Chibs pulled his dyna into the parking lot of TM the street lights shining down on him as he navigated through the dark. He, Juice, and Half Sack had spent all day following Tig back and forth from the brand new gun warehouse outside of town readying it for a new shipment.
The new gun warehouse was tiny and rough looking, but it was far enough outside of Charming city limits and Charming police jurisdiction to work for the Sons.
With Bobby still in Lake Tahoe and Opie still incarcerated some extra work had fallen back on the sons who remained in Charming.
For Chibs all the extra work was a welcome distraction from what was to take place tomorrow evening. The welcome home dinner Gemma was throwing for Bobby filled Chibs with anxieties.
He knew well enough to be aware that things were tense between Gemma and his old lady. Gemma had issues with Clara from the second she'd stepped foot in Charming.
Gemma saw Clara as an outsider. Tammy Munson had never allowed Clara to get close to the Queen of Samcro when she was a child, and now it seemed that this action was making things difficult for her daughter now.
Chibs knew that his relationship with Clara had only made her more of a target for Gemma. Gemma was protective of her boys.
For the most part Chibs had been trying to stand back and let Clara handle it all. He knew that Clara was perfectly capable of handling herself. He knew that Clara was the type of woman that didn't need her boyfriend to fight her battles.
Still though, the tension between his old lady and Gemma did trouble Chibs. He wanted there to be peace between the two women.
He was sure that if Gemma would just back off for one second and get to know Clara then she would probably at least learn to like something about her. And he knew that Clara would probably admire some of Gemma's qualities her backbone, her confidence, and her love for her family.
It seemed to Chibs that the two women had more in common than they'd like to admit, at least when it came to their love for their families. They were both quite protective of their loved ones.
Gemma's sudden hospitable behavior made Chibs nervous. He knew Gemma well enough to know that she wasn't the type to just let bygones be bygones. The Queen of SAMCRO held on to her grudges. And right now she had a grudge against Clara Munson.
Chibs ignored his brothers and the prospect as they drifted off towards the Friday night party still raging on in the clubhouse.
Chibs ignored his desires for a shot of Jameson as he felt his eyes drift off towards the office at TM. He let out a heavy sigh as he realized the lights were still on inside and Gemma's Cadillac was parked out front.
He ignored the voice in his head telling to just stand back and let Gemma and Clara handle their differences, as he drifted off towards TM.
Chibs did his best to give Gemma a calm smile as he rapped his knuckles against the doorframe entering the office.
Gemma peered up from her desk giving the sleepy looking Scot a friendly smile. "Hey sweetheart."
"Still workin mom?" He replied knowing that she both loved and hated it when he or any of the other guys called her mom. After all she was only ten years older than Chibs.
Gemma nodded her head as she focused down on the stack of bills in front of her. "Yeah can't sleep. This shit with Jax and Wendy is keeping me up."
Chibs nodded his head knowing that things between Jax and his soon to be ex wife Wendy had been beyond tense and it had only gotten more complicated once Wendy had announced that she was carrying Jax's first born child.
Chibs sat down on the sofa unsure of how to proceed from here. Did he just jump right into his concerns or did he ease into things?
All he was sure of was that he wanted to express his wish for the two women in his life to come to some sort of compromise.
After making love to Clara a few nights ago he was more sure than ever of his feeling for her. He loved the woman and he hoped that she wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.
He prayed that once he found a way to prove himself to Bobby, that Clara and he could find a way to make their relationship work despite everything that seemed to be working against them.
Clara was his old lady. He just wanted her to find a way to ease into his world. He wanted both parts of his life to find a peaceful union.
He knew that he needed to find a tactful way to express this all to Gemma.
He knew that he had to tread carefully. The last thing he wanted was to make things more tense and toxic between Clara and Gemma.
Chibs cleared his throat his palms beginning to sweat and become clammy as he struggled to find the right words. He wiped his damp palms on his jeans as he spoke up deciding to just blurt out exactly what he was thinking. "Why'd ya invite Clara to dinner tomorrow night?"
"Bobby is her uncle." Gemma replied her voice showing no sign of how she really felt about the woman.
She glanced up at Chibs her brow raising as Chibs spoke up still believing that blunt was the way to go. "Ya don't like er though. Things have been tense between ya two."
Chibs didn't give Gemma a chance to respond to this as he spoke again a lump developing in the back of his throat. "She means a lot ta me Gem."
"I just worry about you honey. You know I want the best for you." Gemma remarked a frown developing along her face as she placed her palms out in front of her.
"I know ya do. Ya aint gotta worry bout me though Gemma. I'm a big boy." Chibs pointed out praying to god that he wasn't just making this all so much worse.
The last thing he wanted to do was antagonize Gemma or Clara. He knew he was walking a thin line when it came to dealing with the two women.
Gemma shook her head her eyes narrowing as she spoke. "She's young Chibs. And she's been away for so long. Her mother never did allow her to bond with any of us...not really."
