Disclaimer: As always I am just a fan who likes to visit Kurt Sutter's playground now and then. Anything you recognize from SOA or the brilliant mind of K. Sutter does not belong to me I own nothing/make no profit. I do own any OC's that you do not recognize from the mind of K. Sutter.
Author's Note: I'm sure all of you have been following Season 5. All I can say is OH MY! First Tig's daughter and then Opie, I have to admit to being a bit of a fan-girl here. When I watched the 9/25/12 episode I was all teary eyed over Opie. Given the events of the current season, I guess I can say that I am officially AU (alternate universe) now.
Without further ado I give you: (6200+ words hope that makes up for taking so long to update)
Chapter 29
Clay allowed the silence to drag on as precious seconds ticked by "I'm waiting for an answer Abel?"
Abel struggled, what answers did his grandpa want? He still wasn't even sure what the hell the ol' man was yammering on about. There was no fucking way he would put his child in the hands of someone else to raise. His child would be born and raised a Teller – point blank. He would rain down hell itself on anyone man, woman, or child who tried to take his child away from him. What made these questions; his answers so damn important – and why now. Not to mention Abel still didn't understand what on God's little green earth SAMBEL had to do with any of this shit? "Grandpa…" Abel began with patience typically reserved for a small child; "I don't understand where you're going with any of this? First of all I've never been to Ireland. I've spoken to SAMBEL one time by phone. Second, there is no fucking way on God's green earth I would ever let any damned one else raise my child. This child is mine and I will raise them. My child is going to be born and raised a Teller. I will bring hell on earth to anyone who ever tries to say differently."
Clay chuckled, 'so much like his damned dad' he thought. "Dammit kid, you're too much like your fucking ol' man. You need a healthy reality check and mighty damn fast; before this path your following gets your damned ass killed."
Abel didn't like where this was going. He knew dad and Grandpa Clay seldom if ever saw eye to eye on any damn thing. Until now he had always managed to stir clear of their shit. He knew Clay wasn't really his granddad but he would never have the chance to get to know the infamous John Teller. He couldn't lie there was a part of him that was tempted to get up and leave the room. That part of him wanted this particular church over with as soon as possible. He needed to get back to those things that he saw as important to his current and future family and to that of SAMCRO. Still there was a larger part of him; a part of him he would never discuss with anyone, that was almost scared shitless by the sheer, raw, emotions passing across Clay's face right this second.
Shaking his head, Clay smirked. "You sit there so righteous in your 'no one's' going to raise my kid but me.' Think about this for a second; where the fuck would you be today if you didn't have Tara for a mom?" Clay watched the angry hurt cross his grandson's eyes. Jax and Tara hid nothing from Abel on that score; he knew all about Wendy Case. Their few "visits"; if one could call them that had been explosive. No as far as Abel was concerned Dr. Tara Knowles Teller was mom – end of story. "Well Abel answer the damned question where would you be without her? True she and your dad had one helluva of a past when she came back to town, but she didn't have to take on a kid that was not hers. To you she was a virtual stranger. Yet the way I look at she's saved your damned life more than once in twenty-one years don't you agree."
Slamming his hands down across the table Abel practically sneered at Clay. "Tara Teller is my mother; Wendy Case was just the fucking incubator and not a very damned good one at that. End of story!"
Holding his hands up in mock surrender Clay once more smirked at his oldest grandson. "No argument from me Abel; your right Tara is your mother. I simply questioned your thinking about 'strangers' and your kid – that's all." Checking his watch, Clay knew his time was running out. Soon Jax would come barging through the chapel doors demanding church resume. Clay had so much to say and not a lot of time to do; he could only pray (did anyone up there still listen to a crooked old out-law such as himself, he wondered.) that he would get through Abel's thick skull. "Think about this Abel, this child that you're so all gung-ho to protect; is a child between you and Maria. What happens if you stay with Amanda?"
Confused Abel shook his head – not entirely sure he followed the question. Clay continued to press on, "You're asking a lot of Amanda, is she strong enough? If the day comes and she has to choose between your child with Maria and your child with her – what decisions will she make?" Clay was not the heartless old bastard that many thought him to be. His marriage to Gemma had fallen to shit years ago. He spent so many years pitying Piney and his role within SAMCRO. These days he begrudgingly accepted that he and the late Piney Winston now had more in common that he would have ever imagined. Despite all that he truly loved his 'grandkids.' They gave Clay a sense of family – he wasn't sure he had ever truly known in his life. Whenever, possible – like now, he wasn't above knocking some good old fashion common sense into their thick Teller skulls."
