Nina wasn't shocked to find that Charming hadn't changed in her time away. It was seemingly still the sleepy little town she'd left behind five years ago.

It would be quite the change from Miami Florida. Nina only prayed that it would be a positive change.

If it were up to her Sophie and she would have remained in Miami forever. In Nina's eyes it was paradise.

Miami was so noisy and untamed. It was so full of activity; seemingly a city that never even once slept for a moment.

Nina had loved Miami when she'd first come to it. It was so exhilarating and so vivid and beautiful. She loved the sizzling tropical weather.

She loved going to Miami's gorgeous beaches. She adored walking along the shores of clear incredible cerulean water. She would take pictures of the ocean tide and the abundance of joyful friendly tourists.

She loved dipping her bare feet in the hot wet sand. She cherished the cool salty ocean water; she loved walking along the shores allowing it to hit and foam at her feet.

Nina would often sit out on a lounge chair and just watch all the people mill about around her. She liked to watch the windsurfers and paddleboards in the Atlantic. She loved watching people walk their dogs along the seashore. She adored watching children and adults splash around in the water. She loved watching old men fish along the tide near the bait shops.

She loved walking along the boardwalks. She would eat in the little restaurants along the boardwalk. Her favorites were the Cuban themed diners. She'd loved the Cuban cuisine. She loved watching the tourists dart in and out of their hotels right on the boardwalk. She loved watching people ride bikes and skateboards and roller-skates along the boardwalk.

Nina had loved the wide assortment of cultures in Miami. She loved all the people. There were so many accents and different bits of culture to soak up.

It had been such a pleasant change for Nina. In Charming she had always felt like the odd duck out.

She'd been so different from most of Charming's residents. She could remember when she had still been in school how she had been one of the very few students who had spoken Spanish as well as English.

Charming's population for the most part was white. Most of the Spanish population resided over in Oakland and Stockton.

Charming was never the place to look for a wide array of cultural diversity especially back in the eighties and early nineties.

Nina could remember feeling so alone in school. She remembered how the Hispanic students didn't want to hang out with her because of her Caucasian side and how the Caucasian students didn't want her because of her Latin side.

Kid's always bothered her about her heritage; Are you white or Mexican? If you're part Latin then why does your last name sound so white? Is your mom white or Hispanic? What do you mean you live with your aunt and not your mom? What do you mean you don't know your dad? You know he's white though right?

As she had grown older she had become more comfortable in her own skin. She had become comfortable being the odd duck.

She had become comfortable in her mixed heritage. She had finally realized just how unique and beautiful her heritage was.

Nina had found a way to appreciate her Aunt Gabriella's culture and to see it as her own.

Now as Nina had become a mother to a little girl of her own she felt secure in her ability to teach her little Sophie about her heritage and culture.

Sophie had an advantage Nina had never had. At least Nina knew enough about Sophie's father to know that he was a Scottish man.

Sophie would always have that; a knowledge about the mixture of her Scottish side and her Latin side.

Nina would make sure of it; even if Sophie's father would never know of her existence.

Nina knew that she would miss Miami. She would miss taking Sophie to the beach where the two would ride their bikes along the boardwalk. They would have little picnics on the beach. They would splash around in the ocean.

Nina would miss taking Sophie to the botanic gardens; showing all the plants. She would miss taking her the Miami Zoo. Nina loved looking at the flamingos. The little girl loved birds.

She would miss Rosa; the woman had been a mother to her during her time in Miami. She had been by Nina's side playing coach as she'd given birth to Sophie. She'd helped Nina buy all the things she would need for the little girl.

Rosa had been glad to always play Tia Rosa to Sophie. The girl adored the older woman and had cried when she'd found out that Tia Rosa wouldn't be coming to Charming with them.

Nina had found it so easy to always confide in the woman. Rosa had provided her with a roof over her head and a shoulder to lean on. She'd been a friend and a confidant.

Nina had promised to stay in touch with the woman, and she hoped that she could keep the promise.

She knew though that her life that she'd had in Miami didn't seem as though it would be compatible with her new life here in Charming.

Nina was trying to convince herself that Charming would be a good place to raise Sophie. The little girl would do well in the small town.

Nina had once been so aggravated with the small town and it's state of being seemingly stuck in the nineteen sixties. She always had thought that there was nothing to do. She'd resented the small town mentality.

Now that she was a mother she found all of the things she'd once hated comforting. She liked the lack of chain stores; Starbucks, McDonalds, Wal-Mart's, and Costco's. She loved the mom and pop stores and the little family owned diners. She loved the fact that everyone knew everyone else.