Chibs let out a sigh not surprised that Gemma was bringing her issues with Tammy Munson up. "Aye, but Clara's not her ma. The guys love her and she loves em. Clara aint that young Gemma. She's a grown woman."
Gemma frowned a little irritated that Chibs wasn't seeing things her way. She spoke up deciding to point out the obvious. "You're a married man Chibs. What's going to happen when Clara expects a ring? How are you going to break it to her that there'll be no wedding? Trust me sweetheart, that kind of thing can break a girl's heart."
Chibs felt his stomach turn in on itself as he took in Gemma's words. He knew she had a point.
He was still legally married to Fiona and there was no way of ever changing that, not while Jimmy O' was still living and breathing. It wasn't as though he could just call up Fiona and ask for a divorce. Jimmy would never allow the two to speak, even for that.
It was a complicated issue; a complicated issue that hadn't even been discussed with Clara.
What would happen when she started to expect more from their relationship? Did she want to get married someday? Didn't most women want to get married and have a big white wedding?
How would he ever even begin to explain to Clara that he could never give her that? He could never make Miss. Clara Munson into Mrs. Clara Telford
Christ it really would break her heart wouldn't it?
Gemma spoke again spotting the emotions flashing through Chibs' eyes. "I'm just thinking about what's best for the both of you honey. You know Bobby loves that niece of his. It would destroy him if her heart ever got broken like that. Do you think he'd just step back and not do anything if he knew you were the one responsible for Clara's broken heart?"
She paused her eyes narrowing even more. "I know you love Bobby. You wouldn't want to hurt that brotherhood. He would never forgive you if you hurt his niece."
Chibs shook his head trying to shake away all these doubts Gemma had implanted into his mind.
"That's my business Gemma. Jus...don't do whatever it is ya might be plannin. Clara means tha world ta me. She makes me happier than I've been in so long. Jus let me have this. Please Gemma let me have this." Chibs blurted out his voice tense.
He stood up from the sofa trying as hard as he could to ignore the fact that Gemma had a point.
Chibs couldn't bear to do what it seemed that Gemma was suggesting. He couldn't let go of Clara.
Clara had his heart. Letting go of her would be letting go of his heart.
Gemma spoke up the frown on her face deepening as she realized that Chibs wasn't going to listen to her reasoning. "Just be careful Chibs. You know I just want what's best for you. Just think about it. Just..."
"Aye I know Gemma. I know ya care...but this is my life Gemma. I love Clara...I can't jus stop lovin er." Chibs replied cutting her off before she had the chance to make him feel any worse.
He turned to leave the office so tempted to go back to the clubhouse and drink himself stupid.
He ignored his need for a bottle of Jameson as he walked over to his dyna.
He knew that what Gemma had said was true. He was running a huge risk of hurting Clara.
Chibs refused to let Gemma's words taint what he had with Clara though.
Clara was the best thing that had happened to him in such a long time. He wanted her no matter the risk.
He hopped on his dyna pulling out of the parking lot wanting to put as much distance as he could between Gemma and his mind as possible.
Clara had his heart and Chibs wasn't throwing what they had away.
Gemma might be right, but he would rather have had Clara and years of happiness together before he lost her than have lost her before he ever got to experience how wonderful things could be between them.
Chibs wasted no time making his way to Clara's apartment after he'd parked his dyna in the parking lot up as close to the building as he could get it.
He found the spare key Clara had given him on his key chain as he let himself into the darkened apartment.
He placed the keys in the little clear glass ashtray Clara had set up by the front door before he managed to lock the front door behind him.
He didn't bother to flick the light switch on as he kicked his shoes off somewhere in the dark room. He glanced off towards the kitchenette tempted to go to her fridge and help himself to an ice cold beer. He resisted the urge though knowing that Clara was the only thing that could ease his worried mind at the moment.
Chibs made his way to her room the voices in his head finally going silent as he took in what he could see of her sleeping form in the dark room.
He smiled the sight of her snoring lightly dressed in her favorite light blue pajama top. The top was a silly thing long sleeved and adorned with white fluffy clouds.
He placed his kutte and his weapons on her dresser before he took his golden rings off lining them along the dresser. He took the silver cross he wore off placing it with these things before he managed to kick all but his black cotton boxer briefs off.
He placed his cell phone on the bedside table though he doubted he'd be getting any calls tonight before he slid into bed beside her.
Chibs' arms slid around Clara taking her into his arms as he tried as hard as he could to forget Gemma's words.
He hated that Gemma had done this to him. He despised the doubts she'd planted in his head.
Chibs detested thinking that he might possibly shatter Clara's heart. He frowned hating that it was a distinct possibility.
Clara turned her head her eyes peeling open as she felt the bed dip beside her. She gave him a sleepy smile as she spoke up. "Hey you. I thought you'd be crashing at the clubhouse tonight."