Speaking quickly Clay sketched out for Abel his kidnapping and subsequent time in Belfast. He made Abel knew about the death of one damn fine prospect; while trying to protect him and his mother. He told his grandson, about the death and the mayhem that went into bringing him home. He also made damn sure he knew of his father's near decision to 'let him go for Abel's own greater good.' He didn't bombard the conversation with all of the details – the just highlights. He kept his words firm almost emotionless; as if he were recalling a weird little movie he had watched on TV the night before. He never took his eyes off of his grandson. He watched intently, hoping to see the moment when light dawned on his wayward grandson. He finished his little tale with this "Your dad has a tough rode to walk in this life. He is your dad and your club president. Both are hard roads to walk in this life, but don't you sit there on your smug young punk ass and ever question or doubt that he loves you and his family more than his own damned life. One last thing you should know grandson, you ever disrespect your dad like that again…" Calmly Clay lifted his hands from the table forcibly turning both open palms into tight fists. "Well let's just say that these old hands have enough left in them to take that cut your wearing and then well knock your punk know-it-all ass down a peg or two."
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As Clay and Abel sat behind closed doors, life outside the chapel continued on. Jax surveyed the barroom. Tara was standing at the bar laughing at something Chibbs and Bobby were telling her. Rachael was sitting at a small corner table with their heads together laughing over something Juice was animatedly going on about. The mother of his future grandchild was sitting at the bar with Philly; she reminded Jax of himself as she silently surveyed the room around here. Catching Tara's eye, Jax motioned for her join him at the table with Amanda and Rachael. Nodding her agreement, Tara stood from the bar excusing herself from Chibbs and Bobby she moved further down the bar. Coming to stop in front Maria and Philly she smiled warmly. "Hi Philly," she greeted the prospect with a small smile. Turning to face Maria head on she smiled warmly "I don't believe we've officially met. I'm Tara Teller Abel's mom."
Maria stood from the barstool a little unsure of herself. After the earlier altercation with Grandma Gemma, she had no reason to expect a warm reception from Momma Teller. Guardedly she glanced briefly over Tara's right shoulder. Some of the brothers had mentioned to Tara earlier that Gemma had made her 'queen bitch' impression with Maria earlier. Laughing with a hint of sarcasm Tara extended her hand "I'm not my mother-in-law!"
Maria smiled and returned the gesture "Maria Velez, Abel speaks very highly of you Dr. Teller."
The mere mention of her oldest son brought a warm and genuine smile to Tara's face. "Please it's Tara," nodding towards the table Tara asked "why don't you join me at the table we can talk; wait for the guys to handle their business."
Maria watched Tara wearily unsure of how to proceed. Honestly her only old lady experiences had been primarily with Gemma. Maria had been in Charming long enough to know the stories. Tara Knowles Teller was never just a crow eater to Jax. Maria could see Amanda sitting at the table; if she were honest she knew she would rather eat rusty nails than sit with that woman. Philly sat nearby listening to the two women. He knew how difficult this was for Maria. Her unborn child's grandmother was extending an olive branch yet that branch included the one person she perceived as the enemy right now. It was on the tip of Philly's tongue to encourage Maria to go with Tara; before he could speak, Maria nodded and moved across the room with Tara.
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Standing from the table, Clay headed for the door. Reaching for the door knob, he glanced over his shoulder at his uncharacteristically quiet grandson. "I'll buy you a couple of minutes, before your dad and guys come back inside." With those simple words he exited the chapel, silently closing the door behind him.
Abel sat silently at the table. His grandpa's words echoing in his head. Outside the chapel doors, the sounds of life continued on without him. Outside the silent chapel nothing matter; the echoes in his head were all consuming. Had his dad really drug himself and the club through such hell to rescue him? 'It must be true,' thought Abel with an almost bone deep weariness. Even grandpa Clay wouldn't lie about something like this. Abel wasn't some naïve sheltered young kid. He knew most of the club's past. He knew that his dad, grandpa, and the brothers/uncles had all been through their fair of shit storms, but for Abel this blew all the rest right out of the water. How come no one had ever told him this before? How did he get to be twenty-one years old and about to become a dad himself before anyone bothered to tell him this shit? His father drags the club half way around the world to 'rescue' him; only to contemplate given him up for 'adoption'. How could no one tell him?