Charming was good old classic Americana down to its core.

Nina tried to tell herself that Charming seemed like the kind of place that was perfect to raise a child. She tried to convince herself that Sophie would be happy here.

Nina knew of course that with Charming came the one thing she'd prayed she could avoid; The Sons of Anarchy.

Nina had no idea how she would face any of the Sons, especially Chibs. Would he even remember her? Nina prayed that Chibs would have forgotten about her.

It would be for the best if she didn't exist to Chibs. It would be for the best if he never saw Nina or the little girl he'd created with her.

Nina did all she possibly could to push Chibs Telford from her mind as she pulled into her old neighborhood the streetlights shining down on her.

After living in a big tall apartment building in Miami, Nina had almost forgotten how tiny her childhood home was. All the houses in this side of town were little and worn down.

The old neighborhood wasn't middle class but it wasn't lower class. It was somewhere in between.

Nina parked her Ford Focus in the driveway behind her Aunt Gabriella's old white 1972 Volvo station wagon. Her aunt had owned the same car since Nina was a child. Nina was almost amazed that it was actually still running.

She wasted no time making her way over to the backseat and scooping her sleeping child up in her arms. It was almost midnight now; they'd been in the car all day long.

Nina had managed to get enough money gathered up from both Rosa and Gabriella to rent a Uhaul trailer and pack up her car for the long trip across country from Southern Florida to Northern California.

The trip had taken several long days. Nina and Sophie had spent their nights sleeping in motels and eating cheap. Nina had done all she could to keep the trip fun for the little girl; singing along to the radio, telling Sophie of all the fun things they would do in Charming.

The little girl had been more than ready for the trip to end by the time they'd reached California though.

Nina had managed to make her money stretch through out the trip. It had been a relief to have finally made it. Gas had been expensive, and her stomach was sore from eating crappy food.

Nina only hoped she'd be able to gather the money to pay both Rosa and Gabriella back in a timely manner. It wouldn't be an easy task. She'd be working at the bar using her income for housing and all that Sophie needed.

Gabriella made her way outside as soon as she heard her niece's car pull into the driveway. She embraced the woman holding her close to her as she spoke. "You're here. I'm so happy to see you baby."

Nina tried hard to hide her shock over the sight of her beloved aunt. Gabriella looked far more gray and frail than Nina had remembered her being.

Nina felt her stomach plummet fearing that there was something horribly wrong with Gabriella. After all her aunt had seemed so insistent that she come back home. Was her aunt sick?

Gabriella's once voluptuous figure had faded into her being stick thin. Her once long wavy hair was closely cropped into a pixie cut. Her hair was completely gray now. Her light brown eyes looked so tired. The sweater she wore over her nightgown seemed to hang on her body.

Gabriella remained oblivious to her niece's shock as she pulled back placing a gentle hand on her great niece's round cheek. She spoke grinning at the sleeping girl. "Oh Nina she's even more beautiful than she was in all the photos you've sent."

She pressed a kiss to Sophie's cheek as the girl awoke staring up at the aunt she'd never met. Gabriella spoke cooing at the drowsy child. "Well hello florecita. You're such a pretty girl."

Both women chuckled as the five year old shyly buried her head against the nape of her mother's neck. Nina sighed as she shifted the girl against her hip. "She's sleepy. The ride in was so long. I forgot how bad traffic can be in California."

"No traffic here though." Gabriella replied letting out a heavy humph sound.

Nina shook her head knowing that her aunt adored all the wonders of Charming. Gabriella had always thought that her niece should have remained here in her hometown.

Nina was relieved that Gabriella didn't go farther in mentioning her dislike for Miami as she turned to lead Nina into the house. "I'll let you put her down in your old room. I'll make us some tea so we can sit and talk."

Nina wasn't surprised to find that her aunt's house was just as she'd remembered it being.

There were plenty of plants all around the house; cactus, ferns, aloe vera plants, potted orange Gerber Daises, fig plants, and a big pot of English Ivy. Nina could remember just how much her aunt loved gardening. She thought that the abundance of plants brought fresh air into the house.

The furniture was all antique; heavy dark wood, and scratchy pale blue and pink fabrics. Gabriella had owned the same couch for years now an old cadet blue thing with flat yellow pillows on either side. The TV was tiny and so ancient; Gabriella still used the old fashioned antenna bunny ears. She watched only local TV; she didn't want cable. Nina could remember how much Gabriella loved her Spanish soap operas. She never missed an episode.

