This is the longest chapter I've ever written, but, like for all of my chapters, there's good reason! I'm starting new stories and my sister is getting married this weekend, so that's why the updates are taking longer. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own SOA or The Maury Show. I only own my OCs!

Chapter 25

Back At It

Juice POV

Laying in the hospital was getting to my head. I felt so alone and I was in so much pain, it was unbearable. Being on my side at all times sucked, too, because it only reminded me more of how much I missed Adalyn. I always had my arms around her with her back against my chest when I laid on my side. At the thought of her, I remembered her scent. My mind convinced me that the vanilla and lavender combination was hitting my nose. I smiled at the idea of the next time I'd be able to breathe in the smell of her hair.

I tried so hard for so long to fall asleep. I thought maybe I'd at least get a dream of Ada. Unfortunately, it was all for nothing. I tried to blame it on the itchy hospital sheets and the sound of the people fighting on 'Maury' on the TV, but I knew it was all due to the fact that I just missed her. A little over a day apart and I was going insane. It only reassured me of how much I loved my girl, though.

A groan came out of my mouth as I made a sad attempt to roll over. "Motherfucker," I grumbled to myself. I felt like a useless piece of shit. "Where are those fuckin' nurse bitches with the fuckin' pain medicine to knock my pathetic ass the fuck out?!" I threw a fist down onto the bed in my frustrated rage.

Light laughter made my eyes pop open and look at who came through the door. "Somebody's gonna need to wash that mouth of yours out." Ada beamed at me from across the room. Her face was bright and happy, but her eyes were so sad. I wasn't gonna comment on that, though. Not now. I knew it was because she was seeing me like this, and I only wanted the two of us to be happy to be together again.

I chuckled once out of disbelief. Shaking my head, I quietly wondered, "Are you actually here right now or did I get those drugs already? Am I having the best dream ever?" My heart rate picked up when it all registered that it was actually happening. My eyes even began to tear up a bit. "Adalyn, come here. I can't get up and I swear I'm gonna drop dead right now if I don't kiss you."

She grinned and practically ran to me. She dropped to her knees before she kissed me in a way she never had. Tears fell from both our eyes. "One Goddamn day, Juice," Ada whispered through our kissing. "One day and I was breaking down. Crying in my car. Trying to get myself to feel nothing to make it easier. One day without you and I couldn't function." She continued to cry when she smiled acutely and placed a hand on my forehead. It reminded me of what my mom always used to do to comfort me when I was sick, and it felt so soothing to have Ada doing it.

We kissed again and I sighed out of happiness. For a moment, I just stared into her beautiful emerald eyes with my hand on her cheek. I missed the feeling of her soft skin under my calloused hands. "Baby, I was so scared," I quietly admitted. Ada frowned and was about to speak until I put my finger on her lips to stop her. She relaxed and nodded, watching me closely. "For a minute, I thought I wasn't gonna see you again. I thought the last person I'd see was the ugly old prison doc. I felt like shit, because I thought the last time you'd hear from me was that call I gave you to tell you we got locked up. It was killing me more than that fucking shank. I'm so sorry I put you through all of this, Adalyn. I'm sorry. You're my world, and I know you feel the same way for me, and I just couldn't stop thinking about what I'd do if this were you and I was going crazy." I was full on crying in front of Ada for the first time. I didn't care, though. Everything I was feeling in county was eating away at me. "I never wanted this shit to happen to you, okay? I'm sorry, I'm so, so-"

Adalyn put her fingers on my lips this time to stop my speech. She shook her head quickly before kissing my forehead. She sighed, and told me, "You have nothing to be sorry for. You got me? You couldn't have known any of this was gonna happen. I'm not gonna lie to you, it sucked. I had no idea what was going on, and that fucking drove me crazy, Juice. Not once did I blame you, though, okay? This isn't on you." My beautiful Old Lady smiled at me to calm me down. Her hand lightly ran over my Mohawk while I nodded in understanding. "I love you. You're gonna be okay. I'm with you now, and, Juice, that's all that matters to me. We're together, we're gonna get through this shit together. We always do. I love you." She pecked me on the chin and gave me one more reassuring smile.

