"Let's go" Kris ordered sitting on the couch with her feet on the coffee table "We got just a little while before Fiona drops the kids off with Mary."
Jess had her head leaned against the back of the couch "I can't believe this shit"
Jax, Opie, Abel and Kenny sat on the opposite couch waiting to be scolded "Abel, I don't care who provokes you, you don't throw a fist!"
"He started it! I went into the bathroom, he was in there and he said 'little Abel Teller. Heard your daddy was in prison with your uncles.' I told him to shut up. He asked me if I knew how to fight and touched my shoulder. So I punched him in the mouth."
"You're six. Not sixteen. He didn't punch you first. You will always be suspended for that. You can't go around throwing fists at anyone that insults you."
"Kris" Jax sighed
She put her hand up "No, he can't do that. And you-" she said looking at Kenny "I get you were defending him…"
"He's my little brother, Jason had his hands on him. Tommy came running over so I jumped up from the lunch table and ran into the bathroom."
"Okay, and you should've gotten an adult." Jess added "You get an adult. You don't solve shit like that on your own."
Opie and Jax rolled their eyes, steering clear of the conversation "That's not what he said." Kenny scoffed pointing to Opie
"Oh really?" Jess asked "Enlighten me, VP. What's proper protocol then?"
Opie looked down at Kenny and shook his head "Way to protect your old man" he mumbled before looking up at Jess "He was defending the kid. C'mon, Jess"
"And our kids beating up on someone else doesn't look good. It's bad enough you're already at the school daily like hawks."
"Not to mention that now, Queen Bee threatened Jason's mom. Do you have any idea how crazy that bitch is? Jax, she's insane. She'll go right to the cops" Kris stressed "They could easily ask me and Jess not to come back next year. Easily."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head "Don't worry about that. That's got nothing to do with this."
Kris rubbed her temple "It absolutely does. From now on, you get an adult. That clear?"
"So basically if he's getting beat on I should run the other way to get help instead of dealing with it myself?" Kenny asked "Or if someone is talking about dad or Uncle Jax I should let it slide?"
The four adults looked over at him and were unsure as to what to say. He was right. But his tone was wrong, and most especially towards the two it was directed at. "Dealing with it yourself won't solve anything" Jess argued "look what it got you. You're suspended. Don't think this is gonna be a fun time either- you're gonna be scrubbing and cleaning for the entire time you're supposed to be in school."
"That isn't fair. I was sticking up for him. And he was sticking up for himself! So were punished because of it?" Kenny shook his head and stood up, grabbed his backpack from the floor "C'mon Abel." He gruffly said walking out the front door with the boy right on his coattails. Watching the two of them walk off, Jess saw the defeated look on Kenny's face- the same look he had a year ago when Opie was arraigned and she told him the news in that very living room. Watching him and Abel walk out, she was remind of that horrible moment when Abel followed Kenny out of the house to go next door and play video games. While Abel was four years younger than Kenny, they got along great. Kenny had experienced Opie being in prison for many years of his life and Abel was the only one he could talk to that really understood it. Every time she thought about that, it made her despise the thought of them being without their parents and despise the mention of defending the club even more.
Jess looked over at Opie with disappointment "What?" He asked "he's right."
"He's not right." she argued "he shouldn't have been fighting. Period."
Opie took a deep breath and aggressively rubbed his face "Jess. He was sticking up for Abel. He was suspended because of some bullshit policy. That kid has got a solid forty pounds on Abel and he busted his lip."
Kris looked over at Jax who had a proud smile across his face "That make you happy Prez?" she asked
"Abel knocked that kid's face in. Of course that makes me happy. He was defending himself, his father, his family and the club."
"But he's suspended. Are you not hearing that part?"
"I hear you."
"It isn't a great way to start off elementary school. And now Kenny's suspended a year before he goes to middle school? Getting suspended once leads to more suspensions. They won a fight, once you do that… you're gonna want more."
Jax and Opie shrugged, not seeing the importance of the girls' point. "Look, I get that school wasn't a big deal to you, but I hope that you want your kids to graduate high school without problems, go to college and have careers." Jess said
"If they wanna go, then they go" Opie replied "I'm not gonna force them to."
Jess and Kris' eyes went wide "You serious?" she asked
"Yeah I'm serious. If Kenny wants to prospect as soon as he's eighteen, he can do that."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this. He needs to go to college, Ope. He's going."
"He ain't your kid." A pin dropping could've been heard in the room as Jax, Kris and Jess looked at Opie. Those weren't the words that he wanted to come out of his mouth but once said, it couldn't be taken back.
"You feel the same way?" Kris asked warningly
Jax raised an eyebrow, hesitant to answer "Which part?"
"Wow" Jess chuckled
"That isn't what I meant." Opie said calmly "But he can do what he wants once he's eighteen. And if he wants to prospect, he's gonna do that."
She sighed and stood up, grabbing her bag from the chair "You wanna play that 'not your kid' game with Ellie and Kenny, fine. Gabby and this one are going to college- it's not an option."
They watched her walk out of the house and the two men turned to Kris who had her eyebrow arched, waiting for them to say something. "At least it's a three day weekend" Jax shrugged
"You're not getting off that easy" she argued "Not even close. You didn't answer my question"
"If Abel wants to prospect, then that's what he's gonna do."
"Jax, you gotta allow him the shot to at least try for college. For a real life. I've taken care of that boy for over two years now. Two. He is my son. I might not've given birth to him, but he's my son. And we're gonna have discussions about his future that don't involve SAMCRO. You know that, right?"
Jax rubbed his beard and put his feet up on the coffee table "I know."
"You two really want your boys in jail? Or risking their lives every day? You wanna worry about them whether they're gonna make it out of a feud alive? I sure as hell don't. I worry enough about you and the rest of the guys as it is."
Opie shook his head "Of course not. But he's my son, this is what we do."
"And what you do, leaves your wives, mothers, and children petrified daily that they're never going to see their father again. I'll tell you another thing, you go away again, you will not see your children wearing an orange jumpsuit. You hear me?"
Jax sighed "Kris."
