Juice woke the next morning to the smell of bacon frying. Going to the kitchen, he leaned on the door frame and just watched as AJ danced around the kitchen, earphones in, wearing nothing but his shirt. He smiled as she turned around and noticed him there. AJ pulled the plugs out of her ears and walked to Juice, kissing him chastely on the mouth. "Breakfast will be ready in a few" she told him, returning to the sizzling pan. "Oh, and Jax called. Said for you to call him as soon as you got up." "Ok, babe. Thanks" he told her, returning to the bedroom to grab his cell phone. Dialing the number, he waited as the phone rang. "Hey" Jax answered. "What's up?" Juice asked. "We got the security system. It came in this morning. I'll bring it by and me and Happy can help you set it up" Jax told him. "Ok, thanks Jax. I'll let AJ know" he said, before hanging up. Turning around, Juice got back to the kitchen just as AJ was plating up the food. It looked and smelled delicious, and Juice was thankful he was hungry, because AJ had went all out for breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes. She began to walk the plates to the table, when Juice noticed the little stutter step she had. "You ok babe?" he asked her. "Um, yea. Just a little sore" she told him, smiling at the memory of the night before. "Jax and Hap will be over in a little bit to help set up the security system" Juice informed her. "Good" she said, sitting down gently in the chair opposite Juice. They ate breakfast and talked a bit. After the meal was done, Juice told AJ he could get the dishwasher loaded while she got dressed. AJ stood from her chair and began to walk slowly down the hall, still feeling sore in all the right places. Juice smiled as he watched his girl limping from his actions the night before. He wondered if Jax and Happy would notice and then pushed that thought to the back of his mind as he set about cleaning up the kitchen. Back in the bedroom, AJ was searching through her closet, trying to find something comfortable. She finally decided on a black tank top and a pair of yoga pants. Pulling the clothes on, AJ went to the bathroom, and started brushing the tangled mess that was her hair. AJ was going to pull her hair back into a ponytail until she saw the various dark spots marking her neck. Sighing, AJ finished brushing her hair, and made her way back to the living room. She sat down on the couch just as the doorbell rang.
AJ rose slowly and went to the door, looking through the peephole before opening the door. Jax and Happy were there, along with a few of the prospects in the van, with lots of boxes. She could only wonder what they had in mind for the security system. Moving aside, she let them in, kissing Happy and Jax on the cheek as they came in. "Morning doll" Jax greeted her. "Good morning Jax" she said, as Juice came in, finally finished in the kitchen. AJ stood by the door until all the boxes and prospects were inside, and then she shut the door. AJ tried to walk as normally back to the couch as she could. She knew she was unsuccessful when Jax burst out laughing at her. "Shut it Jackson" she said, trying not to smile. "What's wrong AJ, did Juice put it on ya too hard last night?" Happy laughed at this too, and AJ flipped them both off before positioning herself on the couch. "Bite me Jax" AJ replied. "I would but it looks like Juice beat me to it" he said, seeing her neck. "Don't you have some work to do?" AJ asked, attempting to redirect their attention. "Yea, I guess we do. Gemma said to remind you about family dinner tonight. She said you two better be there." Happy spoke up "You better get an icepack on that thing then, or dinner tonight is going to be extremely uncomfortable for more than just you." Laughing, AJ threw a small pillow at Happy, who caught it and threw it back at her.
Several hours, a case of beer, and many expletives later, the security system was wired up and in proper working order. Juice could access the system from his laptop, and every inch of the outside of the house was accessible through a live video feed. There were no blind spots inside or outside the house. Satisfied with their work, Jax sent the prospects back to the clubhouse. Jax finished the last of his beer before taking off himself. He knew his mother expected him early, and he definitely didn't want to upset her. "Feeling better now?" Happy asked AJ. "Yes, Happy. I think I can walk just fine now" AJ answered, moving off the couch to get herself a drink from the kitchen. The soreness was definitely almost gone now. AJ knew that if she could just cover up the marks on her neck, then dinner would be as uneventful as these things usually were. Getting back into the living room, soda in hand, AJ stopped short when she saw Juice slipping a piece of paper back in his pocket. Whatever it was, it had Happy slack-jawed and saucer-eyed. She made it a point to make a sound as she came on around the corner, alerting them to her presence. Juice jumped up, looking a little bit guilty, and Happy resumed his usual stoic demeanor. "I'm heading out. I'll see you guys at Gemma's" Happy told them, hugging AJ before he left. "Well, I better go get ready" AJ said, shutting the door behind Happy. "Wait, AJ" Juice interrupted. "Yea" she said, stopping short of the bedroom. "I love you" he told her, looking as though he had something else on his mind. "Love you babe" she said, before going into the bedroom to ready herself for dinner with their family.
