Three Years Later
Haley blew the hair out of her eyes as she tried to balance her bags and the cake while opening the door, she knew that she was definitely going to drop something when all of a sudden she felt the weight of the door ease.
"Let me get that sweetheart."
Haley stumbled at the voice and almost dropped everything but a meaty hand reached out and steadied her.
"Here let me take the bags." Haley just nodded and allowed him take the bags from her as she just continued to stare at him. "Where you parked?" Haley pointed to her Dads truck. "That thing still going huh."
"Yeah." Haley finally spoke with a forced smile.
They both walked the short distance to the truck. She watched as he put the bags in the back as she slid the cake onto the passengers seat.
Slowly moving round to the drivers side where he was stood Haley sunk her hands into the back pockets of her Jeans.
"Thanks Clay."
"No problem sweetheart. Celebration?"
Clay asked as he eyed her curiously. She looked grown up but then she was now a 20 year old young woman now and not the 17 year old girl he had last seen, but although time had passed Clay still remembered what happened the last time she was in Charming. Jax had only been out for 6 months. He was the VP now and Clay needed his head where it was, but he knew Haley could twist him up.
"Dad's birthday."
Since she went off to Berkeley her Dad decided to move back to Charming, he pulled the hardware store off the market and it was finally up and running. Haley had been happy about that because her Dad loved that store, However she did worry. Over the last 3 years she hadn't really visited Charming if she could help it, remembering all to well how Gemma had been with her after the sentencing, and Haley was worried if any of that hate would blow back onto her Dad especially because of the statement he gave. But her Dad had confirmed that he had not run into issues but there was something about the way Clay was looking at her that confirmed to Haley the even if the Teller/Morrows had forgiven they had not forgotten.
"Just here for the weekend Clay." Haley added for good measure.
Clay smiled at the young girl before leaning across her and opening the drivers door. "Enjoy your celebration."
"We will. Thank you for your help."
"Anytime."
Clay stepped back and watched her drive away. He had always like Haley and with Jax's request Clay had left her Dad alone, but Clay had to admit that he was happy that she was just here for a weekend but now all he had to do was make sure that Jax or Sam did not know that she was here.
Haley set down the bags on the kitchen table. Her Dad was at the store all day. She told him that she would be cooking him a special tea but the truth was she was planning a little party at the house for him.
Their relationship had been difficult at the start because Haley couldn't help but feel some resentment towards him because everyone knew that his statement was the sealing factor in Jax's sentencing but he was her Dad and he was all she had. It had always been the two of them. So they had been rebuilding their relationship which is why she wanted to throw him this party.
Haley went to head back out to the car to get the cake when she heard the familiar rumble of a motorcycle. She faltered for a moment before heading to the door and opening it.
She couldn't stop the smile when she saw him. And he quickly dismounted his bike and came to her embracing her in a hug which she returned.
"Parker back in Charming." He spoke with the famous Teller smirk
"Don't." She shook her head. "Bumped into Clay this morning."
"And."
"Well he didn't ask out right but think he wondered if I was back for good."
"Are you?"
"Just here for the weekend Sammy. Now come and help me with the cake."
They both walked over to the truck but it was Sam who grabbed the cake before following her back inside.
"So how is everything with you?" Haley asked as Sam placed the cake on the kitchen counter.
"Well having to work a lot harder with an extra mouth to feed." Sam admitted.
Haley gave him a tight lipped smile. When he fist reached out to her she hadn't missed the fact that he was now a fully patched member of Samcro. But he hadn't came to her to tell her that he came to her upset, angry and all because Chrissie had lied. Sam was the Farther of her child.
No one knew what made Chrissie come clean but she had a year ago. Of course Sam had been so confused. Haley wasn't sure how he knew where she was staying as she had now moved from the dorms but he turned up on her doorstep upset and Haley automatically hugged him and the two fell back into their old friendship.
"How is she?"
"She's good, growing fast." And with that Sam pulled out a picture and showed it to Haley.
"She's grown so much. She's beautiful." And she really was. Surprisingly she had a mass of dark hair but she definitely had the famous Teller smile. "How's Gemma dealing with it?"
"Pissed that she isn't living in Charming." Sam admitted. When Chrissie had told him about his daughter she also confirmed that she would still be living in Seattle with her parents. Sam wasn't happy in the slightest and neither was Gemma. To Gemma her granddaughter should be in Charming but Sam put his foot down. Yes he was pissed at Chrissie but he also knew his daughter needed to be her Mom.
"I bet." Sam laughed. "What?"
"You and my Mom."
"Well I don't think im your Mom's favourite person."
"Is that why you never come back to Charming?" Haley looked over her shoulder at Sam she could see the concern on his face.
"No, I need to finish my Degree." Sam knew that wasn't the only reason. In the last 3 years she had barely been back to Charming and it was weird not having her around even if their friendship had changed. They were still there for one another and Haley proved that with all the shit that came with the Chrissie situation. Now he just wanted to do the same.