"No. Don't Kris me. You…" she growled, pointing to Opie "Go talk to her, before the rest of the kids come back. And her hormones aren't getting any better, you don't need her going off the handle. As far as the boys go, they think that fighting is okay. They can't. Abel has eleven more years of school left and Kenny has seven. It just can't happen. They need to be punished for the act of fighting, so Gemma will be having them scrub that clubhouse down and doing chores all next week. Clear?"
The two rolled their eyes "Mmhm" Jax mumbled
"Don't mmhmm me. I'll find out if they're cleaning or not. You know that."
Opie stood up and shook his head as he headed for the door "When did I become her bitch?"
Jax and Kris chuckled, shaking their heads "The day she called you a prick two and a half years ago and you just fell head over heels for her" she smiled
"Jess, I really can't keep doing this back and forth shit" Opie pleaded sitting next to her on the bed "I really can't. You gotta relax."
Jess curled up into the bed with a bag of Sour Patch Kids, the candy she had been fiending on for the last two weeks- she couldn't get enough. "I am relaxed." she said with her mouth full
"All that sugar isn't gonna help. I need you to give Kenny a break here. Alright?"
"He punched a kid out, Opie. I can't let that go."
He sighed and shook his head "Defending Abel. Look, I'll even agree with the punishment. But you can't hold this against him. Just eat your candy and don't worry your pretty little head over it."
She playfully narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips together "This is my last bag."
"Does that mean I need to go get you more?" She nodded silently and put candy into his hand "Christ these are sugary. This can't be healthy."
"Says the man who smokes like a chimney"
"Mmhmm. Who's cookin' tonight?"
"You are" she smiled "Get crackin' VP."
Opie chuckled and stared at her "You're lucky I love your crazy ass."
"I know." she nodded hearing the door open upstairs "And you can take your little minion to the store with you."
He snorted and pulled her off the bed with him "What time is Ellie getting back?"
"Should be home any minute now."
"I'm waiting then."
Jess shook her head and pushed him up the steps. "You've got shopping to do. Gabby, you wanna go to the store with Daddy?" The toddler smiled and ran up to Opie, wrapping her arms around his legs "Have fun when she's pulling everything off the shelves."
Opie nodded and grabbed his keys from the counter, picking up his daughter. "I got it." he said kissing Gabby's cheek "Bye Ma"
Jess' cell rang and she pulled it out of her pocket seeing the unknown number "Hello? Yeah, how are you?… Oh fuck." she drawled running for the front door "Hang on a second. OPIE!" she shouted waving him on before he pulled away "Can we come get her? Alright, yeah. Give me fifteen minutes." she said hanging up the phone "We gotta hold off on the store." she sighed, pulling Gabby out of her carseat "This is the one time I'll place the blame about it being your daughter. Stay here. I'll be right out" She walked Gabby back inside and looked at Mary "You think you can stay a little while?" she asked
"Of course. Everything okay?" she asked taking Gabby from her arms
"Your beauty of a granddaughter is at the Sheriff's station. Got into a fight. It's the day that never fucking ends. Why are the Winstons and Tellers so violent today? Christ help me" she grumbled snatching her bag from the counter top
Mary howled with laughter "Oh I'll stay. I gotta call Piney. And Gemma."
"We'll be back" she said heading out of the house. Opie was sitting in the truck, smoking a cigarette, waiting for her to come out. "Sheriff's station." she slammed the door and buckled her seatbelt "C'mon!"
"Why?" he seethed
"Roosevelt just said that he picked up Ellie because of a fight"
Opie chuckled "She alright?" he asked, pulling away from the house
She narrowed her eyes and took his cigarette from his fingers "You serious? First Kenny, now Ellie."
"Well if she's alright that means she did the damage. Hap teaching her to box a few years ago paid off then."
Jess pulled on his cigarette and handed it back to him "Just get us to her. Please."
When they arrived at the police station, Jess jumped out of the truck and ran inside ahead of Opie. Roosevelt saw her in a frenzy running down the corridor "Jessica!" he called out. She stopped dead in her tracks and ran back to where he was, in a large room filled with desks "She's alright. Relax" he calmly said putting his hands on her shoulders "She's okay." He saw Opie walk in slowly, collected and cool.
"Where she at?" Opie asked
"Holding" Roosevelt replied
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "Why is my daughter behind bars, Roosevelt?"
"I didn't book her. But I had to hold her. He's booked though."
Jess looked up at Opie "Who-" she stumbled on her words looking back at the Sheriff "Who's booked?"
"Matthew Kennedy" he nodded, as if he thought they knew. "That's who she was fighting with."
Jess winced and threw her hands up "Hold the fuck up! You're telling me my daughter is in lock up because she got into a fight with a man?!"
"She threw the first punch. And the last few." He smiled and chuckled "And sort of resisted arrest."
Opie bit his lip to keep from laughing when he saw Jess' horrified face "She WHAT?!" she shouted
"Don't worry" he said shaking his head "She's alright. She wouldn't get off of the kid, we pulled her off and told her to get in the car. She lunged back for him, and then struggled with me to get into the car. She's a fuckin' strong girl. Shit."
Opie smiled and nodded "Where is he?"
"Holding as well. Arraignment in an hour."
"Can I get a minute with him?"
Roosevelt looked around at the quiet police station "One minute, Winston. Keep him breathing."
Opie smiled in satisfaction "Wait here for her" he said to Jess as he followed Roosevelt back towards the holding cells.
Ellie was standing against the cold brick wall with her arms crossed listening to the ranting that was coming from the cell next to her. She couldn't believe that she ended up here because of him, her brand new SAMCRO fitted-hoodie that Gemma had made for her was zipped up, the hood draped over her head and she was holding her ripped t-shirt in her hand, looking like Rocky Balboa. She looked like a grown woman standing in that cell. Her her straight, long blonde hair, framing her face and hanging low above her waist, with a scowl on her face that mirrored one her father would give. "Dumb fucking bitch!" Matt seethed
"Oh" Ellie chuckled menacingly "That's right. I'm the dumb bitch!" she yelled "You're the asshole that mouthed off. Telling everyone I wouldn't sleep with you. Enjoy that black eye! Wait until my dad gets here asshole."
"Right. Daddy protecting the mob princess."
Opie and Roosevelt walked in hearing her rant. "I don't need anyone to do my fighting for me. Look at your face. I just didn't kill you, better watch your back now. And just wait until my godfather finds out, moron."
