At the moment, I honestly do not know how long this story will run. I know the outline of it and where I want it to go, and how it'll end but getting there is always a different story! As of now I'm not ready to end with the way things are and will be continuing however, RL is(sadly ;) ) a priority. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and as usual I'm sorry for any errors I overlooked.
Tara was sitting in their living room, on the floor, with her legs stretched out at an angle while she looked through all the gifts they had gotten a couple weeks ago at the baby shower. She still couldn't believe Gemma had did all that for Lyla and her. Jax and Opie had reappeared at the end to stick around and thank everyone for coming, before picking up their ladies and all the shit they'd got and taken them home. She sat on the floor looking at the Elmo high chair, smiling to herself, Jax had helped her with most of the stuff earlier that morning while Abel was asleep but he had gotten a call from Clay a while ago saying that he needed them at the clubhouse for an hour to help with something. He told her he'd be back as soon as they finished and that he'd take everything they'd be using and set it up and put the rest in the storage.
She wasn't sure how she felt about the club right now, she loved Gemma and everyone else who had always been there, they were practically her first family since her father bailed on her. That didn't stop her from questioning things, the club wasn't the problem, it was the idea of something happening and them getting locked up for God knows how long or possibly even dying that scared her. They already had one son and one on the way, she didn't want their kids growing up without a father and she wasn't sure she'd be able to do this without Jax, she was strong and always would be but sometimes people were stronger when they had their other half with them, she knew that was the case with her.
As long as the club was legit and doing things that weren't going to jeopardize anyone's families, Tara would be fine. They always talked about a life away from Charming but she couldn't quite see it happening and didn't exactly want it to.
Hearing the door open brought her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see Jax walking in, smiling at her. "Hey babe," he bent down to give her a quick kiss before stretching out beside her and looking at everything that was in front of them. "Jesus Christ, this shit is taking over," he chuckled as he looked at the every growing pile "Have you decided what's staying and what's going?"
Looking up at him she looked rather happy with herself, "Yes, actually I do. The Elmo theme is sticking so the things that are not Elmo can go in the storage." She laughed when he groaned at her choice, she knew he wanted the motorcycle theme, "I'm just teasing baby, the high chair is the only thing staying, other than the changing table and diapers and clothes. The mini prince will keep his motorcycle just like his big brother."
Smirking down at her he rose to his feet, and starting taking things that would be staying into the room, it didn't take him too long. When he finished putting in the last of what was staying he walked back into the living room to see Tara still on the floor with her legs spread out. "Everything okay babe?" Biting back his smile while he asked.
Tara looked up at him, he knew damn well why she was still sitting on the floor, "Ass hole," she muttered before reaching her hand up for him to take. She needed help up, almost every time she sat it seemed. She couldn't wait for their son to be born so she could start doing things on her own again.
She scowled at him as he helped her up looking thoroughly amused, with a huff, she went to walk the opposite way when Jax pulled her back. She wanted to pull away from him, just to screw with him a little more but when he pulled her flush against his front like that, she couldn't seem to think straight. Her breath quickened when she felt his lips on her earlobe, and then her cheek, and then trailing down her neck. She tilted her head to the side to give him more access as he continued his assault.
When a whimper passed her lips she heard his low growl before she felt his erection pressing against her. Moaning, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, crashing her lips to his, but it wasn't a fast paced or desperate crashing. This one was slow and steady. Her breathing became more and more ragged as Jax trailed his hands across her belly before they found their way into her shirt and up to her breasts, cupping them. She moaned into his mouth when her pinched one of the hardened peaks between his fingers, while the other one cupped and played with the other one.
Just as Jax bent his knees to pick her up, the doorbell rang and he groaned against her lips, but not out of desire, out of frustration. If it wasn't Abel picking the perfect time to cry out, then it was the club or his mother cock blocking him. He was about to murder whoever was at the door, he thought to himself as he set a disappointed looking Tara down and fixed her shirt before moving towards the hell door. Opening it up he saw a crying Lyla standing there, eyes puffy and swollen, trying to gain control of her breathing. Jax's sexual anger flew out the window and concern took over as he looked her over.
