"Frail, the skin is dry and pale the pain will never fail, and so we go back to the remedy. Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie and tell your self you'll be the death of me." (Remedy by Seether)
Tara pulled her cutlass into the staff parking lot of St. Thomas Hospital turning into to her reserved spot she shut the car off and headed for the entrance as she went over the events of the weekend.
Gemma had put together a welcome home party for Tara inviting Jurry from the Devil's Tribe along with Happy and Kozig from Tacoma only telling them they were needed in Charming for an old reunion. The guys didn't argue with Gemma, there was no point anyway; she was going to win so they just agreed since most of them hadn't been in Charming in years.
Jax pulled his bike into Teller Marrow as Tara followed in the cutlass because she had a bag with her since they had planned on staying over night anyway. They were running late as usual since Tara had to take a shower after her shift at the hospital and Jax said he should accompany her to wash the hard to reach spots on her body.
She smiled as Jax made his way over to her car as Tara climbed out shutting the door, "Gemma is going to be mad " Jax smiled as he put his arm around Tara's shoulders causing Tara to smile as well. "Yeah, but I just had to help you get cleaned up." Tara laughed, "Babe unless you had a bar of soup tied to your dick you failed, that's the only thing I seem to remember you using on my body"
Jax threw his head back laughing, "You keep talking like that I might have to wash your mouth out with soap" Tara stared to giggle, "You already did, but I didn't see any soap attached to your dick at the time." They made their way to the entrance of the clubhouse Tara noticed a group of guys gathered around the boxing ring as two men beat the shit out of each other, this was definitely SAMCRO.
Gemma was standing with Clay and Jurry as they were having some sort of conversation that Gemma really wasn't interested in. She was waiting for Jax and Tara to arrive, that was the whole point of this party. She looked at Chibs who was standing by the entrance acting as her look out when finally he gave her the signal.
Jax and Tara approached the clubhouse entrance where Jax had seen Chibs signal to someone inside to there arrival he was sure it was Gemma, here we go Jax thought. "There you two are, Christ Jackie boy Gemma's in a right mood, what'd you get into" Jax smiled "Just had to make sure Tara was good and clean"
Chibs let out a laugh as Tara smacked his and Jax's shoulders, when Half Sack approached handing a beer to Chibs. "Hey, about time you got here, Gemma was ready to send me over to the house to see what was taking so long."
Gemma was looking on as Tara smacked Jax and Chibs in the shoulder with a smile, looks like they had a rather long shower judging by their hair which she could tell was still damp. Jurry glanced at the entrance seeing Jax Teller enter the clubhouse, but it was who he was with that caught his attention.
Gemma looked at Jurry as he noticed Jax, "Gemma, is that Tara Knowles?" Gemma nodded, "Yeah just arrived back home last week." Jurry set his beer down, "Jackson Teller and Tara Knowles." Jurry voice boomed over the music and crowd noise.
Tara hearing their names called turned seeing Jurry standing with Gemma and Clay. "Uncle Jurry" Jax called as they made their way over to where they were standing. Jax approached Jurry who pushed him aside, "Yeah, I'll get to you in a minute" He scoped Tara up in a hug "Look who we have here" he said putting her down "Baby girl, look at how much you've grown".
Tara shook her head, "Uncle Jurry, I'm twenty six now hardly a baby." He smiled while looking over at Clay and Gemma, "Bullshit, you'll always be baby girl to us, what have you been up to, are you back for good?" She smiled nodding her head, "Yes and I'm a doctor now"
Cherry was sitting at a table next to Jurry the President of the Sons of Anarchy and his old lady when a good looking blonde haired guy and a woman with shoulder length dark haired walked in. Jurry shouted there names and was chatting with them so Cherry thought she should introduce herself.
She stood and made her way over as Jurry was talking to the woman she stopped by his side to listen in. "With all the practice I got patching up these guys it always seemed like I was miles ahead of my peers." She laughed causing the rest to join in.
Jurry felt someone by his side he looked over spotting Cherry, "Hey, Jax and Tara I would like you to meet Cherry she's been staying with us in Nevada but needs a place to stay for a while." Tara turned to look at her, she was young early twenties if she had to guess or late teens it was hard to tell.
