Macy's eyes flicked between the dashboard clock and the road as she drove back to her and Shane's place. They had a family dinner in three hours, a large one, to celebrate Abel's fourth birthday and she didn't want to be late. It was the first time Macy would be spending any real time with them since she officially moved.

Arriving home, she sidestepped around the remaining boxes littering the entryway and bounded up the steps. The past week of nausea made it hard to unpack the few boxes left or do much of anything really.

Macy kicked the bathroom door shut with her foot while ripping open the box of pregnancy tests. A two-pack, just to be sure, although she already knew she was pregnant. Her body was telling her loud and clear by exhibiting the classic signs and symptoms which she'd never experienced before.

"I'm either pregnant," she muttered, "Or it's fucking cancer."

Taking both tests, Macy placed them on the sink edge and perched on the edge of the tub. The timer on her phone seemed to be moving slowly but she knew it was only because of her eagerness for results.

The small digital screen read "Pregnant" on both tests and Macy could hardly believe it. "Oh my god," she gasped, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes!"

Macy grabbed her phone and text Shane.

"Hey, I know we're supposed to meet at my parents' but can you make it here a bit earlier?"

"Can't. Bureaucratic shit. We'll talk tonight. Everything okay?"

"Everything is amazing. I love you."

"Love you more."

Even more than the pregnancy, her excitement was causing her stomach churn and bubble. She and Shane had talked about babies and marriage, they were on the same page about the future of their relationship, and while this was unexpected she knew he'd be overjoyed.

Now she just had to wait.

After a shower, she got ready, grabbed Abel's gift and was out the door on her way back to Charming. Macy wanted to get there early, she was nervous and didn't want to walk into a full house. The one man she wanted to beat, Jax, was already there when she walked in the kitchen door.

"Where's the birthday boy?" She asked cheerfully

"Passed out on the couch," Jax laughed as he greeted her with a hug. "How are ya?"

"Good," she beamed, placing the present and her purse on the table. "You guys?"

"Good," Jax said with a nod. "I don't think we've ever gone this long without seeing each other," he remarked.

"Yeah," she grimaced. "Been a busy few weeks."

"Hope it doesn't continue," Clay said, entering the kitchen from the dining room. He hugged her tightly, missing her more than he'd ever say. "Where's your old man?"

"On his way," Macy told them. "Work stuff's been crazy, couldn't leave early."

Clay and Jax shared a look but didn't speak on it.

"Let's wait for him outside," Gemma suggested and the two of them headed out to the driveway.

Macy looked at her mom suspiciously. "What?"

"Nothing," she laughed, lighting a cigarette. "I talked to Ope," she told her daughter. "He said he'll be good. You say anything to Shane?"

"He wasn't wrong," Macy said defensively. "He was being good."

Gemma huffed but didn't fight Macy on it, she knew it was true anyway.

"You sure about this?" Macy asked Gemma as the majority of club members pulled into the lot.

"I'm sure," Gemma said confidently. "Opie asked Donna to meet him here anyway. I think he's moving on. It's Abel's birthday, it's a family occasion, you and Shane are both welcome as is Opie."

Macy nodded. "I just, after the fight," she sighed.

"It's been weeks since that damn fight," Gemma scoffed. "I doubt either of them even remember it."

"Yeah," Macy said dispassionately. "Probably." She smiled politely and accepted a few kisses on the cheek as Bobby, Opie, Tig, Juice and Chibs arrived. Opie ignored her completely, which was fine, and hurried into the house.

"It's all testosterone," Gemma finally continued once they were alone again. "Bet he couldn't wait to get you home after that."

"Ew Mom," Macy cringed. "And no, he was more concerned with what happened and how I was than having sex." Her heart jumped as Shane pulled up to the curb and got out of the car. "God, I love him in uniform," Macy growled.

"The Morrow Women," Shane said with a big grin. "Judging by your expressions I'm in trouble."

Macy smiled and shook her head, "Not you."

"I pity the man who is," he said, leaning in to kiss her. "How are you?"

"I'm good," she kissed him back. "You?"

"Ready to get drunk," he huffed, "Had a long fucking day."

