Author's Note: Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and comments! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Jax and Alma are laying in bed in his dorm room. They are still in lockdown. It's midafternoon and the kids are out with his mom. So it left him and Alma some valued alone time. With the door locked and Alma's shirt raked up to under her breasts, Jax takes the time to admire her flat stomach as his hand lays atop of it. He can really soak in that they will be having another baby in the house. He barely thinks about the fact he is about to be promoted to Vice President. It pales in comparison to this news.
Though, as he tries to spot the small changes that pregnancy brings to Alma, he does disclose everything that has happened the past few days within the club. He brings up the general unease the guys feel about agreeing to sell to the Mayans despite their current deal with the Niners.
"You don't seem happy about it." Alma points out. Her small hands grab his and she contorts his fingers as she pleases. A small smile forms as boy of his kids do the same thing.
"It's less blood, but now the Niners won't be happy." It's like exchanging one enemy to make a new one.
Alma's teeth tug at her lips. "They have to understand that it's just business."
"We promised to never sell to the Mayans." He informs her. It was the one thing that gave them such an easy alliance. Now they will be selling guns to their enemies that will aide them in their ongoing turf war.
Jax doesn't want to talk of club business anymore. He shifts so that he is laying in between his wife's legs. His breath tickles her stomach. "When can we announce the news?"
"I'm 10 weeks." She informs him. "But I want to wait a little bit longer…"
"You're worried?"
"Cautious. After Kaylee…I'm just cautious." She informs him as she plays with his blonde hair.
Jax places a kiss to her flat stomach. He doesn't know how to ease her valid concerns, but it doesn't take away the joy he feels for the upcoming expansion of his family.
"I'm your old man," he whispers to his unborn child.
.
.
Jaxs' smile threatens to break his cheeks as he embraces Opie. He clutches his friend tight and thanks god that he sees it fit to keep his friend safe and alive in prison. He is even thankful Darby has not broken his deal.
He hates that his friend is stuck in prison for 5 years. But his friend is alive and that is all that matters.
"Oh hell, don't tell me you managed to knock Alma up again?" Opie guesses correctly.
Jax smiles brightly.
"Congratulations, bro."
"Thanks. Having the two is crazy enough, but three," Jax mutters.
"You got yourself a good family."
"The kids miss their Uncle Opie. Kaylee was upset she didn't have the picture she wanted me to give you done in time."
"I miss them. I miss all of them." Opie tells him tightly. "But what else is going on?"
Jax lets the conversation change. "Well, you are looking at your new Vice President."
"Get the fuck out of here."
"We're getting closer." Jax tells him. They are getting closer to achieving their childhood dreams of being head of the club.
"So new baby, promotion, what is the third thing we should be looking out for."
Jax chuckles. "I don't think the 3rd thing will be a good one."
Opie tugs at her his beard. "That sounds ominous."
"I painted a wall." Jax informs him.
Opie's eyebrows skyrocket. "What color?"
"Blue for the green. Had to be done. It looks better with the black." Killed an official for the Irish. For the money. They had to kill Brenan Hefner and they basically got a free shipment of guns.
"Someone helped."
"Yeah, but green isn't turning out to be my favorite. Doesn't look right. I covered the carpet and windows, but I'm not sure…"
"Well painting isn't our business."
"I know." They weren't hit man. But maybe it's the thought of new life has him having doubts about taking one.
"It's just the impending fatherhood." Opie cautions.
"Maybe."
.
.
It's funny that is isn't until Alma realizes she is pregnant that her house is incredibly small. It's then she notices how it's not just having two kids leave her tripping over toys, but the fact there is barely any room for them. Even after going through and having the kids decide what they wanted to keep or donate, she realizes a third baby would be a tight fit.
Alma loves her small home. It was hers and Jaxs'. They managed to make it their home. It is where she raised her babies. She doesn't want to give it up. She thinks maybe they could add to the house.
She knows Jax would contemplate it although ultimately deciding it would be better off just to buy a new one. She thinks she could manage him to at least add a room. She imagines it would be cheaper.
She just doesn't want to give this up. She is attached to this house after all the work and love she has put into it.
She smiles as with her being pregnant she knows she can convince Jax of nearly anything. They would be keeping the house. She stands in front of her bedroom mirror and lifts up her shirt. Before Jax had left to head to Chino to see Opie, the doctor had confirmed she was two months and a couple weeks to entering the 3rd month. She turns to the side and she doesn't really expect to see anything. She just looks bloated. But it's all the evidence she needs to be extremely giddy about the pregnancy.
