Chapter 246

Jax's Point of View

Rowan and I walked down the hallway just in time to hear Deacon knock on the front door. Rowan opened the front door and beamed up at her father.

"Hey, kid." He stepped over the threshold pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm so glad were doing this dinner!" He said, pulling back and holding onto her arms. "My beautiful girl. You look just like your mama in that dress." He gazed at her sundress and smiled even wider. "I don't think I saw her in much else when she was a teenager."

"Sounds like someone I know." I chimed in, closing the front door behind him. Rowan stuck out her tongue at me as the kids ran full force into Deacons legs.

He let out a little groan, but covered it with a smile. The kids were at the height where you almost needed to wear a fucking cup to protect yourself.

"Granpa Deac!" Rae squealed, all smiles and sunshine for the only other man I'd be okay with her adoring. Deacon picked her up and admired our little SAMCRO princess in her black leggings and striped shirt with the SAMCRO emblem on the front. He gave Abel a high five and let him pull him into the living room by his free hand. Abels whole hand latched around Deacons thumb.

Gunner ran after them sniffing and whining, his whole furry body wiggling with excitement. "Alright easy on me, I'm old, guys." He sat down on the sofa and let the kids climb all over him like a human jungle gym.

Abel immediately began to bring over all of his Tonka trucks to show Deacon, while Rae became fascinated with tracing the patches on Deacons kutte, like she does with mine. Rowan's washed marker off my kutte more times than I can count lately. I don't mind it though. There wasn't much my kids couldn't get away with. I didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

Rowan leaned against the wall and watched her dad interacting with our kids. I always wondered if it hurt her to see him being this way with the kids when he wasn't there for her when she was a child. If it did she'd never let it show.

I slipped my hand onto her waist and pulled her into me, kissing the side of her cheek. Rowan looked up at me in a surprised 'what was that for?' kinda way. I squeezed her side gently, knowing that as long as I lived she'd never go a day without knowing that I adored her endlessly.

"You know you're a little early for dinner, dad." Rowan pointed out, taking a seat in the armchair across from the sofa, pulling me down next to her since it was a chair and half type seat. I rested my fingers against the space between her shoulder blades and traced small circles into her skin absentmindedly.

"I know. I wanted to drop by a little earlier to talk with you two about some things, give you a hand with dinner too." Deacon announced, making me a little worried.

"What's up, man?" I tried to read his expression but wasn't having any luck.

Deacon pulled out a folder that he'd had tucked into the back of his pants. He sat it on the coffee table and pushed it across the glass towards Rowan and I.

Rowan shared a quizzical look with me, then reached over and picked up the folder. Nestled inside was a real estate listing printout for a decent sized two story farm house in Dallas, TX. I lifted the paper to see a deed to the home resting underneath as well. "Rowan, this is the deed to the house. It has your name on it, babe. Deacon, tell me you didn't buy us a house?"

"What is this? I don't understand. Did you buy a house? Are you moving?" Rowan spoke. I instantly felt her tense beside me. The thought of her father leaving here was obviously causing her instant anxiety. "Why is my name on the deed?"

Deacon chuckled, amused by our reactions. "No, no, Mia cleaned out my savings. That's the house I grew up in in Texas. I bought it back a few years ago. Had the outside refinished but the inside still needs some work."

"How much work we talkin' like fresh paint and new carpet or a total fixer upper." I asked, watching Rowan pour over the photographs of the outside of the home. A tiny smile was tugging at the corners of her lips as she studied the photos.

The house was all white with a wrap around porch. There was even a two car garage with a mother in law quarters above. A lot of work and money had been put into it. It was the kinda house I could picture Rowan living in.

Deacon cleared his throat and shifted Rae so she was sitting beside him on the couch and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He quietly caressed his beard thinking over his words. "It's a make it whatever you want kinda remodel. Perfect for a young family with kids. Lots of property. Out of the way. Perfect place for an outlaw who's done with the life, when he's ready." I stared at Deacon understanding what this was. What this could be for my family. "Or a safe house. If needed."