I nodded again as I grabbed her hand in mine. I felt so comfortable and at ease with Ada there. Having her around made me realize I was gonna be up and fine in no time. I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed it, my eyes never leaving hers. "How'd I get so lucky with you, huh?" I chuckled. Her laugh was loud and happy, just as it was when we first started out. It made me warm inside. "I mean it. I must've done somethin' right in my life to get you. No woman is ever gonna compare to you, sweetheart. None have, none will." Ada rolled her eyes at me, making me grin. She always acted like she hated when I put her on a pedestal, but she secretly loved it.

The next second, her face fell and her smile turned into a grimace. "Shit," she groaned. I looked at her quizzically, not getting what was bringing her down. Adalyn bit her lip and sighed. "Well, speaking of women... Just don't be mad, but, I called your mom. I figured she should know her son got stabbed! Really all she cared about was that you were in jail. Scratch that, she only gave a shit that she was finally speaking to me. She kept sayin' shit like, 'Oh, bonita! Juan has told me so much! I'm so happy to speak with you. Make sure my little Juan doesn't ruin this one!'" She giggled at the memories of my mother. I couldn't blame her. Ma was crazy, but a riot. "She's a little goofy, but she's sweet, Juice. She loves you."

"Yeah, yeah," I replied, waving her off. Sure, my mom loved me, but she wasn't always that great of a mom. I wasn't the best son, either, but that wasn't the point. She'd gotten so used to me gettin' in trouble it hardly phased her anymore. Hence why I only spoke to her once or twice a month. "Anyways, seein' you down there on your knees is giving me too many ideas. Either get in this bed and give me the time of my life or I'm gonna have to break my own heart and ask you to leave, ma'am. Sorry, it's hospital protocol. You give the patient a BJ or get kicked out." I shrugged at the same time my serious face broke into a smirk. I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

Ada hit my shoulder and laughed while she got up off the floor. "Well, looks like somebody is starting to feel better! Only you can take a conversation about your mother and turn it into sex talk, Juan Carlos." She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. She bent down, getting real close to my face. I knew she knew I could see down her tank top. "See, I don't wanna leave, though. I just got here. I wanna stay with you all day long." Her finger lightly went up and down my arm while she spoke in the voice that turned me the fuck on. I groaned at her words. "I wanna stay, make you happy, do all the things you want. My poor baby is hurt, he deserves to feel good." Adalyn's lips were at my ear, her voice low, making me shiver. "The thing is, you really need your rest, Juicy. You need to relax. To unwind." She started to rub the shoulder I wasn't laying on. It felt like Heaven. "Too bad I'm not gonna live out whatever nurse porno fantasy you have in a hospital. Especially with you hurting like this. Sorry, sweetheart." She kissed my cheek and backed away with a huge smirk on her face. "Guess I have to leave then, huh? It'll be good, though. Let you cool off for a bit." She winked and went slowly to the door.

I groaned louder than I ever have before. "You're such a fucking tease!" I yelled at her retreating back - well, mainly her ass. Even though I was in pain and I knew I was gonna get blue balls, I still had my goofy grin from Adalyn being Adalyn. "You're lucky I love you."

"Uh-huh," she shouted back with a wave as she opened the door. She blew me a kiss. "Love you. I'll be back. Get some sleep, hot shot." With one last wink, she let the door close. As hard as I tried, I could never be pissed at her for that. It was funny, and she was right. I needed to rest. I hoped I'd at least get some more than interesting dreams of that sexy teasing broad I loved more than anything.

Adalyn POV

Tara: How's the cripple?

The text from my best friend made me smile. Juice was already doing so much better just from us seeing each other. Things were going good with him.

