Chapter Two: Welcome Home

It took a few days for Sage to get settled in her new place. With the help of Gemma cleaning, stocking the fridge and unpacking a few belongings she had. All included two pull out couches, coffee table, two beds, one for the master bedroom and the other for the guest room and four night stands. Jax, Opie , Juice and Chibs helped with heavy furniture. She noticed Juice with a bag near her front door, she walked over and raised an eyebrow at him.

"What's all this? "Sage asked crossing her arms

"Gemma and Clay's orders, They want you to have some kind of security, so I'm installing a hidden camera and intercom outside, and putting a monitor on the wall behind your door. "

Sage put her hands up in defeat, there's no arguing with Gemma, and allowed Juice get to work.

By Day six everything was finished, everything was in the exact place as she wanted, and her home was spotless. She had a home of her own back home. Of course Jax had to make sure he wrote out all the Samcro's contact numbers if she needed anything. Sitting there looking at Harry's number, she wondered why he hasn't said much since she came back besides a" hey", " welcome back" , " where do you want these nightstands?". Her heart sank, hoping their friendship wasn't completely over. Trying to shake it, she called Jax .

"Hey you OK? "Jax asked as soon as he answered

"Yeah I'm great, kind of want to ask you something, are you busy?"

"Tara and I have Abel at the park, what's up? " asking Sage as he put Abel in the swing.

"Opie? He seems off, feels like he hates that I'm back or some thing, hasn't said much to me." she asked in a low voice playing with a strand of her hair

"Honestly, he's always asked about you, stole my phone whenever you called just to say hi, so I don't think it's that, the boys going through a divorce with Lyla , it's final soon and Lyla doesn't want too so they're working out some details, the death of Donna is still weighing heavy, he's trying to reconnect with his kids since he's been locked up and missed half of their lives , and club shit ... the list goes on nothing to worry about" Jackson Encouraged her.

"Just odd to me, I worry about you guys" Sage said with a frown

"No I get it, oh hey mom says come over for a welcome home dinner tomorrow evening at six, bring your swimsuit, pool's still open"

"Can't say no to that can I? Does she need help with it?" Sage rolled her eyes

"No way! It's a dinner for YOU, she will smack you with a spatula if you even try "Jax's laughed

"You're right! I guess I'll see you then, tell Tara I said hello, Sage hung up and laughed

The following morning she decided it was time to suck it up and visit her father. Sitting in her truck ,Staring at the house she grew up in, not really wanting to do this because it wasn't going to go well. Her father raised her after her mother decided to get hooked on drugs and found dead in a ditch. However her father never really wanted her, treated her like a stranger, that's why she ended up staying with her Aunt and around the club more often than being home. Slowly getting out of her truck she walked over to the tree with the initials H,S,J Running her fingers across the carved tree bark. Taking a breath and slowly walking to the front door and gave the door a loud knock. She was Greeted by her father's nurse.

" Hi, you must be Karen ? I'm Jack Teller's daughter Sage Teller

"Oh yes I remember you from last time, come on in, I'm sure Jack will be delighted to see you" Karen - the way to happy nurse said with too much excitement in her voice. Sage couldn't resist rolling her eyes as she walked into the house and followed her to her fathers bedroom where he spent most of his time.

" Karen... Be honest, where are we with his health? "Sage asked her fathers nurse knowing it may not be good news

"I'm afraid not the greatest , both of his kidneys are failing and only about 60% of his lungs are working as of right now he's on oxygen and medication and fights me on those, always says to let him die, unfortunately there's not much else I can do. He's awake I need to wash some of his belongings" she told Sage with a frown and walked away with a basket of clothes.

Sage walked into her fathers bedroom, curtains drawn up , with the morning sun shining in, her dad sitting in bed watching the morning news on TV. Noticing the same picture frame sitting next to the bed of John Teller and Jack Teller , she loved that picture.

"I see you came back? How long till you're gone again? " her father asked not moving his eyes from the news.

"Actually I came to tell you, I finished school, and moved back here, two jobs and an apartment" she forced a smile on her face

"You moved back ? Why girl? It's not safe here! That bike crew you love so much is trouble, they got my brother John killed! He was murdered by those Harley lovers, they bathe in blood, I'm telling you! All you do is hang out with those boys, I didn't care that you did because it kept you out of my hair, your addict mom wanted you... I didn't. She left and got her self killed! you should've stayed away, you have no family here girl, not my eyes" Jack Teller told his daughter showing no emotion.

