Chapter 7: Back to Charming in the Hospital

The next morning, Cassie met up with Trish's lawyer at seven am instead of nine, and signed all the paperwork she needed to. Cassie is now, Tyler's legal guardian until he reaches the age of eighteen. Around seven thirty, Cassie loaded up the luggage and the kids into her Dodge Durango, then picked up Jason's little sister Kaeli, and at about eight o'clock, they headed west on the freeway.

"So." Kaeli started. "Where exactly are we going?"

"Back to my home town."

"Which is?"

"Charming, California."

"We're going to Cali? Can we go to the beach?"

"Maybe on the way back."

"Okay." Kaeli nodded. "So... what's in Charming?"

"Someone I know, got into an accident."

"Oh... and I'm sorry to hear about Trish."

"Thanks."

"Who exactly are we going to see?"

"This guy I used to know."

"Is 'this guy' an old boyfriend?"

"Not exactly."

"Then who is he?"

"His name is Jax and he's Daisy's F-A-T-H-E-R."

"Wow, really?"

"Yeah." Cassie nodded. "I just wanna know if he's okay."

"Does my brother know?"

"Not yet, but I will tell him when he calls."

"How long are we staying in Cali?"

"A few days... we have to get back for Trish's funeral."

"Oh, right." Kaeli nodded, then went back to playing on her cell phone.

Cassie pulled up to a Motel 6, eleven or so hours later, and paid for a room. Both her and Kaeli carried the sleeping kids into the room and put them on the bed. "Kaeli, all you need to do is watch them. If they happen to wake up, I have snacks and drinks in my bag."

"Okay."

"And if you get bored, you can play on my laptop." Kaeli nodded. "Call me if you need me."

"All righty then." she gave Cassie a half ass salute.

"Thanks." Cassie smiled, then left to St. Thomas. She walked in, about ten minutes later, and saw all of SAMCRO, through the waiting room window.

She spotted Juice next to the vending machine and walked up to him, then his eyes widened. "Cass, what are you doing here?"

"I had to see if Jax is okay."

"Come say 'hi' to everyone first." she nodded, then followed Juice into the waiting room. "Look, who's home!" he yelled, getting their attention.

"Holy shit!" Opie yelled. "Cassie?"

"Yeah." she nodded. "It's me."

He ran up and gave her a big bear hug, spinning her around. "We missed you."

Opie put Cassie down and she said "I've missed you guys too." then she went down the line saying 'hi' and giving hugs to Piney, Chibs, Bobby, Clay, and Happy, but there was no Tig in sight.

She walked up to a guy she's never seen before in a 'Prospect' cut. "Cass." Juice started. "This is my cousin Vinny."

"Hello, Beautiful."

"Hi." she smiled. "I've heard of you before, but it's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise." he smirked, but his smirk quicky faded when he saw the glare Juice was giving him.

"So." Cassie started. "How's Jax?"

"The same... there's been no change since Ope called me at your house."

"Can I go see him?"

"Yeah, follow me." then Juice led her out of the waiting room and into Jax's room in the ICU.

Cassie gasped at the sight of Jax, hooked up to machines with tubes in his mouth and nose. He had bruises and cuts all on his face, neck, and arms. "Oh, my God." she whispered, as her eyes started to get watery.

"I'll leave you in here with him, for a little bit." Juice said, before walking out.

Cassie slowly walked over to the side of the bed and sat down in the chair. "Jax... I'm so sorry I stopped talking to you, but I got here as soon as I could." she wiped the tears from her face. "I know this is asking a lot and I'm probably being selfish, but I need you to pull through this and wake up." more tears fell down her cheeks and she grabbed his hand. "You need to wake up... you have, I mean we have, a beautiful four year old daughter, and she needs you." she paused. "I need you, Jax."

Five minutes later, the door opened and shut, then Cassie heard "Welcome home."

"Gemma." Cassie stood up and gave her a hug.

"It's good to see you, Cass."

"I'm glad to be home." they broke from the hug and Cassie sat back down. "Um... Juice told me about Jax and after I had to take care of some business, I came right over."

"What kind of business, if you don't mind me asking?"

"My best friend, Trish, was killed by her husband the other night." Gemma's jaw dropped. "And I had to meet with her lawyer to sign some papers, because she appointed me to be her son, Tyler's legal guardian."

"Oh, wow... I'm sorry to hear about that."

"Thanks." Cassie said, with a weak smile.

"How long are you gonna be here?"

"A few days, but I do have to get home to bury Trish, then I'll be coming back... for Jax."

"Good." Gemma nodded, then sat down on the other side of the bed. "Because he needs you."

"Yeah, Juice told me the same thing."

"He's right, if anyone can pull him through this... it's you, Cass."

"Maybe." she nodded. "Juice also told me about Abel and I'm sorry."

"I believe, where ever my grandson is... he's alive and well." Gemma paused. "After eight months, they stopped searching. Jax didn't, up until two years ago... he just, gave up." Cassie just nodded. "He swore, he'd never have another child, and he hasn't, since Abel." Cassie's eyes widened and Gemma raised her eyebrow. "What?"

"Um... what if he does have another child?"

"What do you mean?"

Cassie went into her purse, pulling out her wallet. She took out a picture and gave it to Gemma. "Her name is Daisy Giselle."

"She's Jax's kid?" Cassie nodded. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I was too chicken and after Donna was killed... I just couldn't bring myself to telling him." Cassie paused. "I know, keeping Daisy's existance was wrong on all levels, but I didn't know what else to do."

Gemma got up and gave Cassie a hug. "You're lucky I love you... otherwise, I'd be kicking your ass."

Cassie chuckled. "I know... I'm sorry."

"Okay." Gemma let go of her and sat back down. "See, this is exactly what Jax needs, to find his way back to us. Give him something to live for." Cassie just nodded. "Did you bring her?"

"Yeah, she's at the motel with my boyfriends sister and Tyler."

"Oh." Gemma gave her the picture back. "She's beautiful, Cass."

"Thanks." she nodded, then put it into her purse. "She's a mini Jax and she's stubborn like him."

Gemma laughed. "I bet she's a handful."

"A little bit, but for the most part... she's a good girl."

"Well, good." Gemma stood up. "I'm gonna head out. Will you stop by later tonight? I'm having a late dinner for the guys."

"Okay."

"Bring my granddaughter, Tyler, and your boyfriends sister... around nine fifteen."

"We'll be there."

Gemma smiled and walked to the door, then she turned around. "I'm really glad you're back, Cass."

"Me too." Cassie nodded, then Gemma walked out, and Cassie turned her attention back to Jax.