Thanks for all the reviews! I've got big shocks in store in the next couple of chapters before the big ending. I can't wait to post the end of this story and begin the next chapter of Savannah and Juice's lives! I can't believe this story is almost over and I want to thank everyone who's stuck with me! I do not own anything in this chapter, besides my ocs, everything else belongs to their rightful owners!

Chapter 44

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Juice woke up to an annoying ringing sound. He groaned, running a hand over his eyes tiredly as he started to wake up. When his other hand met air, he realized Savannah was already up and in the shower. She had class today, he remember vaguely. He reached over when the ringing continued and grabbed his phone. It only took a moment for him to realize it wasn't his phone. It was Savannah's.

"Babe, phone! Savannah!" He called out tiredly, just wanting to go back to sleep.

He didn't get an answer back. She probably couldn't hear him over the shower. Without much thought, he reached across the bed and grabbed her cell phone and flipped it open. If it was her ma, it wasn't like she'd be surprised to hear it was him. Pressing the accept button, he held it to his ear. "Hello?" He answered, his voice still hoarse from being tired.

"Hi, this is doctor Thomson from the family center. Is Savannah Teller available? I have her test results back from her OBGYN." The man on the other end of the line said.

It had to be the fact he was half asleep, cause none of that made sense. When had Savannah gone to the family center for some tests? OBGYN? What the hell was that anyway? She hadn't mentioned anything to him. Was she sick? Why wouldn't she go to the regular clinic on 5th? You only went to the family center when you were . . . oh, shit.

"Uh, sorry. Um, she'll have to call ya back."

Without waiting for him to answer, he flipped the phone closed and ended the call. He was in shock. He felt sick. Savannah was pregnant. That had to be why she'd been so off the past couple of weeks. She was pregnant and didn't tell him. Running a hand through his hair, he didn't know what to think.

"Hey, I was hoping you'd be up before I had to go." Savannah said out from behind him, causing him to jump in surprise.

He wasn't sure how to look at her. His eyes immediately went back to her stomach for any sign of her showing. Would she even be showing? He didn't know how far along she would be, or when she would start showing. In her fluffy towel, it was hard to see so that didn't really help him. She didn't look any different to him. Her hair was in wet tangles around her shoulders, goose bumps on her arms from the cold air hitting her. Normally he would have caught her arm and pulled her back into bed with him, but something stopped him.

Why hadn't she told him?

He didn't say anything as she sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to kiss him. He didn't move as her lips met his at first, but he couldn't help but kiss her back. It was jerk reaction. Her hand slid up at his arm as the kiss grew more intense. His fingers got tangled in her hair, pulling her closer as he laid back.

When Savannah pulled back for air, she bite her lip as the smile spread across her face. She loved the butterfly feeling she got with Juice, especially when he kissed her. When she opened her eyes, she realized he wasn't smiling back. He looked . . . off. Something was wrong, and unlike before, she could tell when he was being strange. "What's wrong? Did you wake up weird? Bad dream?" She asked, stroking his cheek as she searched his eyes.

He was tempted to tell her about the phone call, see what she had to say about it, but he was still trying to get his head wrapped around it. Instead, he just shook his head and gave her a lame attempt at a smile. Brushing back her hair, his thumb stroked her cheek. "Just tired. You, uh, you should get goin' before you're late for class." He said, trying to sound convincing.

In all honesty, he just wanted her to go so he could try to figure this out without having a mental break down. He knew he'd let it slip about the call if she stayed, and he wasn't sure he could handle her answer right now.

She seemed put off by his answer. It wasn't like him to turn her away, especially when she was already naked and waiting. Something was seriously off with him, but she knew better than to push. Maybe he just was having an off morning.

Unfortunately, he was right about her needing to get a move on or else she'd be late. Giving him a quick peck, she lifted herself off of him and started looking for her clothes. "You need to start getting your ass movin' too, babe. Mrs. P is gonna kick your ass with her broom if you're late again. I don't think she was kidding either." She said, giving him a look to get moving.