There was still a crucifix on the wall in each room. Gabriella was always so intoned with her religion. She'd always been an obedient catholic. Nina wasn't surprised to see that there were rosaries and little Jesus and Virgin Mary figurines in each room as well as a bible.

Nina cringed knowing that Gabriella would be so disappointed to know that she hadn't been to mass nor had she been to confession since she'd moved to Miami.

It wasn't as though Nina was a good catholic girl after all. Good Catholic girls didn't have premarital sex with bikers. They didn't have a baby out of wedlock.

Good Catholic girls did the right thing; getting married to a good moral Catholic boy and having dozens of little Catholic babies.

Nina didn't even know if Chibs was a Catholic. She assumed he'd been a Christian. She could remember the Iron Cross that had been inked into his shoulder. Was it for religious reasons or was it a symbol for something else? She knew that the Iron Cross was meant to be some kind of a symbol of bravery for some. She'd even heard some call the Iron Cross a biker cross because it was often used on choppers and such.

She knew in the end it didn't really matter. She highly doubted Chibs would have been willing to do the good Catholic thing and marry her just because he'd knocked her up. She wouldn't have wanted it either.

Nina was shocked to see that her teenage bedroom still remained the same. The iron twin bed was still there with the purple fabric canopy hanging over it. Her bright tie dye comforter still remained over the bed. The little purple stuffed hippo still sat over her pillows.

The black wooden dresser still sat by her closet covered with glasses upon glasses filled with paintbrushes and several candles. The Virgin Mary figurine still sat at the center of the dresser. The blessed virgin looked serene dressed in blue and white robes her arms opened to the children of God.

Nina could remember feeling so bad for the holy virgin growing up; knowing that Mary had given her beloved son to save mankind. Nina could remember thinking that mankind hadn't been worth it; though she knew the thought made her a horrible Catholic and a bit of a heretic.

She chuckled at the poster that still remained hung over the dresser; John Lennon and Yoko Ono standing side by side holding up that famous sign; War is Over if you Want it.

Nina had always admired Yoko for her art more than her marriage to John. She would go to the local library and look at all the art books always going straight to Yoko Ono's works.

Nina deposited Sophie on the bed not shocked to see that the girl had fallen back to sleep. She placed the little purple stuffed hippo in the girl's arms deciding that the beloved stuffed animal would be Sophie's now.

She took Sophie's plastic tiara off placing the little crown on the bedside table. She knew the girl would fuss if the silly little crown ever got broken some how.

The tiara had been a gift for Sophie's fifth birthday just the month before. It hadn't left the girl's head since that day.

She pressed a soft kiss to the girl's forehead even after five years still overtaken by the child's beauty. Her little features had been the best of Nina and Chibs.

Nina could stand over Sophie watching her sleep for an eternity. She'd done just that when the little girl had been born. She'd stood over Sophie's crib just watching her sleep her hand running along the girl's curly hair. Sophie had been so perfect like a little angel.

Nina reluctantly left the room heading to her aunt's kitchen. The kitchen remained the same as well; soft-yellow hues all around, and her aunt's beloved collection of little rooster figurines spread out in every imaginable space.

Nina stood in front of the refrigerator her hand running along all the photo's she'd sent Gabriella. The fridge was covered in pictures of Sophie at every stage of these past five years.

Nina tore her eyes away from a picture of Sophie at two years old sitting in a bathtub a splashing in the bubbles an excited grin on her face her dark hair covered in suds, as she heard Gabriella speak. "I have the tea ready corazon."

Nina took a seat at her aunt's little green card table her eyes widening as the woman sat a coffee cup of tea in front of her. "Your new apartment will be ready tomorrow. I already got one of the busboys at Estrella's to agree to help you move in. He's a good boy."

"My new apartment? Tia what did you do?" Nina exclaimed narrowing her eyes at the woman as she took a seat across from her.

Gabriella returned Nina's harsh look her eyes narrowing just as hard. "Don't start with me. Ay Dios mio! I just want to help you baby. You haven't let me help you in five years. You wouldn't even bring that little niña here to see me. You're the only family I have not counting three worthless ex husbands and a step son who's an idiota. Let me start helping you now."

Nina rolled her eyes irritated that her aunt had gone off and gotten her some apartment. She knew Gabriella had a point though; Nina had been avoiding coming to visit for so long now, fearing that Chibs would catch sight of Sophie and know the truth.