"Lyla, what's wrong?" He asked a little harsher than he wanted to, as he pulled her into the house. Her eyes were swollen and puffy from crying, her body had been bruised around the arms and chest. He looked down at her swollen belly and the anger hit him even harder. "Is the baby okay.. Lyla?"
At this point he had walked her into the living room, where he heard Tara let out an anguished gasp before she rushed over to her and helped her down to the couch.
"Lyla?" Jax tried again, kneeling down on the side of the couch and putting his hands over her shoulders. "I need you to tell me what happened, where's Ope?" As soon as his name fell from his lips she reared her head towards him and her tears came back full force. He looked over at Tara and saw she had her own tears beginning to fall, and that sight broke him up even more. He shook Lyla's shoulders a little, just enough to bring her out of her hysteria and for her to look at him again.
"Lyla, please. I need you to tell me what happened."
It took her a minute, but she looked at him, directly into his eyes and calmed herself down. Getting her crying under control. She let out a heavy breath and looked between him and Tara, trying her best to not let the tears take control again. "They took him, those mother fuckers took him." she got out just above a angered whisper. Her hands had moved to her baby and she began rubbing her stomach to try and calm herself down so her baby wouldn't go into distress. Jax and Tara exchanged a look of confusion before looking at at Lyla "Who took him Lyla?" Tara asked as she continued rubbing her back reassuringly. Finally having gotten her bearings together she stood up and looked at the two of them sitting on the couch, "I don't know exactly who they were but they were some sort of friends of Craig."
Tara let out a groan and Jax growled at the mention of that name. Lyla continued, "They were some pretty dumb mother fuckers because they came at us in the middle of the day without a mask, they knocked him out cold with a pipe cleaner when he tried to get the upper hand after the got rough with me." She wiped at the tears that were running down her cheeks, "I don't know what they will do to him, and right now is not a good time for me to be without him." Opie and her had went to the doctors the day before due to some minor bleeding, and her doctor had warned them that the baby could come earlier than planned but if they could keep her in the clear until she hit 36 weeks, it would be okay. She was 32 weeks at the moment, and Tara was trailing her at 29 weeks.
Huffing out a breath, she sat back down. She was going to make it to her original due date no matter what, these guys were not going to mess with her family anymore. She was bouncing her knees rather quickly until Jax laid his hand over them to stop her. "Lyla, where did they take him? Did you hear them talking about it?"
"I'm not sure they said something about some sort of warehouse in Lodi but they could have been lying." She looked at Tara and shrugged, "Sorry about coming over all hysterical I think I just needed to cry about it before being rational." That made Tara laugh, "Don't worry about it, I do that all the time. Ask Jax, I swear in the last month I have bawled over him being a little late because I thought someone had gotten him. You have the same fears I do, we need them in our lives and we get scared. We'll get him back though so don't stress over it too much, it isn't good for you or the baby."
Lyla nodded and stood up, walking to the kitchen. She got herself a bottle of water and sat at the kitchen table as Jax put on his sneakers and grabbed his kutte off the hook by the door. He gave Tara a quick kiss and gave Lyla reassuring smile, "I'm headed to TM we'll get him back, don't worry." After Tara walked him out the door and told him to be safe, she walked back into the kitchen and sat at the table with Lyla.
"Where's Abel?" Lyla asked when she realized she hadn't heard or seen the little tot since she came in hysterical.
"He's sleeping in his room, he's been crabby the past few days. I think he's getting sick so I've been keeping him at home until it passes." Lyla saw how worried she looked and it made her smile, leave it to Tara to be worried over a cold. Then again Lyla heard about everything that happened with Abel and Wendy when he was born so she knows that it makes simple things a bigger concern for him. Reaching over to laid her hand across Tara's and looked at her, "He'll be okay honey, nothing a mama's love and some medicine won't cure." Tara nodded at her words and smiled back at her.
"I know, I'm just being a paranoid mother, that's all. But what's been going on with your baby girl? Has the doctor told you anything else?"
