There was a reason why Kristina told Joey. It wasn't because he demanded it, or the fact that she wanted him to get worked up- it was subconscious. She was angry. Angry that Jax left her for a year. Angry that he missed all of the boys' first steps and first full sentences and that she went to bed by herself not knowing if he was safe or not until the next phone call. But that anger was misplaced, and even she knew it. Her being outside on that unseasonably warm December afternoon one year ago led to him going away. He'd never blame her for it, and she knew that. And for that reason, for him taking on the responsibility of her mishap and suffering the consequences for her stubbornness made her angry with herself. She wanted him to blame her. She wanted him to yell and shout and get angry so they could move forward. She didn't want to hurt him, but if him being angry about this would lead to a fight just for them to get over it, then so be it.
She sat on the toilet seat with her legs folded like a pretzel until he stepped out of the shower. Brushing his wet hair back, she stared at the blood stained clothes on the floor. "It's done?" she asked quietly, keeping her gaze down
Jax looked over at her and saw what she was looking at "It's done." he replied, examining the gash on his lip in the mirror that was still bleeding.
She looked up at him and watched as he rinsed his mouth out, spitting out the blood stained water. She sighed and stood up, grabbing his face and pulling at his lip "You need stitches" she sighed "Both of you… You guys are so fucking stupid."
He pulled his head away and spit again into the sink, "You just had to say something." he said disappointedly "You…" he sighed and walked into the bedroom, grabbing clean clothes from the dresser.
Following him, she sat down on the bed and leaned up against the headboard watching him dress "I what?"
"Nothin'" he mumbled, pulling a white t-shirt over his head "Forget it."
"No" she pleaded "Jax. I need you to get angry right now. Don't dismiss it."
He raised an eyebrow and squinted "I'm not gonna get angry, Kris. I'm tired."
"I'm tired too. I'm exhausted! It's been non-stop since you came home. It's been nothing but drama. I've waited a year for you to come back, your dumb ass antics left me alone with three boys." she groaned. She kept trying to poke and prod, she needed an argument.
"Kris, I know that. I'm sorry you had to do that but you knew what you were getting into when we got married. You knew." he replied calmly, pulling on his jeans and pulling his belt from the dirty pair on the floor. "I fucked up, and I had to pay the price."
Kris chuckled and shook her head. He wasn't giving in. She looked over at the night stand and saw the small alarm clock that she never used- always used her phone. She knew she had to make a statement and try to get him riled up. She picked it up and threw it across the room, it smashed against the door and shattered into pieces landing on the floor. Jax jumped and looked at the beauty, frozen in place. "You DID. You DID fuck up. You fucking left me here alone and worrying out of my MIND!" she shouted, sitting up straight and hardening her glare at him.
"I'm sorry!" he growled "How many times do I need to say it?! I fucking put my neck on the line to save you! I did it today Kristina! And I'd do it again!" he held out his hands showing his split knuckles
"Did it hurt?" she asked mischievously
Jax grinned and licked his split lip "What's this about?"
"I need you to get angry with me. Fuck Jax. Just yell and throw shit. Get it all out! This calm and collective shit isn't what we do! You want things to go back to normal?" she asked honestly as she searched the floor for something and picked up his shoe. He smiled at her as if he was daring her to throw it. "THIS!" she yelled, throwing the shoe as he ducked out of the way "THIS is how we get back to normal!"
He chuckled and nodded, completely agreeing with her. He walked to the closet and pulled out her beloved blue and polkadot handbag. He wrapped the strap around his fingers and looked at her "I told you to STAY in the HOUSE!" he yelled ripping the strap from the bag.
Her gasps were heard outside as she grabbed his other shoe throwing it at him "I'm NOT A fucking KID! How was I supposed to know what would happen?!" she shouted back "You asshole! That shit was almost four hundred dollars!"