Gabriella wasted no time to speak again as she took a sip from her cup of chamomile tea. "I already did everything that needed to be done to make the place a home. I got the furniture I know you wouldn't have; a couch, a little dining room table, and such. It's the old storage room above Estrella's Tavern. I hired a contractor to renovate it."

"The storage room?" Nina repeated as she stared down at the tea swirling the drink within her cup.

It could work, she told herself. She hated the idea of mooching off of Gabriella though.

"Si it's beautiful Nina. That contractor was able to create two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living room and kitchenette. It's perfect for Sophie and you. I already had the walls painted a nice pink in the smaller bedroom for Sophie. They're the color of a ballet slipper. I put some nice lace curtains on the windows. It's perfect for a little princesa. It doesn't have to be your home forever. It's a good place to start though stubborn girl. You can pay me rent if you want." Gabriella insisted as she took another sip from her tea.

Nina shook her head realizing that her aunt had planned this out; painting the walls for Sophie. Gabriella knew her niece couldn't resist giving Sophie something so sweet.

The little bedroom did sound perfect. Nina knew she wouldn't be allowed to paint Sophie's bedroom in any other apartment.

She knew that Sophie would adore the pink walls and the pretty lace curtains. It would go perfect with Sophie's beloved Barbie comforter, and her pink cupcake nightlight.

"It doesn't have a backyard." Nina pointed out trying a last ditch effort to resist Gabriella's offer.

"So you'll take her to the park. Or she can come play at my house. We'll get a swing set here. Sophie will be right where you work Nina." Gabriella replied keeping a steady eye on Nina as she calmly sipped her tea.

Nina frowned shaking her head as she made another effort. "But...what about the bar huh? What kinda place is that to raise a child? It'll be so noisy at night Tia. I don't like the idea of a bunch a drunks wandering around right below the place my child sleeps."

Gabriella raised an eyebrow letting out a soft huff. "You were raised around that bar corazon and you turned out fine. Remember I used to let you sit back in my office while I worked the bar. You would just sit there and do your homework. No drunks ever bothered you."

"Oh yeah I turned out just wonderful. A single mom whose a college dropout. I didn't even have a relationship with Sophie's dad. I just spread my legs for him on the night I met him like a slut. I'm a disappointment." Nina remarked her lips turning into a scowl.

Gabriella slammed her tea cup down her head shaking. "Ay dios mio! Don't turn that one me and Estrella's. That was all you corazon. You could've had a relationship with that boy. You could have told him. You ran away instead."

Nina narrowed her eyes at Gabriella her heart slamming in her chest as she spoke up. "He left me Tia. He didn't stick around the morning after. I wasn't going to go chase after someone who didn't want me. What kind of father would he have been, A man who skips out on me? I may have fucked up my life. I know that's on me. I know Sophie is going to have questions when she grows up. And I know I'm going to have to tell her that mommy slept with some biker and then didn't tell him the truth. I know that she's going to hate me Tia. She's going to think her mom is some harlot and her daddy is some deadbeat criminal."

Gabriella took a deep breath doing her best to calm her anger. She sighed as she spoke up trying to smooth things over with her niece. "Si I know baby...I know. You know how I feel about you keeping that girl from her father...but I don't want to fight...so lets just leave that conversation for another day."

She paused reaching across the table and placing her hand over Nina's as she spoke. "You aren't a disappointment. You made a mistake. You followed your heart with that man. You always followed your heart even when it was a bad idea. Don't let me ever hear you say that you're a disappointment or a slut again. You're a strong smart woman. You're a good momma. I'm proud of you baby."

"I know Tia...I'm sorry I lost my temper...I don't want to fight either." Nina replied her rage calming.

Gabriella made Nina chuckle as the woman spoke her head shaking as she scolded the woman. "Don't say the word fucked, Ay...where'd you get such a dirty mouth. I know it didn't come from me."

"Sorry." Nina replied her cheeks flushing. She knew her aunt had never approved of vulgar language. Nina had often gotten her mouth washed out with soap by Gabriella for blurting out a curse word as a teenager.

Gabriella nodded her head as she gave Nina's hand another pat. "The bar won't be a problem baby. We aren't going to take the pequeño niña there for happy hour. Like I said baby you grew up around the bar and you're perfect."

Nina let out a sigh knowing that she didn't have much of an argument left. She gave her aunt a soft smile as she nodded her head speaking. "Okay Tia. You win."

Nina let out a sigh as she once again took notice of her aunt's frail appearance. She'd not remembered Gabriella looking so worn out. "Are you okay Gabriella? You look tired? Your hair is so short. You loved your long hair. Why did you cut it all off?"