She's worried, of course, but it doesn't stop the happiness at the thought of her and Jax bringing another child into the world. She doesn't care if it's a boy or girl. She just wants a healthy baby.
A knock at the door startles. She drops her shirt and thinks it's Gemma. She has the kids. She doesn't know why she would knock, but she doesn't think too hard on it. She walks to the door and expects the whirlwind of her children, but her body freezes at the sight of Agent Stahl standing at her doorstep.
"Mrs. Teller –"
"Agent Stahl, how can I help you?"
The tall blonde smiles at her. "I was just wondering where I could find your husband."
Alma folds her arms across her chest. "I bet if you looked hard enough you could find him."
"True, but actually I'm more interested in you and your family history."
"Don't know why? I'm not that much fun."
Stahl chuckles at her. "I think dad would've had a problem with the Prince knocking up his daughter at 16."
"This is old history, Stahl. The only person you could piss off with that knowledge is my mother. So tell me why you are here?"
Stahl quickly drops her charade and digs a photo out of her bag. "You recognize this man?"
Alma looks at a picture of an older gentleman. He looks like an average white man who could be anyone. "No, should I?"
"His name is Cameron Hayes. IRA. He is a known terrorist who've we managed to track down in the Northern California area."
"What does this have to do with me and my family?"
Stahl smirks. "A port commissioner was murdered a couple weeks ago. Rumored to piss off the IRA. Wondered if some friends helped with that."
"Speculations don't add to a warrant. If you appear on my doorstep one more time without one, I will call your superiors for harassment."
"Gemma trains them well." Stahl muses.
Alma keeps a blank face as Stahl walks back to her unmarked vehicle. It's only her luck that Gemma pulls up into her driveway and Stahl even has the nerve to wave at the biker matriarch. Alma assumes the two women have already encountered each other.
Alma steps down from the steps and goes to Gemma's Escalade to help unbuckle the kids.
"Mama!" Kaylee exclaims from her carseat. Alma unbuckles her and holds her close as she presses a kiss to her head. "Did you have fun with Grandma?"
"Lots!" Kaylee exclaims as she wiggles to be let down. "Is Daddy home?"
"Not yet," She tells her daughter. Nathan doesn't need help out of the car as he grabs his bag and rushes back in the house. Kaylee rushes in after him.
She shakes her head and Gemma stands next to her. "What did Stahl want?"
"Just playing mind games." Alma says brushing off the encounter. She's been through this before.
"It's bullshit. They don't have anything." Gemma adds.
"It's all smoke going after the women, huh?" Alma knows the boys did something. She just doesn't want to dwell on it. She wants nothing to distract her from the pregnancy. She doesn't need the stress.
It's then that she gets a strong whiff of Gemmas' perfume that her stomach turns. It has her running to the closest garbage can, which is in the kitchen.
Fucking her morning sickness couldn't have come at a better time. She heaves and heaves until her throat burns something fierce. She groans and grimaces as she can smell her sour breath. She walks over to the sink to rinse her mouth out with some water. She needs a shower at this point.
"So?" Gemma questions. "The last time I seen you throw up was when you decided to decorate my rose garden when you were pregnant with Kaylee."
Alma takes another swish of the water. It seems the cat is out of the bag. She faces Gemma and wraps her arms around herself. "I'm two months along." She admits.
She watches as an ecstatic look overtakes Gemma's features. The biker matriarch embraces her in a tight hug. "Another grandbaby. Who would've thought. Why the hush hush?"
"I'm just worried."
"Sweetie –"
"I know." Alma says with a sigh. She knows worrying will make her pregnancy more stressful, but she can't help it.
"Everything will be fine."
.
.
.
It was quite easy to see that the wife of Opie Winston was the weakest link out of the few SAMCRO old ladies. Agent Stahl knows the recent single mother will crumble easily under the weight. Her intel had informed her how the small brunette had begun isolating herself from the inbred bikers. It was a rookie mistake and would leave the woman vulnerable.
Stahl seats at the wooden table with the angry brunette. A baby is sleeping in a bassinet in the living room with the oldest boy coloring. Stahl tries to at least feel pity for these kids.
"How are things going for you, Donna?"
"I'm pretty sure your notes already tell you how I am doing."
Stahl gives her a stiff smile. "You're smart, Donna. You can only see how SAMCRO is going to rip your family apart. It already has."
"My family is fine."
"And in five years…a lot can happen." Stahl tells her as she leans up. "Are you aware of the enemies that your husbands' motorcycle club has? Mayans, Nords…just to name a few are surrounding your husband right now."
"Are you threatening his safety?"