Julie walked through the kitchen to meet Happy, Chibs, Juice and Tig at the front door, hearing the shouting from down the hall. She put her finger to her lips as they walked inside. "The fuck is going on?" Juice asked
"You stubborn bitch!" Jax shouted
"Fuck you!" Kristina yelled back, punching his arm
"Shit!" he hissed "You still hit like a girl!"
Happy went to turn around and walk back out the front door before she grabbed his arm. "Fuck outta here" he said "I ain't dying today."
Julie laughed and pulled him back "C'mon. Kris and I are gonna make dinner. You know this shit is entertaining."
Chibs, Juice and Tig made their way down the hall and stood outside the bedroom door. "No. She's one crazy ass bitch." Happy deadpanned
"NOT THAT BAG! NOT RAZZLE" Kris screeched. They heard the popping of a handle being ripped from the leather "NOO! UGH! YOU SHITHEAD!" she grabbed his kutte and a lighter "I'll fucking light it up!" she laughed "I'll DO IT!"
"You've got blood on your hands now dumbass" Jax chuckled
"FUCK!" She shouted tossing it down "THAT WAS MY FAVORITE BAG! DICK!"
"Kris!" Julie called out walking down the hall. She knocked on the door "Kris c'mon"
"THIS ASSHOLE!" She yelled flinging the door open "Hey guys" she smiled
"Everything okay?" Chibs asked skittishly
She chuckled and nodded as Jax stepped up behind her laughing "Yeah, why? You guys hungry?"
"The fuck is goin' on?"
She shrugged and walked past them "Nothin'" she chuckled
The men looked back at Jax who smiled and shrugged "Just talkin' shit out."
"By calling her a dumbass?" Tig asked
Jax grinned confidently "It's what we do"
Standing in the kitchen, Kris was pulling food out of the fridge "Beer?"
He nodded as she handed him one "Better?"
She smiled and turned her attention back to the counter "You owe me two handbags asshole."
He leaned in and rested his chin on her shoulder "How about I buy you three and we'll call it even?"
"Two and a pair of Louboutins and you got yourself a deal. You can afford it now, Prez."
"The fuck are Louboutins?" he asked, leaning up against the counter, bringing the beer to his mouth
She grabbed her phone and held it up "These. I want them."
"Amazing" he chuckled
"What is?"
"You can purposely spark an argument and I'm agreeing to buy you seven hundred dollar shoes."
"And two handbags" she added continuing to cut the vegetables in front of her
"That's right" he smiled "You're lucky I love your ass."
"And I love your dumbass too. Julie, grab the big pot will ya?"
"Joey's still outside" she sighed, reaching into the cabinet and placing the pot on the stove "You gonna go talk to him?"
"There's nothing to say. He's gotta calm down. He got it out of his system. Let him come back in on his own."
"Jackie" Chibs said looking at his face "That don't look too good"
"I told you" Kris sighed "He needs stitches."
"Been bleedin' since we left" Chibs added "You need a few brotha. Where's the kit?"
Kris lifted her right hand that had the knife in it making Jax and Happy jump back "Hall bathroom" she said pointing "oh relax" she drawled as Chibs disappeared out of the kitchen "I'm not gonna stab your ass, Killer."
"How the fuck am I supposed to know that?" Happy asked
Kris chuckled and went back to cutting "because, I have a new found respect for you. And I didn't think I could respect you anymore than I already did." She smiled keeping her attention on the cutting board
Julie snorted and leaned up against the sink trying to hide her face. "Oh yeah?" Jax laughed "why's that?"
She put the knife down and grabbed her beer "Your friend here..." She smiled, pointing at Happy with the top of the bottle "from what I hear, is extremely talented."
"Asshole" Julie whispered as Happy and Jax looked at one another
"That so?" Jax asked
"Impressively talented. Don't wanna say I'm jealous... But..."
Jax looked back at Happy as Chibs walked into the kitchen holding the first aid kit. "Sit" he said, pointing to the chair. He grabbed the needle and threat to sew up Jax's lip. Kris grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the top of the fridge "gonna need this" he said letting Jax take a swig before pulling back his lip and pushing the needle through.
