Chapter 33- Blessing

I hope everyone is well. How excited that we now have the premiere date of the last season of Sons of Anarchy. September 9th 2014. So excited!

Jade smiled as Jax walked up behind her in the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He lightly kissed her neck as they both looked at their reflection in the mirror above the sink. Even though Jax had been out in the sun a lot lately his tan skin still stood in stark contrast to Jade's dark brown complexion. Jade was amazed at how different their outward appearance was from each other but they both were essentially the same, as they loved each other passionately, would go to the ends of the earth to protect each other and their family.

Jax hugged her tighter.

"You feeling ok?" he asked as he spun her around to face him. Jade planted a quick kiss on his lips before telling him she was fine. The last couple of weeks Jax had literally waited on Jade hand and foot. She did not want for anything and Jax wanted to keep it that way. He did not want her to be stressed or upset and have a desire to take any pain pills.

"Baby, you know you can't keep an eye on me forever. I haven't had a relapse or serious craving for anything.

"I know you haven't babe. You are a strong woman."

Jade lifted her long lashes at him, "I'm trying to be babe. I am trying."

"Bobby is coming to spend some time with you today. I'm afraid I have a lot to do today and I don't know what time I will be home."

Jade frowned a little she did not mind spending time with her uncle but she did not need a babysitter.

"Jax…I will be fine. I don't need a babysitter."

"I know that babe. Just do this for me ok?"

Jade did not want to argue so she agreed. Maybe Bobby can show her how to make his famous banana nut bread recipe again. That was one recipe she could not get to taste as good as his.

Later that night after Bobby left Jade poured herself a glass of merlot and sat at the kitchen table. The boys were with Gemma for the night and Jade took full advantage, opened her kindle and took a large swallow of red wine. After a couple of hours, her peace was interrupted when Jax walked in the front door a little past midnight.

"Jade?"

"In the kitchen." She yelled to him. Jax walked in the kitchen looking extremely exhausted.

"You okay honey?" Jade asked as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"Yeah…just tired," Jax focused in on her wine glass. "Should you be drinking that?"

"It's just wine babe. I will be fine."

Jax shook his head, "I don't know sweetheart that is a slippery slope."

"I will be fine Jax." Jade told him as she took another swallow of her wine. Jax sat back in the kitchen chair and crossed his arms as he looked at her.

"You sure?"

Jade rolled her eyes at him.

"Yes I am sure."

"Alright if you say so," Jax stood up and pulled off his cut. "If you fall off the wagon I am putting you in a rehab and I don't think that would look good for your career."

Jade mouth fell open. Was he serious? Jax looked down at her and she could tell he meant every word. He looked at the wine glass again before he went to take a shower. Jade watched him walk and defiantly took another swallow if her merlot. She knew she would be alright with just wine and she knew if push comes to shove he would not put her in a rehab. Jade shook her head and told herself it would not come to that. She sat back in the chair and started back reading her Anne Rice novel.

After a few more of chapters and glasses of wine Jade decided it was time to head to bed. She hoped Jax was asleep, as she did not want to hear any more from him about her drinking tonight. She did not cut on the room light as there was enough moonlight spilling in from the window. Jade saw that Jax was sprawled face down in the bed fast asleep. He must have been really tired. Thank God, Jade thought to herself as she quietly crawled in the bed next to him.

"Jackson! How are you son?" Aaron Shaver gave Jax a hug. Jax returned the hug and patted the old man on his back. Aaron Shaver was the owner of Shaver Jewelry and has been the jeweler of choice in Charming for Sons of Anarchy. He has made many old ladies happy throughout the years and Jax hope to add Jade to the list.

"I'm looking for an engagement ring Aaron. I'm going to ask my old lady to marry me," Jax walked over to one of the ring displays. "Now if I can just figure out what she would like."

Aaron moved behind the counter to help Jax pick out a ring.

"First what size is she?"

"6 and a half."

"Describe her personality to me."

Jax smiled as he thought of the love of his life.

"Well she is beautiful."

Aaron nodded his head. "Of course she is…but what is she like?"

"She is a wonderful mother, partner, she's independent, loves her family, would give you the shirt off her back if you need it, caring, and did I say beautiful?"

Aaron smiled at Jax as he could see on Jax's face how much he loved his future wife.

