Hi ladies! This chapter is more of a segway (sorry it's so short!)- I needed to get this down to move onto the upcoming chapters planned. Love the feedback! :)


"Loving this vacation?" Jess asked as she walked through the back door with Gabby and Opie around nine the next morning.

Kris shrugged sitting at the kitchen table "The boys' clocks aren't programmed to vacation time. Still up at six."

"Same" Jess grumbled, walking Gabby over to where the twins were in the living room "Except for our charming Ellie who sparked a fight with him about how he was up too early making noise."

"Good morning by the way."

Opie chuckled "Morning. Enough coffee to share?"

"Get it yourself" Kris smiled "Or your wife can get it."

"He can pour" Jess nodded, grabbing herself a mug and handing one to him

"What time you guys gonna be back tonight?"

Opie shrugged bringing the mug to his mouth "Mornin'" Jax smiled, walking into the kitchen with a wet-head from his shower.

Kris watched him as he poured himself coffee and sat down next to her "Time tonight, sir?" she asked

"We'll be at the garage in a little while for the rest of the afternoon."

"Where you headed before?"

Opie raised his eyebrows and chuckled, looking at his friend "Gotta meet up with Luis and Romeo."

"About?" she drawled

Jax smiled and nudged her with his elbow "The Chinese," she gave him a deep sigh and arched her eyebrow "We're helpin' Luis and Romeo to set up Lin and his guys."

"And you all don't think that constantly handing over big organizations to the Feds is going to cause major problems?"

Jess nodded looking at her "I agree."

"Don't get me wrong-" Kris continued "They've helped you guys out many times. But rats get leaked. I don't like that."

Jax put his hand up and furrowed his brow "We ain't ratting." he defensively argued, "We're settin' them up. We don't deal with that drug shit, Kris. Them selling all around here affects us."

"If you say so" she sighed "Your mom's coming by in a few to get the kids. We gotta go to City Hall to fill out applications. So you might be on dinner patrol."

"Got class tonight?"

The girls shook their heads "We cancelled them since we were off anyway."

"Anything else darlin'?"

Kris chuckled and rubbed her stomach "And I was thinking, we're gonna need a bigger car if you plan on going anywhere with four kids. Her and I can't drive anywhere with all the kids as it is."

"You gonna give up your car?" he smiled in disbelief "And I'm guessin' you ain't drivin' a mini-van?"

Jess snorted and shook her head "Don't go copying me now with my new truck."

Kris looked at Jax will pleading eyes "I'll work on it" Jax nodded "You good now?"

"Mmhmm. Goodbye. You're just gonna get yourself a longer list if you stay."

"Just don't piss off the mayor, will ya?"

Jess laughed and shook her head "Goodbye you guys."

Opie kissed her cheek and headed out of the house with Jax "Stop for Juice first?" he asked, putting his phone to his ear. Jax nodded as the line connected on the other end "Five minutes." he said before putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Chibs'll meet us over there" Jax said, starting up his bike. The two took off down the street and were in front of Juice's house within five minutes like Opie had said. Juice was standing at the front door filling his pockets. He put his hand up to the two idling outside when Chibs pulled up next the two of them. Kerrianne came up behind Juice in one of his t-shirts and wrapped her arms around his back to his waist. He went to grab her hands as she turned him around, seeing her father waiting outside.

"Fuck" she growled "Be careful" she said, kissing his cheek.

Juice chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead "You too. You know we're in for it when I get back."

"I told 'em I was at my friend's house for the night." she sighed

"What friend?"

"Work wit' me. Apparently, I have a friend named Maria."

He chuckled "Alright babe" he said, kissing her quickly before heading out the door "Be good!"

She held the door open and skittishly waved to the three men waiting for her boyfriend "Mornin'!" she called out "Be safe guys!"

Chibs looked at her and narrowed his eyes "That your friend, huh?"

She bit her lip before blowing her dad a kiss "Love ya!"

He nodded and lit a cigarette as Juice started up his bike, Kerrianne disappeared back into the house and quickly showered, getting ready for her day.


The girls sat in a small room waiting for tirelessly slow secretary to get them what they needed and to speak to the mayor. Mayor Hale walked into the room with an inquisitive look on his face. "I hear i'm being summoned?" The two stood up and nodded with a smile "Jacob Hale"

"Jessica Winston" Jess politely introduced herself, extending her hand.