"Ellie" Opie quietly called out from the other side of the bars as Roosevelt unlocked it.
"Daddy!" she smiled and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist "I'm sorry! He.."
Opie shook his head and kissed the top of hers "You okay?"
She nodded and looked up at him "I'm okay."
"What happened?" he asked taking her shirt from her hand
She glanced back at Matt "He ripped it, trying to grab onto me."
He took a deep breath and nodded softly "Jess is out there. Go wait with her. Don't worry about it." She looked up at him hesitantly "Go. I'll be right out." She ran off and Roosevelt unlocked Matt's cell and stood back as Opie pulled the bars over to step inside. "I told you a long time ago, you fuck with her, you're gonna fuck with me." he said looking at the teen whose eye was bruising. "If you weren't in here, I wouldn't leave you breathing, but I ain't leaving my daughter again for a year." he warned, pulling back his fist and throwing it across Matt's face. The teen instantly grabbed his cheek and groaned "You talk to her again, they'll never find your body." he spat before turning around and walking out of the cell.
"He can't do that!" he shouted to Roosevelt who was silently chuckling
Eli shrugged "Do what?"
"He just hit me!"
"Ah" he smiled, locking the cell "I didn't see anything. Get comfy Kennedy. You're gonna be here a while."
"Stupid white trash bitch. So just because her dads a biker, she gets off?!"
"No. Because you raised your hand to a woman and she defended herself. Get your facts straight" he said walking away and closing the door behind him.
Ellie was waiting with Jess when Opie walked out. She ran back up to him and hugged him "I know I should've listened to him when he told me to get in the cop car. I'm sorry! Matt was telling everyone that I wouldn't…"
"Ellie. It's alright. You're not in trouble." he said rubbing her back "Just… the next time a cop asks you to get in the car, you get in the car. Understood?" She nodded silently but kept her grip around him "Thanks, Eli."
"No problem. She's got some right hook. You teach her that?"
Opie chuckled and nodded "And Lowman. Who's gonna be more than proud."
"We'll be in touch."
They sat back in the truck on the ride home and Opie was full of pride more so than he could've imagined, it was quite a day for both his kids and they both got out on the right side of the fight. "I didn't even get my sour patch kids" Jess grumbled, sandwiched in between Ellie and Opie.
Opie chuckled and shook his head, "We'll stop at the store. Relax, preggo."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "And Dr. Pepper. Christ, yes. Get that too."
He raised his eyebrows and smiled "All that sugar can't be good"
"So get the diet one! Please!"
"You never eat sugary shit."
"I'm also never pregnant every day. You want me to start crying? I can do it at a moments notice."
"I'll add on for special effect" Ellie giggled "You can get me a Snickers while you're at it."
"Ooooh!" Jess smiled rubbing her hands together "YES"
"Ellie" Opie sighed pulling in front of the store "I'm trying to get her to not eat too much sugar. You're not helping."
"We'll get it" Jess said holding her hand out. Opie shook his head and pulled his wallet out handing her a twenty. She looked down and then back up at him, unimpressed.
"Really?" he laughed putting another twenty down.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his wallet, scooting herself over and out Ellie's door "Love you" she grinned, slamming the door closed
Jess and Ellie came walking out of the store with their hands full of bags and all smiles. Opie started up the truck and watched as they climbed in, placing the bags at their feet and Jess dug through one pulling out one of the many bags of Sour Patch Kids. "What'd you get?"
"Stuff" she smiled, popping the candy into her mouth "And more stuff"
Opie chuckled and pulled away from the spot, headed towards their house "I can see that. What kind of stuff?"
"Mmm. These are so fucking good. I dunno. Candy. And stuff for you to cook for dinner. And more and more candy."
"Your sugar…" he sighed "Doctor said the other day you gotta be careful."
Jess scoffed and rolled her eyes "Doctors. Let me tell you something, if they told me not to quit smoking cold turkey, then I can have a few packs of Sour Patch Kids and some sugar free soda."
"Gotta stay hydrated, Jess."
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay. What you should be worrying about is what demon you put inside of me."
"Ew" Ellie mumbled. "Really?"
"Sweetheart, you were made the same exact way." Jess said elbowing her side. "Same. Exact. Way."
Opie chuckled "I wouldn't go that far. You're a little bit freakier than her mom was."
Jess shrugged and nodded "Well this was done after you were gone for a year. I had a lot to make up for."
"Oh. My. God." She groaned, leaning her head against the window "I'm gonna kill myself."
"Maybe it'll just deter you from sex until you're fifty." Jess laughed "At least that's what he's hoping for."
"Sixty" Opie corrected "Maybe sixty-five"
"You think we'll still be this crazy at fifty?" she chuckled "I hope so."
"Well Piney's still goin' strong" Opie shrugged "I think I've got plenty of good years left"
"Stop!" Ellie pleaded "Let me out! I'm gonna walk!"
"What you gonna give me and your dad a black eye too for saying things you don't like?" Jess winked "Consider this your punishment for resisting arrest. Anyway, yeah, I hear the same thing from Mary. Them two are as active as ever."
Ellie brought her hands to her ears and groaned "Please! Stop the car!"
"Can't do that" Opie said with a smile "Almost home. You think this is bad, you should hear Kristina and your uncle talk."
"Or Uncle Tig" Jess laughed "Oh, he's one freaky ass man."
Ellie chuckled "I hate you guys"
"Wait until Happy hears about this. You know he's getting you back in that ring."
"I know. And Gemma is gonna give me a gun."
Opie and Jess snickered as he pulled up to the house "Well, looks like everyones gotten wind of this." she smiled, grabbing the bags from the floor "Let's go Rocky". They walked into the house and the kids were still where they had left them- they could hear all the adults outside shouting and laughing, waiting to get this story. When Jess and Opie walked into the yard with Ellie, everyone silenced themselves, staring at her, waiting to see if they were allowed to speak. Judging from the fact that she was even allowed in the backyard and wasn't sent to her room as a good enough sign. "How much do we know?" Jess smiled, sitting at the table with Opie and Ellie.
"That this one here was down at the Sheriff's station" Kris winked "I wanna hear this shit."