"I'm giving you the facts. Two kids, a single income…it is going to be hard to manage. You might fall behind on the mortgage or get in credit card debt."
"And what you can help me?"
"I can help your husband." Stahl tells her bluntly. "I can get him out this year and as a sign of good faith move him closer to home. Six hours is a long drive."
Donna snorts. "You really need to work on your sales pitch."
"We both know when Opie gets out he is going go back to the club…back to arson…or back to prison if he even makes it out of this sentence." Stahl tells her without any care. "If anything think about the two kids who will be without a father. They are more important than that club."
Donna stands up from the table. "I don't know shit about Opie's club business. And even if I did, I'd never rat on him. Get out of my house, bitch."
Stahl gives her a grim smile and doesn't need to be told twice. Her partner, Estevez follows her out the house.
"Well that went well." Estevez mutters.
Stahl chuckles. "No, it went perfectly well. She is going to run to Alma Teller. Means we got her rattled or doubting. We just need a crack."
.
.
.
To see Donna on her doorstep after weeks of silence and broken playdates with the kids has thrown Alma for a loop. Clearly the recent prison widow is struggling and Alma is glad to help. However, she can't help but feel this isn't just out of Donna's own doing. Something pushed her to try to mend the broken bridges she had been trying to burn.
Alma knows she won't be vindictive and turn her away. Ellie is sleeping peacefully and Kenny is glad to be back to playing with Nathan and Kaylee. It leaves the two women some privacy in the kitchen.
Alma has her own cup of green tea in front of her while Donna has a glass of water. Alma stares intently at the brunette and wonders when did they start to become strangers.
"What happened?" Alma asks softly.
Donna chews on her bottom lip as she picks at her fingernails. "A fed came by my house. Was trying to see if I knew anything about Opie's business."
Alma blows on her tea and nods her head. "Agent Stahl, I presume."
"She said she could get Opie closer to home and out in a year."
"They will say anything to get you to make a slip up Donna. That would only hurt Opie and your family." Alma replies.
Donna's brows furrow. "Opie is in jail that is hurting my family. This club hurts my family."
"You married into this Donna. You knew going into this what could happen."
Donna releases a bitter laugh. "So that excuses everything? I'm just supposed to accept the father of my children is a convicted felon."
The grip on her mug tightens. Alma knows she is treading on dangerous territory. She knows what she can say can push Donna in 20 different directions that can only hurt Opie. "If you talk to Stahl…you can get him killed, Donna."
Alma watches as the blood leaves Donna's face. Maybe, Alma shouldn't have said that, but she also believes Opie should've had this talk with her. It would make a lot of things easier.
"From who? The Mayans? Nords?" Donna hisses.
Alma's brows furrow and she assumes Stahl gave her those names. Alma thinks it is better for Donna to have that conclusion considering that Alma was talking about the club. Alma knows Jax would never let anything happen to Opie, but he was only one person. If Donna talked…
"From you. You coming here talking about giving a Fed information is gonna have him spun. He is going to be too focused about what is going to come out of your mouth than his safety in prison." Alma tells her honestly.
Donna releases a bitter laugh. "This can't be happening. I came here for a friend and I feel like I am talking to Gemma."
Alma takes a sip of her tea. "I don't know what you want me to say. I'm not going to encourage you to rat."
"Because your family is perfectly safe and fine right. Jax is still here. Who cares about Donna?"
"It isn't even like that." Alma snaps. "And the fact of the matter is one day I will probably be in your position or worse burying my fucking husband in an early grave. Don't forget I grew up in this shit, Donna. I lost my father to this life."
"And look where you are! Married to the fucking Vice President of the outlaw motorcycle club!" Donna roars. "What does that say about you, huh?"
"What's going on here?"
Both Donna and Alma jump at the sound of Jax's voice. His eyes are going back and forth between Donna and Alma. Alma can see his concern and agitation because the last thing she needs is stress during this pregnancy.
"Nothing," Donna spats. "I was just leaving."
Jax raises his eyebrow at the venom in her tone. He doesn't stop her from leaving as she picks up Ellie's carrier and interrupts Kenny playing with the kids to leave. She doesn't bother with a goodbye and even slams their door.
Alma moves from the table with her tea and places it in the sink. She hears Jax moving behind her and his arms wrap around her.
"Does the club need to be concerned?" He asks her softly.
"Stahl rattled her." Alma admits. "And I don't know what is going on in her head."
"Going after the women is a smart tactic especially ones that have the most to lose." Jax mutters to her.
