Finding Happiness Ch. 34
Luna was sitting on the bed, her hair wet from her shower, while she felt a 100x better, her body was still exhausted from the emotional roller coaster that's she's been on since last night. Knowing that Jax told them to head to the clubhouse she needed to get her ass in gear. Taking the towel off her body she wrapped it around her hair. Opening the closet, she found her backpack and started taking things that she needed to complete her task, pulling on her panties, and bra, she grabbed the jeans and the black tank top that was in there. Putting on deodorant, she dressed quickly and put on some fresh socks and her sneakers. Balling up her dirty clothes, she left the room and headed towards the laundry room, "Gem, do you have anything to put in the washer?"
Hearing a Yeah, she knew that Gemma would bring something, dropping her clothes, and Jax's hoodie, as she was putting in the detergent, Gemma walked in with some jeans and shirts. Taking them from her hand, "Thanks. I'd hate to just wash 3 things."
Chuckling, "Yea. I appreciate you asking. Neeta just got here, you almost ready to head out?"
Nodding, "I think so, I just need to make a quick call the hospital, I need a few days." Taking the towel out of her hair, she tossed it in, and started the washer. Pulling her phone from her pocket she turned it on and headed out to the living room following behind Gemma.
"Sharon Davis."
"Hey Sharon, it's Luna Erikson."
"Oh," her voice dropped "How are you doing?"
"Not so good, I'm calling to let you know I need some time, I'm not going to be good to patients right now."
"I understand, take the time you need, I'll approve 7 days from now, if you need more, just let me know."
"Thank you. Sharon."
"Take care Luna, and if there's anything that you need, let us know."
"I will. Thanks again."
Gemma watched as she struggled to keep her voice level. It was hard to watch her friend suffer and not be able to take away the pain. All she could do is be there and give her love and support. "Ready baby?
Looking at her friend, she nodded, her eyes found Neeta sitting on the floor with Abel playing blocks. "Let me braid my hair, then I'm good." Dashing into the spare room, she grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair, after she was able to run it through without it getting caught, she started the process of putting in pigtails and braided them. Putting everything back into her bag, she headed to the bathroom quickly brushing her teeth, looking under the sink she found some hair gel, putting a little on the top to keep the fly aways down. Heading out the door, she walked up to Gemma who just finished getting herself dressed, "Ready."
Gemma smiled, while she could still see the sadness in her eyes, she was pushing through. "Let's go."
Making her way out the door, she stopped by Abel, "You be good for Neeta my love, or I'm not stealing anything from your daddy." Giving him a quick kiss, she heard him laugh as the door shut.
As they made their way down through town, Gemma couldn't help but feel calm, Luna was safe, and were she needed to be. Surrounded by her family. Hitting a stop light, she eyed Luna going through her text messages. "You know, when you ran off last night, you dropped that. Juice couldn't get into it. You paid close attention to his hacking lessons."
Tilting her head towards Gemma, "Seriously?" She couldn't control the laugh that escaped her lips. It felt good to laugh. Leaning back in the seat, "I'm sure at the time it wasn't so funny, and Juice was probably cursing my name." her voice still holding the joy.
Turning down the street towards the club, "Oh yea. I'm fairly certain he threated you once or twice."
Sighing a little bit, "I have a lot of apologizes. I plan on showing everyone I really am."
Gemma turned into the lot, she could see that the guys were sitting around outside, "I know baby. But for what it's worth, I think they understand. So, there's that."
Looking at the lot she could see they were all staring intently at the car, "I hope so."
Stepping out of the car, she could see everyone stare at her, it was a little unnerving, she felt that she was on display or something. But she knew it was coming from a place of concern. She waited by the car, waiting for Gemma, as soon as Gemma started off towards the guys, Luna fell in step behind her, it was new to her to feel so uncomfortable, but having your emotional and personal shit put on blast tended to do that.