Letting out a scoff Lyla shook her head, "Nothing more than what they told us already. There's a good chance of her being a premie so they really want me to relax and not do too much or be off my feet for too long to try and put off delivery for as long as I can. If I can't make it to the end of my pregnancy they want me at at least 36 weeks so the chances of her health being at risk is slightly lowered." Lowering her head into her hands she let out a breath that was a mixture of annoyance and sadness.
Tara got up from her chair and walked over to Lyla, kneeling down as much as her stomach would allow, and hugged her as she started to cry. She wouldn't sit there and tell her that nothing bad was going to happen, because in all honesty she couldn't be sure that it wouldn't. But if there was one thing she wouldn't doubt, it was this "All of us will always be here through all of this with you. If you ever need anything call me, come over, and the same goes for the rest of the family. You'll never go through any of this alone." There might have been one time in her life that she didn't know if the family motto actually meant something to all these people in her life. But she learned quickly that it was something they never play around with, when she left to college years ago and this family stayed by her side when no one else did.
She would never doubt this again, she knew that there was somethings that she wasn't okay with, with the club but as long as it didn't interfere with her children and relationship she would be okay with it. Tara knew with times things would change, mostly because Jax would be taking the head seat at the table sooner rather than later. That was something that was inevitable, and she was ready for it, knowing Jax and her were in the spot they needed and wanted to be in made it a lot easier to welcome.
Rubbing her back one last time she got up off the floor and pulled Lyla up with her. "We're not going to worry about this and cause even more stress for the baby, God will watch over her and when she's ready to come out and meet you then she will. Now come on, help me out with the living room. It looks like a Baby's R Us exploded." That made Lyla let out a little giggle and she decided she wasn't going to make herself even more worried about this, so she nodded her head and followed Tara into the mess of all things baby.
Four hours, a carton of ice cream, and a million packs of diapers, later the girls were both passed out on the living room floor. Jax was walking up the front steps, along with a mildly bruised Opie. He looked back at his best friend when he reached the door, "You doing okay Ope?" Scoffing Opie answered "As good as I'm ganna be right now, the doctor said I didn't have a concussion and there was no signs of any swelling so I should be good to go. I just need to see Lyla before I fully calm." Looking around in anger he continued, "I saw what those bastards did to her and I can't stop blaming myself for it. She has enough shit going on without this too."
Jax walked over to where he was sitting on the lawn chair and dropped down next to him. "If there is one thing I learned from all the shit I went through with Tara, it's that you can't put all this on you. You know Lyla isn't going to and it will eat at you if you don't stop. Focus on the now, she and your baby girl need you." That seemed to get Opie snap back into the moment. "I know brother." They hugged real quick before heading back to the door.
Unlocking it and stepping in, they were met with a sight that brought a smile to their faces. Both their girls, passed out on the floor, cradling their stomachs. Walking in quietly, they closed the door and headed for Lyla and Tara. Jax reached down and lifted Tara into his arms, settling her down on the couch, Opie followed after and laid Lyla down on the opposite side. Deciding not to wake them, the two of them walked into the kitchen and pulled out a beer from the fridge, sitting down at the table.
"Have you and Tara set a date yet?" Jax shook his head at the question. Tara couldn't figure out if she wanted to get married before or after the baby was born and every time they wanted to talk about it something popped up, causing one of them to have to leave. He was on the verge of getting rid of any and all contacts to the world and just focus on the two of them for some time, he was getting tired of all the shit that kept wedging itself between their time together.
"At this point I'm ready to take her and Abel and just go down to a drive through chapel." Opie looked at him wide eyed before bursting out in quiet laughter. "Tara would kill you. But I would tag along with Lyla." That caused Jax to laugh.
Opie and Lyla had been talking about getting married too lately, and the guys were in the same boat about just hitching it and not telling anyone.
"I wouldn't kill him, I'd slowly torture him first." "Don't even think about it Winston."
They guys turned their heads and looked at the kitchen entrance where Tara and Lyla stood watching them with amused expressions. Lyla walked over to Opie and wrapped her arms around his neck as she took a seat in his lap. "I'm so glad you're okay baby. Are you hurt anywhere?" Leaning back just enough so she could look him over, she gasped at the bumps and bruises on his head. Not giving her a chance to think too much about it, he reached an arm around her neck and pulled her to him, fusing their mouths together in a heated kiss.
