Disclaimer. This is purely fun. I own nothing at all.
"Dammit" Tara snapped in frustration. She tried to hanging the baby blue banner with the words happy birthday Abel up but the tape wasn't sticky enough and repeatedly kept falling on her.
Gemma wasn't back yet from out getting the cake for Tara, Donna was also out, the guys had yet to show up which included Jax and Jax had the prospects on setting the swing set he brought Abel. She had yet to blow up the balloons still but at the rate she was going, she wouldn't even get it done. Let's not forget that she was growing agitated due to her constant morning sickness and it was seriously getting to her. She'd been up since Jax had left on club shit cooking up a storm in the kitchen for the lunch she was throwing for Abel's first birthday.
Tara had already emptied her stomach twice before even starting on the birthday banner and she was more than ready to throw the towel in now.
"Shit" she growled under her breath when she heard Abel crying- letting her know that he had awoken from his sleep and also the sound of a car pulling into her driveway along with a lone rider.
Hoping that it was Gemma with the the cake and Chibs who Jax had put to task of watching his mother ever since the change of leadership that had taken place a few weeks prior and Clay's mysterious disappearance, she leapt down from the chair and made her way to Abel's room. The sight before her caused her to smile wide.
"My birthday boy is wide awake" and that he was.
"Mama" he cheered with bright blue eyes as he jumped up and down against the wall of his crib making sure to hold himself upright.
Abel had begun speaking not a month ago and the first word he said was mama. She was just getting back from doing the grocery shopping and Jax was watching their boy and he crawled his way straight to her babbling momma as he went.
"Guess who's birthday it is" Tara cooed as she scooped her son up and laid him down on the loveseat she had set up. Abel laughed up a storm when she tickled him. "That's right baby boy, you are."
"Boy am I glad to hear your not talking to yourself" a familiar voice spoke out from behind Tara causing Tara to gasp in complete shock.
"Leah. What the hell are you doing here?"
"Came to see what all this big fuss was about" Leah replied sarcastically. "And I heard it was a certain baby's birthday today" she grinned wickedly as she stepped inside.
"I'm so glad you could make it."
Leah shrugged simply. "I wouldn't miss my own god sons birthday T. Simple as that."
"I see you found it fit to just walk on inside my house" Tara tried holding in a laugh that so desperately wanted to escape but Leah just scoffed.
"Your house is pretty much mine no matter where or how far apart we are girl" Leah finished changing Abel and brushed his barely visible blonde locks back.
"You aren't the shy girl are you?" Tara remarked as Leah scooped Abel up.
"Never" she threw over her shoulder. "You do have a beautiful house though."
"I'm glad you approve mom" Tara chuckled. "Where are the twins?"
"With Hap downstairs." Tara stopped at that and turned to her best friend. "What? He's their father Tara. We came to an arrangement" Leah stated with a shrug as Abel carelessly reached out for the scarf she was wearing causing it to falter some and Tara's eyes grew wide.
"You slut" she smiled wide eyes at Leah and pulled the scarf away revealing a few love bites around Leah's neck. "Your back with him aren't you?" There was hope in Tara's eyes and Leah all but rolled hers and nodded in reply.
"Asshole knows I hate being marked and knew damn well not to when I told him we were coming here" Leah growled under her breath.
"Oh Leah I'm so happy for you. He's just stalking his claim and you have to tell me all about it but first I need you to put my son down and hang the birthday banner up" Tara stated when they made it to the bottom of the stairs.
"Why me?" Leah asked when they entered the living room.
"Because I've tried and it's pissing me off" Tara stated. Her eyes instantly warmed at the sight of Happy holding his kids- they were crawling all over him and trying to get off of him than anything else. "Hey Happy." He nodded in response.
"Babe, give Tara a hand with the banner will you?" Leah asked. Happy shot right up after making sure his son and daughter were okay and picked up the banner, taping it easily where Tara had instructed him to place it.