The word adoption rang, strong, and clear through his mind. Grandpa had asked if he could give his child away if it meant a safer life for him or her. His gut instinct was to scream hell no. There was no place on earth his child would be safer than with him. On second thought though, he had to wonder if that were fair to his poor unborn child. Yes his father was trying to move the MC into safer more legal waters, but that was a long slow move. Could the mother charter ever truly go legit? Even if SAMCRO went legit there was still the long bloody history between SAMCRO and Maria's extended family. Would the two sides ever leave them in peace to raise their child? Rubbing his hand across the back of this neck he let his long fingers linger briefly across Amanda's design. 'Amanda' he thought longingly. Alone with only his thoughts for company; at least for the next few minutes anyway; Abel felt like a real bastard.
Twenty-one years old and already he was single handedly screwing up three lives – four if you count his unborn child. In the beginning he tried to convince himself that Maria was just a pleasant distraction. He saw her as a way to forget about SAMCRO. She filled the spaces Amanda's leaving left inside him. Some-where along the way he'd learned to care about her much more than he originally thought possible. He couldn't let her get hurt by this. He would see her safely through this.
What about Amanda? His mind screamed her name over and over again. Even if he lived to be hundred years old, Abel didn't think he would ever be able to adequately describe the feeling inside when he opened the door that day and saw her standing on mom and dad's front porch after so much time away. She was without any doubts ever his very best friend. There were things he could tell Amanda that he would go to his grave having never told another living breathing soul. Since the first day they met, he knew there was something special about her. As the image of her face crossed his mind he was reminded of some old country song he had heard once or twice. 'The things about me that don't make sense…make sense when I'm with you.' That pretty much summed up his relationship with Amanda in a nutshell. In her eyes he was just Abel. He wasn't Abel Teller – Jax Teller's son. He wasn't the crown prince of SAMCRO. He wasn't the screw up; about to be a parent with the 'wrong' girl. He was just a man she wanted to hold and be held by. Most days she could make him feel ten feet tall and bullet fucking proof with just the briefest touch or glance.
Pushing aside those thoughts for the moment; he thought about his dad. On one hand he was man enough to admit that his respect for the 'great' Jackson Teller had grown by leaps and bounds. One the other hand though, there was a part of him that wanted nothing more than to walk outside this chapel and kicking the holy hell out of his father the president. He knew first-hand just what the hell Abel was going through and yet he continued to ask him to be patient. He went half away around the world kicking ass to rescue Abel. Yet here he sat in Charming asking Abel to sit on his hands and wait. Abel couldn't relate the man his granddad described to the father/president asking him to be patient. Did Jax worry that Abel couldn't handle it? Did he think that he would crack under the pressure? Why was dear ol' dad asking him to sit on his hands patiently? Nothing made much sense to Abel at the moment. As he stood from the table his mind briefly wandered back to earlier today; the drive back from Oakland. He smiled as his daydreams of taking off for parts unknown with Amanda on the back of his bike flittered through his addled mind.
Opening the chapel door he saw his granddad sitting at the bar with Tig and Bobby. Stepping between the three men he wrapped his granddad in a brief but warm bear hug. "Thanks grandpa," he whispered with much love and respect. Patting his grandson once across the back, Clay simply nodded. Turning away from Clay and the other brothers, Abel's intense gaze sought out his dad; sitting across the room at a small table with mom, Rachael, Amanda, and Maria. He could see Rachael talking animatedly about something that happened at school earlier in the week. Everyone was patiently listening as she concluded her story about a food fight in the cafeteria. He was in awe of the patience and love evident all over Manda's face. He wondered if Rachael knew just how wrapped around her little finger Amanda was? Maria surprised him as well. Sitting at that table with his family; across from Amanda had to be tearing her up inside. Yet there she sat patiently listening to Rachael talk. Laughing and asking questions in all the right places. She was sincerely listening to Rachael; not because she had to but because she wanted too. He may have valid reasons to doubt his future, but he couldn't doubt the women in his life – not tonight any way. Moving towards the table, he made eye contact with his Uncle Opie and Chibs; giving them both a brief node. Abel loved all of his brothers/uncles, but there would always be something special about his Uncle Opie and Chibbs. He hoped his brief acknowledgement conveyed the deep respect he felt for both men. As he neared the table he came to stand behind his mother. Gently he rested both hands across Tara's shoulders, gently squeezing, before leaning down to brush a gentle kiss across her cheek "thank-you mom" was all he said.
