I own nothing you recognize. All original characters and storylines are my own.
Chapter Nine
Chantal's POV
"Hey, handsome. Up for a trip?" I asked Phil as he stood at the bar looking at different sheets.
"Can't, gotta do club shit. Don't you have work?" He asked and I shrugged. I'd gotten a promotion at work so my hours had changed a bit.
"Now that I'm Head of Marketing and Distribution my hours have changed. Also, the head of the company's a Jew and today's a holy day so we got let off. I'm not gonna question it. So when the club business is done?" I liked Phil; he was funny, nice, smart and looked like a big, friendly teddy bear. He was the exact opposite of what I'd come to associate bikers in general and SAMCRO in particular with. He was bound to be a badass but as long as he stayed Phil I knew I had a friend.
"We'll see, I have to help Miles with Gemma's bird and go to the hospital. One of my duties is keeping Juice updated on Milla's condition. Though I was told that under no circumstances was I to tell him about her heart attack. As far as he's concerned she's still 'under observation'. " I nodded, I understood that. He was the moron's Prospect so of course he had that duty.
"Thanks for thinking about me Phil. One more thing, where'd the douchebag who hit on me go? I haven't seen him around." Phil got a smirk on his face before he piled the forms he was looking at up and tapped them against the table to keep them even.
"He couldn't cut it. He saw a tiny bit of the shit we're gonna be doing and bailed. He left his cut on the tow truck." I hissed, that wasn't good. I'd only been a part of this world for a few months but even I knew that was bad. I'd have to consult with Milla about just how bad.
"Damn, I guess I should get to the hospital now. I need to talk to the nurse about Milla's care. Her brother asked me to help out so I'm doing what I can." I picked my bag up off the bar and slung it over my shoulder.
"You're a good friend Chantal, to the club and to Milla." It made me grin, I couldn't have received a better compliment.
"Thanks Phil I hope I can be half as good a friend to you as you are to me." I blew him a kiss and walked out the door. I'd only been able to spend ten minutes with Milla yesterday so I hoped the time limit was off, I had a lot of things to talk to her about.
"I'm sorry Miss-" The woman was groping for a name I hadn't given her.
"Tao, it's Chantal Tao." She nodded and looked at the list again.
"As I was saying I'm sorry but the doctor has Mrs. Ortiz under very strict guidelines. Only family is allowed to visit. I could let Mrs. Ortiz know that you stopped by." I took a calm breath before I answered her carefully.
"What do you consider family Nurse-" I looked at her nametag, "Reynolds?"
"I'm just following the hospital rules and-" I held up a hand to cut her off.
"Are you from Charming Nurse Reynolds or Lodi, somewhere in the general vicinity of here?" I asked as I impatiently tapped my foot.
"No, I'm from Sacramento. I just moved here with my fiancé." There it was, I could give her a pass.
"Then your ignorance can be forgiven. That woman in there is part of SAMCRO, husband, brother, father…all members and she has countless Uncles and adopted brothers who love, care for and protect her. Do you know anything about the Sons of Anarchy?" She shrugged and looked uncomfortable. "They're a family, a huge family that's constantly growing and changing and that woman in there is the freaking princess. That means that anyone she wants can visit her."
"I have to talk to her doc-" I cut her off again.
"No you have to pay attention. You see a guy in a leather vest with a reaper on it you let him pass. You see a woman with him she gets in too. The point is that as long as they're SAMCRO in some way shape or form, you let them through." Her eyes got wide and she jumped like a deer when clapping started up behind us.
"Couldn't have put it better myself darlin'." I turned around and saw the spiky haired guy I always seemed to see around the clubhouse. I could never remember his name but I knew Milla adored him and he was currently housesitting for her and the moron. Phil was trailing along behind, looking amused at the situation.
"I'm going to go talk to Dr. Nior." She practically ran away and I turned back to the Son.
"I don't think we've been introduced darlin'. I'm Ken Kozik, but never call me Ken." He held out his hand and I took it, impressed by the fact that he gave me a genuine smile and a real handshake.
"Chantal Tao." We shook for a few seconds before I withdrew my hand from his and he looked at me.
"How's Mills, we don't have much time to stop today." He glanced over at her door with a nod and Phil went in. He was probably going to read her chart and see what he could find out.
"Before Little Nurse Sunshine in there kicked me out she was sleeping, but Paco says the doctors think she has a murmur that's giving her heartbeat a little hitch. Not surprising since her heart's working harder to bypass that tear." He nodded before he very obviously checked me out. Sorry dude, I only did dudes on camera. Phil came out and stood by the door, watching our exchange.
"Have any plans for the night? We're gonna have a little something at the clubhouse. Nothing formal." I smiled and looked over at Phil who was grinning into his hand and hiding a laugh with a cough. He was very familiar with my preferences, they were the only reason we were still in "friends" territory.
"I was planning on spending the night at home prepping for work tomorrow, but thank you for the offer." There, polite and respectful. I wouldn't have to tell him unless he forced my hand.
"How do you prep for porn?" He asked and I shook my head.
