Chapter Fourteen

Jaycee

I'm currently at Opie- I mean Lyla's house. Not for long though we're just picking up the kids Ellie, Kenny, and Piper. Lyla is going to be busy for a few days so I'm picking up the slack with my little nieces and nephew. Usually, Aunt Gemma does this but it seems she's MIA. I don't mind though.

It takes a village to raise kids I know that firsthand. The little one rapidly growing inside of me will also be a part of that village... I want them to know the good aspects of it and none of the bad. Wishful thinking I know but it's all I have at the moment. Especially since Charming isn't the safest place at the moment.

" You got everything? " I ask Kenny as we pack all the bags in the back of the SUV.

He nods before putting his bag gently into the back of the truck. " Yeah. I got my games so I'm good. "

" Piper, Ellie? " I ask the girls. " You guys got everything? "

They both nod and climb into the backseat. Once we're all in Donny starts the car and I do seat beat checks. Yes, I'm that kind of Auntie. Safety first with the future of the world in the car.

Halfway to Encino I turn around and look at the kids. " Do you guys want me to cook when we get home or do you want to stop and get some pizza to go? "

" I vote pizza. " Donny throws out before the kids can reply with the same answer.

I laugh and shake my head.

...

After a dinner of pizza and breadsticks, I teach Piper and Ellie the proper way to make an apple pie for our dessert. Aunt Gemma taught me when I was their age so it's time to pass on that knowledge.

" Aunt Jaycee? " Ellie asks as I'm putting the pie in the oven.

Closing the oven door I turn to face her. " Yes, babe? "

" Is it true that you're going to have a baby? " She asks looking a bit uncomfortable asking.

Feeling my eyebrows hit my hairline I ask, " where'd you hear that "?

Of course, now that I think about it, the kids really aren't kids anymore. They're all teenagers now and the thought makes me feel older than I am. I was there when both Ellie and Kenny were born. I was around their age as a matter of fact. And now they call me Aunt Jaycee. As I said, it takes a village.

" Uncle Tigger was talking about it on the phone. " She says matter of factly. " He said he was happy for you. "

That's my Tiggy. " Well, babe, yes I am having a baby. "

" I hope it's a girl! " She says in excitement.

Kenny chimes in with a groan. " No way. It's going to be a boy. "

" I'm glad you guys are so excited. " Piper goes back to the table and unrolls some parchment paper. " What's that Piper? "

She shows me proudly. " It's an art project I'm working on for school. "

" Wow. " I say as I look further at what looks to be the mid stages of the drawing.

" It's Uncle Jax's bike. " Kenny says as he looks as well.

It sure is Jax's bike. Speaking of, I just realized that being here in Encino has had me way out of the loop of what's happening with the MC. Between this and being pregnant, my brain is scrambled. I need to call Tig later and get all the information I've been lacking. Trust I've been left out by the other for a reason.

" It looks great. " I say while patting her shoulder. " I can't wait to see it when you're finished. I'm sure Uncle Jax will love it too. "

Feigning indifference she says, " I hope so ".

" He will... " I promise her. " When the pie is done anyone want to watch a movie?

Kenny raises his hand like he's in school. " Can we watch It Follows? "

" Yeah! All my friends have seen it. " Ellie seconds.

I've never even heard of it. " It's scary? "

"Uh-huh. " Piper says as she works on her project.

" Okay, I"m down with that. We still have a while until the pie is done so I'm going to go make a quick call. You guys chill out in here. "

" Okay. "

...

Once I'm in the bedroom I get my burner and call he shop. Caroline answers and I sigh before speaking.

" Hey, Care, it's Jaycee. "

Jaycee?! Where the hell have you been?

" I know, I know. I've been indisposed. How is the shop? "

It's great... Profits are up and we're getting more and more new customers.

" Great. Keep up the good work. Do me a favor and email me the reports and everything I've missed. "

Sure thing... Also, some girl named Sonja has been calling here for Juan... Sounds really worried, hell we all are.

" I'm sorry, I know we've been very MIA lately. " I tell her honestly. " To clear things up, Juan is locked up. I've been in Encino taking care of some things and haven't gotten around to letting everyone know and that's my fault. "

Thank God! Not that he's in jail, but that he's alive. What should I tell the Sonja girl?

