Chapter Two: Family

There are two women in my life that scare me. Gemma Teller-Morrow, who lectured me until my ears started ringing after my little run in with Luann at TM, and the other, well the other would be Mary-Margaret O'Neill, my Nana, whose doorstep I'm currently occupying as I try to sum up the courage to knock on the door.

It isn't that Nana won't be happy to see me. She'll be enthused, and if I know her, which I like to think I do, she'll have fresh baked cinnamon rolls and peach tea waiting for me. She too will also have a lecture, a much longer one waiting for me. One because I didn't come home last night, opting to crash in Bobby's dorm as he isn't using it, and two because I picked a fight with Luann; and what my Nana lacks in physical presence she more than makes up for in attitude.

Reaching my hand for the door handle it swings open, and there before me is all four feet four inches of my Nana. Her hands come to rest on her hips and she raises a graying eye brow at me.

"I was wondering if you were ever going to come in or if you were going to stand out here all morning," her voice lilts with an intriguing mixture of annoyance and humor.

"Hi Nana," I murmuring offering a sheepish smile as I set my duffel bag on the floor and circle her in a hug.

"Don't you 'hi Nana' me Grace-Ann. If it wasn't for Gemma I wouldn't have known that you stayed at the clubhouse last night, since it seems you have suddenly forgotten how to call me. Of course Luann was quick to call me and chew me out for the little spat you two had in front of everyone," she says as she hugs me. I take comfort from her and after a few beats of silence she wraps an arm around my waist, leading me into the kitchen.

"Oh Nana, cinnamon rolls and peach tea, you're an angel," I say pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Sit, sit. Eat while they're still warm," she says pouring two tall glasses. "Now, why don't you tell me what happened between you and Luann."

"I'm sure Luann told you," I say over a bite and when she narrows her eyes at me I know she isn't going to let it go, I take a deep breath. "I don't know what you want me to say Nana, Luann and I, we're just, never going to be okay."

"Come now Grace-Ann, you don't mean that. She's your Mom."

"I didn't have a choice in that. Besides, you've been more of a Mom to me than she ever has," I say shaking my head at her before she can go on. "It's true Nana, and you know it. I graduated four months ago, and it wasn't her face I found in the crowd, it was yours. You had just had major surgery two months before, and still you managed to come because you knew it was important, and what does Luann do? She sends you with a card that says 'sorry, I have to work…' She hates me Nana."

"She does not," she interjects but all I can do is laugh as I walk my dishes to the sink.

"She's hated me from the moment I made it clear that I wanted something more than CaraCara, something more than Charming, than the club. She resents the fact that I want something more. That's okay, because I resent her too. I resent that my Dad gets sent to prison and she decides that her precious porn studio is more important than taking care of her daughter. I resent that the girls who work for her have always mattered more. I resent that the first call after nearly a year and a half is two minutes long telling me that Donna's dead…" my voice breaks as I tighten my hold on the sink. The tears come without much warning.

"I know sweetheart," Nana's voice is soft as she speaks from behind me and turning into her arms I finally let the dam break all the way.

-Kozik-

He never minded the long rides. To be completely honest he lived for them. The hours of long highway, the roar, rumble, and wind drowning out any and all noise, leaving his mind free to wander over things. Whenever his mind wandered, good things came of it.

Mostly.

This stretch of highway is familiar, even if he hasn't taken this particular run in a while. He crosses the Charming border, and for the first time in a long time it feels like coming home.

Backing his bike in against the rail he hears a familiar voice calling from across the yard.

"Kozik, man brother it's good to see you," Happy approaches clasping him in a tight hug which he enthusiastically returns.

"You too Hap, have to admit I wish it was under different circumstances," he says pulling the sunglasses from his face leaving them to rest around his neck.

"Yeah. You should go in, say hi to Clay," Happy tells him and nodding he starts heading that way when the back door of a shiny black SUV hanging open catches his attention, and the sight of a curvaceous back end clad in tight jeans makes him stop short.

His head tilts to the side as he takes in the view and he can't help the smile that crosses his lips.

"Don't even think about it brother," a rolling voice comes from beside him and turning he sees Chibs. The older man claps a hand on his shoulder squeezing lightly. "That's Otto and Luann's daughter…"

"Well shit…" he lets out a heavy sigh putting any thoughts of getting a little lucky straight out his head. "Doesn't mean I can't enjoy the view though right?"

-XX-

The clubhouse is subdued, a stark contrast to the usual rowdy party atmosphere the Sons are known for, and tipping the bottle to his lips it seems fitting all things considered. The music is soft, serving as a comforting background to the hushed conversations that go on around him. A couple of prospects and crow eaters work the bar as only the closest of friends and family of the Sons mill around finding any means of comfort that they can in one another, and he can't take his eyes off of one in particular.

Her hair is long and dark falling in waves over her shoulders which she shakes away as she leans down to wrap her arms around Opie. She whispers something in his ear that brings a whisper of a smile to his lips for a second before she presses a kiss to his forehead. He doesn't know what it is about her, or why he's inclined to notice everything about her, but he's noticing her all right, and when she steps out of the club he takes his chance.

-XX-

The evening is uncharacteristically cool for Charming as he steps out into the night air and the first thing he sees is her. Her back is to him, one hand hanging down with a lit cigarette spiraling smoke.

"Got a light?" he calls out and when she turns she smiles, bright and glowing as she walks towards him pulling a Bic from her pocket.

"I do," her voice, an intriguing rasp that all but grabs him by the throat has him swallowing hard. "I don't believe I caught your name."

"Kozik, Herman Kozik," he says holding the lighter back out to her she shakes her head at him.

"Why don't you hold onto that? I might not be around to give you your next light." She winks as she snubs out her own cigarette before heading back towards the clubhouse. Her footsteps pause as she turns to look back at him over her shoulder, a smile forming on her lips. "It was nice to meet you Kozik, and welcome home."

::Gracie::

"How was Ope?" Nana's voice is soft as I curl up next to her on the couch, resting my head on her shoulder.

"He's…Ope. Quiet. I told him I would be sticking around for a while, that I'll help with the kids," I say and when she puts her hand over mine squeezing lightly.

"What about your job offer…"

"It'll still be there if it's meant to be, besides, maybe it's time I start thinking a little more about family."