Jax looked over at her shrugging his shoulders, "I'm sure Gemma could use some help around here" He smiled at Gemma, "Yeah we can always use some extra help" While they were talking Tara notice Cherry was looking at someone behind her so she moved around standing next to her following her line of sight.
She smiled looking at Chibs and Kip, "So the blonde haired prospect caught your attention?" Cherry looked over at Tara and gave her a little nod. "Great I'll introduce you; I need Chibs to make me a drink." She took Cherry's hand leading her over to the group gathered by the entrance.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" She looked to Chibs then Kip, "Good Baby Girl, and who's your friend?" She looked to Cherry, "This is Cherry, and she will be staying with SAMCRO for a while, Cherry this is Kip and this old Scott here is Chibs."
Tara turned to Chibs, "Would you make me a drink Chibs? No one knows how to make a good Irish car bomb in Chicago" She smiled up at him, "Sure thing Baby Girl, lets leave these two so they can get better acquainted." Chibs put his arm around Tara's should as they made their way behind the bar.
"I see what you're up to Baby Girl." Chibs said as he pulled out a large glass to get started on her drink. Tara looked all innocent, "What me? I'm not up to anything" Chibs laughed, "Yeah, you….. Never" He grabbed the Guinness and began to pour, "It sure is good to have you back." Tara pulled out a bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses "It's good to be back home Chibs."
Jax watched as Chibs and Tara made their way to the bar watching Chibs grab the Irish Cream liqueur and the Irish whiskey as Tara set up two show glasses, he smiled as he watched Tara pour two shot glasses and slid one over to Chibs who held it up to Tara as she did the same and slammed them back smacking the shot glasses back on the bar she smiled and looked over at Jax and gave him a wink.
When the drinks were finished Tara moved around to the other side of the bar clearing out any crow eaters in her way as she seen Cherry making her way over to her. "Cherry here try some of this" she said as Cherry took a seat next to Tara at the bar. "What is it?" Tara smiled as she placed a shot glass along with the glass of Guinness in front of Cherry and herself.
"It's an Irish Car Bomb, Chibs made it" Tara slid the glass in front of Cherry along with the shot of Irish Cream, "Here" Tara said picking up the shot and dropping it in the Guinness. "Now its ready." Cherry picked up the glass and took a sip letting the liquor slide down her throat finding pleasure in the burn it left in its wake. "That is good" She smiled as Tara picked up her shot glass and dropped it into the Guinness she took a drink setting it down she heard a commotion at the door, turning in her chair she spotted Opie who towered above everyone in the clubhouse. Standing on the support rail on the bar stool she looked over to Opie spotting Donna.
Jax was talking to Jurry when he spotted Opie and Donna enter the clubhouse, Opie spotted him instantly while Donna was searching for Tara. Jax nodded towards the bar area just as he heard Tara calling out for her. "Donna Winston, get your ass over here and get a drink." Opie smiled as Donna headed off for the bar he made his way over the Jax.
"Hey what's up brother?" Opie said as he came to stand by Jax, "Enjoying the party brother." Jax said taking a sip of his beer. "Jurry, how's it going man, haven't see you in a while." A croweater with a tray of beers stopped by as Opie took one off taking a long drink.
Jurry grabbed another for himself, "Yeah it's been some time since I've been up this way, but when Gemma called I figured it must be good." He said glancing at Tara and the girls as she was setting up shot glasses. Opie laughed, "Yeah she's something else isn't she?" Jax nodded his head
Tara got off her stool as Donna approached the bar, "Hey you made it, I'm so glad." Donna gave Tara a hug and glanced at Cherry not recognizing her. "Yeah Opie said it was your welcome home party, how could I miss it" Tara smiled as she looked at Cherry, "This is Donna, she's Opie's wife, old lady and mother of his children and all that stuff" Tara said with a laugh.
"Donna this is Cherry, she was helping out Jurry in Nevada and now she will be staying in Charming with us for a while. They smiled at each other as Tara sat back down. "Grab a seat Donna were going to do some shot's" She grabs the bottle of whisky and poured three shots.
