Disclaimer: I own NOTHING from Sons of Anarchy… just my OC's. Thanks!
…Chapter Two…
After a few bathroom breaks, stopping at three different places for a bite to eat, taking a pit stop at Cabazon to see the dinosaurs, and some shopping at the outlet stores, Ava smiled a little as she passed the 'Welcome to Charming' sign, a day and a half or so later. A part of her was happy to be home, but the other part reminded her why she left.
It was late, as Ava pulled up to Gloria's house, she reached back, and smacked her leg. "Wake up, Woman. This is your stop."
"What?" Gloria yawned, then looked around. "We're here?"
"Uh, yeah." she nodded as Tiny was stretching next to her.
"You know, the three of you can stay here, I have enough room."
Ava groaned, as she looked in the rear viewed mirror, seeing her little girl sound asleep, then Tiny gave her a slight nod. "Alright, but… just for tonight."
"That's fine. You and Lily can stay in your old room and Tiny can stay in the other one."
"Awesome." Ava rolled her eyes, then as they got out of the Tahoe, Ava carefully took Lily out of her booster seat, and carried her to the door. After Gloria unlocked it and turned on the lights, Ava went into her old room and laid Lily on the bed, then walked out. "Remember, we're only staying here for the night." she shut the door. "Tomorrow, we'll go to a hotel or something."
Gloria sighed. "Honey, it'll be okay if the three of you stay here. It's not a big deal. Besides, it'll save you money."
Ava stared at her for a few seconds before nodded. "I'll think about it, but no promises, that is, if you don't drive me completely bananas."
"Okay." Gloria gave her a hug. "Thanks for coming, Ava. I'm really glad you're here."
"Yeah." she let go and headed towards the front door. "I know." then she walked outside to her Tahoe and heavily sighed. "Tiny, please tell me… I did the right thing coming here."
"Well." Tiny grabbed a few duffle bags. "Yes, because you're here to see your dad, and I know if you didn't visit him, you'd regret it, so it's a good thing that you're here."
"Yeah, you're right. My mom said the same thing… that I'd regret it."
"See, so don't worry about it. Let's get some rest, because tomorrow is a brand new day."
"Alright." Ava nodded, then she helped Tiny bring in all of their stuff into Tiny's room, since Lily was asleep. After Ava grabbed what she needed, she got ready for bed, and laid down next to Lily, running her fingers through her hair. "Hey, Baby Girl." she whispered. "I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to possibly seeing your daddy tomorrow. He don't even know about you, but that's Mommy's fault for staying away for so long, and I'm sorry for keeping him from you, because it's not fair to either of you." Ava gave Lily a kiss on her forehead. "Good night." then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
The next morning, Ava woke up to the sun shining in her face. "Ugh." she groaned. "Turn off the light."
"Can't do that… the sun doesn't have an on or off switch."
Ava's eyes shot open, immediately recognizing that voice. "Gemma." she sat up. "I was wondering when you'd bust through the door, guns blazing." she chuckled, noticing the frown on her face. "When did you get here?"
"Not too long ago."
"Um." Ava looked around. "Where's Lily?"
"Oh, you mean my granddaughter?"
"Uh-huh." Ava nodded. "Yeah, her."
Gemma crossed her arms over her chest. "When the hell were you gonna clue us in that Jax had a child somewhere out there?"
"Honestly, I had no intention of coming back to Charming, at all. If it wasn't for Gloria annoying the shit out of me, I nor Lily would even be here."
"So, you'd be okay with Lily going on with her life not knowing her father?"
"I don't know, maybe." Ava shrugged. "I mean, it's worked for me all those years, right?"
Gemma scoffed, sitting down in a chair. "Different circumstances."
"Yeah, riiiiiight." Ava rolled her eyes.
"Now tell me, where did she get the bruise on her face and the cast on her wrist? You knocking her around?"
Ava chuckled, shaking her head. "No, Gemma… wow, as much as you hate me, you actually think I'd hit a child? You think I'd hurt my own daughter?"