He grinned not shocked that she'd believe that, after all tonight was Friday. And Friday meant a huge party filled with hanger ons hoping to catch a Sons attention in hopes of prospecting, the occasional nomad, croweaters, tons of booze, and a wild time for all.
Chibs had planned on stopping in for a drink or two but the entire conversation he'd had with Gemma had derailed these plans.
"I would rather get home to my lass." He replied deciding to keep all that Gemma had said to him to himself for now.
It was a can of worms he didn't want to open with Clara, not yet at least.
He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek as he spoke again. "Yer goin to come ta one of those parties with me one of these days. Jus ya wait. I wanta show off my old lady."
Clara chuckled tempted to point out that her Uncle Bobby would probably skin her alive if she ever stepped into a Friday night SAMCRO party.
She kept this to herself too overjoyed at the notion of Chibs showing her off as his old lady. She turned her head back towards the wall letting herself sink into Chibs' embrace and her warm bed.
Chibs pressed his lips to the back of her neck knowing that there was only one thing that could kill all the doubts in his head.
He ran his hands up Clara's pajama shirt letting out a soft groan at the feel of her silky skin. Clara chuckled unable to resist the urge to dig her bottom against him as she spoke up teasing him. "I take it you came home for this?"
"Aye I need my alainn lass. I've been thinkin bout this all day long. Ya've invaded my brain lass.." Chibs replied deciding to leave out just why he needed her so badly right at this moment.
She let out a pleased sigh as his hand sneaked down between her legs tracing her clothed center with his fingers.
She felt her cheeks flush sure that her plain white cotton panties weren't just reeking of sex appeal. She hadn't exactly dressed for him tonight.
After all she'd figured that he'd d spend the night at the clubhouse after sucking down as many shots as he could handle and playing a couple of games of pool with his brothers.
Of course she'd worried a little about the croweaters and what they might attempt to do with Chibs' inebriated state. She'd done all she could to ignore her insecurities though telling herself that Chibs had meant it when he'd sworn to remain true to her.
All thoughts of croweaters and her less than sexy undergarments were quickly banished from her head as Chibs spoke his voice husky. "Yer so sexy lass. Do ya have any idea jus how sexy ya are?"
He nipped at the side of her neck groaning at the feel of her bottom pressed against his groin. "Christ yer gorgeous."
Clara let out a soft moan her eyelids fluttering as his fingers continued to tease her clothed center. She spoke up causing him to let out a deep chuckle. "You're gorgeous ahuvi."
She let out a soft gasp as the hand that wasn't busy teasing her center grasped on to her breast squeezing the sensitive orb.
She bit on to her bottom lip stifling a moan as his thumb slid along her hardening nipple. She could that familiar heat spreading throughout her as her center began to ache for him.
She knew that it was obvious just how wet she was getting for him, the panties she wore did nothing to hide her dampening center.
She reached up doing all she could do to resist just ripping her top off as she began to unbutton the pajama top with shaking fingers.
Chibs reluctantly pulled his hand from her breast allowing her the space to slide the pajama top off and toss it across the room.
He let out a pleased groan at the feel of her bare smooth back pressed against his chest. He wasted no time placing his hand back over her breast his fingers grazing over her hardened nipple.
She whined as he tweaked the nipple between his thumb and forefinger giving her the perfect mixture of pleasure and a hint of pain. He nibbled at her neck his breath hot and heavy as he moved on to the other breast giving it the same treatment.
He was tempted to turn her around so he could press his lips to hers, but he was unwilling to leave the little hint of excitement this position gave them.
His fingers finally slid underneath her damp panties Chibs letting out a groan at the feel of her soaking center. He slid one single finger in between her damp slit penetrating her.
Clara let out a heavy groan her bottom digging against him as she rocked against his hand. He added a second finger stroking her appreciatively. He moaned his member hardening at the tight sensation of her center around his fingers and the feel of her bottom against him.
He moved his fingers in and out of her slowly working her up ignoring his throbbing member.
He wanted to badly to bury himself inside of her, but first he wanted to make her cum for him. He allowed his thumb to brush across her clit as he continued to finger her, causing her to let out a loud gasp.
He spoke up his voice thick with lust as he brushed his thumb along her clit again. "Do ya want me lass? Tell me how much ya want me Clara."
Clara whimpered against him struggling to force herself to speak up and not get lost in the sensations rolling through her. "I want you bad Filip...so bad."
Chibs groaned finding it so hard to resist burying himself in her soaking center. "How bad lassie, Tell me."
"So fucking bad. Please Filip. I want you." Clara blurted out her body curling as he pressed his thumb against her sensitive clit rubbing the little button.
He moaned knowing she was so close he could hear her breath quickening and feel her center becoming tighter and tighter around his fingers. He continued to rub her clit as he spoke up knowing just how close she was. "Cum fer me lass. Let it all go."