"Ughhhh!" Jax groaned
"Stop talking!" Chibs ordered
"Uckin hurts!" He whined
"Oh c'mon" Kris sighed "Your sons would sit through it."
"My ass" Jax sassed "You have no idea how… UGH!"
She let out a loud laugh "No?"
"Take it back bro" Happy chuckled
"Was I not shot? Did I not deliver two boys without drugs? Did I not dislocate my shoulder and have to have surgery to repair ligaments?"
Jax rolled his eyes as Chibs tightened the thread and snipped the string, tying it tight "Fuck man" he groaned bringing his hand to his mouth "Fuck"
"My big bad biker baby" Kris snickered "Take another swig. You'll live." she said as he disappeared down the hallway and reappeared with a few seconds with an unlit cigarette between his lips "That's gonna help prevent infection" she sarcastically chuckled
Jax smiled and lit the cigarette "I'll rip another handbag"
"I'll rip those stitches right out" she pointed at his lip "We're even."
"You promise you'll call?" Gino asked, kissing the top of Kristina's head.
"As soon as I know, you'll know" she smiled "Don't worry Pop. I promise."
"Take care of her" he said to Jax, giving him a hug goodbye. Kris turned around and walked back in the house knowing she'd end up crying if she stayed outside any longer. "Vin and Joe will be out here a few more days. Anything you need from them, you let them know."
Jax nodded "You got it."
Gino stepped off onto the grass motioning for Jax to come with him "Look… I know shit went down yesterday between you two."
Jax sighed and crossed his arms, widening his stance as he stood tall in front of her father "It happened. It's over with."
"Joey won't tell me why, but I'm pretty good at putting two and two together son. He doesn't let his shit go like that. And there's only three people he'd allow that to happen for, and those people are Kristina, Victoria and Julie. I'm gonna assume it was because of Kristina." Jax didn't respond but waited for him to keep talking "I ain't gonna give you the father-of-the-bride speech. But you hurt her again…"
"Point taken. Was a long time ago, sir. Her and I worked through our shit, we're more than okay now."
Gino nodded "As long as she's okay, then I'm okay. And make sure she keeps herself healthy this time around?"
"You've got my word."
He extended his hand to Jax and shook it "I'll be back in a few months. Probably sometime around April or May. Anything you need, you let me know." he said turning and walking towards the car where his brothers and nephews, along with Victoria were waiting. Joey and Jax had spoken that morning, finding common ground on their knock out the day before. Both agreed to let shit go, having gotten what they needed to out of their systems. Joey's deal was the same as Kristina's father's 'you hurt her again…' and that was all Jax needed to hear, because he knew it wouldn't happen. Besides, Kristina wasn't Joey's main priority at the moment, but the concern was that much more when he found out about the infidelity because he was that concerned about his sister and what she was getting herself into.
Jax walked back into the house and plopped down on the couch, putting up his feet next to Kristina "You okay?"
She nodded and put her head on his shoulder "I'm okay. Just tired."
"Where's everyone else?"
Kris yawned and stretched her legs out on the table "Vin and Joey went to grab some food to bring back with Julie, they'll be back in a bit."
"How long she staying for?"
She snickered and shrugged "Who knows. She can do her work from here. Happy's got her all twisted up."
"Bad?" Jax chuckled
"Oh, she's got it bad. I know she's having fun, and loving it out here. But I dunno if she's actually had that 'talk' with him yet"
Jax sighed and scratched his beard "You talk to her?"
She shook her head "Haven't gotten much. I think she kind of knows that much about Happy- he's not the 'old lady' type. But I don't need her getting hurt Jax. She's been by herself for way too long. She's twenty-nine, and I don't want her throwing away years or however long on something she'll be disappointed with."
"C'mon" he sighed "Hap isn't gonna hurt her."