Watching his oldest son, Jax slowly stood from the table – turning to face Abel head on. Although listening to his baby girl, Jax had been aware of Abel since he left the chapel a few minutes prior. He had watched as Abel spoke with Clay and acknowledged his brothers. Strangely he could not put a name to the emotions or lack there-of making their way across his son's face. It wasn't until his son approached the table that he noted while his face may be a relatively blank slate his eyes were another story. His stormy blue gray eyes were full of conflict. He noted the way his son took in all of the women at the table; not just his mother or sister. Jax never doubted the pure love and devotion Abel felt for his mother and sister. It was the love and affection he saw brewing in his son for both Amanda and Maria that took him a little aback. As he faced his oldest child, he wondered what Clay had said to the younger man. As a father he could deal with a little rebelliousness. Hell as a young-man he had certainly put his mom and Clay through the ringer a time or two. As president of the mother charter though he and Abel needed to reach some sort of understanding and fast. This rebelliousness was not good for them or the club. Son or not this kind of conflict would eat away as the club; leaving the vulnerable to whatever shit storm was brewing out there – just waiting for the time to strike.
Moving to stand directly in front of his father, Abel was swamped with conflicting thoughts. He knew for the good of everyone involved he needed to bury this for now, but a part of him still wanted to knock his dear ol' dad flat on his ass. Pushing down the urge…he stuck out his right hand in a show of respect. Jax looked at his son's outstretched hand for a long beat before looking into his eyes. After another long uncomfortable moment, Jax took his son's hand and pulled him close for a tight hug.
Abel was uncomfortable at first, struggling with his inner conflict. A hug was not what he expected or was even sure he wanted. Just then he caught his mother's eye. The pure love written on her face for both of them was enough to force him to go with it. There would be another time – other days to deal with his daddy drama bullshit. As some of the tension left the room, the brothers of SAMCRO one and all filed boisterously back into the chapel to finish the church that had started nearly an hour ago now.
Tara watched over her shoulder as the chapel door was quietly shut. When Jax and the others exited the chapel earlier she was concerned. Over the years Jax and Clay, for the sake of the club, had somehow "buried the hatchet" so to speak; that didn't mean she ever had to trust him. Like the others, she was clueless as to what Clay had told her son. SAMCRO lived just as deep in her son as it did her husband, much too great pride and regret. He would never willingly turn his back on his brothers. She just prayed that whatever wisdom Clay imparted didn't further fracture her son's already tenuous relationship with his dad. As her attention returned to the table she wasn't surprised to hear her daughter still regaling both young women with tales of fourth grade. What did surprise her was how attentively both women were listening to Rachael. The strong sisterly relationship between Amanda and Rachael always pleased her. It was Maria that caught her a little off guard. She didn't know the younger woman well at all. Until the pregnancy came about she didn't even realize that her son was dating this woman. If her attentiveness with Rachael was any indication – Tara had one less worry about the kind of mother who would be raising her first grand-child.
Although there were several moments of tense silence; the unlikely foursome were still sitting together at the same table forty-five minutes later. Rachael left the table – headed for the kitchen in search of something cold to drink. Without turning to look, Tara knew the second the chapel doors opened; as she and the two younger women both turned to watch the men exit church. Tara was relieved to see the doors open and the brothers spilling out. She watched as Bobby, Juice, Tig, and the others exited the chapel each making their way into the barroom, the kitchen, or various other parts of the clubhouse. Looking over her right shoulder she continued to watch for her husband and son to exit the chapel. As she watched, Jax exited with Abel and Clay all three seemed to be in somewhat deep conversation. Watching the scene before unfold, a most unwelcome shiver made its way up and down her spine. Even after all these years, Clay more than most any other enemy of SAMCRO had the ability to make her worry. A fact that she had spent years hating and struggling in vain to overcome. The sound of her daughter's laughter coming from the kitchen drew her attention. Over the rising din of the barroom, she could just make out the sounds of Juice and Bobby teasing her daughter about goodness knows what just inside the kitchen. Turning to face the table once more, Tara debated the wisdom of leaving the women alone while she headed into the kitchen. As she turned to listen to something Amanda was saying about Rachael; Chucky joins them at the table. Although not an official member of SAMCRO – more like the club mascot; Chucky found a way to worm himself into Tara's heart just as the other brothers have. Despite the fact that she is surprisingly enjoying the awkward conversation between her and the two younger women; she is somewhat glad for Chuckey's presence at the table. As the conversation near the door breaks up, Clay moves off heading towards the garage. Tara watches as her husband moves in that easy fluid motion towards her; a motion that she will never tire of watching.
