Chibs took a deep breath trying his best to calm his nerves as he stood at Nina's doorstep. He shifted the gift in his arms a little ashamed that the wrap job he'd done on it was a little shoddy.
He'd wrapped the gift in such a rush. After leaving the general store he'd gone straight to his apartment and stuffed the gift into a cardboard box he had left over from moving. He'd wrapped it the best he could but it still looked wrinkled and sloppy.
The ride over on his bike had done the gift no favors. He had torn a bit of it when he'd unstrapped it from the back of his Harley.
He took another deep breath reminding himself that Sophie probably wouldn't be critical about his crappy wrapping job. It was what was in the box that counted at the end of the day.
He reached up with one shaking hand pushing the doorbell. He swallowed the large lump develping in the base of his throat as the bell sounded echoing through Nina's apartment.
Chibs could distinctly see one hazel eye peering at him hesitantly through the peephole. He tried to smile and look totally relaxed but failed his smile coming out tight.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so anxious. He hadn't had the chance to even begin to feel any anxiety when he'd been reunited with his Kerrianne months earlier.
After all Fiona and Kerrianne had just shown up unexpectedly at SAMBEL's clubhouse with Father Ashby. Chibs had no time to prepare for the reunion. It had just been sprung upon him.
He tried his best to convince himself that this would all turn out. Sophie wouldn't be afraid of him. She would see the gift he'd gotten her and it would soothe over any awkwardness.
Chibs just wished that he really believed that.
He cleared his throat as Nina finally opened the front door. He could distinctly see Sophie sitting at the dining room table peeking around her mother at this new friend.
He was unable to resist the urge to admire Nina.
She was wearing a long gray maxi skirt and a black lowcut tank top that showed a healthy amount of cleavage.
Nina's hair had been left down allowing the wild curls to surround her face framing it perfectly. She'd worn a hint of gold eyeshadow which made the green of her eyes all the more vibrant.
He felt a little breathless at the sight of her. She seemed more gorgeous each time he laid eyes on her.
He took a deep breath reminding himself that he couldn't be falling for her. Not now.
That ship had sailed a long time ago and he was going to be stuck on the dock for all eternity.
Nina felt her cheeks darken noticing the look in his eyes. It was the same way he'd looked at her that night at Estrella's Tavern when he'd first walked into the bar and laid eyes on her.
He looked so handsome standing there in jeans, boots, a plain gray shirt, and his ever present kutte. He still carried a bit of weight around the middle, but Nina found that she didn't mind it. He was still so handsome to her.
She pushed back any emotions she might have for him telling herself that it wasn't possible. Not now. She was still so hurt. She didn't know if she could trust him ever again not with her heart.
Nina was the first to speak turning her eyes to the purple wrapped rectangular gift Chibs was holding. "You didn't have to bring her anything."
Chibs gave Nina a hesitant smile his heart pounding a mile a minute in his chest. "Aye I know...I was jus at the general store and I saw somethin I though she might like...then one thing turned into a couple of things and I...well I kinda got carried away."
Nina twisted her mouth trying hard not to laugh at this explanation. She couldn't help but to feel a little bad for Chibs despite their complicated somewhat problematic past.
The poor Scot looked downright terrified. He looked a little paler than usual and his hands were clearly trembling.
Sophie stood back eying the man with an apprehensive gaze. It was the exact same look she gave the only two boyfriends Nina'd had in the past five years.
Nina let out a sigh praying that Sophie didn't have the same reaction to Chibs that she'd had to just about every man in her life over the past few years.
The girl was somewhat finicky when it came to the men in her mother's life. Nina had just come to the uneasy conclusion that her daughter was far too attached to her mother to want to share Nina with anyone.
Nina's past two boyfriends had been kind enough. They had both been sweet, honest men, supportive, and artistic and all the things Nina should want.
The only two big problems were that Nina just couldn't get over her trust issues and both boyfriends had been too immature to accept Sophie's sometimes fussy temperament.
At the end of the day these boyfriends hadn't been willing to grow up and try to win over Sophie. So Nina had broken up with them.