Jess and Opie walked through the back door and joined them in the living room "Kids sleeping?" Jess asked, sitting on the other couch next to Opie
"Yeah" Kris sighed "Gabby asleep?"
"Soundly" she smiled "It's nice and peaceful. Ellie's watching her, so we're free. Whatcha talkin' about?"
"Jules and Hap"
Jess pulled her mouth to the side "I told you how I feel about that" she sighed
"Exactly what I'm saying right now."
"Hap isn't an asshole" Jax argued "He ain't gonna hurt her."
Jess and Kris gave an unsure face "Maybe not on purpose…" Jess suggested "But Happy doesn't settle down. And I love Happy, I do. He's protective, responsible and takes care of what he needs to. But he's a manwhore."
"He's apparently kept to himself about this for over a year, that tells you something" Opie said
Kris shook her head "Because you all were locked up. So he had no other way of getting some from anyone. And she's sat on pins and needles for an entire year waiting for him to come out. You're gonna tell me he didn't go off and fuck the first hang-around he could when you all got out that day?"
"No" Jax and Opie protested
"Yeah, okay" Jess laughed "This is Happy we're talking about. I know he didn't wait for three days for her to come back."
"Look, I don't ask." Jax said "But if you two are that concerned, she's gotta be the one to ask him."
Kris rolled her eyes "She isn't gonna ask him something that she doesn't want the honest answer to. Happy isn't gonna ask her to marry him, he isn't gonna give her kids. That's what she eventually wants. I know she does. He's all about the club, he ain't a family type of guy."
"None of us know that for sure" Opie said "Just because he doesn't have kids or hasn't gotten married doesn't mean he doesn't want it."
"I guess" Kris shrugged "But she's not goin' anywhere for at least a little while. She hasn't even bought her return ticket yet to New York. That tells me she really likes him, fuck, she might even love him. I read those texts. All 'I miss yous' and 'I can't wait to see yous.' And if it blows up, she'll never come back here. When she falls, she falls hard. And I don't want to not see my cousin because shit went down."
"Pizza's here" Vin called out, stepping into the house with Julie and Joey. "The fuck is wrong with you all?" he asked, feeling the seriousness of the conversation that was taking place as they all took a seat.
Kris cleared her throat "We're all family here. So I'm gonna ask you a question, and I want a serious answer" she said looking over to Julie. Joey and Vinny both showing relief across their faces because at least someone was going to bring it up and drag it out of her. Julie waited for Kris to speak not liking where this conversation was going already. "What exactly is goin' on between you and Happy?"
Julie rolled her eyes and grabbed a slice of pizza, biting into it "I dunno" she said with her mouth full
"Didn't I just say I wanted a serious answer?" Kris growled
"That is a serious answer. I don't know what's goin' on."
"Well something is" Jess added "You haven't bought your flight back yet, you've been off with him almost every night. You've had to have had some sort of conversation about what this is."
"Not really" she said "We talk, but haven't been doin' much of that the last few days"
Joey and Vinny grimaced keeping their attention on the food "Well the reason I'm asking is because I love you and I love Happy. And because I love you both, this puts all of us in a very very compromising position. We don't want either of you to get hurt." It wasn't a lie, but she didn't want to outright tell her that Happy is gonna kick her to the curb in a little while when he was done with her.
"I dunno, Kris" Julie groaned "I really don't. What's the big deal? We're having fun."
"The big deal is that you two are both family. Now, no one here can actually believe that Happy Lowman sent text messages like that, I've never in the two and a half years that I've known him seen such a thing. But I really want you to ask him what's going on. Don't attack him with it…But ask him before you get in too deep. I know you're afraid to get an answer that you don't wanna hear, but before you two go any further…"
Julie stood up and rolled her eyes walking into the kitchen. They all sat quietly waiting for her to return with three wine glasses, a bottle and four beers handing them out. "Why? It was his idea for me to stay."