Kristina felt her chest tighten but managed to shake his hand. "Kristina…. Teller" she smiled

"You two ladies look familiar. You've been at a bunch of fundraisers."

"We've been there." Jess nodded "We just wanted to introduce ourselves, we're applying to start a school, and the building that's been vacant on Ninth and Birch would be perfect."

"Private school?" he asked

"I think the new term is 'Independent" Kris chuckled "It could be pretty big."

"That so?"

Jess smiled "Yes, sir. I think it's time the area gets more people in and a brand new school could be that selling point for families."

"Alright, we'll take a look at it. Your families live in Charming?"

Kris nervously laughed "Husbands, kids, mother-in-laws…"

"What do your husbands do?"

"Well…." Jess chuckled "We could say small business owners?"

"And what business might that be?"

Kris shook her head "An auto-body shop. Amongst other… ventures."

"Teller. So you're Jax Teller's wife" he smiled coming to the realization, "and you're Opie Winston's wife. That's exactly where I know you from."

Jess stood up straighter as if she was ready to defend their husbands "Our heart's in the right place mayor. I promise you that. And while you and our husbands may have different views on a lot of things, you both still want what's best for this town. Think of the families that would move in if there were a new progressive school."

"Don't forget that this is an election year. A mayor that's pro-education, trying to make a change..." Kris added

The mayor laughed and shook his head "You know, you sound just like them? I'll do my best. I'll stop by to talk to them about what they can do to help that along."

"One hand washes the other, right?" Jess asked "Gotta work together. We don't wanna take up any more of your time. I'm sure we'll be seeing you soon" she smiled, quickly walking towards the waiting secretary in the doorway as Kristina followed. "When can we drop these back off?"

The secretary handed over the packs to the three of them and shrugged "Whenever you can get 'em in." she mumbled.


Happy, Opie, Jax and Chibs were standing outside the garage doors around four-thirty at TM and watched a car pull into the lot. "What's he want?" Opie asked

"One way to find out." Jax smiled at the man as he exited his vehicle "Mister Mayor" he said victoriously, extending his hand

"Jax" Mayor Hale smiled

"What brings you to this side of town?"

"Had the pleasure of meeting your two wives this morning. Let me tell you, they're learning an awful lot of your negotiation skills."

Jax chuckled "Did my old lady hurt your feelings?" he asked condescendingly

"No, no" he smiled "I like their idea. But this gets a little complicated when I gotta convince a board to vote on it. I wanted to extend the courtesy and let you know that I'm for it. But you all keeping it quiet around here for the time being will only help them."

"Not always our call, Hale" Opie piped up "Leave them out of our bullshit. They didn't do anything wrong."

The mayor nodded in total agreement "That's why I'm here. Wanted to let you know ahead of time. I'm gonna push for it. It's gonna come up they're married to you two so I can't promise anything."

"What do you need Mister Hale?" Jax asked knowingly "I know it ain't all courtesy."

"Just you boys playing nice around here and if I need ya to keep the town quiet, keep it quiet. It's an election year you know. And I've been seeing more and more of the Chinese around here lately."

"We're workin' on it."

Hale nodded with a small smile and got back into his car. "And the pile of shit just gets higher and higher" Opie grumbled

"Wanna tell me what that was about?" Gemma asked from the office door with JT resting on her hip.

"Friendly gesture" Jax replied "Mayor want us to keep the town quiet and he'll help push the girls' idea along."

"And making deals with him is only gonna make shit worse around here."

Opie rolled his eyes and sighed, looking over at Jax "We're not doing it for us." Jax said to Gemma

"You're putting the club into the mayor's hands."

"For my wife."

Gemma narrowed her eyes "And you having to play by his rules to avoid her having a harder time is not how it works around here."

When Opie and Jax got back to the house with the kids, Gemma, Fiona and Mary, Kris was knocked out on the couch while Jess and Kerrianne watched TV. "What happened there?" Gemma chuckled

"Food coma. She ate about half her weight in pizza."

"Looks like I don't need to cook dinner" Jax sighed relaxingly

"Not a chance" Kris sleepily grumbled "Get in the kitchen." Everyone laughed as he rolled his eyes and defeatedly walked out of the living room.

Opie put Gabby down with the twins next to the couch and followed Jax into the kitchen "Babe, where's Ellie?"