He'd been late the last few shifts, either because he and Savannah got caught up in what they were doing, or because he took longer to get something done for Luka than he'd meant to. He couldn't tell anyone else that though, so he blamed it on just running late from the gym instead.

With a groan, he got to feet and came up behind her as she pulled her bra on. He grinned at her through the mirror, nuzzling her neck tiredly as he wrapped his arms around her. His morning wood pressed against her and she had to bite her lip to fight the urge to rub against him. Maybe he'd convince her to be late after all? She knew he wouldn't let her, he knew how important school was for her. But it was a nice fantasy.

"You want to grab dinner with me tonight? We can talk, haven't done that in a while." He suggested, watching for her reaction.

When the look of guilt crossed her face, he knew that phone call was real. There was a chance Savannah could be pregnant, and she didn't tell him. She didn't give him the chance to be there for her while they figured this out together. One of the biggest things to happen to her, them, and she didn't think he should know. That hurt the most. He couldn't show it, or she'd know something's up and he wasn't sure if now was the time to talk about it.

In a blink of an eye the guilt was gone from her expression as she shook her head, giving him a weak smile through the mirror. "I don't know. Sky and I have a final for chem on Tuesday and we gotta cram for it tonight. We might just order take out over at her room." She said, glancing at him over her shoulder.

He didn't buy it. For one, he knew Sav had no issue in Chemistry. It was one of her favorite subjects. Two, they always did their little study sessions over here at their place. He wasn't that great with english, but he was pretty good at the other classes she was taking. Which meant she was avoiding him. Now all those time he felt like she might be, he knew that she really was.

She could see the disappointment in his face and her guilty expression returned. She turned around in his arms, leaning against the vanity as she looked up at him. Her hand cupped his cheek, her thumb stroking his cheek affectionately. "Hey, we can talk when I get back. All night if you want. I love you, but if you keep poking me with that thing, I'm gonna be late for class and the professor will have my ass. Now shew. Go get ready for work." She said, pushing him away playfully, laughing at his fake wounded expression.

"Move it, Ortiz!" She said, giving him another nudge before turning to pull her jeans on.

He chuckled, his sour mood momentarily forgotten as he checked out her ass. He couldn't help himself. She noticed him staring in the mirror and gave him a little show just to help his bad mood. When she knew they were running low on time, she just shoot him a look over her shoulder. He held his hands up in peace. "I'm going. I'm going." He said, holding his hands up as he crossed the room to their dresser and pulled out his uniform.

Real world here they come.

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Juice felt like he was on overdrive when he got to the restaurant. He felt like he was in a daze, going through the motions. Autopilot, that's what it called, he thought to himself. Sav was pregnant. Pregnant. He was going to be a father. A bad father, he knew. A father who couldn't support Savannah and the baby. He was barely scraping by if he really thought about it. Baby means expensive. Food, diapers, toys, a room. A room meant they needed a real place to live that wasn't student housing.

He might be comfortable with the money he got from this gig, but if he was talking apartment plus baby, and on top of that actual bills, he had nothing. He wasn't ready. So maybe that was why he did it. Why when he was staring at all the cash in one of Rossi's offshore accounts, money that was going to waste, money he had forgotten about really, and somehow moved it into another account. His account.

It was an accident, one he could fix if need be.

It wasn't directly tied to him or Savannah. There was no way it could be traced back to either of them, he'd made sure of that. He wouldn't put her in danger, her, their kid, or anyone else he loved. Should this blow up in his face, it'd just be him going down. The imagine of Prulow dropping to the ground, his eyes hollow and lacking life, crossed his mind. Shivering, he tried to shake it off. That wouldn't be him. He'd make it out of this alive.