Rowan looked up at her father and then at me. Now was as good a time as any to let Deacon know our plans have shifted.

"Jax and I have decided that we are going to stay in Charming. At least for now." Rowan spoke before I could. She placed her hand on my knee. "Jax deserves the chance to make this club into something. To right all the wrongs."

"I'm not letting Clay and my mother get away with everything they've done. I'm coming for Clays seat at the table." I leveled Deacon with a stern stare. "I want this club to be something my wife and kids don't have to be fucking afraid of. That's my goal going into this; turn it around so my family doesn't have to feel like they need to fucking flee. I need to know if your with me, man?"

Deacon rubbed his thumb and index finger together a bunch of times, something he does when he's thinking. His eyes met mine and he nodded once, then looked at his daughter. "You're okay with this? It's your decision too?"

Rowan threaded her fingers through mine. "Yes. We made this choice together. If something should happen and things get bad, I'll take the kids and go, but for now, we are staying. This is our home. Our club." Rowan looked over at me, making me smile softly. "I trust that Jax can do this."

Deacon rose to his feet, making Rowan and I stand as well. I wasn't sure whether he was gonna punch me for keeping his daughter in all this shit or shake my hand. It could go either way.

He held his hand out to me to shake. "We got a lot of work to do, kid. You know I'm behind you on all of it. Ope too." I shook his hand and then patted him on the shoulder. "John would be proud of you Jackson."

All I could do was nod in response to that. "I'm doing this for the family that's here."

I slipped my hand around Rowan's waist. She looked up at me proudly. "We've got this." She pushed up on her tip toes and pressed a sweet kiss to my lips.

Rowan turned to Deacon and smiled holding out the folder he'd given us. "This was so sweet of you to do. I don't even know what to say about the house other then it's beautiful. If we're staying then I don't think we need…"

"No, no, no. I'm giving you the house regardless. It's yours and Jax's. Think of it as a safe house. I want you to know you always have a safe place to land." Deacon placed his hand on my shoulder. "Both of you."

"Thank you. We appreciate this more then you'll ever know, dad." Rowan stepped forward and hugged Deacon.

"Truly, man, thank you." I say, swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

"Alright, enough of this sappy shit. What do you say I get the grill going." Deacon cleared his throat apparently having been getting a little emotional himself.

We all headed into the kitchen while kids continued to play in the living room. I grabbed a beer for myself and a ice tea for Deacon. Rowan grabbed four plates and four sets of silverware to be taken out back to the patio table where we decided to eat tonight. I propped the back door open and lead everyone outside.

Deacon sipped his tea as he watched Rowan set the table.

"Any reason there's four settings? You forget the kids?" Deacon chuckled.

Rowan and I shared a weary glance before she spoke. "I invited a friend. The kids are gonna eat mac & cheese because they won't eat anything else." Rowan chuckled, shaking her head.

"More the merrier. Let me get at that grill, Jax." I stepped out of the way and let Deacon start getting the grill turned on and up to temperature.

I walked back inside just as Rae and Abel ran outside to see what grandpa was doing. Gunner sniffed the ground and followed after them. Rowan was pouring noodles into a bottom of water on the stove. I took a swig of the beer in my hand and sidled up next to her, my hand falling to the small of her back. "You need any help, babe?"

"Actually, can you chop the vegetables up while I shred some cheese for the kids dinner?" She looked at me sweetly. I nodded, sitting my beer down. "The asparagus is there and then the carrots are in the fridge. Just slice the carrots and cut the stems off the asparagus."

Rowan grabbed me everything I needed quicker then I could have and I set to work chopping vegetables beside her. I couldn't help but steal glances at her in her tight little sundress. Her cleavage was on full display and I was definitely enjoying the view. I leaned over kissed her ear. I nipped at her earlobe as she raised her shoulder blocking me, laughing.

"Keep your eyes on the task in front of you, Teller." She ordered playfully.

"Yes ma'am." I saluted her, making her laugh as she drained the from the stove in the sink.