"Hello! Right here!" Ellie snapped, staring at her history book from the dining room table. Opie looked over at his daughter with a warning glare.

"Are you and her not on speaking terms today?" Gemma asked quietly

"Fuckin' ridiculous." he drawled

Gemma smiled at him "Not everyday is a bad day for a teenager. Be nice."

"Beer?" Jax asked, reaching into the fridge.

Opie nodded and took the beer from him "I get another daughter and I'll beg to go back to prison."

Gemma snorted and looked at her son "Better be prepared. Ninety nine percent sure this one is a girl."

"Nero!" JT squealed with his face against the front door with Slash standing next to him.

Jax walked over to the door and picked up his son "Slash. Down." He growled as the dog quickly obeyed. "Who's that dude?"

"Hey little man!" Nero smiled, messing up JT's hair, and taking him from Jax "What's goin' on?"

"Not much, man" Jax said, walking towards the kitchen "How's it all goin' down at the club?"

"Same ol'" he nodded "How's shit goin' with Lin?"

Jax nodded, sitting back down at the table "Good as can be expected. Got a meet set up for tomorrow, Feds'll come in and clean up."

"Gotta be careful with blowback 'mano."

"Sound like Kris right now."

"She's a smart lady. When you find out if it's a boy or girl?"

Jax ran his hand through his hair "Next week. Causin' more headaches than the club."

"Not my grandbaby" Gemma scoffed "What headaches?"

"Who else?" he said with a smirk "She's tellin' me she's gonna need a new car. And now this whole new school bullshit."

"Let her do her thing." she sighed "You just keep your ass out of jail and out of the Mayor's pocket."

"We're not getting into this."

Gemma shrugged "We are so. Did you tell her he stopped by?"

Nero and Jess looked over at Gemma, confused at the question and Opie stood by dreading the outcome. Kris sighed, walking into the kitchen "I ain't deaf. Who stopped by?"

Jax groaned and looked up at his mother "Mayor Hale." she replied

"Everything okay?" Jess asked hesitantly

Opie nodded "It's fine. Just wants us to keep the town quiet."

"He was nice" Kris added "He said he'd speak to you guys."

Jax smiled softly and nodded "All good babe."

"So what's wrong then?" she asked, looking over at Gemma

"This little venture is putting them in bed with Hale."

Kris sat down next to Jax at the table and furrowed her brow "How?"

"It's not. We just gotta help him out when he needs."

Her and Jess nodded since it's what they expected "We figured that." she said plainly, but could tell she needed to change the topic "What'd the kids do today Gem?"

"After their first shooting lesson I showed em how to roll a joint." she said, opening a beer for herself

"Know what the scariest thing is?" Jess asked "One of these days I'm really not gonna know if you're kidding."

"Ugh!" the teen growled "How am I supposed to do homework with everyone talking?!"

Her father stomped across the kitchen and pushed open the back door "Out!" he yelled, looking over at her.

She rolled her eyes and sighed, grabbing her books and knocking into him on her way out and across the grass. "Ope!" Jess called out, quickly following behind.

"You gotta be fuckin' kidding me!" He shouted, walking in the house behind her.

She threw her books on the kitchen counter and turned around, looking up at her father "I can't be over here because I'm not responsible enough to do my homework by myself!"

He stepped up, towering over her "You have two seconds to check yourself." he quietly hissed

"Both of you!" Jess shouted, "I'm over it! You, go to your room and cool off. You don't snap at people like that! And you!" She glared at her husband "God she has your temper! Out!" Both father and daughter huffed identically and turned their backs to one another, stomping in different directions. Jess followed Opie out running her hand through her hair "I'm not a fuckin' referee Ope."

He pulled his cigarettes from his pocket and put one in his mouth, taking a seat at the table. "And raising my kid to think it's alright to snap at people is fine?"

"I'm not trying to play good cop bad cop here. And I agree with you but there's a time and a place. You could've handled that much better. Now she's gonna be bigger and pissed off because you yelled at her. You need a tattoo that says 'What Would Jess Do?' because before you react, you need to think."

"Yeah, yeah" he sighed


The following Tuesday, Jax walked into the bedroom with his hood up and face red from the cold. "Cold enough for ya?" Kris smiled, sitting up in the bed, watching tv.

He rubbed his hands together as he toed off his sneakers "Fuckin' forty degrees outside. I'm surprised you're still up."