Kris, Jess, Opie and Jax raised an eyebrow "Really?" Opie asked
"Yeah" she said curiously "Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Back the fuck up" Kris chuckled "When did this actually start?"
"Like Jess said the other day. Your bachelorette party. I actually.." she smiled about to stop herself from continuing but decided to keep going "I actually came out last September, October and November for a week, you had no idea. I stayed with him. Then when I came out in December that's when they went away."
Everyone raised their eyebrows "You were out here and I didn't know?!" Kris asked "You fucking slut!"
Julie chuckled "Like I said, wasn't my idea. Was all his."
Kris brought her hand to her forehead "Holy shit. Happy's really got a fucking girlfriend!"
"I don't believe it" Jess protested "I don't."
"Told you" Jax scoffed
"So then the plan is just for you to stay?" Jess asked
Julie shrugged and nodded "I guess? I dunno, you people are ridiculous. Shit, can't a girl just-"
"Don't go there" Joey growled "Disgusting."
"What? I ain't sixteen. I'm twenty-nine. I hear all sorts of shit you say." she argued "I'm a big girl. Why can't I say the same things?"
"Because, you're my sister and you're a girl. Don't talk like that."
"Then you'll be very saddened to know that your sister has been given a very very generous gift" Jess snickered
Joey gave an unimpressed face "And what gift is that?" he asked, clearly assuming Jess was changing the conversation.
"The gift of six orgasms in fifteen minutes." She said flatly.
The mens' jaws could've been scraped off the ground. Jax and Opie added to the look further with furrowed eyebrows in complete disbelief "What?" Opie asked
"I told you all he was skilled" Jess chuckled "I don't know why you thought I was lyin'."
"There's no way" Jax drawled shaking his head
Kris looked over at him and smiled "A little jealous Prez?"
"Hell no" he scoffed "I'm just sayin', that ain't true."
Looking into her wine glass she raised her eyebrows "Oh, oh it's true" Julie smiled "It's very very true."
"I completely understand why you wouldn't want to stir up anything to ruin that kind of fun. But, I still do want you to ask him." Kris said "Please. He picking you up tonight?"
Julie nodded "In about a half hour he's coming by."
"Maybe you two could talk to him" Jess suggested looking at Opie and Jax
They both shook their heads "I ain't gettin' involved in shit" Opie scoffed
Jess pinched his arm between her nails "I'm sorry?"
Opie hissed and rubbed the pinched skin "Fine." he groaned
"Do you even need to be asked?" Kris asked looking over at Jax
"No ma'am." he smiled "I got you"
"What a good boy" she chuckled "See Jess? If you were mean right from the start you'd have him trained already. And that's some good advice for you." She smiled pointing to Julie
"Fuck that" Julie argued
"No I'm serious. Happy's scared shitless of me, and we have a great relationship. You gotta ease it in gradually though. Gently release the crazy. You do it all at once and he'll be running for the hills."
"Sure as shit wished I knew that earlier" Jax mumbled
"What was that?" she smiled
"Nothin' darlin'"
"That's what I thought. Did you forget how much of a delight I am while I'm pregnant? I hope it happens soon and it's a girl, maybe I'll be a real bitch instead of a mild one."
Jax sighed and rubbed the back of his neck "Steel bars and yard time isn't sounding too bad after all."
