Hello my lovely readers. Thank you for all of the support from everyone - the alerts, favs, reviews, and reads are all very much appreciated. Y'all keep me motivated to write more and more. Enjoy Chapter 28!
Chapter 28 –
Juice handed the cold, damp washcloth to Kayleigh as she sat back on the tile floor of the bathroom. Morning sickness had hit her hard, and Juice felt helpless as all he could do was hold her hair and give her a damn washcloth.
"Glad you missed all this the first time, now?" she groaned, swiping the damp cloth over her mouth and then folding it and draping it over the back of her neck.
"No. Well, a little, I hate that I can't do anything about it, but I'd rather be here than not," he replied. "Wanna try some breakfast before we have to leave?"
"Toast, please. I'm going to shower, and possibly bleach my mouth and then I'll be out."
"No bleach, baby." Juice leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head and then left the bathroom.
He could hear Gracie starting to fuss through the monitor on the nightstand and went to take care of the little girl. "Hey, Gracie Lynn. Did you give your mama this much trouble when she was pregnant with you?"
Gracie gurgled and giggled in response and Juice chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes. Let's get you some breakfast, make some toast for your momma, and then get ready for this day."
It had been two days since the death of Gemma Teller. Two days since Kayleigh had pulled the trigger and rocked the world of SAMCRO. Unser and Nero weren't taking Gemma's death well, but a bright side to the horrific tragedy was that no one blamed Kayleigh for what she'd done. Everyone, Nero and Unser included, had understood the choice Kayleigh had been faced with and the decision she had made.
Juice was worried what Roosevelt may or may not do with his knowledge, but he was calmed by the fact that the club and its associates were not out for Kayleigh's blood. Kayleigh hadn't been sleeping well, bothered by nightmares and strange dreams. Jax was having an even harder time with the grief he felt at losing his mother, and the fact that she died because she was trying to murder his wife.
Juice made a pot of coffee and then a bowl of baby cereal with peaches stirred in it for Gracie. He smiled as he fed her because, damn, could his daughter devour some food. When she was done with the cereal he gave her the bottle of formula and made himself and Kayleigh some toast. Gracie had become a pro at holding her own bottle and both him and Kayleigh were glad Gracie was beginning to manage that task on her own. They were also a little sad because with her becoming more independent it meant she was growing up faster than either of them were ready for.
Kayleigh came in the kitchen as Juice was cleaning up Gracie, the highchair, and his own breakfast. She was dressed and ready to go, but had put a robe over her dress so she could eat.
"Butter or jelly?" he asked her as she sat in front of the plate of toast. "Coffee?"
"No and no, but thank you. Let's just hope the toast stays down." She reached her hands out for Gracie. "I'll take her so you can shower and get ready."
Juice handed over their daughter, kissed both of his girls on the cheek, and then headed to get ready for the funeral.
Kayleigh ate quietly while Gracie chewed on the teething ring Juice had given her. One and a half pieces of toast was all she could manage before her stomach rolled and she had to pause and pray not to puke it all back up. She fed Juno the last half piece of toast and then took Gracie to the nursery to get her ready.
Juice held Gracie while Kayleigh dug in her bag for a file.
"What's that?" he asked.
"The fake guardianship papers for the boys. Tara and I were going to destroy them once we knew we wouldn't need them anymore…" Kayleigh paused and blew out a slow breath. "We don't need them anymore."
Juice followed her outside where Kayleigh lit them on fire with the gray lighter on the patio table and then tossed them into the fire pit. She watched them burn until they were ashes, and Juice's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
The small gathering of mourners included the club, Tara, Kayleigh and their kids, Nero, Chucky, and Unser. The cemetery had already been set up with enough chairs for the group and Gemma's black casket was closed and ready to be lowered into the ground. The large arrangement of white and red roses was strangely beautiful atop the sleek black surface.
The preacher that had been hired to perform the service began once Jax gave him the nod to start. The service was short and sweet and Kayleigh thought that was just the way Gemma would have wanted it. Toward the end of the service the man asked if there was anyone who had any words they'd like to say.
"I'd like to say something, if that's okay," Kayleigh said, looking to Jax and not the preacher for approval.