"Thanks Hap, you didn't need to-" Tara began before Happy silenced her.
"Anything you need Tara, all you gotta do is ask" Happy stated strongly causing Tara to nod in response due to his dark husky voice being so intimidating. Happy nodded a single time before retreating to his seat and pulling Nora into his arms.
"Can you help me blow the balloons up?"
"Jesus T. Where the hell is everyone?" Leah asked in confusion.
"I'm just gonna put it all down to getting shit for the birthday" Tara answered straight causing Leah's brows to reach her hairline. "But Donna is supposed to be here."
"Thank god. I haven't seen that bitch in years" Leah sarcastically remarked. "Wait something doesn't add up" Leah narrowed her eyes into slits as she sized Tara up and down. "Your looking tired out and it's not even eleven yet. Red in the cheeks. Mood swings. Offering my services to hang a banner- not that I wouldn't have but something seems all too suspicious to me" Leah stated before looking over all three babies then to Abel with a grin. "Something tells me that mama and daddy have been having a little too much fun in bed" she couldn't hide her grin when Tara gasped in shock and Happy just smirked at her. "I knew it" she cheered in declaration. "Tell me all the glory details."
Tara's cheeks reddened once again and she scooped Nora up when Nora spotted her.
"Thanks for that baby detector but we haven't told anyone yet. Besides Gemma having her sneaky suspicions too, you are the only one and you didn't even have to be told."
"Congrats T. I'm so happy for you and Jax and my little adorable blonde surrogate son" Leah stated as she kissed Abel's forehead.
"About time they show their faces" Tara groaned as she stood at hearing a loud roar of motorcycles, placing Elijah down on the floor she pulled out a few of Abel's toys then made a beeline for her front door. "What the hell do you call this Jax? I've been needing help since before you left" Tara snapped.
"The hell?" He rasped under his breath and threw his cigarette butt into his ashtray. "Where are the prospects?"
"Still setting up that swing set.
"I'm sorry babe" Jax rasped through a breath. "Tig got into something with a few guys. Nothing to worry about though" he stated as he looked back to a badly patched up Tig.
"Shit" she sighed. "Leah and Hap are inside with the kids" she stated when they spotted Gemma's escalade finally pulling in along with Donna trailing behind her. "Tig, head on into the bathroom and I'll be there in a second. Boys, I need you to blow these up" she threw Chibs who was the closest the bag of blue and white balloons while adding "I ran out of breath" she lamely excused then glared at Jax. "And you- my lovely fiancé- go see what the hell is taking those damn prospects so long."
Blown away by her mood swings, the guys all smirked. "Damn pres and that is why I stick to fucking crow eaters" Chibs rasped as he patted Jax. "Where's the present table?" They were all oblivious to the fact that Tara was pregnant.
"Think Tara didn't want any presents."
"Yeah? Well you know damn well that is just uncalled for" Bobby smirked. "We'll find some place to stash our presents."
Jax couldn't help but to roll his eyes. He knew instantly that his brother's hadn't brought any presents seeing as all of their hands were empty.
"Set it up outside then" he chuckled.
After checking on the stupid prospects and making sure everything was good in his house, Jax finally managed to pull Tara into their bedroom after she finished patching Tig up.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"I guess my ego was a little bruised" he sarcastically replied with his Teller smirk, wrapping her up in his arms and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"It's these damn hormones."
"You feeling a little better? Anymore morning sickness?"
"It's slowed down but I still get it" she replied flustered. "I just want this to be perfect for Abel and this baby is not letting that happen for her older brother."
"Her huh? Makes you think we're having a girl?"
"I wasn't nearly this bad as I was with Abel. I don't know but I hope I'm having a little girl."
"Keep hoping babe. I'm sure it's gonna be a boy."
"Are you willing to put money on that?"
"Nah babe. I know it's gonna be a boy."
"We'll soon find out then at our next appointment hopefully."
