Hey everyone! So sorry its been so long since the last update! life has been hectic and its only getting worse! Sorry this chapter is a little short but I wanted to get something out for New Years!

I am in the process of edititing and rewriting parts of this stroy! I hope you ans your loved ones enjoy the holiday season!

As always, let me know what you think!

DDM

When I woke the next morning I was content to just lay there and relax into the warm body behind me. The arm around my waist tightened and I couldn't help my smile.

"Morning," Jax's voice was gruff from sleep.

"Morning." I said with a yawn.

"I could stay like this forever." He mumbled into my hair. Before I could answer my stomach gave a rumble under his hand and he snickered. "But it sounds like I need to feed you."

"Do you want me to cook?" I asked.

"Nah, lets go get something. I have a meet I need to go to in the afternoon though."

I nodded and slid out of bed, picking up my night shirt from the ground I slipped it on and headed to the bathroom, hearing Jax moving around behind me. As I brushed my teeth I listened to the sound of my dresser opening and closing a knew I would need to get more SAMCROW shirts if he was going to continue stealing them all. He walked in and kissed me on the cheek as we traded places and I rolled my eyes when I saw him grab my toothbrush. He was going to need his own stuff here.

I dressed quickly in a pair of black jeans and a dark purple cold shoulder top and yanked on a pair of knee high, black, heeled boots. I enhanced my green eyes with my usual black kohl and ran a brush through my hair.

"Ready?" Jax asked as he came out of the bathroom. He was wearing his usually jeans, sneakers, tee shirt and kutte. His kevlar was draped over the chair in the corner.

"Not going to arm up?" I asked playfully.

"I think we'll be safe for breakfast." He said with a grin as we left the bedroom, heading out the front door. "I'll come back and grab the vest before my meet later."

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously.

"Have to tie up a lose end with those idiot freedom fighters." He said as he strapped his helmet into my head.

"The ones you sold to?"

"Yeah, they killed a local cop and brought a lot of heat down on us."

"How does Piney feel about that, I know one was his friend from the war."

"He knows it needs to be done and he is prepared to do what is needed."

I nodded as he started up the bike and we took off toward my favorite diner. The place wasn't really busy when we pulled up, only a couple tables were occupied. We sat down and woman with bleach blond hair stepped up to the table. She must be new, we have been coming here for years and I didn't recognize her at all.

"What can I get you?" She asked, looking only at Jax.

"Not sure," he said before looking at me. "Babe?"

"I'll have scrambled eggs and toast with sausage." I said and the woman reluctantly looked my way.

"To drink?" She asked as if I had interrupted her.

"Just water please."

She scribbled down my order before turned quickly back to Jax. I just rolled my eyes.

"I'll take the same, but with coffee." He said.

"Anything else?" She asked coyly, batting her fake eyelashes as him.

"No, I'm good." He said dismissively before reaching across the small take to take my hand.

She huffed and swished away, flicking her hair over her shoulder while I tried not to giggle.

"What time is your thing this afternoon?" I asked.

"Not sure, hasn't been set yet. Piney will call me."

"We should go see Abel today." I suggested.

"Sounds good."

We finished our breakfast and Jax's phone rang.

"Yeah," he said as he handed me the helmet and I just watched him. After a minute of listening he hung up.

"Rain check?" I asked.

"Sorry," He said with a frown. "That was Piney, his guy wants to meet in half an hour."

"Take me home." I said with a smile.

"I'll make it up to you." He said as we climbed onto the bike.

"I know." I said simply and we took off for my house.

"I'll call you later," he said as he walked back outside from grabbing his vest.

"Be careful." I said before leaning in to kiss him.

"Promise."

I watched him ride away before heading inside and starting a load of laundry. Once I was finished I decided to go see Abel by myself anyway, it had been to long since my last visit.

I pulled into St Thomas' parking lot and went up to the maternity floor. I walked passed the nurses station and straight to Abel's room. Tara was in there with a clipboard.

"How's he doing?" I asked as I stepped up beside her.

"Fine," she gave me a sideways look.

"How's his sleep apnea?"

"Better." She said in a clipped tone. I rolled my eyes and sat down in the chair.

"You look tired."

"It's been a long day," she sighed turning to face me finally. "I still have a while to go."

I glanced out the observation window and say the creepy ATF agent walk by, Tara had her back to him and didn't notice.

"Did they tell you they sent Wendy off to rehab?" She asked.

"No."

"Hopefully she sill get the help she needs, away from this place." She scowled.

"If you hate it so much, why come back?" I asked curiously.

"Needed to pack Dad's stuff up."

"You needed to abandon your life and get a job in a place you hate in order to do that? I thought Chicago was where you wanted to be."

"It's not really any of your business." She snapped.

"No it's not." I shrugged. She scowled harder at me then turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. I just sat and watched Abel for a few minutes, enjoying the peaceful space. My phone ringing caused me to jump and Abel go start fussing quietly. I reached in and held his tiny hand while I answered my phone without looking at the screen.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"Hey, baby." Gemma 's voice sounded in my ear.

"Hey, did you enjoy your 'me time'?" I asked.

"I did." She said. "I needed it to get my head right."

"Feeling better?"

"I am."

"I'm glad." I said honestly.

"I talked to that little girl this morning."

"Oh?"

"She showed up when I got out."

"She did not!" I said in disbelief.

"She's got some balls." I guess she took my words to heart and wasn't going to cower and be afraid.

"What did she want?"

"To clear the air I guess. Promised she wasn't here for Clay."

"Sack." I said. "Jax told me."

"Of course he did." I could nearly hear her rolling her eyes.

"I stopped by to see her yesterday."

"Why?"

"Just to give her some friendly advice."

"Like what?"

"I told her if she was going to be one of our Old Ladies, she better walk with her chin in the air and if she ever did anything to hurt my family again, she and I would go a few rounds."

"That's my girl." She laughed. "Welcome and warn them at the same time."

"I learned from the best."

"What are you doing now?" She asked.

"Sitting with Abel."

"Where is Jax?"

"He has to take care of something with Piney."

"How are you two doing?"

"Really good." I said, smiling.

"I can hear your smile from here." She laughed.

"I am glad I decided to take your advice," I said, looking down at the tiny baby beside me. "I was afraid of the unknown but now I am happier than I can ever remember being. I feel like I am coming into myself more."

"You are," She said and I heard her take a drag from a cigarette. "You've always been confident, but you are really starting to blossom now."

"I learned how to be confident from you," I said honestly. "As much as I loved my mother, she had a submissive personality that I couldn't ever relate to. You taught me how to stand up for myself and not to take anyone's shit."

"That means a lot, baby." She said after a moment of silence. "You'll always be my daughter."

I felt tears begin to well up when she spoke. It meant more than she will ever know to have confirmation that she cares for me the same way I care for her.

"I love you, Gemma." I said, trying to keep my voice even.

"I love you to." She said.

I looked at Abel abs saw he had gone back to sleep.