Jess looked at Ellie and held her hand out for her to start talking "Got into it with Matt. He was saying some dumb stuff. So I threw a punch. There are always cops by my school and the high school, and since they're only a block away, it didn't take long for them to know that him and I were practically fist fighting."
The men's faces grew tense at the thought of the first grandchild of a First Nine was being hit by a man. "He hit you?" Jax seethed
"Well.." Ellie chuckled "I ain't bruising. At least not yet. His face however…"
"Yes!" Happy smiled, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction "Good job kid!"
Ellie smiled and nodded "And then the cops showed up"
Jess and Opie snickered "And then what happened?" he smiled
She took a deep breath and rolled her eyes "I sort of resisted getting into the cop car."
Everyone's jaw's dropped "Sort of?" Jess laughed "Sort of? Roosevelt had to pull her off of the kid, she lunged back for him and then fought him, refusing to get into the cop car."
"Christ Almighty" Mary sighed "Now she has a record"
"There's no record, Ma" Opie chuckled "They didn't book her. He was impressed."
"We're getting back in the ring. You hear?" Happy said "That asshole comes back at you, you're gonna kill him this time."
"Hap" Jess groaned
Jax slammed his fist on the table making the women jump "No. Where is he?"
"Lockup" Opie mumbled "Got a good swing in. Roosevelt said that was it."
Jax stood up, grabbing his cigarettes and lighter "Jax" Jess begged "Please. Leave it. All of you."
"I don't need you going back in" Kris added "Really. Let the justice system work."
"Fuck the justice system!" He shouted "He fucking hit her!"
"I get that" She said calmly "I do and she's your godbaby. But you're all on probation."
"He gettin' released?"
"Arraigned. So we'll see."
"I'll be back" Jax growled, stomping up the steps of the house.
Jax threw the doors to the Sheriff's station open "Where is he?!" he growled walking into the main room.
Roosevelt looked up from his desk and shook his head "Teller" he sighed "He's being arraigned."
"And then?"
"Depends on what the judge says." he shrugged "Never been in trouble before. He's fifteen. He ain't goin' to prison, Jax. His lawyer will get him off."
"He hit my goddaughter." He seethed
Eli nodded "I get that, Jax. I do. But he's fifteen. He'll get a slap on the wrist. Ellie got off with a warning, she was defending herself- and the story that he tells is different."
"What story?" he scoffed "I don't give a shit what he says"
"She threw the first punch. He shoved her away. When she went for him again, he grabbed her shirt, and that's when he hit her. Now, it went in as he shoved her first. So, that's a huge favor on my part and you know it. She resisted us."
"I don't give a shit what she did."
"Jax, I get that you're angry. I get that you're all angry. He's a kid."
"He isn't a kid. He's six feet tall. He's got a foot and a solid sixty pounds on her."
"And he's fifteen. He's at arraignment and he'll more than likely be released and just have to stay out of trouble for a year. Stay away from him."
Jax chuckled and shook his head "Yeah. Thanks." he said turning around and walking out of the station.
When he returned back to the house, everyone looked up from their conversation "Gotta wait until after arraignment"
"I told you babe. She's okay. Take it easy."
"I'm gonna go get Rocky. Gonna take her to the ring." Happy added, running across the grass "El! Get your shit! Let's go!" he shouted, opening the back door.
"You think that's a good idea Ope?" Jess sighed "She needs to rest."
"She's fine. This'll be good for her" He nodded "She needs it."
"And Uncle Happy is the best way to do it?"
"Absolutely" He scoffed "You all gonna stay here?"
Kris shrugged "We can get the boys scrubbin' on the bathrooms now"
"I've got more than enough work for them to do" Gemma added. "It'll be dark soon"
"We'll throw the lights on outside. It's only five, we got a little while" Jax said, picking up JT and fixing the zipper on his jacket.
They could hear the sounds of Happy's bike take off down the street as they stood up and gathered everything. "Jeeze" Julie chuckled "Guess a girl is on her own for transportation."
"When was your last ride?" Tig asked slyly
Julie rolled her eyes and headed into the house "Easy Tig. Don't need Hap gettin' wind of you being disrespectful."
"Oh Hap's not gonna do shit. You didn't answer my question." he said following behind "Well?"
She grabbed her bag from the table and chuckled "Depends. Who am I riding with?"
"You can ride with me, baby" Gemma sighed "Stay away from Tiggy."
"What did I do?" he asked as they walked out of the house "I just asked a question"
"And Hap is gonna kick your ass if you don't stop" she said climbing into her car "And you know it."
When they arrived at the clubhouse, Happy was taping up his hands, sitting against the ring. "Where's she at?" Jess asked, putting her sunglasses on top of her head and holding Gabby against her hip.
"Gettin' changed" Happy replied gruffly "I expect her to at least bust my lip."
Jess looked back at Opie and rolled her eyes "Ope. I don't like this."
"She'll be fine." he grumbled, lighting a cigarette and shedding himself from his kutte and jacket "Toss me the tape" he said holding out his hands to Happy, who reached over and grabbed another roll.
Her eyes widened "You're gonna fight your own daughter?"
He caught the tape that happy threw and placed it on the edge of the ring "I ain't fighting my daughter. I'm teaching her how to fight. And then I'm goin' for a few rounds with someone. I gotta get a few good punches in." he said pulling back his hair into a tight knot at the back of his head.
"Who you fighting now?" she sighed
"Well this one here has Kozik. So I'm not too sure who's gonna take me up."
"I dunno Hap" Jess winked "You might wanna take on Tig, was asking Jules when her last ride was."
Happy let out a deep sigh, keeping his attention on his hands."Uncle Chibs!" Ellie called out, exiting the clubhouse in yoga pants and her Sons hoodie "I need you to tape me up"
Chibs followed behind with a beer in his hand "Alright champ, let's get this goin'" he smiled walking over towards Opie and Happy
"Ooooh" She grinned "I get to hit you?" she asked looking up at Opie
Opie chuckled and rolled the tape around his hands "If you can get a shot in."
"I wanna do this!" Kris whined tossing open the clubhouse door "Jax!" she shouted
Jax walked out with Juice and Bobby holding beers "Absolutely not" he said flatly "Not a chance"
"Why?!" She groaned, tossing her head back "I wanna! It's good exercise"
"You're pregnant" He growled
"I'm not an egg" She sighed "I won't break"
He chuckled "I heard that before. You remember?"
