Chapter 2

I heard the familiar sound of Alvarez's road king pulling into the lot and my heart was in my mouth. I had managed to convince Andy to go and hang out with Coco in the trailer, with the promise that, if he behaved, Coco would show him the bikes.

I stood with my back against the bar, leaning back on my hands. Some of the guys had handed over to Vickie's place, leaving the prospect behind the bar. Bishop was talking quietly with Hank, until the door opened and Marcus Alvarez walked in. He was as intimidating as I remembered. Though not the tallest man in the world, his presence radiated power and commanded respect. Bishop stood up, embracing Marcus.

"Primo," Marcus greeted him.

"Padrino," Bishop exchanged. He gestured over to where I was standing and Marcus and I locked gazes.

"April," he greeted me politely, taking two steps towards me. "It's been a long time." Not nearly long enough, I thought.

"Marcus," I responded, nodding, but making no attempt to move. I could feel the anger building inside me the longer I stood in the same room as him. I never realised how much I blamed him, until this moment. I knew it wouldn't help anyone if I exploded at him, and the only thing that kept me from doing that was respect for Esai's memory.

"you're looking good, mija," he spoke gently, and though the term of endearment pissed me off, it occurred to me that he also showing Esai respect.

"Shall we sit?" Bishop asked, nodding towards Templo.

"Yeah, I think we'd better, Primo," Alvarez nodded and we all walked into Templo. I hesitated at the door but Bishop pulled out a chair for me.

"Thank you," I murmured, sitting across rom Marcus. He lit a cigar, taking a drag.

"Bishop tells me he met a new member of our family today," Marcus started, "one I didn't know about." His gaze was intense, but not necessarily angry. I sighed, folding my legs and clasping my hands together.

"I don't want a problem here, Marcus. You've never liked me, you made that perfectly clear on a number of occasions. But keeping Andy safe, away from this life, is not about you and me. It never was. I could've left earlier, but I didn't. It has always been about doing the right thing by my son and doing what Esai asked me to," I said bluntly, staring him out. I wasn't going to tiptoe around him, no matter how intimidating he seemed at times.

"My son would never have hidden his family from me," Marcus challenged me and I scoffed.

"Just like how a father would never sign off on a hit against his firstborn, right?" I spat, my temper getting the better of me. Marcus' eyes widened at the statement and Bishop spoke to me in a low tone.

"April," he warned me, his tone authoritative, but Marcus shook his head at him.

"Let her speak," he said. "What do you think you know?" His voice was quiet and dangerous. I fought the urge the shrink back into my chair.

"Only what Esai told me that day." I whispered. Tears clouded my vision as I recalled the memory of the last time I saw him. "He knew about Andy, we had known for a couple of weeks. Esai was so proud to become a dad, but he was torn. He loved the club, always did, but he had created a new family that he wanted to protect. He knew you didn't approve of me, but what we had was real. He even talked about getting out, but we both knew it wasn't really an option. The club was a part of him and I loved him for exactly who he was.

"When he came to my work that day, he was a mess. He knew he had fucked up, though he didn't give me the details. He just kept saying that the score would need to be settled, and what kind of man would he be if he let a brother pay the price for his mistake. I remember him saying that you would do what's right by the club and he would respect whatever choice you made. He said no matter what, it would be ok because his family was in good hands. In my hands. I begged him not to meet you that day. But he asked me if a man who couldn't take responsibility for his actions could make a good father. He said our child deserved the world, and he never wanted to be a father his child would be ashamed of, just as he was never ashamed of you. He made me promise that I would protect our child from this same struggle, so they would never have to grow up choosing between their obligation to family and the ones they loved. He knew he was going to his death… but he went anyway, out of respect for you." By the time I was finished, my tears were rolling freely and even Marcus' eyes were shining.

"I'm sorry," he spoke finally and I looked at him in shock. The pain in his eyes was almost too much to bear. "I loved my son and he was right, the debt had to be paid. But I didn't know I was taking the life of your boy's father away. I was younger… I made different choices then. Had I known, things may have been different."

"What happened is not my fault," I hissed, thinking he was trying to blame Esai's death on the fact we hadn't told him about me being pregnant. Marcus shook his head at me.

"That's not what I meant," he explained. "Esai's death… is on me. I will always carry the weight of that decision. All I meant to explain is… times have changed. The club has changed. Nothing like that will ever happen again. I loved my son."

"You may have loved him, but you didn't love him enough. A parent should go to any length for their child," I replied cuttingly. I knew I should tread carefully with my words, but I couldn't comprehend any situation in which I would allow my son to be harmed. I would sooner die.

Marcus smiled at me, throwing me off guard.

"Now I finally see it," he said, and I raised my eyebrow questioningly at me. "The woman my son loved. Why he loved you and why he trusted you to take care of his son without him." I looked at him suspiciously, but he seemed sincere. He leaned forward suddenly.

"Look mija. I know we haven't seen eye to eye in the past and that is my mistake. I know you think I hate you… but it simply isn't true. You and Esai were young and all that mattered to me at the time was what was right for my club. I stopped paying attention to my family, and I missed what was between you. I'm old now… I've been around the block more times than you can count. I failed Esai. I don't want to make the same mistake and fail you and my grandson. Can you meet me halfway?" I knew he had to be swallowing a lot of pride, admitting all that. I knew he meant it, in his own way and, despite my reservations, I was here for Andy. He deserved a chance to know his family.