Jax nodded and she stood and walked up to the front. "Everyone has flaws; no one is perfect. Despite her flaws, Gemma was a wonderful mother. She mothered everyone, once you got past her steely mother bear façade. It's what she loved to do, and she did it with passion and without end, despite others' flaws. While most of you guys were locked up in Stockton I got to know Gemma better than I had previously. One of my fondest memories with Gemma is the day after Gracie was born. Chibs tasked her with taking the two of us home, although I think she would have done it regardless if he'd asked her or not. Anyway, we get to the house, and she gets Gracie and I both settled in my bedroom. She makes sure I have everything I could possibly need within arms reach, and then tells me to get some rest. I thought she'd left and I eventually fell asleep. When I woke up next, in one of those new mother panics to check on Gracie, Gemma was in a chair at the foot of the bed, reading a magazine. She'd never left. She was a tremendous help those first few days, and I'm not sure I would have made it without her. Her motherly love and care will be deeply missed."
Jax stood and pulled Kayleigh into a hug. "That was beautiful, thank you," he whispered.
She gave him a small, gentle smile, nodded her head and then walked back to her seat as she wiped her tears away.
The preacher said some final words and then each member of the Sons stood and placed a single red rose on Gemma's casket before the two workers, who had been waiting quietly in the distance, moved forward to lower the casket into the ground. Everyone stood in silence as they watched and said their final goodbyes.
Kayleigh quietly approached Tara and they whispered together. "Ask Jax about lunch, if he's agreeable, I'll feed everyone at the bakery. It's large enough for all of us to gather together."
Tara nodded in agreement and walked up to Jax's side, putting her arm around his waist. He bent his head to listen as she talked to him quietly. After he nodded, Tara looked over her shoulder at Kayleigh and gave her a nod as well.
Finding Juice and their daughter easily, she told them the plan and they left to go to the store for a quick run to get supplies to make sandwiches and a fruit and veggie tray.
An hour later the bakery was filled with the guys, Nero, and Unser. While they ate lunch the little oddball (at least maybe to outsiders) family slowly began to feel less sad as they told stories and memories of Gemma and even some of Clay. They laughed about good times and shed a few more tears.
Unser was the first to leave, followed shortly by Nero. Chucky went across the street with Rat and Montez to open Scoops for the day. Eventually the other guys trickled out of the shop and went their own ways for the day, leaving Jax, Juice, Tara, and Kayleigh at the bakery.
Tara was helping Kayleigh put away the few leftovers in boxes to send over to Scoops for the boys to eat later when Jax spoke.
"I'll need to go through mom's house. Figure out what the hell to do with her shit and get the house ready to sell."
"I can do that," Tara said. "Go through her things, I mean."
"I'll help. The uh, house, you aren't gonna keep it?" Kayleigh asked.
Jax shook his head with a sigh. "I can't see a reason to keep it. You wanna move into it?" he asked Tara.
She shook her head slowly, but didn't say anything. "Me neither," he added and then looked at Kayleigh. "You and Tara go through the stuff, keep whatever, sell it or give it away I really don't give a fuck. When it's ready to sell, Tara and Lowen can handle that part. We'll use the money to start construction on the clubhouse at TM. Gemma would want the money to go to the clubhouse."
Tara and Kayleigh both gave a nod of understanding. Jax was about to say something else when Able tugged his hand.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah, buddy," he said, squatting down to be at eye level with his son.
"Is Grandma in heaven?"
The room was silent for a moment and Jax cut his eyes to Tara who gave a sad smile and a barely noticeable nod.
"Yeah, buddy, she is."
"Will we go to heaven one day?" he asked next.
Jax raised his brows and brushed Abel's hair back before answering. "Yeah, buddy, but not for a long, long time."
"Will Grandma wait?"
"She will, and she'll be so happy to see you again, but she wants to wait. From heaven, she can watch you grow up and see all the great things that you're gonna do when your big."
Abel nodded. "I miss her, daddy."
"Me too, Abel."
"Can we go home?"
Tara hugged Kayleigh quickly and then came around the counter. "Of course we can, sweetie. Let's get your brother loaded up in the car and we'll go home," she answered for Jax.
