quick okay. We can watch Snoopy together. We can watch the great pumpkin one. I like it cause it's funny and it's about Halloween. Halloween is my favorite."
Chibs smiled the little statement so beautiful. He resisted the urge to reach up and touch the spot where she had kissed him; right over one of those scars he'd hated for so many years.
He never allowed many people to touch them; just Fiona, Kerrianne, and now Nina and Sophie.
Chibs was so grateful that Sophie no longer feared those scars. It would break his heart if his baby looked at his face with any fear in her eyes.
He ruffled the girl's messy bedhead as he spoke up. "Aye I will. I'll be home before ya know it. I love ya too wee Sophie."
Chibs took a deep breath as he reluctantly pulled himself from Nina's bed and his girls.
The only thing that kept him from freaking out about today's usual club madness was one thought; tonight his baby would hopefully call him dad for the first time.
Maybe tonight I love you Filip would turn into I love you daddy.
Chibs shifted a few of the pictures taped to the inside of his tall locker style tool box over to the left taping them in place before he placed one of the many drawings Sophie had made for him to the right taping it firmly in place.
He didn't keep many things taped to the inside of his tool box, not for long anyway. He had a tendency of shifting things around every few months. It was just something nice to look at.
All that remained taped to it now were; a reaper sticker that everyone in the club had been given one year for Christmas a few years back, a picture of Kerrianne and he that had been taken shortly before he left Belfast a few months back, a photo of Nina standing out on the Miami boardwalk in a red sundress that he'd swiped from one of her photo albums, and a picture of Sophie from when she was about three wearing a pink dress blowing bubbles with a comically big bubble wand.
He smiled pleased with his tool box for now even if things were a little cluttered and layered to fit the space. The picture Sophie had drawn fit perfectly.
It was a picture of Chibs and she standing beside a big pink flamingo. She'd drawn it the night before and presented it to him before she went to bed.
Chibs encouraged her to create little drawings for him. He wanted to collect as many of them as possible. It was a phase he'd missed with Kerrianne; having her drawings and coloring pages on his fridge.
He rolled his eyes as Kozik appeared beside him frowning at the picture in confusion. "Did your kid draw that?"
"Aye." Chibs replied shrugging his shoulders. A small part of him didn't like the ditzy blonde biker gawking at his belongings.
At least he wasn't commenting on the picture of Nina, Chibs reminded himself.
"Why'd she draw a picture of a pterodactyl?" Kozik blurted out leaning in closer to the cheery drawing to peer at the Chibs and Sophie stick figures standing beside a pink elongated creature.
Chibs rolled his eyes again letting out an insulted huff. "It's not a dinosaur it's a flamingo ya twit."
"It doesn't look like a flamingo." Kozik remarked finally standing up his eyes turning from the drawing.
"Don't ya have somethin ya need ta be doin righ now other than playin art critic?" Chibs finally snapped irritated with this conversation.
He had a headache after dealing with the Russians this morning and talking to Kozik was making it spread farther and farther up his brain.
Kozik frowned opening his mouth for a moment looking as though he was ready to blurt out something smart. He quickly decided against it though snapping his jaw shut before walking away.
Kozik had quickly learned a long while back to leave the Scot be when he was in a mood like this. He wasn't looking to lose his spot in the club, now that the remaining members of SAMCRO had finally patched him over.
Gemma eyed the conversation from the office a bit shocked to see the adoring look in Chibs' eyes as he admired the child's drawing.
In her years of knowing Chibs she'd never seen this type of behavior from him. She only hoped that bitch bartender wasn't lying to him about that child being his.
Gemma would break the girl's arms if she was using Chibs and pinning a kid on him. Chibs was the kind of man who still had a bit of softness to him. He was generous and had a lot of love for those he cared for, These personality traits just made it easy for someone to take advantage of him.
She couldn't help but ot be intrested in this kid though. If she was in fact Chibs' daughter then she should be accepted into the inner folds of SAMCRO along with the other Sons offspring.
Gemma knew that it was her place as queen to get to know all the Sons' old ladies and kids. A family of a Son was simply family.
She grimaced knowing that she wasn't looking forward to dealing with Chiquita Banana though.
She left the office standing beside Chibs as she nodded at the picture of Sophie. "Cute kid."
"Aye. She's gorgeous...can't believe I made er." Chibs replied a little dumbfounded that Gemma was actually mentioning Sophie especially after the whole mess between Nina and Gemma.
He was sure to keep his guard up though, knowing that Gemma usually had something up her sleeve.
As much as he loved the queen of samcro she really didn't know when to keep her nose out of things that didn't concern her.
"She like birds?" Gemma asked having overheard the flamingo comment.
He raised an eyebrow his suspicions still sky high. He spoke unable to stop himself from gushing a bit and rambling. "Aye. She loves birds. Nina and I have been thinkin bout getting her one but we're worried she's a bit too young fer that kinda responsibility. Might start her off with a goldfish and see how that goes...I wish I could get her a dog but Nina nor I have tha backyard fer it. Soph loves animals...she wants ta be a zookeeper."
