Wanted to get this chapter posted real quick as tonight is the Finalride. I am sadden that it is the end of one of the best shows in history but happy to see how it will end. I really don't think my muse Jackson N. Teller will survive this episode and I will be very heart broken…..we shall see how Mr. Sutter tells the last part of the story. Well….let me open my Chardonnay and watch the last episode…Love-Michele
Blended-Chapter 4
"Wake up!" Cortney barked at Steven as she flung the curtains open. Sunlight filled the room and caused Steven to groan in his sleep. He had a splitting headache and his mom yelling at him was not helping.
"Come on mom! Close the curtains." He snapped covering his head with the covers.
"It's noon. You need to get up. You need to mow the lawn."
Steven cursed under his breath. The last thing he wanted to do was push a loud ass lawn mower across the yard.
"Mom…..later…please…."
"Later my ass Steven. You need to get up. You should not have been out drinking and getting high last night." Cortney pulled the covers from Steven's grasp and loomed over him.
"I don't feel so good." Steven moaned as he slowly got up from bed. He suddenly covered his mouth with his hand and darted to the bathroom. Cortney shook her head as she heard Steven vomit. Maybe he would think twice about drinking next time. Steven's cell started to ring and Cortney tiptoed over to the nightstand to see who it was. She felt her heart flutter as she saw the name displayed on the screen.
Jax.
Should she answer it? No…she better not. What was she going to say to him anyway? Cortney walked away from the phone. She guess she would have mow the lawn herself. She would have to find an extra chore for Steven to do to make up for flaking out not doing the lawn.
Cortney flopped on the couch exhausted. She forgot how big her lawn was until she was pushing the heavy ass mower across it. She looked up when she heard Steven shuffle down the stairs.
"You feeling better?"
"Yeah." Steven plopped down beside his mom.
"I'm sorry mom."
Cortney wrapped her arms around her son's shoulders. Sometimes she was such a push over when it came to Steven. All he had to do was look at her with his big doe like eyes and she usually caved in.
"Steven you have your whole life ahead of you. Don't let the allure of Sons of Anarchy pull you in."
"I won't mom."
"Jax called you. Did you call him back?" she tried to ask nonchalantly.
"Yeah…he just wanted to check on me. Make sure I still alive… yet again."
Cortney chuckled as she got up from the couch. She should have rip Steven a new one but she did not want to push him away. She would have to keep a close eye on him while he was interning at Teller Morrow.
"Let me take a shower and I will drop you off so you can get your car."
"Mom? Did you tell dad?"
"No. It's best we don't tell him. It won't be happening again….right?"
"Right."
Cortney pulled into Teller Morrow and parked next to Steven's car. The place was busy just like the first time she visited the garage.
"Come straight home Steven." Cortney told Steven as he got out the car.
"I will mom."
A black escalade pulled up next to Cortney and Gemma got out.
"Hey sweetheart!" she said to Steven giving him a tight hug. "You aren't working today are you?"
"No ma'am. Mom just dropped me off to pick up my car."
"Oh…yeah…I heard about your little adventure last night….what did mom have to say about that?"
'She wasn't too happy."
Cortney got out the car to speak to Gemma.
"Hi Gemma! How are you?"
"Well hello Steven's mom." Gemma looked Cortney over and wondered how she could make a pair of black leggings with a hot pink tunic top look so good.
Cortney chuckled when she realized that Gemma did not remember her name.
"It's Cortney."
"Cortney…yes that's it. I'm sorry I'm not good with names."
"No worries."
Gemma looked over at Steven and then back to Cortney.
"Where are you guys heading?"
"Back home." Steven answered.
"It's my grandson's birthday today. Why don't you guys come by. We are having a cookout."
"Oh no…we would not want to intrude." Cortney interjected.
"You aren't intruding. I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't want you to come." She said. To be honest Cortney wanted to see Jax again. She knew he should not be creeping in her thoughts as often as he had been since she first met him. She was seeing someone but she was thinking of Jax more than the guy she was dating.
"How old is your grandson?" Cortney asked.