Nina sighed knowing that Chibs wasn't some boyfriend who was making an attempt to win over her daughter.
He was Sophie's father.
This situation was an entirely different scenario.
Nina turned to the child giving the girl a cheerful smile praying that Sophie couldn't sense the awkward tension that was already forming in the air nor her mother's anxiety ridden demeanor. "Sophie this is the friend I was telling you about."
Chibs stared down at the little girl still just as mesmerized by her as he had been that first day he saw her.
He couldn't get over how gorgeous Sophie was. She was the perfect mixture of Nina and he.
Today she was wearing a pair of glittery blue jean capris, a shirt emblazoned in purple ink with the words princess, and a pair of pink jelly sandals.
He suddenly realized that Sophie was giving him the same look that he often gave Juice when the man had done or said something idiotic.
If he wasn't so nervous this realization would have made him burst out laughing.
Nina moved aside as Chibs stepped forward his heart still slamming in his chest. He took a deep breath as he spotted the was Sophie was peering up at his scars her eyes a little wide.
He did his best to ignore her alarmed appearance as he knelt down in front of her and spoke his voice soft. "Ya must be Sophie. Yer ma's told me a lot bout ya."
"Like what?" Sophie blurted out her eyes scanning Chibs' face still alarmed by the scars along his cheeks.
Chibs cleared his throat a little shocked by her blunt comment. Apparently she had her mother's tendency to say just what she was thinking no matter how it sounded.
He gave the girl a tight smile doing his best not to be discouraged by Sophie's apprehension. He did all he could to come up with an answer fast the words falling out of his mouth."That ya like surprises. That's why I brought ya somethin. I know ya like pink but all I had was this purple wrappin paper. I hope that's okay...I'm not very good at wrappin gifts wee lass."
He placed the gift on the ground in between them his stomach churning like a washing machine. Sophie glanced up at her mother a questioning look on her face.
She'd always been told not to take presents from strangers and Chibs was pretty much a stranger to her.
Nina gave the girl a smile trying to hide the fact that she was just as anxious as Chibs at the moment. "It's okay Soph. Open Filip's present."
Sophie tore into the gift and Chibs was finally able to let out a sigh of relief thankful that the girl didn't say a thing about his poor wrapping abilities.
Sophie widened her eyes as Chibs helped her open the large box revealing several little surprises. Sophie wasted no time to reach into the box pulling out a huge stack of coloring books.
She shifted through them as she spoke up her voice full of awe. "You got Hello Kitty and Cinderella. I like Hello Kitty. Cinderella is my favorite...She has pretty glass shoes."
Chibs let out another relived sigh thankful that he'd decided to go with his gut on the coloring books.
Sophie continued to dig through the box her eyes wide for an entirely different reason now.
The box contained coloring books, the biggest box of crayons Chibs could find, two Little Mermaid jigsaw puzzles, a tall bottle of bubbles, and finally the first thing that had caught Chibs' eye; a little pink journal and a matching pen.
Sophie stared down at the pen before looking back up at her mother holding it out beaming. "Look momma the pen has a flower on top."
Nina nodded her head spotting the fabric pink daisy connected to the top of the pen. She took it from Sophie the girl proud to hand it over and show it off.
She stared down at the center of the flower spotting that it was a silver plastic gemstone. "I see that. What do we say to Filip for his gifts?"
Sophie took Chibs by shock her arms wrapping around his arm as she spoke up. "Thank you Filip."
Chibs was reluctant to allow the little girl to pull away from the hug but he had no time to dwell over the short hug as Sophie spoke up all the apprehension she'd had about Chibs fading. "Can you come see my room and my toys? We can play teaparty."
Chibs glanced back at Nina almost frightened that she wouldn't trust him enough to allow him to go with Sophie.
Nina bit the inside of her cheek trying to remind herself that she'd promised to give Chibs a chance. "Go ahead...I'll just sit here and finish up some reading."
Chibs stared back to Sophie as the little girl began to pull him along towards the back of the apartment.
He was so grateful that Nina was trusting him with his girl.