She turns in his hold to peer into his blue eyes. "What is going on Jax? Don't tell me it's smoke because they wouldn't wait until after Opie's case and sentence to start digging into club business."
Jax pulls back some as he looks over her and sighs. His hands come up and caress her face. "I don't want you worrying about this shit."
"Don't use this pregnancy to keep me at length. Not telling me shit keeps me worried."
"A port commissioner was killed. He was the enemy of the Irish." He tells her and nothing else.
"Jax…" Alma knows there is more to the story. He isn't telling her everything and it burns.
"Babe, if it becomes something trust me I will let you know before shit hits the fan. Just focus on the little one, yeah." He tells her as he pulls her close and back into a tight hug.
Alma only nods her head against his chest.
.
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It was a close one Jax can admit. Luckily, with Unser on the payroll, it had been easy to sneak into the police to relay word to Luann about the Feds plan. Unfortunately, it meant Otto getting more infractions against him as he gave Stahl a busted nose and black eye. He hasn't yet told the club about Donna's visit to Alma or even Opie about his wife's doubts. He hopes now that he won't need too.
The club is in a good mood. It still hasn't settled in that he is now Vice President of his father's club. He has just gotten through his first, but many waves of heat the club will always get. He didn't fuck it up and that is a plus. He smiles as he spots Alma at the bar. The new Prospect, Half Sack, is keeping her company.
God, his wife is beautiful and he knows he is a lucky bastard. He glances over to the portrait of her father. Sometimes, he wonders how he would've handled knowing he had gotten her pregnant and married her. Jax knows for sure he would've gotten his ass handed to him. Though he hopes the man is at least comforted in the fact he is taking care of her. He knows he treats Alma thousand times better than her father ever treated Ana.
Jax makes his way to his wife and wraps his arms around her. She laughs at the affection, but she melts into the hold.
"Miss me, baby?" She questions.
"All the damn time," he admits as Half Sack slides a beer to him.
Alma smiles as she sips her cranberry juice. He moves to her side and is practically hovering over her. She doesn't seem to mind. "I think we should tell people."
"Now?"
He nods his head. "You're closer to four months now. If you weren't wearing loose sweaters people would know by now anyways."
Jax can see her hesitation. He watches as the gears turn in her head. He doesn't like it. His fingers pinch her chin bringing her back to him as he places soft delicate kisses on her lips. "It'll be okay."
Alma relaxes in his hold and she nods her head. A small smile pulls at her full lips. He slams his beer back before he pulls his beer close.
With his right hand he brings his fingers up to his mouth a whistle gathering everyone's attention.
"Listen up, I got something to tell yall." He shouts. All eyes are on him. Curious as they look between him and Alma. He smiles wide. "I got another kid on the way."
The club roars and he gives Alma a deep kiss before his brothers tackle him with hard slaps on his back in form of congratulation.
.
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It was hard saying goodbye to their old house. Due to Alma's heightened emotions, they didn't sell the house, but decided to tackle being landlords. Alma just could not give up their former home.
The new home was a massive upgrade that Jax didn't really care showed off the perks from his lifestyle. The European inspired home was 6 bedrooms with a 4 car garage. An in ground pool in the backyard.
To welcome them into the home there were massive columns and arched windows over the front door. From the foyer it featured two circular staircases leading to the balcony that overlooked the Formal living room.
The kitchen included a prep island, a walk in pantry, and a a 6-person eat-at peninsula bar. Leaving the kitchen it opened into the breakfast room and family room, which featured curved wall of windows. It also included a fireplace and directly across from there they had a covered porch.
Like the family, the master suite also had a curved wall of windows and Jax and Alma were treated to their own private covered porch. Their master bathroom had a corner glass shower, a whirlpool tub, and walk in closets for him and her.
The hallway from the foyer leads to the spacious game room, large home theater and guest room with private bath.
The second floor of the house, which basically belonged to the kids, included 4 additional bedroom suites each with a private bath.
It was a beautiful home.
Jax smiles as he brings his arms around his wife and caresses her bump. Alma pregnant is his favorite site in the world. He presses a kiss to her cheek as she giggles.
"It is so big, Jax." She whispers as they watch the Prospect being ordered by Kaylee where boxes are going.
"Nothing but the best for my family."
Alma turns in his arms. Her bump pressed against his stomach. Her brown eyes are glowing. "I love you."
"I hope so. Being married to you aint cheap."
Alma scoffs as she slaps him in the stomach. "It's cheaper to keep me. You remember that."
Jax smirks and he gives his wife an Eskimo kiss. "So no Kobe rings could ever help me out in the future."