Jax and Tara said goodbye to Juice and Kayleigh one last time and then headed out.
Juice blew out a breath once they'd left and he was alone with Kayleigh. "That was a rough, sudden conversation."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed. "Yeah. Abel sees and understands more than we think he does for only being almost three, but he's a tough little kid. Losing Tara would have been much harder for him than losing Gemma."
"I know baby. I talked to Jax earlier. He and Tara are gonna watch Gracie and Juno for a few days and I'm taking you up to the cabin. We're gonna return the favor to them when we get back. It'll give us a few days alone, away from Charming, to just chill," Juice said.
"I own a bakery, and manage Scoops, I can't just chill, Juice," she replied, leaning back from the embrace to look at him.
"Yes you can, Bobby is going to open Lynn's, your customers see him often enough now and like him. He can handle three days there. He's gonna call Oswald and let him know you'll be gone, so that Tristen can take off or come in if she feels comfortable without you there. Chucky and the rest of the guys have Scoops. They can manage, Kayleigh. You need to relax, and I'm not taking no for an answer," he finished seriously.
"Oh, really?" she challenged with a smirk, but Juice's expression grew more serious.
"Yes, really. I'm your Old Man, and you are pregnant and you are going to do as I say and rest because this week has been hell on you. Now, we're going home, we're going pack a bag for us, one for Gracie, and some food and toys for Juno and then drop the two of them off with Jax and Tara. Then I'm driving us to the cabin, where I'm keeping you all to myself for three days and you'll do as I tell you to do."
"Okay," she conceded.
Juice was stretched across the couch with Kayleigh lying between his legs, her head resting on his chest. They'd spent the first night eating the pizza they had bought on the way to the cabin and sitting outside on the porch wrapped in a blanket together. They hadn't talked, enjoying the peaceful quiet of the woods instead, but when Juice started to trail his lips up and down her neck they had left the porch for the warmth of the cabin bedroom.
Without Gracie there to be the early morning alarm they had slept in until noon, made breakfast and enjoyed it on the porch, and then cleaned the kitchen before relaxing on the couch.
Kayleigh enjoyed the feel of Juice's fingers running gently up and down her spine. "It's weird not having Gracie with us," she whispered. "I haven't had you completely alone since before you went to Stockton."
"I know, don't get me wrong I miss our little girl, but this is nice, too."
"Enjoy it while you can, Daddy, in eight more months we'll have two," she said playfully.
Juice pulled Kayleigh up his body to where she was face to face with him and she grinned at him. "Boy or girl?" she asked.
"Girl, but with your hair this time."
Kayleigh laughed and shook her head. "Not gonna happen, Juan Carlos. Those Puerto Rican genes are too dominate. No pretty little strawberry blonde girls for you."
"You never know, maybe I'll get lucky. How's the morning sickness?" he asked, it hadn't hit her yet today and he hoped he didn't just jinx it.
"Not as bad as it's been, but it was the same with Gracie, some days were awful and others were like I didn't even have it."
"Anything that helps?"
"Oranges, or the smell of them at least. Lemons will work, too," she replied with a smile.
"So we need to stock up on citrus fruit, I'll eat them, you can smell them."
Kayleigh laid her head back down on Juice's shoulder and they fell into another comfortable silence. Juice was shirtless, and Kayleigh let her fingers trace over the curve of the black wolf of Juice's tattoo.
"Do you think Roosevelt will do something with what he knows about the other night?" she whispered so softly he barely heard her.
He knew better than to appease her with false truths. "I dunno, baby, but I won't let anything happen to you."
"You didn't pull the trigger, Juice. You can't protect me from this."
"I can if I kill him," Juice replied in complete seriousness.
"Then you would go back to prison," she countered with a touch of frustration.
Kayleigh straightened up, straddling him, and Juice leaned up on his forearms. "I'm scared, Juan Carlos, not just about Roosevelt, but how easy it was for me to pull that trigger. I didn't hesitate."
"You told me I was a good man when I admitted to my first kill. You are still a good person, Kayleigh, one of the best. Gemma was trying to kill Tara, would have probably done so if you had not have shown up. No matter what anyone else says, I think you did the right thing, and I don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks, Kayleigh. It may have been an easy action, but it has not been easy on your beautiful soul, and it won't be easy."
