MERRY CHRISTMAS (A little late). My wonderful loving sons bought me Seasons 1-4 on DVD of SOA so I got some inspiration. So thanks to them you guys get 7 brand new chapters. I also have several more planned so I will probably have more before the weekend is over. I have another week off of school so expect this story to be updated regularly. Also, if you're a fan of Walking Dead, check out my other two stories that I'll be updating over the next week. As always, R&R, Hope you enjoy!
Over the next few weeks, Filip and I gradually fall into a routine of working, spending time together and him taking care of club business. Gemma wrangles me into helping with her annual fund-raiser. The day before the event, I head to the school to help her set up the tents and displays. Luanne and I are goofing around in the SAM CROW tent while Gemma's bellowing directions to the guys building the stage for the bands.
"I told your Uncle Otto about you and Filip ya know?" She giggles as she sets up a second table.
"Oh God. I'm sure he loved that." I roll my eyes and flip the table cloth over the first table.
"He wasn't too happy about it. I calmed him down. Told him how cute you two were, reminded him of when we first got together." She smiles at some distant memory.
Gemma marches over to us with a determined look in her eye.
"Jesus, ya think I asked them to donate a kidney or something'" She mutters.
We start getting out supplies and finishing up the details when a brunette woman steps up to the booth. I don't know April well but I sure as hell know her ex-husband. I try to remind myself this woman had nothing to do with Kyle's bullshit but it's still hard. She looks nervously at Luanne and I.
"Gemma, can I ask you something?" I look at Gemma.
"What?" she answers.
"Charlie's band is playing tomorrow night at the fireworks." She starts; her eyes slide to me. I used to babysit the kid, I know who he is. "He really wants his dad to come."
I just about leap over the table in front of me before Luanne grabs my arm and leads me away to cool off. Gemma finishes up her tense conversation. This woman has some balls. Each time she says something to my aunt, I want to race over and rip her head off. When April finally walks away, we go back to the booth. I don't ask her what was said. I'm not in the mood.
"Why don't you head to T-M for me? Check in on the day." She says, not making eye contact. I just nod before strolling to my car. I pick up my phone and text Filip.
Hi Baby
I hadn't heard from him all day, he was on some kind of club business. On the way to the garage, I keep hoping for my phone to beep but it doesn't. All I can do is think about Kyle and April. Kyle was a member for a long time; grew up with my brother and Jaxson. Then he was on a job with Opie and fled when the cops came. My brother did five years because of that dick head. He was banished from the town the moment the cuffs tightened on Op's wrists. I lost my brother that day. He hasn't been the same since.
I try to calm my nerves before I park the car. Even by the time I get up to the office, I've at least calmed down a bit. I head to the office and finish up some invoices for the few accounts we have on file. I'm busy working and didn't notice Gemma or some of the guys pull in. Kip steps into the doorway and fiddles with something in his hand.
"What's up Half-Sack?" I ask, more annoyed than I mean to sound.
"Gemma and Clay are in the garage and they don't look happy so I'm just gonna stick here for a minute." He explains and I laugh at him. He's terrified of Clay since he made some MILF comment about Gemma.
"Why don't you just go into the clubhouse? That's where everyone else hides when they argue." I point at a few of the other guys heading that way. His face flushes and he puts down the rag in his hand before heading off with them. That boy is special.
Gemma and Clay finish up their conversation and she steps into the office, pausing for a moment.
"It's fine Gemma, just got me a little flustered. No big deal." I dismiss it.
"You sure baby girl?" she asks.
"Yeah, just bad memories is all."
I'm distracted when my brother and dad pull up. Things have still been tense between my dad and I. We had only talked once since the night of the bar. Opie headed over my way after he jumped off the bike.
"Hey Op." I call to him, meeting him half-way. Dad huffs back into the clubhouse without a wave. I roll my eyes at him.
"You're gonna be at the fund-raiser tomorrow right?" He asks.
"Yeah, I'm working it now." I grin.
"Me too, gotta do the fireworks. Wanna watch it from the launch spot with Donna and me? The kids miss you." He shrugs.
"Yeah, that sounds good." I give him a half-smile that he returns brightly. It's been awhile since he smiled at me. Lately it's been a lot more lecturing than anything. My phone finally buzzes from my pocket.
My angel, I won't be back tonight, still on business but I miss your eyes.
I smile before pounding out a text back.
Be safe babe. I miss much more than your eyes old man.
I check in with Gemma before heading home to relax alone for the night.
"I'm gonna kill him." Gemma is pacing through the kids booth the next day. Bobby is late and the kids are getting a little impatient.
"It's ok. I'll get the girls from the high school to start on face paint." I put my hand on her arm and send her back to the chili booth. We get everything set up quickly and the kids start off with request for mermaids and animals. I see Bobby and Tig rushing across the festival on their way over. Gemma follows him over as he comes in to entertain the kids. Tig and I stand behind the tent, laughing at his goofy act.
"Baby girl, do me a favor?" Gemma whispers. I give her a quizzical glance.