"Are you purposely trying to irritate your pregnant wife?"
"Maybe." Jax quips as he presses a kiss to her lips.
"You're a jerk."
"I'll give her a full body massage later, yeah."
"You promise?"
"Of course, darlin'." He promises as the doorbell rings. "I'll get that. You should be sitting somewhere. Direct from the couch."
"I'm perfectly capable of standing," he hears Alma mutter to his back.
Jax doesn't bother checking the windows to see who is at the door. He thinks it is probably his brothers wanting to see where there new place to freeload is.
He swings the door open and his good mood is instantly soured by the presence of Agent Stahl. "Can I help you?"
Stahl opens her mouth, but she is interrupted the sound of his kids laughing behind him and Kaylee saddles up to his leg.
"Daddy! You missed it. Half Sack –" She stops as she looks at the group of suits at their door.
"What's going on, Dad?" Nathan asks as he too looks at the people on his steps.
Jax manages to keep a straight face as he picks up Kaylee and presses a kiss to her head before setting her back down next to Nathan. "Go to your mom."
Nathan's eye widen at his words. "Dad –"
"Go now," Jax orders.
No one is prepared for Kaylee to scream for her mother making all of them jump. They are all frozen when Kaylee attempts to close the door on the agents. "You're not taking my Daddy!" She screams before latching onto her father tightly.
"Jax – "Stahl begins.
"Don't do this now," he says between clenched teeth.
"Is your wife home?" Stahl asks instead.
Her question is answered as Alma appears confused. "What is going on?" Half Sack is behind her.
"Mrs. Teller, you need to take your daughter." Stahl says.
"What are you doing here?"
"I really wouldn't like to do this in front of your kids."
"Sack, take her," Jax orders.
The Prospect comes over and with a tight grip pries Kaylee away from him. Jax forces himself not to watch as his daughter's screams and cries echo throughout the house.
He presses a kiss to Alma, who is standing in shock as realization dawns on her. "I love you. Call my mom."
He hugs his son real quick. "You take care of your mom and your sister and the little one."
Jax walks away from his family.
He stands in front of Stahl as an agent with cuffs walks behind him.
"Jackson Teller, you're under arrest for the murder of Brenan Hefner. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." Stahl says as she begins leading him to the unmarked car.
He is silent as he walks to the car. He doesn't resist as they push him in the backseat.
He doesn't want to look at his family as he is whisked away. But as the car pulls out of his driveway, he looks back as Nathan begins screaming for him.
Alma stands behind their son who has turned in her arms. His tears staining her swollen belly.
.
.
.
Sometimes, Alma hates the club. She hates the hierarchy it upholds. She hates that her husband is in jail. Right now, she thinks she may even hate Clay Morrow. It wasn't as if she was a fragile newlywed. She had grown up in this shit. He was beating around the bush and not giving her a straight fucking answer on as to why her kids had to witness their father being arrested.
"I know you're upset –"
"I'm fucking pissed!" Alma snaps at her father in law.
Clay purses his lips in displeasure as Gemma even keeps her lips shut as she massages his hands at their dining room table.
Clay knows he is in a tricky spot. For one, he isn't in the chapel and his status as President doesn't matter right now. Right now he has his son's wife demanding answer because now club business is bleeding into family business.
He isn't about to open his mouth because he doesn't know what Jax wants Alma to even know. At the same time, he doesn't want to get taken out by some pregnant broad. He has dodged bullets from soldiers and rivals; his life isn't coming to an end due to an angry pregnant woman.
"Alma, jail time is always a risk for what we do." He says lowly. He can see the steam rushing out of her ears.
"To be fucking patronizing. I want to know what the fuck he did." Alma seethes. "I have that right." She knows it is a murder charge, but she wants the details.
"Alma, you need to calm down," Gemma says finally speaking up as she watched Alma cradle her stomach. "This isn't good for the baby."
Alma snorts. "That bitch arrested him in front of the kids."
Alma doesn't know why, but the tears just pour out of her eyes. She knows she couldn't shelter her kids forever. She knew this day would come where her and Jax would need to explain their world. She just never wanted her kids to witness their father being taken away in handcuffs.
Alma collapses in a chair as the tears don't stop. Gemma moves u from the table to comfort her. They all think it is better for Alma to break down now than later. She can do it now and leave the house strong for her family.
"We'll figure this out," Clay promises over the tears.
.
.
.
Clay is annoyed and pissed. That ATF bitch is blocking all attempts of making contact with Jax. The only thing they know is that he is being charged for the hit they done for the Irish. He is more concern how in the hell there was a witness. He looks at Tig and Bobby, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.
