Nina stood locked tight in Chibs' arms the two of them entirely oblivious to the cold rain pouring down on them. The rain had really picked up to an almost full on torrential downfall but the couple remained so lost in one another that they couldn't find it in them to care too terribly much.

All Nina could focus on was how good it felt to be held in Chibs' tight warm embrace. It felt so good being here in his arms after spending so long telling her heart to ignore everything she felt for him.

She felt herself finally letting it all out; all the love and passion she felt for him.

She pressed her lips back to his throwing everything she had into the kiss. She was unable to hold back the gasp that came when Chibs' hands ran along her body taking every bit of her in, committing every inch of her body that he could reach to memory.

He wanted her; Nina almost couldn't believe it. Chibs wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.

Suddenly she felt like such a fool; trying so hard to ignore her feelings for him, trying to move on with her life without him.

For the first time all evening Nina felt as though she belonged somewhere.

She might not belong in that snooty art gallery with all those arrogant art-jerks, but that was okay. It was all okay as long as she knew that she belonged here with Chibs; locked tight in his embrace his lips against hers.

Nina pulled away from the kiss her breathing uneven as she stared up at him. She found herself sinking into his gaze; those beautiful dark brown eyes of his, the eyes she so dearly loved.

He really was perfect. No he wasn't a worldly artist. He wasn't refined and sophisticated. But he was perfect all the same.

He was rugged and handsome and strong. He was hers.

He was the father to her child; the sweet gorgeous man who had captured her heart that night five years ago and had never given it back to her.

Nina smiled up at him at this realization; he had her heart in his hands and it was right where it should be.

She reached up caressing his cheek tracing her thumb along one of those deep scars of his. She spoke up the words spilling right out of her mouth. "Eres perfecto. Mi hombre maravilloso dulce."

He raised an eyebrow grinning a bit at her words. "Yer not callin me an idiot are ya love?"

She let out a soft laugh shaking her head no as she leaned up to his ear and whispered. "You're mine. My sweet man."

"Aye. Yer mine too lass, all mine." He replied his lips brushing along hers once again the kiss quickly growing passionate.

When the need for air became too much to endure any longer they parted once again. Nina felt her throat tighten up reality and anxieties seeping into the daze she'd been locked in.

She spoke up those walls within her threatening to shoot back up high and powerful. "I want to take this slow...us, I need us to be careful about this...Sophie can't be hurt if anything goes wrong. We have to move carefully."

Nina couldn't help but to feel guilty at this statement. She knew what she was doing; putting those walls right back up.

Why did she always do this to herself? She tried to sabotage things before they even had a chance to start.

She'd had those walls built up long before Chibs Telford had ever walked into her life.

Those walls had been built up by her failed relationship with her mother Miranda, and the entire incident with Chibs those years ago had only helped make those thick walls all the more solid.

For the longest time Sophie had been the only one in the world who Nina allowed to slide over those walls.

In the past Nina had boyfriends complain about her tendency to shut them out. She had been called everything from frigid, to bitchy, to heartless, to an ice queen.

Nina had learned so long ago that you had to keep people at an arms length. If anyone got too close they ran the risk of breaking your heart.

She had taught herself that the best way to protect ones heart was to build a wall around it and never hand it to anyone.

It had been the one rule she'd always followed in life, but Chibs had made her break that rule. She had found herself breaking the rules for him; handing him her heart.

Nina realized that she was falling hard and fast for Chibs and it scared the living shit right out of her.

This really did feel so intimidating to Nina; trusting Chibs, possibly letting her walls down for him.

She wouldn't lie, she was afraid. She was afraid of trusting Chibs only to have her heart shattered once again.

She knew that this time it wouldn't just be her heart; it would be Sophie's as well.

It wouldn't be fair to the child; to let Chibs into their lives, to love him, only to have their hearts broken into a million jagged little pieces.

Nina knew that if their hearts were broken that there would be no way of repairing them.

A part of her feared that Sophie would grow up to be just like her; a tall wall around her heart, so afraid to let anyone in.

Nina didn't want that for her baby.

She wanted Sophie to find love, to trust, to always listen to her heart.