"He's four."
"Awww..that's a good age."
"Yes it is." Gemma smiled thinking of Abel.
"What time does it start?" Steven asked.
Gemma looked at her watch.
"In about thirty minutes."
'Ok…that gives me time to pick him up a present. What is his name?" Cortney wondered what Jax would think of her and Steven coming to his son's party.
"Abel."
Steven pulled out his phone and typed in the address to Jax's house.
"I'll see you guys there." Gemma said before heading into the office.
Cortney followed behind Steven to a little toy store on main street and picked up Abel a couple of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys. Cortney checked herself in her rearview mirror when they pulled up to Jax's house.
Steven looked over at his mom after he rung the doorbell and she was shifting from one foot to the other. Was she nervous?
"You alright mom?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
Before Steven could answer, the door swung open.
"Steven my boy!" Chibs yelled as he pulled Steven into a hug. Cortney was a little taken back by the affection he showed her son. "You must be the mom." He said with a thick Irish accent.
Cortney nodded as Chibs grabbed her into a hug. Ok…this was not what she was expecting meeting one of the Sons.
"Come on in." Chibs said a little too loud. He must have had a few drinks Cortney thought.
Cortney and Steven followed behind Chibs into Jax's house. Steven smiled when he saw that Abel's birthday theme was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His gift was perfect.
"You guys made it!" Gemma called from the kitchen when she saw Cortney and Steven.
"Thanks for inviting us. Do you need any help?" Cortney asked walking up to Gemma and looking around for Jax.
"Sure. Do you know how to make spinach dip? I have all the ingredients I just have not had the time to make it yet."
"Sure."
"Steven, Jax is outside grilling."
"Where can I put Abel's gift?" Steven ask holding up the gift bag.
"You can put it in the living room on the coffee table. Thanks."
"Where is the birthday boy?" Cortney asked as she pulled packs of frozen spinach out the freezer.
"Outside with Jax."
"What's up grunt!" Happy shouted when Steven walked out into the backyard. Steven smiled. Happy did not intimidate him as much anymore. He however knew not to ever get on his bad side. Jax looked up from the grill when he heard Steven's name. He frowned a little in confusion wondering why Steven was at his house.
"Everything alright Steven?" Jax asked flipping over a burger.
"Yeah. Gemma saw me and mom at the garage picking up my car and invited us."
"Really?" Jax raised an eyebrow. So Cortney was here.
"She's in the kitchen helping Ms. Gemma." Steven answered before Jax could ask. Jax smirked at Steven saying Ms. Gemma it was nice he was a respectful kid. Jax closed the lid on the grill, walked over and grabbed Abel from the swing set.
"Steven. This is my son Abel the birthday boy. He is four today."
"Happy birthday Abel!"
He looked so much like Jax. Steven thought smiling at the little boy.
Cortney carried the spinach dip outside to one of the picnic tables. She smiled when she saw Steven pushing a little boy on the swing. She assumed it was Abel.
"How you doing mom?"
Cortney looked over to the man who was addressing her sitting at one of the picnic table. He was older, chubby with long salt and pepper hair and scruffy beard. He had such a genuine smile spread across his face.
"I….I'm fine." Cortney had no idea who he was…actually she did not know anyone at the party except Jax and Gemma.
"My name is Bobby." He extended his hand. Cortney quickly put the bowl on the table and shook his hand.
"Hi Bobby. My name is Cortney….Steven's mom…of course you probably figured that out."
Bobby let out a deep chuckle.
"Yeah…it's pretty obvious." He said as he glanced around to the other partygoers. She was the only black person in attendance. For some reason Cortney instantly liked him.
"Really? Steven said you guys couldn't tell his race."
"Pfftt….those idiots couldn't but I could tell he was bi-racial. You have a good kid. You should be proud."
"Thanks Bobby. Can I get you anything?"
Bobby lifted up his empty beer. "Another bottle would be great love."
"Coming right up."