Approaching the table Jax stands behind Tara resting his hands comfortably on her shoulders. Placing her hands atop his as if to anchor him to her; Tara smiles as Jax leans in with a soft, sweet, feathery kiss to her right cheek. Looking around the table "Where's Rachael?" questions a curious Jax.
Laughing Tara squeezes his hands "She went off to the kitchen in search of something to drink. I thought I overheard Bobby in there with her just a few minutes ago."
Shaking his head ruefully "Well dear 'wife,' I think we've accomplished all were going to here tonight. Whatta ya say we collect our darling daughter and head home?"
Smiling broadly for the world to see, Tara squeezed his hands once more "Well 'husband' I think that's a great idea. Do you want to collect our daughter or should I?"
Shaking his head, Jax released her shoulders "I will" he commented before turning away from Tara and the girls. The barroom was already beginning to fill with the random crow-eater here and there. There was time when he looked forward to the end of church; knowing that crow-eaters of every shape, size, and color would be waiting just outside the chapel doors to make his night complete. These days he was glad to be going home with his wife and kids. Hurrying towards the kitchen he went in search of Rachael. She was his baby girl, a sheltered SAMCRO princess if you would. He wanted her and Tara out of the clubhouse long before Tig found a crow-eater to play with for the evening. Sure Jax knew that his little girl was probably a little too sheltered, and should probably be exposed to a little more. Like he told Tara, he had no problems in exposing Rachael to the better sides of club life. The better sides did not include what her 'uncle' Tiggy considered play-time with a crow-eater.
Turning her attention once more back to the table, Tara instantly notices Maria gazing off across the room. Certain she knows what has caught the younger woman's eye; she follows Maria's gaze right to Abel. Tara smiled brief, small, and sad. Abel was still standing near the chapel doors – talking to Chibbs this time – while surveying the room. Tara watched Maria for a few seconds longer. She wondered if the other woman had any idea just how telling her gaze was. Tara could instantly see the longing, love, and of course the pain and confusion painted across her big brown eyes. Suddenly feeling as though she were interrupting an intimate moment, Tara turned away from the watching Maria. Focusing her attention on Chucky and Amanda, she was a little taken aback to find Amanda watching Maria as well. Tara first met Amanda when she was about fourteen; it was a clear then as it now. Amanda Stevens was in love with Abel Teller. Watching Amanda and Abel together reminded Tara a lot of her and Jax back in the day. The young couple had a long rough road ahead of them. Every fiber in her being wanted to help the young couple in any way she could; but she wasn't Gemma. Sure she would offer advice where she could, she would listen when asked, but ultimately she would have to leave the big decisions up to them.
Quietly, Tara studied Amanda as the other woman quietly studied Maria. Tara watched as Amanda's gaze shifted back and forth between Abel and Maria. Anyone with half a brain could see the love shining in Amanda's eyes for Abel. Amanda loved and wanted Abel very much – that was painfully obvious to anyone paying attention. As she watched, Maria absently rubbed her hand across her abdomen; her pregnancy growing more visibly apparent every day. As Maria's had rested protectively against her burgeoning abdomen; it was then that Tara noted the heartache and confusion marring Amanda's eyes. Yes Amanda wanted Abel, but Tara knew that the other woman was suddenly calculating the cost of making him hers. Tara knew she needed to say something – try and ease the sudden tension crowded the small table – what that something was she didn't know. Opening her mouth to speak, Jax and Rachael appeared at her right. Rachael smiling like the cat that just swallowed the canary; while sipping on a soda she's swiped from the kitchen.
"Ready to get out of her darlin'" Jax asked lovingly.