Chibs frowned spotting the vary of emotions flashing behind Nina's eyes; doubt and fear tied into love.

He knew what she was doing; shutting him out.

He knew that he couldn't blame her for it.

After all Chibs Telford understood shutting people out.

After Jimmy O' had scarred him and taken his Fiona and Kerrianne, Chibs had found himself building a wall around his heart; a wall to protect himself.

The wall had served him well; keeping the pain he felt fresh and safe. It hadn't stopped that pain from growing. It had kept everyone around him out. The walls had kept him from truly moving on.

Being reunited with Kerrianne had been what had finally smashed those walls for Chibs. With his baby back in his arms he had known that it was time to let go of those barriers around his heart, it was time to move on and find some happiness.

Having Sophie in his life had only reaffirmed that belief.

He had let go of the past and let his heart lead the way. And his heart had led him to Nina and their sweet little Sophie.

Chibs wondered when Nina would learn that it was safe to let her heart lead her.

He couldn't help but to feel a little annoyed that he wasn't enough to make her break down her walls.

Chibs took a deep breath reminding himself that it would just take time. With time Nina would realize that it was safe to let people in. She would learn to trust him; he just had to prove himself to her.

"Aye o'course Nina. We can go as slow as ya want." He reassured her leaning against her hand, her touch soothing his irritation.

Chibs spoke again knowing that he needed to discuss this with her. She had to understand that she couldn't shut him out like this. She had to understand that he would never hurt her.

"Let me in lass...please don't push me out. Do ya trust me?" He blurted out deciding it was just best to be blunt about what he was thinking.

Nina let out a shaky sigh his words rolling through her head: Let me in, Do you trust me?

She closed her eyes for a brief moment letting her heart do all the talking. She had already learned by now that when she let her brain lead the way that she wound up regretting it.

She opened her eyes knowing her answer. "Okay... Yes I do. I trust you...it's just not easy for me."

Chibs nodded his head turning to press a kiss to the inside of her wrist. "Then know that I'm not goin to mess this up Nina. I screwed up five years ago an I don intend on it happenin again."

Nina nodded her head fully believing him. She could see it in his eyes; the honesty, the longing for her to trust him and give him her love. "It isn't all you Filip...I've been this messed up for a while...I just need time to sort it out. Just be patient with me please."

"I'll wait fer ya to figure it out love. I'm not goin anywhere. I'm goin to be righ here by yer side through it all." He promised her knowing that she was trying so hard here.

He had to be patient he told himself. Trust didn't just go one way; he had to trust Nina as much as she was trusting him.

Nina gave him a small tight smile her heart beating so quickly as she tried to push back the anxiety.

Perhaps there was room for Chibs behind those walls.

There had to be a way for her walls to remain up, but maybe she could install a door in those walls; a door just for Chibs.

Nina took a deep breath trying to stop herself from becoming overwhelmed by this all. She remembered the words her tia had said to her earlier today; Nothing worth having in life is ever simple.

Her tia was right. She knew that no matter what happened she would have to remember those words.

Nina knew that despite all her fears that Chibs Telford was worth the anxiety. Yes letting herself fall for him was scary, but then maybe that's why they called it falling in love.

Falling in love was daunting and intense but it was all worth it in the end.

Nina couldn't deny the way she felt when Chibs was around.

It sounded so cheesy but it reminded her of that stupid song she could remember her tia always listening to when she was growing up; Close to You by the Carpenters.

Why do birds suddenly appear, each time you are near.

Just like me they long to be close to you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky, every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.

Nina had always felt that it was the dumbest and the corniest song on the planet, but she had to admit that it sort of fit the way she felt when Chibs was around.

She would do anything to be this close to him for the rest of her life; to feel this good.

When she was with Chibs she felt alive; she felt happy and adored.

And if feeling that way was corny enough to make her think of that song than so be it.

She would rather feel cliched and tacky than nothing at all.

Nina shivered a bit the cold rain finally getting to her as it soaked the two of them. Chibs ran his hands along her arms trying to warm her up. "Lets get ya home."

Although Chibs wanted nothing more than to march into that gallery and personally kick the ass of anyone who was cruel to Nina tonight, he knew that now wasn't the time.