Everyone arrived around eight to the clubhouse on New Years Eve and they were all quickly drunk by nine. Gemma, Mary and Fiona had volunteered to take the boys and Gabby back to the house to put them to bed shortly after midnight. Everyone was wrapped up in their own conversations as Kris and Jess were playing pool against Tig and Jax, throwing extremely lewd comments their way with each pass. "You see Ellie?" Opie asked Jess as he took a swig from his beer. Ellie had begged and pleaded to allow her friend Danielle come to the clubhouse for the party. Jess and Opie agreed as long as she didn't plan on bringing anyone else- most especially Matt. Opie had kept her under lock and key the last ten days and refused to even let her out of his sight. He knew she still liked Matt, but he hadn't trusted that kid from the beginning. Ellie was only fourteen, but at first glance, someone would assume she was at least sixteen or older. Not getting any taller, over the last year he had been away, Ellie went from almost looking like a teenager to full blown adult, which made for very interesting conversations whenever he'd call Jess, making sure she was wearing turtle necks and baggy jeans. While Jess understood where he was coming from, she also knew keeping Ellie from growing up wasn't what would keep her grounded, but numerous horror stories about the delivery room were right up her and Kris' alley and they would constantly lay it on.
Jess shook her head "Saw her a little while ago. You look in the dorms?"
Opie nodded and raised an eyebrow, now knowing his daughter was most definitely up to no good "Each and every one. She ain't in the kitchen or any of the bathrooms."
"You try calling her?"
"Her phones been sitting on the table" he said pointing over to the table by the TV.
Jess sighed and rolled her eyes "She's fine Ope. Leave it."
"I ain't leavin' shit." He argued
Kris looked over and put down the pool cue "Alright. Jess and I will go look. You two stay here."
"Fuck outta here" Jax scoffed
"No" she protested "Let us find her."
"So you can cover some shit up?" Opie asked "I don't think so"
The girls sighed and grabbed their hoodies from the chair. "She's probably outside" Jess said knowingly as they stepped out of the clubhouse lighting cigarettes "El?" Jess called out but didn't get a response
Kris leaned in and whispered "She's probably hiding in the garage"
Jess looked over at Opie and Jax "Why don't you two go and check around the side?" she asked, pointing to the other end of the parking lot. Opie and Jax walked off as the girls quickly ran- more like stumbled- across the lot to get to the garage. The office door was locked and the went around the side to get in the other way, finding the door cracked open. "El?" Jess asked walking inside with Kris behind her. Kris looked at Jess and put her pointer finger and thumb together bringing it to her mouth as she smelled the potent stench of weed. Jess snorted and nodded "I know" she whispered as they flipped the light-switch on the wall. Ellie and Danielle were sitting on the cold cement floor with a bottle of whiskey and Opie's stash. "Aw shit" Jess chuckled
Ellie looked up and smiled at the two. Like her father, Ellie was quick to think and instead of hiding what she had, she held out the joint to Jess as if she was offering it to her "Girl" Kris sighed "Your dad and uncle are looking for you. Hurry up" She said picking up the bottle of whiskey.
Ellie snorted and swayed back and forth "I'm so fucking drunk right now" she slurred, leaning up against the tool box
Kris and Jess laughed, while they probably shouldn't have, it was funny. Kris and Jess extended their hands to Ellie and pulled her up which was like the blind leading the blind. "Your parents are gonna kill me" Jess sighed to Danielle whose eyes were redder than a Crayola crayon.
Danielle stood up on her own and brushed off her jeans "They're on vacation" she replied "I'm okay. I only had two shots." Which was true. She was higher than a kite but wasn't drunk.
Opie and Jax pushed their way into the garage seeing the light on "That better be you smoking" He said to Jess, instantly smelling the weed
Jess pulled on the joint and nodded "Yep" she smiled
Ellie was gripping onto Jess' shoulder as Opie glared at her "You drinking?"
She smiled and swatted at his comment, swaying and trying to keep her balance "No" she chuckled
Opie took a deep breath and grabbed her by her wrist, pulling her towards the door "Daddy" she snorted, knocking into the tool box "Daddy" she repeated again with laughter
"What?" He seethed, meeting her with a hard look
"Daddy, I love you"
"Cut the shit Ellie" he growled, dragging her out of the garage and across the lot as she pulled him back. He stopped again and turned to look at her "Enough shit. You're going home."
"Daddy" she slurred "I'm fine."
"You're not fucking fine!" he shouted "You're drunk and high. You're going home."