"I'll never forget will I?" she asked as her eyes, which had been staring off into space, cut back to him.
"No, but Tara won't either. Your best friend is there for you, you know that, and so am I. I'll never let anything happen to you. I love you, Kayleigh."
"I love you, too, Juicey."
Juice laid back flat, resting his head on the arm of the couch, and watched Kayleigh carefully. Her eyes were downcast, following the path her fingers made as she trailed them across the muscles of his stomach and chest. She traced the lines of the tattoo and then gave him a wicked smirk, her train of thought obviously changing course.
"You know we're going to have to clean the cabin before we leave right?"
"Why?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.
"Because I don't think the guys, or Jax and Tara, would appreciate the smell of sex all over the place," she teased, rocking her hips and grinding her warm center against him.
Juice groaned and his hands gripped her hips, guiding her to repeat the motion. "You're already pregnant, you know," he smirked.
Kayleigh gave him another smirk back and froze. "Oh, okay, so I guess we just won't fuck for nine months? We can start again about six to eight weeks after this one is born, so more like in another year?"
Juice wrapped an arm around her back and then flipped them over carefully, so he was hovering over top of her and she was flat on her back. "Hell no, I just was thinking how you're already pregnant and how much that turns me on."
"Really?" she asked softly. "I thought you'd be scared you'd hurt me or the baby."
Juice shook his head and then dipped down to press his lips along her jaw. He made his way back to her ear and whispered. "No, I read too many books to be scared of hurting you. I'm more afraid you'll not want to fuck, which would really suck."
Kayleigh giggled and kissed his cheek. She let her hands slide over his shoulders and scratched gently with her nails as she trailed down his spine. "If this one is anything like the first pregnancy, that won't be a concern baby."
"That's good to know. What else did I miss with the first one while I was locked up besides my old lady being extra horny?" Juice teased.
His fingers undid the button of her jeans and pulled the zipper down. His hand wiggled its way into her pants to touch her as she tried to answer him. "Let's see, bigger tits, horny all the time, the throwing up is a negative and I was sleepy a lot too. I think it's just the tits and the sex that you missed." Kayleigh giggled, but broke off into a moan when Juice slipped two fingers inside her.
Her hands left his shoulders to push her jeans and panties down. Juice moved his legs so she could slide her clothes all the way off and then quickly moved to cover her with his body again. The black t-shirt was next to hit the floor, followed closely by Kayleigh's black lace bra.
Juice captured her nipple gently between his lips and Kayleigh let out a sigh. His other hand palmed her left breast and she rocked her hips against his. "You have on too many clothes," she groaned.
His chuckle was deep in his chest and he lifted his head to smirk at her. Juice sat back on his haunches and gave her a big grin as he slowly undid his belt. He stood to drop his pants and boxers and then knelt beside the couch.
Kayleigh gave him a curious look as his hands pulled her hips to angle her differently, but her eyes fluttered closed when his mouth descended on her pussy. "Oh, fuck, Juan Carlos," she purred.
Her hands slid through the short hair of his mohawk, nails scratching his scalp, as his tongue teased her, gliding over her sensitive skin in a steady pattern. Juice ran a hand up her body to cup her left breast and used the fingers of his other hand to brush across Kayleigh's clit.
She let out a soft cry and Juice sped up his motions. Her back arched off the couch as she orgasmed with a loud scream.
He gave her a few seconds to ride out her high before he stopped, wiped his mouth with his hand and then stroked his hard cock before moving to position himself at her entrance and thrusting forward. Juice stopped once he was buried completely inside her. Kayleigh swirled and twisted her hips, but Juice gripped her in his hands, holding her still. She knew what drove him crazy, and he wanted this to last. Setting his own pace he leaned down to capture her mouth with his in a heated kiss. He moaned as she began to match his rhythm and she echoed him. He slowed and pulled away from the kiss to look down at her.
Juice thought Kayleigh was beautiful all the time, but there was nothing like the sight of her when they were making love and when she let go beneath him. He slid his gaze further down her body and watched his dick disappear into her over and over at a slow pace.