"Let's join the rest of the guys. Everyone's here now."
As the day went on, the guys had no idea what the hell presents meant as most of them brought money in envelopes as a gift- although Tara had insisted that they didn't need to bring presents. Abel already had everything he needed. She just really wanted the guys to bring themselves.
Ellie and Kenny swam in the large swimming pool while Tara had forced herself to sit on the sidelines as Leah and Donna got into the water with the three infants while catching up like the good old times.
"Tara, come on. It's really hot out and your looking like a strawberry. The food is still cooking. Come on and have some fun. It is your sons birthday after all" Donna pouted, she pulled herself up from under the water and turned to look at Tara.
Tara was overly glad that the accident Donna had been in didn't stop her from not showing face around these family gatherings and the clubhouse. Donna was a little hesitant with a few things but given time would do, she would soon be the old Donna everyone once knew again.
She looked over to Gemma who was somewhat finding herself relax which was a great sign considering that she was still hesitant with moving forward now that Clay and she had parted- at her request.
From the corner of her eye she spotted Jax pulling himself away from the guys and made his way around the rectangular swimming pool to her as she sat on their poolside seating furniture.
"Don't Jax" Tara whispered as he pulled her up out of the seat and lead her back inside towards their bedroom.
He spun her around when he had her in front of their mirror and wrapped his arms around her front. "Babe, this is Abel's first birthday and I don't want you missing out because of our little one growing" Jax began. He brushed her hair to the side and pecked her shoulder blade.
"Jax-" Tara moaned causing Jax to smirk. She spun around so fast that he barely had time to register that she had already thrown her hands down his pants.
"Now that you got what you wanted from me, I want you to put this on" Jax grinned as he finished buckling himself back up- albeit he was shirtless and had pulsing red scratch marks up and down his well defined torso- front and back. He reached into her top drawer and pulled out one of her newly purchased two piece bikini set.
"No Jax" Tara whispered feeling somewhat self-conscious. She took a few pacing steps back and held a pleading look.
"No babe. Your wearing this. I just fucked you good. It's the least you can do for me."
"Hey. Don't use my hormones against me. That's just mean."
"It's mean if you don't get in the pool with Abel and the twins babe. Come on" he pleaded. "For me please."
"Jax, I don't feel comfortable wearing this" she reached out for the swimsuit and her eyes bugged out of her sockets. "Yeah, no way I'm wearing this two piece. Look at these bottoms. They would barely cover my ass" she exclaimed as she gawked at the barely there panties to the bikini set. "And I'm a mother. A fiance of a biker. I can't wear something as inappropriate as this." Jax sighed in annoyance before he flashed a wicked grin.
"I know that grin" Tara feared it. Jax took a calculative step forward nodding his head up and down as he licked his lips.
"You get in that water and wear anything you want but come tonight- when everyone is gone and Abel is down, your gonna put this on for me and take a swim while I watch" Jax pecked Tara's jaw and pulled her flush against him once again.
"Nah-ah. If I get in that water, your coming with me and no swim tonight" Tara challenged causing Jax to smirk.
"We'll see babe" he answered in response which wasn't what she was expected and she huffed as Jax stepped out of their bedroom with his shirt.
She followed with determination and trying to gain his attention but he kept ignoring until he stopped short once he stepped outside noticing the guys were all standoffish and guarding the kids and women who were no longer playing happily in the pool. Tara reached for Jax's arm before he even noticed why.
"Jax, Clay" she whispered with dread. She was hoping he wouldn't come around and cause a scene.
Jax pulled his hand from Tara and made his way towards the crowd. Tara couldn't hear it but she knew Jax was ordering Leah and Donna inside when they high tailed it towards the house.
"Okay now that shit was just scary. He looked a lot worse than Piney does when he's drunk" Donna exclaimed when Tara reached for her son. "Don't worry Tara. I would protect Abel with my life before anything could happen to him."