Happy watched as she approached, he could see that she wasn't thrilled on being here, but like always she kept herself in check. Looking into her eyes he could see the misery that floated there.
Otto walked up to her first and pulled her into a deep bear hug. "Hey kid, you doing, OK?" he asked.
Wrapping her arms around him, "Yea Big man, I'm OK." Which wasn't a complete lie.
After that each member gave her a hug, she smiled and said her thanks, when Happy gave her a hug, she just felt weird, not that it wasn't nice, but it didn't feel like it use to.
Stepping back, she could see that come of the guys were watching their interactions like a Tela nova. Internally rolling her eyes, she knew that they weren't used to people being able to be OK after a break-up, but she was, and she wasn't going to cause anymore issues.
Her eyes found Jax, she could see his jaw was twitching. That was new, wanting to relieve some tension. Landing on Juice, "So, I hear I owe you a big an apology."
Juice perked up, "For what?" he asked.
Nudging him with her shoulder, "Seems like I took those computer lessons and ran with it, sorry about that."
The group couldn't help but laugh.
He pushed her bit, "That was fucking all wrong. You better fix that shit, incase I need to find your blonde ass again."
Nodding, "Deal." Looking around at the guys, "I'm sorry. I told Jax last night, and this morning, but I want to say it to you all, I'm sorry. I'll come to you before I go apeshit."
Otto pulled her close, "You better Kid. I think I can speak for most of us, we love you. And all the mushy shit."
Hearing them agree. She smiled. "Eww. Mushy shit. Gross." Laughing, "I love you all too."
When his mom told him that she was heading that way, he knew that he needed explain her new situation about Happy, but it was Otto saying that he would handle that. He asked why. Being told that he was too close to it, stopped him.
FLASHBACK
Sitting alone at the bar, Otto walked up to Jax, grabbing a beer on his way. "I'll tell her about the bi-laws." He stated.
Looking up Jax wasn't surprised that Otto would volunteer, Luna was like a daughter to him. "I know you would man, but it's my job."
"Normally yes, but you're too close to it." Taking sip of his beer, "If you want it to link up right, it can't look like you designed it that way. I'll handle it."
Jax stared at his brother. His eyes were wide. Before he could ask.
"No man, no one knows, well other than Gemma, but she can read minds." Standing up, "When we are within the group, just make it look like you're asking because I'm closest to her here." With that he headed outside.
Jax stared after him. He didn't even think about how it would have looked. Grateful that Otto would handle it. Now all he had to was convince her that he was worth the risk.
As he went outside, he looked at everyone sitting around the table, locking eyes with Otto, he got the nod. "Otto, when Luna gets here, would you explain to her what happened in CHURCH?"
Clay figured out quickly why he was doing it, but he wanted to protect his son, "Why Otto?" he asked.
Jax looked at him, "He's pretty much like her dad."
Chibs nodded, "Das tru, gud call Jackie Boy."
Jax looked around, "Is everyone good with that?" he asked.
A bunch of YES's went around. Jax felt some pressure be relieved off his chest. Thankful that no one objected.
END FLASHBACK
Otto looked down at Luna, "Kid, let's go for a walk." Extending his elbow, he watched as her eyes went big, but soon she complied. Walking her inside he looked at one of the sweet butts that was behind the bar. "OUT."
As she doubled timed it out the door, Luna looked up to her friend. "What's going on Otto?" she asked.
Leading her to the table. "So, we discussed in CHURCH what do to do about Happy." He watched as her face got red. Putting his hand over hers, "Relax, OK."
Taking a deep breath, she looked at him, she watched him. "Go on."
"There is a club bi-law, last night he violated it, so now, we voted, you are no longer under his claim, he doesn't have any rights to you, doesn't get to demand anything from you. From this point on, you keep your standing in the club, and if another brother wants to throw a claim on you, you have to agree to it publicly. It was put in place for the women of the club to make sure that if their old man failed them, they weren't completely powerless."