He knew this was torture for her, and counted each stroke silently in his head, wondering when she would beg for more. She cried out on the twelfth stroke, "You're killing me, Juice, please… faster."
"I thought you'd never ask," he teased with a smirk and a teasing pinch to her right nipple. Juice slammed his hips into hers with more force and picked up the pace, ending his tortuously slow strokes.
Kayleigh fell apart and her nails bit into his shoulders as she swore. "Fuck, Juice, yes… god, Juan Carlos, yes, ohh!"
It wasn't long before Juice came with a grunt and a moan and Kayleigh leaned up to kiss him again.
She smiled against his mouth, and then let out a soft moan of disappointment when Juice pulled out and stood up. He chuckled and pulled her to her feet.
"Let's take a shower," he whispered in her ear. "Just don't drop the soap."
She hummed, a wide smile spreading across her face and she gave him a saucy wink. "Hmm… shower sex?"
"Gonna take advantage of it while I can before your sense of balance gets all fucked up," he replied, giving her a swat on the ass to get her moving toward the bathroom.
Kayleigh let out a squeak, jumped a little, and shot him a glare over her shoulder as she started walking. Juice closed the distance in two strides and picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder and giving her ass another smack. Kayleigh's palm landed hard on his ass and her laughter rang through the cabin. Juice turned his head to kiss her hip as he entered the bathroom.
"Thanks for doing this again," Tara said as she hugged Kayleigh again.
"Girlie, you know it's not a problem. You watched my munchkin for three days so I could spend some alone time with my man, and now it's your turn to have alone time with your man. Half the time the kids will be at daycare, and the other time we will be decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies, and playing."
"Have fun, call if you need anything."
"No calls, only in an emergency, and there won't be any of those, so stop worrying and go have fun with Jax for a few days… alone, just the two of you."
Tara knew that look on her friend's face. "Let me guess, if you weren't already pregnant, you totally would be after your little vacation, wouldn't you?"
Kayleigh blushed and Tara shared a smile with her. Kayleigh gave Tara a knowing look. "If you aren't careful you'll wind up pregnant, too."
"Oh no. Birth control pills are packed in the purse. Two little boys are enough for me right now. We can think about that little girl when these two are out of diapers."
The girls laughed, and Tara moved to hug her sons goodbye once more before her and Jax left Kayleigh and Juice's house to head for the cabin.
Juice and Kayleigh spent the rest of the afternoon playing games with Abel. When it was time for Kayleigh to start making dinner, Juice taught Abel how to play Mario Cart on the Wii. Little boy giggles filled the house as Abel and Juice raced around the track.
She had to smile when she walked into the room to say dinner was ready. Thomas and Gracie were playing on the floor with different toys and Juice was sitting cross legged on the floor with his back against the couch and Abel perched in his lap.
"Dinner is ready boys," she said as she scooped up Gracie.
Juice paused with game, with a promise to Abel to keep playing after dinner until bath time and bedtime, and followed the little energetic boy into the kitchen with Thomas in his arms. Abel sat at the table with Kayleigh and Juice and the two babies sat in their highchairs between Juice and Kayleigh.
Abel's bath went smoothly and quickly, but when it came time for Thomas and Gracie's turn, Juice and Kayleigh didn't see eye to eye.
"He cannot take a bath with her," Juice said again, holding his half naked daughter to his chest.
Kayleigh rolled her eyes. "They are ten and nine months old Juice, it's fine."
"It's not fine. He's a boy, he has a penis, she's a girl and has a vagina. They cannot take a bath together!"
Kayleigh couldn't stop her giggle and Juice glared at her. "It's not funny, Kayleigh. I'm dead serious."
"I can see that," she said, trying to stop herself. "Juice, it's fine. They aren't going to remember it. In ten years Thomas isn't going to say 'hey, remember that time when we were babies and we took a bath together, I got to see your vagina!'… I promise, it's not gonna happen. Now, go check on Abel and make sure he's all good and I'm going to get the bath for these two munchkins started."
"No."
"No?" she asked incredulously.
"You heard me, Kayleigh. No."