Adalyn: He's not crippled... Technically. Just incapacitated. He's so helpless, it breaks my heart. He was trying to get some tho lol

Tara: Damn. Frisky. Jax is being all cold thanks to the whole Clay shit. Talk to him please?

Tara: Apparently Half Sack is back at TM and everything too. Gem called me, said she wants to have a dinner tonight at 8. Just the best time for everything!

I put my hand over my mouth to suppress the giggle that was trying to come out. Of course. One thing in our lives was going great, another doing shitty. Typical day in the life of an Old Lady.

Adalyn: I'll try my best. As for dinner... You know neither of us can deny we need that. I'm on my way to the clubhouse now. I'll see you later. Love ya cutie.

Tara: Aw, shucks. Makin' me blush! Lmao see you tonight hotstuff. Give Juicy Boy my love! ;)

After a shake of my head, I put my phone away. I was excited to see Sack and to hang out with the guys. Juice wasn't the only one I missed like crazy. These boys were my family, nothing would change that.

I honked at Opie as I pulled onto the lot. "Hello there little miss sunshine," he shouted to me as I got out of the car. I grinned only at the sound of his voice. He was doing so much better lately, and he was a hell of a lot nicer. "Come to hangout with your brother from another mother?" He wiggled his eyebrows the way he used to do when we were kids, and I had to laugh, no matter how hard I wanted to hit him for being such a dork.

I sighed while we walked to the clubhouse. "Well of course! What else would I be doing here? Not like I'm an Old Lady or know anybody else or anything," I teased him with a small smirk, earning me a roll of the eyes in response. Opie opened the door for me with a grin on his face that I hadn't seen for a while. "How kind of you! Did you hear about Gemma wanting a family dinner tonight? I think it's a good idea, just- Holy shit!" I cut myself off when I saw both Tig and Sack had their balls out.

Happy, Bobby, and Tig all laughed. Opie covered his eyes and said, "She shouldn't have to see that. Shit, I shouldn't have to see that!" I chuckled along with the men this time. Wouldn't be the first time I saw Tig's genitalia, and as for Half-Sack... I had no comment. "The new ball? Congrats." Ope nodded to Sack before he and the other three went to have a seat.

I hugged Sack. "I actually missed you, shithead," I told him with a smile. "I just came in here to see how you were doing. Go sit down with the guys, I'll finish restocking." He nodded to me before giving me another hug and going to join his friends.

I was happy to be in the clubhouse with all of the guys again. It felt normal and right. Even me doing the prospect's bitch work felt good. It made me think of my new wonderful job I'd be starting soon. I couldn't even put into words how excited I was. The only downfall was Juice wouldn't be out of the hospital in time to see me in action on my first night.

When I came out of the storage closet with a crate of alcohol, I saw Jax had joined the group. It took everything in me not to eavesdrop. He still didn't tell me what went on in county, so, naturally, I was still curious... And worried. After a minute of me staring, he came over to me. "Hey, how's Juice doin'?" He asked with a concerned face.

Shrugging, I responded, "Good considering the situation. He's upset he's stuck in there, but he's good. Glad to be out of jail, at least." I chuckled humorlessly and gave Jax a small smile. I raised an eyebrow and watched him intently. "You doing okay? I talked to Tara earlier. She's worried, Jax."

He sighed, but nodded. "Yeah, I'm good," he easily lied to me. If he didn't wanna talk, I wouldn't push it. He'd come to me eventually. "I gotta head out to CaraCara. You wanna come?" Jax raised an eyebrow at me and stared until I nodded. The whole ride over I could feel the tension and stress radiating off of his body. Whatever was going on was gonna drive him insane or kill him.

We pulled up to see crying scantily clad women outside of the studio. "What happened?" I wondered as I hopped off the bike. I looked around and watched the women shaking and crying all around us. I started to feel scared just at the sight of them.