"Si baby. I'm fine. Just getting old. I just got tired of dealing with long hair every morning. It was too much work curling it up and spraying it with all that hairspray every day. Short hair is easier to take care of at my age."

She paused giving the girl's hand another pat as she continued to speak. "I'm happy you're here. I need you at Estrella's Tavern. I'm an old woman Nina. I don't know what these people want anymore...You're still young. You have a better idea how to take care of the patrons. You have some fresh ideas to keep the place young. I need fresh eyes on the bar." Gabriella replied giving Nina a tight smile.

The truth was she was far from fine. Nina couldn't know though, not yet.

Gabriella spoke up again not giving Nina the chance to question her ragged appearance any farther. "It's still May. The little one won't start kindergarten till late August. She'll have time to become comfortable here. She was taking swimming lessons in Miami right?"

"Yes. She was close to finishing. I hated to pull her out of the class. It's too late to start her in a class here I bet." Nina replied letting out a frustrated huff as she took a long swig from her glass of tea.

"Si probably. There's no hurricanes here though." Gabriella replied a smug grin on her face not helping but to stick it to Miami once again.

Nina shook her head trying not to laugh at the statement. "Si just forest fires."

Gabriella laughed at this comment she shook her head as she spoke still chuckling. "We can find her something to stay busy this summer. I can watch her when you need me to. It'll give me a chance to get to know the little princesa."

Nina nodded her head liking the idea of her daughter getting to know the woman Nina had always seen as a mother figure.

She'd always felt so rotten knowing that she was keeping Sophie from Gabriella. The woman was part of her namesake.

She gave her aunt a smile as she spoke. "Sophie will like that. She'll like having someone to play barbies with other than her momma."

"Si I'll take her to the library too. She needs to practice reading so she'll be ready for school. She has to be smart so she can take care of her momma when you get old." Gabriella insisted a soft smile on her face.

Nina nodded her head chuckling. "She wants to be a nurse or a zookeeper when she grows up. She's so smart..so full of questions. She's so bright for her age. What do you mean take care of me...I think you mean take care of us. You aren't going anywhere."

Gabriella gave her niece a smile the conversation so bittersweet. She prayed Nina was right.

Gabriella prayed that her condition would fail to deteriorate the way Dr. Sharma had said it would.

Gabriella hoped she'd done the right thing bringing Nina and Sophie home. She prayed this would all work out for them.

Gabriella just wanted to leave her niece and her great nice in a good place. She wanted it more than anything.

Quite a bit had changed for Chibs Telford in the past five years.

He had been reunited with his daughter and his estranged wife just a few months earlier and he was still experiencing such a cocktail of emotions from it all.

Chibs had left Ireland with a heavy heart. Not only was he leaving his Kerrianne, He was also leaving his marriage with Fiona.

They'd had a long talk the night before he'd been set to go back to Charming. Fiona had he had painstakingly come to the agreement that their relationship with one another would never be what it had once been before Jimmy O'.

Fiona and he had spent so long apart. It was as though they weren't even on the same page anymore.

Chibs knew that despite everything that had occurred during that visit to Belfast, Fiona was still locked in a tight disapproval of the Sons. Fiona didn't approve of the life Chibs had been living since they'd been apart.

She resented Chibs' loyalty to his brothers and his loyalty to the lifestyle. She hated that this loyalty was placed in SAMCRO instead of in the cause.

Fiona was still a warrior for the IRA, that hadn't changed. Her loyalty to the cause was still so deep. The cause superseded everything for Fiona. In truth it was her one true love.

She didn't see that Chibs and she were one in the same when it came to their loyalties; Chibs to the Sons and Fiona to the IRA.

Chibs had hoped that he would be able to save their marriage. He'd tried to be the man that Fiona had fallen for all those years ago.

It had been an impossible task though. The man Fiona had loved had died the night Jimmy O' had scarred Chibs' cheeks and left him for dead.

There were too many hurt feelings too many things left unsaid between Fiona and he. Their past would always haunt them. Old regrets would always stop them from moving forward together as husband and wife.

It pained Chibs to know that he couldn't make things work between Fiona and he. He'd wanted so badly to recapture the love they'd once had for one another.

It seemed though that love had withered long ago.

There would be no divorce. Fiona was a strict catholic. It was so hypocritical; Chibs knew it.

They'd never been good Catholics Fiona and he. The sin of a divorce wouldn't be that big of a deal.

