Steadfast

I own nothing you recognize. All original characters and storylines are my own.

"You're mad, I get it-" Milla said calmly before Donna threw up a hand.

"You don't get it." Donna took a deep breath before she continued. "I love you Milla, you're the only one around here who treats me like "Donna" not "Opie's Old Lady" and I appreciate that but when it comes to this you can't possibly understand how I feel."

"You think I don't have pride?" Milla asked quietly and Donna let some of the anger ebb.

"This is more than pride Milla, this is my family. How am I supposed to show my kids that there's a life beyond this town, beyond the Club when there's a different Son here every night? I just want some space. I'm not mad." She crossed the distance and pressed her forehead against Milla's in a gesture of solidarity. "I'm just sick of it."

"I'm so sorry you feel this way. I had no idea..." Milla took a deep breath before she moved away. "I'm all in you know, my man, the Club, this town. It's all in my blood."

"I know and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's what makes you happy but I can't be happy like this. I know that deep down Gemma means well and the Club is just looking out for us but this is too much. He's gonna be out soon and I don't want him pulled back in. I need to sever those ties now." Donna wiped away a stray angry tear and Milla nodded, she would never understand this need to get away, to sever the relationship but she would support her friend. It's just what she did.

"Ok, I get it. You won't keep the kids from me, will you?" She asked and Donna looked at her like she was slow.

"That's something you never have to worry about. You may be an Old Lady but you were Milla first and I love Milla." Donna hugged her and Milla held her close.

"Good, because I love you too much to say goodbye." She kissed Donna's cheek and closed her eyes. She didn't know what was going to happen now.

…

"She waits 'til now to pull this shit?" Gemma said angrily as she chopped her carrot with more force than necessary.

"It was a long time coming Ma. She loves Ope, she supported the Club because she supported him but you have to admit that the Club isn't exactly her favorite thing in the world right now." Milla said calmly as she peeled the zucchini and placed the finished veggies in the colander to be rinsed off.

"Of course she loves Ope, but she's had time to learn to love the Club. Shit." Her mom picked up her joint and took a puff as Luann rushed into the kitchen, out of breath and nearly skidding as she gripped the counter.

"Sorry I'm late, what gossip did I miss?" She said hastily before she made her way over to Milla and kissed her cheek. "Hey baby, you look stressed."

"Donna won't be here today, she's puttin' some distance between herself and the Club." Gemma huffed and Luann let out a breath in a puff.

"Shit, guess this was a long time comin." She said before she stashed her purse in the corner and Gemma looked at her.

"Doesn't make it right. We're family and she needs family. These bids are hell." Gemma was frustrated, she felt like Donna was turning her back on her family and that's something you never did. Family was everything.

"It's what's right for her Ma. Let's just forget it for now and finish dinner. I, for one, can't wait for that pot roast." Milla gave her mother a smile and Luann nodded as she picked up a knife to attack the radishes.

Gemma pursed her lips but couldn't help but agree with her daughter. They had food to prepare and she'd just have to have another conversation with Mrs. Winston, remind her what it meant to be an Old Lady.

…

"Mmmmm, that feels nice." Milla whispered as the lips on her neck started to move toward her shoulder. After the emotionally tense week she'd had, sex with her Old Man seemed to be just what she needed.

"It'll feel even better in a minute." He whispered huskily and Milla couldn't help but smile, yep her Old Man was definitely what she needed.

…

"How was everything around here? From the sound of your voice things were going to shit." Juice came out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and Milla wanted to take it off him again. Week long runs were cruel.

"For the most part things were good, but there are issues with Donna and I just feel like I'm stuck in the middle." She sighed and leaned back against the pillows, suddenly wishing the bed would swallow her up.

"Tryin' to be a good Old Lady and a good friend?" He asked and she nodded, not surprised that he got to the heart of the matter right away.

"Yeah, I'm loyal to you and to the Club but I'm also loyal to Donna. I don't want her hurting, but I also want her to be part of this world. I'll love her no matter what but now there's this distance between us and it's scary." She sighed again and Juice went to his side of the bed and crawled in beside her, lifting her into his arms.

"Then you have to decide baby, can you handle this distance?" He asked as he kissed behind her ear and she threaded her fingers with his.

"I'd rather have the distance than lose her completely. What do you think baby?" She asked and he squeezed her tighter.

"Do what you gotta do babe but I'm here for you. Also, it doesn't matter if Donna's an Old Lady or a civilian, she's my brother's wife and if she needs help I'm there." Milla smiled and settled back into Juice's arms. As long as he gave his support she knew she could work this out.

…

"I'm coming!" She heard Donna's voice from inside the house while she waited on the stoop. She'd texted Donna and left a few messages but she allowed her friend time to settle and work things out before she made up her mind to go to her.

"Hey." Milla said quietly as Donna opened the door. She felt nervous but soon the smile on Donna's face put her at ease.

"I'm so glad to see you right now." She said almost breathlessly and Milla smiled wider as her friend pulled her into the house.

"I'm glad to see you. What's up?" She asked and Donna sat her at the table.

"I need your help. Today's your day off right?" She asked and Milla nodded, it was Saturday after all.

"What's up?" Milla was just glad Donna was talking to her and, of course, she'd do what she could to help her out.

"Could you take the kids for the day? I know it's short notice but I got called into the hospital and the overtime would be great." Donna stopped for a second and looked at Milla who nodded.

"Of course. Juice is home for the day, do you mind if I bring them to the house to see if Juice wants to do something with us?" Milla asked and expected a protest; instead Donna just looked at her like she was slow again.

"Why would I mind? The kids love their Uncle Juice." She smiled to show that everything was cool with her and Milla nodded. Just like that she knew they were good and nothing had really changed between them.

"Ok, you get ready for work and I'll get them ready." Milla smiled as Donna leaned over and hugged her before she went to put on her shoes.

After goodbyes Milla went and woke up the kids and helped them get ready before they went to her place for a day of staged toy car crashes, Rue Goldberg machines and Disney movies. It was a great day and Milla was happy. Her best friend had changed her position in The Life but she hadn't changed, and that was all Milla needed to know.