Ana sighed as she woke up to an empty bed yet again. The past few days had been rough for the little family-to-be. Juice would be gone almost all night just to be up again early the next morning. He insisted everything was alright, except both he and Ana knew that wasn't true.
The deaths of Phil, Otto, and Lin were hitting the club hard. They'd lost so many in the past couple of years, and Ana knew they were tired of taking losses.
She stretched and got out of bed, grabbing her black robe and putting it on. She walked into the main room of the clubhouse and nearly jumped ten feet when she saw Juice lying on the floor, still asleep.
"Babe," she whispered, shaking him gently. He woke up and smiled guiltily at her.
"Sorry love," he said. "I got in a couple hours ago and didn't want to wake you."
"It's alright," Ana replied, walking into the kitchen, where the crow eaters were starting to congregate. "What do you want for breakfast?"
"Uh, we were told to start cooking," one of the crow eaters said.
"Only one making a meal for my man is me," Ana snapped at her. "Get out."
The girls all left, muttering under their breath. Juice laughed a little.
"Easy there," he said.
"Whatever," Ana said, giggling a little. "Food?"
"Eggs," Juice answered as he hopped onto the counter. He observed her as she cooked, thoughts filling his head as he did.
He was ready to leave this town, and take her with him. He knew that the longer they stayed, the more dangerous it would get for them. Gia was due to arrive soon, and while Juice couldn't wait to finally meet his daughter, he was scared to death as to what it meant for their safety.
"What's on your mind?" Ana asked as she put a plate of eggs on the table. She gestured for Juice to get off the counter and eat.
"Just this Irish shit," he said, taking a bite. "I'm going to be straight with you, I'm fucking terrified."
"Me too," she said. "But I knew that your lifestyle was a little dangerous. I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh, I know," he replied.
Gemma walked into the kitchen, looking perturbed.
"I told those girls to make breakfast," she said angrily to Ana. "Believe it or not, there's more people here other than your man to cook for."
"I haven't been able to see him all fucking week, Gem," Ana shot back. "I wanted a moment with him, and since you all insist on having us locked up like dogs, this is the only way I can before he goes back on surveillance."
Gemma rolled her eyes.
"Ten more minutes and these girls come back in here. Don't start with me, Lewis. I am not the one today," she said, retreating back into the foyer.
"Wow," Juice said, shocked at how bitter Gemma had gotten toward Ana.
"She's still mad that I plan on leaving," Ana explained. "She'll get over it. So what are your plans today?"
Juice shrugged.
"Jax sent me home from the stakeout. Told me to get some rest then to take over looking out for Tara."
Ana and Juice shared a look when he said that. Tara wasn't the same these days. The DA was still after her for conspiracy charges after Otto offed the nurse. While she hadn't been jailed, the evidence against her still wasn't pretty. She was secretive now, and withdrawn. Ana suspected she was up to something, but had no idea what it was.
"How do you think she'll take it?" Ana asked.
"Not good," Juice admitted. "But she'll prefer me over Rat or Hap any day."
Ana chuckled a little, nodding in agreement as the girls and Gemma came back in the kitchen. Ana didn't speak to them as they began to cook, her silence deafening enough.
"Do we need anything?" Gemma asked Chucky, who had joined them. Ana have a sad smile to the man, knowing he was grieving the loss of his friend.
"Beer and soda," he said glumly.
"Are you going to be okay, Chuck?" Juice asked.
He shrugged.
"Trying to be," Chucky said. "Otto saved my life inside."
Gemma gave him a hug, tears filling her eyes.
"He loved you. Remember that. And remember what he did for you."
Juice got up and motioned for Ana to follow him. They walked into the foyer where Tara was waiting.
"You're on guard duty today?" she asked Juice bitterly.
"Yeah," Juice said. "It was either me or Happy. Ana has an appointment today, do you think she can ride with you?"
Tara shrugged.
"Be my guest," she said.
"Everything looks good," the doctor said as she let Ana get dressed. "The baby is head down so she's getting ready. Also, you're starting to dilate, but nothing too significant, it could still be a couple weeks."
"That's great," Ana said. "I can't wait."
"Remember, no sex and no stress," her doctor said. Ana scoffed a little, and the doctor smirked. They both knew that the stress condition wouldn't fly with Ana's lifestyle.
"See you next week," Ana said, leaving the room. She headed to the checkout desk, passing Tara's office on the way. She decided to drop in and tell her about the appointment.
When she opened the door, however, she was met with a confusing scene.
The club's lawyer, the HR representative Margaret, Tara, and Wendy were around the desk, talking in hushed tones. They all looked up as she opened the door, and the room went quiet.
"I was coming to tell you about my appointment," Ana said slowly. "But if it's a bad time, I can wait outside."
"No," Tara said, smiling a little. "We're done, just some paperwork needed to be handled. I'll see you guys later."
The three other women left the office, not meeting Ana's eyes as they passed her. Ana shut the door behind them and turned to Tara.
"What was that about? And don't lie," she demanded.
Tara sighed and motioned for Ana to sit down.
"I'm leaving," she said. "I'm taking that job in Portland and I'm taking the boys away from here."
"That doesn't explain the whole sorority meeting I just interrupted," Ana said.
Tara shifted on the desk a little.
"That's in case these charges stick," she admitted. "I'm giving Wendy guardianship of the boys if I do."
Ana's eyes widened.
"But Jax is their father," she said. "What are you going to do, divorce him?"
Tara was silent as her eyes wandered the room.
"Oh my God Tara!" Ana exclaimed. "That's fucked! I know you don't want Gemma around them, but come the fuck on! Keeping them from their dad is low!"
"How else am I supposed to do this?" Tara asked tearfully. "I'm stuck!"
"Talk to your husband," Ana said. She took one of Tara's hands. "Jax may be the MC president but he's a father first. Tell him what you're doing and I'm sure he'll understand."
Tara shook her head.
"I'm scared," she said. "Even if he agrees, Gemma is sneaky and will find a way to fuck it up."
"Give me the papers then," Ana said. "She doesn't have keys to my safe. I'll keep them in there, away from her. This can be just between us, the people who already know, and Jax."
Tara smiled a little.
"And Juice," she said. "You shouldn't keep this huge secret from him."
Ana nodded, taking the papers that Tara was handing to her.
"You're going to be fine," Ana said. "You're getting them out of here, and you're all going to be okay."
The two women sat there in silence for a while, praying what Ana said was true.