He wanted to force the divorce issue, but hadn't been able to find the right words to do so. He didn't want to make things worse between Fiona and he.

Chibs knew that it wasn't right to fight with Fiona, not when Kerrianne was involved. He didn't want to stress his baby.

Kerrianne meant the world to him. Though she was close to turning fifteen she was still his baby girl in his eyes.

Kerrianne had only been a toddler when Jimmy O' had taken her mother and she.

Chibs had longed for his baby girl in his time away. He'd missed years with Kerrianne; years of being her da.

The only thing that had truly soothed Chibs was knowing that his Kerrianne would no longer be withheld from him.

He knew their relationship would be a slow work in progress before they had a great father daughter relationship.

He was willing to do whatever it took to win over Kerrianne's full trust though. He prayed that allowing Kerrianne to remain in the only home she'd ever known would help that trust develop.

Leaving his baby behind in Belfast had been the hardest thing Chibs had ever done. In the end it was right though.

Fiona and Kerrianne were safe in Belfast. He just prayed he could find the money to make a trip out every few months to visit his Kerrianne.

The only thing left for Chibs to do was kill Jimmy O'. The coward had fled Ireland once it had been clear that the True IRA no longer held him in such a high regard. Jimmy was hiding out somewhere in the world hiding from Chibs and hiding from the True IRA's wrath.

All of SAMCRO had promised to help Chibs find the man. Chibs knew as soon as he found Jimmy he'd kill him. As soon as that day came he'd finally feel whole once again.

The Sons were back in Charming where they belonged. Little Abel Teller was finally back in Charming where he belonged, back in his father's arms.

Chibs was happy too see this; Jax holding his child with Tara by his side. Chibs' family was coming together.

Chibs tried hard to ignore the heat as he worked in the garage. It was just May but it was already stifling hot outside.

He wiped his sweaty brow as he worked on the engine of the old rusty gray Acura that had been brought in this morning. It had broken down smoking on Main Street and the old woman who'd brought it in hadn't been the sweetest person.

Gemma had made it clear to Chibs that the car needed to be repaired fast, so the old codger could get out of their hair.

Chibs held his cigarette in his mouth chewing on the end of it as he worked hard. He almost choked on the smoke as Bobby came up beside him giving him a firm pat on the back and speaking. "Come on it's lunch break. We're going to Estrella's Tavern."

Chibs felt his stomach churn at the mention of the tavern. He'd done his best to avoid it these past five years.

He was still kicking himself in the ass for walking out on Nina Franklin that morning.

He had tried to make things right. He had gone to the tavern looking for Nina, but Gabriella Diaz had said that he'd just missed Nina. Her niece had gone to Miami and that was all she would say.

Chibs had sensed that there was more to the story, but he'd shaken his suspicions from his head.

He had done his best to forget that sweet little bartender. He found it impossible though. Every time it rained his mind went back to that night; back to Estrella's Tavern, back to making love to Nina.

He didn't understand how that one night of passion they'd shared had fucked up his head so much.

He gave Bobby a tense smile doing all he could to hide his discomfort about Estrella's Tavern and the memories it held for him, as he spoke up. "A bar fer lunch? Are ya takin a lesson from Piney's books?"

Bobby let out a tired laugh at this comment as he spoke giving Chibs another pat on the back. "I love Estrella's Tavern. It's one of the few places you can still smoke in during lunch hour. Plus that Gabriella makes a damn good margarita. It's fresh crap too no damn mixes. She's pretty hot too...a a real fine lady."

Chibs shook his head finding Bobby's apparent crush on Gabriella Diaz both funny and mildly disturbing.

Bobby spoke again giving Chibs a tired grin. "It'll be good for you to take a break. Get a few drinks in you and relax. I know you've been tense since shit went down in Belfast. You've been moping for days now. It's getting old. Come out and have a good time with me."

Chibs sighed knowing Bobby was right. His brother was just trying to help ease his pain.

He tossed his rag down on the top of his took box realizing that Bobby wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Fine. Let's go. You get to tell Gemma why I stepped away from this car though."

Bobby chuckled as the two headed off towards their bikes. He knew Chibs couldn't resist.

Chibs would find that by the end of lunch he would wish that he had resisted though.

Nina stood behind the bar at Estrella's Tavern hard at work mixing up drinks and humming to the music playing over the jukebox; Lovefool by the Cardigans.

She was relieved to find that she had found herself easily sinking back into the rhythm of working the bar.

She was both upset and relieved to find that the bar remained just how she remembered it.

