Sin for a Sin

Jax didn't even know how he managed to remember to breath or even stand of his own accord when the old couple walked out pushing the infant in the stroller. It could have been their grandchild, their niece or nephew hell they could have stolen the kid from the local supermarket but Jax didn't need to see inside the stroller to know that kid was his

What he didn't know was what the fuck Lenny-Ray Sawyer was playing at running away pregnant with his kid and thinking he would never find out. He had a right to know. He had a right to be there from the start. He had a right to make up for the mistakes he'd made with Abel and Lenny had robbed him of any chances of that.

Closing the distance he noticed the way Lenny had moved to stand between him and the stroller as he found his legs carrying him over . Out the corner of his eye he saw his mother forcibly hold Lenny by the arm so she couldn't stop him from reaching into stroller, his eyes pleaded with the older couple not to stop him. He needed to see his child, see how much he had missed , how much he had to catch up. Ignoring the slanging match that was going on between Gemma and Lenny he gently lifted the blonde beauty from her pram and cradled her close. As she stirred in protest at the raised voices Jax caught sight of her ocean blue eyes and that threw out any doubt that this child wasn't his. Grinning like a prize fool he couldn't l believe this beautiful, angelic little cherub of a girl was anything to do with him. She was so perfect. He stroked her chubby face with his forefinger when she grabbed at it clutching his finger in her tiny little hand. The world around him faded into nothingness, the only thing that mattered was this angel in his arms. A single tear trickled down Jax's cheek as settled the babe down in the stroller so she could continue her slumber, turning to sort of the argument between his mother and Lenny he smiled his thanks to the women who was only too keen to get back inside.

"... Lying whore," was the first and last thing Jax heard from his mothers mouth as Clay was holding her back from Lenny who was being held in place by Opie.

"Enough," his voice echoed in the small surround scaring both women in silence. "Clay, take Gemma and the guys, We need some space," Jax motioned to Lenny who turned away looking sorrowful at her Uncle Bobby as he led the guys away. Bobby was smart enough to leave Clay to deal with Gemma but apparently Gemma had other ideas as she strode in Jax's direction.

"Baby, we are not leaving without your kid. She is not getting away with this," Gemma motioned to Lenny, every word was laced with venom which just made Lenny laugh as she shook her head.

"Just go" Jax ordered.

The silence left behind was deafening, neither could speak or look at the other. It was like an awkward teenage first date, the air was rife with tension but no one wanted to speak first.

Lenny was biting at her lip whilst her eyes searched the yard for any distraction, she had found herself sitting on a picnic bench watching Jax wear a hole in the pavement as he paced an almost perfect line back and forth. In the later years she had noticed Jax had learnt to hide any emotion from his face and mannerisms but right now she was watching the younger Jax Teller she had fallen in love with , uncertain of himself and without a plan of action. Seeing him like this made Lenny hopeful as it meant the man she loved was still in there somewhere.

"Why?" It was a barely a whisper, if Lenny had been in a deeper daydream then she wouldn't have even heard it. As she glanced up at Jax she was able to see his eyes were close to tears, much like her own.

She considered the million reasons she had devoted endless hours going over and over since she left, Lenny had practically convinced herself she had done the right thing but now with Jax stood in front of her she couldn't be more uncertain.

Pushing the bile that was rising down in her throat Lenny wiped her sweating palms on the denim clinging to her legs, " I had no clue I was expecting when I left, Jackson,"

That was it, the match had been struck and now the fire would burn freely, taking any victims it saw fit.

"But when you found out?" Jax was trying to calm himself now, he had never hated someone as much as he loved them before, not like he hated Lenny right now. "The reason you didn't call then? What the hell gave you the right to keep my flesh and blood from me,"

" It was never about keeping Erin from you!" Lenny didn't falter in her words as she noticed the look in his eyes at hearing his daughters name.

"I just wanted to protect her from from the club, what the club made you, from your damn mother!" Suddenly a years worth of rage was being fuelled by the flames backing Lenny into a corner.

"It was never about hurting you or punishing you, it was always about what was best for Erin! And seeing her Mummy crying herself to sleep at night after Daddy had spent the night with one of his many whores was not in my parenting plan. We were stuck in a contest of who could care less, Jax and it was destroying us. I didn't want to hate you anymore," Lenny sobbed as she spoke the truth. She had thought these things but never said them aloud.

Jax stood gritting his teeth, he didn't know where to go with this now, no one ever defied him so blatantly as Lenny did. Could he really punish the mother of his child , the love of his life , for doing what was best by their child.

Before he had time enough to fully consider how mad he was Sally meekly stuck her head around the door and summoned Lenny as Erin was fussing. Jax could see Lenny was torn between leaving, they had a lot to discuss, but he could tell her priorities had drastically changed. Even though she longed to stay and talk things through she had a baby that needed her. Their baby needed her mother and Jax felt his heart swell at that thought and then he considered his baby girl would need her Daddy too and he couldn't help the goofy grin.

Jax went down to the bar where the Aquila entertained guests, his guys had made good use of the pool table and beer on tap. It was hardly the Sons club house but it was obvious that this MC was more a hobby than a source of Income for the old guy pushing the stroller.

It took seconds before Gemma rushed over to her son leaving Clay to follow with Bobby.

"So what'd Saint Sawyer have to say for her self?" Gemma planted her hand on her hip as she stood over Jax who had fallen into the nearest chair suddenly exhausted and without enough patience to put up with his mothers snide comments.

"The kid?" Clay was chomping away at his usual cigar as his mind was going over the implications this kid could have on his VP and club.

" mine," Jax nodded as he settled his elbows on his knees propping his head up. "Erin," he smiled.

"How long was Lenny gonna hide out before telling you?" Gemma asked but was quickly shut down by Bobbys glare. He couldn't stand by and listen to his family bad mouth his Niece anymore.

"Lenny's been here alone for months with the Kid. Probably wishing things were different. She's been punished enough," Bobby looked around at his brothers waiting for one of them to dare disagree with him.

Gemma reluctantly backed out with Clays guidance leaving Jax and Bobby to talk in private.

"You both gotta make good on this now Jax, there's an innocent involved. A baby who had no say in the way they came into this world, you and Lenny can't punish Erin for each other's fuck ups anymore," Bobby sat and messed with empty glass as a distraction, he wasn't the best person to be giving parenting advice but each of the Sons would do the same. They didn't want the next generation to repeat their mistakes. And Bobby certainly didn't want his niece and great niece being fucked around anymore. "It's time to step up, Son"

With a slap to the back Jax was left alone to actually digest the day's events, he had expected to find Lenny but had given no thought to his kid being here too.

Slamming back a shot left by Opie he contemplated how was best to move forward from where they were at.