Her eyes were wide. "So, he can't just demand I take him back, and the club won't make me?" she asked.
"No. We won't. You still get the support from us, but no worries about him being a dick." He stated. Rubbing his beard, "This means if there is someone else within the club that you want to be with, you're not blacklisted so to speak."
This was a lot of information to process. "Wow. I don't know what to say but thank you." She was relieved, she was no longer beholden to him, and he couldn't take her family away. Looking at Otto, she could see that he was thinking again. "There's more?"
Laughing, "Always so perceptive. Yea. You're tattoo, you can keep it, or remove it's your choice, but anyone else you might see can't put his on you until the other's gone."
Tears immediately fell down her face, she tried really hard to wipe them away.
Otto thought he did something wrong, "Luna, if you want to work things out with Happy, you can do that to, everything from this point is yours to decide." Placing his hand on hers. He didn't understand the tears. "Help me out kid, what's wrong?"
She looked him in the eyes, "I'm not going to work anything out with Happy. I don't hate him, I even forgiven him, but I know that I'll never trust him again. If I was pregnant, I'd have the memory of my child's father telling me he didn't want it and throwing money at me to get rid of it. That's not something I can live with Otto." Taking a deep breath, she stood up, she watched as his face went from concern to confusion, she lifted her shirt, "It's already gone."
He was stunned. "When? Why?" he was so confused.
"I once asked Happy what happened to people that were no longer in good standing with the club, he explained that they had to remove all tattoo's or SAMCRO items, if they were caught with them, it would be burned or cut off. I treated Kyle Hobart before we got together, I didn't put it together until one night was looking at the Wall of Fame over there," she said pointing to the mug shots. She swallowed, "I didn't think that the club would do that to an Old Lady, but I wasn't going to find out. Luann actually solidified my decision to do it, she told me that Happy was telling everyone at the club that I wasn't his old lady, so," trying to hold back her tears, "Charlie took me to a friend that specializes in tattoo removal, he was there every session."
Otto was speechless. That was a decent sized tat, that had to have hurt, "Is that why every time I saw you, you were favoring that side?"
Nodding. "Yes."
Rubbing his face, "Why didn't you say anything to me?" he asked.
Shrugging, "I don't know, I figured that was a me and Happy thing, I didn't want to bring you or anyone into it."
Wow. He couldn't help but be impressed with her, she handled her shit with less drama than most men. "You're a special human. You know that right?"
"I'm not that special Otto." While she knew that she was loyal to those she loved, she was just raised that way. As they were talking, the sound of yelling brought them both out of the moment, she watched Otto double time it outside, she was hot on his heels.
Luna stayed behind Otto, just incase it was danger, but she kept her hand on the throwing dagger she kept in her belt. But a quick assessment she could see that Hale was talking to a very angry Gemma, Clay, and a livid Jax, who was being held back by Opie. For a moment she was worried that Hale figured out who did all that damage to the NORDS, but she wasn't stupid to leave prints, and the guys set it up to look like an inside job. Making her way over to him, she stood next to Gemma.
Hale felt for Jax he really did, "Jax, I know we aren't friends, I don't take any pleasure in this, but it's my job to delivery official documents," pulling out the manilla envelope, he handed them to him. "Just contact a lawyer." With that Hale stepped back and headed back to his truck.
Gemma was vibrating with anger, "I'm going to call Lowen." With that she took off towards her office.
Luna looked at Jax, she put her hand on his shoulder, "Is there anything I can do?" She had no idea what she could do, or what was going on, but she offered anyway.
Jax felt a warm hand on his shoulder, looking down he could see her big green eyes staring at him, "Go back in time and let Wendy die." Pushing the papers into her hand, "she's suing for custody."
Luna looked down at the paperwork, then back at Jax, she could see that he was torn. She stepped aside and let him walk back into the club. She knew he was going to be drinking soon. Looking around at the rest of their faces but locking in on Clay. "Nothing can happen to Wendy now, even an accident is going to look suspicious." With that she went to into the office with Gemma.
