I know, I know, it has literally been forever and a day since I have uploaded. I am so sorry about that. Due to the pandemic we are currently experiencing and with me working in a pharmacy, best believe it is impossible to take time out of my day to sit and just write. Today, I was able to do just that and the idea of it makes me so damn excited! I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. I also hope this will be a nice little escape from the madness we are all dealing on a day to day basis. Enjoy!

With our perfect new addition in tow, the four of us left the hospital on cloud ten.

I can't even say the feeling resonates on cloud nine because that location does not seem to match what we are all feeling right now.

I allowed my head to fall back on the seat and closed my eyes soon after.

I could hear Landon stirring in his car seat while an extremely chatty Abel went on and on about all the things he plans to do with him once we all get home.

I felt the truck soon come to a complete stop which caused me to open my eyes.

"I got Landon," Jax stated as he undid his seatbelt.

"I got Abel," I smiled, recieving a wink from my husband in return.

With Abel's hand in mine, we reached the front door first.

Jax was soon behind me with the carseat in his left hand.

I quickly unlocked the front door, pushing it open all the way with a swift shift from my hip.

"Go get into your pajamas and brush your teeth, baby. It's way past your bedtime," I told Abel before letting go of his hand.

"I'm not tired," Abel whined, releasing a yawn immediately after his reply.

"I beg to differ," I chuckled as I ran my fingers through his blonde locks.

"Listen to your mom, buddy. We'll be there to tuck you in right after okay?"

"Okay," Abel answered and dropped his head in defeat, dramatically dragging his feet down the carpeted hallway to his bedroom.

Jax moved closer to me with a huge smile planted on his face.

"What's that smile for?", I asked with furrowed brows while my fingers played with the end of his growing beard.

"And I want you to go into the guest room, darlin'. I have a suprise for you," he stated before giving me a kiss on the lips.

I didn't need to see my reflection in that moment to know my face lit up like a god damn Christmas tree.

"A suprise? Say no more."

I sprinted to the guest room and opened the door, soaking in the sight before me.

I stumbled backward, feeling myself back right into Jax, who now had Landon in his arms.

I looked up at my husband with wide eyes and both hands pressed against the sides of my face.

"Baby..when..how.."

"Well, during one of your many costume changes at the cabin, I went through your phone and got look at what you wanted Landon's room to look like. I sent the pics to the prospects and I put them to work while we were at the hospital."

This man.

This man right here brought my Pintrest inspirations to life.

Thank god for Pintrest by the way.

Anyway, back to what I was about to say.

I didn't just want to do the standard blue tones for Landon's room.

I really really( and I can't say really enough) wanted to created a Monsters Inc. themed nursery.

And, here it was.

Right in front of me.

The decor displayed on the walls, bedding, even the mobile over Landon's crib fit my vision.

"I would have had them done more such as paint the walls..", Jax added as he watched Mel move around the room to inspect each and every product.

I turned away from the crib and smiled.

"Baby, don't you start being hard on yourself. It's perfect. I love it and I know he will too," I reassured him as I made my way over to him and Landon who was still fast asleep.

Once I was close enough, I stood on the tops of my toes to kiss him.

He immediately lowered his head, meeting me the rest of a way for a much deserved kiss.

"I owe you and the prospects big time for doing this," I stated as our lips parted from one another.

"Just as long as you don't pay them back the same way you will pay me back, then I'm good," he teased.

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Never. This is all yours Teller."

Before Jax could respond, Abel was in the doorway, making his presence be known.

"Can I sleep in here with Landon tonight?", he asked with his blanket and pillows under each arm.

Jax and I exchanged glances.

Jax carefully handed me Landon who began to stir once the transfer was complete.

He bent down in front of Abel, taking his pillow and blankets from his full arms.

"Mom and I are cool with it, but you need to know that Landon will cry alot. He's only a baby and can't tell us what he wants like me and you can."

"I know babies cry, dad. I'm not dumb."

"I know you're not, buddy. But, you can't say I didn't warn you."

Abel threw himself into his father's arms, nearly knocking Jax backwards.

After he left Jax's embrace, he came over to me, hugging my waist.

"Good night mommy."