"Daddy STOP!" She yelled as he continued to pull her "Stop!"
Jess, Jax and Kris followed behind quickly with Danielle. "Ope" Jess sighed, putting her hand on his shoulder "It's New Years. Let her be."
This was absolutely no time for anyone to be having an argument or try to justify reasoning. All of the adults were drunk. "No. My daughter is going home." he said continuing to pull Ellie. She pulled her wrist back and dug her feet as hard as she could into the ground, refusing to move another inch. Opie turned his head back and narrowed his eyes "Either you come with me back inside or I'm carrying you in there."
Jess looked at Danielle and waved for Rat to come over "I'm gonna have him take you home, alright?" she asked
Danielle nodded and smiled, kissing Kris and Jess goodbye and just giggling and blushing at Jax before she ran off to Rat's bike. She wasn't even about to interrupt the hard glares being shared between father and daughter at that moment. "I'm NOT ten. STOP!" she yelled as he tried to pull her and she kept her stance. He wasn't pulling as hard as he could, because his strength could move anyone, but she was definitely not moving.
"Opie" Jess said, putting her hand on his forearm. "Let her go back inside on her own. She's fine. I've seen her wasted, this isn't Ellie wasted. This is Drunk Ellie."
"How the fuck would you know? You're drunk too." he argued "Let's go" he said bending down and tossing his fourteen year old daughter over his shoulder like she was a light backpack.
"UGH!" Ellie shouted kicking her feet and struggling to get out of his grip as he walked towards the clubhouse "Daddy! PUT ME DOWN!"
Jess and Kris rolled their eyes "This is ending real well" Kris chuckled as Opie put her down on the bench.
"You sit your fucking ass there and don't move" he growled to his daughter storming back inside. Jax followed him and the girls sat next to Ellie finishing off the joint she started.
"I might be a real bad fucking influence..." Jess began before passing the joint to Ellie "but you're gonna need this"
Ellie snorted and pulled on it quickly passing it back "you're the coolest" she said resting her head on Jess' shoulder.
"Maybe." Jess smiled. "But we're all in for an argument when we get home. So maybe I can get your dad drunker than he already is so that doesn't happen." She said pulling Opie's stash from her hoodie that she confiscated and handed it to Kris.
"I got you" Kris winked "I'm surprised you didn't try to sneak Matt over here." She said to Ellie
Ellie drunkenly sighed "that asshole." She scoffed
Jess and Kris chuckled "good to hear" Jess nodded. "Told you he was no good."
"I'm also drunk so I don't care. Tomorrow will be a different story." She replied "besides there's someone way cuter than him."
"Oh really?!" Kris smiled, raising her eyebrows and lighting the joint "Who?"
"I can't say" she blushed
"Girl" Jess snorted "You can't just say something like that and not tell us. C'mon. I won't tell your dad."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise" Jess nodded
With her head still on Jess' shoulder, she looked over at Kristina "You too?"
"Cross my heart" Kris said
"Jimmy" she smiled wide
"SHUT UP!" Jess and Kris shouted
"Shhhh!" Ellie giggled bringing her finger to her mouth "Shhhhhh!"
"Oh baby" Jess chuckled, shaking her head "Jimmy is nineteen."
"I know" she shrugged
"And you're only fourteen. You might not look it, but you're only fourteen."
"I didn't say I was gonna do something" she smiled "But I can wait three and a half years and make my move."
"Jesus Christ!" Kris shouted with laughter "You are your father's daughter through and through!"
"Does Jimmy know you like him?" Jess asked
Ellie shrugged "Maybe. It ain't a secret. I'm not discrete."
"Well…" Jess sighed "Just don't put your heart into that crush. He's nineteen, and regardless of how you feel, he ain't gonna wait almost four years to look at another girl. And please don't let your father see you all googly-eyed over him, he'll literally beat him unconscious and god help the boy if he even looks in your direction."