Clara gasped her body shuddering as she fell over the edge her center gripping down on Chibs' fingers like a vice.
Chibs moaned his member twitching at the feel of her tightness around his digits. He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck his breath hot against her as he spoke. "That's my lass. Ya came so hard fer me didn't ya Clara."
She whimpered her body still shuddering as she managed to speak up. "Only for you."
Chibs was unable to hold back any longer her words sending a wave of pleasure straight through him.
He removed his fingers wasting no time to yank her panties down to her knees. He shoved his boxers down his body kicking them off before he thrusted into her a satisfied gasp escaping the back of his throat.
She let out a deep moan the sensation of him with no condom barrier in between them so intense.
She was tempted to ask him to pull out and put a condom on, but feeling him like this was too perfect. She silently reminded herself to get on birth control pills as soon as possible so it could always be like this.
He moaned at the feel of her so soaking and hot around him. He thrusted into her tight heat his lips pressing kisses to her neck as he found a good rhythm. He pulled back pulling himself almost all the way out before burying himself back into her.
He rested the hand that wasn't locked over her breast against her stomach as he moved within her keeping his thrusts deep and gentle.
Clara placed her hand over his as she did her best to rock back against him her body so sensitive from the orgasm she'd just experienced.
She leaned forward his slow rhythm no longer enough for her. She spoke up her voice tight. "Harder."
He moved his hands down to her hips letting out a deep grunt as he did just that thrusting faster pushing into her all the way to the hilt.
Clara reached down rubbing her clit as he rocked in and out of her. She moaned her center throbbing around his thick member. She closed her eyes becoming lost in the sweet feel of it all; him thick and hard and just plain perfect inside of her.
She whined knowing that she was so close. She could feel her end sneaking up on her threatening to push her straight over the edge.
Chibs groaned knowing just how close she was to falling over the edge once again. Her body was so relentlessly taunt around him. She was trembling in his arms soft little moans escaping from in between her parted lips. He knew it wouldn't be much longer now.
He let himself become lost in the feel of her so taunt and perfect. Everything about making love to Clara exhilarated him; the sweet scent of her honeysuckle body lotion and her smooth skin. He loved the sensation of her soft lips on his skin and the way she'd moan and gasp as he moved within her. He loved knowing that every little moan and sigh that left her mouth was all for him.
It was so different from being with the croweaters. The croweaters would feel the need to be so vocal; they'd let out moans that were so obviously phony. Of course it would never really matter to him. After all sex with a croweater was always about his pleasure more than theirs.
Everything about having sex with Clara was so new and unfamiliar to him. Everything about their coupling was so completely genuine.
He could not remember the last time sex had felt like this. It had been so long since he'd felt this way with anyone.
He almost felt vulnerable being with her like this. He knew that he was letting himself be so completely open with her when they were like this. He was making love to her.
She was the first person he'd made love to since Fiona. That alone spoke deeply of just what Clara meant to him.
The tight feel of Clara around him, her wetness, and her sweet little moans were more than he could have ever fantasized. Any fantasies he'd had paled in comparison of what if actually felt like to be with Clara.
Clara let out a moan her body tightening around him once again as she hit her climax for the second time tonight.
The feel of her so tight and soaking around him, her body trembling was all it took for Chibs to reach his end as well. He came hard and fast inside of her filling her.
He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close against him as he kept himself buried inside of her his body rigid as he came.
Chibs pressed soft kisses to the side of her neck as their sweat dampened bodies finally relaxed against each other so spent.
He reluctantly pulled his softening member from her as Clara managed to turn around her lips locking over his.
Chibs pulled his lips from hers as he spoke up repeating the phrase he'd allowed to spill from his lips the last time they'd made love. "Tha gaol agam ort...I love you. I've loved ya fer so long now lass. Ya don't have ta say anythin...I just want ya ta know."
Any worries he'd had about this phrase ruining things between Clara and he disappeared as Clara pressed her lips to his before speaking. "I love you too Filip. For so long now...You were probably my first crush...I never thought you'd notice me."
He grinned pressing his lips to hers speaking in between kisses. "I love you." Another soft kiss. "I love you."
She smiled placing a gentle hand on his cheek as she sunk into his kisses and his words.
Chibs Telford loved her. It was more than she'd ever dreamed of.
Clara sat on the foot of her bed her eyes locked on Chibs as he slid his cross necklace over his head. She spoke up her voice not hiding how anxious she felt. "Should I have made something for tonight...maybe a dessert? My Uncle likes my cinnamon squares. I mean I know Gemma told me not to bring anything, but maybe I should have. He really loves those cinnamon squares...It was one of the first things he ever taught me to make...maybe I should have made some."
Chibs turned to face her giving her a soft smile feeling just as anxious. "Maybe next time luaidh."
She raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar word. She gave him a soft grin as she spoke. "Testing out petnames?"
"Aye." He replied as he began to slip on his biker rings.