"I'm actually the Head of Marketing and Distribution for Imagica Studios. I have a lot of prep work to do." He didn't look embarrassed but he did look apologetic.
"Sorry I just thought since you were a CaraCara girl…" He let it drift and I let it slide.
"No problem, want me to keep an eye on Milla for you?" I wanted to stop this before it got awkward.
"Yeah, we have to get going but I'd still like to see you tonight. Promise me you'll think about coming." He seemed like a genuinely good guy so I smiled and nodded.
"I promise I'll think about it. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to check on Milla before supernurse gets back and tears me away." The guy, Ken "never call me Ken" Kozik nodded and moved down the hall. Phil gave me a smile as he passed and I went into the room.
Milla was sleeping and looking much better than she had yesterday. There was actually color to her cheeks and she didn't look as puffy. She was hooked up to two different heart monitors, one on her own heart and the other a fetal monitor. As I looked at the monitors I saw what Paco was talking about. About every fifth beat there was a little spike in the monitor, not good but it could be rectified. The fetal heart monitor made me smile. The beat was fast and strong, like the beating of a hummingbird's wings. That little girl was strong enough for both of them. I sat in the chair by the bed and carefully took Milla's hand. I'd recently come to terms with the fact that she'd never be mine and it didn't hurt like I thought it would. It also didn't change the fact that I felt like her man wasn't good enough for her. As I traced the veins on her hand, away from the IV she started to stir and gave me a sleepy smile and removed her hand from mine.
"Hey Chanty, been here long?" She yawned and tried to stretch but her arm and position wouldn't allow for much.
"No, not long. In fact I'm waiting to get kicked out." That made her chuckle.
"You won't, Juice isn't here and Tara put you on the approved visitors list. You're fine." She yawned again and kept giving me that sleepy smile. Fuck, that smile would always wreck me.
"The nurse said that only family was allowed." She nodded and gave me a soft look.
"You are family, I love you Chanty and there's no way I'll ever be able to repay you for everything you've done for me." Tears formed in her eyes and I gave her some tissues, "Thanks, I hate the fact that all I seem to do lately is cry."
"It happens, my aunt cried her whole pregnancy, we thought the baby would be a mummy, no water left for the womb." That made her laugh and stopped her tears. "That's better, now when it comes to me doing this for you. I'm doing it because I love you and want to see you get well. I also love that little girl growing inside you. Think I can be Aunty Chantal? There'd be no greater honor."
She gave me a smile before she settled her hand on her stomach.
"You hear that peanut, Aunty Chantal loves you and wants to be in your life. What do you say baby?" She asked her stomach before she suddenly laughed and took my hand from the bed. The baby was kicking, it seemed like she liked the idea.
"That's amazing, how does it feel on your end?" I asked as the baby continued to kick, the vibrations were light and felt like they should tickle.
"It depends, if she kicks the right spot it hurts, sometimes it kind of tickles but it always feels wonderful. When she kicks I know she's ok." The smile on her face was so maternal and angelic that I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She might never be mine but I did love this woman.
"She's strong like her Mama, everything will be ok." She smiled and moved my hand to Esperanza's new spot and we shared the joy of the moment.
I was sitting alone in the hospital room doing some work on my phone. Milla had to go to a meeting with her physical therapist and her Obstetrician wanted to do an internal exam so they moved her to a different room while the examination took place. She wanted me to stay around and I had no pressing matters to attend to so it was no big deal that I was hanging out in her room. I had been enjoying the quiet for a while when suddenly I heard a persistent ringing, it would stop for a few seconds then start up again. I got up and searched around the room before I found the phone in the nightstand on the opposite side of the bed from where I started.
"Hello?" I asked as I answered the prepay.
"Who's this, where's Milla? God did something happen?" It was Milla's husband and he sounded jumpy and on the verge of a freakout.
"Calm down dude, Milla's at an appointment with her obstetrician and she's got a consult with physical therapy. She's as good as she can be at the moment. It's Chantal by the way." Didn't want the thug to blow a gasket
"Of course it's you. Listen I just wanted to hear her voice, some serious shit went down here, shit of the kaboom variety. You aren't supposed to know about it and I want you to promise me that Milla won't either. She has enough shit to deal with with her heart and Stahl on her case again." I wasn't supposed to tell about the heart attack but now it was the lesser of two evils.
"Actually Agent Stahl isn't allowed near Milla anymore. She gave her a heart palpitation one day and full on heart attack the next. She comes near Milla again she gets an official citation." I had to move the phone from my ear at the stream of curses that came from his mouth.
"How is she now? I get why they didn't tell me but tell me now." These were orders I could actually follow.
"She has a new heart murmur but surgery and meds will take care of it. Esperanza is healthy and developing normally, she's perfect. All in all your family's safe and Milla's getting better every day. Don't worry about her safety either, there's a Son or a Prospect here at all times, there's also someone with her quite a bit. I know Tara's been spending her breaks in the room. Anything else you wanna know?" I liked being in this position of power over him. He may have been her husband but I was the one who knew what was going down.