Tara shook her head smiling as she made her way over to Jax and took a seat in his lap, kissing up his jaw until her lips were a breath away from his. "I missed you." Banding his arms around her waist, he pulled her as close as he could and connected their lips. Their tongues swiped across each other, fighting for dominance, until they were both pulling back breathless looking at each other with hooded eyes. "Missed you too babe."
Tara turned her head to look at Opie, "You okay?" Growing up, he might as well have been her brother and she loved him like one. She didn't want anything happening to him or Jax.
Opie nodded and smiled at her, "Nothing I can't handle." The four of them relaxed and floated into a conversation about weddings. "Babe, I'm not kidding. If we can't get minute to talk about this I'm going to drag you to Elvis and he's going to marry us." Jax mumbled in an annoyed tone, which made Tara smile as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"I made up my mind, I want it before this baby comes out of me, the rest is up to you. If you really want to go to the courthouse and get it done then let's do it." She looked down at his arched eyebrow that was silently questioning her but she knew she wouldn't change her mind again. She was dead serious this time, the only thing that actually mattered was that in the end they took this one last step to becoming each other's forever. Everything else would fall into place on it's own time.
Jax let out the smile that was reserved only for her as he yanked her down to meet his lips. "We're doing it tomorrow." Tara stared at him wide eyes for a second before letting out a laugh, kissing him one more time she stood and walked to the fridge to grab a water bottle for her and Lyla.
Sitting back down all she said was, "Okay baby." Lyla looked at her with a smile on her face as Opie squeezed her hips. She turned to face him, looking him straight in the eye while her question was directed at Jax and Tara. "You mind having one more addition to the wedding list?" Tara let out a squeal before the girls both hopped out their men's laps and hugged each other.
"Alright before you cause everyone in the room to go deaf, let's head out babe. I'm exhausted and wanna go see the kids and grab some dinner." Opie said as he pulled her into his side as he smiled at the huge smile taking over her own face. Nodding, she gave Tara one more big hug while the guys shook their heads and clapped each other on the back. Standing back, Lyla gave Jax a hug and Tara gave Opie one before they walked to the door. Saying one last goodbye Lyla and Opie headed towards the car and Jax shut the door, following Tara back into the living room.
Stopping at the couch, Tara let him sit down first, "I'll be right back I'm going to check on Abel."
Walking slowly to the room, Tara opened the door and walked over to Abel's crib. Peeking over, she saw the little tot on his stomach, bottom in the air and hands under his chin. Placing a hand over his back she rubbed it for a moment and bent down as best she could to kiss his head. Walking back towards the door, she left it cracked and headed back to living room where Jax was sitting back on the couch, head pressed back against it. Reaching him, she toed off her shoes and straddled him, smiling when his hands wound around her waist, pulling her even close so they were nose to nose- and pregnant belly to abs- with each other.
Bringing her left hand to cradle his cheek, she smiled at her engagement ring and looked to meet his eyes, "We're really doing this, baby?" She couldn't keep the hint of wonder out of her voice.
"Only if you're sure you want to." Jax said cautiously, he couldn't wait to maker her Tara Teller but not if she didn't want it this way. He would wait years- annoyed and angry years but still years- to marry her if that's how she wanted it. He was lost in his thoughts that he barely registered Tara's lips on his, but when he did he dove his hands in her hair and pulled. The whimper that escaped her when he did that made him rock hard under her.
He knew Tara felt him grow under her because she started rubbing herself on him, and her tongue clashed with his in a heated kiss as she moaned into his mouth. Pulling back she lifted her shirt off of her and stood long enough to get out of the rest of her clothes and so Jax could get out of his pants. He pulled off his kutte and then his shirt, sitting back down in nothing but his boxers, he looked up at Tara who was now in nothing both lace bra and matching panties. Hooking his finger in her panties, he brought her back down to straddle his growing erection.