She rolled her eyes letting out a huff not amused that he wasn't going to give her a translation.
She felt her stomach roll as Chibs plopped down on the bed beside her and spoke. "Ya look beautiful."
She smirked shaking her head knowing that she hadn't worn anything special, just a pair of black jeans, a dark green racerback tank top, and a pair of converse.
She had done her make up lightly wearing foundation, powder, and her favorite bright cherry red lipstick. She couldn't stop her hands from shaking long enough to even bother with eyeliner.
She'd brushed her hair leaving it to do it's own thing. She was more than ready for it to go ahead and grow back out.
Right after things had fallen apart with Mitch she had cut her long hair all off in the middle of a sorrow stricken temper tantrum. Her bottom length hair had turned into a pixie cut.
Clara had kept her look for tonight casual even though she knew Chibs loved her in her more retro inspired sundresses. She knew though that there was no need to dress up for a family dinner.
She planned to top the look off with her black denim jacket considering she'd need the jacket once she hopped on the back of Chibs' bike.
She reached down twisting the heavy metal ring she always wore on her index finger as she spoke up. "How are we going to tell him...There's no way we can hide it Filip."
Chibs felt his stomach drop knowing exactly what she was talking about. Telling Bobby about the two of them.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek as he spoke up praying that his voice wouldn't reveal just how freaked out he was. "After he arrives we'll take him out back. We'll get him ta sit down on some of Gemma's patio furniture and we'll just be straight with him."
Clara nodded her head knowing that he was right. That was the best way to drop the bomb on her uncle.
They just had to be honest with him and pray that he kept calm.
She had no idea how he was going to react. Bobby was so protective over her. He was almost suffocating in how protective of her he was.
Clara knew she was more of a daughter to Bobby than a niece. And just like any father he truly believed that no man would ever be good enough for his little girl.
Chibs took her hand in his giving it a much needed squeeze as he spoke up. "We'll make it work Clara. I love ya.
She gave him a tight smile her heart pounding in her chest. "I love you too ahuvi."
He grinned loving the little bit of Hebrew. He loved that she had given him the little petname. It was special to the two of them, her Hebrew and his Scottish Gaelic.
It would all be okay he tried to tell himself.
Surely Bobby would see the love between them. Wouldn't he?
Clara felt her stomach roll and drop as Chibs led her through the front door to Gemma's and Clay's house.
The house was just as large and nice as Clara had expected. It seemed to be the perfect castle for the King and Queen of SAMCRO.
All worries left her head for a short moment as a familiar little boy made a bee line for her his voice ecstatic. "Cousin Clara."
Clara knelt down her arms locking tightly around the eight year old boy in front of her. "Tiki, Hey yeled hamud."
Tiki was a handsome little boy; dark big brown eyes, light brown hair, and a mischievous little grin. He had his father's rounded face and his mother's straight button nose. He wore a red and white striped tshirt, dark blue jeans, and new red converse sneakers.
Her only cousin pulled back from her a look of confusion on his face. Clara let out a huff knowing that of course his mother Precious wouldn't have taught him any Hebrew.
She spoke up explaining. "It means sweet boy."
He grinned so clearly adoring his cousin Clara. His grin only grew wider as he turned to Chibs. "You're friends with Uncle Chibs?"
Clara's smile grew tight knowing that it wouldn't be appropriate to tell him anything until things were all settled with Bobby. "Yep... everyone likes Uncle Chibs...So is your mom here?"
"No she's on a date. I get to spend the night with dad tonight. I brought my gameboy. Do you want to see it? I have pokemon and Mario Kart. I'm really good at it." Tiki explained clearly thrilled at the chance to spend time with his father for once , as well as the notion of showing off his new gameboy.
Clara nodded her head guessing that Bobby must be up to date on his child support since Precious wasn't withholding the boy.
She knew that Bobby often wasn't the best father he could possibly be to Tiki. It was a fact that often angered Clara. She knew better though than to get into it with Bobby.
"Cool. How about you show me after dinner." Clara replied a soft smile on her face. She'd missed her cousin while she'd lived in Vegas.
The little boy was quite dear to her, given that he was her only cousin on either side of her family.
She'd always felt that bonding with family was important.
She reluctantly stood up allowing Chibs to pull her away from her cousin towards the kitchen.
Clara tried hard not to glare or give Gemma a smug look as the woman spotted Chibs' and her enclosed hands.
Chibs spoke up ignoring the clear tension between the two women. "We're here."
Clara put a tight-lipped smile on her face not wanting to get into a fight with Gemma in a room full of strangers. "I didn't know Tiki was going to be here."
"Precious couldn't pass up a free babysitter." Gemma remarked her distain for Bobby's second ex wife clear in her voice.
Clara twisted her lips hating to admit that she had to agree with Gemma's dislike for Precious. Though she much preferred her uncle's second ex wife to his first. At least Precious had been kind to her.