Holding up her shot Tara looks at Donna and Cherry, "To my return to Charming and Cherry's first SAMCRO party!" She yelled as they tap glasses as Tara throws hers back and slams the shot glass on the bar. That hit the spot she thought as she picked up her drink. "Let's play some pool." Tara headed off towards Jax and the guys who were standing off to the left by the pool table.
Jax and the guys had watched the whole scene as the girls made their way through the crowd passing them as Tara grabbed a pool stick from the wall examining it to make sure it was straight. Jax and the guys took a seat next to the pool table as he wanted a front row seat for when Tara would bend over the table to line up and take a shot.
Donna pulled the balls out and Tara framed them as she took the queue ball and lined it up for the brake. Jax grinned as Tara bent over the table in front of him just as she was about to break she turned her head to the left spotting Jax staring at her ass. "Enjoying the view Teller?" She drew her pool stick back and struck the queue ball sending it into the framed balls like a gun shot.
One by one Tara sank the balls in numeric order leaving the eight ball last; she lined up the shot and sank it. "That's game." She turned to see Donna with a smirk as Cherry stood there in shock while Jax and Opie laughed. Cherry approached Tara, "What are you some sort of pool shark."
Tara shook her head, "No, I'm actually a bit rusty." She said as she took the seat next to Jax that Opie vacated. "Hey don't let her fool you, she will hustle you for every dime you have." Tig said raising his glass to Tara, "I see you haven't lost your touch baby girl."
Jax and Tara sat and watched the next game between Donna and Cherry when they were finished Tara stood up to take back the stick, but before she could someone shouted her name.
Kozig had just finished his fight and heard the commotion coming from inside the clubhouse glancing at Happy he nodded towards the clubhouse, "Hey let's see what's going on inside, I think Jax is finally here." Happy nodded and they made their way inside.
When they entered Kozig scanned the clubhouse seeing some of the Devil's tribe and a couple crow eaters, he kept scanning until he spotted them all around the pool table as a slender brunette stood walking towards Donna and some girl Kozig didn't recognize. The girl turned giving Kozig a clear view, it was Tara.
Kozig tapped Happy on the shoulder, "Holly shit Hap look over there" he pointed towards the group of people by the pool table. They both made their way over as Kozig started to crouch down not to be seen.
When they arrived Kozig moved in on Tara's right and picked her up spinning her around, "Hey baby girl, when did you get back?" Tara was laughing as Kozig spun her around a few times setting her down. "Kozig" she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. She hadn't seen Kozig since he left SAMCRO and headed up to Tacoma; Washington Tara released him as she continued to laugh,
"I'm twenty six now; you can stop calling me baby girl." Tara said with a giggle, "Bullshit, you'll always be baby girl to us." Kozig looked at Jax and Opie who were nodding with a smile. Tara noticed Happy off to right, "Happy, you're here also?" she said throwing her arms around him. "Hey baby girl, and Kozig is right, you're always going to be baby girl to us." She stuck out her tongue at him.
Tara walked over to Cherry and took the pool stick from her facing the guys she looked at Kozig, "Hey Kozig, how about a game?" She smiled as he shook his head, "Hell no I'm not falling for that shit again." The guys started to laugh, "Tara looked shocked, your not afraid of a girl are you Kozig?" Kozig looked to Jax, "Teller you need to keep your old lady in line." He said with a laugh. Jax shook his head, "Hey if you can't beat a girl, what kind of man are you?"
Clay taking it all in stood, "Alright, now that everyone is here, I'm sure you have all figured out why you are here, is to welcome Tara home once and for all." He looked over to her and nodded as Gemma stood, "I'm glad you all could make it here to welcome Tara back home, and since she surprised us with her return I decided to do the same thing with you." She paused to pick up her drink and raised it, "Welcome home baby girl" The rest of the guys raised their drinks reciting the same Tara smiled as she thanked them.
Tara was jolted out of her thoughts as her cell phone started to vibrate, pulling it out of her pocket she checked the caller ID. Gemma was calling her, what could she want this early in the morning. "Hello, Gemma?" "Tara, oh good I'm glad I reached you." This wasn't good Gemma sounded panicked. "I just found Wendy, she was passed out on the kitchen floor with a needle sticking out of her arm probably crank and bleeding profusely from her crotch, and there was blood all over the floor and ice cream for some reason."