So why did he feel so jumpy as he walked out of the back room? Play it cool, he reminded himself. You didn't do anything wrong, you didn't. They don't need that money, you did. You have a kid on the way, a girl to support, you need it more. Luka would understand, he could talk to his dad if shit hit the fan. Yeah, yeah, he'd be fine. Luka would have his back.

Like he had Pru's?

Shaking his head, he tried again not to think of his fallen friend. Juice nearly yelped when someone grabbed his shoulder. Biting the inside of his cheek, he turned to find Luka standing there with a grim look on his face. Had they caught him already? No way. No fucking way. He'd go down fighting if that was the case. Yeah, yeah that sounded good. "He-hey man." He said, clearing his throat as he shifted. Be cool.

"You, my friend, look guilty as hell." Luka said, looking his friend over.

Juice's eyes widened, suddenly feeling sick as he stood there. Luka knew. He had to know what he did. He was a shit liar, and that was biting him in the ass now. "Wh-what?" He asked, trying to come off not as nervous as he knew he sounded.

Luka held his nervous look for a moment longer than he was comfortable before he let out a bark of a laugh. He clapped the back of Juice's shoulder, chuckling as he shook his head. "You looked ready to shit your pants for a second there. Lighten up, Ortiz. Let's get a drink." He said, throwing his arm around his friend's shoulders as he guided him out of the restaurant.

Juice was tense for another minute before he seemed to find his breath again and visibly relaxed. With what he'd just done, spending one on one time with Luka was as bad of an idea as bad can be. Then again, with everything else on his mind, drink sounded fucking amazing right now. "Yeah, yeah, a drink sounds good." He said, clearing his throat again as he pushed the door open for them.

"That's more like it." Luka said, grinning that toothy grin that Juice was sure got Luka in and our of a lot of trouble.

Hopefully tonight's it's out of it and not in.

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The two boys had been at the bar for over an hour, and Juice had let his nerves get the best of him and didn't space out his drinks. He could feel the familiar buzz in his head as he took another shot. "She didn't even tell me about it. Who knows how long she's been . . . been pregnant. She probably thinks I couldn't handle it." Juice said bitterly, glaring at the bar as he took in what he'd said.

That had to be why Savannah wouldn't tell him she was pregnant. She didn't have faith in him to step up. She didn't believe he could support them. What was she gonna do? Go home and let one of those bikers take care of her and his kid? No way. He'd prove her wrong, and he was doing that with what he did today. Taking that money, it was his way of making sure that happened.

"Maybe she's just trying to wrap her head around it?" Luka said, trying to be the voice of reason.

Juice just shook his head. He'd already figured it out, he knew why Savannah was doing what she was doing. "No, no, I figured it out. She-she doesn't think I can support them. She thinks . . . she thinks I couldn't possibly take care of them. She's gonna move back home and let one of those bikers do my job. Well, joke's on her. I already got a plan in motion. I-I got a fool proof plan, man." He said, pointing his glass at him.

His head felt heavy, like it was hard to keep up. Luka was curious about this 'plan' of his. He seemed so sure of it, and it made him wonder what it could be. He was almost sure that Juice wouldn't be telling him about it if he was sober. "You gonna keep me guessin', man? What's this plan of yours?" He asked, handing his friend another shot glass.

Juice seemed suddenly conflicted, realizing he'd said too much. With the drink placed in front of him, he took it happily and drank it. His head spun as he slammed it back down on the bar. "You know, Sav . . . she'd never say it, but she . . . deep down, she knows I'm not good enough for her. Fuck, I know I'm not good enough for her. She's beautiful, smart, sexy . . . she's going places if she doesn't let her family pull her back." He said instead, the sober part of him knowing that was a safer topic.

Luka looked frustrated with the subject change, but said nothing about it. He just nodded his head and listened. He was hoping his friend would put his foot in his mouth all on his own and tell him this 'plan' of his. "Right, her family of bikers." He said, as if it actually was of any interest of him.

