Playlist

November Rain: Guns N Roses

Crazy Train: Ozzy Osbourne

Ride: Lana Del Rey

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the show Sons of Anarchy, and no money is being made from this story. I do however own all the original characters.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and messages! It really helps keep me writing, and II love all the constructive criticism.

Chapter Eight

In the end, we both agree there's no right way to ease into this. He and Leo need to meet and spend time with one another. My stomach feels like a battle site for the Civil War. Everything hinges on the two men in my life getting along. I want to stretch things out a few days. Opie isn't having it. I can't blame him. Seventeen years is long enough. Given the state I discovered him in, I find the initiative he's taking, encouraging.

"So tomorrow, then?" Opie asks He wipes his palms onto his jeans.

"Tomorrow," I say, hoping I sound surer than I feel. My heart pounds against my ribs. My brain comes up with a million reasons why this could turn into a disaster. For better or worse, we're now on this ride together. I close my eyes and say a small prayer this will work out.

"Shit," he says.

"You're telling me," I whisper. Silence stretches between us like salt water taffy on a hot summer's day.

"What do I say?" He asks.

"Whatever feel is right. There's no right or wrong. He's eager to hear about who you were, who you are, and what's been happening in your life."

"God I don't know the first thing about him, Jillian. I don't want to fuck this up. First impressions are important. God this is even worse than coming back home," Opie says, shifting his weight on the couch.

"You'll learn," I say struggling to assure him without lying. It will be awkward at first. "The two of you aren't worlds apart by any means. He's good with his hands, grounded, funny, and for the most part very chill."

"Yeah?" Opie turns to look at me, and I smile.

"Yes. We did good, Daddy," I say fulfilling one of my bucket list items, referring to him as the father of our child.

His lips twitch up. "I'll never get tired of that word."

The paternal pride visible on his face warms my heart. My heart swells. If I live for these little moments, I just might is the best thing you can do for Leo.

Never one for fancy, I break out the practical questions. "Are we going to stay here?" I ask.

"In the cabin? No, it's too far. I want you where I can have eyes on you."

"Should we be expecting trouble?"

"With us? Always. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. I won't lie, though. Right now, things are rocky."

"Niner's war rocky?" I ask, instantly apprehensive.

"Not yet. We're working real hard to prevent it. Lots of blood was shed that year. Right now I just want to make sure someone's around if you need anything."

"Shouldn't I be catering to you right now?" I ask narrowing my gaze to study him. He was good at keeping shit in until it exploded in an impressive display of destruction.

"No, it's past time I get back on my feet and deal with shit."

I can hear the determination in his voice.

"We need to set up some kind of schedule. I know you're excited about Leo, but I have jobs waiting for me back home, a nice apartment. I only have a week off for a family emergency, and I know the time will fly by."

"Whoa. You don't think I'm going to let you go back to Nevada with him, do you?" Opie asks.

My muscles tense. "You're damn straight I do."

"No fucking way. Who knows how long it'll be until I see him again."

"That's not fair, Harry."

"I don't give a shit, Jillian. What's left of my family is going to stay together. You had sixteen years with him all by yourself. It's our turn. We want him to know us too."

"This isn't about me being selfish. You don't even know how everyone will act. You think I'd leave my kid in an incredibly hostile environment.

"It doesn't matter. He's family. That makes him Samcro. Regardless of the initial reactions, they'll come around. I know Elle and Kenny will have a tough time accepting things at first. But they're good kids. They'll accept it and move forward. Dad already loves him. Those are the people that matter most to me."

"The club—

"Isn't the priority it used to be," he says quietly.

"You're upset and hurting right now, but I know you don't mean that. What do you want me to do uproot our entire lives?" I stand from the couch and pace the length of the room. My grip on control is slipping. Things are moving too fast.

"That's exactly what you're going to do Jillian. I'm smart enough to know the two of you are a package deal. He won't stay if you don't."

"How am I going to provide for him here? How will we live? Charming is a small town. What job is going to be available that'll make me enough money to continue the same lifestyle we're accustomed to? Cali ain't cheap."

"I will handle this. Hell, the club owes me. You'll be taken care of, both of you. "

I shake my head. Now way. "I'm not letting you do that."

"Why not? Didn't you come here for help?"

"No, I came here to let you know you have a son and try to give you a chance to bond and form a relationship. I don't need your money, Opie. I don't' want people thinking I came back for that."

His bitter laughter rings out in the empty cabin. "We both know they're going to think whatever the fuck they want anyway, Jilly."

I sigh. He's right. Small towns live for juicy gossip, and a love child with an African American mother is a tender morsel for them to sink their teeth into.

"You say you're tired? Then take a break, regroup, relax, be there with me while we figure this shit out." His eyes are pleading with me. They were always a weakness, those expressive orbs of his.

"Who's been keeping the kids, Op?" I ask, eager to change the direction of the conversation.

He rubs the back of his neck. "Mary and Dad."

"Oh, Jesus. How could you leave them with her?" I ask appalled. I didn't hate anyone, but that bitch came mighty close to being the first. I want to rush down from the cabin, snatch the up and carry them to safety. Surely that woman was a demon sent to tempt even saints.

"I wasn't thinking straight."

"No shit! After all the crap she's pulled over the years, who knows how's she's poisoning their minds?" I shake my head.

"Don't judge—

"I'm not. I'm concerned."

He hangs his head, and I instantly feel like shit. It's like I kicked a puppy. Remember everything he's gone through you idiot.

"Hey, I wasn't knocking you." I place my hand on his arm. " I can't begin to imagine what you've gone through. I just— I want us to make it right, for all of them. They're family, and that means we're in it together."

"You always understood that loyalty. Maybe that's why I'm not scared as fuck to do this. I know we can blend our families." His voice is thoughtful.

"It's going to be hard—

"I know but, I'm finally giving them something instead of taking. They're getting a new sibling more family. Something to add to their life when so much has been taken away."

For his sake I hope the two of them see it that way.

"So you meet Leo tomorrow and then we get them all together?" I ask tentatively.

"Yeah, I think so. Delaying it won't make anything easier, best to go all in at once."

I don't know if I agree, but he knows his children better than me. "Okay, so where are we staying."

"I think you should stay with me. We have a spare room—

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Opie."

"I do. You need a place to stay. I need help with them."

"I'm sure they won't welcome that," I say quietly.

"After Mary, they'll jump for joy."

I snicker. He makes it sound do easy.

"You trust me?"

I glance at him and tilt my head to the side. "I want to."

"Do this for me, at least for the week until we hash things out. If it doesn't work, we'll figure things out."

I fight the urge to run. "Okay."

Next chapter: Two worlds Collide. Are you ready?