Clara's heart began to beat quicker as Chibs released her hand and spoke up. "Clay's out back?"
"Yeah he just got a new box of cigars." Gemma replied as she stared down at the lettuce she was chopping for a salad.
Clara cringed as Gemma practically slammed the large knife she was holding against the wooden cutting board.
Clara couldn't shake the feeling that Gemma had been hoping that she wouldn't show up tonight.
She reluctantly allowed Chibs to pull away from her after he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "I'll leave ya lasses to it."
Clara was tempted to turn to follow Chibs, but she had the feeling he was going out back for guy time or just club shit. She knew that she obviously wouldn't be welcome to either.
She was so tempted to go back out to the living room and rejoin Tiki, but she had the feeling that hiding with the little boy and his gameboy would be giving Gemma exactly what she wanted.
Clara was thankful as a tall familiar blonde gave her a smile and spoke up seemingly unaware of the tension in the room. "God you've gotten so big. You probably don't remember me. I haven't seen you since you were a kid. I'm Luann Delaney."
The woman made her way over to Clara placing two hands on either side of her as she spoke up looking from her to Gemma. "She looks just like Tammy...Doesn't she Gemma?"
"She does." Gemma remarked not returning Luann's smile.
Clara grimaced at the intensity in Gemma's eyes as she stared back down at the cutting board. The look on her face made an icy sensation run up Clara's spine.
Luann gave Clara a tight lipped smile apparently more used to Gemma's sour moods than anyone.
She spoke up as she led Clara across the kitchen nodding down at a pile of husk covered corn. She picked up a lit joint as she spoke. "Do you smoke?"
Clara took the joint taking a deep puff thankful for something to take off the edge. She passed the joint back to Luann as the woman spoke. "Help me husk this corn will ya honey?"
Clara nodded her head thankful that she wasn't being given any tasks involving knifes. She wasn't sure if she could keep herself from charging at Gemma.
Clara kept her mind locked on the task of husking sweet cobs of corn not helping but to feel so awkward.
Gemma made no attempts to include her in the conversation despite Luann's best efforts.
Gemma, Luann, and Clara seemed to be the only old ladies in the room. The rest of the women were trusted croweaters that had been invited by Gemma to clean up the mess from dinner and to give the men without old ladies some attention.
There were only three croweaters in the room and they didn't make any attempts to even speak to Clara.
Clara couldn't help but to notice the way the croweaters did whatever Gemma said. It seemed that if Gemma said jump the girls asked how high.
Clara guessed that Gemma's disapproval of her was noticeable even to the croweaters given that they pretended that she wasn't even in the room.
By the eighth corn cob Clara was feeling horrible. Despite Luann's best attempts to make her feel welcome she felt quite lonely.
She tried to hide her disappointment at being the odd girl out as she focused on Luann's conversation with Gemma. "So no Wendy?"
"No Jax and she are having another fight. I wish they'd work shit out. I don't like the bitch, but she's carrying my grandbaby. It seems like the divorce is full steam ahead though." Gemma replied her voice tense as she took a drink of white wine.
Clara bit the inside of her cheek wanting a drink badly. Her throat was dry but she was too anxious to even work up the nerve to ask for anything.
She felt so pathetic too anxious to even ask for a damn drink.
She hadn't felt this left out since she was a very little girl attending school at one of Charming's only two elementary schools.
She had been the fat girl who'd enjoyed reading Little Women and The Diary of Anne Frank. She could remember how just like most little girls she'd adored her Lisa Frank sticker collection. She could remember how she had always been heartbroken that none of the other girls in her class would trade stickers with her.
Clara could remember how she'd never had new clothing like the other girls in her class. Her mother had done the best she could to afford the second hand clothing Clara wore from thrift stores and the shoes she bought from the Payless in Lodi.
Clara had carried the same Barbie lunchbox for three years and had cringed when the other girls would made snide remarks about it.
When the other kids had played at recess they'd always exclude her from their games she could remember their excuses when she'd asked to play four square only has four people Clara. You're bad at jump roping; you trip when we do double dutch.
She could remember the mean comments about her weight and her frizzy curls. Kids would compare her wild locks to a Chia Pet. And they would call her Shamu after the famous killer whale at Sea World.
Eventually she'd stopped going out for recess begging the school librarian to let her just sit in the library during recess. Thankfully the librarian had taken sympathy on her allowing the chubby little girl to hide with her only friends in the world; books.
Of course all that had changed once Clara had dropped weight and had moved to Las Vegas.
Once she'd fallen in love with swimming and had learned that she was quite good at it she'd found her knish in life.
Joining the school swim team in Vegas had earned her friends who thought that she was funny and sweet. Clara had managed to be quite popular in Vegas.
That didn't mean that she'd forgotten the fat little girl she'd once been though. From time to time the little girl within her would sneak up on her and she'd feel like shit.