His desire to take his lass home and get out of the freezing cold rain was stronger than his desire to go to the gallery and deliver a few serious ass beatings.

Chibs was quick to flip on the heater as they climbed into Nina's Ford Focus. He let out a frustrated huff as he flipped on the windshield wipers which only made the window blurry.

He silently reminded himself to get Nina to take her car to TM so he could install some decent windshield wipers.

He knew that there was no way he wanted Nina and their little girl riding around in this car without doing a few repairs first.

He had deduced from driving her car that Nina needed new tires, her oil changed, and she needed someone to take a look at her power steering.

The Ford Focus was a mess; and Chibs refused to let her drive a mess like this.

Nina settled into the passengers seat her body relaxing for the first time all night. She felt nothing but relief as the Ford Focus pulled out onto the slick street and far away from the art gallery and the horrible night she'd had before Chibs had arrived.

She smiled as Chibs slid a hand across the center console taking her hand in his. She gave his hand a squeeze as she turned her head to look at him.

Nina let out a heavy breath trying her best to release her anxieties along with the breath of air. "Sophie is okay?"

Chibs gave her a smile not shocked that the maternal side of her was peeking out. "Aye perfect, jus perfect. She only woke up fer a second when I placed her in yer old room at Gabriella's place. Yer tia is goin to keep her fer the nigh. Told me to tell ya that she'll bring her home tomorrow afternoon."

"What did you tell my tia?" Nina asked almost fearing the answer.

She could only imagine the gigantic I told you so, she would be getting from her Tia Gabriella the next time she saw her.

Gabriella had known this date with Greg Murrier was a mistake and Nina had ignored her. And Nina knew Gabriella well enough to know that the woman wasn't above being arrogant about being correct.

"Told er yer date got food poisonin. That ya needed a ride home. Figured ya wouldn't want er knowin too much bout tonight." Chibs replied pulling her hand up to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles as they stopped at a traffic light.

Nina nodded her head knowing that her aunt was smart enough to see right through that lie. At least Chibs had tried to save her from the embarrassment of her tia being right about Greg Murrier.

Nina felt so idiotic for trusting Greg Murrier. She felt so naive for going on this date; getting all dressed up and believing that Greg would want something more with her than a quick fuck.

She wasn't looking forward to having to admit to her aunt that she'd been a fool. She only prayed that her tia wouldn't rub it in too much.

At least something had turned out right tonight, Nina reminded herself.

She had finally broke the ice with Chibs; finally admitted how she felt about him.

It didn't take them too terribly long to reach Estrella's Tavern and Nina's upstairs apartment.

Chibs was shocked as Nina took his hand in hers as they both exited her car.

He allowed her to pull him along upstairs and into her apartment. He had expected that she would kiss him goodnight at the door and send him on home.

Nina tossed her evening bag down on the couch not releasing his hand as she spoke. "Let go to bed."

Chibs let the words slip right from his mouth astounded by this statement. "Thought ya wanted to take this slow lass?"

Nina gave him a soft smile her cheeks flushing. She quickly cursed herself for suggesting it. "It's just sleeping...You can go home if you want."

Chibs chuckled pressing his lips to her damp forehead as he spoke. "Not a chance."

"We can build a pillow fort between us if you're feeling that prudent." She joked giggling as his facial hair brushed along her forehead his lips pressing to her again.

He wrapped his arms around her not willing to let her go. "Not a chance lass. Pillows can't keep ya from me."

He peppered kisses down her face so overjoyed with all that had taken place tonight.

The woman he'd wanted so badly was finally his and he wasn't letting her go.

He let her lead him back to her bedroom though to be honest she really didn't have to do much leading.

Chibs took in everything about her bedroom not shocked to see that it fit her personality so well. It was mint and black; a soft mint accent wall behind the black canopy framed bed. The sheets and pillows were the same soft mint as the accent wall and the comforter was a sandy brown.

There were two paintings on the walls; a gold and white moon and a large vivid sunflower.