"You should take her to visit with my bird. She'd probably enjoy it." Gemma remarked keeping her voice nonchalant.
Chibs twisted his lips at this suggestion. He knew Sophie would love it; after all he'd mentioned the idea of visiting with Gemma's cockatoo before and she'd been thrilled.
He knew though that Nina might not be too wild about their daughter going anywhere near Gemma especially after Nina and she had their showdown at Estrella's Tavern.
Chibs wanted the women to get along so badly. Gemma meant a lot to him. He had developed a habit over the years of playfully calling her mom.
Though he knew that Gemma was overbearing and at times rude she was still a dear friend. She was the club president's old lady and that was a position of respect amongst the Sons.
He didn't love Gemma enough to side with her over Nina though.
Nina was his old lady and it was his place as her man to take her side no matter what. He had to have Nina's back, that was part of being in a relationship; supporting one another.
Besides Gemma had no right jumping at Nina the way she did; trying to dig her claws into Nina. Gemma had no place accusing Nina of trying to use him.
It had been an unforgivable move in Chibs' eyes. No one attacked Nina without paying for it somehow.
"Ya'd have ta talk ta Nina bout that." He replied knowing that Nina's and Gemma's disagreement needed to be sorted out and only they could sort it out.
He might be able to take Nina's side, but he wasn't the one who was responsible for fixing any of this.
Chibs spoke again clearing his throat as he picked up a wrench from his tool box and began his work disassembling a faulty fuel pump that had been brought in with an SUV the day before. "Ya need ta talk to Nina and set things straight Gemma. Apologize to her. She deserves an apology."
Gemma let out a huff not too keen on the idea of apologizing to anyone especially Chiquita Banana.
Chibs shook his head spotting the exasperation on Gemma's face. He spoke again knowing that he might have to push things along between the two women. "It'd mean a lot to me if ya tried to get along with her Gem."
Gemma crossed her arms over her chest wanting to snap at him and tell him that she had only been trying to look out for him when she'd accused Nina of using him.
What else was Gemma supposed to think? Nina had Chibs wrapped around her finger so tightly. It would be easy for the woman to take advantage of Chibs' tender side.
"I'll think about it." Gemma remarked keeping these opinions to herself.
She cleared her throat her arms still remaining over her chest though her tone of voice lightened up a bit losing some of it's tension. "Tara's birthday is coming up soon. I'm thinking about having a party for her at my place...just a small get together so she doesn't have to be alone on her birthday. You should bring Chiquita Banana and the kid along. It's going to be next Saturday."
Chibs narrowed his eyes still annoyed with Gemma's somewhat racially insensitive little nickname for Nina.
He took a deep breath knowing that he wasn't in the mood to pick a fight over it, not right now at least. His head was pounding and he was in no mood to feed the headache by getting into an argument with Gemma.
"I'll ask her bout it." Chibs finally stated knowing that it might take some work to get Nina to agree to this party at Gemma's.
It would be a good opportunity for Sophie and she to meet everyone though, well everyone who wasn't locked up in Stockton State Penetentary right now.
He had a feeling that Tara and Nina might get along quite well if Gemma stayed out of things.
Nina could use a friend. Chibs had noticed that Nina had a tendency to keep everyone but Sophie, her aunt, and him out of her inner circle.
It wasn't healthy keeping herself shut out from the world like that. He wanted her to learn to let people in. It would be good for her to get to know some of the other old ladies.
She would need support if she was going to stay by his side in this life of his.
Chibs let out a sigh wondering how he was ever going to get Nina to agree to this party.
He had a feeling that she wouldn't share his ideas about how she could use a bigger social circle.
Getting her to that party next week was going to be easier said than done. He guessed he shouldn't be shocked. It seemed that quite a few things were a challenge with Nina Franklin.
Somehow Chibs knew though that he was ready for the challenge. Nina was worth the trouble.
Chibs pulled his bike into the parking lot of Estrella's Tavern. He unmounted the bike taking his helmet off and placing it on the seat. He managed to rifle through the saddlebag pulling out the small boquet of daises he'd bought for Sophie and the bouquet of vibrant wildflowers he'd bought for Nina.
It only seemed appropriate to buy Sophie a little bouquet considering what he was planning on telling her tonight. He just prayed that Nina wouldn't interpret it as him trying to buy their daughter's love.
He knew that he had to hold back on his tendency to shower the child with gifts. It was just that he adored the look of absolute delight that would appear on Sophie's face each time he gave her a present.
It was partially because of his own childhood Chibs guessed. He had grown up rarely receiving anything new. And he certainly had never gotten a gift just because.
He had always promised himself that his children would have more than he'd had when he was a kid.
He knew that he could go a bit overboard at times though. It was something that he knew he had to work on keeping under control.
The last thing he wanted was for Kerrianne or Sophie to become spoilt brats.
The bouquet of wildflowers had been purchased simply because Nina had enjoyed the one he'd brought her the night before.
Chibs just hoped that Nina didn't mind him spoiling her a bit. She deserved it as far as he was concerned.
After all she'd given him a gorgeous little girl and a chance to have the sort of family that had always remained just out of his reach.