"Must be so hard walking that line between lawman and outlaw," Gemma remarked.

"Ma'am," he said, kissing her cheek.

"I see through it but I still like you," Gemma said, giving him a light slap to the face.

"Mom," Macy grumbled.

"Be good," Gemma said to Shane. "I gave Opie the same warning."

"Hand to God," he nodded. Shane took Macy's hand and pulled her into the house. "You look good," he told her.

"You always say that," she pursed her lips.

"Cause you always do," his eyes roamed her body.

"I love you," she giggled.

"I love you," he smirked. "Give me some sugar, sugar," Shane said as he pulled her in for yet another kiss. No one really greeted him, just nodding and waving in his direction, but Shane preferred it that way. Grabbing two beers from the fridge, Shane handed her one.

"Oh no, I'm good," she said. "I've had a few already and you need a designated driver."

"Come on," he whinnied. "Just one."

"Shane," she groaned, "Really. I'm good."

"Just one," he said again. "Give into the peer pressure," he laughed.

"Shane," she grumbled.

"Why? You can handle a few beers."

"I can, yeah," she sighed, "But the baby can't."

It took a second but Shane's face lit up. "Baby?"

"I'm pregnant," she laughed shyly.

"You're pregnant," he said loudly. "We're gonna have a baby?" He asked and she nodded. "We're gonna have a baby!"

"Shane, quiet," Macy said, grabbing his arm but it was too late.

"You're pregnant?" Jax said with surprise.

"Holy shit," Juice said happily, "I mean, congratulations! Macy's fucking pregnant," he said loudly.

"Jesus," she hissed as Juice gave her a hug.

"You're pregnant?" Clay asked her, a mix of emotions flooding his system.

"Yeah, Dad," she smiled sheepishly, "I am."

Now that the news was out, too early for her comfort, Macy wanted nothing more than to simply disappear. It wasn't how she wanted to tell Shane or her family but in one instant everyone knew.

"I don't know if I should congratulate you or shoot you," Clay grumbled quietly as he hugged Shane.

"I'm gonna do right by her," Shane promised.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Clay said. "I like you but you get my concern here?"

Shane nodded. "I do."

"This changes a lot."

"I know."

"For my family and my business," Clay specified.

"I know," Shane nodded. "Higher ups don't exactly like my ties to your family."

"Neither do my associates " Clay said vaguely.

"We'll make it work," Shane said, offering Clay his hand.

Clay nodded and the two men shook hands while Macy tried to offset the damage. She was too late though, Gemma had already heard the news but instead of being angry she wasn't the first to know, she was elated. A baby only pushed Macy closer to Shane and added much more tension between her and Opie.

"My baby is having a baby," Gemma said as she hugged Macy. "I'm so happy for you, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Mom," Macy sniffled. "I literally just found out. I was trying to keep it quiet but," she rolled her eyes.

"He's so happy," she remarked, nodding toward Shane.

"He's gonna be a great dad," Macy said dreamily.

"You plan this?" Gemma asked suspiciously.

"Nope," she laughed. "I fell off schedule with my pill during shift changes. It didn't matter before, I wasn't having sex, but uh, it matters now."

"It's a boy," Gemma told her. "I can tell."

"You don't want a granddaughter?" Macy laughed.

"I didn't want a daughter," she said, suddenly dark. "Looks like someone heard the news," Gemma swiftly changed the subject as Opie stormed out of the house, leaving Donna, who had just arrived, mortified and heartbroken.

"So much for him moving on," Macy complained. As Jax approached, she prepared for an emotional battle but he simply hugged his little sister. "Didn't mean to ruin Abel's party."

"You didn't," he assured her. "Congratulations, Mace."

"You mean that?" She asked with hopeful eyes.

Jax nodded. "I hate him but that ain't the baby's fault. Look at Abel," he reminded her.

"Thanks," she sniffled. "Can I get some parenting tips?"

"Go to Tara," he laughed.

Shane approached, a smile on his face and his hand outstretched toward Jax, but he was greeted with a sneer.

"Please be nice," Macy said to him.