He smiled at the three photographs sitting out on Nina's bedside table beside her old fashioned looking alarm clock; a newborn Sophie wearing a little onesie with bunnies on it, and a picture of Sophie sitting in Nina's lap at two years old wearing a pink dress clutching a little stuffed yellow duck.

The last photo was his absoulute favorite though; Nina and Sophie at Halloween. The picture looked recent so it had to have been this past Halloween; Nina was wearing a stark white old fashioned nurses costume red lipstick on her lips and a white nurses cap on her head, and Sophie was wearing tiny green scrubs and a white doctors coat a stethoscope around her neck.

He picked up this picture a grin on his face as he studied his girls; his gorgeous lasses. He loved them both so much.

Chibs silently made a promise to himself; that he would do anything for his lasses. They would always be loved and protected by him.

He placed the picture back on her bedside table a smile appearing on his face as he turned just in time to see Nina bending over in front of her dresser rummaging for pajamas.

Chibs took in the sight enjoying every second of it; her round firm bottom underneath tight red lace. It was a sight he could never grow sick of.

Nina stood up finally finding something she was comfortable wearing. Her cheeks flushed as she caught Chibs admiring her; so clearly undressing her with his eyes.

She resisted the urge to make her way over to him and press her lips to his; to kiss his chin, his cheeks, his scars, his neck, his chest moving down lower and lower, worshiping every single inch of him.

She took a deep breath keeping her hormones in check. She had said she wanted to move slow with him and she intended on keeping her word.

"I'm going to go get out of these wet clothes. Make yourself at home." She blurted out choosing to press a chaste kiss to his cheek before she headed to the bathroom.

Chibs took a deep breath resisting the urge to go after her. He wanted nothing more than to take that little red dress off of her and press kisses to every inch of her.

He could picture it in his mind; Nina clad in nothing but those black stockings she was wearing. He took a deep breath picturing her in those red heels as well. He could picture her digging the sharp heels into his backside as he rocked against her; a perfect mixture of pleasure and pain.

He wanted to bury himself inside of her; to make love to her and claim her as his woman. He wanted to hear her moan his name. He wanted to moan hers just as loud. He wanted to memorize every last inch of her nude body.

He knew that he had promised her that they'd move slowly though; and he knew that he had to keep that promise.

He took his kutte off folding it up respectfully placing it on top of her dark wooden dresser. He slid his knife holster off and placed it and his gun underneath the kutte.

He knew that if he kept on sleeping here at Nina's place he would have to find a place to put his knives and gun far out of Sophie's reach. It would destroy him if the little girl somehow got her hands on them and harmed herself.

He kicked his boots and socks off placing them beside the laundry hamper. He stripped down to his dark blue boxers and his white undershirt, folding his clothing neatly.

He knew that Nina probably wouldn't be pleased if he made a mess out of her room.

Chibs let out a content sigh as he slid into Nina's bed settling down against the pillows. She seemed to be the type that slept with a ton of pillows.

Her soft bed was heavenly compared to the lumpy futon back at his shitty apartment and the lumpy old bed in his bedroom at the clubhouse.

This was something he could defiantly grow accustomed to.

He smiled his eyes scanning Nina's body as she finally rentered the bedroom. She had changed into those tiny pj shorts she'd worn just the day before and a plain black henley shirt.

The rain earlier had made her hair all the more wild. She'd removed all her makeup and her jewelry. She looked even more gorgeous than she'd looked all dolled up in that cocktail dress and dark makeup.

This was the real her, Chibs realized. This was a part of herself she let no one else see; her in her purest form.

He was a little overwhelmed with how tiny she looked; though her body held the full curves of a woman, she still looked so young; her face bare, her curls framing her rounded face.

He silently promised himself that he would never allow the evils of his life to taint her. He would make sure that she retained that softness that he loved. He would do his best to protect her.

Nina bit her bottom lip her eyes running along his bare arms the ink on his skin. She let her mind linger on what lie underneath that undershirt.

She could remember his nude form so clearly; his strong muscles hidden under the bit of chunk he had, his tattoos, his firm backside, his thick member.

He was by far the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on. Every thing about him turned her on; even the things that shouldn't get her all hot and bothered; his intense eyes, his cute dimples, his smile that seemed to light up the room.