"Run up to St. Thomas for me and get the rest of the kid kits they donated." She directs me, watching something over my shoulder.
I look over toward the school and see why she's asking me to go. Jaxson and Kyle are arguing by the entrance. Anger rushes through me. I nod and snatch my keys. I see Gemma motion to Tig from the corner of my eye and his footsteps fall in to place next to mine.
"So Baby Bree, what about this hot love affair you wanna have with me?" He asks with a grin.
"Filip would feed you your balls for that, in a nice marinade. Maybe even grilled if he's in a good mood." I shoot back, a little more aggressive than usual.
We walk past Jaxson and Kyle talking and I make eye contact with the bastard. I stop for a moment, fully intending on going over there. Tig puts his hand on my arm and tries to lead me away. Kyle is watching me instead of listening to whatever Jax is saying. Jax sees me there and pushes Kyle's arm. I keep walking with Tig, letting Jaxson deal with that scum.
I blast the radio in my car on the way to the hospital. My anger barely subsided when I pulled into the parking lot. Giving myself a moment to clear my head, I watch a guy I don't recognize checking out Tara's car. I stay in the car until he disappears into the hospital doors.
My curiosity peaks and I hurry to keep up with him; happy to have a distraction from my irritation. He takes a seat in the waiting room, closest to the main desk. I stop and ask for the kits while keeping an eye on him. Suddenly his face lights up and I follow his gaze.
Tara steps off the elevator removing a surgical mask. She looks like she's seen a ghost when she notices he's standing there. She slowly steps over to him, her mouth hanging open.
"Can we talk?" He asks her, she looks around nervous until she sees me standing there.
Then she looks between the two of us a few times, before they head into the private room. She stands in front of the window and looks back at me again. I lean against the counter, staring openly at the interaction. They talk for a few minutes and she looks angry. She crosses her arms over her chest. She usually only looks at Gemma and me like that.
The guy heads out, practically whistling and Tara watches him through the window. When he's in the elevator, she comes out. She's visibly upset. I turn away for a moment and try to ignore it. I know she's been getting close with Jax and if he saw that, he'd check on her. She's lucky I loved that man. I walk over to her; she's still staring at the elevator, her face pale.
"Tara, ya all right?" I try to sound cordial. She looks at me like she forgot I was there.
"Um, yeah, yeah. He's just. . . someone I knew in Chicago." I could tell from her hesitation, he was more than that.
"What'd he want? Come to sweep you off your feet?" I ask sarcastically, not meaning to. It's a habit with her.
"I don't know what he wants actually. You here to check on Able?" She asks.
"I'll look in on him before I head back but Gemma sent me here as an errand girl. The donations for the fundraiser." I explain, trying to be nice. Jax would be so proud. I take it one step further. "Um listen, that guy was checking out your car. You sure it's ok?"
She gives me an odd look and shakes her head to clear it.
"It will be. I'll go get the nurse for you." She says walking away.
When I get back to the festival, it's packed. The entire town has come out and everyone's having a great time. I grab Tig and Opie to unload the boxes for me and head back to Gemma's tent. The food smells amazing and everyone is busy. I get to work helping dish out food and laugh with the girls.
Unser stops by our booth for a minute to talk to Gemma. I watch as her gaze heads out to the crowd. Tara is making her way through the festival. She stops for a moment and stares at the Police Department booth. The creepy guy from the hospital is there and she's pale again.
I pull off my apron as she turns to walk away and hurry to catch up with her.
"Leaving so quick doc?" I ask
"Uh, yeah. It was a long day at the hospital." She speeds up and I easily fall in line next to her. She doesn't say anything else so I reach out and stop her.
"Hey, if you need help you can go to Jaxson." I tell her, unsure of where the words come from. She looks terrified and I feel for her.
"I'll keep that in mind." She says, fumbling with her keys. She walks away and I let her go this time.
Bobby and Tig stop in front of me.
"Seen Jax?" Bobby asks. I shake my head and look around. I see him with my brother and Kyle. This can't be good. I rush over to meet them and Bobby grabs my arm.
"Just stay back." Tig tries to calm me down. I follow them over to where the guys stand. Jaxson gives me a nod of the head to leave. Glaring at him, I walk toward Gemma. She's rushing over and she does not look happy. Opie heads off with Kyle just as she catches up with us. Jaxson notices the creep in the cop booth. The guy stops and stares at Jax, never taking his eyes off of him. We both stare at the older man.
"You tell Clay I'm pissed. He didn't show and now he's taking all my manpower." Gemma yells at her son.
"Who's the guy with the cops?" I hear him ask as he continues his staring contest.
"It's the ATF guy." My ears perk up but I keep my eyes on the cop.
"Guy was at the hospital last night, watching me with Able." He says. I panic. What did an ATF agent want with Tara and why was she so freaked out? I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to get Gemma riled up.
Jaxson and the boys head out. Tig gives me and Gemma a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. I watch them go without a word and head back to work. The rest of the afternoon passes quietly. The guys don't return to the festival and I join my family under the fireworks.