"Good night handsome," I replied, gently touching the side of his face with my free hand.

Jax set up the day bed for Abel to sleep on as I changed Landon's diaper and outfit.

Our little one was a trooper.

He didn't cry once while I performed such tasks.

I knew that wouldn't stick, but you gotta appreciate the moments when it does.

I moved him away from my chest, reluctant to let him go.

That feeling brings me back to when Abel was this small.

His hazel eyes watched me as I turned the dial on his mobile before falling closed.

I moved away from the crib and headed over to Abel and Jax took my spot next to the crib.

"Goodnight. I love you," I smiled, leaning forward to kiss a tucked in Abel on the forehead.

"I love you too mommy."

I gave him one more kiss before Jax and I met each other at the doorway.

"Mommy."

We both turned around and looked at Abel.

"Yes baby?"

"If Landon cries, I'll come get you and daddy, okay?"

"No need, Abel. You see that white thing over the crib?"

Abel's eyes shifted to the crib, seeing the baby monitor a few feet above it.

His eyes moved away from the monitor and nodded.

"That's a baby monitor. We can hear everything that goes on in this room. One of us will be in here the moment either of you need us, okay?"

"Okay."

"Sleep well, handsome."

Jax switched off the light before I took the lead to the bedroom.

When I entered the room, I noticed our bed was no longer residing on the floor.

Jax wrapped his arms around me, giving me a kiss on my neck.

"And you got us a new bed frame."

"I did, darlin'. You wanna test it out and see if it was worth the purchase?"

I turned into his embrace and kicked the door closed.

"Definitely. Because the next couple weeks, I won't have the energy to do so."

"We'll see about that."

3:22 am

Landon's cries erupted through the baby monitor.

"I got him," Jax answered in a groggy tone.

"No, I got him," I replied as I pulled back the blankets.

I retrieved my robe from the back of the bedroom door and coiled silk fabric around my naked body, securely double tying it at the waist.

I opened the door to see Abel moving his pillows and blanket back into his room.

" You changed your mind about sleeping in Lan's room huh?"

"Yeah.. Sorry mom," he looked up at me with sad eyes.

I leaned down, kissing him on the top of his head.

"It's okay, no need to apologize."

A showered and dressed Jax went into Landon's room, knowing Mel would be in there since she didn't make it back to bed this morning.

When he walked into the room, he found his wife asleep on the daybed with Landon sleeping against her chest.

A grin played on his mouth as he slid his sneakered feet across the carpet to her.

He bent down next to her, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face, causing her to slowly open her eyes.

"Sorry to wake you darlin'."

"It's okay. What time is it?"

Jax looked down at his watch to confirm the time.

"It's a quarter to nine."

"Already? I feel like I just closed my eyes. Wait, where are you headed this morning?", I asked, taking in his well groomed appearance.

"Some shit went down with the club last night, Mel."

"What kind of shit we talkin'?", I asked as I slowly sat up to not wake the baby.

"Well, you know how Clay is in the hospital for that bullet wound?"

I nodded.

Oh, let me inform you all since I have not told you.

Clay was gunned down at Teller-Morrow shortly after Landon was born.

Call me a heartless cunt, but that news didn't recieve a reaction from me nor did it deserve one.

A large part of me is consistently praying he won't pull through after all he's done.

If he's in the ground, so will all the worries and future obstacles that he would be attached to.

"Unser let us know that Clay told him it was black that gunned him down.. And well, Tig figured he would handle retaliation all on his own."

"Jesus christ.. What did he do?"

"He gunned down Veronica Pope."

"Pope.. Why does that last name sound so familiar?"

"It's Damon Pope's daughter."

What the fuck? Tig decided to go after the niners and ended up killing the most dangerous man in Oakland's daughter as a result?

Does he not realize how many lives he just put in jeopardy?

"Holy shit."

"Yeah, but that's not all."

"Why wouldn't it be," I quipped, carefully gliding Landon into my arms before bringing my attention back to Jax.

"Niners torched the truck."

My eyes widened even further if that is even possible.

"Is everyone whole?"

"Yeah, everyone's good along with the shipment."

"Good," I let out a shaky breath.