Nina smiled at these thoughts; he was her sexy man.

She settled into bed beside him a tiny bit astonished as he pulled her against him. She was surprised that she found herself so easily snuggling against him her head resting against his chest; safe and loved.

All the fears she'd been experiencing earlier faded from her mind as he held her. This felt so right. It was as though she should have been lying here secure and warm in his arms all along.

Nina could picture herself lying like this every single night by Chibs' side. She could imagine sleeping like this every night for the rest of her life; Sophie hopping into bed with them early in the morning Chibs and she both tickling the little girl after she'd awoken them from their slumber.

She could imagine their little girl lying in bed between them on stormy nights like this Chibs reading to her in his thick Scottish brogue. She imagined that Chibs would read Harry Potter and Charlotte's Web to Sophie and that Nina would find herself getting just as lost in the novels.

Nina smiled realizing that she could have this life with Chibs. This beautiful happy life was in her reach.

She refused to let her fears con her out of that life.

Chibs wrapped his arms tight around her knowing that no matter what he had to make sure she remained by his side.

Chibs wasn't going to allow Nina to push him away ever again. He had spent five years without both his lasses and he wasn't willing to let it happen again.

Nina was his and he would do whatever it took to ensure that never changed.

Chibs was the first to wake late the next morning. He blinked the sleep from his eyes frowning a bit too drowsy to comprehend where he was for a moment.

As his mind awoke and became sharp and aware of just what had happened the night before he felt a smile spread across his face.

He gazed down at Nina his smile growing wider as he realized that she was exactly where she'd been lying the night before when his eyes had finally closed. She was curled up against him her head resting against his chest her arm wrapped around him.

He let out a soft sigh his arm having fallen asleep long ago. He wiggled his fingers doing his best to wake it back up and regain sensation without disturbing Nina.

He let his eyes scan her bedroom as the sunlight drifted in through the light brown curtains.

He took in all the little details he'd been too tired to notice the night before; the black jewelry box sitting out on her dresser, the full length mirror hanging by the closet, a little clay dish sitting out on the dresser; Sophie's tiny handprint embedded into it, perfume bottles sitting out with a zebra print makeup case. There was a pink ink print of the Eiffel Tower hanging above the white wicker laundry basket

It was all quite feminine, but Chibs found that he didn't mind it.

Actually he could easily imagine his possessions fitting into the room perfectly; his old wooden dresser sitting parked by Nina's dresser, his metal Harley sign hanging up beside one of Nina's paintings, a picture of Kerrianne sitting out on the table beside his side of the bed, and pictures of Nina and he that he could take as soon as possible sitting out beside it.

He pushed this thought from his head knowing that he was getting ahead of himself. He had promised Nina that they would take their relationship slow.

He couldn't imagine himself moving in to Nina's apartment if they were taking this slow.

Chibs glanced over at Nina's alarm clock letting out a huff as he realized that it almost nine thirty. He had chapel at eleven.

Today was the day he was going to come clean to his brothers about Nina and Sophie; well the brothers that weren't locked up.

He knew that they would be shocked, but he refused to hold the truth in any longer.

Nina and Sophie were his lasses and he wanted everyone in his world to know.

He just prayed that his family within SAMCRO would accept his family with Nina and Sophie.

As much as Chibs wanted to shield Nina and Sophie from the Sons, he knew that this wasn't a reasonable option.

He knew that his world in SAMCRO was a violent chaotic one and as much as he would lvoe to protect Nina and their baby from it, he knew that this wasn't possible.

Nina and Sophie were safer being a part of his life in SAMCRO. His MC could protect them. As long as he and his brothers were around nothing would ever touch Nina nor Sophie.

He just hoped that Nina would let her guard down long enough to become a part of his family.

He knew that Nina already had issues with the MC; Gemma mainly.

Chibs hoped that Gemma would back off long enough for Nina to become acquainted with his brothers. He knew that the guys would adore Nina; they would like her smart mouth and her ability to stand up for herself.

Chibs knew that of course Nina would see the danger of the MC. He knew that he would have to make it clear to her that nothing would ever harm Sophie or she as long as he lived and breathed.

