The first thing she noticed were women and children. So many of them, talking, sitting, chatting in the clubhouse. She didn't expect to see so many of them. Somehow, she never considered the idea that some of these guys had families. It was such a weird picture - women and kids among bad ass bikers who were smoking and drinking and talking, loud music coming from the stereo.
Chibs saw her entering and rushed to her. She saw he was worried. And tired. He pulled her in his embrace silently, burying his nose in her hair. Cora could feel his breathing, the steady, strong beats of his heart, his arms around her, protecting her. She pushed a bit from him so she could look him in the face.
"What;s going on?"
Chibs silently led her to his room. He wasn;t sure how much he should tell her. How much she wanted to know. But he wanted her to know. He needed her to know.
"We're having some problems with our business partners so we figured it would be best if our families were close", Chibs finally said and saw her cork an eyebrow at him, arms crossed across her chest.
"That crowd out there, that one serious business problem you have" Cora took his hand, her eyes never leaving his face.
Chibs nodded. "Yeah, it is".
"Does this happen often? Problems that require a look down?"
"Lately yes". He kissed her hand. "I;m not going to let anything happen to you love. Not now, not ever".
"Shit Filip", she moved away from him, squeezing her temples, feeling fear gripping her throat. But not fear for her safety, but for his. "What if something happens to you?"
"Nothing's gonna happen to me Cora."
"Yeah right! Should I remind you how we met? You fucking bleeding by the side of a road", she was pacing up and down, barely aware what she was saying, the idea of loosing him almost choking her. "What about me? What am I supposed to do if something happens to you?!"
Chibs looked at her confused, frowning. "Crow or no crow, you're with me Cora. If something happens to me, the CLub will take care of you. I;ve seen to that".
She stopped pacing and turned to him, mouth half open, eyes flashing. looking at him like she couldn;t believe what he was saying.
"You stupid asshole", she screamed at him, hitting him in the chest. It hurt, Chibs realised shocked at the strength in that small body of hers. "Like I give a shit about the money! Like I need someone else taking care of me! Its you! Only you! What am I supposed to do without you? You, you...man!" she spat the last word unable to think of any other at that could show her contempt.
They stood in silence for a moment, her words sinking in on both of them.
Cora saw his face lighten up, corners of his mouth pushing up in a smile. He buried his hands in her hair, puling her face to his. She felt his thumbs on her cheeks, wiping away the tears she wasn't even aware she shed. She tried to pull away, wipe them off but he held her tight.
"Fuck! Chibs, if something happens to you, if you get hurt, I..."
He cut her off with a kiss. "Nothing's gonna happen to me, love. Nor to you. I;m not going to let it". He kissed her again, hard, muffling her sobs. He kissed her eyes and cheeks, tasting her tears, kissing them away. He pulled back a bit, smiling.
"Does this mean you care about me girl?"
Just say it. Tell him.
"Yeah", she nodded. I fucking love you.
"Chibs! Need you here!" they heard Jax voice in the corridor. Chibs leaned his forehead on hers, closing his eyes for a moment, still smiling and then he left her.
...
Cora collected herself and after a few moments returned to the bar, unsure what she should do. She saw Chibs and Jax and Tig - who blew her a kiss and winked at her - talking, Happy and Juice carrying in barrels of beer.
"You doing ok?", she heard Tara's voice behind her and turned around to face her. Tara was holding Thomas in her arms, Abel holding her jeans, tugging and whispering "mom, I need to pee". "Could you?" Tara asked her, already handing her Thomas. Without thinking, Cora took him and smiled at his surprised face.
"Hello there little man. Your mommy will be here soon. Just don;t cry", she timidly talked with the baby. She didn't register Gemma approaching from behind.
"Baby suits you".
Cora turned and saw her smirking. She shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention to Thomas again. Gemma sat next to her, nibbling her lower lip, watching her carefully. She pushed Cora's shirt a bit, exposing a bite mark on her shoulder, smirk growing.
"You love him?", Gemma pointed with her head to Chibs. Cora looked up and saw him talk with Happy. He looked at her direction and smiled at her. Cora was so focused on him, she didn;t even notice the grin on older woman's face. Gemma got her answer. She leaned closer, catching Cora's attention again.
"Cat ate your tongue baby?'
Cora gave her a cold look. She hated being around her. There was something in Gemma that put her off immediately. "What do you want Gemma?"
"Nothin' Just chatting"
Cora tickled the child, making him giggle. She wasn't in the mood to talk with Gemma, her head still spinning from the talk with Chibs. "Not in the mood, sorry".
"That's ok. I;ll talk and you'll listen", Gemma smirked when she saw the angry flash of Cora's eyes. "He's a good man who loves you. But he loves this club too and if you try to pull him away from it you'll get hurt. Understand?"
Cora smiled lazily and Gemma felt, for the first time in ages, a flicker of fear.
"You threatening me Gemma?"
"No", she quickly recovered. "Just warning you. I love all those boys and hate to see them or those they love hurt".