"Then I suggest a classic pear cut for her engagement ring. The pear cut is for a woman who is independent, romantic, and creative. I think she would like this cut." Aaron picked up an exquisite pear cut diamond ring to show Jax. Jax looked at the engagement ring. Yep the ring screamed Jade. Jax knew she would love it. Aaron was a genius he knew exactly what to pick out. He put a lot of nervous men at ease with his knowledge and help with picking out an engagement ring.

"This is a one and half carat in 14k white gold and it will be stunning on her finger." He told Jax as he handed the ring to him.

Jax studied the ring some more and the smile grew bigger on his face.

"I will take it."

"Good man! You are going to make her very happy son."

Aaron put the ring in a velvet black box.

"Would you like it gift wrapped?"

"No sir. Just a bag would be fine."

At the register Aaron told Jax the total and Jax pulled out a wad of cash. Aaron did not bat an eye as he was use to the Sons paying for their jewelry in cash. The total was $8,638.00 and Jax counted off ten grand and told Aaron to keep the change.

"Thank you Jax. Now will I get a wedding invitation? I would love to meet the bride."

Aaron walked around the counter and pat Jax on the back.

"Yeah, you will defiantly get an invitation."

"I look forward to it. Give Gemma my love."

Jax walked out if the jewelry store and took out his phone. It was time to call Michael and ask for his blessing to marry his daughter.

"No!" Michael found his voice raised a little as he answered Jax.

"What do you mean no?" Jax did not expect Jade's father to decline him for Jade's hand in marriage.

"There is only one meaning of the word Jackson." Michael said with a look of irritability.

Jax looked at Michael baffled.

"I don't understand Mr. Monroe. I love your daughter and I would make a good husband for her."

"Not with the lifestyle you live Jax. She has been in more danger being with you than she has in her entire life."

Jax was glad they did not tell Jade's parents about the last time she was hurt because of Frankie. Jax knew Michael would probably kill him if he knew his daughter had suffered yet again because of the club.

"Michael honey you know how much Jade loves him and she is practically his wife as it is. They have two children together and live together. Let them make it official." Selena said as she took Michael's hand to calm him down.

"Selena what about the danger she will always encounter being the wife of the president of Sons of Anarchy and a black wife at that!" Michael was getting upset again.

This was not going as Jax had pictured in his head.

"Jade is a strong woman. She can take care of herself plus Jax and Gemma will protect her…won't you Jax."

"Yes ma'am I will."

Michael looked at Jax and he knew Jax meant what he said but he was hoping his daughter would come to her senses about being with Jax. He did not mind her with Jax in the beginning but she had been hurt too often on Jax's watch.

"Michael think of Nathan. He needs his mom and dad." Selena pleaded with him.

Michael sat back on the couch and crossed his arms. He knew it did not matter that he opposed Jade marrying Jax. They were going to marry anyway. He knew Jax was the type of man to not let anything get in his way of getting what he wanted.

"Jackson I appreciate you coming to me out of respect and I know you are going to marry her anyway no matter what I say. I just want you to know that I do not want your lifestyle for her. Remember I am your lawyer and I know the danger the club is constantly getting themselves into, I know where all the bones are buried and you know Jade deserves better."

Jax could not argue with Michael as he was right but Jax loved Jade and he wanted to be with her the rest of his life and would give his life for her if necessary. He told Michael this but he did not waiver in his answer. Jax knew there was nothing else he could say to convince Michael. He did take comfort in the fact that Selena wanted him to marry her daughter.

On his way out, he hugged Selena and she whispered in his ear that it would be alright as she would persuade Michael. Jax shook Michael's hand and really did not blame the man for how he felt but Jax thought he would have had his blessing regardless.

Jax felt a little defeated as he took the trip home. On the ride home, he tried to think of ways he could get Michael to feel comfortable with his daughter being his wife. He pulled in his driveway at dusk and smiled when he saw the curtains open and Jade standing up with Nathan in her arms rocking back and forth as if dancing. He heard lullaby music as he opened the front door. She was trying to rock him to sleep. She put her finger to her lips telling Jax to be quiet when he walked into the living room. Jax walked over an kiss Jade on the lips, kissed Nathan, kissed Abel on the forehead as he was on the floor playing with his Spiderman Legos and went to take a shower.