44.

Setting: Stockton, 2 weeks in.

Rating: T


Tara sat across from Jax in the visitor's room of Stockton Prison. He'd been arrested two weeks ago, and that had been the last time he'd touched her. They'd only been allowed visits through that god awful glass up until now while the lawyers and the judges all did their thing. 14 months and he'd be out of here, but it was 14 months too long. Tara needed him at home with her and Abel. She needed him to be there when the baby was born, and for every doctor's appointment until then. And if Jax was being completely honest, he needed to be with her. He'd missed her for over a month. Since the day Abel had been taken. They'd been separated that day, and he'd only found his way back to her the day before he was carted away. Jax needed Tara. He missed her.

The dark circles under her eyes worried Jax as he played with Tara's fingers. He wished he could jump over the table that separated them and pull her into his arms. He wished he could kiss her, touch her freely. Offer comfort and take the comfort she offered. He missed the feel of her skin beneath his hands. He missed her laugh. Her voice. He missed her. Every second thought was the same phrase "I miss Tara". It played in his head like a song with no end, a song with only three verses. "I miss Tara. I miss Abel. I love them both more than anything."

"Are you ok babe?" It seemed like the most inadequate question. Nothing was ok right now. He was locked up here when he should have been home with his girl and his son and nothing about that would ever be ok. "How're you sleeping?" And that right there was his biggest worry right now. The one night they'd had together before his arrest Tara had awful nightmares. Her heartbreaking cries echoing in the quiet of the night and tearing his heart to pieces. Tara merely shrugged at his question and Jax felt her fingers tighten around his.

"Anymore nightmares?" He whispered squeezing her hand back. He wanted to be there at night more than any other time. The night was theirs and he could hold her in his arms, keep her safe and warm. Chance away the bad dreams and the heartbreak. Be strong for her.

When Tara's eyes met his he knew the answer without her needing to utter a single word. Jax sighed and dropped his head for a moment before reaching out to cup her cheek.

"I'm so sorry babe. I wish I could be there, to hold you all night, chase them away." His voice was a mere whisper and his thumb brushed the tear from her cheek that slipped at his words. Tara turned her face into his hand and placed a gentle kiss to the centre of his palm.

"I know baby. But they're getting better. Not as long, not as many. Some nights I put Abel in the bed with me, they don't come at all those nights."

"Then take him to bed with you every night." Jax answered. It seemed like a simple solution to him. If the baby being in the bed made for a peaceful night for Tara, then have the baby in the bed every night. Problem solved.

"I can't do that." Tara smiled and started playing with his fingers again.

"Yes you can. You're his Momma, if you want him there, he's there." Jax didn't see the problem. It was a simple fix. And he found it a surprising comfort to him to know she wasn't sleeping alone. That she wasn't alone. Their son was being the comfort his Momma needed.

"Your Mom likes to keep him over night sometimes." Tara answered with a slight shrug that bothered Jax more than he liked. He knew his mom, knew what she was capable of and hated thinking that Gemma was already trying to force her ideas and needs on Tara. He'd have to have a word with her. Tara was Abel's mom. She had been his whole life, and now that the papers had been signed and filed, she was legally his mother. Gemma had to fall in line to what Tara said.

"Tough. I want him with you. Where he belongs."

Tara smiled at Jax's words. After everything they'd been through recently, she feared that no one would ever accept her as Abel's mother, not even Jax. Hearing him defend her role, her position, made her heart swell. "It's not good for him to be there every night. He'll want to keep staying every night, then what would we do when you come home?" Tara smirked and threw a wink at Jax. She had to fight the urge to laugh at the expression that found its way on to his handsome face. That was definitely not something Mr. Teller wanted. Her boys were a possessive bunch. Abel didn't like having her out of his sight, and Jax liked to have her all to himself.

"Well... then every other night. I just... I want to know that you're ok."

"I'm ok." Tara smiled as she squeezed his hand.

"I love you." Jax whispered as his eyes sought her gaze.

"I love you."


Something a little fluffier after the heaviness of the last chapter. Thank you for all the amazing reviews. I'm so glad you all enjoyed my little take on Jax and Tara's split.

I just want to say how humbled and honored I am by the response I have gotten to this fic. It's amazing. Thank you all so much.

See you soon.

xx Ally