Jax and I sat in the car for a minute, both of us staring at Tara.
Jax unbuckled his seatbelt, the metal hitting against the window.
"This is not how I expected to end my fucking day."
"Shh. You'll wake Abel," I looked back at Abel, making sure Jax's voice didn't disturb him.
"Jax, you need to talk to her."
"Like hell I do. "
"Look, I'm not thrilled that she showed up here either. But, I have a strong feeling she is not going to leave our porch until you talk to her."
"Yeah. You're right. "
"I'll put Abel to bed."
"I'm really sorry about this, babe," he reached over, and held my hand.
"Don't be. It's not your fault. Sometimes the past comes knocking when we least expect it."
We both got out of the car at the same time. Jax got Abel out of the car, holding his son close to him with Abel's stuffed animal tucked underneath his arm.
I met him halfway, and took Abel and his beloved Sully from him. Abel opened his eyes briefly before he drifted back to sleep.
Jax took the lead up the concrete pathway, barely acknowledging Tara. He moved past her, and unlocked the door for me. As I past Tara to enter the house, we both stared each other down. As soon as I was down the hallway leading to the bedrooms, I heard the front door close, not letting her in the house.
"What the hell are you doing here, Tara?"
Her hand adjusted the strap on her bags that sat heavily on her shoulder.
"Why do you think, Jax? I miss you, and I want you back."
"What, did you and that asshole's relationship fall through?"
"It did. I broke up with him."
"Damn, you're just leaving a trail of men behind you huh."
"I get you're pissed."
"Pissed doesn't compare to what I feel towards you right now. What did you expect was going to happen? I'd welcome you back with open arms after what you did?"
"No. I knew you were going to react this way. I fucked up. I know that. I'm here because I want to fix it. One step at a time. "
She tried reaching out to touch him. He just backed away from her like the mere thought of her touching him was repulsive.
"That's not going to happen, Tara."
"Oh, because you have a croweater waiting for you inside?"
"She's not a croweater. She's my girlfriend."
"What?"
"Yeah. We have been together for a while now. We even have a baby on the way."
Tara felt a lump form in her throat. She figured he would go back to his single ways, sleeping with anything with two sets of lips. But, nothing like this. Not an actual girlfriend carrying his child.
Tears broke through her tough barrier. This decision really bit her in the ass.
"At least I tried. You have my number if you wanna talk."
She started walking down the pathway which led her to the driveway where she parked her rented car.
He didn't say anything, and turned around, opening the door to his and Alaina's home.
I was in the bathroom, only in my panties. I slid on one of Jax's flannels, buttoning it halfway. I picked up a hairtie from the corner of the sink, pulling my hair up in a high bun. I heard the front door open, making me turn my head. The sound of feet being dragged on the carpet made itself known as soon as it entered the bedroom.
Jax came into view, and let out a heavy sigh.
"You listen to any of that?"
"No. I just put Abel to bed, and came in here. It was a conversation between you and her. Not you, me, and her."
I turned back around, looking at us in the mirror. Jax wrapped his arms around me, placing a kiss on the side of my neck.
"Is she staying in Charming?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
My body tensed in his grip, bringing it to his attention.
"You don't have to worry about her, Alaina."
"Yeah, I do. She was a big part of your life, Jax. You've known her since you both were teenagers. There's a lot of history between you two."
"Alaina.."
I turned around, leaning against the bathroom counter.
"Jax, in all honesty, I'm scared shitless that she's here now. You might want to try again with her, see what happens this time. I've had men choose other women over me. I wouldn't be surpised if it happens again. It's just more complicated this time around because it's not just about you and me. We are having a baby now, and you will only stay with me because of our child."
He placed his hands on both sides of my face.
"Listen to me, darlin'. I choose you. I love you. I love you more than you probably will ever know. Tara was my past. You are my present and my future now. No one is going to change that."
He planted a tender kiss on my lips, and a tear fell down my face. Jax pulled back, and saw it, wiping it away with his thumb.
"Sorry, It's these damn pregnancy hormones," I sniffled, making us both laugh.