He already knew all about Savannah Teller's family of bikers. He did his research when Juice first started working for them. He didn't want any surprises down the road. His dad had taught him well. Juice didn't know he already knew all about the Sons of Anarchy though. He wanted to keep it that way.

"They're so backwards, man. Treat their girls like women from the 50's. Sav, she deserves better than that. She has a future, man. A good one if I don't screw everything up." Juice said, his eyes drifting down to his empty glass.

"This is where your plan comes in then." Luka said, watching his friend stare sadly at the glass in his hands.

Juice nodded his head, a small smile gracing his lips when he remembered his plan. It was going to work, he just knew it. Savannah was wrong about him, he could support her and the baby if he pulled this plan off. He wouldn't be the idiot she thought him to be. "Yeah, that's where my plan comes into play." He said, glancing at his friend. "I put away some money for her and the baby. Not my money, but-but it won't be missed. It was just sitting there, going to waste. Your dad doesn't need it. I can put it all back, I swear. I just . . . I just need to make sure she's all set." He confessed drunkenly.

Luka looked stunned at the confession. Juice was stealing from his dad. Good intentions aside, he was still stealing. He knew he should tell his dad, but he also knew he could use this to his advantage later down the road. Grinning, he reached over and squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ortiz. Your secret is safe with me." He said, a plan of his own forming in his head. This could definitely work in his favor later on.

"Thanks, man." Juice said, taking another shot before looking over.

"Don't mention it." Luka said, grinning as he clanked glasses with him. "Don't mention it at all."

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Savannah had come home to an empty apartment. It wasn't like she expected Juice to be there, she knew he was working, but she'd been hoping he would be. She wanted to know what had been up about this morning and why he was acting weird. Glancing at her phone, she noticed he still didn't answer her. She'd sent him a question about dinner before she left class and usually he was pretty good at replying. Maybe they were swamped and he couldn't take a second to text back? Yeah, that was all it was.

Pouring herself something to drink, she settled on the couch and pulled her laptop over onto her lap. She was not going to be that girl who waited for her boyfriend to message back, she wasn't that girl. She'd never been that girl before, and she wouldn't be it now. Opening her email, she felt her body tense up. There was an email from her OBGYN, not doubt telling her about her results. Had she missed the call? Glancing at her phone, she saw no missed calls.

That's weird, she was sure they were going to call her with the results. None the less, she had them. She was about to open the email when her cell phone started going off. Juice's name flashed in the caller id and she couldn't help the smile. Flipping it open, she pressed answer and held it to her ear. "Hey, baby, I was wondering when . . ."

"Sorry, this is Luka Rossi, Juice's friend. I don't mean to worry you, but it would seem he's a bit too drunk to drive and he refuses to pay for a cab. I'd bring him myself, but I can't." Luka said on the other end.

Glancing at the clock, she knew Juice should still be at work. He'd told her he wouldn't be done for another hour at least. What was he doing at the bar, and how long had he been there? Obviously long enough to get himself wasted. He'd lied to her about having work today, she realized. Why, she didn't know, but she didn't have a good feeling about it. Either way, she knew she had to go get him.

Getting up, she closed her laptop and looked around for her things. "I'll be right there. The bar off Elm, right?"

"That's the one." Luka said, nodding before he glanced at his drunk friend. "I would hurry. It's karaoke night and I have no doubt he intends on singing tonight."

Savannah paused, briefly considering taking her time just so she could see that. Shaking her head, she pulled on her shoes and grabbed her bag. "I'll be there in a few minutes. If he tries to sign up . . . let him. The dumbass deserves the embarrassment." She said, rolling her eyes as she walked around the corner.

Elm street wasn't that far from them, and the weather wasn't that bad for once. It wouldn't take her long to get there. By the time she reached the bar, she wondered inside to see it looked similar to the clubhouse back home. It had generally the same smell to it too. Looking around, she wasn't even sure what this Luka guy looked like. She was just hoping to find Juice and be out in less then ten minutes.

"Over here!" A guy shouted.