He smiled at this thought; his girl. Sophie was his baby girl. He'd never heard a more beautiful sentence in his entire life.
Sophie smiled up at Chibs as they walked into her tiny bedroom. Chibs was once again reluctant as Sophie let go of his hand.
He was almost tempted to scoop her up hold her tight and never let her go.
He knew though that this action would only spook the child.
Sophie seemed to be warming up to him and he didn't want to ruin it all.
He let his eyes scan Sophie's room impressed by what he saw.
There was an abundance of pink in the room, from the bed to the heart shaped rug on the floor.
He let his eyes scan the large shelving unit that had been built into the wall. The shelves held all of Sophie's toys and books.
He stared at the stuffed animals quickly realizing that they were all birds. "Ya like birds?"
"Uh huh. I like flamingos the best cause they had pink feathers and they're really pretty." Sophie exclaimed pleased to talk about her favorite animal in the universe.
She let out a soft sigh as she spoke again. "I want a pet bird but momma says they can be lots of money and they are really loud. I want a doggie too but we don't have a backyard."
Chibs bit his tongue so tempted to tell the girl that he would buy her any bird she wanted and every little thing she needed for it.
He was shocked that he was so quick to give Sophie any thing her heart desired.
He knew though that Nina might not appreciate him just giving Sophie a pet bird right after she'd told the girl no.
"What bout a kitty love?" Chibs asked knowing that a cat would be a decent pet for the tiny apartment.
Maybe he could talk Nina into a kitten. He'd even be willing to buy the food and litter for the pet.
Sophie shook her head scrunching her nose up at the suggestion. "Kitties make my eyes itchy and they make me sneeze a lot. They make momma feel sick too."
Chibs nodded his head automatically deciding that a kitten was out of the question.
He spoke again an idea quickly entering his head. "A friend of mine has a Cockatoo. I bet she might let ya come visit it."
He knew of course that this suggestion would involve him going to Gemma and telling her the news about Sophie and Nina.
Chibs already knew that this wouldn't go over smoothly.
The look of absolute delight on Sophie's face was all the inspiration he needed to face hurricane Gemma though.
He looked at all of Sophie's toys impressed that the toys all seemed to be neatly in place and well taken care of.
Unlike most five year olds Sophie seemed to treat her toys delicately.
Chibs quickly realized that Sophie might be somewhat aware of her mother's at times tight budget.
He quickly promised himself that he would do whatever it took to help Nina out financially no matter how much it pissed her off.
The seven Barbie dolls Sophie had on the shelf were all dressed and their hair was all brushed neatly.
He let out an internal sigh of relief grateful to see that he hadn't decided to just get Sophie a blonde typical Barbie. All the girl's dolls were tan skinned and brunette expect for the Ariel doll who Sophie had left dressed in her green tail and purple top.
"Do you want to have tea?" Sophie asked staring up at Chibs with the same puppy dog eyes she gave her mother when she really wanted something.
Chibs wasted no time to nod his head and speak despite the fact that he knew if his brothers ever witnessed him having a teaparty with Sophie they would probably tease him for life.
"That sounds nice lass. I'd love ta have some tea." He blurted out already knowing he'd do anything Sophie asked him to no matter how embarrassing it was.
He sat in front of the little wooden table as Sophie went over to her bed pulling out the drawer and grabbing her plastic tea set.
Chibs tried not to chuckle as the girl carefully poured tea into his little porcelain cup.
He was dumbfounded as Sophie finally spoke up giving him a curious look. "You talk really funny."
He held back his laugh as he spoke up. "Aye I'm from Scotland and I lived in Ireland. Do ya know where that is?"
He chuckled as Sophie shook her head a frown on her face. He spoke up giving her a smile. "Its far away across the ocean. I can show it to ya on a map someday."
He spoke again knowing just what to say to amaze the girl. "They have real old buildings there. Even castles."
"Castles. Like where a princess lives? Do any princesses live in them?" Sophie asked her eyes widened amazed by this piece of information.
Chibs grinned as he answered the girl. "No the castles are all real old wee lass. I bet ya a princess probably lived in one a real long time ago."