"How's Alma?" Bobby asks.
Clay leans back into his chair and sighs. "Pissed once she was able to read over the charges fully and the penalties. I thought you guys said it was clear?" He asks with more bite than he intends.
"It was, Clay," Tig assures. "Easiest hit ever. Besides, Bobby and I were there. Wouldn't they arrest us too?"
Clay sighs. He doesn't know what game that ATF gash is playing.
"I don't think it needs to be said, Jax ain't gonna rat…so how in the hell are we gonna get him protection?" Bobby says speaking up.
Clay runs a hand through his hair. The last thing he wants is to ask the Nords for more help. "What we need to do is find the rat." Clay tells them.
"Serious allegation, Clay," Bobby cautions.
"No shit, but how in the hell do you explain someone identifying Jax as the shooter?"
Both men turn silent.
"Something ain't right about this." Clay mutters.
.
.
"You need to calm down," Gemma orders as she watches Alma pace in the kitchen of the unpacked home. Boxes are still closed and Gemma guesses Jax's recent arrest has made her neglect certain things.
Most importantly, Gemma is just worried about the health of her unborn grandchild.
"I fucking can't." Alma tells her. "We just bought this house. I don't work. How in the fuck am I going to support three kids on no salary?"
Gemma frowns. "You know that you don't need to worry about that."
"That is not the point." Alma stresses. Alma wants to scream in frustration at being in this situation. She knows after this baby comes she is going to make some major changes in her life.
Gemma purses her lips together. She wants to snap and tell Alma that she needs to get her shit together. It is just a stark contrast to how Alma is usually calm and reserved. It makes Gemma wonder how much Alma buries or this is literally pregnancy emotions that can't let her even allow to comprehend one emotion to latch onto.
"How about we take things week by week, or better yet focus on that baby in your belly. Let the club worry about Jax." Gemma advises.
Alma takes a calming breath as she places a hand on her prominent belly. It's a tense and uncomfortable silence that Gemma isn't used to being on the receiving end of. Gemma almost jumps when fat tears escape Alma's eyes. She watches as the tears splash against the woman's cheeks and stain against her shirt.
Gemma doesn't exactly know what is stopping her from consoling her daughter in law. She is almost embarrassed when Nathan comes in and sees the state of his mother.
Nathan rushes over to his mother. "Mom, what's wrong?" He asks as his arms wrap around her as much as they can. "It's going to be okay, Mom." Nathan whispers.
Alma opens her arms and embraces her oldest child.
Alma's eyes meet Gemma's. The tears stop coming.
.
.
The only good part about being locked up in Federal custody is that he isn't in the general population. He is isolated and the food isn't' that shitty. He doesn't need to try and make friends, which could mess up his standing and getting a deal. So he is not complaining or making a fuss too much and the last thing he wants is to give Alma added stress.
And after two days of nothing, the agents were finally dragging him to the visitation room. He sits quietly before Stahl comes through the door with her manila envelope.
She doesn't bother with a greeting as she takes a sit opposite him. "You killed a state official, Jax. The U.S. Attorney will seek the death penalty."
"I didn't kill anybody." Jax tells her. "And if you have anything else to say, why don't you talk to my lawyer?"
Stahl smirks. "Well, if my witness statement is a lie... then maybe you should hear all of it, hmm?"
Jax smiles. "Yeah, I like a good story."
Stahl leans back in her chair as she opens her folder. "Hefner got spooked by seeing Bobby. He turned back to you. You jammed your gun in his sternum and fired four shots. Hefner fell. You and Bobby fled the balcony... and met up downstairs with Alexander Trager."
"Great fiction." Jax replies. Although in his mind, the wheels are turning. He knows Bobby and Tig would never rat, so someone had to be tailing them to know that.
"Eyewitness fiction." Stahl counters. "If you confess now, the attorney might go lenient. Maybe get you a better deal to maybe see your unborn child get married at least. Do you know what you're having?"
Jax clenches his jaw. "Are we done here?"
"Is there anything you would like me to tell your family? I know that she is due soon."
Jax doesn't bother with a reply.
"I would think about your family Jax. You're going to be doing years. I can't imagine a child only knowing their father in prison clothes."
.
.
Clay can feel the other parents glaring at him, but he doesn't fucking care. With Jax being in jail, Gemma handling the garage and family business, and Alma running errands to deal with the Jax's future sentence, Clay is on babysitting duty.
He is not really complaining. He loves being around his grandchildren. He loves every minutes being with them. Though now, the reason parents are glaring him, outside of him smoking his Cuban cigars, were the visitors he was getting at the playground.