Throwing her hands up in the air she slid past him and walked out of the bathroom. "Then you do it your damn self!" she called over her shoulder as she marched down the hallway. Their bedroom door slammed behind her and Juice sighed.
"Uncle Juice, is Aunt Kayleigh mad?"
Juice looked down to see Abel standing beside him in the bathroom doorway staring at the closed door at the end of the hall.
"No, buddy, why do you ask?"
"Mommy slams doors when she gets mad. Daddy says all mommies do that," he responded matter-of-factly.
Juice grunted in response. "Wanna watch some TV while Gracie and Thomas take their bath?"
Abel nodded and Juice turned on cartoons for him before getting Thomas from the jumper and taking both little ones back to the bathroom. There was no way he could keep an eye on one kid in the tub and one roaming the bathroom. Knowing Kayleigh would give him hell about it later, Juice gave up and stripped both kids and plunked them in the bathwater.
Kayleigh kneeled down next to him a few minutes later. "I thought you said this wasn't going to happen?" she asked, the small smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Can it, wife," Juice snapped playfully.
Kayleigh kissed his cheek and then helped him finish the task of bathing the two babies. Once everyone was dried off and dressed in their pajamas Kayleigh made nighttime bottles while Juice got the beds ready for the kids to go to sleep. Abel would sleep on the daybed in the guest bedroom closest to Juice and Kayleigh's room, and Thomas and Gracie would share the crib in Gracie's room.
Once all three children were finally asleep Juice and Kayleigh relaxed together in their bed. They were laying on their sides and she had her back to him with her ass firmly nestled against his front.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier," Juice said quietly as he ran his fingers through Kayleigh's long hair.
Kayleigh rolled over to face her husband and gave him a gentle smile. "It's okay, Juice. I understand where you're coming from. I get it, I do. Gracie is your little girl and Thomas is a boy. I'd probably feel the same if I was in your shoes, but as mom and for those first few months with Gracie as a single mom I understand the need for efficiency. At this point those two little ones won't even remember it. We will, and we'll probably joke about it later, but I do get it, Juice." Kayleigh kissed him and then smile. "You're a really, really good father, if I haven't told you that lately. Gracie is lucky to have you. I'm lucky."
"No, baby, I'm the lucky one." He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Decorating for Christmas," she replied with a touch of excitement.
"Do we even have a tree?"
Kayleigh snorted with barely contained laughter. "You didn't. I bought a little three-foot-tall tree for last Christmas. I was thinking of putting it in the bakery this year and we can go buy a big one to decorate."
"Do we have ornaments to decorate with?" he asked next with a smirk.
Kayleigh smacked his chest with a hard thump and then let her laughter spill out. "Yes we do, a few, but those will go with the little tree to the bakery."
"Alright then, so we need a tree, lights, ornaments, the whole damn thing?"
"Yes."
"Cool." Suddenly, the realization dawned on Juice that they'd be doing this with three kids. The face he pulled made Kayleigh laugh harder than she had in a while. "Oh, I think I know what that face is for. Come on, Dad, we can manage three. Besides, the kids will be in daycare. It's just you and me shopping, Juicey. Better?"
"Much better."
"We'll shop, set the tree up, and then go get the kids from St. Thomas. Abel will enjoy helping to decorate the tree."
Kayleigh watched another look of shock cross Juice's face and she wondered what he was going to say next. With a small chuckle and a smile, she asked, "What?"
"This is Gracie's first Christmas."
"It is, and it's our first Christmas together, too. I'm totally not counting the hour I spent with you in Stockton three days after Christmas last year."
"Me neither, baby. Our first Christmas, damn… now I'm all excited and can't sleep."
Kayleigh hummed and ran her hand down his chest. "I can think of a few things to do to wear out your energy."
Juice let out a playful growl and then pressed his lips hard to hers.
Danny and Juice were sitting in the kitchen talking quietly while Kayleigh put the kids to sleep.
"How's she doing?" Danny asked. He knew Kayleigh was a tough woman, but even the toughest of men had a hard time with murder.
"I'm fine, Danny," Kayleigh answered coming into the kitchen, having heard his question. "And Juice, before you tell me fine doesn't mean fine, this time it does."