For the first time in so long Clara felt like that sad chunky little girl again; left out, wanting so badly to fit in.
She couldn't help but to feel that maybe this was Gemma's plan; invite her to this dinner and do everything she could to prove that Clara didn't belong here.
She did her best to smile as Luann turned to her a knowing look on her face. "So you're Chibs' girl?"
"Yes." Clara replied not helping but to lock her eyes on Gemma as she said this.
Luann nodded her head ignoring the sour look on Gemma's face upon hearing Clara's statement. "I'm so glad he's moved on. I don't think he's had an old lady since he's been here. It's a shame, since he's such a sweetheart. Gemma and I have been telling him for years now that he needs a good woman."
She paused taking a puff from her joint the weed apparently making her chatty as she spoke again. "You're so cute with him. He obviously adores you...I mean the way he looks at you...makes me think of Otto and me when we first met. What does your Uncle Bobby think? I mean I remember how much he used to dote on you when you were just a baby. Is he being too overprotective or is he happy you've found someone as sweet as Chibs?"
Gemma was quick to speak up a tight smile developing along her lips. "He doesn't know. Does he Clara?"
"We're going to tell him tonight. We're hoping he'll be happy with it." Clara replied unable to stop herself from slamming the corn cob she'd just finished husking down on the cabinet.
She bit down harder on her cheek as she turned to face Luann a tight smile on her lips as she purposely gushed. "Filip is wonderful to me. He's the sweetest man I've ever met. I had a gigantic crush on him back when I was a teenager. I'd hang around him back when I used to spend my summers in Charming. I felt so silly back then having a crush on him. I mean I was as subtle as a hurricane about that crush. I'm still shocked we actually wound up together, but it's going well. I love him to death."
She felt a jolt of pride shoot through her as she noticed the way Gemma's jaw clinched.
She knew she was playing with fire flaunting how wonderful her relationship with Chibs was going in Gemma's face. She just couldn't resist pushing Gemma's buttons though.
It was her way of making things clear to Gemma that she was here to stay.
Clara couldn't help but to be thankful as Chibs entered the kitchen completely unaware of just what he'd walked into.
He made his way over to Clara pressing a soft kiss to her cheek as he spoke up. "Can I borrow my lass?"
"Go ahead." Gemma replied all too quickly her eyes narrowing at Clara.
Chibs clasped Clara's hand knowing that this was his cue to get Clara out of the room before the shit hit the fan.
He led her down the hall towards a spare bedroom knowing that Clara would need a place to decompress in privacy.
Clara took off her denim jacket balling it up and tossing it across the room her temper threatening to explode.
She took a deep breath as she sat down on the foot of the bed. She closed her eyes as she kept on taking deep breaths trying to regain control of her rage.
Chibs let out a sigh mentally kicking himself for leaving Clara alone for too long.
A tiny part of him had hoped that maybe Gemma had taken his statement to her the night before to heart.
He sat down beside her taking her hand in his pulling it up to his lips and giving it a soft kiss. He was tempted to speak, but he had the feeling that there was nothing he could say to make any of this better.
Maybe Gemma and Clara would never find common ground?
Clara opened her eyes turning to face Chibs as she spoke up her voice overwrought. "Don't leave me alone with that woman again tonight."
"That bad?" Chibs asked almost afraid to know the answer.
Clara nodded her head a scowl developing along her face. "Oh yeah."
She paused rolling her eyes and taking another deep breath before she spoke again. "It's like she's not even willing to give me an opportunity. She just stood there in the kitchen and pretended like I didn't exist. I might as well have been a fly on the wall to her."
Chibs swallowed the lump developing in the back of his throat wanting to say that Gemma was just protective. He knew though that Gemma's protective tendencies were no excuse.
He wrapped his arm around Clara's waist holding her close to him as he spoke trying to be as soothing as possible. "I won't leave ya alone again tonight."
Clara let out a huff not wanting to cry. She didn't want to let Gemma get to her this much.
She tried hard to ignore the fat little girl inside of her and remind herself that she wasn't that sad fat girl anymore.
She was a grown woman. She was a grown woman who had a wonderful man who loved her.
She spoke up as she leaned against Chibs. "Luann is nice."
Chibs gave her a smile as he pressed a kiss to her temple. "Aye she is."
Clara felt her face fall as she spoke up allowing herself to be vulnerable for a moment. "I just want Gemma to like me...She hates me though...I wish I didn't care, but I do. She's so important to both you and my uncle...I want to get along with her but it just seems so damn impossible."
Chibs shook his head a frown on his face. "Oh lass. Don't let er get ta ya. Yer wonderful. Yer gorgeous and sweet and funny and I love ya. Gemma is stubborn. She'll get over whatever it is that's stoppin her from likin ya eventually."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips as he spoke up. "All that matters is that I love ya lass. Bein with ya makes me feel better than I 've felt in years. I can't wait ta see what's in tha future fer us."