A teary-eyed Lyla pulled away from Luann. "Someone broke in," Luann replied, looking as pissed as ever. "Stole our HD camera and my laptop. Had three rough cuts on it." She shook her head and her eyes flashed angrily between Jax and me.

I smiled sympathetically at Lyla while I pulled her into a comforting embrace. I didn't want her to have to hear or deal with anymore of what was happening in her state. "It's gonna be alright. Nobody's gonna let anything happen to you, sweetheart," I assured her softly. I rubbed her back gently and shushed her, but she was still sobbing like crazy. "Calm down, okay? The club's gonna take care of you. It'll be okay."

Lyla leaned back away from me and cried, "They wrote 'dead bitch' in fucking dog blood on my dressing room door!" Her sobs continued to grow louder and louder as her breathing got shallower. "I need to see Opie. Please, Addy, please. Can you get me Opie?" Her face was so helpless, and I knew she was feeling exactly how I was when she saw me at Jax's. She felt alone. Scared.

Quickly, I nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah. Yeah, we'll get you Opie," I told her with a genuine smile. Lyla calmed down then, and I was more than relieved. "I'm sorry for the way I acted the other night. I wasn't myself." I shook my head slowly as my words fell out of my mouth.

She surprised me by smiling through her tears. "I understand," Lyla replied. She gave me another hug and seemed to be okay after that. I still felt awful for being so bitchy to her before giving her a chance. She was nothing like Ima. Lyla was sweet, kind, and funny. She was somebody I could see myself becoming friends with to get me through the trials and errors of being an Old Lady. She was a good person, and good for Ope.

We sat and talked about Opie, Juice, porn, everything, really, until Opie showed up. The way they hugged and clung to each other made me smile to myself. She was making him better, I realized. Lyla was the reason Opie was being himself again.

My phone rang, and I smiled to the couple one more time before going outside to take it. "Hey," I answered Tara's call. She'd been texting me periodically throughout the day with updates on Juice and Chibs. I was grateful to have a doctor for a best friend. "How're our guys?"

I heard hospital chatter before Tara said, "They're both doing great. Just wanted to call and check up." She sighed loudly and I rolled my eyes. Ever since my little melt down, her and Gemma have been 'checking up' among other things.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I told her sternly. My head snapped around when I heard a noise come from near the van. With all the shit going on at the studio, it freaked me the hell out. "I'm gonna come by there before dinner. Can you give me a ride to Gem's?" I kept my voice quiet as I moved back towards the door.

The noise clanked and crashed again, making me jump. "Of course, Addy," she assured me sweetly. I gulped as I hoped she wouldn't hang up after that, but I knew she would. "I gotta get back to work. See you in a bit!" With that, I was alone.

My hand almost hit the doorknob when whoever was causing the ruckus finally showed himself. "Hi," the man mumbled awkwardly with a wave. His hands were missing all of their fingers except one on each, and he had these weird gloves on. "Don't be scared, I'm with the club! I'm-I'm Chucky." He put his hands up in a surrendering gesture and slowly continued to walk towards me.

Before I could speak, Jax, Opie, and Bobby came to my rescue. "What the hell, dude?" Jax questioned as he looked between me and Chucky.

I shook my head quickly and stepped closer to my friends. "You know this guy, right?" I glanced up at Opie expectantly. He played savior for Lyla, now it was my turn for his protection.

He nodded and smiled at me. "Don't worry, Addy," he chuckled at my fear. "We know him. He's a gift from the Chinese. Figured he could help with the books." Ope shrugged and I relaxed. This guy was creepy looking, and as tough as I could try to be, some people still gave me the chills.

Jax laughed and gestured to Chuck's hands before asking, "They chopped 'em off?!" I shuddered just at the thought.

I grabbed Opie as I walked away from the other men, not wanting to hear conversation of this guy's missing fingers. "Can you drop me at the hospital?" I wondered with my best puppy dog eyes that he always fell for. "I wanna see Juice again tonight while I can. Pleeeeaaase." I flashed him an all-teeth grin, knowing it'd win him over.

