Chapter 20

The judge had called a recess for the day. I knew what that meant. It meant that the jury hadn't reached a verdict. I wasn't sure if I felt relief or if I was nervous because of that. When we got back to the clubhouse, Jax said that he was taking me home. The only thing that I could do was nod. I wasn't sure what I was feeling.

When I walked into my house, I made a beeline for my bedroom. I took off my jewelry that I had put on that morning. I put it back in my jewelry box. I saw Jax walk into my bathroom. I heard him turn on the water in my bathtub. I looked in the mirror and saw him walk out of the bathroom towards me. He pulled my hair to one side over my shoulder and unzipped my dress for me. "Thanks." I said, as he kissed the back of my shoulder.

"Your welcome. How about we take a bath?" He asked me. I nodded. "Come on then." I turned around and followed Jax into the bathroom. We both stripped and he climbed into the tub first. Then I climbed in and leaned against him. "How are you feeling after today?" He asked me.

I leaned my head against his chest. "I'm really not sure. I mean, so much information has come about lately…I just wonder…what was the point of it all." I told him. "I mean, was he just trying to throw his weight around and prove that it was his way or no way?" I asked.

"I don't know babe. But you know what I do know? I know that no matter what, I'm going to do my best to keep you safe. And when the trial is over, Hap will ink you okay?" He said.

"I know. I have been wondering something." I said. I wasn't sure how this was going to go.

"What?" He said.

"What made you change your mind? You always said that you'd never give your crow to anyone. What changed?" I asked.

He kissed the side of my neck. "You did. You changed me. You made me realize that I wanted it all. Crow, marriage, house, 2.5 kids, and maybe even a dog." He said and I couldn't help but smile.

I turned slightly and looked up at him. "You mean it?" I asked him.

"Absolutely." He said.

It made me feel good that Jax had changed his mind about everything. I could still remember when he patched in. We'd ridden out to the streams to celebrate.

***Flashback***

Jax had finally patched in. His prospect year was finally over. We'd ridden out to the streams to celebrate. I unbuckled my helmet and climbed off the back of his bike. "It's nice today." I said walking near our tree.

"It is." He said as he climbed off his bike.

I turned around and looked at him. "How does it feel?" I asked him, looking at his Kutte.

"It feels like a weight." He said.

"Thought it was what you wanted?"

"It is. Just made me think, ya know?" He said.

"Think about what?" I asked him.

"That I'll never give anyone my crow, I'll never get married, never have kids." He said, looking serious.

"How come? There's plenty of guys in the club that do all of that. My dad, your dad…" I said, realizing that those probably weren't the best examples. "Okay well maybe not necessarily those two are the best examples but it is possible." I told him, causing him to laugh.

"Maybe." He said.

"What's going on with you? You've been acting weird for days." I said.

"Tara's decided that she wants to leave Charming." He told me.

I always knew that it was it was a possibility. She would always say that Charming was too small for her. But I think what it really was, was that her dad was an alcoholic and she wanted to get as far away from him as possible. "What's her plan?" I asked him.

"She got accepted to Northwestern. She wants me to go with her." He said.

"Do you want to?" I asked.

"Yes…no…I don't know." He said.

"What about the Club? Uncle Clay's not just going to let you leave." I said.

"I know." He said. "Thanks for always being here."

"I always will be." I said.

***End Flashback***

When Jax and I got out of the tub, we curled up on the couch and decided to watch a movie. I guess at some point I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. I sat up and grabbed it off the bedside table. It was the DA calling. She said that the jury had reached a verdict and we were needed at the clubhouse within the hour. I told her that we'd be there. I quickly woke Jax up and told him what was going on. While he was getting ready, I called Clay and told him. We all agreed to meet at the courthouse.

When we arrived at the courthouse, we walked into the courtroom and sat in the same places that we'd sat in the day before. I listened as the judge called the court to order. "I believe that the jury has reached a verdict." The judge said.

"Yes, your honor we have." The foreman said. He handed the verdict to the bailiff who walked over and handed it to the judge.

She opened the piece of paper and read it. "This is unanimous?" She asked the foreman. The foreman nodded. She looked up at the courtroom. "For the first time since I have sat on this bench, I have never had this happen. Mr. Putlova please stand." Jax and I watched as Putlova stood from his seat. "You have been found guilty on all charges. In addition, I have decided to expedite your sentencing. The prosecution is seeking the death Penalty. I will grant that. You are hereby sentenced to death by lethal injection." The judge said.

When I heard the words come out of the judge's mouth, I let out a breath that I didn't realize that I had been holding. I turned to Alex and hugged her. Not only had justice been served but this also meant other things. Alex's mom could finally come home.

When we arrived back at the clubhouse that evening, Lowen was waiting for us. "Lowen, hi." Jax and I greeted her.

She handed me an envelope. "This found it's way to my desk today. I don't know what it is and I don't want to." She said before she walked out.

I opened the envelope and read the note.

Little Kristin,

You did good. Your mother would be proud of you. No worries. It's taken care of.

Uncle L

I looked up at Jax and for the first time in I don't know how long I smiled a real smile. "It's all going to be okay." I said.

"Yeah it is." He said.

We heard the clubhouse door slam behind us. "Alright! Who's ready for ink?" I heard Hap say.

A/N: Okay…so the trial is over. Kris is getting her crow tattoo. Things are finally going to settle down…right?