Sage fought the tears back, but she knew this would happen.

"Bye dad, I won't bother you again since I was always a burden" She got up and quickly walked out of that house, got in her truck and didn't look back. She was expecting a negative outcome and allowed a few tears to slip. Making her way to the town playground... it was her "safe place" as a child. Noticing only one mother with two young children taking turns on the baby slide.Sage smiled at the toddlers laughter as she made her way to the swings to cool off, Focusing on the sun shining through the trees. After what seemed like forever she was distracted by the buzz of her phone.

"Hey Jax"

"Are you coming later tonight? Mom will have my ass if you don't!" Jax noticed the scratching in her voice from crying.

"She will drag me by my hair if I don't, either way I'll be there "she managed a laugh

"Are you all right? You sound out of it."

" Yeah I'll be all right, I'm at my safe place, went to visit my dad and he's still a dick" Sage sighed through the phone.

"That explains it! I'm sorry. But we are swamped at the garage I'll see you at mom's later"

"See you then "Sage said as she made her way back to her truck and hung up.

She notice she had a few hours to preoccupy so she decided to wash ,dry ,fold her work clothes for the upcoming workweek, showered, threw on a black bikini suit, a long skirt and a crop top.

*Dinner*

Steaks with trimmings, mixed vegetables, baked potatoes, garden salad, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, and cheesecake. The Morrow house was filled with some of the Samcro crew and their families.

"Aunt Gem you need help with anything? "Sage asked looking at all the amazing food

"No and if you try to help I'll smack you with this spoon that's a promise darlin"

"It's just a spoon, not a skateboard, I think I'll be safe" she winked , smiled and blew her Aunt Gemma a kiss while Gemma put her hands on her hips.

Everyone talked amongst themselves and most of the company left or went out to enjoy the pool. Tara was excited to see Sage for the first time since she's moved back, and apologize for being so busy at work. After everyone finished their plates Tara got up and helped clear the table and volunteered to take Kenny, Ellie and Abel out to enjoy the pool. Leaving Gemma, Clay, Sage, Jax, and Opie left at the table.

"So baby, did you visit your dad yet since you been home? Gemma asked taking a sip of her wine

"Yeah this morning, I met his nurse, same one as last time , things don't look good, both kidneys shutting down and about half his Lungs are working, oh yeah the ' no one wants you home girl! why move back ?stay away from those bikers!, your mom wanted you I didn't!, she killed her self, no family is here for you!' you know the same expected bullshit" Sage said as she grabbed the wine bottle in the middle of the table and finished it

"I'm sorry baby, listen you guys go outside and enjoy yourselves, Clay and I will finish up in here"

As Everyone got up and made their way to the patio doors , Sage turned to Opie.

"Hey You haven't said much to me since I got back... Are WE Okay?" Sage tried to make eye contact with him but he looked away.

Opie finally looked at her and frowned, "yeah we're OK I'm sorry, I've been dealing with some shit since Donna, we will catch up soon, I promise, a lot on my plate right now" he grabbed her and gave her a soft hug.

"OK I get it and I'm going to hold that promise to you" she smiled and walked out toward the in-ground pool with Jax and Opie behind her, the guys headed toward the other bike members and Sage walked over to Tara and the kids. Dipping her feet in the water testing the temperature. Pulling off her crop top and letting her skirt fall exposing her black bikini, hearing whistling behind her. Jumping in the pool and walking Abel around in his pool float.

Piney got up and walked over to his son " It's best I leave before my future daughter-in-law gives me a heart attack. Boy this could be your second chance, don't screw it up, talk to her! I'm going up to the cabin" He nudged his son as he left.

"Aye Is that a dragonfly tat on her lower back?" Chibs asked pulling down his sunglasses to get a better look ... "And look at those Hoot..."Chibs was cut off by Jax

"HEY! that's it! I don't need to hear this! Ope has Always had eyes for her and I won't stop him from hurting you" Jax lit up a cigarette

" Yeah it's a dragonfly , she loves them she told me when we were kids that she always thought they were magical luck charms." Opie explained to the boys , lit a cigarette and enjoyed looking at how Sage filled out. It was a blessing what ten years could do.