Shaking my head I say, " don't tell her anything. If she calls again give her my number. "

Sonja... She's complicated. He met her a few years after we did. I've heard around that she thinks she's the love of Juan's life. Blah, blah, blah. In all honesty, she's the one that allows him to do as he pleases. Come and go as he wants with little to no explanation. To him, she's easier than actually having a girlfriend.

A minute after I hang up my burner rings.

" Hello? " I ask not knowing who it could be.

Jay? It's Wendy.

Ahh. " Hey, Wendy what's up? "

I think I might have done something bad.

" Is it the kids? " I ask in alarm.

God no! I... I told Jax about Juice hiding in my apartment. I just didn't want any secrets between us.

She can't do shit like that! " Okay. It's not like he's going to kill his own mother over that. "

I may have let slip that you were helping.

" Fuck. " I say pinching the bridge of my nose.

I'm sorry.

I sigh but know it's not her fault. " It's okay, thanks for letting me know. "

Thank God he doesn't know where I am. The last thing I need is a face-to-face conversation with an angry Jax.

I wake up the next morning hearing clear sounds of distress. Throwing the blankets off of myself I get out of bed and go to the spot he's occupying in the corner. Crusher whimpers and his whole body shudders. Placing my hand on his back I can feel him shaking like a leaf.

" What's wrong buddy? " I ask and he can barely pick his head up in response.

Getting back up I head out into the living room where Donny is.

" Something is wrong with Crusher. " I tell him quickly.

He looks up and asks, " what do you mean "?

" He's whimpering and shaking. He wasn't acting like this yesterday and now I'm worried. We need to take him to the vet. " I say while wiping my eyes clear of the sleep fog.

" Okay, I'll call Tully. " He says and I head back down the hall to get dressed.

" What's going on? " Kenny asks while rubbing his eyes.

Getting Crusher's leash I tell him, " one of the dog's is sick, babe. Go back to bed. "

He nods and goes back into the room he slept in last night.

Going into the living room I find who I'm looking for. " Hey, Georgie? "

" Yeah, Jay? " He asks looking up from the TV with bloodshot eyes.

I wonder how long it has been since he slept? " Me and Donny are going to take Crusher to the vet. The kids are still asleep if they wake up will you make them some cereal or something? "

" You got it. " He says with a nod.

...

" It was a small heart attack in short. He's a senior dog and sometimes this happens. " The vet says clinically. " There isn't much we can do besides put him to sleep and out of pain. We just need a signature. "

It's up to me? Once again Tully is unreachable and now I have to make the decision to put his dog to sleep. " I guess if there isn't anything to be done... I don't want him to be in pain if there isn't any hope. "

" Okay. Do you want to be in the room when it happens or... " He asks not knowing which I'd prefer.

I nod slowly. " Yeah. "

Once everything is set up and he isn't in any pain, I start petting his head. The vet takes his syringe and slowly inserts the needle into Crusher. He whines out a little breaking my heart.

" I'm sorry, buddy. It's going to be okay. " I tell him as tears flow down my cheeks.

He whimpers a bit but acknowledges my presence as his life fades away slowly but surely.

What's going on, Peaches? Donny said there was an accident or something?

The kids are in bed and I'm still up dealing with what happened when Tully finally calls.

" Something happened. I don't know how to tell you and I guess neither does Donny. " I say doing my best to keep a level tone.

What did I tell you about bad news?

Sighing I say. " it's Crusher ".

Crusher?

" He was fine last night. He ate, and played with the kids... Perfectly normal. " I say sadly. " Then when I woke up this morning he wasn't at the foot of the bed like he has been doing for the past week. I went looking and found him in corner of the room convulsing. Me and Donny took him to the vet and they said it was cardiac arrest and that it sometimes happens with senior dogs. I had to make the decision but he didn't go in pain. They had him drugged up and he went peacefully. "

He doesn't speak for a long while.

" Ronald? " I whisper as I lay back against the headboard of the bed.

He was old. I knew he wasn't going to live forever. Just hoped he would hold out till I after got home.

I frown knowing he's trying to be strong. " I'm sorry, baby. I know how much you love your dogs. "

He didn't go alone. I'm glad you were with him. Thank you.

" I can't wait for you to get home. It's times like these that we both could use more than each others voices. "

Soon, Peaches. Reall soon. I promise.