"The house is quiet, boys are sleeping, and I'm on vacation, of course I'm up. Late night."

"We gotta ride down to San Bernardino tomorrow first thing. Stoppin' off at Joey's first."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin's wrong. They just wanna run something by us." he said reassuringly, climbing into the bed.

"And when are ya coming back?"

"Thursday night late. You guys'll be fine with Jimmy and Rat. And you can call Piney if ya need."

"Okay" she sighed, putting her head on his chest. "We're going to register the twins and Gabby tomorrow for day care. Starting in September."

"Kris…" he groaned "You know Gemma ain't gonna like that."

"And she didn't birth them. Staying at the clubhouse all day everyday isn't a way to interact with other kids, Jax. It's either that, or I gotta give up working and stay home with them."

Jax sighed and shook his head, "Just… Let me tell her." he begged.

"Well you better tell her soon. I'm not keeping that secret." she protested, picking up his phone from the nightstand.

He looked at her helplessly and took his phone from her, placing it back where it was "You're lucky I love you"

She smiled and kissed his cheek, returning her head to his chest "Mmhmm."

"I'll tell her tomorrow morning. Just don't make it any worse, alright?"

Kris gasped "I never make it worse."

"A'ight." he chuckled "Go to sleep."

"Better keep it in your pants while you're gone, Teller."

"Wouldn't dare to upset you."

She chuckled and nodded "That's right."

By the time Kris had woken up the next morning, Jax was in the kitchen with Gemma making coffee. "Hey sweetie" Gemma smiled, kissing her cheek.

"Mornin'" she said, looking over at Jax for the cue that he had spoken to her.

He painfully sighed and cleared his throat "Ma… starting in September the boys are gonna be in day care with Gabby."

Gemma arched her eyebrow "I never sent you or your brother to day care."

Kris tried to hide her eye-roll that she was all too infamous for "That's a huge surprise." she grumbled

"They need it. It wouldn't be for the whole day. Just until eleven-thirty." Jax added, trying to alleviate the growing tension.

She reluctantly nodded "I still don't like it."

"And if they don't like it, we'll take them out. But they need to give it a shot."

"Want me to take the boys today?" she asked, changing the topic.

Kris smiled "If you wanna take Kenny and Abel with you, I'm sure they'd much rather be at the garage."

Gemma nodded "And I'm assuming you'll be back before her appointment on Friday?" she asked her son

Jax stood up and grabbed his kutte from the back of the table, seeing Opie walk through the back door with Jess, Gabby and Kenny "We'll be back tomorrow night."

"No more cutting off trucks this time." Kris growled "You hear me?"

He chuckled and gave her a quick kiss before kissing Gemma's cheek "Yes ma'am. And you stay out of trouble." he smiled, kissing his sons goodbye and walking out of the door.

"Why am I always the one being warned?" she asked

"Just when I think the list of dumb questions can't get any longer" Jess sighed, "You ready?"

Kris nodded and stood up, grabbing her bag. "Jax, JT, let's go."

JT threw his head back and whined "I wanna go with grandma."

"We'll see her later." she said, picking him up and tossing him on her hip "Thanks Gem. We'll come by the garage after."

Gemma nodded and headed out the front door behind them "Jax has the two of them on you until they're back." she added, pointing to Jimmy and Rat.

Kris rolled her eyes, walking across the grass towards Jess' truck. "Won't keep me outta trouble!" she shouted, buckling the boys in and getting into the passenger seat before slamming the door closed.


While the men planned on heading to San Bernardino, Joey's house was the first stop. "What's goin' on brotha?" Jax asked embracing Joey

Joey nodded "All good. How's she treatin' you? You look like shit."

Jax laughed and rubbed the back of his neck "You know I look good. She's being her, extra heavy on the hormones."

"That's different from?" Opie chuckled

Joey raised his eyebrows and nodded in agreement "Couldn't have said it better myself. Nico just landed. So he'll be here in about a half hour."

"Everything alright?" Chibs asked

"Absolutely" he smiled confidently, "we're just lookin' to expand since this is going so well. And you know how he likes to be hands on."

The men followed him into his house "God damn, you do good." Happy said, looking around the living room. "How long you lived here?"

"About eight years now. You guys want a beer?" he asked, opening the refrigerator.