"Then tell me why she's sporting a bruise and wearing a cast."
"Okay." Ava took a deep breath, then told Gemma the same thing she told Gloria the day before - what happened at Lily's school and the situation with Mason. "So, that's why we were in Sedona. He's after the three of us."
"So, are you in Charming to try and weasel into my sons life? Getting him in the middle of your bullshit?"
"Wow." Ava looked at Gemma incredulously. "I tell you that, that son of a bitch hurt my daughter and is after her and us, and your response is that I'm here to weasel into Jax's life? Really?"
"It wouldn't be the first time."
"Do you see me running over to him and asking him for help or asking him for anything?"
"Not yet, but then again, it's still early."
"Gemma, I wasn't going to in the first place. I didn't come here for that. Did you not hear me when I said that I had no intention of coming back if it wasn't for Gloria?" Ava chuckled, shaking her head. "Damn, some things never change with you, does it?"
Gemma stood up. "Well, you better listen, Sweetheart, because I'm only going to say this once… Jax is coming home today, after being away from his family. Him and Tara got a good thing going on and my son don't need you messing with his head."
"I don't know how many times I can tell you that I'm not here for Jax. I'm here to see Elias, and when that's all done and over with, I'm taking Lily, and we're leaving back to Sedona."
"No, you're not taking my granddaughter anywhere."
"Oh yeah? You gonna try and stop me?" Ava scoffed. "Didn't you just tell me not to mess with Jax's head? And as much as he felt about me seven years ago, even though you hated it, keeping Lily here, will definitely mess with his head, and you know it will, but only plus about that, if I do end up staying… I will always be around, pissing you off, if you like it or not. But regardless what you think you know, whatever crazy idea you cooked up in your mind, I'm not here for Jax, I'm here for Elias."
"Well, for right now, you better not mess with my sons head." Gemma leaned in closer to Ava. "And more importantly… I wouldn't leave town if I were you."
"Wow, threatening me again, Gemma?" she laughed. "Bad form. Seven years ago, you threatened me to leave, which I did, and now, you're threatening me to stay? You're being a little wishy - washy and it's so… not you. You haven't gone soft, have you?"
"Oh no, Sweetheart, I haven't gone soft at all." Gemma stared at Ava with a serious look on her face. "You just remember what I said." then she smirked and walked out of the room.
"God!" Ava laughed, slamming her head on the pillow. "She's such a bitch!" after taking a few deep breaths, she got out of bed, put on a pair of jeans and a tank top, and walked out of the room.
"Good morning."
Ava glared at Gloria. "Where's Tiny and my daughter?"
"Out on the deck, eating breakfast." she looked up. "What's wrong?"
"You're really gonna sit there and ask me what's wrong?"
"What?" Gloria asked, innocently.
"I bet you couldn't wait to tell Gemma that I was in town. You just had to tell her."
"What? Your name came up in a casual conversation."
"That's bullshit and you know it."
"Ava." Gloria heavily sighed. "I just want you to stay in Charming."
"So, instead of talking me about it, you sic Gemma on me like a rabid dog?"
"That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"
"Mom, you weren't in the room with us, when she was threatening me to stay… don't you dare mess with Jax's head." Ava mocked. "But you better stay in town."
"Oh." Gloria waved her hand. "Gemma's harmless."
"Mom, Gemma and harmless, does not belong in the same sentence. It's like oil and water… you know damn well, that woman is far from harmless."
"Ava, you're overreacting."
"And you're delusional."
A few minutes later, Tiny and Lily walked in from the back door, then Lily smiled. "Good morning, Mommy."
"Good morning, Baby Girl… how was breakfast?"
"It was yummy and we ate blueberry pancakes and bacon."
"Sounds good." Ava smiled.
Gloria reached into her purse and put a key ring on the coffee table. "Here, Ava, the keys to the house."
"I haven't even decided if I'm going to stay."
"You will." Gloria put her sunglasses on and headed towards the door. "I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm helping Gemma at the clubhouse for a little while and by the time I get back, you should be ready to go visit your father."