He was going to protect his lasses.

He was pulled out of his worries as Nina spoke up her voice drowsy. "What time is it?"

"Nine thirty three." He blurted out grinning as she snuggled against him letting out a yawn.

"I don't remember the last time I slept in this late." Nina admitted her eyes finally peeling open to peer up at him.

Chibs pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he spoke. "Are ya sayin our wee lass wakes ya up early?"

Nina smiled her hand tracing the reaper tattoo inked onto his left arm. "That's exactly what I'm saying. I blame your genes for it."

Chibs snorted chuckling at this comment. "That's not nice. Yer a cruel lass."

She smiled letting out a content sigh as he pressed another kiss to the top of her head. He inhaled the sweet lingering smell of her coconut scented shampoo and her lavender perfume.

He spoke up wanting to tell her about his plans today. "I'm tellin the lads in my club bout ya and Sophie today...if that's alrigh with ya."

Nina widened her eyes a little surprised that he was coming clean now. She had been hurt that he'd been keeping Sophie and she a secret.

Though she was pleased that he was telling everyone in his life the truth, she was still a little anxious what the men in his club would think of her.

She could imagine that it would be quite easy for them to see her as some sort of villain; the heartless bitch that had run off to Miami and kept Chibs' little girl from him for five years.

She felt her stomach roll as she spoke. "You don't think they'll judge me for...for the mistakes I've made right...I don't want them to think I'm some sort of jerk."

"Nah they won't think that hen. They're goin to love ya. I have a feelin they'll think yer as amazin as I do." Chibs assured her his heart sinking at her words.

He didn't like that she was beating herself up over their past. They had both made mistakes, and he would do anything to go back and fix it all.

He knew that there was no fixing it though; they'd made their beds and lied in them. Now they were reunited and if they wanted this to work they'd have to leave the past in the past where it belonged.

Nina raised an eyebrow changing the subject for a moment. "Hen? Are you comparing me to a chicken?"

Chibs burst out laughing at this comment. He took a deep breath struggling to quieten his giggles as he spoke up. "No course not Nina. Hen is a good thing. It's a Scottish thing love. I just means dear or love. It means I'm fond of ya. If ya don't like it I won't use it."

Nina frowned tempted to blurt out that Scots were odd. She was sure that Chibs wouldn't appreciate that observation though.

Now that she understood that her man wasn't just calling her a chicken, she could admit that she liked the pet name.

It was something unique; something no man had ever called her before.

"I like it. I'm hen and you're querido...darling." She said pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

He rolled her over on her back their kisses growing deeper. Though Chibs wanted to pluck the shirt over her head and press his lips to her skin he held back.

We have to go slow, he begrudgingly reminded himself. He smiled down at her her hazel eyes admiring how vibrant they really were against her tan skin and her dark hair.

He leaned down rubbing his nose against hers in an eskimo kiss as he spoke. "I like that. Mo muirnin."

She reached up smoothing his hair back not helping but to admire the hints of gray and silver in his dark locks.

"You'll be home in time for dinner?" She asked shocked that she was actually referring to her apartment as home.

She knew that this wasn't correct. Her apartment wasn't his home, not really.

She felt too amazing to correct herself though.

Chibs smiled at the word home. "Aye I will. I'll make ya and Soph that steak dinner I promised."

Nina nodded her head loving this idea. "I'll make myself a Mojito and buy you some beer and we can call it a date."

She allowed him to press his lips to her once again everything within her world seeming so right for the first time in so long.

Though she knew it wasn't possible she hoped that the good times would last forever.

Little did she know that heartache was coming to her soon, from the last place she would ever suspect.

Chibs felt like he was walking on air as he made his way into the clubhouse. He had reluctantly pulled himself from Nina's warm bed and her soft embrace and had gotten his ass over to the clubhouse for the chapel meeting.

Though the past few days had been so stressful Chibs felt as though he had something to cling to; a center.

Nina and Sophie were everything he needed to get through this hellish situation.

Chibs had a feeling that as long as he had both his hen and their little lass that everything would some how be okay.