There were still white twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling above the bar. There was still a jukebox in the corner. And there were still stars everywhere the eye wandered; star lamps, star figurines, star painting, and even little stars along the cocktail napkins.

Being back in the bar brought up so many emotions in Nina. She was brought back to that stormy night all those years ago the second she'd stepped foot in Estrella's.

She was relieved that she hadn't had much time to reminisce as the lunch crowd had started to pile on in.

She'd spent the day before moving into the apartment upstairs. Today was her first day of work.

Gabriella had taken Sophie for the day allowing Nina to sink back into the routine of working the bar.

Nina had pulled her curly hair up high above her head into a little topknot keeping her cool as she mixed drinks and kept the wait staff in line.

She didn't even notice as Bobby and Chibs entered the bar. She was so busy staring down at the margarita machine.

Bobby spoke up nodding to the bartender as he elbowed Chibs. "I haven't seen her in years. I guess Gabby finally talked her into coming on back home. Bout time Gabriella seemed to miss her."

Chibs felt his heart plummet down into his pelvis as he spotted just who Bobby was talking about; Nina Franklin.

She looked just a stunning as he'd remembered her being. Her body still held the same curves from what he could see underneath the dark jean overalls she was wearing over her black tank top. Her hair was still just as curly. Her skin still looked just as silky.

He prayed that Bobby would suggest sitting at a table, but his prayers went unanswered as Bobby headed off towards the bar clueless to Chibs' panic. "I can hear that blender."

Nina looked like a deer in the headlight as she turned to face her two newest patrons only to see the last man she'd ever wanted to see again in a million years.

Chibs looked different. His hair was longer and it held more hints of gray than it had five years before. He'd lost a little weight.

She stared at his eyes her stomach rolling; those eyes. She loved them and hated them.

She loved them because they were her Sophie's eyes, but she hated them because they belonged to him.

Chibs felt his heart begin to slam in his chest as Nina narrowed her eyes at him just as pissed as he'd assumed she would be.

Nina turned her glare from him swallowing the lump in her throat struggling to keep her voice anything but venomous as she spoke. "How can I help you boys?"

"Two margaritas darlin. And some of those fresh tortilla chips if you have em. Is Gabby in today?" Bobby blurted out his eyes searching for the older woman.

Nina gave him a tense smile as she spoke. "No she's out with...she's taking a personal day. I'll get those drinks and the chips served right up for you."

Bobby raised his eyebrows confused by how strange her response had seemed. He turned to Chibs feeling even more confused as he saw the look on the Scot's face. Chibs looked a little green.

He stared back and forth between Nina and Chibs realizing that something huge had happened between the two. Nina was clearly pissed and Chibs looked sick.

Bobby cleared his throat feeling as though he could cut the tension in the room with a knife. This wasn't the fun boozy lunch break he'd been looking forward to.

Chibs wanted to punch Bobby in the throat as the man stood up from his barstool and spoke. "I'm going to go to the little boy's room."

Chibs wanted to jump up from his seat and follow the man. He wanted to see if he could slip out the back somehow, but he remained glued to his seat feeling as though someone had just slapped him over the head with a two by four.

He watched Nina as she turned her back to him. He cursed himself as he allowed his eyes to scan down to her backside so pleased to find that her bottom was just as firm and as round as he'd remembered it being.

Nina practically slammed the bowl of tortilla chips down in front of him her eyes cutting daggers into his.

He sighed as she turned her back to him again knowing that there was so much left unsaid between them.

Should he tell her the truth; that he'd only walked away that morning because he'd thought that he wasn't good enough for her. Should he tell her how he'd came about four weeks later looking for her only to find that she was gone.

He knew that his excuses were so pathetic. He'd waited four weeks to come for her. It was only because it had taken him that long to actually work up the nerve to come.

She was the first woman he'd had feelings for after Fiona. She was the first and last woman he'd practically made love to since Fiona.

He had been so overwhelmed having those feelings for Nina. She'd been the first woman to catch his attention in all those years he'd spent in Belfast and all those months he'd spent in Charming.

He was afraid to realize that she'd had such a hold over him. If she'd managed to have such a hold on him after only one night then how much of a hold on him would she have in a week, in a month, in a year?

Chibs didn't know how to explain this to her. He didn't know how to explain what a coward he'd been.

"Ya look good." He blurted out feeling like such an idiot for the comment.

She turned back to face him as she placed a salt shaker of red seasoning salt beside the tortilla chips.

Chibs stared down at her left wrist shocked as he caught sight of a tattoo; in black cursive ink read Sophie.