Tig looked after her as she shut the door in the office, "She's not wrong. Anything that may happen to her will come back to the club and put his custody hearing in jeopardy."
Everyone nodded their understanding.
Happy watched the door for a few minutes more, hoping that she would come out, but he knew that now that Abel's welfare was in jeopardy, she would stick close to Gemma. Tossing his cig on the floor he went inside to sit with Jax. He needed support.
Gemma threw the phone at the wall. Luna didn't move from her spot on the couch, she knew that nothing she could say would calm her down. Gemma grabbed a joint and lit it and took a deep hit, letting out the smoke, she turned her eyes towards Luna, "Lowen said she could have a legitimate case. I guess Wendy's lawyer sent it her a copy as well. She's given us a day or so to process and let her know if we want to fight or agree to the terms."
Luna read the paperwork again, "I can't believe she's filing for sole custody, saying that Abel doesn't have a stable environment. That kid has more love and attention than any kid I know." Leaning back, she knew that she could call Kevin, but he doesn't do family court.
Gemma was scared, "I don't know what to do here."
Standing up, Luna walked over to her friend, "Talk to Jax, and Clay. Go home together as a family and sit down and talk, give yourself the rest of today and tomorrow to decide. I'll have Otto or Tig take me home. Just let me grab my bag from your car, I'll come by tomorrow to grab my clothes."
Gemma stood up and gave her a hug, "OK, thanks baby. If you need anything come over. OK?"
Giving her friend a squeeze, "I will." Heading out the door, she didn't see anyone out on the lot, heading over to Gemma's car, she grabbed her bag from the backseat and headed inside. Looking around she could see that Jax was sitting at the bar having a few drinks, walking over to him, "I'm sorry. Gemma talked to the lawyer, she has a case, but you have 48hrs to respond. Give yourself that time to calm down so that you know how to proceed."
Jax turned towards her, "I will darling." Looking at her backpack, "You leaving?" he asked.
"Yea. I need to go home, and you need to sit with your mom and Clay to figure out what you should do. Whatever you choose Jax, I'm with you. I love that kid. I love you too." Turning towards Tig. "Can I get a ride home, please?"
Tig looked surprised, but nodded, "Sure doll." His eyes looked to Jax, who also had a look of surprise, getting the nod that it was OK, he extended his elbow, and walked her out to his bike.
Not taking long for them to reach her place, "Thanks for the ride, Tig. I appreciate it." Getting off his bike, she looked at him, "I need a favor."
Tig was surprised he didn't think she would ask that of him ever, "What's that doll?"
Letting out a long sigh, "When Kozik comes back into town, he's gonna be all over me, if you could help run interference on that I'd be very grateful." Now that she and Happy were officially off, and the bi-law was put in motion, it was only a matter of time before surfer boy got the wrong idea.
His eyes went wide, "Whatever you need doll. I'll let the other guys know too."
Giving him a hug, "Thanks Tig. I owe you."
Heading inside Luna prepared herself for the night, and headed to bed, she was heartbroken, first Charlie, now Abel. But sleep didn't happen. She sat up all night wondering what she could do to help, but knowing that she had no clue, but Rosen would.
Looking at the clock next to her bed, it read 7:06am, she got up and dressed, putting on pair of black slacks, and a business causal shirt. Checking herself in the mirror she looked professional, she couldn't walk into a lawyer wearing jeans and a tank.
It took about an hour to get there, but soon she was pulling into the parking lot. She could see a few cars already there, getting out of the truck she made her way into the office, getting up to the reception desk, "I'm here to see Ally Lowen please. Tell her I'm with SAMCRO."
Nodding the receptionist made a call, and a tall blonde walked out of the office, "This way please."
Taking a deep breath, Luna walked into the office, and sat down.