"The nightmares still happening?" Danny asked as Kayleigh sat down beside Juice.
She shot him a glare and Juice shrugged, but Danny spoke. "Don't blame him for telling me, Squirt. It's hard for us to watch the women we love struggle and know there is only so much we can do to help."
Kayleigh nodded. "I'm better. The nightmares aren't so frequent anymore. Juice's idea of a mini vacation helped I think. It was nice to get away, just the two of us."
"You need that. I'm always available to watch Gracie if you need another night some time," Danny said and then took a drink of his beer.
"Oh, so you don't live at the porn studio?" Kayleigh teased.
"No, I like to spend my time with the Diosa girls. Noah's the one who lives at the porn studio. I think he's got the hots for that one blonde chick."
"Ima?" Kayleigh practically spat her name like a curse.
"No, no, hell no, not that little whore. She's tried to get into his pants, but Noah has a bit more respect for himself than that. I mean, damn Kayleigh, give the man some credit," Danny said, chuckling. "I think her name's Lyla."
Juice and Kayleigh shared a look and Danny didn't fail to notice. "What am I missing here?"
"Lyla was married to one of our brothers," Juice said. "Opie was killed in prison a few months ago."
"Damn, sorry to hear that, but Noah ain't trying to step on anyone's toes. They flirt a lot, he makes her smile, she makes him smile."
"I think they'd be cute together. Just tell Noah to tread carefully and go easy on her," Kayleigh said.
Danny and Juice finished their beers while they made small talk, and then Danny got up to leave. "Take care, Squirt. You can call me anytime if those nightmares keep happening and you don't wanna wake up your man."
"Yeah, okay. Love you, Dan-o."
"Love you, Squirt. Later, son," Danny called softly to Juice who had sat on the couch.
"Juice, we are not getting a musical Christmas tree," Kayleigh said, leaning against the cart that was already filled with ornaments, lights, and a few other decorations for around the house.
"But I can program music from my phone and control it from my phone. I can even control how the lights flash and shit. This fucker's cool as hell!" He stopped examining the tree's specs and looked at her, giving Kayleigh his best puppy dog eyes. "Please, baby."
Kayleigh huffed, but grinned. "You know what? Whatever, but you are in charge of this thing. Turning it on and then off again at night before we go to bed."
Juice did a fist pump and gave a triumphant. "Yes!"
After Juice had the large box situated on top of the cart he turned to Kayleigh. "Do we need anything else?"
"Mhmm. Let's see. Tree?"
Juice tapped the box. "Check."
"Lights and ornaments?"
"Double check."
"Random decorations for the house?"
"Check."
"Baby's first Christmas ornament for Gracie?"
"Big check."
"Our first Christmas?"
"Got one of those too. I think that's it, baby," Juice said.
"Let's go home then, Juicey."
Abel grabbed Tara's hand as soon as the front door was open. "Mommy, mommy, look! I got to put the star on the top of the tree! Can I put the star on our tree too?"
"Of course you can, Abel baby. Did you have fun with Aunt Kayleigh and Uncle Juice?"
"Yes! We made cookies, and played Mario Kart with Uncle Juice, and watched movies!"
"Sounds like you had lots of fun, buddy. Are you ready to go home?" Jax asked.
"Can we decorate for Christmas?" Abel asked with uncontained excitement.
"Do you think you can do as good a job at our house as you did with Aunt Kayleigh and Uncle Juice?" Jax asked him as Tara took Thomas from Kayleigh's arms and snuggled her youngest child.
Able nodded enthusiastically and the adults shared a laugh.
"Thanks for watching them," Jax said to Juice and Kayleigh.
"Hey man, anytime," Juice replied. "They're a blast. Glad you two got to have some alone time. Have a good time?" he asked with a small smirk.
Jax returned the smirk and Tara blushed. Kayleigh gave her friend a knowing smile and giggled.
"Call me in the morning, Lynn's is closed, so we can get started on Gemma's house," Kayleigh said quietly to her friend.
"Yeah," Tara agreed with a nod.
"Bye Thomas, bye Abel," Kayleigh said cheerfully.
"Thomas can you see bye-bye to Gracie?" Tara asked, turning so the little boy could see Gracie, who was bouncing happily in her jumper.