"What do we do now?"

"I'm gonna keep around here at night. When I'm not with you, I want you carrying that gun."

"Consider it already done."

"Do you have anything you need to do today?"

"Yeah, I have a doctor's appointment in two hours. My mom is gonna watch the boys."

"Okay. I'll have the prospects keep eyes on you and Linda for extra percaution."

My doctor's appointment went well.

The cancer is diminishing on schedule and it isn't spreading which is a huge relief.

To ensure that is the case, my doctor thought it would be best to prescribe even more meds.

Shit, I'm pretty sure I could run my own pharmacy at this point with all the meds I'm on.

I exited the hospital room with three more scripts to drop off at the pharmacy.

"Everything go okay?", Phil asked as he stood to his feet.

"Yup," I smiled, taking the lead to the elevator.

"Mel! Hey Mel!"

Hearing my name being called from down the opposite hallway, I stopped in my tracks and looked around.

"Melanie!"

My eyes found the person repeatedly calling my name.

Wendy.

"Wendy.. I didn't know you were back in town.", I stated as I walked closer to her.

"Yeah, I've been back a few weeks now."

She immediately pulled me into a hug, causing my entire body to tense up.

"How are you?", she smiled.

I'm good I.."

"Mrs. Teller!"

A nurse turned the corner, jogging toward to the two of us.

"You forgot your purse."

"Oh, Thank you," I replied, quickly taking it from her posession, sliding the worn straps up my left arm.

I looked back at Wendy whose eyes were now on my wedding ring.

"Mrs. Teller huh? That.. That's great, Mel. I knew it would only be a matter of time you and Jax would end up together . Whether it be after me and him split of even while we were together. I knew it would happen."

"Wendy.."

"Would you like to go grab some coffee? Ya know, to catch up."

"Uh.. Sure. I don't have anything going on right now."

"Great."

Wendy chose Harry's coffee shop for our impulsive coffee date.

With both our piping hot cups of coffee in front of us, Wendy broke the insanely awkward silence first.

"So, are you still in porn?", she asked, pouring sugar onto her tablespoon.

I chuckled, shaking my head as she slid the sugar into my open hand that was on the table.

"No, definitely not. Jax nipped that shit in the ass once we got together," I responded, pouring nearly half the shaker's sugar in my coffee.

"As he should. What are you doing now?"

"My job is actually a house wife for the time being. We just had a baby less than 24 hours ago."

"Oh.. Congratulations," she forced a smile before breaking eye contact with me to look out the window next to us.

"Thanks," I stated, taking a sip of my own coffee.

That unfortunate silence found us again.

"What brings you back Wendy?"

"I think you know why I'm back, Mel."

I clenched my jaw in response.

"I do."

"Mel, I turned my life around. I'm clean, I got my own place, a great job with benefits, the only thing missing in that equation is my son."

"That's all great Wendy, but how long will you stay clean this time?"

"It's different, Mel. Because I have Abel to stay clean for. Please.. Mother to mother, I need you to see where I'm coming from. You want my job's number? My landlord? I'll give it all to you and Jax."

"That's what this coffee catch up is about? Come to me first and then Jax."

"Yes. I consider it the calm before the storm. The storm being Jax."

"Yeah, I get that... I'll want addresses too. I want to speak to your co-workers and landlord face to face. I know Jax will too."

"Of course. I just want to do all this in a civil manner. I don't want to go through courts and a lawyer to get to know my son."

I flinched everytime she said Abel was her son.

He was my son, my everything.

But, I did see where she was coming from.

If I was in her shoes, I would want to know my child as well.

"Let me talk to Jax first and see where he is at with it. Is your number still the same?"

"Yes. Thank you so much Mel," she stated, squeezing my hands with her own in pure optimism.

After Wendy and I went our own ways, I stopped at the nearest pharmacy to get written prescriptions filled.

As Phil and I stepped out of the store, I spotted Ima( yes you read that right) fucking Ima keying the shit out of my car.

I threw my purse into Phil's burly chest and sprinted toward her and my now vandalized vehicle.

"Mel! Mel! Shit!"

When I was close enough, I tackled her into the hood of my car, causing the two of us to hit the ground in a loud thud.

