CHAPTER ELEVEN

Al's back beside us before Gemma has returned from the office, she's grinning and I have to really search my memories to remember a time when I last saw her as happy as she is.

Looking over at her, "Christmas the year after I moved to New York."

Al looks really confused, the scrunching of her forehead giving away that she's trying to work out what I mean. "Huh?"

"The last time I remember you looking as happy as you are right now." I smile at my blonde friend.

She shrugs a shoulder, the smile splitting across her face showing her teeth and making her eyes sparkle. "I am happy."

"Good, you should be."

Al leans across the table and gives me a hug, saying into my ear, "I have you to thank for this you know?"

I pull away and meet her eyes again, "Why?"

"Well in a really fucked up way I guess I have Craig to thank, if not for him then you wouldn't have come home and I wouldn't have followed you."

Jax has crossed the lot while we've been talking and drops himself onto the bench beside me leaning his back against the table. "Less said of that fuckwits name round here the better aye Al?"

Al nods, meeting Jax's eyes briefly before hers drift back to Juice.

Jax nudges my side, "I heard something about shopping?"

I nod, "Coffee machine, new one, needed ASAP." I mutter losing my train of thought when I meet his eyes.

"You need cash?" He asks, hand automatically going for his back pocket.

I snort, "Nope. Gemma's already said I'm 'not allowed' to pay for it. She's getting some cash from the safe."

Jax nods, "And that's all you'll end up buying I'm sure."

I shake my head furiously, "Like hell it is. I have a house to furnish, a baby to shop for, twins to spoil and a best friend who will hopefully be carrying another bundle of joy soon."

Donna's head swings over to us as I say that and she tries to look angry, but the twitching of her mouth gives her away. "No spoiling my kids. They'll start to expect it."

"But Aunty Sarah can afford it!" I exclaim, leaning dramatically into Jax's side like her words have hurt me.

"Don't care. No spoiling of my kids, or I'll spoil yours." Donna replies, her eyes glinting with the truthfulness of her statement.

"Okay meany." I mutter, pouting at her.

Al finally manages to drag her eyes away from Juice as Gemma returns and hands me a couple of notes. "Just a plain machine like they've already got. None of them will be able to work it otherwise."

"Okay Gem." I say, hopping to my feet and suddenly realising that the only car in the lot is Donna's and its backseat is already crammed with the two car seats. "Umm Gem…" I trail off looking at her.

"Hmm?"

"Can we use your car?"

"Where's yours?" She looks around the lot and only now notices that the Nitro is missing.

"I came in with Jax this morning, my cars still in his garage."

She nods and goes back to the office, returning a couple of minutes later with her keys hanging from a finger. "No scratches, no dents…"

"…and a full tank when it comes back." I finish her sentence for her, plucking the keys from her finger.

"Damn straight."

I move to walk away from the table and towards Gemma's Caddy when Jax's arms snake round my waist and halt me before I can get a step away. I raise an eyebrow and look down at him.

"Don't I get a goodbye kiss?" He asks trying to pout but the smirk flicking over his lips gives him away.

"Of course." I sit on his thighs and wrap my arms round his waist licking my lower lip slowly before leaning in and pecking him on the lips.

He growls as I pull away quickly, our lips having barely touched. "What the fuck was that?"

I giggle "A kiss?"

"Like hell it was." Jax says, running his hand up my arms and wrapping his fingers around the hair tie holding my ponytail in place. "Do I get a proper kiss now?"

I shake my head, smiling slyly "I've already given you one."

Jax tugs slightly on the elastic which makes my head twitch back. "Do I get a proper kiss?"

I shake my head again and he pulls a little harder, the elastic starting to slide down my hair. "How bout now?"

I lean forward and whisper, "Say please."

"Please can I have a kiss?" Jax says, his fingers slowly pulling the elastic down my hair.

"Of course you can." I twist my head slightly and press my lips to his again, leaving them in contact for a few seconds before he grips the back of my head and his lips slide slowly over mine, coaxing mine to follow, his tongue slides into my mouth and massages mine softly.

The fact that Al and Donna are still sitting at the table vanishes from my mind, the fact his mother is barely 5 steps away disappears with the knowledge that we're in the middle of the Teller-Morrow lot. When I manage to pull back several minutes later I'm flushed and slightly out of breath but Jax's eyes are sparkling and carrying an emotion that looks strangely like pride.

The sound from around us slowly registers and the loud whoops from the bays make my face flame bright red. Burrowing into Jax's chest I smack him lightly on the arm. "You bastard."

Jax chuckles, "Just marking my territory."

I lean back and roll my eyes, "Would you like to piss on my leg as well?"

Jax cocks an eyebrow, "No, definitely not into that."

I raise my hand slowly and run a finger over the dark red mark on my shoulder, "Pretty sure that you've already marked your territory."

Jax shrugs, looking completely unapologetic. "Just making sure it's clear."

I snort and smile at the same time. "You're a clown. Someone would have to be deaf, dumb, blind and stupid to not realise I love you."

Jax nods shortly, helping me to my feet, his smirk reappearing when I'm slightly unsteady. "Ditto Darlin'."

Donna and Al are standing on the other side of the table, arms crossed trying (and failing) to look stern. "Can we go now?"

Jax nods, "Sure you can." He walks with me across the lot to Gemma's car, waits till I'm settled in the car and belts my seatbelt for me, dropping another kiss on my lips before he pulls his head out of the car. "Be safe."

I nod "Always."

He steps back and watches while I reverse out of the car park and drive out of the lot.