Sophie smiled at him so impressed by this tale. She spoke up her voice pleading. "Can you take me there one day and show me Filip?"
Chibs sighed knowing the truth was that he'd probably never be able to take Sophie to Ireland.
He never wanted any bit of his past with the IRA to somehow affect the girl. He knew that there might be some members of the IRA still loyal to Jimmy O' that would do anything to hurt him.
Kerrianne had Fiona's protection from this. They wouldn't touch the girl not with her mother's prestigious past as an IRA Warrior. After all Fiona was still very much involved with the fight for the cause.
Scotland might be out of the question as well. There was nothing in Glasgow to show the child. His mother had passed on shortly before Kerrianne had been born. His sister Cait wouldn't talk to him since the death of her son his nephew Padaric. The neighborhood he'd grown up in was dangerous. It was no place for the sweet little girl.
He lied knowing that of course he could never explain this to the girl. "Aye maybe someday...when yer older. Ya and yer ma can come to see these things with me."
Sophie smiled so pleased with this answer. She couldn't wait to see the castles with Chibs.
She frowned down at Chibs' untouched tea cup. "Aren't you going to drink your tea?"
Chibs stared down at the cup feeling foolish as he picked it up it so small in his hand. He pretended to take a sip from it as he spoke up praying that she couldn't tell he was lying. "It's real good. What kinda tea is it lass?"
"Jasmine tea. My momma drinks it." Sophie answered without missing a beat.
He held back his laugh amazing that the girl had come up with an answer so fast. He'd almost forgotten how imaginative children could be.
He took another fake sip from his empty cup grinning as Sophie placed a pile of felt play food in front of him; a banana and a cupcake.
Chibs prayed that this moment would last forever. There was no where he'd rather be than sitting here with his baby girl.
Nina resisted the urge to peek in on Chibs and their daughter. It was fine she told herself. Sophie had loved the gifts and she was happy.
Nina painted her nails with a bottle of plum colored nail polish as she tried to keep her mind busy.
She'd tried hard to read but her brain couldn't focus on the words. She'd always been a lover of the book The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe.
The book had been her favorite since she was a child, but not even it could hold her attention at the moment.
So she'd settled on painting her nails plum and delicately painting horizontal lines over the polish with gold nail art polish.
Nail polish and makeup was the one luxury she allowed herself. It was cheap enough if you knew how to shop.
As most mother's knew most of ones income often went to the kids. At the end of the day there often wasn't much left for mom.
Nina saw the beauty products as the one way she could still treat herself even with her budget.
She was the type to do intricate nail art on herself. She guessed it was the only way her artistic tendencies could come out now that she'd given up on art.
Time and time again she'd wanted to pick up a paint brush or a chalk but art was expensive. She just didn't have the money nor the inspiration to find her muse again.
She missed art so dearly, but she knew that Sophie superseded all of this. Her daughter had to be the most important thing in her life even if it meant leaving behind her dreams of artistic glory.
Nina had to admit she was impressed with Chibs so far. The gift had been such a surprise.
The look of pure delight on Sophie's face had made her heart swell.
Nina only hoped that this wasn't going to be a trend with Chibs.
A little gift every once in a while was okay, but it didn't need to become an everyday thing.
She didn't want Sophie to be spoiled by Chibs. She wanted the child to understand that gifts didn't mean love.
Still the fact that Chibs had obviously gone to such trouble had pleased Nina. She hoped that it was a sign of his dedication to their daughter.
She had meant what she'd said when she'd promised to give him an opportunity to be involved in Sophie's life.
Nina had been thinking more and more about what her aunt had said. Sophie deserved to have her father in her life.
Nina was willing to put her mixed feelings about Chibs aside as long as he proved to be good to Sophie.
Nina was still upset with Gabriella for going behind her back though. She knew that her tia had the best intentions at heart. She had just gone the wrong way about it.
Nina could admit she was concerned about her aunt. Gabriella had seemed so tired lately. Nina had a bad feeling in her gut but she had no idea how to express it.
She knew Gabriella was so independent.