"No" she said putting her hands on her hips
Gemma's bellowing laughter was heard behind them "I sure as shit do. Remember? Step ladder?"
She groaned and shook her head "I'm not asking you to kick me in the damn stomach, idiot. It's good cardio. People do it all the time."
Jax ran his beer-less hand through his hair "Babe, no."
"Ugh" she scoffed "You suck. Please? I wanna get to swing at that pretty face without any sort of blowback. Pleaseee? I have a change of clothes in the car." she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him "Pleaseeee?"
"Kris" he sighed looking down at her "No"
"Jax. C'mon."
"I ain't doin it, so stop askin'." He brought his beer up to his mouth and she brought her fist back, swinging as hard as she could into his bicep making him miss his mouth with the bottle, spilling beer onto the concrete. He chuckled and shook his head "Still ain't gonna work. Besides, you don't need anyone to teach you how to punch. You already know."
"I hate you" she whined, plopping down on the bench.
He smiled and leaned over, kissing her lightly "No you don't." She rolled her eyes and tried not to smile "See. Now.." he said, sitting down next to her "Let's enjoy Ellie beating up Opie. Hey EL!" he shouted from the bench "I'll give you a hundred bucks if you can knock your dad in the face!"
Ellie smiled and nodded looking over at him "What if I make him bleed?"
"Two hundred" Jax winked
"Jax! Two hundred dollars? Who are you, Rockefeller?" Kris asked
Jax raised an eyebrow "Who?"
She rolled her eyes "Really? Gem, where'd he go to school? Seriously."
"He didn't. That's the damn problem."
Tig strolled over to the side of the ring, looking up at Happy and Opie as they squared Ellie's stance "You and me shithead, before the night is over." Happy grunted looking down at him.
"What did I do?" he asked innocently
"Mouthin' off. That's what." He turned his attention back to Ellie as Opie stood back against the ropes "Alright girl. I want you to come at me." he directed, waving her on.
Ellie chuckled and stepped forward, Happy used both hands and shoved her shoulders back, making her land ass-first into the padding of the ring. "Uncle Hap!" She scoffed "What the hell?"
Happy and Opie chuckled as she stood back up and squared her stance "Leavin' yourself open. Again." After three more tries, and three more times landing on her butt, she had finally had enough when she picked herself back up and stood straight. When Happy went to push her back down again, she blocked his hands with her left arm and quickly went to bring her right fist up towards his face before he blocked her shot. "Better!" he gloated "Again! Don't stop, I block you, keep going until you have a shot. Left arm to block, always keep it up. You drop it, you're getting your lights knocked out." She went at him again, punching and swinging as hard as she could. While Happy blocked her shots, she kept it up until she was able to bring her knee up and make direct contact with his stomach, and brought her fist across his face. Everyone froze, especially her. She couldn't believe she actually hit him- no, she punched him. He wiped his lip with the back of his hand and smiled as she dropped her her fists in concern- giving him the perfect opportunity to shove her back. When she landed on her butt, she growled and slammed her fist against the mat. Happy chuckled and leaned over, lending her his hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "That's how it's done!" he smiled "But again, never leave yourself open. You dropped your fists."
"But I hit you!" she whined
"That's what you were supposed to do. Not feel bad, kid. Alright, now it's time to kick your old man's ass." he winked, patting her back and stepping off to the side.
Ellie smiled as Opie stepped in front of her "You ready?" she asked, seeing her grandfather slowly get off of his bike. "Pop, you gonna watch this?!"
"My granddaughter beat my son's ass?" Piney nodded "Beat him down, girl."
Opie rolled his eyes and chuckled "C'mon. I ain't goin' easy on ya though."
"I don't want you to." she said looking up at him. She came up to her father's chest, and knocking him down was near impossible, but that didn't mean she wouldn't use every ounce of energy she had to try. Her father took light swings at her, testing her reflexes "C'mon!" she groaned, punching harder as he blocked her fist. "Play fighting isn't gonna help me!"
"I ain't swinging hard, El" Opie said pushing her fist out of the way as she took another swing. She kept swinging and kicking, faster and faster, starting to give Opie a run for his money. While the punches were anything less than a nuisance to the giant, she was going hard and kept punching until she got the same feeling that she did earlier that day- that inner rage and pure hatred for the words that were spewed at her came boiling back up and she continued swinging until she managed to punch him in the gut. "Fuck!" he gasped and everyone instantly started clapping and hollering.
Ellie jumped and raised her hands in triumph "Hundred bucks!" She smiled running over to the ropes and hopping down. She ran over to everyone and held her hand out to Jax "Fork it over"
Jax smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. "You didn't knock him in the face"
"Oh c'mon!" she whined "The stomach's gotta count for something!"
He handed her money and chuckled "Twenty for knocking him, forty for resisting arrest and forty for giving the kid a black eye."
"That's great, Jax" Jess sighed
Kris shook her head "I've given up. It's no use. Let's just celebrate all criminal acts and you know what? While we're ahead, let's all smoke pot and give Kenny his first hit? Maybe Abel?"
Jess snickered "What about Gabby and the twins? Give 'em their first shooting lesson?"
"Let's go asshole!" Happy shouted, leaning against the ropes, looking down at Tig. Julie looked up from the red plastic cup in her hand, her eyes fixed on his perfectly cut muscles and didn't even hear her phone ringing.
"Jules" Kris called, reaching across Jax and tapping her leg. Julie quickly glanced over at her, snapping her attention from thoughts she hoped she kept to herself. "Phone"
Julie reached behind her, quickly glanced at the screen and brought the phone to her ear "Hey Gino" she said softly with a smile, looking back up at the ring, watching Happy begin his fight.
"Where are you?" her godfather asked- no 'hi bella' which was his usual greeting.
She furrowed her brow and looked at Kris, Jess and Jax "I'm with everyone, Zio" she replied innocently- as if he should've known. "We're at the clubhouse."
"That's nice. Where are the reports?" He growled
Julie rolled her eyes- she was still her family's accountant and there were particular protocols she needed to follow when it came to handling their finances. Tax season was fast approaching and she was neglecting her duties. "I'm almost done. I'll send them by tomorrow."