Looking to the right, she noticed a well dressed man, looking to be around Juice's age, sitting at the bar. His attire made him stick out like a sore thumb, it was hard to believe she hadn't seen him until he called out. Taking off her hat, she wondered over to the bar. The lack of Juice sitting with him worried her. "Luke, I assume?" She asked, glancing around for her boyfriend as she approached Luka.

"Luka, actually." He said, holding out his hand.

Looking at it with hesitation, she sighed and raised her hand. A spark shocked her as she shook his hand, his grip tight and surprising. "Right, um, so where is he?" She asked, pulling back her hand as she made another attempt to find her missing boyfriend.

Luka chuckled, motioning behind her. She looked at him suspiciously before turning to the stage. Juice was walking up to the mic, stumbling slightly. Groaning to herself, she knew this couldn't end well. When the music to Warrent's Cherry Pie started playing, Savannah couldn't help grimace. As much as she was embarrassed for Juice, it didn't stop her from taking out her phone and recording this.

Once she had a verse recorded, she put her phone down and settled for watching the rest of his 'performance', if you could call it that. Some words were slurred, and he couldn't quite get the high note right, but he wasn't totally bad. He'd even found her in the crowd and pointed at her when he say 'she's my cherry pie'. Oh, yeah, she'd definitely be watching this video later. That was a given.

"How do you know Juice? Do you guys work at the club together?" She asked over to Juice's mysterious friend.

Luka looked confused for a moment before he realization dawned on him. Juice hadn't told her about his dealings with his family. This little outing with his friend just got curious and curiouser. None the less, he wasn't going to be the one his friend. If he was keeping it a secret from her, there had to be a reason. "No. We grew up together, actually. Juice was my first friend before we moved. I found out he was in the city and came to see him. He mentioned you a couple of times." Luka said, passing her a glass.

She looked at it suspiciously, but didn't say anything. He wasn't oblivious to the fact she didn't drink it either. Smart girl. Either she was too smart to drink a drink from a stranger, or she really was pregnant. Looking her over, he could see why his friend was so smitten with this girl. She was absolutely out of his league, and by no means looked pregnant. She was beautiful, smart, and from what Juice told him, good with her hands. It was a mystery to him why she would settle for someone like Juan Carlos Ortiz.

"That's funny, cause he's never mentioned you." She said, a fake smile on her face as she tipped her drink to him.

She was feisty too, he liked it. She could definitely do a lot better than his drunken friend who was still making a fool of himself on stage. "We haven't seen each other in years, so I'm not surprised." He said, shrugging off her sarcasm.

Savannah watched him for a minute before she realized Juice was finishing his song. A few people applauded, but she was sure it was out of pity for the drunken fool. Sighing, she excused herself and headed to the stage. Juice lit up like a little kid when he saw her. "Savvy, what are you doing here?" He said, letting her help him down from the stage.

He leaned on her, reeking of alcohol when he breathed on her. If she wasn't already use to the stench, she would have gagged. "I could ask you the same thing, Ortiz. We'll talk about it tomorrow when you're sober." She said, putting his arm around her shoulders so she could hold him up better.

Luka hurried over and helped her carry Juice's dead weight over to an empty table. Between the two of them, they got him into the chair easily. "I can get him to the car. It was nice meeting you, Luke." She said, barely giving him a glance as she brushed back Juice's hair. She only had eyes for him, and she was making that clear.

"Luka." He corrected her, but it went on deaf ears.

Clearing his throat, he nodded his head and slipped on his jacket. "It was nice meeting you too, Miss Teller. Good luck with the baby." He said, his eyes flickering to her stomach before he made his leave.

Savannah froze at the word, her hand shook as she glanced back flabbergasted. How did her . . . her eyes glanced over to Juice. He knew. There was no other way Luka could know about that. Why hadn't he said anything? Now his mood this morning made sense. The lack of call from the clinic made sense now, because Juice had answered it.

Crap.