Hi all. So I know that it has been a while since the last update but my job has kind of got in the way and with taking on a new team, updates may be a little delayed. But I really hope everyone is still enjoying this series. I want to say thank you for all the follows and adds, I really feel flattered. Anyway here is the next chapter.
Reality
Haley had spent the rest of the week at her grandmothers. She enjoyed spending time with her, they spent days making jam, Sophie teaching her how to knit or at least trying and daily walks. But there was another time that Haley enjoyed. It was when Jax came. He always made it for supper and the three would sit and talk round the table until Sophie got tired and excused herself, leaving them alone.
They would sit in front of the fire, Haley wrapped in Jax's arms. They would both talk about their day, although she knew he left out certain parts but Haley didn't push because she just wanted enjoy these moments. Enjoy the mindless chat, enjoy sharing a bed with him, enjoying being intimate with him, enjoy waking him with him. Because Haley knew that reality was lurking just around the corner.
"You okay?"
"Hmmm..."
"You seem a million miles away." Haley shifted to look at Jax properly.
"It's just im heading back to college tomorrow. First class I have is with Aaron. I just feel bad I mean I dumped the guy on the phone."
"You did the guy a favour." Jax rationalised and Haley knew that he was right. After spending that first night with Jax, she felt so guilty that she knew that she needed to end things with Aaron straight away.
"He seemed upset."
"Course he was." Haley frowned at him. "Who wouldn't be upset at losing you." He smiled before capturing her lips with his. However Haley pulled away.
"And Wendy?"
Haley hadn't liked hearing about Wendy but she was glad that Jax had told her, it had been hard to hear, which she was sure Jax felt when she had confessed about Aaron. But they had been apart for 3 years, life was going to continue no matter how hard it was.
Jax's hand came up and rested on her cheek. "It's sorted we're over." He shifted his body so that he was positioned over her as he lay her down on the sofa. Haley reacted to his advances and her hands travelled down his chest until they reached the hem of his t-shirt. Jax lent back and removed his shirt as Haley did the same.
Jax took her in. She was beautiful and he still couldn't believe that she was his. They had wasted time, he knew what a mistake it was letting her go when he was on the inside but he had a second chance now and he wasn't going to mess it up this time.
"I love you." Jax spoke
"I love you too."
And with that their lips met again.
"Hey darlin'" Gemma spoke from behind the desk as a greeting to Wendy.
Gemma couldn't help but smile at her. No one had missed the fact that Jax had been a little MIA recently. Gemma's first thought was Haley especially after he admitted that he was going to see Haley but when she asked, again Jax admitted that he had been spending time with Wendy and for that Gemma was grateful.
Wendy was a good girl. She knew her place, she would support Jax, support the club. She wouldn't be a distraction.
But Gemma's joy was short lived when Wendy took a seat opposite her and removed her oversized shades.
Her mascara was smudged, her eyes red. Clear signs that she had been crying. But as she continued to observe her she noticed that her leg was bouncing up and down, her eyes darting around the office.
She was strung out. Stupid bitch, was Gemma's first thought, her second thought was what had Jax done now.
"What's wrong baby?"
"Jax..."
"Well I gathered from the state of you it's Jax." Gemma stated matter of fact. "You two had a fight?" Wendy shook her head which confused Gemma. "What is it?"
"He told me he had to leave town for a bit, but I tried calling him, texting him but nothing. I know I'm not his Old Lady Gemma but I'm worried, I need to know if he is okay. I know he's doing club business, he told me to stay away from here for a bit, but I had to come Gemma. I love him and I'm worried."
Gemma leaned back in the chair she was sat in as she digested the information that Wendy had just told.
Jax was not on club business, he'd been here. Working in T/M attending church. So Gemma was curious as to why her son was lying to Wendy. And all she could think of was one reason. Haley.
She was pissed.
But she lent forward and rested her hand on Wendy's knee stopping it from bouncing.
"He's okay. It was club business but he's safe baby. And he'll be home any day now." Gemma watched a tear run down her cheek, but a smile finally grace her full lips. "You know the club. Sometimes our men need to do what they need to do. Your not an Old Lady, but you could be. You need to be strong Wendy. Jax loves you." She could see the shock on Wendy's face, which meant those words had not been uttered to her. She gave her knee a squeeze. "So go home, clean yourself up and be strong for when he returns."
Wendy wiped at her tear stained face. "Thank you Gemma."