"Giuliana. You said that last week."
Sure, Happy's presence was compromising her focus, but she was damn good at what she did and made a killing doing so. Her family wouldn't trust anyone to handle their money, and ever since she took over seven years ago, they hadn't been audited once. "I'm almost done. I swear. Kris needed help with the boys today. Abel got into a fight at school and she needed help watching the twins until she handled that situation."- she may have lied, a little. Her uncle could sense lying even over the phone. But she knew involving his grandchildren would more than likely sway his anger.
Gino sighed, she could practically see him trying to keep his focus on the purpose of the phone call, but he had to ask "Is he okay?"
"Punched out a fourth grader. Of course he's okay. Jax practically threw him a parade."
"Good. But that doesn't change the fact that you told your father you'd send it last week."
"I know. Tomorrow, I promise."
"In the meantime, how's everything going?"
"Good I guess"
"Still don't know when you're coming back?"
Julie rolled her neck, trying to prevent the tension that crept up her spine. This was the real purpose for the phone call, and she knew her father had been complaining wondering when she was going to come back to deal with her life in New York- the apartment, the car, everything. This was his way of getting information, having his brother dig it out of her. "No."
"Well you've still got your car here, apartment is vacant- you're wasting money and not even using it."
"I don't have an answer. I don't wanna talk about it."
She could hear him talking to her father, and her father mumbling and groaning "Well, it's not up to you. Your father wants to know when you're coming back."
"I don't know if I'm even going to. I like it here. Kris is here, I've got Joey a few hours away, I still have my job. So what's the problem?" Everyone looked away from the fight as they were now engaged in Julie's one-sided conversation. Kris watched her intently, she knew exactly what her father was saying to her.
"The problem? The problem is that you went to stay for a week, and you've now been gone for four. There are things that need to be handled, you've got an apartment, a car, responsibilities… here."
"So then sell it. Sell it all."
There was a momentary pause, more undecipherable conversation and then her father's grunt was heard as he picked up the phone "Listen to me. This is your responsibility, not mine, not your uncles', not your mother's. Yours. You need to come home and deal with it. Playing biker princess and bouncing around from Kristina's house to his forever isn't going to work. You need to get your shit together, Giuliana."
One thing she regretted, was the fear of God that her parents instilled in her. No matter how old she got, she'd never curse or scream directly at them, or even hang up on them- everything she wanted to do at that moment. So this conversation was going to be had, whether she liked it or not. Her elbows fell to her knees and her left hand propped her head up as her right hand held the phone to her ear. She didn't want to start a fight, because she knew she'd end up crying and her father would win the argument. "Daddy, I'll have the reports tomorrow. I promise. Please don't force me to come back to New York to deal with that stuff."
"And it's not my responsibility. You wanna get rid of the apartment? Fine by me. But you need to move out of it, Paulie would be more than happy to have that spot- but he ain't packin' your shit for you. You also have the car, which if you wanna sell it, while you're still paying it off, you need to deal with that- I can't sign off on it- it's yours to sell."
"Can I at least finish the reports and figure out what I'm gonna do? I really don't know yet. I don't. Please let me just talk to Kris tonight and get it figured out, I'll let you all know by morning what the plan is."
"Well figure it out, quick. If you're gonna move out, should be done before the end of next week so you're now owing another month's rent when you're not there. I'll expect those reports first thing." That was the end of the conversation- no goodbye, no be careful, just a click from her father hanging up.
"You okay?" Kris asked hesitantly
Julie swallowed hard and put her phone back on the table "They want me to come back, like, yesterday. Still got the car, and the apartment. He told me I need to figure out what it is that I'm gonna do. Said Paulie'll take the apartment, but it's almost the end of the month, I gotta be out or else I'm coughing up another month's rent."
"So tell them you're moving in with me. No big deal. Go back to The City, pack your shit and move your ass out here permanently."
"I guess" she replied
"What do you mean, you guess? What's the problem? You gotta get your shit anyway, right? Drive your car out here. Kerri is off from school, maybe she'll take the ride with ya. Wish I could but I doubt someone will let me out of prison for a few days to do it"
Jax rolled his eyes, keeping them fixed on the fight, "Glad you know."
Julie chuckled and shrugged "I'm gonna go finish those reports and send 'em over to them now so I don't need to worry about it later. Shouldn't take me too long." She stood up and grabbed her cigarettes and phone from the table, and walked into the clubhouse.
"Was that a yes?" Jess asked "I'm confused."
Kris looked over at her "Yes to what?"
"Moving."
She sighed and shook her head "I dunno. Everyone has lost their damn minds today."
"Wanna go see what she's moping about?" Jess suggested, standing and raising her arms above her head, stretching out her back.
Kris groaned with a smile "Sure" she drawled "Let's add to the fun."
Walking into the clubhouse, Julie was sitting at the bar with a bottle of vodka resting next to her computer and an empty shot glass as Abel and Kenny were pouting on the couch watching TV, after scrubbing the communal bathroom- punishment well served. "Ain't nobody got time for a runaround" Jess said playfully "What's wrong and be straight about it."
"I gotta figure out my immediate future in the next few hours, that's what's wrong." she replied, keeping her attention on her work.
Jess and Kris walked behind the bar and stood in front of her as she continued to type "Where the fuck do they keep the wine? I need a glass." Jess sighed "Just one. You in?"
Kris snorted "One large glass. Jules, there's nothin' to figure out. You can even fly out tomorrow, or Sunday. Pack your shit and get back here. You leave tomorrow, you'll be back by Wednesday the latest."
Keeping her eyes locked on the screen, she shook her head "That's not the problem, Kris."
"Then what's the issue?" she asked, as Jess slid a goblet of wine in front of her.
"The problem?" Julie chuckled "The problem. Hmmm. Let's see. The main reason I'm out here is because I'm playing biker princess and don't know what my future holds."
"You mean Happy? I thought everything was okay?" Jess asked with confusion
"That's just it. It is okay. But what does that even mean? Three, six, twelve months from now, I'll be out here and he'll get sick of my ass, and then what? I moved for nothing. I love you two, you know that. But I can't be around him if it goes to shit." she clicked a few more times and snapped her laptop closed "Done." she sighed, grabbing the bottle of vodka "Anyway, you two tell me. Please, tell me what I should do."