Usually Clay does his best to separate his business from family life. He knows Alma will have his ass on a sling if he finds out he was handling business at a wooden picnic table. However, with Jax locked up, business needed to be handled and he needed to figure out how to make sure his son can come home on a reasonable time frame.
Clay looks over his shoulder to find his grandchildren causing havoc on the slides. He smiles before he almost drops his cigar at the site of Rosen. Usually, Lowen, Rosen's associate would get her fancy pumps dirty to deliver messages.
He knows it must be serious and for a minute he is scared shitless he is about to deliver the worst.
"Clay," Rosen greets as he reaches the table.
"Is it Jax?" Clay asks.
"Surprisingly, no," Rosen says as he sits opposite of him. "I got a message from Opie."
Clay's eyebrows skyrocket.
"I should say Lenny's lawyer reached out to me with a message from Opie." Rosen clarifies.
Clay doesn't even want to know how in the hell Opie managed to get a message to Lenny, who is in Stockton, from Chino.
"And how much are you charging me to deliver this message?" Clay quips.
Rosen doesn't banter as he looks at Clay in the eyes. "Opie says the Feds have gone to see him. A few times and even with the added threat to tack on more to his sentence."
"Why?"
"Apparently someone is talking to the Feds. Gave a detailed list to the Feds of a bunch of alleged crimes Opie and Jax partook in. I mean it's a lot of shit that goes back to their prospect years."
What the fuck.
"Is it just Opie and Jax?" Clay asks.
"He said there is some other shit that is more broad, but specifics are mostly him and Jax." Rosen tells him. "Now before you say anything damning, I'm gonna go. We never had this conversation."
Clay seethes as he watches Rosen walk away. Of all the things he expected to hear. There is a goddamn rat at the table. And he knows who the fuck it is. The goddamn fucking rat.
"Fucking Kyle…" Tig mutters.
"You put a goddamn tail on him." Clay seethes quietly. "Call Happy down here. Download him. Figure what Kyle's been up to."
"On it boss." Tig says as he pulls out his phone and walks away.
Clay regrets that he didn't see this coming. He failed as the President by not realizing the potential fallout of patching out Kyle.
"Grandpa! Push me on the swings, please!" Kaylee yells out.
Clay looks at his granddaughter. Her smile a carbon copy of Jax's.
Kyle won't be shone any type of mercy.
.
.
.
Alma finds it hard to sleep at night. It's not that she isn't tired. She is and the baby is sucking the life out of her. It is just that her mind won't stop. Her thoughts won't let her rest. It's not like she can exactly go to a therapist to talk about the shit she lives through.
But she knows she can't go on for long like this. She does need to think about her children. She believes if she wasn't pregnant her emotions wouldn't be as severe. She would be able to pull back and let things simmer. She would be able to wade through the water before finding a crystal clear path.
Besides, the last thing she needs is for Jax to be worrying about her. She needs to get it together. Nathan shouldn't have seen her crying like that. She feels awful that he had to comfort her. She should have shed her tears alone in her bedroom where the cold is prominent on Jax's side of the bed.
"Mommy?"
Alma turns from where she is sitting at her vanity. She finds Kaylee standing behind the door in her purple pajamas.
Alma smiles. "And what are you doing out of bed?"
Kaylee smiles sheepishly as she walks further into the room. Alma's heart breaks a little to think that her baby is about to five years old. It seems only yesterday she gave birth to her little girl. She was still changing her diapers. Now, she will be starting school.
"I couldn't sleep, Mommy," Kaylee replies. Kaylee stands in front of her mother. Her attention focused solely on the cosmetics and beauty items laid out.
"Couldn't sleep? And why is that?" Alma questions.
Kaylee gives her a mischievous smile. A smile that she knows that she inherited from Jax, Alma has seen that smile many times.
"You're very pretty, Mommy." Kaylee says with a blush. "I want to be pretty like you."
"You'll be prettier than me when you're older." Alma says as Kaylee plays with the brushes on the counter.
"Daddy says you are the most beautiful girl alive." Kaylee tells her.
"Did he?" Alma asks. She is at least grateful Jax's absence hasn't affected Kaylee's love and fond reminiscent of Jax.
Kaylee smiles. "Can I brush your hair, Mommy?"
"Of course. Let's move to the bed so you can reach me alright."
Kaylee beams and hastily gets on the bed. Alma moves to the edge and her little girl is eager to start brushing.
"Your hair is getting so long." Kaylee says as she runs the brush through her long dark locks.