Cortney took a moment to take in the scene in the back yard. There were many kids playing outside. It was funny to see kiddy birthday decorations displayed around and women who looked like porn stars and hardcore looking men standing around. One of the guys was even making animal balloons for the kids.
Cortney looked over at Jax who was back at the grill staring at Cortney not paying attention to what he was cooking. She smiled at him and went to get Bobby's beer. As soon as she walked into the kitchen Gemma handed her more bowls to take out.
"I need a beer for Bobby."
Gemma put a beer on top of the three bowls Cortney was carrying.
Seeing she was struggling to make her way to the picnic table Chibs, Happy, Rat Boy and Jax rushed to offer their assistance.
"Thank you." She told them as Chibs and Happy took the heavy bowls out of her hand.
"Mom!" Steven called walking up to her with Abel on his back riding piggyback.
"This is Abel."
"Hi Abel." She said rubbing the top of his hair. He was a cutie patootie. "Are you having fun with Steven?"
Abel shook his head yes. Cortney noticed he looked a little sad. It tugged at her heart as she remembered Steven as a happy child and she hated to see children sad. Abel did laugh when Steven gallop off holding him tightly making horse noises. Maybe he was just shy around adults Cortney thought. When Cortney walked back into the kitchen a woman with long dark beige blonde hair was sitting at the kitchen table feeding a baby.
"Hello…who do we have here?" Cortney asked looking at the cutest chubby cheek baby.
"That's Thomas. Jax's other son." Gemma answered. Cortney looked up at the woman holding the baby. Was this his wife? Boy did she look rough around the edges.
"Are you momma?" she asked trying not to show the slight jealously that suddenly hit her.
"Hi. I'm Wendy…Abel's mom." Wendy pushed her hand a little from under Thomas to quickly shake Cortney's hand.
"It's nice to meet you Wendy. I'm Cortney." So Jax had two baby mommas…why was she not surprised.Where was Thomas mom? As if reading her mind Wendy told her Thomas mother, Jax's wife had passed. Before Cortney could offer her condolences, Jax walked in and told them the meat was ready. He stood for a few seconds and looked at Cortney and then at Wendy. Cortney could not help but notice the way Wendy was looking at Jax. She was head over heels in love with him but his face did not display the same feeling for her. She could only imagine the history between the two.
"Cortney can you help me with Abel's gifts." Jax asked.
Wendy did not hide her look of shock that Jax knew Cortney.
"Sure."
Cortney followed Jax to a back bedroom. When he opened the door, Cortney hesitated and did not enter.
"I will wait right here."
Jax grabbed her hand and pulled her in the room.
"Girl get in here." He laughed.
Cortney did not feel comfortable going in his bedroom.
"Thanks for coming. I know you didn't have to accept my mom's invitation." He said pulling presents out of his closet. Cortney quickly glanced around the room and noticed it still had a woman's touch.
"I'm sorry about your wife." She told him looking back at him. Jax stopped pulling presents out of the closet and walked up to Cortney. He stood just inches from her looking down at her. Jesus he was breathtaking…Cortney had to look away.
"Thank you." He said softly.
Cortney felt as if the room was getting hotter and she stepped back from Jax.
"Are these the presents?" she asked trying to get away from him. She should not be feeling the way she was feeling in his dead wife's bedroom.
"Yeah these are it." Jax went to the closet and pulled out a tri-cycle.
"Awww." Cortney said looking at the bike. Her smile lit up the room.
"Jesus." Jax muttered to himself. Yeah…. he better get away from her before he takes her on the bed right then and there. Cortney grabbed the bags of presents as Jax picked up the tri-cycle. She sighed with relief as they walked out the bedroom.
"So Cortney we are not as bad as you thought we were huh?" Gemma asked. Everyone at the table turned and looked at her.
"I was a little worried about Steven interning at the garage. You guys are known around town as being pretty ruthless."
Some of the guys let out irritated sighs. Cortney shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm just being honest."
"Are you from Charming?" Happy asked.
"No. We moved here a couple of years ago."