Standing from the table, Tara nodded yes as she collected her bag from the back of the chair. As anxious as she was to go home and spend some quiet time with her family; Tara was reluctant to leave the two other women alone. Her right hand stilled across the back of the chair; as Chucky laid his somewhat creepy artificial fingers across hers. A silent moment passed between the two and Tara knew that she was leaving the others in Chucky's capable if somewhat creepy hands. Tara smiled, turning to her family she wished the girls good-night, watched as Rachael hugged them both (an act that seemed to shake Maria more than she would probably like to admit, Tara noted). Herding Rachael to the door was no easy task, but one Tara and Jax seemed to enjoy none the less.
Watching the first family of SAMCRO make their way outside; Chucky tried to focus his attention on the remaining two women at the table. "Chucky," Amanda began patiently "would you mind giving me and Maria a minute alone?"
Chucky cautiously eyed each woman. He would never be a true pistol packing member of SAMCRO, but this motley bunch was still his family; they were home. Regardless of feuding, fighting, rival clubs, or family drama bullshit there was nowhere else Chucky wanted to be. Abel was as protective of those he cared about as his father. There was no doubt that he would gleefully take the balls of any man who allowed harm to befall either of these women. Chucky had no desire to be that man.
Maria figured sooner or later she and Amanda would need to talk – clear the air so to speak. Maria really wasn't in the mood tonight to deal with the other woman and her crap. However, there was a small part of her that was battling back a killer curiosity. "Chucky," she began patiently drawing the strange man's full attention "look around were sitting in the middle of SAMCRO's clubhouse – what could possible happen here?"
"Ha" Chucky smirked inwardly. "She obviously has no clue," thought Chucky absently. Chucky allowed his gaze to wander the clubhouse. He knew the ticking time bomb SAMCRO could become any given second of the day. "Still" he debated internally "with a clubhouse full of brothers – how much trouble could two little ol' women cause?' Stepping away from the table Chucky smiled "I'll be over at the bar – if you…" he let the words trail off.
Silence rained across the table as both women watched Chucky cautiously moving towards the bar. As he took a seat, neither missed the nervous eye he kept trained on their table. Their attention quickly returned to each other and Abel.
Maria laughed, tilting her head vaguely towards the bar "psycho boy is worried were going to kill each other." Tossing a brief glance towards the bar, Amanda nodded "so he does," she agreed with a half-ass smirk. Silence quickly returned to the small table. Both women sat quietly watching not only one another, but Abel
"Why did you come back to Charming? Why didn't you just stay in Tacoma or wherever the hell you were?" questioned Maria without ever once taking her eyes off Abel.
Amanda thought about all that had happened since she left Charming years ago. Life in Charming this time around flashed quickly through her mind. The events, thoughts, and feelings that drove her home echoed at a deafeningly level in her head. Her thoughts were own; far too personal to share with anyone especially Maria. She could feel Maria's expectant eyes watching her – waiting for an answer. "Abel – Charming this is my home…this is where I belong."
"Your home…Your home" Maria scoffed "If this…" she gestured around the room. "If Abel…" she indicated with a wild tilt of the head "if all of this is your home…why did you walk away in the first damn place?"
Amanda watched Maria warily. This woman was her only competition for Abel; she was also the mother of his unborn child. As she contemplated all the things Maria was or would be it hit like a ton of bricks between the eyes; Maria really truly loved Abel. The realization left her struggling for the right words. Sure she and Maria where in the same boat; they both loved Abel Teller – that didn't make them best friends forever. "I don't need to explain my decisions to you, Maria" Amanda replied with more confidence than she truly felt inside.
"No of course you don't…" murmured Maria with intense calm. "I mean who am I to you?" Maria watched Amanda for a long beat, her gaze intense, hands folded calmly across her "I'm not as naïve as many think. I know why Abel came to me in the first place."
Confused Amanda shook her head, "I'm not sure I'm following you."
"It's not rocket science Amanda. When Abel and I met he was searching for something…maybe someone…" Loosing herself to memories, Maria's expression turned almost sad and immensely bittersweet. "He was lost…" she murmured more to herself than out loud. Shaking herself off of memory lane, she continued, "he may have come too lost in beginning…but in the end we made each other happy. If you had stayed gone just a little bit longer, you would have come home to completely different situation."