Marks on her neck covered and dressed for dinner in her ripped jeans, black t-shirt, and boots, AJ exited the bedroom. Looking around the living room, Juice was nowhere to be found. She heard his voice outside the front door, and decided that he must be out there waiting for her. She grabbed her leather jacket, and opened the door. Juice, who was leaning back on the door, stumbled backwards, almost dropping the phone he had at his ear. "Ok, Jax. Thanks for your help. You sure he won't mind? Ok. And you're sure Gemma won't mind if I'm late? Ok. Yea, thanks" he said, finally hanging up. "What do you mean 'if I'm late?'" AJ asked. "Oh, I've got a little business to take care of. Tig is going to come by here and pick you up" Juice told her. "O...k" she said to him, worry crossing her face. "Babe, it's ok. Nothing to worry about. Just an errand to run, and that's all. I'll be there before dessert" he assured her. "Alright then" AJ replied, just as Tig's bike pulled into the yard. AJ climbed on behind him, feeling a little weird about being on a bike behind anybody besides Juice or Happy. "Ready doll?" Tig asked. She nodded her head and they pulled out onto the street. Juice started his bike and pulled off, in the opposite direction. AJ looked once behind her, to see Juice turning out of the driveway. Minutes later, Tig was pulling his bike into Gemma and Clay's driveway. Turning off the bike, he stepped off, with AJ following suit. She handed him the helmet and headed into the house. Gemma greeted her as she walked into the kitchen, which was abuzz with activity. Gemma was barking orders to the few crow eaters privileged enough to be invited, and making sure everything was being done right. "Hey Gemma" she said. "Alexa, you're here. Good. I need your help. I'd have asked one of these bitches, but given that most of them don't know their ass from a hole in the ground" she started, before heading out of the dining room, through the living room and out the back door.
AJ turned to follow Gemma, who was waiting in the backyard, standing between Tig and Happy, who were holding up a bright pink piece of fabric, and Chibs and Jax, who were holding up a black piece of fabric. "Ok, I'm thinking of making some new curtains for the bedroom. Which do you like more?" Gemma asked. "Well," AJ said, inspecting the pieces. The pink had a lighter flower pattern on it, something the crow eaters would have went crazy for, but definitely was not AJ's style. The black, however, had a grey smoke pattern throughout. "I like this one" she finally said, fingering the black fabric. "Yea, that's what I thought too" Gemma said, taking the material from Chibs and Jax. AJ, who was still standing there, in front of Jax, suddenly put her hands over her mouth. Between Jax and Chibs, behind where the fabric would have been, was Juice. Down on one knee, with an open box in his hand, looking every bit the nervous wreck. Juice spoke, looking directly at AJ. "AJ, you know I love you. And I can't imagine being with anyone else but you, spending my life with anybody besides you. Alexa Jade Delaney, will you please do me the honor of saying that you'll be mine, forever?" AJ stood, shocked, for a few moments before she found the words she was looking for. "Juice, I'm already yours, forever" she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "YES!" she said finally. Juice pulled the ring from the box and slipped in on her finger. She didn't even bother to look at it before she pulled Juice in for a passionate kiss. The group of people around them, their family, cheered loudly, and a few even whistled and catcalled. Kozik and Chibs walked up, grabbing Juice and pulling him away, laughing while asking him if he was sure about this. They knew AJ was still in earshot, and she knew they were joking. She laughed and launched an empty beer can their way. Gemma escorted AJ back into the house, leaving the men to their usual activities. Back in the kitchen, Gemma looked expectantly at AJ. "What?" AJ asked. "Are you going to let us see?" spoke one of the crow eaters enviously. "Oh, the ring" AJ said, holding out her left hand for the group of women to see. What was on her finger stunned even Gemma into silence. In the center of the band was a 3 carat black princess cut diamond. The band itself was platinum encrusted with 2 rows of alternating black and white diamonds. It was absolutely beautiful and it was definitely one AJ would have picked out herself. She couldn't believe it. Was that where Juice had gone before coming here? She would ask him about that later. Right now, she wanted to enjoy this feeling of utter joy and ecstasy. "I'll help you plan the wedding" Gemma told her. Knowing Gemma, AJ knew she wouldn't have to make very many decisions. AJ was still blissful when they all sat down around the table for dinner, her best friend Kozik on one side, her adopted brother Jax across from her, and her fiancé Juice on her other side.