Gabriella was a tough woman. She didn't believe in letting anyone help her no matter what the cost. She was the type to take life by the horns even if it meant she'd be all alone in the end.
Nina let out a soft sigh as she stared up at the ancient red apple shaped clock hanging above her microwave. It had been two hours now.
She knew it was time for Sophie to have a bath before dinner time.
Nina made her way to Sophie's room so shocked at what she'd walked in on.
Chibs and Sophie sat on the floor side by side the book If You Give A Moose A Muffin opened up in between them. Chibs had an arm wrapped around the girl cradling her against him as he read. "When he puts on the sweater he'll notice one of tha buttons is loose. He'll ask fer a needle and thread. He'll start sewin. The button will remind him of the puppets his grandma used ta make."
Sophie let out a joyful giggle as Chibs showed her the picture in the book of the moose sewing the sweater the exasperated boy sitting beside him. "I wanna read the next page."
Chibs chuckled nodding his head. "Alrigh lass."
"So He'll ask for some old socks. He'll make some sock puppets. When he's done he'll want to put on a puppet show." Sophie read Chibs widening his eyes so amazed that she was reading without even struggling.
Nina let out a soft sigh hating to interrupt the little moment. Her daughter looked so content. Chibs did as well.
He was being so gentle with the girl reading her favorite book with his thick brogue.
"It's bath time Soph." Nina stated as she entered the room unable to tear her eyes away from Chibs and their child.
Sophie let out a whine her bottom lip peeping out. "But momma we still have a bunch of pages left."
Nina gave the girl a grin more than immune to the bottom lip move by now. She smiled even more when she noticed the pile of books beside the pair.
Apparently this wasn't the first book the two had read.
"I know babe, but maybe Filip can come over another day and you can read again." Nina explained knowing that she had to get Sophie in the bath soon so the girl could eat and get some food in her before bedtime.
Sophie stared up at Chibs her bottom lip still quivering. "Can you Filip?"
Chibs felt his heart expand as he stared down at the child. He was almost tempted to ask Nina if he could stay long enough to read to her before bedtime.
He held this request in though knowing that he might be pushing for too much too soon. "Aye I promise ya lass. I'll come back and we'll read as many books as ya want."
Sophie let out a huff as she stood up giving her mother a sour look.
She shocked Chibs as she wrapped her arms around him pressing a somewhat wet kiss to his cheek before she spoke. "You'll come back soon right?"
Chibs felt his heart grow even more by this action. It meant the world to him to know that Sophie no longer feared his cheeks.
It reminded him of the way her mother had pressed her hand to his cheeks so lovingly not caring about the deep scars that he hated so.
Chibs wrapped an arm around her never wanting to let go as she replied. "Oh course wee Sophie. I promise."
He let Sophie pull away from him even though it made his heart hurt.
Nina ruffled the girl's messy curls as she spoke up her voice stern. "Go get ready for your bath. Pick out which bath toys you want."
"Can I have bubbles?" the girl asked finally resigning herself to her fate.
"Yes just don't touch the tub until I come in there. I mean it kid." Nina replied the stern tone not leaving her voice.
Chibs let out a soft sigh as he watched his baby girl walk away from him and leave the room.
He wished that he could have captured the two hours they'd had together somehow. That he could go back to the moment again and again when his days got difficult.
Chibs promised himself that this wouldn't be the last moment he had with his wee Sophie. He wasn't going to let anyone keep him away from the girl.
He followed Nina into the living room trying all he could not to stare at her backside. The same backside he found his brain wondering back to in his more erotic dreams and fantasies.
Nina spoke up her mind still on what she'd walked in on. He was so amazing with her.
She quickly realized that trusting him to be there for Sophie wasn't going to be hard to do.
She turned to face him as they stood at the door. "So can I take you out for coffee...Maybe Friday around lunch. We can talk about everything...clear the air and figure out how we're going to make this work."
"Aye that'll be good...I'll pick ya up here. I'll bring ya a helmet." Chibs replied knowing that there was still so much to discuss about the future, about their future together parenting Sophie.