Weaving her hands in his his she raised herself enough to allow him to pull his boxers down, Jax grabbed his cock in one hands and her waist in the other. Stroking it back and forth down her wet heat, he made sure to hit her clit which made her shiver and dig her nails into his scalp while she moaned. "Jax, please," she managed to get out breathlessly before unweaving one hand out of his hair. Dropping it down between the two of them, she grabbed a hold of his head and put it at her entrance. When she did that, she put her hand on his shoulder and slammed herself down on his cock.
Letting out hiss of a breath, Jax grabbed onto her hips and squeezed almost to the point of pain. Lifting her up and dropping her back down, over and over again. She dropped her forehead on his, panting. He could feel her walls tightening around him, knew she was close. Getting his fingers he worked her clit as he continued slamming into her. Her screams were getting louder and louder, "Oh God, I'm so close Jax."
"I'm right there with you babe, give it to me." As he said it he pinched her clit between his fingers and sent her into her orgasm, hard and fast. Letting go, he wrapped his arms around her, ramming into her four more times before stilling and pouring himself deep inside of her and producing another orgasm from her. She clutched his shoulders as she rode it out.
Tara wasn't sure how much time had passed before she felt her legs go back to normal, opening her eyes so saw Jax was already watching her.
Smiling at him she answered his question, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
Giving her one more kiss, he stood up to his feet and walked them to their room. Setting Tara down on the bed he threw on a pair of boxers and sweats, then walked over to the drawer and got Tara a pair of panties, sliding them on her before giving her one of his t-shirts to put on. Pulling off the covers, Tara settled in and waited for Jax to lay beside her, relaxing against his body as it cradled her closer to his. Soon they both let sleep take them.
Tara woke up with sunlight shining brightly through the curtains, turning she looked at Jax's face and how relaxed it appeared. It made her smile a sad smile because lately she could tell that he's been worrying about a lot and hasn't been able to focus on one thing at a time. Her sad smile turned into a genuine one when the arm that had been holding her to him through the night, pulled her closer. She waited for his eyes to blink open before kissing his jaw and whispering "Good morning."
Jax looked down and smiled at her, "Good morning, beautiful." Leaning down, he gave her a quick but passionate kiss before pulling back, "How long have you been up?"
"Not too long, a little bit before you. I was going to get dressed and get some breakfast started." She watched as he nodded at her before he threw the cover off and moved so his body was hovering over hers. Smirking down at her he asked, "You ready for today?" Tara didn't need clarification, she knew he was talking about their runaway wedding. She nodded without hesitation, "Hell yeah baby."
Right as he leaned down to kiss her, a little cry was heard from the room outside of theirs. Laughing against her lips, Jax gave her a quick kiss before getting out of the bed. "Your son has the worst timing, I'll go get him and feed him. You go get ready."
When he disappeared from her view, Tara got up and out of the bed. Walking to the bathroom she turned on the shower and stripped out her shirt and panties, stepping into the hot stream she let it wash over her as she felt her giddiness become full fledged. She was getting married, and today that's all that mattered, nothing would ruin this day. After showering she wrapped a towel around her head and then her growing body, as she brushed her teeth. Getting dressed, she walked over to the mirror and did her makeup, walking out of the bedroom and into the kitchen when she was done.
She couldn't help her smile when Abel reached his hands out from his high chair to go into her arms, the minute he saw her. Walking over, she picked him up and peppered his slobbery, banana covered cheeks with kisses as he laughed and grabbed onto her hair. Giving him one more kiss, she settled him back down in his chair and took a seat next to him, watching as Jax shoved things into his baby bag.
After a few minutes he joined Abel and her at the table, grabbing his son's little feet and playing with them. "Are you going tell your mom?" Not having a huge wedding was fine with Tara, but she knew that if they got married without telling Gemma they would be facing World War III. By the look on his she knew he was dreading it as much as she was.
"I don't think we have a choice, she's coming over to see Abel today. She should be here any minute." Right as he finished there was a knocking on the door, getting up Tara headed for it. Opening it she saw Gemma standing there, "Hey Gem, come on in," Tara waved her in with a smile. Following her into the kitchen she watched as she went and gave Abel a few kisses before hugging Jax and giving him a kiss as well.