Gemma was speaking so fast Tara could barley keep up, "Gemma slow down, I need you to call 911." Gemma took a deep breath, "I already did, and she is on her way to St. Thomas now, the ambulance just left." Tara left the lounge tossing her empty coffee cup in the trash and headed off to the ER. "Thank you Gemma, I will do every thing I can to help." Gemma let out a breath, "I know you will baby, I called Jax and Clay, but haven't been able to reach them. I'm heading to the clubhouse now and I will be there as soon as I locate them."
Tara closed her phone after saying goodbye to Gemma and made her way past Heather and Melissa to the scrub in area to prep for Wendy's arrival just as they called her to the ER. She entered the room where Dr. Demet was already scrubbing in. He turned to her when she entered the room. "Dr. Knowles good, I want you assisting me on this." Tara nodded her head, "We just got the call from the ambulance, white female late twenties pregnant possible overdose, not sure on the narcotic."
Tara began washing her hands as the nurses who assisted in surgery arrived, "Methamphetamine, she's twenty eight and approximately six to seven months pregnant." Dr. Demet smiled at her, "Very good Dr. Knowles, am I missing something?" Tara shook her head and smiled, "No Dr. Demet, the grandmother of the baby called, she was the one who found her and called 911." He returned her smile, "Well let's go save two lives shall we."
The Sons had just finished up church in preparations of a possible Myan retaliation from the warehouse incident Clay came out taking a seat at the bar with Bobby he took the beer that Sack slid his way when Bobby got his attention, "Hey" he said as he pointed towards the security monitors on the wall. He glanced up seeing Gemma's Cadillac pull into the lot. "Shit, hey Jax." Clay said as Jax came over just as Gemma started with her horn.
They made their way outside as Gemma's car came to a stop, she got out. "Hey I've been trying to call you." She said looking at Jax, "We were in church, what is it?" he said as he noticed the panic in her voice. "I found Wendy, she was at your old house passed out from an overdose with a needle sticking out of her arm, I called 911 and Tara after the ambulance pulled away, we need to head over there now."
They ran over to their bikes as Jax got on and fired up his bike as he thought, what the fuck happened this time. He hit the throttle and took off heading to St. Thomas the guys and Gemma following in his wake.
They pulled into the hospital parking lot shutting off their bikes they practically ran to the entrance. Jax located the front desk and made his way over to where a middle aged woman was typing on her computer. She looked up when he approached, "How can I help you?" Jax started to get nervous like he was almost afraid that she would tell him that the baby didn't survive. He gathered himself, "Yeah can you tell me what room Wendy Case is in?" he paused for a moment for the next part, "She's pregnant with my kid, I'm her ex-husband"
Jax looked over to Gemma for strength, she placed her hand on his and gave it a gentle squeeze while the woman typed the information into her computer then looked up at Jax, "She was just brought out of surgery, she's on the second floor they took her to the post OP room 236 which is at the end of the hallway to your right out the elevators over there" she pointed over to their right. "Thanks" Jax said as he made his way to the elevator hitting the button the doors opened. Jax entered and was leaning against the rail on the back as the rest entered Clay hit the button for the second floor as the doors shut.
When the doors opened they headed down the hall as Clay turned to Gemma, "What the hell happened?" Gemma shook her head, "I was heading over to the house to see if Wendy had been by when I noticed her passed out, I found this on the counter after I called the ambulance." She handed Clay a match book witch Clay took and read aloud, "The Hairy Dog, got to be that bastard Darby."
"Yeah, he got out of Chino a weak ago" Bobby said as they rounded the corner, "Yeah, well call that prick and set up a meet." Jax looked down the hall spotting Tara and a nurse talking as the stood next to Wendy who was lying on a gurney.
Tara caught movement out the corner of her eye turning her head she spotted Jax, Gemma and the rest of the Sons. She handed the chart to nurse Cuttingham "I'll take care of this, I know the family." She opened the door closing it behind her as Jax approached.