"If I do this," I started, " if I let you near my son, I want to make something perfectly clear. What happened with Esai will never happen again. Alejandro should be the most precious thing in your life and, if you're not willing to take a bullet before he gets so much as a papercut, I don't want you in his life. Do you understand?" I could feel the tension in the air. I knew Marcus wasn't used to people speaking to him the way I was, and I knew he wouldn't be appreciating it, but I stood my ground. He killed the love of my love and I would never allow him to hurt my son.

"I understand you perfectly, princesa," he responded warmly for a moment, before his gaze turned ice cold, "now let me make myself perfectly clear. I have allowed you to speak to me the way you have tonight because you are the mother of my grandson and all of your anger comes from the love you had for my son.

"But it's buried here. Today. You are a great mother and I am allowing you to call the shots out of respect for Esai's wishes. But remember whose table you're sitting at and don't ever forget who you're speaking to." I heard the threat clear in his voice, but I wasn't afraid. I knew I had overstepped my bounds and he was just shifting things back into place. By allowing me to air my grief, I felt lighter than I had in years. It allowed my walls against him to come down slightly. The strength in his demeanour comforted me, in an odd way. Maybe I finally had some closure.

I nodded, accepting my reprimand and he smiled.

"So, can I meet my nieto?" He asked and I nodded.

"He's in the trailer with Coco," I explained, "He's hoping to be shown the bikes." Marcus' eyes warmed at that and together we all left Templo and went into the lot.

I found Andy on the steps outside, talking to Coco and Gilly. He stopped talking when he spotted me, running over, grinning.

"Ma, Coco said he'll take me for a ride if you'll let me," he said excitedly, and I mentally cursed Coco. "Can I go? Please?" I looked over at Coco, who immediately looked sheepish.

"We'll see," I told him making no promises. "First, there's someone I want you to meet." Andy turned and saw Marcus standing next to me, watching our interaction unfold.

"Andy, this is your Abuelo," I said quietly. "Marcus, this is Alejandro." Marcus smiled, kneeling down to Andy's level.

"It's very nice to meet you Alejandro," he said, holding his hand out. Andy just looked at him in wonder, his head tilted to the side, taking it all in.

"It's Andy," he finally said, "Mom only calls me Alejandro when I'm in trouble… am I still in trouble?" He grinned at the thought, babbling more to himself than anyone else. He looked at Alvarez again. "You're really my Abuelo?" He asked, looking between me and Marcus for confirmation. I smiled at him, nodding, which is all it took for him to bat Marcus' hand away and hug him tightly. Marcus laughed, seeming surprised for a moment, before embracing him, closing his eyes. When he opened them, they were shining with tears. After a few moments he pulled back, looking Andy up and down.

"You look like your dad," he said, smiling softly. Andy grinned.

"That's what ma always says," he laughed, and then grew suddenly serious. "My dad's not here… ma said he had to go away for his club. Does that mean you'll have to go away too?" He asked, looking at the labels on Marcus' kutte. Marcus put his hand on Andy's shoulder.

"No son," he told him firmly, "we're not ever going away. We're your family. Your mom has taken real good care of you… and now we can all be together." He looked up at me as he said it, and though it was the biggest risk I'd ever have to take, I nodded.

"Cool," Andy replied, beaming. "Can I go on the bikes now?" All of the guys laughed at how quickly he got distracted and I rolled my eyes dramatically, though inside my heart was thumping. I had never let him on a bike before; there was no one I trusted him with.

For the first time, I looked at Marcus for the lead. I felt that Andy's first ride rightly should have been with Esai and, as Esai wasn't here, that responsibility then fell with Marcus. We were just starting to build a relationship back up, and I didn't want to disrespect him. Marcus surprised me by shrugging.

"It's your call, mija," he said calmly. "I'm not precious about it. If you don't want him riding…"

"Aww ma, please?" Andy begged again, frowning at Marcus for not instantly backing him up. I looked over at Coco, who was sitting by his bike quietly, resting against it as he smoked a cigarette. He was watching me curiously, but didn't seem offended at my apprehension. Our eyes met for a few seconds, but it's all it took for me to make up my mind.

"Ok," I relented, smiling when Andy whooped and punched the air. Coco smiled crookedly and stood up, grabbing his spare helmet and securing it tightly to Andy's head, before helping him on the bike. He looked at me before getting on.

"I'll keep him safe, princesa," he vowed, and despite not knowing him, I believed him. I nodded, leaning down to kiss Andy on the cheek.

"Go slow," I warned Coco, poking him in the chest and making him laugh. Andy whooped again as Coco backed up and sped out of the lot. My heart was thudding when I felt an arm around my shoulders.

"You did real good today, sweetheart," Bishop told me, pulling me close. "Esai would be proud."

"Thank you Bishop," I whispered, "for welcoming us." He tutted.

"You're familia. You're always welcome," he frowned at me, willing me to believe it.

"Coco is a good man, he'll take care of Andy," Marcus said, coming up to both of us. "He's a credit to you, mija." I smiled at him.

"I thought maybe you would've wanted to take him…" I said quietly, but Marcus shook his head.

"I lost that privilege 11 years ago," he told me, regret strong in his voice. I surprised myself by reaching out to him, and putting my arms around him.

"It's time we forget the past," I whispered. "I want Andy to enjoy the future." He hugged me back gently.

"Then I think we all deserve a drink," he winked and I laughed, walking with the president and the god father, back to the clubhouse.

A/N: Guys I need your help. Should this be an AprilxEZ fic or an AprilxCoco fic? Let me know because I'm torn!