He groaned, but nodded. I grinned some more as I clapped once in victory. "Get in the van," he commanded. "I'll tell the guys and we'll go. Oh, and, just so you know, you're a pain in my ass." Opie smiled sarcastically at me.

I stretched up on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek. "Love you, too, bestie!"

Juice groaned in his sleep. He was in agonizing pain, and it was killing me that I couldn't help him. He'd been asleep for the few hours I'd been there since Opie dropped me off, but he'd wince or make some noise of displeasure every now and then. The way his eyes would squeeze and his forehead would wrinkle was breaking my heart. It sucked to see him that way.

Sighing, I placed my hand on the spot where his damp forehead met the beginning of his Mohawk that was quickly growing out. Juice's eyes fluttered open, and slowly, he smiled up at me. "Hey, you," I said softly as I returned his expression. He was weak, sweaty, and in pain, but he still managed to find some happiness. "How're you feeling? Do you need anything? Water? Food?" My hand ran back over the top of his head.

He nodded with the smile still on his face, and replied, "Yeah, water'd be nice. Thanks, babe." His eyes followed me while I poured the liquid into a clear plastic cup for him. After I helped him take a few sips, Juice let out a deep exhale. "Can I ask you somethin'?"

I sat back down and took his hand. "Yeah," I nodded. "Anything, Juice. You know that." I kissed his knuckles and watched him carefully. Whenever he'd ask for permission to ask me a question, it was something that he knew would make me uncomfortable.

Juice attempted to prop himself up while still laying on his side, and he muttered a few curse words when he failed. "I want you to be honest with me, alright? Don't worry about my feelings or anythin' else." His eyes were daggers as he spoke. A lump began to form in my throat when I realized I wasn't gonna like this question at all. "If I go away, for a long time, I mean... Would you ever be with someone else? There's the prison clause, and if we're away for years, I'm not gonna ask you to sit and wait for me. I won't do that to you. I can't. I can't force you to wait for me and be unhappy." He shook his head slowly and his eyes fell off of me. He went to another place for a minute, and it hurt me a little that he was even thinking any of what he was saying.

I stood up abruptly and glared down at him. I bit my cheek to keep myself from saying everything I wanted to, until I let the anger wash over, and I spat, "Is that how you think of me? As some tramp who would leave you just because you were in jail for while?!" My eyes fleeted all around the white hospital room. I couldn't look at him without crying from rage. "I would never be with someone else. Ever. I'd find a way to deal with myself on my own. I'm not good without you, Juice, but I wouldn't... I couldn't ever do that to you. I love you. Only you. If you go to jail, if you leave me, if anything happens to separate us... You're it for me. You're the only one I picture a life with. The only one I can see myself being happy with. If you don't feel all that with me, tell me now, because if you don't... We shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't have this fucking tattoo on my arm. I shouldn't have gotten an apartment here. I shouldn't have made amends with Tara. I shouldn't have been trying to help Jax and Opie with all of the shit in their lives! I've done all this bullshit to be here. To stay with you, Juice! It's all because I love you!" I wiped my hands underneath my eyes to catch the tears. It took me a few minutes until I could regulate my breathing again.

I slunk down into the chair again and stared at Juice, who looked at me in awe. He reached out for my hand, but I pulled it away and scowled at him. "Baby, I didn't mean it like that. I know you're not the type of girl to just up and leave me, and I'd never do that to you either. That's not what I meant," he assured me as he went to touch my hand again. This time, I let him. "I love you so much. If I try to think of a life without you, I draw a blank. I don't wanna live without you, and I know I can't. I just don't want you to be spending years by yourself because I fucked up and went to jail. That's selfish of me, Adalyn. All I was asking is if you found somebody that made you happy while I was gone, if you'd be with them. You deserve all the happiness in the world and more. I want us to be together until the fuckin' sun burns the earth and kills us all, but if being with someone else made you happy, I wouldn't stand in the way of that. Your happiness is more important than mine, Ada." He wryly smiled and ran his thumb across the top of my hand. His eyes stayed on mine while he waited for me to show any sign of a response.