"No one can" Kris shrugged, looking at her as she filled her shot glass and tossed back the liquor "You gotta talk to him, Jules. Tell him that you gotta deal with the apartment and you gotta make a decision."
"Right" she sarcastically replied "Cause that's gonna go over real well."
"There's nothing else you can do. You gotta talk to him. It isn't negotiable. I know you spoke to him a few weeks ago, but this isn't an option anymore. A decision has gotta be made. You two have been playing the game for what, over a year? It's time to make a decision."
Julie closed her eyes and brought her hands to her forehead and down her face. "I don't wanna know the outcome though."
"Well let him at least finish his fight and get a few drinks in."
They heard the squeaking of the clubhouse door and Gemma strolled in, as if she was ready to save the day with a cigarette between her fingers. "Trouble in paradise?" she winked, walking over to the bar and sitting next to Julie "I'm told I might be of some assistance."
Julie chuckled "I guess. I gotta figure out what I'm gonna do with my apartment and car back in The City."
Gemma looked up at Jess "Beer"
"Yes mamma" Jess smiled, reaching down and grabbing one from the ice and putting it on the bartop.
"And you're not sure where you fall in Happy's spectrum of importance?" she asked knowingly, taking a drag from her cigarette, and bringing the beer to her lips.
"Exactly"
Gemma sighed "Look, Hap ain't one to put a ring on anyone, for as long as I've known him. But I also have never known him to beat the shit out of Tig who is getting patched up right now by Chibs because he said some shit to who he was fucking. Happy don't let girls get to his head. Tig's gettin' stitches, if that says anything."
"Told ya" Kris winked
"When I asked him a few weeks ago what was goin' on between us, what he wanted to do, he said 'don't push it Tiny, I didn't kick you out yet'"
Gemma shrugged as if it wasn't news to her "And that's what I'd expect him to say. The only person Happy would publicly admit love to is his mother, and even that doesn't happen easily. You gotta read between the lines with him. I've known him for many years, and no man here will wear his heart on his sleeve with the exception of my son. But you need to just come at him with the knowledge you have- that you need to make a decision, ask him for his advice. He'll be short, he won't give you some drawn out heart-felt love declaration, but you'll know by his reaction."
Julie shook her head in disagreement "He doesn't react, Gemma. At all."
"He does" she countered "You gotta read him. You haven't learned all of him yet. When he's quiet, he's trying to process how to deliver his feelings. If he doesn't outright say 'have a safe trip', you know you're staying."
"But for how long? That is the problem. I waited for a year for him to come out of jail. A year. He knows that and I couldn't possibly stay here if he doesn't plan on this going anywhere at all."
"And I'm telling you that he won't let you go. I promise he won't. And if he does, he'll come to his senses within a few hours and chase your ass down. Just talk to him."
"See" Kris chastised "I'm learning from the best."
"From one queen to another" Gemma nodded, looking over at the men who were filing in with the kids in toe. "Sooner than later."
Happy was unwrapping his hands as he walked back towards the dorms, drenched in sweat and a bloody chin. "I'll be back" Julie said helplessly as she downed another shot, grabbed her cigarettes and hopped off of the barstool, quickly hurrying across the room and down the corridor. When she got to Happy's door, she turned the knob and let herself in, closing the door behind her and heard the shower already running. She was actually grateful that she had a few minutes before she had to say anything, but wished it didn't have to come to this. She was more or less giving the Enforcer an ultimatum- and Happy didn't do ultimatums. She sat down on his bed, and leaned against the headboard, putting a cigarette between her lips and lit it. Silently beating herself up over what she was going to say as she blew smoke above her, she heard the shower shut off and Happy emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. "Hey" she smiled nervously, as he went for a set of clean clothes from his dresser. "You okay?"
Happy ignored the question- it was a stupid question, he could've been shot in the neck and he'd claim he was fine. "What's wrong?" he said with his scratchy voice as he pulled on jeans.
Julie couldn't help but smile, God she loved how he looked and every time she saw him it was as if she was seeing him for the first time. She shook her head and continued to stare "I'm okay"
"No you ain't" he argued, reaching for his pack of cigarettes on the dresser "You got that face"
She took a deep breath and looked away from him, ashing her cigarette. "Yeah" she said softly "My uncle and dad called"
He sat down next to her on the bed and tapped his cigarette on the edge of the ashtray "And?"
"I gotta figure out what I'm doin'. Still got my apartment, my car. All that shit is wasted money if I'm not using it, you know? I gotta figure my shit out."
Happy shrugged "So figure it out" he replied simply
She rolled her eyes and looked over at him "Ain't that simple, Hap"
"What's the problem? Ya said you gotta figure out your shit, so figure it out."
"They want me to go back home." Happy paused for a moment, and pulled on his smoke, staring at her. 'Damn, Gemma is good' she thought.
"You plannin' on leavin' for good?"
"Not my call"
"So who's call is it?"
"Yours"
Happy scoffed and shook his head "Like hell."
"Happy, I need to know. You want me here? If so, I'm gonna fly back east, pack up my shit and drive out. In a heartbeat. I'll be on a flight tomorrow. If not, then there's no point in me wasting my money. I might as well go back."
"Ain't my call."
She could feel the lump in her throat forming. She loved every fiber of this man and the one thing that irked her was the fact that he never gave anything up. "You didn't answer my question. Do you want me here?"
He rubbed his hand aggressively against the back of his neck "You wanna be here?"
She stubbed her cigarette out and grunted loudly "Christ Almighty! Just answer the question. For once. Please. Share some fucking feelings!" She had completely disregarded Gemma's advice at that moment.
"Better watch yourself" Happy warned
"Or what?! I'm asking you a simple question! Answering with a question isn't an answer!"
"And I said that you better watch yourself. I ain't gettin' into a screaming match with you. I told ya, figure out your shit."
She smiled sarcastically and slammed her fist on the mattress "Know what?" she scoffed, tossing her legs off the bed and standing up "I'm done. I'm flying out, tonight. Maybe Cindy can breathe through her nose again and blow you to forget about me." she snapped, flinging open the door and slamming it behind her with such force that the walls of he clubhouse shook. Happy sat on his bed, finishing his cigarette and wanting more than anything to fight someone again, but he couldn't. She'd get on the next flight out if she could, and he knew it. He pulled on his boots and finished getting dressed as quickly as he could. Putting his hard face back on, he stormed out of his room, pulling the door closed with the same amount of force that Julie did. Everyone was gathered around the bar, watching Julie pack her computer into her bag and gather her belongings, demanding that Kris drive her to the airport at that moment.