The jealous hit Amanda hard and swift. She hated the idea that she caused any part of Abel to feel lost or searching. She hated the idea that he found happiness in the arms of another woman even more. Abel Teller was no saint; Amanda knew that the first time they met. At almost fifteen years old, he was enjoying women nearly twice his age. She's the one who made the decision to leave; she was the one who would have to stand by her choices and whatever consequences those choices left her with. It was on the tip of her tongue to spill her jealous rage all over Maria. She even opened her mouth to do just that; before maintaining her silence once more; she would not make an ass of herself here in the clubhouse. She would not give Maria the pleasure of knowing just how deep under her skin she had gotten.
Her gaze seeking out Abel, Amanda found him standing beside the main exit talking with Jax, Tara, and Rachael. She turned to Maria unclear what to say next; before she could force any words past her now cold lips, everyone in the clubhouse heard the multiple cars pull into the lot.
From the bar, Philly whistled loudly – drawing the club's attention. "Jax man…" he began as he watched the security monitors above the bar. "Jax, man; looks like we've company in the lot." Philly's words came mere seconds after Rachael and walked just outside the door to the picnic table to wait for her parents. Jax and Tara both looked at each other with concern; both murmuring Rachael in unison as they hurriedly exited the clubhouse.
Philly's words drew the attention of every person in the clubhouse. Most people did not pay social calls to the SAMCRO clubhouse. As the brothers exited the clubhouse behind their president; Abel turned to the back table "Stay here!" he told Maria and Amanda.
As he came to stand on his mother's right, Abel prayed his simple words were enough to keep Maria and Amanda inside. Watching those around him, he noted the way his father stood protectively beside his mother; how both of them were watching Rachael. SAMCRO didn't specialize in surprise guest. In this line of work, it paid to be cautious.
Both cars parked near the clubhouse entrance. Several large well-dressed men of obvious Mexican decent exited from the vehicles. Abel felt his inside clinch tightly 'well damn' he thought 'this day just keeps better and better – what the fuck?' One man stood away from the pack; an obvious leader or speaker for the group, maybe.
Approaching Jax directly, the man spoke as he extended his hand in greeting. "Jax Teller I presume. It's nice to finally meet you face to face."
'Brains before bullets,' thought Jax fleetingly as he took the road to civility and shook the other man's hand "I am" he replied "and you are?"
The other man laughed a brief, yet no less icy for its brevity, chuckle "Forgive me" he implored "I am Romario Velez. Given our current circumstances I thought it would best if we meet. After all your son appears to know my baby sister Maria quite intimately."
Inside the clubhouse, Maria and Amanda stood in the door way listening to exchange outside. Both understood that Abel's sharp demand to stay inside was for their own safety; yet they both needed to know what was going on – make sure that Abel was safe. Maria was surprised when she heard her brother speak. "Romario," she whispered with surprised glee as she quickly exited the clubhouse. Amanda watched as Maria ran from the doorway straight towards the tall well-dressed Mexican gentleman. Exited the clubhouse behind her, Amanda made her over to stand between Rachael and Abel. As she watched Maria make her way stand at the man's right – she realized this was the same man she and Rachael had run into earlier at Floyd's. Not one to believe in coincidences she nervously chewed her lower lip.
Seeing his baby sister approach, Romario smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Kissing her temple he murmured warm greetings. Turning to face SAMCRO once more, he smiled, a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. With false amusement and good nature he continued "I wanted a chance to meet the father of my first nephew."
Casting a no worries glance to Tara, Rachael, and Amanda – Abel stepped forward. "I'm Abel Teller."
"So" Romario replied "you're the lil shit who knocked up my sister?"
As always I would like to send HUGE thank you's to everyone who has read….reviewed….favorited…or followed. Special thanks go out to LonePalm and ae1102 for helping me reaching a milestone 140 reviews and then go beyond that. Thank you Alikatt31, Shirley Smedra, Jodstar80, Shanell313, drw1987, RC, and, Tianimayteller. And to the anonymous Guest review, please know that you're not the only one who is in favor of Maria – I hope that you continue to read and review.
Personal Author's Note: I want to take a minute and give a couple of special shout outs here. First thank you to RC, you sweet pea are like my beta, muse, little voice inside my head all rolled into one. There are literally days where I don't know where this little tale would be without you. Second to drw1987, your work is inspiring. To all of you out there, if you haven't already you should definitely check out the SOA work by drw1987. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Finally to LonePalm, as always dear thank you for just simply "getting-it"