Nothing you recognize is mine. Only original characters are my own

Chapter Two

"So, want a Spring wedding?" Juice asked as he held me to him and kissed my neck gently.

"Baby, why do we need to get married? I'm already your woman."I snuggled closer and he wrapped his arms tighter around me.

"I want everyone to know your mine, even the people outside of this world. I want you to be Millicent Gemma Ortiz and have little Ortiz's. I've never told anyone this baby but it's always been my dream to be standing at the altar saying "I do". You're the only woman in the world I want that with." I turned around to face him and saw the honesty in his eyes.

"If we get married it's our wedding. My mom and dad can be there but I just want it to be us, if I say 'I do', it's going to be a small ceremony." He grinned and kissed me, then rolled me over for round two.

We stayed in the bed for a while just kissing and talking before we decided to go home. I wanted to stay close to him so we left my jeep at TM and rode home on his bike. As we turned onto our street a huge boom shook the neighborhood and we looked over to see fire and plumes of smoke coming from out of town. We both knew where they were coming from.

"Fuck, it's the warehouse." Juice dropped me off at home and went right back to the clubhouse.

I went in and went to bed, knowing that there was nothing I could do until the morning anyway. My sleep was fitful and I felt like the explosion was just the first in a long line of shit about to be pulled down on the collective heads of the club. I woke up the next morning with my mom in my face and realized it was true, shit was going down.

"Get up and get dressed. I need you to come with me." She hauled me out of bed and directed me to the clothes she had obviously laid out for me.

"How long have you been here Ma?" I asked as I shimmied into the skirt she took out for me.

"About ten minutes. You should tell Juice to take the spare key out of the hole in the mortar, it's damn easy to find." She handed me a boot as I put on the hoodie she'd included and zipped up. "I saw the ring on your finger, were you going to tell me you said yes?"

I put on the boots and looked at my finger. I had forgotten that I had put it on the night before. I was going to tell mom, after Juice and I got back from Vegas.

"I was going to tell you mom, it's still taking me some time to get used to it." I got up and mom took the hint and went out the door ahead of me.

We got in her Mercedes and went to the butcher's shop. I looked at the lamb while mom bought twenty five pounds of premium Angus. She saw me looking at the racks and chops and bought some for me. I tried to protest but she gave me the patented Gemma glare and I decided to let it go. If my mom wanted to buy me food I'd let her, it was the same ploy I'd been working with Donna for the last few years.

While we drove we got a call from Jax, he wanted mom to check on Wendy. I watched her with interest and could see the warring on her face. For one she hated Wendy and wanted her dead, for two Wendy was having her grandbaby and Jax had asked her to do something for him. When she agreed and hung up I smiled at her.

"What?" She gave me a smile and took a drag off her cigarette.

"Nothing, I just thought you'd rather suck Mayan dick than help with Wendy." I laughed maniacally at her affronted face then she grinned at me and tousled my hair.

"Smartass."

Our lighthearted mood changed dramatically when we got to the house. Mom tried to make me stay in the car but I got out and followed her to the door. When she couldn't get in she went to the carport and had me got to the back. I heard her curse and looked through the window. All I could see was the curtain so I got out my lock picking tools that I kept in my purse for emergencies and broke into the house. I walked to the kitchen and my blood ran cold, lying in a puddle of blood and Ben and Jerry's was Wendy. As mom came in the door I called an ambulance and went to hold Wendy's hand. She wasn't my favorite person but she needed someone and I could be that someone.

"Come on baby, let's go out and wait." I nodded dumbly and followed reconsidering my earlier plan. I didn't want to explain to the EMTs why I was just standing there while a woman bled out on the floor.

We followed the ambulance and stayed in the parking lot of St. Thomas until we were sure that she had been taken in and was getting treatment. When we got in mom went to the reception desk and I went to sit in the waiting room. Mom came back a few minutes later with two cups of coffee and handed me one.

"I called Jax, he should be here in the hour. Drink, you look shocky." I sipped the coffee, taking comfort in its warmth. "You should call Juice. I think you need your man, baby."

"Can't, he's doing things for the club, he texted me while we were at Von Heindrick's" I agreed with my mom I needed Juice

"Shit, I forgot about the steaks." She took out her cell and started texting.

We waited for what seemed like forever when we heard commotion at the door. I looked up from my coffee and saw Dad and Jax come into the waiting room. Mom pulled Jax into her arms then he turned to the doctor, who I hadn't seen before. I felt my eyes widen when I saw Tara. I had heard rumors she was back but I didn't dare believe them.

She told us about the poor baby and my heart sunk. He had the family flaw, a flaw Jax and I had escaped but had claimed Tommy. I couldn't breathe and slid against the wall trying to find purchase. I wouldn't run, my brother needed me and so did the little boy who was holding on. Jax heard everything and ran out. I made to follow him but dad stopped me and gave me a quick hug before telling me to stay with the kid. I nodded and Tara took my arm and led me to a seat.

"Hi Milla, been a long time." She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and I nodded.

"Take mom to see Abel. I'll still be here when you come back." She nodded knowing I needed to be alone.

I buried my face in my hands and sobbed. I felt someone put a hand on my shoulder and sit down next to me and knew that Luanne was there. I leaned back into her arms and let her hold me. I felt so guilty; I had spent the night with Juice rather than check on Wendy. I could have gotten her help and saved Abel, instead I decided to get laid.

"I know what you're thinking baby, this isn't your fault, and this isn't my fault. It all lies at the feet of that crank whore in there. Come with me to see Abel, I think he has beautiful blue eyes like your brother and I think he's gonna have your wicked grin." Mom snapped me out of it and Luanne let go as I followed her to the room with the incubator.

He was so tiny, so perfect even with all the problems. I placed my hand on the glass outside the door and willed all my love for the little guy in there. Mom knew I needed to stay outside and went in. I felt my phone ring and answered it while I stared at the perfect little man.

"Hey baby, I heard what's up with the kid. You want me to come, Clay would understand." Juice's voice was sorely needed.

"No baby, Luanne's here and I know Dad has stuff he needs you to do. I love you."He told me the same and we hung up.

I looked at him one last time then went to the waiting room, pausing in front of Wendy's window. At that moment I hated her more than I had hated anyone in my life. How could anyone do that to them self and to the little perfect baby in the incubator? If I didn't have to worry about my perfect record or my brother's feelings I would have walked right in the room and taken a scalpel to her throat. The rage shook me out of my funk and I got up and went to the room to be with mom. I stood at her side and watched him fight to live. Wendy would never hurt him again; I'd make sure of it. Mom looked in my eyes and I knew we shared the same thought; Wendy was going to regret everything she did to that poor little boy.