Thomas waved bye, and Gracie smiled and mimicked his wave.
Tara turned back around and smiled. "Bye, Juice, Kayleigh, thanks again for keeping them."
"We don't mind. Besides, y'all did it for us first," Juice said with a shrug.
Jax picked up the two bags of the boys' things, slung them over his shoulder, and then picked up Abel. "Later," he called over his shoulder as he headed out the door.
Tara followed, leaving Juice and Kayleigh alone with their one child. The house seemed suddenly much quieter and calmer than it had the past three days.
Juice pulled Kayleigh to sit on the couch with him and kissed her temple. They were quiet for a while, both watching Gracie bounce in her jumper and chew on her teething ring. No teeth had broken through her gums yet, but Kayleigh was certain one would pop up soon.
"So," Juice began. "Any ideas on how we're going to tell everyone that baby number two is on the way?"
"Actually, I've already ordered something."
"What?" he asked, curious what idea she had come up with.
"It's a little red onesie for Gracie and in cute white print it says 'big sister'. I thought we could have her wear it to the Christmas party for the club and hope someone figures it out."
Juice grinned and chuckled. "Good idea, baby. I like it. Wanna see if she'll try walking?"
"No. My baby needs to stay little," Kayleigh replied even as Juice stood up from the couch and plucked Gracie from the jumper. She giggled and kicked her feet against his stomach, still trying to bounce and jump in his arms.
Juice set her feet on the floor and held onto her hands while Kayleigh slid off the couch and sat on the floor. Juno moved to lay her head on Kayleigh's left thigh and watched Juice and Gracie carefully.
"Come here, Gracie, come see Mama," Kayleigh encouraged with a smile.
Gracie giggled and babbled. Her steps her clumsy and unsure, but Juice and her slowly made the trek across the carpet to Kayleigh. She reached out her hands as Gracie got closer and when she reached her, lifted her into her arms. "Good job, big girl! Now you gotta go back to Daddy."
Kayleigh shifted to sit up on her knees and turned Gracie around so she faced Juice, who back up to where they had originally started. Juice clapped his hands together and then held them open, his big grin stretched across his face. "Hey, daddy's girl, you can do it. Come on."
Gracie's steps were a little surer now and she made her way across the room faster than the first time. Kayleigh let go of her hands and Gracie took the last two steps to Juice by herself.
She tumbled into his arms, but both Juice and Kayleigh cheered and shared a proud smile.
"Look at you go, Little Miss, you'll be walking around in no time!" Juice exclaimed.
A wave of nausea washed over Kayleigh and she stood quickly from the floor. "Be right back!" she yelled as she took off down the hallway to their bathroom.
Juice frowned as he watched her go, but then smiled at Gracie. "Poor mama can't catch a break with the morning sickness, Little Miss. You're gonna be a big sister, but daddy will still love you just as much as he does now, so don't you worry about that, okay?"
"DA!"
Juice grinned and sat Gracie in front of him.
"Let's practice standing up, huh? I know you're getting real good at that."
Gracie had other ideas though, and crawled on all fours over to Juno, who had moved to lay down near Gracie's playmat. Juno stayed still and calm as Gracie patted her shoulder and babbled to the dog.
Juice watched as Gracie played with Juno for a moment and then bored with the dog crawled over to her assortment of toys and started to play. He moved to lay beside her on his side and played with her and the toys, enjoying the moment alone with his daughter. Kayleigh joined him later and answered his silent question.
"All good, little squirt is just giving me a run for my money."
"Little squirt?"
"Yeah, she was squish," Kayleigh replied, motioning to Gracie. "You said you want a little mini me, what better fitting name than my nickname – Squirt. So, this one is little squirt."
"Nice. Does that make you big squirt now?"
Kayleigh shook her head. "No, and that sounds so dirty, Juan Carlos."
Juice erupted into a fit of laughter. When he could speak without laughing he asked, "Wanna try that tonight? See if you can, you know…" he trailed off, but waggled his eyebrows at her.
It was Kayleigh's turn to laugh, but she got herself under control faster and leaned over to kiss him gently. "I'm always up to try anything with you, Juan Carlos."