She gave him a soft grin his words soothing her. She pressed her lips to his as she spoke. "Me too ahuvi. I love you. I hope that you're right."
He wrapped his arms around her their kisses growing more impassioned. She reached up placing a hand against his cheek allowing herself to become lost in the feel of his lips against hers.
The couple pulled apart as the door opened revealing the last person they'd expected to see.
Bobby Munson's smile melted from his face as he walked in on Chibs' lips pressed to Clara's.
Gemma had pointed him off towards the spare bedroom saying that Clara had gone to lay down for a bit. She hadn't mentioned anything about Chibs being in here as well.
He was both shocked, horrified, and angered by the sight in front of him.
He glared down at Chibs charging towards the man his hands forming into fists. "What the hell are you doing?"
Clara and Chibs both stood up their hands clasped as Chibs spoke up. "We wanted ta tell ya tonight. We didn't want ya to find out like this brother."
"Find out what? That you're fucking my niece?" Bobby spat out his fist rising fully ready to give Chibs a punch to the face.
It was just so wrong. Chibs and Clara. Clara and Chibs. It seemed so wrong his sweet little niece being with not only a Son but a Son who was sixteen years her senior. Not to mention the fact that Chibs was technically still a married man. Bobby wasn't about to allow Clara to become Chibs' mistress.
Clara deserved better than that. She deserved more than this life and a man who would more than likely never be able to make her his wife.
Clara moved quickly stepping in front of Chibs trying to take back control of the situation. She knew that her uncle wouldn't even attempt to strike Chibs if there was a chance he might hit her in the process.
She spoke up pleading with Bobby. "Please just calm down. Please just listen to us."
Bobby shook his head his face beginning to turn red. He didn't lower his fist as he spoke up ignoring his niece's pleading. "You need to move Clara."
"No. I love him." Clara blurted out the words spilling from her mouth.
She cringed at them not helping but to think that she sounded so cliche: Don't hit him Uncle Bobby I love him.
Chibs took a deep breath his arm encircling Clara's waist as he moved her aside wanting to face Bobby like a man. "I love her Bobby. Trus me brother. I love her. I know it's sudden, but neither of us were plannin it. We wanted to sit ya down and tell ya tonight."
Bobby lowered his fist his eyes so dark. Clara was unsure if she'd ever seen her uncle's eyes grow so dark. They were practically black.
Bobby shook his head stepping back as he spoke. "I don't know what to say."
Clara stepped forward wanting her beloved uncle's approval so badly. She needed him to approve of this. "Please just hear us out."
Bobby stepped away from her his body remaining tense. He shook his head again a disgusted look remaining on his face as he stared at Chibs' arm around Clara's waist. "I...I need to...I have to go."
Clara reached for him her heart shattering as Bobby reached for the door handle swinging the door wide open.
She let out a choked sob as she watched him walk away.
She pulled away from Chibs following Bobby out into the hall. She called after him her heart shattering as he walked away. "Don't leave...please don't turn your back on me."
Bobby turned to face her his heart breaking as he spoke again. "I can't approve of this shit Clara...I love you...but I can't approve of this."
And with that he walked away leaving Clara to stand alone in the hallway.
She reached up wiping her teary eyes trying as hard as she could to convince herself that she didn't need him.
She took a deep breath her voice low as she spoke to herself. "Fuck you then."
As hard as she tried to be angry with Bobby but she couldn't commit to it.
Her heart was broken and she didn't know how to fix it.
As Chibs came up behind her she turned falling into his open arms. She shook her head her voice cracking. "He left."
Chibs felt his heart crumble at the sorrow in her voice. He spoke up guilt clouding his conscious. The only father Clara had ever truly known had turned his back on her and it was all his fault. "This is all my fault lass...I knew this would happen."
Clara tightened her grasp on him shaking her head fearing that he was about to tell her that it was best if they broke up. She spoke up her voice firm. "Don't leave me...please don't leave me. I love you."
He pressed his lips to her forehead his heart sinking at how desperate she sounded. He spoke up his voice just as firm. "I aint leavin ya alainn. I'm stayin righ here. As long as yer willin ta have me. Yer my lass aint nothin going to pull me from ya."
She buried her head against his chest her body shaking as she allowed herself to fall apart in his embrace.
He held her against him running his hand up and down her back soothing her until her sobs finally quietened. "Let's get outta here Clara."
Clara pulled away from him her face pink and puffy from crying. That sounded good.
She wanted nothing more than to climb onto the backseat of Chibs' motorcycle and go as far away as possible.
Reviews? Constructive Criticism?
Chapter Title song: Between Love and Hate by the Strokes. The lyrics have nothing to do with anything, but the title seemed appropriate.
Ahuvi= Hebrew (my beloved)
Luaidh= Scottish Gaelic (darling)
yeled hamud= Hebrew (sweet boy)
Tha gaol agam ort. : Scottish Gaelic meaning: I love you