Tara and Donna were setting the club house up for Izabella and Nathanael's birthday party. The pink and blue streamers stood out against the dark decor of the clubhouse and not necessarily in a good way.
"Donna we should have picked a different place for this birthday party." Tara blurted out.
"Why? Every one of their birthdays will be celebrated in the clubhouse, just like their fathers were." Donna stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I know I just feel like it would be nice to see something other than the two houses, school and the club house." Tara said as she climbed the latter to hang more decorations.
"It's too late now so let's get this done." Donna said as Wendy Malchow walked in.
'Hey girls you need some help?' Wendy asked wanting something to do.
"We are almost done here but if you want to you can go out and ask Happy or Bobby if the grill is ready." Donna said
"Well I guess I can do that if it is all that's left."
This time Tara answered, 'That and carrying the food out but I was going to get the guys to carry the heavy stuff."
"Well then I guess that is just the job for me." Wendy said as she headed back out to find out about the grill.
Once they finished inside Tara and Donna made their way out to the playset that was built a few days before. Jax and Opie wanted the kids to have a safe place to play when they were at the club house.
"I think they really like it." Tara said as she leans her head on Jax's shoulder and asked, "When will everyone be here?"
"In about five minutes, why? What do you need babe?"
"I need you, Opie and Happy to bring out the coolers so Bobby can start cooking." Tara answered.
"On it." Jax said as he walked away to get the other two.
Happy, Opie and Jax all walked in to get the coolers like Tara asked. Just as everyone began to pull in.
All the children made their way to the playset. The adults made their way to the beer and food that needed to be open. As Bobby cooked and handed plates of hot dogs and hamburger's to the closest member of the club to place on the table.
"Well this isn't so bad is it?" Tara hears Jax say as he places his arms around her middle and pulls her back flush to him.
"Not at all Teller." She replied as she watched over the kids playing not noticing Gemma pull in.
Jax took a deep breath and said. "Don't look now but my mother just pulled in."
"I invited her." Tara said not taking her eyes off the kids.
"You invited my mother and didn't tell me?" Jax questioned.
"Nathanael is her grandson and she should be here for his first birthday. I didn't think I needed to tell you." Tara said before adding. "This is what family does Jackson." Tara places a kiss on Jax check before heading over to greet Gemma.
Gemma was the first to speak when they reached each other. "Thank you for the invitation to Nathanael and Izabella's Birthday."
"Gemma you are family." Tara said before she got cut off.
"Who is that?" Gemma said pointing at Wendy.
Tara followed Gemma's gaze before she answered as honestly as she could. "That is Wendy. She and Happy have been seeing each other for a few months. I don't know much about her other than she is a nurse at St Thomas."
"So she could be good for the club if the guys need medical attention." Gemma said and nodded her head before adding, "I'm going to go say happy birthday to the birthday boy and girl. Then I want to talk to Wendy, that's what you said her name was?"
"Yeah Wendy is her name, but remember Gemma before you start being you she is here with Happy." Tara said trying to warn Gemma from causing a scene at the birthday party.
Tara watched Gemma walk over to the kids before she turned to find Jax helping Bobby the grill.
"Hey Baby." Tara greeted as she wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"Hey babe." Jax said as he turned around to face her.
"Your mom was asking questions about Wendy." Tara said wanting to give Jax a heads up.
"I hope she don't start shit today." Jax stated before adding. "I guess I have to go tell Happy." Jax leaned down and placed a small kiss on Tara's lips.
Bobby took this as his time to talk to Tara and ask, "Hey how have things been?"
"With school, two weddings and this birthday party I am done planning anything." She answered.
"You look tired. Maybe you should relax a little and forget that you are putting this on. I have the food I think Jax and Opie can help some too." Bobby said trying to help some.
Tara took a seat right there by Bobby and said, "Thanks I think you may be right. I have been feeling a little off lately."
"Maybe you should slow down some. I know you are doubling up on classes to get to med school faster. Plus being a mom that right there is a lot not to mention everything else." Bobby said and added, "I don't want to see you get sick from doing too much."
Before Tara could respond she had noticed Gemma making her way to Wendy. "Oh great this can't be good." Tara mumbled.
When Gemma finally made her way to Wendy she said. "You must me new around here?"
"Hi I'm Wendy?" Wendy said extending her hand to Gemma.
"Gemma Teller-Marrow." Gemma said as she shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you Gemma." Wendy said looking around the lot at all the people.
"Well I have never seen you around here so I have to ask what you are doing at my boy's birthday party." Gemma questioned.
"I thought he was Tara's son." Wendy said hoping she didn't miss understand Happy.
"That is where you are wrong see Nathanael is my boy and no one else's." Gemma spat.
At that point Happy had made his way over. "Hey you." Wendy greeted.
"Hey I was wondering if you wanted to come get something to eat." Happy said trying to get Wendy to come before Gemma could start anything.