"What the hell happened?" He wasn't angry at Tara just frustrated with another incident involving his junkie ex-wife. Tara looked to Jax, "When was the last time you saw her?"
"Around two months." Jax has just guessing he wasn't' sure how long it had been. Tara glanced at Gemma then to Jax, "Her hands and feet were full of track marks, most likely crank."
Jax took a look in the room at Wendy and noticed her stomach was flat, "The baby?" he barley said above a whisper. "We had to do an emergency C-Section." Jax looked pained as Tara looked to Gemma who seemed to be going through the same emotion. "He's ten weeks premature.
Jax started pacing back and forth, "Sit down Jax and I will go over everything with you." Jax was in a trance like state just barley hearing what Tara was saying he looked to her, "Just tell me." Jax said a little harsher than he meant.
Gemma moved in close as Tara started listing off his condition, "He has a congenital heart defect along with gastroscisis, a tear in his abdomen." She looked to Jax as realization hit him that his son has the same heart defect that Thomas had.
Tara looked over to Gemma as she said the next part, "The gastro and the premature birth are from the drug use, but the CHD is probably."
"The family flaw." Gemma said to spare Tara even more heartache. She nodded "Yes it's genetic, either one would be serious, but not life threatening." She paused looking at Jax, "However the two of them together." She paused again not wanting to cause any more pain to Jax and Gemma, "Dr. Demet gives him a twenty percent chance to live, and I'm afraid that's being optimistic. I'm sorry Jax." Tara could hear Gemma gasp, "Oh my God."
Jax looked at Tara, "She didn't want to see me." Jax said glancing at Gemma then back to Tara, "I didn't know. Tara wanting to reassure Jax spoke quickly, "Her OB said she missed her last three appointments, no one knew."
Tara looked at Jax they were already starting to prep the surgery for Able and Dr. Demet asked her to assist on the operation but they needed a guardian's signature to proceed. "Dr. Demet wants to fix his belly first, then if he stabilizes he will go in and try and repair the heart, I'm sorry Jax." Tara said as she started to make her way back to the NICU where Able was, "I can take you to see him now."
Jax watched Tara walk towards a door that read Authorized Personal Only as Jax finally got his bearings, "Tara" He called as he made his way over to her, she had the door open waiting for him, "You don't have to do this" he paused for a moment, "I'm sure you have other patients."
Tara looked at Jax sensing the panic in his eye's, "I was asked by Dr. Demet to assist on the surgery, it's what I do Jax." Tara paused for a minute, "I want to save your son." A smile was visible on his face for a second before he spoke again, "His names Able."
Tara smiled, "It's a good name." She looked at Jax and could see the demeanor change in his eyes as he started to back away from her, "Jax" she said as Jax turned and walked away causing Gemma to take notice, "Jackson" she called, but Jax wasn't listening.
"Go with Tara." He called over his shoulder, "I have something to take care of" Clay turned to Bobby and Chibs. "Watch his back." He said as he followed Tara and Gemma through the doors. She led them to the changing room as they entered Gemma look confused, "What are we doing here?"
Tara smiled as she opened up a cabinet and grabbing a pair of scrubs for Gemma, "If you want to go into the room you have to be covered to prevent any germs." Gemma nodded as Tara handed her the scrubs and walked over to the larger scrubs, "Clay I'm not sure if these will fit, but it's the biggest size we carry." She handed Clay his set and watched as they put them over their clothes.
Jax pulled into The Hairy Dog parking his bike he took off his helmet and headed for the entrance. Spotting the guy he was looking for Jax grabbed a pool stick holding the narrow end like a bat he swung the stick breaking it against the bridge of his nose. They guy fell to his knees Jax grabbed him by the shirt and started swinging.
Jax picked up the broken pool stick," Sold crank to my pregnant ex-wife." He said as he drove the pool stick into the man's groin, Chibs and Bobby had their guns out to make sure nobody got the wrong idea deciding to be a hero. "Easy boy's" Bobby said watching a couple of guys off to the side.