Christ had he fucked her up so badly that she'd turned to women?

He swallowed the lump in his throat trying to ignore the stir in his groin that thought had created; Nina nude with a woman moaning and grinding so wet and hot.

He frowned knowing that he was such a damn pervert. Nina probably hated him and here he was fantasizing about her screwing some faceless woman.

Nina stared at him her eyes darkening. She spoke her voice holding a cruel tone that she almost didn't recognize. "So have you hopped out of any beds lately?"

Chibs clinched his jaw at the comment. He thought of the perfect comeback No have you jumped in any beds lately?

He knew that blurting that out would be immature though.

He took a deep breath as he opened his mouth to speak wanting so badly to apologize to her, to beg her to at least forgive him.

Bobby interrupted him though as he sat back down at the bar digging right into the chips as he spoke. "Can I have my margarita with extra salt? I forgot to ask."

Chibs resisted the urge to glare at Bobby. The man just had to show up now at all times. He had to open his fat mouth right now hadn't he?

Nina managed to give Bobby a tight smile as she spoke. "Sure thing."

Chibs took a deep breath as he stood up from the barstool. "I'm goin to hit the bathroom."

Chibs was thankful that the men's bathroom was deserted as he walked in. He went straight to the sink staring at himself in the mirror.

He didn't recognize the face staring back at him. How did she get to him? They'd only had one night together. She made him feel so guilty. She made him feel so stressed out.

He didn't understand why all he wanted to do right now was march back out there and press his lips to Nina's.

He still had it bad for her. This was just perfect. He was smitten with a woman who hated him.

He turned on the water as he cupped it in his hands splashing his face trying to regain his wits.

He was surprised as he made his way back out to the bar to see that Nina was long gone. In her place was some blonde that Bobby was flirting with a grin on his face.

Chibs spoke trying his best to keep casual as he sat beside Bobby. "Nina took off?"

"Yeah she said she had an appointment to make." Bobby replied tearing his eyes away from the blonde who was eyeballing his kutte.

Chibs rolled his eyes spotting a croweater in the making a mile away.

Bobby spoke again giving Chibs a knowing look. "Something happened between you two?"

"Aye ya could say that." Chibs replied his palms feeling so clammy against the bar in front of him.

Chibs stared at the bar below him his mind going a mile a minute. This couldn't be happening.

Little did he know Nina was right upstairs thinking the same thing. This couldn't be happening.

Chibs did all he could to ignore Bobby's cheery disposition as the two men left Estrella's Tavern heading out to the parking lot.

Chibs stared down at the pavement in front of him his brain feeling as though someone had picked up and shaken it before placing it back in his skull.

He only looked up as Bobby spoke up his voice friendly. "Hey Gabby. I came by to see you and your niece said you were out. Who do you have with you? Hello there sweetheart."

Chibs stared up at Gabriella Diaz his eyes widening as he spotted a girl holding the woman's hand. The child looked to be about five. Five, he realized; five.

Gabriella turned her widened eyes from Chibs Telford as she managed to give Bobby a friendly but tense smile. "This is my niece Sophie. I'd stay and talk but it's her nap time."

Bobby gave the woman a grin ignoring the look on Chibs' face. "I'll see you later Gabby. Bye Sophie."

Chibs stared down at the little girl as she gave Bobby and he a shy wave. He watched Gabriella Diaz lead the girl up the stairs to the apartment above Estrella's Tavern.

Chibs couldn't tear his eyes from Sophie.

She was a gorgeous child dressed head to toe in pink; little rose pink capris, a white tank top with a pink flamingo emblazoned on the front of it, and hot pink flip flops.

Sophie's hair was just as curly as Nina's and she wore it two high ponytails a little plastic tiara on top of her head.

Chibs was the most spellbound by the child's eyes though; a beautiful dark brown.

They were the exact same dark brown as his Kerrianne's eyes. Chibs knew that his mother had the same eyes. They were his eyes.

Reviews? Constructive Criticism?

Florecita = (spanish) Little Flower

Corazon = (Spanish) Darling

Niña = (Spanish) Baby Girl

Ay Dios Mio = (Spanish) Oh My God !

Si= (Spanish) Yes

Princesa= (Spanish) Princess

pequeño niña = (Spanish) Little Girl

Idiota= (Spanish)= Idiot

If you haven't guess this takes place late season three.

So do you think Chibs has it figured out?

Why do you think Gabriella was so desperate to get her nieces both home? Is she really okay or is there something horrible going on?

Let me know what you think of the story so far.