He shoved any hopes he had about there even being a chance to discuss a future with Nina. It just couldn't be.
"A helmet?" Nina gasped her stomach rolling at this statement.
She wasn't sure how she felt about being on the back of his bike once again; so close to him surrounded by his scent, her arms around his waist.
Chibs didn't pick up on the unease she felt about being on his Harley.
"Aye don't own a car lass."
Nina stared down at the floor so unsure about agreeing to this as she replied. "Okay...So how'd everything go?"
Chibs was unable to wipe the grin from his face as he answered her. "Perfect lass...She's wonderful. She's so smart. She's readin so well fer her age."
"I've been reading to her since she was a baby." Nina explained turning her eyes back to his the sight of his dark eyes and the amount of pride and adoration in them making her heart do a little dance.
She was reluctant to really admit it but he was a pretty amazing father.
Chibs nodded his head the pride he felt for Sophie so evident in his voice. "It shows. She's gonna be outsmartin us soon enough."
"Hold your tounge." Nina remarked surprising herself as she let out a small laugh.
Chibs grinned the sound of her giggle warming something deep down inside of him. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed that laugh.
He made a promise to himself that he would do whatever it took to hear more of it.
Nina gave him a gentle smile surprised that she felt somewhat at ease with him. Maybe it was just seeing him reading to Sophie that had done it.
She only hoped that he didn't disappoint her.
She spoke again realizing that she had another truth to tell. "Her full name is Sophie Gabriella Telford...I just realized I never told you that. Her birthday was last month. The seventh of April...You should know."
Chibs widened his eyes shocked by both statements. He did the math in his head it all adding up now.
"She has my last name?" He blurted out his eyes still so wide.
Nina nodded her head her stomach rolling fearing that he hated it. "I...I guess it was just my way of giving her a piece of you."
Chibs bit his tounge wanting to point out that he could have given Sophie all of him if Nina had just given him the chance.
He held back knowing that now wasn't the time to bring up the past.
They had to let go of their past for Sophie. The girl deserved that.
"Thank ya...It's beautiful...I'm proud that she has my last name." Chibs admitted telling the truth.
It did mean a lot to him to know that his girl carried his family name.
Nina nodded her head so thankful that he'd not exploded on her for this.
She rolled her eyes as she heard the distinct sound of the bath starting up. "I swear to God she doesn't listen."
"Aye that might be somea my genes showin up." Chibs blurted out Nina chuckling once again the sound making him feel so amazing.
"I'll see you Friday Filip. I better go wrangle your daughter before she floods the apartment." Nina remarked opening the door for him to leave.
Chibs grinned at the your daughter comment. He spoke up making a small joke as he made his way out the door. "Aye I see how it's goin to be."
He left her apartment his heart sinking to be torn away from Sophie and she so soon.
He let out a sigh as Nina shut the door leaving him alone on her stoop.
Even though it was hot as hell out Chibs felt so cold and empty without Sophie and Nina.
He stared up at the darkening sky promising himself that he'd find a way to feel full again.
Somehow he'd figure this out.
Gabriella Diaz sat in the waiting room at Saint Thomas back in the waiting area of her doctor's clinic.
Dr. Sharma was the utmost expert in his field. Gabriella knew she needed the best.
She tossed down the copy of National Geographic she'd been flipping through no longer able to stare at the detailed photos of the African Plains an its lions.
Gabriella's heart was still aching from her conversation with Nina this afternoon.
She had known that her niece would be angry at the way she'd handled this all, but Gabriella hadn't expected such a blowup from Nina.
She knew that Nina was a sensitve girl when it all came down to it. She wore her heart on her sleeve and it often got shattered and wounded.
And when she got hurt she did one of two things Nina ran or she exploded.
Gabriella told herself that she should just be grateful that Nina had chosen the second reaction. She would have strangled the girl if she'd gone with the running away option.
It had taken her right at five years to get her niece and her great niece back in Charming as she wasn't going to lose them, not when she would need them the most.
Gabriella couldn't help but to feel at ease at the fact that her plan had worked. Chibs was back with Sophie where he belonged.