Chibs watched as Jax was now stomping on the guys head and decided to stop this before Jax ended up killing the guy, "That's enough Jackie Boy, I think you made your point." Jax spit on the guy, "Pecker wood shit head." He called making his way outside. "Enjoy your lunch, shiska balls are on me." Bobby said as he followed.
Jax got on his bike, "I'm going for a ride." He said as he put on his helmet, "Want us to tag along?" Bobby said as he got on his bike." Jax shook his head, "Nah, I need to clear my head, go talk to Opie." He said as he started his bike and took off.
Jax felt the open breeze on his face as he drove away from his brothers, he needed to clear his head and this was the best way he knew how to do it. While ridding Jax started to think about Wendy and the baby, why they hell did she have to be an addict? Why did Jax put up with it, was he really that lonely? Tired of the endless disconnects with crow eaters he just wanted someone he could depend on and could handle being with a Son.
Wendy was neither of those things, so he ended it. Months later he was drunk and missing Tara so fucking much like he always did, so he went home and fucked Wendy pretending she was Tara. She wasn't of course, he shook his head as he came to a stop at a four way accelerating he turned down the road where Opie would be working.
Driving down the narrow road he started to think about the baby, if Abel even survived he thought, how was he going to raise a new born baby on his own? He was sure Gemma would help, but even she was busy at the shop. He wasn't even sure how Tara was going to feel about the fact he had a new born baby. It was one thing to talk about it with her, then to actually be responsible and care for him.
Jax pulled into the area where he spotted Opie's truck as he heard the foreman call for brake. Shutting off his bike he spotted Opie as he took off his helmet and placed it on the handlebars. "Hey" He called as Opie was walking towards him.
Opie wasn't sure why Jax was here, but it couldn't be good, "Hey, what's up?" he asked as he took a seat in the bed of his truck. Jax joined him looking like his dog just died. Jax shook his head, "Gemma found Wendy" He paused for a moment.
Opie thought for a moment as he waited for Jax to continue, "She was passed out at my old house with a needle in her arm and blood pouring out of her crotch." Jax just stared off in the distance not sure what else to say.
Opie looked at Jax not wanting to ask the next question, "What about the baby?" he asked not really looking at Jax and waiting for the bad news. "Gemma called an ambulance, and then she came to tell me at the clubhouse. Abel has the same cognitive heart defect that Thomas had along with some tear in his stomach. They had to do an emergency c-section he's ten weeks premature."
Jax paused for a moment taking a couple breaths he composed himself and continued, "They're operating on him now, Tara's one of the surgeons." That caused Opie to smile as he looked Jax in the eyes. "Then you have nothing to worry about." Jax looked at Opie like he just grew two heads. "What do you mean Opie?" Opie laughed, actually threw his head back and laughed. "Dude Tara is a genius of some sort; she will do everything she can to save your son." He paused for a moment, "Tara is smarter and all of us put together, she would look at a problem in our text book and solve it in seconds making us look like the idiots we are." Jax smiled for the first time since hearing the news this morning. "Yeah she's definitely smarter than all of us combined, but she's not a miracle worker."
"Look, I know your going through some shit about this, but I'm telling you Abel is going to make it. You need to work on getting rid of Wendy before she gets any ideas in that fucked up head of hers and starts some shit with Tara." Opie said as he took a drag off his cigarette. "Yeah, I'm going to deal with her when she is able to leave the hospital." Jax said not really wanting to talk about Wendy at the moment.
Opie stood as the foreman yelled that break was over, "Good because I need Tara here in Charming just as much as you do." Jax looked to Opie confused, "Since Tara came back Donna hasn't bitched about the club or Gemma, which has made my life a whole lot easier." He laughed causing Jax to as well. "Hey I'll see you later and don't sweat it, Tara's on the case."
Jax had drove for over an hour after his talk with Opie he was starting to feel more optimistic about the situation, pulling in the hospital parking lot he shut off his bike taking off his helmet he made his way inside the hospital.
Tara had just finished the first surgery on Able and made her way out to tell the family the good news. Walking through the door she spotted Gemma and Luan who both stood when she came out.
"Abel's stomach surgery went well, but it's putting a strain on his system." She paused to let it sink in not wanting to cause any panic she continued, "Dr. Demet doesn't want to wait, he thinks we should do the heart surgery as soon as possible.