"Hey ma, we have to talk to you about something." Jax knew it would be hard to tell her but he needed to. He saw as she raised her eyebrow at him and silently told him to go on. Clearing his throat he looked over at Tara as he spoke, "We're getting married today."
"What the hell are you talking about? When did you decide this?" He was surprised that there wasn't anger in her voice, just shock.
"We were talking about it yesterday and decided to do it, we don't want to wait anymore." He was hoping she would just go along with it, he really didn't want to fight with her about this, because in the end he would do it anyways, he'd waited for Tara long enough and he wasn't putting it off any longer. He waited for her to respond to him, but she was looking into the living room. Following her line of vision he saw his and Tara's close lying on the floor next to the couch. He mentally slapped himself for not moving them when he got Abel.
"Mom?" He rolled his eyes as she turned and smirked at the both of them, "When was that decided? Last night when you obviously needed to fuck on a couch instead of ten feet away in your room?" But there was no malice in her words, amusement more so. She faced them one more time before speaking up, "I can't stop you, you two are no longer kids. Just know that I expect to be there."
Tara nodded at her as she let out a giggle, "Don't worry, you will be. We have one more couple joining us too, so you get to see two marriages taking place."
"You're shitting me! Ope and Lyla too?" Tara nodded her head and smiled as Gemma shook her head and picked up Abel, directing her words at him, "I leave them alone for one day and this happens. What are we going to do Abel?" The baby babbled as if he was actually answering her question, which made the trio laugh. "Alright well I better go get ready. Send me the address and I'll meet you guys there."
Jax looked at his mom like she had grown two heads, as he walked her to the door and closed it behind her. "Well that went much better than anticipated." He couldn't even tell Tara how much of an understatement that was, all he did was laugh and walk over to her, pulling her to him and giving her a kiss on the lips.
Two and a half hours later, at 12:30, Tara and Jax, Opie and Lyla, along with Gemma, Abel, Piper, Ellie, Kenny, and Clay were standing in front of a judge in a courthouse waiting to get married.
After what seemed like forever they finally got the ball rolling, Jax and Tara stood in front of the judge first. "Do you, Jackson Nathaniel Teller take Tara Grace Knowles to be your lawfully wedded wife, from this forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"I do."
"And do you Tara Grace Knowles take Jackson Nathaniel Teller to be your lawfully wedded husband, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"I do," Tara replied with tears in her eyes as she looked her Jax.
"I know pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Jax pulled Tara to him and kissed her soundly for a solid minute, it had her knees going weak and she had to remind herself that they were in a room full of people. "I love you, ." "And I love you ."
Next up were Opie and Lyla, which resulted in new tears for both girls.
The four of them couldn't keep the smiles off their faces as they got congratulated, hugged and kissed from the older kids and Gemma and Clay. Gemma spoke up when they were headed out the courthouse, "I'm real proud of the two of you," she looked and Jax and Opie, "You pulled your head out of your asses and went after your women. Let's keep it that way."
Both men nodded at her and gave her one more kiss as they came up to Clay's bike. They waved them off and turned around to head to their cars. It was now almost 6 o'clock and the sun was beginning to set behind them. Jax looked at the kids and Abel who was in Tara's arms happily playing with her hair. "You guys wanna go grab some dinner before we call it a night?"
All the heads around them were nodding so they decided to stop at Peter Piper Pizza to let the kids have some fun and give them some time to relax. Getting in their cars they rode down to their destination.
The kids ran around like wild animals the minute they got their tickets for games, while the guys ordered food and the girls went to sit at a table. Abel had fallen asleep during the car ride and was in his car seat by Tara's feet as the guys came to join them.
It was a busy day, and yet compared to the life they've been in since they were little, it was calming. Throwing his hand over Tara's shoulder after he sat down, Jax let himself relax, he knew as long as he had this-his family and his friends that were her right now- that everything else would be okay. Sitting back he sipped on his beer and listened to his wife talking to the two people across from them that would always be there.