He sunk into his spot at the table in chapel unable to stop himself from realizing how empty the reaper table was.

Only Opie, Piney, Kozik, and he sat around the table.

Chibs knew that it would be up to the four of them to keep this club above water until the rest of their brothers were free to come back home.

He knew that his world had become so much more stressful and it wasn't going to calm down anytime soon.

He waited to speak until Opie had finished updating everyone on the situation with their brothers in jail over in Stockton and the situation with the Russians. "I have somethin to talk to ya bout brothers, before we end this."

He took a deep breath as he took in his brothers staring at him in confusion. "Some of ya lads know Nina Franklin and er aunt Gabriella Diaz...they own Estrella's Tavern."

Piney nodded his head as he spoke. "Yeah they have good draft beer. And Gabriella always has my tequila on hand."

Chibs wasn't surprised to hear this. Estrella's Tavern was one of Piney's favorite haunts. He and his brothers had gotten calls many times from Gabriella begging them to come retrieve their drunken brother.

Chibs let out a heavy breath as he jumped into the truth. "Nina has a young daughter...Sophie. She's five years old. Her name is Sophie Telford."

He studied the wide eyed expressions of his brothers as they connected the dots and figured out the truth.

Chibs spoke again wanting to answer any questions before his brothers had a chance to utter them. "Sophie is mine...Didn't find out bout her till a few weeks ago. Nina and I had some issues in tha past. We're workin through them though. She an our girl mean tha world to me."

He paused clearing his throat as he spoke again. "I need ta know that if anythin ever happens to me that ya'll protect tha both of em...That I can count on ya to take care of my family if I can't be there. I need to know that they'll have yer protection and yer support."

Opie gave him a pat on the back quick to speak. "Of course man. We all have your back."

Chibs gave him a tight smile not surprised by this answer. He knew that he could always count on his brothers to be there for him.

He cleared his throat again as he spoke up. "I need ya to keep this quiet till I have a chance to talk to the rest of the lads over in Stockton. I'm goin to visit them as soon as I can and tell em the truth."

He let out a relieved sigh as all the men at the table agreed.

He made the quick decision to keep Gemma and Nina's big fight a secret. he wasn't sure if his brothers would admire Nina's gall or if they would be offended that Nina had lashed out.

And though Chibs was on his hen's team, he was pretty sure that most of his brothers would side with the Queen of SAMCRO.

He really didn't want his brothers to judge Nina unfairly. He wanted them to adore her and accept her as his old lady.

This could all work out Chibs reminded himself.

Perhaps Nina and Sophie could find a place in this world. He prayed that they could.

Nina was in a good mood through out the next day. The smile on her face was unbreakable as she fluttered around her apartment doing some serious cleaning on her day off.

The miserable date she'd had with Greg Murrier last night was so far from her mind.

She was beginning to realize that she was with the man whom she should have been with all along.

Everything in her life was coming together and she felt so amazing.

She was excited by the realization that Chibs, Sophie and she had a real chance to be a family now.

Yes there were certain aspect of Chibs' life that did frighten her and intimidate her; Gemma for one, and the MC, and Chibs' past with the IRA.

Nina knew though that all she had to do was look at Chibs and Sophie together and all those fears melted away.

She knew that despite all her anxieties that she was doing what was right; she was following her heart and loving Chibs.

She looked up from the kitchen counter she'd been scrubbing down with lemon scented cleaner as her front door opened to reveal a ecstatic Sophie and a tired looking Gabriella.

Nina frowned at the sight of her tia. Gabriella looked as though all her energy had been drained from her body; she seemed frail.

It was a frightening sight. After all Gabriella had always been so full of life. She was always so invigorated.

Nina could sense that something was horribly wrong with her aunt, she just couldn't put her finger on it.

She was pulled away from studying her weakened tia as Sophie spoke up her eyes searching the room. "Is Filip here?"

Nina smirked at this comment. The kid really did adore Chibs. "No Soph. He had to go to work today. He's going to come over for dinner though. He's making us a special dinner tonight."

Sophie grinned at this statement. She ran to her mother her tiny arms encircling one of Nina's legs as she spoke. "I love Filip. He's funny and he comes from Scotland where the castles are."