Gabriella wouldn't lie about it; she hoped that her niece would let Chibs into her heart.
Nina felt more for the Scot than she'd ever even come close to admitting.
Gabriella had seen it in Nina's eyes that day she'd come back from TM Auto her eyes filled with angry heartbroken tears.
Chibs had captured her heart and the idiot hadn't even realized it.
No Gabriella didn't exactly fully approve of Chibs' lifestyle.
She'd been around long enough to know just how dangerous SAMCRO was. It was no secret that the Sons weren't just some innocent club of Harley lovers.
They had just been lucky having not been carted out of town.
Gabriella just hoped that Chibs wouldn't allow his club to overthrow his love for Sophie.
She knew that he was a strong man both physically and emotionally.
Nina would need all the emotional support she could get in the upcoming months.
Gabriella let out a heavy breath as a nurse finally came out from behind the door and spoke. "Diaz Gabriella Diaz."
Gabriella stood up from her chair clutching her purse as she followed the nurse back to her fate.
Dr. Sharma's face was unreadable as Gabriella sat across from him at his desk.
She stared at the stacks of folders sat out in front of him feeling so unnerved as he shifted through it all.
He finally looked up at her his voice sounding so clinical as he spoke. "It's just as I expected Ms. Diaz. I've looked over the biopsy we've taken. The bloodcells inside your body are at an advanced rate of growth. We call it Acute Lymphatic Leukemia."
Gabriella let out a shaky sigh her worse fears coming to life. She had prayed that she'd been wrong; that the doctor's had been wrong.
She wanted to curl up and sob. She held back though knowing that she had to be strong. She'd always been strong no matter what life had thrown at her; her sister, her niece, her string of horrible husbands, and her inability to conceive.
She tried to tell herself that cancer would be just another hurdle in her life. She couldn't hide her fear though. She'd never been so scared.
She pushed back the need to cry as Dr. Sharma spoke again. "Usually about 80 to 90 percent of patients will got into remission from this type of cancer. However I have to distress that the percent of recovery lowers the older the patient. The overall cure rate is forty percent. We can try a stem cell transplant Ms. Diaz. We'll have to find a matching donor of course."
"I don't know if I can afford it...I'm a self made business owner doctor." Gabriella replied her voice sounding so dazed so unlike the usual strong willed woman she was.
"You have the option of Chemotherapy. We can start as soon as you're ready. Though the sooner we start the better your chances are. I'm sorry to say it but you have a long fight ahead of you." Dr. Sharma explained his voice not losing the clinical tone.
Gabriella closed her eyes wishing that he would be a little less professional. It was like he was reading her the weather report instead of dropping the worst possible news on her.
She took a deep breath knowing that he was right. Her fight would be so long.
She just prayed that she was strong enough to fight. She felt so tired already. She felt so weak.
Nina sat with Sophie the next afternoon at the dining room table an open bottle of red nail polish open beside them as Nina gently painted the girl's tiny nails.
Nina cleared her throat knowing that there was no time like now to discuss the day before. "So what do you think of Filip?"
"He's nice even though he has a funny voice. He's from Scotland momma. He says there's castles there and it's real pretty." Sophie replied a wide smile on her face as she recalled the day before.
Nina bit down on the inside of her cheek wanting so badly to tell the truth to Sophie.
She knew though that it was too soon. She couldn't just drop the truth about Chibs on her like this.
Nina knew she had to handle this delicately. Besides Chibs needed to be here when the truth was revealed.
"He can come play again right? I wanna show him the pictures I colored in the color books he got me." Sophie begged wanting so badly to spend more time with Chibs.
He had been so fun and she had liked it when he'd read to her.
Nina put the nail polish brush back into the bottle screwing it shut as she spoke. "Yeah Soph he can."
She smiled a little as Sophie grinned so thrilled with this statement.
This might work out Nina realized.
Chibs sat at the bar at SAMCRO's clubhouse an open beer in front of him. His mind was still back at Nina's apartment back with his Sophie.
He took a swig of his beer realizing that both Sophie and her mother had captured his heart.