"What's the plan after?"
"Don't know yet I have a meeting with my guidance councillor to discuss options."
Sam pushed himself from the counter and moved closer to her. "Hales..." But before he could say anymore his phone rang.
He answered his cell and he noticed Haley eyeing him especially when the name Jax fell from his lips. He swore he saw her froze.
Neither Jax or Haley had really said what had happened between them but he knew something had. But that was Jax telling him that they were gathering at the table and he was needed back at the clubhouse now.
"I need to head out."
"Was that Jax?" Haley asked trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"Yeah." He watched Haley just nod and she continued to unpack her bags. "He's doing okay." Sam offered knowing that she probably wanted to know but was to stubborn to ask.
"Good." She responded but again she never looked at him until Sam caught her by the elbow.
"Are you going to see him while your back?"
"Im here for a short time and I haven't really spent much time with Dad..."
"Haley."
"Look Sam, don't okay. Just leave it."
"Okay." And with that he dropped a kiss on top of her head left leaving Haley alone in the kitchen as her mind wondered to the last time she saw Jax.
"What's this about?" Sam asked Opie he chucked his cell in the box.
"Not sure ." He replied with a shrug.
As they all gathered around the table, all taking their usual seats Clay hit the gavel twice signalling the start of the of Church.
"Bobby's how's the pot looking?"
"Good." Bobby replied before taking a hit on his cigar as he opened the book in front of him. "Everyone has paid their vig for protection. Jax, Kyle and Tig have the gun drop with brown tomorrow."
"Change of plan." Everyone looked to Clay.
"Change?" Jax asked curiously. As VP this was the first he was hearing about this.
"This is why I called church. Want you to head to Tacoma with Sam, Juice and Ope."
"Why?" Jax asked with a frown.
"Request came they need an extra body."
Clay shifted in his chair. He was lying. The only reason he wanted Jax out of Charming was because of the certain blonde that he had bumped into this morning but Clay wasn't going to admit that.
"Tig and Kyle can handle the drop. Figured you would be better use in Tacoma."
"Okay." Jax answered still unsure of the real reason but he knew if Clay wanted him there it was for good reason.
"Anyone want to bring anything else to the table?" They all shook their heads. "Okay. Jax, Sam and Ope you leave for Tacoma tonight." With the final hit of the gavel everyone got up from the table and left, well all except Sam which didn't go unnoticed by Clay or Jax.
Clay remained seated but Jax was already on his feet, but he cocked his head at Sammy asking the silent question if everything was okay.
"Just want to speak to Clay about stopping by and seeing my kid." Jax nodded and left knowing that he wasn't needed for this conversation. He closed the door behind him.
"So I know that I already cleared you going to see my granddaughter, so..." Clay left the question hanging.
"Jax coming. That to get him out of Charming for the weekend?"
Clay smirked. "You seen her." It wasn't a question just a statement.
"You know you're not going to be able to do this forever."
"Maybe, but I can do it this weekend."
"Clay..."
"Look Son. Jax, what he's been through he needs to keep his head in the game. We need him on form at the moment, as VP. He wanted VP his whole life, Haley..."
"Haley, what?" Clay sensed the anger in his tone. He knew if he didn't handle this right it would be quite likely that Sam would walk right out of the Chapel and tell Jax everything. And that would not be good especially if Gemma got wind of this.
"I have known that kid since she was born. I have no bad blood towards her but I care for Jax more and right now he doesn't need to reopen old wounds. Have you told him your still in contact with her?"
Clay countered. There was something about the way that Sam was acting that led him to believe that today was not the first contact that he'd had with Haley. The no response confirmed Clay's thoughts.
"Didn't think so. So we're agreed, we keep this from Jax." Again this was not a question.
Haley lent against the door jam watching over the party happening in the garden. Her Dad looked really happy which made her happy, especially after everything.
She was lost in her thoughts when she heard someone say something about ice. Drawing her attention away from her Dad Haley walked back into the kitchen where Hank and Jill were standing. She had known them both since was a baby.
"Everything okay?"
"You're out of ice hunny." Hank answered.
"No worries I'll pop to the store." Haley said with a smile.
"No you stay I'll go."
"It's fine Jill. You stay enjoy it will take me 15 minutes tops." Haley looked around. "Do we need anything else?"
"More rolls." Hank added.
"Sure. If Dads asks where I am tell him I wont be long."
And with that Haley grabbed her keys and headed to her truck.
Jax was heading back to the clubhouse. He'd been home to pick up a few things for the ride to Tacoma. But as he drove his truck through main street a blonde caught his eye. It wasn't the first time this had happened since his release, he thought every blonde was her for a second but as he continued to look he realised that this time it was different, this time it was Haley.