Nina felt her heart swoon at this statement. She ran a hand through Sophie's messy curls. "He loves you too babe."

Nina cringed as Sophie wiped her nose with her shirt sleeve before speaking up. "Maybe he can play Candyland with us. We played Candyland last night and I won."

Nina struggled not to giggle at this comment. She had never once in a million years thought that Chibs would play Candyland with Sophie.

She wished that she could have seen this; Chibs all badass in his kutte sat down at the dining room table with Sophie playing such a girly game.

"I bet we can talk him into that." Nina stated knowing that she was going to beg Chibs to do just that; just to see it for herself.

She shook her head as Sophie wiped her runny nose again on her pink shirt sleeve. "Use a tissue kiddo. Go to your room and change those clothes."

Gabriella was quick to speak as Sophie disappeared from the room. "So I take it you and that boy sorted it all out."

Nina twisted her lips trying not to chuckle at the notion of her tia calling Chibs a boy. "Yes we did...I'm sorry I exploded on you yesterday Tia. You were right...Greg Murrier was a jerk."

Nina paused her hand reaching up to toy with a strand of her curly hair. "Filip and I are trying to figure this out..,..we're just taking our time with eachother trying to get to know eachother."

Gabriella nodded her head thanking the lord for this. She had worried that Nina would take an eternity to figure out that Chibs really was the best man for her. "It's okay niña. That's good sweet girl. I just want you and Sophie to be happy."

Nina gave her aunt a small smile thankful that her tia wasn't throwing what a mistake Greg Murrier had been in her face. "We are tia. He makes me happy...even though parts of his life scare me."

Gabriella placed a gentle hand on her nieces shoulder frowning. She could guess what scared Nina; SAMCRO.

Gabriella rubbed Nina's shoulder as she spoke. "I know he's got a dark side to him baby. You make it clear to him that you won't tolerate it. You have to put your foot down with him on that. Sophie doesn't need to see that world."

Nina let out a sigh knowing that Gabriella was right. The MC wasn't a world for Sophie.

She felt her stomach drop as Gabriella spoke again needing to bring this up. "When are you going to tell the baby girl the truth about Filip?"

Nina bit the inside of her cheek as she spoke up being honest. "I have no idea...I know Filip and I need to do it soon. I just don't want to ruin things between Soph and him."

"You won't ruin a thing sweet girl. That man loves her and he's not going to stop loving her for even a second. Sophie will understand the truth as long as you explain it to her. It's okay for her to know that her momma and her poppa made some mistakes."

Nina let out a heavy breath hoping that Gabriella was right.

She frowned wanting so badly to ask her tia just what was wrong. She wanted to bring up how tired Gabriella looked.

She didn't have the chance though as Gabriella pulled away and spoke. "I have to go baby. I have a dentist appointment. You tell that boy that he better treat you and my sweet floracita right."

Nina smiled at this statement her mind drifting away from her fears about her aunt's appearance for a moment.

"I'll let him know." Nina remarked not quite sure who would win in a showdown between her tia and Chibs.

As tough as Chibs was Nina had a feeling that her Tia Gabriella could put him in his place real fast if she was pissed off enough.

Gabriella lost her smile as soon as she left her niece's apartment.

She wanted to tell Nina the truth about her failing health, but she knew that now wasn't the time.

She wanted to wait to reveal everything until Chibs was by Nina's side. Nina would need him there to comfort her, to stop Nina from running away from her pain.

She knew her niece enough to know that Nina was the type to runaway when she was scared or upset. She feared that the cancer would push Nina over the edge.

Gabriella was counting on Chibs keeping Nina stable; protecting her and supporting her the way a good man should.

Gabriella closed her eyes taking a deep ragged breath. It would be okay.

She just wished that she really believed that.

Reviews? Constructive Criticism?

This chapter was sort of a filler. Things will pick up more in the next chapter.

mi hombre maravilloso dulce = (Spanish) My sweet wonderful man

Mo muirnin = (Scottish Gaelic) My Darling

querido = (Spanish) Darling

Tia = (spanish) auntie

Floracita = (Spanish) little flower