The two women stood up and embraced each other in a hug before Wendy turned away and walked out on the lot.
She was going to kill Jax.
Haley packed the last of her things before taking her bag downstairs. Jax had left early and her grandmother had popped out to the store. She promised her grandmother that she wouldn't leave before she returned, she was insistent that they shared one last breakfast together but for that she needed fresh strawberries which she had forgotten to get from the store the day before.
Haley didn't mind waiting though in fact if she could delay her return to college a little longer she would.
Placing her bag in the hallway Haley was surprised by a knock at the door, but without hesitation she ran to the door and opened it, but that's when she got her biggest surprise.
"Gemma."
"Haley."
Gemma watched as Haley poured them a coffee. Gemma couldn't help but notice how much she looked like her mother. She couldn't help but smile at the thought, she missed Elsie, her best friend.
But as Haley moved her blonde curls over her shoulder she caught sight of red mark on her neck.
"That my son's handy work?" Haley looked at her confused, until Gemma pointed at her neck and Haley quickly moved her hair to cover the mark. She had noticed it herself this morning. She had tried to hide with concealer so her grandmother didn't see but clearly she hadn't done a good job.
"Look Gemma I know you hate me."
"Don't hate you sweetheart." And that was the truth, but Gemma was concerned.
"Then why are you here?"
"Told you before, I'm worried about my sons."
"Look Gemma I don't want to cause any trouble..."
"I know. I really think you believe that. But you do. Sugar?" Haley looked at her confused. "For the coffee."
"Oh." Haley grabbed the sugar and handed it to Gemma.
"Thanks." Haley watched as Gemma poured a large amount of sugar into her coffee before she spoke again. "You are still causing a rift between Jax and Sam."
"That's not my intention."
"But it's what's happening." Gemma spoke before taking a sip of her coffee. "You know they got into again."
"Why?" Haley asked confused. Jax hadn't told her this.
"You. Sam started it." Haley ran a hand through her hair.
"I don't want to hurt anyone Gemma, especially Sam or Jax. But Sam. Sam made his choice. We were over a long time ago. He shouldn't be fighting Jax over me."
"He obviously still cares for you."
"And I care for him but he has a child with someone else..."
"Yeah he does and I'm guessing it's a coincidence that my granddaughters name is Sophie."
Haley sighed. She too had been shocked when Sam told her the name of his daughter. She never had imagined that he would name his child after her grandmother. But it was gesture.
"You know my grandmother treated Sam and Jax like her own. Sam loves her." Gemma agreed with that. With their parents being vacant in there life, due to Gemma and Johns own family history, Sam and Jax never really spent time with their own grandparents so Sophie spoiled her sons just like she did Haley. "Look Sam hurt me Gemma and Jax, Jax was there for me. I can't explain it but I guess why Sam was breaking my hear I fell in love with his brother." Haley took a sip of her coffee before speaking again. "I know that's wrong and I know what happened to Jax was my fault but I never meant for any of this to happen. My Dad's statement, he...he was just..."
"Just trying to protect you." Gemma added.
"Yes which is why I understand why you're here. But this is between me, Jax and Sam, this is not your business."
Gemma was impressed by her boldness. Maybe it wasn't just her appearance that had grown up over the last 3 years.
"It's Wendy's business." Gemma watched for her reaction but was surprised when there wasn't one.
"I know all about Wendy."
Gemma was about to responded when both of their attention was brought drawn to the front door.
Sophie made her way into the house and into the kitchen to drop off her bags but she stopped when she saw that they had a visitor.
"Gemma."
"Sophie."
Haley walked over to Sophie grabbing the bags off her and placing them on the counter.
"Nice of you to visit. I'm making breakfast would you like to stay?" Sophie asked as her eyes darted between Gemma and Haley.
"Thanks for the offer, but I should get going."
Gemma got to her feet and grabbed her bag off the counter. She walked over to Haley and placed a kiss on her, ignoring Haley's reluctance.
As she walked out of the door to her car she heard her name called. Gemma slowly turned round.
"Sophie."
"Don't threaten my granddaughter Gemma." Gemma went to respond but Sophie cut her off. "To Elsie you were her best friend. When she moved to Charming I always remember her talking so fondly of you. Those kids have grown up together. They all love each other Gemma." Sophie noticed the frown. "Jax, Sam and Haley need to figure this out on their own."
Gemma nodded. "Thanks for the coffee." And with that Gemma got in her car and drove back to Charming.