Everyone nodded, "How we expanding?"

Joey handed out the beers and took a seat on his kitchen counter "They wanna start moving two shipments a week. Problem being we can't move anything more through San Fran. We're trying to stay under the radar."

"Whad'ya need from us?" Opie asked

"Any suggestions?"

"Sure we could get Barosky on board." Jax shrugged

"Boss" Happy said apprehensively "You've got a lot of people watching the port. Regardless of Barosky. Twice a week is gonna raise suspicion."

"Any other ideas?"

Opie rubbed his beard aggressively "Gonna have to keep him on payroll, and keep it clear." The men nodded in agreement "What's the plan for down here?"

"We're good down here. Spoke to Les yesterday, he said they voted for it, him and Yates'll be here in a bit."

Jax smiled and shook his head "So why you need us to come down then?"

"You know Nico's gotta set the deal face to face. And he wanted to make sure that the port issue would be solved."

"Probably just wanted to make sure that his niece hasn't killed her husband yet." Chibs mumbled

"Or give him a shoulder to cry on" Juice chuckled under his breath

Jax rolled his eyes "Leave my old lady alone. And you can't say shit bro" he said to Opie

"I ain't denying anything. I know what I have."

All the men laughed and directed their attention to the front door that opened. Nico was holding the door open for Giuliana who was bickering something incomprehensible "What a happy fuckin' family" Joey groaned.

"Watch your mouth" Giuliana said, kissing his cheek "I needed to escape the cold. How you doin' handsome?"

Jax smiled "Aw I'm good"

"And my babies?"

"Gettin' big."

She smiled and held her hand out to her husband "Tryin' to convince this one to drive up for a few days. You talk it out with him. I'm going to enjoy this weather. Don't mind me." she waved off, grabbing Nico's wallet and heading out the door.

Joey shook his head "Alright. Let's get this done with."


"I ain't got all day!" Jess shouted at the gates of TM, waiting for the prospects to open it.

"Didn't recognize the truck" the young man said apologetically, as Jess shook her head, pulling in. When they got back to the garage, the twins and Gabby ran across the lot towards the playground.

"Slow down!" Jess called out after the kids as well as her best friend. Gemma watched on with Julie as Kris chased the kids around the swing set and lost her footing, falling on her right side.

Julie gasped and ran over "Oh fuck! Are you okay?"

"Shit" Kris groaned, slowly standing up with her help "Fuck that hurts!"

"And that's why he said stay out of trouble!" Jess chuckled "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" she sighed, rubbing out her lower back "Fuck!"

Gemma waved on Jimmy who was on the other side of the lot "You gotta go to the doctors." she said, pulling her keys from her bag.

Kris shook her head "No. I'm fine."

Julie took the twins' hands, walking them away from the swings towards the cars "You want me to take them back home?"

"No!" Kris groaned "Really. I'm fine"

Gemma shook her head "Jim, come with us. Have Ratt follow Julie and Jess back" she said, pulling Kris along towards her truck

"Gem, she said she's fine" Jess shrugged

The matriarch didn't want to hear it. "Get her in the truck."

"Everyone stop!" she yelled "I'm not going anywhere!"

Jimmy scoffed and bent over, putting his right arm under her knees, scooping her up and placing her in Gemma's passenger seat "Yeah. You are." he said, slamming the door closed

"You know you're catching hell for that." Jess laughed "I'll take the kids back with Julie. Abel! Kenny! Let's go!"

Gemma climbed in and started up the car. Kris rolled down her window and glared at the three who stood there shaking their heads. "Gem, I'm fine" she whined, putting on her sunglasses.

"I'm sure you are."

She rolled her eyes and rested her head on her palm. "Yep. And Now I'm never gonna hear the end of it. It was an accident. I'm fine!"

Gemma shook her head and lit a cigarette, "It's not just about you, Kristina."

Kris raised her eyebrow, not sure as to what Gemma was getting at "What do you mean it's not just about me?"

"You've got the baby to look after."

"I think I'd know if there was something to be worried about. I'm a grown fucking adult with three fucking kids. I can make my own choices."

"And I'd like to make sure the baby is fine."

"The baby is fine. This is about you and you can't keep controlling everything, Gemma." Kris sighed, looking out the window. When they arrived at the doctor's office, she climbed out of the truck "I'll ride back with Jim." she said before slamming the door closed.