Chapter 12: Reminders of the Past
Gemma did her best to try and get rid of Éire. But Éire, being her stubborn self, had enough of this bullshit and was no longer interested in playing in their little charade. Furthermore, if she spent any more time at home, she would lose her shit. She perched herself on the couch in the clubhouse. After a while, Gemma called her to come grocery shopping and she happily agreed to go because she was so bored. By the time they were pulling back into the lot, Jax and Opie had returned. Éire, not even realising that they were there in the first place could tell Jax was here by a clearly panicked Gemma. Driving further in, Gemma eventually stopped the car;
'Éire, I eh I promised your um your Dad –'
Éire hadn't realised that Gemma was so caught up over this, to the point she could just about get her words out. She didn't like seeing Gemma so unnerved and decided that today wasn't the day for that argument;
'It's okay Gemma, I'll wait here.'
Gemma grabbed the groceries and walked into the clubhouse. Éire kept her head down in the car, unbeknown to herself. However, from the garage, Jax was looking on in anger. He refused to believe that delaying the inevitable was going to solve anything. Before he could walk over, his Mom got back into the car and drove off.
Gemma returned a while later to finish off some work and lock up the office. Just as she was nearly finished, her son barged into the office and stared down at her in her desk chair.
Gemma, realising what was about to unfold, played dumb;
'Jackson, something on your mind?'
'Mom, who in the god-damn world do you and that asshole think you're protecting with your little games? I've realised how bad I fucked up. I'm sure, after sending her a million fucking miles away, that she's realised too! But you think I ain't gonna ever see her or talk to her again? I think you need to consider the fact– '
Gemma held up her hand, stopping Jax's rant;
'Jax, you know this isn't my doing baby. Clay told me he talked to you, you know where he stands. And I think for now it's best you stay away from each other. You know, temptation and all'
This got Jax really riled up. He threw his hands in the air, rolling his eyes;
'Jesus Christ Ma. You think I can't fucking stop myself. It's been nineteen fucking months. If I went that long, I'm sure we'll last in a room together without ripping each other's fucking clothes off!'
To this, Gemma lifted her head and looked at Jax with raised eyebrows.
However, before he got a chance to go off again, Happy who had heard Jax's objections from outside, walked into the office to have his say;
'It's not about that Jax. But it ain't worth risking it. What happened before, it was real bad – especially for Éire.'
'Fuck you Happy. This ain't shit got to do with you only you never wanted me near her in the first place.'
Happy remained calm but on the inside he was pissed;
'Yeah, Jax. You're right. I didn't want you near her. I knew you'd fuck her up.'
Gemma, fearing things were about to go off, stood up because she knew this comment would have Jax pissed. She put her hand on his shoulder and told him to take a walk. Jax walked passed Happy, staring at him with a clenched Jaw.
Happy remained in the same spot, still remaining calm with his arms folded across his chest. Gemma looked at him;
'Bit harsh Hap.'
'It's the fucking truth Gemma. And he was just as fucked up over her. You know the pain and misery he went through Gemma. You're right to keep them apart.'
Happy creeped back out of the office. Gemma looked out the window and watched her son put on his helmet. She hadn't seen him have an outburst like that in a while. Actually, if her memory served her correctly, the last time she saw him like this was over Éire as well. Gemma was seriously hoping and praying that the feeling that nothing had fucking changed was just a feeling and not a reality. Happy was right. Gemma did remember the pain and misery Jax had suffered. She couldn't watch her son go through that all over again.