"No, you're sure she's fine?" He sounded so concerned that I felt the spot in my heart where I felt hate for him start to soften a little.
"Yes and if she wasn't one of your boys would have let you know. Want me to have her call you when she's back and settled?" I sat on the edge of the bed and waited for his reply.
"No, I'll call if anything comes up. Please let her know that I love her and Espy. I know you hate me but consider this request in line with the truce." He knew I had power and deferred to it. Fuck, I wasn't supposed to like him, ever.
"I will." With that he hung up and I did the same shoving the phone in the nightstand drawer and closing it. I went back to sit in the visitor's chair and resume my work, no use just sitting there waiting, I had responsibilities now. As I was answering an email there was a knock on the doorjamb and an older guy came in. He had grey hair and a very nice smile. He looked toward the bed and when he saw that it was empty his face fell.
"Miss do you know where Milla is?" He asked and I saw the look on his face when he said her name. I was all too familiar with that look and knew the pain that it could bring. I gave him a sympathetic look before I answered.
"She should be with her physical therapist right now. I'd say she'll be gone no more than an hour. I'm Chantal Tao, we've met informally before." He shook my hand and gave me a genuine smile.
"Elliot Oswald, you're right we have met before. You've been at Milla's side throughout this whole ordeal. I'm glad she has a friend that she can rely on. Do you know what her condition is?" He cocked his head to the side as he asked his question and I smiled.
"She's doing well sir, she just needs to relax and stay off her feet. The baby's doing great as well." He nodded and remained standing by the bed.
"Thank you for that, I wish I had time to wait but I just wanted to check on Milla, my daughter is making me give her reports on Milla's condition." I smiled a little wider and nodded. I'd heard about his daughter, the little girl was brave and I hoped what happened didn't lead to her making bad life choices.
"Not a problem Mr. Oswald. Want me to have Milla call or text your daughter so that she can have that contact?" I sounded like I was Milla's secretary and the thought made me smile so wide I felt like my face would split.
"That would be great Ms. Tao, it was lovely speaking with you." He shook my hand again before he walked out the door. I shook my head at the poor guy's retreating back before I went back to my work.
"Five card stud, aces are wild." I told the table as I dealt the cards. Tina, Kozik, and Phil hastily picked them up while my pile collected in front of me.
"I bet a free oil change." I raised my eyebrows at Kozik and he grinned, "I'm a little tapped for cash right now so all I have to bet are services."
I laughed and looked at my cards, I had shit so I took my notebook out of my purse and wrote down a simple IOU on there. Phil saw what I was doing and smiled while Tina looked at Kozik like he was a cool glass of water and she'd been wandering the desert.
"My bet." I put the folded paper in the center of the table.
"I fold." Phil said and I guessed he wasn't going to bluff like me.
"I bet a strip tease to the winner." She grinned and Kozik looked at his cards.
We put down our hands and I saw that Tina had won. Good, because my IOU would have confused the guys. As she read the slip she laughed. The words "Chump Dance" were written and she grinned.
"You were really gonna do the "Chump Dance" for them?" She asked and I smiled while I dealt the cards again. We played a few rounds and I was enjoying myself. Phil won a lap dance but had to give it up since apparently a Prospect didn't deserve a lap dance and I'd won a tune up for my car which was good because my baby had started going downhill.
"Ok it's been driving me crazy the whole game. What the hell's a "Chump Dance"?" Kozik asked and Tina and I shared a look before we burst out laughing. She looked at me and I nodded, she could tell them.
"A "Chump Dance" is when a stripper or professional dancer ties the guy to a chair, offering to get completely naked, do whatever he wants. Then once the dude is tied up and dangling out his pants the dancer leaves and invites the other girls to mock and humiliate him. It usually happens after the guy has run up too much of a tab and the owner is sick of him." I burst out laughing at the looks on the guys' faces and Tina grinned.
"Et tu Chantal?" Phil asked feigning hurt and I smiled before I reached over and patted his hand.
"Not for you buddy, I would have tied you up yes, but I would've gotten someone else to give you the dance." Satisfied he smiled and looked at his hand.
"Ok I'm sick of the IOUs, why don't we make this more interesting?" Tina sounded too peppy and I looked in her eyes before I shook my head.
"No." I put my cards down and she pouted.
"Come on, strip poker's fun and we can all get into it." She pouted again and I continued to shake my head.
"Yeah, it sounds fun." Kozik looked like a kid on Christmas and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"If you two wanna do it that way it's your deal. Phil and I are happy with the game the way it is, right Phil?" He nodded and put down his hand while Kozik and Tina seemed to have a private conversation.
"Give me a deck of cards, we're taking this game to the back." I laughed and handed the unopened pack I had in reserve to them and Tina raised her eyebrows before she and Kozik practically ran to the back I shook my head and looked at Phil.
"Looks like it's just you and me. Anything you wanna do?" I cleaned up the table and he gave me a grin.
"Still up for that ride?" He asked and I grinned. I was always up for a ride.