"Don't bother" Happy growled "I'll take you my fucking self."
"Oh!" She chuckled menacingly "So can we at least stop by your place so I can grab my shit then, asshole? Such a fucking gentleman." she spat, tossing her bag over her shoulder and stomping towards the door without saying goodbye to anyone. Happy was inches behind her as they exited the clubhouse.
Everyone looked at each other and waited until the door closed completely. As if on instinct, they all reached for their wallets. "Anyone think she'll actually get on a plane?" Kris smiled "If so, then betting right now is useless."
Jess laughed and nodded "They'll make it to the corner."
If it weren't for the fact that Happy was in control of her life as he drove his bike towards his house, she would've wrapped her hands around his neck to strangle the life out of him. When he pulled up, she didn't even wait for him to cut the engine or come to a complete stop before she hopped off and ran up the steps, unbuckling the helmet from her head. In her mind it was for added effect, not realizing that he had the keys. Rendering her dramatic act useless, he glared at her as he slowly walked up the steps and held his keys out to unlock the door. She pushed her way inside ahead of him and took large strides towards his bedroom to pack her bag. Happy decided to let her have her little tantrum before snapping her into place. He headed into the kitchen and tossed his keys on the table, grabbing a beer from the fridge. He could hear the slamming of her hair straightener and curling iron in the bathroom as he sat on the couch and tossed his feet up on the coffee table, flipping through the channels on the TV. He had to chuckle to himself and actually had his own reality check: When did he become okay with a female staying at his place? When did he become okay that she leave her shit laying around? He had a bathroom that had nothing more than soap, a razor, shaving cream, a toothbrush and toothpaste, become a local drug store. Took a matter of days for it to happen, and when he woke to find his white bathroom countertop covered in what he assumed was some sort of makeup that she was brushing onto her face and the excess fell onto the sink, he simply turned on the faucet and let it rinse down the drain. Any other female would've gotten hell for that. Leaving her hair iron on and him nearly burning his fingers off when he grabbed it to move it out of the way- all it got her was a 'unplug the fucking thing' and that was the end of the conversation. Julie didn't know Happy well enough to know all of this. Although she heard it from everyone, it wasn't the same. When she appeared in the living room with her computer bag and purse still on her shoulder, and her suitcase at her feet, Happy gave her a quick glance before turning his attention back to the TV.
"Let's go" She sassed "Now"
"I ain't ready to go anywhere" he replied plainly, taking a swig from his beer.
She shook her head and sighed "Fine" she grumbled, reaching into her purse and pulling out her phone "I'll call a fucking cab." she growled, putting the phone to her ear and pulling her suitcase towards the door. "Hi" she said as even-toned as possible into the phone "I'm at forty-nine-" Before she could finish her sentence, Happy had already gotten across the room and snatched the phone from her hand, ending the call. "What the fuck?!" she shouted, reaching for him as he stomped into the kitchen and aggressively pulled open a drawer. She heard a loud smashing sound as she stepped into the kitchen before seeing her iPhone in pieces scattered across the counter. "That shit is like seven hundred dollars to replace, you dick! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"You ain't goin' anywhere" he said grabbing his beer from the counter and retreating into the living room. Julie stood in the kitchen for a few minutes, just staring at her phone that was only a little over a month old, smashed into bits. She didn't know how to react to that. She wanted to take that same damn hammer to his head for doing that. She was useless without a phone right now.
Walking into the living room, and crossing her arms, she gave him the eye that her mother had given her all too often "I'm sorry. Correct me if I'm wrong. You could've easily said this when I asked you if you wanted me here. Instead, it takes you smashing my fucking PHONE?! Have you lost your mind?!"
He chuckled into the beer bottle, shaking his head "Nope"
"What the fuck am I gonna do?! Happy, I need a phone!"
"Well standing like that ain't gonna work."
"Happy" she said with warning "I'm thirty fucking seconds from losing my shit."
"Then I suggest you get to the bathroom, quick."
She was so angry at that moment, but that last quip was too clever. And his delivery was so dry and quick, it took everything she had not to laugh out loud. He could see the corners of her mouth twitch as she flared her nostrils and pressed her lips together, trying not to smile and keep her serious demeanor. "I mean it!" she whined, still trying to keep her composure
Happy raised his eyebrows in concern "I mean it too!"
Furiously biting her lower lip to keep her laughter at bay, she clenched her fists "You're…" she took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders, blinking slowly she looked at him and wished she had that wrench right now "I still need to get my stuff in New York."
"I thought you were going to the bathroom."
"Happy!" she laughed "C'mon"
"See. Ain't that pissed."
Julie never understood how he could stay so calm during an argument- well, aside from the phone smashing. He could stare at her while she whined and stomped in front of him, and then make a joke out of something she said. "Alright, fine. But I need to get my stuff. And I'd kinda like to have my car."
He shrugged "Okay"
"Alright, you gotta work with me here. If I go back home, I gotta pack all my shit, and then drive back here. Drive. That's like twenty-eight hundred miles. That'll take me at least three days. At least, that's a lot to do by myself. And I'll need a replacement phone before I leave, since mines in a dozen pieces."
Happy finished off his beer and stood up, walking past her and tossing the bottle into the garbage. "So let's go get a phone."
"My god" she groaned, "you're impossible"
"You need a phone? I'll get you a phone."
"Happy" she whispered, rubbing her temples "Meet me half way. What am I doing when I come back to Charming?"
He grabbed his keys and headed for the door "Exactly what you're doin' right now."
She shook her head, stepping outside ahead of him as he locked the door behind himself "You know that's not what I mean."
"You want me to fly out with you? Shouldn't take too long if we split the driving." he shrugged, tossing his leg over his bike
Julie couldn't believe how adamant this man was about not showing his feelings. He was doing everything he possibly could to avoid answering her question, that takes pure talent. "Sure" she drawled before he started up the engine and took off down the street.