"Sure, blame it on the hormones. Come on, let's go to bed. "
He reassured me for the moment. But, I'm sure Tara won't back down this easily. Jax is a man worth fighting for. I just hope she knows I'm not going to back down either.
I left early the next morning to go to the station. I beelined right to Althea's office to let her know about my pregnancy.
I knocked on her door, hoping she wasn't on call.
"Come in."
I opened the door, and Althea was pouring herself a cup of coffee from the coffee pot.
"Morning, Lieutenant."
"Good morning, Alaina. Would you like a cup?"
"Oh, no I'm trying to stay away from it."
"Really, why?"
"I'm pregnant."
"Oh, that's great. Congratulations. "
"I was wondering if I could do desk work instead of working the streets until I have the baby."
"Of course. I'll need you to work with Sam for the day, and I'll switch you over to desk work first thing tomorrow."
"Okay, sounds fair. Thank you, Lieutenant."
"You're welcome."
I closed the door, and went to the locker room to change into my uniform.
By the time I was finished, Sam was already in the cruiser outside the station.
"Morning," I got in the driver's side, and closed the door.
He handed me what looked like a foam cup of coffee.
"Thanks, but I can't have this."
"Sure you can. It's green tea. I heard about the bun in the oven."
"Already?"
"Yeah, news tend to spread like ebola in this town."
"No kidding."
I took a sip of the green tea. Ugh. This is nowhere near as satisfying as a cup of coffee.
It was a pretty light day for Sam and I. Just a couple of domestic disturbances and complaints about a noisy neighbor whose music blasted through the whole neighborhood.
Our last call for the day was a man who was getting a bit handsy and out of control.
Where? No other than Diosa.
A young woman with red hair in nothing than a black lace bra and matching panties opened the door.
"Thank god you're here. I didn't know what to do. He is our last client."
Sam started eyeing the buffet of women as we neared the sound of breaking glass and yelling.
I lifted my hand, slapping the back of his head.
"Ow, what the hell!"
"Stay focused. "
"It's hard when they're just struttin' their shit in dental floss."
"Ugh."
We approached the the living room, and he was yelling at Colette.
"Hey buddy, it's time to call it a day. These ladies are closing up shop for the night."
Colette turned her head, her jaw dropping when she saw me.
"Donna, I told you you didn't have to call the cops. Jax and Nero are on their way."
"Well, it looks like we beat them to it. Come on man, let's go," Sam grabbed the drunken asshole by the arm, ready to escort him out.
"No way, man. I.. I.. I.. I'm a paying customer. I can stay as long as I want," he slurred, tripping over his own feet.
He slipped from his grasp, and decked Sam right in the face. Sam spit out the blood pooling in his mouth onto the carpet, punching the guy back. The guy ran into Sam, tackling him into a glass cabinet.
"Uh, do you want me to help?"
" No Alaina, just stand there. I don't need you losing your baby over this."
"Baby?", Colette raised her eyebrow.
"Mhmm."
She rolled her eyes. I heard the sound of motorcycles pull up outside.
Now, it just looked like they want to beat the shit out of each other.
I sighed, and pulled Sam off of him. Sam fell back, and I grabbed the guy up because he was pissing me off now.
"Damn, sweetheart, where have you been all my life?"
He touched the side of my face. I grabbed his hand, twisting it, and moving it behind his back, slamming him against the wall. I pulled my handcuffs off of my belt, and secured them on his wrists.
"You bitch! You're broke my hand!"
"That could've been avoided if you weren't such a dick. Let's go. "
Jax, Nero, and the club stood in the doorway, clapping.
I took a bow, and escorted the man to the door, reading him his miranda rights.
"I got it from here, Alaina."
I looked at Sam, whose face was already starting to bruise.
"You sure?", I teased.
"Yeah."
Jax and the guys moved out of the way, and let Sam bring him to the cruiser.
Jax pulled me in for a kiss.
"Do you have any idea what I want to do to you right now?", he whispered in my ear.
I smiled, and pulled away from him.
"How bout you show me when you get home?"
"I was on my way when Colette called. What time do you get off?"
"After we bring him in," I nodded toward the car.
"I'm sure your partner can manage without you."
Jax grabbed my hand, leading me upstairs to the bedrooms.