"You hurt her, you die," Jax said as he reluctantly shook Shane's hand.

"Got it," Shane said earnestly.

"See, I was nice," Jax said to Macy with a wink before walking off.

"You're really pregnant?" He asked once again, pulling her into the far corner away from everyone else.

Macy shook her head. "No, I just said that to fuck with you."

"What?" He asked, a horrified look on his face.

"No, I'm joking," she laughed, holding his face between her hands. "You're adorable."

"If you say so," he laughed. "I don't want to stay," he gestured to the table.

"I want to, " she pouted.

"Fine, he groaned. "Remember I love you."

"I love you too," she beamed. "I'm so excited."

"Me too," he smiled broadly. "You know we have to get married. I'm going to make an honest woman outta you, Macy Morrow."

It was too sweet for her to argue with. He knew they didn't have to but he clearly wanted it. "Okay, Shane Walsh," she giggled. "Let's just get used to this first," she said, touching her stomach.

"Can we eat?" Gemma suddenly asked the group loudly.

"I'm fucking starving," Tig said, taking a seat and reaching for the basket of bread.

"Come on, come on," Clay bellowed, gathering everyone to the table. "Since Abel is still passed the hell out like his old man after a loooong night at the clubhouse, let's toast to my newest grandchild."

Macy's face turned beet red as the group raised their bottles and toasted her, Shane and their growing baby.

Feeling no guilt for Opie's reaction to the news, Macy enjoyed her family without the tension and drama her ex's presence would have caused. If he couldn't at least act like an adult she wasn't going to worry about it and she didn't care if it was selfish or not.

"Christ, I missed this," she sighed, leaning over and kissing Shane's shoulder. "I feel drunk from laughing so much."

"Good," he laughed. "You deserve it. I'll do anything I can to make you happy, criminal family dinners included," Shane said with a wink.

After much longer than they had planned to stay, Shane drive both himself and Macy home in his car. She was sleeping, her head on the window, thankful he didn't drink as much as he had planned. Shane was thankful too, thankful she passed out, as his cell phone buzzed in the cup holder.

"Yeah?" He answered already knowing who it was.

"Can you talk?" Clay asked, sitting with Jax at the dining room table with his phone on speaker.

"She's sleeping," Shane told them.

"Good." Jax knew it was a risk but part of him hoped Macy overheard so he didn't say anything to Shane. He welcomed discord between the two hoping it would eventually blow up.

"So what do you need?" Shane asked, slowing his speed so he could concentrate more on the conversation.

"You to do your job," Clay chuckled darkly. "We need someone to spend some time in lockup, a favor for a friend," he said vaguely. "If we give you time, place, make and model, think you can make some shit up for a traffic stop?"

"Shit, I haven't done a fucking traffic stop in years," Shane laughed heartily. "I can help you out, though."

"What's your price?" Jax sneered through the phone.

Shane looked at Macy, a line of drool down her cheek, and sighed heavily. "Nothing. Just a little goodwill, huh? Not for me, for Mace. She hates this shit," he said, knowing Jax would understand.

"Alright," he said reluctantly. "You do this, I play nice."

"How soon you want this shit done?"

"Give us a few days," Clay explained. "Need to gather some shit. I'll be in touch."

The call ended and Shane tossed his phone down, pressing his foot to the gas again in hopes of making it home before midnight.

Meanwhile, back in Charming, Jax and Clay were still sitting at the table, drinking and smoking as they conspired.

"How much are we going to need?"

"Enough to get this asshole in county and not just local lockup," Clay grumbled. "I'll reach out to Walsh tomorrow, see what he thinks."

"You trust him not to burn us with this?" Jax was very clearly concerned with the exposure.

Clay nodded. "I don't think he's a problem, son. He's been doing this shit for years before he met Macy. He's a dirty cop and he knows it, doesn't think he's any better than us."

Jax raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What are you a fucking shrink now?"

"No," Clay leaned back in his seat with a cigar between his lips, "I just asked him."

"I hope you're goddamn right," Jax said, pushing away from the table. "I'll see you in the morning."

—

Vote and comment pretty please!! Thanks for reading, everyone! Xoxo