I popped a carrot in my mouth and chewed. "How come you never cook like this for me?"

"What are you talking about? I cook for you everyday!"

"Yeah, but I mean, this is fancy. Asparagus? Really?" I smirked, doing my best to get her riled up. I knew she was nervous about tonight and wanted her to relax.

"Asparagus is healthy and it's for my dad. He needs to eat healthier. I know when he's at the club or at home he's eating fucking take out." She went on a mini rant. I smirked tossing another carrot in my mouth. "Don't you start with me… I know what you're doing."

"What am I doing?" I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter staring at her, my eyes drifting down her entire body. I wished I could I lift her dress up and bend her over the god damn counter right this very second.

Rowan sprinkled cheese over the noodles and began stirring it on the stove so it would melt. "You're trying to get me all flustered with you so I forget about my anxiety over tonight."

"And is it working?"

She refused to look at me, but muttered. "Maybe."

I grinned turning back around to continue cutting my vegetables when Deacon appeared at the backdoor. "Grill is ready. You wanna bring the steaks out?"

The doorbell rang seconds later. Rowan looked at me like a deer in the headlights as Deacon wondered back towards the grill. I opened the fridge and handed Rowan the plate with the steaks. "Go on. I've got Avery. I wanna officially meet this guy. Make sure he knows where he stands if he fucking hurts you."

"Be nice." Rowan reminded me, before taking the plate of steaks out back.

Once Rowan was out back and talking to Deacon I headed for the front door. I swung it open to see a guy around my age staring back at me in work boots, jeans and a solid green button up. Tool. "Uh, hey, I'm Avery… you're Jax, right?"

"Yeah, come on in, man. I'll get you a beer, unless you don't drink?" I tossed over my shoulder heading back to the kitchen. He could walk himself in and shut the door. I didn't need to hold his fucking hand.

I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and popped the top and handed it to him before he answered.

"Beer is good." He finally answered almost as an afterthought. He took a long a pull, clearly trying to calm his own nerves.

I grabbed my beer off the counter and turned around to face Avery. He was leaning against the archway to the kitchen, half in half out, probably trying to decide if he really wanted to stay or not. I had to give him a few points for coming at all, so I remembered Rowan's advice to be nice and cleared my throat. "Alcohol will help make this all a little less weird."

Avery chuckled. "I think that will call for something stronger then one beer."

I filled the silence by taking a drink, finishing my beer off. I tossed it in the trash and grabbed another one from the fridge. "You know the first time I met you at Navy Street I thought you were trying to push up on my wife."

Avery about choked on his beer. Eyes bulging he shook his head and swallowed the liquid in his mouth. "Uh, nah, I prefer my partners not to be blood related… or ya know at least third cousins just to be on the safe side. Incest isn't really my thing."

I chuckled, sitting my beer on the counter and picking up the knife I was using to cut vegetables with so I could finish before Rowan killed me for taking to long.

"So Avery why find Deacon now? After all this time? Hoping to gain access to his inner circle?" I questioned, glancing at him sternly over my shoulder while I chopped. I was grilling him hard but I had too. If this guy was gonna come in here and hurt my wife he had another thing coming. "How long did you know Rowan was your sister? The minute you got to town or…?"

Avery shifted making me turn sideways to look at him. He shoved his free hand in his pocket. "I knew when Rowan interviewed me for the coaching job at Navy Street. She said the place was her dads." I nodded and continued cutting, making a point to slap the knife down harder then needed just to fuck with him. "I'm glad to see she's got so many people that are protective over her." He chuckled, making me glare at him. "Half the guys at the gym wanna bang her. It's all I hear. She needs all the people in her corner she can get."

I leveled Avery with a cold steely glare before aggressively chipping up the last few carrots and asparagus on the cutting board. "I guess I better start working out at the gym is so many guys wanna fuck my wife then." I sat the knife down and turned around. "Look, it's my job to protect my wife, I'd give my fucking life for her and my kids. So, just so you know blood or not you betray Rowan and I'll fucking kill you." Avery nodded, not speaking a word. "I also expect those closest to her to have her back when I'm not there, I don't know you yet so you gotta earn my trust, just the way it is around here."