Kris nodded agreeing with her "It's okay to like him. But you know you're still way too young for him. So put those feelings under the rug and you can take it out in a few years." Opie stormed back outside with another beer after taking multiple shots to calm his nerves, sitting across from the three of them with Jax, glaring at his daughter. Kris quickly handed the joint to Opie "Finish it" she said turning her attention back to the stash, rolling another "You're not going home to wake up your daughter."
"What the fuck were you thinking?" Opie grumbled
"Daddy" Ellie pouted "I'm not a little kid anymore."
"Ellie, you're fourteen. You're not allowed to drink. And smoking pot?! Are you out of your fucking mind?"
"You did" she argued "You did when you were my age."
"You're not me" He growled. Jess and Kris snorted, as they kept their attention on the joint Kris was rolling "What?" he asked
"She's the female version of you Ope" Jess smiled "She is you."
"Doesn't change the fact that she shouldn't be drinking."
"I agree. But it's New Years. She's a teenager. Just…" Jess took a deep breath "C'mon" she smiled "Let it go."
Opie rubbed his hand over his beard and shook his head "You're lucky she's on your side" he said to Ellie
She smiled and batted her eyelashes at him "Love you"
Opie rolled his eyes and pulled on the joint "Yeah. I know."
Jess nudged her and she got up, walking around the table and sat next to her dad wrapping her arms around his "Aww" Jess chuckled "Look how manipulative!"
They all laughed looking on at Opie as his put his right arm around her shoulders "Unreal" he said bringing the beer bottle to his mouth
"Father and daughter drunk together. It really is so sweet." Kris smiled
Kris was sitting on the bed folding laundry, talking on the phone with Jess when Jax walked in after riding dirt bikes with Abel all afternoon. She smiled up at him and turned her attention back to the clothes as he walked into the bathroom to wash the disturbing amount of dirt off of himself. "Not yet" she said into the phone "I'm gonna probably wait, at least a week" She had gotten phone calls from Fiona, Kerrianne and Gemma that morning- all three remembering January third was the due date for her period, and wanting to know if they were one step closer to winning money. "Please, he won't remember" she snorted "At least I don't think. Well we'll see. We go back to work in three days. Yeah, alright I gotta heat up some food for them. I'll talk to you later." She put her phone down on the nightstand and tossed the folded laundry into the drawers before heading into the kitchen. Abel was already showered and sitting on the couch, waiting for something to eat. "How was it?" she asked
"Awesome!" He shouted "I'm starving"
"Yeah yeah" she chuckled "I know. I'm workin' on it. Keep it down, your brothers are sleepin'"
Jax walked into the kitchen in sweatpants, grabbing a beer from the fridge "Heard it was awesome" she smiled putting food onto plates for them
He leaned up against the counter and nodded "It absolutely was"
"Why you wearing those pants?" she groaned
Jax chuckled "Only cause you love them darlin'"
"Your son is still awake." she said shaking her head handing him a plate. She grabbed the two others and walked towards the living room.
"You didn't eat?" he asked sitting next to Abel
She shook her head and handed Abel a plate sitting next to Jax "Waited for you all. Boys were makin' a mess then got right on the laundry. I wanna be able to do nothing but sleep as much as possible for the next two days before going back to work."
"My mom called me before" he said looking over at her while Abel kept his attention on the tv.
Kris chuckled "Yeah, she called me three times."
"Well?"
"Jax" she smiled "I'm telling her what I'm telling you, I'm waiting at least a few more days."
"You know she's coming by tomorrow, she ain't gonna wait."
Kris snorted and shook her head "And follow me into the bathroom."
Jax laughed and stuffed his face "Not if I get to it before she does."
"You too?"
"Hey, I wanna know too. You can't hold out on us forever."
"So you're gonna be here this time? No running out?" she winked
Jax rolled his eyes and grinned "Nice shot" he chuckled bringing the beer bottle to his mouth
"Thank you" she smiled "I had that one saved."