He entered Estrella's Tavern a smile on his face as he took in the sight of Nina working behind the bar.
Chibs had found that he enjoyed watching her at work. It was as though she was in her element behind the bar. He liked the way she fluttered around mixing and serving up drinks. He liked the way her toned body moved as she worked. He liked the way she would sip a glass of water or soda her red painted lips matching the crimson straws she'd always use perfectly.
She'd dressed casually in a pair of lightwash jean shorts and a yellow babydoll top with little colorful flowers embroidered into it, pulling her hair up into a pony tail to keep cool in the hot day. She had been sure to put on a pair of converse this morning knowing that Monday's were always strangely busy.
She guessed that it had something to do with people needing a strong drink to get over their Monday blues.
Nina looked across the vacant tavern grinning at the sigh of her man and the two bouquets in his hand. She had to enjoy just how sweet he could be at times like this. No one had ever bothered to bring her flowers for no reason at all before Chibs.
She smiled even more as she spotted the tiny bouquet of daisies. She would guess that they had to be for Sophie.
It was a smart move she realized; bringing a little token of his love to Sophie considering what they were telling her tonight.
She spoke not holding back the flirty tone in her voice given that they were the only two people in the bar. "Hey stranger. What can I get you?"
"Oh I'm not lookin fer a drink love." He replied playing along as he took a seat across from her at the bar and placing the bouquets down beside him.
He spoke a smirk on his face as she leaned against the bar staring down at him. "I'm lookin fer somethin a bit more fun than a good shot of whiskey. There's this wee sexy bartender I was hopin to take home with me."
Nina chuckled as she reached out smoothing the frizz out of his slicked back hair. "You better show me where she is so I can kick her ass."
He laughed leaning across the bar as far as he could to brush his lips across hers. He spoke up as he pulled back. "Who's watchin the wee peanut."
She smiled loving that he'd picked up her little nickname for Sophie. "My tia. I won't be much longer. I want to stay open till the last minute before closing. Today has been a bit busier than usual. It's a relief given how slow things have been lately."
"Aye. I bet." Chibs remarked spotting the flash of worry behind her eyes.
The bar was still struggling and Nina was beating herself up looking for ways to fix it before she lost her tia's beloved business.
He felt useless watching Nina struggle with this knowing that he had no idea how to even begin to assist her. He knew it would break her heart if she was forced to close Estrella's for good.
She opened her mouth ready to ask him about his day but her jaw snapped shut as the bell above the door jingled signling the arrival of the last person she'd ever wanted to see again.
Greg Murrier tensed his jaw at the sight of his one time date looking nice and cozy with her dirty biker babydaddy.
He moved towards her his jaw remaining stiff. "Can I talk to you Nina?"
"She isn't talkin to ya." Chibs was quick to blurt out standing up from his seat ready to defend his old lady from the douchebag who'd made her cry the week before.
Nina rolled her eyes at the exchange. As sweet as it was that Chibs was trying to defend her honor, she didn't need a man to take care of her bullshit.
She stepped out from behind the bar moving in between the two pissed off men. "I don't think I have anything to say to you Greg. You aren't an employee here any longer. You didn't show up for your shift this morning."
"That's because I thought it would be awkward. I just wanted to come when we would have a chance to be alone and talk." Greg replied tearing his glare away from Chibs.
Chibs tensed up at the word alone.
Before he had a chance to blurt out that his girlfriend wasn't being left alone with anyone Nina spoke rolling her eyes. "It's too little too late. You were an asshole Friday night. I made it pretty clear that I want nothing else to do with you. I've moved on."
"Yeah I can see that." Greg replied his eyes darkening as he stared back at Chibs.
Chibs glared back earning a heavy sigh from Nina.
She moved out from between the men deciding that it was safe to let them face off against one another without her playing referree.
She spoke up having had enough of this. "I think you should leave Greg. We have nothing to say to eachother."
Greg scoffed a smug tone to his voice as he stared back at Nina. "You can't be serious? You want...him."
"I'm as serious as a heartattack. I said It once and I'll say it again. He's far more attractive than you could ever dream of being inside and out. That's more than enough to make him more appealing to me than you could ever be." Nina spat out offended that Greg was pompous enough to even show up here in the first place, insulting Chibs just added on to her irritation.
Greg rolled his eyes a sneer on his face as he spoke up. "Whatever. Don't come crying to me when he knocks you up again."
He moved back his eyes turning to Chibs as he spoke again. "Have fun with the whore. Trust me she's not worth the fucking trouble."
And with those words any resolve that Chibs might have had left in him snapped. Before he knew what he was doing he moved forward his fist rising and delivering a quick blow to the other man's face.
Greg let out a gasp his hand reaching up to grasp his bleeding more than likely broken nose. He sneered up at Chibs his voice holding a dangerous edge to it. "You fucking piece of white trash. You don't know what you just did. You made a huge mistake."
Nina felt her heart drop as Greg spoke fishing out his cell phone. "I'm calling the cops you son of a bitch."
Both Chibs and Nina felt their stomachs plummet. Shit this wasn't good.
Reviews? Constructive Criticsm?
Querido= (Spanish) dear or darling.