Ava scoffed. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah, see you in a little bit." and before Ava could respond, Gloria walked out the door.
"Damn." Tiny chuckled. "She told you."
"Ugh!" Ava groaned. "That woman makes me want to rip my hair out."
"Don't do that, Mommy. You have pretty hair."
"Thank you, Lily, but I won't." Ava gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "How about you go get dressed? Your suitcase is in Tiny's room."
"Okay." Lily nodded, then skipped down the hallway.
"So, Ava." Tiny plopped down on the couch. "Why do you look like you've blown a gasket?"
"Shit." she plopped down on the recliner. "Where do I fucking begin?"
"Who was that woman, that was here?" Tiny asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
"That… would be Gemma - the grandmother of my child."
Tiny chuckled. "She seems delightful."
Ava scoffed. "Hardly."
"Well, what happened?"
"Just arguing with her and arguing with Gloria, it's all exhausting." Ava paused. "And Gemma can't seem to make up her damn mind."
"What do you mean?"
"Okay, check out this crazy shit… first - she tells me not to mess with Jax's head, because him and Tara has this good thing going on, whatever that means. Second - she tells me that I'm not taking Lily anywhere, because I said that after I visit Elias, we're going back to Sedona. Third - she threatened me to stay in Charming, which makes no sense to me, because seven years ago, she threatened me to leave, which I did." Ava took a deep breath. "That woman confuses the shit out of me."
"Are we gonna stay?"
"Where? With Gloria? Or Charming?"
"Well." Tiny shrugged. "Both."
"Staying at Gloria's - not sure. Staying in Charming - according to Gemma, I have no choice."
"Ava, maybe it's a good thing we're here, because maybe Mason won't find us."
"God, I hope not."
"Just stay positive." Tiny smiled. "And everything will be okay."
"See and this is why I love you, Tiny… your spunky attitude, how it keeps me in a good mood. Thank you."
"I love you too, Ava, and you're welcome."
"Hey, Mommy?" Lily walked out from the hallway. "Are these clothes okay?" both Tiny and Ava looked over and saw Lily wearing dark blue jeans, a cute white t - shirt, and white Nikes. Ava was amazed at just how much she looked like Jax, even with the clothes and all. All Lily needed was a flannel, cut, and a Harley, then she'd be a spitting image of her father. "Do I look okay to meet Daddy?"
"What?" Ava snapped out of her daze and raised her eyebrow. "Baby, who said that you'd be meeting your daddy?"
"Grandma Gloria."
Ava huffed. "Of course she did… Lily, come here." she walked over and stood in front of her mom. "I'm pretty sure you'll meet your dad while we're here, but I'm not sure if it'll be today."
Lily frowned. "Then why did you want me to get dressed?"
"In case we go somewhere, like, the store or something, and if we do, you'll be ready."
"Oh, okay."
"You do look very pretty, Lil."
"Thank you, Aunt Tiny." she smiled, then glanced at her mom. "Can me, Ozzy, and Phineas watch TV in our room?"
"Sure." Ava smiled. "Go ahead."
"Yay!" Lily cheered, as she ran down the hallway, and into the room.
"Oh… Em… Gee." Ava shook her head. "I can't believe Gloria told Lily about her dad. I wasn't ready to drop that bomb yet." she paused. "No, wait."
"What?" Tiny raised her eyebrow.
"I bet, if Gloria hadn't told her, then Gemma sure would have, so either way, she'd find out from one of them."
Tiny nodded. "I'm sure."
"Oh, shit." Ava stretched, then stood up. "I suppose I'll get dressed now."
"Yeah, me too." Tiny finished the last of her coffee. "Do you want to take a shower first?"
"Nah." Ava waved her hand. "You go ahead." she locked the front door. "I'm going to watch a little TV, with my girl, Ozzy, and Phineas. I bet her stuffed animals took over my pillow."
"I wouldn't doubt it." Tiny laughed. "I'll be in the shower." then as she went into the guest room, Ava went into hers.