"Do you think I should cut it?"
"We both can get haircuts!" Kaylee decides.
Alma laughs. "We'll see after the baby is born."
Kaylee brushes for a few more moments and then stops as she settles next to her mother. Her small hand is timid as she reaches out and places her palm against her protruding stomach.
"I'm sad." Kaylee announces.
Alma frowns as she wraps her arms around her daughter. "Why are you sad, Baby?"
"Because you're sad that Daddy isn't here."
"Kaylee," Alma says shakenly. Alma isn't even to sure how to respond to that.
"Do you think the baby will be sad?"
This Alma can answer. "No, the baby will happy. They will have you and Nathan as a big brother and sister. He'll be happy. And…Daddy will come home one day."
"You promise?" Kaylee asks her with wide brown eyes. Alma's heart almost breaks as she is reminded of a similar conversation she had with her own mother when her father went to prison. Her father never came home.
"How bout you sleep with Mommy tonight. I'll feel better when I wake up in the morning."
.
.
It's been a weird few days. Clay has been quiet on what's going on with Jax. Alma doesn't focus on it. Her main focus needs to be on her kids and she is just lucky her mom hasn't gone on a soapbox about her situation.
Besides, she promised the kids a camping trip in the backyard. She is sort of looking forward to it herself as she fills her cart up with marshmallows and chocolate. She wonders if she can borrow the Prospect to help. If anything it might be a vacation for him.
She is leaving the aisle when her cart almost hits someone.
"Sorry." Alma says apologizing.
"It's alright, Mrs. Teller."
Alma freezes at the sight of Stahl. "Agent Stahl, I would say it's been nice to see you."
Stahl presses her lips in a flat line. "Considering I am feeling generous, I would pick up tomorrow's paper."
"I think I would rather not."
Stahl licks her lips. "I mean you had to see this coming? This life you lead and if your husband would talk he might get to see his youngest graduate from high school."
"Screw you."
"Any bit of cooperation can help your husband."
Alma laughs bitterly. "If anything the very least you can let me talk to my husband."
Alma walks away from Stahl and goes to check out, but the skinny agent follows her. "You know I get it."
"Get what?"
"The struggle you must feel. Wanting to give her kids a good life and raise your kids with their father. But it's a fine line though right. You're about to be on the verge of repeating the cycle. After all, your father never came home from prison."
Alma whips around to look at Stahl. She almost can't believe the words that escaped the agents mouth.
Alma opens her mouth, but a pained gasp escapes her lips.
"Mrs. Teller, you okay?"
Alma feels her lower body tighten. She looks down between her legs and finds blood spreading.
.
.
Jax had been doing his daily workout routine when the grabs had come to his cell. Usually they make some smart aleck remark there would be some light hearted banter. Today, there was none of that. The men were quiet as they escorted him to the small visitation room. As he sat and waited for Stahl, he wonders what bullshit she was going to sprout on him.
He thought she would be up his ass the whole time during his stay, but she surprisingly left him alone.
He is waiting for a couple minutes before Stahl presents herself and he doesn't miss that the camera is turned off. She doesn't greet him. She walks stiffly to her seat. She has no papers. Nothing. She just sits and stares blankly at him.
"You got something you wanna say?" He asks breaking the silence.
Stahl looks at him blankly. Jax feels he isn't going to like what is going to come out of her mouth. That is the usual feeling with her, but this time something is extremely off. Something is wrong.
She clears her throat. "I wanted to give you this news in person."
Jax leans back in his chair. "Well, that don't sound good."
Stahl chews on her bottom lip before she sits up straighter and looks him in the eyes. She folds her hands across the table top. "Your wife, Alma, she's in the hospital."
Jax's spine stiffens. "What are you talkin' about?"
"She had a miscarriage. I can't tell you what exactly went wrong, but it was a close call for her. She lost a lot of blood."
Jax doesn't say anything as he looks up at the ceiling. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breathe. "You make it sound like you were there."
"I was the one to call the ambulance. She was at the store when it happened." Stahl reveals to him. "There was a witness who fingered you. We also got some corroborating statements from Kyle Hobart about past crimes."
"Why are you tellin' me this?"
"We'll be charging you with Hefner's murder. U.S. Attorney will seek the death penalty. I guess I'm feeling guilty about the pain your wife and children will go through."
Jax shakes his head. "I'm surprised you feel anything."
Stahl stands up. "He was a boy, by the way. I'm sorry for your loss."
Stahl leaves the visiting room. Jax doesn't even wait to be taken back to his room as he breaks down in tears.