"I get it, man. I do. I went my whole life without a family so it's weird to do this now. And trust me I don't think you have to worry about the guys at the gym, they're all talk, they might want your wife but they are equal parts terrified of her and you. Rumors have gone around a lot." Avery enlightens me, before tossing his empty beer bottle into the trash can.

"What have you heard?"

"Just that you attacked a guy at her college for coming onto her and that she's not as innocent as she appears. Gym bullshit. I don't buy into any of it. Never was one for gossip, you know?"

I nodded. "My wife is… well adapted to our environment. She's beyond protective of me and our children and our extended family of motorcycle enthusiasts. But if I had to compare her to myself, she sure as hell is innocent." I pushed off the counter, swinging the fridge open grabbing Avery another beer and grabbing another for myself since I was almost finished the other. "I'm sorry, Deacon wasn't around but like with Rowan he'll be there for you. He's a good guy. I've known him my whole life. I'd die for him if I had too. He'd do the same for me, Rowan, even you."

Avery nodded looking a little overwhelmed but masking it pretty well. He sighed, chewing the inside of his jaw. Rowan did the same fucking thing. Familial trait?

"I heard you went to get tested to see if you're a match for Deacon. You didn't have to do that for Rowan or Deacon, but I appreciate it. It's hard not having a dad around. I know first hand." Avery looked at me not expecting that, he arched his eyebrow clearly wanting to hear more. "My old man passed away when I was a kid. Little brother too."

I figured saying John passed away was better then saying he was basically murdered. If I said that I had a feeling Avery would piss himself.

"Fuck, man. I'm sorry." He stepped towards the table and gestured if it was okay to sit down, I nodded, and he pulled out a chair and sat. "Look, you seem like a good guy so I wanna be straight with you. I got tested for Rowan. But I don't know if I'm willing to put my life and health on the line for someone I don't even know. Rowan seems sweet and kind and I would hate for anything to happen to him for her sake, I really would, but I can't promise anything, man."

I glanced outback at Rowan holding Abel on her hip, standing next to Deacon by the grill. Rae holding onto her leg. Smoke billowed out of the grill as Deacon flipped a steak. Rowan was smiling, happy. I looked at Avery who had followed my line of sight and was admiring the same thing.

"The fact that your being straight with me now, tells me you wanna do the right thing. I appreciate that. I understand where you're coming from, man. See how things go tonight."

"Yeah," Avery chuckled, standing up. "I guess that's what all this is for. Rowan shoving us together. She's not subtle is she?"

"Subtly is not her strong suit, no." I grinned.

"What's not my strong suit?" Rowan repeated, skeptically behind us, making me look at her. "Hey, Avery."

Avery tipped his bottle towards her. "Hey…"

"You ready for this?" Rowan asked, hopeful.

"No." Avery chuckled. He knocked back half his beer in one drink. Kid was gonna be piss drunk before he made it outside.

"Well let's hope you can hold your alcohol." I patted him on the shoulder before pulling Rowan into my side.

She placed her hand on my chest making me stare down at her lovingly. "Can you take the vegetables and foil outside to my dad, I've gotta get them their mac and cheese."

I brushed her blonde hair behind her ear and kissed her.

I grabbed the vegetables and tossed the foil to Avery. "Come on, you can help."

"Here," Rowan handed Avery olive oil and some spices for the steak and vegetables. "Let's wait until after dinner before we tell him. That way we might make it through the meal?"

"That might be for the best." Avery agreed.

"We got this. Right now we're just having a normal family dinner." I winked at Rowan before heading out back with Avery in tow.

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry for the long hiatus! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and new year! I got to visit my sister and it was one of the best christmases I've had in forever. I also turned 25! I hope you enjoy this welcome back chapter and I'm so excited to get back to posting regularly again! Enjoy and leave a review or two if ya want too! I just wanna thank you guys for hanging in there and for loving this story so much. You're the best!