Cora moved Thomas to her hip and leaned in Gemma's face. Her head throbbed and she wanted to smack her in the face but remained calm. Too calm. Cora saw Tara approach them, worry written all over her face. She reached out for Thomas and Cora handed him over to her, her green eyes never leaving Gemma's.
"Because of him, I will let this one slide. I will even tolerate being close to you. But if you ever, ever try to meddle in my affairs, I won't be this nice", Cora said quietly and slowly, grinding the words. "And just so we're clear, this is not a threat Gemma. Its a fucking promise".
Bobby watched the three women from his place in the corner. Tara and Cora were standing almost like an united front on one side against Gemma on the other and Clay's old lady had no chance.
He saw the ill concealed hate and disgust on Tara's face and it worried him. Jax was already in a bad place and with things going shitty at home too, he'll lose it.
He eyed Cora carefully. Something about the way she stood up, how her whole body moved, the way her eyes shone, all that reminded him of a cat, a dangerous, wild cat. She said something to Gemma and Bobby almost spat his whiskey when he saw Gemma back away, speechless, with a strange look on her face - a mixture of appreciation and, not fear, but uneasiness.
"What are you looking at", JAx sat next to him and Bobby pointed to the women before them.
"I like that girl. She's got balls".
"Who's got balls?" Chibs sat at their table.
"Your girl", Jax pointed to Cora.
He saw his VP look at her and his face change, worry and stress almost disappearing completely.
"Holly shit", Bobby grunted and him and Jax laughed. "our VP's in love"
Their chuckles grew into a full blown laughter when he cursed them.
Gemma backed away, amused and annoyed at the same time, leaving Tara and Cora talking.
"They are great boys Tara", Cora said messing with Abel's hair, smiling at him.
"Yes they are. You plan any?"
"No. Tied tubes", Cora said.
"Ever regret it?" Tara saw Cora look for Chibs and blush a bit, soft smile on her lips. She blinked and looked at Tara.
"No, not really. I;m just not meant to be a mom", Cora answered.
Tara nodded, thinking Cora might did the right thing. If she's stayed with Chibs, and by the look on both of them, she will, kids would complicate everything. But then, she'll never know the wonderful weight of a baby on her breasts, the feel of their little arms around her neck, hugging her, wet kisses on her face. Thomas yawned and she threw an apologetic smile at Cora and took them to their room.
Cora turned around, taking in everything and everyone in the bar. She saw families, a bit odd and unusual, but families, saw Happy and Tig talking, a dog next to them. Saw Bobby hugging Gemma, prospects and croweaters getting drinks and coffee. She saw Juice sitting alone in a corner. Jax and Chibs were talking, their backs turned to her and she saw the surprised look on Chibs face and heard Jax shout for everyone to get out.
Chibs ran to her and pulled and pushed her out without a word. She ran, listening to the shouts and screams of people around her, kids crying. Then they were outside and she saw Chibs turn around and ran after Jax.
"Filip!" she screamed and turned to run when Bobby grabbed her. "LEt go of me! Chibs! Chibs!" she struggled to free herself, panic flashing red before her eyes. Bobby was shouting something to her and she saw Jax run out with Abel in his arms, followed by Chibs and then he whole place exploded.
She finally managed to free herself from Bobby;s hands and rushed to Chibs, kneeling next to Jax, watching the burning club house.
"Chibs!", she ran to him and he turned around, looking for her. She was on her knees next to him, holding him so tight he felt his neck will break. He heard her cry and felt her body tremble in his arms.
"Its ok, its ok", he cradled her, rocking back and forth, his voice hoarse from the smoke.
"You fucking promised me! You promised me you won;t get hurt", she cried like an idiot, hitting him and grabbing him at the same time. "I thought I lost you! I can;t fucking loose you!", she wrapped her arms around him.
...
Hours dragged on. Police came, took everyone's statement. The night was full of smoke, sirens, water, cries angry men and frightened women. Cora stood on the side, watching Chibs. He and Jax and Bobby talked with the sheriff, firefighters... Most of the women and kids went home but Cora stayed. She though about leaving and Chibs even told her to go, but she saw the tired, drained look in his eyes and waited.
There was nothing else to do but leave the rubble to cool off. Chibs stood in front of a pile of wood and rubble still smoking, thinking about it, the club, the Irish, years spent there, Abel and Jax almost getting killed. Cora. He needed her so much right now. He looked around and she was standing next to him. She entwined her fingers with his and he closed his eyes.
"That crow ... Your crow... I want it", Cora said slowly, but loud enough. "I love you", she squeezed his hand tighter.
He looked at her without saying a word. He wanted to shout and dance and laugh out loud, but couldn't. So he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it, pulling it to his heart, pressing harder. He cupped her face, dirty from the smoke, lined with tears, saw her eyes glow in the dark, watching him, waiting for his move.
"I love you".
No smut again, I know. But there will be, I promise! Just needed to get through the "i love you" bit. Hope its half decent. Would love to know what you think!
Thank you all for reading this and my other stories, reviewing, following and faving. Its so great and I am so grateful to you all!
Special thank you to JDB7707, zelzai, mrsreedus69 for their love and support! Love you guys!