The awareness of this fact troubled him.
He was already frightened that he wasn't good enough for his Sophie. The little girl was so sweet, so innocent, so kind, and so full of joy.
He feared that his life would suck the joy right out of the little girl. He feared that she would grow up and only see her father as a dirty outlaw biker.
He wanted so badly for the little girl to see him as her father; a father who had loved her and done all he could to be what she deserved.
It was the same story with Nina. After all that was what had driven them apart to back at the beginning of their short union.
Hell it hadn't even been a union. He'd killed it before it ever started.
He feared that Nina would never want him again. He'd broken her heart.
He hated himself for that act. He hated the effect she still had on him.
The fact that she was the mother to his child only deepened his feelings for her.
On one hand he was still angry that she'd been out in Miami for five years hiding his baby girl from him.
On the other hand a part of him understood her actions. She'd been young and in pain. She had assumed that she was nothing to him. He'd wound up treating her like some cheap one night stand. How could she have trusted the man she assumed he was to be a decent dad. He'd really fucked it all up and she'd run away from him.
He was still so entranced by Nina. Everything about her tantalized him; her wild locks, her gorgeous eyes, her golden soft skin, her amazing body, her laugh, her smile. He even liked her fiery temper.
He always had a thing for a woman who could put him in his place and tell him what was what.
He'd missed her more than he'd realized. He found himself longing for the life they'd never had together.
And now there seemed no way to express this without making everything so complicated.
If he fucked up again it wouldn't just be hurting Nina. Sophie was involved now and he'd sooner cut his own hands off before he hurt that little girl.
He cringed as a croweater sat down beside him her arm trailing along his. She gave him a flirty smile as she spoke. "You look glum Chibs."
He tightened his jaw not interested in anything the pretty young blonde beside him was offering.
A few weeks ago he'd have let him himself get lost in her body. He would have taken her back to his dorm-room and taken her. He would have let her body distract him from all his troubles.
Just the thought of doing that now made him feel sick.
She wasn't Nina.
The croweater leaned in her lips running along his ear avoiding his cheeks. He'd never allowed any of the croweaters to kiss his scars or even touch them.
Fiona and Nina were the only women who'd ever done that and he wanted to keep it that way.
The croweater spoke her voice sultry. "I can turn that frown into a grin Chibs. I know just how to make you feel good."
He cringed as she ran her hand up his thigh grabbing onto his groin and massaging.
He yanked away from her touch taking her by surprise as he spoke. "Get lost gash. I aint in tha mood fer yer shite."
She widened her eyes a little thrown off by the anger in his voice. That was more like Tig or Happy behavior, of course those two would have been a bit more cruel about it.
She scampered away moving on to one of the hangerons that hung around the clubhouse hoping for a chance at prospecting.
Jax spotted the exchange shocked that Chibs had shoved the croweater off.
He sat down beside the gloomy man not speaking until he had his own beer. "What was that?"
"I jus...I aint in the mood." Chibs spat out trying hard to control his irritation. He didn't want to tell the truth; that just the thought of fucking a croweater right now made his skin crawl.
Jax nodded his head getting the feeling that a certain curly haired bartender was the reasoning behind Chibs' refusals of getting laid.
He held back this observation knowing that it wouldn't be wise to bring it up with the moody Scot.
He chose instead to bring up a more pleasant choice of topic. "So ya'd see the kid?"
The question managed to put a somewhat dreamy smile on Chibs' face. "Aye I did...She's perfect Jackie Boy. So smart and gorgeous and wonderful. She's so gentle...everythin bout her. I wanta give her the world."
He paused almost afraid to admit it out loud. "I love her Jax. God I love her so much. It'd kill me if anythin ever happened to her."
Jax nodded his head knowing the feeling. He felt the same way about Abel.
He spoke up doing all he could to comfort his brother. "I know brother...I know."
Chibs let out a sigh taking a drink of his beer.
He wished that he knew how to fix this all.
He wanted his girls; both of them. He wanted his wee Sophie and Nina so badly it hurt.
Chibs just wished that he could have them both.
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