I kissed him then. All the time I overreacted with him, I knew that, but I also knew I did it for the right reasons. "You're the only person that'll ever make me feel this happy, Ortiz," I teased with a smirk. We kissed again and I laughed lightly. "No one's ever gonna come close to you. Nobody's gonna be able to take your place. You're my Old Man. I love you with every little bit of my heart, you big old fool." A big, goofy grin spread across the face of the handsome love of my life, and my face mirrored his.

Juice squeezed my hand tight and watched me watching him with loving eyes from the both of us. "Okay, one more question," he laughed. I sighed while rolling my eyes, but I nodded. "It's more of a request. Don't leave me, baby. Ever. I know that really contradicts the last conversation, and I sound like a selfish asshole, but please. Not now while I'm in this fucking bed or when I get locked up or ever. I'm gonna do some stupid shit, we both know that. That's who I am. I'm gonna hate myself for it, but I'm probably gonna hurt you more times than I'd ever want to. You're gonna fuck up, too. It's life. We're gonna suck at this for a while. I'm gonna love you through all of it, though, Adalyn, and I don't want you anywhere but by my side. Through anything that happens to us in this fucked up world, I want you with me. So please, never leave. In any way." His eyes were pleading when they locked with mine. His pleas were ridiculous, I'd never leave him, but he was so scared that I would. I couldn't blame him, I had the same fear, deep down.

I quickly nodded and smashed my lips against his once more. "I'm not going anywhere. Can't get rid of me even if you wanted to." My fingers lightly scratched his forehead and hairline, the same action he'd do to help me sleep. I watched him with an elated smile. "I'm yours. Forever and ever." Juice's smile began to match mine then. I kissed his forehead and sighed. "I do have to leave, though. Dinner at Gemma's. I'll come see you in the morning. I love you."

He fake frowned before puckering his lips to signal he wanted another kiss. I, of course, obliged. "Have fun, baby. Love you." Juice smiled as I made my way out of the door. It broke my heart to leave him, but after every little hospital visit, we were both getting better. Physically and emotionally. We were gonna be okay, and I was satisfied with that.

I went and found Tara, who seemed insanely pissed. She didn't speak at all until she told me when it was time to leave. I glanced over at her from the passenger side of the Cutlass. "You okay? You seem... Mad," I pointed out with raised eyebrows.

She scoffed. "Okay? Is anyone in our Goddamn life ever okay?!" Her eyes flashed angrily at me for a second before she calmed herself down. "My supervisor has been on me about club related bullshit, and I informed Gemma of it when I told her there wasn't anything I could do to help Chibs's insurance situation. What does she do then?! Threatens my boss!" Tara shook her head fast and angrily. She pulled up next to Gemma's and forcefully put the car in park.

I got out and walked around to her side to open the car door for my best friend. "Talk to her about it," I suggested with a shrug as Tara got out. She eyed me curiously. "She thinks this shit's okay to do. Tell her not to fuck with your life. Don't be scared of her, Tara. If you just talk to her, she'll get it. She won't admit to getting it, but she will." We entered the house and I immediately went to find something to do in the kitchen. I didn't wanna be a part of Tara and Gemma's argument.

As hard as I tried not to listen in, I could hear everything the both of them were saying to each other. When Tara started to raise her voice, I went out there to try to settle things down. "This could cost me my Goddamn job!" She yelled at Gemma. "The club is the club, my life is my life. Stay out of it!" She stared Gemma down with eye full of fire.