Luan looked at Gemma who looked to having trouble with the information broke the silence, "That's good right? That he doesn't want to wait"
Tara looked over to Luan, "It's the best choice yes." Gemma finally found her voice, "Thanks." She said as Luan moved to take her seat.
Tara looked at Gemma" Is Jax here?" she said scanning the area. Gemma shook her head, "No he was at the clubhouse when I came here, said he would be in soon."
Tara nodded, "If he gets here soon send him through those doors if he wants to talk." She said pointing to the doors she had just came from.
Gemma nodded, "Will do baby, are you doing alright?" Tara nodded, "Yeah I'm good." She paused for a moment, "I have a twenty minute break before Abel's second surgery, I was going to get some food from the cafeteria then head back in."
Gemma smiled, "Thank you Tara, for all you have done and for all you are doing for Abel, When Jax makes it I'll send him back." Tara nodded, "Thanks Gemma, the next surgery will take the longest so go home if you want. You probably have around six to eight hours." Gemma nodded as Tara made her way back through the doors.
Jax entered the waiting area spotting Gemma and Luan they both turned when they hear the door shut "Jax, what took you so long" Jax shook his head not wanting to talk about it. "Tara was just here she was looking for you, they finished Abel's first surgery and are getting ready for his second.
Jax nodded but didn't make eye contact, "She was getting ready to have lunch before she went back in said you could go through those doors if you wanted to talk to her." Jax wasn't sure he wanted to get his hopes up, but Opie told him not to worry that Tara was on the case.
Without a word Jax made his way through the doors and down the hall where he would usually see Tara, spotting one of the nurses that he would see around Tara he approached her. "Hey." He said as she looked up, "Jax right?" she said pointing to him, he nodded. "Yeah, I was looking for Dr. Knowles?" She smiled, "She was just here." She glanced around the room spotting Melissa she made her way over.
"Melissa, have you seen Dr. Knowles?" Melissa set her sandwich down, "Yeah she was in the cafeteria getting some lunch before her next surgery," Heather smiled turning to Jax, "She's in the cafeteria." Jax smiled, "Thanks." He made his way to the cafeteria hoping to catch her before she had to go back.
Jax entered the cafeteria and spotted Tara in line, making his way over he got right behind her. "Hey" he said causing her to turn, "Hi, did you just get here?" Jax smiled, "Yeah, I just missed you; Gemma said you were having lunch before your next surgery."
She returned the smile picking up a sandwich and an orange juice, "Want to join me?" Jax grabbed a sandwich and water, "Yeah, I haven't had anything to eat all day." They paid for the food and took a seat sitting across from each other. Tara taking a bite the minute she sat down.
"Hungry" Jax said as he took out his sandwich, Tara nodded as she swallowed her bite, "Yeah, I only had coffee this morning, maybe we should get some muffins or bagels for the house so was have something to eat in the morning. I think it would be a good idea to have something simple we can grab on the go."
Jax smiled if only their lives were this simple, discussing what they should eat in the morning. Wanting to get on to the reason he came in he responded, "How was the surgery?" Tara finished her lunch, "It went good, but it's putting stress on his system, Dr. Demet doesn't want to wait, he wants to do the heart surgery now." Jax looked down for a moment taking in what she said. Tara grabbed Jax's hand, "Look, I don't want to give you false hope or fill you with dread Jax."
He looked up at her, "The first surgery went well and I have all the faith in you the second one will go the same." He finally gave her a smile as Tara grabbed her things and stood as Jax followed, "Well I need to get back in there, go to the clubhouse and spend time with your brothers. It will take six to eight hours Jax."
Jax was sitting in the clubhouse just staring off into the distance as Bobby sat down next to him, "You know your boy's going to be just fine." Jax gave a faint smile, he had been at the clubhouse for the last five hours, he was getting ready to head back in as Bobby continued. "He has the best surgeon anyone could ever ask for, Tara's a wiz kid she always had her head buried in a book, she's got this."