-o0o-
"Where the hell have you been Clay?" Jax rasped with an edge to his voice. He was pissed.
"I thought this was an open invitation and seeing as I am the kids grandfather I thought the olive branch would've extended out to family. And if your president, that's not a nice way to treat your guests. As far as I was concerned I'm still a member of this club" Clay growled with annoyance. "I may not be at the head of the table but treat me with the same respect you treat the others" he spat out and shoved Jax in the shoulder as he plastered on a fake smile holding a present as he made his way to Tara who stepped outside only to be stopped by Opie who stepped in his way.
Opie sent Clay a warning glare and Jax made his way back around. "Watch who the hell your talking to old man. I may not have stripped you of your patches but you won't treat me or my family with less respect than I should give you." He could smell the heavy odor of alcohol no doubt his clothes would have soaked the liquid and he scolded. "You could've at least had the decency to fucking shower. You smell of fucking booze."
"Gee, I'll take that as a compliment" Clay scoffed.
Jax spotted a glimpse of his mother from the corner of his eyes and narrowed his eyes on Clay as he tried side stepping Jax in hopes to greet Tara and Abel. "If you start shit, with anyone here, I will kick you out of my house. We clear?"
Clay glared long and hard at Jax, his jaw set hard and narrowed eyes before Abel's giggles broke the men from their trance. "Yeah. I understand, Pres" he drew out the last word with annoyance once again.
Jax took his time to size up Clay before gesturing Tara to step forward- even though he knew she would feel uncomfortable.
"Look what Grandpa brought for you buddy" Clay spoke with a forced smile. "Now, I didn't have time to wrap it but-" Tara cut him off before he could even finish.
"No offence Clay but your not Jax's father and Gemma has made her intentions with you clear. As soon as she can get divorce papers drawn up, she will no longer be your wife which means you will no longer be Jax's step dad, not that at times he ever thought of you as such but do you get where I'm going with this?" Tara asked.
As if everything in Clay's life wasn't already turning to shit, Tara just had to hammer the last nail in the coffin. "I get what this is. You all want me out" Clay chuckled. "I can guarantee that you won't be seeing the last of me just yet. I still have things I want to outlive. So whether you like it or not, I'd watch my back" Clay threatened in front of all the guys including Gemma.
"CLAY" Gemma spat out with hatred seeping out with the name. With every step she took, she held her shoulders a lot higher and pointed a perfectly well manicured finger in his face. "You stay the hell away from my family. The only business you have with them is club business at-" she drew out the at and continued "the clubhouse. Do you understand me?"
"Yeah baby I do" Clay smirked evilly, looking Gemma from head to toe. "You healed up good."
What would've once set Gemma in the mood felt like she was now being violated with just a single look and it sent cold shivers down her spine.
"Okay now you need to get the hell off my property" Jax spat. That was the only straw and he just blew it. "You weren't invited."
"Fine" Clay didn't need to be told twice. He glared all his brother's down, Gemma had moved from in front of Jax to beside Tara and Abel until Clay finally left on his own accord.
"I wanted this to be perfect" Tara whispered with unshed tears looking to Jax who sighed deeply.
"I know babe. We had no idea he would come today. He's been at Piney's cabin the past few weeks" he rasped softly as she pressed her and Abel into his arms. "Chibs, Bobby and Hap, I want you to follow him. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
"How about we forget what just happened now and head inside for lunch?" Piney asked trying to lighten the mood as the guys took off after Clay. "I'm pretty hungry."
"Sure you are old man" Donna chuckled as she slapped his chest softly. "Let's head back inside."
Aside from this being Abel's 1st birthday, it was also the first time Jax and Tara showed host to the club as the king and queen of Charming and it was her time to shine and prove herself to not only the club that she would make a great head old lady but also to Gemma who was letting loose on the reins and letting Tara slowly take over but things weren't always too good to be true. Clay had made a point of that and it annoyed the fuck out of Tara.