Wendy satisfied with getting Happy's attention stood up before saying. "It was nice to meet you."
"You too sweetheart I hope to see you around." Gemma said as she watched Wendy try to grab Happy's hand. Happy didn't let her have his hand instead he draped his arm over Wendy's shoulders as her guided Wendy to the food and a table inside the club house.
"You having an okay time?" Happy asked.
"Yeah just wish I knew someone here other than you." Wendy said as she looked around at other people now sitting with food.
"Well if you are around long enough you will get to know everyone." Happy said in a matter- of -fact tone.
"We will see what happens." Wendy said not wanting to assume they would be anything more than what they have been the last few months with Happy not putting a label on them. Happy spent the rest of the party sticking close to Wendy.
Nathanael and Izabella opened their gifts and had cake. Which they both got all over themselves. Tara and Donna took them in to their father's dorm rooms for a bath. As Jax and Opie loaded everything into the Jeep to take back to the Charming house for the night. It wasn't until they were all settled in for the night that Jax and Opie got called away for some club business.
Tara and Donna put the kids down for the night. It was at this time Tara decided to get some class work done she had been putting off due to spending as much time with her husband as she possibly could. Donna took this time to do the same. Tara helped when Donna needed it and after close to four hours of school work the girls called it a night climbing into bed by themselves.
Jax and Opie made their way through the dark and quiet house as quietly as possible not wanting to wake anyone up. They parted ways both tip toeing in to the bedrooms they shared with their wife's. Jax and Opie both quickly showered before slowly climbed into bed knowing they would only get maybe an hour or so of sleep before the kids were up.
Tara woke to Nathanael's mama cry over the baby monitor on her night stand. Tara shut the monitor off not wanting to wake Jax. Without knowing when he came in before pading down the hall. Tara changed his diaper and headed to the kitchen to get him breakfast and start coffee knowing Izabella wasn't far behind. Donna appeared in the kitchen door way at the same time the coffee was ready.
"Good morning. You are just in time." Tara greeted as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Before pulling a mug from the cupboard for Donna and got her a cup as well.
"Good morning." Donna replied as she moved around the kitchen getting Izabella breakfast before sitting in front of her cup of coffee at the table and asking. "What time did they get in?"
"I have no clue but hasn't been that long ago Jax hair is still wet from his shower." Tara answered.
"Opie's too." Donna said and looked at Tara before she finished. "I feel like the only time I have seen him is when he is sleeping."
"I feel the same way, they don't make it out to the Palm Springs house but maybe one night a week. When we are here they are always gone doing god knows what." Tara answered letting her frustrations show.
Donna took a big breath before asking. "How do we get them back?"
Tara shook her head not having an answer for her before saying. "I have no clue. I think we just have to wait until they miss us."
"That could take a while if ever." Donna said before rinsing out her coffee cup and washing Izabella's hands and face. Once she was done Donna asked. "What time do you want to leave today?"
"Well I still have some school work that I need to get done." Tara said before looking around to make sure no one else was up before finishing. "I was thinking after lunch. Unless you wanted to stay longer."
"After lunch works for me." Donna said hopping it would bother Opie if they left early.
"Then after lunch it is." Tara said as she washed up Nathanael so he could go play with Izabella.
Tara and Donna spent the next few hours playing with the kids until it was time to start getting things ready to leave and make lunch. Jax and Opie didn't get up until they were cleaning up from lunch.
"Well good afternoon." Both Tara and Donna greeted.
"Sorry I slept so long Babe." Jax replied as he looked at the luggage by the door before asking. "Going someplace?"
"We are about to head back to Palm Springs." Tara answered not looking at Jax.
"Why so early?" Opie asked as he walked over to kiss Donna.
"We didn't want to bother you anymore." Donna shot not caring anymore if she hurt his feelings.
"Why would you think you are bothering me?" Opie all but yelled
"Well let's see here Opie you never come to see me but one day a week if I am lucky. When we are here you don't have time. So why should I make time for you." Donna shot back before picking up her daughter and handing her to Opie and said. "Spend some time with her so I can get a shower and finish packing my shit."
"What the hell is that about?" Jax asked as he stepped closer to Tara.
"That is about how we both feel." Tara said as she took Jax's hand and led him to the bedroom to talk.
"So you feel the same way Donna does?" Jax questioned as he shut the door for some privacy.
"I feel that Nathanael and I are a secondary priority to you." Tara said before taking a deep breath to finish her thought. "I know you love us but I also know you love your club more. With that said Jax I need you to make a little more time for us because I don't know if I can do this all by myself?"
"Tara I will do my best to make more time please don't leave early?"
"I will stay if you can convince Donna." Tara answered knowing it wasn't going to be easy with her and Opie fighting.
"I think I can do that." Jax said before kissing Tara and left the room.