Jax nodded as he stood, "Well, I'm going to head in. See you guys later." He made his way out as Opie pulled in the lot and parked his bike. Jax stopped to talk to him, "Hey what's up, hear anything yet?" Jax shook his head, "Not yet, I'm just heading to the hospital now."
Opie looked at Jax he was doing better than this morning when he last seen him, but not by much, "Need me to go with?" Jax shook his head, "Nah, Gemma and Clay are there already, probably don't need the whole crew hanging at the hospital freaking everyone out." Opie laughed, "Ok, let me know, I'll tell the guys." Jax hopped on his bike and headed out.
Gemma had just received the good news from Tara, Abel's second surgery was successful and he was going to make it. She made her way to Wendy's room after picking up something special for her.
Upon entering the room Wendy was in bed watching junk T.V. She turned it off as she made her way into the room. Wendy looked at Gemma expectantly waiting for her to talk. "Well it looks like the kid will see his first birthday." Wendy let out a breath and relaxed in her bed. "Thank God." Gemma wanted to choke the life out of her right then but restrained.
"Yes, thank god." Gemma said as she stood at the side of Wendy's bed she noticed a bible on the night stand and had an idea. She took Wendy's hand, "We should pray for him." Wendy's sat up as Gemma bowed her head, "Dear lord thank you for protecting Abel from his junkie mother who was more interested in getting her fix then being a mom.
Wendy snatched her hand from Gemma's, "This time it's going to be different." Gemma was furious, "Yeah just throw more money at the twelve steps program, worked so well the first time."
"This time it will be different, I have my baby to live for." Gemma picked up the bible and slid the syringe between the pages. "That's where you're wrong, you have no baby, and you lost that right when you chose drugs over him." Gemma held the bible in her hand as she continued, "When the hospital releases you get in a car and drive in any direction that takes you out of Charming and never come back."
Wendy was confused what was happening, "What about Abel?" She said as Gemma smiled, "I've already taken care of that." Gemma paused as she was just waiting to drop the bomb on Wendy. "Tara's back, she's a surgeon here at St. Thomas. She saved Abel's life after you tried to destroy it. She's already back with Jax."
Gemma got right up in Wendy's face, "It's like I told you long ago, Jax already has an old lady who he loves you were just some loose pussy he was using until Tara returned." Gemma slammed the bible into Wendy's lap. "I suggest you turn to Jesus." She made her way out of the room with a smile from ear to ear.
Jax was walking down the hallway at the hospital looking for Tara, this place was empty but it was late he was about to turn and head down the other hallway when a door opened and Tara came out wearing her lab coat meaning she was done with the surgery.
Jax took a deep breath as he prepared himself for the news as he spoke, "Is every thing ok?" Tara smiled nodding, "Everything's good." Jax wrapped his arms around Tara holding her tight; he exhaled as his whole body finally relaxed.
Jax never wanted to let go as they were embracing he slide his head to the center of hers and resting their fore heads against each other. Jax slid his lips to Tara's and kissed her lightly. He pulled back looking at her, "Thank you Tara." She nodded, "Your welcome Jax. Do you wan to see him?"
Jax was able to smile for the first time all day without forcing it. "Yeah where is he?" Tara pulled him down the hallway he was already heading, "Down this way, Gemma and Clay are in there now. I went to change out of my scrubs into my lab coat when you spotted me."
They made their way down the hall and through a set a double doors before Tara stopped him. "Jax, I want to prepare you, Abel is in an incubator and has wires and tubes attached to him, he's ten weeks premature so he is still quite small. He will grow over the next ten to twelve weeks to a regular size new born, so don't freak out."
Jax nodded as they had arrived at Abel's room where Gemma and Clay were standing in front of what had to be Abel's incubator blocking Jax's view. They entered causing Gemma and Clay to turn their heads. Gemma walked over to him as Clay moved back standing with Tara.
Jax looked at Abel lying there, Tara was right he was so small with wires and tubes hooked from him to several monitors. Jax looked on as tears started to run down his face, Gemma took his hand, "He's perfect." Jax nodded wiping the tears that had fallen down his face. "Yeah, he is."
Wendy finally had enough after staring at the syringe for the last hour she slid it into her favorite vain and pressed.