I allowed my balled up fists to automatically connect with her redone face.

"You fucking bitch. When will you learn?", I growled while she yanked and pulled on my hair to get me off her.

"Get the fuck off of me you dried up whore!", Ima spat, causing my building fury to erupt.

With my purse in one hand, Phil lifted me off her with his other, making me turn my attention toward him.

"I'm only gonna say this once, Phil. Stay out of it. This is between me and her."

He nodded, releasing his hold on me.

I went at her once again, recieving a weak swing to my left cheek from Ima, only for me to head butt her right after her horrible hit.

The continuation of the fight was short lived when police sirens began to sound off around us and two officers seperated us.

To keep Ima and I seperated, the officers cuffed and threw us into the back of two different cruisers.

With my arms tightly crossed against my chest and my right leg placed on top of the other, I stared at the chipped white wall in front of me, replaying all the moments that I experienced from the moment I left home today.

"Teller, you're out," The officer that arrested me stated as he unlocked the cell's door.

I uncrossed my arms and legs and stood to my feet, following him to the main lobby of the station where I was met by my mother.

"Thanks mom."

She didn't say anything and took the lead to her car that was parked right outside with only the sound of my high heeled boots connecting to the smooth gravel surrounding us.

"I'll pay you back," I added once we were both in the car.

"It's not about the money, Mel. It's the situation. I don't know if you haven't noticed, but shit has changed in Charming. Unser no longer runs the department."

"I know that."

"Do you? Then why the hell did you go after that plastic cunt? You do realize that the charges can still stick regardless of me bailing your skinny ass out."

"So, I was just supposed to sit idly by and watch her fuck up my car?"

"Yes. Let the cops do their god damn job for a change and make a report. Your husband has an auto shop. Your car could be fixed up in no time. Mel, you got two young boys at home and a husband that needs you more than ever right now. Don't taint that by letting your anger get the best of you."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Speaking of, have you heard from Jax? I tried calling him and nothing."

"Probably because he's been calling you at the same time. There's an apb out for him, Chibs, and Tig for Veronica Pope's murder. The shit went wide twenty minutes ago."

"Jesus Christ, "I breathed as I ran my fingers through my severely knotted hair.

"Jackie, you sure you want to do this now?", Chibs asked Jax as he headed to the black pick up truck Nero lent him.

"I have to Chibs. Protection is set inside and I need to make sure it's the same case out here for my family."

"Aye. I'll come with," Chibs replied, getting into the passenger seat of the vehicle.

After a soild twenty minutes, Jax reached Ima's place thanks to a tip from Lyla.

Jax's sprinted up the apartment complex's steps with Chibs right behind him.

He formed his hand into a fist and knocked on Ima's door.

She opened the door with a shit eating grin on her bruised face.

"Hey."

"Hey darlin'."

She stepped aside and allowed him to enter.

"I appreciate you coming here to check up on me. That's really sweet of you."

"Where else would I be?", he questioned.

"You want a beer?"

"Sure."

Jax followed Ima to the small kitchen as she handed him the cold suggested beverage.

"Does Mel know you're here?"

"What do you think?"

"I didn't think so. I hate to be the one to say it Jax, but she's a fucking phy.."

Jax dropped his unopened beer on the floor, the glass shattering everywhere beneath their feet.

His ringed hand grabbed a fistful of her blonde locks, thrusting her face forward, smashing it against her kitchen table.

He yanked her backwards hard enough for her to end up on her ass with her back pressed against the bottom of her fridge.

She tried to crawl away from him, but his hand wrapped around her throat while her face poured blood, keeping her where she was.

"You continue to push my wife, but you fail to realize that I push even harder. You're gonna drop all charges you are pressing against Mel. If you don't, and you decide to come near my family or club again, I'll kill you. You understand?"

He shook her with his grasp still tight around her neck.

"You understand?"

She nodded frantically before he let go of her neck.

He stood upright, the broken glass from the beer crackling underneath his white sneakers as he made his way out of the home.

Jax closed the door with Chibs pushing himself off of the apartment's wall.

"Protection set?"

Jax nodded as he walked past Chibs to make his way to the stairs.