CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile.

Jax takes the long way to the hospital, enjoying the ride in the fresh air, the calmness that seems to have finally landed enough to make even the simplest things more enjoyable. The noose around our necks of LOAN and their invasion is still relaxed enough that we can wiggle out of it, my mental fingers cross that I'll hear back from Mandy soon. The lack of phone call from her the previous day is a little concerning but I hope Donna was right in that she's getting details sorted before coming back to me.

Jax carefully backs his bike into a park and waits while I climb off before turning off the engine and undoing his helmet "What were you thinking about so intently?"

I shrug and wait while he gets off the bike before sliding my arm around his waist and curling into his side "A couple of things, I'm worried about why I haven't heard back from Mandy."

"Hmm? What was she meant to be ringing you about?" Jax asks as we walk slowly towards the doors.

"The store front Zobelle was after. She's doing a counter offer and I'm waiting to hear if it was successful." I mutter, I hadn't told Jax that I'd done anything yet and I'm not sure his reaction.

"Which one was it?"

"Shermans." The store itself is tiny and I guess that it would be good for something like a cigar shop. But I'm not convinced that anything like that would survive in our small town.

"What are you going to do with it if the offer is accepted? You're already buying that huge building from Simon." Jax doesn't sound annoyed which I'm truly thankful for, but he does sound curious.

"I'm not sure. Maybe I'll set Al up in there?" I wonder the likelihood of a tattoo studio working well in a town of less than 15,000 people.

Jax chuckles as we wait for the elevator "So you buy a store before having any idea of what to do with it."

I nod "Yep. Why, do you have an idea?"

Jax shakes his head "Nope.

The elevator door opens as the auto doors behind us open again, causing my hair to flutter around my face and a shockwave of idea slams into me causing a smile to cross my face. Jax cocks his head to the side "What?"

"What about a beauty parlour?" My brain is already running away with the idea of setting up a business for Cam in town, even though she may not come back. I did notice the lack of places in town for manicures, pedicures or anything like that.

Jax shrugs "Chick shit. I don't know. Talk to Ma."

I nod and allow the subject to drop. I'll talk about it with Donna and Gem at some stage, having been away from town for so long I'm out of touch with what is and isn't around anymore and it's possible that there is a place that caters for what I'm thinking about.

We approach the door to the Neonatal unit and I decide to wait till Abel is in Jax's arms, hopefully the little miracle will be enough for him to not completely overreact when I tell him my other upcoming expense.

Later when Jax is sitting in the armchair in the corner of the room, me sitting across his thighs and Abel curled into his elbow sucking on a bottle and looking around the room before I clear my throat and he turns his attention to me "Do I get to know the rest of what you were thinking about earlier now?"

I frown "Didn't realise I was that obvious."

Jax shrugs one shoulder and glances down at Abel "I told you, you can't lie. You only told me half the story. Spit it out."

"I've decided that I want to buy another car. Another 2 door car that is. While my Nitro is great for hauling shit it's just so huge when all I want to do is go for a drive, or if I'm coming to the garage for a visit." I realise mid-way through my sentence that I'm babbling and the end of the sentence trails off.

"Okay and why are you so nervous about telling me?" Jax looks curious now, the quirking upwards of his eyebrow and the odd smile around his mouth giving away that he's enjoying my nerves more than he should.

"Umm, cause of the amount said car is going to cost." I bite my lip and look down at him.

He taps his fingers on my hip and rolls his eyes "Just spit it out already. It's not like it could be more than you just paid on my mortgage."

I close my mouth and bite my lips together for a few seconds. That's about how long it takes Jax to look up at me and narrow his eyes "Could it?" He questions at my lack of reply.

I swallow hard and nod once "It's could be."

"Fuck sakes, what did you decide you want? A Nascar and crew?" Jax doesn't really sound annoyed at all, more still sounding curious about what I'd decided I wanted.

"It's still a USA made Dodge." I start small. "It's only a 2 seater."

Jax smiles and shakes his head "Just tell me."

I lean down and rest my head on his shoulder, burrowing my nose into the join of his neck to his shoulder "It's a Dodge Viper. Patrick is getting the spec list for me to pick what I want when we see him on Wednesday."

Jax nods, his head brushing against my hair "Okay, and why is it so much?"

I shrug "It may have something to do with the 8.4 litre V10 motor that is in it, or might have something to do with all the additions. Well, it may not be as much as your mortgage was, but it possibly could be when all the additions are made. The base price is 100K."

"Not sure why you were worried about telling me Darlin' as long as we have money for food, petrol, and utilities I don't care what of your money you spend." I poke him in the side hard "Okay, sorry, our money."

I kiss his skin softly, the worry I was holding about telling him evaporating "You know I'm actually not sure why I was worried. I mean, we could get his and hers."

Jax shakes his head "No, I'll stick with the bike thanks."

I poke my tongue out at him "And when you have to take Abel somewhere?"

"Fuck. You're far too good at logic, but what use do I have for a car that only has 2 seats?" Jax sighs "I guess I have to consider an actual car don't I?"

I nod "'Fraid so baby. But if it makes you feel better you can get something manly." I giggle at the end of the sentence; I couldn't picture him driving something small, or economical.

Jax glares at me as Abel finishes his bottle, he taps me on the leg and I get to my feet, carefully passing the baby over to me he watches while I burp him and change his nappy before setting him back in the incubator. "Guess I have to go car shopping."

I nod "If it makes you feel better we can order directly from the manufacturer."

Jax shakes his head "Nah we'll get something off the lot, just don't make me do it now. Too many big purchases going on right now."

I nod "Okay, but you will need to before Abel comes home, and that's only about three weeks away."

Jax sighs and leans against the window for a second. I cross the room and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head on his back "I know it's a big thing Jax, but you would have had to think about it anyway."

Jax turns and drops his arms over my shoulders, his hands resting on my back "I could have used Ma's car."

"You could have. You still can, or if it means that much get one like hers."

Jax shakes his head "Nah, I know what I want, and to be true to you and your addiction, it's a Dodge."

I smile brightly up at him "Ram?"

He nods once "Of course."

I remember not long before I left Jax and Opie had been talking about if they ever had to get a cage for any reason and the pair of them had decided they liked the Dodge Rams and would have one. Somehow Opie ended up with the old shitter he has and Donna's car being not much better makes me grimace when she puts the kids in it. "Do you think that D would be able to get a new car, I hate her driving round in that death trap?"

Jax slides his hand up to the back of my neck and tilts my head so I'm looking at him "Don't you even think for a second about buying them cars too. They've got the insurance paying off their mortgage. I'm not sure how the fuck they managed it but their insurance company agreed to pay out the value of the house. I think Oswald had something to do with it; he went there after you saw him about designs. You're paying the full cost of rebuilt and refurnish, they can afford new cars now if they want to."

I nod and lean forwards "Hmm, didn't know Elliot went to have a look at the house, I'll have to ask him about that. And I wasn't going to buy them new cars, just make a suggestion to Ope that maybe his wife would like a new car now that the kids are a bit older."

Jax nods and kisses me slowly "I'll talk to him. You butt out of it."

I nod, kissing him again slowly "Okay."

A quick glance at the clock makes me realise that we really should be heading home, the feed Abel just had would be his dinner and it seems like lunch at the clubhouse was hours ago.

Jax seconds my unspoken thoughts, slinging his arm around my neck and pulling me towards the door "Time to go."

AN: What is everyone's dream car. Me; I'd like a Dodge Challenger or a Charger. :-)