I stepped in between the two women just as Lyla came in. "Hey," she greeted awkwardly. Kenny and Ellie were with her, and I smirked at that. Lyla looked between the three of us cautiously with a pan of food in her hands.

Tara smiled sarcastically and shot me a look. She returned her gaze to Lyla and gibed, "Perfect! Serving hand jobs for dessert?!" She stomped off into the kitchen, leaving us all in shock.

Gemma and I shared a look as our mouths fell open. Lyla's face grew more pissed by the second. "That's real nice in front of the kids!" She slammed the food onto the table and left the house abruptly.

After a second of trying to gather myself, I went after Tara. I grabbed her wrist and spun her around. "What the hell, Tara?!" I shouted at her. Her words to Lyla were more than just uncalled for. "I know you're pissed off, but seriously? Lyla didn't do shit. She's nice. Her job doesn't fucking define her." I shook my head at her while giving her a disgusted expression.

She laughed to herself. "Really?! She's a porn star, Adalyn!" She spoke to me like I had the lowest IQ in the world. "She's just in it for the crow. We both know that."

"No, we don't!" My voice got louder. She was pissing me off, but I knew it was only because I was as low as her, and I made those same assumptions not too long ago. "Why don't you try to get to know her before being so judgmental?! Opie likes her. She likes Opie. She deserves a chance! Don't take your shit out on other people, Tar. It turns you into this arrogant bitch, and that's not you. Cut it the fuck out." Our faces were so close our noses were almost touching. Our eyes stayed locked on each other as we fought.

Tara didn't respond. She only stared back at me. I shook my head at her in disappointment before I went to make sure Lyla was okay. I found her outside with Opie. When she saw me, she stepped away from him and looked away from us both. "Look, I don't wanna hear it, Adalyn," she told me quietly. "I can't deal with the bullshit she gave me. If you're gonna tell me to leave, don't worry. I'm going." Her voice was shaky, like she'd been crying. I felt a pang in my chest from the guilt. I knew I treated her awfully in the past, and I wasn't gonna do it again.

I stepped towards her, only to stop after getting a warning look from Opie. "I'm not gonna tell you to leave. I wanted to apologize for Tara. She's had a bad day," I informed them both with a sigh. "That's no excuse, I know, but things around here just get tough. You don't deserve what we've done and said. I meant it earlier when I told you I was sorry."

They both were apprehensive at first, but they gave me appreciative nods. Lyla and I shared a hug before we returned to the house with everyone else. I played with the Winston kids until Gemma announced it was time to eat. I was excited for the food and the night to go smoothly when Clay walked in and fucked it all up. He and Jax got into an argument about their whereabouts. Bobby and Tig jumped in. Then Happy and Ope. Bobby and Tig shoved each other as we all watched in silence until the other men finally broke it up.

The fighting, insults, excuses, and explanations continued until Hale entered the house. "Excuse me." He spoke loud to announce his presence. All eyes went to him as he made his way to the dinning room. "Sorry to interrupt. I figured I should tell you this in person. We just found Luann Delaney off County 18... Beaten to death." Every single mouth in the room dropped. I moved closer to Tara and grabbed her hand when I got there. Hale swallowed hard before he continued, "There's no other details right now. I'm sorry." He slowly backed away and exited Gemma's, leaving us all in complete shock.

Tara and I squeezed each other's hands as we watched the guys. It was quiet, until Clay ruined it again. He accused Jax of being the reason for Luann being murdered. They all went on and argued some more. Tig and Bobby started to get physical again. Tara and I could only stand by each other and watch on in silence while Clay and Jax started to fist fight, too. We were both scared and stunned.

Everything stopped when Gemma grunted and threw a platter of food onto the table. Glass shattered everywhere. She drew her breaths in hard and fast. I went to her when she gasped. After helping her sit down, I glared at the despicable group of men. I had no idea how the could fight like that after finding out about the death of another Old Lady. SAMCRO was falling apart. Inch by inch. Piece by piece.