"We have been a staple in Charming for over forty years. We have a love hate relationship with the wonderful residents of Charming. To be honest Charming would not be Charming if it was not for The Sons." Gemma said. Cortney could see the pride Gemma had for the club.
"Where do you work?" Jax asked taking a bite of birthday cake.
"Oswald Construction." Cortney answered.
"Really? We know Elliot. What do you do there?" Jax asked.
Interesting that they knew Elliott. She would have to ask him how he knew Jax and the club.
"I'm their CFO."
"CFO? What's that?" The young boy introduced to her as Rat Boy asked.
"Chief Financial Officer." Bobby answered for her. "CFO's handles all the corporate financials."
"That sounds like a boring job." Wendy said wrinkling her nose.
"It's fine. I like working with numbers."
"I think it's time to open presents!" Jax said as he leaned over and kissed the birthday boy. Cortney was glad they moved on from asking her twenty questions.
Abel racked up way more in gifts than any four year old should. Cortney gathered they may have been over compensating for the loss of Jax's wife. Gemma told her that Tara raised Abel and he just recently found out Wendy was his biological mom. Now Cortney understood why Abel seemed sad earlier.
"I think that is everything." Cortney said as she put the last of the food in the fridge. She had no idea she would be working so hard helping Gemma. She didn't mind though as it kept her busy and away from Jax.
"Thanks sweetheart. I appreciate it."
"No problem. I better go find my son and hit the road." It was getting late in the evening and everyone mostly left. Abel and his brother were worn out from the day's festivities and started to get cranky so Wendy put them to bed. Cortney found Steven, Jax, Rat Boy, Chibs, Tig and Montez sitting at the picnic table playing cards. The light from the outdoor lighting gave them plenty of brightness to keep them outside for hours.
"Steven we better get going."
"Why don't you join us? Were about to play another hand." Rat Boy asked.
"No….we better get going."
"Mom just doesn't want to take yall to the bank." Steven said teasing.
"Oh really? Is mom that good at poker?" Chibs asked.
"She wins every time." Steven said. Cortney glared at her son. If he didn't shut up!
"Hell that sounds like a challenge to me!" Jax said getting up to get another beer.
"You have to play one game now mom."
Cortney was going to hurt her child.
"I don't have any money." She said hoping they would back down…of course Steven didn't have any either so how was he playing.
"Don't need money. We're playing with chips." Tig said holding up a poker chip.
"Just one game." Jax pleaded. Looking at him, Cortney gave in. Dammit!
"You sit by me Cortney. I want to make sure you don't cheat." Jax told her with a seductive smile. Montez gave her his seat by Jax and scooted down a little to make room for her. Jax disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of Jack Daniels and paper cups.
"Everyone take a shot before we start….except Steven of course." Jax said pouring whisky in everyone cup except Stevens. Cortney noticed he poured a little more in her cup. Jax sat back down and Cortney had to keep her composure as his knee touched hers. What the hell did she get herself into?
"A toast to family and new friendships." Jax said looking at Cortney.
"Salud." Montez said clicking his cup with Cortney and each of the other guys. Cortney looked over at her son who was smiling from ear to ear. Not more than a few hours ago, she told him not to let the allure of the Sons pull him in and here she was sitting at the table about to play poker and have a drink with the Sons. What kind of role model was she? Jax leaned over to her ear.
Goosebumps traveled throughout her body as she felt Jax lips lightly caress her ear as he whispered in her ear. "To new friendships."
Cortney turned her head to face Jax. He was smiling his seductive smile again. He touched his cup with hers in toast.
"To new friendships." She whispered back. Yeah she seriously was not leading by example for her son. Don't be seduced by the club. Her mind echoed. She was being pulled into the allure of The Sons all right and by no other than the gorgeous blued eyed, blonde president of The Sons of Anarchy. Jax and Cortney clicked cups in toast. Cortney drunk all the whiskey that Jax poured into her cup without taking a breather. She slammed her cup on the table as she felt the warm fluid work its way through her body. They locked eyes….damn if the allure of Jax and the Sons did not pull her in…shit! She just knew she was going to be voted the worst mother of the year.
